Three Cheers For Your Freedom!

Time to read: 30 seconds because you have BBQ to eat and fireworks to watch!

Even though the 4th of July is a distinctly American holiday, around the globe, nations mark their independence from tyranny and external control in celebrations of all sorts. Keep reading to see what this holiday has to do with your life and work.

In those idealized stories of nationhood, bands of ill-equipped, untrained and determined rebels threw off the shackles of domination and colonization by much bigger powers. Passion, tenacity and the desire for self-determination led citizens to take a stand for their freedom.

They did not wait for someone to give them freedom. They believed that independence was their birthright. They believed they had the power to create their own reality. They put those beliefs into action that ultimately led to their independence.

These stories are idealized. Hypocrisy and oppression are baked into the reality of these independence stories. We can't and shouldn't ignore the complexity. Both the passion and the hypocrisy are part of the narrative.

And this brings me to you on this festive 4th of July. Freedom from tyranny is your birthright, even when that tyranny is your own beliefs and choices. The path to liberation is complicated, messy and far from ideal. Don't let the complexity and messiness become an excuse for inaction. You have the power of self-determination. It's simply (HA!) a matter of clearing the clutter from your mind so you can see the path forward.

Happy 4th of July, everyone.

I raise a glass to your freedom!

Christina

P.S. If you know someone who wants to be liberated from the tyranny of their own beliefs and choices, simply forward this email to them. They can join us here.

P.P.S. Very soon, my BFF, Anne Lippin, MD and I are launching a cool weeklong challenge that will help you quiet the noise. I don't know about you, but our lives can get very noisy. We've created this challenge to help you clear the path to your freedom. Stay tuned. Coming soon!

Trading On Your Independence

With the celebration of independence day in the USA, I've been thinking about you and your freedom. Is it weird that while I'm at the lake in Texas with my family, I think of you?

You'll see how this all ties together in a minute.

One of the things you tell me you want most is freedom. 

Then I hear all kinds of magical (read: unrealistic and frankly, undesirable) dreams of freedom like traveling the world with unlimited money, no cares and never having to work. (I've had friends who lived that kind of freedom. A life plan that revolved around spending the winter surfing in Australia and the summer at the house in the Alps left my friends purposeless and depressed. Even that kind of financial and location freedom didn't yield the happiness so many of you really want).

So what's up with this whole freedom and independence thing?

Here are some thoughts to help you decide how freedom fits into your work and life:

• You traded your freedom and independence for things you value (or things you think you value).

For example: You may have aligned your life with a partner. You gained companionship, love, and maybe material security in exchange for having to consider someone else in your decisions. In my life, I am keenly aware that I am not meant to live alone, AND my choice to have a family has certainly cost aspects of my independence. (I remember that every time a child wakes me up at night or my salary goes to pay for music lessons.)

Another example: You have a job. You want to please your boss. You want to do "good" work. You trade your freedom and independence for financial rewards, pleasing others, a sense of purpose, fitting in, and taking your career to the next level.

• Conscious choice is the key to freedom. Did you trade your freedom and independence intentionally? Many people get married, have children, live in certain locations, take certain jobs or pursue certain careers stumbling through the morass of family and societal opinions about your next "right step." You might not know you've traded your freedom until you feel stuck, wonder how the hell you ended up in that mini-van, or something significant changes in your work or personal life leaving you confused about how you ended up where you are and what to do next. This was me 6 years ago.
   
• Freedom is not free. Freedom and independence come with responsibility.When you make the choices, exercise your independence at work, and determine your own schedule, YOU are responsible for your results and failures. When you choose independence, you trade security, stability and shared responsibility. There is no one to blame.

Which brings me back to the lake house. I choose to structure my life and work to give me freedom to travel and raise my children. That means I am responsible to you, each week, with every program I create, and every comment I put in public, regardless of where I am or what I'm doing. My business and all of you go with me everywhere. I like it that way because I've chosen it.

How are you choosing your freedom and independence?

I love to hear from you. Email me at christina@boydsmithcoaching.com and let me know what you think or join the conversation in the Corporate Rebel HQ Facebook page. All are welcome! Click here to join. 

With Rebel Love,
 
Christina

P.S. You can join more Corporate Rebel fun and insight in the Corporate Rebel HQ Facebook Community. Click here to join. 

3 Ways to Open Your Vision

Estimated read time: 2 minutes.

Outside existing structures in Casper, WY

My family and I are on the proverbial American road trip out West – Mt. Rushmore, ranches, vast open spaces of deer, wind and sage brush.

Believe it or not, even out here, I'm thinking of you.

Two things this family likes when traveling are good meals and lots of homemade treats. Thanks to Yelp and Trip Advisor, we have sampled every cupcake, kolache, and ice-cream flavor in the west.

The 4th of July (independence day in the USA) found us in Casper, WY and none of our Yelped options were open. We called place after place, and all were closed (insert frowny face).

We took matters into our own old-fashioned hands by driving into downtown Casper to seek our culinary fortune. We stumbled into Ming House Chinese restaurant which did not appear in any of our internet searches. Inside, we were greeted by the sweetest old man on the planet who spent two hours personally cooking our food while we played Uno. It was a magical evening.

This experience got me thinking about vision and the way the structures around you (and me) conspire to limit the possibilities you think you have.

Internet searches have you believe that the options listed are the only or the best choices. Structures at the office lead you to believe that solutions must fit into a limited range of possibilities. Perceived circumstances in your life and career can keep you in a holding pattern of sameness.

So what do you do about it?

1. Be aware. Start to notice when your possibilities are being determined for you by the limitations of technology, someone else's perspective, or perceived constraints.
2. Open your vision. Look for the options that are outside those structures. You might need to develop new ways of seeing what's possible to even start to see expanded possibilities.
3. Head off the beaten path. Metaphorically drive into downtown to find the restaurants that aren't on Yelp. Try the thing that no one is seeing. Test new options and see what happens.

And you know that I love to hear from you so when you find that expanded possibility, I'd love to hear about it.

Warmly,

Christina

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