By Cynthia Clampitt

When I talk about the adventure that started my writing career—bailing out of the corporate world and going to Australia for six months—the question I get asked most often is how, as I prepared for the career change, did I stay on track. If you have goals you hope to achieve or dreams you want to pursue, this is, in fact, one of the key questions to be asking.

The first part of staying on track is making sure you know what track you’re supposed to be on. I don’t mean figuring out where you’re headed; I mean seriously examining what it will take to get you there. Of course, you can’t know everything that will divert you, delay you, or get in the way, and you need to be prepared to roll with the punches and stick with it as long as necessary. However, you can figure out some generalities, with money, time, and preparation being the primary areas of focus. There are an almost infinite number of considerations that go into determining how much money and time you need, and how much and what kind of preparation will be useful, but a bit of research and some careful budgeting will help that picture come into focus.

Once you know the goal and have figured out the track that will tack you there, staying on that track is the tricky part. Starting over usually takes time, and you need to have strategies for not losing focus. While it may not sound glamorous, having something like a business plan, with short-range and mid-range goals, is a must. It doesn’t have to be as formal as a business plan, but you need to have some minor markers that let you know you’re making progress. The rush you get from each goal met helps fuel the continued journey.

The most important thing you can do, however, if you want to stay on track is keep the goal in front of you. This strategy will take different forms for different people, but I think you can get a good idea what I’m talking about if I describe a few things I did to prepare for my “leap into space.”

First, I wrote AUSTRALIA across a large, white envelope and left it on my vanity, where I couldn’t miss it. Whenever I didn’t spend money—making tea instead of buying fancy coffee or getting a soda; bringing my lunch rather than buying it in the cafeteria or going out to eat; resisting the temptation to buy that video, that piece of jewelry, that whatever—I would put the money I didn’t spend in the envelope. Some days, it was just a few cents, others, a few dollars, but every day, something went in. It was astonishing to see how quickly that envelope fattened. When it topped $100, I put it in a savings account. I found it became like a game: can I save more this week than last; what else can I give up; where can I cut back. That envelope was a huge motivator.

I created what I called an “escape tape.” I recorded songs that I could listen to (and sing along with) driving to and from the office, to keep myself psyched. “I’m Already Gone” was particularly energizing at the end of a rough day, but “Cool Change” and, because I was thinking of Australia, “Southern Cross” and “Living in the Land Down Under” all made it onto that tape. The point is to give yourself something upbeat to listen to that also reinforces the goal.

Preparation became part of the reinforcement, as well. Of course, I worked on polishing my skills as a writer and photographer, so I’d be ready for the big jump. However, I also wanted to really be prepared for Australia when I arrived, so I started reading books about Australia (history and literature, not just travel guides), drank Australian wines, went to Australian movies. I also created a rough schedule for my six-month journey—not detailed and specific, but general guidelines of when I wanted to be where, to catch the best weather, the most fabulous floral display, or whatever it was that made an area worth visiting.

My life since I left the corporate world has been astonishing and joyous. It took a long time to prepare—three years to save enough to pay for both the six months in Oz and a year at home afterwards, while I wrote—but it was absolutely worth it all.

The nice thing about these strategies is that they can work for any goal. I know people who need to put almost this much effort into going on vacation, redecorating the house, or finishing a book manuscript. Whatever it is you want to accomplish but can’t seem to get to, treat it a little more seriously. Life has a tendency to bombard us with distractions, but if you keep your goals in front of you, you may be able to deflect them and stay on track.

Cynthia Clampitt is a freelance writer and culinary historian, and the author of the award-winning book Waltzing Australia. You can learn more about Australia and the book at http://waltzingsaustralia.wordpress.com .

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Guest post by Frank Dickinson

We are bombard on a daily basis with distractions. TweetDeck beeps, email notifiers, text message alerts and a host of other things clamor for our focus.

How are we supposed to get anything accomplished in the craziness of the chirping, honking, tweeting, twirping, read this, watch this and click here world we live in?

Here are a few ways to laser target your focus and break free of distractions:

1. Word hard in timed bursts. Set a timer for 90 minutes. Close the office door. Shut off the phone and turn off the computer (more about that in a minute). Pick a specific task and work hard on it until the timer rings. Timed, short bursts of energetic work targets your focus. Adjust the time allotment as necessary.

2. Turn off your computer and work with pen and paper. If email, Twitter, Facebook or internet browsing are obvious distractions for you, cut them out. Use pen and paper to plan, write, evaluate or to get your mind focused. Then return to the computer world for finish the task.

3. Use social media, browsing, gaming or recreational sites as a reward. Hey, it may sound a bit childish to talk about rewarding behavior, but if it works, use it! Allow yourself the reward of tweeting or facebooking after a task is finished. Set a time limit on the reward and get back to work.

4. Keep a business AND a personal list. I am often distracted by things related to my personal life while trying to work. The bills need paid, the house needs cleaned, the dog needs a bath and a variety of other things creep in. I have found that if I write a personal to do list as well as my business list, my mind is able to relax knowing that I have made plans for everything.

5. Train your mind to do one thing at a time. There is a Zen proverb that says: When walking, walk. When eating, eat. Focus your mind on the specific task at hand. When writing, only write. When building a niche website, only build that site. Train your mind to focus and tasks will get completed one by one.

Through projects like FrankDickinson.me, Frank is helping Internet Marketers, Social Media enthusiasts and those desiring personal development with training, techniques and tools. You can follow him on Twitter.

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Unleash your Life Vision

Shannon Bruce, PCC, CPT

You have a gift that lives inside of you that will make a profound impact on the hearts and lives of others. It’s hidden deep within and is patiently waiting to be released and opened in service to many.

When you say “yes” to an Uncommon Life, you are actually saying “yes” to an exciting treasure hunt that will lead you to your precious and unique gift. To access the inspired clues that will guide you toward your gift you must unleash your unique life vision. This vision becomes your treasure map for the daring adventure of an Uncommon Life.

To help you unleash your unique life vision, here are some questions I invite you to ponder:

• What would you be doing, right now, today if you had no fear?
• What would you be doing today if you stopped talking yourself out of it?
• What would you start doing if you stopped doubting your doubts?
• What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail?

Look for the recurring themes and decide what one or two actions you will take to unleash your vision and release your gift. This week is the beginning of a new month and with the harvest of fall on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to cast (or re-cast) your vision.

• So go ahead and do the thing you fear.
• Get clear about what you want.
• “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
• Act by your design, not your default.
• Doubt your doubts.

Will you begin today? What will you do? Post your comments below.

If you would like help in defining and living your unique vision be sure to sign up for our newsletter to learn more about the programs available. You’ll also have access to inspiration, resources and wisdom to encourage you along the way.

Here’s to the adventure!

Shannon Bruce, PCC is a Life Purpose Expert, Professional Certified Life Coach and Certified Personality Trainer who is fiercely committed to helping Entrepreneurs and Mompreneurs achieve thriving lives and profitable businesses. Shannon’s client’s have one common trait which is their passion to live a bigger life—to discover what they’re here for, and to boldly go after that vision with courage, confidence and authenticity. To learn more about Shannon and her work please visit www.shannonbruce.com and www.yourgreaterpurpose.com.

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5 Tips to Leveraging your Time this Summer:

Have Fun and Create Prosperity

Shannon Bruce, PCC, CPT

What’s the song you’re singing this summer?

Are you singing “let’s go surfing now,” or are you singing “but there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues.”

When you read the complete lyrics to these two songs, you’ll notice a stark contrast between where each focuses. One is all about having fun and enjoying the summer while the other is about missing out on it because of work.

What if there’s a summer song that is about having both?

Is it possible to experience both fun in the sun and thriving work that’s scheduled around what matters?

The answer is a resounding “Yes!” and it’s what I love about my Uncommon Life…I get the freedom to choose and the flexibility to create the life I desire.

In my personal experience and in coaching fellow Uncommoners there is a point of balance between “the fun” and “the work” that will allow you to enjoy your summer and experience prosperity simultaneously. Below you will find five tips that will help you leverage your time as you hum a fresh and new tune this summer.

And if you haven’t stepped into your Uncommon Life yet, these tips will you take five steps closer.

1. Identify the consistent disciplines that will keep you on track. Do you need more rest? Is it time for more scheduled down time? Are you getting enough exercise? Would a prayer, meditation and/or journaling time support you? Finding the non-negotiable disciplines that keep you alive and thriving will help you emotionally, physically and spiritually.

2. Develop a plan. What will create more fun for you? Are there activities that bring you joy that you need to build into your life? How much time will you work each week? What results do you want to achieve? What actions do you need to take? Getting clear on the top five areas of focus this summer for both fun and work will help you put the proper attention to your intentions.

3. Use your calendar. You only 24-hours a day to work with. With clarity around your disciplines and the plan you develop you are now ready to block out the time in your calendar to make sure you are not overdrawing your time bank account. If you are, you can use the “Three D” system which is to decide what you will dump, delegate or defer. Your calendar is a beautiful tool!

4. Track your results. What’s working? What’s not? What changes do you need to make? This debriefing process will help you stay the course.

5. Enjoy! If you follow these steps, you are bound to have several “wins” personally and professionally. Name them! Celebrate them! And live in gratitude as you consciously make the choice to pursue your definition of an Uncommon Summer which includes fun and prosperity.

Shannon Bruce, PCC is a Life Purpose Expert, Professional Certified Life Coach and Certified Personality Trainer who is fiercely committed to helping Entrepreneurs and Mompreneurs achieve thriving lives and profitable businesses. Shannon’s client’s have one common trait which is their passion to live a bigger life—to discover what they’re here for, and to boldly go after that vision with courage, confidence and authenticity. To learn more about Shannon and her work please visit www.shannonbruce.com and www.yourgreaterpurpose.com.

Read all of Shannon’s contributions to The Life Uncommon, check out the Uncommon Knowledge Archives

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