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This site is the blog site of motivational speaker Craig Harper. A constantly updated, one-stop information, inspiration, education and motivation station. Unlike many similar sites, it is a totally free resource for anyone who is serious about moving from mediocre to amazing in any area of their personal or professional life. With hundreds of articles covering a wide range of subject matter, great interviews with cool people and inspirational video posts, there's more than enough brain-food to keep you busy for hours. Okay, days!!
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Craig Harper - Fattitude.Fattitude.
While many books focus on food, Craig Harper teaches that creating life-long change is more about the dieter, than the actual diet. This book is perfect for people who have a history of 'almost' getting in shape.

   
Craig Harper - Food for thought.Food for thought.
In this book, Craig Harper walks the reader through his 21 rules to Permanent Weight Loss.
   
Craig Harper - So you've decided you want to get in shape (again).So you've decided you want to get in shape (again).
Imagine a pocket-sized fitness book that takes just twenty minutes to read. Craig Harper addresses the REAL getting-in-shape issues.
   
Craig Harper - Food, Exercise, and Lifestyle DiaryCraig Harper - Food, Exercise, and Lifestyle Diary. If you're serious about your training, nutrition, and lifestyle - Craig Harper's training diary is an invaluable tool.


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Tuesday, December 05, 2006
LOST: The Real Me....Call 1-800-IDENTITY
Have you ever met someone who has seemingly lost their identity to their career (or perhaps to something else)?

And if you take them away from that career (or whatever it is), it's like they don't know who they are... because that is who they are...

It (whatever it is) gives them their confidence, their self esteem... and their identity.

"Tell me about yourself"
"I'm a Lawyer."
"No, don't tell me about your job... tell me about you."
"What do you want to know?"

"Well, a Lawyer isn't who you are.. it's what you do; tell me about you."

Aaah...

"What inspires you, drives you, gets you excited, gets you furious, makes you cry, makes you laugh?"

"What are you passionate about, fearful of, what would you fight for?"
"What will your legacy be?"

"Err...well, um.. can you give me a minute?"

I met someone recently and asked him all of the above questions in the first five minutes (a little intense I know).
He totally didn't get it... thought I was weird.

Probably right, but not the point.

When I discovered that he was a lawyer, we had this conversation:
(nothing against lawyers by the way)

"Do you enjoy law?"
"I wouldn't call it enjoyment"
"What would you call it?"
"Work."
"Can't they be synonymous?"
"Not where I work"

"Did you always want to be lawyer?"
"No."
"What did you want to be?"
"A vet or a musician."
"What happened?"
"My father happened."
"Waddya mean?"
"Family law firm, weight of expectation, eighteen years old."
"You're not eighteen now."

In the ensuing twenty minutes, he gave me fifty reasons why he must stay a lawyer and why he couldn't pursue something more fulfilling, stimulating, rewarding or (shock, horror).. fun!

When I suggested that he returned to his passion (of music), even just for fun as a hobby, he assured me that he didn't have the time or the financial freedom to pursue something with little, or no, financial rewards.

I left him to enjoy another thirty years of blah...

Sometimes we're so busy existing... and conforming... and keeping everyone else happy, that we forget to live... and to pursue our passion.
Or at least, try and discover what it might be.

Forget to do what makes us happy.
Forget to be 'us'.

Not the 'us' everyone else expects, the real us.
The us we love.
Some of us have never even met the real us...

Confused?

We're so focused on creating a career, marrying before a certain age, producing our 2.3 kids, doing what's expected, making money, ticking boxes, doing all the necessary 'practical life' stuff, that we gradually and un-intentionally, lose part of ourselves. Of course we have to make money, pay bills and do all those grown-up things, but for many of us, somewhere along the way we lost the idealist, the dreamer, the optimist and the kid in us, who was always going to do and be something amazing.

Somewhere between then and now our standards changed, we started to think differently and we let the world beat the hope, excitement, creativity and the optimism out of us.

Somewhere, somehow... we settled.
We compromised.
We got tired, frustrated and disillusioned.

We got older... and more cynical..and more negative... and smarter... and dumber.

We started to rationalise our current situation with a very sensible, mature... and crippling perspective.

What if today was the day we gave the kid, the dreamer, the optimist and the idealist, a chance to run our life, or at least, have a voice in our life... and make some decisions?

Perhaps not all of the decisions.. but at least a few.

Maybe it would get some noses out of joint.
Maybe it would be unconventional.
Maybe it would be unexpected.
Maybe it would be a bit lumpy and bumpy... for a while.
Maybe it would make you uncomfortable and cause you to grow...and feel.
Maybe it would be amazing and rewarding and stimulating and fun.

Maybe it would make you happy.

Craig Harper
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Craig's Most Popular Articles
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Latest Visitors Comments

Asma said...

WOW!!!!! Not sure after reading that, that I am even entitled to comment. What a powerful post!!!!!!!! I am in awe!!!!!!

 

Karen (miscmum) said...

A compelling post, craig, one which will (and has!) gotten people thinking already

 

Naomi Wallace said...

Hello Craig. I absolutely love this post. I love the way you write - you have a gift. You are an awesome communicator and teacher. I love how you engage me, amuse me, make me laugh and cry and teach me a life-lesson all at the same time. Hugs for you.

 

jen from mildura said...

A+ for creative writing Craig! Can i share this with my classes???

 

Kin said...

Craig, I really enjoy this story, quite touching actually. A dog's monologue relfecting on silly humans, who always make the lesser choice of chasing after the ephemeral and missing the point of life - peace, joy, and happiness. If only we can teach everyone to think like the doggie.

 

Cynthia said...

Personal Development - Doggie Style! What a wonderfully written and clever piece.

 

Faith said...

Hi Craig,
This is my favorite of all your blogs. So many truths in this. I have been both the dog and the owner. Haven't we all? Loved this!
Thank you

 

tami said...

Ahhh Craig!

I love when the writer in you meets up with the motivator...
it's like fireworks and rainbows,
true beauty to behold.

Thanks for the wisdom,
wrapped in pure adorability!
A great lesson from a great writer!

I'm just a fan...
wagging my tail!

     
   
     
 
Recent Articles by Craig
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The Suburban Yeti
Turn Your Cap Backwards and Let Your Butt-Crack Show a Little
An Unpaid Job - How Attractive!
The Unwelcome Evangelist
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Moving Beyond Instant Gratification
More articles like these...
 

 

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Motivational Speaker - Archived Articles click here for more lessons and laughs

 
         

Craig Harper's Best Selling Books

   

Craig Harper - Fattitude.
Craig Harper - Fattitude.
While many books focus on food, Craig Harper teaches that creating life long change is more about the dieter than the actual diet.

Craig Harper - Food for thought.
Craig Harper - Food for thought.
In this book, Craig Harper walks the reader through his 21 rules to Permanent Weight Loss.

Craig Harper - So you've decided you want to get in shape (again).
Craig Harper - So you've decided you want to get in shape (again).
Imagine a pocket-sized fitness book that takes just twenty minutes to read. Craig Harper addresses the REAL getting-in-shape issues.

 

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