Loving Life Blog

Spur of the Moment Reflections

Successful Authors Secrets August 25, 2010

Filed under: coaching,Inspiration,Social Media — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 4:18 pm
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A year ago I wrote  “This Time I Dance” – a blog post about the book with the same name that instantly called my attention as I was in the period of transitioning from my full time job.

The fact that the author shared her process in going from a practicing Harvard lawyer to Writer wasn’t the pull – it was the dance, which I love. And the subtitle – “Creating the work you love”.

I have never seen myself as a writer or author. In fact the OTHER Johanna Nilsson in my business school is the author. However – after one year of blogging I have three ideas to books brewing in my mind. The last one I got during the past weekend as I read Webify Your Business, by Patrick Schwerdtfeger whom I met last week. Yes, that book idea is social media related…

Since a few of my Social Media Marketing clients with my business Herringbone are authors, I have attended a few different authors success webinars. The speaker of the Successful Author Secrets Program Monday was Marci Shimoff, author of the New York Times #1 best seller Chicken Soup for the Woman Soul, and the new book Happy for no reason.

Her key message was: Success comes out of happiness and it is something that you can create yourself.

To stay on track during the process of creating your bestseller book, or what ever your mission is she advised the mantra: Intention, Attention, No tension.

Intention: have a clear and specific intention for what you want to create

Attention: put all your energy and focus on creating that

No tension: let go of the outcome and relax – enjoy the journey

Now- what is your intention with what you want to create? Are you ready to spell it out?

Enjoy the journey. It may be better than you imagined. 😉

I introduced myself to new participants at the Young Scandinavian Club happy hour two weeks ago. “Oh – you are the writer!?” one of them said. “Me? No… I write a blog? Loving Life Blog?” “Yes, exactly, I am following that!” That gave me a kick – still riding on the wave…

All the best,

Johanna

 

Get Unstuck. Savor the Success! August 20, 2010

Filed under: Entrepreneur,Inspiration — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 8:06 am
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Savor the Success posted the following on facebook this week:

Savor the Success Women entrepreneurs! We all have our ups and downs… What do you do to motivate yourself when you you need a “pick me up”?

There were many responses – including mine – here are some of them:

Allison T Moore I always remember the “why” …The reason why I do what I do. http://www.allisontmoore.com/

Tieast Smith I look at my children and that helps

Lisa Meloche I go to the bookstore and browse books while drinking hot chocolate. Somehow I always find something to inspire me there and can’t wait to implement when I return.

Bridget Hogue I dance around my home office to Motown hits…for some reason this ALWAYS works for me 🙂

Todra Payne Take a few hours off and walk along a creek not far from my house. Very relaxing.

Mendy Cleveland I put myself around people who are positive and who influence me.

Savor the Success Wow, these are FANTASTIC words of advice. Go, ladies, go!

Felicia B. Wright icecream (lol) and positive thinking…it doesn’t help to focus on negativity

Dequiana Brooks I do a couple things when I’m down: 1) Have a good chat with a funny friend who always know how to pick me back up, and 2) Remind myself of how many people I won’t be able to help if I give up now. http://www.inspiredmedia.net/

Justine LadyLuna Lackey Ug I am a Debbie Downer today. Its a simple “put one foot in front of the other” sort of day. Other days I use music, aromatherapy, good friends, and lots of laughter.

Inna Shamis Indulge in a piece of chocolate!

Judith George Go on to Ted.com and find an inspiration talk.

Debi Rose Stay connected. Attend a Meetup of like-minded women or get involved in an online discussion. Also a good hard workout!

Ruth Stroup I clear my desk.. but dancing around the office sounds so much better. Chaka Khan, Chaka Kahn.. I feel for you….

Angie Walker Griffin Listen to Lincoln Brewster songs (This is the day and Everlasting God).

Johanna Nilsson Movement for me is key. Love dance. However, Rusty Wells yoga at @urbanflow is unbeatable. Not enough words. Makes magic.

Savor the Success Movement is so important when you feel stuck… physical movement! I was feeling down the other day because all my employees were sick and I had to keep the ship moving. I decided to cook, go to a family spa… all physical movement that was healing! Love your answers, ladies. –AJK

Now – I need to say a couple of more words about that. I know yoga is not for everyone. Vinyasa Flow yoga is now for everyone. But if it is, and you don’t try it out, you miss out of a great great gift. It is Rusty Wells and the Urban Flow Yoga team I am taking about. And here are the details:

Urban Flow – Bhakti-style

1543 Mission Street

San Francisco, California 94103

415-355-YOGA.

Enjoy. What ever you need – what you put in, you get out.

Johanna

 

Inspired… June 7, 2010

Filed under: coaching,Inspiration — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 1:15 pm
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…by Iceland. Do I need to say more? Let’s go there!

Isn’t it an excellent example of a creation for a positive change in a time of economic crisis?

Go here fore more great videos, information and stories – don’t forget to add your own.

Inpired to travel to Iceland. Inspired to do something about any challenging situation. I hope you are too.

www.inspiredbyiceland.com I’m just saying…

Enjoy,

Johanna

http://vimeo.com/12236680

 

Everything is Waiting for You June 3, 2010

Filed under: coaching,Inspiration — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 10:15 am
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I just finished a coaching call that had such a nice flavor. There was a calm peaceful clarity over the whole situation, role of self and the path forward.

One of the relief’s in the process for the client was the knowing of not being alone with the situation, the experience, the thoughts. That was probably the first step in breaking down one barrier after another to break free and get going on the path of creating what he wanted.

Witnessing the sense of freedom coming from the client, sticking hole in the bubble initially surrounding the old “reality” that no longer exist, is to me so beautiful and quite awesome actually. It makes my whole being smile.

After the session was over I came across a very nice and suiting piece from youtube on Facebook pointing out just that: Your great mistake is to act the drama as if you were alone.

This is an invitation to poetry as a life savior by David Whyte. An invitation to pay attention in a greater way. Everything is waiting for you.

Enjoy,

Johanna

 

My Word is Law. May 25, 2010

Filed under: coaching,Entrepreneur,Inspiration — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 6:28 pm
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Wednesday night and I arrived in New York City. Staying on 50th Street and 8th Avenue, I was looking forward to finally getting my first chance to go for a morning run in Central Park.

Despite jetlag and getting to bed really late, I woke up at 6.30am EST. Was I tired? Yes. Did I think twice? Yes. Would it have been easy to go back to sleep? Yes. Did I still do it? Yes – and that was the best thing I ever could have done starting that day.  Such a beautiful sunny morning, so energizing, so many impressions…

How often do you say you will do something without following through? What impact does it have on you? At times when you do what you said you would do – how does that make you feel?

When running I thought of a recent conversation about this with a fellow coach who’s word of wisdom on the topic was:

“Commit Slowly and Complete Fully“. By consistently doing that, you will strengthen your muscle of holding your word and manifesting it as a habit. Your inner power is equivalent to the power of your word. Eventually you will get to a point where your word is your law.

Do I always do everything I said I would? No. And mostly something great comes out of what I end up doing instead. But absolutely – what a kick there is ‘completing fully’. Now – running was easy. It required a little will power, but that’s all. As I am writing this I am pepping myself for something much bigger. Because I do want to keep my word and have the impact that I am envisioning.

In what area would keeping your word have the greatest impact for you? What is it that you find daunting or continually try to avoid? And for what reason? What is the cost of doing that? What do you need to make it happen?

I am just wondering…

Let’s make it happen!

Johanna

Below are some photos from my morning run in Central Park. Enjoy!

NYC, Central Park, Loving Life Blog, Johanna Nilsson, Life CoachNYC, Central Park, Loving Life Blog, Johanna Nilsson, Life CoachNYC, Central Park, Loving Life Blog, Johanna Nilsson, Life CoachNYC, Central Park, Loving Life Blog, Johanna Nilsson, Life CoachNYC, Central Park, Loving Life Blog, Johanna Nilsson, Life CoachNYC, Central Park, Loving Life Blog, Johanna Nilsson, Life CoachNYC, Central Park, Loving Life Blog, Johanna Nilsson, Life CoachNYC, Central Park, Loving Life Blog, Johanna Nilsson, Life CoachNYC, Central Park, Loving Life Blog, Johanna Nilsson, Life CoachNYC, Central Park, Loving Life Blog, Johanna Nilsson, Life CoachNYC, Central Park, Loving Life Blog, Johanna Nilsson, Life CoachNYC, Central Park, Loving Life Blog, Johanna Nilsson, Life CoachNYC, Central Park, Loving Life Blog, Johanna Nilsson, Life CoachNYC, Central Park, Loving Life Blog, Johanna Nilsson, Life CoachNYC, Central Park, Loving Life Blog, Johanna Nilsson, Life Coach

 

Creative Attention! May 23, 2010

Filed under: Health,Inspiration — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 6:24 am
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There are certainly fun ways to gain attention to and awarenes of something important. I started writing this post some time ago, and after a discussion yesterday at the Commercial Theater Institute Production Workshop in New York City it got new energy…

Not too long ago I was invited to a stand-up comedian show at the Punch Line in San Francisco to see the Pink Ribbon Comedy Tour, a group of four professional stand-up comedians traveling across the country to raise money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the fight against breast cancer. The San Francisco Examiner wrote about the tour here. I wouldn’t be able to share a good joke with you from the show, but below is important information that the female audience got on the way out from the theater.

This youtube movie however, is a fun way to raise awareness that I can share. It brings the joy of the JK wedding entrance I referred to in August “This Time I Dance” . What I know now is that there is a also a musical being written related to the same topic. Just make a mental note, and bookmark www.christinahelena.com. As a founder of her non-profit organization, Christina help motivate children diagnosed with cancer. She is also a talented actor, dancer, writer and producer…

May we all celebrate the cure of cancer one day. This week I celebrate that my friends Jenni and Karl had favorable or curable diagnosis of cancer.

One thing we can celebrate today is (the Swedish) Mothers Day.

Have a happy one – invite her for a dance!

Johanna

And to all women – don’t forget to check the info below on your way out…

Breast Self-Awareness (BSA)

1. Know your risk
Talk to your family to learn about your family health history
Talk to your doctor about your personal risk of breast cancer

2. Get Screened
Ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you if you are at a higher risk
Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk
Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at 20, and every year starting at 40

3. Know what is normal for you
See your health care provider right away if you notice any of these breast changes:
* Lump, hard knot, or thickening
* Swelling, warmth, redness, or darkening
* Change in the size or shape of the breast
* Dimpling or puckering of the skin
* Itchy, sclay sore or rash on the nipple
* Pulling in of your nipple or other parts
* Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
* New pain in one spot that does not go away

4. Make healthy lifestyle choices
Maintain a healthy weight
Add exercise into your routine
Limit alcohol intake

 

Creating From Nothing May 10, 2010

Filed under: coaching,Inspiration — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 11:16 pm
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I put a query out there today. What makes a beautiful day for you?

One of the responses I got back was “Creating from nothing”. I can ditto that – and this is my source of inspiration below.

If a beautiful wild flower can blossom in the middle of the dry desert – then you can bring your idea to life!

Loving Life Blog, Wild Flower, Create from Nothing

Wild Flower in the Desert

 

The Day You Will Dance, Sing, Shout. May 8, 2010

Filed under: Health,Inspiration — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 6:41 pm
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The other day I came back from an errand. I am about to round the corner to turn to my street and realize that there is a new(ish) Irish bakery right there. My reaction was – this is funny, I recently left a full time job with an Irish company since 8 years, and now I have an Irish new connection right by my house, and it feels comforting. Coming home doing some unrelated research I stumble on a poem calling attention to the Parkinson’s Awareness Month at Guy Kawasaki’s alltop.com. Were you aware?

April 22, 2010

Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Day 21: The Poetic Truth About PD

The Poetic Truth About PD

Photo courtesy of Judy Hensley

*****

Parkinson’s disease is a pain in the kazoo,

The neck, the rear and everywhere in between.

Why, I’d even say it’s downright obnoxious at times

From what I’ve heard, what I’ve experienced and seen.

***

It steals your smile and attacks your joy

causes you to fall, it can even make you drool.

Tries as hard as it may, throwing obstacles in the way,

Often leaving you to look like a fool.

***

Your muscles begin to weaken,

your voice may start to go

things seem to worsen day to day –

all the possibilities, you just don’t want to know.

***

Your shuffle turns to freezing

and doing things get much more tough.

Still – don’t give up and don’t you dare give in

Instead, determine to fight harder against all that stuff.

***

On days when the sky seems cloudy and gray

And you want to quit, throw in the towel and check out,

Have faith there’s a day when a cure will be found,

The day you will dance, you will sing, you will shout.

*****

by Sherri Woodbridge

Alltop.com is a great resource in many fields, for more on Parkinson’s click here. Finding a cure for Parkinson’s is one of the treatments that “my” Irish company Elan Pharmaceuticals is focusing on in the efforts to define the future of neurological therapies. They are not alone. You are not alone. Have faith.

Have faith in the day you will dance, sing and shout.
Johanna

 

WIK-KED – Liberation of the Scandinavians?! April 29, 2010

Filed under: coaching,Inspiration — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 7:13 am
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I’ll be short and to the point.

Recently I have been introduced to the Enneagram. For those of you who use Meyer-Briggs: this is a personality test and tool that is much more complex and has much more to offer.

I had a very interesting conversation with Roxanne Howe-Murphy last week. She is author of Deep Coaching – Using the Enneagram as a catalyst for profound change, teacher and coach at www.DeepCoaching.com. Right now she is participating in a book competition The Next Top Spiritual Author, for her next Enneagram book “Deep Living”. Please vote here: http://bit.ly/NextTopAuthor I will tell you why.

There is a gift and a danger with personality type tests. You can limit yourself by identifying yourself with the type. Roxanne specializes in working with the Enneagram as a recipe for liberating individuals from the type. With other words, using the Enneagram stimulating real transformation by unhooking individuals from beliefs, behaviours and thoughts that are no longer useful.

I told her a little bit about the Jante Law and limitations existing in the Scandinavian culture. “Oh, it’s interesting – you could actually use the Enneagram on a National level”.

Are you serious? Wouldn’t that be hilarious – “Enneagram – A recipe for Liberation of all Scandinavians from the Jante Law” – would you co-write that book with me? “Yes, sure” she said.

Now – are you curious how that would look like? Unless you vote now for her next Enneagram book “Deep Living” you will never find out… http://bit.ly/NextTopAuthor Do it now, share it with everyone you know, and help her spread the word and knowledge of profound change. Absolutely do it before May 3rd.

It’s a quick action. Thank you for doing it. Enneagram – now I am very curious… This is wikked.

Enjoy,

Johanna

 

Pole Dancing. Really!? April 28, 2010

Filed under: Health,Inspiration — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 9:14 am
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It was on Martha Stewart show and Late Night with Connan O’Brian… the “new” trend of fitness in Hollywood: Pole Dancing. Not that I watch TV, but I had to find some decent reference points…  😉 Because it can be. Thank you for Internet and youtube!

It’s probably not that new at this stage, but it seems to gain ground popping up here and there. It’s on the Bay Area National Dance Week program. It was offered through Groupon – from which I found that there are two studios in my own neighborhood! And of course I had to try it out. Forwarded the Groupon email to some girlfriends, and off we went 10am a Saturday morning. Per Groupon, there were 437 women who bought an intro class to pole dancing that one day.

I know – I ended the last post with the questions: Which dance do you want to dance? Whom’s dance do you want to follow? This was not quite what I meant. However… I would say it was a lot of fun, and it’s a perfect something to do with your girlfriends at a bachelorette party or a birthday. We were a group of 12 inbetween 30-50 years old. It’s done in a warm, safe, intimate and humoristic environment at S Factor. The lesson might start as any other yoga/Pilates session – and it brings the body awareness and body connection to a whole new level…

The number one quote I have from the teacher – especially when walking around the pole and doing the Fire Fly (see youtube movie above for demo) – is:

When in doubt – put your butt out.

For some creatures, this pole dancing thing seems totally natural… who knew.

In either way – it’s a really good workout for your core and provides excellent muscle toning. Of course.

Enjoy,

Johanna


 

 
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