Having fun with marketing yourself

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Nicolas

If you are like me, you shy away from pompous titles that pigeon-hole you in a restrictive and tight role. I am more than the sum of my qualifications.

The gist is we are trained to seek out our roles to communicate and interact accordingly. The problem is we are much bigger than a single title and having more than one can give the wrong idea. As Albert Einstein supposedly said: “We are quantum beings living with a Newtonian mind-frame.” So how do you let someone have a taste of your multifaceted business life?

Let Them Do The Legwork. When it comes to explaining what I do, after years of trying I still cannot find something that encompasses everything. Coaching, check! Consulting, check! Writing, check! Wholistic way of life evangelist, check! Healthy food, check! So on, so forth. The problem is no title says it all. But is it a problem after all?

Last party I went to, I was determined not to feel the pressure of uncontrollably blurring out my intricate job titles. I decided to talk about the fun aspect of my career. So when I was asked what I did, I answered I get paid to ask people questions and have fun with it. The look on the person’s face was delicious and so inquisitive, it sparked a conversation where they realized all I did.

And that is the point. We might be engineers, dentists, scientists, managers but none of these terms describe the incredible wealth of our specific and person careers. To top it all, my Coaching is very specific and only applies to certain individuals eager to encompass their greater self. My Consulting takes me on different paths from streamlining organization, brainstorming, targeting, designing, and much more. And best yet, I have clients where all these aspects come together under a coherent package that just has no name.

So next time you attempt the impossible and try to cater to those left brain thinkers, simply have fun and play with it. You’ll never be able to take a definitive snapshot. Let them do the work.

Failure is not necessarily a sign of failure

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Nicolas

It might be hard to conceive failure as anything but complete and total failure. After all, we live in a quick result oriented society. However, failure does not automatically mean failure.

The gist is it’s up to us, ultimately to turn our experiences into something concrete. We have the choice to try, experience, construct, build and watch our visions fulfill themselves or tumble. While we may have little to say about the results, we certainly have more control over what we make of them.

Fear of Failure. We only have fear to fear. Rarely have wiser words been uttered, and the fear of failing is what holds us back form the great success we envision and deserve. We work hard. We build many scenarios. Some become reality, others fail. When they become reality, we see it as natural. When they fail, it is the end of the world and we get discouraged. Thankfully, we are freed from these silly notions as babies struggling to master our awkward bodies. So what can we do now?

The Promise of Success. It’s all quite simple in the end. Despite what we might have experienced in the past, as I look around, I notice successful people are resolute in their way of looking at life and in their pursue of anything they set out to do. So simply enough, rework the old synapses and say with resolute intensity: “Failure means I must re-evaluate!”

If you’re fine with the traditional notion of failure and the experiences work for you, then go ahead. When you are tired of it, realize there isn’t anything constructive in it, come and talk to me. How? Simply click on the Oovoo button or send an email.

Keeping that New Year’s Resolution momentum going

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Nicolas

Failure is the greatest success tacher

There is probably nothing harder, more discouraging than the way we perceive how to carry out New Year’s Resolutions.

Last year I wrote about how many choose copious amounts of resolution and apply a ruthless military strategy keeping them, eventually burning themselves out. I also suggested a very simple and effective way to choose only a few, group them into a few category and boil them down to 3, no more. After all, it’s simpler to keep 3 resolution than the national average of 10.

Now that we know this, we must also look at the other irritating factor, that of burning out. Usually by the end of January, we realize we took on too many and have dropped a few, if not all. The good is… we can pick up new resolutions at any time and don’t have to wait for year’s end!

In my case, I’m witnessing an interesting twist. My resolutions boiled down to the fact I am a thrill seeker, always looking for the next best thing, a typical 7 according to the Enneagram. What I need to do is be more in the present. “Being more in the present” means different things to different people and in my case, it simply means being more aware and enjoying this moment. This also leads me to better meditation time.

What I didn’t take into consideration is that being in the moment means different things at different points of our lives. For instance, being in the moment meant slowing down in the beginning of January for me. It now means to not get caught up in the bubbling amount of projects I am currently working on.

Resolutions are simple if you make them simple and keep a very flexible mind around. Dropping them is no sign of failure, just that it wasn’t the right one or the approach was off. By dropping one, we often consider it to be a negative thing but that same negative experience is what tells us if we are on the right track or not. If we are not, then nothing stops us from dropping it and choosing another, or tweaking it.

So I’m adding “being more flexible” to my resolutions

What a way to spend New Year’s Eve!

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Nicolas

Goal setting by understanding who you are

Picture by Nick Zart

Sick, with a cold and still went out with friends, which sets me back two days recovery time.

4Th Street Vine, in Long Beach was great and the ambiance matched our moods. Friends showed up and in a whirlwind, left 15mn before midnights, leaving us feeling empty, alone and awkward. Go figure what goes through the mind of people, no matter how close they are.

Tuesday now and I’m fighting the urge to constantly cough, which is the natural progression I’m used to with my colds. First the tonsils, then the nose and finally the lungs. If it gets worse, it continues the loop.

Things I look forward to this year. For one thing, I’m making a very conscious effort to be more in the moment and less in anticipation mode, always running after the next thing. This also implies a will to seek out positive things to do that resonate with my core self. Having said this, I’ll revamp my Coaching practice and will start to look for more clients. I’ll also start writing for TorqueNews.com, which I highly recommend you go check out. Their articles are good quality and after being burned by the Examiner ever dwindling pay, this will be a good change.

A few others things I look forward to are working more closely with Shyam, a wonderful friend I’ve learned to discover over this past year. He is a long lost brother of sorts, with whom I have much to build during this life time. We are currently working on a few projects, ranging from websites, including our own about electric cars for enthusiasts, a High-Performance Computing venture and a range of equally fun adventures. We are offering website for individuals and professionals at a very competitive rate, considering they are customized.

Somewhere along the lines I will finally get around to rewriting and redo my website, a much deserved endeavor. My website was created very late last century and has barely changed, only added to.

And the list goes on…

How Star Trek continues to pave the way forward

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Nicolas

As entrepreneurs know, thinking, feeling, sensing and anticipating “the next big thing” is hardwired in our genes. However, sometimes we go about the wrong way. Sometimes?

The gist is as I watch Star Trek The Next Generation for the umpteenth time, I am stunned to see the visionary acumen Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek’s creator had. Gene tapped into the future and in many ways, helped shape our future.

Case In Point. Everyone knows about flip phones, fad of the late 90s and early 2000. My original Qualcomm was one and had amazing features for the time, such as recording voice notes without forcing me to send them to my email, as my Blackberry would incurring charges. The Original Series had the famous flip communicators.

What is even less known are the round storage disks found on the the very last episode of The Original Series. 20 years later, they show up in our lives as CD Roms. The list goes on and my favorite is the iPad, which mimics very well The Original Series, The Next Generation, Voyager, and Deep Space Nine’s pads.

What’s Next? This is where we shouldn’t be afraid or ashamed to look to visionaries and see what we can glean from our future needs. Visionaries with their stories hint at what people will use in the future. I am willing to bet Steve Jobs watched Star Trek more than once and got an inkling. The best way to do it is to play the game: “What if…?” It starts with the notion that we are doing something in a very convoluted and difficult way. How can we achieve it better? Henceforth, the CD Rom, the flip phones, the iPad, etc. One thing to consider is the following, we have only “taken” technology from Star Trek but not its very rich philosophical questions and fundamentals. We could surely use some of the wisdom expounded in those shows, in light of the current circumstances.

I’m personally waiting for the transporters as I toy with the notion to write a bible of sorts based on the fundamental principles exposed in the many Star Treks. Remember, philosophy teachers from ivy leagues asked their student to watch Star Trek episodes to discuss them the following day. Talk about a Prime Directive! But in the meantime, I’ll go back to reading Steve Jobs’ biography with the hope I will receive some distant future idea we can implement now… as I nurse a sore throat two days before New Year’s Eve!

Simple coaching techniques anyone can use

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Nicolas

Picture, Nick Zart

Here are some tools you can use with and outside of coaching. Some of them are free, some of them are available for purchase.

Meditation. Here is a topic that is so often misunderstood. While some view meditation in the strict sense of Zen Buddhist, rigid, static, striving for that illusive spontaneous self, other see a way to relax. The bottom line is that meditation helps you connect back with your self, take scope and regroup. It’s a must for anyone wanting to reclaim their runaway life and none other than high up successful executive and business owners know its merit all too well.

You can start simply on your own by devoting 15 minutes every day by yourself, with yourself. Find a secluded spot in your home. If you can, buy yourself something to shield any lights away from from you. I found MindFold to be particularly effective and anyone can actually build one from scrap. You can also use noise cancelling headsets, such as Boses Quiet Comfort or others. Once comfortably seated, close your eyes, and start by observing yourself. Observe your breath. Don’t be disturbed by thoughts coming into to your mind. Simply, in a detached way, let them slip away. They are not you, nor do they define you. The are just thoughts.

Binaural Beats: Binaural beats are interesting and for those who have been reading this blog, I wrote a little about it a year or so ago. What they do is put a tone in one ear and another one, slightly off-tune in the other in order to balance both hemispheres. This allows you to go into deep states of relaxation, meditation and even concentration.

The Monroe Institute pioneered this type of work and perfected it over the decades. Their CDs are available. Mark Certo hails himself as a sonic alchemist and worked closely with the Monroe Institute. His CDs called The Tranquility Training Method (TTM) are fantastic and I’ve particularly enjoyed them.

Soul Contract Reading. The new tool I added for my practice is called Soul Contract Reading. The system, also called the Holy Numerology of Moses goes back to millennial and has been “reintroduced” in order to facilitate this forward momentum the human race is experiencing. By phonetically translating each letter to its Hebrew equivalent, a number and “energy” is given and put on a chart. This charts helps you understand why your life works the way it down and how to make full use of it. My initial reading was so fascinating and intense, I felt this would be an amazing tool for coaching.

Listening to your heartbeat is very helpful, so is your breath. After sometime, you will find that inner peace many speak of. In these states, everything becomes relative and problem solving is done with great ease.

Those are the basic free, if not at least affordable techniques anyone can use. Still, nothing replaces a certified, professionally trained Coach.

Soul Contract reading available to our readers

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Nicolas

Tapping the source for better decision making

I’m very happy to announce that we are now offering a free reading for you specific Soul Contract for those of you who have subscribed to the bog. We will open the reading to everyone else at a later date.

The gist is I came upon Soul Contract when Nicolas Ngan at Center for Conscious Ascension gave me a reading which was both profound and so uncanny, it picked my curiosity enough to learn how to do it. After a few months of intense studying (and I mean INTENSE!), I would like to open the reading to a select few of you who have signed up for this blog.

What Is Soul Contract? Soul Contract is an ancient holy tool called the Numerology of Moses. In essence it is a direct Spirit, Life, The Source, God or whatever you feel more comfortable calling it given to humanity in order to accelerate our development by reading what we have chosen to experience with our lives here on Earth.

What Can You Expect? The reading will take about 20 minutes and will touch upon the major parts of your life, why you have chosen this life and to accomplish what. You will then have a better idea who why you are the way you are, how to turn anything in your life into a positive tool and better realign yourself to your original goal.

Soul Contract reading is a great tool for Coaching. It takes a direct look at what we signed up to do and experience before birth, what can we do to achieve it and how. It is my hope you will take the opportunity to try it. I’m sure you will derive as much as I have.

Thank you, Nicolas

The Kybalion, a guidebook to understanding this Universe

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Nicolas

I could have used a more pompous title but after living decades with this little book and having met some of the most amazing people related to it, The Kybalion is truly a priceless life guide.

The gist is far away from the controversy of who wrote it, the book is inspired by ancient hermetic philosophy and does a good job at synthesizing its basis. Simplistic on the surface, overwhelming when you realize its complexity, The Kybalion is the perfect guide for those who have dabbled with esoterics but have gotten lost in the often contradicting paths. In many ways, it is the unifying glue. So what is it anyway?

All Is Mental. With such a powerful underlying axiom, The Kybalion clearly sets the fundamental basis that all is mental. Period. After you have wrapped your head neatly around this concept, the rest falls into place.

The Seven Principles. And therein starts to unfold the amazing Universe of hermetics and how these “ancient” ones had either unfolded life’s mysteries or had been taught its whys. The seven underlying principles are down to earth, observable facts that have far reaching consequences, beyond our plane of existence.

THE PRINCIPLE OF MENTALISM.
THE PRINCIPLE OF CORRESPONDENCE.
THE PRINCIPLE OF VIBRATION.
THE PRINCIPLE OF POLARITY.
THE PRINCIPLE OF RHYTHM.
THE PRINCIPLE OF CAUSE AND EFFECT.
THE PRINCIPLE OF GENDER.

The Secret. By now, some of you might liken The Kybalion to the famous movie; The Secret. Yes, The Secret borrows heavily on The Kybalion and more with Napoleon Hill’s work, as with the Abraham-Hicks books, yet The Kablion stands on its own. There are no Kybalion schools, temples, nor masters, and teachers, at least to speak of. Beware of those pretending to be. Hermetics starts with observations and is a lonely road until you meet like-minded students. As said in the book, never equaled, much copied, it has never been surpassed. There might be schools pretending to be Hermetic, but the real masters shy away from the public.

It can take some time to understand and live the philosophy expounded in The Kybalion. It takes a lot of observation, freed from bias, almost in a practical scientific way. This is what appealed to me most with hermetics. It’s the bridge between science and esoterics, the way it should be taught and never been separated. But then again, things happen for a reason and this separation has probably taught us that all is indeed one.

Read the book once and put it away. Give it no more thoughts. Come back to it later. Months, even years and start to see how the Principle of Mentalism applies to everything around you. See how what you and others think affects the world around you. Find the clever subtlety in that statement. Then tackle the next, the Principle of Correspondence and write a comment or two to share to the wealth of what has already been built upon this marvelous little book.

The Shift’s From Ego to Essence free teleseminar, don’t miss it

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Nicolas

Dear friends,

I’m excited to let you know that The Shift is about to start another powerful free teleseminar with celebrated evolutionary leader Barbara Marx Hubbard and transformational meditation teacher Patricia Ellsberg on The Shift from Ego to Essence.

You will most likely greatly benefit from this call in which they will reveal the keys to shifting from the egoic “local self” to the Essential Self — giving access to divine guidance and the ability to live with grace, confidence, creativity, purpose and joy — particularly needed in these times of great change. A much needed quality to develop these days.

Please, register for free here:

It’s happening this Monday, November 21st, at 5:00pm Pacific / 8:00pm Eastern! Don’t worry if you can’t make it live — you can register and you’ll be sent a link to the recording.

Warmly,
Nick

Why Wholistic?

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Nicolas

I get asked this question frequently, if not: “Don’t you mean holistic?”

The gist is yes, I do mean wholistic because you need to see life, approach it in its entirety as a whole.

So why wholistic? If you don’t look at life in a wholistic way, then you are missing pieces…

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The Kybalion, a guidebook to understanding this Universe