February already?

Wow, where did January go?
Okay, all the goals you wrote down in December need to be reviewed again. The start of a new month is an opportunity to do a gut check and look at what you "said" you were going to do and what you've actually "done" in the new year. Are you making the progress you expected to make so far?

 I say this as a coach who is encouraging you to take action on those things you see as important. We all need a gentle push sometimes. Getting stuck in old habits isn't easy to move from, but you and I both know that it CAN be done.  February is Fresh Start month!

IF you need a little encouragement, feel welcome to email me at neilwoody1@me.com

Think of how proud you will be when you follow through on the 3 most important goals you have. You Can Do It!  

Remember, read or listen to something positive and encouraging every morning, then do the same at night. Share time with people with a great attitude, energy and passion. Follow your heart.  This is going to be YOUR year of success!

So now, get going....

What are You looking forward to?

One of the best ways I have found to remain "fired-up" is to have something exciting to look forward to. Maybe it's a vacation, or the completion of a major project and the reward that follows. Having that "something" makes every moment so worthwhile! It provides that wonderful passion and natural enthusiasm.

A friend in Scottsdale is preparing to run her first New York City marathon. During a recent training run with her, she was so excited that her feet barely touched the ground. She was flying along the running trail with a cheerful smile on her face as she talked about the excitement of running this race with her friend.  Goals are those things we look forward to accomplishing. She enjoys her daily training run with enthusiasm and passion as she visualizes crossing the finish line in Central Park. She's going to accomplish her goal and there is no doubt about that! Rachel is looking forward to wearing that finisher's medal!

Many of us set goals for 2010. Do you look at them daily, as a reminder to stay on track?
Remember the Law of Attraction. We tend to attract people and things into our life, by visualizing what we "Want" to happen. So as you look forward to the successful accomplishment of your goal, be aware of the resources you attract into your life.

We are nearly finished with the first month of the new year. I hope you are as excited about 2010 as you were in December. I tell myself daily that The Best is Yet to Come!
If you have something exciting to look forward to - good for you. Now help someone else get back on track. We continue to pay if forward and look forward!

Always Optimistic ~
Neil

33 Ways to Start Your Day!

Thanks to my buddy Andy for sharing this fantastic, very positive and inspiring Blog with me. Now I'll share it with you!

http://www.dragosroua.com/33-ways-to-start-your-day//

I've never heard of dragos roua but it was only 4 weeks ago when I didn't know about tiny urls - until Paul Castain brought my knowledge into this century!  So what do I know or rather, how much more don't I know?   Scary thought....

I do like the way dragos writes and his attitude is just the type we have here on Optimist Island.

Please share your comments and any other blogs I should be aware of.
Thank you friends ~

Neil ~ the Mayor of Optimist Island

Scottsdale and Paradise Valley

I'm on my way back to Frozen Boston after such a wonderful and successful trip to Scottsdale Arizona. I remember visiting Phoenix when I drove cross-country with my best friend, Ken Garrepy, in 1975. As we drove by the foothills at sunrise, I remember telling Ken that someday I would live in Arizona. That goal has not changed! There's something magical and comfortable here that puts me at ease. So that move remains on my Goals List and Vision Board. Keep your ears open for opportunities for me, okay?   Until then, I will make the best of life in the Boston area. Summer is just 5 months away!

I share this story because I know how important it is to have goals and visualize the successful achievement of those goals. It's amazing just how much you can actually accomplish, once that goal is planted solidly in your mind.  Somehow you attract people and situations into your life that help make those goals a reality. I don't know how it happens. I only know that it does!  These were my thoughts as I walked for an hour in Paradise Valley at 5 am this morning. Those positive thoughts were a great way to start my day! Visualization Rocks!!

So here we are 15 days into the new year. How are your new habits going so far? I hope you are exercising like you planned. If not, here is a gentle hand of encouragement. Go out for a walk and enjoy some quiet mental time. You'll enjoy it so much that you'll want to go again tomorrow. Do something good for yourself because in my opinion, you deserve it! Remember, every day is an opportunity to start fresh and make changes.

Enjoy your weekend, have hope and share your kindness!

Always Optimistic,
Neil

Dr. Bernie Siegel

Last night I enjoyed listening to Dr. Bernie Siegel (world famous doctor, author, great healer) for 75 minutes. He was the featured speaker at a Healthy Living expo just about 20 minutes from home. What a fantastic talk! Now I understand how he has helped so many people fight back from cancer and other ills.

Here are just a few quotes from my notes.
"Don't let the child in you die. Get your childhood pictures out and put them around your home. LOVE THAT KID!"     "Enjoy yourself - it's later than you think."   "Don't dwell on things that happened to you 35 years ago. LIVE!  Life is about living not dwelling."

"Laugh as much as possible. It cures many illnesses." "When someone gets mad at you or is driving you crazy ~ look at them and say I Love You!  That'll stop them and at least be curious."

"Connections and relationships keep us alive."
"95% of women would do a favor for a friend if they were asked. EVEN if they did NOT want to do it. Just say NO - or else you are denying Yourself. Take care of yourself."

"What has happened in your life? Those feelings become your chemistry. Deal with the inner feelings that are eating you. Many illnesses are from these "feelings" that are deep inside. Resolve them and get living."

IF you want more info on Dr. Siegel - go to his website
http://www.berniesiegelmd.com

I read "Love, Medicine and Miracles" in 1989 and loved it!
Last night I bought "365 Prescriptions for the Soul"

I wish you all the best!  Enjoy today and time with your friends. Live and Smile!
Your friend,
Neil

A must read "Handbook" for 2010

My friend Trish Hart shared this with me. I like it so much that I feel compelled to share it with you. Now I hope you will do the same and share it with the people who matter in your life!

HANDBOOK 2010

Health:
1.       Drink plenty of water.
2.       Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner
Like a beggar.
3.       Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less
Food that is manufactured in plants..
4.       Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5.       Make time to pray.
6..       Play more games
7.       Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8.       Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9.       Sleep for 7 hours.
10.    Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.


Personality:
11.    Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what
their journey is all about.
12.    Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control.
Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13.    Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14.    Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15.    Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16.    Dream more while you are awake
17.    Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18.    Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with
His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19.    Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate
others.
20.    Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21.    No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22.    Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away
like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a  lifetime.
23.    Smile and laugh more.
24.    You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...


Society:
25.    Call your family often.
26.    Each day give something good to others.
27.    Forgive everyone for everything.
28.    Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of  6.
29.    Try to make at least three people smile each day.

30.    What other people think of you is none of your business.
31.    Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends
will. Stay in touch.


Life:
32.    Do the right thing!
33.    Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34.    GOD heals everything.
35.    However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36.    No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37.    The best is yet to come..
38.    When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39.    Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.


Last but not the least:
40.    Please Forward this to everyone you care about, I just did.

patricia hart

seabands@comcast.net

Have hope ~ things are getting better

The Beatles wrote so many songs that I really enjoyed. One of their songs is playing in my head this morning after two Very successful days of presentations in Boston. I believe the title is Getting Better All the Time.  Remember the words?   "I must admit it's getting better, a little better all the time."

This week I was involved in a sales training meeting in Boston. The company hosting the meeting just had their Best year in sales - in 50 years. The enthusiasm and excitement was incredible and fun to be around. Maybe it's just my Optimistic mind playing games on me, but I get a sense that the economy and attitudes are slowly turning more positive. If you were in the room with me, you would have been smiling as much as I am right now.

SO WHAT?  My point is this. I'm not sure where your mind is these days ~ but if you've just experienced a year from a horror movie, leave it where it belongs. (that would be in the past)  What are the "take-aways" and lessons and experiences that you can learn from?  Everything happens for a reason and for some silly reason, many of us got a taste of the worst economy in 70 years. It feels, sounds and looks like we are making a turn to a more positive economy. So put a smile on your face and go make things happen!

I must admit it's getting better, a little better all the time!  Continue plugging away on your goals. It's already the 7th day of the New Year, so I hope you are still following your new habits and positive routines.
Have fun. Have hope. Help someone who needs a boost!  Together we will succeed!