International Fired Up! month culminates with the 4th Sat. in October, International Make a Difference Day,  Oct. 22, 2016, created by USA Weekend. Annually, several million people participate. The power of volunteerism has long been proven to reduce stress and increase longevity. It also improves communication, gratitude and empathy.

Here’s how to to host a Fired Up! week at work or at school or in your community. Employees, students or community members can:

• share inspirational quotes, stories and videos

• maintain a daily success list of all you accomplish- every action you take, every call you make, every thought you follow through on is a success

• share inspirational music, movies, books or stories (like Dolphin Tale, the Butler, the Blind Side)

• share about their dreams and goals and ask for help and support

• form Fired Up! Inspiration Circles™ where they support each other’s dreams and goals

• track group and individual successes on a giant Fired Up! bulletin board/ victory wall.

Give special attention to it and make it a sincere effort.  Let others know you value them and encourage their positive attitude. This works especially well with salespeople- they love to see their great results posted. Employees and students who know they are valued as human beings are more loyal and productive.

For a free report on how to get and stay Fired Up!, go here http://firedupnow.com/top20tips/

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©2016 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. You may share this post and reprint with author reference and copyright.

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Fire Up! Your Sales with These Quick Tips

Never push a prospect- add value.
Never force or manipulate- demonstrate listening and caring.

1.Truly listen to your customers
We recently used a discount coupon for more ballroom dance lessons. Afterwards, it’s customary for teachers to do an upsell to commit you to a longer program.   I told our teacher EXACTLY what I wanted.  To my astonishment, when we sat down at the studio, he had written word for word what I  had said. And they gave it to us, along with flowers for me.  WOW- kudos to Markus Thiesen and Ester Dittert of A Social Affair- outstanding service.  And of course we signed up!

2. Use stories and customer testimonials – .  Give examples of real people who have had a problem you solved. Tell the truth. And use customer testimonials to back up your stories. Always get written permission.

3. Overcome objections by raising them yourself.
You know what  people object to and what the issues are. Overcome them by demonstrating why the objection is not valid, or how you have resolved it.  Show you think like they do.

4. Have genuine enthusiasm for your products or service. Genuine enthusiasm-  is rare and contagious.  Get Fired Up! about what you are sharing and keep that top of mind. Your Fire will spread and ignite theirs.

Do You Know Your Life Purpose?

In many studies done over the past decade, the research has shown that those people who are happiest have a deep sense of purpose and meaning in their lives, whether from their work, their volunteerism, family or culture.

Purpose can be a tough concept for some.  For others, it is easy.  Here’s a quick exercise from my book Fired Up! that originated with Jack Canfield. I have his permission to share it with you.

Your Life Purpose Worksheet

Step 1 List your best and most unique qualities.
Which two qualities truly reflect who you are and for which you’d most like to be remembered? Underline these two.

Step 2 List several ways you enjoy expressing or sharing those two qualities. Use action verbs with “ing” endings. Underline your two favorite forms of expression.

Step 3 Describe your version of an ideal world.

Step 4 Combine the three steps above into one sentence that summarizes your life purpose.

Ex. I am empowering and inspiring others with my love and joy so that everyone contributes for the greatest benefit of all in a peaceful world.

Ex. I am choreographing and dancing with grace and beauty inspiring others to appreciate their health and the health of the world. 

Try this exercise yourself and find ways to live your purpose more often.  You’ll definitely be happier.

 

If you would like to learn more ways to be happy, check out my free webinar NEXT WEEK Sept 24 Find Your Happiness and Grow Your Profits http://firedupnow.com/happyclass/

Great Ways to Relieve Stress Through Music

A 2006 Journal of Advanced Nursing study showed that listening to music one hour a day for a week reduced symptoms of depression by 25%. Music, especially classical music, can also serve as a powerful stress-relief tool.

Music therapy can also elevate mood, improve immune system function, reduce fatigue and improve self-acceptance in people. Music helps cancer patients, multiple sclerosis patients, and surgical patients.

I use music in two ways- to Fire me up! when I need energy and motivation and to calm my nerves and soothe me when I am driving or stressed.  I create my own mp3 playlist of motivation tunes and soothing tunes and turn those on when I need them.

For 12 ways to reduce your stress with music, go here: 

http://earthtones.org/2013/08/12-ways-to-reduce-stress-with-music/

 

For a free report on how to get and stay Fired Up!, go here http://firedupnow.com/top20tips/

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©2013 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. You may share this post and reprint with author reference and copyright.

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Stress Could Literally Be The Death of You

Everyone knows that stress is bad for you.  Tense muscles, ulcers, snarky attitudes- all of those are obvious results of stress. But did you know that stress can lead to much more serious problems?

Stress-related claims cost US companies 10% of their annual earnings. A typical employee with stress, back pain and depression is out of work nine weeks a year and can cost more than $5900 per employee in lost productivity.

The American Psychological Association says stress costs industry $300 billion a year in absences, medical costs, lost productivity, turnover etc.  One third of Americans say they are living with extreme stress.

Chronic Stress and Your Body

Nearly 80% of all doctor visits are stress-related 43% of all adults have ill health because of stress. Chronic stress is linked to the six major causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung disease, accidents, cirrhosis, and suicide.

For more information about the physical impact of stress

Moms Get More Stressed About Their Families Than Dads

A new study confirms what many of us already thought- moms carry the emotional burden of stress in the family. The 500 Family Study investigated how middle class families balance family and work life . Overall, it found that working mothers spent 1/4 of their mental time worrying about the family, as opposed to working dads- 1/5 of the time.

Part of the aspect of mothers worrying is that they judge themselves negatively because they can’t be everywhere at once.  Women are especially good at beating up on themselves! I know I am and most working mothers I know are, too.

Fathers need to be encouraged to help out more at home, and rewarded for this, rather than criticized for not doing enough.  If you want more help, ask for it.
And then heap on the praise when you get it.  It might happen more often!

If you’d like to read more about this family study, go here: