Monday Morning Wake Up Call

Monday Morning Wake Up Call: Your Motivation, Inspiration, & Direction for the Week Ahead

Miracles Are All Around Good morning and Merry Christmas to those who are celebrating today. For millions around the world, today celebrates one of the greatest miracles of all, the birth of Jesus. But miracles happen every day, and they happen all around us. The changing of the seasons is a miracle. The survival of nature in harsh conditions is a miracle. Miracles occur when an event seems impossible, or cannot be explained, but it still happened. Someone survives an illness, against all odds. A relationship which was thought to be broken beyond repair is rekindled. When the unexpected or the unexplained suddenly happens, it causes a child-like wonder inside each of us. It’s true that this is the season of miracles, but I think that is because we expect miracles at this time of year, and so many are inspired to do something that others will see as a miracle. It’s a joyous time of the year. Wishing you many miracles in your own life, today and throughout the coming year! I’m here if you need anything! Something to Think About Maybe this year you will be the person who creates a miracle for someone in need, or perhaps you will be the recipient of a miracle. What a wonderful thought. Weekly Activity: Take a breather! Enjoy time with family and friends. Words of Wisdom Give yourself a gift of five minutes of contemplation in awe of everything you see around you. Go outside and turn your attention to the many miracles around you. This five-minute-a-day regimen of appreciation and gratitude will help you to focus your life in awe. Wayne Dyer Miracles happen every day, change your perception of what a miracle is, and you'll see them all around you. Jon Bon Jovi Miracles happen to those who believe in them. Bernard Berenson Miracles, in the sense of phenomena we cannot explain, surround us on every hand: life itself is the miracle of miracles. George Bernard Shaw The basic premise of 'A Course in Miracles' is that it teaches us to relinquish thoughts based on fear and to accept instead thoughts based on love. Marianne Williamson

Monday Morning Wake Up Call

Monday Morning Wake Up Call Your Motivation, Inspiration, & Direction for the Week Ahead

Wishing You a Little Magic Here’s to wishing you a wonderful day, and a wonderful week filled with fun times and family. This is the time of year when we watch more Disney films than any other time of the year. When you think of Disney, you think about family times, laughter, children, and happy endings. But did you ever think about Walt Disney the man? How did it all begin? As a young cartoonist, Walt Disney faced many rejections from newspaper editors, who said he had no talent. He was even fired from one who told him he lacked imagination and original ideas. One day a minister at a church hired him to draw some cartoons. Disney was working out of a small mouse infested shed near the church. After seeing a small mouse, he was inspired. That was the start of Mickey Mouse. How many people would have received a spark of inspiration sitting in a mouse-infested shed? Not many – right? Walt had a sense of magic and wonder inside him that couldn’t be doused. The world is a little more magical because of that. Keep your sense of wonder this week and share it with those you love! Happy holidays and I’m here if you need anything. Something to Think About Too often, it’s ridicule and rejection that derails us from our path and our purpose. The next time someone ridicules your idea or tries to derail your plan, just remember the story of Walt Disney. Weekly Activity: This week be an encourager. Lift people up. Call ten past clients who touched your life in a positive way and just say thank you. There is powerful momentum in gratitude. Words of Wisdom Our heritage and ideals, our code and standards - the things we live by and teach our children - are preserved or diminished by how freely we exchange ideas and feelings. Walt Disney We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. Walt Disney All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. Walt Disney It's kind of fun to do the impossible. Walt Disney That’s the real trouble with the world. Too many people grow up. Walt Disney

Monday Morning Wake Up Call

Monday Morning Wake Up Call Your Motivation, Inspiration, & Direction for the Week Ahead

The Science of Positive Emotion Last week we encouraged you to focus on the positive and choose that direction. This week let’s back it up with some scientific research which shows that positivity helps humans flourish in all areas of life. Barbara Fredericks, a leading social psychologist from the University of North Carolina, has been researching human emotions for over 25 years. Her research shows that a positive mindset produces emotions such as joy, amusement, happiness, serenity, gratitude, and inspiration. However negative emotions hit us like a sledgehammer! Negative emotions are much more intense than positive emotions. Barbara said, “...positive emotions are like nutrients. In the same way that we need to eat a variety of fruits to be healthy, we need a variety of positive emotions in our daily life to help us become more resourceful version of ourselves. Science has proven that positive emotions help us connect with others and build our relationships. It also builds our resilience and it helps our physical health because we become more energetic.” Fredrickson and her colleagues study positive emotions by measuring heart rate and respiration changes. Recently, some of their subjects were taught how to self-generate positive emotions on a daily basis. Over 6-7 weeks, they practiced the ancient technique of loving-kindness meditation. Instead of focusing attention on the breath, attention is focused on a set of classic phrases such as, “may you feel safe”, “may you feel healthy”, “may you live with ease”. The participants directed those warm wishes to themselves, people in their inner circle and then expanded to those people that they had no particular feelings about. It was noted that this seemed to make them immune to bias, based on rhythms of the heart and brain activity. They are now looking at changes in genes and the immune system! I hope you’re seeing life on the “sunny side” this week – and all the things you’re looking for you find with ease. I’m here if you need anything. Have a great one! Something to Think About The research is still in its early stage, but scientists believe that this can allow people to become more optimistic and interact with others more easily regardless of their past circumstances. Frederickson said, “It's like the things that tend to divide us, like race and cultural differences, temporarily slip out of view, and people are much more likely to see the collective and ‘we’ rather than ‘me versus you’.” What a world that would be! Weekly Activity: Spend five minutes each day getting quiet and saying those positive phrases over and over. Research shows that it will take six weeks of this practice to start seeing the positive results. Just in time to hit the ground running in the new year! Words of Wisdom The problem is never how to get new, innovative thoughts into your mind, but how to get the old ones out. Dee Hock We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. Winston Churchill The Perfect Day … going to bed with a dream, waking up with a purpose.” Unknown Miracles start to happen when you give as much energy to your dreams as you do to your fears. Richard Wilkins By taking a single step you've already outperformed millions of people who've made excuses. Nike

Monday Morning Wake Up Call

Monday Morning Wake Up Call: Your Motivation, Inspiration, & Direction for the Week Ahead

Choosing Direction I hope you had an awesome weekend! I am feeling especially blessed this holiday season and I hope you are as well. The economy is good, the housing market is steady or climbing in most parts of the country, and unemployment is down. Overall, the year seems to be ending on a positive note and that’s good for all of us. But what about you? How are you feeling as 2017 comes to an end and the new year is just around the corner? The incredible thing is that we get to CHOOSE. We can choose our focus. Choose to look for the good – or wallow in the not so good. We can count blessings or woes. I am reminded of a quote by Carlos Castaneda, “We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same.” The funny thing about it is that when we choose the good, the happy, and the positive – life feels a whole lot more at ease, and a whole lot less like work. As you plan for the new year ahead, in business and in life – be sure to choose the directions that will align you with the things you really want from life such as abundance and joy. Hold tight to that focus and you’ll find achieving those things to be so much simpler. Happy December! I’m here if you need anything. Something to Think About Make the directional choice for your life and career starting now. Build that choice into your business marketing plan, your daily activity plan, and with the things you use to fuel your mindset as you move forward such as books, video, courses, etc. It’s a great time to be in our industry and the perfect time to remember that life is rigged in your favor! Weekly Activity: Choose to be happy every day for a week. When negative influences show up, send them on their way with an affirmative “no”. You may need to remove some of the world’s toxic energy to do it such as turning off the news and tuning into something positive – but it will be a practice that you’ll soon discover will fill you with more energy and excitement about facing your day. Words of Wisdom The purpose of our lives is to be happy. Dalai Lama Sometimes you’ll never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory. Unknown If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Maya Angelou Happiness is a choice…Choose Happy. Unknown Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. Ferris Bueller

Monday Morning Wake Up Call

Monday Morning Wake Up Call: Your Motivation, Inspiration, & Direction for the Week Ahead

Life is What You Make It I hope you had a relaxing and fun weekend. I found this message, and it seemed like the perfect ending to a perfect month. Life is what you make it. Make it beautiful. Your very best days are the days when you live with true purpose and joy. Make today one of those days. Fill this moment with meaning. Fill this life with the pure and limitless love that flows from deep within you. There are unique opportunities in every situation. Focus on bringing to life those possibilities that create the most value. Allow the best that is within you to freely flow far, far beyond you. Fall in love with life all over again and again. Feel the awesome power of purpose. And truly live the miracle that is you. — Ralph Marston Something to Think About: I am reminded of another inspiring quote by William Johnsen: “If it is to be, it’s up to me.” Weekly Activity: Reach out to 5-10 of your best customers this week with a pop-by gift and let them know how much you appreciate them and that you are there for them. Words of Wisdom: Starting today, I need to forget what’s gone. Appreciate what still remains and look forward what’s coming next. Unknown Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back and reasons to stay. Dalai Lama Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory. Dr. Seuss One small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day. Unknown Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections. Unknown

Monday Morning Wake Up Call

Monday Morning Wake Up Call: Your Motivation, Inspiration, & Direction for the Week Ahead

Look for the GOOD How was your weekend? I hope you had time to spend with those you are thankful for. On Thanksgiving, we take some time to think about what we’re thankful for. It’s important to think about our priorities and the positive things in life. It’s a time to focus on the good in our lives. In each of our days, we can find small blessings, but too often we overlook them, choosing instead to spend our time paying attention to problems or giving out energy to those who cause us trouble instead of those who put a smile on our face. This week, let's be on the lookout for the bits of pleasure in each hour and appreciate the people who bring love and light to everyone who is blessed to know them. You are one of those people! Make it a great week! I’m here if you need anything! Something to Think About: What if everyone focused on making others feel good, and ended each day feeling grateful and appreciated? Wouldn’t that be awesome? Weekly Activity: This year, consider implementing a powerful tradition around your Thanksgiving dinner. Go around the table and ask each person to say something that they are thankful for. What an incredible way to help us to reflect on the past year and stay positive. Words of Wisdom:  When we are ready to make positive changes in our lives, we attract whatever we need to help us. Louise Hay So often time it happens, we all live our life in chains, and we never even know we have the key. The Eagles Optimists are right. So are pessimists. It's up to you to choose which you will be. Harvey Mackay May I never miss a sunset or a rainbow because I am looking down. Sara June Parker Only in the world of mathematics do two negatives multiply into a positive. Abby Morel

Monday Morning Wake Up Call

Monday Morning Wake Up Call: Your Motivation, Inspiration, & Direction for the Week Ahead

To Be Unstoppable This week, I wanted to share a story of determination and a desire to be unstoppable, regardless of what life throws your way. Have you ever heard of John Paul DeJoria? He was born into poverty in Los Angeles and started his business life selling Christmas cards and newspapers before the age of ten. He also spent time in a gang. The path ahead looked disastrous for DeJoria, as he found himself homeless. But, instead of following that path, and giving up, he created John Paul Mitchell Systems using a $700 loan. He lived out of his car and sold shampoo door-to-door. Today, his hair care product line is one of the most successful in America. I hope this inspires you to be UNSTOPPABLE in your journey this week. Make it a great one! I’m here if you need anything! Something to Think About: We could all use some of Paul Dejoria’s determination and positivity. I love this story because Dejoria didn’t make any excuses. He easily could have used his homelessness as a reason not to start a business, but he didn’t let anything stop him—and you shouldn’t either. Everyone hits a bump or two in the road. Never lose sight of what is important, and what your goals are. If you continue to push yourself through hard times (or a rough quarter or two) you will reap the reward in the long run. Weekly Activity: As we come towards the end of the year, reach out to your clients and customers and let them know how very much you appreciate their loyalty. They are the reason for your success. Words of Wisdom: When obstacles arise, you change your direction to reach your goal; you do not change your decision to get there. – Zig Ziglar The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will. – Vince Lombardi The man who will use his skill and constructive imagination to see how much he can give for a dollar, instead of how little he can give for a dollar, is bound to succeed. – Henry Ford Every brand isn’t for everybody, and everybody isn’t for every brand. – Liz Lang There are no shortcuts to any place worth going. – Beverly Sills

Monday Morning Wake Up Call

Monday Morning Wake Up Call: Your Motivation, Inspiration, & Direction for the Week Ahead

Falling for Autumn Foliage I hope that you had a fabulous weekend. In so many areas, it’s beautiful to see nature having her one last fling before settling down into winter’s sleep. As the weather gets cool, the green foliage turns into a palette of reds, gold, yellow, orange and brown. I love this time of year, so I did a little research, so I could share a few fun facts with you! Did you know that three factors influence those colors? Leaf pigments, length of night, and weather. The one factor with the greatest influence is the length of night. As we have fewer daylight hours, the color starts to change. The amount and brilliance of the colors that develop in any particular autumn season are related to weather conditions that occur before and during the time the chlorophyll in the leaves is dwindling. Temperature and moisture are the main influences. Winter is a certainty that all vegetation must face each year. Perennial plants, trees, stems, twigs, and buds are equipped to survive extreme cold so that they can reawaken in spring. Evergreens are covered with a heavy wax coating. The fluid inside their cells contains substances that resist freezing. Leaves that are unable to survive winter are shed to protect the plant. The fallen leaves decompose and restock the soil with nutrients allowing trees to continue to grow. It’s one example of the Circle of Life in nature. A pretty beautiful one at that. I hope you have an amazing week ahead and have lots of wonderful fall fun lined up. Take care and I’m here if you need anything. Something to Think About:  Everything is in perfect harmony. Nature knows what to do to survive, and at the same time, provide us with so much pleasure this time of the year. I don’t know about you, but I always find myself asking the same question: “How does it know?” Weekly Activity:  Take some time this week and enjoy the outdoors with someone special and enjoy a little of the season. It’s also the perfect time to combine the great outdoors and a walk through your geographic farm. Meet the neighbors, answer their questions, and help them put your face with the name they’ve been seeing in your marketing. Words of Wisdom: Life’s battles don’t always go to the strongest or fastest; sooner or later those who win are those who think they can. – Richard Bach Statistics suggest that when customers complain, business owners and managers ought to get excited about it. The complaining customer represents a huge opportunity for more business. – Zig Ziglar Some men see things as they are and ask why…I dream of things that never were and ask why not? – Robert Kennedy Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough. – Og Mandino Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them. – Ann Landers

Monday Morning Wake Up Call

Monday Morning Wake Up Call: Your Motivation, Inspiration, & Direction for the Week Ahead

Here’s to the Heroes Today is a good day to celebrate a hero. Narayanan Krishnan, age 29, does what he was professionally trained to do – he’s a chef. He feeds people. But Krishnan does not do this in the swanky confines of a five-star hotel. Every day, he wakes up at 4 am, cooks a simple hot meal and then, along with his team, loads it in a van and travels about 200 km to feed the homeless in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.  Krishnan feeds almost 400 destitute people every day. And for those who need it, he provides a free haircut too. He was selected as one of the Top 10 in “CNN Heroes 2010” list. Eight years ago, this award-winning chef, with a five-star hotel chain, was all set to go to Switzerland for a high-profile posting. On a visit to a Madurai temple, he came across a homeless, old man desperate for food. That changed Krishnan’s life. Much to the dismay of his parents, Krishnan abandoned his career plans and decided to spend his life and his professional training to look after those who could not care for themselves. He has provided more than 1.2 million hot meals through his nonprofit organization, Akshaya Trust. He now hopes to extend this to shelter the homeless as well. What an incredible inspirational hero to set our perspective and sights for the week ahead. Something to Think About One incident, profound enough to change the direction of a person’s life, has changed lives of over 1 million people! That’s inspired! Weekly Activity Is there a local charity in need? What can you do to help others less fortunate? Can you and your organization “adopt” a cause this season? Words of Wisdom Courage is not having the strength to go on; it is going on when you don't have the strength. - Theodore Roosevelt Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries. - James A. Michener Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other. - Walter Elliot Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. - Charles R. Swindoll Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough. - Og Mandino

Century 21 Arquette Properties

FAYETTTEVILLE-BASED JOHN ARQUETTE PROPERTIES AFFILIATES WITH CENTURY 21 REAL ESATE FRANCHISE SYSTEM   FAYETTEVILLE, New York (October 17, 2017) – John Arquette Properties announced today that it has joined the CENTURY 21® Franchise System and will now do business as CENTURY 21 Arquette Properties. The company will continue to provide full-service real estate services to buyers and sellers throughout Central New York and the Syracuse Metropolitan Area, and it will now benefit from the world-class marketing, agent learning and educational resources, and technology and productivity tools provided through its affiliation with the iconic CENTURY 21 brand.   “CENTURY 21 Arquette Properties exemplifies the success that is possible when you lead with an agent-first mentality,” said Nick Bailey, president and chief executive officer, Century 21 Real Estate LLC. “From the clerical support they provide their agents to their focus on agent branding, John and Elenore Arquette place an unprecedented value on their individual agents. We are thrilled to welcome them to the CENTURY 21 System, and look forward to our mutual success.”   Husband and wife duo, John and Elenore Arquette, bring more than 50 years of combined experience to their roles as co-broker/owners. Together, John and Elenore lead a team of 52 agents across four offices, servicing the Onondaga, Oswego and Madison Counties.   “We couldn’t be more excited about joining Century 21 Real Estate – not only is it an international brand, but as an organization, they, too, place a heightened focus on their agents,” said Arquette. “We are thrilled to have the support of the brand behind us and continue to best serve the needs of home buyers, sellers and agents in Central New York and beyond.”   John and Elenore are also highly involved in their local community. Elenore is on the Board of Directors for Toomey Residential and Treatment Services, a Central New York not-for-profit organization that assists abused and neglected children up to the age of 21 and unaccompanied refugee minors from around the world, and also provides residential services for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Additionally, the entire office is involved with the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund.   About CENTURY 21 Arquette Properties CENTURY 21 Arquette Properties is a full service real estate company, serving the buyers and sellers of Central New York and the Syracuse Metropolitan Area. The main office is located at 104 Salt Springs Road, Fayetteville, NY 13066, with branch offices in the Towns of Clay, Camillus and the Village of Tully.   CENTURY 21 Arquette Properties is an independently owned and operated franchise affiliate of Century 21 Real Estate LLC (century21.com), franchisor of the iconic CENTURY 21 brand, comprised of approximately 7,450 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices in 79 countries and territories worldwide with more than 115,000 independent sales professionals.