Can you create a better life by simply doing something different?

Last week I spoke for the WXN - The Women's Executive Network - in Toronto to a sold out crowd of passionate women.

I was speaking on the topic of embracing strategic risk in your life which also presupposes possible failure.

Two quotes from Albert Einstein started off the evening.

The first:

The quote is elegantly simply.  However, as you unpack it, you realize that to do something different you open yourself up to the possibility of failure and uncomfortableness.  That's why we continue to act in the same manor - we know the result (even if we don't necessarily like it) and because it is comfortable.  It can be really uncomfortable at times to do even the smallest tasks differently.

And the second:

This quote of Einstein's almost contracts the first.  Here he's telling us that you need an outside force to assist you with knowing when your thinking is flawed.

That's why we need to attend events like the ones at WXN.  We need to read books, engage with coaches, mentors and do things differently and expose ourselves to new and unknown stimulus - while being courageous enough to embrace risk (which could mean failing) and get out of our comfort zone.

What are you willing to do differently today to shake up your efficient, but not always so risk embracing brain?  Here's some easy to try ideas:

• Drive to work a different way
• Go out of your way to visit a coffee shop in a part of your city you've never been
• Switch coffee for tea, or hot chocolate or a flavour of pop you haven't had since you were a kid
• Listen to 3 songs from a genre you never would consider
• Pick up a book or magazine that's the polar opposite from what you normally read
• Brush your teeth with your non-dominant hand

Some of the most brilliant minds of our time had insights and made discoveries not while they were focused on the problem at hand, but when their body and mind were engaged in a novel activity.  Try something new today and graduate from simple tasks like the examples on my list to greater challenges.

I'll be speaking for the Calgary women at WXN this Wednesday, October 28th.  For more information, visit WXN.  There's still a few tickets - would love to see you there!

WXN presents - Embracing Risk - cocktails with Kelley Keehn in Toronto & Calgary

I'm so excited to be speaking for the dynamic women of WXN in Toronto and Calgary.  Unfortunately, Toronto is sold out at the moment, but there is a wait list you can add your name to - see below.  There's still a little room in Calgary, so register today!  

Looking forward to meeting you and helping you embrace Smart Risk in your life!

**This event is now sold out.  To be placed on a waitlist, please contact our team at rsvp@wxnetwork.com**
It’s been said that everything you desire in life exists on the other side of fear. Getting there—where you want to be in life, your career, your family and more—takes risk. And that can open you up to failure. But without a leap of faith, you’ll keep getting what you’ve always had.
The theme for our 2015 Cocktail Series events is  “WXN Thought Leaders”—classic, elegant and always captivating. Glass in hand, you’ll get an intimate look at the journey of Kelley Keehn, award-winning author, personal finance expert and speaker.

Join Kelley for this honest journey to taking a deep breath and welcoming more strategic risk into your personal and professional life. Kelley will equip you with tangible tools and takeaways for managing the failures that come with stretching yourself. Get out of your comfort zone and discover who you can become if you face fear head-on and embrace your best self with courage and confidence.

Don't toss your boarding pass & more secruity tips on CJOB

Heading to Winnipeg the other day for my first presentation on with Larry Berman's tour which I'm speaking on avoiding identity theft and fraud, I received a ping from my favourite security blogger, KrebsOnSecurity just as I was getting ready to board the plane.  The story was about a new vulnerability where your future flights and more can be tracked from the bar code on your boarding pass.  The one thing I thought could be thrown away - turns out shredding is always your best bet.  You and your family may be travelling this holiday weekend, so have a read -
http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/how-airplane-boarding-passes-can-expose-personal-information-n441726

Joining the lovely and super sharp, Dahlia Kurtz the other day at CJOB radio in Winnipeg, we discussed this newest hack and all things related to keeping you and your family safe from identity theft and fraud.  Have a listen - https://soundcloud.com/680cjob/kelley-keehn​

 Wishing you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving weekend!