Giving is Receiving

-by Jaime Willis

I am pretty excited for the holidays this year. Both of my nephews are old enough to get into the spirit and it will be fun visiting with all of my family. Although I wasn't able to make it to my mom's family Christmas this past weekend, I skyped in and talked to almost everyone! Technology really is awesome!

I've flummoxed my family a bit this year by gently refusing to give a Christmas list. The older I get, the less exciting it is to GET gifts and the more exciting it is to GIVE gifts. Is this true for anyone else?

I feel so blessed this year -- a raise at work, meeting great new friends through coach training and Camp Mighty, and lots of new experiences & fun. Asking for more seems downright selfish. This year, I asked my family to consider spending the money they would have spent on me helping someone else in need.

For my part, I'm trying to find new and interesting ways to give back this year. (I'm not going to go into more detail because the purpose of giving, for me, is not about getting accolades for giving, but the giving itself).

It is so amazing how incredibly generous people are this time of year. Read some of these tear-jerker stories of giving and consider what you can do to help someone else this season!

Secret Santas paying off layaway bills at Kmart...inspire others to do the same.

Reddit users raised more than $31,000 in under 12 hours to help 3 year old needing bone-marrow transplant.

Strangers band together to help a man and his dog.


If you need a little help this holiday season, please let us know in the comments, on our facebook page, or via email (jaime AT velocitygoals.com).

Thanks and Giving

-by Matt Leedham

It struck me recently that Thanksgiving is a combination of two words and two meanings. Of course it’s common to say that it is a time to give thanks, but I think that is incomplete. To have gratitude for all that is around you and all that you are is beautiful. But there is also beauty in giving. There is deep joy in gratitude and giving, and I wish that gift of joy for all of you.

Enjoy this time with loved ones. Give generously, and be open to receiving with all of your heart.

“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is ‘thank you,’ it will be enough.” -Johannes Eckhart

Giving is Achieving

- by Jaime Willis

"You get the best out of others when you give the best of yourself." - Harry Firestone

What happens when you reach a 'breaking point' in your goal--when you just can't seem to push through the current challenge or obstacle and figure out how to keep moving forward?

My answer? Stop focusing on yourself!


When I am struggling the most with my own goals, I quickly lose perspective and acquire the Tunnel Vision of Doom. The Tunnel VIsion of Doom (TVoD) sounds a bit like this: "Everything is terrible, and nothing is going right, and nobody likes me...boo-hoo."
When I feel the TVoD starting up in my life, I know it's time to focus on someone (not something, someone) else for a while. Nothing realigns your own perspective on life than being inspired by helping someone else achieve their goals!

A friend of mine is a photographer and videographer in LA. Like many small business owners, he is challenged regularly with having enough customers and revenue to sustain his business. This past week, while his business was light and he could have succumbed to TVoD, he decided to do a pro-bono gig at the Los Angeles Mission for Help Portrait (a great organization--check it out!). When I spoke to him right after the event, and even several days after that, he was so energized and inspired by his service! First, he was able to meet three or four fellow photographers through the Help Portrait project, building his business network. Additionally, the program inspired him to work on building a whole new section of his own business, which will surely help him gain both customers and revenue.

While it may seem counterintuitive, finding a way to help others really will help you achieve your own goals!

Giving is so powerful, that authors Azim Jamal and Harvey McKinnon wrote an entire book on the Power of Giving. They tell us that giving your time, your money, your energy and/or your resources has an abundant effect on your own well-being.

Givers are happier, are in better health, build new relationships, and have better self esteem. Givers thrive.

How can you achieve your goals? Give a little! Let us know how giving has helped you in the comments!

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Announcements!

1. Special shout-out to all our new Linchpin friends -- Matt and I really enjoyed meeting all you last night!

2. Have you signed up for our December 11th Goal Setting Course yet? Why not? It isn't too late! Go to our website and sign up now! Use the coupon code VEL10 for $10 off!

3. Gentlemen! We are still looking for your quotes and wisdom! Email me or respond in the comments of this post.

4. Calling all achievers! Have you achieved one of your goals? Want to share what you did and how you did it with us? We are interviewing achievers now and would love to share your story. Email me for more details.