Are You a Success in Your Own Eyes?

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Snowden McFall

Only You Can Define Success

Holding the hand of another
Not long ago, I lunched with an extraordinary young woman.  We chatted about her internship at a battered women’s shelter. The experience had such a profound impact upon her that she’s going to become a social worker. She questioned me about my life and the decisions I‘d made.  She knew my parents had been alcoholics and that had substantially influenced my life choices.
My recommendation to her was to define success on her own terms and do what was truly meaningful to her. The families she had helped would never forget her acts of kindness. They meant more than any accolade, award or degree. The same is true of all those volunteers who are helping anywhere in the world, or just down the street.
In the final analysis, your life will not be measured by how high on the ladder you climbed, how much money you made, or how much you achieved.  It will be measured by the lives you touched, the kindness you extended, the generosity of your heart.
You are a success, just by being who you are.  Never forget that.

To sign up for Snowden’s ezine newsletter on stress, happiness, marketing and motivation, please go to: http://firedupnow.com/firedupemailregister.html

Kindly share this post if you liked it.

©2013 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication or reprinting without permission and author reference

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

  
Posted in confidence, goals, Happiness, Success | Tagged , , | Comments Off

Are You A Control Freak? Like Most of Us…

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Snowden McFall

man listening intentlyHuman beings are master control freaks; we all want what we want when we want it the way we want it- myself included.

The problem is that other people have their own timetables and needs, and frequently, they conflict with ours.

An important lesson I continue to learn is to let go of control- on any level.  Any attempts to cajole, manipulate, demand or force your needs on others will most likely be met with resistance, and negativity.

Consider this: how do you feel when a parent or relative demands that you visit them or forbids you to do something? What’s it feel like when your boss tells you no or blocks your vacation time or orders you to do something?

Like most people, you probably bristle and want to rebel.  The same is true of your employees,  co-workers and loved ones.

The solution: let go of control.

Businessmen HandshakeRelease expectations and demands on others.  If you need something, make a request, ask them if they would be willing to do such and such at a time that works for them, and then give them complete space to say yes or no.

If they say no, accept it and back off.  If it is a work situation, find another way to enroll their participation.

No one wants to be controlled. People want to be loved, appreciated and respected.

Letting go of control and demands will improve your relationships at work and at home.

 

To sign up for Snowden’s ezine newsletter on stress, happiness, marketing and motivation, please go to: http://firedupnow.com/firedupemailregister.html

Kindly share this post if you liked it.

©2013 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication or reprinting without permission and author reference

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

 

Posted in Success | Comments Off

Unlimited Choice is NOT a Good Thing…For Your Business

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Snowden McFall

Have you ever been to a restaurant with a huge menu?  I have and it just frustrates me because there is too much to focus on.

SwitchcoverMost of us think that “more” is always better.  But recent research indicates that is not the case. In the book Switch by Chip and Dan Heath, authors of Made to Stick, cite several researchers demonstrating that too much choice paralyzes buyers.

• Too many choices overwhelm   Iyengar and Lepper share several studies where too much choice is “demotivating.” A gourmet store featured a line of exotic, high quality jams.  Customers tasted samples and received a discount coupon to buy a jar.  6 varieties were used on one trial; another featured 24 varieties. 30% of people in the 6 choice trial bought the jam; only 3% of people with 24 varieties bought the jam.

What does this mean for you and your business ?

• Limit the options  If you have a variety of services or products, cut down on the choices. Make them no more than 6, if possible.  Make it easy for buyers, patients and customers to decide.

• Be crystal clear about the value they will receive.  Differentiate between each option so they can choose what it exactly correct for them.

The old KISS method applies here.  Keep it simple & straightforward.

To sign up for Snowden’s ezine newsletter on stress, happiness, marketing and motivation, go to: http://firedupnow.com/firedupemailregister.html

©2013 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication or reprinting without permission and author reference

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Posted in business relationships, Communication, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Success | Tagged , , | Comments Off

Savor the Present Moment

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Snowden McFall

 Increase Your Happiness with this Technique

tropicalbrookLR

After battling pneumonia, I was recently on vacation in the islands.  I had one focus: to enjoy the present moment.

That’s not quite as easy as it sounds. Our brains are wired to continually think, and many of us project about the future (work, money, family, commitments, etc.)

But I tried hard to silence my brain and just be.  Looking at the exquisite turquoise water, I absorbed the beauty.  Walking past a brilliantly hued hibiscus, I appreciated the vibrant color.  Listening to chattering  parrots, I enjoyed their unique way of communicating.  And a funny thing happened.  I became more peaceful inside.  I truly relaxed and felt the simple joy of the moment.

 

A new study featured in this month’s Prevention magazine explains it: Savoring the moment rather than analyzing or critiquing it gives you a huge boost in happiness.  So what does savoring look like?  Part childlike exuberance with whooping or whee kind of glee, and part adult wisdom of “enjoy life while you can.”  This meant all the more to me since I had just been so gravely ill, but it worked.  For the most part, I spent all vacation in the present moment and it brought me such joy and peace.  So yes – your life can be better right now: just savor the present moment.

 

To sign up for Snowden’s ezine newsletter on stress, happiness, marketing and motivation, go to: http://firedupnow.com/firedupemailregister.html

©2013 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication or reprinting without permission and author reference

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

 

Posted in Happiness, life balance, Stress Relief, Success | Tagged , , | Comments Off

Is Your Job Worth Your Life?

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Snowden McFall

Is the Stress of Your Job Killing You?

Screaming man who is very stressed out80% of Americans are burnt-out and stress costs business $300 billion a year in missed work, low productivity and illness. For you, the key question is, “Is your job killing you?”  If you are seriously considering the answer to that question, here’s what you can do.
 
• Take time off immediately.  Go away, even if it means staying with a friend.  Use the week or so to reflect on your life and heal yourself.  You need downtime, badly, before you get sick.
 
• Get real about what you need in a job.  Be flexible.  What are your top 3 requirements?  That extra $15K a year may not be worth the extra 20 hours you have to work. Choose quality of life over money.
 
• Network like crazy.  Today’s jobs are found through personal 
relationships.  Get out there, clean up your resume with your strengths and successes clearly listed.  DO NOT complain about your current job.  Just say you’re ready for the next oppportunity.

To sign up for Snowden’s ezine newsletter on stress, happiness, marketing and motivation, go to: http://firedupnow.com/firedupemailregister.html

©2013 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication or reprinting without permission and author reference

 
Posted in Burnout, Health, productivity, Stress Relief, Success | Tagged , , | Comments Off

The Why Do It List- TIme Management Tool

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Snowden McFall
Exhausted woman on files

THis woman needs a nap!

What are your true priorities?

Most of us are overwhelmed at work every day with “To Do” lists that never end.  Mike Vardy, author and blogger, says to approach your list differently.
 
He says make a list of the top things you need to do this week, including work, family, personal, etc. with the answers to the question “Why do it” after each. Knowing the WHY instantly clarifies what has greatest value in your life. Then schedule your week. 
 
All too often, we let the real priorities in our lives, people, loved ones, exercise, fun, slide under the overwhelm of work.  And then we end up unhappy and unhealthy and resentful.  Once you know why you want to do something, you can prioritize what is most important and be sure your to do list is meaningful for you.

To sign up for Snowden’s ezine newsletter on stress, happiness, marketing and motivation, go to: http://firedupnow.com/firedupemailregister.html

©2013 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication or reprinting without permission and author reference

Posted in relationships, Success, time management, work stress | Tagged , , | Comments Off

The Six Words that Can Change Your Life

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Snowden McFall

What Are Your Six Words?

chargebkcoverThere’s a great exercise in Brendon Burchard’s book, The Charge, that can have a big impact on your life and your year. It’s called six words.

A. List all the words to describe the way you think of yourself

B. Pick 3 to make as your goal this year as to how you want to be

C. List all the words that describe how you interact with others

D. Pick the top 3 to serve as your goal this year as to how you want to be with others

This is very powerful.  Once you have them, bring them to mind daily to determine how you are doing.  Check in with yourself at night to see how well you are living those six words. How is your life changing? For me, my top six are fit, effective and expansive and with others, my three are loving, accepting and empowering.

Let me know what the magic six words are for you  at orders@firedupnow.com

To sign up for Snowden’s ezine newsletter on stress, happiness, marketing and motivation, go to: http://firedupnow.com/firedupemailregister.html

©2013 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication or reprinting without permission and author reference

 
Posted in enthusiam, goals, Optimism, Success | Tagged , , | Comments Off

Speak Kind Words- Avoid Gossip

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Snowden McFall

Have you ever noticed that some words impact you very differently than others? As Stephen Covey writes in the introduction to Aspire by Kevin Hall : “words sell and words repel, words lead and words impede, words heal and words kill.”  

Male Gossips 2What words do you use in your conversations with co-workers, employees, loved ones?  How about what you say to yourself?  Out of the 70,000 thoughts we have a day, many of those are negative and judgmental, especially towards ourselves. Become aware of the words you use and the tone with which they are delivered; you could make or break someone’s day.

And before you share some juicy piece of gossip, ask yourself these three questions:

- Is it truthful?

- Is is necessary?

- Is it uplifting?

 

To sign up for Snowden’s ezine newsletter on stress, happiness, marketing and motivation, go to: http://firedupnow.com/firedupemailregister.html

©2013 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication or reprinting without permission and author reference

 

Posted in business relationships, Communication, life balance, listening, relationships | Tagged , | Comments Off

Watch your Negative Self-Talk

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Snowden McFall

BarbCorcoranStop Judging Yourself: Watch Your Negative Self-Talk

In a recent interview, Barbara Corcoran of Shark Tank, real estate mogul and successful business woman, shared some of her life challenges.  As a child in a family of 10 in NJ, she was a delayed learner, and she is super-sensitive about being called “dumb” or “stupid.”  She says negative self-talk has limited her and also been a driving force.  She has retrained her brain to respond inside of herself when someone says she can’t do something or is rude or condescending.  She now says to herself ” I have a right to be here, just as much as you. I have a right to be successful.”

That’s a powerful way to respond to negativity.  It’s very important to be aware of what we say to ourselves, as most of us tend to judge ourselves very harshly. Our negative self-talk can be very destructive.  Instead, when you find yourself condemning yourself for something, do the following:

• Say “Stop” out loud.

• Forgive yourself

• Say something affirming instead, like Barbara’s statement , or “I can do better.” “I am an effective, successful person.”  “It’s OK, life goes on.”

The key is to change the language to be more positive and let it go- FAST!

 

 

To sign up for Snowden’s ezine newsletter on stress, happiness, marketing and motivation, go to: http://firedupnow.com/firedupemailregister.html

©2013 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication or reprinting without permission and author reference

 

Posted in Communication, confidence, Success | Tagged , , | Comments Off

The Absolute Best Stress Reliever

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Snowden McFall

The #1 Stress Reliever: Fun Exercise

Smiling Mountain BikerWe all know exercise is important, and truly all the research points to exercise as the best panacea for relieving stress, extending life, removing toxins from your body and preventing serious diseases like obesity and diabetes. The key to sticking with exercise is to make it FUN and find a way to squeeze it into your day.

 
For my husband and me, the big three are salsa dancing, bicycling, andyoga.  And when we don’t have time for anything else, walking for 15 minutes will do.
 
How to Fit Exercise Into Your Busy Day

I recently started a short-term consulting project that takes most of my day, and it means my healthy habits have been pushed aside for meetings, etc.  I’ve been trying to incorporate more exercise into these busy days and here’s what I have learned so far:
 
- take the stairs whenever possible
- park far away from the entrance to increase your walking
- get up every hour from sitting (sitting too long is sooooo bad for you)
- go to bed earlier and do an exercise video before work; often it is 20 min of yoga
- take a long walk at lunch time
- find an exercise class at lunch or early morning.
 

(And if I plan ahead and take a healthy lunch to work, I am less likely to eat the wrong things.)

 
What do you do to sneak exercise into your life?  Love to hear from you – please share any suggestions you may have.  Email them to me at orders@firedupnow.com and with your permission, I will share them in future posts.

To sign up for Snowden’s ezine newsletter on stress, happiness, marketing and motivation, go to: http://firedupnow.com/firedupemailregister.html

©2013 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication or reprinting without permission and author reference

Posted in Burnout, enthusiam, Health, heatlh, life balance, Stress Relief | Tagged , | Comments Off