Last month I posted a “help wanted” ad on my blog for 1000 Visionmakers. The purpose of the call to action was to begin the process of mobilizing a small army to redream our world.

Every day we are assaulted by images and messages of dysfunction. They depict the world as teetering on the brink of global breakdown, full of problems that are too large and complex to solve, problems that make for juicy news coverage.

This contributes to a malaise and a growing belief that we are hopeless and helpless. We default personal responsibility for being part of the solution and project that responsibility onto heroes whom we hope will rescue us. When they can’t solve our problems immediately, we turn on them. President Obama is the most recent and perhaps the most graphic example of the pattern.

My dream of 1000 Visionmakers is one step to push back against this dangerous cultural drift toward ennui. It’s easy to particpate. All you need to do is open a Twiiter account and tweet one positive idea for change daily then tag it “ReVision Our World.” Follow anyone who is tweeting this way and retweet their daily offering.

1000 voices together can make a big difference.

© Patrick O’Neill 2010. All rights reserved

The Four-Chambered Heart is the home of vision. When we are full, open, clear and strong-hearted vision is 20:20. For Visionmakers, maintenance of the heart is a navigational necessity.

Join Patrick ONeill for a two-day exploration of the Four-Chambered Heart. This workshop is based on Angeles Arrien’s model and will provide participants with an indepth experience of the Vision of the Heart. We will employ a variety of traditional and modern techniques, including visualization, journeying, reflective practice, journaling and dialogue, to support you to discover what is at the heart of your journey at this time.

The full heart is the home of deep engagement. It is here that we learn about being authentic, about commitment and about full expression. What am I full-hearted about? Where am I half-hearted? How can I resolve issues of half-heartedness through problem solving?

The open heart teaches us to trust self, others and circumstances as they unfold. It is the home of love, balance, compassion and tolerance. Where am I open-hearted? What has caused closed-heartedness? How do I forgive and reopen the heart?

The clear heart teaches the lessons of integrity and discernment. What am I clear about in my personal journey - in my roles, relationships and activities? Where do I stand on important issues? What are the dilemmas or areas of confusion in my life? How do I resolve my concerns and move forward?

The strong heart is the home of courage. Where am I strong-hearted about my journey, relationships, and actions? Where am I weak-hearted and unable or unwilling to make difficult choices, say what’s so when it’s so, and stand by my convictions? What strengthening work do I need to undertake?

The Four-Chambered Heart is the place that vision assembles and is the source of the unique and unfolding path that every Visionmaker is born to pursue.

Please join us. Make your heart your priority.

April 24/25

Location: Toronto

For more information and registration please visit our website or call us at 416-361-3331.

Tonight’s State of the Union address by the President of the United States is being billed as Obama’s chance to regain his footing. He has “misunderstood the public anger, set far too ambitious an agenda,and is out of touch with Main Street and Wall Street,” say the pundits.

I predicted his honeymoon would be a short one just before the inauguration. Here’s part of what I said in my post entitled How We Can:

“When we pin our hopes on just one man to deliver us from a collective mess, we avoid the personal leadership required to do our part to solve the issues of the day, and set him up to fail. What the Obama Presidency requires is leadership at all levels of society… with the courage to do things differently.

The recovery that we seek is likely going to take time. I wonder if we have the collective patience to give President-elect Obama the time and ongoing support required for change to happen. Watching someone lead is not personal engagement and involvement. It is passivity that leads to breakdown.”

I am afraid I was right. The public lack of patience for the overhaul that is required on multiple fronts reveals a lack of foresight that endangers not only the stability of the United States but also the global community.

President Obama has accomplished a tremendous amount in a short time in an imperfect political system. People seem to forget the crisis that threatened to overcome the world economy. They also seem to forget that the Republican administration was steering the ship of state into treacherous waters for two terms.

Now, there is an expectation that a fix can be accomplished in one year? That’s magical thinking.

Barack Obama is not Superman. He is a gifted individual with fine aspirations and big challenges on his hands. He deserves support, time and high engagement from leaders within the United States and around the world.

The problems that America faces threaten us all. It’s time to row together.

If there has been a surprise for me in my career it has been the confidence deficit of leaders.

In mentoring and coaching sessions what often comes to light are deep insecurities and concerns about being up to the challenge of leadership, of measuring up.

When the discussion turns to the foundations of confidence-gifts, talents, character qualities, knowledge, skills, and experience-often the leader involved cannot identify these internal resources.

But they can tell you about their faults in a New York minute.

There is something radically wrong here.  I don’t know if it is because of how we are raised, educated or mentored at work, but we must strive to overcome the confidence gap.  Our visions for positive change, the very future depends on bold action, commitment and heartfelt action.  These are not available when we doubt and second-guess ourselves.

One thing that professional athletes know-confidence comes from careful development of skills and preparation for engagement on the playing field.  Many of us in organizational life are out on the field but have not continuously developed our skills or prepared properly for the game.

Every Visionmaker should be able to give at least ten responses to these questions:

• My gifts and talents are…
• My character qualities are…
• My aptitudes are…
• My character qualities are…
• My positive contributions are…
• My challenges overcome are…
• My successes are…
• My aspirations are…

Many of us are not even able to distinguish between a gift and a character quality.  No wonder we are filled with self-doubt!

Visionmakers are careful stewards of self-confidence. They recognize it as a necessary ingredient in the ability to generate purposeful action. Let’s make a clear distinction here-confidence is not arrogance.

Arrogance is simply lack of confidence in disguise. Visionmakers never succumb to a belief that they are somehow special or superior.  They see the positive attributes that they have been given, and developed, as a sacred trust.

As a result, Visionkakers are more concerned with the contribution they are making to others and to their communities than measuring themselves or competing with others.

Ultimately, confidence supports the freedom to act in accordance with the heart, in alignment with Destiny. This is the ultimate goal of Visionmaking-to create a meaningful life through deep engagement.

This past weekend, 18 Visionmakers gathered from as far away as California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Quebec and Ontario for Envisioning 2010. It was a great group and we had a very deep dive into the work of Visionmaking. 

Through journaling, music, meditation, dialogue and visualization exercises, participants came away with an abundant inspiration and direction for their individual journeys this year. Work, relationship, health, community and personal direction were the topic of our two-day intensive. As well, new tools were provided, including the Cycle of Visionmaking, central to the way of the Visionmaker.

Already some participants are making plans to return to Toronto April for the next Visionmaker workshop, The Vision of the Heart. I have included information on the program should you be moved to join us. No previous experience with Visionmaking is required.

The Visionmaker: The Vision of the Heart

April 24/25, 2010 - Toronto CANADA  

 

The Four-Chambered Heart is the home of vision. When we are full, open, clear and strong-hearted vision is 20:20. For Visionmakers, maintenance of the heart is a navigational necessity.

 

Join Patrick O’Neill for a two-day exploration of the Four-Chambered Heart.

 

This workshop is based on Angeles Arrien’s model and will provide participants with an in-depth experience of the Vision of the Heart.

 

We will employ a variety of traditional and modern techniques, including visualization, journeying, reflective practice, journaling and dialogue, to support you to discover what is at the heart of your journey at this time.

 

The full heart is the home of deep engagement. It is here that we learn about being authentic, about commitment and about full expression. What am I full-hearted about? Where am I half-hearted? How can I resolve issues of half-heartedness through problem solving?

 

The open heart teaches us to trust self, others and circumstances as they unfold. It is the home of love, balance, compassion and tolerance. Where am I open-hearted? What has caused closed-heartedness? How do I forgive and reopen the heart?

 

The clear heart teaches the lessons of integrity and discernment. What am I clear about in my personal journey - in my roles, relationships and activities? Where do I stand on important issues? What are the dilemmas or areas of confusion in my life? How do I resolve my concerns and move forward?

 

The strong heart is the home of courage. Where am I strong-hearted about my journey, relationships, and actions? Where am I weak-hearted and unable or unwilling to make difficult choices, say what’s so when it’s so, and stand by my convictions? What strengthening work do I need to undertake?

 

The Four-Chambered Heart is the place that vision assembles and is the source of the unique and unfolding path that every Visionmaker is born to pursue.

 

Please join us. Make your heart your priority.

 

To register, or for more information, please click on the extraordinary conversations link.

 

© Patrick O’Neill 2010. All rights reserved

 

 

Fear is our constant companion on the journey past the comfort zone into unknown territory. It keeps us sharp, awake to all that we encounter that is unfamiliar. Like all other primary emotions, it is hard to escape from fear. Visionmakers learn to overcome it and “move from within’ as Rumi so elegantly put it.

There are situations and encounters in life where it would be foolhardy not to feel the presence of fear. Eliminating it completely is beyond our capacity. Managing our fear–and not being run by it–is within our power to accomplish.

One fear that must be faced is the inevitable encounter with our Destiny. Many of us turn away from the future because we are afraid to face the possibility that we cannot attain our hearts desire, or that we will fail.

Others turn away for fear that they can attain their Destiny and are terrified of the changes and choices that will be required as a result.

Rather than be paralyzed by either sets of fears, Visionmakers make a different choice. They turn to their personal powers-the sum total of their knowledge, experience, aptitudes, gifts, talents, skills, character qualities and creativity.

They recognize that these unique and potent resources create confidence and the kind of seasoning that allows a Visionmaker to feel well-matched for the encounter with uncertainty and the unknown.

We are far more powerful than we might think. At times of challenge, change, conflict, chaos and crisis, when fear rises, we are reminded to empower ourselves rather than defeat ourselves by forgetting who we are, by giving ourselves over to our fears.

© Patrick O’Neill 2010. All rights reserved.

“You have to be willing to sacrifice everything to be successful, including your personal life, your family life, maybe more. If people think it’s any less, they’re wrong, and they will fail.” -Kevin O’Leary, host of Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank

 

I have never watched Kevin O’Leary on television but this quote in the Globe and Mail, Canada’s national newspaper, certainly caught my eye. Mr. O’Leary, is describing what he believes is required to be a “successful entrepreneur.”

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a hard working guy, but sacrifice everything for money? I don’t think so. Frankly, this is the television face of the Gordon Gecko school of business-”Greed Is Good. Despite the crash of 2009, we still have these “personalities” around advocating for unbridled ambition and winning at any cost.

The problem with some of these guys is that they sound so.. well… normal. It’s easy to be pulled into the collective consensus trance that money and power are the measure of success.

How about an alternative vision-a successful business, built on values, principles, great products and services…and a balanced life. Why would anyone want to abandon love, friendship, growth, community and rest and recreation? I know what Mr. O’Leary might say… Money!!!

Money is a cold companion.

There’s far more to life than money, sex and power. These are the three opiates of modern times and every Visionmaker needs to guard against being seduced by them. 

As Dorothy Parker pointed out, “If you want to see what God thinks of money, just look at all the people he gave it to.”

© Patrick O’Neill 2009. All rights reserved.

I have been tweeting now for a few months, promoting the ReVision Our World campaign (Revisionproject on Twitter).

My purpose is to put at least one idea into the zeitgeist every day, five days a week, about positive change. We are awash in negative, fear-based communication and I think it’s high time we began a counter-offensive.

I am looking for 1000 other Visionmakers to do the same. 

It takes very little time, is immensely satisfying, and has enormous potential to make a positive difference. Check out the Revision campaign and let me know if you are willing to join forces. Tell your family and friends.

Let’s make 2010 a more positive experience globally.

© Patrick O’Neill 2009. All rights reserved.

The fourth way to end well is by repairing damage done to relationships either because a task has been mishandled or an injury has been caused through our words or actions. Endings, including year-end, are a natural time to reflect on the activities of the past year to examine our impact, both positive and negative.

We all make mistakes. It takes a strong heart to take responsibility for a mistake or an injury to others. What are the regrets I have from my words or actions this past year?  There may be none, but it is an act of wisdom to ensure that we have reflected on our impact and attended to those instances where our intentions and impacts were not aligned.

Courage and personal responsibility are required to initiate truth-telling and reparation. That, and a good apology. An apology is an expression of regret that seeks to repair damage done to a relationship. Angeles Arrien reminds us that an apology with no promise to change the behavior that caused the damage in the first place is empty.

Here is a short meditation to assist you in examining your impact:

• Have I hurt anyone this past year through my words or actions? What must I do to repair the damage I have done?

• Have I disappointed another by that which I have done or not done? What must I do to repair the damage?

• Have I misled others through my actions or inaction? What must I do to repair the damage?

• Have I misused humor at the expense of another person? What must I do to repair the damage?

• Have I been negative or cynical and had a negative impact on other people? What must I do to repair the damage?

• Have I misused power in some way, bullied another person, or used fear as a tactic to get my way? What must I do to repair the damage?

• Have I withdrawn or withheld my gifts, engagement or love because I was angry about something this year? What must I do to repair the damage?

• Have I caused conflict to get attention, win, or hurt others? What must I do to repair the damage?

• Have I lied, misused my word, or taken advantage of someone this year? What must I do to repair the damage?

Visionmakers seek to enter the container of a new year with no regrets, no baggage. They recognize that strong relationships are not only nurturing but also vital to happiness, well-being, and safe passage on the journey of meaning.

That is why they are careful stewards of their impact…and committed to do no harm. Ending well creates the ability to begin well, a recipe for good Karma.

This is the last Visions post for 2009. Thank you for visiting this blog and for sharing it with your family and friends. I will be back in January.  Until then, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year.

© Patrick O’Neill 2009. All rights reserved.

The third practice of ending well is to acknowledge the people and situations that challenged us to grow this past year.

A challenge is the stimulation that comes from a test of the heart, intellect or will. Its purpose on a journey of meaning is four-fold:

• to call forward our personal power

• to fund new resources

• to teach us how to apply these powers and resources

• and to expose that which requires strengthening.

When we meet a challenge and overcome it, we have empirical evidence that our spirit has grown and that we have learned something new about ourselves, other people or what is possible in our journey to Destiny. When we fall short of our goals or expectations, we discover what needs strengthening or what changes are required for forward progress. The knowledge that comes from failure, applied to the next attempt, creates progress.

Successes and failures that come from challenges are part of Destiny’s plan for each of us. As such, we honor the gift of learning and growth by recognizing these lessons daily.

At year’s end, however, we have a unique opportunity to remember that personal power  and progress are a result of full engagement with life.

Who or what has challenged you to grow in 2009?

How did you meet these challenges?

When a breakthrough occurred, what changed in your nature, relationships or circumstances?

How did you respond to breakdown or failure?

To whom do you owe a debt of thanks for helping you grow into your best self?

As our original medicine develops, we become potent creative forces in the world. We begin to see that the idea of what a human being can achieve and the reality of what is possible are often far apart. We are far more creatively potent than we know, a truth that is revealed from a challenge.

© Patrick O’Neill 2009. All rights reserved.