On June 25, 2009, we lost the greatest entertainer of our generation – Michael Jackson. When I heard the news, I logged on to Facebook to grieve with friends from around the world.

Michael Jackson was my first boyfriend (in my own mind). Like many fans in the 80’s, I sported the Thriller jacket, sequined glove and had my room plastered with posters. But as MJ’s popularity waned, I’ll admit, my devotion followed suit.

I immediately went to the page of my childhood friend, Shawn, who is the biggest Michael Jackson fan I know. Shawn’s Facebook post on the day of Michael’s death, “I never wavered as a fan, even when it became uncool.”

What are you wavering on? Have you allowed the winds of popular opinion to change your stance on what you truly believe? Who you really are? Have you bought into a standard of beauty designed to drive up sales of cosmetics, diet products and exercise equipment? Are you compromising your personal values to fit into today’s "anything goes" society? Have you talked yourself out of following your dream because of the negative speculations of economists or even your own family?

Personal integrity is the alignment between calling and conduct; a matching reflection between who you are and what you do. What do your actions say about who you are?

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I challenge you to answer these three questions:

Do my words and actions match who I really am?

Am I allowing society or others to steer me away from my personal truths or aspirations?

Do I live by externally imposed standards of success, or am I striving for the things that I truly value?

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Living authentically may cause you to make decisions or live by standards that aren’t accepted by the masses. Muster up the courage to be you, and like my friend Shawn, don’t be afraid to be “uncool”.

Isha Cogborn is a speaker, life coach and media personality. She can be reached at isha@epiphanyinstitute.com.

Only days after the tragic death of actress Natasha Richardson, my friends scheduled a late season ski trip. I wanted to play it safe and hang out in the lodge. After all, how much fun would it be if I broke my leg – or worse? But instead of letting fear stand in the way, I hit the slopes.

Here are three steps to overcoming the fears that stand between you and where you want to be:

1. Get to the root of your fear.
While fear is a legitimate emotion that can keep you from harm, it can also prevent you from realizing your full potential. Where is it coming from? Is it rooted in past experiences or are you simply afraid to fail? Once you identify the source, decide what you will do about it. If it is based on a lack of preparation, develop a plan to address your deficiencies. If it isn’t legitimate, determine what you need to do to move forward.

2. Recognize that the right move may feel uncomfortable.
The greatest challenge that I found skiing was that the movements felt unnatural. To turn left, I had to lean right. When I did what felt natural, I ended up on the ground! Discomfort fuels fear. Be open to the changes necessary to move to the next level.

3. Ask yourself, what do you stand to gain or lose?
What’s the worst that can happen? Quite often, you will find that the potential benefits far outweigh the risks. If you want to achieve greatness that most people have not achieved, you have to do what most people aren’t willing to do.

I’ll admit, I spent more time on the ground than I did on my skis, but I’m glad that I didn’t let fear keep me on the sidelines. Life has wonderful things in store for you. Don’t allow fear to steal your future!

Isha Cogborn is a life coach, motivational speaker and media personality. She can be reached at isha@epiphanyinstitute.com.

I recently joined the ranks of over 3 million Americans who lost their jobs since 2008. When asked what I’m going to do after nearly a decade in corporate communications, I’m excited to say that I’m launching my own practice as a life coach and motivational speaker. The response is usually positive, but every now and then I come across someone who questions the practicality of my decision.

There’s a lot of talk these days about energy – offshore drilling, clean coal, alternative and renewable resources. As we look for new ways to power America, what’s powering you? Do you find that you just don’t have the energy to tackle that to-do list every day?

I used to look at CEO’s, entertainers, and other prominent figures and wonder how they manage to get so much done in the same twenty-four hours that I’ve been given. What energy source keeps them going and going while many of us struggle to even drag ourselves out of bed in the morning?

These successful people have tapped into a fuel source superior to any energy drink or supplement on the market. That source is called purpose. When you’re doing the work that you were created to do, everyday feels like Saturday! You have an assignment on this earth that you’ve been uniquely equipped to fulfill. Life will become easy – even effortless – when you walk the path that was paved just for you.

How do you identify your purpose? Pull out a pen and paper and ponder these questions:

1. What are you doing when you are most energized or fulfilled?
2. Take a look at the activities you have chosen to be involved in throughout your life: volunteer or church activities, extra-curriculars, clubs, etc. Is there a common theme?
3. What things come easy to you that others seem to struggle with? In what area do people routinely seek your help?
4. If you lost your job tomorrow, what career path would you want to explore? If you aren’t in the workforce, what would you be willing to do for the rest of your life without getting paid?
5. Seek quiet time each day to meditate and listen for direction on the path that has been designed for you. What are you hearing?

If you’re ready to put an end to the drudgery of your day-to-day life, make 2009 the year that you tap into the energy of purpose for your life.