Led another firewalk yesterday…
…and it was amazing. Several participants had major breakthroughs, andthe rest merely felt massively empowered and energized. All participants walked the fire, no burns at all. I love doing this work. I love seeing people transform before my eyes. Here are a few of the most eloquent testamonials I got from last night’s participants:
“I broke through something so deep inside myself that I didn’t even know it was holding me back. In a safe, protected environment, strangers became friends and opened our hearts to each other. And then we walked through fire together. Yes! Yes! Yes!” — Marne O’Shae, physician
“To be given both perspective and self-confidence is a truly beautiful thing. Thank you Tony.” — Grant B., butcher
“Do not bring anything with you.
There is nothing to prepare for.
The journey takes you through yourself
No matter where you are
Each step toward the fire, is your next step in life.
Each step on the fire is the process of awakening.
Each step away from the fire
Is filled with gratitude.
Thank you.” — Ira Kamp, dentist/acupuncturist
“Tonight was unbelievably powerful. I conquered what was keeping me from all that I can be. I conquered myself. I am filled with power beyond measure. I can create and do anything. I am my own creator.” — Josh M., student
What fun to be able to share that with people! Keep spreading the word. I want my firewalks to be BIG. Next walk: August 20.
Interview with Tony Simons at “Trust Across America”
A cool interview about integrity and trustworthy behavior, and a very cool website in general. check out other interviews, also about trust.
http://www.trustacrossamerica.com/blog/?p=205
Best Corporate Apology Ever…
Yesterday I received a letter from the lovely people at my favourite website – I Want One Of Those.
I ordered a lot of my Christmas shopping from the site, as I have done for some years. This year, they did two big new things – they opened up the site to US residents and became a hot ticket there as well as in the UK; and they advertised on television for the first time.
Their ads were fun and drew the crowds – probably far more then they were expecting. I don’t believe they were ready for it. Normally, iWoot service is the best I’ve ever experienced. No sooner have you finished the order with a final click, than a courier’s tapping you on the shoulder with your delivery. This Christmas was not normal.
Continues…
Article on Firewalking in Ithaca Times
Ithaca man teaches firewalking for empowerment
7/14/2010
Joseph Murtagh
Reporter
That human beings could walk barefoot across hot coals would seem to defy common sense, but for Tony Simons, a certified firewalk instructor who regularly holds workshops on firewalking, it is a way to break down psychological barriers and bring out people’s inner strengths.
“Firewalking can be extremely transformative for people,” said Simons. “It can really change your life.”
A typical firewalk workshop starts off with Simons giving some empowerment exercises that are designed to help participants conquer their fear. One such exercise, Simons said, involves writing down bad habits on a board, such as laziness or procrastination, and then breaking the board in two. It’s all in line with the overall purpose of the fire walk, which Simons said is to raise people’s courage.
“This isn’t so much about giving you courage, as helping you realize the courage you already have,” said Simons. “Firewalking helps people overcome their fear and self-doubt. And later in life, when you’re overcoming other challenges, you can think, ‘I can do this, because I walked through fire.’”
story continues:
http://ithacatimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=20&SubSectionID=74&ArticleID=12266
Winning through integrity
Personal Leadership Coach, Sharon Worsley, on how important integrity is to winning. Well said, Sharon!
What people think integrity means…
The Firewalk of Integrity
I have just completed my firewalk instructor certification course with the Firewalk Institute of Research and Education (F.I.R.E., get it?). It was a mind-boggling experience is no many ways. I learned some WONDERFUL new training tools for empowerment — and, as side benefits, I felt massively empowered myself by doing all these exercises. Oh, and I also joined a new family that welcomed my integrity work and totally got how integrity is a firewalk. Wow, could I possibly have hoped for more?
I first did a firewalk three or so years ago, as the first evening of a three-day goal-setting retreat. What a thing! First the firewalk convinces you that you can do anything, and then you spend a few days setting up a BHAG (“big hairy audacious goal”– a Jim Collins expression) that you can live your life into. That was when I decided to become a thought leader by 2014. Anyway, the firewalk was outrageously empowering and deep, had that effect on everyone present, and nobody at all got hurt! So, now I am trained and certified to share that experience with others.
I see myself offering simple firewalks — stripped down, they pack a whole lot of personal transformation into a single evening. I also see myself doing integrity dividend firewalks, both as one-evening events and also as part of longer integrity dividend programs.
How, you might ask, is integrity a firewalk? Let’s start with the fact that integrity is sometimes terrifying. It can mean confronting the messes you have created, telling people things they do not want to hear, admitting vulnerabilities, changing comfortable habits, holding yourself accountable, holding others accountable, others holding you accountable… A lot of scary stuff. Fear is by no means the only thing that keeps people back from integrity — there is also greed and sloth and a few other of the deadly sins. (Come to think of it, why isn’t fear one of the deadly sins? Perhaps it should be. It has certainly caused people to do some horrible things.) Anyhow, fear is something that holds many people back from going for fuller integrity. So now, with use of the firewalk and some other exercises, I help people conquer their fear.
I am thrilled to be able to offer that gift to people.
Be the Guy
My friend and colleague Kevin Basik has been involved in leadership training for Air Force at the Air Force Academy, The Citadel, and nationally for Air Force ROTC. When he teaches, he tells the following wonderful story. _________________________________________
I was a young lieutenant in the Air Force in San Antonio, playing a rare round of golf with my father in law, when we got paired up with another two-some. The other gentlemen were Ed, a successful computer consultant from the San Antonio area with a thick Boston accent, and his friend, “Snake” (honestly), a Marine Corps officer, visiting from out of town.
During the round, my father-in-law and I learned to truly like and appreciate both Snake and Ed, and could see why they had been successful in their respective careers. We occasionally swapped seats in our carts and chatted with Ed and Snake. Over the course of the 4-hour round, we learned that Ed had also been in the Air Force – originally enlisted, got out, earned his bachelor’s degree, and then served 4 years as an officer. I could tell that Ed appreciated this Air Force bond we had, and he really took me under his wing during our round. With 18 holes complete, both Snake and my father-in-law had to leave, but Ed and I stuck around for a beer or two in the clubhouse. Thinking that I would be getting out of the Air Force in a couple years, I was interested in getting mentored by a very successful executive – and one I could relate to personally.
Why Codes of Conduct are Horrible… And Necessary
The last thing a busy, effective, results-driven executive wants is a new book of rules, to be strictly followed and enforced. Especially if that book of rules is long and detailed. Who has time to read it, much less consult it? And that goes double if that book of rules forbids practices that seem like the only way to get things done in the countries where you operate. Bribes. Gifts. Finders fees. Playing by immaculate rules is well and good for the home office, where local laws make for a relatively even playing field. But forbidding practices that are widespread in places where you do business means tying your hands… and perhaps not being as effective as you could be. Not getting quite as many contracts. Not making your numbers. Not excelling. Is it any wonder that most codes of conduct are met with fear and foot-dragging? “Please do not ask me to do a very hard job with my hands tied.” You cannot blame managers who want to remain as effective as they can be.
Dilbert Highlights a Classic
Do I really need to add anything to this?
