Did Kathy Potts fail her audition?

People will spend their most precious finite resources to experience a climactic moment.  Each year thou$ands of dollar$ are given to the box offices at movies, plays, sports arenas, and the like, to experience ‘that big moment’ at a distance.

Entire guerilla campaigns have been launched on the internet as “you gotta see this” – from the show JackAss to the to the speech of a young man raised by his lesbian mothers in recent weeks.

25 car pile-ups have been created as passers-by abandon their driving responsibilities to ‘looky-loo’ at the degree of devastation on the side of the road.  As of today…the inquiry into the ‘dirt’ behind the death of the one and only Whitney Houston’s.

It’s the drama…and how that drama, for one split second… causes us to FEEL, reminding us we are alive.  We spend so much precious time, and energy FEELING alive through the experiences we WATCH.  The action we take includes turning our attention, absorbing the scene with our eyes and emotions, and then going about our hum-drum day.

What are we REALLY after in these efforts?  An escape from the truth? A means to create and hold that climactic moment on demand? A reliable pathway to coming alive?

Your life is a series of notes, scales, dimensions and stories…rich with moments.  But today…your stage is being set for the next show.

What is the next High-Note in your personal, professional life?  What is the HIGH-NOTE…this world is waiting for YOU to reach?  Who has paid the price of admission to the YOU show…in attention, time, and money…simply to see, how it pans out?

And are you in the audience of your show…waiting for someone to come out…and perform?  Take note…the performance of your life is waiting for you to Set the Stage.  Keep reading to learn how YOU can become the Breakthru Artist of your life.

(Kathy has opened up 3  STUDIO coaching experiences: 90-Day Fine-Tuning Program, 12-Month High-Notes Executive Coaching Program, and the Breakthru Artist Circle: 12-Month Executive Mastermind Coaching.  To inquire about these audition-only programs, contact Kathy directly at (813) 786-7226 or via email at kathy@oncoreperformance.com)

Hitting the high notes in your life requires that you get up out of the spectator seat, and walk behind the curtain to face the reality of how all that ‘magic’ happens.  It all comes together for the rest of the world to see in a moment, but the preparation takes years, months, weeks, and too many hours to record to see or keep track of.

Whether you believe you are ‘in a show’ now or not…the reality is you are performing.  You may have assigned yourself the role of script-writer, of stage engineer, make-up artist, or some other cutesy term tied to this obvious metaphor. You are DEFINITELY working hard.

With all this hard work…is your MAIN CHARATER COMING TO LIFE?

Every show needs a main character.  YOU are this character, with your human qualities…your little quirks, imperfections, CORE strengths, and developing reflections. Why is it we watch American Idol, America’s Got Talent, The X Factor, The Voice?  To see people take the stage…sieze the moment…and either FAIL BIG and go home…or BE-COME the next BREAKTHRU ARTIST.

When you envision your carpe diem moment…do you vote yourself to the next round?

BE-COMING the next big artist in your own life requires that you BE who you are, and COME to the stage of your life.  Here are 3 simple…and life changing steps you can take to BE-COME the Breakthru Artist in YOUR life:
1.  Find Your Voice you were born to use.  Dream…and have the courage to get that dream written down at the very least.

2. Seek Your Stages in everyday life to be who you are, with security that you have a gift to share with the world.

3. Promote Your Show by inviting people into your life who will watch for a happy ending, rather than a tragic train wreck.

The next high note in your life is waiting for YOU to initiate the audition process. And it begins with putting down your remote, putting away the credit card for the movie to go watch someone else’s story, keeping your eyes focused on the road ahead rather than the scene at the side of the road.  It begins…with your HEART.

I auditioned for America’s Got Talent last November.  It wasn’t about getting in front of the judges…it was about getting out in life…and breaking a leg at the audition where my voice cracked on my High-C Note.  The stage the floor I walked on when I decided to try.  The stage was Brandi Kamenar’s hallway as she helped me dress for the audition.  The stage was the warehouse full of hundreds of others all trying giving life a shot.  The stage was the chair I sat in for 5-hours waiting to get herded into a room.  The stage was two-steps forward on the carpet when I stood ahead of 12 others.  And the stage was the conversation I got to have with the spectators…when I could go back to every…single…PERSONAL moment of the story…MY STORY…and BE  A LIVE.

Are you ready to be the Breakthru Artist in YOUR life?  Kathy Potts offers a 12-month High-Notes Executive Coaching Program complete with an application and audition assignment.  Not everyone makes it into the program, but EVERYONE is given a stage and direction on how to improve.  For more information about High-Notes Coaching, or to inquire about the 3-month Fine-Tuning Program contact Kathy directly at (813) 786-7226, or email her at kathy@oncoreperformance.com

What do you see when you look into the mirror?

Its amazing to see women in the bathrooms, care for the mask they wear in the mirror.  The outer shells of who they are, being primped as if to go be on ‘stage’. Lip gloss being applied, hair being quaffed (fancy word for messed with).  Eyeliner being smudged back in-line.

And as drones, each walks to the wall, like a pre-programmed robot…there to fix the mask.  What lies behind the mask?

The reality.  The story.  The intimate woman.  The human, being…a mask.

Next time you have the chance, take a moment to observe how many women seize the opportunity to look at themselves…dead in the eye, to acknowledge the human who is being…beautiful, angry, hurt, sexy, frustrated…lonely.  You will be amazed at how how much effort goes into NOT looking at the woman behind these masks.    Once in awhile, you might see her make eye contact, and in a split-second, you will then see her ‘get focused’ back to the task of covering up.

We are so programmed to run from reality, that when we are faced with it…front and center, literally…fog to the mirror…we choose to pretend it isn’t sitting there…staring us in the face.

Try this…Gut Check Activity

Look at the two women’s faces above.  Notice first the woman on top.  Notice her eyes. Now…look at the eyes of the woman below.

Did your emotions react?  How so?  How nervous did you get?  How long did you hold the gaze?

Whatever the case may be, in how you answered these questions…think about them in terms of how you connect eye-to-eye with real-life people.  Deeper yet…recognize your answers when you catch yourself…in the mirror.

Can you look yourself in the eyes…and hold the gaze of what you see?

* Kathy is now accepting applications into her 12-month Breakthru Program.

To inquire about the application process contact her at

(813) 786-7226 or email her at kathy@oncoreperformance.com.

Shame’s & Should’s Don’t Break You.  Dismissal Does.

Working at HSN taught me a great deal about the fashion industry.  There was a phrase I heard people say on almost a daily basis during lunch, ‘Either she is lacking a mirror or a friend with THAT outfit today!”  Fashion and personal image were a centerpiece of conversation. This is not to say that these weren’t well intended people, or that there wasn’t more substance to the hearts and work done there.  But, it was a cornerstone habit…of judgement .

Shame for not looking good, living a life of should’s…keeps us focused on image and acceptance from the outside.  And too many times we have experienced ‘the mean girls’ syndrome, and been dismissed by the crowd.  Wanting to belong is as natural to humans as breathing.  And belonging is taught from a very early age, as something that we must receive from the outside.

And so, the fuss in the mirror, the effort to look good.

Something missing in SO MANY of the high-powered women I coach, is a foundation of esteem.  A mature sense of self-worth. A humbly, declared position…’that I matter enough, to be granted the right of expecting and receiving personal attention because…no matter what, I’ve got value to offer this world.”

We so often seek being valued by the outside…without first, going inside…coming front & center with our OWN faith in who we are, what we are up to, and how it matters.

Face Yourself.  Exercising Faith

1.  Make an effort to stop fiddling with your body in the mirror.  Put your hands down.  Open your eyes, chin up…and with that anxious feeling in our gut…look into your own eyes.

2. Name people who have benefited from knowing you.  People who have sent you thank you cards.  People that took their time to reach out to you.  People who surprised you with gratitude.

3. Reason with yourself:  if these people can find value…then how can there NOT be merit to it?  How is that even possible?

4. With all that I can name wrong  about myself…what do I need to acknowledge is good.  What IS beautiful about me?

A quote for you…

“While you may not see what lies ahead for you, be okay to walk alone and listen to who YOUARE MEANT… TO BE.  Walk in Faith of this GOOD news, and learn to let go of worry that you may not stack-up…against the mirror.”

*Kathy has designed a 12-month Destination Breakthru Coaching Program.

This is an application-only program.

To inquire about this program and the application process, contact Kathy at (813) 786-7226 or email her at kathy@oncoreperformance.com.

” Face your music and learn how to dance. And when your life is out of tune because you got careless with how you chose to play…don’t blame others. You made the music.  Now…find a better teacher, and stick with your will…to someday make music from all the missed notes that taught you what it took …to make it beautiful.” ~Kathy Potts

Since 2005 I have been ‘in search’ of something.  I never really knew what that was.  I’ve spoken on the topic of “find your voice” and “choose to play” for almost 6 years around the US.  And until recently, had not moved the topic forward.

What happens after you choose your game?

You face the reality and you learn to live with it.

I attended a service last weekend and pastor Brad White shared some good insight…spiritual or not…it is what I see in my weeding process of folks who are ready for coaching or not.  He said, “Failure does not stop us.  Set-backs do not stop us.  Fear of facing reality is what stops us.”

Wow.  So true.  So true.

How often is life about not facing reality.  How often is it about making choices…and not standing in courage to live with youself once you have done so.

How often is life about avoiding the choice, to avoid our perception of what reality will be?

Your life will change, when you learn the meaning of grace.

The older you get…the more life you experience, the more times you move your needle from sympathy to empathy for what others are experiencing.  And with life, you may find yourself saying, “who am I to judge others”, especially as you stack-up your secret closet of misdeeds against theirs.

What is the gateway to the performance of your life?

Crossing the threshold from choice…to reality.

Can you learn to dance with that?

This is what a coach can help you to answer…for good

Reach out if you’re ready.

Kathy@oncoreperformance.com

(813) 786-7226

“Build trust not page views.”  This is a line I read from dear friend Deana Goldasich’s post that was honored in Content Marketing World’s Top Blog Posts.  So first, “hoot-hoot” to Deana for a major rise to the top in her industry!   AND…hooray for the idea that the whole purpose of connecting is NOT for the numbers.  It’s the relationship.  And if the relationship is good…the numbers will follow. Why?  Because people seek out and enjoy being influenced by those they trust.

• Who follows you because they enjoy & desire being influenced by you?
• Do they walk away saying, ‘that was nice’, friend you or link you, and then become a #?
• Or, do they say ‘wow, I want more’…and become a new source of influence with you?
• What is your close rate…for the relationship to turn into continuous value?

So many people play the relationship consumption game.  We go to meetings, shake hands, collect business cards, enter people into databases, friend them on FB or LinkedIn and then what?  Do we listen for what that person is up to in life?  Do we hear the opportunity to truly connect her or him to what that ‘next’ goal, aspiration, and desire is?  Do we selfishly and freely give what we have, not knowing and being okay if we don’t get something in return?  Do we use our power to connect them to their own freedom?

The most priceless asset any of us have is our ability to think.  Therefore, when we give someone the permission and access to our thinking, the next best gift is allowing that person to influence our thinking. It is free…and priceless.

Change people’s thinking for the good, for their best interests…and you have found the key to a new world order.

(Join Kathy Oct. 21st in Denver, CO for the Business Building Workshop.

Early Bird Registration and Pricing at www.destinationbreakthru.com)

As I was sitting in the chair of hairstyle extraordinaire, Roy Naccour with J. Joseph Salon, he was telling me about an upcoming commercial he is shooting and how he will be taking his team through training in how to ‘give her the secrets to doing her hair’ so that she can DIY at home and not have to wait every 6-8 weeks for that ‘salon chair’ look.

“Kathy, so many others don’t want to empower the women they serve.  They think that it will cost their business.  But you see, I want to empower them, and I know they will not do less business with me.  They will feel better about themselves, and actually do MORE business with me.”

Amen to that Roy.

The world we live in comes together in 1 place…our minds.

Life’s meaning takes place as we consider how life is going for us.  Once we’ve determined whether we are on or off track from some ideal ‘place’ we are getting to, the meaning takes shape.

And I’ve come to realize that place is…freedom.  People seek to be FREE to BE WHO THEY ARE.  When we take the time to get to know them, we can give them access to be just that, and then help them find the ways to express this.  We do this as friends, as family members…but do we do this as business owners?  Do we try shoving our show down their throat…or do we listen to what they need and want, and connect them with that?

HOW FREE ARE YOU?

If you are a service provider, how FREE have you been setting the minds of YOUR customers?

Do you operate out of a scarcity mindset, or one of synergy, abundance, and setting people free to be their best?

In a conversation with my own coach, Alfonso Castaneira, we were talking about what Google did to offer priceless value to the world.  Google gave away a priceless asset – access to information.  It was free to anyone with the ability to get to a computer.  You didn’t have to pay a price of entry…it was yours for the taking.  In exchange, how loyal are Google’s customers to coming back to the site?  In average, 2-3 times per day, per millions upon millions of people.

A few weeks ago, I was sitting in the audience of an ACG event in Denver where Steve Knopper, Editor with Rolling Stone Magazine.  He was sharing how Napster found a key in ‘Free’ by giving people access to music for free as a point of entry.  People sampled the music, and wanted to express themselves more so they chose to purchase more than if they would have paying the price to enter.

The new world order is one that recognizes people want to be personally free from prosecuting themselves and given pathways to be empowered to be more of who they are without judgment.

Freedom begins in the mind.  Take Nelson Mandella.  How was he able to endure circumstances with such strength?  Take the incredible stories of Jews who survived odds within concentration camps with amazing attitudes like those of Victor Frankl.

Whether you are sitting in the hairstylists chair, meeting with a financial advisor, shopping at the grocery story, discussing insurance with a representative…these transactions are all expressions of what you want out of life. If you like what you are getting…no, if you lOVE what you are getting it is probably because is upholds something you believe in, it is something that makes you feel amazing in some way.  And when you feel amazing…you want to share it with the world.  And when you share it with the world, you increase the value of that vendor, and feed your own spirit that you’ve found a path to express yourself.

If you are a service provider, realizing this and changing how you interact with, listen to, and offer value to your customers may just get a face-lift.

If you are someone that works internally with others…the same concept applies.  Do you help to set others free? To influence their thinking for good?

Earlier this week, the sound of impotent thinking could be heard, as each wheel of progress in my head seemed to run over some unforeseen nail…bringing me to a full and complete stop.

If you want to hear the mood that comes to mind when I was writing this post…feel free to put this on in your background…before you read)

Fwump!

There went the steady focus on my business.

Thinking was like trying to move through chilled honey.

Fwump!

Relationships were now floating paralyzed in the air.

Each holding the face of a surprised pixie -  open-mouthed, and googley-eyed.

Fwump!

My palette flipped a switch from salad and green tea to caffeine and sugar.

Fwump!

My Zen…vanished.

I’ve had 4 weeks of leaping forward with bounding stride.  Been – in “the zone”.

Why on EARTH is my mentality deciding to take a break!?!?!…?

What the heck just happened?

( Can you relate? Sounding at all familiar?)

Read on for self-directed questions you can ask to help you make the most of these moments in you YOUR life.

Looking to get away?  Want to ‘just collect your thoughts’? In addition, ENSURE you walk away productive?  Look at what the Destination Diva’s experienced .

WANT YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE? Destination Breakthru is traveling to Champagne France in February 2012, Sonoma Valley California in June 2012, and Vail Colorado in Fall of 2012. CONTACT KATHY to get your seat save…ONLY 14 seats are available!

Looking to have someone facilitate your brain, as you work through your weeds?  Inquire about Kathy’s 3-Hour Breakthru! Visit www.oncoreperformance.com or contact us at kathy@oncoreperformance.com or (813) 786-7226

The excitement of the progress I’ve taken over the last 4 weeks swirled to the outer edge of this mad hatters tea-cup ride, as the center of gravity and focus now became these seemingly slow, negative emotions.

Eyes starring forward at a blank screen, my fingers lacked connection to anything articulate.  What I did notice was confusion about the wall I starred at.  Bricks of emotion faced me, each one branded ‘Sadness & Grief Co., Inc.’  How interesting.

But I SHOULD be happy…right?  After all, I moved forward.

Does this ever happen to you? You are chugging along the superhighway of life, having found a fast lane that allows you to move without barriers.  Then all of a sudden, – CACHUNK – fub fub fub fub – Ppppfffft – you’ve blown a tire and though you keep driving, you are shifted into a completely different mode of operating until, you stop. Next thing you know, you find yourself sitting along the roadside of your life wondering what happened.

How did I get here?  Where was I coming from?  Did I do something?  What does this mean?

Then the fog of confusion begins to creep in.

With as far as I had to leap to move on in my own life…I was leaving behind the stories, the excuses, the ‘old world’, what was home for quite some time.  And as much as I had jumped and experienced the thrill of the ride…the letting go of the past was a decision, but I forgot, it was also…a transition.

In some ways, the ‘old me’ was showing-up to say, “Hi…how are you?  I miss you.  I’m still here.  I understand you’ve moved on, but I will be here as a choice if you want to come back.”  And I don’t choose to go back.  I’ve chosen to move on, but there is still a human grieving of that familiar place.

In this moment I choose to take a step back from the momentum and look at what is in this moment for me.

• What all have I had to let go of to get here…so far? Acknowledging the “goodbyes”
• What do I have to let go of…to keep moving forward on the path I’ve chose? Am I clinging to something?
• What will I continue letting-go of, to continue the trek?
• What will try to pop-up for me…calling me back to the comfort of what I “know” and cause me to re-choose again to move forward? How will I recognize it? What will I do when I feel it?

Taking a step-back, allows us to reflect on our choices.  Taking a step back, gives each of our options a chance to be appreciated.  Taking a step back, can allow us to acknowledge where we came from, how it served us when we made those choices.  Taking a step back…to put PAUSE into the speed of the day, may just help us stay on top of those tires that go POP on the superhighway of life.

And sometimes, a rest from the highway is JUST WHAT WE NEED…to refuel, look at that tire…and choose NOT to get back into a pattern of going nowhere fast.

Something inside me is telling me it is time to step-back, and work from the inside out, before continuing down the path of task execution.

Something inside me is telling me, yet ANOTHER burst of energy is waiting to be unlocked.  But not without a cost.  Not without a price.  Not without a climb.

Something is telling me – confusion is just what is needed, to help me ask questions about where I’ve been, where I  want to go…so that I take responsibility for the choices I make.

Confusion …. What if I shift confusion to curiosity?

How can you enjoy the flat tires of progress you will undoubtedly experience?

Funny, last week I LITERALLY blew a tire out on my car, and it landed me at a truck stop. With a spare in the trunk, and the confidence to ask rent-a-husband pumping fuel at a tank nearby, it got changed and I was on my way.

What happens in the time ‘on the side of the road’?

The shoulda, coulda, woulda’s.  When we get stuck here in this place in our heads, we have LOTS  of questioning going on…did I make the right choice?  What if I can’t do what I’ve set out to do?  Who do I think I am that I can actually accomplish all of this? (sound familiar?)

What if instead of judging yourself in this moment you slow yourself down and know that you have what it takes to move in ANY direction you choose… What’s the worst that can happen? You can even look at that and make an accurate assessment.

When you’re speeding down a highway in your life, and you get a flat, it means something gave way.   Instead of ignoring it, barreling through, or ‘marching on with your head held high’…give it a chance to say what it has to say…get curious about it to see for yourself if there is something important for you to look at… or not… and choose NOT to let this pause, this flat tire,  keep you in place.

Be gentle with yourself… Say ‘thank you’ for the Old ways ofy our life, these “old tires” if you will… served you well. We relied on them time and time again and they got us to where we are…The tire I had been driving on, did its job for thousands upon thousands of miles.

• What can you appreciate about the ‘old way’…how did it help you get to where you are today?
• If you were to go ‘back there’, what would you no longer be moving towards?
• What was ‘nice’ about the old way?  What sort of comfort, power, validation did it provide you with?
• Can you admit you are truly powerful enough, capable enough, and ‘that type of person’ who simply…thanks the past, and moves on? ….go ahead.  Give it a try!

I know you are capable! AND I know it takes support to be this brave. It is why I have created this community.

If you want support from a professional coach, call me (813) 786-7226, email me kathy@oncoreperformance.com, friend me at FB, or connect on LinkedIn – no matter what…connect in YOUR way

If you want the company of other’s on this same amazing type of journey, camaraderie, shared learning and lots of wise, empowering shoulders to lean on join us on our next Destination Breakthru™ Luxury Retreat.. www.destinationbreakthrough.com

You are not alone. Destination Breakthru™ Diva’s are better than AAA! We are there with you on the dark lonely roads AND the climb to the highest peaks… We show you how capable and truly powerful you are. We are here to be a NEW energized validation system for you through each transition along your NEXT path… not the same ol’ hamster wheel choices … GET OUT into the world! Together we hold each other up and reflect back the Truth… the Truth is you can… yes absolutely you can.

I’d like to invite you into an experience. The experience of the… “The Waiting Line”.

Add dimension to this blog…and open this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXdW3fgD3bU&feature=related

 Welcome, to the “Waiting Line”. It’s a place of hope, a place of anxiety, a place of possibility, of disappointment. It’s a place where time seems to pass slowly, and yet progress is taking place. It’s a place where whatever is about to happen, is just one step closer, but not quite there.

I love this picture of the waiting line, because of the drastic view of the child, separated from the line, fully clothed and walking in the opposite direction. When did we all get ‘in line’ in life anyway? When we decide the way we would live life was waiting…rather than experiencing?

How does it feel to be ‘in the waiting line’?

At the grocery store, in the 10 items or less line with someone ahead of you who has 2 items?

No, wait… Make that 12 items. How does that feel?

How does it feel to be ‘in the waiting line’?

At the ticket counter about to board a plane.

No, wait! A boat.

A vacation to a destination you’ve wanted to go for so long.

No, wait… Make that a business trip.

Wait… wait… wait! Another, business trip to someplace you don’t want to go to… Again.

Drudgery. Leaving your family. Sleeping in some hard hotel bed.

WAAAAIT!!! Change that. Make it a family trip. To see people you haven’t seen for a long time.

People you want to see and build memories with.

Ooooo wait… People you have to see, an obligation trip ….because they are, family.

How does it feel …

Waiting in line at the movie theatre, about to see a movie you didn’t choose.

No, wait…make that a movie you’ve been anticipating for months.

In line, waiting to get on your favorite ride at Disney?

WOW WAIT! Your CHILD’S favorite ride.

In line, during the heat of summer.

No, wait. In the cool air of fall. Of Spring?

There are a lot of reasons to take…pause, and change perspective. Does this make the wait any better?

You didn’t get there by surprise; that “Waiting Line” you are in. You prepared to get there. You partook in conversations. You took steps. You had time filled with emotions and times of being very awake. And there were times you were in ‘autopilot’, where perhaps it just felt like you ended up there.

For any line you are in, there is a building-up. And then for a moment…you cross over…the line.

No, wait. For just a moment…there was…no…line. It was the moment where anticipation breaks, and through you go into ‘the moment’, the experience you’d been waiting for.

Does life’s meaning wait…for that, those, single moments?

As you accomplish one thing or another, finally, you are no longer waiting. You get to move on. For good or bad…the tension is resolved…you break through to the other side.

And then before you know it. You are right back ….

In line….

Waiting….

We are always in line. Life can be terribly frustrating if our perspective is that we are truly alive ONLY when we are getting to the other side….What if TRUE life is found in both in line and when break through the transaction to the other side? Maybe, life IS as much where you spend time before, and after, ‘the transaction’…. Before that tension is resolved and you are on “the other side”. Those moments of building up and planning, and shifting; moments of hope and disappointment, and yes… even waiting.

Like the child in the picture…life doesn’t have to be a waiting line. You can step-out at any moment…AND enjoy the line. Afterall, this is YOUR life line.

To find out more…to find out HOW…keep reading.

If you are standing in line, and you want to step out soon, check out Destination Breakthru™ coming to France in February 2012, Napa Valley in June 2012, and Vail, Colorado in October 2012.

Want some help getting to ‘YOUR MOMENT’ inquire about the 3-Hour Breakthru™ with Kathy Potts

Life happens in all those little moments, while we are moving towards life’s next “transaction”. Think of all the things we DO while we are in line…. In line we contemplate meaning. In line we figure out where we are going and what we want to have happen when we get there. We move to a faster line… We encounter new things we might not pay attention to if we were not slowed down to wait… In line we contemplate what’s next… we decide a path… we interact… we choose what line to jump into after we’ve reached the destination at the end of this line. The fact of the matter is that the “Waiting Line” is as much a part of the destination as the breakthrough transaction is….

This line of yours it is YOUR LIFE LINE. It holds who you choose to be while you go through life. That choice is what gives each of our lives meaning.

Guess what! …no one is in front of you or behind you on YOUR line… There is no cashier at YOUR counter with the light clearly lit that says how much you can or cannot have. There is no rule that says you can’t cut in line or that you have to pay the price some random cash register tally’s up for you to pay. You don’t have to line up straight or be quiet or even just stand there in any particular way.. you can walk in the other direction at any time. YOU GET TO TAKE what you want out of your line…. Zig zag… wind around… Make YOUR Line any way you want. Or stand there and take it all in.

This moment in your line will never be again… The last moment in line is what it is… the next moment will be here before you know it. What do you want each moment in your line to look like? Who are YOU CHOOSING to be in YOUR Life?

Start by answering these questions for yourself:

• Are you on autopilot?

• Are you sweating in the heat of the moment?

• Are you antsy?

• Do you WANT to be in the line you are in?

• Are you thrilled with the joy you bring to others in your life?

• Are you excited about what you chose to jump into?

Get clear about it! Whatever you do… get this really straight for YOU!

Even if you don’t work with me I WANT YOU TO GET THIS FOR YOU! Find a way!

I have designed Destination Breakthru™ workshops, one on one, and group coaching to support you …

Clarify what you want next in your life and together we can create the steps to get you there.

I’m available to support you all along your way.

Call me and we can get started today.

Kathy Potts

(813) 786-7226

Last week I traveled to Anaheim, CA for the National Speaker’s Association Influence ’11 Convention.  As the owner of a speaking, coaching and consulting practice, this is the time of year when ‘a new set of insights’ sparks what will become the path I travel for the next 12 months! It is an exciting time as the influx of ideas pours in, and at this convention the ideas are palpable and echoing through the hallways as experienced professionals and “newbies” mix and mash together, creating an audience pool of open-minded seekers… all of us looking for ‘next’ in our coming months.

A fascinating presentation caught the attention of this ‘Petri-dish’ of professionals; Ken Dychtwald, PhD presented “How the AGE WAVE is Transforming Our Lives, Our World and Our Profession”. He presented that for the first time in the recorded history of humankind we have reached a longevity point that is causing as many as 6 generations to live simultaneously under one roof… and this family make-up is becoming ‘normal’.

We are experiencing a transformation unlike ANY OTHER witnessed to mankind.  Two-thirds of the entire population of anyone who has lived to be 65 years old is living…right now.  “The gravitational pull of the marketplace no longer sits with the youth generation.  “Hip” is being redefined by the RE-BOOM generation”. What a compelling phrase.

He proposed that the questions asked of 20 year olds…what do I want for my life…as they are at the beginning are transforming into questions by the largest mass of experienced livers of life…

What do I want for my life…next?

Or is it really just the Boomers?

Though the Boomers have always generated an amazing amount of energy, I disagree that it is the 65+ generation that sits as the ONLY gravitation pull in this question of “what’s next?” My experience in my practices has me say it is the question WE ALL ASK…at MANY stages in life… More importantly, for all of us it serves as the catalyst. In a way, we are always… “Nexting”. And, at this particular time in history this may be more critical than ever to get focused and really grab a hold of our own reins to make sure where we go is where we want to be.

From where I sit, there is a WAVE of WAKING-UP that is occurring as people begin to recognize whether or not they are holding onto the reigns of their fate.  The bit is in our mouths…and the leather ties lay, in our hands.

The age of capability is dawning, as the lives we live last longer…and the human condition to dream, aspire and live extends…there are simply more people waking-up.  The good news…you don’t have to wait until you’re 65 years old to “Next” for yourself!

(Contact Kathy for “opera-tunities” to take YOUR professional dream to new Highs! 

Kathy@oncoreperformance.com

Also, Destination Breakthru™ is headed to Paris, France in February, 2012.  This is a BOUTIQUE retreat, with 12… 9 seats left! Inquire as to how YOU will save your seat at the top of the Eiffel Tower for the show of YOUR life!  Call Kathy today (813) 786-7226.

Take your business to new highs in 2012 in this luxury mastermind retreat!

Can’t make February in Paris…well, then hop on board the Napa Wine Train in June, 2012. 

I woke up this morning at 6:37 AM to the sound of the discovered capable Dee, a woman who recently embarked on her first Destination Breakthru™ journey…. She was charged with energy and said, “I know it’s crazy for me to call you this early in the morning, but I just HAD to tell you, not only am I going to be a Chef…I’m signed up to start my Associated in Science degree 2 days after the last day of my old job! Weee-Hooo!” 

Dee is in her 30’s.

On the phone yesterday, I was on a call with the Career Advisor for the University of Tampa, asking me about dates I could come and present “Brand You: The First 365 Days of A New Job” for the graduating MBA students. 

I recalled that in our last conversation, we’d gone ‘off topic’ and started talking about our aspirations.  This call was a catch-up as I heard the ticking of each category of her life click off her tongue…”my health, my relationship with my spouse, the relationship with my friends, my work…Kathy, when I gave myself permission to be capable for my life, there wasn’t a single area that didn’t take 2 steps forward!  I’m ‘Nexting’ Kathy!  I’m ‘Nexting’!”  My friend here is in her late 40’s (I’m guessing).

You are not your age…You ARE your aspiration, and your life is a choice.  Give yourself permission to NEXT. 

Start right now.

Ask yourself this simple question…,”What would I do next…if I could do anything?”

Within a matter of seconds…there is/was a quiet voice that gave you an answer.  And you either allowed it space, or quickly pushed it down and let reason take hold.

Now…take away the reasons whey you can’t/won’t…no age or obstacles stopping you.

Do you have the courage to ADMIT what you want?  Can you take the courage to SAY IT OUT LOUD?  Once you do…the process of NEXTING  has begun.

Take time every single day to focus on your next. Really set aside the time. You can do it on your drive or your commute, at the grocery store checkout line, sitting quietly over your first cup of coffee in the morning or in your bed before you retire. Any time that works for you is perfect but do it consistently every day. AND GET IT OUT OF YOUR HEAD…write it down, say it, draw a picture that repesents it, listen to music.

Keep your pad or notebook with you and jot down (in one regular location) journal notes on what comes up for you. You can even TEXT yourself your NEXT ideas by sending a text MMS to your own email. Open the doors and feel the energy begin to flow.

Who knows what your Petri dish of ideas will look like… my guess is it will be electrifying and the little kid inside you who has been wanting to play, will start to shine through!

If you want support from a seasoned coach to take things to the Next Level, contact me at Kathy@oncoreperformance.com

Also, Destination Breakthru™ is headed to Paris, France in February, 2012.  This is a BOUTIQUE retreat, with 12… 9 seats left! Inquire as to how YOU will save your seat at the top of the Eiffel Tower for the show of YOUR life!  Take your business to new highs in 2012 in this luxury mastermind retreat!

Can’t make February in Paris…well, then hop on board the Napa Wine Train in June, 2012. 

The hardships and lessons from all my years were situations intended to give me points of reference, to work through and call upon for empathy AND strength.  Without them, I would not have the wings to allow Destination Breakthru™ this new era in my life to take flight.

Opening the Floodgates

Back in college, (just a “few” years ago -wink) I went through a period of time where I was very… shall we say…confused, about many things.  I asked questions many people ask such as, “who am I?”, “what’s my purpose?”, and “what am I supposed to do with my life?”  I had also begun to recognize some demons I wrestled with and how hard I was working to keep them at bay.

At the time, I had discovered a quiet voice inside, coming more from my heart than my head, it told me I no longer wanted to be an aspiring opera singer. At first I wanted to ignore this voice and the more time went on, it got louder and louder and I simply could not …  my heart was opening and once I acknowledged it, the voice was very clear… and then something else happened….

A  floodgate opened… and I started to recognize other voices…. And memories began to whack me upside my head…

The secrets I harbored were so deep, and terribly dark, I couldn’t even say they had been a memory until one day in college they erupted like a continuous lava flow from an angered emotional volcano!  I thank God I had my Dad to help me. I shared with him my memories of being sexually abused at age 4-5, and I recognized the sense I’d been carrying of being a child with very deep, very dark secrets.

(I know this is hard to read just a few paragraphs into a blog…but all things happen for a reason, and have the chance to help.  The story has a happy ending…so please, keep reading to understand how 30 some years later, the facts of the past have become the foundation for the launch of a new era.  AND…learn how you too can have a breakthrough…in spite of, and in the face…of ANYTHING.)

I was confused, and unwinding years of this darkness that kept me hidden….

I questioned everything about myself and recall exclaiming in one conversation “Dad!  I think I might be gay!”  He assured me that would be fine. I was raised in a house were diversity and life choices were upheld, and love was a foundation.  If it were true, I would be accepted.  I continued to unravel the darkness that bound me. I asked every question, peered into every part of my heart and my mind.

To help me understand what I was discovering in my mind, my Dad afforded me to go to my first motivational workshop.  The hope was that it would allow me to take a deep look at my internal world, and gain clarity in who I am and what I wanted in life.  But more importantly, that it would allow me to begin healing myself of all the negative titles I’d put on my nametag for life such as…‘Hi, My Name Is: Worthless’. ..And it absolutely did both and brought me even more clarity than I had ever expected going into the process.

I was able to accept my past…and NOT make it define who I would be.

Did what happened to me mean I was destined to continue that behavior? Did I really not know my sexual orientation?   No. And step by step I was able to clear away the darkness that clouded me so that I could make adult decisions about who I am and what I want.  I was able to let the facts be…but the meaning I attached to them uphold who I am today.  The nitty-gritty details of the workshop left me with an enormous gift.  A gift of what to DO when the voices and demons pop-up.  The gift was one of OPTIONS.

I could go on prosecuting myself for the rest of my life.   Or…I could hug that little girl who at age 5 took actions that went unnoticed, and unloved.  And as an adult I can tell her she is worthwhile, loveable, and wonderful.  It was the first time in my life that I realized I was a victim and a hero.  And, I got to choose my character. 

While the initial content in my discoveries was about my sexuality, of course it transferred over into every aspect of my life.  I learned through this enlightening time ways to look at my core and Break through to the Destination I wanted to create in my life!  Through these processes, the question of ‘what is my purpose?’  and ‘what do I want to do with my life?’ became the next heart voices that I pondered.

For the 23 years leading up to that workshop, I was “bred”, to sing professional opera.  And with my Junior Recital ending in a standing ovation from my peers and professors…my heart stood alone on stage asking, “Is this it?  Is this all I will ever do?”  I was overwhelmed with a sense of “Empty”.  And I felt totally unfulfilled.

In that moment, I realized I didn’t want to just make the audience applaud, I wanted them to take action in their lives and be better off.  It wasn’t until I saw  Beth, the facilitator of my first motivational workshop standing on HER stage, with a standing ovation…and a crowd of 210 transformed, empowered lives applauding more at their own strength than of Beth’s performance…I finally knew….THAT WAS MY PURPOSE.

I want to support people in finding their way to applaud themselves!

To believe they have what it takes… to choose themselves!

The journey has taken 15 years… Every bit of it has been training, for this very moment. 

And I’m absolutely floating as I’ve realized another step along this path….On July 22, 2011 Destination Breakthru™ was launched.

Newsha, Kim, Kim, Monica, Chef D, Robyn, Bett, Susan, and Christie

These are the names of the women who gave themselves permission to be who they are at the most recent Destination Breakthru™ Retreat…  To want what they want… To believe they have what it takes to succeed. .. To face who they are in their deepest darkest secret caves… To choose – themselves.

These women have chosen their stories, and now know how to investigate the meanings and options. .. to be grateful for their entire journey… and keep getting out of their own way.

And today, they are UNLEASHED! Bad MAMA-JAMAS!  They are taking action in their lives. 

Today, they are Destination Diva’s!

It’s the dawning of a new era for these women and a dawning of a new era for me.  It was worth every step, every dark corner I peered into, every scare, and every bit of any pain to get here…

I am here today because I had the courage…to ask, find, and pursue my dream. I love that my life experience and choosing my game created this in the world for them. It was worth every step, every dark corner I peered into, every scare and every bit of any pain. I live my purpose today and I am so grateful.

My goal is to bring the transformation to 5 million women in my lifetime.

What’s Next?

 4, 999,989 women left in the next 10+years to support on THEIR journey as they discover the answers to their questions…

Start Your Own Exploration

Your floodgates may look much different than mine… your dark corners and scares are no less important to unwind. We all have things we carry. We have places inside us we determined long ago or we ignored long ago… things that can hold us in place until we choose otherwise.

 I leave you with these questions to start your own exploration.

• Who am I?  If there were no consequences…no judgments, who would I allow myself to be?
• What is my purpose?  If I get past the fears I have that keep me in my cave, what would I do with my business?  My career?
• How do I move forward?  If I sat back and gave myself permission to ‘go for it’ what are the first 1,2, and 3 steps I could take to get moving in that direction?
• Who do I need to surround myself with, to help me when my stories make me out to be a monster? When I get in my own way? When I want to hide or throw in the towel?

God Speed.  And all the love in the universe to you on your path. I hope you will hug that little girl inside of you and tell her how wonderful she is.

If you want to do so with a facilitator, consider a coach (check out my coaching page http://www.oncoreperformancegroup.com/coaching/).

If you want to do so in a group…where you can understand ‘what it’s like to feel crazy and find out you’re actually normal in this feeling’…LIKE us on Facebook   

(https://www.facebook.com/pages/Destination-Breakthru/164256160278563)

Take a look at the transformation and join the conversation with the women in this community…  

Stay tuned for more details about the moments of brilliant during the 3-day retreat.  I will be blogging about the stories created over our 3-days, in hopes they offer you insight, support, and ignition to YOUR journey!

Last year I attended my first Tony Robbins seminar. Yes…I walked on the fire coals, lost my voice, and had the thrill of 40 hours with a master of personal performance.  Needless to say, with 40 hours of work packed into 3.5 days there were volumes of insights and lessons.

 I left this Tony Robbins seminar inspired and clear of my goal to reach 5.5 million lives with a process for taking a good look in the mirror and giving themselves permission to soar!

 With that goal in mind, my first thought was WOW…that’s going to take a lot of energy and my body needs to get “crack-a-lackin’” on being in shape for the journey. 

 When I got back I decided it was time to hire a personal trainer and thanks to Kelly Murphy with DiamondGirlz in Tampa, we began putting my body into a “shock and awe” campaign.  And I felt the pain of the work in every single muscle!

 Have you ever wondered why the heck it’s gotta hurt after you work out?  The details under the surface require that if you are going to build those muscles, you’ve first got to tear them.  Not bend them, not move them around…but literally BREAK THEM.

Such amazing bodies we have, that in a matter of days, when the fibers reconnect and rebuild…you are indeed stronger!  This is just a law of nature, but what a beautiful lesson for us to take into the mental side of life.

 What mental fibers do you need to BREAK FROM, in order to rebuild your confidence so that you are a  stronger, more capable you?

Keep reading for a quick exercise to pump yourself for the EXCEPTIONAL VOICE in YOU!

Join the ONCORE Community – leave your comments below.  Start a one-on-one conversation with Kathy at kathy@oncoreperformance.com

As I continued my workouts, Kelly would talk about “Pumping Out 12”.  (12 reps of the exercise)The first 1-10 reps were the  build-up to the tear, the 11^th was a transition rep and the 12^th was the tearing repetition that opened my muscles to their next new strength.  My mental attitude kicked in during these counts, and I questioned my ability to go further on pump 11.  But on pump 12, with conviction, and with everything I had…I pushed out one…more…rep. 

All the work I’d done up until that moment gave me the ability to breakthrough to change.

Tony Robbins spoke about the idea of being good, great, and exceptional.  In today’s business world, being good takes effort.  Pretty much anyone can be good.  There are those who work harder than good.  They are GREAT at what they do…but they settle for being great.  It is the top of the top, who realize that just…one…more step, just one, make the difference between being great and EXCEPTIONAL.

 It doesn’t matter what you are working on in life.  If it’s being a better mom, writing blogs on a consistent basis, improving your negotiation skills, launching a new project, running that extra ½ mile…understand that performing at YOUR PERSONAL BEST is nowhere near ‘good’.  When you give yourself permission to go beyond good, or even great…PUMP 12 and you Break Through!

•  What do you want to break through?
• What are the 1-10 reps in that process?
• What do you do when you are faced with the ability to give an 11th rep?
• What would happen in your life, if you pushed through 11…and pumped 12 in the area most important to you?

Push out that one more rep! You could be on the edge of Exceptional.

PUMP 12!

BONUS EXERCISE…

Try this (if you want to play and gain more awareness about the voices keeping you ‘good enough’, AND the voice that comes when you are ready to be EXCEPTIONAL…)

1. …Try to do a few push-ups, notice all the chatter in your head. 
2. …Hold in mind the intention to do 10 (notice I say intention). 
3. …For those that can do more…hold an intention that you think will push you
4. …Go until you hear the voice of unreasonable reason jumping in to let you know you’ve probably done enough. 
5. …Wen you hear the voice of reason, the one wanting comfort…listen to the quite voice telling you you can do, just one more.
6. …If you can do that one more…you’ve listened to the voice of your strength.
7. …And…if can do…just ONE MORE…you’ve tapped into the voice of EXCEPTIONALISM, YOUR EXCEPTIONAL SELF!!!

Do you need a little help finding what the reps are to get you where you want to go?

Do you want support in creating the “What’s Next” in your exceptional life?

Email kathy@oncoreperformance.com to set up a free consultation. I’d love to meet you.

I’m off to the luxurious Vail Cascade Resort and Spa this week in Colorado for Destination Breakthru™ Women’s Retreat. I look forward to spending time with this intimate group of women as we journey together to rejuvenate, reconnect, and identify 12 month-goals and what needs to break from the old…to get through to the exceptional!…

This is the space to create a plan for getting on track with YOUR EXCEPTIONAL life!

 If you missed this one, and are interested in the next retreat, check www.destinationbreakthrough.com  or email kathy@oncoreperformane.com for details.

See you in the Mountains, pumping 12!

Kathy

That’s right; whatever you do…STOP setting goals. 

Don’t get me wrong, goals are good, but they aren’t the most powerful way to create a lasting future.  What are goals intended to do?  Let’s say they give you an indication that you are ‘headed in the right direction’.  But what happens when you get there?  What is the payoff?

The most memorable moments in life are those that create a sensory overload and give us some definite conclusion about the meaning of the life we are living.  Memories are actually stronger than any single goal, because they guide us to and from what we most desire.

Memories, tell us whether the moment paid off. 

Too deep?  Actually, its pretty simple…keep reading  for an example AND the ingredients to Pre-Create a 5-D Memory!

 (Are you sitting on the edge of unrealized goals?  Check out your chance to breakthrough your status quo, and create the memories of a lifetime at www.destinationbreakthrough.com)

Think back to a time early on in your life.  In fact, think back on a special holiday or vacation.  Where did you go?  What were the sounds you heard?  What was the intensity, tone, rhythm?  What were the scents that tickled your nose – what direction were they coming from?  What could you see with your eyes?  Describe the lighting, and the atmosphere – the temperature and pressure of the air.  What were the emotions you felt – and what was the intensity?  Can you recall the tension in your body…your breathing?

Are you at all surprised by how you were able to recall this memory?

Emotional and sensory recall can be everlasting.  You can find out more about this  inThe Silva Mind Control Method, where author Jose Silva asks you to remember a lemon, and your salivary glands begin to produce saliva – in the absence of a real lemon.  Pretty amazing how your body does what you tell it to!

The ingredients of that memory have shaped your life, and given you direction about ‘what life is like’…or ‘should be like’.  You may have been so moved that you created goals such as ‘asking the family on a vacation once a year’ or ‘carrying on the family holiday tradition’. The intention of the goal however, is to create a memory and a feeling.

What’s interesting are what goals give us – feelings, emotion, and meaning once we ‘arrive’. 

Goals by themselves however, are like looking at a 1-D movie.  When you add sight, sound, taste, smell, and texture…you create a 5-D experience.

Pre-Create a 5-D Memory

With a little context, you can pre-create memories.  Most people in the business world have been calling these ‘visions’ for years.  On a personal level, I would invite you to think of it as creating a future memory.  Think of like how you used to watch analog TV.  Then you got used to Hi-Definition.  The improvement brought an clarity to the picture that keep you from going back to ‘plain ole analog TV’.

By thinking through the ‘ingredients’ of a future memory you will take one dimensional goals to a High-Def – 5-D level!

Try going through this exercise to pre-create your next memory:

1. When you look back over your life, what memories do you MOST want to cross your mind?
2. Which ones have not happened yet?
3. Of those, choose one…one that is extremely important to you.

Ingredients:

1. When the moment arrives that you’ve reached the goal, how do you want to feel?
2. What are the sounds you hope to hear (loud, soft, boisterous, calm, etc.)?
3. What is the space/atmosphere like (inside/outside?  Humid/dry? Light/Dim/Dark)?
4. What does the space smell like (is there food, are there natural scents, musky scents, light/heavy scents)?
5. What sort of taste is available (water, coffee, food, etc.)?
6. What do you see with your eyes (color, intensity)?
7. How does your body feel (tense, relaxed, excited, stiff, etc.)?

Setting the emotional pre-memory first and thinking of this often will create a longer lasting effect in your brain…and will add that extra ‘OMPH!’ to the goals you have set in your life. 

(Are you a professional woman ready to create the next 18 months of YOUR life?  Give yourself permission to get away, collect your thoughts, and plan it out. Register for our 3-day luxury development retreat taking place in Vail, CO July 22-24^th at www.DestinationBreakthrough.com )