Here is a funny list of failures!

Albert Einstein was a theoretical physicist widely regarded as the most important scientist of the 20th century. He was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize for Physics for his explanation of the photoelectric effect in 1905 and "for his services to Theoretical Physics". However, when Einstein was young, his parents thought he was mentally retarded. His grades in school were so poor that a teacher asked him to quit, saying, "Einstein, you will never amount to anything!" and his list of failures continue.

He dropped out of school at age 15. . In 1905, he published four research papers that outlined his theories on relativity, equivalence of mass and energy (e=mc2), Brownian motion, and the photon theory of light. The theory of relativity was very controversial, and although it was proven in 1919, the Nobel committee did not mention it when bestowing the prize.

Einstein had two children by his first wife. His son, Albert Hans Einstein, studied river hydraulics, including the movement of sediment and tidal flows. He was estranged from his other son. Einstein was living in Germany when WWI broke out. His wife and children were vacationing out of the country. The separation ended in divorce. Einstein was remarried in 1919. He was a critic of German militarism, but stayed in Germany after the war, believing that it had been quashed. When Hitler became Chancellor in 1933, Einstein moved to the United States and settled in Princeton, NJ, where he eventually died. Throughout his life, he championed the cause of peace. Although his critics often accused him of political naiveté, Einstein knew the devastation of war firsthand.

Ironically, it was a letter from Einstein to then President Franklin Delano Roosevelt that led to the establishment of the Manhatten Project and the development of the atom bomb. He wrote the letter upon hearing that the Germans were making progress toward splitting the atom. He wrote to FDR urging watchfulness and preparation for swift action if the Germans were successful. He did not even know that the US had begun the research until the bomb was detonated at Hiroshima. Einsteinium, an element found only in material that has undergone massive neutron irradiation, was named after Einstein after being found in wastes at the site of the first detonation of a thermonuclear device. After the war, Einstein joined with other scientists in a call for world harmony to avoid the future use of nuclear weapons.

Einstein was an active correspondent. He exchanged letters with Sigmund Freud on violence, and with Rabindranath Tagore on the essence of Truth. He traveled extensively on lecture tours, and often complained that it kept him from continuing his work. In his later years, Einstein worked on the unified field theory, which most physicists felt was flawed in light of discoveries in quantum mechanics.

Bill Gates was a Harvard University dropout. The most ironic part is that, he started a software company (that was soon to become Microsoft) by purchasing the software technology from "someone" for only $US50 back then.

Abraham Lincoln, received no more than 5 years of formal education throughout his lifetime. When he grew up, he joined politics and had 12 major failures before he was elected the 16th President of the United States of America.

Isaac Newton was the greatest English mathematician of his generation. His work on optics and gravitation made him one of the greatest scientists the world has even known. Many thought that Isaac was born a genius, but he wasn't! When he was young, he did very poorly in grade school, so poor that his teachers became clueless in improving his grades.

Ludwig van Beethoven, a German composer of classical music, is widely regarded as one of history's supreme composers. His reputation has inspired - and in many cases intimidated - composers, musicians, and audiences who were to come after him. Before the start of his career, Beethoven's music teacher once said of him "as a composer, he is hopeless". And during his career, he lost his hearing yet he managed to produce great music - a deaf man composing music, ironic isn't!

Thomas Edison who developed many devices which greatly influenced life in the 20th century. Edison is considered one of the most prolific inventors in history, holding 1,093 U.S patents to his name. When he was a boy his teacher told him he was too stupid to learn anything. When he set out on his own, he tried more than 9,000 experiments before he created the first successful light bulb.

The Woolworth Company was a retail company that was one of the original five-and-ten-cent stores. The first Woolworth's store was founded in 1878 by Frank Winfield Woolworth and soon grew to become one of the largest retail chains in the world in the 20th century. Before starting his own business, Woolworth got a job in a dry goods store when he was 21. But his employer would not let him serve any customer because he concluded that Frank "didn't have enough common sense to serve the customers".

By acclamation, Michael Jordon is the greatest basketball player of all time. A phenomenal athlete with a unique combination of grace, speed, power, artistry, improvisational ability and an unquenchable competitive desire. Jordan single-handily redefined the NBA superstar. Before joining NBA, Jordan was just an ordinary person, so ordinary that was cut from high school basketball team because of his "lack of skill".

Walter Disney was American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, and animator. One of the most well-known motion picture producers in the world, Disney founded a production company. The corporation, now known as The Walt Disney company, makes average revenue of US $30 billion annually. Disney started his own business from his home garage and his very first cartoon production went bankrupt. During his first press conference, a newspaper editor ridiculed Walt Disney because he had no good ideas in film production.

Winston Churchill failed the 6th grade. However, that never stopped him to work harder! He strived and eventually became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. Churchill is generally regarded as one of the most important leaders in Britain and world history. In a poll conducted by the BBC in 2002 to identify the "100 Greatest Britons", participants voted Churchill as the most important of all.

Steven Spielberg is an American film director. He has won 3 Academy Awards an ranks among the most successful filmmakers in history. Most of all, Steven was recognized as the financially most successful motion picture director of all time. During his childhood, Spielberg dropped out of junior high school. He was persuaded to come back and was placed in a learning-disabled class. He only lasted a month and then dropped out of school forever.

In 1947, one year into her contract, Marilyn Monroe was dropped by 20th Century-Fox because her producer thought she was unattractive and cannot act. That didn't deter her at all! She kept on going and eventually she was recognized by the public as the 20th century's most famous movie star, sex symbol and pop icon.

John Grisham's first novel was rejected by sixteen agents and twelve publishing houses. He went on writing and writing until he became best known as a novelist and author for his works of modern legal drama. The media has coined him as one of the best novel authors even alive in the 21st century.

Henry Ford's first two automobile companies failed. That did not stop him from incorporating Ford Motor Company and being the first to apply assembly line manufacturing to the production of affordable automobiles in the world. He not only revolutionized industrial production in the United States and Europe, but also had such influence over the 20th century economy and society. His combination of mass production, high wages and low prices to consumers has initiated a management school known as "Fordism". He became one of the three most famous and richest men in the world during his time.

Soichiro Honda was turned down by Toyota Motor Corporation during a job interview as "engineer" after World War Two. He continued to be jobless until his neighbors starting buying his "home-made scooters". Subsequently, he set out on his own to start his own company. Honda. Today, the Company has grown to become the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer and one of the most profitable automakers - beating giant automaker such as GM and Chrysler. With a global network of 437 subsidiaries, Honda develops, manufactures, and markets a wide variety of products ranging from small general-purpose engines and scooters to specialty sports cars.

Akio Morita, founder of giant electric household products, Sony Corporation, first product was an electric rice cooker, only sold 100 cookers (because it burned rice rather than cooking). Today, Sony is generating US$66 billion in revenue and ranked as the world's 6th largest electronic and electrical company.

Why see a life coach

We live in a world where change is accelerating. We are bombarded by information and demands on our time; we are expected to make rapid decisions and to continuously keep pace with changes in our environment. The problem is that whilst the environment is changing, people do not like to change. We attempt to maintain the status quo. To stay in our comfort level, we don't want to move out of our comfort level because we have learned to deal with it. It is better to stay in a bad situation instead of going into unknown waters. We think because we know what to expect here. Even if here is not where we want to be! So we are conflicted.

People feel they need help, but they need to talk to somebody who can help them just unravel their particular lives, or situations; that can help them gain some clarity and see things from a different perspective. It was Einstein who said we cannot solve a problem from the same kind of thinking that caused it in the first place. As coaches, we help our clients with different kinds of thinking. seeing things from a different viewpoint.

Individuals see a coach for more reasons than I can think of! Life coaching in its broadest
sense covers career, financial, spiritual, health, family, relationships, work, and in fact
almost any human activity. Typical situations might be when making a life change or
when wanting to decide on a career, dealing with difficult relationships, dealing with a
difficult boss or work colleagues, wanting to improve your work performance, if in
financial trouble; wanting to improve your lifestyle; facing a crisis, desperate for change
but feeling fearful, when facing retirement, and many, many other situations.

When is the right time to see a coach?

Anytime that you want to invest in YOU! You will be amazed at how much you can gain from having a good coach on your side. Coaching does not imply there is anything wrong with you. On
the contrary, it is people with healthy ego strengths who really want to just go from good
to great, who benefit most from coaching. All good coaches have good coaches. Think about it. How many people have influenced your life to date? How many have influenced your life to the positive? Those mentors that we chose to follow are just an example of what a good life coach can start to do in your life. The difference is that a life coach doesn't just happen to help you do something positive in your life. A life coach is dedicated to helping you make a positive difference in your life.

What can they help you accomplish, how does it happen?

A good coach will help you accomplish more than you ever thought possible. But it is a
collaborative arrangement. The coach cannot do it alone. You cannot go to a coach and
say “Help me!”, and then just sit back and expect the coach to do all the work. It requires
commitment on your part.
A coach will question you, challenge you, support you, encourage you to set goals, cocreate
outcomes and actions with you, hold you accountable to your own outcomes, give
you honest feedback; provide a space where you can be honest to yourself without any
judgment form the coach.

What should one look for in a Life Coach?

Look for a coach who is actively increasing their skills, who has attended a credited coach specific training program. Look for a coach who you feel comfortable with. No one coach can be all things to all people and most coaches develop a niche, or a few select niches, in which they specialize.
Ask about their niche and specialties. Ask about their training. Ask them for references.
Ask how long they have been coaching and how many people they have coached, or how
many hours they have logged. This should not disqualify newly qualified coaches, as
many newly qualified coaches are very good, and some experienced coaches are not very
good, but it should pertain to the fee structure. Ask about their fee structures and the
options they can offer.
Good coaches will establish rapport and make you feel comfortable from the outset. If
you do not feel comfortable in the coach’s presence from early on, then that coach might
not be for you.

How is a Life Coaching about?
Coaching is not about being OK; it is about being at one’s best and producing superior performance, attaining higher levels of health, well being, focus and skill. Coaching works on refining and honing the individual's best skills, playing to one’s strength and eliminating the things that sabotage excellence. It is also about recognizing problem areas and moving forward to eliminate them or to strengthen the skill. Coaching is about what is going on right now and what possiblities there are in the future. It is for people who are growing and moving forward in their lives.

How do they help you manage change?

A good coach challenges, questions, awakens, gives candid sensory specific feedback, co-creates actions, helps you set goals and strategies for getting to those goals and holding you accountable.
A good coach stands with you when you go into those uncharted unfamiliar waters and shines the light so that you can see your way more clearly. They can help you to see the rocks and the dangers before they put a hole in your craft.

What is the best thing about Life Coaching?

The best thing about life coaching is you are in the drivers seat. You control the course and the speed. Any changes in your life are far more effective because they are the changes that you want. Not changes on some one else's agenda

Focusing on your goals

Can you believe that this year is almost 1/2 way over? This is the time of year when I do my 3rd evaluation of the year to see how I am doing on my goals, do they need adjustments or do I need to advance the goals to the next step. Do I need to focus more on one or the other to be where I want to be by next year at this time.
On January 1st of every year I set down my goals for the year and then break down them into where I want to be in 3 months, 6, 9 and by end of year. This allows me to stay focused on what my goals are throughout the year. In March I take my second look then in June my 3rd, Sept my 4th and then just after Christmas I look at where I came from and where I would like to go in the next year.

Are you getting better or just getting older?

One day I looked at myself in the mirror and saw someone that I didn't even know anymore. In fact as I continued to look I found that not only did I not know this person anymore I also did not like this person whom I had become.
Where was the person who had dreams?
The person who was excited about life where did she go?
When did those pounds become part of me?

Have you ever done that? Have you ever wondered how you got to where you are? Have you ever wondered where your dreams went? Have you ever felt out of touch with who you are? If you have I would like to invite you on a journey.

I decided to write a list of all the things I did not like about my life and myself on one sheet and on another I would list the things I liked about my life and myself. The resulting pages started an exploration and a transformation that is an ongoing journey. Along the way I have found those nay slayers who would like to cause landslides in my life. I have rounded the bend and found the road was partially obstructed or washed out. I had to learn to negotiate around hair pin curves and once in a while a box canyon.
Along the way I have traveled with convoys and driven solo across the desert of "Self Discovery" I have given helping hands to hitch hikers along the way and to those who need a little mechanical assistance. Today I enter a new leg in my journey. Today I looked in the mirror and loved the person I saw there. I love what I do in life. I love who I am right now. I have journeyed to the top of my life. Does the journey stop there? No it goes on and on, but the traveler has changed. The traveler has went from being a reluctant plodding mule who went where she thought she felt she had to go to a young vibrant excited explorer who wants to run and peek around the next corner in excitement and yet lingers to enjoy the view of the incredible rainbow of rich blessings she has received.

The thing I love the most is that I can help other people to complete their journey. To succeed where they have previously failed. To negotiate around the obstacles that may come into their paths. To find their life at the top of their world.

I love learning and growing. Learning can take many forms: classroom study, reading, travel, life experiences or collaboration with others. When you pay attention, there's always an opportunity to learn. When you think of life as a spiral of continuous improvements, there's always a higher place to which you can aspire.

Today the challenge is to Embrace Change -- Grow With the Flow.

1 Be PROGRESSIVE! What would you most like to improve about yourself or your life?
2 Be GROWING! Where do you see opportunities for you to learn and grow, right now?
3 Be FLEXIBLE! Where else could you find additional training and information?

Get To Know Lu Swart

Hello. I'm Coach Lu Swart I'm an experienced Life and Business Coach & Mentor. I have been coaching for a long time. It's my calling. And I've had the honor of working with hundreds of great people all over the world, helping them move forward in their lives and careers and achieve some amazing things.

To my life coaching practice I bring compassion, optimism, integrity, creativity, intuition, practicality, all my coaching and business skills, and a lifetime of experience. Over the years I've been; an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, author, publisher, human service worker, internet marketer, free lance writer and photographer, truck driver,rancher, investor, mom, wife, explorer, life enthusiast, and student of life. Looking back now, it seems all my life experiences were important, and in some way led me to coaching. They also allow me to better support and assist my clients.

I'm very grateful for the opportunities and experiences I've had. It hasn't always been easy, but in my experiences and life travels: I am achieving far more than I thought was possible when I started out.

In life coaching, I now do what I truly love. And I really enjoy seeing clients get inspired to do more than they thought possible. I have a very busy practice, usually working with over 30 clients, who come to coaching with a diversity of personal and professional interests.

I actively support the growth and raising of standards in the young profession of coaching. I am working hard daily to establish higher standards of training, credentialing and ethics within the coaching community. I am continually working on increasing my skills as a coach and an entrepreneur.

Personally, I've been married to my best friend, Dennis, for 20 years. He is still the person I most want to share my life with. Together we are the proud parents of five delightful children; whom have turned into wonderful young adults. I am lucky enough to live in a beautiful part of the world with family, friends and a community that are very important to me. I believe in giving back to my community and enjoy my work as a Council member of the Lincoln County Community Health Council.

Life Coach Background Summary

Lu Swart: life coach
Memberships: ICF, NWCA, LCHC
Training: AAS Human Services, C.N.A. C.D.L.
Education: Coach Training Alliance, Utah State University, Flathead Valley Community College, Western Montana College, School of hard knocks.
Specialty: I work one-to-one with individuals, new coaches, executives, leaders and entrepreneurs helping them; gain clarity, align their passions and strengths, create a plan to get the results they want, and live inspired and balanced lives.
Top Values: Family, integrity, making a difference, growth and learning, nature and creativity.
Favorite Place: In Hawaii snorkeling
Favorite Activity: exploring life with family
Favorite Book: Can't choose I love to many of them
Favorite Meal: homemade with lots of family and friends there or a date night with my best friend my husband

What I Do

What I do for a living, is to help people find their strengths and passions, become inspired, believe in themselves, stay focused, and really find & go after their biggest dreams.

focus making a positive difference in life and in business, and through my volunteer work, coaching and workshops, I've had the pleasure of helping many hundreds of people overcome challenges and live happier, more abundant lives. It is the most rewarding work I've ever done. If you are interested, here's how I came to do what I do.

My Outlook on Life Coaching

I love coaching. It allows me to use my gifts and all my business and life-skills training and experience, and make a difference in people's lives. I really enjoy working with my Clients, and admire their determination to make the changes required to get the results they want.

I also believe that we all have unique skills and talents. It is deeply rewarding to coach Clients to discover their potential, and then help them apply their own special gifts - in their businesses and personal lives. I greatly appreciate the trust my Clients put in me. The gift that they give me by allowing me to share in their journeys to the top of their worlds.

I love to help people grow, re-discover their dreams, and create more value, wholeness, abundance and peace in their lives. I think we all have a purpose, here on earth, and I love to help people find theirs.

I consider myself very fortunate to have had the personal and business experiences I've had. In business I am proud of the many ventures I've been a part of. Personally, I really enjoy my family life, and along the way I have had some great adventures including; snorkeling in Hawaii with my mom, husband, my son and his beautiful bride, my experiences in coaching and owning "My Life at the Top", driving truck across the lower 48 and Canada, owning our own trucking company, owning since 2001 DenLu Distributing LLC, then adding Cruise Walker Travel agency in 2007 and then DenLu Publishing LLC in 2008. Starting my own paper that focuses on the positives "Surf N Fun News LLC". To me the most important thing anyone can do is to work each day of who you want to become and utilise each chance you have to make a positive difference in as many lives as is possible. To me it all forms part of who I am, and what I have to offer to you.

My Outlook on Life

I view life as a journey, rather than a destination. And it's a journey that changes us all. To the extent that we get in touch with, and honor, our deepest values, that journey will be fulfilling. In my practice I often tell the story of the young Russian Soldier manning a lonely guard post at a country crossroad. When the soldier is startled out of his night vigil by someone approaching his checkpoint, he leaps forth and shouts: "Halt". "Who are you?" "Where are you going?" and "How are you getting there?"

The stranger turns out to be the village priest, who is quickly recognized. Yet rather than accepting the soldier's apologies, the priest offers to pay the young man 30 rubles to ask those same questions every day.

The point of the story is that if you have answers to these questions frequently, you are attending well to your life. At its deepest level, "Who are you?" inquires as to why you are here on this earth? "Where are you going?" inquires into the vision you have for your life, or how you are going to use the gifts of time and talent you have. "How are you getting there?" inquires into your calling, the next step, or the best path forward.

Answering these questions for your life can provide a great deal of clarity, inspiration and a much greater sense that you are living the life you are meant to live.

For me, as relates to the "Who" question - I believe I am here to learn, love, laugh and be of service. As to the "Where Are You Going" question - I am committed to help make a more inspired world through coaching. As to the "How" - I coach, teach and lead people to find their inspiration their way to the top of their worlds.

I don't claim to have all the answers. That's not what coaching is about. But if you are ready to make some positive changes in your life -- and you choose to work with me -- I will be dedicated to help you get the results you want and find the answers that add the most value to your life.

Feel free to email me at MyLifeattheTop@gmail.com I will be happy to answer any questions and give you a free, no obligation, coaching demonstration.

Loving Life

Lu Swart

Wow! Tons of questions out there, please keep them coming in! You can write your questions to MyLifeAtTheTop@gmail.com or call me at 541-921-7281 I am on Pacific Time Zone.

Okay so lets answer a few frequently asked questions!

What is life coaching?

To answer this I would like to tell you 2 things: What life coaching is and what life coaching isn't.

Life coaching is:

• A practice of helping clients determine and achieve personal goals. Life coaches use multiple methods that will help clients with the process of setting and reaching goals in such a way that the client is in total control of the process.
• Focuses on effecting change in a client's current and future behavior.
  
• Coaches are "sounding boards" and "motivators".
• Clients are looking for a coach "to really listen to them and give honest feedback." The top three issues in which clients seek help are time management, career and business.

Life coaching is not:

• Targeted at psychological illness and coaches are neither therapists nor consultants.
• Does not focus on examining nor diagnosing the past.
  
• Does not delve into diagnosing mental illness or dysfunction.
  
• Clients are not looking for coaches to fix them.

How do I start the life coaching process?

You can take my coachablity quiz or contact me via email or phone to schedule an appointment for a Discovery session, which is the initial, structured session that forms the foundation of our work to follow (during the Discovery session we will explore values, focus areas and goals). Then we can decide what kind of schedule would work best for you.

How much does life coaching cost?

Prices for life coaching services and programs range from $40 to $450 per month, depending on how many sessions and how long they are. Typically people receive life coaching for 2 hours a month, divided up into either (4) 30 minute sessions per month or (3) 45 minute sessions per month or (2) 60 minute sessions. However, my services are flexible and can accommodate the wishes and needs of my clients. Some discounts may apply, as well.

All life coaching rates include updates and spot coaching via email between sessions. (Clients have found spot coaching to be a potent way to stay on track and remain motivated and connected with me.) Fees are always paid upfront on a monthly basis. Payment can be made by credit card or pay pal. Life coaching can pay for itself in increased productivity and quality of life.

How long does personal life coaching take?

I request that clients make a three month commitment to the coaching to give it a full chance to demonstrate its effectiveness. This is not a financial commitment but a psychological one. Therefore, the coaching might last only three months or it may continue on for a year or more. You will know when it is time to end.

What makes personal life coaching so convenient?

Life coaching can be conducted on the phone in the convenience of your home or office. Some local folks might opt to do it in person (my office is located in Dallas, Oregon). People have full and busy lives and some might not like not to deal with traffic or weather conditions; coaching on the phone is a viable option for them. Location is truly no obstacle.

How is life coaching different from counseling and psychotherapy?

Life coaching deals with the present and future. It does not examine the past but instead creates your future. The life coaching I provide is therapeutic, but it is not therapy. Counseling and psychotherapy usually deal with problems and healing from things that happened in the past.

I understand people and the dynamics of change. I am warm, wise and non-judgmental; I have good intuition and insight. And you benefit when I bring my skills and wisdom to the coaching table. When I coach, and the client is truly involved, personal growth happens.

How is personal life coaching different from consulting?
As a personal life coach, I help you find your own answers. People are more likely to take action if it is something they themselves have come up with and not been told to do. A consultant is an expert who dispenses advice and has all the answers. I do not give advice per se but do problem-solving and brainstorming with you.

Does life coaching focus on work or personal issues?
The life coaching that I provide is very holistic in that the person's entire life is considered grist for the coaching mill. Different parts of people's lives that might be worked on are: career, health/wellness, money, spiritual development, home, family, friends, fun/recreation, etc. Coaching helps you bring balance and satisfaction to all of the various parts of your life.

How do the words partner, collaborate, and alliance help define life coaching?
As a personal life coach trained in the co-active model, I view each and every client as creative, resourceful and whole. What this means is that you are capable of setting and reaching goals and finding your own answers. Count on me to ask the questions! Our coaching relationship is a designed alliance and you get to "design the coach" based on your own personality style and needs. Your dreams comprise the big agenda and you set the agenda for each coaching call. As your partner, I will always see and point out your greatness and potential, even when you lose sight of it.

Is personal life coaching just about action and doing?
Not at all. Life coaching is about growing and learning, too. It's about being all you can be, to coin a phrase. It's about evolving and becoming … and enjoying the process. That being said, it certainly involves planning, action and accountability (reporting back to me via email or in our next session). When I coach, I get people moving where they want to go based on their own agenda and what is important to them.

Wow just weighed in and I have lost 37 pounds!

Hi Lu,
You were right this does work! I have lost 37 pounds without expensive diet plans or gym memberships. I just wanted to thank you!
Terri S.

My Life At The Top

Some day I will go to.......................
Some day I will do.............................................
Some day I will lose weight. I will be thin as...................
Some day I will have the career that gives me................
Some day I will earn............................................................
Some day I will travel to.....................................................

When you want to accomplish your somedays......email me at MyLifeAtTheTop@gmail.com