Thomas Mangum

The Year In Review

As I reflect on the last year or so....

1. I'm infinitely grateful for the experiences and learnings.  
2. I'm achy and stronger.
3. I'm unsatisfied and happy.
4. I have more moments of joy...because I choose to. 
5. I'm unsettled and enjoy the variety.
6. When I reflect on thoughts, it seems chaotic and crazy
7. I desire more money, more passion, more juice with my life in general and specifically.
8. I know that I'm doing the work.
9. I know that each step reveals the next and often times I don't feel like taking that step.
10. I'm infinitely grateful for each and every experience even if I had a temper tantrum in the moment.  

There have been ups and downs and the net result is better than before.  I believe being unsettled and unsatisfied motivates me to "do with purpose" and also reminds me to savor the harmony.  

I have a tremendous amount of experience in my short 43 years on this earth.  I have unique abilities that have been identified by a couple special people around me.  

The greatest lesson I've learned...

My deepest desire is to continue to have those abilities and experiences leveraged.  For me, I'm a team player; a connector.  I LOVE it when I'm called into action for the benefit of the team.  I'm a man of service and energy is released when I'm called to serve a cause on a team.    

There is nothing sadder for me than to work alone or be used.  Serving is different.  I feel the difference and my team feels the difference when unique abilities are engaged.  It's the breath of life....truly releasing infinite energy.

Today, I'm not in a place of deep fulfillment. I am in the process and open to a cause and team.  I know I have a purpose, even if I haven't realized it because I'm still getting up and still breathing!

I'm grateful. 

How Will I Know I'll Do Whatever It Takes?

This was a question a viewer/reader sent in regarding the post on "What Are You Willing To Do?" 

Excellent question and here is my input...

What Would I Do Different If I Could Do the 90 Days Again?

That was the question a reader asked me to answer regarding the life overhaul I began 90 days ago.  

I recorded this little 3 minute video to answer that question.  

Happy Anniversary to me!! Today's 90 days in to the life overhaul.

Doing What It Takes to Get What You Want

If you've been following along, I'm at day 86 of what I'm calling the life redesign and what a friend calls my life overhaul.  Either way, it's a complete thing, not just one area.

I recorded this video last week in response to a question I got about what changed since I started AND it was very appropriate since I was preparing for a speaking engagement in front of some new executive coaches.   

Just in case, you're just joining, 2009 was probably one of the toughest years of my reality.  The bottom hit in November when it simply affected me emotionally and mentally so I didn't recognize Thomas.  VERY weird feeling...especially since I was able to "see" myself in this state. FREAKY!

Anyway, I was smart enough to ask this guy I call my "guide" to work with me.  We began daily accountability and and started the rebuilding process, taking one area, creating momentum and adding on as I went, so there were new habits yielding new results, therefore creating new references.

In it's most simple form, I believe progress really started at the point I discovered what it was where I'd do whatever it takes.  Whether you're starting out or starting again, this is key!

It's a funny thing since action is SUCH a great truth detector.  What I DID and did NOT do was excellent feedback. 

I stated a couple of answers to the questions "What are you willing to do where you will do whatever it takes?" i.e. Some action, objective, goal, outcome, destination.  

And for awhile I blew it and clearly I would NOT do whatever it took to accomplish the objectives I stated and then down the rabbit hole I went.... What is it then?  

I discovered that taking it down to the most simple answer is it.  There is NO wrong answer!

It just required AN ANSWER!  then ACT, CORRECT, CONTINUE.

So profoundly simple!  

I took something simple, did whatever it took to accomplish.  Did so for the sake of building a new habit (like exercising a muscle) until it changed the very perception.  

All I can say is I'm experiencing fulfillment more and more.  I'm experiencing a greater sense of harmony and all areas are measurably improving.  This is VERY exciting because it's not taking HUGE actions.  It's taking small actions every single day and apparently that is an unusual practice for many people out there.  I wouldn't have truly believed it, if I wasn't experiencing it. 

Enjoy the update.  Through my bearing my soul perhaps it helps you in some way. I know for me, it does.

A video follows.  If you don't see it, then you go to the source at www.thomasmangum.com

Your Playing Small Does Not Serve The World

Today I wrote a thank you note to the executive director of Hostelling International, San Diego Council.

This note was prompted by a report I get from StepRep, a service that monitors online identity so I know what is being indexed with my name.  

Apparently Hostelling International's annual report from last year popped up lately in searches. 

Me believing fully that there are no mistakes in the universe, only clues (or overt messages!), I thought it was curious since it was LAST year's report and it featured a quote I made on the definition of sustainable travel on page 5. 

“For me, sustainable travel is done in such a way as to minimize the negative impact on the land, people and culture I am visiting. I like to keep in mind that Iroquois Nation saying that is on every ‘Seventh Generation’ product. ‘In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.’ (Hostelling International) is in a prime position to take a leadership role by example. I believe that actions speak volumes and it is what we do and how we do it that communicates the message. I see this done by continuing to BE the change we want to see in the community—not just talk about, wish for it, etc...”  --Thomas Mangum, HI-San Diego Volunteer and 2008 HI-San Diego Volunteer of the Year.

As I come to the end of a culmination year of challenges and learning experiences on all fronts, the words seemed foreign to me to read.  Not that I didn't believe what I said, but that I had lost passion this year...for anything and "hearing" my own words reminded me of who I am.  

It brought tears to my eyes as I "heard" myself and a reminder that I am powerful when I stand passionately and speak out. This isn't about sustainable travel as much as it is leadership.

It leaves those that could care less behind and attracts those that do. 

Thank You

Thank you dear reader as you give me the opportunity to do what I do best. 

Again, another thank you to Sue Schaffner, the executive director of Hostelling International.  I want you to know that I'm grateful for this indirect reminder today to get on with my life's mission and model doing whatever it takes to use the talents I have and skills I've acquired, no matter what it looks like.  

Oh and if that clue wasn't enough, how about this? In small stack of papers on my desk, the Winter 2008 newsletter is poking out with Sue's editorial "The 5 Whys of Hostelling" inspired by an exercise I gave her group during a workshop.  

Yet another clue.....

The Point?

The best way to illustrate the point of this article is share the famous quote by Marianne Williamson that has inspired so many to stand up and lead....NO MATTER WHAT.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Read that again. You deserve to savor it. 

Insights at Day 26 of the Life Redesign

Big insight as I blow off my first physical workout. Not cool. And it's a clue. 

It comes down to awareness of self-integrity which leads to harmony so that joy is a virtually constant thing. 

Thanks for following, watching and commenting and just plain giving me the space to debrief with you.  You DO realize what an amazing gift that is, right?  Love to hear you. 

[Note: Video follows. If you don't see it, click through to the original post at www.thomasmangum.com]

Looking For Opportunities to Engage This Talent

The biggest realization that I've come to so far since undertaking this life redesign is that one failure doesn't equal failure in other areas.  

Now that may be completely obvious to you.  It wasn't to me until I refocused.  I won't labor on that too much since I'm reconciling it though for clarification purposes if you're just joining me... I let personal financial failures throw me off my game in other areas of my life and it spiraled out of control.

Credit to me to being of sound mind enough to reach out to get my "game" back! 

My coach said something rather wise today. "You can either do what needs to be done in business, not do it, or hire it out".  None of those decisions changes your communications ability, training and other talents and skills.  D'oh!  That last statement is KEY!  

Suffice it to say, I decided that I'm not willing to do what it takes to operate a business solo at this time. I do my best work in collaboration with others and I'm so committed to that, that I'm making a decision and moving forward.  Actually it's been quite freeing.  On a regular basis I'd devote huge amounts of energy to doing all those other roles that are required in operating a business: Operations, finance and accounting, sales and marketing just to do my favorite FULFILLMENT. 

Sure, I actually made a lot of progress, though at what cost?  

There are people that LOVE to build business after business.  I'm clean with knowing that I LOVE being a technician..it's where I've always shined. 

I simply do not love building a business and that has gotten in the way of full utilization of my talent, skills and unique abilities.  

I feel free. Excited. Clearer.    

Going forward, my focus is on finding any opportunity to make best use of my presence and ability to engage and communicate with audiences in a training environment.  If you've met me personally, then you likely know better than me what I'm good doing.  First and foremost, it's stepping out there being open and honest no matter what. Hey, that's what this is!

I'm looking for your help.  Recruiters, HR, let's here from you.  Friends, family, I'm refocusing my networking.  Let me know who you know. 

The updated LinkedIn Profile is online at http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/ThomasMangum

To me this is first things first and doing what it takes to thrive in today's market.  Taking care of financial obligations, playing to passions, then build businesses and investments in a healthy harmonious way.   

Day 14 - Who Am I & Where Have I Been?

Day 14 of the self-labeled Life Re-Design and I feel like a completely different person.  

I'm going to choose to be grateful for this while the other voice is saying "dude, some of these feelings and awarenesses suck!". 

My physical body feels stronger and looks better.  Emotionally and mentally I feel like I'm on a roller-coaster because of some of the stuff that is being discovered daily.  

• Who knew that my personal financial state is independent from business(es)?
• Who knew that I was dragging yesterday's results into today?

Sure I'm the one doing the work and I really want to credit this coach because in only 14 days he has uncovered and is making quick work of what apparently has been embedded for many, many years.  I stress quick work because we're certainly not laboring on it...just saying "hi, I see you, now let's go". Nice!  

The best way to describe this is waking up from a drug-induced sleep and getting used to the new legs.  

Intuitively, I know this is good. In many ways, I don't like this unfamiliar reality and want to go back into lalaland. Of course, that's the point, huh?

Bottom line:  I feel more alive and true in the midst of chaos.  There are options on the table that I used to believe were non-negotiable AND I'm learning what I TRULY would do "whatever it takes" for.

Video follows. If you don't see it, no panic necessary, simply click through to the original post.

I'm Grateful For You

I think the title says it all.  

If you're feeling like you're not appreciated, then have a watch. I appreciate you.....more than you may even consciously know. 

Video follows.  If you're viewing outside the original post at www.thomasmangum.com, then click through to "View Original Post".

Oh, and please let me know you're out there with comments here or anywhere you want to reach me. 

The Real Why of the 90 day Life Design Challenge

Another in the moment video message (about 3 min) that gets closer to the main motivation to accept this challenge plus a bonus appearance at the end by Mei-Li.

A video follows.  If you're reading this outside www.thomasmangum.com, then you may not see the video. Click through to "View Original Post" or something like that to see it.