Category Archives: Motivation
Do You Need A “Super Happy Fun Day?”
I have enjoyed the work of Dean Jackson and John Reese from the internet marketing space for close to three years now. I needed a kick in the butt a couple of weeks ago, so I replayed one of my favourite audio interviews from John Reese and Tony Robbins.
Hang on… I am not going to go in to a long-winded technically explanation of internet marketing theory. Rather, I want to tell you about an incredible concept called “Super Happy Fun Days”.
John and Tony started to speak about this on the audio interview, and Tony wanted all the details. Dean Jackson created the concept, and John Reese would take part in these events when possible. They are good friends. The “rules” are as follows (to the best of my memory):
- The event was at least 9 hours long
- Two major activities had to be completed (ie a golf game and/or a movie were typically included)
- Two meals had to be consumed
- Other fun activities were completed (to fill in the extra time)
I can “hear the comments” now coming off the page as your read this. Everyone is busy, running like chicken’s with their head’s cut off. 9 hours of fun is impossible!
It is if you want it to be!
- How often could you pencil in “Super Happy Fun Days” throughout the year?
- If nine-hour blocks of time were not always possible, how much time could you commit to?
- When you look back on your life, will look fondly remember all the work that you did, or the fun, kinship and laughter that you had along the way?
Always remember, if you don’t block off time to do these activities, they won’t get done. Treat them like a business meeting in your calendar. You wouldn’t skip those right 🙂
Fall Resolutions! 10-9-40 Starts NOW!
“I have fallen and can’t get up!” I have slipped with my weight and am not happy about it!
I am 10 lbs heavier then when I felt my best over the past 2-3 years.
I have been guilty recently of eating too many treats and not exercising enough.
My life is incredibly busy with two kids, a demanding job, starting an online business on the side, and a the rigours of day-to-day living.
This is not like when I travelled in Australia – I cannot expect to drink beer every day, carry a 50 pound backpack, walk everywhere and lose weight!
I need to step up my game. I turn 40 in just under 9 weeks and will lose 10 pounds. I have to suck it up and am looking forward to the challenge.
I will keep you posted with my progress!
How Does Music Motivate You?
I love music! I have loved it since I received my first cassette tape (oh wow) when I was ten years old. That Christmas I received a ghetto blaster too, and my love for music was solidified. My wife is always amazed at the “UBI” (Useless Bits of Information) that I know about music. But when you love something, you are a sponge for every little detail!
Family, sports and my career are the most important things in my life, but my passion for music is not far behind. If I had more time, I would go to a concert per week, and travel the outdoor music festival circuit all summer. Getting together with friends under blue skies and the stars to bond and watch incredible music have provided me with some of the greatest memories in my life.
I have connected with many people who have the same passion for music. I have been an active participant in Paul Castain’s LinkedIn Group called “Sales Playbook!” for well over a year now. I have enjoyed posting discussion questions during that time, with two of those threads being very specific to music. The number of comments posted, and the depth of the discussion far exceeded the results that I have received on any other question! People apparently love to talk about music!
Three years ago, I had a one hour drive to work, and I listened to a lot of music on the open highways. I soon realized that I did not have all of my favourite music on a specific iTunes Mix. I had to fiddle with my iPod while driving (now that would result in a distracted driving ticket if caught). I was experiencing some work challenges and my attitude was all over the map. I needed something to help me get back on track at a moment’s notice, or even get me pumped up to a higher level than I already was.
The result was the “Get It Done Mix”. I wanted the title, and not just the music, to have meaning. Every time I looked at my iPod, I would see the words, and it would subconsciously help get me going too.
I am not here to tell you what to call your favourite mix, or what kinds of music to put on it. My point is that if you love music, YOU NEED ONE, if you don’t already have one. Only you will know what feels right. My rule with the “Get It Done Mix” is to never skip a song. If it is all of your favourite tunes, there will be no need to skip!
The nice thing about current technology is that you can add to your mix as you discover more music that you love. Don’t worry about making the “perfect” list, just get one started and let it evolve over time as you discover (or remember) songs that pump you up! If you are as passionate about music as I am, you can connect certain songs to very specific times in your life. Focus on the times that made you very happy, and make darn sure that those songs are on your mix!
When I first checked out Paul Castain’s website ( www.yoursalesplaybook.com ) I went directly to his “Playlist for the Aspiring Sales Rock Star”. I was initially drawn to him by his love for music. I soon realized that his sales content and messages for life were second to none as well! Paul provides incredible suggestions for a music mix if you want to check it out at:
The sales profession and business in general can be very demanding. Incredible swings in emotion can happen even hourly. I do not know how many times that I have played my mix over the years when I needed a pick me up, or to take me to another level of awesome. While driving, I recommend taking some deep breaths to help relax you if the mix is being used at that moment to calm you down!
The true test if your music mix is working may occur when you are driving. If the people in the car next to you catch you singing, drumming on the steering wheel, or nodding your head to the beat, then my mission is complete!
What songs MUST be on your playlist?
Wanna talk music and take a break during your busy day? Stop by the best place to talk music on LinkedIn – The Daily Music Sanctuary. Paul Castain has given myself and my good friend Roger Demas the incredible opportunity to oversee this group. We have met many fantastic people, and are having a blast. Hope to see you there soon!
I Just Took A Break – Have You?
I have just returned from a much-needed two-week vacation with my family. It was nice to “recharge the battery” and decompress in preparation for a busy summer and fall at work.
Have you planned some time off this summer as well? Don’t you dare skip vacation this year! Everyone needs a break from the daily rigours of life.
I know some people have the mindset that they will impress their bosses by skipping vacations and I am sure that you can guess my opinion on that. I DON”T LIKE IT!
Trust me, take the break – you need it!
If finances are an issue – you can even have a “staycation”. Take holidays and not go anywhere.
Here is an interesting article that I came across about “staycations”. It is a few years old, but still relevant today:
http://www.nomoredebts.org/blog/saving-money/vacation/30-staycation-ideas.html
Enjoy your summer, and don’t forget to take some time for YOU!
70 Great Years For My Dad And Many More To Come!
Today marks the 70th birthday for the original “Moosh” and I wanted to share with my network how awesome he is.
Dad taught elementary and high school for well over 30 years, then finished his career running a co-operative education program at a local university. He also helped fine tune an “intro to university” course that all students had to take in their first year, and did an outstanding job preparing them for the real world of post secondary education.
But beyond that he has been a tremendous father/grandpa (Gigi)/brother/uncle, friend to many and has lit up every room that he has walked in to throughout his life.
Although we have lived in different cities for 13 years, we make the most of the time our families have together.
We laugh, joke and have fun as often as we can. Life can throw us curve balls, but dad always keeps things in perspective and sees the positive in every situation.
He loves his four grandchildren, my mom, and the rest of our family to pieces, and has been a very popular figure in his community for more than 45 years now!
We tend to put things off sometimes in life for whatever our reasons are. But I recently said ENOUGH IS ENOUGH (thanks to my sister’s idea)!
Myself, Dad, my brother-in-law and his Dad are off to a boys weekend in Minneapolis over the 4th of July week. We will be seeing two Minnesota Twins baseball games against the New York Yankees.
What a thrill that will be to finally get away with him!
All the best dad for reaching this noteworthy milestone.
You are truly one of a kind!
Love Tim
The Five Star 5 – See, Leadership Can Be Simple!
Sometimes as leaders, coaches, or people of influence in general, we over think how to motivate teams.
Several times last year, my son’s hockey team of 4 and 5 year olds had one hour power skating lessons. I was amazed by the instructor’s ability to keep them interested the entire time, even with sessions as early as 6 am on weekends!
This list should seem obvious to us all, but how many of these simple points do we miss with those that we lead?
- Smile, encourage and be enthusiastic
- Have fun and make them laugh
- Know the audience, relate to them on their level
- Be engaging – ask great questions that they will be eager to answer
- Fully explain what you want them to do. Leave nothing to the imagination
Taking Chances And A Fool’s Eye View!
I am a firm believer that you have to be good to be lucky, and lucky to be good. Whatever the case me be, I am very fortunate that Broc Edwards has come in to my life.
I love reading his blog:
http://www.foolwithaplan.wordpress.com
“A Fool’s Eye View of Human Resources” is a breath of fresh air in a profession that can sometimes lack “jam”. He has a new book out called “What Thinks You?” which I am just loving! It is a collection of his best blog posts.
Check it out at: http://amzn.to/17a3BRk
Before I got in to the meat of the book, I stopped in my tracks at the foreword. Check out this fantastic piece of writing by Joe Gerstandt titled “Taking Chances”.
jump in, just jump in, just jump.
moving forward,
leaning forward.
Forward Momentum.
always off balance.
carried forward,
never quite falling, but failing
well.
and failing often.
on the verge,
in flux,
something other than
comfortable.
open door.
serendipity.
opportunity
risk and reward
dance hand in hand.
Choose something.
Chase something.
Lean forward.
feel the thrill in your throat,
feel the electricity in your belly.
step away from what you know,
and dance.
be exposed, be known.
yes there are consequences,
always consequences
when you provoke the future
– Joe Gerstandt
I wanted you start the week with a powerful message. Hope this did the trick. Please connect with Broc and Joe and check out Broc’s book. It will be well worth your time.
Have a fantastic week!
Sell, Lead, Succeed! 