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Navigating the Digital World with Erik Qualman and Digital Leader

I had the pleasure of meeting Erik Qualman and hearing him speak
at a book signing for his new book Digital Leader at House of Blues in Chicago last night
(many thanks to Brickfish who sponsored the event).

I’m always curious to hear what someone will share in a limitied “general” talk like this,
and though Erik shared ideas that many may have heard before, he articulated them in a way
that was very impactful and useable – and in particular, he raised great questions
we can ask ourselves as we begin 2012, and specifically as we navigate our relationship
with the digital world which now impacts us all.

Here’s a quick summary of some of the “take-aways” I walked away with:

First, what do you want your “stamp” to be online?

I love the visual and action-imagery this word conveys, and the simple yet clear question
we can ask ourselves – and which we can apply to our entire life.

As applied to the digital world — What do you want your kids and grandkids to find of you online?

And here’s a challenge Erik gave us – to write what you want your “stamp” to be in 140 characters or less
(the maximum number of characters that fit in one “tweet”). This challenge definitely requires some
thought and ultimate clarity.

And here’s what “S.T.A.M.P.” stood for in Erik’s talk:

S – Simplification. Something we could all practice is this day of information and attention overload.

T – True to yourself. This is where true flourishing, fulfillment, and impact can happen.

A – Act — take the steps you can take.

M – Map — create a clear map for where you want to go.

P – People — find out what’s of interest to the individual, and choose who you surrouned yourself with…

Here’s a great focus point for all of us who have many emails, messages, and other things
calling for our attention every day – focus on “output” rather than “input”. In other words,
rather than going straight to all the messages calling for your attention today,
begin your day by asking yourself,

“What are the two most important things I want to do today?”

This may seem very basic, but how many of us are practicing this on a consistent basis, and
really being intentional about where our time and energy goes each day?

Next Erik shared a concept called “LIFO” – last in, first out – again something you may have
heard before, but a great reminder and simple, clear way of articulating a very practical concept.
When you have a “pile up” of emails or messages to get to…besides “arbitraging” the most
important ones you want to address right away…for the rest of them, you have a better chance
of making an impact by responding to something that just came in than by trying to answer
something from 48 hours ago…and always being 48 hours delayed in your responses.
You can even “train” people – especially if you’re traveling or otherwise occupied –-
to re-email you if something urgently needs to be addressed.

And here’s a new way of describing goals – set laughable ones.

Set goals big enough that most people will laugh at them…and then when you find the ones
that don’t laugh – realize that those will be the people who will support you in attaining them.

Which brings us to another great question Erik asked last night – Who do you surround yourself with?
This will have a tremendous impact on your experience and “output” for 2012.

So there you go. Hopefully one of these tips or questions struck a chord in you and
you’ll begin acting on them right away to enhance your enjoyment of 2012,
and you’re experience of the “digital world”.

Meanwhile, I’m heading over to Amazon to buy Erik’s new book.

Dr. Ben


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3 Quick Tips for 2012

Here’s three quick tips that can powerfully impact your experience of 2012:

1.  Pull forward the good from 2011

Whatever your disappointments may be for 2011 – shake them
off and pull forward what you’ve learned and what you appreciate –-
highlights from your year.

Drawing a blank?

How about asking yourself, if you did know, what would they be?

In fact, take a moment and write 2 or 3 of the “learnings” or
“highlights” down right now as they come to you.

Next…

2.  Sow daily toward what you want.

Here’s a key question for you:

Are you sowing daily toward what’s important to you, even if it’s
only a few minutes a day?

Maybe it’s spending more time with your husband or wife…or your kids…
or learning something new.

Rather than getting stuck in “all-or-nothing” land, start asking yourself
what steps you could take a few minutes a day to sow in this area that’s
important to you.

For me and my family a few years back, I made a decision to start sowing
a few minutes a day toward growing a network and a business that was
totally new to me, and at a time when I had no “extra” time…so that I
wouldn’t be in the same or worse situation (working more and more hours
away from the family) a year later…5 years later…10 years later…and
that decision, and consistent sowing over time, has totally transformed our
lives and allowed me to be home with my family while growing an international
business that’s now touching lives in 15 countries.

How about for you?

What’s an area that you want to see changed in 2012?

What plan and daily steps can you put in place to start moving in that direction?

Remember, it’s the direction you’re heading that’s more important than
where you are right now.

3. Live from possibility rather than from pressure.

As you look forward – rather than feeling pressure – whether it’s
pressure because of your finances, your health, or some other area
of your life – rather than focusing on what’s still “not there” or
how far you have to go – start looking at what’s possible.

What’s possible today?

What’s the next step I could take (in this area) today?

Or as the team at Access Consciousness likes to ask, “What else is possible?”

Play in possibility.

It feels different, doesn’t it.

My wife has a wonderful phrase “we’ll be met”…referring to the mystery, wonder,
and power of being met by something beyond what we can fully see and control
ourselves.

As long as we take the steps we can take, and keep our heart open, it’s amazing
what can come into our experience.

Be open to be amazed.

And keep taking the steps you can take right now toward what you want, trusting
that “you’ll be met” – and eventually enjoy the fruit – of something that grows beyond
just what you can see from your vantage point right now.

Live…and sow…from possibility rather than pressure.

It’s both more enjoyable and more fun!

Here’s to a powerful and transformational 2012 for us all – Happy New Year!

Dr. Ben

P.S.  To further assist you with step #1 and anchor a state of appreciation
and gratitude as we enter a new year, here’s a wonderful video that was just
shared with me by a friend this week. Enjoy!


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What Story Are You Telling?

Quick question – What Story are you Creating & Telling Today? Enjoy!

Here’s a special gift from our 12 year old daughter. She wrote this when she was 11 and just recently, with the help of musician and producer friends coming around her, recorded this music video – Blessings & Enjoy!
(Note: This song is also available on iTunes here.)


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Quick Tip to Eliminate Frustration & Overwhelm…and Feel Good at the End of Your Day

Ever feel like your time just got “hijacked” and all of a sudden you don’t know
where it went? When that happens do you feel frustrated and “off-track”?
Here’s a quick video tip to get back “on track” — eliminate that frustration and
overwhelm — and feel good at the end of your day. Enjoy, and feel free
to leave your own questions, insights, and feedback in the comments below!

Dr. Ben


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A Powerful Practice to Begin & End Your Day

Just posted this quick video tip on a practice that’s been a powerful way for me to begin and end the day, and wanted to share it with you – let me know your own tips & experiences in the comments below. Enjoy!

Dr. Ben


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“The Aging Myth” – Video Review by Dr. Ben

Just finished reading The Aging Myth by Joseph Chang, PhD, (now available on
Amazon and Barnes & Noble) on the latest in what both science and nature reveal
about how we can influence the health of our cells – and ultimately our quality of life – as we age.

What I love about the book is that woven throughout is Dr. Joe’s love of life and his passion for
people to be able to live it fully.

Enjoy!

Dr. Ben


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Just received a copy of “The Aging Myth” by Dr. Joe Chang

Just received a copy of The Aging Myth by Joseph Chang, PhD, an exciting book for all of us
who want to “live better longer”. You can get your own copy at major booksellers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Enjoy!

Dr. Ben


Posted in General, Natural Healing. Tagged with , , , , , .

3 Keys & 4 Questions to Transform your Day…and Your Life.

I awoke Saturday morning with 3 more keys in my head that I wanted to share with you – so I ran out early to
the rooftop of the Marina Grand in New Buffalo where I enjoyed some herbal tea and recorded this quick video
for you, which ended up having 3 keys & 4 questions to transform your day…and your life. These
keys and questions have had a huge impact on my own life as I continue to practice them to this day.

Enjoy!

Dr. Ben


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3 Keys To Creating New Results In Your Health, Business, & Life

Here’s three keys to creating new results in your health, business, and life
that I recorded for you while waiting for my wife in the car this weekend.
The laptop was on my knees, so the video moves a bit – if you’re sensitive
to motion, you can simply listen to the content, then ask yourself — what’s
the next step you can take to create new results? Enjoy!

Dr. Ben


Posted in Personal Transformation. Tagged with , , .

France – Paris & Lyon – May 2011

I recently returned from visiting my business team in Paris & Lyon (for the first time!),
where I experienced the privilege and the power of a business based on developing people
and relationships. Below is a “montage” of the people and experience which I put together
for myself and my family, and for my partners and friends in Europe.

(For more on partnering together, visit An Invitation To Partner )

Enjoy!


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