The WakeUp Call Newsletter
The Voice of the WakeUp Revolution!
September 2007 Issue

Clik-clik-clik-clik-clik...ahhhhhhhhh!

I love rollercoasters. Except it's not as much fun when your life resembles one. Or is it?

Many times we get stopped because we are afraid of 'the fall' but summoning up the courage to face those fears is how you grow and it will take you to the other side where you can look back and say "That's it? That's what I was afraid of? That wasn't so bad."

So get on that ride called 'your life.' Oh - and it's worth the wait to make sure you ride in the front seat!.

Mike
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FEATURED STORY

"Why are you crying?" I asked my 7 year old daughter. She replied with the honesty and openness that only children still possess, "Because I want to ride it so badly but I'm really afraid."

Thus was the plight of my little girl during our last trip to Hershey Park, faced with the prospect and opportunity of riding the Super Duper Looper™ rollercoaster.

When we asked her what about the ride was so scary we expected her to point to the loop. But she surprised us by declaring that it was 'the fall' - the first big drop after you do that slow, initial clik-clik-clik-clik climb to the highest point of the ride.

She wanted to ride it so badly, but she was afraid of the 'fall.' We tried to explain that the fall on this ride was no bigger than the other rollercoaster she had already ridden. She 'knows that' but it didn't matter. That's why she was crying. Logically, she knew she could do it and wanted to try. But emotionally she was paralyzed with fear.

My wife and I knew she would love the ride but in our excitement for her, we unintentionally were pressuring her to make a choice before she was ready to. The more we kept encouraging her and telling her how much fun she would have, the more she resisted with a plea of  "I know - I want to go but I can't go!"

Then we made a brilliant parenting move. We shut up...and let her 'own' the decision herself, in her own time and at her own pace. We didn't mention another word about it.

A little while later, after enjoying a few less fear-inducing rides, she told us she was ready try it. We replied with a nonchalant 'ok.' And made our way towards that part of the park. She volunteered that she 'saw' herself on the ride with a big smile and that made her feel ok. She had had her vision.

We made our way to the ride and since we also had our big little guy (he's only 4 ½ which is why he's a little guy, but at 50+ pounds and 45 inches tall, he ain't little! Forget saving for college - I'm putting money away for our future food bills!) my wife went with her up the stairs towards the entrance to the Looper. My daughter had confirmed her commitment.

Now came the hard part. As they got to the top and were next on line, the reality of what they were about to do set in and my daughter had a sudden change of heart. She was crying and trying to drag her mom back down the stairs. When my wife got her to calm down (in a way only a mother can), they talked about it and together they decided they would try it. It wasn't until much later that I found out a promise of ice cream played a role in this decision. Alas, she found her courage.

When they arrived back to the bench where my son and I were anxiously awaiting them, my daughter exclaimed, "That's It? That's what I was so afraid of? That wasn't so bad. I want to do it again!" We all laughed. My daughter's boundaries had grown as a result of her actions.

And as we excitedly went to the Great Bear Rollercoaster, we looked at our daughter and saw that she was crying again. "I want to go - I really do. But this fall is bigger than the Looper..." J

NOTE: That one (true) experience with my daughter this summer was such a perfect example of someone who was struggling inside between rational goals and desires and emotional fears. How many of us want to do something but are afraid of 'the fall?' We want to create something different, start something new, go somewhere we've never been, change jobs and careers, etc. but there is a lot of fear that comes with those dreams. Are we afraid we will fail? Or that we will succeed? What will happen then?

Here's my coaching to you: Go for it. Create a vision, commit to your vision, and then summon up the courage to take the first step even in the face of your fears. If you don't like the results, you don't have to do it again. But until you take that step, even if its a baby step, you'll never know what doors are waiting to open for you on the other side of that ride. You can think about it from now until forever but until you actually experience it, and see that you'll survive, it will be very challenging to stretch your own boundaries and grow. Plus, a little ice cream never hurt...

mj

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Happenings:

Mike will be doing a number of interviews in the next few months.

On September 17 hear Mike INTERVIEWED BY Krishna De, host of Biz Growth Live on the topic of 'How to Expand Your Reach With Global Telesummits' to help you grow your business, expand your reputation and attract more clients. Go to http://www.bizgrowthlive.com/  for info and to participate.

October 1-6 Momference Global Telesummit - The Momference is the first ever global telephone conference created especially for busy Moms - and it's convenient! Teleconferencing puts you in a "virtual meeting room" with thousands of like-minded women from all over the country... all without the hassles of travel or getting a babysitter! Visit www.momference.com for more info and to register.

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PREVIEW: Momference presents:
3 F'ree Teleclasses to Empower Mom in Her Life & Career!

Join us as we interview some of the top Momference speakers on the very best advice they have for today's Moms! And best of all - it's F'REE!!!

Available spaces are limited and will fill quickly - please Register Today

1. "You're Addicted to You! Why It's So Hard to Change and What You Can DO ABOUT IT!"

Discover simple ways that can help you have better relationships, improve your work and home life, and help you change that ONE THING that would make you happier with yourself!

with NOAH BLUMENTHAL:  Author, speaker, and founder of Leading Principles, Noah helps women and executives bring out the best in themselves so they're more confident, energized, and effective in their work. He has been featured in extensively in the media, including the New York Times, Newsday, MSNBC, and the Chicago Sun Times.

Friday 9/14/2007
1:00 - 2:00 EST

Register Now (There is no cost to register)

2. "Trust Yourself to Parent Well! 5 Secrets to Interact Positively With Your Child."

Learn how to develop and trust your own inner knowing about how to parent your child, and reduce the confusion from everything you read in the media and hear from 'experts'.

with TARA PATERSON:  Nationally syndicated parenting columnist with American Chronicle and Parenting Universe and a parent advisor for www.ParentalWisdom.com and www.MaximumBalance.com, and founder of the www.MomsChoiceAwards.com
 
Wednesday 9/19/2007
1:00 - 2:00 EST

Register Now (There is no cost to register)

3. "Averting the 12 Crises that Disempower Professional Women: Keys to a Thriving Career"

Professional moms won't want to miss this interview as Kathy reveals the findings from her national in-depth research study of over one hundred professional women co-sponsored by The Esteemed Woman Foundation.

with KATHY CAPRINO:  Researcher, author, speaker and coach specializing in helping women gain empowerment to reclaim the direction of their lives.

Thursday 9/27/2007
8:00 - 9:00 EST

Register Now (There is no cost to register)

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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!