Life

Starting the week of success reading and using a book Creating Your Best Life:  The Ultimate Life List Guide for myself and withing my client work. 

I find my work being guided by a quote attributed to Charles Darwin's:  "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change."

May your week allow you many opportunities to welcome change as you create your best life. 

Thank you, Andrea T. Goeglein, PhD
http://www.facebook.com/DrSuccessPhD
DrSuccess@ServingSuccess.com 

Books, Publishing and Writing

Notice the title of this post.  There is a reason, of course. 

As I prepare for my upcoming Don't Die with Your Book Inside You Workshop (Saturday, March 31, 9:30  a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - 702 243 4040 to register), Gary Russo sent me this Huffington Post article about what it took to get an outstanding book, The Unbreakable Child, to the public. 

Read it to experience just what it takes to succeed as a published author.  And remember, it is not about getting published, it is about writing your story no matter what happens with publishing.

Every life starts with a single breath.  Every book begins with a single written word. 

And it is done!  Andrea

http://www.youtube.com/user/ServingSuccess

https://www.facebook.com/DrSuccessPhD

http://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuccessphd

https://twitter.com/DrSuccess

DrSuccess@ServingSuccess.com

Closing Doors

Although I have not been writing often since the launch of my newest book, I have written a bit about making lists and using this time of year when we 'make lists and check them twice' to also makes lists that will aid in your personal growth.  Today I am writing about another kind of list.  This list should be entitled:  Doors I Should Close List.

A personal development adage about doors goes like this, "When one door closes, another (or a window) opens."  This adage feels a bit powerless to me.  It feels as though, yet again, I was the victim of something negative happening 'to me'.  I am suggesting you be a bit proactive in your development today.  I am suggesting you make a list of 'doors' you have walked through enough and it is time that you take an action and close the door. 

To often we wait for a door to close when we should have locked the door a long time ago.  The door -- the relationship -- be it a business, love, community or even spiritual -- had served it's purpose in our lives and our lives in theirs.  The 'reason and season' had come and gone, yet we held on.  We waited for them to close the door. 

Dr. Success Challenge:  Make a list of doors (relationships) you should respectfully close.  If you need to take an action to close the relationship, take that action.  A respectful closing might look like a letter thanking the person for being in your life and stating you will not be in communication going forward.  Maybe it is a job you need to leave.  Of course, find a new one or find the financial support needed to end that relationship prior to taking action, but take action. 

Here is the interesting thing about actively closing a door in your relationship life -- you can also choose to re-open it at some point.  When you choose to respectfully end a relationship you can choose to respectfully approach that door -- I mean relationship -- again if something changes in the future.  That is usually not the case when you wait so long that the door is slammed shut on you and you are sent scrambling to find an open window out of which to crawl. 

Happy list making.  Happy door closing.  Happy window shopping. 
Andrea Goeglein, Phd
DrSuccess@ServingSuccess.com

Hope to Recession-Weary Workers

Gary Russo, a construction-worker-turned-singing-sensation, releases Don’t Die with Your Song Unsung, a small book that translates his remarkable story into inspiration for every worker who feels stuck in a job and unable to pursue personal dreams.

NEW YORK, New York – November 7, 2011: Blue-collar worker Gary Russo literally rose above the noise and heat of his subway-construction job in New York to pursue his dream of singing in public. In Don’t Die with Your Song Unsung (ServingSuccess Publishing, November 2011, $15.95), a new book co-authored with Dr. Andrea T. Goeglein, he inspires others to pursue their dreams.

Recession-weary workers nationwide could use this inspiration. A recent Gallup poll showed that roughly one-third of U.S. workers are dissatisfied by the amount of on-the-job stress and 26% cite dissatisfaction stemming from a lack of promotion opportunities.[i] Worn down by a perceived lack of opportunity in a stressful workplace, workers have most likely shelved their dreams.

Russo’s story and Goeglein’s personal development commentary in Don’t Die with Your Song Unsung tell readers that they don’t have to settle for where they are. “I worked for a great company, but I was just going through the motions,” reflects Russo. “My life changed completely in 31 days. Now my goal is to help others understand that they, too, can pursue their dreams while also holding down a job and paying the bills. My message is: If I could do it, you can, too.”

Russo transformed what could have been a flash of fame into a lifetime commitment to help others smile, dream, and know the power of love. He stepped onto the main stage of his life through the magic of an August 2, 2011 YouTube video. Known as the “2nd Avenue Subway Sinatra,” Gary has shared his song and live-your-dreams message through media outlets such as Good Morning America, World News Tonight with Brian Williams, and Inside Edition, and at premier venues including New York’s famous Blue Note Jazz Club, Rockefeller Center, and the ING New York City Marathon start line, where a television commentator hailed him as “a New York legend.”

Andrea T. Goeglein, PhD, aka Dr. Success^®, is founder, curator, and author of the Don’t Die, Small Book, Big Impact personal development series. As an expert in Positive Psychology, she translates true stories into actionable inspiration. Andrea frequently appears on KAZ-TV’s AM Arizona; she has also appeared on the Rachael Ray show and on major radio networks across the nation.

Don’t Die books make affordable, high-impact gifts that convey support and encouragement during these tough times. They are available for purchase at Amazon and at http://www.ServingSuccess.com/

---

[i] Survey conducted August 10 – 14, 2011. Full results can be found at: http://www.gallup.com/poll/149324/workers-unhappy-health-benefits-promotions.aspx

Making Lists

Tis' the Season...I will not comment on my feeling about the commericalization of the season we are entering.  Instead, I will focus on a great habit that has come from this season and how to use it move forward with your life goals.  The habit I am referring to is the making of lists. 

During the next few weeks we will be making lists for all the extra groceries we need to prepare the larger than usual meals, all the gifts we will purchase to spread joy (and increase stress) and all the things we want to do differently come the first of the New Year. 

Dr. Success Challenge:  Before you make the lists mentioned above, made a list of all the things that went well in 2011.  If a negative remembrance comes into your mind, honor it, write it down, then cross it out and keep thinking about the things that went well.  Example:

Got a promotion.
Closed a major sale I had been working on for two years.
Took a well needed vacation that was paid for before I ever left home with the sales commission.
Car was stolen from airport parking lot.  (Do I need to tell you to cross that one out?)
Had to spend the first few days I was back from my vacation filling out insurance claims. (Cross out!)
Realized I had insurance and will be getting a newer car because prices are lower this time of year.

There you go...start making your list...then you will be ready for the holidays.  Oh, and of course, if you want a great gift idea for under $20 for anyone who feels stuck in a rut - Don't Die with Your Song Unsung is available on Amazon. 

Remember, everytime you take an action to help your self live a life of success, you are already living a successful life.  A successful life is a life lived moment-by-moment. 

Thank you, Andrea

Target hits the Target with Zoe Glassman

In June 2009 I wrote of a customer service experience I had at my local Target store.  It was an example of incredible customer service.  Now I would like to share with you an example of an incredible customer! 

What this young lady, Zoe Glassman, exemplifies is how well Target is branded and how well they deliver on their brand.  Target hit the branding jackpot having this television reporter unknowingly select a customer who was the target age for their product line (the new Missoni for Target), has the potential of being a customer for decades to come, and who could articulate the price-value proposition of the brand. 

Target should write a self-help book or success book on branding. And then there is luck! This time Target hit the Target without even trying.  Think Zoe Glassman may have a future as their national spokes person!

Happy shopping.  Remember smart shopping is a wise investment in America's future.  Target delivers on that investment.

Thank you, Andrea T. Goeglein, PhD
DrSuccess@ServingSuccess.com
www.YouTube.com/user/ServingSuccess

Small Action, Huge Impact

I am always amazed how easy and inexpensive an act of kindness can be.  During the month of August in Las Vegas we had more 100 degree days than we needed.  As I walked past a neighbors home one 'trash day' this is what I saw.  What could you do to lift a persons spirit today?  Just do it!

Five Secrets John Izzo

Today's selected BK book is John Izzo's, The Five Secrets You Must Discover before You Die.  Know that I really pronounced John's name so very, very wrong.  Thank you to AM AZ for allowing me to feature these great books.  As always, you can purchase this book at Amazon or from BK direct.

Be the Hero Noah Blumenthal

I am off to the Berrett-Koehler Co-op Author's retreat.  I am not a BK author but I am very honored to be a part of this community.  Over the next few days I will be sharing with you some of the books I previewed on AM AZ over the years.  You can purchase any of the books featured from Amazon or BK direct.  Happy watching and happy reading, Andrea www.DontDieBooks.com

Music and Personal Development

I have always been a advocate of using music to increase your positive emotions.  It is a staple technique in the personal development and self-help communities. 

During my July Don't Die with Your Book Inside You workshop, I adapted the technique.  I would introduce a writing exercise, give the directions, then as the participants began to do their work, I would play an instrumental song in the background.  I played the same song the entire weekend.  My intent was to embed the action of writing with a 'que' song.  When the participants began to hear the song, their memory would go to the action of writing.  I did this as much as a harmless experiment as I did to introduce a new CD by Kevin Courtney, Nada Sadhana. 

The song I used from the CD was Let it Go.  I will admit that by the end of the day and a half I was actually a bit annoyed when the music started to play.  Not sure if I was tired, but I needed to be honest about how my own technique had impacted me.  The participants were told ahead of time of the technique so that they could adapt it after the program with a song they may want to listen to more.  None of the participants mentioned being annoyed by the song at the end of the two days. 

Then something really cool happened (that is a scientific term of course!) -- another instructor who had the same CD used it in a class she was teaching two months after my original program.  One of the participants from my workshop was also in the other instructors class.  The participant heard the music and immediately remembered it fondly and began writing away.  Being totally unaware that the CD had been used in another class, I gave the CD as a gift to that same participant as we began working on a project.  I wish you could have heard her enthusiasm as she told me how she had just heard the CD the past weekend and how it helped her write.  The best part -- she did not connect that it was the same music I had played during the original workshop!  You see, when I played the music I played it from my computer.  When she attended the recent class, the instructor had the actual CD jacket. 

I know its is only a subject of one -- but it feels good to know my experiment worked for at least one person.  If you would like to hear a sample of the music go to http://nadasadhanamusic.com/album/NadaSadhana.html.  If you would like to purchase, write Kevin at YogaHappens@gmail.com

If you would like to experience a Don't Die Workshop for yourself, the next one will be Friday, November 18 and Saturday November 19. 

Thank you, Andrea Goeglein, PhD
DrSuccess@ServingSuccess.com
www.DontDieBooks.com

Love is a Business Attribute

PositivityDr. Success Challenge:  As you go about your business day -- and the business of your life today -- consider sharing joy.  The groundbreaking research of Positivity found 'joy' to be an attribute of 'love'. 

Before the research was ever conceived, two prominent minds contributed these words of wisdom:

"To get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with."  Mark Twain

and

"When one has once fully entered the realm of love, the world — no matter how imperfect — becomes rich and beautiful, it consists solely of opportunities for love.  Soren Kierkegaard

Thank you to my friends at Heartmath, leaders in developing systems to help us enjoy the relief of  stress and greater life love.

Andrea T. Goeglein, PhD
DrSuccess@ServingSuccess.com
www.YouTube.com/user/ServingSucces
www.dontdiebooks.eventbrite.com

Journals and Journaling

I to share the journal I have been using since March 25.  It is designed with a quote from a famous person on one page and a Biblical quote on the other.  Don't think it would appeal to everyone but for those with a Christian background or for those who are not offended by Christian verse, it really is a pretty, and pretty inspirational, book to write in each day. 

I have shared -- and been inspired -- by many of the quotes in this journal the last few months so it's only right I give you the link to possibly buy one so the author makes something from all my sharing! 

And for those in the Las Vegas area Stillpoint Center for Spiritual Development will be conducting a journaling workshop in August. 

As always, happy writing and thank you, Andrea
www.Facebook.com/DrSuccessPhD
www.YouTube.com/user/ServingSuccess
http://www.dontdiebooks.com/

The Message of Threes

There is a lot of folklore about things coming in threes.  Today I received three messages about taking responsibility.  Each message came in a wonderful way. 

The first was in the daily message from TUT.
The next came in the way of a quote printed in my journal which stated you don't achieve what you think about, you achieve what you take responsibility for.
The third came as part of the message delivered by a lay deacon at a Catholic Mass.  His message was that we must take responsibility for what we think because what we think is actually our real 'judgement day'. 

What I think is taking responsibility is the most freeing action I can take.  What do you think?

Andrea T. Goeglein, PhD

Dr. Success™
http://www.dontdiebooks.com/
DrSuccess@ServingSuccess.com
www.YouTube.com/user/ServingSuccess