Tip#343: Childhood Clues To Your Ideal Career – The Blind Side

I had another astounding synchronicity happen recently. A few weeks back, as I began exploring new opportunities to motivate people, I found myself back in an area of Toronto I grew up in during public school. I knew this had a profound meaning about my childhood and wasn't sure what.

Just days later I went to visit the new Metro Hall Employment Services in downtown Toronto. It's the flagship for new state-of-the-art facilities helping job seekers develop and manage their careers. The centre was so futuristic and bright I felt I was in something out of the 2009 Star Trek movie! See here

I was then introduced to an amazing online assessment tool at Careercruising.com called Career Matchmaker. You just answer a series of questions asking your preferences of work, skills, activities and environments you enjoy most and it matches you up with ideal careers.

My top 3 were:
1) Actor
2) Motivational Speaker
3) Corporate Trainer

I was stunned to see what number one was because now I saw the connection of the profound reason for returning to my old public school. I was being reminded that performing to make people smile was what I loved most at school. I loved drama classes and connecting with audiences. It wasn't illustrating or doing art... it was performing with a purpose.

The Blind Side 2009

Based on a true story, The Blind Side features a 17 year old named Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) who everyone thinks would be a great football player because of his enormous height and size. But he doesn't do well during football practice.

The key to his success is discovered when Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) looks into Michael's academic records. He had scored low in every aspect except one where he scored in the 98th percentile in "protective instincts".

This discovery reveals that Michael's ideal position in football is to protect the blind side of the quarterback (left tackle position). So when Michael is made to understand his position on the field he excels instantly and soon drew the attention of numerous University football coaches. Today the real Michael Oher is Left Tackle for the Baltimore Ravens.

Rediscover What Makes You Shine

So if you feel stuck in your career or what to do with your life, go back to your childhood and rediscover your natural gifts and talents. Contact your parents or others that knew you as a child and ask what they remember you being good at. Unearth the memories of the activities that made you shine as a child.

Sometimes what we were born to do gets lost along the way to adulthood. Take the time today to recognize if you are doing what you enjoyed most growing up.

3 other related tips:

Tip#178: Childhood Passions - The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch – Star Trek
Tip#310: Find Your Place In The World - Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs
Tip#334: Power of Persistence – Billy Elliot


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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Specialist
For Individuals & Organizations

© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Tip#342: Anything IS Possible – Freedom Writers

Sometimes when faced with unexpected and overwhelming obstacles, a solution is not always clear. That's why it's important to fill your mind and imagination with evidence that the impossible IS possible.

Maintaining an open mind is the first step to filling it with positive, empowering stories and images. And it helps when you discover proof for yourself in success stories that are close to home.

Solving Rubik's Cube in 7 Seconds

A 16 year old Thornhill Ontario high school student, Harris Chan, holds the North American record for solving a Rubik's cube at 7.33 seconds. On top of that amazing accomplishment Chan is colour blind. See video (solving in 9.44 seconds)

Getting A House By Trading One Red Paper Clip

Kyle MacDonald had a dream of bartering one red paper clip for a house. He accomplished this in 14 trades over the course of a year. He ended up with a two-story farmhouse in Kipling, Saskatchewan. See video

Winning A Bronze Medal Despite Death of a Loved-One

Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette showed astounding courage at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. She had to face the unexpected death of her mother as she arrived to see her perform. Despite the heartbreak she competed and won a bronze medal. See video

Freedom Writers 2007

The movie Freedom Writers is a story based on actual events of a teacher named Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank) put into a school of inner city kids raised on drive-by shootings. It seems impossible that Gruwell would last a day with these hard-core youths.

However, it is Gruwell's courage, resilience, persistence and creative thinking that allows her to reach each and every student. She is able to connect with them by having each youth to express their stories through the power of writing. She believed she could do it.

So remember that anything is possible and that there is evidence all around you proving this is true. Fire up your imagination with ongoing possibilities! All you have to do is maintain an open mind that you can achieve success too in any area you want.

What true stories or movies based on actual events have inspired you?
Let me know via email or the comments tab below.

ASK ABOUT MOTIVATORMAN'S
Social Media Consulting services for helping:
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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Specialist
For Individuals & Organizations

© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Tip#341: Overcome Your Despair – The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Feeling despair in a career or life transition can be debilitating. It can rob you of your self-worth, sense of purpose and confidence. That's why it's important to always remember that you are not alone.

The challenges I've been facing recently have been just as intense as the life-changing depression I faced back in 2000. The only difference is how I am reacting to the latest adversities now. I remain confident in my self-worth, resiliency and comforted in knowing I have an amazing support team of close friends, family and colleagues.

If you find yourself feeling deeply stuck in something, allow yourself to be in the moment and reflect on what is going on. Being stuck on pause has the benefit of letting you check your road map to see if you are still on course with your goals. It allows you to ultimately clear your heavy thoughts and emotions that have overloaded you.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon 2009

In the movie The Twilight Saga: New Moon there is a visually creative sequence that captures that debilitating feeling of despair. Bella (Kristen Stewart) is shattered after the love of her life Edward (Robert Pattinson) leaves her. As she sits in her room in a state of melancholy the camera slowly revolves around her 3 times as she gazes out the window.

Each time you see the window the seasons change from autumn to winter snow. For Bella, however, she seems forever caught in a state of suspended animation and despair. With the help of friends and family she slowly and eventually comes to life again.

You Are Not Alone

Remember that you are not alone whenever you feel deeply stuck in your career or life. Remember to ask for help when you need it most. Don’t allow yourself to focus on what others may think. You'll be surprised how supportive people can be when you reveal your vulnerability.

Most of all remember your self-worth. Keep believing in your talents, skills and value. And when you don't have the energy to believe in yourself there'll be good people around you to believe in you FOR you!

ASK ABOUT MOTIVATORMAN's
Social Media Consulting services for helping:
1) Individuals manage their career & connections
2) Organizations manage their message
See more info here under Consultations:
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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Specialist
For Individuals & Organizations

© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Tip#340: Let Real World Stories Inspire You - Schulich Marketing Conference – 3 Movie Tips

The Schulich School of Business recently held their first Marketing Conference here in Toronto and I was honored to be one of the social media marketing panelists. Other panelists included representatives from Staples, P&G and Sprouter.org.

It was exciting to share my passion for what I've learned about Facebook, LinkedIn and blogging with the attending students and professors. It was a joy knowing my stories, and those of the other panelists, could help accelerate a student's path to achieving their career goals.

I stayed to attend the two other panel discussions on Green Marketing and Entertainment Marketing that featured some world-class specialists. They shared experiences and advice that inspired me as well. It goes to show that motivational opportunities can come from anywhere no matter what field you're in or want to go into.

There are many movies that feature specialists inspiring others with their knowledge, experiences and wisdom. Here are 3 diverse examples:

The Matrix 1999

The character Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) acts as a powerful mentor for Neo (Keanu Reeves) teaching him how to "believe" and "free his mind". Neo was able to achieve incredible success in discovering his hidden abilities by trusting and having faith in Morpheus's wisdom. He kept his mind open to his own potential.

A Beautiful Mind 2001

Based on the true story of Nobel Prize winner, John Nash, he educates students and inspires the world despite his mental illness of schizophrenia. There is a powerful scene near the end of the film where Nash (Russell Crowe) is jobless and is simply working out mathematical equations in the Princeton University library. Students begin to gather around him eager to learn more. Nash soon earns a teaching position there despite the mental illness he still lives with.

School of Rock 2003

The character Dewey Finn (Jack Black) initially appears to be a highly unlikely teacher. He is obnoxious, broke and self-centred. And yet he has a huge passion and knowledge base for rock and roll. His ability to teach is unleashed when he recognizes the opportunity to share what he knows to young students at a prep school. Dewey ends up growing as a person and helps build the self-esteem and self-confidence of all his students. The bonus is they end up as dazzling rock and roll stars!

So keep an open mind to the knowledge, experiences and wisdom of anyone around you. Keep feeding your mind by attending conferences, reading biographies, watching TV or online interviews and learning about people who have already traveled the path you want to follow.

Real world stories can inspire you to move forward into the unknown. Energize your optimistic mindset so you will be excited to make your career or life goals come true!

There are so many other movies with empowering mentors, teachers and coaches. Let me know your favourites in the comments button below.

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Specialist
For Individuals & Organizations
See more info: www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Tip#339: Face the Impossible – Alice In Wonderland 2010

Every day has felt so surreal since I had to face my recent challenge (see tip#336, #337 and #338). In some ways it feels like I have come full circle since my depression hit in 2000. Thankfully the difference is that today I know there is hope and that my challenge is not impossible to overcome.

One clear piece of evidence that my path of the past 10 years was not in vain was a teleseminar on social media I just gave for US members of ACPI (Association of Career Professionals International). I was feeling a little down just before starting but as I began to share success tips for using social media my energy pumped up and I was back in my enthusiastic, authentic self.

My passion for helping others re-energized me instantly and I knew, no matter what problems I currently face, that everything is the way it is suppose to be. Even if I have to make huge changes in my life and career I just need to believe that ANYTHING is possible.

Alice in Wonderland 2010

A movie that celebrates ideas that are impossible is Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. The film is rich with colourful, surreal characters that you've been familiar with growing up AND represent impossible ideas in the real world. The difference is that Burton has put them into a meaningful context for you the viewer and Alice (Mia Wasikowska) from which to learn and grow from.

In this updated story, Alice is asked to do something that seems overwhelmingly impossible when she is in Wonderland. She struggles with a decision until she remembers that she was brought up to believe in impossible ideas. For example, she would always think of 6 impossible things before breakfast like "animals can talk".

Overtime, Alice had conditioned her mind to accept that ANYTHING was possible and that she had the ability to face her challenges with courage and confidence. Her life already prepared her for a successful outcome.

Power of the Mind

The power of the mind and your thoughts are so key to all your successes. Stay focused on whatever excites and energizes you because that fills you with positive emotional energy. From there you can focus on building an optimistic mindset.

Train your mind to believe you can face ANYTHING. You can start by thinking of 6 impossible things before breakfast!

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Specialist
For Individuals & Organizations
See more info: www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Tip#338: Take the Leadership Role – Remember the Titans

The personal emergency I've been blogging about (see tip#336 and #337) has been pushing me towards making pivotal changes in my career, my business AND my home. And despite what seems like overwhelming odds I continue to stay focused on taking a leadership role in my own life.

In revealing the details of my situation to a small handful of close friends, family and colleagues I am empowered by the feeling of having a supportive team. Most have been there during the past several years and that sense of team spirit can increase anyone’s confidence, self-esteem and self-worth.

Three days ago on Thursday, March 11th I was asked to make a crucial decision about my current home. It left my state of mind slightly shattered and in shock. The next day, and through a colleague in the US, I discovered a movie that lifted me up and reminded me of the importance of leadership and team spirit.

Remember the Titans 2000

The movie Remember the Titans is based on a true story of a newly appointed African-American coach named Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) and his task to integrate black and white students on a high school football team. It seems like an overwhelming task as this occurred in the early 1970’s when schools have just been integrated to allow blacks into the schools in Alexandria, Virginia.

It is Boone's confident assertiveness and persistence that will inspire you. His leadership style is aggressive and yet manages to get the warring students to bond and work as a team during football camp. Boone treated each and every player equally regardless of the colour of their skin. It was his vision to win that guided them to victory both as a team and as life-long friends.

So be inspired by movie leaders or real-life leaders. Let them motivate you to always take a leadership role in your own life, workplace or career. Unexpected change or crisis is your opportunity to unleash your innate leadership abilities even if it's just to take control of your own emotions and attitude in dark situations.

And remember that overcoming any adversity is a team effort. Make sure you know who your support team is. They are already around you.

See the video clip that inspired me to see Remember the Titans movie by Russ Faulkner at Your Training Team: See Video

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Specialist
For Individuals & Organizations
See more info: www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Tip#337: Don’t Play The Victim – Run Robot Run!

Since posting my previous blog entry about a personal emergency, I have continued to focus on staying positive. I am choosing to remain in control of my life and career. I am choosing not to play the victim.

Yes, I could choose to slip into a depression about decisions I must make but I am always reminded that this path is my calling. I am learning to build indestructible optimism on a whole new level and then teach it to others.

Run Robot Run! 2006

The comedy Run Robot Run! is set in the not-too-distant future and has a wonderful theme of transforming a negative mindset. Kent (Chris Gibbs) is threatened when a human looking robot (Peter Mooney) replaces him at work. On top of that the robot attracts the woman (Lara Kelly) he longs for. He automatically feels like a victim.

Soon you'll see clever ideas unravel in the story about who actually behaves like a robot when Kent's behaviour reveals a cold-hearted mechanical attitude. You see how his victim attitude creates a chain of negative events to occur.

When Kent finally acknowledges that his destructive mindset pushes away the woman he cares about he realizes that it also perpetuates his overall unhappiness. And as he sits alone on a park bench he chooses to take a crucial step towards transforming his mindset.

Be More Aware

So if you are faced with an overwhelming career or life challenge see it as an opportunity to be more aware of how your mindset reacts. See whether or not you are reacting like a victim and take steps to transform that.

You are always in charge of your life despite how things may appear. All you have to do is choose a positive attitude and keep repeating to yourself "everything will be okay".

Program your mindset with positivity and eventually you'll ALWAYS feel in control of your life and career no matter what.

Read an inspiring article by Vickie Elmer
in The Washington Post called:
Climbing Your Way Out of a Career Setback

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Specialist
For Individuals & Organizations
See more info: www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Tip#336: Everything Will Be Okay - Stranger Than Fiction

I just spent the entire night brainstorming with a job coach about a personal emergency that hit me a few days ago. And though things appear dire I was constantly and confidently told that everything will be okay.

A small handful of friends know about my situation and have kept me energized just by reminding me of my gifts and strengths. And in the face of one of the biggest adversities in my life I was still able to give two recent motivational presentations brimming with confidence and optimism. I just kept telling myself that "everything will be okay".

Stranger Than Fiction 2006

In the movie Stranger Than Fiction, an IRS auditor named Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) hears a woman's voice in his head narrating his life. Crick is shocked when she says he is going to die. The rest of the story is how he learns to deal with this news.

Through the help of a few individuals who care, Crick finds an inner peace for whatever fate has in store for him. He ends up facing the predestined event head on and ends up surviving. He finds the courage to accept his situation and learned the ultimate lesson of embracing the unknown AND living fully in the moment.

Thankfully...

Thankfully, my situation is not life threatening. And thankfully I have fantastic friends and colleagues supporting me. So I pray that I can share the results of what I am going through in upcoming blog posts.

Tonight will be the 82nd Academy Awards ceremony and I will celebrate why I love movies. And it's because all my favourite movie heroes rise above the challenges thrust upon them.

We are all faced with overwhelming adversities sometime in our life and career. How we deal with challenges is why they arrive in the first place. Just remember that no matter what happens and how things look - everything will be okay.

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Specialist
For Individuals & Organizations
See more info: www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Tip#335: Feel the Energy of Celebrations – 2010 Winter Olympics – 12 Movie Tips

The final game of the men's hockey match at the 2010 Winter Olympics was exhilarating to watch. With only 24 seconds left in the game the US team managed to score a goal tying 2-2 with Canada. You could almost feel the entire nation in a state of shock and suspense.


In the end Canada made the winning goal during overtime and everyone in the arena erupted in celebration. The telecast would cut to various locations around Canada and even the troops in Kandahar jumping and yelling for joy. This event also marked a world record of 14 gold medal wins of any country during the Winter Olympics.


I soon found myself joining in the huge celebration at Dundas Square in downtown Toronto just to feel the energy. It was bristling with electricity, smiles, high-fives and non-stop cheering and singing. It reminded me of the street celebrations of the 2 World Series wins by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993.

Now I am not a baseball fan OR a hockey fan. I chose to become a part of these events because of the massive sense of community and the positive emotional energy that you could taste in the air!

There are so many movies that exemplify the electric excitement of a crowd celebration. Here are 12 favourites to inspire you:

1) The Blind Side
2) Cinderella Man
3) Forrest Gump
4) Invictus
5) Jerry Maguire
6) The Karate Kid
7) Rocky
8) Rocky Balboa
9) Rudy
10) School of Rock
11) Seabiscuit
12) That Thing You Do!

So even if you are not a fan of any sports or of any kind of group events, treat yourself and join in a local celebration. Let yourself become a part of something bigger then yourself. Be part of a joyful community even if it's for a moment. Your positive emotional energy will increase and you can transform a low state of mind.

Enthusiasm is contagious so let yourself catch this positive virus! You'll be riding a natural high for days to come.

INCREASE POSITIVITY & PRODUCTIVITY
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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Specialist
For Individuals & Organizations

© Emmanuel Lopez 2010