Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Tip#900: Resilience in the Workplace - Depression & Mental Health – HRPA Toronto – The Martian

This is my 900th post and I am celebrating all the readers around the world that have been inspired by my movie recommendations and the documenting of highs and lows of my journey. Thank you to each person who has written or spoken to me about how much this movie blog has made a positive difference in your work and life! Your acknowledgement in return helped me stay resilient during dark periods of depression.

I also want to celebrate a presentation I did a few months ago that was an exciting highlight for me in the year I started my recovery program for chronic depression. This presentation was a first for sharing details of my diagnosis and was very well received. The topic was Resilience in the Workplace and I spoke to HRPA Toronto, Canada’s largest membership of HR Professionals. The one-hour seminar was an overview of my “Recipe for Resilience”, three keys to staying strong during difficult times and depression. Each key is actually a presentation topic in itself:

Topic 1: Re-energize Yourself
Topic 2: Activate Indestructlble Optimism
Topic 3: Ignite Team Spirit & Social Support


“I appreciated the openness and honesty in your story, quite courageous.” 
Maria Zdessenko, Recruitment Consultant, IHR Inc.

“Your talk was very enjoyable and motivating! I also know someone close to me who suffers from depression so your story really hit home.”
Vana Amanatidis, Director, Human Resources, Stern Cohen LLP

“Emmanuel brought new life to timeless movies such as Groundhog Day and The Shawshank Redemption with his real life experiences dealing with depression and his progress in life. Excellent work!”
Stephen Clement, Staffing Consultant, Recruiting in Motion

“Great presentation. I appreciated you sharing your story and providing such great tips.” 
Deborah Berwick, Sr. Manager Community Affairs and The Home Depot Foundation

“I found the session engaging and sincere. A fresh view of a lot of known concepts around resilience, taking into account situations and feelings that go beyond the workplace.” 
Ferhana Dostmohamed, Senior Manager, Technology-Based Learning, KPMG International

“Your presentation was very impressive. I found it very useful for myself and will definitely watch movies you recommended.” 
Xiaodan (Jessie) Cao, HR Specialist, ZTE Canada

“Thank you for a great presentation. Your openness regarding your own struggles with depression really seemed to resonate with our audience.”
Dahlia Daley, HR Generalist & Event Coordinator, HRPA Toronto


What was so empowering for me about these testimonials is that my personal story resonated with the audience. By talking about the movies, tools and methods I learned from my experience with depression I was helping someone on a personal level. Encouragement and acknowledgement like this is amazingly uplifting and re-energizing! This is why igniting team spirit and social support in the workplace and in life can be powerful fuel for perseverance, resilience and indestructible optimism. These are vital ingredients for resilience!

The Martian (2015)

The science fiction, adventure thriller film, The Martian, is about astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) being stranded on the planet Mars and how he maintained his indestructible optimism and resilience to survive. Through a highly riveting story, engaging performances and NASA's input on factual accuracy this movie has inspiring lessons for the workplace and in life. See: movie trailer 

Watney demonstrated a powerful mindset for positivity and having a vision/goal of creating food and water until it was possible to be rescued. He was extremely resourceful with tools at hand and personal skill sets to accomplish his goal as well as find methods to communicate with mission control on earth and his crew mates. You then see the amazing power of team spirit and team work in action. This team spirit also extends to the media and people on earth rooting for Watney to come home safely.

Inspiring Themes:
• Having a vision/goal
• Perseverance
Resilience
Indestructible Optimism
• Strategic Thinking/Creative Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Resourcefulness
• Leadership
• Supportive Relationships/Teamwork
• Acknowledgement & Recognition


This film can be a powerful Resilience Resource not just for a workplace team but also for individuals dealing with personal challenges with mental health or depression whether it is clinical or situational. Watney is also an excellent cinematic role model for anyone who feels alone and hopeless with their challenges. This movie provides many insights that can be applied immediately to current challenges and goals that need to be accomplished.

Resilience in the workplace starts with having a vision/goal that can re-energize positive thinking and drive. Then it’s about activating indestructible optimism to see the positives in the negatives you face to accomplish that vision/goal. And in the end it is team spirit and team work with the people around you to reach that vision/goal.

Encouragement and acknowledgement comes from team spirit and lets someone know they have value and are supported in their task. And that can feel good! Feeling good leads to increased productivity and a thriving work culture. Practice these ingredients for resilience today and expect to see amazing results!

Related Tips:
Tip#200: How To Build Indestructible Optimism - 9 Movie Tips
Tip#834: Resilience Resources, Part 14 - Top 10 Movies for Inspiring Resilience in the Workplace
Tip#848: The Power of Acknowledgement, Part 3 – Mental Health in the Workplace - Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter
Tip#855: How Movies Saved My Life - Depression & Mental Health - Tomorrowland 
Tip#849: Great Teamwork Movies, Part 6 – Invictus 

CONTACT EMMANUEL LOPEZ NOW
TO SPEAK AT YOUR ORGANIZATION or CONFERENCE: See topics

Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Insights, Inspiration & Epiphanies 

http://bit.ly/cxjH4Zhttp://bit.ly/cj7UIphttp://www.pinterest.com/motivatorman1/http://bit.ly/9Je5dhhttp://bit.ly/djk9Yjhttp://bit.ly/bUSAy0

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Resilience Expert
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience in Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2015

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Tip#899: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 6 – Depression - A Little Chaos

Social withdrawal is one of the most common signs of depression. In my case I thought the increasing withdrawal over the years what just part of my character and so clinical depression was hard to diagnose. Thankfully I was properly diagnosed 10 months ago and received help and guidance. Currently my mental health has been stable for over 10 weeks now. These 3 factors are what is helping:

1. Mindset/Mood reprogramming: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy group program, spiritual practices, inspiring movies
2. Nutritional diet changes: Brain/gut connection, hydration
3. Increased social interactions: in person

Everyday I’ve been implementing these 3 factors and this past week has been filled with the most interactions I’ve had in person or by telephone with new people in a long time. These are either new friends, potential clients or work colleagues. It did take extra energy to prepare for each conversation but I believe it came easier because I’d been working on my mindset/mood reprogramming and committed to my nutritional diet changes. That was the actual start to cultivating these new supportive relationships.

A Little Chaos (2015)

The period drama film, A Little Chaos, is about a landscape-gardener Sabine De Barra (Kate Winslet) assigned to construct the grand gardens at Versailies in 1682. This film is filled with lavish scenery, sumptuous costumes and wonderful performances by Winslet, Stanley Tucci as the flamboyant Duke Philippe d'Orleans and Alan Rickman playing King Louis XIV. See: movie trailer


This meditative film has many empowering moments for Sabine who is dealing with deep loss and living a sad, withdrawn life. This opportunity to share her creative gifts and vision thrusts her into the social circle of the King’s court where she quickly develops relationships that are supportive and nurturing to her recovery. Sabine, in return, is helpful to others including her love interest André Le Nôtre (Matthias Schoenaerts) and to the King himself.

Inspiring Themes:
• Passion
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Having a vision
• Supportive Relationships
• Leadership & Teamwork
• Courage & Confidence
• Believing in Yourself
• Redemption

If you’ve been feeling socially withdrawn either because of depression or other reasons remember that cultivating supportive relationships will be an important key to your recovery. And remember that self-care with your spirit, mind and body will need your loving attention first!

Related Tips:
Tip#300: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 1 – Top 25 Movies 
Tip#824: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 2 – Bell Let’s Talk Day - Wild Card  
Tip#856: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 3 - Mental Health - John Nash - Welcome to Me 
Tip#859: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 4 – Paper Planes
Tip#886: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 5 - Walk the Line
Tip#899: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 6 – Depression - A Little Chaos
Tip#907: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 7 – Depression - The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2  
Tip#918: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 8 - The Intern   
Tip#1118: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 9 - Alpha  Tip#41: Recognize The Support Around You - 4 Movie Tips 


NEED FAST TIPS FOR STAYING POSITIVE & RESILIENT?
SEE MOTIVATORMAN’S RESILIENCE RESOURCES: Click here

Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Insights, Inspiration & Epiphanies 

http://bit.ly/cxjH4Zhttp://bit.ly/cj7UIphttp://www.pinterest.com/motivatorman1/http://bit.ly/9Je5dhhttp://bit.ly/djk9Yjhttp://bit.ly/bUSAy0

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Resilience Expert
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience in Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2015

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Tip#898: Have a Vision, Part 4 - Back to the Future Trilogy

Today is a very special day for fans of the Back to the Future trilogy because it is October 21, 2015 the exact date that Marty McFly and Doc Brown time travel to the future in Back to the Future Part II! According to what they see we would have personal hoverboards and in our reality this was finally invented by Canadian inventor Catalin Alexandru Duru! See: video clip

As with all time travel movies with positive looking futures they can provide a wealth of imagery to excite the imagination and to dream impossible realities that could come true. And recently the final trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens was released and triggered both nostalgic memories from my teen years as well as my imagination. See: trailer


Fantasy and Sci Fi movies always open my mind and help me form a vision for what I want to create in my life and work. This is what creative visualization and future pacing is all about when it comes to learning tools to achieve goals and dreams!

Back to the Future (1985)

The first part of this science fiction film trilogy has Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) time travel from 1985 to 1955 where he meets up with the younger version of his father George (Crispin Glover) and Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd). What inspired me about this movie was the idea of being able to change present life situations by going into the past and make a change at a specific focal point. Today I see this to be true because of all the personal development books, workshops and therapy sessions I’ve attended! It is also inspiring to see Marty’s father George find his courage at that focal point and alters his character and his future for the better.


Back to the Future Part II (1989)

The second chapter has Doc, Marty and his girlfriend Jennifer (Elisabeth Shue) time travel from 1985 to October 21, 2015 to save his future children. As I wrote earlier this film inspires by expanding my imagination and possibilities that I’d like to manifest in my life and work. Plus it inspires me to be mindful and responsible for my actions as they could result positively or with consequences in the future.


Back to the Future Part III (1990)

The final chapter has Marty time travel from 1985 to 1885 to save Doc trapped in the old west. This film inspired me with Marty finally breaking an old destructive habit of over reacting whenever he is called a coward. I was also inspired that Doc was able to find his dream girl, Clara (Mary Steenburgen) even if he had to go back in time to find her. Love is timeless!


This time travel trilogy is highly entertaining and also highly nostalgic for those who grew up seeing this series. The films can also be a great resource for inspiring personal growth and having a vision of the brighter future you want to have. So celebrate the once fictional vision of a hoverboard introduced 30 years ago because it is now a reality today! What exciting vision do you want for yourself?

USA Today has recreated the front page that appeared in Back to the Future Part II with a commemorative cover: See cover

Related Tips:
Tip#682: What if You Could Go Back in Time? - Back to the Future Trilogy
Tip#759: Expand Your Mind with Time Travel Movies, Pt 2 - X-Men: Days of Future Past
Tip#831: Creative Visualization, Part 1 - Reticular Activating System (RAS) – Focus
Tip#820: Have a Vision, Part 3 - A Knight’s Tale

NEED FAST TIPS FOR STAYING POSITIVE & RESILIENT?
SEE MOTIVATORMAN’S RESILIENCE RESOURCES: Click here 

Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Insights, Inspiration & Epiphanies 

http://bit.ly/cxjH4Zhttp://bit.ly/cj7UIphttp://www.pinterest.com/motivatorman1/http://bit.ly/9Je5dhhttp://bit.ly/djk9Yjhttp://bit.ly/bUSAy0

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Resilience Expert
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience in Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2015

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Tip#897: Real-Life Heroes in Movies Inspire, Part 2 - Bridge of Spies

I am always inspired and dazzled by people who are great communicators and speakers. When I saw Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat Pray Love, speak at a live event I was amazed at how engaging and absolutely fluid her presentation was. And I was blown away by the booming qualities of Bob Proctor and T. Harv Eker when I saw them on stage. Then there was the calm confidence of Chris Gardner, author of The Pursuit of Happyness, who radiated an inner power as he spoke when I saw him at Indigo Chapters here in Toronto (see tip#40).

I’ll also always remember being at a Toronto International Film Festival party and having a short conversation with an illustration client of mine John Sleeman, CEO of Sleeman Breweries. He came up to me through the crowd, said a warm hello and asked me how I was doing. Despite the noisy atmosphere he gave me strong eye contact and was genuinely interested in what I had to say. I’ll never forget how good he made me feel during that brief, heartfelt interaction.

Bridge of Spies (2015)

The historical drama thriller film, Bridge of Spies, is based on a true story about Brooklyn insurance lawyer, James Donovan (Tom Hanks) who was suddenly thrust into the position of defending Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance) a captured Soviet spy and later entrusted to negotiate an exchange with Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell) whose spy place was shot down over the Soviet Union. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this highly engaging and compelling movie showcases how far a person would go to uphold the values of human rights. See: movie trailer


Donovan inspires on many levels as he and his family face ridicule and anger from the public and media. He demonstrates amazing perseverance, courage, strategic thinking, resilience and indestructible optimism. And when it comes to communication, Donovan’s negotiation skills were excellent and confident as almost every encounter he had was an example of the natural interaction skills he possessed.

Inspiring themes:
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Indestructible Optimism
• Strategic Thinking
• Courage & Confidence
• Compassion
• Leadership
• Communication Skills

Real-life heroes in movies can inspire you to improve and be a better person. They can help mirror skills and talents that may be dormant within you. Let their actions and stories unleash your best in the workplace and in life!

Related Tips:
Tip#892: Resilience Resources, Part 18 – Problem Solving - The Martian 
Tip#690: Real-Life Heroes in Movies Inspire, Part 1 – Steve Jobs & Apple - Jobs 
Tip#897: Real-Life Heroes in Movies Inspire, Part 2 - Bridge of Spies 
Tip#921: Real-Life Heroes in Movies Inspire, Part 3 - The Revenant
Tip#922: Real-Life Heroes in Movies Inspire, Part 4 - Spotlight  
Tip#1039: Real-Life Heroes in Movies Inspire, Part 5 - Maudie  
Tip#817: Be Inspired by Amazing True Stories, Part 6 – The Imitation Game

NEED FAST TIPS FOR STAYING POSITIVE & RESILIENT?
SEE MOTIVATORMAN’S RESILIENCE RESOURCES: Click here

Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Insights, Inspiration & Epiphanies 

http://bit.ly/cxjH4Zhttp://bit.ly/cj7UIphttp://www.pinterest.com/motivatorman1/http://bit.ly/9Je5dhhttp://bit.ly/djk9Yjhttp://bit.ly/bUSAy0

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Resilience Expert
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience in Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2015

Friday, October 16, 2015

Tip#896: Resilience Resources, Part 19 - Depression – J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Before I was clinically diagnosed with chronic depression in January 2015 I didn’t know what was wrong with me for over 15 years (see tip#855). During that time I researched every motivational, personal growth, metaphysical and spiritual teachings I was drawn to so I could learn how to live life more fully again. I soaked up countless books by Napoleon Hill, Bob Proctor, Tony Robbins, Shakti Gawain, Ester Hicks/Abrahams, Marianne Williamson, John Assaraf, Joel Osteen, Paulo Coelho and so many more.

I later realized that depression was a divine part of my life journey and what I came into this lifetime to experience. I created my best artworks, music and writings during depressive episodes that I'm glad have inspired and moved others. I learned tools and methods to stay resilient that I share on this blog and in my motivational talks. And learning how to ask for help and seeing how beautiful people respond always moved my soul. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowlings demonstrated an inspiring example of this via Twitter.


Rowlings has been very open with her experience with clinical depression and even created the ghostly Dementors as her representation of what depression is like. On the internet she shared powerful advice to someone who reached out to her by posting this on her Twitter account...

 “…what would you say to someone who has failed to find meaning and wants to finally give up?” 

Rowlings responded by posting three photos with this message...
“I would say: look at this.” 


And then Rowlings posted this message...
“And I’d say, the world is full of wonderful things you haven’t seen yet. Don’t ever give up on the chance of seeing them.” 

I was so touched to read this. This inspiring Twitter dialogue was been featured on numerous online sites and I'm so glad I discovered it so I could share with you. These bright reminders can be a shining light in the dark, hopeless times of depression. They can help someone to stay resilient.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

The fantasy film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, is the third installment of the series and is where Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) learns about Dementors. These are soulless creatures who gradually deprive human minds of happiness and intelligence. With the help of Professor Lupin (David Thewlis), Harry learns how to protect himself through the spell called "Expecto Petronum" which is based on a happy, powerful memory that creates a shield of intense light fending off the Dementors. See clip: Harry’s first encounter with a Dementor


This film has always been my favourite of the series and looking back I am inspired knowing that Rowlings creatively applied what she learned from her depression and shared simple tools like tapping into “happy, powerful memories” to maintain perseverance, resilience and indestructible optimism! I am forever grateful to Rowlings for enduring her own painful life experiences and for showing how she turned her suffering into creativity and incredible successes that inspires multiple generations around the world.

If you are dealing with depression please remember that you are not alone. Remember that you could turn your pain into something creative. And remember to ask for help no matter how difficult that may be. Stay strong my friend! Stay resilient!

See this inspiring 8 min video compilation:
J.K. Rowling on Depression and Failure

Quotes about Depression by J.K. Rowling:
 “It’s so difficult to describe depression to someone who’s never been there, because it’s not sadness. I know sadness. Sadness is to cry and to feel. But it’s that cold absence of feeling — that really hollowed-out feeling.” 

“Depression is the most unpleasant thing I have ever experienced… Sad hurts, but it’s a healthy feeling. It is a necessary thing to feel. Depression is very different.” 

“My depression was characterized by a numbness, a coldness and an inability to believe you will feel happy again. All the color drained out of life.” 

“I have never been remotely ashamed of having been depressed. Never. What’s there to be ashamed of? I went through a really tough time and I am quite proud that I got out of that.” 

Related Tips:
Tip#576: Replay a Happy Memory, Part 1 - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 
Tip#804: Resilience Resources, Part 1 - Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - The Theory of Everything 
Tip#896: Resilience Resources, Part 19 - Depression – J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

NEED FAST TIPS FOR STAYING POSITIVE & RESILIENT?
SEE MOTIVATORMAN’S RESILIENCE RESOURCES: Click here 

Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Insights, Inspiration & Epiphanies 

http://bit.ly/cxjH4Zhttp://bit.ly/cj7UIphttp://www.pinterest.com/motivatorman1/http://bit.ly/9Je5dhhttp://bit.ly/djk9Yjhttp://bit.ly/bUSAy0

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Resilience Expert
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience in Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2015