Always Inspired

It’s a new year.  2012.

366 days on blank calendar squares to fill in with goals and plans that lead to achieving your extraordinary dream!

I speak from my experience of being able to work ordinary principles in my own life and I am always inspired when I accomplish what I set out to do.  At this point in my adult (i.e. mature) life, it gets easier and better to realize my goals and make my dreams come true. Because, you see, it’s not just ONE extraordinary dream to have a successful life, it’s a continuing journey and one success leads to many more!

First of all, thank you for reading this blog post.  I trust you are at least curious to my message and possibly eager to make your own dreams come true.  Let me assure you that if I can do it, so can you!

I’m actually not expounding my guidelines out there into the entire world.  Sure, the people of all nations could use some of these principles to live happier and fulfilling lives.  No, my focus is on one person–you!  I am on life’s journey.  It hasn’t always been motivating or positive or a blessing.  I’ve suffered trauma, disappointment, financial distress, physical injury, etc.  My life changed when I stopped ruminating about what was wrong with my life and decided to follow my heart and soul toward a path of inspiration and accomplishment.

With that said, please know that I understand where you may be in your life at this moment.  I don’t believe it is a co-incidence that you found my Always Inspired! blog today.

Ok, then–where to begin?

Remember, if I can do it, you can do it.

Are you ready and willing to invest in your potential for success?  Are you eager to experience authentic growth in all areas of your life?  Are you determined to follow that still, small voice within that urges you to discover your purpose in life?

Some of these Always Inspired! guidelines will seem simple and cost you nothing to acquire.  Other suggestions will come at a price.  Not all guidelines involve money, but beyond what is required is a mental and/or emotional price.  You alone decide whether or not it’s a price you are willing to pay.

If I did it–and it worked, your turn to give it a try.  Give the ordinary guide an honest, committed try.  If it doesn’t work, there are other options to try.

FIRST GUIDELINE – Know who you really are.

I recommend three (3) specific “tests” to understand how you think, how you process information, and what your genuine character strengths are. After reviewing the results of these program tests, you will finally understand what makes you “tick”.  I had an eye-opening, “A HA” moment when I discovered my true character strengths. Work from who you are.  Develop your strengths, don’t focus on your human weakness or frailty.  Let’s face it–no one is going to be perfect.  However, knowing how your mind thinks and develops information, realizing your strengths as a individual, and understanding your own potential will assist you tremendously as you set goals and achieve your plans to live a successful life where you make your extraordinary dreams come true.

It will take dedicated time and honest effort to sit down and take these tests.  They require money.  After receiving your individual results, please promise yourself that you will get away from the family and work obligations for a period of time to study what your strengths are.  You ARE a unique person in all the world.  Like an onion peeled back layer by layer to reveal the inner core, peel back your external trappings of all labels you apply toward yourself.  At your center being, who are you really in the core of you?  

It’s not about your adult obligation to relationships, career, lifestyle or belief system you carried your entire life.  It’s not about struggling to overcome personal weaknesses in any category.  It’s not about running from self-help guru to motivational speaker to success seminar in order to give you a sense that your life will improve by following their programs or systems.

It’s very simple  It’s about Y-O-U. Yearning to Optimize your Uniqueness.

Convinced yet?  Yes!  Good! Let’s get started.  The full impact is taking all three (3) tests.  Due to time and/or financial restraints. you can spread out the testing period however you feel comfortable.  If you’re gung ho to get going and discover your unique character strengths, then each test could be taken in the space of one day, even back to back in a few hours.  It’s up to you.  You are in control of the direction of your life.  You have the ultimate power to learn and understand who you really are.  That knowledge applied is how your life grows into a life where your dreams come true.

I recommend the following tests:

(1)  Strengths Finders 2.0 authored by Tom Rath.  You purchase the book, which explains in depth multiple character/learning strengths.  The book will include a sealed access code to take the Strengthsfinder test online. I bought my book at a local bookstore in my area.  It can also be purchased online.  Amazon lists the book for $14.97.  Once you use the access code in the back of the book, go online to their website and take the test.  Your five (5) greatest strengths will be analyzed and available to download to your computer.  Print the report out and compare it to the detailed results listed in the book.  You may be confused or surprised by what it tells you at first.  You may even toss the results aside as not getting you right at all.  I know I got results that I denied at first.  After serious study of my five strengths and insight into my own thinking patterns–I have to admit–Strengthfinders NAILED it!  To know my best strengths has changed my life.  I focus on what I’m good at, what will come easy for me to accomplish and ultimately lead to personal growth and success in my life.

(2)  The DISC Personality Test.  Several online groups offer this test.  You can Google “DISC” and pages of offerings will appear for you to choose from for your test.  I recommend taking this test to assess how you best function in a work-related environment. Everyone has to work.  Maybe your extraordinary dream is to pursue a career that leads to success and personal gratification in your accomplishments.  The DISC test will reveal your strongest traits: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, Conscientiousness.  The DISC test I recommend can be taken online by an affiliate of the publisher of the personality test.  The online assessment test is $29.00.  Your results will be available to download and review.  What I appreciate about knowing my DISC personality is that I will not waste my time and efforts in a job/career that rubs against the grain of who I really am.  I flow with my DISC traits, not against them.

(3)  Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test.  MBTI assessment is well documented in professional circles as the authoritative analysis of one’s character/personality.  A legitimate assessment is highly urged to be given by a psychologist or professional who can administer the test and go over the results with you.  However,  there are authorized assessment tests offered online.  I recommend taking the test offered by MBTI Complete.  It costs $59.95 for the test and results.  Other options are available, such as interacting with a professional about your Type Indicator analysis.  I took this test over 20 years ago.  I took it again because my life is not static.  I changed and the way I process information has also changed.  Surprisingly, the core of my answers still led to the same results.  I am ISFJ.

Ready to know who you really are?  It will take time to sit down and take the assessment tests.  It will cost you a minimum of $103.92 to take all three tests.

When you have the time and money to continue, go to the following websites to learn more and take your assessment tests.

www.strengths.gallup.com        $14.97

www.thediscpersonalitytest.com   $29.00

www.myersbriggs.com  www.mbticomplete.com  $59.95 

From a position of strength and knowing who you really are, the Always Inspired! guidelines will be easier to follow on the journey to live your extraordinary dream.

To your success!   Diana

Hello 2012!!

It’s a new dawn this morning.  From the perspective of the next 365 days on blank calendar squares, the future is unwritten.  Each and every day can be filled with goal setting and achievable plans.  Perhaps at the end of this year, you can realize your extraordinary dream!!

Do you have that dream?  Is there a hidden urge to change your life for the better this year?  I’m here to support whatever deep-rooted aspirations are bubbling to the surface of your mind.

Think BIG!  Dream HUGE! Live an EXTRAORDINARY dream!

Ok-enough about what you want. 

I’m like you.  And if you have taken time out of your busy schedule to read my previous posts, you may have a sense of what I’m about.  I’m not special, but I am unique.  I am just an ordinary, average, regular, and normal woman struggling to make my way along on life’s journey–but I live extraordinary dreams!  I believe 1000% that if I can do it, so can you.

How did I do it?  More importantly, how can you take my guidance and apply it to your own situation and experience your own dreams coming true?

First of all, be inspired!  Focus your attention on what brings you joy.  It can be a simple as a rainbow shining in front of dark storm clouds as you drive to another day on the job. It can be an unexpected $50.00 gift card sent to you with a Christmas card this December.  It can be the opportunity to share your personal story with strangers and both realize it impressed them.  It can be the ultimate satisfaction of paying off $2000.00 worth of debt obligations to free up your financial future.

All of which happened to me this past year.

My main dream in 2012 is to finally realize my goals and achieve the step-by-step plans of publishing my next book.  This is my year!  I WILL make it happen! 

“Always Inspired! An Ordinary Guide to Live Your Extraordinary Dream”  (Please go to my website for more details about the book. www.alwaysinspired.com)

For those of you following my posts here, you will be the first to read my detailed guidelines and have the opportunity to test run the exercises for yourself. I have no doubt that these guidelines work.  I have achieved extraordinary dreams along the way and if I can do it, anyone can do it!

When I began this Always Inspired blog in 2009, I was full of hope and life had much to offer with promises of a wonderful future before me.  Then LIFE got in the way. I drifted off topic and experienced some setbacks and tragedy. In those situations, I struggled to just maintain my ordinary and average lifestyle.  But one thing I NEVER forgot–my dreams.  I ignored them, pushed them aside, boxed them up and let the dust gather.  I couldn’t bury them.  My extraordinary dreams continued to dart across the edges of my thoughts.  And when I ran out of breath from running away, I stopped and realized my dreams were still there–waiting for me to return to the pursuit of the goal.

So this is my time.  This IS the year I go for broke.  I chose to follow my extraordinary dream–publishing my vision.  You see, I truly believe that ordinary people desire a better life.  In spite of what the media dictates, in spite of the criticism of family and friends and co-workers, in spite of suppressing your own yearning to make your dreams come true–you DO want growth in your life.

I’ve been there, done that.  At the end of achieving astounding and remarkable dreams that make me wonder what did I ever do to deserve such blessings in my life, I stand tall on the mountain top of success and realize someone is walking my path behind me.  All I have to do is turn around and reach out my hand to assist the person who is trying to achieve what I accomplished.  And I discovered that everyone needs a bit of encouragement, something to keep them inspired and someone who will champion their cause and urge to make a dream come true.

That’s my vision, my purpose in life, if you will.  There is no greater fear than to change your life, and also no greater joy and satisfaction in achieving those changes that realized dreams bring about in one’s life.

So, I may have been a bit philosophical in my 2009 blog posts.  And if it touched your heart in the reading, thank you.  My intent is to reach out and inspire.

This year, I plan to change the content to make it more specific, more one-on-one personal, and more active in terms of doing something to decide to go for your extraordinary dream.  I will share from my own experience the good, bad and ugly of goal-setting and planning to achieve that dream.  You see, we aren’t so different after all.  Just climb the path I’ve already walked and together we can stand on the summit and raise our arms high in a victory salute on the mountain top of success!

Reach out your hand.  I’ll grab it and be your champion.  To your success in 2012.

Diana Hindman

To those readers who passed by and took the time to read my earlier blog entries–

And especially to those who were inspired and took the time to comment about what I posted-thank you for your thoughts.

Where in the hell have I been?  My last blog post was on August 5, 2009.  It’s been over 19 months since I abandoned my vision of sharing the proposal that dreams do come true.  Life came to a sudden, abrupt halt when a good friend died unexpectedly on August 13, 2009.  Pua W.  was my champion, a cheerleader and positive friend who cheered on my pursuit of achieving success in reaching my dreams.  She also had much to live for; a strong, loving marriage of 25 years, two wonderful sons, about to become a grandmother for the first time, and planning to build that dream house with her husband. 

One week after I wrote my last blog piece, Pua died of a brain anuerysm–suddenly, without warning.  Then she was gone.  The shock and unbearable grief her family experienced  with her loss, was felt by so many, for she left behind hundreds of friends and people whose lives were touched by Pua’s love of life and her caring friendship.

Everyone who knew Pua lost a champion.  And I realized how much I needed a champion in my life as I attempted to pursue higher goals and achieve greater success in my life.  The reality is that life went on–with a big hole ripped in the fabric of life’s tapestry–but life continued for us all.  Her passing made me realize how precious is one person’s life.  She was a shining example of living every day to the fullest and I will admire her life, every day.

Which brings me to the point of  how important it is to examine one’s inner life.  If you died today–did your life matter?  Would you be missed?  Would your living represent an example of following your life’s passions and purpose?  Somehow, I want to be an even greater success because I know how thrilled Pua would have been for my success.  Life isn’t about regretting mistakes or wishing you had done it another way. There are NO do-overs.

In the span of time since August, 2009, I signed up for an online Internet Marketing course.  It was to get my “Always Inspired” brand out to the public and share my message of inspiration and making extraordinary dreams come true.  Well, just as I was about to invest in expensive web design/marketing promotion–in October, 2009, I got a notice of foreclosure from an attorney’s office.  You know that sinking feeling that the roof over your head is about to disappear?  I leased a condo and the landlord/owners had not been paying their mortgage.  The bank was going to auction off the property.  Well, there you go–any money I set aside for my brilliant Internet launch was halted as I hired my own attorney to protect my interests as a tenant.  Couldn’t spend any money, in case I had to move out and relocate to another apartment.

It took from October, 2009 until June, 2010 before the bank took back the property in foreclosure.  My uncertain month-to-month future came to a final reality on June 18, 2010.  I received a letter from an attorney that I had 10 days to vacate the condo (my home) or eviction proceedings would be started through the court system.

It looked bleak, I agree, but this is where the miracles and the ultimate joy of living my extraordinary dreams happened.

In 2008, I tried to purchase a condo in the complex, but it was a “short sale” and the bank/lender couldn’t give my realtor or myself a definite date to accept or reject my purchase offer.  Not even ninety days out.  So I withdrew my offer and told my realtor I would lease a condo in the same complex and wait until something else came along.  I signed a one year lease in November, 2008 and enjoyed a lovely 2 bedroom condo close to the beach in Maui.  Paradise!  Then the bottom fell out right before I was to renew the lease for another year.  The condo went into foreclosure.

Well, on June 10, 2010, the first condo, in the same complex, came back on the market–and listed for $30,000.00 LESS than I put in for the purchase offer in 2008!  I called my realtor/friend and we began the process all over again to buy the condo. It was my original dream-to live there.  It faced the southern sun and gave me an incredible view of the slopes of 10,000 ft high Haleakala from my windows and open deck.  I also had views of the West Maui mountains from the dining room window and front landing.  As a writer, the views were awe-inspiring and I felt such wonder to gaze at tropical natural scenery all day long.

The offer was accepted and the escrow process began.  In the end, I was able to purchase the condo with a 3.5% down payment FHA mortgage and the seller, Fannie Mae, paid 100% of ALL closing costs!  By the way-I am a first time homebuyer, so it is an extraordinary dream to be able to buy a 2 bedroom condo across the street from the ocean & beach on Maui!

As for the condo I rented?  The attorney letter gave me a vacate date of June 28, 2010.  Fannie Mae has a program called ”Cash for Keys”.  They would pay me to leave the condo ASAP and in return for delivering an empty, swept clean premises, I would receive a check for over $4,000.00!!!  I rented a storage locker in my neighborhood and several good friends helped me pack everything and moved my belongings and furniture in 3 days!  Another miracle, as there was NO WAY I could have done it without their assistance and willingness to offer their help and pick up trucks!

On August 30th, I received the closing documents and my new house keys for my first home!  So that has kept me busy, I worked a full time job and the energy left over after a day at the office was expended in renovating my home.  Yet another reason I didn’t return to this blog.

I have moved on with my life.  And whether or not I miss the encouragement of my friend Pua, who helped me move into the rental condo in 2008, I still have to live the dreams that enrich my life.  I still set lofty goals and make definite plans to continue on my journey to reap the rewards of my efforts in achieving extraordinary dreams. And in the back of my mind, I hear her approving voice that cheers me onward, as excited for my victories as I am to share them.  I still see her wide smile and nod of her head as she champions my cause, “you go, girl!”

Yes, Pua, I AM going!  I am taking your spirit with me, which will never die and which will never fail to inspire me to achieve greater things with my life.  You were a shining example of a life well lived.  I honor your memory by continuing to pursue my dreams, ever cognicant of the fragility of life and willing to risk everything for living an authentic life.

And now it’s March, 2011.  I am back and I will be sharing the miracles in my life and giving out a bit of my experiences in HOW  you can live fully in the present moments of your own life as you become inspired to make one extraordinary dream come true.

We’ll talk, later!

Diana