This page created by expert performance coach and life coach Nicholas Townsend Smith of Clearpath Training. Did you know that life coaching is one of the fastest growing businesses in the world?

Get In The Game

18. Apr, 2012 • Posted In: Uncategorized • 0 Comments

When presented with a challenge, many of us wait on the sidelines for the coach to tell us to get in the game. We think about what we would do; how we would play differently if given the opportunity. We scrutinize the other players and imagine how glorious and awesome our participation in the game would be. In some cases, we imagine the fear of getting in the game and what might happen if we messed up or lost, and we do this all from the sideline; never getting into the game.

Who cares about your imaginations, good or bad or what you would do, if you never get in the game!? Where in the rule books does it say that your coach needs to tell you to play before you run out on the field? Maybe in regulated games that is important, but when it comes to life, that is the worst thing you could do. All that wasted imagination; all that wasted fear, all that wasted energy spent sitting on the sidelines. GET IN THE GAME. In the game is where you will learn what works and what doesn’t work. All of the glory is found inside the game, inside the creation, inside the risking. GET IN THE GAME. This is where you will find out what you are made of. This is where you can see what it really takes to succeed and how bad the failures really are. You might be surprised at the outcomes.

So, stop sitting on the sidelines. Stop waiting for an invitation to play. GET IN THE GAME

Choose Up!

Nicholas Townsend Smith

The Expert Game Player :)

Living in a Rumi-Nation

28. Feb, 2012 • Posted In: Uncategorized • 0 Comments

Living in a Rumi-Nation

The word Ruminate stems from the Latin word ruminare; “to chew the cud”.

Have you ever watched a cow chew the cud? Hours and hours will go by and the cow will chomp away at the same cud. It would be okay if the cow were chewing on fresh grass, but when the cow chews its cud it is chomping away at food that has already been eaten and is then regurgitated from its stomach to be re-chewed. Imagine the nastiness of that food as it is brought back to the surface and chewed again and again.

Like cows, people chew metaphorical cuds. In fact, we are addicted to cud chewing. We live in a Rumi-Nation, a nation of ruminators; people who are determined to bring their past into the present and live as though it is true. People who will not let go of the crap. It just comes in a different form. Cud chewing, or ruminating, is no less than bringing the past into the present and not letting it go. News channels are champions of this idea. They share stories over and over again until we get so sick of hearing them we finally shut it down. Sometimes friends and partners will be the cud chewers, bringing up the past and trying to make it relevant to an argument. Most often, we individually are the cud chewers. We ruminate and chew away at past mistakes or the mistakes of others.

Steve Chandler, a master coach and trainer said; “Our history has NO impact on us unless we give it new life each morning.”

Can you hear the power of that? Our past, our history, has no power over us unless we breathe new life into it each day. If something is not working in your life, stop ruminating over it; spit the cud out! Instead of chewing on all the reasons why you cannot succeed, spit the dang thing out. Let it go!

We think that because we think a thought again and again, that it is true. It is not necessarily true. But, you will never know that if you keep chewing the cud. My invitation for you is to stop ruminating. Stop chewing that metaphorical cud! Spit it out and start over. You will be amazed at what you can do when you let things and thoughts go.
Choose up!
Nicholas Townsend Smith
The Expert Performance Coach

Hurry… Hurry …Slow… Slow…

28. Dec, 2011 • Posted In: Uncategorized • 0 Comments

Hurry… Hurry …Slow… Slow…

Hurry hurry

makes life blurry

Slow slow

makes life go

Hurry hurry

makes me worry

Slow slow

helps me grow

Hurry hurry

makes me scurry

Slow slow

helps me know

Rush rush

brain is mush

Gentle gentle

monumental

Fast fast

pace won’t last

Tender tender

life has splendor

Speed speed

live in need

Caring caring

life of sharing

The greatest lesson life can give

is slowing down so you can live.

 

Written by Nicholas Townsend Smith 2012

Just Give The Water!

08. Dec, 2011 • Posted In: Uncategorized • 0 Comments

A well prepared man was walking through the desert. He noticed another man lying on the ground near unconsciousness. As the prepared man cautiously approached the other, he heard that man say faintly, “water.” The prepared man thought to himself, “I have water, plenty of water, but how should I give it to him?” He thought through all of the items he had in his satchel and wondered how the thirsty man might want his water. “Would he want a lot? Would he want a little?” he thought to himself. “Should I serve it in a saucer or a cup?” he wondered. “I don’t want to offend the thirsting man by giving him too little or too much. I don’t want the thirsting man to dislike the container.” He sat pondering how to give the thirsty man water. “What if he wants ice? I don’t have any ice. Should I give him a straw? What if the water is warm? What if he doesn’t like the flavor?” On and on his thoughts raced as the dying man continued to say…”water.” The well prepared man acknowledged the other man needed water, but continued to him-haw on its delivery. He had water, the other man needed water, but he could not decide how to give it. A few minutes later the thirsting man died, water inches from his lips.

In conversations with coaches about building their businesses or delivering their content “the water”, I hear them go back and forth on how to deliver it. They scheme and wonder and worry about how to go about it or what the other person might think. They are more concerned with pleasing the other person than serving them. The other person just needs to be served. Just give them the water! How you do it is not as important as just doing it. Often times they do nothing or miss the opportunity because they are in their heads about delivery. Just give the water!

What we do as coaches is life changing……when we give it.

Thanks Steve Chandler for the thought of giving the water.

Choose up!

Nicholas Townsend Smith

The Expert Performance Coach

Set The Next Goal

05. Dec, 2011 • Posted In: Uncategorized • 0 Comments

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I was having a conversation today with an avid triathlete and potential Ironman. Every time he finishes a race he gets into a post success slump. I have experienced this many times in my life. I will be successful, reach my goal and then relax into a slump. Sometimes I’ll stay there awhile. I asked him what he does to get out of his post success slumps. His answer was simple yet powerful.

All he said was this…

”Schedule the next event.”

To get out of his post success slumps, he sets the next goal or schedules the next event. It gives him a reason to get back in action.

So if you are coming off of a success and are in a slump, schedule your next event. What is your next big project? Set it!

Choose Up!

Nicholas Townsend Smith

The Expert Productivity Coach

The Size Of The Seed Does Not Matter

05. Dec, 2011 • Posted In: Uncategorized • 0 Comments

Redwood BlendOn occasion I hear of people with great ideas that say they want to wait until they have all of their resources in order before they begin. They may say, “If I only had more money” or “When I get that promotion” or “ I need to have…’ or “I will when…” They act as though they cannot begin because their seeds (their current resources) are too small. It would be akin to the mighty Sequoia tree saying, “ I cannot become a mighty tree until my seed is the size of a coconut.”

Did you know the the seed the makes the largest tree in the world is no larger than a single wheat grain? Why is it that a tree so mighty can grow out of such a small beginning? It does so because of action and persistence! Sequoia

The Sequoia grows tall and strong because first it burrows into the ground. It doesn’t care that it is small or seemingly insignificant. The seed knows its potential and goes to work creating roots; first one root, then another and another. Next, it breaks ground and shoots upward as a little sapling, no different from any other. With time, it grows stronger and stronger; one experience after another. It may pass through drought, strong winds, fire and disease. It may run low on resources, but nonetheless climbs skyward. Persistently pursuing its goal. You will never hear it say, “Oh, I quit because of the low resources of 2008” or “I had to stop growing because I was just a small seed.” Then the tree persists long enough to win.

What makes this tree great? It definitely wasn’t great when it started. It was simply a small seed with a lot of potential. What makes it great is that it digs in, works like mad and persists long enough to reach its capabilities. So, stop waiting for the right moment. Stop waiting for the right amount of resources. Stop waiting for the right partner. Don’t act like your “seed” is too small. Get out there, get your idea into action and persist long enough to reach your potential!

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Choose Up!

Nicholas Townsend Smith

The Expert Productivity Coach

Learning for Application or Learning for Avoidance.

26. Nov, 2011 • Posted In: Uncategorized • 0 Comments

How many unread books do you have sitting on your shelf? How much dust has accumulated on them? How many books have you read without applying the information? They may as well be shelved. How many seminars or trainings have you attended where the information has merely become part of your knowledge bank? How many new things or ideas have you learned that are still entirely un-used? Are you stuck in a perpetual cycle of learning with very little to show? Are you the most knowledgeable and most unsuccessful person in the world? Are you stuck in a cycle of action avoidance?

Knowledge must come through action; you can have no test which is not fanciful, save by trial.

Sophocles (496 BC – 406 BC)

 

Knowledge never made a man or woman successful. It was the application of that knowledge that created success. I would ask you how you can apply what you have learned and not leave answering that question as good enough. I would then ask you to apply it; to test it. Prove to yourself that the principles work.

Few things are impracticable in themselves; and it is for want of application, rather than of means, that men fail to succeed.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld

I recall a time when my wife told me I could not attend another seminar or buy another book until I applied the information I already had. I was so addicted to learning that I failed to act on what was most important…the application of that knowledge. I was avoiding effort by reading more books and attending more seminars. I gained a sense of entitlement. I thought that my accumulation of knowledge would lead to untold wealth and success. Boy was I wrong. I was learning to avoid the application and that led to some very difficult times. I thank God that my wife had the foresight to call me on the carpet.

 

Learning is great when it is applied because it creates change in life. But when learning is just stored away, it becomes a means of avoidance. When a person knows the answers, he or she can often talk him or herself out of action.

As you gain learning, ask yourself these questions.

1-     Am I learning for application?

2-     Am I learning for avoidance?

Choose Up!

Nicholas Townsend Smith

The Expert Performance Coach

All It Took Was One Kidney with Mike Tinder

11. Nov, 2011 • Posted In: Expert Interviews • 0 Comments

Mike Tinder

In this recording, I interviewed Mike Tinder. Mike Tinder is a personal and business coach.  He lives into the meaning of his last name.  Tinder is defined as kindling, something that serves to incite or inflame.  He lives to ignite the potential of his clients and their best.  He provides authenticity & integrity; there are few places in his own life where he hasn’t stretched.  Mike is a graduate and affiliate of accomplishment coaching, where he currently leads and mentors new coaches in Chicago.  Mike is a former division I football player, west coast swing dance champion, real estate developer and sales rep. He is also a kidney donor.  In addition, he got married this summer to his dream girl – Dr. Jennifer Tinder.  They reside in Indiana.

Mike recently made some choices in his life that changed him forever. I trust as you hear his story, you will be inspired to live into your greatness. Each of us has an opportunity to make a difference in the world in our unique way. You will hear how Mike changed his world and our hope is that it inspires you to make a difference in yours. I ask that you cut out all distraction, write down any thoughts that are important to you, and if this conversation moves you, to share it with those you love.

You can learn more about Mike at www.teamtinder.com

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW:

 

Download the Interview Here

 

 

Will You Be A Part Of The Aconcagua Man Project In 2012?

05. Nov, 2011 • Posted In: Expert Interviews • 0 Comments

In April of 2012 Stephen McGhee and Jeff Patterson will be launching the second Aconcagua Man Project. If interested, please call Stephen McGhee at (303) 887-8404, Jeff Patterson at (310) 951-4525 or visit www.aconcaguaman.com.

In 2011 six unique men pushed themselves to the edge of their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual boundaries. They summited the highest mountain in the world outside of Asia…The Mighty Aconcagua.

The Aconcagua Man Project challenged each participant’s physical, financial and relational success. This project was not for the faint of heart. The team claimed the clarity and integration of their lives.

This interview is an overview of the Aconcagua Man Project and is the catalyst for the change that is yet to come. Each person faces his or her own Aconcagua and the principles in this interview will help him or her to summit and discover their capability.

As you listen, apply the lessons of this interview to yourself. Make them relevant to you because it is not so much what is being said that matters, as much as what you learn.

 

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW:

 

Download the Interview Here

 

The New Model of Leadership with Stephen McGhee

13. Oct, 2011 • Posted In: Expert Interviews • 0 Comments

The world of leadership is on the verge of change and leadership consultant Stephen McGhee is at the forefront. For centuries, people looked at leadership as a top down structure; one leads and the rest follow. According to Stephen McGhee, leadership must flatten and be accessible at all levels for it to be successful. In this recording, you will discover what it takes for you and every member of your organization to become leaders. Learn more about Stephen and his leadership projects at http://www.miracleleader.com

 

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW:

 

Download the Interview Here

 

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