Barbara Wichman Inspires

Have you ever opened up your mail to find the envelope with the big red stamp or the yellow sticker, "RETURN TO SENDER?" It feels like it is hitting you with a stick for doing something silly. Maybe you missed a number in the address. Perhaps transposed a number in the zip code? Or even worse, did not even put an address on the envelope? That one is always a doozy. I was heartbroken when my envelope was returned to me with the big yellow sticker, Return to Sender - Address Unknown. Why was it so painful? Listen in to find out. Please grab a piece of paper and something to write with for this podcast - only if you are not driving!

Every time I look at social media, it is another special day or a special month. You know what I mean. Boss's Day. Hot Dog Day. Cancer Awareness month. National No Rhyme nor Reason Day. Yes, the last one is an actual day. It is a day celebrating words that do not rhyme with anything. Some special day designations are serious, and some seem frivolous. But for some person or a group of people, that one topic was so intriguing, interesting, or heartfelt; they wanted to recognize it with its own day or month. Often these specially designated days are not interesting to us until they hold meaning.  Diagnosed with breast cancer or know someone who has been? We rally around information sharing and fundraising for breast cancer awareness. It is not wrong to do so; it is human nature. We are drawn to those things that impact us personally or those close to us. If not, then we may not pay too much attention. For the days that may seem more frivolous, like Blue Popsicle Day or Guacamole Day, there are reasons for the days. They are to educate on the history, the joy and share curious facts about that particular day. This podcast is about MY favorite monthly designation. Fall Hat Day. Go Fedoras! For more information about what we do at Push Up the Sun, please email us at info@pushupthesun.com

Did You Hear the One About the Pink Pig? The pig sat in the middle of the table and...   brought giggle, joy, fun, and family moments. Getting together with family, we often hear the same stories over and over. Those are the favorite stories that the storytellers love to share. For them, it shares moments of past times. It brings back memories. It provides a moment of remembrance of a time and an experience that has impacted them somehow. Family gatherings are times to not only share stories but also pass them down. One day when you get older, you will hear yourself repeat a story you heard in your family, to your friends, or your children, or at gatherings. Stories weave the fabric of family, pass down traditions, and create lasting connections to who we are, why we are, and our values. What stories does your family share/ What stories do you tell? What traditions are passed down through stories? Any stories about a little pink pig?

I am not a mixologist and honestly have never had a Mojito before, but the delightful homemade mix made virgin style just for me was exquisite on a hot summer day. Yet as refreshing as it was, it was not as refreshing as meeting a new friend. There are times when you meet new people, and for some reason, they have this way of inspiring you to rekindle the passion with those things you have loved before, try something new, or take on a new adventure with a zest for fun. I had always wanted to try kayaking, but the truth was I was afraid. I had always been told that you must know how to roll the kayak, so if you flipped over, you could right yourself. And that made me very nervous. Meet a new friend, who has a way of supporting and teaching you, and the nerves wash away. And I went kayaking for the first time and fell in love. This love affair resulted in Mabel coming into my life.  Mabel and I had our first adventure not too long ago, and I know there are many more to come!

Yesterday, my dad would have been 98 years old. I don't know about you, but I learned a lot from my Dad. He did not share a lot of stories while he was alive. He had some very hard life lessons and frankly, for him, they were just life.  I learned a lot more about my Dad after he passed away. I heard more stories from his friends and family. I wish I had known more because I know in my heart, I would have understood him better. But you, you have a chance to learn more about those around you. Everyone has a story, maybe it is time to ask and listen. Take time to listen, learn, and love even more. That lesson and many more in today's podcast which celebrates my Dad.

Three feet from gold. Three feet away from reaching your dreams and desires.  So many people stop just three feet, or even three inches away from hitting their stride, making an impact, and achieving their dreams. Sometimes you need that one person to steer you to the right path. That may be all you need to accelerate.

When was the last time you had a good old fashioned belly laugh? Laughter is such great therapy. Find the humor in the absurd, the mundane, the silliness of those things around you. Three Dogs Snoring may be your first step after the long last year.

During these times as we search for normalcy, be open to the simple things that bring joy to your heart, as mile to your face, and maybe even a tear to your eye. Commit each day to finding aspect of your life for which are grateful.

Parents, as leaders of your family, you are missing a huge opportunity if you are not talking to your children about prison. Kids, especially teens, are bored, frustrated, and nit having fun like they are used to having! Remind them that the next time they want to do something stupid because a friend says it is fun - just say no. Let's talk about prison.

The stories of goodwill, love, and care for one another are so heartwarming. I do not want it to end. It took a pandemic to start it. Will the end of the pandemic end it?  I hope not. It is up to you.

The goodness in humanity has emerged in a massive wave of love and care. Perhaps it has taken the pandemic to get us back to our center, to greater compassion, connectedness, to love one another. My heart is full of joy as I hear what people are doing to support others during this challenging time.

This week I saved a turtle. Yes, I did. Big Deal, you say! It was to that one turtle. Compassion for living things that try so hard to exist in their habitat as we build our environment around them and essential for their survival. Don't look the other way and hope someone does something. Be the hero.

This week's podcast is all about learning agility! Learning agility has five components: people, change, results, self-awareness, and critical thinking. 

What are all those very simple, uncomplicated, joy-filled things we have gratitude for, but perhaps overlook?  Don't forget the simple joys. 

As much as we say it, very few interviewees are prepared to respond to the statement, "So tell me a little bit about yourself." There is a tendency to go into their career history, which the interviewer already has seen in the resume. Or they answer with a smattering of words, to get beyond that uncomfortable request to get to the REAL interview.  Don't waste the opportunity. Set the stage for the interview. Hold your confidence in the spotlight. Make the interviewer take notice. And never ask, "What do you want to know?"

There was one item that each person interviewed, identified as the number one challenge facing leaders today. Change. Not just plain old change. The unprecedented number of changes and the accelerated speed of change, especially in technology. Today I share a reading from Chapter Three where I look back at Y2K and why that technology challenge was so different from what we face today.

As a leader, your image is an integral part of your ability to lead effectively. Followers want consistent leaders. They want leaders whose decisions reflect stated words and beliefs. They want authenticity. They look for the opportunity to be assessed fairly, not judged. Judgment and bias are efficiently intertwined – to the demise of organizations. Intentionally placing a uniform lens on a group of people, without validating that every person in that group holds the same belief, is a biased leader. I don’t care how many times I hear that every person matters to the success of the organization, and every employee is given a fair shake. It simply is not true with a leader who makes generalized statements based on bias.

What is the one thing that you value so much, that you would lose everything to keep? Today's gratitude message is pinpointing that one thing, and honoring it today, and every day. My one thing? Listen in to hear the story. If you like it, let me know!

Sitting across the table from the person whom I was assisting with interviewing questions, it became clear that this individual was experiencing the same affliction as so many others when it comes to resume writing and interviewing for a job. The affliction is content not representing intent.

Another day out to run errands means another day to get concerned about human relationships. One more time, I am watching people place the importance of their phone over human interaction. We hear a lot about society and how, although we are technology connected, we are becoming more disconnected as humans. Today's podcast has one request, and it might be a big one for you.

The number one challenge faced by leaders today. It might be exactly what you expect. Listen in to hear the answer that all those interviewed identified as the single most significant challenge faced by leaders today.

Join Barbara Wichman Inspires to learn more about The Noble Agent - a learning resource for real estate professionals. The Noble Agent content is research-based and enhanced with interviews with all those professionals who make the real estate sale a success! 

It is Friday so it must be the perfect day for Gratitude Friday! Today is the day to consider that for which you are most grateful! It might be a person, or a pet, or a situation. Today my gratitude is Nature's Beauty! The calming, inspiring and refreshing effect of nature is all I need to get recharged some days. Gratitude is so important for our mental and physical health. It is Gratitude Friday! Take a moment to feel it.

Welcome to the first episode dedicated to career coaching! Today I am sharing my very opinionated thoughts on resumes. As a professional speaker, author and coach, I receive many requests for assistance for career advice. I start with the resume because, in one conversation, I learn a lot about the individual. Their job history is much less important to me than discovering who you are and if you understand your brand. Resume writing in itself should be a self-discovery process. The words you choose, the examples you share, what you understand the purpose of a resume to be, it is all very important.  Join me on Thursdays for Career Coach Corner where I will start rewiring your understanding of the key elements of the career development process; from job search to purpose to those significant changes in career direction, It's all here at Barbara Wichman Inspires on Apple Podcast and Podbean.

Social media is such an amazing tool. It is filled with sunshine kind of stories, laughter, and successes. And it can be filled with sadness and cruelty. Today, I ask that your mission is overwhelming the world with kindness and compassion. Not just be nice. I am asking for a full-on, an overboard mission of kindness. Listen in!

Sharing the learning from my first book The Leadership Tinderbox - Coaching to Kindle the Passion for Success. The content is about becoming a great leader, not an average leader. This book is written as the result of interviewing senior human resource leaders who have been in global roles within amazing companies! They share their lens on leadership from their extensive experience and knowledge. Stay tuned to learn more lessons each week!

You have been asking me about my podcast. Where are you? I took a hiatus to write my first book, "The Leadership Tinderbox - Coaching to Kindle the Passion for Success." Listen in because "I'M BACK!" With more messages on leadership, career, inspiring moments and MORE. 

Hate is a powerful word. There are times when we are really hard on ourselves. You can be upset over a decision you regret. You can be irritated if you did something in the moment that you knew was wrong but did it anyway. You may suffer from what has happened or is happening to you in this very moment. Hate is a powerful word. Have empathy for yourself. Hold grace for your imperfect decisions. Learn from choices you have made. Never tell you, you hate yourself. Your soul will suffer greatly.

Remember to take care of you. Be grateful for all you do, all that you accomplish, all that you care for and that you have the ability to be all that you are and will become.

And you will be successful, she added. Have you looked around you lately? Bluetooth versus the rotary phone. Model T versus the GT. The Z1 versus your laptop. The pager versus your smartphone. Sure, go ahead. Do it the same way. Why try new things? Why try innovative ideas. Destroy creativity. Just do it the way it’s always been done. I have a set of floppies if you need them!

There are many things we do not know it life. Sometimes we will make decisions before we have all the facts. That refers to your comfort with risk. There are other times we will make a comment to another person - before we have all the facts. We may judge, assess, make comments to others about situations we know nothing about. For us, my daughter who is a Type 1 diabetic, to read or hear people make comments about eating a donut causing diabetes is infuriating. Type 1 diabetes is not caused by eating a donut. One school of thought believes it is caused by a virus attacking the pancreas. However, if one chooses to listen and understand that what they said was incorrect is simply ignorance. Yet those that receive the correct information and choose to make comments, judge or continue to ignore the facts are choosing stupidity. So if you ignore facts and remain entrenched in ignorance, I will label you as stupid. Chosen ignorance becomes stupidity. Don’t be stupid. Open your mind.

I want... I hope... I wish for... I dream that... Maybe one day... Hopefully... I want it so bad... I will have it soon... If only I could make it happen...   Sure. Go ahead and keep repeating those words. Wishing. Hoping. Wanting. Those words make us look to the future with longing and desire.  But those words... Those words are not very powerful. Not powerful like "I am" or "I made" or "I did".   Are you sure? Because if you do. The Manifest It List 4-Step Guide is here.

In your life there will be naysayers. There will be those who put you down. There will be those who do not believe in your dreams. That group of people can fill your life and your mind if you let them. You have to stay your course. You were not put on this earth to fulfill someone else’s view of what you should do in your life. You were not created to fill your world with others beliefs about who you are, why you exist or what your purpose should be. You are created uniquely as you. Not one person in this world has a mind that works like yours. Not one neuropathway in your brain is replicated in anyone else’s brain. Have you forgotten how unique you really are? I’m here to remind you. Today. Right now. This moment.

Today is all about friendship! Let your friends know how important they are to you today! Let's spread more love around the world today!

If you believe it, own it. Don't hide behind what others think. Stand up for your beliefs and your values! Be courageous!

There are times when you simply cannot see the value that others have placed on an item. You don't have to see the value. You only need to respect that they hold value in whatever it is. 

Do some days feel lonely? No one understands what your dream looks like? Feel let down or ridiculed for a vision of your future? You may be alone some days if you look at it from that lens. Or you maybe you need to rekindle the inspiration that started you on the path. It is Gratitude Friday and it is time for self-gratitude! Hug yourself!

YOU make decisions every day about how you will live your life. Do you want to live big or is fear getting in the way? Are you living small because of influences around you? It is time to LIVE YOUR LIFE!

You hold the power to make the ordinary extraordinary. It is not brought to you. It is not given to you. It is not created for you. You decide. You decide if a sunset is ordinary or extraordinary. You hold the power. Make your day extraordinary. www.barbarawichman.com

Have you noticed it too? Have you noticed the lack of some of the common courtesies around us? Some are simply just not nice, others are dangerous to others. One day. Just one day! Pay close attention to your own actions. 

Do you know that resilience is a reflection of how you see the world? Do you know resilience can be learned? And your level of resilience varies at different times of your life? You are a miracle of resilience every day! 

Hey YOU! YES... YOU! Are you getting through your task list today? Are you getting things done on your list? How many items on your list are going to support your work to achieve your life goals? Your purpose? Live your Passion? You know, those topics you talk about all the time? Evaluate your list of things to do. 

We strive to be happy. We are encouraged to chase joy, our passion, our purpose. We are told it is OK to be different. Yet judgment is real. Our brain is wired for survival. That wiring can be in conflict with the desire to live your purpose, your passion, find joy.

You are amazing just as you are!  It does not take long for a friend, a social media post, a colleague, a boss, not long at all for them to tell you that you are wrong for liking something, your skills aren't good enough, your opinion is whacko! Here is the thing... You are amazing just as you are. Tell yourself that today! Now! 

So many things can happen in a moment that changes your life forever. Stop depriving yourself of the things you enjoy! Share your joys. Share your goals. Partake. Enjoy and share it with others! Eat chocolate cake! Do I have to say, as long as it does not hurt others? 

Each every day has a start and a finish. What do you choose to do with the time in between? Are you doing what you love? Are you doing what others say you should love? Are you contributing to the greater good of someone or something? Consider how you are spending your time between the beginning and the end of each day. #barbarainspires

News comes to us every day. Good news and bad news. Don't take on other peoples tragedy. It is not yours to own. Let your sun shine on you. 

Friday Gratitude Day creation was to inspire others to action. To create a ripple effect of "gratitude actions" that would manifest as "acts of kindness. Gratitude is not something that just something we have or give. Gratitude is also a response we create intentionally. There is a feeling of fulfillment by creating gratitude in others. On the surface, it often looks like an act of kindness. The simple act of opening a door for someone with arms that are full so they don't drop their packages is an everyday example. Another example is telling someone that words they shared with you years ago had a profound impact, and they most likely have no idea. How amazing would it be to tell them that their words resonated with you and had a profound impact? Even harsh words can result in you becoming a better or different you. Painful words result in learning and learning results in growth. So today, your call to action is to call or write to that person and let them know their words were meaningful, how they impacted you in a way that you are grateful. It is a moment they will never forget.

Spread Kindness Not Judgment. Everyone will be happier including you.  It is so easy to say something that judges others. The way they dress, eat, play, or behave. Yet rather than being kind or consider the fact that we do not know their story, we think ourselves superior by being judgmental. Our role is to live life in joy. Judgment has no place.

Did you see your sun rise today? Are your joy and passion still there or has it been replaced with the monotony of life? Are you focused on the should do's and have to do's, forgetting the things you love to do? Make a list. Pick one. Find your sun. Don't end up with the things that others say you must have. Create a life of joy and passion. Rekindle the Romance with that which brings you joy!