Thursday Thoughts: The Picture in our Head

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To read a bit about my adventure and clarify the picture in your head about your own adventures, check out my new book, "Urban Nomad USA: Travel Sized Life Coaching for Journeys of All Sorts" now available for purchase! Better yet, contact Dawn to arrange for a live book release cabaret with your organization in August, 2012.

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Do you know an intelligent, 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, 2012.

Tuesday Travel Tip: Look Before You Leap

{Theo, planning his next move}

I often have the pleasure of cat sitting Theo. He is a pleasant cat who lives in a pleasant apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Like many cats, he loves to climb to the highest available surface, and then leap from one place to the next. The part that fascinates me is that I always know where he's going to jump. He looks at his target, pauses, adjusts his body, and then jumps. Maybe we should be doing the same every time we leap into something.

1. Look. Know where you're going.
2. Pause. Consider whether this is really where you want to go.
3. Adjust. What needs to be lined up before you leap?
4. Jump. Once you decide to go, completely commit to it.

Perhaps by following this careful planning process, you too can always land on your feet, just like Theo.

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For additional ways to land on your feet, check out my new book, "Urban Nomad USA: Travel Sized Life Coaching for Journeys of All Sorts" now available for purchase! Better yet, contact Dawn to arrange for a live book release cabaret with your organization in August, 2012.

Don't 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 an intelligent, 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, 2012.

Monday Musings: Wasted Time

{Photo credit: theberry.com}

When do you fall into the bottomless pit of wasted time? Because I don't own a television or play video games, my wasted time generally happens online. I start out visiting favorite sites and checking news and information that is relevant to me or my business. I know there's a problem when I'm done with those sites but I stay online, watching or reading things that are not that important or even that entertaining to me.

What's the harm? Well, not much in the short term. The problem comes when you pretend that the filler activity is truly relaxing instead of an entertainment choice with a beginning, middle, and end. The problem comes when you aren't interacting with real people or completing real projects. The problem comes when it's keeping you up late or causing you to not eat as healthy as you could.

I am not against television, video games, or the internet as a whole. Sometimes each medium can be helpful, necessary, or downright entertaining. What I'm against is not making an active choice about it. When we passively fall into these activities we are no longer active agents in our lives. We are half-participating in something that does not benefit us or anyone around us. Sometimes we are also sacrificing actual, restful rejuvenation for an activity that actually keeps our brains quite active. Sometimes we are avoiding a real-life situation by distracting ourselves with someone else's story.

Step 1: Set a boundary on your entertainment, your media and anything else where it's necessary. You may be surprised at how much time you have.

Step 2: Choose something to do instead.

• Need to relax? Take a short nap, go to sleep for the night, sit outside, walk a dog, do yoga, pray, draw.
• Need to interact with people? Call someone, visit someone, go to a coffee shop and see who's there, join a club.
• Need to do something that you've been avoiding? Get it done, so that you don't spend more time remembering to do it. 
• Need a good story? Read a book, write a story, ask someone about their childhood, see a live performance.
•  Caught up on everything and still have time? I believe that every person was created to change the world. If you're not sure how you'll do that, I''ll help you devise a plan. 

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For something to read when you shut off the television, check out my new book, "Urban Nomad USA: Travel Sized Life Coaching for Journeys of All Sorts" now available for purchase! Better yet, contact Dawn to arrange for a live book release cabaret with your organization in August, 2012.

Don't 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 an intelligent, 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, 2012.

Thursday Thoughts: Theme Song

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To read a bit about my adventure and gain some focus for yours, check out my new book, "Urban Nomad USA: Travel Sized Life Coaching for Journeys of All Sorts" now available for purchase! Better yet, contact Dawn to arrange for a live book release cabaret with your organization in August, 2012.

Don't 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 an intelligent, 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, 2012.

Thursday Thoughts from Laura Ingalls Wilder

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To read a bit about my adventure and gain some focus for yours, check out my new book, "Urban Nomad USA: Travel Sized Life Coaching for Journeys of All Sorts" now available for purchase! Better yet, contact Dawn to arrange for a live book release cabaret with your organization in August, 2012.

Don't 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 an intelligent, 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, 2012.

Tuesday Travel Tip: Do Things in Batches

{Photo found (where else?) via Pinterest}

When you bake, you generally don't make just one cookie, brownie or cupcake. You make a batch. Why? Well, the obvious reason is that you'll want more than one cookie, plus a few to share. Another reason is economy of action. If you're going to gather the supplies, mix, bake, and decorate one, you may as well do a bunch of them. Voila! A batch.

This concept translates easily into other foods. I know many people who cook their main dishes once a month, freeze them, and then heat as needed.

What about other tasks? I have found a great freedom in doing other things in batches, especially things related to work. Here are some examples of things that go well in batches:

• Answer or delete emails in a batch instead of taking attention away from what I'm doing the moment the email comes in.
• Write blog posts, eCourses, presentations and other creative outputs all at once while I am in a thoughtful zone. 
• Read complicated or deep publications without interruption.

I'm sure you have examples in your own life. When we attempt to move quickly from one type of task to another, we spend too much time reorienting ourselves and getting back in the flow of it. By doing things all at once, we have a greater ability to work ahead, be strategic, and be more efficient with our tasks.

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To read a curated collection of posts from this blog, check out my new book, "Urban Nomad USA: Travel Sized Life Coaching for Journeys of All Sorts" now available for purchase!

Don't 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 an intelligent, 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, 2012.

Monday Musing: Preparing for a Big Transition

{Photo credit: schatzskindergarten.blogspot.com}

A friend of mine brought her 5-year-old to kindergarten round up, and then posted this status on Facebook:

Jake's comments from Kindergarten Round-up this morning: "I LOVE this school. When are you going to leave so I can learn?" "I really like my best friend I met. I don't know his name, but he's my best friend." "They gave me a book! We better read it tonight 'cause I gotta do my homework." Whew, I think he'll handle the transition well!

This 5-year-old instinctively knows how to embrace the next big stage of his life.

1. "I LOVE this school." Embraced the institution. If you have to go there every day anyway, why not love it?
2. "When are you going to leave ..." We often must have a temporary separation from our loved ones in order to enter new situations alone to join others who share our role or life stage. 
3. " ... so I can learn?" We have a certain task to do, and we must be clear on what that is.
4. "I really like my best friend I met. I don't know his name, but he's my best friend." Make a friend to share the experience. Study after study shows that people who have a best friend at work are more likely to stay in the position. This probably applies to any new situation.
5. "They gave me a book!" Whatever they offer, be open and accept the gift.
6. "We better read it tonight 'cause I gotta do my homework." Be prepared for your new experience and follow through on your commitment.

Good luck with kindergarten, Jake! Let us know when you learn your best friend's name.

***
To read a curated collection of posts from this blog, check out my new book, "Urban Nomad USA: Travel Sized Life Coaching for Journeys of All Sorts" now available for purchase!

Don't 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 an intelligent, 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, 2012.

Thursday Thoughts: Dear Younger Me

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To read how I have gotten better with age and created a life of purpose and passion, check out my new book, "Urban Nomad USA: Travel Sized Life Coaching for Journeys of All Sorts" now available for purchase!

Don't 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 an intelligent, 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, 2012.

Tuesday Travel Tip: The Garbage Bin

{My newest bag}

Every time I get a new bag, I designate a garbage bin within the bag. This is where I stuff wrappers, Kleenex and anything else that I will want to throw away as I am on the go. It is not always convenient to throw something small away while I am on the go, and littering is certainly not an option, so I stuff it into my garbage bin within my bag. This keeps the garbage away from my other, non-garbage things. Also, by designating the garbage bin, when it is empty I don't put something else important in there, running the risk of getting it covered in crumbs.

I like to give everything a designated space, even the things that I intend to throw away.

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To read a curated collection of posts from this blog plus the story of how I became an Urban Nomad, check out my new book, "Urban Nomad USA: Travel Sized Life Coaching for Journeys of All Sorts" now available for purchase! Better yet, get a signed copy at the book release cabaret in New York City tonight, May 8, or contact Dawn to do the cabaret with your organization in August, 2012.

Don't 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 an intelligent, 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, 2012.

A Life of Purpose and Passion: Misconception #5

{Photo found via Pinterest}

I am doing a series on the top five misconceptions about a life of purpose and passion. You can see the previous posts here.

Misconception #5: Passion is for other people.

We all love passion - in other people. We love the story of the local hero or the teacher who made a difference. We marvel at the superior athlete or artist. We watch movies for that moment when the character truly commits to a person or idea and goes after what they want.

We just think passion is for other people. We tell ourselves, "I'm too old/young/short/tall/fat/thin/smart/unsmart/fill-in-the-blank." Worse yet, we never even consider a life of purpose and passion for ourselves, passively watching others lives their lives and just letting things happen to us however they may.

As it says on the bottom of every page of my website,

"The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." - Frederick Buechner

Passion can be a positive, selfless way of life for people of all ages, sizes, types and personalities.

What the world needs is you, living out your purpose and passion.

***
To read more about purpose and passion, check out my new book, "Urban Nomad USA: Travel Sized Life Coaching for Journeys of All Sorts" now available for purchase! Better yet, get a signed copy at the book release cabaret in New York City tomorrow, May 8, or contact Dawn to do the cabaret with your organization this fall.

Don't 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 an intelligent, 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, 2012.

A Life of Purpose and Passion: Misconception #4

This week, I am doing a series on the top five misconceptions about a life of purpose and passion. You can see the previous posts here.

Misconception #4: Passion is too messy.

To follow a passion, it often means doing tasks with a sense of flow. Flow is a psychological term that you may have heard, meaning that the person's skills are a good match for the task - not too easy, not too hard, and it requires their total attention. Athletes, artists, programmers, surgeons, and others all talk about this phenomena where they loose sense of time and space, and become calm and focused, even as they are performing at extremely high levels. It's an elusive state that doesn't fit into a nice little box.

Over time, a passionate life can mean living a bit outside the accepted norms, for the sake of following the passion. Sure, it might get "messy," but is it too messy? Is it too messy to live your life in tune with your true calling, making a difference among the people around you? Is it too messy to overcome obstacles, deliver on promises no matter what, rearrange your life at the service of a greater good?

It's messy. But not too messy.

***
In honor of my birthday this week, I'd love to sell a huge amount of books to passionate people. The book includes some messy and some not-so-messy ways to live with more purpose and passion. If you want a signed copy of "Urban Nomad USA: Travel Sized Life Coaching for Journeys of All Sorts" go to the page for the book release cabaret in New York City, click "I can't attend, but I'd like you to send a signed copy" and be sure to fill in your address before you pay.

Don't 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 an intelligent, 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, 2012.

A Life of Purpose and Passion: Misconception #3

{Photo found via Pinterest}

This week, I am doing a series on the top five misconceptions about a life of purpose and passion. You can see the previous post here.

Misconception #3: Passion is only for young people.

We can all remember a time when we were going to change the world. The possibilities were endless. We could do anything. But then reality hit and we had to be practical, right? No more dreams, or only dreams that can be delayed until retirement, right? Passion is for young people without too many responsibilities.

Well, today I am turning a not-so-young age. I mean, it's not super old but it's not those ages one might associate with passion, like, say, 22. And yet I still seek to live with purpose and passion. The best part is, I have mentors and role models who are even older than me who are also living with purpose and passion.

All of your major life decisions are not behind you. You can still make a difference. In fact, with your life experience, wisdom, connections, and resources, you probably have more chance of making a lasting difference than you did before.

Get started today.

***
Hey! It's my birthday! In honor of the day, I'd love to sell a huge amount of books to passionate people. In fact, if you want a signed copy of "Urban Nomad USA: Travel Sized Life Coaching for Journeys of All Sorts" go to the page for the book release cabaret in New York City, click "I can't attend, but I'd like you to send a signed copy" and be sure to fill in your address before you pay.

Don't 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 an intelligent, 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, 2012.

A Life of Purpose and Passion: Misconception #2

{Photo found via Pinterest.}

This week, I am doing a series on the top five misconceptions about a life of purpose and passion. You can see the previous post here.

Misconception #2: Passion is selfish.

When asked (in the abstract, of course) about people who live with passion, some respondents immediately believe that the passionate person must be quite selfish. To follow a passion must mean using only yourself as a compass for what to do, and not taking into account the needs of the community. They will tell you that the person with a true servant heart does what is needed, not what they want to do. Passion is a luxury to pursue only when everything else is taken care of, and when will that be?

First of all, why are they mutually exclusive? Can't we take care of our responsibilities to the community and also pursue a passion? And might we be passionate about serving the community?

Second of all, who's to say that the passion will not also serve the community? A recent assignment in my eCourse asked participants to spend 1-2 hours doing what ever they wanted, as long as it was moral and legal. They "had" to find the time to do it because it was an assignment. The results were fascinating. When they gave themselves the time to do what they wanted, they keyed into a passion and worked at a very productive level. They produced a very high quality output. Second, more than one person discovered later that someone else could really use what they produced. It turned out that their community really needed the results of their passion.

Perhaps when we are able to accurately identify our passion and act on it, that's the still small voice of God telling us what our community needs, and that we are the ones best suited to create it.

What is your passion, and when will you act upon it for the good of your community?

***
To read a curated collection of posts from this blog, check out my new book, "Urban Nomad USA: Travel Sized Life Coaching for Journeys of All Sorts" now available for purchase! Better yet, get a signed copy at the book release cabaret in New York City next Tuesday, May 8, or contact Dawn to do the cabaret with your organization this fall.

Don't 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 an intelligent, 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, 2012.