* For other articles click on the links and they will open in a new window at our Blog.
Written by Phil Tanguay
For years I used to hear the phrase, “think outside the box“, and although I knew what it meant grammatically I didn’t truly grasp how. We all have passions, things we enjoy doing. I for one enjoy drawing, painting, Photoshopping and basically creating. I enjoyed it so much, however with a family and responsibilities piling up I found like many people, time became more and more scarce. I bought into the idea that you can either be successful and unhappy or happy and broke.
I was a workaholic, forever devoting time to my work and getting ahead, yet never really getting anywhere but frustrated. I just wanted to be my own boss, have the ability to do whatever I wanted and have fun doing it while making lots of money so I could provide the perfect lifestyle for myself and my family. The funny thing was what I was doing in the corporate world was the furthest from my passions of art. I was not having any fun.
Then I found an opportunity to start my own home business in an amazing industry – Personal Development! I thought, “wow I could make money and grow and learn about myself at the same time”. It wasn’t something to do with art but at least I could learn more about myself and about life while making money and thought well eventually I’ll have the time for art later.
My thinking was a bit off – because the scenery might have changed but I found myself repeating the same workaholic tendencies in my business and yielding me less than great results at first. Until I started changing the way I thought I’d still just be the same old me in different circumstances. That’s when I realized that life is about deciding to be happy now! I remembered the phrase “think outside the box”. What did I love? Art, creating, having fun expressing myself – surely I could find a way with my business where I could incorporate my art and still run a lucrative business. Combine the two and do what I love while using those creations to connect with others who thought along the same lines.
I didn’t like the traditional ways to use my art in business as so many equate artist to poverty and struggling. I didn’t want to be the soulless corporate type with no passion – but by combining the two I came up with a hybrid so to speak. Loving what you do day-to-day makes the world of difference in one’s happiness. I now enjoy creating my artwork and using it in my business websites, my advertising and even my story as I connect with others who want to find ways to pursue their passions through personal development and have the freedom of being an entrepreneur instead of an employee.
We all have things we love – there is always a way to use what we love doing to feel more fulfilled whether it has anything to do with business or not – just Think Outside The Box. I found my joy and am so grateful for the opportunities it’s presented me. Find your passion – and you do that by learning about yourself. Finding out what you love, where you want to go in life and then taking action. There is nothing more liberating in life than discovering something new about yourself. A simple shift in perspective can have profound effects on one’s life – it’s simply a choice. Choose to find your passion and follow it!
Written by Phil Tanguay
It seems everyone wants the adventure, excitement, joy, peace and happiness that was depicted in the movie “Avatar”. It had such powerful meanings that apply to our every day lives and our dreams. Who doesn’t want to fall asleep and wake up in a new body, new life filled with everything our current life lacks?
I found it to be quite inspirational and uplifting not only for the obvious adventure but for the underlying implications of energy, goals and passions we all have. Being able to step into a new body is like waking up in our future selves. To live a life without restriction, rules and expectations that we face in our jobs, friends and families at times. One of the most challenging things most people face is accepting change and adapting to what changes around us. We can run or hide from it or we can embrace it and use the changes to our advantage.
So many of us want to have the finer things in life, the freedom from a job or the ability to follow our calling, yet we hold ourselves back. Some might claim it’s because of responsibilities or obligations but in truth we place those restrictions upon ourselves. We can be, do or have anything we desire so long as we believe and allow ourselves to pursue them.
Being a person who felt trapped by a corporate job, tons of bills and living pay to pay I know how it felt to be powerless. However, after looking more closely and from a different perspective I could see that there were no true blocks only the perception that I could not get ahead. I needed to change my thinking and how I saw my circumstances. This was so clearly depicted in the movie – new body, new world, new life. Imagine being able to start all over knowing what you already know now.
Since I did change my thinking through reading and learning to take risks in the pursuit of my own happiness, I’ve truly started living. I feel as though I’ve woken up in a new life, familiar but new. It’s not about having all the answers, it’s about being willing to do it regardless of the fear. I started my own business working from home in Personal Development that allowed me to set myself free from my 16 year corporate job. I get to follow my passions of helping other people and doing positive things. I get rewarded very handsomely and love what I do. I feel like an avatar.
Look up the meaning of the word avatar in the dictionary – it means; “an embodiment or personification, as of a principle, attitude, or view of life.”
That is so true, because I get to share with others what has so drastically changed my life for the better and allowed me to start living my dreams and achieve my goals. What could be better than that?
If you have not seen the movie Avatar please do yourself a favor and watch it but with an open mind and a willingness to apply it’s meanings to your own life. We can all create the life we’ve always wanted. Become an avatar of change and growth.
|
