Monday Morning Wake Up Call

Your Motivation, Inspiration, & Direction for the Week Ahead

Take Some Time for YOU! Good morning. Let’s make it a fantastic last week of June! Hard to believe summer is nearly halfway over! Remember the Week 3 quote from Dr. Seuss: “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” Summer holidays are important for many reasons: They give us a chance to recoup from the long, busy spring market. Kids get a break from school to enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise. They provide an excuse to get away and spend time with friends, family and others we care about. Have you planned your summer getaway, or are you still working away? It’s so easy to keep working when your phone keeps ringing. Thankfully, we’re in a profession that allows us to keep making money even while on vacation. I’d like to share a true story about an attorney who took her daughter on a weeklong African safari as a college graduation present. She told her travel group that it was the first vacation that she had ever taken with her daughter. When asked why she was only spending a week, she replied, “My clients would never allow me to take more than a week off.” It takes 23 hours to travel to Africa and two days to adjust to the new time zone. That means that by the time you arrive and adjust, you only have four good days of vacation. When a fellow member of the group pointed that out, the attorney said, “Well, four days is better than nothing.” The same lady then asked, “Are you a good attorney?” The attorney was almost insulted as she replied, “I’m the best!” The lady then said, “I’m the best at what I do as well, which is why my clients wait until I return from holiday to use my services.” That exchange was the topic of group discussion that night, causing everyone to reflect on the value of the time we spend with those we care about most. Three days later, the attorney ran into that same woman and embraced her, exclaiming: “Thank you! I’ve promised my daughter that next year we’ll make it a two-week vacation, or perhaps three!” Something to Think About I’ve met many Realtors with the same “I can’t take more than a week off” mentality. I once had a broker who said that he NEVER takes vacations with his family. There was always work to do, and he preferred to keep working and make more money. I convinced him to take a week off, and when his wife saw me, she was so excited that she ran up and embraced me. She and the children couldn’t wait to take a family vacation, and it’s a tradition that has continued. We work in a high-stress business, and that stress sometimes comes home with us. We deserve a nice break, and our families do too. When you work, give it 100%, and when you play, also give it 100%. I do! Weekly Challenge Ask your family or others whom you care about if you’re spending enough “fun time” with them. If the answer is no, ask what they would like to do for fun this summer. If the answer is yes, good for you! Words of Wisdom “It’s all about quality of life and finding a happy balance between work and friends and family.” – Philip Green “I believe that being successful means having a balance of success stories across the many areas of your life. You can’t truly be considered successful in your business life if your home life is in shambles.” – Zig Ziglar “Most people are so busy knocking themselves out trying to do everything they think they should do, they never get around to what they want to do.” – Kathleen Winsor “Balance, peace, and joy are the fruit of a successful life. It starts with recognizing your talents and finding ways to serve others by using them.” – Thomas Kinkade “A well-developed sense of humor is the pole that adds balance to your steps as you walk the tightrope of life.” – William Arthur Ward “Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” – Unknown

MONDAY MORNING WAKE UP CALL

Your Motivation, Inspiration, & Direction for the Week Ahead

Making Time for What Matters What do you value most in life? How do you make time for it? If you’re a dad, I hope that you had a chance to spend yesterday with those you love or doing something that you enjoy – even if it was just sitting around the house doing nothing! Sometimes doing nothing, or relaxing, is what we need and value most. We all work in a high-stress, crazy business that we really enjoy (most of the time), but it’s important to have some down time too. Isn’t it funny that we seem to use holidays as an excuse to do what we should be doing on a regular basis? Yesterday, dads had their “special day.” Last month, it was moms. In the fall, we gather with family for Thanksgiving and eat turkey. We make time for these special occasions because the holiday is preset and on the calendar. What do you value most in life? Who do you really enjoy spending time with? What do you do to ensure that you make time for those who matter most? Wouldn’t it be fun to have random, repeated holidays? Maybe your dad is so special that you could celebrate Father’s Day again later in the year. What a great surprise for dad – and a fun way to honor him. You can even create special days and start a new tradition. It could be Family Biking Day, followed with a picnic. The secret is to put it on the calendar, and plan those special days like all of the other holidays. What will your special day in June celebrate, and whom will you invite? Something to Think About Think back over the past year to the moments that really stand out. Was it a family wedding where you danced the night away? A fun dinner with a friend you rarely see? A day with the grandkids, or maybe a day spent gardening? If you’re like me, during those special times you find yourself thinking: Why don’t I do this more often? Unfortunately, we often get so busy that we forget to honor the things we enjoy and the people we love. Let’s vow to start making time for those special moments. Life is short. It’s often said that when asked if they had any regrets, the overwhelming majority of seniors in a nursing home said they regret not making time to do more enjoyable things and not spending more time with their loved ones. Weekly Challenge This week, plan two activities through the end of June – one with someone you love or care about (one person or an entire group) and the other doing something you enjoy (alone or with someone fun). Words of Wisdom “One thing I didn’t understand in life was that I had $100,000,000 in the bank and I couldn’t buy happiness. I had everything: mansions, yachts, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, but I was depressed. I didn’t know where I fit in. But then I found family and friends, and I learned the value of life.” – Vanilla Ice “You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” – Mark Twain “Successful people maintain a positive focus in life no matter what is going on around them. They stay focused on their past successes rather than their past failures, and on the next action steps they need to take to get them closer to the fulfillment of their goals rather than all the other distractions that life presents to them.” – Jack Canfield “The key to success is to focus our conscious mind on things we desire, not things we fear.” – Brian Tracy “No one is perfect... absolutely no one. Like precious stones, we have a few flaws, but why focus on that? Focus on what you like about yourself, and that will bring you happiness and peace.” – Richard Simmons

Monday Morning Wake Up Call

Your Motivation, Inspiration, & Direction for the Week Ahead

Smile Power Let’s celebrate! Did you know that there are 30 crazy ways and crazy days to celebrate in June? It seems as though you can celebrate something every day this month, but I really like today because it’s Smile Power Day. Feel the power. Give everyone you see a big, friendly “I like you” smile. You never know… your warm smile just might turn someone’s day around – for the good! Love may make the world go ‘round, but a smile makes the world a happier place. A smile is a powerful thing. Best of all, it’s contagious. And make sure it’s sincere; people can see right through phony or forced smiles. A smile is so powerful that it can add years to your life, make you an overall happier person and make someone else a happier person too. It’s a mood changer for the giver and the receiver, improves relationships and, in business, sends a great customer service message. So let’s celebrate Smile Power Day with a great big smile! Something to Think About Everyone’s heard the saying “laughter is the best medicine,” and now we know how true it really is. Smiling can boost your mood and even your immune system. Here are some facts about smiling: 1. Forcing yourself to smile can boost your mood. Psychologists have found that even if you’re in bad mood, you can instantly lift your spirits by forcing yourself to smile. 2. Smiles boost your immune system. Smiling really can improve your physical health. Your body is more relaxed when you smile, which contributes to good health and a stronger immune system. 3. Smiles are contagious. It’s not just a saying; according to scientists, smiling really is contagious. In a study conducted in Sweden, people had difficulty frowning when they looked at other subjects who were smiling, and their muscles twitched into smiles on their own. 4. Smiles relieve stress. Your body immediately releases endorphins when you smile, even when you force it. This sudden change in mood will help you feel better and release stress. 5. It’s easier to smile than to frown. Scientists have discovered that your body has to work harder and use more muscles to frown than it does to smile. 6. It’s a universal sign of happiness. While handshakes, hugs and bows all have different meanings across cultures, smiling is known around the world and in all cultures as a sign of happiness and acceptance. 7. Babies are born with the ability to smile. Babies learn a lot of behaviors and sounds from watching the people around them, but scientists believe that all babies are born with the ability to smile, since even blind babies smile. 8. Smiling helps you get promoted. Smiles make a person seem more attractive, sociable and confident, and people who smile more are more likely to get a promotion. 9. Smiles are the most easily recognizable facial expression. People can recognize smiles from up to 300 feet away, making it the most easily recognizable facial expression. 10. There are 19 different types of smiles. A UC-San Francisco researcher identified 19 types of smiles and put them into two categories: polite “social” smiles that engage fewer muscles and sincere “felt” smiles that use more muscles on both sides of the face. 11. Babies start smiling as newborns. Most doctors believe that real smiles occur when babies are awake at the age of four to six weeks, but babies start smiling in their sleep as soon as they’re born. Weekly Challenge Spend the week with a big, bright smile on your face. Flash a toothy smile to everyone you encounter. Follow this link for even more “reasons to celebrate” in June. http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/june.htm Words of Wisdom “We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.” – Mother Teresa “ A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” – William Arthur Ward “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss “A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.” – Phyllis Diller “A smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside.” – Denis Waitley

Monday Morning Wake Up Call

Your Motivation, Inspiration, & Direction for the Week Ahead

Say Yes! I hope that you’re having a phenomenal June! Here’s a thought to make it even better: Learn to say YES! In 2008, Jim Carrey starred in a movie called Yes Man, and I’ve grown to love the idea behind it. His character makes a covenant to stop being a “No Man” and vows to answer “Yes!” to every opportunity, request or invitation that presents itself. Although it’s impossible to say yes to everything, you could almost certainly say yes to more than you do. Listen to yourself. When someone invites you to do something they love – and that you’ve never tried – what do you say? Do you take the chance and try it? Or do you politely decline because you’re too busy or because it’s not something that you think you’re interested in? Learning and living are the same. When you stop learning, you start to die a little every day. Scientific evidence confirms that brain cells can re-grow at any age if you give them some exercise. Your brain is a case of “use it or lose it.” So try it. Say yes to something you normally would turn down. Try different food, different music, going to a movie you’d normally avoid. Try behaving differently. If you’re usually shy, try making the first move to speak to someone interesting. If you’re extroverted, try standing back quietly and watching others take the limelight. Whatever happens, you’ll learn something. You may even discover something unexpectedly good. It doesn’t need to be dramatic. What matters is that you open yourself to more of what life has to offer instead of hanging back and staying with what you already know. Something to Think About Many people go through life convinced that there is only one path open to them. That makes it true, because they never try anything else. But the world is a huge, glorious experiment, not a set of rules to be followed or boxes to be checked. How much you’re willing to join in that experiment is up to you. The closer you stick to the same script, the less you discover what might be even better. What holds most people back is fear of losing what they already have, however imperfect it might be. Just remember that you’re in control of the experiment. You can try a little change as easily as a huge one. And if it doesn’t work, you can always go back and try again. Saying no is the real risk, because it closes the door forever on anything different. Weekly Challenge I would like for you to consciously work on saying yes instead of no for a week. I was amazed at the opportunities that presented themselves when I did this. Please share any success stories that occur as a result; I’d love to hear them! Words of Wisdom “Learn to say ‘no’ to the good so you can say ‘yes’ to the best.” – John C. Maxwell “To my young friends out there: Life can be great, but not when you can’t see it. So, open your eyes to life: to see it in the vivid colors that God gave us as a precious gift to His children, to enjoy life to the fullest, and to make it count. Say yes to your life.” – Nancy Reagan “Just keep taking chances and having fun.” – Garth Brooks “I believe in taking chances and living your life. Sometimes doors open and others close, and you have to figure out which one you’re going to take. I’m always for the one that’s challenging.” – Gisele Bundchen “What is outrageous is not what you ask for. What is outrageous is what you settle for.” – Alan Cohen.

Monday Morning Wake Up Call

Celebrate the Good Life
 
Good morning, my friend. I hope that you had a fantastic weekend.

June is one of my favorite months. It’s a time of new beginnings and reflection. Summer holidays are beginning, graduation and wedding season is in high gear, flowers and trees are in full bloom, and it’s the perfect time for walks in the great outdoors. A nice long walk provides a wonderful opportunity to think and reflect.

This week, let’s reflect on what constitutes a good life. Here’s a great article to get you thinking:

 
Six Things That Constitute a Good Life by Jim Rohn

The ultimate expression of life is not a paycheck. The ultimate expression of life is not a Mercedes. The ultimate expression of life is not a million dollars, a bank account or a home. The ultimate expression of life, in my opinion, is living a good life. But what constitutes a good life? This is my shortlist:
1. Productivity. You won’t be happy if you don’t produce. The game of life is not rest. We must rest, but only long enough to gather strength to get back to productivity. What’s the reason for the seasons and the seeds, the soil and the sunshine, the rain and the miracle of life? It’s to see what you can do with it – to try your hand to see what you can do.
2. Good friends. Friendship is probably the greatest support system in the world. Don’t deny yourself the time to develop it. Nothing can match it. It’s extraordinary in its benefits. Friends are those wonderful people who know all about you and still like you.
3. Your culture. Language, music, ceremonies, traditions and dress – all of these are so vitally important that you must keep them alive. It’s the uniqueness of all of us that, when blended together, brings vitality, energy, power, influence and rightness to the world.
4. Spirituality. It helps form the foundation of the family that builds the nation. And make sure you study, practice and teach. Don’t be careless about the spiritual part of your nature; it’s what makes us who we are.
5. Don’t miss anything. My parents taught me not to miss anything. Don’t miss the game; don’t miss the performance; don’t miss the movie; don’t miss the show; don’t miss the dance. Go to everything you possibly can. Buy a ticket to everything you possibly can. Go see everything and experience all you possibly can.
6. Your family and the inner circle. Invest in them, and they’ll invest in you. Inspire them, and they’ll inspire you. Take care of the details with your inner circle. If a father walks out of the house and can feel his daughter’s kiss on his face all day, he’s a powerful man. If a husband walks out of the house and can feel the imprint of his wife’s arms around his body, he’s invincible all day. It’s the special stuff with your inner circle that makes you strong, powerful and influential. So don’t miss that opportunity. Make sure in your busy days to remember the true purpose and the reasons you do what you do.

 
Something to Think About

I’ve noticed that most agents are more productive when they’re happy and their life is in balance. Think of the times when you were most productive in your career. Was your personal life positive? If so, then 2-6 on the list of things that constitute a good life are essential for 1 – productivity – to occur with the least amount of effort.
 
Weekly Challenge
Take a walk this week, and reflect on all of the blessings in your life. What are you grateful for, and what seems to have the greatest impact on your overall mental well-being? Is there an area of your life that needs some attention? This is the week to address it!
 
Words of Wisdom
“Life comes from physical survival; but the good life comes from what we care about.” – Rollo May
 
“We are constituted so that simple acts of kindness, such as giving to charity or expressing gratitude, have a positive effect on our long-term moods. The key to the happy life, it seems, is the good life: a life with sustained relationships, challenging work, and connections to community.” – Paul Bloom
 
“The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.” – Bertrand Russell
 
“The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination.” – Carl Rogers
 
“The definition of success to me is not necessarily a price tag, not fame, but having a good life, and being able to say I did the right thing at the end of the day.” – Jeremy Luke

Holiday Week Wake Up Call:

Your Motivation, Inspiration, & Direction for the Week Ahead

Make EVERY Day Count We all have one incredible thing in common: We are each given 168 hours every week to do what we please, to create and share our world, to make choices that decide our future and to fill our hearts with what makes them beat with excitement. My goal is to end each day with the satisfaction of knowing that it was well spent. I want to be able to sit back and know that I contributed to something bigger than myself. Here are 5 tips to help you get more out of each day: 1. Set morning intentions. Spend 10 minutes setting your intentions for the day. What 3 things will you absolutely do that day? Sometimes intentions can shift throughout the day; when things become busy or stressful, reconnect with your intentions and focus. 2. Live your values. What do you value most in this world? Family? Security? Balance? Creativity? We all value something different – and these values can change weekly, even daily. However, where we spend our time is a direct reflection of what we value in life. Spend time each day on the things that matter most to you. 3. Sleep well. Research shows that we should get 8 hours of sleep each night. When you’re well-rested, you have greater focus, a better attention span and accomplish more. 4. Create time for important relationships. When we don’t fully listen in our relationships, we’re actually stealing time from them. How often do we nod our heads in agreement with absolutely no idea what our valued friend just said? Be engaged in the moment and in the conversation. When others see that you care enough to listen, you will see the relationship blossom. 5. Research and revise, if needed. There are some amazing resources and a whole industry centered on how to be a better, brighter YOU. Take advantage of the information age that we now live in, and investigate. What type of support do you need? We’re all different. What energizes you? Time and energy go hand in hand. If what you’re doing right now doesn’t energize you, change it. I love to see agents who are not only productive and making strides in their careers but also living life to the fullest. That “all work and no play” thing is very real. It’s wonderful when we can find a happy balance that fuels a great life. I wish that for you as well! Have a great week! Something to Think About Why do some people seem to have a perfectly balanced life, while others are always late, never prepared and typically run around in a panic? Sometimes the biggest secret isn’t that they’re moving at warp speed; rather, it’s that they take the time to evaluate what they need and put those things in place to streamline their days and take care of themselves. Sound advice, don’t you think? Weekly Challenge We all have people in our lives who always seem to keep it all together; they remain balanced and stay calm no matter the situation. What’s their secret? Reach out this week to someone who appears to have it all together, and ask him/her to share the secret. Don’t be surprised if the person has the same challenges that you have. Be prepared to share a few of your secrets, as well. Words of Wisdom “Obviously everyone wants to be successful, but I want to be looked back on as being very innovative, very trusted and ethical and ultimately making a big difference in the world.” – Sergey Brin “No one lives long enough to learn everything they need to learn starting from scratch. To be successful, we absolutely, positively have to find people who have already paid the price to learn the things that we need to learn to achieve our goals.” – Brian Tracy “If you want to be successful, it’s just this simple: Know what you are doing. Love what you are doing. And believe in what you are doing.” – Will Rogers “If you want to be successful, find someone who has achieved the results you want, and copy what they do, and you’ll achieve the same results.” – Tony Robbins “Successful people ask better questions and, as a result, they get better answers.” – Tony Robbins

Monday Morning Wake Up Call

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

10 Lessons for a Healthier, Happier Life Welcome to this edition of the Monday Morning Wake-Up Call. I hope that you had a relaxing weekend filled with friends and family. Are you one of the millions of Americans constantly looking for a new and better way to lose weight and feel great? What if I told you that you can learn everything you need to know about fitness, health and nutrition from kids. Here are 10 things children can teach you about healthy living: 1. Everything can be a game. Why drag through the same workout routines when you can add a little fun? Make up rules, shoot for personal records, try something different – maybe fitness boxing or a trampoline gym – and regain your competitive spirit. 2. Don’t walk when you can run. Every day is full of opportunities to improve your fitness. This rule is closely related to “don’t drive when you can walk.” 3. If you don’t like it, don’t eat it. Chances are, your healthy eating habits won’t stick around long if you hate what you’re eating. Healthy eating involves balance and moderation. 4. Laughter feels good. Kids seem to inherently know that laughter can ease blood pressure, help your brain function, give you energy and help you have fun while reaching goals. 5. Playtime is important. We get so caught up in work that we forget to take time for ourselves. Not only does relaxing make life worthwhile, but it also has real health benefits. 6. The world should be full of color – especially on your dinner plate! Splash it with as many colors as possible. It’s more fun to look at, and the most colorful produce options often pack the most nutrients. 7. It’s always more fun with friends around. Children tend to gravitate toward other children. It gives them spirit and makes them want to play all day. Working out with other people is almost like having your own little playgroup. 8. Adventures are found outside. Every kid knows that the good stuff – fresh air, wide-open spaces, limitless possibilities – is in the great outdoors. Open the door, and start a new adventure every day. 9. Use your imagination. You can be anyone you want to be at any time. Give yourself permission to believe in your own superpowers, and let your mind take you wherever it wants to go. 10. Anything is possible. No fear, no self-doubt, no negative self-talk, no self-criticism, no worries, no destructive anxieties or thoughts of failure. Children believe that they can do anything. And you know what? They’re right. The truth is, when we feel better, we do better. We’re more productive and present personally and professionally. By implementing some of these great ideas borrowed from our little friends, we can infuse our lives with more energy, health, wellness and joy. And that makes us better people all around, don’t you think? Have a great week! Something to Think About I once heard someone say that the easiest way to get in shape is to follow a 5-year-old for a week and do everything that he/she does! Children that age are always running, bending, jumping and exploring. Do you have the energy to follow a 5-year-old for a week? How about a day? An hour? It’s worth a try! Weekly Challenge Make this the week where you walk instead of drive (when possible) and run instead of walk (when possible). Spend some time in the great open air – and laugh often and much. It’s good for your body, your spirit and even your business. I promise! Words of Wisdom “Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body; it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.” – John F. Kennedy “Energy and persistence conquer all things.” – Benjamin Franklin “Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness.” – Earl of Derby “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” – Jim Ryan “Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person’s physical, emotional and mental states.” – Carol Welch