The Power of the Pivot: Leading with Discernment

We are all unique beings, yet we spend so much of our time copying others. Our uniqueness requires that we create by using our own abilities, character, talents and everything we possess that makes us unique. Yes, we can and should be inspired by others, but there is a difference between inspiration and duplication. When you are duplicating something or someone you are not creating. However, when you are inspired by someone or something, that inspiration sparks you to create and start living your life authentically with focus and purpose. Know the difference between duplication and inspiration and start creating today. You were meant to display your uniqueness, not resolve yourself to a life of copying someone else's life and work. You are worth more than that. You were meant to create, not copy.

Are you an optimistic person? Did you know that optimism leads to options? Having an optimistic outlook on life is not about creating unrealistic expectations. On the contrary, having an optimistic disposition allows you to explore possibilities and see a plethora of opportunities that can be used to create options for yourself. Optimism is about hope. It is also about you having enough confidence in yourself to know that you can be the change you want to see in the world. Let's talk about optimism and how it is a catalyst for creating options that will improve the quality of your life immensely.

True change doesn't happen overnight. It takes time for you to see the results you are looking for once you make a decision to change. More importantly, change requires you to set the right chain of events in motion in order for the change to be lasting and meaningful. Take each day one step at a time and you will get there. Make a plan, be consistent, be realistic, hold yourself accountable and be happy as you go through the process. If you follow this strategy, you will witness positive results that are measurable. No need to wait for the New Year. Start now and stay the course. Remember, you can do it; just take one step at a time.

Establishing boundaries is necessary for all relationships, including the ones you cherish the most. Boundaries should not be looked upon as a negative, but as a positive instead. Learn the value of establishing boundaries and you will learn the value of self-respect. We all need boundaries, and we all need to learn how to respect each others' boundaries. Join our discussion to understand what boundaries are really all about.

Worrying accomplishes nothing. As the Holiday Season is upon us, it is common for us to worry ourselves into a frenzy. Worrying tends to reach an all-time high during this time. Let's understand what worrying really means and how it robs you of precious moments in life. Learn to put worrying in its place and focus your attention on what's important. Stop worrying and get on with your life. The world needs you.

Who is directing your steps each day? Shouldn't that be you? Take some time to find out who or what is directing your life and how you can change direction if necessary. From your multi-tasking to any unrealistic goals, find out who's sitting in the director's chair of your life and make a commitment to fill that seat yourself.

There are times when you need to get over some things and times when you need to get through some things. Do you know the difference? Who is to say what you get over and what you get through? It's time for you to understand when you need to leave a situation behind and when you need to take the bulk of the situation with you in the form of lessons learned. Join me as we tackle this important topic to settle this debate once and for all.

When was the last time you told yourself you are beautiful? What about telling yourself how strong you are? Sometimes we forget the positive attributes about ourselves because we are so busy tending to everyone else's needs. It's time to break that habit. The first person who should know how wonderful you are is YOU! So go ahead, tell yourself how fearless and unbreakable you are. Know that you are wonderful, valuable, made to love and made to receive love. It's time for you to change or affirm your outlook on yourself because you are worthy. Let's talk about the value of positive affirmations.

We should all be happy about approaching new beginnings. New beginnings does not just refer to a new year or material items. New beginnings mean that each day you can breathe and start anew; start fresh. Broaden your definition of new beginnings and expand your mind. Approach each day as a new day and realize how to improve your mental health. Make new beginnings a regular phrase in your vocabulary and understand that new beginnings include the intangible as well as the tangible things in life. You'll be glad you did.

The start of a new season always comes with emotional attachments and mixed feelings. Let's look at the beginning of Fall with a different eye by taking a step back to 'Just Breathe'. There is value in learning how to breathe properly when our stress levels are on the rise. So before we tackle all that comes with the season of Fall and the upcoming Holiday Season, let us learn to 'Just Breathe' and approach our responsibilities with a clear head and a calm demeanor. By doing so, we allow ourselves to move forward more productively.

In this final episode of Season 1, we take a look at ourselves and realize just how strong we really are. It's been a tough eighteen months for the world. And now that the summer is upon us, most of us cannot wait to partake in all the summer activities we missed out on since the pandemic. But let's look at how far we've come. What have we learned about ourselves during the pandemic? This is a great opportunity to use our ability to adapt to become more discipline and make necessary changes in life. Tune out the distractions and put your head down and get to work. Seize this opportunity to propel yourself forward like you've never done before. You can do it; you already have.

What mental barriers are stopping you from achieving greatness? Have you stopped to think about the different ways these barriers are affecting your progress in life? Let's take a look at how to deal with these mental barriers so that we can move forward and focus on living authentically and purposefully.

We continue our conversation on the value of knowing your worth and how this knowledge will change and direct your steps. Knowing your worth is a catalyst in many ways and you need to understand why you need to know your worth before others recognize it.

Knowing your worth is a valuable tool that you should carry around with you everyday during every encounter. Worth is not a weapon, but rather a shield that protects you from the harsh elements of the world. Learn to know your worth and you'll know where you stand in all your encounters. Anytime is a great time to know your worth.

Who hasn't been criticized enough? I know I have. It seems that criticism is handed out freely in a world that allows us to have more and more access to information, opinions and negativity consistently. But why must we criticize all the time? Let's have an honest discussion about criticism so we can understand when it's detrimental to our well-being and when it is helpful and necessary for personal growth and development.

The power of organization cannot be overstated. There are various levels of organization but have you tried organizing one single day? Sometimes we need to start making small changes that will reap huge benefits in the end. Start with organizing each day and see how it helps you think and see more clearly, setting the stage for you to Discern. This level of organization will help you make better daily decisions more consistently. Let's take a journey on how to organize your day.

Knowing when you're not Discerning is just as important as knowing when you are Discerning. We need to know what's motivating our actions and whether those actions will bear fruit or cause us unnecessary stress, pain and suffering. Today's discussion makes the distinction between when you are Discerning and when your actions are motivated by selfish interests. Let's learn the difference; join the conversation.

Today's episode discusses the meaning of Discernment. We use this foundational element to gain a keen understanding of what we mean by Discernment and how Discerning creates a win-win scenario for us. In the process, we gain clarity, understanding and perspective. Let's talk about the meaning of Discernment.

There are many habits we develop over time, some good and some bad. As we try to improve upon ourselves, we must develop better habits including the habit of visualizing what we want out of life. Let's learn to visualize ourselves in a positive light so that we tap into the power of self-love and visualize our success.

Sometimes knowing when to move or when to stay put is not an easy decision. And when it comes to getting involved with people, the decision may be even more difficult. But regardless of the situation, there is always certain information available to you. The key is to identify the information and then analyze it correctly. A great question to ask before deciding whether to get involved with someone is: what does this person have to lose? Let's discuss why this initial question is an important assessment tool in decision-making.

Does practice make perfect? Or is perfection the enemy of the good? Which one is it? There's nothing wrong with completing tasks at a high level of expectation unless that level of expectation is unrealistic. Having perfection as a constant goal in everything you do can be a stumbling block. Check the status of any projects and tasks you set out to accomplish and let's evaluate how a standard of perfection truly effects the outcome of your progress in life.

Every day is a gift not to be overlooked or taken for granted. We cannot afford to be held hostage by the past and only look towards the future while ignoring the present. Doing so would be an unfortunate mistake in life that will stop us from understanding and receiving certain significant benefits of our existence. We must learn to balance the past, present and future in order to clearly understand our path and appreciate who we are and why we're here. Learning to be present without ignoring the past or overriding the future is a true gift that must be cherished each and every day. Discover the gift of today, every day, and discover a whole new world of love, happiness and abundance of joy like never before.

As we conclude our discussion on Respect, know that proceeding with Respect allows you to walk with Dignity. It also frees you mentally from being drawn into another's negativity and it helps you see the difference in your past actions to your present and how much you've grown in between. Giving Respect as a consistent way of handling encounters gives you perspective and allows you to grow personally and professionally. Treating people the way you want to be treated is not only a saying, it's a satisfying way of life.

We hear it all the time - Respect Must Be Earned! Is this really true? Whose standard of respect are we supposed to follow? What does The Golden Rule tell us about Respect and how it's supposed to be given? Join us for a controversial, touchy but lively discussion about Respect and how it should be viewed and given to one another.

It's time to discuss the source and power of Discernment. What is your relationship with God? The gift of Discernment is God-given so it is time for you to deal with your feelings towards God and how those feelings have manifested in your life. Let's talk Discernment and Spirituality.

Now that we started the discussion about hate, let's talk about the different sources of hate and how it may have been thrust upon us. This is not about blaming others; it is about understanding where the hate comes from, identifying it and making a decision to pivot for the better. Hate is never the answer.

Hating anyone or anything is never the answer. Hate is rooted in negative feelings that often have to do with one's own unhappiness and not the person or thing it is directed towards. Hate causes so many problems in the world and spreads like wildfire. Join the conversation and make sure you don't fall prey to the problems caused by hate.

If you are positioned to learn, the question then becomes: are you teachable? Join Ms. Maco for an in-depth discussion on what it means to be teachable and why being teachable is so important to learning and personal growth.

You can learn from anyone so long as you remain open to receive the lessons waiting for you. There are times in life when we encounter situations that cause us to shut down and withdraw. However, difficult times provide us the best opportunities to learn and grow. Know that there are always opportunities to learn no matter what is going on in your life. Proceed in life with an attitude of learn and grow. That attitude will position you to do just that, especially when you encounter negative circumstances. Learning is a vital part of life. When we are positioned to learn, we will also be positioned to succeed.

In this episode, Ms. Maco speaks from the heart as she reflects on the loss of life that has taken place in 2020 and continues in 2021 due to COVID19. She offers a perspective that seeks to comfort. She also discusses the importance of digging deeper in order to gain a better understanding of the human condition. This deeper understanding leads to Discernment and knowing when to pivot or when to stay put. Join her in this interesting conversation.

Now that we understand what we mean by Discernment, let's see how it works in real life. Opportunities to Discern come along everyday, often times when we don't realize it. But as we learn and grow, we will be able to identify those opportunities to Discern and make better choices in life. Let's talk about everyday examples of Discernment in action.

In this Episode, Ms. Maco continues the conversation surrounding the question 'Is Discerning Difficult?'. Join this critical conversation that focuses on the reasons why Discerning may seem to be a daunting task. Let's get to the root of the problem and work on making necessary changes that will prove beneficial moving forward. Join the conversation.

Are you tired of 2020? Are you waiting for this year to be over? Well, what if 2020 is the year you've been waiting for? What if 2020 is the catalyst to jump start the changes you need to make in life? What has this year taught you? In this episode, Ms. Maco reflects on 2020 as a year of important lessons, opportunities to pivot and a year of Discerning. Let's review 2020.

Often times people feel that Discerning is difficult. Is that true? In this episode, Ms. Maco discusses the origins of the word 'Discern' in order to confront the issues surrounding the difficulties of Discerning. Is the act of Discerning similar to someone 'looking for a needle in a haystack?' Is that how difficult it is to Discern? It's time to isolate some of the common issues associated with the word 'Discern' so we can truly understand where the problem lies. This episode will answer the question: 'Is Discerning Difficult?

Today Ms. Maco will discuss the benefits and value of Discernment. Reading from her ground-breaking book: A Yearn To Discern - Finding Purpose and Fulfillment Through Discernment, she makes it clear that Discerning in life is critical to navigating life's pitfalls as well as sustaining lasting happiness, peace of mind and true purpose in life. Now that we are living consciously, Let's Talk About Discernment!

Your perspective is the lens through which you see the world. That perspective has been colored by your experiences, good and bad, and determines how you interpret the world and your place in it. Being in that space of gratitude shapes your perspective for the better. It's time to allow gratitude to shape your perspective and open your mind to possibilities outside of selfish desires. Gratitude has a glorious way of shaping your perspective and leading you to a place of selflessness.

God made you to be great so that you could do great things! In this episode, find out why it's time for you to understand how great you are and why you need to step into your greatness, walk in your greatness and have your greatness realized. Your greatness is what keeps you centered and it positions you to succeed. It's time for you to accept the greatness within.

We all have many things to be thankful for. As we learn to appreciate our own uniqueness and to be thankful for the progress we have made, that gratitude spills over into our relationships with others as well. But being thankful for what we have doesn't mean we can't or shouldn't grieve. In today's episode, Rhonda shares her story of loss and how she has learned to be grateful even while continuing to grieve.BIO:R. L. Maco has a secret weapon–Discernment. It saved her life. Through Discerning consistently, she learned the value of making important decisions based upon facts instead of emotions. Being able to Discern properly is a skill that has shaped her adult life and propelled her to heights she never imagined in her youth.Over the years, she's shared the benefits of Discernment with others and incorporated those benefits into her college course curriculums. Teaching students how to Discern in business and in life are critical components of the courses she teaches in business, ethics, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Seeing how her teachings impacted her students greatly, she decided it was time to share her wisdom with a wider audience and wrote this book. Sharing the lessons she's learned through Discerning regularly has been one of the absolute joys of her life.In addition to teaching, Maco is a successful practicing New York attorney with over 16 years of experience in litigation, business development, and contract disputes, amongst other areas. Maco is also a recipient of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award that was awarded to her by the County of Nassau, New York for her community service efforts. She lives in Baldwin, New York with her husband and their 2 daughters.GET CONNECTED:Website:  www.yearntodiscern.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RLMacoAuthor/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r.l.maco/Twitter: https://twitter.com/R_L_Maco

The Conscious Living Series laid a foundation of working on self, but we must understand that working on self is a continual process. This episode takes you deeper into your understanding of who you are by challenging you to evaluate your core values. Rhonda explains how we develop our core values, why they are so important, and how they impact the way we interact with the world.  BIO:R. L. Maco has a secret weapon–Discernment. It saved her life. Through Discerning consistently, she learned the value of making important decisions based upon facts instead of emotions. Being able to Discern properly is a skill that has shaped her adult life and propelled her to heights she never imagined in her youth.Over the years, she's shared the benefits of Discernment with others and incorporated those benefits into her college course curriculums. Teaching students how to Discern in business and in life are critical components of the courses she teaches in business, ethics, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Seeing how her teachings impacted her students greatly, she decided it was time to share her wisdom with a wider audience and wrote this book. Sharing the lessons she's learned through Discerning regularly has been one of the absolute joys of her life.In addition to teaching, Maco is a successful practicing New York attorney with over 16 years of experience in litigation, business development, and contract disputes, amongst other areas. Maco is also a recipient of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award that was awarded to her by the County of Nassau, New York for her community service efforts. She lives in Baldwin, New York with her husband and their 2 daughters.GET CONNECTED:Website:  www.yearntodiscern.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RLMacoAuthor/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r.l.maco/Twitter: https://twitter.com/R_L_Maco

In today's podcast, Rhonda builds upon previous lessons focused on self-awareness, self-reflection, and self-belief, by encouraging us to learn to let it go and break the cycle of self-destructive habits.BIO:R. L. Maco has a secret weapon–Discernment. It saved her life. Through Discerning consistently, she learned the value of making important decisions based upon facts instead of emotions. Being able to Discern properly is a skill that has shaped her adult life and propelled her to heights she never imagined in her youth.Over the years, she's shared the benefits of Discernment with others and incorporated those benefits into her college course curriculums. Teaching students how to Discern in business and in life are critical components of the courses she teaches in business, ethics, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Seeing how her teachings impacted her students greatly, she decided it was time to share her wisdom with a wider audience and wrote this book. Sharing the lessons she's learned through Discerning regularly has been one of the absolute joys of her life.In addition to teaching, Maco is a successful practicing New York attorney with over 16 years of experience in litigation, business development, and contract disputes, amongst other areas. Maco is also a recipient of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award that was awarded to her by the County of Nassau, New York for her community service efforts. She lives in Baldwin, New York with her husband and their 2 daughters.GET CONNECTED:Website:  www.yearntodiscern.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RLMacoAuthor/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r.l.maco/Twitter: https://twitter.com/R_L_Maco

In the first two episodes, we talked about knowing and owning who you are, self-reflection, self-preservation, and self-love. We talked about all of these things as an ongoing process that's designed to understand the whole true person you are.In today's podcast, we build upon those topics by evaluating our past actions, and behaviors, our current status, and our future steps. We must understand the past and present in order to make the right choices moving forward.BIO:R. L. Maco has a secret weapon–Discernment. It saved her life. Through Discerning consistently, she learned the value of making important decisions based upon facts instead of emotions. Being able to Discern properly is a skill that has shaped her adult life and propelled her to heights she never imagined in her youth.Over the years, she's shared the benefits of Discernment with others and incorporated those benefits into her college course curriculums. Teaching students how to Discern in business and in life are critical components of the courses she teaches in business, ethics, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Seeing how her teachings impacted her students greatly, she decided it was time to share her wisdom with a wider audience and wrote this book. Sharing the lessons she's learned through Discerning regularly has been one of the absolute joys of her life.In addition to teaching, Maco is a successful practicing New York attorney with over 16 years of experience in litigation, business development, and contract disputes, amongst other areas. Maco is also a recipient of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award that was awarded to her by the County of Nassau, New York for her community service efforts. She lives in Baldwin, New York with her husband and their 2 daughters.GET CONNECTED:Website:  www.yearntodiscern.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RLMacoAuthor/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r.l.maco/Twitter: https://twitter.com/R_L_Maco

A foundational element of conscious living starts with self-reflection, self-preservation, and self-love. BIO:R. L. Maco has a secret weapon–Discernment. It saved her life. Through Discerning consistently, she learned the value of making important decisions based upon facts instead of emotions. Being able to Discern properly is a skill that has shaped her adult life and propelled her to heights she never imagined in her youth.Over the years, she's shared the benefits of Discernment with others and incorporated those benefits into her college course curriculums. Teaching students how to Discern in business and in life are critical components of the courses she teaches in business, ethics, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Seeing how her teachings impacted her students greatly, she decided it was time to share her wisdom with a wider audience and wrote this book. Sharing the lessons she's learned through Discerning regularly has been one of the absolute joys of her life.In addition to teaching, Maco is a successful practicing New York attorney with over 16 years of experience in litigation, business development, and contract disputes, amongst other areas. Maco is also a recipient of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award that was awarded to her by the County of Nassau, New York for her community service efforts. She lives in Baldwin, New York with her husband and their 2 daughters.GET CONNECTED:Website:  www.yearntodiscern.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RLMacoAuthor/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r.l.maco/Twitter: https://twitter.com/R_L_Maco  

Change is a necessary part of life and with change comes the need to pivot. But what exactly is pivoting? How do you know when the time is right to pivot?  What does pivoting look like? Join Rhonda as she answers these and other questions in the first episode of The Power of the Pivot.BIO:R. L. Maco has a secret weapon–Discernment. It saved her life. Through Discerning consistently, she learned the value of making important decisions based upon facts instead of emotions. Being able to Discern properly is a skill that has shaped her adult life and propelled her to heights she never imagined in her youth. Over the years, she's shared the benefits of Discernment with others and incorporated those benefits into her college course curriculums. Teaching students how to Discern in business and in life are critical components of the courses she teaches in business, ethics, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Seeing how her teachings impacted her students greatly, she decided it was time to share her wisdom with a wider audience and wrote this book. Sharing the lessons she's learned through Discerning regularly has been one of the absolute joys of her life. In addition to teaching, Maco is a successful practicing New York attorney with over 16 years of experience in litigation, business development, and contract disputes, amongst other areas. Maco is also a recipient of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award that was awarded to her by the County of Nassau, New York for her community service efforts. She lives in Baldwin, New York with her husband and their 2 daughters. GET CONNECTED:Website:  www.yearntodiscern.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RLMacoAuthor/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r.l.maco/Twitter: https://twitter.com/R_L_Maco 

In this introductory episode, The Power of the Pivot Host Rhonda L. Maco welcomes you to join her on a journey to personal and professional achievement and ultimate purpose. Tune in each week and get the tools and strategies that you need to finally enjoy the life that you have always imagined.