Hello,
Welcome to another issue of Appreciation in Action. I hope you are doing well and enjoying the fall season. For those of you who live in Southern California, I’m speaking at the Bodhi Tree bookstore in West Hollywood tonight (10/30) at 7:30 PM. For those of you in the San Francisco Bay Area, I will be speaking at Barnes and Noble in Walnut Creek next Tuesday, 11/6. Feel free to come out and hear me talk about my new book, Focus on the Good Stuff. For more detailed information about these and other events and about the book, scroll down to the bottom of the newsletter or visit www.focusonthegoodstuff.com. Thanks so much for being on this list – it is an honor for me to connect with you this way each month.
With Appreciation,
Be Yourself
From time to time I find myself "trying" to be some way I think I am supposed to be. Whether it is as a father, a friend, a son, a husband, a speaker, a citizen, an author, or any other "title" I have for myself in life. As I talk with and work with people all over the country, I see and hear this same phenomenon. Many of us are walking around in life being who we think we should be, instead of just being who we really are.
On our refrigerator we have a magnet that says, "Friendship is knowing everything about someone and liking them anyway." What a great quote.
I think we’re afraid that if we’re truly ourselves, people won’t not like us. Ironically, most of us resonate with people who are more themselves than anything else. Being true to ourselves is not only important, it’s also visceral (i.e. you can feel it in yourself and especially in others). In addition, while it may be scary for many of us, it’s ultimately a lot easier - we don't have to spend so much time pretending to be someone we aren't. Two of the most important cornerstones of success and fulfillment in life and business today are: authenticity and appreciation.
Each of us has many gifts, talents, and contributions to make to others and to the world. However, when we put all of our energy and attention on fitting in, being liked, or not messing up, we take away a lot of our natural power, creativity, and joy.
When we appreciate and celebrate who we truly are, we aren't trying to impress others, only ourselves. Self appreciation is the key to real confidence. As Oscar Wilde brilliantly said, "Be yourself, everyone else is already taken."
Make a list (in your head or on paper) of three or more things you have been afraid to do or say because you think people won’t like them or agree with you. Once you have these things listed – call a friend, your coach, or someone you trust and are willing to let hold you accountable. Make a commitment to this person to take these specific actions. Pay attention to your level of personal freedom and confidence after you do this. Have fun!
My New Book - Focus on the Good Stuff: The Power of Appreciation
As you probably know, my new book, FOCUS ON THE GOOD STUFF: The Power of Appreciation, came out in late August. I have been on the Oprah and Friends radio network twice, featured in Forbes, and on over 50 radio and TV stations throughout the United States and Canada talking to people about the book and the importance of appreciation and gratitude. For a sample of some of this media exposure, check out - http://www.focusonthegoodstuff.com/media.html. The response to the book continues to be incredibly positive. Thank you for your wonderful support and enthusiasm! If you'd like to purchase additional copies of Focus on the Good Stuff, still at a new release discount, and be able to take advantage of the hundreds of dollars in bonus products from authors and speakers like Marianne Williamson, Jack Canfield, Jeffrey Gittomer, and others, click on this link: http://www.focusonthegoodstuff.com/launch
Three Great New Books by Friends and Colleagues:
1) Fearproof Your Life , by Joseph Bailey
My dear friend Joe Bailey has written a powerful new book about how we can thrive in a world that seems obsessed with fear. Joe speaks beautifully about how we can live in harmony with life. He takes us through a process of knowing, listening to, and honoring our own unique True Self, of being willing to listen to our truth and act from it, without seeking approval, of being willing to forgive ourselves and others and take responsibility for what we create. Richard Carlson wrote the foreword to this book, just before he passed away. Richard is the person who introduced me to Joe personally and to his amazing work.
Click here to buy from Amazon
2) When Prayers Aren’t Answered , by John Welshons
Another dear friend of mine whom I met through Richard Carlson, John Welshons, has written an incredibly insightful and spiritually engaging new book that tackles the toughest questions we all face as human beings. In a beautiful, heartfelt, and poingient way, John gives us insight and wisdom into some of the most challenging aspects of being human. This book will give you a sense of peace and clarity, and by reading it you will have more harmony in your life. Richard also wrote the foreword to John’s book, just before passing away.
Click here to buy from Amazon
3) Five Wishes , by Gay Hendricks
My friend Gay Hendricks, who you may have seen on Oprah, has just released a great new book entitled Five Wishes. It's a short book with Gay's personal revelation of how answering one simple question can dramatically change the course of your life and help you achieve your dreams. If you liked The Power Of Now, Tuesdays With Morrie or The Four Agreements, you'll love Five Wishes. The book also comes with a unique feature: a beautifully-produced movie you get free with the purchase of the book; if you buy the book during the special launch period. Find out more here:
http://5wishesbook.footech.com/
The LoveLaunch Weekend:
My good friends Johnny and Lara Fernandez are experts in relationships and their work is extraordinarily powerful. This is the fourth time I have featured their workshop, the LoveLaunch Weekend, in my newsletter. I share it so often because I believe deeply in their work and what it provides for people. This fun, experiential, and exhilarating weekend program will give you tools and techniques to break through your limitations and allow you to attract a love relationship of your dreams. I have been to a number of their workshops, and they always blow me away! They have one coming up next month (November 10th and 11th) and then one in December, the 1st and 2nd. The courses takes place here in the Bay Area (Pleasanton, CA). And, they are offering FULL scholarships (a $597 value) to everyone on my list. They are also offering some "free goodies" for the holiday season. Click on the link below to find out more. Use the this scholarship code – MR151
http://launchyourlifenow.com/wst_page4.html
Where I’m Speaking:
Below is a list of where I am speaking for the next few months. Most of these events are for my corporate or organizational clients (i.e. not open to the public). Others of them, in bold text below, are at bookstores and other pubic venues which anyone can attend. If you live in any of these cities, I would love to see you at one of my public events. And, if you know people who live in these places – feel free to let them know I will be in town. Thanks! For more detailed information about the public events, feel free to visit:
http://www.focusonthegoodstuff.com/publicevents.html
10/30/07 – Los Angeles, CA – public event (Bodhi Tree Books – 7:30 PM)
10/31/07 – San Francisco, CA
11/1/07 – San Francisco, CA
11/2/07 – San Francisco, CA
11/5/07 – San Francisco, CA
11/6/07 – Walnut Creek, CA – public event (Barnes and Noble – 7:00 PM)
11/7/07 – Walnut Creek, CA
11/9/07 – San Francisco, CA
11/9/07 – Ukiah, CA
11/19/07 – San Francisco, CA
11/26/07 – San Francisco, CA
11/27/07 – Lafayette, CA – public event (LOPC – 11:00 AM)
12/4/07 – San Francisco, CA
12/7/07 – San Jose, CA
12/10/07 – Orinda, CA
12/11/07 – San Francisco, CA
1/4/08 – Mountain View, CA – public event (East West Books – 7:00 PM)
1/5/08 – Mountain View, CA – public event (East West Books – 1:00 PM)
1/8/08 – San Ramon, CA
1/22/08 – New York, NY – public event (Learning Annex – 6:45 PM)
Again, for more detailed information about my public events, feel free to visit: http://www.focusonthegoodstuff.com/publicevents.html
About Mike Robbins
Mike Robbins is an expert in success, teamwork, and the power of appreciation. As a former professional baseball player and Internet advertising sales executive, as well as a life-long student of personal development, Mike brings a varied and impressive background to the clients with whom he works. Through his keynotes, seminars, writing, and consulting, Mike empowers individuals, teams, and organizations to be more productive, appreciative, and successful. He is the author of the audio program, The Power of Appreciation, a contributing author of Chicken Soup for the Single Parent’s Soul, and the author of the new best selling book, Focus on the Good Stuff (Hardcover, Jossey-Bass/Wiley). Mike has been featured in Forbes, on the Oprah and Friends radio network, and on NBC. He is a member of the National Speakers Association (NSA) and is a Certified Speaking Profess ional (CSP), NSA’s highest earned designation. Mike lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife Michelle and their young daughter Samantha.
Feel free to contact Mike for more information about his speaking and coaching programs, as well as his books and products.
You may forward your copy of this e-zine to anyone you think might enjoy it. Please keep the broadcast intact, including contact and copyright information. Thanks!
“Hi! I hope you liked this newsletter as much as I liked wearing this big girl sweater…even though it was too big for me.”
– Samantha Benoit Robbins
For more photos of Samantha click here!
Copyright ©
Mike Robbins
Phone: (925) 825-2319
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