I have recently updated a program on building your own business, and designed a new one for the troubled economic times we are in.

The new program is designed for those who are seeking a job. I call it,

This is not your typical resume writing, interviewing skills, networking stuff that you usually get in those so-called “job transition” seminars. In fact I tell people that your resume will not help you get a job, and you need to audition, not interview, for the job you want. It’s new stuff. It’s about marketing you in new, exciting, and effective ways.

I can bring the program to your group. It will also be available on the internet and YOU Tube.

One of the key reminders that I start the program with is my God-based belief that we are all made for greatness. To use Eugene Peterson’s phrase, we are made to “run with the horses.”

Unfortunately most of never discover and use our greatness; we don’t dream or pursue our dream; we let our music die, and we never become fully alive. I believe that part of my present calling is to challenge and coach people to use the gift of these tough times to start their own business, write a book, do a radio show, pursue dreams and lofty goals, and seek personal greatness.

In the midst of this both of my daughters shared with me this YOU Tube video that is making the rounds around the Internet. Some of you have already seen it, and know that it will make you smile, even cry, and challenge you once again to dream. So here is the seven-minute story of Susan, unemployed, who is still pursuing her dream, and who knows, this time she might make it.

All the best and blessings, and now what is the dream you are going to pursue?

There is a powerful description of life in Louis L’Amour’s story,

. The major character, Tom Chantry is being challenged by a long time “westerner” as to what is really important and different from things out East where he is now from after leaving his western family life many years ago.

The westerner says,

“

Chantry responds,

Winston Churchill who lived part of the “cowboy life” in the frontier of South Africa said that the supreme virtue is courage because courage is the root, source, and power that make all the other virtues possible.

Let’s be very clear my friends, we need more “Cowboy Courage” in our lives and businesses today. When it comes to true success in life and business I often remind myself and my clients that, “It all comes down to courage.” We need courage to do the right thing.

Our economic difficulties are not going away soon. There are only two choices. We can go deeper into despair or we can see the gift that is in the mess we are in.

As I approach my 65

th

year, and you in what ever year you are celebrating, will get to join me in seeking to live lives of courage, loyalty to our beliefs, and faith in the “Glorious Benevolence” of the universe. It’s time for Cowboy Courage.

If you are ready to take your life and business to some new realities and possibilities in spite of these difficult times, I could be useful to you, and you might be surprised what might happen. Give me a call and I can tell you more!

Best and blessings at this Passover and Easter season.

My Doctor and coaching colleague, Dr Jim Struve inspired me the other day by sharing a metaphor that is a story in itself; and you know how I feel about the power of a good story.
 
He was speaking of a special listening and healing event where people in a time of difficulty came to seek renewal and redirection for their lives.  He called it

“a switchyard for the soul.”

  As one who has loved the sights and sounds of trains from early in life, I was moved to say, “Yes, that’s it.” In those days the train engine came into the switchyard, stopped, changed direction, and went out in a new way.
 
Unfortunately for us, it is not easy to stop, change direction, and start a new way.  In fact it is very hard.  But I am convinced that in these very difficult times we are going through, that many of us need to find a switchyard for our soul.  I was recently reading a series of meditations about how to do soul work.  Let’s face it, too much stuff, too much money, and not enough solitude and silence is bad for our soul.  Maybe our current difficulties are blessings and gifts in that many of us will be forced to slow down and go into our own personal soul switchyard.
 
What do you think?  If you are in the soul switchyard right now, what are you learning and where do you think you will be going?  I would love to hear your story.
 
Best and blessings to you.
 
PS – Many of you continue to be a blessing to me in your thoughts and prayers about my challenge with cancer.  We continue to press on and seek to be strong.  The prognosis so far is very encouraging, and thanks for being an encouragement to me.

I believe it was John Lennon who said, "Life is what happens when you're making other plans." Setting goals and making plans is good, but life is always difficult. I try to practice what I preach and so I had set some pretty ambitious goals for 2009 knowing that the year was going to be difficult for business success for us all.

My dear wife had also set a very specific goal for me; get a complete physical exam. I agreed and got an appointment for early December. Everything turned out fine except for a slightly above average PSA count. There is no need to detail the rest of the diagnosis and treatment process. But a few days ago, just before I was going on stage to give a major speech my cell phone vibrated. I answered it and it was my doctor specialist. He told me that the pathology lab had reconsidered its "no cancer" report that I was glad to have received the week before. From now on, "we'll call it cancer."

I then went on and gave three one-hour speeches. They went very well. I am grateful. At the end of the day I was very tired.

I once thought that if I had ever heard such a diagnosis, that I would be devastated. I have had no health problems my entire life; none. Surprisingly I felt very strong and felt no immediate fear. There is an old hymn that says, "He giveth more grace." That was my experience. I have come to believe that there is a gift in my situation. I will be seeking to discover what that gift is. If any of you can help me in that quest, I would be grateful.

So in addition to my other 2009 plans – I plan to win the battle. In fact this might be the best year ever for life, business, health, and spirit. I pray that for all of us.

Bless us all everyone.

“There is a gift here somewhere”

–

 

A business leader upon hearing

 

of a possible disabling and fatal illness.

Those who made bold predictions for 2008 about almost everything were almost all wrong. From politics to economics most of the “experts” got it wrong. But in 2009 we are going to have to do a lot more things “right” this time around.

We can do little about what the rest of the people in the rest of the world do, but as individuals we all need to sit down and make some “do it differently” plans and actions. This year we cannot assume the best. It will be difficult, maybe very difficult.

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New Year Commissions

Please listen to my internet radio program entitled,

I talk about some

New Year Commissions

that I challenge myself and you to accept. Your success in 2009i is fully up to you.

.

Click programs, click Stan Hustad, and then click the title.

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Your 2009 Plan

I enjoyed watching Pastor Rick Warren’s Christmas program. He said that if we find ourselves in deep fear, frustration, and financial crisis; that we are not living out the plan God has for us. We need to find another plan, maybe even

plan for our lives and our business. How’s that for a challenge? What do you think?

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The Gift

Some years ago a friend and client made the statement quoted at the start of this article. I was deeply moved. The rest of the story is that it was a serious illness but not fully disabling or fatal. The challenge though, is the same. Where is the gift?

We are going through very difficult and challenging times. I believe that in this mess there is a gift somewhere, perhaps a very important and precious gift. What do you think it might be? Please let me know as I am searching for this gift as we enter 2009.

Best and blessings, and say a prayer for the New Year.