When you don’t know what to do… pick something, ANYTHING.
My 7 favorite things lately.
Some interesting and useful things I’ve been using or reflecting on lately in my life.
Spontaneous Concert: Lindsey Stirling!
A brief check of my email made me realize that Lindsey Stirling (a fav. musician) was going to be 20 miles from me in under an hour!
Don’t tell others what you’re going to do next.
Keep yourself agile by keeping your intentions to yourself.
10 minutes is all it takes.
An unexpected phone call at midnight created a surge of momentum. Big gratitude to Ronja. Here are a few takeaways from our chat.
What is an Experience-ographer?
April 2023 Review + May Ambitions
Intentional reflections on the past month of April along with goals and lessons for May.
005 – X
Pending excerpt!
Answering My Top Top Questions of 2022
12 months ago I came up with the “top questions” that guide my life. This time I’m reflecting on those questions after living with them for a year.
Highways vs. Pockets [Solocast 004]
Do you stay on the highway all the time? Find your own private pocket of experience — come off the path. Maybe make that your default.
December Goals & November Review
Massive strides made on one of the most important areas to improve in my life: I mark November as a win, despite dropping the ball in other areas. December is looking sparse, but significant.
Fragmentation — Streamline your work space
Recent travels have highlighted how scattered my belongings are, affecting my ability to focus and get work done more effectively. — Making these simple changes have been profound in helping me focus more easily.
Back to “Home” – Recap, Goals, and Accountability (Nov 2022)
Writing is a language of the soul — a way to communicate with yourself. Use writing as a foundation for personal growth, self-discovery, and accountability.
Following the spirit of adventure • Goshen (Part 2) – YouTube Video
Part 2 of my trip in Goshen, IN! I spent some time “following soul” and it brought me to a park, along with a lovely adventure and some takeaways along the way.
Confident Sovereign Creative Professional [Solocast 003]
“Should I make this a THING?” Am I hindering myself by not treating this, and many things in my life, like a professional?
The Journey to Soul [Solocast 002]
Exploring a “soul encounter” and the prospect of embarking on a “Soul Quest.”
The Quest of Quiet [Solocast 001]
Discovering the “Quest of Quiet” by speaking as honestly and authentically as I can – without filtering or editing. Talking to myself, as if “you” aren’t listening.
My first couple days “couch surfing” in Northern Indiana
This has been on my mind for nearly a year – and I finally started.
What song is life playing?
Dance is making a comeback in my life. I’m grateful, excited, and I’m trying to “slow down” my attention to focus on what my intuition is sharing with me about life.
Your voice is important. Are you hiding from it?
We never know how what we say or do can impact others, including ourselves. Your voice is valuable: practice using it!
Pick only one. Focus on fewer things.
Having too many “important” things to work on equates to overwhelm and lack of progress. Pick fewer things and make bigger strides.
Don’t make others the Gatekeeper to your desires
Don’t wait around for the opportunity to come to you: be the one that initiates it. Your desire is the invitation.
Spinning Poi at IDX 2022
Had to work through some social anxiety — and I’m so glad I did, and so happy with how it turned out!
“Coming Home” – Indy Dance X 2022 Recap
My first swing event in over 2 years. Lots of great experiences, most notably: reconnecting to dance.
The work happens at home — not the event
Reflecting on the value of the “mundane, boring” work at home compared to the excitement and high of “events and trips.”
If overwhelmed, do you know your “XYZ”?
I’ve felt SO overwhelmed lately. I’ve resisted writing and creating in all forms. Maybe THIS is what I need right now.
DOCUMENT YOUR LIFE — Benefits & Tips
All the benefits, learnings, and tips I have around “documenting your life.”
What I do when I’m stuck and overwhelmed
When stuck and overwhelmed: “pick something, anything.”
How DRAGINBOXING helps me deal with CLUTTER
[Video] Draginboxing is a process I use to help me address the “clutter,” particularly PAPER clutter, in my life.
Top 10 Questions – 2022
These questions highlight and drive my emphasis for the year. This is one of my favorite exercises that I complete every year.
Is this MISSING in your LIFE? • Vlog at Chain O’ Lakes
I went to Chain O’ Lakes in Indiana and stumbled on an “aha” around this missing component in my life & videos.
Starting YouTube? My 7 reasons!
I’m starting a YouTube channel! In this video I share about listening to our callings & some of the reasons why YouTube has been ‘calling’ me.
What I Learned in My First Digital Detox
I did a “Digital Detox” for around 60 days and had a pretty significant experience with it — so much so that I’ll be doing it again.
Find Your Next Step — Procrastination & Courage to Take Action | Guided Meditation
My first ever “guided meditation” focusing on finding my calmness, quieting the inner critic, and guiding myself to my own answers.
Austin & Aimee – West Coast Swing – To Die For (Sam Smith)
Austin and Aimee dancing West Coast Swing to “To Die For” by Sam Smith.
Austin & Aimee – West Coast Swing – Let Me Love You (Mario)
Austin and Aimee dancing West Coast Swing to “Let Me Love You” by Mario.
Austin & Aimee – West Coast Swing – Missing You (Betty Who)
Austin and Aimee dancing West Coast Swing to “Missing You” by Betty Who.
Austin & Aimee – West Coast Swing – Ain’t Nobody (Jasmine Thompson)
Austin and Aimee dancing West Coast Swing to “Ain’t Nobody” by Jasmine Thompson.
Digital Decluttering Detox – Taking a Social Media Break
I’m stepping away from social media and other distracting mediums and activities for a period of time – to create space for my heart and more meaningful activities and connections.
Austin & Stephanie – West Coast Swing – Switch Dance
Austin and Stephanie dancing West Coast Swing and switching lead-follow roles mid-dance!
My Altar: Bringing “Ceremony” Back Into My Life
My “altar” has brought back elements of spirituality, prayer, intentionality and more to my daily life – something I’ve “missed” for years.
The Velvetrose Theater
What is your heart whispering to you, right now, if all you had to do was dim the lights, quiet the noise – and listen?
When You’re Feeling Behind: Find Your Own Star
Are you feeling behind? Off track? Maybe you SHOULD be. The direction you’re going is different than where others are going.
Stop Scheduling That Important Task!
Moving forward on something really important… is sometimes best left OFF the calendar. Are you kicking that important task down the road, every day?
Preparing for The Wild Emergence
Preparing for the first major adventure in quite some time where I’ll be getting way out of my comfort zone.
Create Space for Your Heart to Speak
How often do you carve out time for your heart to communicate?
Overwhelmed? Attend to Your Physical Environment
When overwhelmed, it manifests in my physical environment as “projects” and “notes” scattered about. Some time to attend to them goes a long way in creating “space” for productivity and creativity to emerge.
Embracing the “Gray” of My Living Situation
What do you do when you can’t decide to “stay” or “go” in a situation?
Not Having the Internet Has Helped Cultivate This New Chapter
I haven’t had internet in the new apartment for over a week now and it’s one of the best things to happen.
Choose Momentum Over Outcome (When You’re Stuck)
When I’m not going anywhere, I want to choose “momentum” over the outcome by utilizing MINIMUM quotas and tiny tweaks.
5 Remarkably Stupid Things – Integrity of the Soul
The top 5 “remarkably stupid things” I’m doing on a regular basis to “absolutely screw up my life.” It all started with this recurring feeling that I’m not showing up in my life.
The Call to Solitude
Over the past couple of weeks there has been a call to adventure – inwards towards the heart, full of solitude and introspection.
Normalizing Who You Are
A recent lesson has been about “normalizing” the things about myself that feel authentic, but are “terrifying” to do or say publicly. The more I do it for myself, by myself, the more “normal” it becomes to my nervous system – and thus becomes easier to do around others.
What’s More Important Than Dance, Right Now?
I haven’t been practicing dance in quarantine, instead putting my focus into something else that has a BIGGER impact right now.
All In the Context – Even If They Don’t Understand
What’s the commonality between Harvey Specter and Jessica Jones – corporate lawyer and super-powered private investigator?
Glimpses Into Magma 2019
9 takeaways from my Magma experience in Chicago in August 2019.
“Sir, What Does Your Shirt Say?”
A lady stopped me while I was at a coffee shop and asked about my shirt – creating an opportunity for me to exercise my courage and say what it really meant to me.
Be the Hero of Your Own Story
Sometimes doing the “little” unimportant things lead to the biggest state changes and a shift in presence – where creativity and momentum can thrive.
DigitalWizardry.co
Digital Wizardry is a new offering to individuals and small businesses that need help building a website or needs support creating and managing an online system – and leveraging the tools needed to get your “voice” out there more effectively and creatively.
Top 10 Questions for 2020
The “100 Questions” exercise is one of my favorites to start the year off with. These are my “Top 10” questions that help me to understand where my focus is.
15 Lessons from Venture 15
5 years ago I made a mission to start taking life into my own hand – to change completely by 2020. These are my quick takeaways I’ve been learning to embrace since then!
You Show Up Differently When You #EmbraceTheWeird
When you #EmbraceTheWeird, the way you show up in the world will gradually evolve – for the better. It’s a great pattern interrupt to find the true you.
“Connection Minutes” and “Day Bookmarks” and More (Morning Walk Musings!) • Sept. 24, 2019
Musings of the morning include “embracing the weird” to find your tribe, creating “Connection Minutes”, and utilizing “Day Bookmarks.”
Being Shameless – Pixen, Pink Aspect of the Soul
Is there a part of your soul that longs to be shameless in who you -really- are and what you want to bring to the world?
To Commit to Yourself Is to Be Reborn [Magma: Part 2]
Magma instilled a greater awareness for the need to commit to myself – and it wasn’t until I got home that I actually took that notion more seriously, exclusively for myself.
I AM A CALM, PRESENT, CONNECTED LIGHTHOUSE. [Magma: Part 1]
Magma is one of the most powerful experiences I’ve had the great fortunate of participating in. In this post I share an identity that surfaced that has helped to shape the way I show up in the world – and this inner, inexplicable presence about myself that I now hold.
The Courage Crusade! • a Project to Build Courage in a Supportive Community
What would it be like if you were more courageous? Who would you be? What would you do? How would you hold yourself?
Stepping Into the Fear
By taking each little step forward we become more courageous in embracing and expressing who we authentically are.
Let’s Start. [Video]
Starting is the hardest, but most important part. There are many moments of growth, often unseen and unpredictable, behind a “start” we feel most pulled towards. So, Let’s Start.
Do You Look At Yourself?
The beliefs you have about your capabilities may not be true anymore. Growth is incremental and if you don’t look at yourself, you may be holding yourself back.
1 Year From My Biggest Leap
One year ago, I took a leap. I can’t go back to that experience, but I can embrace the same audacity to step away, re-connect, and get started.
5 Essential Pages for a Successful Website
When starting a new website, get the biggest impact by starting with these 5 pages before moving onto other pages and content.
7 Reasons You Need an Online Presence as a Small Business
Having a simple online presence could make a huge impact for a small business in their market. Explore these 7 reasons for setting up a website and social media for your business.
Improve Your Life by Learning to Dance
Have you thought about learning to dance? For a long time, I never thought I’d be a dancer. Once I took those first steps in learning to dance, life hasn’t been the same.
The June Ultimatum – Walking the Walk
It’s time I “walk the walk” instead of only talking about how I want to live and the changes I want to make. If I haven’t made any tangible progress by the end of June, I’ll be going on a new detour.
LOKI – The Shadow Self
The Shadow is the part of the self that sneakily holds you back. Mine? Is personified as Loki, the God of Mischief. Applying a (fun) identity to our Shadow can help to communicate with it in a more loving and constructive manner.
Manifesto 2019
The 7 ways I want to approach life, moving forward.
Seemingly Simple Is Bullshit
If it’s growth, it’s growth. It doesn’t matter if it’s “seemingly simple” to someone else.
Letting Go of What’s “Not a 10”
When you let go of something that isn’t a “10,” you create more space for 10’s to exist in your life.
Top 10 Questions of 2019
What are the most important questions in your life? Most of the time we’re always seeking ANSWERS that we don’t look at the questions we’re curious about in the first place.
Golden Conviction – What Does “That” State Say?
When you seek the possibilities, you invite the “state of gold” that is always there, but lays in wait. And that state of gold reaffirms that I’m both moving in the right direction … and also need to be more fierce in my concentration for life.
Breakthroughs Can Be Lengthy Experiences, Not Only Singular Moments
It wasn’t just a single moment. My breakthrough has been a week-long breakthrough, an experiential shift in my nervous system in learning “you got this. You got you.”
Going to EOL: Burning the Boats
“And just before buying the plane ticket (“burning the boats”), I realized … the whole process of getting TO the event would be a whole grand, likely-transformative and evolving experience in itself. Take out the EOL event and I would still have an experience of growth. — And it was around that time that I started realizing: I need to go, no matter what happens.”
The 10 Second Tavern
An experiential moment of growth in a battle between the Heart and Resistance. A little “that makes sense” experience to most, but quite substantial micro-experience for someone who has lived on the sidelines for most of their life (aka: me).
Dance Immersion and THE GAP
Being IMMERSED in dance and shortening the GAP between opportunities of learning, practicing, and dancing WCS has been instrumental for my growth as a dancer — and it’s only going to get better from here on out. In this post I explore the reason why I’m so excited about the Westie PLAYground.
I’m Not Living a Story Worth Telling … Yet.
I don’t feel like I’m living a “story worth telling yet.” I must have the courage to keep setting my intention and keep putting my vision out their into the world, to keep moving towards that “story,” so that one day I will actually have a story in my wake that’s worth telling. It starts with courage, the audacity to speak up, and the willingness to take that next step when it doesn’t feel “epic” and “worthy.”
Concentrating My Fire – November and Beyond
“Direction and intention of the website and my core content: — Life as a dancer aspiring to master West Coast Swing, do great things, and be an asset to the world. To document the process of going from weakness to strength, fearful to courageous, and waiting-to-be-picked to choosing-myself. Showcasing one dancer’s journey to “live a story worth telling”, to collaborate with other ambitious souls, and to inspire others to pursue their ambitions.”
Dark Cave of the Soul
The black, dark cave of my soul does not care about you or anything that is not “us” – the mind, the body, the heart, the soul. It’s the part of my personality that wants me to be completely selfish, so that I can grow, and better contribute back to the world from a place of strength, not of fear and weakness.
Meditation, Rituals, and Schedules
Morning Pages, but online. Focusing on what I’ve been working on lately and what’s on my mind tonight.
Sep 24 – Sep 30
Week Objective Score: ?% (x/37) (Δ +/-?% from 80%) Day Objective Score: ?% (x/x) (Δ +/-?% from 67%) Intent: x Recap: x Week Objectives [/6] Location Rebel ("Approaching the Danger") > Reply Email & Forum > Content Writing BP > Overcoming Uncertainty BP...
Staying Within the Fringes
I need to stay within the fringes of my day, otherwise if I push through them – I will likely be less effective and it will have negative impacts on my life until I take a step back and reset.
Bookmarks and Organized Distraction
Folders and bookmarks become the inspiration for taking control of my addiction to distraction. It’s simple, but it’s been an effective solution.
8:00 AM EST – Seeking Dawn
An ‘early’ step towards creating Order From Chaos in my life. Seeking the dawn of EVERY day to set my life in order.
Sep 17 – Sep 23 (80w, 68d)
Week Objective Score: 80% (4/5) (Δ +40% from 40%) Day Objective Score: 68% (17/25) (Δ +1% from 67%) Intent: A reminder to myself that I can still do things even if they're not on the Agenda. The Agenda simply states core priorities for that day. I am taking a lighter...
Readying Myself for a New Beginning – General Update & North Stars
Quick update on the current focus of my life at the moment… And re-establishing and refining my plan as I begin to move forward.
Sep 10 – Sep 16 (40w, 67d)
Week Objective Score: 40% (2/5) (Δ +2% from 38%) Day Objective Score: 67% (24/36) (Δ -7% from 74%) Intent: getting caught up with video editing, starting or continuing the various 'programs' relevant to my pursuits (Swing Lit, Future Authoring, LR BP), catching up...
Solemn and Silent
Embrace the silence and darkness – sometimes the “music” that lifts you up can actually hold you down, depending on how you use it.
Make Fear & Courage Accessible
Can you REACH for your fear or courage? Put your courage – and facing your fears – within arms’ reach.
There Is No 1 Definition of Life: What Do You Want to Experience?
“To me, life is simply about experiencing what you want to experience.”
Illuminated
“You can have nothing you want if you do not reach for it.”
Sep 3 – Sep 9 (38w, 74d)
Week Objective Score: 38% (3/8) (Δ n/a) Day Objective Score: 74% (28/38) (Δ n/a) Recap: It ended up being too much to try and keep track of so many micro-commitments. This week overall was a good one, even if by tangible metrics it didn't necessarily feel like it. The...
Accountability – Intro
This is the beginning of my public accountability project! The gist is simple: Every week by Sunday night I will post the following week's (Mon - Sun) primary goals/objectives (either 1-2 critical goals, or 3-5 important goals). Below that: Each day of the week,...
Is It Your Story? Do You Inspire Yourself?
I’ve sought motivation and inspiration outside of myself for years. But true inspiration and motivation comes within: do you inspire yourself?
Podcast: Badass Vulnerability: Swing Into the “Thing”
“Instead of attacking the fear I just go … through the fear to get to the cause.”
Defend the Stream of Your Heart (You Have Everything You Need Already)
We are the only ones responsible for following and caring for our stream. We must defend it from the impulses of the world (even if well-intentioned) and trust that we know what is best for ourselves.
Being the Ruler in Your Kingdom of Life
Raise your banner high and lead yourself and the army of your heart towards the campaign that matters most in your life.
Greatness, Kingdoms, Morning Foundations, Flow, Self-Inspiration, Self-Love (MM 06.04.18)
If you recognize the greatness within you and then hide it… you put your own life in jeopardy to be mediocre and unfulfilling.
Love Profusely: Dare to Give Everything Your Heart Wants to Give
Seemingly magical things can happen when you get to a place where you can love yourself and the world around you with an incredible intensity.
The Secret Courtyard of Ambitions (Dream)
Paying attention to my (literal) dreams can provide me with a lot of unique insight and helps me experience certain things in a much shorter time frame. Last night’s lesson: do not be afraid to traverse the shrubbery path and seek the courtyard of ambitions alone.
Make Space, Sweeps, Gaps, Rituals, Self-Care, Enrichment (MM 05.25.18)
Today’s meditation brings on an onslaught of advice for myself: a recurring need to “clean out life,” make time for “sweeps,” return to routine, endure the restlessness of meditation, emphasize self-care, enrich your own experience for your own gain first, and so on.
Consumption Over Implementation
I’ve had a habit of hiding from doing real, heartfelt work in favor of consuming more content, more ideas, more inspiration.
Tears of Truth
Why in the world do I seem to get teary eyed when talking to select people? My theory is that tears are a way of the heart or soul trying to express that it finally feels “seen.” Even if it takes other people looking at you, telling you exactly who you are, for you to see yourself.
Hit Publish, Not Save
Is that “super exciting inspired idea” worth saving? It probably won’t be worth as much a week from now as it would be if I just hit publish today.
“I Don’t Know How” Is Not a Valid Excuse For Me Anymore
I’ve procrastinated even trying simply because I “don’t know how,” or I can’t yet articulate exactly what I want my “thing” to be.
Meditation Musings – 05.14.18 – Courage, Presence, Insularity — The name of the game.
Q: How can I stay aligned in the beautiful state of Connection Cove and actively move forward with my life (and not hide and be passive)?
Do You Fear Your Own Echo?
With each added layer of courage, our natural conviction increases and the more intense our “echo” can become. The greater the impact it can have in the world around us, on the people that matter to us, and to the people that need to hear our echoes.
Follow the Intuitions
When we start doing those little (or big) things that our intuition or heart is encouraging us to do … that’s when we start to experience life.
Insularity in the Arena: Focus on Your Fight, Not the Critics
Entering new strides in my life, I’m experiencing firsthand the importance of living life in the middle of the arena of life, where we’re at risk of “being seen” by the critics – real and imagined.
Fort Wayne Dance Community Performs at Lutheran Life Villages
Couples dancing performance by the dance community at Lutheran Life Villages on April 21st.
The Violet Dawn: Insularity & Fighting Aimlessness
“To avoid aimlessness, you have to stand for something. Don’t allow aimlessness to rob you of years of your life. Act with urgency and diligence today to define your through line and your battles. We need you to act, and we need you to do it now. Run to the battle.” – Todd Henry, in Die Empty
WHO AM I? – The Violet Declaration
I am Austin and I decide to live a story worth telling, to always be me, and to always be evolving.
Meditation Musings – 03.22.18 – Meditation Is the Most Valuable Action
Another effort to make meditation a regular practice.
Tethered
Untethering myself from my distraction, my addiction, although not easy is simple and important. Take off the headset. Close the browser… And look at and focus on what I really want to be doing.
Meditation Musings – 03.14.08
Now is the only moment that matters. No more planning for “how I’ll do things tomorrow.”
Put It on the Shelf or Remove the Shelf?
Sometimes having helpful things that can hold our things can be a thing that’s sometimes unhelpful for creating more clutter of things we don’t actually want. Maybe less things that hold things is a thing we should consider.
“In 5 years…”
As I flipped through the notebook, it was really interesting seeing which challenges “back then” are no longer relevant and how many are still just as much of a challenge today.
Meditation Musings – 03.01.18
“How will you progress your story today?”
What if Nobody Noticed? Or Cared? Or It Isn’t a Big Deal?
Nobody’s going to notice. And those that do will either support you, not care enough about it (as you do), or will be opposed to it. But it’s still just YOU at the end of the day. Nobody’s going to notice or care more about the thing you want to do than YOU do.
Going All In – How Scary Could It NOT Be? (or Lessons from Gary Vaynerchuk)
I have been trying to find “my thing” for years. My passion. While there have been clues and I’ve recognized it’s one of the things that are important for me, for a long time I have not truly embraced it and gone ALL IN. But as GaryVee shares, it might not actually be as bad, not as scary as you might think to go all in. In fact, you have the capacity to learn that the NEGATIVITY and JUDGEMENT you get for going all in on YOUR THING, and LISTENING TO YOURSELF FIRST … is not so bad. So let’s find out.
Clinging to Disempowering Facts
There are some things about us that are technically true, but aren’t worth saying. They are the things that give us reason to hold ourselves back and perpetuate a sense of falsehood to our soul. Is it worth repeating what is “fact” at the expense of what is true?
Shorten the Gap
Whether it’s something big or something silly, each time I do something and #EmbraceTheWeird in any way, the gap between “I have this idea” and “f*ck it” gets shorter and the severity of doing that thing gets less intense.
What Happens When You Share Your Secrets? #EmbraceTheWeird
What happens when you share your deep secret? That thing you would be terrified if someone found out? I suppose my heart heard that and said, “Let’s find out!” And here we are.
Becoming Dragon Slayers – Creating Courage for Ourselves
Spitting fire and flying around, big dragons in our lives can cause even MORE damage and problems than we might anticipate. Are we embracing the courageous lifestyle of a dragon slayer?
Creation Creates Creations
It was as if the “simple” act of doing something, creating something, opened up a gateway for everything else to follow.
What a Teese – Lessons from the Queen of Burlesque
There’s value to be had everywhere, if we’re willing to look past some of our differences. Dita von Teese holds herself with an unmistakable poise and presence. She’s not afraid to be elegant, powerful, nor is she afraid to forge her own path by being different.
Top 10 Questions of 2018
The exercise, 100 Questions by Leonardo Davinci is designed to get you to think about the questions that are most important to you in your life (at this moment). I’ve found that my direction for the year is almost paralleled by the questions and themes from doing this exercise.
Keep Cleaning
And now my heart likes things to be clean, so I will do everything I can to keep cleaning, because it’s an ongoing thing and I’m learning to accept that it’ll be something I do forever.
The Big Takeaway: the Calm After the Storm
But once I hit that threshold… That big takeaway that I got from asking that question was completely overshadowed by something else.
Never Hesitate to Reset
Whether or not I behaved that way isn’t even relevant anymore. All I want to focus on is today. What can I do today? What does the heart say today? Where am I going to go from today?
Daily Kylego Effects – 10 Days In
Doing this Kylego exercise every day has been incredibly beneficial. A part of me actually tries to convince myself NOT to do it, because doing it raises my awareness of what I’m actually capable of. And if I don’t do it, then I don’t have to face the music.
Bright As Night
I’m most effective in the dark, when the world is asleep. These hours seem to be my golden hours, when I’m most productive, most focused, and less likely to be distracted. Most in tune with myself.
Outside vs. Inside Thoughts
Why not just be in this moment? Why not think for myself, by myself, without even factoring in “others”?
To Find Silence, Invite It In
My default should be all-devices-offline. My phone, computer, laptop, music, fan … all of it. None of it should be operating unless I have a specific thing I need to accomplish.
Look at the Excitement
Just like that, a hundred things start popping up that I COULD do, that would be MORE productive or effective. It was hard to stay in my meditation much longer, because this new sensation and all these ideas pulled me to get up and do something.
Connection Cove – The Pursuit of the Ideal
That “ideal” place I keep imaging and striving for … that can be my reality today. If I just stop looking forward to “tomorrow” and incorporate it today.
Chill AF: My New Approach for Progress
Naive and chill for 30 days seems to be working out a lot better than worrying about all this other shit I “should” be doing and giving myself a fucking hard time about it. I’m already more focused, happier, more relaxed, and more productive than I have been in months.
The Updraft of a Swing Event
That magic, that “updraft” feeling … that’s the heart talking.
Do I Need Discipline to Take Action?
Seeking discipline before action was giving me one more excuse not to take action.
e-clutter: Becoming Digitally Minimalist
It was getting overwhelming. I was spending all my time “collecting” all of those things and not really doing anything with them! When there’s less clutter in my life, those things that are most important stand out like a lighthouse peeking through the clouds.
Making Cookies Out of Contrasting Philosophies
Instead of feeling like I have to be ALL IN on ONE specific mindset, can I not pull from both ends and combine them into something that’s uniquely mine?
Embrace the Flight: Glimmering Butterfly Project
Through a combination of frustration, discovering a “gap” between who I am and who I could be, and the catalytic combination of a handful of sources, I’ve felt inspired to create the Glimmering Butterfly Project: a personal 30 day quest and challenge for me to step into the guidance of my heart.
The Fear of Silence: An Addiction to Distraction
I fear the silence because it’s the place where I’ll find myself and the answers I seek. And when I find them, then I no longer have an excuse not to take the step forward.
Creating Confidence Through Sound
Using the fear of “talking” to overcome the very fear itself, to challenge what I’m actually capable of, and to recondition my mind and body to a new way of being.
Aggressive Selectivity – What Has Your Attention?
I’ve taken on a mindset of aggressive selectivity with how orderly my physical environment is, what my goals and directions are, and the “inputs” I consume (for advice, or otherwise). It’s created a greater clarity of focus and a calmer sense of being.
The Fear of Being Noticed
For a long time I was afraid of being noticed or seen. I didn’t want to put my voice out into the world. And it was all because I was afraid of what “you” thought, instead of realizing that my own voice was just as valid as yours.
The Glimmer of Beautiful People
They exhibit an unmistakable glimmer that’s eye-catching and attractive. They’re authentic. They have this presence that allows them to bring lightness to every interaction they enter and every person they converse with.
Why Wait?
Simply wanting to do something or feeling like it’s the right thing to do (for myself or for someone else) is the only reason WHY I should do anything. I don’t need permission from anyone but myself. “Just because I want to,” should be my slogan when it comes to embracing the things I want to do in life.
Top 5 Improvements for Midyear 2017
It’s less important to me about being able to execute these perfectly. It’s more important to me to be able to make conscious choices and take consistent action on a daily basis that will push me towards being stronger at my foundation.
Failing with My Idealistic Visions – Were They Really Failures?
For a long time I have been tricking myself into believing that my efforts were fruitless because I wasn’t able to create the entire vision that I had. Those pursuits, however, were not fruitless. In fact, some of my most memorable “failures” are actually, in hindsight, some of my best accomplishments.
The Gatekeeper Mentality
The biggest and most influential Gatekeepers (in my life) are not even real. The worst Gatekeeper in my life is my own set of beliefs.
Create vs. Silence vs. Consume
The search for the balance and harmony between the need to create, the silence that generates ideas, and the media consumption that inspires them.
Using Crappy Art to Build Momentum
When I embrace the possibility of making “crappy art,” or doing something imperfectly, I’m putting myself into a notion of motion.
#ThroughAnotherLense
I can’t care about what you think. I can’t care because it’s not up to you to dictate what I should and shouldn’t do.
Be Weird
Being weird is less about trying to “stand out.” It’s more about accepting who we really are, and spending more time and energy around the people that actually accept or admire us for who that is. We’ll never find those people if we keep worrying about what others think.
Comfort Challenges + Rejection Therapy | Day 3 of 30
Years ago, I started to get out of my comfort zone in little ways. Doing things that made me weird and feel uncomfortable. But oh-so-liberating. Even some mundane or unassuming things were ways for me to get out of my comfort zone.
Aeua | Split Personalities | Day 2 of 30
It’s extremely hard to bridge the gap between all these different personas; And then there’s “Aeua,” one of the most influential characters I’ve ever written. Aeua felt like my opposite.
The Manifesto of Venture 15 | Day 1 of 30
Venture 15 and creating a manifesto has allowed me to EXPERIENCE much more out of life in far less time than ever before.
Creating the Foundation
Every person that I admire has incredible people around them that support them, challenge them to rise up to the occasion, and are simply a part of a positive atmosphere that promotes love, contribution and success.
Exploring Spectrums
Our personalities are comprised of different spectrums, but not all of us experience the full depth of that spectrum in order to fully understand who we are.
What Repeats?
The messages that repeat, the calls that never stop: what’s hiding underneath the mask?
Five Why’s – Internal Chatter
The Five Why’s help me to dig deep into internal challenges and personal quirks.
Practitioner of Awesome
Nobody is going to give me an awesome life. I have to create it myself. By being a practitioner of awesome. Doing awesome things. In awesome ways.
Silencing the Fear
I have to, as Seth Godin says, be a fearless heretic. An impresario.
Snowy Disposition
I find Snow’s arm on my shoulder and I quickly realize I’m about to become the “example” for the rest of the class. I knew exactly what she’s about to critique.
Next Best Step
Action allows you to discover the truth of your pursuit and new elements you couldn’t have conceived beforehand.
Fire and the Fog
I had no idea who I was. I was just fragments of other people. Buried beneath layers of fear and anxiety and shyness.
The Story You Tell
Most people don’t realize they can change the story they tell without changing the story they’ve lived.
Raise Your Standards
Raising your standards is more than just an action you do once. It has to become a way of life, a part of who you are, a belief system.
The Star Map
“If someone else read your goals, you should feel a little embarrassed. A little silly. That’s when you know you’re on the right track.” — Andy “The MFCEO” Frisella
Catalyst of 2015
It wasn’t until I made it a quest to change my life that I actually did.
North Star Adventure
If it wasn’t for the decision to embark on the adventure, the unfamiliar choice to speak up and reach out to many of these people, or the “wing it” attitude to see what would happen against conventional rules, none of this would have been a possibility.
Power of Choice: Kitten or Baby Monkey?
This ability and choice is a fundamental principle for people that want to make change in their own life or to make a difference in the world.
Minimalism.
Minimalism is cleaning your life from the clutter and garbage that does not serve you. What is weighing you down?
Slow… Quick, quick!
Even if I was still shy throughout most of it and had to literally be coaxed onto the dance floor by Theresa and other instructors, I still had to step into the studio to make any of it a possibility.
Day of the Scorpion
With a little grin I said, “Surprise me. With one condition.” I essentially had given her free reign to paint whatever she wanted across my face. For me, it was transformational. And the highlight of 2014.
Coldest Victory Ever
It sucked. Hardcore. It was one of the most uncomfortable things I had ever experienced in a long time. I was so unfamiliar with the feeling that I almost passed out […]. If I was so uncomfortable with the idea of getting into a shower with cold, running water, how could I ever hope to do amazing things in life?
The Arena – Fork in the Road
90 days later, I have an accurate perception of what I AM capable of and what I am NOT. I have a better vision of my future than I ever did before. I’m much more relaxed, I’m in much more control and I’m much more fine tuned with my own self and what my aspirations are.
Overcoming Social Anxiety With a Clothespin – Part 2
Once I recognized that I was being more concerned about what other people would think of me, rather than wanting to help someone else, I got fed up with my own thoughts and pushed everything else out of my mind – my worries, how I might be perceived, the consequences – and just went for it.
Overcoming Social Anxiety With a Clothespin
Destination Imagination Globals was coming to a close and my time was running short. My chance was getting shorter by the hour.
Mystery Girl – Knoxville Gaze
Even unspoken, the ‘what if’ feelings are damn infuriating. Recognized opportunities that were lost. Squandered.
Globals 2015 (1/4)
Little did I know just how big of an impact this trip was going to make. Some of the experiences I had during this trip were absolutely profound. And is by far one of the most influential events and experiences to date for 2015 & Venture 15.
The Arena: Day 0 – The Beginning
Some of you have made an impact on me in a way I hadn’t thought possible and a way you may never understand. Thank you for everything. I’ll miss you guys.
Uncharted Territory
It had been on my mind rather heavily for the few days prior. Should I, should I not? Back and forth I went until I finally decided to pull the trigger. My last day at my current job will be on May 8th, 2015 and will mark the beginning of something truly new and adventurous.
Knoxville 2014 – Introduction
I have to re-emphasize just how under-prepared I was – emotionally and psychologically – for what was going to happen during the week there. Every day I was there I was just blown away by the sheer size of the event.
Mystery Girl – Ireland Edition
During my trip through Ireland and Scotland, I was still severely shy and anxious. (I’m not claiming that I’m not now, but I was far, far, far more…
Set the Course – Venture 15
Venture 15 has been in the works for many, many years. I just didn’t know it until now. For me, this venture is all about exploration, change, confidence and learning. Venture 15 is the embodiment of everything that I aspire to do, become or have, squished into a single (albeit, very large) project. Fifteen …
New Beginnings
My name is Austin Pranger. I haven’t figured out exactly where I’m going with this website, but I know that I’ll figure it out along the way. My first project is Venture 15. …