Blog of Life Coach Dave Brown : 2013

What, Do You Need to Be Struck by Lightning?

Or what other "sign" are you waiting for?

I heard an interesting story about signs yesterday. A local resident, Phil, shared his story about a recent incident he had with a beaver. As I listened, I couldn't help but wonder how blind Phil was to the signs he was receiving from... Someone!

Phil's five-acre yard has a small lake. On that lake is a small island. And on that island was a willow tree. Phil was quite enamored with the tree as it made the scene was quite idyllic.

Idyllic until a beaver took up residence in the lake.

One night Phil heard some gnawing sounds coming from outside, but as he lives in rural area, he didn't think much of it. The next morning, however he was stunned. As he looked from his porch to his little paradise island, the willow tree was gone! That beaver had cut it down and was using it to build his new home!

Over the coming days and weeks, the beaver made swift progress through the rest of the trees on the island, and the once beautiful island was slowly and surely being ruined.

Phil felt a great conflict in his heart - did he want to keep his beautiful island or let the beaver be? He didn't really want to kill the beaver, but he didn't want to lose his island, either. So he checked with a local trapper hoping that he could relocate the beaver; the trapper informed Phil he would just kill the beaver... and he would charge him for it.

So Phil made the decision to shoot the beaver himself.

Over the next couple of weeks Phil hunted the beaver. Beavers are nocturnal creatures, so each evening Phil would put on his head lamp and stalk the beaver late into the night. From time to time he would see the beaver and take shots at it, but since Phil was no marksman he would always miss. This went on for many nights. And each night Phil would experience more doubt and regret - he didn't really want to kill the beaver after all.

Eventually the beaver got used to Phil, and would wander around in plain view, and would even sit and stare at Phil. With the beaver's guard lowered, one evening, Phil got the chance he needed - the beaver was so close Phil couldn't possibly miss. So Phil took careful aim, calmed his breathing, pulled the trigger, and...

Nothing happened! The gun had jammed!

Phil was so frustrated! He was tired of hunting the stupid beaver. He didn't want to stay up so late each night in the cold. He was sick of losing his little paradise island!

So he quickly checked the gun, found the problem, fixed it and he took aim.

He calmed his breath.

He slowly squeezed the trigger... and blam! He shot the beaver...

And, sadly, the beaver was killed.

As I listened to this story, I couldn't help but notice how many signs from God, Nature, or the Infinite Intelligence (whatever you'd like to call it) Phil had received. It was so clear to me that someone or something was giving Phil a clear message: don't kill this creature.

It was so obvious to me. Phil was so persistent in taking a life, but the Universe was telling him not to! I couldn't believe how hard he was trying to kill another being. In my mind I judged him as a fool!
Have you ever noticed how people are always asking for signs from Heaven or God? Always we ask for some simple sign to tell us what to do. Please God, give me a sign, tell me what to do!

I do this as well. I often ask for a sign. For some guidance.

I ask, but rarely do I ever get the sign I want.

But after I heard Phil's story and observed how oblivious he was to the signs from Beyond - to me, I don't think it could be any more obvious that signs were being given! - I wonder, how many signs have I just not listened to, or could not see?

Do you ever wonder how many signs have you missed?

Are your prayers,wishes, and hopes being answered after all?

The Key Insight That Every Home Based Business Owner Needs to Build the Business of Their Dreams

Home Based Business Owners and Direct Sellers are so similar. They have a dream. They want to be in business for themselves. They receive a bunch of the tools and resources from their company. They start off strong, ready to take on the world! They advertise, market, call their friends, go networking, buy sales kits -- they do everything their sponsor tells them to do. How can they possibly fail?

Fast forward a few months, and what do we so often see? They've exhausted their close contact list, their warm list, they've burned through their marketing and advertising budget, and they have worked their butts off. And sadly, they haven't gotten the results they wanted.

They hit a wall.

Perhaps they lose faith. They get scared. They become frustrated but the no's and rejections, and by the sheer difficulty of it! Many are even on the edge of quitting.

It sucks! This isn't what they dreamed of. This wasn't how it was supposed to turn out!

Albert Einstein said, "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."

I take this to mean that when we are stuck, we need a new insight to take us forward, to help us solve the problem we created for ourselves.

So here's an insight that will probably make you a bit mad.

You see, if you're one of the Home Based Business Owners described, you're actually right where you're supposed to be. You're supposed to feel like you've hit a wall. You're supposed to feel scared. You're supposed to want to quit.

Why?

Because you are most likely sitting right on the line between what you know and what you don't know. On the line between what you are familiar with and what you're not familiar with. Right on the line between what you're comfortable with and of what you don't like. You are, in other words, about to step out of your Comfort Zone.

You've probably heard the phrase Comfort Zone. What does that even mean?

Your Comfort Zone is the known and the familiar, the things you are comfortable with in your life. It encompasses how you typically do things, or how you normally show up in the world.

If you haven't already achieved the success you want in your business, it's likely that it's time for you to step outside of the familiar. It's time for you to start doing things that you're really not comfortable with.

Often we get locked into our familiar habits, but if we want different results than we are getting, often the only way forward is out beyond the edge of your Comfort Zone.

Our success does not lie within our Comfort Zone, it's out there -- out in the realm of possibilities.

Now that you know this, what can you do that's outside of your Comfort Zone? Does that mean making cold calls? Does it involve creating a partnership with a "competitor"? Does it mean asking for help?

In my experience most Direct Sellers and Home Based Business Owners I work with really don't understand their own patterns and habits. They don't really know what their Comfort Zone is. And even if they do know, the don't know what's holding them in their comfort zone.

And more importantly they don't know what to do to get out of their comfort zone.

And it's incredible what happens to their business and confidence in themselves when they understand, when they finally get it. When they finally see what has been holding them back!

Stay tuned for a closer look at what defines a person's Comfort Zone and for further strategies to get out and into the realm of possibility!

If this article describes you, and you want to get immediate support, this upcoming workshop may just be the perfect opportunity for you!

Join Pam Marinus and Dave Brown for Direct Sellers 101!

This will be a night of new awareness's and skills that will empower you to grow your own business yourself.

In this interactive session you will:

Define your Comfort Zone.
Discover what keeps you stuck in your Comfort Zone.
Create the actions you can take to change your behavior and immediately get re-inspired and re-invigorated to make your Home Based Business the business of your Dreams!

Register now at:

https://www.facebook.com/events/233656640091718/

How To Find And Do Work You Love: Scott Dinsmore

Check out this inspiring video about living your dreams!

Three Key Questions:

Who have you chosen to put in your corner?
What is the work you can't not do?
Are you saving up sex until old age?

I don't know what to do!!!

In our age, I think we have one of the most unique problems in the history of humanity -- we are overwhelmed by choice. We are so smart, so capable, so free, that we can do basically anything we set our minds to. We are faced with limitless choices, and endless opportunities. In the face of that unlimited freedom, where do we go? What do we do?

What would you do if you were on vacation, and to your right was a range of mountains that you could explore, and to the left was a beautiful beach in the distance that you could stroll along, and right in front of you was an inviting cafe to sit at?

Would you fret and wring your hands and pout and cry? Would you sit an meditate and seek enlightenment? Or would you follow your heart and see where it takes you?

Do you get that there is no answer? There is no 'right' way?

Perhaps instead you can ask, which way would create the experience of life that I want?

FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real

Can I share a little story with you? A story about False Evidence Appearing Real (aka FEAR)?

About a year ago, I was approaching the end of my executive life coach training program, and I hit a major wall. I was facing my biggest fear. I was basically out of money, and I had no idea where I was going to get more.

I couldn't "get clients", I couldn't find work, I was terrified I would need to quit everything, get a divorce and go live on welfare. I kept saying to myself, "even though you've always survived throughout your life, this is it! This time you won't make it."

Fast forward 15 months, and you know what, I'm still here. I'm not rolling in money, but I'm still here. I'm still going. Finding money to keep me and my family going. My friends, my wife, the Universe, have all provided.

It has all worked out.

I'm not so afraid any more.

“Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory.”
General George S. Patton

FORGET BEING REALISTIC - SHOOT FOR YOUR DREAMS!!!!!

As a coach I tell the people I meet that they can do ANYTHING they set their mind to. Anything. How they will actually do it may be different than they imagine, but regardless, a person can do literally anything... given enough persistence, action, and belief.

I've encountered coaches and counselors who have said, "oh you have to be realistic, I don't want to tell kids that they can do anything because they'll get these silly ideas in their head... they've gotta be realistic".

If they're open to it, I share what I believe is a more supportive stand. I say, "it's not up to you to tell somebody else what they can or cannot do. If you can't support someone's dream, get out of their way or help them find someone who will. Your own limitations don't need to become the limitations of another."

We prove it over and over again that we can do anything!!!

That's my rant -- I'm so inspired by guys like this -- the human spirit is indomitable!

The Preciousness of Anger

The words precious and anger don't often go together. At least for humans. With humans, there is always a layer of judgement applied to our behavior. No matter what we do, often we judge ourselves for the behavior.

But when we think of our beloved pets, there isn't a heck of a lot that they can do wrong. A dog stuffs his head in your crotch and all we do is laugh. Silly dog!

We giggle as our pal runs circles around us, as he spins in a vain attempt to grab his tail, or as he attempts to drag a 500 pound "stick" from the sea.

It's pretty hard to hold a grudge against our pets. It's pretty difficult to judge them. After all, they're just animals!

What if we were treat ourselves with the same love and forgiveness as our pets? What if, no matter what we did with our lives, no matter what anyone else said about us, we considered ourselves to be our favorite and most beloved pet?

Would it matter if we did something silly? Would we get on our own case for saying that thing to that person? Could we possibly laugh and giggle at our own ineptitude?

And when we got angry, could we see the preciousness of it? Just as we see the preciousness in our pets?

What would that be like?

Try being your own beloved pet today and report back! What did you discover?

(Video courtesy Evelyn M at localhomespot.com )

5 Tips for Teaching English as a Foreign Language

I am so grateful you are here, reading this article. Because you're here, I know you care about your students, and for that I completely acknowledge you!

Whether you're just beginning your career teaching English as a foreign language, or you're a seasoned veteran, if you care about delivering great classes, I imagine you are always looking for ways to improve your teaching and your lessons. Here are 5 tips for teaching English as a foreign language that will help both new and seasoned teachers create awesome learning environments!!

5. Build Rapport

Rapport is created when people feel that they relate well with each other; in other words they are on the same wavelength. The get each other and there is mutual trust and confidence. The foundation to a teacher-student relationship is rapport. There must be trust and confidence between the teacher and student before any significant and effective learning can take place.

Think to your own past. Who is the best teacher you ever had? What was it about them that made them such a great teacher? I bet they knew what they were talking about, so you had confidence in them, but more importantly you felt you could trust them. They were on your side, they wanted you to win. So you trusted them. You let them into your head. You were willing to accept their teaching. You listened to them, and you did what they asked you to do.

I believe there are 3 keys to building rapport:

Drop the walls: be vulnerable; allow yourself to be human and make mistakes; be authentic.
Seek to partner: don't act like you know more than your students; instead, assume that your students are geniuses and just need to be guided to the skills and knowledge they are lacking; be of support.
Be committed to their success: be your student's biggest fan, and help them see that they are great; learning something new can be scary, but if you demonstrate your commitment to their success, they're more likely to accept your support.

4. Use Humour and Compassion

Connected with building rapport is the use of humour and compassion. When you are able to laugh at yourself and help the student to see the humour in situations, they will relax and be open to learning. And when you have compassion for the struggles they are facing in learning, they are more likely to trust you and be receptive.

Humour, and any strong emotion for that matter, are really effective ways to promote retention. According to the American Psychological Association, " a growing body of research suggests that, when used effectively, classroom comedy can improve student performance by reducing anxiety, boosting participation and increasing students' motivation to focus on the material. Moreover, the benefits might not be limited to students: Research suggests that students rate professors who make learning fun significantly higher than others." (http://www.apa.org/monitor/jun06/learning.aspx)

Being humourous doesn't necessarily mean doing stand-up comedy routines all class.

Rather, consider the irony and humour of what you're teaching. For example, getting sick of teaching grammar and you can see that the students are too? Make fun of the situation -- "Woh, could this get any more boring?" Or perhaps break up the lesson with a funny story or activity. I recently used this posting on Tastefully Offensive to bring some lightness to my lesson (http://tumblr.tastefullyoffensive.com/post/51255989467/9-cats-stuck-in-things-jonnovstheinternet#.Ubf0gZzV3cQ). It was both a fun and really effective way to expand my students' vocabulary and challenge their abilities to express ideas.

3. Create Choices

Sometimes when we're in the role of "teacher", we think we have to lead and control the lesson. We tell ourselves that we're the one who is responsible for delivering the lesson and "making them" learn new things. Maybe this is true in some learning environments, but when teaching adults ESL, it's a good idea to remember that they are totally capable of managing their own learning process.

Adults have a much better idea of what they like, what they don't like, of what is effective for them and what is ineffective for them. Adults also have busy lives, moods and varying interests. So rather than fight against this, it can work well to provide them with choices.

How does this work in a lesson? With higher-level learners, I find it effective to ask right at the beginning of a lesson what they want to get out of their lesson. We as teachers know that the students are going to want to work on one of four general areas (reading, writing, speaking and listening), but we don't know what is currently relevant in the learner's life. Give them a chance to get their needs met before deciding what you're going to "make them" learn.

If you want to design lessons for your students, add choice points. For example, if you're going to work through a reading, perhaps select 3 reading passages, and let the student choose which one they'd like work on.

2. Engage Senses!

Sometimes when teaching English, we fall into the habit of just teaching speaking, reading, writing and listening. We focus on the cognitive part of learning, and we forget that the student has five senses. And they also have emotions, opinions, passions, and physical needs. So why not incorporate materials into lessons that allow these different aspects of people to be expressed and utilized?

How about using interesting and colorful images and videos during your lessons, and then asking the students what they see and feel as a result? If you're meeting in person (or can find a creative alternative), bring objects for the student to touch and manipulate. And perhaps ask questions that get the student into their body. What do you feel? Where do you feel it? What's the body sensation?

By incorporating more senses in the lesson, the learner is able to build many links within their brains and therefore more solidly understand a topic.

1. Be Passionate!

I will always remember my first martial arts instructor. His English was horrible. He was pretty bad at explaining movements and their purpose. And he was kind of a jerk at times. But there was one thing about him that was so damned contagious, so inspiring, that I couldn't help but be drawn to his lessons. He was SO PASSIONATE!

He was passionate about martial arts, about Chinese culture, about healing and meditation, and most importantly I could FEEL that he absolutely cared about me learning what he was teaching.

Even if his poor explanations annoyed me, I still kept trying because I could feel his energy and drive lifting me up, motivating me, propelling me forward, and inspiring me to do better and better!

There are always ways to bring passion into what you're teaching. You can find topics that you're really interested in, you can dig for perspectives and ideas within your students that motivate you, and you can design activities that light you up!

I love speaking about and learning about purpose, meaning and inspirational topics, so often the materials I choose will inspire me, or I will incorporate conversations about purpose and meaning into discussion topics and readings.

Conclusion

With these 5 tips for teaching English as a foreign language, your lessons will certainly become more effective and more enjoyable for both you and your students. But don't take my word for it -- go out and try them out for yourself, and report back with your discoveries! Thank you for being such an amazing teacher!

5 Reasons You Should Learn English Today

Your life is already great as it is. You have a job, you have friends and a family, and you have everything you need in your own country. English isn't easy to learn. English grammar is confusing, there are so many words, there are so many accents, and for sure it's going to take time and effort to learn English. So why bother learning English at all? Here are 5 reasons you should learn English today!

5. Improved Global Communication

Global communication means being able to effectively read, write, listen and speak using the English language with people around the world. When you know English, you can communicate with the majority of people in the world. English is becoming the dominant intermediary language that peoples from all over the world use to communicate with each other. One source estimates that over 80% of information found on the Internet is written in English (Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4684923).

Not being able to communicate in English creates a huge barrier to success in all areas of a person's life. However, when you know English, you can access the knowledge of the world in text, video and audio. Sir Francis Bacon said, "Knowledge is power." Further, knowledge creates possibility. And, with effective English communication skills you can share your unique ideas and perspectives with the world. You can be heard but a much larger audience.

4. Better Career Opportunities

Great English opens doors to great jobs and is the vehicle to business opportunities. English fluency can be directly related to financial reward. One study (http://www.voxeu.org/article/it-pays-speak-english) in India discovered that the hourly wages of men increased by 34% when they became fluent in English.

The types of jobs available to fluent English speakers is much more broad than for those who cannot communicate in English. Because most companies want or need to do business with English speaking countries, staff who are able to speak English are a huge asset. And in North America, great English skills immediately creates opportunities regardless of your ethnicity.

Consider also the vast opportunities to do business abroad that become available with fluent English. For example, small and large businesses around the world need web developers. A talented web developer with English fluency would no longer be dependent upon local economic conditions for business success because a world full of clients would become available. Check out www.odesk.com to see current freelance opportunities that can be done from anywhere in the world.

3. A Better Life

Improved English enables a better life for the individual who speak English as well as their family and children.

Odds are your children learning English in school -- how much more would you be able to help your children if you spoke great English? How amazing would it be to communicate with your kids and share in their new experiences that they have because of English?

With fluent English, a whole world becomes available. You can travel to new places and never worry about not being able to find your way. From ordering food to going out and enjoying sights, great English translates to an amazing travel experience!

The key benefit of having great job opportunities is a better life. More money, a more satisfying work life, and more career flexibility will all result in more contentment and fulfillment, more stimulation and more life!

2. Broader Perspectives and Better Integration

When you speak only one language, your perspective of the world, what you can know and experience, is limited. People who only have one language can also become isolated and insular.

When you know English you can see the world through the eyes of other cultures. Speaking English means more than just knowing words, it means understanding new ideas and points of view. So much is lost in translation. And you need to rely on others to do the translating and interpreting for you.

Being able to understand English has an immediate benefit -- when you want to understand world news, English fluency would enable you to read newspapers from around the world -- you would no longer be subject to the bias of your own country's media.

Having access to different ideas and opinions expands your consciousness. And the realm of possibility grows beyond what you could possibly imagine. Your understanding of the world and yourself will increase with leaps and bounds.

1. Freedom

All of these benefits can be summarized in one word: Freedom! With fluent English, you have a key to most of the doors in the world. You can go anywhere and do anything. You will become limitless.

And it's not just because you can speak a second language -- your mind changes when you learn a second language. Cognitive function has been demonstrated to improve when someone learns a new language. People have also been shown to be more creative, have increased mental flexibility and be better problem solvers. (Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4684923)

If you want to travel or study abroad, you can. If you want to apply for a better job, you can. If you want to learn more about another country or culture that doesn't speak your language, you can. And if you want to watch movies and TV, you can, without dubbing and subtitles!

With English fluency, you will be free. You will be limitless!

5 Reasons to Learn English today are Improved Global Communication, Better Career Opportunities, A Better Life, Broader Perspectives and Better Integration, and Freedom. There are so many more reasons to learn English today -- what are you waiting for?

10 Key Dimensions of Culture

Also posted at http://www.overcomethebarrier.com/2013/05/29/10-key-dimensions-of-culture/

Our workplaces are becoming more and more globalized. It is now a reality that in our daily work our staff will encounter someone from another culture. The key to success in business is to train your staff to deal with someone who has different values and beliefs than they do. Knowing these 10 key differences between cultures will certainly help your staff work better with international clientele.

There are many differences between cultures. The following table, adapted from The Managing Diversity Survival Guide, Gardenswartz & Rowe (IRWIN.1994) by Deborah Hall of the Immigrant Welcome Centre (www.immigrantwelcome.ca), summarizes the10 Key Dimensions of Culture.

Dimensions of Culture	Western Culture	Non-Western Cultures
Sense of self and space	Informal Handshake	Formal Hugs, bows, handshakes
Communication & language	Explicit, direct communication Emphasis on content Meaning found in words	Implicit, indirect communication Emphasis on context Meaning found around words
Dress & appearance	"Dress for success" ideal Wide range in accepted dress	Dress seen as a sign of position, wealth, prestige Religious rules
Food and eating habits	Eating as necessity	Dining as a social experience Religious rules
Times & time consciousness	Linear and exact time Consciousness Value on promptness Time = money	Elastic and relative time Consciousness Time spent on enjoyment of Relationships
Relationships, family, friends	Focus on nuclear family Responsibility for self Value on youth, age seen as handicap	Focus on extended family Loyalty & responsibility to family Age given status and respect
Values and Norms	Individual orientation Independence Preference for direct Confrontation of conflict	Group orientation Conformity Preference of harmony
Beliefs and attitudes	Self directed Challenging of authority Individuals control their Destiny Gender equity	Hierarchical Respect for authority and social order Individuals accept their destiny Different roles for men and women
Mental processes and learning style	Linear, logical and sequential Problem-solving focus	Lateral, holistic, simultaneous Accepting of life's difficulties
Work habits and practices	Emphasis on tasks Rewards based on individual achievement Work has intrinsic value	Emphasis on relationships Rewards based on seniority, relationships Work is a necessity of life

Awareness of different values, beliefs and attitudes is the first step in becoming more effective at dealing with different cultures.

The second step is to have staff become aware of their own preferences and habits, as well as become aware of what habits they have a hard time dealing with. Any number of assessments can be conducted, from simply going through the above list and selecting preferences, to psychological testing (e.g. see https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/ ), to enrolling in cross-cultural training programs. Understanding our own beliefs and attitudes gives us a place to start from.

The third step is to adapt individual beliefs, attitudes and behaviors to more effective ones. This step, however, is highly dependent upon your staff's willingness and motivation to change. Certainly your staff have the option of doing nothing about themselves and demanding that their business partners adapt to their styles. In the current marketplace, however, this attitude is not likely to lead to business success.

Knowing the 10 Key Dimensions of Culture prepares your staff to be successful in the global marketplace. Different strategies can be taken to encourage staff to be interested in changing their perceptions. Regardless of the strategy that's taken, they key is to get individual buy-in. Tolerance of other cultures can't effectively be "faked" and it certainly can't be forced. However, by increasing your staff's awareness of cultural differences they will be in a better position to work in this global world.

How to Choose an English Tutor

Probably the single best way to learn English is to hire an English tutor. When you're ready to hire an English tutor, there are many things to consider. Let's look at what key points you should keep in mind when looking for an English tutor to help you with learning English.

Determine Your Budget

Improving your English is an incredibly important investment to make in yourself. In this article, let's purely focus on money and forget about all the other benefits of being fluent in English (and there are many!). One study (http://www.voxeu.org/article/it-pays-speak-english) discovered that being fluent in English increases the hourly wages of men by 34% and women by 22%.
How much money would that translate to in your life? Knowing this, how much are you willing to invest in yourself today to get that increased salary? Also consider how long do you plan to study English. What is your end goal, and how much work will it take to get there? The more you can work with a tutor one-on-one, the faster your English will improve.
Knowing your budget will help you to make some important decisions about the teacher/tutor you will hire.

Native English Speaker or non-Native English Speaker?

Your budget and the amount of time needed to achieve your goals will immediately determine whether or not you will be able to work with a Native English Speaker....

Read the rest of this article on http://www.overcomethebarrier.com/2013/05/10/how-to-choose-an-english-tutor/

The Best Groups to Be Involved With in Campbell River!

Seeking out and being around positive, collaborative and forward-thinking people has been key to the success I've had so far in Campbell River. And by success I mean: being happier, more fulfilled, having so many new friends and contacts, and feeling like an active member of this community.

I've spent the last 2 years out in the community discovering where the most positive and giving people hang out. There are so many great organizations and people in this community, and all serve different demographics and missions.

If you're between the ages of 19 and 45 and want to be active in the community to grow your business networks, social networks, take part in community initiatives and develop professionally, I highly recommend you check out the Young Professionals of Campbell River. http://www.ypcampbellriver.com/

If you're a business owner or a professional and want to connect with and support (primarily) women in the community, and meet some incredible ladies, check out Business and Professional Women's Network. http://www.bpwn.org/index.php

If you're into community service and want to do this kind of work with amazing people, check out the Kinsmen http://www.campbellriverkinsmen.com/home.html and Rotary Clubs. Also, I highly recommend signing up as a volunteer at Volunteer Campbell River. http://www.volunteercr.ca/

Do you love to support immigrants? Do you love diversity? Do you want to meet and work with some of the most kind-hearted, passionate and innovative people in the community? Then consider getting involved with the Welcome Centre. http://www.immigrantwelcome.ca/

And finally, if you want to be around people who truly believe that teamwork, abundance, friendship and positivity are key to living your Dream, then you'll definitely want to check out HALO and Halo Haley Larson. As Haley aptly says, "Teamwork makes the Dream work!"
http://halo-networking.com/

If you have any questions or want to know where and when any of these groups meet, give me a call and let's chat! 250-287-0086

7 Tips for Teaching English as a Foreign Language in China

A few years ago I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to live and teach English in China. It was an incredible experience. There is so much depth and history to this amazing country! And what better way to explore this magical country than by teaching English there?
I learned a lot in my first months in China that I wish someone would have told me before I went. As much experience as I have with Chinese culture, I’m still an outsider; I still have misunderstandings. However, I invite you to consider these points so that you can get the most of your experience teaching English as a foreign language in China!

Read the rest of my article at... http://www.overcomethebarrier.com/2013/05/08/7-tips-for-teaching-english-as-a-foreign-language-in-china/

Amy Cuddy: Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are

Amy discusses how you can you significantly change the outcomes of your life by practicing simple Power Poses. Using these techniques you can become more confident, more powerful and achieve the success you dream of! Watch this fantastic TED Talk to understand the research behind this wild claim!

Be a dog with love and a cat with dreams!

White Cat Insight

Accomplishment Coaching says,

INSIGHT + ACTION = RESULTS

Only when we take action on our new insights will we get results. What action might you take on this week because of this Insight?

Want to work with Dave Brown?

Call him at 250-287-0086 to set up a Conversation of Possibility NOW!

I Accept Myself Unconditionally Right Now!

December 2012 I posted a practice on Facebook for others to try, and I took it on myself.

It was very straightforward--post "I accept myself unconditionally right now" on the bathroom mirror, read it at least once a day and notice what happens. This is one powerful affirmation attributed to Louise Hay (http://www.louisehay.com/)

So I took on this practice, just as instructed... and without a doubt my level of self acceptance has grown in the past months.

An inner peace that I was previously unfamiliar with has taken residence in my heart.

In every moment, when that inner critic starts jumping up and down and begins judging the crap out of you, consider repeating to yourself.. "I accept myself unconditionally right now".. and see what happens.

White Cat Action

Accomplishment Coaching says,

INSIGHT + ACTION = RESULTS

Only when we take action on our new insights will we get results. What insights might you generate if you take on this Action this week?

Want to work with Dave Brown?

Call him at 250-287-0086 to set up a Conversation of Possibility NOW!

One Step to Love Everyone

Different leaders and visionaries have encouraged us to love everyone. If there is only one thing that is guaranteed to get in the way of loving someone, it's judgement. Judging them. But we are judging creatures. We are designed to judge and compare and interpret.

So I believe the secret is to not to try to stop judging people; instead accept that you are judging people all the time. Let the judgements flow. Don't stop them. But find a way to express those judgements without getting them on other people. Journal. Go for a run. Paint. Sing. Write. Let the judgements flow, but direct them away from other people.

Practice this, and I believe the result will be love for everyone.

White Cat Insight

You Are Great!

"Don't listen to anyone who tells you that you can't do this or that.

That's nonsense. Make up your mind, you'll never use crutches or a stick, then have a go at everything. Go to school, join in all the games you can. Go anywhere you want to. But never, never let them persuade you that things are too difficult or impossible."

- Sir Douglas Bader was a British fighter pilot who lost both legs in a flying accident, but still fought in World War Two. He was knighted for his work with the disabled, and the quote above is from his talk to a 14-year-old boy who had lost a leg in a car accident.

-- Sir Douglas Bader (1910-1982) British Aviator

Time to Play a Bigger Game!

I remember a time, not long ago, when I spent my lunch hours on facebook and the internet trolling for answers... Answers to the big questions.

What's the point of my life, I asked? I'm so unhappy, but what can I do about it? Is this, this pain, all that life has to offer?

I was reading voraciously--Man's Search For Meaning, philosophy, career texts. I was listening to the Greats of Motivation--Tony Robbins, Zig Ziglar. I was in therapy, working hard on healing the past... Changing my negative beliefs about myself.

But I didn't know what to replace those beliefs with. I didn't know what to do! I was so bound up in figuring it out that I was incapable of acting. I felt like crap, I hated myself and I was hating all those around me.

Then, one day, someone said to me--I see more for you. You are great! You can have whatever you want in your life. I can be your partner. We'll start with small steps, but you will get there. I promise! Are you ready to change? Are you willing?

Thank God I said Yes!

Today I sit in Seattle, having reconnected with the amazing people who helped me to get where I am today. And I'm reflecting on what I have accomplished.

Where before I saw no future for myself, today I have a new career that fulfills me. Where before I was scared and alone, now I have a whole new family who loves me. Where before I tried to solve all my problems on my own, now I have a group of people I can call and get support from any time I need.

Even more than that, my journey has taught me how to help others get what they truly want from their life! I can be with people without being overruled by my judgements of them. I can see the Greatness in them too!

And I now get to see my wife going through the same evolution... And get to see her triumphs, her breakthroughs, and see her experiencing life and joy so much more fully.

Hi, my name is Dave. I am Leader, Honour, Humanity, Play!, Wonder. My purpose is Inspiration! I am a coach and a leader, and I am so honoured to share in the journeys of so many incredible people!

Ready to live a bigger life? Willing? What are you waiting for? :)

无为 wu wei

When I stand by the river, and I see how the water flows, I think of myself like that... like water.

Water is endless and never stops...

It flows from a lake to a river, to pools... it's stopped by rocks for a while, but finds a way around it... it flows to the sea... then evaporates... and comes back as rain... back to the lake...

It is always there...

I see myself as water

my form may change

but nothing will ever stop me

or take me away...

Thanks for the inspiration Mamaji Love ;)