Podcast Episode #32 – AMA the Improvement Continuum

Episode # 32 of Xtraordinary Living is out. Since for many people living an “extraordinary life” seems unattainable, from time to time I do solo podcasts where I talk about how to move from the same old, same old to the extraordinary. As the musical intro suggests – “living life to the max” is one way to live an “extraordinary life.” In this episode I cover “Awareness, Motivation and Ability (AMA) the Improvement Continuum.” Without desire, awareness, skills and practice, one can easily find themselves off the path to living large.

In our 32nd episode, you’ll hear:
– How AMA is a prescription for success, but not one subscribed by your physician.
– What are the four stages of improvement and the role desire plays in getting the wheels in motion.
– What is your EQ? (Hint – it’s not taught in school.)
– How the ability to delay gratification is an important indicator of your future success.
– Why awareness and motivation are not enough to make improvements in your life
– How in order to move from the mundane to the extraordinary you need daily practice.
– What are some easy ways to develop your abilities?
– and more.

Impatience is a sign that one hasn’t “got” the AMA principles. EQ and abilities can often take years to develop. Through a regular schedule of personal growth courses an individual can expedite this process. It’s like joining a gym to get in great shape, you can think about, join, BUT if you don’t show up and use your membership you won’t see the improvement you originally desired when you paid your membership fee. Living an extraordinary life requires commitment, yet it seems effortless once you start to enjoy the results!

After you listen to the podcast post your thoughts below. In addition, you can leave your feedback by phone. Simply call 1-800-609-9006 x3144 and record your comments and tell me what you think.

This episode is approximately 14 minutes long. To listen to it, click here:Podcast 32

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Technorati Tags: Improvement, motivation, ability, AMA, awareness, Xtraordinary Living, www.productivelearning.com, Rick Itzkowich

I have a rough job!

This will be my last post for the next three weeks. I’m on my way to South America where my partner Lindon and I will be conducting two Learning Vacations. The first one will be to the Galapagos Islands and the second one will be to Machu Pichu. In between those two incredible locations, we will spend several days in the Amazon Rainforest.

I’ll be back at the end of June and look forward to sharing some of my experiences with you.

Quotes for the week of June 4 – 8

If you are currently a “QuoteActions” subscriber and would like to receive the corresponding actions to these quotes, please send me an email requesting them. Just be sure to include this week’s dates in the subject line so I can send you the appropriate ones.

If you are not yet a subscriber, you may want to take the two-week $1 trial so that you can find out the tremendous value that these actions add to the quotes.

“If you don’t know where you are going you will probably not wind up there” Forrest Gump

“Unhappiness is best defined as the difference between our talents and our expectations” Psychologist & Physician, Edward de Bono

“The most important thing about having goals is having one” 11th Century French Philosopher, Geoffrey F. Abert

“The manner in which it is given is worth more than the gift.” 17th Century French Dramatist, Pierre Corneille

“To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe.” Author – Marilyn vos Savant

Technorati Tags: Motivational Quotes, Xtraordinary Living, www.productivelearning.com, Rick Itzkowich

Compassion is a choice!

Earlier this year I was fortunate to meet Azim Khamisa, founder of the Tariq Khamisa Foundation. He shared a remarkable story in Podcast # 29 on how he made the journey from murder to forgiveness.

My wife Jessica and I subsequently attended one of the TKF assemblies at the Dana Middle School in San Diego. It was an incredible experience to witness how a group of 6th graders responded to the message of non-violence that Azim and his co-founder Ples Felix brought to them.

The more I get to know this man the more impressed I am by him. The following is an article he recently wrote that I wanted to share with you. In it he talks about the power of choice.

A very good friend of mine graced me with an insight from his Holiness the Dalai Lama: “True compassion is not just an emotional response but also a firm commitment founded on reason. Therefore, a truly compassionate attitude towards others does not change even if they behave negatively.”

In my journey over the last 12 years since my son Tariq was so tragically taken away from us, I have learned in a very deep way the truth contained in the above insight. I talk about this in more detail in my upcoming book “From Forgiveness to Fulfillment – A Father’s Journey” scheduled to come out this fall. In writing my second book (a sequel to “From Murder to Forgiveness – a Father’s Journey”), I have looked deeply in my heart and have learned that the work that I have done with forgiveness in Tariq’s name has shifted me to become a person who – for the most part – is now able to live at the higher vibratory frequencies of love, unity, compassion, forgiveness and peace.

This is particularly true in the work I do with the youth. In April of this year I spoke before 60 wards at the San Leandro Juvenile Prison, and was later asked if I would do the same for 20 more kids who were held in a maximum-security unit. I said that I would love to do that and – after going through a half a dozen locked doors – I interacted with the kids for about an hour and a half.

It was one of the most powerful experiences in my life. One young man, probably about 19 years old, told me towards the end of the presentation:

“You don’t look at us as if we are criminals.”

I walked up to him; we locked eyes, and from deep down in my heart I said, “When I look in your eyes what I see is another soul just like me.”

There was a huge connection as both our eyes moistened with tears. I felt like a lightning bolt spark exchanged between our two souls as he responded, “That is what I am talking about.” This lightning bolt energy also seemed to connect everyone in the room. At the end of my talk, the young man asked if he could offer a closing prayer, and I told him I would love for him to do that and suggested we hold hands and form a circle. In his closing prayer he mostly prayed for Tariq, which brought tears of healing to my eyes and joy to my heart. This work is such a gift, and I know that he and the others transformed in their own ways that day. I have held this young man and others I met that day in my prayers.

The quote from the Dalai Lama noted how compassion is a commitment, a choice. And when we choose to live in that space we are then able to create transformation in our lives and the lives of others. If we live in resentment, anger, hatred, avarice, jealousy and judgment, we vibrate at a very low frequency and attract more of the same. Now is the time to make a firm commitment to continually live in love, compassion and unity, and vibrate at the higher frequencies where we can experience fulfillment in our lives and create transformation for not only ourselves but for others. The choice is ours.

Technorati Tags: Choice, Azim Khamisa, TKF, Xtraordinary Living, www.productivelearning.com, Rick Itzkowich