Slow Down Fast Personal Coaching and Lifestyle Design

by David Bohl

We often hear someone say they’re “happy and fulfilled” at a new job, with a new living situation, even as a new parent. And they surely are, or believe themselves to be, happy and fulfilled.

But I wonder sometimes what we mean by these terms.

Let’s start with happy. Most people use the word “happy” to mean that nothing in their lives is making them “unhappy.” Their lives are pleasurable. They have what they want, they like their lives, and they are, in a word, content.

That’s great, really. Happiness is something we’d all like to have, and which we all strive for. It’s also very elusive, because the pleasure which is the root of what we call “happiness” is usually transitory.

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It’s a marketing ploy you see every day. “Buy one, get one free,” or “Call for your free consultation.”

The fact of the matter is that people love to get stuff for free… or feel like they’ve gotten something for nothing. This phenomenon doesn’t end when buying shoes, either.

People all over the country take jobs that offer them less money than they’re worth, with the logic that they’ve got great benefits–are getting “stuff” for free. And companies shove this theory down employees’ throats. “Sure, we’re paying you $20,000 less than you qualify for, but we offer you 2.5 weeks of paid vacation, health insurance and a 401K!”

I’m here to tell you to do the math.

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If you are alive on this planet, you will encounter obstacles. You just can’t escape them. You can have the most well-thought out plan or strategy of where you want to go and how you want to get there. But along the way, unexpected twists and turns show up in the form of obstacles and challenges. They are detours on our direct route to our goals. We can’t escape these obstacles, but we can face them and watch them turn into opportunities.

However, only you can turn your obstacles into opportunities with your mindset. How you choose to react or act in the face of challenges is always up to you. I know, sometimes it doesn’t seem like you have a choice. That’s because we’re conditioned to think certain things mean something. If this, then that. We’re so conditioned, we forget that we have choices about how we perceive various events in our lives.

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by David Bohl

I know we are all concerned about economic conditions these days, with massive job layoffs, declining housing markets, and plunging stock prices. Yet, the rise in unemployment has created a great opportunity for those who have entrepreneurial dreams.

With very little capital outlay, now is a great time to start a home based business.

I did some research and found that there are over 16 million home based businesses in the U.S. Some of these are service based and some sell products.

A recent Forbes.com article indicated a few of the best service businesses to start include event planning, home landscaping, computer repair, graphic design, consulting, and public relations. Home based businesses can also market products through network marketing, eBay, Amazon, or an affiliate program.

No matter what your dream is, I believe there’s an opportunity for everyone who wants to start a home based business. Whether you’re fed up with the restrictions of a stifling job or have been laid off, if you’re ready to be your own boss, you can start a business that uses your best talents and skills.

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by David Bohl

Do you ever notice that your life seems to run on automatic? You have routines, you have habits, and you have expectations? After a while, your life lacks vibrance, as you settle into dull routines. Day in and day out, the same things–work, home and family chores, and if there’s any time left over, a little personal time.

My observation is that the majority of people spend so much time on getting their material needs met, that they’re burned out and have lost their sense of wonder in life. True, it does take time to make money, run a business, and handle home and family needs. But these are all outer needs, and the time they take leaves little time to handle our inner needs–for fulfilling our purpose and taking quiet time to reflect.

“Spirit” is often described as essence or energy. I’ve also seen it defined as peace, love, connection, unity, and truth. The word “spirited” means full of life and energy, dynamic and determined. But what do I mean by bringing more Spirit into your life?

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by David Bohl

Do you ever have conversations in your own mind… to the point of utter distraction or maybe even obsession?

I was talking with a friend the other day who had agreed to take on some freelance work. The work was of the ordinary variety, maybe even a tad on the dull side… and so my friend confessed to me that during the task, his mind took him to a negative place.

Uncertain about this new client relationship, my friend said he became consumed with worry and anger. Instead of enjoying the task, he began anticipating that the client would try to screw him out of money. In his mind, he was having imaginary words with the client, arguing over future payment.

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BOHL HELPS BRIDGE GAP BETWEEN BUSINESS AND PRACTICE OF MEDICINE
Hartland-based lifestyle advisor introduces “opportunity cost” in Doctor’s Digest

HARTLAND, Wis. – Society is making lots of financial concessions as a faltering economy continues to challenge lifestyles, but in the case of physicians, time is also a premium that requires planning.

In this month’s Doctor’s Digest (http://www.doctorsdigest.net) periodical, which focuses on Time Management, lifestyle advisor, David Bohl (http://www.slowdownfast.com), introduces the concept of “opportunity cost,” a theory that states that in most cases, to have one thing you must give up another.

A former venture capitalist, Bohl knows the value of concession when it comes to time.  “[Understanding] opportunity cost is about making better decisions,” Bohl said in the Doctor’s Digest section entitled, “Making the Most of Your Off-Hours.” “In this hour, if I don’t do ‘this,’ then I’ll have that hour to spend with my family.”

An example illustrated by Bohl’s theory is when a doctor’s son wants him to coach a soccer team but the doctor has agreed to work with two colleagues on an important research project.

“Take a look at your commitments,” Bohl said in the article. “Do I really have to be on this board?”

Bohl said that whether it’s a physician or sanitation engineer, a person’s skills may be valuable to his or her peers, but one has to live according to his own values to make time decisions.”

Karen Childress wrote the January/February 2009 issue of Doctor’s Digest: Time Management. A bi-monthly publication, Doctor’s Digest focuses on single-topic, non-clinical issues that face physicians. It is recognized by major medical schools, universities and physician organizations for its cutting edge practice management information and is included in curricula and disseminated to practicing physicians, students and associations.

Also a Must-Read: Understanding Opportunity Costs Leads to Better Decisions

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by David Bohl

K.I.S.S. stands for a couple things. Firstly and most notably, it means “keep it simple, stupid”.

While the “stupid” line may seem a little harsh, it adds humor to the saying, and probably is responsible for the saying’s notoriety.

K.I.S.S. can also stand for “keep it short and simple”. This is similar to the principle of Occam’s razor which states that the simplest explanation is usually the best one.

Whichever interpretetation you like, the K.I.S.S. principle is worth pondering. There is a brilliance and a perfection to be found in simplicity.

Here are a few rules to live by that relate to the K.I.S.S. principle. Following them will simplify your life at work, and at home, and ultimately earn you a reputation that you will be proud of.
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Do you wonder if you’re qualified to be an “expert?”

Does a failure-to-success story qualify you? You’ve been there and done that, so now you can show others how to do it! Well that’s one way to qualify.

I must confess that I’m a recovering achievement junkie and that gives me the moral authority to tell you that you can be a recovering achievement junkie too. I know how to do it and you may not… but as the expert, I can show you how. Yet, is that what I want to be an expert at? I’m not so sure.

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