Thursday Thoughts: What You Get

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Reaching a goal is deeply connected to who you are at the core. Learn about that and much more in a 2012 Super Strategic Map Making Session: New Year's Resolution Edition one-on-one or via group webinar or join us for a 4-week interactive eCourse that begins January 3.

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Do you know a smart, creative, spiritually-minded person who might be interested in this blog post? Please forward it in its entirety, compliments of Dawn Trautman, Urban Nomad. Copyright, 2011.

Video: What I Dreamed Last Night

Earlier this year (I won't get to say that much longer!), I played Marion Cunningham in "Happy Days: A New Musical." I had the pleasure of singing one of the best songs in the show, "What I Dreamed Last Night." I put together a couple clips of the song: one is in the first act when Mrs. C realizes that, as much as she loves being a mother and wife, she may be able to be even more useful to the larger world. In the second act reprise of the song, Joanie and Pinky Tuscadero (remember her?) have also shared their dreams, and all three women bond together and commit to really go after making their dream a reality. The parts I put together are less than a minute and worth watching:


The lyrics at the end are:
I want what I want and I want it now,
Forget what traditions of the past allow!
I want what I want and I'm willing to fight
'Cause I want what I saw, I want what I felt,
I want what I dreamed last night!

Strong words, which is the great thing about musical theater: there's a whole song to express how far these characters are willing to go to make their dreams come true!

When was the last time you knew, deep in your bones, what you needed to do? When were willing to do whatever it takes because it was that important to who you were and what you could offer the world?

Right now? Great. You don't have to wait. Let's talk.

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Jump into your next goal or your 2012 resolution with the all-new Super Strategic Map Making Session - one-on-one or via group webinar. It's the structure, strategy and momentum that you need to get started. Keep your momentum with a 4-week interactive eCourse that starts January 3.

Don't want to miss another blog post? Sign up on my website to have them delivered by email or become a fan of Urban Nomad on Facebook to see them in your news feed.

Do you know a smart, creative, spiritually-minded person who might be interested in this blog post? Please forward it in its entirety, compliments of Dawn Trautman, Urban Nomad. Copyright, 2011.

Monday Musing: Sightreading Christmas Carols

Our book of Christmas Carols

Since I don't really cook and I am in a family of good cooks, I generally stay out of the kitchen on Christmas. Part of my job is entertainment. Sometimes that means playing with my nieces, but I also find time to play the piano. Every year I sight-read our vintage Christmas Carol book. No one really sings along, but everyone seems to enjoy it. My niece just started piano lessons, so this year she jumped in a few times to play a song.

As I was playing this year, it occurred to me that it is much easier to sight read a song I know. When the chords become complicated, I can ignore the right hand and keep the familiar melody going while I focus on what the left hand needs to do. Isn't that the way lots of things are in life? When something difficult demands our full attention, it's important that we have some other things that are very familiar so that those things can keep going while we focus on the problem at hand. That's why healthy habits are so important. Without healthy habits that can keep going under most circumstances, we have to focus on daily practices, and those daily practices fall by the wayside as soon as something else demands our attention.

Which leads me to my next thought: you have to keep the song going, especially when everyone knows it. Even when the arrangement is difficult, you can't stop and worry about a wrong note, you just have to keep it moving. Perfectionism slows us down and interrupts the song. At it's extreme, it makes the song almost unintelligible.

However, there is a time and place to work on something and make it better. Since I don't have a piano of my own, much of my time at the piano is sight reading. It's been years since I've practiced a song and really learned it. Thus, I decided that this week I would learn Bach's Invention #1. I've practiced every day. Productive practice means that we look for the areas that are difficult, go over the details slowly, and learn to improve. As tempting as it is to "practice" the things we do well, in order to really improve, we need to practice the things we don't do well.

And so it came to pass that I am pretty good at Bach's Invention #1, but I'll always enjoy playing through the book of Christmas Carols, mistakes and all.

I hope that your holidays have been merry and bright.

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Equip yourself for the new year with a Super Strategic Map Making Session - live in person or via webcam! It's the structure, strategy and momentum that you need to get started.

The next round of interactive eCourses begins January 3! Explore who you were created to be, get organized with your time, space and money, and then learn to set and achieve goals. All of these are available in 4-week courses that you complete on your own time each day.

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Do you know a smart, creative, spiritually-minded person who might be interested in this blog post? Please forward it in its entirety, compliments of Dawn Trautman, Urban Nomad. Copyright, 2011.

[Repost] Video: Last Minute Christmas Gift Tips

For those who missed it last week, here's a quick video with meaningful ideas of gifts you could give that don't involve a trip to any retail stores. Perfect for the person who has everything but doesn't have it all figured out. (Is that you, or is that someone else? Or both?)

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In which I stand in something like a mall and give ideas for meaningful gifts that don't come from a mall. Having trouble seeing the video? View it on Vimeo.
 
It's not too late to give a gift certificate for a Super Strategic Map Making Session - live in person or via webcam! It's the structure, strategy and momentum that you need to get started.

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Do you know a smart, creative, spiritually-minded person who might be interested in this blog post? Please forward it in its entirety, compliments of Dawn Trautman, Urban Nomad. Copyright, 2011.

Thursday Thoughts: Joy to the World

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Joy to the World, now and always!

For a last minute gift idea, get a gift certificate to the all-new Super Strategic Map Making Session - live in person or via webcam! It's the structure, strategy and momentum that you need to get started.

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Do you know a smart, creative, spiritually-minded person who might be interested in this blog post? Please forward it in its entirety, compliments of Dawn Trautman, Urban Nomad. Copyright, 2011.

Tuesday Travel Tip: Don't Wrap the Presents

I realize at this late date you may have already bought your presents. If you are not hosting the festivities at your home, don't wrap the presents. Wrapped presents don't travel well. If you're flying, you may be searched and the TSA will unwrap your presents. Even if you drive or take the train to your destination, the stress of travel may compromise the perfect bow that you placed on the gift. Save yourself the trouble and bring wrapping paper and ribbon with you, and wrap when you arrive.

Better yet, acquire the gifts when you arrive. That's what I do. I know a few places to shop near the homes of each of my family members, so I plan what to get, arrive a couple days early, and get the presents when I arrive. That way, I can travel as light as possible during the busy holiday season.

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Here's a present that travels well: a Super Strategic Map Making Session - live in person or via webcam! It's the structure, strategy and momentum that you need to get started. Available for you or as a gift certificate for someone else!

Don't want to miss another blog post? Sign up on my website to have them delivered by email or become a fan of Urban Nomad on Facebook to see them in your news feed.

Do you know a smart, creative, spiritually-minded person who might be interested in this blog post? Please forward it in its entirety, compliments of Dawn Trautman, Urban Nomad. Copyright, 2011.

Monday Musing: Follow Expert Opinions, or Not

My storage in New York City is along an elevated park called The High Line that is popular among tourists. I often walk along it because it is quicker than walking at street level and waiting for traffic at each corner. The High Line is filled with people taking photos of the river, the Statue of Liberty, the skyline, the artwork and the plants.

On one recent walk on the High Line I noticed an interesting phenomena. There was a particular view that no one was interested in. Then, someone who appeared to be a professional photographer stopped at the overlooked view and took a few shots at interesting angles. Suddenly, other people gathered to take the same shot on their camera. People almost lined up to get the same angle that the professional photographer had gotten. Once an expert identified and showed the way, others followed.

Do you noticed when an an "expert" points out something that you may have missed? Do you look for what's interesting or beautiful on your own, or do you wait for the expert to to show you what's important in the world around you? Do you always believe the expert, and follow along without evaluating it, or weigh their insight along with information from other sources and your own experience?

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Let's talk about what you're learning from experts and whether it applies to your life in a Super Strategic Map Making Session - live in person or via webcam! It's the structure, strategy and momentum that you need to get started. Available for you or as a gift certificate for someone else!

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Do you know a smart, creative, spiritually-minded person who might be interested in this blog post? Please forward it in its entirety, compliments of Dawn Trautman, Urban Nomad. Copyright, 2011.

A Win-Win Situation, Overheard on the Subway

Riding the subway during busy times is sometimes nearly silent, and sometimes full of conversations that you can't help but overhear.

Yesterday, I heard a man tell a friend that late last Friday afternoon he got a call that his parents were coming for a surprise visit. His home was a mess, and he had to work late. He called his once-a-month cleaning lady on a Friday night, wondering if she would take a last minute job at a time of day that she doesn't usually work. She agreed immediately. She took the bus across town and worked for a few hours. By the time he got home his place was spotless. As he paid her and gave her an extra tip, she held up the money and said, "This is Christmas for my children. Thank you."

The man on the subway didn't draw conclusions from his experience, but I was struck with how in that one transaction they both were provided with what they needed. He was thrilled that she would work on a Friday night with no advance warning right when he needed her. She was thrilled to have extra money for Christmas gifts.

I think that there are more opportunities than we realize to create win-win situations, but two factors come into play:

1. we must ask for what we need 
2. we must take the opportunities that come to us

Which part of that equation do you need to get better at doing?

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Start to work on what you need for 2012 with a Super Strategic Map Making Session - live in person or via webcam! It's the structure, strategy and momentum that you need to get started. Available for you or as a gift certificate for someone else!

Don't want to miss another blog post? Sign up on my website to have them delivered by email or become a fan of Urban Nomad on Facebook to see them in your news feed.

Do you know a smart, creative, spiritually-minded person who might be interested in this blog post? Please forward it in its entirety, compliments of Dawn Trautman, Urban Nomad. Copyright, 2011.

Thursday Thoughts: You Are Far Too Smart

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What you believe in and who you are matter. I'll show you how as we explore the connection between who you are and what you want to do with the all-new Super Strategic Map Making Session - live in person or via webcam! It's the structure, strategy and momentum that you need to get started. Book a session for yourself and get a gift certificate for someone else.

Don't want to miss another blog post? Sign up on my website to have them delivered by email or become a fan of Urban Nomad on Facebook to see them in your news feed.

Do you know a smart, creative, spiritually-minded person who might be interested in this blog post? Please forward it in its entirety, compliments of Dawn Trautman, Urban Nomad. Copyright, 2011.

Video: Quick Holiday Gift Tips

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In which I stand in something like a mall and give ideas for meaningful gifts that don't come from a mall. Having trouble seeing the video? View it on Vimeo.

Find out more about Super Strategic Map Making: New Year's Resolution Edition!

Don't want to miss another blog post? Sign up on my website to have them delivered by email or become a fan of Urban Nomad on Facebook to see them in your news feed.

Do you know a smart, creative, spiritually-minded person who might be interested in this blog post? Please forward it in its entirety, compliments of Dawn Trautman, Urban Nomad. Copyright, 2011.

Thursday Thoughts: Things we believe in

(Photo Source: http://gardenviewcottage.tumblr.com/post/2562523259)

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What you believe in and who you are matter. I'll show you how as we explore the connection between who you are and what you want to do with the all-new Super Strategic Map Making Session - live in person or via webcam! It's the structure, strategy and momentum that you need to get started. Available for you or as a gift certificate for someone else!

Don't want to miss another blog post? Sign up on my website to have them delivered by email or become a fan of Urban Nomad on Facebook to see them in your news feed.

Do you know a smart, creative, spiritually-minded person who might be interested in this blog post? Please forward it in its entirety, compliments of Dawn Trautman, Urban Nomad. Copyright, 2011.

Tuesday Travel Tip: Exercise

We all know the benefits of exercise for your overall health, but it's especially important during travel and one of the things people often skip. Exercise is one of the best ways to get yourself on a new schedule and stay healthy in a new climate. I know we all have our own thoughts on what those exercises need to be, but since you can't bring your entire volleyball team with you on your next trip, you may need to take up some sort of individual exercise plan.

My entire exercise plan fits in a quart sized ziplock. Not gallon sized, quart - the same size we put our liquids in at the airport. My strength training and physical therapy can be done with tubing and a resistence band. I also walk and do a combination of yoga, pilates and ballet, which requires no equipment and has great benefits. I also carry a tennis ball to work out any knots or cramps from traveling or sleeping in odd places.

Even if you have to change your routine for a few days, make sure that you find a way to exercise. It will be worth it.
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Get a jump start on your next goal or your 2012 resolution with the all-new Super Strategic Map Making Session - live in person or via webcam! It's the structure, strategy and momentum that you need to get started. Available for you or as a gift certificate for someone else!

Don't want to miss another blog post? Sign up on my website to have them delivered by email or become a fan of Urban Nomad on Facebook to see them in your news feed.

Do you know a smart, creative, spiritually-minded person who might be interested in this blog post? Please forward it in its entirety, compliments of Dawn Trautman, Urban Nomad. Copyright, 2011.

Thursday Thoughtful Reminder

First of all, happy holiday season.

I just wanted to remind you that Urban Nomad Life Coaching and gift certificates are 10% off through tomorrow, Friday, December 2. You can only get the deal through this link.

The gift of coaching is your opportunity to help someone and give the most unique present in the holiday gift exchange (a win-win!). Who do you know that is always saying they are going to get in shape, become more healthy, finally get organized, or change jobs? (Is it you? All the better!) All of those people could use a 2012 Super Strategic Map Making session. It's a one-hour interactive workshop where you redefine a New Year's Resolution, figure out a step-by-step plan of action, anticipate barriers, and create a way to motivate yourself using the latest research from social science. It's available as a prescheduled group webinar, a private webinar at your convenience with you and up to three friends, or a 1-on-1 private session by phone or webcam.

Register now, and remember to use this link to get your 10% off.
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Don't want to miss another blog post? Sign up on my website to have them delivered by email or become a fan of Urban Nomad on Facebook to see them in your news feed.

Do you know a smart, creative, spiritually-minded person who might be interested in this blog post? Please forward it in its entirety, compliments of Dawn Trautman, Urban Nomad. Copyright, 2011.