Lisa J. Shultz

Lisa's high school graduation

May is a busy month of graduations. I attended my daughters high school graduations the last two years, but none this May. They are both in college, and I have a few years before those graduations arrive.

I decided to write a book with very short snippets of advice for graduates. (Graduates of either high school or college.) I have been researching and writing off and on for about a year now. In June, the rough draft will go to peer review. The goal is to have it available for purchase and in book stores next May.

If you have graduation advice or want to be a reviewer, please let me know. I am also collecting a reading list of books that every graduate should read. I have really been enjoying creating this book for my daughters and also want to share it with others.

Have you ever tried not to complain or think negatively for 7 days straight? On the pathway to living a positive life full of magic, dreams coming true, and reaching your goals, we are often sidetracked by negativity. There is negativity in the news, gloom and doom about the economy, job cuts, the housing market, the world coming to an end and so forth. But the worst advocate for negativity is often ourselves.

Humans have a tendency to look for what is wrong, what might go wrong and what has gone wrong. We relive our past mistakes, we focus on the problems of today and worry about what problems we think loom in the future. Because everything we think is energy and attracts like energy, we are often manifesting more problems in our life than necessary. Often, we don’t even realize how often we complain and think negative thoughts.

People often complain about the traffic, other driver’s abilities or actions, that it is too hot or too cold, poor service, high bills, taxes, the cost of anything and everything, and on and on. My favorite and one I am guilt of recently is complaining about shoveling snow in  April and the delayed spring in Colorado due to record snow fall this month.

Spring and summer will come and there is good news about the snow like lessening the severe drought, replenishing reservoirs, and decreasing fire danger. There is always good within every situation if you look for it!

So join me in focusing on the positive and dropping negativity. If you need a little help, I highly recommend the book, The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale. It was written in 1952 and is a classic, worth your time to pick up and read or re-read.

Positive thinking is one element of training your mind that I suggest for “Becoming an Athlete of the Mind“. I have created a guidebook and journal to support you in harnessing the power of your mind and thoughts. It is my favorite topic of the moment and so join me in the 7 Day No Complaining and No Negativity Challenge!

I would love for you to share your thoughts and experiences below with no complaining or negativity!

When I was first introduced to Facebook in 2007, I thought it was stupid. I ignored it for several years. Then I hired someone to do it for me as a business tool. I still rarely ever looked at it. Then I gradually began to use it personally for business and fun in 2009.

Over time, it began to consume more of my time, often much of it wasted as I browsed and posted and commented on fairly meaningless stuff. But, I was building relationships and a community. I would run into people in the grocery store, theater or airport who would exclaim, “Hey Lisa, we are Facebook friends!” They would then go on to tell me of about something that I wrote that they liked or had meaning for them. They sometimes told me that I inspired them. I often stood there dumbfounded as I had little or no memory of that post and sometimes did not even recognize or really know the person standing in front of me gushing with praise.

As a result of these frequent encounters, I realized that people were watching me whether I realized it or not, so I had better be conscious and aware of my postings. I decided to dedicate my posting time to positive posts or fun posts that shared a bit of who I was to the outside world.

There are those who feel that personal stuff does not belong on Facebook, and there might have been times I crossed the line. When I posted that my ex-husband had had our marriage annulled, my daughters were upset with me. This post caused a lot of controversy and received a large number of comments and opinions. I really opened up a can of worms with that topic but I did get significant engagement.

I also use Facebook for business by sprinkling in some posts about upcoming events, books I have written, promotion of others, causes I support and links to my business entities. I know I have experienced more sales, more exposure, more credibility, more “fame” as a result of Facebook, which does increase my business income.

I have probably offended others unintentionally by a comment I made, a comment I failed to see and respond to, or a misunderstanding in wording. I have been stalked on Facebook, and I have had many people spam my page. I have wasted hours sitting in front of my computer looking at it when I could have chosen to spend time with an actual person in front of me or worked on a business project.

I had a recently blessing in it when a friend of my daughter looked me up on Facebook and messaged me resulting in me finding out she had been in an accident. Since this friend did not know me and my daughter was not able to communicate at the time, Facebook was the link for me to have a life line all the way from Colorado to Hawaii and to an emergency room and eventually speaking with me daughter as she miraculously survived!

I have stayed connected to people who I might have lost touch with as one of us moved away or our paths changed. I have rediscovered older friendships that I thought were lost by a search on Facebook. I keep connected with my relatives who live in other states with pictures and occasional comments. If I miss someone or want to see what they are up to, I just click on their page and browse, which keeps me feeling a bit more connected. My other daughter and I are able to chat with Facebook messaging while she travels in India since she does not have a phone and doesn’t like to email.

I believe TV is a big time waster and essentially I never watch it anymore. Sometimes I feel like Facebook could fall into that category except that I am interacting with people on Facebook and not with the TV. Nonetheless, I am curbing my time and posting a bit less. I have been using it more like a reward for a productive day or for a limited time slot.

Facebook has good points and bad points. I would love to hear your opinion of Facebook with your comments below.

The first word that pops into my mind when thinking of my upcoming 50th birthday is gratitude. I have so much to be grateful for in my life. I enjoy good health and energy, which allows me to swim, ski, dance, and enjoy life fully.

I have two amazing daughters. Summer is traveling around India having an amazing experience. You can follow her blog to see her amazing pictures and thoughts as she moves around the country. Liberty is at UH in Honolulu, but hopefully transferring to CSU next year. I would like her closer although I am looking forward to a visit next week for my birthday celebration. I would really love both girls in state for college, but Summer has not yet decided on where she will resume college upon her return from India.

I continue to be grateful that I made some simplification changes in my life last year by selling my Denver home and downsizing in a good way to my cute place in Breckenridge. Life is so relaxing and quiet in Breck, but I still drive to Denver once a week to see my parents, take my ballet class, catch a swim with my team at Inverness, see a friend or two and take care of business and appointments. I was born and raised in Denver, so I will always enjoy a connection there. But mountain living is much less stressful and less expensive.

So what is next for me as I turn this milestone birthday? I am setting my pen down to go and speak about my books, most especially my latest, Become an Athlete of the Mind. When I developed the discipline to perform mind exercises every day, many things changed in my life for the positive. Goals were achieved much more quickly and with less effort. So I want to share the message of my book to give people this tool of harnessing the power of their thoughts to achieve their dreams.

I had fun putting together a video of nuggets of wisdom as I turn 50. Some are quirky to me and will make my kids grin, but I also hope that others will enjoy these 50 nuggets of wisdom and share the video with others. So as I head to Hawaii for a fancy celebration, watch my video. (And thanks Andrea Costantine for helping me put it all together!)

I was focused on releasing my new book before the new year, and I have succeeded! Become an Athlete of the Mind is now available on Amazon! If you want to make changes in your life in 2013, this guidebook and journal will show you the way! Instead of making New Year’s Resolutions that are soon forgotten, take your life into your own hands and enjoy this program that will guide you in obtaining your dreams and goals.

This easy to read guidebook will show you how to follow prescribed mind exercises to create the life you want to live. The 90-Day Journal at the end of the book will give you a place to record your progress and insights as you affirm, visualize and exercise your mind to achieve success.

This no fluff system will give you structure to how to train your mind. No matter what goal you have-a dream vacation, a meaningful relationship, a new job, a higher salary, or better health- you can learn to harness the power of your thoughts to achieve your objective.

Order your copy today or gift to a friend. I will be excited to hear back from you as you experience successes. I will be adding a new section of success stories in the book later in 2013, so I look forward to hearing your story soon!

Please click here to order your copy and also click on the social media share buttons below to let others know about this book. I appreciate you helping me spread the word and assisting as many people as possible reach their goals in 2013!

I am really excited about my new book, Become an Athlete of the Mind. This book came out of me quickly in the month of October and is now in the editing and layout phase to be ready to launch by the end of December.

I was a practicing Physical Therapist for many years giving me the foundation of working with individuals to design a rehabilitation or conditioning program to return to a higher level of function or achieve greater fitness. Always an athlete, I have enjoyed many sports in my life, but my favorite is swimming. I am an avid reader and have been a student of many great teachers professing the powers of the mind. I combined all these parts of my life into this guidebook and journal. It feels like everything has come together in a way that I can assist people with the training of their minds.

Become an Athlete of the Mind will help you gain control of your mind and stop sabotaging yourself! Your mind has its own agenda, but when you train your mind, you can drop the unsupportive thoughts and negative patterns that prevent you from getting where you want to go. When you become an athlete of the mind you’ll be on the path to more success in your life.

Become an Athlete of the Mind will also help you:

• Control unsupportive mind chatter
• Change negative thoughts to positive ones
• Improve your vision for a bright future
• Provide focus to fight overwhelm
• Diminish fear and replace with hope
• Strengthen your confidence
• Guide you in daily habits to harness the power of your mind
• Give you structure and support along your journey

Here is what some readers of my preview edition have stated:

“Lisa hits a home run… Her work summarizes some of the greatest and most successful teachers out there. And you don’t have to do the many hours and hours of reading, just do the program Lisa has put together! What makes this program so effective is there is actually a guide to follow, you have a step by step program that you simply spend minutes a day doing. We are talking about the rest of your life here people, and this program will give you great control over what you create in your life. And don’t ever, ever underestimate the power of creation we all have inside of us, Lisa’s program will show you how… simple as that!!!”

~ Dr. Michael Weber, DC, ART

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“If you want to ‘Become an Athlete of the Mind’, this book is the key to unlock its mysteries. This book is full of inspiration and education on how you can increase your focus, vision and success in all aspects of your life! As a entrepreneur and personal trainer, I will be recommending this book to all of my clients as I know this will help them achieve greater success in not only their health and fitness but in all aspect of their lives. If you are sick and tired of where you are now or a person that is striving for more, I highly recommend you pick this book up and follow through with the 90-day challenge. If you do this faithfully, you will never look back!”

~ Jeffry Chan, Personal Trainer and Body Builder

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“Become an Athlete of the Mind is not just another wooo-wooo book on how to be motivated and inspired. It’s a real and practical approach to training your mind; just like top level athletes train hard to reach to the top of their sports, so too can you train your mind to be at the top of your game. Don’t let the simplicity of what Lisa presents fool you, you have to be committed to your own change to truly benefit from the guidance of this book. Become an Athlete of the Mind is a must DO if you want to move your career and life to the next level!”

~ Garnet Mierau, Certified Business Coach

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“I am thoroughly impressed with the dedication and focus Lisa has put into the book “Become an Athlete of the Mind”. Having spent the last 20 years in the health and wellness industry as a personal and yoga trainer, and life and business coach, I know the value of focus and how training the mind affects the whole being. This guidebook will lead you to success, as these principles have for me, and you will be inspired along the way, which is an important component to stay focused on the bigger vision. I highly recommend you not only get this book but follow every word as Lisa guides you to your success! Start NOW!”

~ Casey Feicht, Kids Yoga Teacher, Trainer and Business Coach

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Be the first to reserve your signed copy in time for New Years! Simply email me with the subject line “I want a copy of your new book!”, and I will put you on the VIP list to get them hot off the press! Info@LisaJShultz.com

I would also love your comments below and click on the social media buttons to share. I appreciate it!

It’s PARTY TIME again!  Time for the 3rd Annual Colorado Christmas Book Festival!

This year The Proof NiteClub is our presenting sponsor and are opening the entire club just for us. They’re also offering a complimentary taco bar all night long.

This year we have 18 local authors covering everything from memoirs to picture books to children’s books!

We’re also making our annual book party a benefit for Sense of Security — a local organization that financially assists women going through breast cancer by helping them with utilities, groceries, gas, mortgage, etc, while they’re fighting their fight. (http://www.senseofsecurity.org) .

We’ll have great door prizes from hotel stays to restaurants, a $100 Tattered Cover gift card, and a Kindle Fire!!

It’s free to get in, we just want you to have a great time with books, music, friends, prizes (and of course, tacos.)

I will be representing Sally’s Journey this year. It is wonderful to pick up some great gifts for friends and family and have the author sign the book for that extra special touch.

So spread the word and we’ll see you on Tuesday, November 27 from 5:30 – 8pm at The Proof — and together we’ll kick off the holiday season with a bang.

Through the years, I have written most of my books in Breckenridge. It is quiet, beautiful and peaceful. Hours can slip away as the words flow. I do get up to eat and walk my dog to give myself a bit of a break. Today, I was able to enjoy the view of the featured picture as I took a break from writing.

A new book is forming in my mind, and I am spending hours each day letting those ideas take shape on the page. It feels like all the books I have read, seminars and workshops I have attended, and my life experience are all coming together for this next book.

I have always wanted to help people. I first expressed that desire by graduating with a Bachelors of Science degree in Physical Therapy. I practiced as PT for many years until I gave birth to two beautiful babies in close succession.

After the dust settled many years later from a divorce, I started to write. My first attempts were not pretty, but the point was that I completed what I started. I was beginning to believe I was a writer and began to add the title “author” to my profiles.

In 2010 when my business partner Andrea Costantine and I co-created the first of 3 volumes of a book entitled Speaking Your Truth, I began to realize how much experience was inside of me waiting to come out and express itself. The same thing happened to Andrea, and this fall, we celebrated together the release of our own books and displayed the others.

It has been a pleasure to work with Andrea and support each other to create more books. It has also been a pleasure to assist all the contributors to the Speaking Your Truth volumes to share their stories.

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you.” Maya Angelou

Andrea and I have also created a guidebook to help aspiring authors to bring the book inside them out to the world. How To Bring Your Book to Life This Year is where we poured all of our experience in writing and self-publishing. This self-study guide will assist you in publishing your book should that be your goal.

But to end where I started, it is my hope to be bringing yet another book out to the world by the end of this year. The subject matter is focused on the power of affirmations and positive thinking combined with mind exercises such as visualization to create the life of your dreams. This is not a new subject matter, but I am putting my unique spin on it and trust that it will provide value to those seeking to live a big life full of dreams come true.

And the “coffee” plan I mentioned in my last post will just have to wait a bit longer. Stayed tuned in November for a progress report on my book. I appreciate your comments below and sharing if you enjoy my posts. Until next time…

This year has been very eventful! So many changes have occurred that my head has not stopped spinning. Most mornings I wake up and spend a moment trying to figure out where I am.

I sold my Denver home that I have lived in from 1996-2012. The work to prepare for that move was overwhelming. I had to let go of 2/3 of my stuff. Some I sold, some I gave away, and a bit I kept if it fit in my new home. The showings, the offers/negotiations, the actual moving day, saying good-bye to neighbors, memories, and even my flower garden was difficult. I knew it was all a good thing in the end, but it was hard. Doing it all alone was also a challenge. All the decisions rested on my shoulders, and there were some big decisions. Now that part of my life is behind me. Just photos and my memories.

The next part was to settle into my new remodeled mountain house full time. Moving from a big city to a small mountain town is a big adjustment. For the most part, I like the more simple life of small town living. It is incredibly peaceful and beautiful. I am meeting new friends and have had visits from my Denver friends. Breckenridge is my new living adventure!

This fall was suppose to be my first season of having an empty nest. My youngest daughter graduated from high school and went to the University of Hawaii. My oldest daughter was a sophomore at Tulane but decided to withdraw and work in Denver this fall to save money for her trip to India in January. So, my empty nest is partially filled again! But I don’t mind because I love being a mom.

I published two books this year, and I am now resting even though I dabble in creating my next book. Sally’s Journey came out in June and Speaking Your Truth Volume 3 was released in August. I really enjoyed creating those two books and know I will probably always have the writing bug. Once I opened the writing can of worms, I have not been able to stuff the idea worms back inside!

For perhaps the first time in my life, I am being more than doing. I don’t have every day filled nor do I wish to fill it with a “to-do list”. I am exploring what will now express my passions and talents. I desire to have fun with whatever I next embrace. I do have some clue and will give you a hint. It involves coffee! Stay tuned!

Back in 2009, Speaking Your Truth was just an idea. I didn’t have a title until the first volume was close to completion. But I knew I wanted to put together an anthology. Stories by women for women to inspire and give hope to others who may be going through difficult times.

I began to promote the idea on Facebook and while networking. I was thrilled when I received my first submission! It was from Andrea Costantine, who I later asked to be my partner in the project.

We then went on to publish Volume One in 2010 and Volume Two in 2011. We decided to conclude the series with three, so this is our last edition!

Each volume has a story by me in it and each one is very special. Over 40 contributors poured their hearts out into sharing their story in each volume, some sharing for the first time publicly. Many of the authors shared how much the experience of writing their story and putting out to the world was healing for them. And the readers have found connection by feeling they are not alone in their personal struggles.

Please support these brave women with your purchase of a paperback or Kindle edition of this book today. Click here to visit Amazon directly and to learn more about the project and the contributors, please visit the Speaking Your Truth website as well.

“‘Speaking Your Truth’ is one of those rare gems of a book that will touch your heart, inspire your spirit and move your soul. The personal stories that each of the contributing authors share are so honest, so revealing and such powerful examples of women who made the choice to tap into their inner courage through self-worth and self-love to overcome their most difficult life obstacles. This book is an absolute must read for any woman looking to find her courage to live a more empowered and fulfilling life, no matter what.”  ~ Roslyn Franken, motivational speaker and best-selling author of The A List: 9 Guiding Principles for Healthy Eating and Positive Living (www.roslynfranken.com).