August 2009 Newsletter from WithIt - Check out our Market Events!

Fired Up! is the only way to live and work. As many have said, life is not a dress rehearsal. If we have just one great ride on this planet, then I want mine to be extraordinary. I want to be fired up, excited and passionate about what I do in life and in work. I want to be optimistic, enthusiastic and energetic. Because I realize it is my choice.

But I am also a realist; sometimes life can be very challenging. Sometimes it is difficult to be upbeat and positive when we are constantly bombarded with negativity, dire predictions, social challenges and decreasing resources. So that means each of us needs a plan to deal with these times head on; we need to create a plan that builds our confidence, activates our courage and enables us to be optimistic and focused.

For this, I share my morning "Ten-minute Reconnect." Using this approach, I find that however challenging things are, I land on my feet. I feel confident and focused, and direct my attitude and day in a productive and upbeat way. Though I start my day this way, consider using this "Ten-Minute Reconnect" whenever you need to regain your energy, focus and optimism.

The "Ten-Minute Reconnect":
1. Read from someone who you find inspirational (my favorites are Steve Farber, Sherwin Nuland, Tom Peters and Ogden Nash). Get inspired.
2. Recommit to your statement of purpose or happiness (what do you want from work and life). Get focused.
3. Identify three things you are grateful for (see abundance instead of scarcity). Be thankful.
4. Identify two people who need to hear something positive from you today (see that there is more to the world than just you and your challenges). Be available.
5. Identify how you will play to your strengths today (create a plan just for today - a day at a time). Be confident.

Ten minutes is all it takes. A ten-minute investment in yourself to stay focused, optimistic, upbeat and thankful. When we move from a place of gratitude and optimism, we can more easily handle whatever comes our way. Wise people have stated that our challenges are nothing more than lessons to help us see how capable we are. Starting from a point of strength each day encourages a more powerful day and greater success with life's lessons. Invest ten minutes. You are worth it.

Because many of the WithIt conference attendees asked for it, here is the paragraph "If the Three Wise Men Had Been Women" I read at the conference:

If the three wise men had been women, they would have asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, brought practical gifts and there would be Peace On Earth.

But what they would have said when they left...?

"Did you see the sandals Mary was wearing with that gown?"
"That baby doesn't look anything like Joseph!"
"Virgin, my arse! I knew her in school!"
"Can you believe that they let all of those disgusting animals in the house?"
"I heard that Joseph isn't even working right now!"
"And that donkey that they are riding has seen better days too!"
"Want to bet on how long it will take until you get your casserole dish back?"