We’ve all experienced times in our lives where we are tested, often to what seems our very limits, physically, mentally, and emotionally. The outcome is determined by the strength of our character, how grounded we are in our core values, and our personal choices about how we respond to stress, overwhelm or adversity.
Well these past few weeks have been one of those times for me, and while I’m EXHAUSTED, because of my commitment, not just my desire, but my commitment to achieving certain results in my life, I am actually on Cloud 9, filled with love, blessings and abundance, despite the tests and the exhaustion!
You might be wondering, how is that possible?
Without going in to too long of a song and dance, suffice to say that I am roughly 6 weeks away from welcoming baby #2 into our family, we just moved across the country and bought our first home in Austin, TX, and moved in about 10 days ago (yeah!), my mom turned 65 this past weekend and we had already planned houseguests and celebrations extraordinaire for 4 days straight AND to add icing to the cake, I experienced a very unexpected shake up and massive transition in my business that required significant and immediate time, energy and decisiveness. Phew!
So while I always like to give everything my 100%, I knew that I needed to muster up more than that if I was going to pull all of this off. And so I reflected on a book I read last year sometime, and it’s corresponding amazing video, 212 Degrees.
The premise is based on the notion that raising the temperature of water by one extra degree means the difference between something that is simply very hot and something that generates enough force to power a machine. At 211 degrees, water is hot …. at 212 degrees, it boils. And with boiling water comes steam …. And steam can power a locomotive!
So what does this mean in translation?
It is a beautiful metaphor for our focused actions ~ reminding us that consistently pushing ourselves to make the extra effort, even just one degree of extra effort, can make extraordinary differences!
Watch this awesome and beautiful video to get a glimpse into just how powerful this principle really is….
So you are now aware! And with awareness, comes responsibility….to yourself and others.
As the video says, It’s YOUR life. YOU are responsible for your results.
And because I know this, and care about creating extraordinary results…..in business, for my family, for my life, in the world….this past 10 days has been about seriously TURNING UP THE HEAT!
So I cranked it up to 212 degrees…..
212 degrees of Service
212 degrees of Attitude
212 degrees of Leadership
212 degrees of Kindness (and Patience!) 
212 degrees of Commitment
212 degrees of Belief
212 degrees of Focus
212 degrees of Perseverance
And like I said, I’m exhausted, but because of my extra, focused action, my cup runneth over! 
I’d like to leave you with an excerpt from the book that sums this all up perfectly ….. it is called “And then some….” By Carl Holmes
“And then some….these 3 little words are the secret to success. They are the difference between average people and top people in most companies. The top people always do what is expected….and then some. They are thoughtful of others, they are considerate and kind….and then some. They meet their responsibilities fairly and squarely….and then some. They are good friends and helpful neighbors….and then some. They can be counted on in an emergency….and then some. I am thankful for people like this, for they make the world a better place. Their spirit of service is summed up in these three little words….and then some.”
So what are YOU willing to do today, that you’ve never done before? What extra degree of heat (effort), of persistent and additional action, are you willing to apply to whatever task or activity you are currently undertaking in order to achieve the exponential benefits that this principle makes possible?
It’s time to TURN UP THE HEAT!!!
