Want to Get Fired Up?

October is International Fired Up! Month

"Enthusiasm is the greatest asset you can possess, for it can take you further than money, power or influence." Dada Vaswani

I created this month in 1997 to celebrate attitude and success. Your positive attitude determines your success in life, and we know from the research that optimists sell 56% more than pessimists, and are more effective leaders.

You can Host a Fired Up! week at work or in your community. employees, students or association members can:

• maintain a daily success list of all you accomplish
• share inspirational music, movies, quotesl books or stories (movies like Dolphin Tale 1 and 2 or the Blind Side, The Butler, Mr. Holland's Opus are all good starters)
• talk about their dreams and goals, successes, victories
• form Fired Up! Inspiration Circles where they support each other's dreams
• track group individual successes on a Fired Up! bulletin board/ victory wall.
• participate in a community service event on Make a Difference Day, Oct 25, 2014!

Be sure this is a sincere and meaningful exercise and give special attention to it. Let your people know you value them and encourage their positive attitude. People who know they are valued as human beings are more loyal and productive.

"Enthusiasm spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment." Norman Vincent Peale

Oct 25 Chamber All Council Community Involvement Project

If you live in the Jacksonville Fl area, participate with me in a park clean-up, painting and education project.

This morning project will include:
• painting the picnic shelter
• building benches
• painting the utility building and
kids' log cabin
• adding flowers to the playground
• converting the shuffleboard court into educational hopscotch areas with colorful paint and stencils.
Location is Home Gardens Park, 6367 Mockingbird Rd., Jacksonville. If you would like to join me, whether you are a chamber member or not, go here to sign up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0f4fa8ac2aa46-october

You can make a difference, too, and reap the rewards of volunteering. It's an amazing stress reliever, You help others and you help yourself. It truly gets you Fired Up!

Have a great weekend and get Fired Up!
Snowden
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The Six Words that Can Change Your Life

What Are Your Six Words?

There'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

Your Favorite Activities Are Clues About Your Dreams

What Do You Do For Fun?

One of the best ways to learn about your dreams is to consider what you love doing. It’s amazing the kind of information you can discover about yourself when you take a few minutes to list your favorite activities and how often you do them . If you want to have some fun and learn more about yourself, take ten minutes now to do complete the list called “My Favorite Activities.”

Make a list from 1-5 . On the left put down your favorite activities and on the right put down how long it's been since you did it, the cost of it.

Ex:
1. go to beach yesterday free
2. comedy club 2 months $20
3. girlfriend time 2 weeks free

Most people discover that what they love to do is free, and can be scheduled at the last minute. Good to know, hum?

People who are the happiest and most at peace in their lives regularly schedule what they enjoy doing. They spend more of their time being “Fired Up!” and that joy shines through all areas of their lives. They have acknowledged their goals and dreams and are doing whatever it takes to accomplish them.

What You Focus On You Create

Choose Wisely

From Stress Express, image of messy home office

Energy follows thought so you really want to be careful where you put your thoughts. If you are worried about paying bills and all you see in front of you is a mess and a stack of bills like those shown here, it's hard to focus on anything else. And the problem with that is you attract more of the same.

Instead, clear off your desk, put the clutter away, put the bills in a file and focus on what you are grateful for. Focus on your health, your friends and family, your loved ones, your home, your pets. your gifts and talents. Put your attention on WHAT YOU WANT. Create a dream collage and imagine yourself living in better circumstances, being happy and able to pay your bills with ease. Shift out of the negative into the positive and then take action accordingly. It can make a huge difference in your life.

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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

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

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

Your Money or Your Life

You Can't Enjoy One without the Other

Lots of people have been hurt by the recession, and many people are scrambling to get more money, pay off debt and be financially secure. I know what that fear and anxiety can be like, because I lived through it. Not long ago, my husband was underemployed and because of the recession, business was down. We scrambled, took seminars, read books, cut expenses, etc. I learned a number of things that helped us diversify our income streams and pay off debt. I'm deeply grateful that my husband now has a terrific job and business is good.

But I also learned one of the most important lessons from the death of both of my parents; one over 30 years ago and one a few weeks ago. Money without health means very little. There are plenty of wealthy, lonely, critically ill people who would give up every dollar to be fit, healthy, loved and vibrantly alive.

My mother suffered over 15 years before she died. What made her regain her will to live each time was seeing her two children and their love. A lifelong smoker, my dad had been ill for a few years. His lack of good health kept him homebound, when he had planned to travel. Sadly, he died just before Christmas. Their examples taught me to cherish my health, to be proactive and physically active, to take lots of vitamins and eat right.

Your health is critically important to your enjoying your life. So while you're making money, take excellent care of your body. It’s easy to let take over your life. But what good is money if you can’t enjoy it? Your family values you – the human being, not the moneymaker. The key is balance: stay fit and healthy so that you can enjoy the benefits of your hard work and be with loved ones.

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

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

Take Responsibility for Your Energy

Like many people, I recorded the finale of the Oprah Winfrey show. Rather than have guests, she gave us a keynote speech filled with incredible wisdom. I've shared some of those nuggets below with suggestions for how you can implement them at work. One of my favorites is "Luck is when opportunity meets preparation." How can you prepare for that window of opportunity in your life?

Oprah has inspired millions for decades, and yet managed to make each one of us feel like we mattered to her. Quite a feat, quite a remarkable woman

What Energy are You Sending Out?

Oprah's also shared about brain specialist Jill Taylor, the author of My Stroke of Insight. This compelling book chronicles her journey from massive stroke to full recovery.

I read it recently when my father had a stroke and it gave me great insight. Jill said "Please take responsibility for the energy you bring into my space." Doctors who treated her as though she wasn't there discouraged her; those who looked her in the eye and encouraged her made a world of difference.

So the question is, what kind of energy do you bring into the space of others? It is upbeat, confident, compassionate, or is it critical, impatient, demanding? Think about how you can make a difference in the energy you carry. Also consider what energy comes into your life from others; you may want to limit your exposure to negative

people who complain and disparage others.

@2011 Snowden McFall.  All Rights Reserved. No duplication without permission

Conscious Acts of Kindness

A great many studies including one on 2000 people found that being kind to others decreases stress and enhances mental health. Pick one day this week and choose to deliberately commit 5 separate acts of kindness. These should be chosen and intentional acts, but they do not need to be big things. Something as simple as paying the tokens for the people behind you in the toll booth or paying for the next person's coffee, or taking a muffin to 5 different people in your office- all of those would be great conscious acts of kindness which impact others and most importantly, make you feel happier.

Other examples:

• make a pie for a neighbor who has been shut-in

• pick up extra groceries for a lonely person

• bring doughnuts or bagels to work

• send flowers for no reason

• feed a homeless animal

• clean out your closets and donate to the homeless

Any step you take to share from the heart will make you happier.

Value Others as a Way of Staying Fired Up!

I received this poignant story via email today- I don't know the author but it is inspiring. Let me know if it touches your heart, too.

A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door.

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son.. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him. Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday."

Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days. "Jack, did you hear me?" "Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you.. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said

"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him. "I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said. "You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said "He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him... He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time. Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time. The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture.....

Jack stopped suddenly. "What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked. "The box is gone," he said "What box?" Mom asked.. "There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said. It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it. "Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package.. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read. Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was dif ficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read..

Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside. "Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box.. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.. Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover.. Inside he found these words engraved: "Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser." "The thing he valued most was...my time"

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked. "I need some time to spend with my son," he said.

"Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"

Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.

1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.

4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

5. You mean the world to someone.

6. If not for you, someone may not be living.

7. You are special and unique.

8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you trust God to do what's best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you will get it or something better..

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.

11. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.

12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

13 . Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy.

14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great. You will certainly brighten someone's day and might change their perspective on life..for the better. To everyone I say "Thanks for your time and for taking the time to read this."