Bruce D Schneider's Blog

Living Like a King

Someone recently gave me a book about Eddie Feigner, who is known as the “King,” from the famous softball team, “The King and His Court.” Feigner was a great athlete, and his “Court” consisted of him as pitcher, and only 4 other players. They would consistently beat full teams of players and were quite entertaining in the process.

The book was not particularly well-written, and yet, for me, something about it was very emotional. This is the story of a boy who was given up for adoption at birth, and who struggled to make ends meet throughout his entire life. Ironically, he was at the top of his profession, but compared to baseball and other sports, fast-pitch softball wasn’t really recognized as equal to the others, and so, he received very little notoriety, even after he mastered his gift.

So in reading his story, it occurred to me that life’s masters are not just those who earn a great deal of money or recognition. And probably more often than not, they themselves don’t even recognize their full achievement and impact on others.

I saw the King and His Court in the 90’s. Eddie was in his 70’s, I think, and obviously past his prime. However, he still threw the ball nearly 100 miles per hour, and blew away all those who tried to hit against him. Eddie passed away a few years ago, leaving records that will probably remain unsurpassed. But most important to me was that he left me with the memory of someone who walked the talk and excelled in greatness. He didn’t just pitch. He was THE pitcher.

So whatever you do, do it with all you have, and regardless of what the masses think, let your actions be your success. Rest peacefully, Eddie.

Memorial Day, a time to remember the past and look forward to the future.

These days, I'm wondering how many people actually know the meaning behind Memorial Day. Perhaps to some, the significance of it is that they get a day off from work. But the day has deep meaning in remembering the efforts of the veterans who fought for a cause so that we can live the way we choose.

Would you die for the cause you believe in? By choice or by draft, many have, and we really need to thank them for fighting for the cause of freedom. But what else? Is the purpose of this holiday limited to remembering and honoring the past? I don't believe so. I think that we can all look at our "causes," the things we believe in with heart and soul, and see these past heroes as a reminder to move forward, even in the face of danger.

The path to the future isn't already paved for you in the forest; it's often painstakingly carved out by each of us, one step at a time. Unlike our veterans, perhaps you don't have to risk your life to create one worth living, but then again, without taking positive action to create the life you want, you'll probably just follow someone else's path at best, or sit around and wait for a fulfilling life to come to you.

This Memorial Day offers you the opportunity to reflect, and also to proactively step forward towards the life you want. We are all soldiers in life, and to create the future you desire, it takes soldiering: with passion, courage, and fortitude.

A Wonderful Holiday Gift

Most likely, if you’re reading this you are a deep thinker who isn’t satisfied with just going through the motions in life. You want more out of life: more knowledge, consciousness, peace, and love. And you are not alone. You may be very surprised to find out that your friends have some of the same thoughts as you.

Try an experiment: Share something deep and personal about you with someone you wouldn’t normally do so, and see where the conversation goes. Sharing ourselves deeply offers us more of something very important in our lives – intimate relationships – that help us enjoy a most remarkable gift this holiday season—the gift of each other.

Bruce D Schneider, MCC, www.iPECcoaching.com

Study proves new success factor...

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have the “Midas touch” – so that everything they come in contact with turns to gold?

iPEC and I are now able to announce the results of a groundbreaking research study showing the existence of a single factor that determines success in life.

Called the E-FactorTM, this conclusive indicator of success can be determined in a mere 20 minutes using a new online assessment, conceived after 25 years of research in the area of human potential and consciousness. The Energy LeadershipTM Index assessment is based on a tool -- the Energetic Self–Perception ChartTM that I developed in 1999 -- that delineates 7 different levels of consciousness, or awareness of self and life, with the first 2 levels being catabolic (negative, destructive, depleating) and the next five being anabolic (positive, constructive, building).

The Energy Leadership Index assessment quantifies the way in which an individual perceives and approaches life and reacts to different circumstances and experiences, and produces a numerical value – the E-Factor − that indicates the person's level of consciousness. The research shows that higher E-Factors are associated with more success in life.

About the results, our vice-president, Luke Iorio says, “I’m actually a bit surprised. Knowing about our company’s many years of anecdotal research, and personally having applied the underlying assumptions and concepts of Energy Leadership to my life, I knew we were on to something big. But I had no idea how big, and how accurate, this work would prove to be.”

In speaking of Energy Leadership, Iorio is referring to both iPEC’s particular and unique form of leadership, and also, literally, to the process of leading energy, so that it works for you rather than against you. Using the Energy Leadership Development System, which is a coaching program that was developed from the assessment, people not only understand their E-Factors, but can also raise them to increase success in their lives.

At the time of its creation, I didn’t fully understand all of the gifts and potential of the Energetic Self-Perception Chart. It was designed to build awareness of who we really are and how we can break through what holds us back from greatness. Now I know that the potential of this work is unlimited, and I’m thrilled to be a part of its further discovery and growth.

Research Results by the Numbers
A blind research study asked 100 people who completed the Energy Leadership Index assessment to rate themselves on 14 indicators of success. Participants with an E-Factor averaging 3.0 (with a possible range of 1 to 7) reported higher ratings in 14 out of 14 of the success measurements, compared to participants who scored just a half point lower, 2.5. This 100 percent correlation demonstrated empirically that a person’s E-Factor directly correlates to these 14 success measurements.

Further, the significance of improvement in these categories was extraordinary, showing an increase of between 6 and 20 percent for every one of the 14 items. These findings were the product of only a half-point difference (from 2.5 to 3.0) in E-Factor scores. The difference in success ratings between E-Factors of 2.5 and below, and 3.5 and higher, were substantially greater.

The 14 success measurements:

• Financial success
• Self-perceived leadership ability
• Interpersonal, social and intimate relationships
• Engagement at work
• Personal time and sense of freedom
• Quality and depth of communication
• Health and wellness
• Productivity
• Time management and efficiency
• Purpose and spiritual connection
• Work-life balance
• Mental, emotional, psychological, spiritual and physical energy

The E-Factor, and specifically these 7 levels of consciousness and self awareness, are the focus of my latest book, Energy Leadership.

About the book: Visit Amazon -- here.

About Energy Leadership: Visit www.EnergyLeadership.com