The WakeUp Call Newsletter
The Voice of the WakeUp Revolution!
June 2008 Issue

Featured Story Breaking Away For A Break
Happenings New Events
Tenets Click Here

Hey there,

It's been a while since I've published this newsletter but my recent trip to Mexico along with the warm and generous requests from some of you have refocused me to start offering these on a more regular basis.

This month's story reflects back on that trip and the coincidences that were occurring seemingly one after another...

First my coconut shell necklace broke followed by my sunglasses and now my watch. All within two hours of each other. And it was only the second day of our vacation.

I started to wonder:

  • What the heck was going on?

  • Were these important signs?

  • Was there an urgent message I needed to hear?

There was indeed a message I needed. However, was I going to hear it or did I need to create it?

Enjoy!

Mike

BREAKING AWAY FOR A BREAK

"Daddy, your watch is floating in the water..."

I had been working non-stop for the past few months and it was hard enough to break away for a vacation. Sound familiar? I know many of you can relate! I knew I needed to unplug to recharge my energy, but I was struggling to justify both the time away from my business and the cost.

But I had made my decision (and my wife definitely needed the break), so there I was in the beautiful Riviera Maya on the first full day of our family trip, trying to decompress so I could enjoy the time. As my necklace broke and spilled the coconut shells everywhere I grumbled a little bit as I gathered up the pieces. I was only thinking about the loss - no more necklace. But I had to admit, it did provide the smallest bit of freedom now that I didn't have something around my neck. I continued with the day.

Within an hour, my sunglasses cracked and broke. I thought about the loss and I grumbled a little bit more as I threw the broken pieces away. How annoying! Now I'll need to buy another pair.

A little while later, we went to play with the kids on the beach. We had just gotten into the warm, Caribbean water when my daughter informed me about my watch. The band had broken and my watch was just floating around. What the heck was going on? First my necklace broke, then my sunglasses and now my watch, all within two hours of each other. And it was only the first day of our vacation.

I had to wonder - were these important signs? Was there an urgent
message I needed to hear?

My wife and I were trying to make sense of it all. But I was cranky from having all these things happen to me at once. I was stuck inside the loss and inconvenience of it all.

But here we were, on a beautiful vacation looking for some much needed family and down time. My wife reminded me that taking a negative perspective on these things wouldn't serve me or my family. She was right. I took a few slow, deep breaths and started to let go of my drama. We decided to redefine the meaning of these events into something that would empower me (after all, the only 'truth' was whatever we decided to make it mean.) We declared that it was Mexico's way of forcing me to slow down and be present in the moment (no watch), open my eyes and make eye contact with my wife and kids (no sunglasses), and loosen up (no choker necklace around my throat).

All at once the thought of never knowing exactly what time it was became a relief. Muscles started to relax. Breathing became easier. I looked directly into my kids' eyes and felt pure love (at least, until they asked me why I was looking at them 'funny'!).

Nothing changed except my relationship to the events that had occurred. By redefining the meaning of what had happened, I became comforted and empowered instead of burdened and inconvenienced by it. It was really that simple. After 1 ½ days and three broken items, I was ready to begin my vacation. Ahhh...

Actually, my change of mood and perspective became extremely important in helping me deal with the next big challenge, which occurred the very next day. But I'll share that story with you next month.

Lessons Learned:

  • You have the power to give meaning to things. Choose something that empowers you.

  • Don't be a victim. Take things in stride and don't give up your power to your 'circumstances'

  • We need time away from our work to recharge. It may feel unproductive and that's the point. Time away allows your conscious mind to heal itself. When you return to work you'll be recharged and more productive.

  • Become your own cheerleader in difficult situations and be strong enough to change a negative into a positive.

  • Read my article "How to Take a Life-Changing Vacation" and make your next vacation one that changes your life. Click here for the article: http://www.jaffelifedesign.com/pdf/HowtoTakeaLifeChangingVacation.pdf

I hope you had a fun and safe Memorial Day weekend and I wish you a wonderful Summer

mj

Happenings:

horseBE A HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR!

 

 

 

 

Join us for a life-changing workshop on Authentic Leadership that will help you stay true to your goals and yourself!

Did you know that horses can tell when you're afraid? Well, that's not entirely accurate. Acting like you're not afraid when, in fact, you are - that's what the horse knows and does not trust.

How does that translate to your style and effectiveness at work?

In a professional environment, there are many forces trying to drive and influence you to respond to their needs - your investors, your partners, your boss, your direct reports, and even your admin assistant.

How can you lead effectively and meet their needs while simultaneously staying true to your values, principles and boundaries?

That, is the power of authentic leadership! It requires both courage and clarity to do what is needed to stay true to your goals and yourself.

  • Authentic leaders inspire others from the strength of their authentic presence - not from the power of their positions or titles.

  • Authentic leaders act externally in a consistent manner with who they are and what they believe internally.

  • Authentic leaders continuously seek self-awareness and relentlessly seek objective criticism.

COME TO THE HEART OF HORSE COUNTRY!
What better way to experience a program on authentic leadership than the place where passion, competition, spirit, and values all come together - a gorgeous horse farm with a state of the art conference facility in the heart of Kentucky!

We invite you to discover your authentic self in the role of leader during a two day workshop on the breathtaking rolling hills of 65 acre Caerindoll Farm in Central Kentucky.

This workshop combines morning sessions with the horses and afternoon sessions in a state-of-the art conference facility.

Visit http://www.universalreins.com/AL_Workshop.html for more info.

Coach Certification Training July 28-Aug 1
Train to become a Life Coach in just 5 days!
Woodbury, Long Island, NY
Join us for our powerful Coach Training Program, (via LPI - The Life Purpose Institute) and receive the most personal attention and support of any coach training program available! LPI extraordinary life coach programs and training cover everything you need to get started in this exciting and meaningful career. Go to http://www.jaffelifedesign.com/life-coaching-programs.htm for more information.

Tenets of the WakeUp Revolution:>

It's realizing that life is a gift,
                                            and every single day counts!

It's looking forward and saying 'what now,
                                            'not looking back saying 'I wish I had'!

It's designing your life the way you want it to be,
                                            so life doesn't just 'happen' to you!

It's believing in the possibility of your desired life,
                                            not a life of compromises!

It's remembering what's really important,
                                            so you can slow down and breathe again!

It's having courage to take small steps now,
                                            instead of watching days slip past!

The WakeUp Mission

Our mission at Jaffe Life Design is to serve as a Human WakeUp Call™ for others, alerting them to the potential their lives possess. That means empowering others directly or indirectly to make conscious choices that enable them to break free of their complacency, limiting beliefs and inactivity so they can overcome their challenges and live the life they've designed, on their terms!

Quote of the Month

three little birds

"Don't worry about a thing, cause every little thing is going to be alright"

- Bob Marley's Three Little Birds
 

July 15-16
NEW! Authentic Leadership Workshop.
Caerindoll Farm, Versailles, Kentucky.
What better way to experience a program on authentic leadership than the place where passion, competition, spirit, and values all come together - a gorgeous horse farm with a state of the art conference facility in the heart of Kentucky! Join Mike as he co-leads this unique and powerful workshop! Mornings are spent with the horses and afternoons in the conference facility. Truly a life-changing experience. Visit http://www.universalreins.com/AL_Workshop.html for more information.

July 28-Aug 1
Train to become a Life Coach in just 5 days!
Woodbury, Long Island, NY
Join us for our powerful Coach Training Program, (via LPI - The Life Purpose Institute) and receive the most personal attention and support of any coach training program available! LPI extraordinary life coach programs and training cover everything you need to get started in this exciting and meaningful career. Go to http://www.jaffelifedesign.com/life-coaching-programs.htm for more information.

New Ebook!

Wake Up by Mike Jaffe
WakeUp! Your Life
Is Waiting For You!
Mike's new ebook
has launched!
Learn more

 

SHARE YOUR STORY!

Do you have a story to share?

WakeUp Calls have affected many people's lives. For some, surviving the storms they've faced turned out to be some of the most important events of their lives.

If you've had a wakeup call that's affected your life, we want you to share it with us and tell us if we can include it on our website.

Shares can be anonymous (initials only) or can be fully disclosed. We will only publish those stories with your full permission - it's your choice.

Copyright 2008 Jaffe Life Design LLC.
All Rights Reserved.

Feel free to share this newsletter with anyone you think might enjoy it. In fact, I encourage it! Please send it in its entirety and keep the contact and copyright information on it.

If you want to use this month's article on your website or your own ezine that's great! However, you MUST include the following info at the end (that's fair right?)

"Mike Jaffe is a Human WakeUp Call and the founder of the WakeUp Revolution!TM For more information on Mike's powerful and insightful speaking, coaching and workshops, or to receive Mike's inspirational audio course "7 Steps to Wake Up and Live An Extraordinary Life!" visit www.jaffelifedesign.com."

 

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