Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Snow and Ice Leads to Inspirational Brainstorming

Snow and Ice Leads to Inspirational Brainstorming

I've seen snow and ice storms before and as a kid I remember one winter where were got 18 inches in Seguin Texas where I grew up. But I don't remember a time when we were out of school for 4 days in a row. I told my 14 year old son not to expect this again so enjoy your unexpected vacation from school.

Working from home over the snow week allowed me the opportunity to have some meaningful conversations with people who inspire me. I had the honor of talking to Cathy Lemkau Herd the other day. She was 1st RU to Miss America in 1993 as Miss Iowa, today she is a mother of 3 and a pageant coach. Brain storming with her is always fun and gets my mind racing on new ideas. After talking to her I was energized and excited to complete some projects I have been working on. I relate to Cathy very well and consider her as someone who is positive, motivated, self-driven and inspirational. I should talk to her more often.

I also had the pleasure of talking with a friend of mine from high school, Jun Lee. Jun's brother, Eun-chul, was a student of my Father's for many, many years and he even won an Olympic Gold Medal using Mental Management. As a competitive golfer Jun was on her way to the becoming a successful Professional player when an injury cut her career short. What is inspiring about Jun is she never talks about the disappointment she felt when her goal was unrealized and she has never commented on her injury in a negative light to me. She took it as an opportunity to head down a new path. She became a designer, using a talent she knew existed but hadn't had the time to perfect. She is one of those people who wakes up every morning happy, with no regrets and never complains about life but looks for the positive in every opportunity. When I talk to her I am motivated to focus on my goals, I'm inspired to dream big and take on new challenges.
I took the time during snow week to have meaningful conversations with people who inspire me to be a better me. By doing this I am building my self-image. I am becoming an even better version of myself. I'm a positive person but I still need to be inspired from time to time. We all do.

Is there someone you would like to talk to this week to inspire you to dream big, see your value, focus on your goals, etc.? Could be a family member or close friend but I also want you to think outside the box and pick someone you haven't talked to in a while. Someone you respect and is a positive influence on you. Someone you can brain storm with about your future, your goals, your preparation for pageant, your platform, your career ambition. Someone who will help you dream big and inspire you to see opportunities in the challenges that come your way.
If you don't know who that person is for you, find one - or two or three.

You are always growing, always changing and always becoming - it is the people you have meaningful conversations with that help speed up that growth. Are you focusing on moving forward, or are you stuck in a rut? Think about it - make a list of people who inspire you and make a point to reach out to those people when you need inspiration.


By Heather Sumlin
972-899-9640

Posted in the February Pageant Newsletter from Mental Management - www.mentalmanagement.com to sign up