School has started for most of our children, some have gone off to college for the first time, and many adults are in some form of continuing education.

Learning is important for us, whether it is formal education, learning new skills and information, or studying a language.  We can always learn more. 

Never be afraid of learning new things, or of others learning.  Education is so important that in Solomon’s Proverbs we read “fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

As your kids starts the new school year, find an area you can investigate and study for it is good for you.

Bill

If you really think about it, there is a lot of chaos going on all around us all the time.  There is always something happening that needs our attention (or at least we think so), there is always something that is a crisis for someone (but it does not mean it has to be a crisis for you).  There is always something to get worked up about, or something that must be done this very minute or the galaxy will implode.  Except it won’t. 

There are true crises and there are times when we can just rest in the storm. How often do we make a situation far more crisis-like and chaotic instead of just handling it? 

As you journey through this week, handle what needs handling and rest in the storm.

Peace,

Bill

PS:  I begin a vacation on Monday August 12 so Monday Motivation will be taking a brief hiatus – because I’m following the above words!

As a pastor, I am called upon to do many things.  Most of the time they are very serious, especially when visiting the sick and dying.  Pastors need to be composed and dignified.  Would you really want your grandmother’s funeral to be led by someone in a silly costume and giving top ten lists?  While some humor in a funeral is appropriate, being a clown isn’t.

But sometimes in many professions, we need to let our hair down and have some fun.  Recently our building was filled with children for our Vacation Bible School.  They learn through story and action, through arts and science, through teambuilding and the guidance of adults and older youth.

During this week I am far less “Reverend Wisneski”.  I want the children to be able to approach me and ask questions, to have fun while learning and to just be welcomed.  Our week culminated with the pastor (me) getting two buckets of water dumped on my head. 

Sometimes it is a good thing to just act a little silly and have some fun.  Sometimes we need to put the seriousness of life on the shelf. Afterall, laughter is important.

Have a great week!

Bill

On one hand it is a typical Monday morning as I struggled to get moving, took far too long to clean up after breakfast, and get the lunches made. On the other hand, looking at events from the weekend, it is definately a different day.

There are continuing conflicts in the world, too many shootings in this country (and one is too many), and a very toxic political climate. Now there has been an assasination attempt.

It does not matter what your political viewpoint is, we all need to strive for peace in our day. Jesus of Nazareth said  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Whether you are a Christian or not, I think these words can be inspirational. We all need to be ambassadors of peace.

As you go through this week, seek peace, breathe peace and be peace for others.

Coach Bill

Have you had one of those mornings when you are a bit stuck?  You cannot get moving, you cannot get motivated?  Maybe you are working on an issue and you cannot seem to get an answer.

Why not start the day in silent meditation?  It’s an easy thing to do and can help clarify your thoughts.  Start in a quiet room without distractions (turn the phone off!), sit in a comfortable position with your feet firmly grounded, begin to breathe deeply and slowly.

If you have a favorite poem or spiritual verse, breathe it in and out.  Allow yourself the time to quiet your mind.  Start with about three minutes, then as you practice more, extend the time.

After a while, you might find the clarity and motivation you need for each day.

Peace,

Coach Bill

            One of the big insurance companies had an advertising campaign with “Mayhem” as a character.  In the first commercial, Mayhem was a teenage girl who is driving and texting.  Her best friend kissed a boy that she liked, and she loses control of the car, hitting a parked car.  The campaign went on to show other ways that things happen in life (and, of course, how this insurance company protects you).  The ads were memorable and so they did the job. 

            The truth is chaos happens.  We get into situations where things fly out of control and chaos erupts; to paraphrase Marvel baddie Thanos, “it is inevitable.”  The important thing to remember about chaos is not that it happens, rather how we remain calm and handle the situation.

            Back in the day I was a restaurant worker.  Starting as a dishwasher and busboy, I became a waiter, floor supervisor, kitchen manager, assistant manger and then Manager of Dining Room Operations, and I was still a kid.  Most chain restaurants experience rushes during the course of the day and sitting in one of the largest malls in the USA, we had our rushes.  I would help up front getting people seated as soon as possible, while helping the service staff attend to the customers.  However, early on, I was a maniac.  I would come up front, see the line of customers, see the seating chart and run around trying to help.  From my perspective, I was trying to efficiently seat everyone and get them food.  From customer’s perceptions, I was a nut job.  My actions were viewed as panicked.

            A colleague took me to the side and gave me some advice.  He knew my passion was in the right place, but my actions were haphazard and chaotic.  I took this advice to heart, slowed down, and started to create a sense of calm during the storm.  Now I am able to handle all kinds of chaotic surroundings with a sense of calm (and as a pastor, there are plenty of chaotic circumstances).

            Emergency responders regularly operate in states of chaos, yet they always seem to be in control.  Everyone knows their part, everyone knows what to do, even if that means taking a moment to assess situations rather than run forward into the fire.  We can do the same thing in any chaotic situation.

Do not just jump in, rather assess, consider options, look at the tools around you (especially co-workers) and then calmly proceed.  The world will not end if you take a moment to center yourself, the situation will not grow worse if you make a conscious decision to be calm.

But this takes practice.  We all need to take moments away from the work to breathe, meditate and be still.  Practice this during the calm times, make it a practice to stand up every 45 minutes, stretch, walk around and, if possible, go outside.  Do some deep breathing and then return to work.  You will find yourself calming down almost immediately.  Then, when chaos comes, you will be ready, just do the same thing.

Did you ever wonder why adults always ask children what they want to be when they grow up?  It’s because many adults need new ideas!

Sometimes we get stuck in jobs that are unfulfilling and just cannot see a way out.  Sometimes we are so busy with the job that we cannot find a way out of the job.  And sometimes we are concerned about taking a chance at something different. 

Are you in the right career?  Do you want to change careers or change your work environment?  Do you feel like you are stuck in your current job?  If you said yes to any of these questions, consider a Life Coach.

Life Coaching can help you get unstuck.  Life Coaching can help you find a path towards a better position, or even change the way you work the current job.  Through coaching, we can help you define your career goals and then help you take the steps to achieve the goals.

Is it time for you to move forward?  Is it time for you to make the change you want to make? Contact us today at 610-451-0624 or reachlifecoaching1@gmail.com.

The Batman will be in theatres in a few days.  I’ve been a Bat-fan most of my life, starting with reruns of the classic Adam West TV show.  The George Barris Batmobile is my favorite, followed by the 1989 movie version  Face it, Batman is cool.  He’s got the gadgets, the intellect, and most important, the will to do the mission.

While a fictional character, we can learn a couple of things from Batman. First, and foremost, is willpower.  If we have a strong will, we can achieve much.  Bruce Wayne trained himself to the pinnacle of human perfection.  He studied various forms of hand to hand combat, scholarly pursuits including science and psychology, and trained his mind to become the worlds greatest detective.

But Bruce Wayne is not just about the battle. He possesses love.  Love for his parents, slain in front of him, love for humanity, striving to prevent that horrific event from happening again.  If you want an example of Bruce’s love, watch the Justice League episode “Epilogue”.  It is an excellent example of how Batman’s drive is more than vengeance, but a desire for the good.

Okay, none of us are Bruce Wayne – he doesn’t really exist.  But we can harness some of his ideals.  

We can set realistic goals about physical and mental fitness.  We can create a plan to achieve our goals and even our dreams.  We just sometimes need some help.

So did Batman.  He had Alfred.  Alfred protected Batman’s humanity, while guiding Bruce.Without Afred, Batman would not be possible.

If you need an Alfred, consider a Life Coach.  Our job is to help you refine your goals and achieve them.

See you in the Batcave!