In this video Pixar executive, Ed Catmull talks about the spirit behind the success at Pixar Animation Studios. Pixar is a creative, cooperative company with a true spirit of teamwork and innovation.
Ed Catmull was a part of Pixar’s inception so he has a unique perspective on the process of unfoldment from idea to realization. This video inspires possibility in those who want to use their power constructively in the world.
Today I delivered my tenth speech at Agape Toastmasters and completed the requirements for a Competent Communication award. The speech is titled, “Stand In Your New School Power and Dare to Make a Difference” (if you don’t see a video above, click here to watch it on YouTube). I joined Toastmasters just over a year ago because I’ve always enjoyed public speaking and wanted to improve my skills and break out of my comfort zone.
I’ve been speaking to groups of people for about 16 years. However, most of my speaking has been somewhat informal, (i.e. leading small, intimate groups), or it’s been structured but based on a cirruculm (i.e. instructing classes at Long Beach City College). Although teaching, leading and speaking have always been rewarding to me, I felt like I was holding back on presenting passionately and daring to create my own presentations.
In my past year or so at Agape Toastmasters I feel like I’ve really broken out of the mold I was in and this presentation in particular was one of the most exhilarating, honest and enjoyable pieces of work I’ve ever had the privledge of delivering to a live audience.
In my mind, this is the beginning of my speaking career and I hope to have the opportunity to deliver this presentation and others like it to groups of leaders in various locations. Specifically I would like to speak to teachers, therapists, social workers, ministers and organizations who provide service to the community. My hope is to get paid as a presenter and to have the opportunity to sell my book, From Sabotage to Success.
Over the past 16 years I’ve worked at numerous non-profit agencies and I’ve met many educated, dedicated and warm-hearted people who yearn to make a difference in the world yet seem to be confined and stifled, not to mention overwhelmed. My hope is that I can help these leaders feel strong and powerful so they can do the work they’ve always dreamed of. In so doing, I will be fulfilling a dream of my own: to use my skills to make a positive difference in the world for those who need it most.
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If you have a saboteur like Puleza who’s stealing your power, purchase my book From Sabotage to Success and learn how to take your power back.
If you would like to book me to speak at your next event, please contact me at sherizampelli [at] gmail.com.
Somewhere along the line I got the message loud and clear, it’s better to be cool than uncool and somehow, my concept of cool was equated with a James Dean type character – rebel without a cause. My life choices and relationships reflected this value. I thought the rebels were cool and I wanted to be like them more than I wanted to be like the “uncool” people. This had it’s upside and it’s downside.
On the upside, I got to be at the cutting edge with some very cool, creative, unique people. I never tried to fit in to the mainstream and as such, I sort of got to form my own identity (although I was partially influenced by the desire to be “cool” so maybe I wasn’t entirely true to my own individuality). 
The downside is, I did all those self-destructive things associated with the rebel, including smoking, drinking, drugs and generally disregarding the rules and defying authority whenever possible…sometimes to my own detriment.
Many years ago I quit the drugs, the drinking and the smoking and it’s been a bit of an inner struggle at times. I don’t feel very “cool” anymore and the part of me that doesn’t want to be known as an “old fuddy duddy” yearns for a little rebellion now and then. Yet, the self-destruction is no longer “cool” and even with the heavy substance abuse long gone, I still have the residual damage to my health and a mountain of debt due to my “devil-may-care” attitude.
Lately, I’ve been striving to make some positive changes in my life, to break out of old habits that no longer serve me. One such habit is to eat out less often and bring my lunch. It would be a great habit to have, saving me money and helping me to be more healthy yet it was a habit I was resisting. I always had an excuse not to bring my lunch and I often “forgot” to pack a lunch.
One day I was writing in my journal and I realized. Part of the reason I don’t want to bring my lunch is because I don’t think it’s “cool”. With more journaling, I realized that I associate packing a lunch with being a “nerd“. Totally irrational, I know but isn’t that the nature of a self-defeating belief?
So, right there on the spot, I decided I no longer wanted to keep a habit that wasn’t serving me. I also decided that since I was the one who made up what was cool and not cool, I could change it. Rebelling against “the man” – still cool, self-destruction – not cool. So, I decided to make a list of what “cool” means to me.
In my book, a truly cool person is:
Carefree
Creative
Independent
Strong
Courageous
Intelligent
Calculated
Confident
Connected
Conscious
Leader
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After making the list, I wrote a little bit about what the words mean to me and how they fit in with the person I am now and the person I want to be.
Carefree – I am free to be me, I let go of concern regarding what others think of me
Creative – I can make it up without waiting for permission or worrying about doing it “right”
Independent – I can be independent because I am responsible and in charge of my life, because I have a solid base and a structure to support me
Strong – I am strong enough to set my own agenda and stick to it
Courageous – I have the courage to speak my Truth as I know it rather than bow to what others think I ’should’ do
Intelligent – I spend and save wisely, not ignorantly and impulsively
Calculated – I can be cool because I have a plan. I am not “flying by the seat of my pants”. I am firm and solid in who I am and where I’m going
Confident – I believe in myself and my way. I don’t concern myself with what others are thinking or doing
Connected – I have a crew, a team, a posse and together we can get things done
Conscious – I do what is right by me. I am aware
Leader – I lead by example. I learn from others and delegate those tasks that are “not my style”
In my book, cool people are brave enough to be themselves even in the face of criticism and ridicule. I realized after writing this all out that there is nothing “cool” about following other “cool” people’s rules. The coolest thing I can think of is to make my own rules and to live by them regardless of what other people think. Since making this list, I have shifted my perception and my habits and I am right now in the process of making changes to my diet and my budget with relative ease. It was a shift that needed to happen because as long as I valued “cool” and felt “uncool” I was always likely to be pulled in one direction or the other. With my new definition, I can be cool and be true to my desires for health and wealth at the same time.
If you have some old, outmoded beliefs and attitudes that are no longer working for you, the book From Sabotage to Success may be just what you’re looking for. The first chapter has a belief tree exercise that helps you to identify some of your current beliefs, where they came from and whether or not you want to keep them. The entire book is filled with worksheets to help you define your own life and your own definitions of success. Avaliable on Amazon.com.
For more blogs about overcoming self-sabotage visit icreatehabits.com
If you live near Long Beach, CA, consider attending the six week workshop series beginning June 1.
Six Steps From Sabotage to Success
Everyday Zen Relaxation Studio
3740 Atlantic Blvd. Suite 201
Long Beach CA 90807
Monday nights June 1-July 6, 2009
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Cost – $60 for the entire series + $25 materials fee or $15 per week
Click here to download the color brochure for this workshop series
Space is limited.
Call 562-305-3434 to reserve a spot or pre-register for the entire series on-line today. Cost $60 for six weeks.
Lately I’ve had a few separate conversations with women about the man in their lives. In one way or another, each woman said something to the effect of, “why is it always me that has to change first? Why doesn’t he ever have to do anything?”
I know the answer to both of those questions based on lots of experience and trial and error and I’ve asked these same questions to my female companions along the way. The easiest answer I can give is this: If you want to be happy and you’re not, it’s up to you to do something to change it. If that sounds harsh, try this: take all the emotional history out of the equation. Read each of the following words very slowly and let it sink in. Avoid the tendency to get defensive.
If-YOU-want-to-be-happy-and-you’re-not-it’s-up-to-YOU-to-do-something-to-change-it. This is simply a routine statement like, if you want a tuna sandwich, you’ll have to do something to get it. If you want to go to the movies, you’ll have to take steps to make it happen.
For some reason in relationships we want the other person to change first. If you have two stubborn, inmature people both refusing to change first, your relationship will be in a stinky stalemate for way too long (trust me, I know). Here are a few different ways to look at it.
1. Going first is cool. Being the leader can kick ass sometimes.
2. Maybe he is the one choosing love and you should follow his lead.
3. If the stuff about the law of attraction is true and Joy and Love are attracters but hate and anger are repellents, why on earth would you want to stay in hate and anger when all it does is keep you from what you want and you and only you can change it?
It took a really long time for me to get this. I guess I’ll have to raise my hand for the category of stubborn and immature.
After watching the Presidential Inauguration and the We Are One concert, after hearing powerful speeches and inspiring songs about “doing your part” I figure the least I can do is love the ones I’m with. Seems pretty minute in comparison to running the country in turbulent times.
I’ve attended Toastmasters and entertained the idea of a public speaking as a career off and on for close to 18 years. Right now I’m a member of Agape Toastmasters, a diverse club with male and female members from various parts of the world and different ages and ethnicities. Our club’s mission is to “foster an unconditionally loving, mutually supportive and highly inspirational environment”. I think we do a pretty good job of it.
After reading an article in the November 2008 Toastmaster magazine written by Julie Bawden Davis, I realize that the concept of unconditional love is something our world at large is still in the infancy stages of fostering.
The article was about a woman named Helen Blanchard, Toastmasters’ First Female President in 1985-1986. It was an engaging article and I was following along without incident until I read these words: “By 1973, women were allowed to join Toastmasters clubs and she was able to use her real name.”
Wait, hold up. Women were “allowed” to join Toastmasters in 1973? I’m not prepared to process the fact that 35 years ago, in my lifetime, women were not “allowed” to speak in public. At least not in Toastmasters. The thing is, Helen Blanchard joined Toastmasters before 1973, she just had to pretend she was “Homer” until she was “allowed” to be Helen.
I shall purposely avoid the desire to break into a rant now. Instead, I will share a quote from the article with you that I think is important for all women to really bask in: “Everyone used to call Helen a women’s libber, but the truth is, she’s a ‘people libber,’” says Chuck Borough, a member of Downtown Escondido Toastmasters who has known her for over 40 years. “Helen has chartered more than 40 clubs,” he says. “Toastmasters is twice as big as it would have been without Helen.”
Turn down the heat and simmer in those words for a while. Let it sink in. Then, do something about it. If you live in the Greater L.A. area, consider being my guest at Agape Toastmasters one Saturday morning. I would love to meet you there so I can hear what you have to say.
Spiritual Leader Michael Beckwith, founder of Agape International Spiritual Center and featured expert on the movie The Secret will be honored by the Agape Toastmasters club on December 13th with the 2009 Outstanding Communicator Award.
Agape Toastmasters is a unique Toastmasters club whose purpose is to “foster an unconditionally loving, mutually supportive and highly inspirational environment that will empower its members to become excellent communicators and leaders ready to serve our community and the world with joy, authenticity, wisdom and integrity.”
Through Michael Beckwith’s leadership Agape International Spiritual Center has become a trans-denominational movement and community of 9,000 local members and 1,000,000 friends worldwide. He is the author of many books including his most recent work “Spiritual Liberation: Fulfilling your Soul’s Potential” and has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show and Larry King Live multiple times.
“Beckwith’s vision and outstanding communication skills have contributed greatly to the expansion of consciousness on our planet” said club president Jesus Nebot. “He serves as a perfect role model to all our members and we are delighted to honor him with our first Outstanding Communicator Award”. In addition Beckwith will also receive a cash donation to support the humanitarian work of the Agape International Spiritual Center in the world.
During this annual meeting the Agape Toastmasters club will also recognize outstanding member of the year, Bruce Gordon for his great contribution to the club in many leadership positions.
This celebratory breakfast meeting is open to the general public at no charge and will be held on Saturday December 13, 2008 from 8:30-11:00 a.m. at Agape International Spiritual Center located at 5700 Buckingham Place Culver City, CA. For more information or to RSVP for the event contact Sheri Zampelli at 562-305-3434 or visit Agape Toastmasters on the web at http://agape.freetoasthost.info/
If you have an energetic, independent, fiesty daughter, cousin, grandaughter or niece between the ages of 9 and 17, you’ll be doing them a big favor by sending them to Roller Derby camp. Roller Derby camp with the L.A. Derby Dolls is all about empowering girls and teaching teamwork. I can tell you from first hand experience that roller derby is a great place to overcome fears and push past self-imposed limitations.
The goal of L.A. Derby Doll Roller Derby Camp is to create a positive and safe environment for girls to develop athletic abilities, build self-confidence, leadership skills, teamwork and improve overall fitness while playing the sport of roller derby.
Roller derby camp is in session July 21-25 at The Doll Factory 1910 W. Temple St., Los Angeles CA 90026 in the Echo Park/Historic Philipino Town area of Los Angeles. For more info, send an e-mail to jrderbydolls {at} derbydolls.com or visit www.derbydolls.com.
