Dr. Mollie’s Weekly Musings 2-1-12

Admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:16:02 +0000

Musing about…serving your way to becoming an influencer.
When I look at the most influential man I’ve known, this was how he lived.
When I look today at colleagues who I trust and admire, this is what they’re doing.
Their social media updates are filled with resources, not just self-promotion.
They serve in community, highlighting the great work of others and actively connecting people to each other.
They have a mission much bigger than themselves.
Examples abound…
A woman of celebrity influence serving those with rheumatoid arthritis.
A man of financial influence sleeping under bridges to serve the homeless.
One reason I’m fueled so deeply in my community work is I’m surrounded by leaders who build their authority through a true desire to help others.
They see people in need. They see how they can help. They take action. Again and again.
Growing your influence in business flows from creating meaningful other-focused connections with those you serve…and with partners to support you in doing what you do best.
Along the way, communicate — keeping your tribe updated and sharing the value of what you do…expands your ability to help more people.
There’s no shortage of tips to grow your influence — my publisher shared these 50 ways to build your platform in 5 minutes/day.
These tips take on new meaning when seen through the eyes of making the lives of others better.
This week, look at how you can steadily grow your influence…by asking how you can consistently help more of the people you’re here to serve.

Dr. Mollie’s Weekly Musings 1-25-12

Admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:21:08 +0000

Musing about staying connected to what we’re serving…
My friend, Mark Silver, wrote, “Sometimes I'm given the incredible gift of remembering that I'm just here to serve the Divine message of love, peace, mercy, justice and freedom, and that all of the striving for worldly accomplishment is not really what it's about.”
Been doing more personal Q&As about service given how Walking with Justice is inspiring others to answer their own call to greater service.
Really enjoyed these Qs asked by Jen Louden and the Delivering Happiness Movement.
My work featured in our local paper – so fortunate to have The Sun shining as a reflection of our community.
We have 3 Blue Zones Rallies this Friday at Mount Vernon schools and Cornell College to celebrate our path to healthier, happier living for all in our community. Locals — please join us!
Family met Olympian Shawn Johnson this week as she shared her message to get kids moving! Don't think my daughter will ever wash her now autographed team jacket again =)
"I'm in this sport to become the next Shawn Johnson. I'm not here to copy or become someone else. I want to be my own person and make history because I'm being me." ~Shawn Johnson
We all have a bigger why behind our call to serve…connecting to this daily fuels more profound results.
My mentor was a servant of justice. He said a simple daily prayer: “God, help me make a contribution to a just and peaceful world.”
This week, examine how your work is simply a channel… toward greater service to something much bigger than your personal success.

Dr. Mollie’s Weekly Musings 1-18-12

Admin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:11:05 +0000

Musing about…how stillness and connection fuel leadership.
Spent week on book tour talking about a great man who made daily small choices to center on service and connect with others.
I intentionally chose to spend my book release week largely offline, sharing memories with those who house a fierce love for our mentor and meeting others excited to learn from his wisdom.
A BIG thank you to all who came out to see me and supported me through this tour!
Pondering more than ever how my mentor quietly led with his presence, leaving an impact and a legacy (photos)
Now observing others who are choosing to connect more deeply…slowing down rather than shouting louder into this noisy world.
There’s an overlooked and great power in quieting your self and your work.
One group doing it right – tremendous thought and care went into this free leadership course.
Watching these friends quietly battling back cancer changed me.
Seeing quiet leadership by many behind the scenes of the Community Resiliency Project.
Your greatest responsibility is to live a life that nourishes your highest truth.
Add more stillness to this week…allowing you to better connect with and serve from your highest truth.

Dr. Mollie’s Weekly Musings 1-11-12

Admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:10:01 +0000

Musing about greatness…
Celebrating the release of Walking with Justice with my mentor’s communities and other law clerks on the east coast.
Savoring several book signings where I get to spend time with people I love but don’t often see, meet new friends, and talk about my life’s greatest mentor. (Thank you, Tony, for these photos!)
While I’ve been traveling… my friends and colleagues have been generously sharing wisdom on mentorship and service.
Gail Goodwin of Inspire Me Today asked me the brilliant question of what guidance I’d want to leave if it were my last day on earth.
Authors Bob Burg and Dondi Scumaci held this wise Fireside Chat about Mentorship.
Mitch Matthews shared this audio about following your dreams in the service of others.
And a team member independently sent out a special offer that included laser coaching with me when you buy 10 copies of my book. (If you’re reading this, you likely saw this email. If not, sign up to the right to get these inspired offerings).
Couldn’t get too mad =) …he ended his note with words from the book: “Helping others in need is not only a responsibility of life; it is what gives meaning to life."
One reader told me that she had to periodically stop while reading Walking with Justice to “rearrange my heart.” It got too full taking in Judge’s presence and she had to stop and make more room.
This beautifully sums up the experience of my week. Filling up, rearranging, allowing more in. A week of great awe and pondering.
At one book signing, someone commented that we needed more judges like Judge Rosenn. His secretary of many years overheard and said, “That’s true…yet he was one of a kind. There’s only one Warren Buffett. There was only one Steve Jobs. There was only one Max Rosenn.”
I get her point about the greatness of this man – and appreciate how a woman who spent years of her life by his side did not take for granted his unique presence.
This brought to mind how another friend I saw this week made this video about my mentor’s greatness.
Alongside these tributes to a great man, I still believe that each of us holds greatness within.
The message of my mentor’s life is that your unique greatness can only be fully realized… in service to others.

Dr. Mollie’s Weekly Musings 1-4-12

Admin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:35:06 +0000

Musing about fresh starts…
My computer crashed last week. My ongoing Musings file that I worked from last year is gone.
Starting fresh…feeling right in many ways.
Just completed one of the most intense projects of my life.
Submitted a Blue Zones application for major resources to help our town become a role model to support the healthiest state in America.
A strong application with clear vision, solid infrastructure, and stated commitment of over 60 stakeholders from our government, schools, businesses, media, and community.
With or without this funding, we are moving forward.
Grateful that even on top of holidays and winter break with family… I enjoyed the process =)
Coming up on 3^rd anniversary of my Big Fresh Start when my life deconstructed from a heart virus.
This fresh start cleared the way for me to write my new book Walking with Justice.
It also was the birthplace of Best Life Design, Make an Impact Live! other creative projects that have fueled my greatest work and impact.
Thinking about a quiet woman I know whose house burned down…
Many didn’t recognize her at first glance a few months later. Buffed up, 20 pounds lighter. New hairdo and fun wardrobe. Confident in her skin. Kept her job but brought to it a whole different joyful energy. People discovered she had a great laugh.
She used her new start…to find herself.
You don’t need to lose your house or nearly lose your life to begin anew.
You do need to let go of the old…with love, gratitude, and peaceful closure.
Then face forward…with hope, purpose, and a heart of service.
Wishing you new beginnings…again and again…that allow you to thrive and serve in this New Year.

Dr. Mollie’s Weekly Musings 12-21-11

Admin — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:37:04 +0000

Musing about integrating our life to create a truly joyful season…
I am in the middle of a massive undertaking…
Shepherding an application to get funding to become a Blue Zones Community.
The application identifies the program structure, advisory board, administrators, 14 specific initiatives with 28 co-chairs… the demonstrated support of our local government, schools, employers, and citizens…and much more.
“Blue Zones” are based on the bestselling book by Dan Buettner referring to pockets in the world where people live the longest lives.
Researchers discovered that longevity…is paired with healthy, happy, productive, and meaningful living.
Research shows that living is most vibrant in a thriving community with strong daily habits that support better choices.
Blue Zones is the most comprehensive, research-based approach to strengthening a community that I have yet found…and I believe with every fiber of my being that this work will bring great healing and strengthening to this beautiful town I call home.
This application furthers my quest to help communities restructure from inside out to grow healthy kids and to make the healthiest choices, the easiest choices.
Here’s the rub…the application is due Jan 4th. Walking with Justice , my greatest work to date, releases the week of Jan 8th. The holidays and our kids’ two week winter break fall in there, too.
You do the math =)
Life is choices. Balancing and rebalancing. Integrating the essential aspects of our being.
A tightrope act can be exhilarating and leave you with great satisfaction when you reach that faraway platform….or send you tumbling to the ground.
To reach that platform, you must listen to your whispers about what most deserves your precious time and energy…and then be present with what and whom you are with in each moment.
You must openly communicate with your tribe, asking for and giving support to the family of people who share your vision for what’s most important and want to move forward together.
In this holiday season, I ask for your blessings on my community.
And I ask for your support in learning from and sharing the story of the greatest man and lessons of my life.
(These two are integrated with 10% of book profits funding community resiliency work).
You have your own priorities to integrate among the greater speed at which choices come to us during the holidays.
Be intentional in your choices to fully celebrate your holidays…and your life, moment by moment.
Wishing you a bright, healthy, joyful holiday celebration of what you hold most dear.

Dr. Mollie’s Weekly Musings 12-14-11

Admin — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:54:42 +0000

Musing about grace
That inexplicable, undeserved force that can turn an ordinary moment into a kodachrome memory that lasts a lifetime.
We can be agents of grace to others.
This angel is the daughter of my friend, Dr. Ben Lo. Friends and family (disguised as musicians, producers and designers) helped 12 year old Emmanuelle, born blind, share her light and beautiful voice.
One of Judge’s law clerks, who I have not met (yet!) sent me a note of grace.
We can make wise decisions and nurture daily practices that increase the likelihood of us being aware of and open to grace.
My son put together a short video honoring the wisdom of my life’s greatest mentor.
Giving Thank You books away at end of week. Have you commented yet?
Drink in the additional inspiration that is available to you this holiday season…and then share it with others in a spirit of gratitude and grace.

Dr. Mollie’s Weekly Musings 12-7-11

Admin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:38:05 +0000

This week, I’m musing about intentionally designing a holiday season to create a joyful and meaningful celebration.
A stressed out leader does not make for happy team members. A stressed out parent does not make for happy, healthy kids or fond memory making.
I’ve been partying pretty much daily for the past week…
Our family enjoys small town style Christmas celebrations. Last week, we made memories at our local “Magical Night" and the nearby "Old Fashioned Christmas" at the Hoover presidential museum.
This week brought our annual 4H Christmas party with the hilarious white elephant gift exchange.
Celebrating with our office, we took staff and families out to dinner and to an Irish Christmas in America. A lovely night!
Yesterday brought Friendship Club – a group of women that have been meeting for a century for fellowship and to bring relief to neighbors in need. The oldest (lively!) member is 101 and I’m the youngest by a good 30 years.
It’s a treat to regularly block off time to laugh with and soak up the wisdom and life perspective of these women. Our Christmas celebration always includes a food drive. This year I brought my oldest daughter to share this goodness with yet another generation.
Tonight is my girl friends Christmas party…we’ll put on bling and celebrate with incredible Mexican food and margaritas. Feliz Navidad!
You may be surprised I’ve gotten a lot done in my business amidst all this partying =)
Finishing stuff earns respect. When you need to pare back, do so by *completing* your most important work tasks and letting others things go.
One of my priorities…sharing this important Start Something That Matters challenge.
Don’t do the “there’s so much to do!” hop from one project to another without taking your most important to 100% DONE. Closing these loops releases energy for additional seasonal demands!
The key factor in seamlessly integrating more celebrations into your season is to be sure they fuel your energy, not drain it.
The formula is part mindset, part systems to prepare for the gatherings, and most importantly, being fully present with the unique goodness of each celebration.
Don’t ignore the basics…sleep, nutrition, hydration, exercise, and regular rest/rejuvenation.
Need a 2 minute refueling and reminder boost? (video)
A favorite Reset song that captures the magic of the season.
Be intentional this week in what you are saying yes to – no is an acceptable and complete answer.
Check in to see whether you are coming from a place of obligation (draining) or connection and love (fueling).
Wisely gift yourself care this holiday season…so you can more fully gift your presence to others.

Dr. Mollie’s Weekly Musings 11-30-11

Admin — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:27:41 +0000

How are you doing post-Thanksgiving nurturing and expressing gratitude? Daily practice.
I’m grateful for this article on The Life and Legacy of ‘Judge’ – and all the conversations with Judge’s family and mutual friends about it.
Welcome to my special new readers from the professional women of the St. Louis Forum. Fabulous time bringing you Walking with Justice and speaking about leading in challenging times.
Shared a special Thanksgiving gift with my newsletter community this week. Would love to spoil you and your friends too =)
Happy birthday to my son, Nate!
Last year, I gave him Tom Peter’s The Little Big Things …this year found a classic autographed by Tom close to year my son was born.
Amazing when you think of one person’s work so greatly influencing me as a young grad student…and my child 20 years later. A tribute to great work.
A courageous sharing helping many – grateful to Bob Burg for walking it out.
Update on our Community Resiliency Project.
Build in space this week to listen to the work you’re being called to do.
And then ACT, honoring that it’s housed within you… to share and expand others.

Dr. Mollie’s Weekly Musings 11-16-11

Admin — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:07:15 +0000

Did the big countdown to 11/11/11 11:11:11 with great TEDx peeps!
Also Veterans Day, the event fittingly began with the Pledge, a local teen’s brilliant rendition of the national anthem, and a theatrical honoring of all our vets.
Teens from the Iowa Youth Writing Project awed the audience as they shared their unique voices loud and proud. Powerful, honest, real. Bravo!
A few highlights from the Redefining Expectations TEDx talks…
Magician @nate_staniforth took head on the seductive force of cynicism…reminding us how sweeter life is when we allow ourselves to be astonished.
Author @pkageyama shared great work helping people love their cities and build community.
Speaker @mitchmatthews encouraged us to experiment. What might happen…if you gave yourself permission to simply explore that moment of spark?
Dynamic Duo Mike and Tim from @HandicapThis brought to life the power of perseverance, the beauty of unleashing potential, and the joy of laughter.
Really glad my son asked for tickets to @TedxIowaCity for an early 17^th birthday present :=)
It was a day…to refresh eyes.
What we don’t appreciate, we lose. ~@FredCuellar
My daughter overheard some of her dad’s friends talking about him the other day: “He’s the kind of guy that when he has a dream, he makes it happen.”
Not a bad way for a girl to hear her dad described…
If you’re feeling your dreams are out of reach, take a look around you with fresh eyes. Ordinary people do the extraordinary. Daily.
You *really* think you can't do what you're telling yourself you can't do? This video asks…Really?!
Kudos to my friend @MelissaMcCreery (who shared the inspiring video) for fulfilling her big dream of completing the NY City Marathon!
Set your sights high and explore possibilities. Give yourself plenty of room to experiment.
To seeing – and sharing – the astonishment and awe that is awaiting you…