Brenda Griffin

Dare to Dream By Creating a Vision Board

Brenda Griffin — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 15:49:11 +0000

Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.

Joel A. Barker

Reaching for goals can be scary for many reasons. First off, we may not know exactly what we want, so we don’t take any action.

Or, we may know what we want but may falsely believe we don’t deserve it. You know, those voices in your head that always chatter away in the back of your mind easily talking you out of things.

And, let’s not forget the idea that we know what we want but we don’t have any idea how to go about achieving it. Then, we get busy and the next thing you know, a year has passed and you’re no closer to the goal.

Sound familiar?

Here’s my favorite solution – creating a vision board. This helps on so many levels!

Firstly – it helps to clarify what you want.

Secondly – it helps you to keep your eyes on the prizes (and off of Facebook )

Thirdly – as you view it daily, to help refocus on what you really want, ideas, opportunities, and direction come into view guiding you further towards your goals. How cool is that?

And, you’ll be in good company. Below are two videos of Steve Harvey explaining how he uses vision boards in his life – yes, for “stuff,” as well as for other ways he wants to show up in the world being of service to others (and on a grand scale!)

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Are Your Dreams Still On the Shelf?

Brenda Griffin — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 15:14:03 +0000

What force is more potent than love?

Igor Stravinsky

Do you love yourself enough to look for the job you really want? People look for new jobs and careers for many reasons. Some have no choice because they have a need; they get laid off or down sized. But what about those people that have a job and are unhappy?

Maybe the job is a bad fit that leads to the feeling of being chronically fed up or burned out. Do you find your job to be draining and depleting rather than life giving and energizing? Why not look for a new job for a different reason? Why not join those who choose to move on because they want more for themselves? Why not look for a new job because you love yourself?

This week, I was reminded of the need to love yourself. While listening to one of my favorite playlists, lyrics written by Tori Amos popped out at me.

In her song called Winter, she sings about a father talking to his daughter,

“When you gonna make up your mind
When you gonna love you as much as I do
When you gonna make up your mind….”

We all have parents. The love of a parent for child is one of life’s strongest bonds of love. Do you love yourself as much as your parents love you? Maybe you grew up in a family where you did not feel love from your parents or recognize the love your parents had for you. If that is the case, do you have children? How much love do you have for your children? Do you love yourself as much as your children? For those with no kids – how about a sibling, spouse, friend or a pet? Do you love yourself as much as you love the people and pets in your life?

If not, make up your mind to do so! Love is a choice. You can choose to love yourself.

Once you have learned to love, You will have learned to live. Unknown

How can you show love for yourself and let love lead you in your career?

You can choose to make wise decisions about where you work.
You can choose to pursue your dream job – one that is life giving and energizing.
You can choose to work on your career by gaining new experiences to broaden your credentials.
You can choose to upgrade your skills by taking classes.
You can choose to go back to school to get a degree.

Tori goes on to sign, “So many dreams….On the shelf”. Is that where your career dreams are? On a shelf? When are you going to make up your mind? When are you going to love yourself? I have posted Winter by Tori Amos below. Take a listen and let love lead you this week.

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Flex Your Trust Muscles and Embrace the Adventure

Brenda Griffin — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 15:03:41 +0000

Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity

Gilda Radner

It may seem silly to look at a lay off or job pressures as an adventure. When your paycheck is threatened and you face mounting stress, life doesn’t feel like much fun, let alone an adventure. So how do you get there? To the place where you embrace life as an adventure?

Let’s look at what adventure is. Adventure is participating in activities with an exciting, unknown or risky outcome. And it’s one thing to seek them out and another to have them thrust upon you!

How do you participate when your participation is, well, not your idea? The key lies in how you respond. You have to participate. You can’t sit on the sidelines. To embrace adventure is to take action, one step at a time. Does that sound doable?

You may ask, “What’s in it for me”? “What do I gain by taking action”? “Even small steps”? Great questions. Two things: confidence and trust. Confidence in your ability to face and overcome challenges. Trust in yourself that you have what it takes to do what needs to be done. Would you like to have that kind of confidence and trust?

Embracing adventure is really about taking action, no matter how you feel. Are you willing to give it a try? Are you willing to start by taking one step? Here are some examples of people embracing their job adventures.

Walter is surrounded by empty offices due to layoffs. What hurt the most was the loss of his boss. For years he enjoyed his mentorship and protection. Now, for the first time, Walter has the courage to step out and drive his own career. He no longer expects to be taken care of. What has he gained? Confidence. Yes, he’s still concerned about losing his job. But knows he’s up for the challenge no matter what happens. He actively seeks out job leads and builds his network.

Tony, Walter’s boss, has accomplished much in his four months of unemployment. He has embraced his job search and has solid job leads. His adventure also includes the possibility of starting a new business! He’s connected with his knack for making outdoor furniture. Better still, Tony’s been approached by buyers. He is even investigating selling pieces on-line and is enjoying exploring his options. Instead of sitting home trapped in fear and uncertainty, he is pushing himself to action and reaping the benefits.

Then there is Karen. Several years ago she approached me for a job as an escape hatch from the pressures she faced. She had lost peace, calm, and confidence that she would endure a significant work crisis. She, too, tackled her uncertainty through action. Knowing she had options allowed her to embrace her circumstances head on. Not only did she make it through her crisis, she went on to thrive during the uncertainty of a merger. Since then, Karen has enjoyed two promotions! She now sees her job as a continuous adventure.

Yes, looking for a job has an uncertain outcome. It is an adventure! You can’t control many things – the timing, the position or the place. What you can control is your attitude and outlook, along with your actions.

Take action, build your confidence and flex your trust muscles knowing that you, too, can successfully embrace your job adventure.

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Are You in Love With Your Job?

Brenda Griffin — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 14:52:12 +0000

The best portion of a good man’s life, – his little nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.

William Wordsworth

I always know when someone loves his or her job. There is something about them that shines out.

At first glance, it’s an energy. A force field surrounds them where they live by themselves, focused on their world. No one may enter their space. No one is allowed to interrupt their flow or steel their joy.

At a second glance, it’s enthusiasm. They hum along doing their duties with efficiency and a light heart. A spring in their step is coupled with a touch of drive. This enthusiasm allows them to move beyond their force field to reach out to others and share their joy.

Ultimately it seems to come down to one thing. They care. About themselves, their work, and what they do for others. This is how the love they have for their work is expressed. It reaches out, beyond the force field, for others to experience.

It may seem strange at first to think about loving a job. Most people associate love with a feeling. Remember that feeling they day you got hired? Like you are floating off the ground in a state of ecstasy simply high on life. And if the feeling is missing, most assume the love is gone. And that may be true. Feelings may fade with the stress and pressures that workers today face.

But what about the caring? Do you still care about yourself, your work, and others? If so, maybe you really do love your job!

Someone I watch love her job is Dana. She greets me with a smile, takes my coat and offers me something to drink each time I go for a hair appointment. She has that quick walk in her step and boundless energy to share with me, and all her clients. Her enthusiasm fills the entire room. When asked, she’ll tell you that she loves her job. To Dana, her job is really just hanging out with the ladies doing what she loves, making us feel good about ourselves through her creativity. That brings her joy.

How to you recapture these feelings of loving your job in the middle of stress and pressure? Simple. Remember that you care. About yourself, your work, and others.

You care enough to do a good job at your job, for you. You let yourself accomplishment good work for you to celebrate! You let these accomplishments fuel your enthusiasm and let no one rob you of the truth. The truth of what you have done and what you have to offer.

You also remember that the work you do matters! You impact others everyday. You show others you care when you do your part.

Ultimately, you also get something for your efforts – a paycheck! Funds to support your life in so many ways. What greater way to love yourself than to provide for yourself?

This week, ask yourself all the ways you love your job. Feel free to share what you learn by leaving a comment.

He who multiplies riches multiplies cares.

Benjamin Franklin

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Hub of Awareness Meditation

Brenda Griffin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:06:17 +0000

Have you ever felt that “climbing the walls” feeling from too much stress and pressure?

Or perhaps just, “get me out of here!” from a job that feels more draining and depleting than life giving?

Good news, a) you’re not along and b) there’s hope!

Meditation is a wonderful tool to help us put our lives into perspective. Did you know, it’s also been proven to improve brain function for all ages?

Not many of us really know what it means to meditate. Or we have expectations that something mystical will happen – whatever “mystical” means.

The good news is that plenty of people offer simple ways to both learn and easily practice meditation. So we can all enjoy its tremendous value in our lives, without all the mystical mumbo jumbo.

One way to look at meditation is to think of it simply. At the end of the day it’s mindful awareness. Paying attention to what’s happening…in the moment.

It includes noticing things through our senses. What do we see, hear, feel, taste, smell, again, in the moment? It also includes noticing where we are in our space.

For five to ten minutes, simply allow your mind time to practice awareness.

Yes, thoughts will pop in. Noticing thoughts is really no different that noticing your senses. Again, it’s about awareness. Pay attention to what thoughts you have. Let your mind simply observe them, too.

Are you ready to give it a try? I thought so!

Before we begin, consider some ground rules:

1) If you find your thoughts going all over the place and distracting you from witnessing your senses, that’s OK. Simply acknowledge them with a gentle “thank you” and just keep going. Eventually, you will learn to manage them and witness them.

Allow yourself the luxury of doing your best and having your best be OK. Besides, don’t you have enough people beating up on you already? You don’t have to follow the crowd. Stop beating up on yourself! When you start taking care of you, I’m sure you’ll find others will do the same.

2) As with anything, practice makes perfect – with “perfect” being more about consistently taking time out of your day to meditate rather than having the perfect meditation session!

The more you meditate or practice mindfulness, the more you will benefit. In fact, many people report less anxiety and stress and an increase in a sense of well being including clarity, safety, security and overall well being.

Who doesn’t want more of that?

The following mindfulness meditation audio is taken from the book “Mindsight: the New Science of Personal Transformation,” by Daniel J. Siegel. This is the exact practice he teaches to his clients to help them settle their restless minds.

Daniel recommends reading this script into a recorder so it can be used as a guided meditation session – and that’s exactly what I did. This is the same recording I use myself to enjoy this practice daily.

Stop climbing the walls with stress and anxiety! Take time out to calm your nerves and build your brain.

Just a few minutes of exercising your brain with meditating each day will have you well on your way to enjoying your life as it is today, as you work on your goals for a better tomorrow.

Sit back, relax and enjoy! (And be safe – no mediating while driving.)

Hub of Awareness Meditation

https://www.brendagriffin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HubofAwareness.mp3

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From Clarity to Cleansing – The Power of Forgiveness

Brenda Griffin — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 19:24:22 +0000

If we wish to free ourselves from enslavement, we must choose freedom and the responsibility this entails.

Leo Buscaglia

Not long after I got clarity on the truth that my value as a person is unrelated to my job title, (see Confusion to Clarity) I faced a new reality. Jobs are not given because you need a job. Jobs are given to the best candidate. Not just the technically qualified candidate, but the person the employer wants on the team. So I was laid off, and I had to compete with employed people to get a new job – both felt unfair.

I felt wounded and angry. I repeated the story over and over in my mind, and to others. That just made things worse because reliving events renewed my anger. I began to feel bitter and negative – my attitude showed in how I talked, my body language and my actions. I created a prison for myself with a constant flood of negative thoughts. How could I outshine the competition and be the candidate of choice with so much negativity lurking just beneath my skin and flooding my mind? I needed a plan to release myself from this spiral. I needed to be at my peak performance for my job search. I realized what I needed to do was forgive.

Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds. ~ Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Yet to me “forgiveness” meant letting the other guy off the hook; and that made me angry. Fortunately I came to learn that forgiveness is not for the other person. It’s for me. It is a decision to let the past go and not think about it any more. It’s the door out of the never-ending cycle where you re-live pain over and over. It’s how to stop feeling like a powerless victim, and growing bitter. I also had to accept it is not up to me to pass judgment. I needed to excuse myself from jury duty and surrender that to a power greater than me.

I saw that the person I most affected with my judgmental, unforgiving spirit was me. My former company and coworkers had moved on. Yet I was stuck in my prison, spinning in my negative thoughts – and still unemployed. I needed to get in the game so I could win, and be re-employed. To get in the game though, I needed to level the playing field in my mind, first.

That is when I began the cleansing ritual in the shower.

A slave is one who waits for someone to come and free him. ~Ezra Pound

Each morning, I let the shower water wash over me. I visualized any dark, negative thoughts coming out of my skin and running down the drain. I did this until I pictured the water running clean from my body and mind. At the same time, I reinforced a decision to forgive my former company and release them from my judgment. I released them from any thoughts of punishment and retribution. I let all of that go swirling down the drain.

It was a decision – not a feeling – and it took energy and effort. But I was determined to let all the pain and negativity go, and to continue this practice for as long as it took to become free. I saw that it was my responsibility to deal with my circumstances – no one could do this for me. I kept at this cleansing shower ritual until my feelings came into alignment with the decision. One day, I had nothing more to cleanse on this!

What I gained from my cleansing shower was a light hearted, hopeful attitude that allowed me to put my best foot forward and shine during my job search. Not only was I in the game, I had taken control of the playing field in my mind; I became a legitimate contender. During this season of unemployment, my cleansing shower ritual was my most valued tool in my job search toolbox. There I embraced the power of forgiveness, and chose to release the past so I could move forward.

Thanks for reading this inspiration. To share a comment with your friends, which helps us all, just click on the links below to Facebook, Twitter and other social media. I appreciate the feedback you leave in the comments section below too!

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From Confusion to Clarity – I am Brenda Griffin

Brenda Griffin — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 19:11:21 +0000

What you have outside you counts less than what you have inside you.

B.C. Forbes

I didn’t know what hit me. I was standing in Human Resources when they told me I was laid off. The company, they said, is changing business direction. Stunned and confused, I went home and stared at the ceiling. One minute I was angry, the next sad. Mostly I was confused. I just didn’t get it! For weeks I was stuck on the “why” and couldn’t seem to move to “What’s next?”

It was hard to reconcile it all. I was promoted twice in five years, performed beyond expectations, and they said I had a bright future – but all the mistakes! They were flashing before me. Add to that, as I grew up most people worked at one company for life. The idea of being “let go” created a wall of shame I didn’t know how to manage. The hardest part was I suddenly had nowhere to belong, and I didn’t know how to fit into my own life. Really, I didn’t know who I was at my center.

Aware I was making the mistake of taking this personally, I came to see that I was making an even bigger mistake – fusing my very identify with my job title. This false belief was what ripped up my core and caused me so much confusion. I simply didn’t know who I was without my title. In my mind, I went from Brenda Griffin, “Senior Somebody at Swanky Firm,” to Brenda “Who?” from “Unemploymentville.”

Thankfully, all that changed in an instant at an Air and Waste Management (AWMA) dinner meeting.

A former boss had reached out. Knowing I needed to network, Lydia invited me to join her on a committee she chaired for AWMA. That way, I could start making contacts and be seen and known. Over time I started feeling good about belonging somewhere, yet I was still bruised by the layoff. My self-esteem was flat and the shame lingered. I continued to believe I needed a title to be somebody. Then came the first AWMA dinner meeting.

I sat at the table enjoying the company of my colleagues when the ritual started. Everyone stands and introduces themselves one by one, by name, title and organization! I sat there paralyzed. I wanted to run but it was too late – I could feel my heart skipping. I could sense my voice was about to crack and I wasn’t sure I could form any words. My mind was racing. “What should I say?” “How will they respond?” “Do I belong here?”

Then, in the middle of this anxiety and confusion, a miracle happened – clarity prevailed!

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. -Eleanor Roosevelt

I saw the truth. I could simply be proud of who I was as a person. I had the power to lower the wall of shame. I was free to focus on the present and look forward to my future – my what’s next!

As my turn approached, I took a deep breath, and found strength in my voice. I stood up, smiled, gazed around the room and introduced myself to my peers. “My name is Brenda Griffin.”

For everyone else, the moment surely passed without notice. For me, I suddenly knew in my core that who I am, and my value as a person, has nothing to do with a job title.

Over the years, my roles and titles have come and gone. My mistakes still happen, and they still flash before me. Still that moment of clarity stays with me – I am Brenda Griffin.

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What Was There About This Young Girl?

Brenda Griffin — Wed, 25 May 2011 15:03:51 +0000

July 10th, 2001, was the day that changed the world of wildland firefighting forever…the day that the historic fire catastrophe, “The Thirtymile Fire,” claimed the lives of four young firefighters in the Northern Cascade Mountains of Washington State.

The youngest of those was 18 year old, Karen Lee FitzPatrick, only three weeks out of high school. She was not only the youngest firefighter killed in this fatal fire episode, but was believed to be the youngest female career firefighter ever killed in the line of duty in America, going back into the records over 100 years.

Firefighting safety issues arose out of this controversial forest fire episode that will be discussed until infinity. As a result, greater firefighting safety standards arose that are a greater protection to all firefighters everywhere.

The story of this shocking loss rang out across the world. Karen Lee FitzPatrick, the glamorous yet athletic teen with her classic, statuesque beauty, and huge smile, appeared in a gossamer lavender dress, barefoot, running on the beach in the small waves, and in another pose sporting a huge laugh—on virtually every major television network in the USA and even internationally.

A flag was flown half- mast over the nation’s capitol in Washington D.C. for her, as well as for each of the four young firefighters on successive days of the week of July 11th. It was learned later through the regional Congressman, that Karen’s flag was flown over the Pentagon.

Often called “The Warrior Princess, “ she was also known for her big smile and contagious laughter. One could not help wondering what was this beauty doing out there doing the work of a big tough firefighter, anyway?

Known for her artistic and musical abilities, and her amazing strength and speed—a youth who ran track in the Junior Olympics at only 9 years old, and a high school girl who broke women’s weight lifting records only few weeks before the tragic fire episode, “Angel Promises…Remembering the Youngest Firefighter,” opens up to reveal the heart and life of a girl who lived an exemplary life, and was a fountain of wisdom far beyond her years.

Surrounding herself with art, bible scriptures and wise sayings in her room, often referred to as “Karen Street,” she proved that surrounding oneself with wise sayings and meditating on the high things of God from the Bible, really does produce a human being of deeply rich character, even as a teenager.

As a result of her deeply spiritual nature, a number of well documented supernatural phenomena stories emerged before after and during the historic fire tragedy that puzzle and confound our imagination!

In “Angel Promises,” the reader tours her heart through her essays and poetry, hears about her romantic struggles and tough life decisions, often standing firm for what she believed was right at the cost of even the most precious of relationships.

These four firefighters who seemed to capture the hearts of America, received the most extreme high honors in the way they were remembered by the President, the governor, officials in the White House, the public, and the firefighting world. “Angel Promises…Remembering the Youngest Firefighter” is a rare glimpse into the intimate life of a rare youth who projected love, deep wisdom and inspiration into her community and into her world.

“Angel Promises,” contains over 400 pictures including rare last moments of the fire.

You can read more here: http://www.angelpromisesthebook.com/

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Are You Tooting Your Job Horn?

Brenda Griffin — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:31:24 +0000

If you done it, it ain't bragging.

Walt Whitman

There’s a time and a place to “brag” about your accomplishments. Learning when and how is essential!

Some people get the timing all wrong and turn people off. They’re just to quick to talk about themselves and don’t do enough listening to know how to effectively engage with people.

Still others are completely uncomfortable with the idea of self promotion and never speak up! They wait way to long, if at all, to let others know about themselves.

That’s why I wrote my eBook, “How to Sell Yourself…Naturally.” I see too many people looking for a job and in business that would benefit from understanding how to best self promote.

Who’s the best person to tell employers and clients how great you are? That would be you! Many would rather hear fingernails on a chalk board than “brag” about their accomplishments. Does bragging make you queasy? Does promoting yourself feel wrong?

We increase whatever we praise. The whole creation responds to praise, and is glad. Charles Fillmore

Being comfortable with tooting your horn is essential in job searching and business building. Employers need to know you’re a match. So do clients.

How else will they know unless you tell them? After all, they aren’t mind readers! They need to know what you’ve accomplished, what skills you have, and how you will add value. You’ve got to be able to tell them, and sell them, by tooting your own horn.

How do you get comfortable promoting yourself?

Start by knowing what you have to brag about. Once you know what you have to offer, you will feel powerful! The queasy feeling will be replaced by a sense of accomplishment. Talking about yourself will then become more natural and engaging.

Take out a sheet of paper, or hit the keyboard. Start praising yourself for all that you have accomplished:

Document accomplishments. Write down all you have done. This is an important first step. It’s these accomplishments you’ll highlight in resumes and during interviews.

Call out specific achievements. Look for ways to express what you have done in ways that can be measured. Did you do something that exceeded a goal?

Identify your strengths. Write out a list of what you are good at. Ask others for what they see as your strengths.

Write out success stories. Take time to document projects from start to finish. Note any obstacles that you encountered and how you overcame them.

Reflect on your accomplishments. Rehearse in your mind all that you have done.

Get comfortable with talking about yourself and more importantly,what you can do for others . Find a partner or start a support group to practice sharing. Practice will lead to share your accomplishments in an easy and natural way. Next thing you know, you are “bragging”. The difference will be instead of feeling queasy, you feel powerful!

Now that the year has started, this is the perfect time to reflect and celebrate your successes. Why wait for your employer to pat you on the back? Praise yourself for a job well done.

Feel free to share an accomplishment you had last year. Take this opportunity to brag!

A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.

Mark Twain

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Making Character First

Brenda Griffin — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:17:58 +0000

Power really is a test of character. In the hands of a person of integrity, it is of tremendous benefit; in the hands of a tyrant, it causes terrible destruction.

John Maxwell

It was a delightful no-brainer to say yes in supporting Tom Hill’s book launch, “Making Character First.” Why? Because I align whole-heartedly with his values.

And, I’ve been directly impacted by lack of corporate values – along with many others. I believe in Tom’s message and am happy to support his cause.

While working at Safety Kleen as a Senior Environmental Health and Safety Manager, I experienced a hostile take-over. Laidlaw Environmental won their bid despite Safety Kleen’s legal attempts to avoid a merger.

I remember that first day – learning that the Corporate Environmental Department had been let go, with the exception of a few IT people. All my fellow colleagues, all that support – gone. Included were the 12 corporate attorneys I worked so closely with on sensitve, significant matters – gone. Along with the entire accounting department and executive management team.

My fellow field EHS Managers were also part of the mass layoff. Those of us in the Northeast were retained – those in the west and south were all released.

If that wasn’t shocking enough, we would all come to learn in the years that followed that the new management team was “cooking the books” and had done so for at least 5 quarters.

The company went into Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the first move made by the new executive turn around team. And as part of the restructuring, my entire department was let go 2 days before Christmas.

I don’t know what life would have been like if the Laidlaw management team would have dealt with the financials differently. I just know from the statements of those involved thought they could eventually fix what was wrong. But of course, in the end, that didn’t happen.

Safety Kleen isn’t the first company to have this experience. In fact, at that time, Enron was the big news maker.

It is my sincerest hope that Tom’s book reaches decision makers and thought leaders in corporate America so that they can be uplifted and reminded that character really does matter.

And as people of influence in their organizations, they can have impact in their companies and in the world at large through leading by example.

Making Character First by Tom Hill shares how organizations around the world are building a culture of character—which is very needed today.

This inspiring book is for all leaders—including managers, executives, parents, teachers, and coaches. Learn from Tom’s experience, and find practical ways to make character first in your circle of influence!

Be Impeccable With Your Word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

Miguel Angel Ruiz