Lesson Learned from Picking Blueberries

One of my favorite summertime activities is an annual trip to a local blueberry farm each July, to pick many pounds of berries for eating and freezing for winter baking. This has been an activity I’ve engaged in since I was a young girl visiting my Grandma each summer in the coal region of PA. In my youth, picking was more of a chore than pleasure. Back then I never appreciated the peaceful feeling experienced in the midst of that activity, or the opportunity to commune with God. I never saw the sun streaming down in the early morning hours with the dew fresh on the fruit and leaves. At the time I never realized the valuable lesson I would learn much later in life.

Yesterday marked the day for picking and I was excited. This farm has rows and rows of berries and I knew exactly where I wanted to go. Arriving at my spot, I looked at the one bush and quickly assessed that it had been picked over. Moving to  the next one, only a couple of feet away, an amazing discovery was made. A new angle, and small shift allowed me to see all the fruit that was actually on the bush I had just walked away from. Lifting a branch, and moving a leaf allowed me to see what wasn’t obvious earlier.

How often do we, in attempting to discover our calling, miss seeing opportunities because we only have one way of viewing a situation? We spend precious time looking straight ahead when all we have to do is shift a bit, or move something to gain a whole new perspective. The lamp provides the necessary light to take the next step.

What are you missing on the road to discovering your calling  because you are looking for the neon light instead of the lamp that is already at your feet softly lighting the way?

Have you ever watched a cartoon chase? You know the ones I’m talking about, where one character is chasing the other, and the first one goes around a corner and quickly slips, unnoticed  into a doorway while the chaser dashes past and keeps running down the hall.  You can almost sense the first ones relief while he sits there trying to catch his breath, and planning his next move.

As a small business owner, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to just run away from my business, or at least hide from it long enough to plan my next move.  I would think to myself…if I could just get far enough ahead to Think, to Breath, to Rest, and figure out what to do next.

The business I thought was my Dream, was now more like a Prison. It wasn’t like being between a rock and a hard place, at least there you know where you’re at.  This was worse, because it was like being nowhere at all.  Sounds kind of strange, but the fact is that I didn’t know where I was going, and really didn’t know how I even ended up where I was.

If You’re Still Reading This, You’ve Been There Too

The problem is,  if we don’t address it, we’ll sabotage our business, and likely ourselves as well. I fought this battle on and off for years, only to realize that the business itself wasn’t really the problem, it had more to do with me.  I had to face the fact that I needed to take a good hard look inside of myself, and it was the best thing I’ve ever done.

The Path To Getting Your Life Back

The first step towards living completely alive is getting to know yourself.  You have to ask yourself why you went into this business in the first place.  Was it just to make an income, or did you have a dream that was bigger than just money.

If you had a dream that was bigger than money, chances are you can recapture that vision,  re-ignite that passion, and begin to experience real joy in your business again.

However, if money was the driving force for  your business start up, it is also probably what is driving your frustration.  You see to stay the course through thick and thin it takes a stronger passion than money. You may discover that you have no passion for your business at all, and it’s time to make a change, remember it starts by looking inward to clarify your strongest passions, and deepest desires.

If you can start your business from there, you will change your world and leave a Legacy of Greatness!

Basically, we’ve discovered a way to make your journey through this life much simpler. Life is still challenging, but we’ve learned how to leverage that, to use those challenges to our benefit. We’ve discovered that anyone can lead a successful life starting right from where they are right now, but it’s going to take that shift in perception using a very strategic method for uncovering your greatness.

Anyone can achieve greatness! I don’t care who you, or where you’ve come from. The opportunity to make your life sing is now, and we’re going to help you get there. Better yet, once you understand something that we want to teach you, you will be so fired up with a joy that surpasses all understanding to start going after life like you deserve it!

Last weekend, my wife Karen and I were at a graduation open house, where someone was walking around with a video camera catching some live footage of this special day. The interesting thing is, that I was completely unaware of this video camera until I was shown a copy of it later.

As I watched myself on video, I found it strange to know that at the time I had no idea that I was being watched. It was a rare opportunity to see myself as the world sees me.

The first thing I noticed was that I am shorter and wider than I thought…my hair is grayer than I thought as well. But what really got my attention was how my approach and response to various people was so vastly different.

Some people I would approach rather aggressively with a big hug, a slap on the back, and lots of laughter, while others I would address slowly with a gentle embrace, and a tender word, or a handshake with a smile.

Why The Difference?

I felt like a private investigator as I watched myself interact with family, friends, and acquaintances. I couldn’t help but notice that I seemed to know how to approach each person in a way that would be most acceptable to them.

Could There Be A Business Lesson Here?

I think so. The reason I was able to give the proper greeting and response to so many people at this open house, was because I understood how most of them want to interact…you might say “I know how they’re wired”, and their response can be quite predictable.

In business our customers and clients are all wired differently as well, and if we take the time to understand them better the results can be staggering. Just think how much better you can serve your customer  if you have a clearer sense of their unique perspective and what they would see as the perfect outcome.

We’ve all heard it said that “People do Business with people they Know, Like, and Trust” and there is no better way to earn that than to show them that you care, by getting to know them better.  It’s all part of being more Intentional about our Legacy.

In this video,  I share how these behind the scenes “Moments Of Greatness” by the people who know me best have truly been the inspiration to keep me focused on what matters most.

This has been a major reason for my quest to help others Discover and Live Their Best Life, I want to be someone who can provide these behind the scenes “Moments Of Greatness” that will have a lasting impact on their life.

Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts on this, and Thanks for watching.

“Randell Mark” Olson

I am deviating slightly from the initial format already with episode #2.  My plan has been to capture “Moments of Greatness” throughout the week, and share them with you here.  But I was reminded of this story yesterday, and I felt I really needed to share it, because it illustrates perfectly what this video series is all about.

I would be honored if you would watch it now, and leave your comments as well…Thanks in advance!!!

It is really quite empowering to realize the impact our attitude and great responses have on everyone around us, and all it really takes is choosing a “Moment Of Greatness”. Our single Moment Of Greatness can leave a lasting impression that can change someone’s world.

I hope you’re inspired to make Greater choices, and be Intentional about your Legacy.

Thanks for watching, and please leave us a comment

“Randell Mark” Olson

Moments Of Greatness Captured On Video

Brand New today.  Today I am introducing a brand new video series entitled: “Moments Of Greatness”. My purpose is to encourage anyone who is struggling in their current situation, to choose a Great response in every given moment.

Most of us cannot really imagine ourselves as Great, but all of us can choose a Great response for a single moment.  I sincerely believe that a Great life consists of Great responses, Moment By Moment.

So please watch this first intro video, and give me your feedback…I promise the quality will get better.

I will be releasing new “Moments Of Greatness Videos” on Tuesdays and Fridays, if you capture a Moment Of Greatness on Video, contact me, and we’ll try to use it here to encourage someones else.

This is just one more way we can be “Intentional about our Legacy”

“Randell Mark” Olson

Let me tell you about my last 12 months…I’ll try not to bore you, but this has been an absolute “Turn-Around Year” for me!

12 Months ago I was a frustrated entrepreneur, who was struggling in business, I had lost my passion, and I felt like I was beginning to destroy my Legacy.  I was walking around on edge most of the time, and little things that used to just roll  like water off a duck’s back, would cause me to react rather harshly.

Don’t get me wrong, I was not pacing around in a fit of rage all of the time, just rather testy, and quick to blame people and circumstances for my current situation.  Quite honestly I had a “Stinky attitude”…Zig Ziglar would call it “Stinken Thinken”

Today?…

Today I still have that business that is struggling…But I also have a brand new business and a brand new Attitude, with a Passion and Desire to help other Entrepreneurs who are struggling the way I was.  Today through my coaching, and speaking I share a message of hope and inspiration that there is a brighter tomorrow, regardless of how things look today.  Today I wake up with a feeling of purpose, knowing my creator has a plan for me, and it’s my responsibility to discover and live it out.  I literally have a brand new life…you might say that I’m beginning to “Live My Best Life” and finally being “Intentional about my Legacy”.

So What Really Happened?

As I look back, I can identify 3 distinct reasons for my Turn Around Year”.

1. I Drew A Line: I said this is it, something has to change, and I  made a “Decision” to change my course.  I recognized that I was not living the life I was created to live, I decided it was time to start living a life of real purpose.
2. I Invested In Myself: I went through coaching programs, and seminars.  I invested in  training courses, as well as joining a ToastMasters group.  I connected with people who had already achieved great levels of success in helping others reach their potential.
3. I Took Action: I actually did something.  I stopped just thinking about it, and did it. I launched a brand new company “The Intentional Legacy Group, LLC. I have volunteered to speak this new message of hope.  I have offered assistance to other small business owners who are struggling with the same issues I was.  I am being Intentional about my Legacy.  When it’s all said and done, taking action is what ultimately has impact, and will change the lives of the people you serve.

What A Difference 12 Months Can Make…

Try it for yourself…Draw a line in the sand, and make a decision, choose to change your life, and your world.  Invest in yourself, so you are prepared to help others.  Then take Action.  Step out of your comfort zone, and reach out to serve humanity.

I’ll be the first to tell you that my life is far from perfect, but it is a “Life Of Purpose”. I am on a path towards “Living My Best Life”, and being  Intentional about my Legacy… I can’t wait to see what tomorrow has is store!

It seems to me that it was easier to get over failure when I was a kid, than it is now…and I wonder why?  Even more important than the question “WHY?” is, can we recapture the attitude we had towards failure when we were kids, and if so…HOW?

Let’s go back and look at the lyrics of the 1999 Kenny Rogers hit…”The Greatest”

How can we have the same perspective as this Great young man.  I realize that we have to be realistic about our capabilities, but I think all to often we sell ourselves short, and give up to quickly.

Next time you fail at something, try to “turn those lemons into lemonade”.  Assess what you did right, and take careful notes on what went wrong as well.  Consider how much better off you’ll be next time with this new knowledge, and remember that failure is a necessary part of success.

If we’re intentional about learning from our mistakes, our future successes will be just that much sweeter, and our attitude towards them both help determine our Legacy.

Being Intentional about our Legacy…Changes our world!!!

“Randell Mark” Olson