Deborah Johnson, M.A.’s Post

Great principles for navigating change, especially military to civilian life! Read full article featuring Josh Porthouse! #marine #veteran #military #civilian #navigatingchange #healthymindset #corevalues #JoshuaPorthouse #transactingvalue #podcast #DeborahJohnson

There’s chatter going on in veterans groups talking about how veterans treat each other. 💔 It’s hitting home because of Memorial Day. There was a 9yr stretch where I got away from my USMC side. It happened for a few reasons, not intentional. 1️⃣ I was creating a new life in CO after the military & divorce. 2️⃣The only Marine I was around was my BFF 3️⃣ I felt like I was bragging when I spoke about it to others 4️⃣ 1998, we witnessed a guy die horrifically on I25. It f*cked with me mentally because it made me question my strength as a Marine. After, I lost a little bit of my cockiness. It never returned. 2006, I ran the USMC marathon and my heart sang! It woke a sleeping giant. 2008, I did my first veteran charity event and sparked another 🔥 within me. I recognized my gift to other veterans was the fact that I wasn’t in war and I had used my time after the service to focus on personal dev. I no longer carried shame for not being in combat, but could use my clean slate to give them a safe place to share w/out judgement, sage advice, and a friend for life. 2013, I started my biz. Building a personal brand has its mind games. Sharing that USMC side of me publicly was a different level. I didn’t want to be the quarterback talking about the good ole days and I had plenty of combat veteran friends returning from the MidEast. I began to recognize my training had been the driving force behind so many great moments and I had an appreciation for my USMC days in a way I hadn’t before. 2018, I pulled it into my biz. 2020, One Of The Few was born. You have to leverage ALL you are because it’s gotten you to this point. It’s the life experiences that shaped the way you think. And it’s in those lessons, you can find your purpose. You have an opportunity to make an impact. Don’t do it because of what anyone else will think. Do it because of who you are. At your core. Leadership starts with you. How you lead yourself through your actions, your words, and how you let your character shine. When a veteran shows poor character, it stings us all. Rise above the noise and lead by example. Let others do what they do. Whether they’re ready or not, they need a light to show them what’s possible. Maybe they’ll never be ready, but that’s not up to you. There are many people that DO need you and are waiting for you to lead. When you impact ONE, you’ve made the world better. Veterans…you’re one of the greatest underutilized assets out there. You may have an “I’ve done my time” attitude and you really do not owe anymore. If you’ve gone through some 💩 and need some rest, do so. But I encourage you to play bigger for yourself. You’re wired differently and you never know what is going to spark the best parts of you. That spark may be just the thing to heal the darkest parts of you. #iseeyou. And together, we’ll lift other veterans. Show them Semper Fidelis means something! Do it for the ONE. 👊😎 https://lnkd.in/g2hCzTbA

The 19th century story of Goldilocks and the Three bears is often used as an analogy for the middle ground or "just right" option in life. Goldilocks was looking for the just right porridge, just right chair and just right bed. Of course, we omit the fact that this girl trespassed and broke into someone's home, stole their food and damaged private property and barely got away with her life. Maybe another moral is to teach your kids to not be criminals. Nevertheless, this story illustrates that middle ground were are looking for in the virtue of temperance. Temperance is one of the Cardinal Virtues of Stoic philosophy, the virtue of living in moderation. Moderation in ALL things, good or bad. Too little sleep is not healthy, but too much sleep can be just as detrimental. Too little food or water can kill you, but so can too much. The middle ground must be found to achieve sustaining joy. What are you having/doing that is too little or too much? Work? Food? Drink? Screen time? What action(s) will you take to adjust that lifestyle? "Temperance is moderation in the things that are good and total abstinence from the things that are foul." -Frances E.C. Willard I am: 🛫 🔷 Retired US Air Force Flight Engineer/First Sergeant 🇺🇲 Disabled Veteran 🛩 Government Contractor/Subject Matter Exper supporting AFSOC/SOCOM 📖 Published Self-Help Author I discuss: ✨ Leadership ✨ US Military ✨ Aviation ✨ Personal Development Click Adam Thompson and Follow Checkout my: Website: www.thompsonscribe.com Facebook: Adam J. Thompson - Author Instagram: adam.j.thompson.1 hashtag #hardtokeephappy

We lie to ourselves more than we lie to others. Not focusing on issues that hinder our progress only guarantees that these obstacles will persist. Anxiety, stress, etc serve as signs of our underlying fears. Fears = barriers These barriers not only impede our personal growth and success but also impact our loved ones, colleagues, and those who depend on us. Remember, the challenges we encounter are not to be coped with, they all have solutions. The “best version of you”, mindset, purpose, fearlessness are all things taught in the Military. But in the civilian world these same things just don’t work like in the Military. I invite you to check out this article on our website: “Increasing Self-Awareness To Better Navigate Workplace Politics, Conflicts, Etc.” https://lnkd.in/efrXWus7

"For if a person shifts their caution to their own reasoned choices and the acts of those choices, they will at the same time gain the will to avoid, but if they shift their caution away from tehri own reasoned choices to things no under their control, seeking to avoid what is controlled by others, they will then be agitated, fearful, and unstable." -Epictetus If you're a follower of the Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman like I am then you read today's stoic quote. The authors assert the Epictetus is telling us that our happiness is a result of our choices. Our reasoned choices. Happiness is not an amalgamation of our environment or upbringing. This is not a nature versus nurture consideration. It is the choices we make and the consequences of those choices. For my fellow Stoics, this falls under the Dichotomy of Control-only worrying about the things that we have absolute control over. And that's not much. We control our actions, our thoughts, our judgments; all of the things that effect external circumstances but not the external circumstances themselves. In my book, Hard to Keep Happy: How to Maintain Lasting Joy in Challenging Times, I elaborate on these matters several times. Happiness, stability, self-control, all require reasoned actions with the full understanding that we control very little in our own lives. We don't even control the function of our own bodies! To be happy, to be stable, to find your eudaimonia, focus on your reasoned choices and actions. Cheers. #happiness #stoicism #actions #reasoning #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #personalgrowthanddevelopment I am: 🛫 🔷 Retired US Air Force Flight Engineer/First Sergeant 🇺🇲 Disabled Veteran 🛩 Government Contractor/Subject Matter Exper supporting AFSOC/SOCOM 📖 Published Self-Help Author I discuss: ✨ Leadership ✨ US Military ✨ Aviation ✨ Personal Development Click Adam Thompson and Follow Checkout my: Website: www.thompsonscribe.com Facebook: Adam J. Thompson - Author Instagram: adam.j.thompson.1 hashtag #hardtokeephappy

Here are my lessons learned and approach to preparing to transition…it’s A way❗️ 🧭Find yourself- TAP will punch you in the face and make you think more, the others are self assessment tools to identify your strengths and weaknesses and your WHY…mine is contribute, go figure 😁 🛠️Fix yourself- given the completion of the assessments in “Find” and feeling overwhelmed by what TAP just shoved down your throat, tighten your your shot group and use these Veteran Service Organization (VSO) to clear your sight picture. 🥅Finish yourself: Now seal the deal. Everything you’ve gained in phase 1 & 2 polish it up, talk to professionals in your career interests/ aspirations. Embedded is the approach I took after talking it out with another WO, PACE plan, this sets the priorities. ABN: Always Be Networking! Your NETWORK is your NET WORTH! The. answer these questions?s and then pick 3, drop 2. 👉🏼Live where you work 🏝️ 👉🏼Love who you work for 🏣 👉🏼Love who you work with 👥 👉🏼Work reasonable hours ⏰ 👉🏼Make good money 💵 Hope this helps / what are your thoughts 💭 Or feedback? None of this couldn’t be possible without the information and support I received from: Donovan and Bank Foundation The Honor Foundation FourBlock Patriots Path, Inc. USO Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) WHY Institute Leslie Coffey, MBA Transition 30 Lean Alaska Noël McCall Bruce Karinshak Jason Gozikowski, PMP Justin Evans & many others! #transitioningmilitary #transitioningservicemembers #transitioningveterans

I know from personal experience how valuable working with a coach can be, as they can help you not lose sight of your hopes and dreams so that you can continue to work towards and pursue those opportunities and fulfill your potential. Ten Ten Life is on a mission to equip, encourage, and empower veterans, active-duty military members, and first responders to pursue their hopes and dreams in the future. It isn't just about counseling and therapy recovery from traumatic experiences, it is also about figuring out what you want to do next, knowing the options, and charting a path forward. If you or someone you know is military, veteran, or first responder looking for help finding direction and guidance in life or career, Ten Ten Life will connect you with a certified coach and will also cover the cost of your session. Reach out for more info and an initial consultation! #coaching #veterans

How does my time in the military help me with maintaining a regulated sense of well-being? That will make a great ‘dit’ - in other words: stories. The military rapport is built on stories and humour. Certain aspects of military life can be exciting but also there are times that are fairly mundane. Both of these contexts can be a time of creativity and play. The stories that emerge in these moments are ways of connecting with those who shared the experience with you, and reframing events so that you can learn from them and recall them in a meaningful way. How does this help me day-to-day with wellbeing? Although I may not be surrounded by people sharing my experiences now (as a coach), I journal and discuss at home how I felt my day went. I notice how I frame my day and if I’m losing confidence or feeling low, ask myself ‘how would I have told this to my military colleagues?’ Like to find out more about my coaching? Get in touch directly through messaging me here, or going to my website for more information and other ways to contact me 👉 https://lnkd.in/e9nRryRd 📸: Milton (my 🐶), on the right, at day care taking life very seriously #LeadershipCoach #PersonalCoach #ExecutiveCoach #NewJob #Newopportunities #EmbraceTheChange #CoachingTips #veteran #coach #executivecoach 

A change in mentality and perspective is often critical to enable one to step into transformation and growth. But sometimes we get stuck in the past or trapped by past mistakes and overwhelming fears that make it feel impossible to move forward. In times and spaces like these, it is helpful to have someone in your life, like a professional life coach, who can direct your attention and help you see the potential and opportunities ahead. We can feel inspired and motivated to try something new or pursue a passion long forgotten and neglected. Coaching is about opening doors and unlocking the potential you already have within you; to explore, accomplish, invent, create, and pursue whatever comes next. What are your hopes and dreams? Where do you want to be in 5-10 years? Our trained and certified life coaches will help you find that path and facilitate that growth and expansive thinking. They are here to help you navigate the now and the what’s next. If this sounds interesting to you and you’re curious about working with a coach, contact us to get the conversation started! If you are a coach interested in working with veterans, active-duty military members, and first responders to help them create a plan for the future, contact us about joining our growing provider network. “Consult not your fears, but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.” Pope John XXIII #coaching #lifecoach #dreams #potential #veterans #military #firstresponders

Let me tell you, in case no one has …… 𝘋𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 Embarking on my transition journey, seven years back, I reached out to everyone I knew, hoping for guidance. The result? More confusion than clarity. It was a seasoned veteran's advice that reshaped my strategy. Here are three invaluable principles I adopted, transforming the way I connected and finding clarity amid the chaos. a. Quality over Quantity Instead of reaching out to everyone, focus on a select few whose journey aligns with your goals. b. Meaningful Conversations Prioritize quality conversations over quantity. Engage with those who genuinely share insights and experiences. c. Evaluate their Impact Consider how influential individuals have successfully navigated similar transitions. It's not just about advice; it's about valuable, applicable guidance. This shift in perspective made all the difference.   Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments. #transitioningmilitary #transitioningveterans #commanderram #mentorship #LinkedInStrategy #VeteransInCorporate #CareerAdvice