Tip#261: Synchronicity Stories – Zappos & Twitter – I Heart Huckabees

The magic of synchronicity is that you are given gifts in disguise that lead you down exciting new pathways in your life or career.

Another synchronicity story I'd like to share is how I connected with Zappos, North America’s #1 online shoe store. I have already written many blog entries on how this company has inspired me with their core values (see tips#213). And in my current keynotes and workshops I found myself sharing the story that led me to a tour of their head office in the US.

Here's how fast synchronicities can work...

1. In October 2008, My mother insisted I watch the latest Oprah Show episode because she was interviewing a CEO named Tony Hsieh about passion and his company Zappos.

2. I was so inspired by the CEO's message on passion that I wrote about it on my blog. (see tip#205)

3. Around the same time, one of my clients recommended I check out a social networking site I'd not heard about before called Twitter.

4. That's where I discovered that Zappos was big on using Twitter. So I started to connect or "follow" a few individuals from Zappos including the CEO.

5. Within a day the CEO was "following" me on Twitter. So the day I posted my blog about Zappos I sent the CEO a Twitter DM (direct mail) and he responded within minutes with this message: "funny you should dm me, i was in the middle of reading your blog post when i got your dm - great post! :)"

6. Then I realized their head office was in Las Vegas where I was synchronistically going to in December for my Christmas holidays. So I twittered to the CEO I was coming and he set up a tour of the company for me.

7. On the tour I learned more about the Zappos work culture and met several of the Zappos team. And at the very end of the tour I was able to meet the CEO and thank him personally. He just happened to be walking into the lobby as I was leaving.

I Heart Huckabees

Every story in literature and in the movies is filled with synchronicities that propel the plot forward. The movie I Heart Huckabees is not only filled with meaningful coincidences but the story itself is about discovering the messages behind them.

In the film, the main character named Albert had encountered the same stranger 3 times in a day. With the help of a pair of "existentialist detectives" they unravel a synchronistic pathway that introduces Albert to other individuals with answers to this mystery AND gives Albert powerful insights into overcoming the biggest blocks in his life.

Gifts

Synchronicities are always gifts from the universe. My gift from my experience with Zappos is that this company's passion and work culture has energized my spirit and I now share their success story to inspire others. The other gift is that social media networking like Twitter allowed me to connect with the CEO of a company featured on Oprah.

And now I can share this synchronicity story with you so it inspires you to be more aware of your own meaningful coincidences.

So remember that synchronicity is happening all the time giving you important signs and clues. Have a sense of fun with them. Sometimes you just have to turn off your logical mind and follow your gut to enter a new door.

And when these meaningful coincidences ask you to take action YOU MUST TAKE ACTION! It is these acts of faith that will lead you to directions in your life or career filled with amazing new experiences.

More tips about Zappos:
Tip#205: Follow Your Passion No Matter What - Zappos
Tip#213: Zappos Inspires, Part 1 - Office Space
Tip#214: Zappos Inspires, Part 2 – Patch Adams
Tip#238: The Importance of Team Spirit - Zappos – Watchmen
Tip#374: Create Your Own Universe – Tony Hsieh’s Delivering Happiness - Inception

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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2009

Tip#260: Be Resilient & Confident - You’ve Got Mail

Always remember that whenever you are hit by something unexpected you must stay resilient and confident.

This month I've received quite a number of speaker requests from several large organizations. Unexpectedly one by one they fell through for one reason or another. There was one specific deal I was about to close when I suddenly received a very apologetic call from the client that they simply had to cancel.

What amazed me was my immediate reaction to every situation was not one of disappointment, frustration or any other negative feelings. I actually felt positive and just knew deep inside that other job opportunities would come my way. I felt indestructible.

This was the resilient mindset I first wrote about in tip#47 and also in tip#200 where I outline the keys to achieving indestructible optimism. It takes time to develop but building an indestructible mindset a little bit every day will help you radiate a calm confidence when faced with unexpected change or crisis.

You've Got Mail (1998)

Strangely, these recent events made me think about the romantic comedy You've Got Mail starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. In the film Hanks plays Joe Fox the owner of a large bookstore chain out to put Ryan’s character, Kathleen Kelly, out of business. She is the owner of a small and famous children's bookstore in New York City.

The big corporation succeeds and Kathleen is devastated at losing a family business that her mother left her. What was inspiring is the scene where she sadly visits the children's section of Joe's new bookstore and witnesses the serious lack of knowledge of the sales person. You see how she helps this sales person with her obvious expertise of children's books.

Later you hear that Kathleen is being offered jobs as a book editor because of her expertise. She still had value that others recognized. It just goes to show that opportunities are everywhere as long as you keep believing in yourself and stay open to the possibilities.

So remember the key to dealing effectively with unexpected change and crisis is to build a resilient attitude and an optimistic mindset. Learn to be indestructible in your self-confidence and self-worth.

Be aware that you have strengths, skills and an expertise that has value. Never see a loss of work or any type of rejection as a negative situation. Someone somewhere will see your value. And they will only see your value if you remain absolutely confident that you see it too!

Related Tips on Resilience:
Tip#47: Resilience Is Your Hidden Super Power, Part 1 - 18 Movie Tips
Tip#689: Resilience Is Your Hidden Super Power, Part 2 – Riddick
Tip#741: Resilience Is Your Hidden Super Power, Part 3 – Film Critic Richard Crouse - Amazing Grace
Tip#742: Resilience Is Your Hidden Super Power, Part 4 – The Pianist 
Tip#801: Resilience Is Your Hidden Super Power, Part 5 - Whiplash
Tip#134: You Can Bounce Back - Resiliency - Pixar's Boundin'
Tip#260: Be Resilient & Absolutely Confident - You’ve Got Mail
Tip#725: Focus & Resilience – Hunger Games: Catching Fire - 42

INVITE MOTIVATORMAN TO YOUR ORGANIZATION!
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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2009

Tip#259: One Song Can Change Your Life – Music and Lyrics

When you hit a brick wall in life it is never a dead end despite what you see. There are always options available if you are open to take them.

It's almost a year now since I brought together 4 of my closest friends for a self-imposed intervention about my financial brick wall I had hit. It was the strong sense of friendship and support to unearth my options that have helped me move beyond that negative state of mind.

What amazed me most was the truth that even though I thought things APPEARED over they were not. My "money guru" was one of the 4 friends at the meeting and that's what he's learned from watching basketball. He reminded me, "It's not over even if you think it's over."

Positive change can happen at the flip of a dime as evident in this Youtube video someone sent me. It's a scene from Britain's Got Talent TV show with young contestant, Shaheen Jafargholi, who is faced with a brick wall and suddenly turns the dead end into a success. See video

Music and Lyrics

That amazing video demonstrated how one song could change your life. This reminded me of the kind of magic I felt from the movie Music and Lyrics starring Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore. In the film Grant plays a washed up 80's pop singer given the chance to resurrect his music career by writing a song for a current mega-pop star.

Understanding his limitations with lyrics he enlists the innate writing talents of Barrymore's character and together they create a beautiful ballad. The movie motivates because it shows how someone can avoid hitting a brick wall by asking for help when he needed it. And this one song changed both of their lives by helping each of them face personal fears and self-imposed limitations.

The ultimate bonus for the characters is that they fall in love. One had the talent for writing music and the other for lyrics. Together they created incredible music and a new life and career with each other.

So remember when you get stuck in your life, career or workplace it is not a dead end. It is only a self-imposed limitation. Remember you can always ask for help from people around you. You can always explore a different doorway to enter.

There are always options waiting for you. Stay open to choose them!

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2009

Tip#258: Are You Making A Living or a Dying? - Conversations With God

There comes a time in your life when you must decide to listen to your inner voice. You must decide if you are living a life you are truly happy with.

For the past 2 weeks I've been in an introspective mood or what I've called a "positive pause" in my life and career. These times are a gift because it allows me to review the road map of my life so far. More on the "positive pause" see: tip#153

This "positive pause" also led me to seeing a movie again that I first saw 2 years ago. It showed me how far I'd come in my confidence for trusting my inner voice and following my passions. And to me that is making a living not a dying.

Conversations With God (2005)

Conversations With God is based on the true story of Neale Donald Walsch and the adversities that led to writing his best-selling book of the same name. Walsch, played by Henry Czerny, suffered a broken neck from a car accident and was alone and unemployed. He was forced to live in a tent and collect tin cans in order to make money for food.

Walsch's perseverance is inspiring because it leads him to hear answers from what he believes to be the voice of God. And it is his leap of faith to trust in this voice that further inspires. He then writes the messages down on stacks of yellow legal pads that leads to getting published worldwide and a generous income. Here is one powerful statement:

"You are not to worry about making a living. True masters are those who have chosen to make a life - not a living. Go ahead - do whatever you really love. Do nothing else! You have so little time. Why would you want to waste it doing something you don't want to do? That isn't a living - it's a DYING."

Hearing this statement reminded me that I've been on the right path all my life especially with my career transition from illustrator to a motivational specialist. I've loved both professions because the passion I felt for these jobs energized my soul. And even during financial challenges I've learned to feel more optimistic rather than worried or stressed. I am trusting my inner voice.

So be inspired to persevere during difficult times knowing you will get through. Do your best to trust in your inner voice that urges you to keep moving forward. Your inner voice has the answers you are seeking. Whatever you call this inner voice let it's wisdom fill you with positive emotional energy and ignite your passion to live a life worth living!

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2009

Tip#257: The Optimism of Obama, Michael J. Fox and Superman – Superman The Movie

In times of personal or global crisis it is always inspiring to have optimistic role-models. These are the heroes that motivate us forward.

Barak Obama

"Who is Barack Obama? Contrary to the rumors you have heard, I was not born in a manger. I was actually born on Krypton and sent here by my father Jor-El to save the Planet Earth."
President Obama

I love this quote by President Obama because of its optimistic reference to Superman and how this comic book hero inspires hope on a global level. It's amazing to see how Obama arrived at a time when the economic crisis had hit the world. And it is his genuine positive energy that has inspired everyone to be optimistic in the face of uncertainty.

Superman The Movie 1978

Superman The Movie was the first superhero movie that brought the magic of a comic book character to life on the big screen for me. Starring Christopher Reeve this film fired up my imagination in my teens when I watched the man of steel do heroic acts. John William's rousing music added to the emotional power that stirs my soul every time I hear Superman's theme.

Later on Christopher Reeve would become a real-life hero by continuing to live a graceful and optimistic life despite a severe spinal injury. And though he finally passed away in 2004 he remains a hero for persevering.

Michael J. Fox

Another real-life hero is Michael J. Fox who continues to live positively since being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991. Fox's heroic optimism is already his legacy that he shares in his 2nd memoirs called Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist.

Fox shares that his family has helped him stay optimistic and to persevere. Family is a tremendous source of positive emotional energy for anyone. And it was heartwarming to see him feature his wife and family in a recent TV special where Fox explored optimism with people from all walks of life around the world.

So if the pressures of the world are getting you down or you are feeling low on optimism remember that optimistic heroes are all around you. Listen to the rousing words of world leaders. Re-energize your spirit with cinematic role models.

And be inspired by real-life heroes who have faced overwhelming adversity. They are all helping you to activate the optimistic hero within you!

"Everybody loves a hero. People line up for them, cheer them, scream their names. And years later, they'll tell how they stood in the rain for hours just to get a glimpse of the one who taught them how to hold on a second longer."
Spider-Man 2

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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2009

Tip#256: Who Wants To Live Forever? - Highlander

The key to living a long life is much more than a healthy diet. It's about embodying a positive attitude and mindset that fills you every single day with positive emotional energy.

Shigeaki Hinohara, Age 97

Recently I synchronistically received messages about simple, useful tips for living longer. The first was a news article in the Japan Times of Author/Physician Shigeaki Hinohara with his tips for a long life at age 97. Here are some examples:

• Energy comes from feeling good, not from eating well or sleeping a lot.
• Pain is mysterious and having fun is the best way to forget it.
• Don't be crazy about amassing material things.

What was inspiring about these examples and the article is that Hinohara speaks of a lifestyle attitude that keeps him youthful more then just a healthy diet. Read article: click here

Blue Zones

Based on studies by Dan Buettner, Blue Zones are regions around the world where people commonly live active lives past the age of 100 years. The 5 Blue Zones include: Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, California; Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece.

Along with a healthy diet common factors among these Blue Zones was the positive attitude about aging. And cultivating a strong sense of community was also a lifestyle priority.

Again this project inspires by stating that living longer was about 70% lifestyle over 30% genes. It is the positive mental attitude we embody that will help us enjoy a long lasting life. See more in this CNN video: click here

Personally this is very exciting news because it further explains my unusually youthful appearance at the current age of 45. I've always had a tremendously optimistic mindset that developed even more by the challenges of my early mid-life crisis back in 2000.

Highlander

Living a longer, youthful life reminds me of the action-adventure film Highlander which stars Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery. They are immortal characters among other immortals fighting a duel that spans centuries on Earth.

Lambert plays the highlander originally born in 1518 Scotland. Living a long time for him was very adventurous. At the same time it was touching to see his sadness in outliving his true love. The rock group Queen composed the movie soundtrack and their song, "Who Wants To Live Forever" is a moving ballad.

So whether or not you want to live forever why not recognize the benefits of adapting a more conscious lifestyle. Be more aware of your lifestyle choices in the areas of diet, mindset attitudes and relationships. They all lead to a youthful and energized state of mind.

Be inspired by the idea you can enjoy what this world has to offer for a long, long time. How you live affects how long you live.

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2009

Tip#255: Take Command Now! – Star Trek 2009

Growing up we all learn to either take command of our lives or let others do that for us. Eventually we must all realize that YOU are responsible for taking command of the ship you call your life.

This continues to be a time for me where I am taking more command of areas I've ignored in my life. And my recent blog posts outline the inner energies necessary to ignite. In the previous post, Tip#254, I mentioned everyone's inner "testosterone" energy that activates your TAKE ACTION or TAKE COMMAND button. Your favourite cinematic role models can help you accomplish this.

I grew up loving Star Trek. As a child I was inspired by the the original TV series while in my teens I enjoyed the movie series. In my college years Star Trek: The Next Generation and the other TV offshoots continued to inspire my imagination. All in all, Star Trek fueled my positive emotional energy, my personal and professional skills development AND all the successful careers of my adult life.

Star Trek 2009

The 2009 movie Star Trek continues to electrify my imagination. And now the core elements of this universe are more accessible to the general movie going public. The film successfully fuses inspiring elements of the original TV show with Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock with the excitement of today's culture and special effects technology. The story also inspires the importance of taking command of your life.

The story involves the formative years before the crew of the USS Enterprise come together and features a young, rebellious James T. Kirk. For him he doesn't believe in the no-win scenario. This is the mindset that help Kirk in his heroic acts of this movie and in future adventures.

Kirk is about being in the moment. He doesn't dwell on the past and he doesn't worry about the future. He gets the job done. Kirk's attitude borders on arrogance but it is a form of confidence that is indestructible. And that confidence can deal with any adversity.

Be in the moment

So learn to be in the moment. Worrying about the future is not being present. Dwelling on the past takes you out of the now. And you must be in the now in order to make the effective decisions that overcome unexpected change or crisis.

Whether you are dealing with life, career or workplace challenges learn to take command of your thoughts and feelings. Learn to activate your inner testosterone energy and your resilient confidence will get you through anything.

Remember you are the captain of the ship that you called your life. Do something today to take charge!

Previous posts on how Star Trek motivates:

Tip#60: Favourite TV Shows Inspire Careers - Star Trek
Tip#150: How Full Is Your Bucket? - Star Trek
Tip#178: Childhood Passions - The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch - Star Trek

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2009

Tip#254: Activate Your Inner Drive - Rudy

Testosterone: A hormone that affects libido, energy and immune function.

In order to achieve your goals you sometimes have to tap into that primal, assertive side to you. It's the side of you that takes action and gets things done!

Recently I attended a networking event where several guys were excitedly talking about the May 2009 Manny/Hatton boxing match. Now if you've been reading this blog you'll recognize that I am not a big sports loving fan. But I knew there was a synchronistic message in looking into the success story of boxer Manny Pacquiao (see last tip#253).

Later at this networking event I met someone who had this primal, assertive energy about him. You could even classify him as the typical jock male overflowing with testosterone. He was aggressive when he talked, abrasive and even a little obnoxious with others around him. But I knew he had a powerful message for me.

Rudy

The movie Rudy stars Sean Astin as a young man who dreams of playing football for Notre Dame despite his small size. It's a powerful movie about being assertive, determined and persevering no matter how long it takes to reach a goal.

You see how others around him tried to keep Rudy down from a young age. He was always told he couldn't have his dream. But something deep within always told him he could have what he hungered for.

Rudy tapped into that inner primal energy that sustained his courage, confidence and resilience to persevere. I often talk about positive emotional energy and it is more than that. It's the affects of testosterone that fuels an animalistic drive to take action.

It's the same feeling you see when Rudy is grunting and rushing forward in football training. It's the same feeling you get watching a stimulating boxing match like Manny/Hatton. And it's that same feeling I get whenever I go to New York City where that confident, assertive energy flows (see tip#90).

In the end the powerful messages I've been receiving connects with answers I've been searching for about core issues holding me back in parts of my life (see tip#246). There's an inner connection I've been making with my own primal energies. And I know my goal now is to not hold back and to activate my inner testosterone power.

Activate Yourself

So if you are feeling stuck with achieving your dreams or goals become aware of inner energies you need to activate. And if what you lack is that assertive energy then you need to activate that primal side to you. Being aware of what is missing is the first step to getting unstuck.

And if you need inspiration just look at real-life heroes or favourite cinematic role models that personify the energies you desire. That will be the biggest clue for the hidden strengths within you waiting to be awakened!

INVITE MOTIVATORMAN TO YOUR ORGANIZATION!
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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2009

Tip#253: Recognize Your Core Values – Where God Left His Shoes

No matter what challenges you are hit with you must recognize and maintain your core values.

Emmanuel (Manny) Pacquiao is a professional Filipino boxer. We have 2 things in common, we are both Filipino and we have the same first name. He has become a big inspiration to the world. Manny recently underlined his status as the world's best pound-for-pound boxer with a second round knockout of Britain's Ricky Hatton.

In December of 2008 Manny also achieved a victory over Oscar De La Hoya despite pre-fight analysts predicting otherwise. Manny proved them wrong with his ferocious stream of punches and a genuine positive attitude. He is also a down-to-earth family man.

There are many inspiring movies about boxers such as Rocky and Cinderella Man. Here's one that is an unexpected gem.

Where God Left His Shoes

The movie Where God Left His Shoes is about a failed boxer Frank, played by John Leguizamo, who struggles to find a job and an apartment for his family on Christmas Eve. The realism of this family's homeless challenges will move you deeply and help you be grateful for what you have in your life.

Frank must find a job in one day in order to qualify for an apartment and this becomes a journey in recognizing his ultimate core values of love and family. Our current economic crisis can also be the catalyst for each of us to identify our core values and use them to fuel our optimistic mindsets in order to persevere.

Shantytowns

One fact being kept out of the media is news of the shantytowns (tent cities of the Depression-era) growing in cities all over the US. Cities like Seattle and California's Fresno and Sacramento are showing a growing population of the homeless.

Recently President Obama responded to the tent cities saying it was "not acceptable for children and families to be without a roof over their heads in a country as wealthy as ours."

The realities of life's challenges can be overwhelming at times and can push you to the limits. Life can sometimes feel hopeless. That's why the hidden gifts within unexpected crisis are to identify your core values. Love and family are core values to be recognized and lived. They will keep you moving forward no matter what.

Look around you right now and be thankful for the home you have. Be grateful for the love that comes from your friends, families and neighbours. Feel the positive emotional energy that comes from recognizing the riches you have right now.

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Specialist
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2009