Tony Teegarden is a personal development coach who helps you discover your natural mental talents as well as create and develop a self development plan that revolves around them. When you do you’re able to be more effective, authentic and happier in life.
Why can’t some people find their purpose?
So really it’s about breaking free of the facade and fantasy that you need to “get” something in order to be happy.
This is a very broad question of which I’m not sure there is any “one” particular answer. I’ll approach it from what I have witnessed and experienced since working with people in the home based business arena for over a decade.
Here in the U.S. we are pretty well bombarded with marketing messages about what is vogue, in, cool or hip.
There are so many opportunities where people are bombarded with messages about who or what they need to appear as so that they fit in. And in these situations people put others on a pedestal and inject their values over their own. In many cases this leads people to live “inauthentic” lives. Authenticity as Jay Niblick states, is when you are applying yourself to life based on your natural mental talents and not someone else’s. People begin to see themselves as broken or incomplete because they don’t have the skills, looks, talents, you name it, to be or do what has been projected on them as a requirement to fit in. It causes one to seek outside of themselves for solutions to be happy instead of already being happy with who they are and the natural talents they already posses.
Here in the states we are riddled with this challenge. Lots of people get caught up in the idea that in order to be happy, they have to be, do or have something they don’t currently posses. When in truth, it’s when you discover and acknowledge what you already possess, your natural mental talents, that you can begin being happy with exactly who you are and what you’re already gifted with. This is not the message “big media” really wants you to embrace.
So really it’s about breaking free of the facade and fantasy that you need to “get” something in order to be happy. That’s why I feel many people struggle with purpose. It’s right under their nose and in the least obvious place possible, INSIDE THEMSELVES.
What inspires you to “become?”
What inspires me to become is simply to live at my highest level of survival possible. Every living organism on the planet is attempting to survive. Every human is attempting to survive as well but many at a lower level than others. This means taking care of my body in the best way possible or mastering my emotional intelligence, and natural mental talents. This way I can be effective in all area’s of my life at the highest level possible.
To be the very best at what comes naturally to me is a worthwhile goal to aspire. This wasn’t always so. I would seek what was outside of myself in order to be “happy” when the fact is I could never really be happy negotiating the conditions of my happiness such as, “When I get X amount of money I’ll be happy.”
Through the self discovery of my natural mental talents I show up in a much more authentic fashion and in doing so I show up in my highest possible good no matter what area of my life it is. I feel an immense self respect for honoring my god given gifts and talents and it feels wonderful and liberating.
What’s your favorite social network & why?
My favorite is probably Facebook right now. I like Facebook because of the ability to create ongoing conversations around media such as video and pictures. I still like Twitter but I spend the larger portion of my time on Facebook. I just get a lot more engagement there for some reason.
What should people do daily to find clarity in life?
I’m sure lots of people would say, “Set Goals!” But to me, it’s an easy decision. Meditation. Everyone is in a different place and requires a different approach. For me in my life, meditation creates daily clarity because it allows me to approach something like goal setting in a much more clear and intuitive state of mind.
In meditation I make space within every morning and sometimes in the afternoon too. I feel rested, at peace and grounded when I do. Even if answers don’t come to me right in that moment, I still gently allow space for them to move through me at a later time.
By making space and gently allowing the “chitter-chatter” of my mind to pass, I am able to approach decisions in a much more intuitive and clear manner. So when if I was to approach goal setting as an example, I’m more likely to approach it with an honest and open heart.
How has your past shaped the way you are today?
Everything I’ve experienced has been necessary in order for me to show up as I do today. Call it perfect chaos or divine intervention but I’ve almost died twice on drug overdoses in my early 20’s. I was feeding the tire sized donut hole in my stomach with drugs, alcohol and sex, trying to find fulfillment and none of it was working.
My past has shaped me in so many ways that I probably don’t have room here to express it, however.
What tools do you use for increased productivity?
As far as increased productivity outside of the online world, I actually stick to rituals through out the day that tend to revolve around 15 minutes.
For electronic tools: I love the iWork suite for Mac such as Keynote and Pages. Pages just simply rocks for so many different things it’s ridiculous. I’ve also really embraced Evernote lately and it’s just the bomb for collecting and organizing stuff online or just on my hard drive. Jing is another awesome free productivity tool if Evernote is too robust for someone to approach.
As far as increased productivity outside of the online world, I actually stick to rituals through out the day that tend to revolve around 15 minutes. I’m actually working on a new Book around the concept and framework of this idea and should have it out shortly. There are lots of things we can do to improve our productivity and many of them don’t have anything to do with the traditional “time management” hacks.
On a bad day, what cheers you up?
Believe it or not, just the idea of Disney World and what Walt Disney stood for. Of course I also live only about an hour and half of Disney World in Orlando. It sounds nuts I know but as a kid I was the biggest Disney fan (and still am). I still have a pretty huge collection of Disney memorabilia. Walt was a dreamer and doer. He was also an alcoholic. He was bankrupt several times and still brought joy and hope to millions of peoples lives. I don’t pretend that he was all bubble gum and cotton candy. He was a human being who had his ups and downs but in the end had a bold vision that he wanted to bring into reality and he did.
It reminds me of the fact that we live in a world of duality. Good/bad, right/wrong ups/downs etc. We can’t have one with out the other. No matter Walt’s internal or external challenges, his life demonstrated results on a grand scale. He lived “his” truth and no one else’s.
On a “bad” day, I simply embrace the emotions, and move through them. I’m “with” them and don’t resist them. What we resist persists in our lives and we can acknowledge this within. “These emotions too shall pass.” And usually do pretty quickly. This is a sign of emotional maturity. To not resist but to move through it and let it go in a timely fashion.
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"You’re such a smart boy!" were his first accolades heard. So, it’s no wonder that this phrase became the title of his business, Smart Boy Designs.
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I appreciate his first point about being happy with who you are and doing your best with the talents you’ve been given. It’s taken me a long time to come to that, even though I have always taught my children to be happy with who they are and to work on developing the talents they do have. I want them to reach their full potential without being worried they’re not like someone else!
Tisa recently posted..Why I’m a Converted Fan of Audio Books
I’m glad to hear that Tisa. As we become older we can tend to cary more and more resentments, worries, and regrets about the past, of which then affects how we filter and see the world as well as ourselves. This can make it terribly difficult to see ourselves in a way that we begin acknowledging and utilizing our own natural mental abilities and talents.
Thank you for your contribution!
Tony Teegarden recently posted..Failure Is Not Fatal…Or Is It? (The Home Based Business Dilemma)
Twitter: smartboydesigns
September 28, 2011 at 5:13 pm
I need to think about this more, Tony. You’ve really inspired me. I now have the following written on a sticky note on my desk…
“What resentments, worries and regrets of my past are keeping me from using all my talents and abilities?”
Lots to think about there.
Christian
Glad you dig it Christian. Again just want to thank you for providing me the opportunity to share
Tony Teegarden recently posted..Failure Is Not Fatal…Or Is It? (The Home Based Business Dilemma)
Shall I say, “This is a job well done!” A very inspiring post and I totally believe in all that is written here. A lot of people find fulfillment, success etc. outside of themselves when they can actually grow it under their feet. I also believe that your past can make up your present. So if you’re going to use your past experiences wisely, then you can come up a successful present or future. “You’ve been there”. So why make the same mistake again? Like you, I’ve had shall I say the “worst” past but I’m using it for my potentials. Gotta check out more of this blog. I give this “two thumbs up”!
Twitter: smartboydesigns
October 10, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Love these thoughts. It seems like most of us have one of two problems. Or even both. We either look to the past too much, or look to the future too much. It’s sad really, to see people who won’t live in their present.
We all do it to some degree or another.
I appreciate the kind words Mathy. I love one of the quotes I read today from Danielle LaPorte that I feel ties into your stream of thought:
“Everything you’re doing right now is changing your life.”
It doesn’t get much simpler and profound than that. Let go of our attachments to the past so we can become more present in the now. So simple yet seems so complex to participate in.
It’s not what we’ll learn that will improve the quality of our life, but what we’re willing to let go of in the way of our habits and behaviors. It’s about possessing less of the “injected junk of others” so we can be more of what comes naturally to us.
Thanks again for your contribution Mathy.
Tony Teegarden recently posted..Failure Is Not Fatal…Or Is It? (The Home Based Business Dilemma)
Twitter: smartboydesigns
October 10, 2011 at 1:32 pm
What we’re willing to let go. That’s what hit me most about this interview. I often now go through my life and try and identify items that I’m holding onto that are in turn, holding me back.
This interview is priceless for even that one simple piece of information.
Yeah Christian I have to agree. As I get older, dare I say wiser
I realize it’s about less accumulation of “stuff”, both inside an out and more about the quality of relationships and connection I have with people and experiences. Thanks again for stimulating the conversation.
Tony Teegarden recently posted..Failure Is Not Fatal…Or Is It? (The Home Based Business Dilemma)
Twitter: smartboydesigns
October 10, 2011 at 1:42 pm
I think that might be part of my attraction to traveling, without even realizing it. When I travel, I leave all my “stuff” behind. Only bringing with me my laptop, clothes and some books. All the extra “things” I’ve accumulated in life stay at home. Traveling allows you that freedom to explore, completely unburdened.
But then again, there are the things that matter. Family whom I adore. My dogs. There certainly are a few, simple things, the living things, that you miss. But traveling seems to make those relationships more poignant, and help you take them for granted less.