But what if you didn’t know any better? What if you believed in unlimited possibility?

What if you were an alien that just beamed onto Earth and you didn’t know the rules? What if you didn’t know the way things were done and you were free to create a solution to any problem or expand any opportunity? Chances are, you’d tap into your reservoir of creativity and create brand new solutions and possibilities.

This past week I had the incredible honor of interviewing Sir Richard Branson at his home on Necker Island, in the British Virgin Islands- because I believed it was possible. Richard is the quintessential example of someone who lives his life believing anything is possible.

His company the Virgin Group, is one of the world’s most successful companies and is one of the most recognized global brands. He’s the only person in the world to have built eight different billion-dollar companies from scratch in eight different sectors.

He is the ultimate entrepreneur, an amazing success story, a mentor to millions and is using his success for the betterment of the planet not only through philanthropy but as a direct part of his everyday business.

He has been one of my personal heroes for quite some time. This meeting was something that was on my vision board for more than a year. Many thought that I was crazy to think that I could arrange this interview, but I was determined to make it happen. I believe anything is possible if we tap into our own creativity and determination.

If we give a child a heavy bucket of water and ask them to move it across the room one of several things may happen. Depending upon the child, some may try to lift the full bucket and spill it across the floor. Others will unsuccessfully try to lift it and give up. Some will just splash and play in the water and completely forget the task at hand.

But a select few will find another toy that holds water and scoop, walk and dump the water from one bucket to the next, until the bucket is light enough to move. One child may use a sponge to soak up the water and squeeze it out into the bucket across the room. Children will think of things that our logical mind might not even dream of- because they’re too naive to know that what they’re trying to do won’t work- and it does.

As Sir Richard says, ” What everyone tells you never to do, may just work- once.”

The next time you’re faced with a problem or an opportunity, I invite you to forget what you already know. Instead of simply listening to a so called “expert”, tap into you own inner wisdom and don’t automatically dismiss your idea as too crazy to work. Pretend that you don’t know any better and approach the problem with an open mind. Let go of all of your inner chatter that tells you why something won’t work.

- Look at the problem or opportunity and seek to understand it.

- Think of the obvious solutions-and throw them all away.

- Dig for the secret solution that’s hiding that you would normally dismiss as “too crazy” or “that will never work”, because there’s a good chance that it just might work (at least once).

Experience shows that when we let go of the pre-conceived thoughts and beliefs that we bring to the table, a world of opportunity opens unto us. The interesting thing is, that that world was there all along- and will open up when we choose to see it as viable.

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts...

Let's look at an example. When a patient goes in for surgery, he or she really doesn't care if the surgeon had a fight with their spouse, has economic difficulties or has an upset stomach. What's most important is for the surgeon to do their job well! While the doctor's performance will change depending on the circumstances, it's critical to get off the emotional roller coaster of life and perform.

Regardless of what we do, we are all in a similar situation. While our closest friends and family can be of tremendous support when we are facing difficulties, the backdrop of our emotional challenges isn't important to the rest of the world. Imagine the following situation. A client walks into a car dealership and asks the salesperson, "How are you doing?" Imagine the salesperson replying, "My teenager is about to get kicked out of school, they haven't paid my commissions from last month, my landlord is asking for my house and I am depressed." Would we really want such a detailed explanation?

While this is obviously an exaggeration, we frequently demonstrate these same sentiments without ever speaking. Our body language and attitude towards life explains the entire script. It is not necessary to ask someone, "How are you feeling?" Most of the time it's apparent from their behavior and demeanor how they feel. In fact, for those we know best, we know in an instant how they feel.

Like most, I have learned a great deal from my parents. My mother, "The Beautiful Lady," passed in peace on October 18th. As a result of her passing, I have thought a lot about all I have learned from her. While there have been so many different things, the most important is regardless of how we feel, we have to get up and say, "It's Showtime!" With our best foot forward, it's crucial we go out on stage with courage and confidence.

We are all actors in life. We will not always feel great and not everything in life is wonderful and beautiful. It's not realistic to think we will always be energetic and motivated. Nevertheless, those who are able to shake themselves off and go out on stage with an excellent attitude are those who will achieve greatness. Let's be superstars as we go out on stage in a constant effort to give our best performance in this wonderful theater we call life.

Copyright © 2009 Rob McBride. All Rights Reserved
Rob McBride is an author and speaker who motivates, inspires and trains people. His keynotes, seminars and workshops enhance effectiveness and increase corporate productivity with concrete, dynamic tools which enable people to take control of their professional direction and destiny. He writes the Lunar Lettermonthly with each full moon. His books include: A Special Gift andLittle by Little We Go Far.

What a luxury it now seems to have that leisure to sit around to contemplate the meaning of life. For once one becomes immersed in the business of life - earning a living, raising a family, maintaining a residence - it's easy to shy away from reflecting on your philosophy of life. The typical consequence: a feeling of emptiness, alienation, purposelessness - despite being constantly busy and rushing around doing things.

A philosophy of life provides a compass, a direction, a guide to help us make our way through life. Knowing what you believe in not only creates a sense of purpose but also is a guide to practical matters such as how to make a difficult decision, how to develop a sense of personal organization, how to be resilient - even in the most straining times.

Traditionally people turned to religion or principles of morality to provide meaning to their lives. Some still do. But others, despite religion, morality, education and wealth, feel little spirituality in their lives. Their deepest questions about why they are here on earth remain unanswered, typically resulting in feelings of loneliness, depression and reduced interest in anything except the pleasure of the moment.

"You cannot get enough of what you don't really need," declared philosopher Eric Hoffer. But if you don't really know what you need, you've got to make it up as you go along. And what most people do is to accentuate the amorphous concept of "more." More money, more sex, more work, more drugs, more food, more clothes, more tech gizmos, more travel, more parties, more friends, more activities. And yet, despite having more than you ever dreamed of, you may still find less meaning in life.

So what should you do if you're not finding much meaning in life? Keep busy, keep active, keep moving, we are told. At times, these suggestions are helpful. But more often, we are busy enough. What we need, we don't even deem worthwhile. Qualities like acceptance, simplicity, solitude, tranquility, stillness. If you devalue these qualities, it's likely you'll create little or no time for them. Indeed, you may be critical of yourself for "wasting time", instead of feeling pleased that you allowed yourself space for quiet and solitude.

Let's return full circle to our original questions: "What's the meaning of life?" "What values do I cherish?" "What shall I do with my life?" With the wisdom of experience, it's a good chance you'll respond to these questions in a more enlightened way. I hope you give yourself the time to revisit these questions and reflect on your answers.

Linda is a psychologist and personal coach in private practice who specializes in helping people enrich their lives, enhance their relationships and overcome self-defeating patterns of behavior. For more information about her work, contact her by email or visit her website at PsychWisdom.

The friend was sharing how hard it is to open up to people and to share his feelings. He's had a rough early life and it's left emotional scars. I'm sure you know of others who have had difficult times especially in their childhood years that may take years to heal and much effort as well.

But here's why I consider "That's just the way I am, I can't help it," to be one of the deadliest sentences you can say -- because it 'sentences' the person to a life of the same way of being that hasn't worked for them up to that point.

Sure, up to this point I can get and really empathize with this young person that his challenging past has made it hard for him to open his heart and share himself...but please let's not condemn ourselves to a lifetime sentence of such a condition. Relating to yourself in this way cuts out all possibility for you to grow, develop and transform.

How an Introverted Vet Became a Coach, Writer and Public Speaker
If any of you had known me during many of my years as a veterinarian, you would have sworn that I was doomed to be a reclusive, introverted, struggling practitioner for the rest of my life.

I was scared -- not of the animals, my patients -- I loved them and could totally relate to them. No, I was terrified of the Homo Sapiens at the other end of the leashes -- my clients -- you know the ones with the check books and credit cards who paid the vet bills. No wonder I struggled to make payroll many weeks.

If someone had told me back then that I would eventually be speaking to hundred of people at a time about life purpose, or coaching highly successful people in how to overcome burnout and overwhelm, or be on dozens of radio talk shows and television programs sharing about living a more purposeful and meaningful life... well, I would have laughed and known they were crazy.

But that's the power of the transformation that's available when people tap into the passion that comes with knowing their life purpose with crystal clarity. It has the power to reshape your life in very positive and purposeful ways.

Oh, it's not that the fear and lack (as in "I'm not good enough" type lack) doesn't rise up up again sometimes to invite me back to being an introvert. Even as I write this I can hear it say, "How dare you set yourself up as an example like this. People will think you're bragging on yourself." Okay, think what you think. It's just the example that came to me and it's all true, so there.

Declare a Mis-Trial and Give Yourself a New Sentence
You aren't stuck with any self-limiting belief like this. Sure, you may have found it hard, difficult, or even impossible to open up your heart and share yourself... in the past, but remember we live in the NOW. At any given moment we can make a new choice. Small baby steps lead to larger adult steps.

It could start by reframing the 'deadly sentence' to something like this: "I know in the past I've not been able or willing to share my thoughts or feelings with others, and having realized that, I am now asking for your support in helping me to become more open and available."

As unique sparks of the Divine, we're meant to grow, develop and transform throughout our lives. Don't sentence yourself to anything less than a life on purpose.

Dr. W. Bradford Swift is Founder of the Life On Purpose Institute, and author of Life On Purpose: 6 Passages to an Inspired Life. The Institute's vision is: a world on purpose, with people living lives of purposeful, passionate and playful service, of mindful abundance balanced with simplicity, and spiritual serenity.