Blog of Professional Speaker Snowden McFall

Do You Know the Poisons in Your Milk?

I am passionate about staying healthy and I know many of you are, too. I’ve been growing organic vegetables on my patio for years, because of all the pesticides used on commercial vegetables. But even I was shocked to see how far Monsanto would go in the name of genetic modification. You have to watch the video to see all the information. It’s scary and disgusting. And it has huge implications for the health of anyone drinking milk, eating US cheese. etc.

Check it out for yourself. http://ow.ly/92Qdx

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What Lights Your Fire?

Get Fired Up! By Doing What You Love

When I wrote my first book, Fired Up!, in 1996, it was born from a deep seated passion. I truly believe there is a fire inside each of us that gets ignited when we do what we love. And that fire spreads and is contagious, igniting the flames in others. That natural enthusiasm is rare. ? While Fired Up! is a practical how-to book, it is filled with stories of people who have succeeded in living their dreams. Because that is what encourages me. Every time I see someone go for it, really risk and take action on a their vision, it fires me up. Every time I hear a story of someone overcoming tremendous obstacles and thriving, I am uplifted. Over 63,000 copies have been sold worldwide, and while that is humbling and exciting, it speaks to the power of dreams and inspiration. What fires you up and helps take you to the next level? Whatever it is, tap into it often to maintain your motivation in a sometimes cynical world.

If you’d like to know more about Fired Up! How To Succeed By Making Your Dreams Come True, go here

 ©2026, 2012 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication 
or reprinting without permission and author reference

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Expect the Best of Others at Work and at Home

Are Looking for the Good or the Bad?

Remember the astonishing statistic that 88% of American workers NEVER receive thanks for the work they have done? Some managers expect the worst of their employees. They are constantly micromanaging them, looking for errors, hoping to catch them in a mistake. Resilient leaders understand pressure and are able to support their people, regardless of the stress they are under. This is one of the most destructive ways to lead. Daniel Pink’s book Drive cites studies that show employees want autonomy, competence (the ability to improve) and a sense of purpose to their work. State very clearly in writing what you expect of your people, review it with them so they understand. Show them the purpose and meaning behind their work. Support and empower them to do their jobs and expect them to succeed.

The same is true at home. Expect the best of your children; don’t be suspicious and fearful. Let them know you believe in them, and their abilities. Become their cheerleader in all areas. You’ll be astonished at the results.

 ©2012 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication 
or reprinting without permission and author reference

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Track Your Success on Any Goal

The Key to Discipline is Tracking

Most of us in business know we have to track our hours, track our sales efforts and measure our achievements for superiors, clients, etc. But in your personal life, tracking can be equally effective. Successful weight loss companies know this well. They have their people track calories, food portions, food weight, etc. And you can do the same thing with any goal or target by measuring your results.

I do this myself to see how many push-ups I’ve done, how long I meditated, which exercise I did, certain readings I do, and any other specific goals I have. It works so well- the kid in me loves seeing the checkmarks, stars or stickers I use to measure the behavior. If you’d like a blank chart (30day grid) to add your goals, email me at orders@firedupnow.com and I will send you one. Keep me posted on your progress-
I’d love to hear from you.

 ©2011 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication 
or reprinting without permission and author reference

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The Power of Inspiration

What or Who Inspires You?

Inspiration is an amazing thing. It can lead terrified soldiers into battle, spur on great action in times of duress, and move mountains of prejudice and negativity.

One of the the greatest sources of inspiration in my life has been Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I had the privilege of attending an event in his honor in 1999, where a symposium on reconciliation and peace was being held in Atlanta. There I met and was moved by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, his lovely wife Leah, and John Hume of Northern Ireland. Coretta Scott King and Andrew Young were also there. It was one of the most powerful events of my life, because all of these people were dedicated to peace. They had every reason to hate, resent, turn against, and yet they shared incredible compassion, forgiveness and love. Dr. King would have been proud to be honored in such a way. They all inspired me to do more to create peace and love in my world, through understanding and forgiveness. Who and what inspires you?

 ©2011 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication 
or reprinting without permission and author reference

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Your Competition Could Get You More Business

Know Your Competitors and Partner with Them

As Thomas Friedman wrote, the world is flat, with increasingly expanding Internet markets worldwide. For a long time, some industries eschewed their competition and worse, bad-mouthed them. But in the world of present and future, collaborations and partnerships can go a long way towards success and profits.

Research your top 10 competitors extensively. Find our what makes your company unique and what they do that is unique. Get to know them and see where you can refer business to each other or provide value to each others’ clients. Have lunch with them or call them on the phone. Share industry knowledge. Collaboration through affinity or affiliate marketing is mushrooming; be part of the trend and do more for your customers in the process. Your competitor may just give you your next lead.

 ©2011 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication 
or reprinting without permission and author reference

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Keeping Your Agreements

Make or Break Relationships in Business & at Home

Every notice there are some people you can count on absolutely to keep their word? If they say they will do something for you, they do it. If they can’t, they call and tell you why. If you have a meeting with them, they are there, on time, ready with what they promised. It’s wonderful to do business with them, isn’t it?

And sadly, all too rare. It’s become commonplace for people to not keep their promises.
Whether large financial institutions, investment firms, or your local telephone service, keeping promises has become a lost art. And that’s a mistake.

Whenever you make a commitment to someone saying you will do something by a certain time, you are making an agreement. If you don’t keep it, it says volumes about your integrity and reliability. It means you are not credible.

If you find you cannot honor a commitment, renegotiate it. Reschedule the meeting, change the date, or explain why you cannot keep your commitment. People will value you much more when you are a person of your word. They will know they can trust you, that you are reliable. And people do business with those they like and trust.

Why is Good Customer Service So Rare?

Ok- I admit it- I’m frustrated. Very frustrated. I have dealt with many vendors including phone companies, insurance companies, and banks this week who seem like they could care less about their customers. They don’t return phone calls, they change your plan without your permission, they start charging you fees out of the blue because they want to and they really don’t care if you are unhappy. They break agreements, lie to you and then consider this acceptable. This is not the way to run a business.

You and I both know that if we treated my customers and clients the way I have been treated this week, we would be out of business. In my speeches and trainings, we focus on adding value to the customer, delighting them, giving them so much more than they expect. Often what happens is they become viral advocates for your business and tell others how great you are. But that’s not the reason to do it. The reason to do it is because that’s the way to do smart business- to provide quality, excellence and added value. That’s how you stay in business.

Poor customer service is rarely a training issue. It is almost always a communication and leadership issue that shows up in how decisions are made, promises are kept, and people are treated when no one is watching.

Maybe one of these days conglomerates will start to understand that- as their customers leave in droves. I am certainly thinking about it.

How about you? Any great customer service stories?

 ©2011 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication 
or reprinting without permission and author reference

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Time with Friends Helps You Sleep Better

Sleep is one of the most critical ingredients to health and stress relief. Less than 7 hours a night is considered a carcinogen by the World Health Organization and makes you 3x more susceptible to colds and flu. You operate at a cognitive disadvantage when you sleep less and are more prone to have 20 pounds of extra weight.

One new study shows that loneliness can contribute to sleeplessness, as well as high blood pressure and depression. Make time with friends a priority. 27+ million Americans live completely alone. 20% of people feel so cut off from others that loneli ness is a major source of unhappiness. So cultivate new relationships, join clubs around your hobbies and interests, connect with others. Your health will improve and you will sleep better at night, plus you will have greater joy in your life.

 ©2011 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication 
or reprinting without permission and author reference

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The Abundance Mindset

Are You Living with a Poverty Consciousness?

Have you ever been around a large family that did not have much money but was filled with joy and love? They feel blessed, and have a wonderful attitude of gratitude that people with far less money have. It’s not that they don’t have financial worries like everyone else, it’s where they choose to put their focus. It’s called an Abundance Mindset.

This mindset starts out with gratitude for all the blessings in your life, all the good things. It focuses on love and joy, and the wealth of the gifts in your life, rather than lack. In contrast is a poverty consciousness, where no matter how much you have materially, you feel poor or afraid that you will lose it all. Often those people expect the worst and they get it, because that’s where they put their attention.

What about you? Where do you put your attention? Are you aware and thankful for all the many gifts and talents you have, the wonderful people in your life, the shelter, clothing and food you have? How about the work you do that you get paid for when so many others are out of work? How can you change the way you look at your life to recognize the wealth that is already present and attract in even more? It’s all in your mindset. Choose abundance and gratitude, make that your daily intention and see what manifests in your life.

 ©2011 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication 
or reprinting without permission and author reference

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