The Price of Adventure

Last week I was in Whistler, Canada conducting a one of our Learning Vacations. My partner Lindon and I went up there a few days early because we wanted to do some business planning and to also go Helicopter Boarding. Turns out that as we were being picked up to be driven to the heli-pad, the driver found out that the helicopter wouldn’t be able to take off because of bad weather. So we went regular snow boarding instead and re-scheduled for the following day, when the forecast called for clear skies.

The next day the van arrived and the weather was gorgeous. We were all excited with some nervous anticipation as we drove about 30 miles to get to the heli-pad. There we underwent some safety avalanche training while we waited for the helicopter to arrive. During this time, some fog rolled in that prevented the helicopter from landing and picking us up. The guides said not to worry, because we were going to a higher location where the helicopter would have no problem landing. To make a long story short, after we moved to this new location, we waited for nearly 3 hours for the fog to lift. By the time we finally gave up, we had spent close to 6 hours waiting to go heli-boarding.

Needless to say, we were not only disappointed that we didn’t get to heli-board but that we had wasted an opportunity to go regular snow boarding as well. It was then that Lindon said: “I guess that’s the price of adventure.”

As I thought about this, I realized how true this is. In order to live an Xtraordinary Life, you must be willing to pay the price. And sometimes the price comes in the form of “wasted opportunities.” You must put yourself in a position to take advantage of something, but there is no guarantee that you will be able to capitalize on it. I remember hearing Zig Ziglar say long ago: “if you want a guarantee, buy a toaster!”

As I continue on my quest for an Xtraordinary Life, I’m sure I will continue to pay the price and I will continue to remind myself that it is worth it.

Technorati Tags: Adventure Travel, Xtraordinary Living

Podcast Episode #23 – Turning Adversity Into Opportunity

Episode #23 of the Xtraordinary Living podcast is out. The topic is Turning Adversity Into Opportunity. In this episode I have the privilege of interviewing Dr. Edie Eger. Dr. Edie’s own triumphant journey from adversity to opportunity began when she was just 16 years old in one of the darkest places imaginable – the Auschwitz death camp camp in Nazi Germany. Her parents lost their lives there, but she and her sister survived.

When the allies liberated Austria in 1945, young Edith, just 40 pounds, was found by an American soldier in a pile of corpses. The soldier noticed that her hand moved slightly and realized that she was still alive. From this darkest of adversities, Dr. Edie has gone on to create a joyous, fruitful life. Today Dr. Edie tours the world as a keynote speaker and lecturer — inspiring audiences to take control of their own destinies. She has appeared on numerous television programs including Oprah Winfrey. She resides in La Jolla where she has a clinical practice.

It was both an honor and a privilege to speak with Dr. Edie. Her insights and down-to-earth communication style was both refreshing and inspirational. During this episode you might shed a tear in one moment, and laugh in the next, but whatever emotions flow through you – consider them special gifts from an exceptional woman.

In this 23rd episode you will hear:
– What Dr. Edie’s mother told her as she was separated from her at Auschwitz
– How contrary to public belief, there are no victims in this world, only willing participants
– Why temptation serves to teach us about freedom of choice
– How everyone has the ability to change at any time; we have the power to choose how we will respond at any moment in time
– What Victor Frankel said to her during a dance together
– Why there are no punishments in life, just consequences
– How the words “risk” and “willing” help us “evolve” not just “revolve”
– Action steps to incorporate if you are in a “stuck” mode
– And much more!
As you listen to Dr. Edie talk about her experiences, you will gain a rich respect and understanding of adversity. Someone once said, “The one who prepares for adversity, builds not a bridge of retreat, but one upon which adversity advances into opportunity.” Enjoy!

If you would like to find out more about Edith “Dr. Edie” Eva Eger, PhD, click here: Dr.Edie.com

After you listen to Dr.Edie’s interview, post your thoughts below. Also, you can leave your feedback by phone. Simply call 206-337-0637 and record your comments and tell us what you think. I will be sure to pass along all comments to Dr.Edie. I’m sure she would really enjoy reading or listening to them

This episode is approximately 32 minutes long. To listen to it, click here:Podcast 23

If you listen to the podcast here, you may want to consider subscribing. Just click on the iTunes graphic on the top right of this blog and set it up so that future episodes get sent directly to your iPod or other portable media player. The benefit to you in doing this is that it frees you from being tethered to your computer. You now have the freedom to listen to it WHEN & WHERE you want to.

Technorati Tags: Dr.Edie Eger, Auschwitz, Nazi, Survivor, Crisis, Opportunity, Inspiration, Xtraordinary Living

Podcast Episode #22 – Passion and Purpose

Episode #22 of the Xtraordinary Living podcast is out. The topic is Passion & Purpose. In this episode I interviewed Kathy Nelson, founder of On-Track Success Coaching. Kathy was voted Best Life Coach by the San Diego Reader and she and her team of coaches have helped hundreds of people identify and clarify their values, dreams and visions. Please visit On-Track Success Coaching to find out more about what Kathy offers.

In this New Year podcast we explored the topic of creating a life of Passion & Purpose.

In this episode you will hear:
– Why so few people keep their New Year’s Resolutions.
– How to create a life of Passion & Purpose
– The similarities and differences between coaching and PL&L’s courses & Learning Vacations.
– And more

After you listen to Kathy’s interview, post your thoughts below. Also, you can leave your feedback by phone. Simply call 206-337-0637 and record your comments and tell us what you think. For your comments you will be entered into a contest to win a fully loaded iPod nano. Watch for details, but start getting your entries today.

This episode is approximately 28 minutes long. To listen to it, click here:Podcast 22

If you listen to the podcast here, you may want to consider subscribing. Just head out to iTunes and set it up so that future episodes get sent directly to your iPod or other portable media player. The benefit to you in doing this is that it frees you from being tethered to your computer. You now have the freedom to listen to it WHEN & WHERE you want to.

Technorati Tags: New Year’s Resolutions, Passion, Purpose, Life Coaching, Kathy Nelson, Xtraordinary Living

Focus and attention – you will miss what you don’t see!

Hope you had a great Holiday Season and that 2007 brings you everything you wish for. The beginning of the year is a great time to focus on what we want to accomplish during the year.

However, being overly focused on something can also cause us problems. Rather than telling you about it, I will show you. I’m going to ask you to click on a link so you can watch a 40-second video. Be sure you follow these instructions before you watch the video:

– Count the number of times the team in the WHITE SHIRTS bounce the basketball. Not all the bounces, but only the bounces by the WHITE team, okay?
–After you click on the “Watch Video” link below, you will be taken to another site where the video will play. You should then see a green play arrow. Click it and remember to count! AFTER YOU WATCH THE VIDEO, click the back arrow on your browser and return to this post. Click on the “Read More…” tab to get the rest of the instructions.

Watch Video


How many bounces did you count? Did you notice something really unusual happening during the video? Chances are you didn’t. So go back and watch the video again, but this time, don’t count any bounces at all, just watch the video, and enjoy.

There’s an old saying that says “To the person with only a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.” I’m taking the liberty to re-write that saying with one of my own: “The person obsessed with being ‘right’ often misses the Gorilla.”

Technorati Tags: Focus, Attention, Xtraordinary Living