Big Fish Nation

Breaking the Rules!

noreply@blogger.com (Big Fish Nation) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:53:00 +0000

Play more, Love Life More and Be More Successful! Working the Big Fish Way….

Ok, let’s see if we have this straight, when you first started your business, you dreamed of working a ton, tired all the time, never seeing your family, never having the time for your hobbies that you love and staring at your office walls for 12 hours a day at least 5 days per week… this was your American Dream right?!! STOP, IT IS TIME TO BREAK YOUR RULES RIGHT NOW!!

It is that time of year, the days are longer, the weather is gorgeous and you really want to work less and play more– but you think you can’t. Doing business the Big Fish way, we believe that taking time for fun, doing what you love - we are not saying not to work - but to design your days so that you truly love them, makes for a more successful business owner over all. In other words, rather than working 10-12 hour days 5-6 days per week… take time during the week to golf, or kayak or spend it with family and friends… when you want to. Go in late, leave early or take the afternoon off, when you want to. You will find that you are happier and when you are happier, people are more attracted to you; to what you have (either your product or service or to work with you).

We are talking about energy… increase your energy, love your life and your business will transform too. And at the same time, be more responsible for taking your business to the next level. This seems to go against our instincts… and what we find is that when our energy is higher around our business and life, we attract more flow into our life!

The other magical transformation that happens is that when we begin to take the time to have more fun in life, we become more efficient at work because we have to. We delegate better, we dive into the meatier projects that have a bigger impact on our business, because we are working less. Therefore we become more efficient. Many people will ask, but what is the more productive project and in order to answer that question, we must have a longer term vision for our business. So we are saying play more, have fun – and be more successful at the same time. In order to do this it is our responsibility to have a long term vision for our business too.

So, if you want to live like a Big Fish, do it! First choose to. And in doing that know your vision for how you want your life to be. A Big Fish who owns a multi-million dollar business sent me this message; “I realized that the time wasn't as much the issue as the freedom to take the time.” This is exactly what we mean, know that if you own your business, you have the freedom to take the time. And if you do not believe that you do, you are making it up and you are not ‘free’ and are not enjoying the freedoms of owning your own business. Being an owner allows you tremendous freedoms. As long as you know that in your mind… if you do not know your freedoms or make up that you are different, you do not have such freedoms, you are building your own fences – making life much more confined than it needs to be.

Once you realize and decide that you are going to take full advantage of your entrepreneurial freedoms, make a commitment to it. Tell those that you intend to spend more time with, that you will. Find a ‘buddy’ to run or kayak with (or whatever it is that you love to do). This will increase the likely hood of changing the habit; after all, it is a habit to work like we work. We think that we have to – in America but working like we do is not the vision of the all American dream, is it?? What is your dream, your vision of how you want your lifestyle to be? Go create it and remain fully responsible to your work and your vision and you will find that you are more successful! Be a Big Fish.

Big Fish Living

noreply@blogger.com (Big Fish Nation) — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:19:00 +0000

Big Fish living is not a coincidence, it is a decision. Running your company like a big fish is just the beginning of being a Big Fish. The next step is to look at the whole picture of your life and apply the principles to it…. So let’s start with a refresher on the principles:

· Give energy to that which you want to grow.
· Live each day from your vision.
· To truly change your world, you cannot let the world change you!
· Dance between full responsibility for your vision and having the faith that it will unfold naturally. In the mean time, live fully!
· Always be kind, before being right.
· Trust that perfection is all around you right now.
· Choose your attitude and your actions, than boldly act!

Now, choose an area of your life to apply the principles besides your business. Here are the 8 aspects of our lives:

· Business/career
· Main Relationship
· Health
· Friends/Family
· Environment
· Money
· Recreation
· Personal

Choose a new area from above and then one principle to apply to it enabling change that area of your life if you lived it fully and completely for one month.

In order to transform any of the above areas we need to implement both science & psychology. For example let me share a ‘real big fish story’: A big fish who owns her own successful business for years was saying to herself that she wanted ‘more work’ for her business. She had a very successful million dollar business. And she wanted ‘more work’ for her business. After becoming a Big Fish, she realized that she was getting exactly what she asked for, more work. What she really wanted was more ‘profitability!’ During the year of becoming a big fish, she transformed her business streamlining areas, just becoming more efficient in every aspect. Her business grew 300%!!!!!! She was more profitable! Now, she is deciding that it is time to work on her health the same way. For years she was saying to herself that ‘she is doing all that she could and she is still fat’ --- what this belief lead her too was not being consistent with her healthy life style… now she realizes that she is perfect as she is and wants to treat her body as such! This shift in thinking is also shifting her consistency in her consuming calories and expending calories – the science of health and business if you think about it!

You see, whether you want to make your company more profitably, your body more healthy, or your relationship juicy it is all about transforming both psychology (attitude) and the science (physical aspects) of the equation. Think about them as healthy (physically or financially) and be sure that the math works (more calories spent or more dollars into the company). The goal is real, long term change! Together such changes make for wild success! Big Fish know the power of integrating change from both levels – science and psychology, mind and body, or attitude and physical. Together those aspects create energy and we live by the principle, ‘give energy to that which you want to grow.’

Stillness

noreply@blogger.com (Big Fish Nation) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:34:00 +0000

It seems that if we let it, the World could be just utter chaos. I woke this morning to the news of the tornados hitting south east Virginia, the devastation the storm left in its path. Knowing that just a few days ago, that same storm came through the city I live in. My phone rang yesterday; it was a person close to me telling me his Mother had passed away. My email box seems more full than usual. In the midst of a chaotic world, I offer you a poem that I wrote a number of years ago, reminding me that in every moment we have the power of choice, chaos or stillness. I choose stillness. The funny thing about that, in the stillness I can feel the Mothers presence. I can feel the calm of the storm. My email box no longer matters it will be dealt with in due time efficiently and swiftly. Ah the power of stillness.

The Taste of Stillness
[March 12, 2005]

Whiteness Everywhere.
Snow on every branch and still falling silently.
On my face – gentle magical kisses.
The water, once with motion, now frozen solid - white - still - quiet.
Like a blanket of safety and warmth.
The air also motionless yet so crisp and clean.
Delicious stillness yet tasteless.

Our world, each of us, could use to find more delicious stillness.
The paradox is we walk around with it each day in our hearts.
Stop and taste stillness.

It is our guiding light, our home, our heart whispering… No, begging us to stop and taste.
Everything, yet nothing at all.
True, innocent, love and light.
The taste of stillness.
Listen.

- Lorin

Standing Firm in our Power

noreply@blogger.com (Big Fish Nation) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:05:00 +0000

Life is not that simple… some days we feel powerful and other days someone says something to us that throws us off our center we feel like burting into tears. So how do we stay more consistently in our power?

I remember a new sales person that started working for me years ago - I just adored her (still do to this day), she was so sensitive to getting rejected as a sales person, we used to joke about being more ‘thick skinned’ but being a very sensitive person myself – I understood her sensitivity.

And now, she has been in sales for about 10 years! She is still sensitive but taking less and less so personally and standing more and more in her power. So how did she get here?

First, it is important to know that feelings do matter and they should never throw you into action. When this happens to me, I always get myself into trouble! I do things I do not want to do - stupid things! The other day I my husband and I got into a tiff at dinner, I, who LOVES food, said, 'I do not need dinner' and got up from the table. - was that stupid!? I wanted dinner!

You have heard many people say, ‘this is business it is not personal or emotional.’ But the truth is, it is personal and emotional! The difference is, as women, we need to address our emotions separately than our actions! It is when we allow the two to drive each other that we get ourselves in trouble.

So how do we address emotions… here are some ways I do it:
o Write
o Journal
o Talk to a friend or coach who will not let you go on and on and on – but listen for a 5-10 minutes and stay – ok you have had enough… what do you have to be grateful for?
o Get outside and be in nature, be in the wonder of trees, flowers, water, birds, etc.
o Take a break, and just breathe for 5 minutes – nothing more, nothing less
o Read a page from your favorite authors book – just open it up and see what he/she has to say in that moment

Once we do one of the suggestions above now we can step into grounded action. This type of action is the bold and impactful kind that moves us foward and has us stand firm in our power.

Women are we tired of being victims? STOP!

noreply@blogger.com (Big Fish Nation) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:23:00 +0000

As I watch the news the past 48 hours Elliot Spitzer’s wife’s face is a face that is all too familiar. She seems to have the same face that the New Jersey governor’s wife had as she stood by his side, when he publicly admitted to his affair with another man…. It the face of a victim. Don’t get me wrong, these women have every right to feel betrayed, mistrust, etc. But they are not victims.

My mother said it to me best yesterday, What if Elliot’s wife, Slida, stood up and said to the press the other day: Listen, I am not ok with what Elliot did but betrayal happens in relationships and we will work it out, this is a personal issue. Whatever the outcome, he has a job to do he needs to do it and like every family, work goes on as we work on our personal issues. If she said that, what would be different now? We can only speculate.

So many times we, women, we allow ourselves to step into victim mode and we give up our power over to other people. The moment we step into that victim role, we are done. Done standing in what is possible for us with this situation….

I ask myself why does this irk me so?!

If I was honest about it, it is because there are places in my life that I allow the ‘victim’ to come alive and as I write this, I give her up!

The powerful question here is: What would it look like to stand in our power AND feel betrayed (no matter if we are men or women)?

Because I believe we can have both and this is the most powerful place to stand, where we make the most impact on our lives and the lives of others.

Where are you willing to give up being victim?

Listen to this moments message

noreply@blogger.com (Big Fish Nation) — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 03:11:00 +0000

We are in the 3rd month of the first quarter…. Where are your goals? At this stage of the goal process many folks are often already feeling behind the 8 ball. We have fallen into old patterns and feeling the ‘same-old, same-old’. And guaranteed if we keep doing what we are doing we will not reach those 2008 goals. We will bump into the glass ceiling once again. So this is the time to change behaviors and that is easier said than done. Because behaviors come from beliefs… so ask yourself what are beliefs that I live with that have me keep doing the same things over and over and over. How do we create new beliefs in order to change behaviors?
Ah the million dollar question! The answer, become more and more aware of your thoughts, feelings and actions! Keep asking yourself, ‘is this what I really need to be doing for myself and my business?’ You see, a Big Fish is ‘an awakened entrepreneur.’ What does this mean? Someone that is conscious or awakening to their own growth and power. This is a process. We do not one day wake up but begin to ‘awaken.’ I find that the more I master the big fish principles and get very aware of the power of each moment the more successful I am.
I had a huge awareness today. I had a dream last night, it was probably the worst dream I have ever had in my life. One of those dreams that really shakes you up upon waking…. And 2 people contacted me today and made reference to the exact ‘video’ that I dreamt about… which REALLY gave me goose bumps… I had to ask myself what is this dream REALLY about? When sitting with this question. What I realized was, it was guiding me to take one of the boldest actions I have ever taken in my current business… make a commitment to a vision like I have never done before. The work that it is pointing me to is probably the most important work I have done to date. Sometimes such ‘dreams’ come to us and we do not take the time to ‘ask what is life asking of us?’ – and we miss the message. Slow down and listen to the messages that life is whispering to you…. Or shouting!

OK Women.... its time

noreply@blogger.com (Big Fish Nation) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 18:51:00 +0000

I am curious how many people reading this blog are business women that are juggling it all.... a business, a partner, kids, a life!, staying in good health, time to take the dog for a walk, and go out and have a cocktail with friends now and then too?? If you are reading this and 'one of those women' - PLEASE LET ME KNOW. So, how do you do it all? I believe that we are doing it all... and interestingly enough - we are complaining about it rather than wallowing in the fact that holy moly, we are able to have it all. I was on the radio yesterday with Kathryn Zox, her show as her co-host, and we were talking about how the current baby boomers - when asked how we are, always feel the need to justify how busy we are and all that we are doing. What if next time someone asks that question of us - we could honestly answer - 'I AM GREAT AND I AM ENJOYING MY DAY!' Wanna be a Big Fish :)

Happy New Year 2008!

noreply@blogger.com (Big Fish Nation) — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:28:00 +0000

Well, a New Year is upon us.... and what does that mean if you are a Big Fish? It means your visions need to be dusted off.... if they are not already. And your goals need to be written down, if they are not already. You see each year is an inspiration to fine tune our visions or change it drastically (your choice). And every year is another opportunity to set goals that inspire us to live fully! So, are you ready to be a Big Fish in 2008?

Goal Setting

noreply@blogger.com (Big Fish Nation) — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:22:00 +0000

Some one asked me this morning, 'Sell me on your Goal Setting Teleclass' - I realized that I take this annual teleclass for granted. This program over the years has become more and more powerful. Until now, most of us go into the new year 'hoping' that we will make the new year the best one yet. But we do nothing different to make it great. What this teleclass does is:

Gives you the structure to think about your year in 8 main areas of your life. You actually write down what you want to accomplish in each of those areas. We use our 'famous' Big Fish one page goal setting plan. And then we walk you through the process of setting real intention as well. For the first time, I bet, you will have a document that is simple and inspiring that will encourage bold action throughout the year. During our teleclass you will hear about real stories about magical moments and great manifestations from doing this simple process -- yet often daunting for folks when they try to do it on their own. In addition you receive a 1/2 hour coaching session with the founder of Big Fish and the goal of this time is to customize this process to you! We want you EXCITED about going into 2008 with a vision about what is possible for you in the next 12 months. We only are allowing 20 women business owners into the teleclass, are you one??

Here is one real story of a 'Big Fish' who has gone through this process a few years in a row. She called me the other day... I remember a number of years ago, she was sobbing, the electric company shut off her electricity. The other day, she called me giddy! Her business was booming, she owns 2 houses and living on a lake in a 'hot spot' and just built her business to a new level where she truly is in a leadership position. If you could hear her laugh, you would say, 'I want what she is having!' This woman, diligently set her goals each week, each month, each year and worked the plan with me... some weeks were harder than others and other weeks she had great successes to share. But she has transformed her life in every way. Her businesses are wild successes!

Are you ready for wild success? Join us for our Goal Setting Teleclass.
Lorin

Big Fish Principle #3

noreply@blogger.com (Big Fish Nation) — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:44:00 +0000

"People of character do the right thing, not because they think it will change the world but because they refuse to be changed by the world." Actor and Author of Michael Josephson

So what are 3 tips to not get changed by the world?
1. Know who you are.
2. Be kind no matter what... you can be direct, but be kind.
3. Remember that everyone has there own 'stuff''

Living consciously

noreply@blogger.com (Big Fish Nation) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:01:00 +0000

I love this quote by Sidney Poitier, "Living consciously involves being genuine; it involves listening and responding to others honestly and openly; it involves being in the moment." As a Big Fish, we feel this quality or trait is at the crux of being a Big Fish: Living Consciously. And by living this way, we enjoy each other more, we can take bolder actions, we can speak to people authentically. I met a women last night who, as she was leaving, gave me such a genuine complement... and acknowledged that she believes if she thinks it, she should speak it to the other person making for 'real acknowledgement' or 'real communication.' What a breathe of fresh air when we are able to 'be real' in all aspects of our lives. Where is it time to be more real in your life?

Success

noreply@blogger.com (Big Fish Nation) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 16:29:00 +0000

Yesterday I watched an interview that Meredith Vieira did with Donald Trump. He has a new book out, "Think Big and Kick Ass" - I imagine if you're in any way like me, the interview turned you off. I felt that the way he was suggesting to be successful is that you have to be arrogant, mean, not trust anyone and put yourself in a box that makes you better than anyone you come in contact with. I know that there is a way to be tolerant, compassionate, supportive, and successful! We have Big Fish doing every day! Who else do you know that is successful and compassionate, trusting, supportive and empowering?

Age of the Woman?!

noreply@blogger.com (Big Fish Nation) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:59:00 +0000

Kathryn Zox (my radio friend) and I were talking about this new opportunity we have awaiting us.... a Woman President!? What if? For the first time in history it may be possible that we have a female president. What would it say to the girls and women of todays world?

It is fall... time for a vision (or to update the one you have!)

noreply@blogger.com (Big Fish Nation) — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 21:25:00 +0000

Happy Fall! It is the time of year that we, Big Fish update our visions.... This tool is very powerful in our success. So how do you do it? Easy. Schedule a lunch away from your office, alone and in an inspiring place. Ask yourself the question: It is 2018, where am I? And write from that place. For example, you may be sitting on the beach in Hawaii where you live watching the sun come up sipping a latte.... write about the details of your life/business then. After you do this exercise, notice the impact it has on you..... when you go back to your office notice the impact this exercise has on you there too. What did you notice? At Big Fish we feel that this exercise and tool is one of the most critical tools to have in your tool belt.

Happy Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Big Fish Nation) — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:35:00 +0000

This quote ended up in my 'in box' this morning. I thought it so eloquently said an important message: "It is vain to expect our prayers to be heard, if we do not strive as well as pray.' -Aesop There again is that powerful paradox between setting intention/letting go and bold action! What is your bold action this weekend?

Set intentions and dive in.

noreply@blogger.com (Big Fish Nation) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 20:36:00 +0000

Good Afternoon. Life is reminding me how powerful it is to set intentions, let them go and continue to live fully and notice when your intentions are presented. Just recently, I decided that I wanted to casually begin to meet more professional older women that were moms that I could establish a friendship with. I have met lots of wonderful people since moving to Austin but just a few that I feel that I can call 'friends.' I realize that word 'friend' has such varied meaning whether I live in Albany, NY where I have lived for the past 20 years or Austin, TX where I have lived the past 2 years. Anyway, after setting such intention a few days ago, I went to the dentist today and met a whole office of professional, down to earth fun 'older' moms.

What do you want to set intention for this week?? Write it here and let us know what happens.

As Sean Penn said, 'comfort addicted'

noreply@blogger.com (Big Fish Nation) — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 16:05:00 +0000

I was watching an Oprah the other day, Sean Penn was inspired by the book Into the Wild (which is a story in and of itself). But as he was talking about why this book inspired him, he used the words, ‘Comfort Addicted.’ And I realized in that moment that, that is why so many entrepreneurs are not wildly successful. We are addicted to being comfortable in every single aspect of our lives. Sean Penn directed & produced this movie to inspire people live more on the edge. The ‘star’ of the movie, Emile Hirsch, talked about how in one scene he needed to white water kayak and the rapids were much more than the had ever done. Sean Penn saw the look on Emile's face and said to him, ‘If I go first, will you do it?’ Talk about leadership. Talk about living on the edge. Talk about alive. To me, that is what being a Big Fish is all about. Not ever being comfort addicted. I think about all the areas of my life that I am comfort addicted too. The home I live in, the car I drive, the food we eat, the places I go on vacation, etc. We live in a comfort society which is so abundant and rich. I guess, the bottom-line, is to be conscious about getting out of our comfort zone every day in all aspects of our lives. As we say in Big Fish Nation, ‘Swim Boldly!’

Welcome Big Fish!

noreply@blogger.com (Big Fish Nation) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 17:27:00 +0000

This Blog is for you! It is my intention that you use this as a resource to get to know other like minded big fish from all over the country and now the continent! This blog is only for Big Fish... not propsects - people in the program or who have completed the program. Use it to support your own visions... Big Fish know the power of thier visions and now you have another structure to support that vision.... Make it a Big Fish day! -Lorin