Sunday, September 29, 2013

Want to be Sucessful?

FOXOLOGY TODAY interview with Jean MacDonald! Listen Now!

Jean MacDonald says Get Up, Get Dressed, Get Out the Door and Get Connected!

Jean MacDonald is a force. When it comes to setting goals and reaching them, she let's nothing stand in her way.   

Jean MacDonald
In my recent  interview with her on FOXOLOGY TODAY, Jean talked about strategies for reaching goals and what it takes to be successful. Of course, you have to have a plan, she says. Then, Jean also recommends these "must do" actions that can help you excel:

1. Look for opportunity. Don't wait for doors to fly open. Know what you want to do and get going after it. 

2. Build relationships. Get connected to the right people who can help, and create mutually engaging and strategic partnerships. Cultivate those associates and find ways to help each other. 

3. Listen. Watch others who are doing what you want to do. See how it's being done. Listen to their advice. 

4. Grow your communication skills. Participate in activities and groups that increase your ability to communicate, such as Toastmasters. The better you can communicate, the better you are at relating to people, clientele and customers. Great communication skills enhance your ability to negotiate, as well as your ability to increase sales and strengthen ties.

5. Get connected. Find someone great who has your best interest at heart, who is willing to mentor you and help you with building partnerships. And, remember that the "fortune is in the follow-up". Stay in touch with business associates, your customers and clientele list on a regular basis. 

6. Ignore the naysayers and never compromise. Everyone won't want to support you, and they will make that obvious. Don't be stymied by those negative mindsets. Stay on top of your game, and don't sell yourself short. 

7. Get your mind off the present situation when necessary. When you feel overwhelmed, and you will, give yourself permission to "escape" the demands of business and work life for a while. Take the time you need to relax and re-group. 

8. Have a daily "road map".  Live with a to-do list. Jot down what needs to happen, and make it happen. 

9. When things aren't going "right", focus on what you have done well. There will be times when you get discouraged, or even seem to fail. These are the times to focus and re-focus. These are the times to evaluate and re-evaluate. These are the times to re-visit, re-think and perhaps, re-define your direction, plan and purpose. Particularly, remind yourself of your accomplishments and achievements, and how capable you are of pressing forward.

10. This is your game. This is your journey. Your path. Your pursuit. Your life. Be you, and be your best at it. Do everything you can succeed, and do it well. It will show.

Jean MacDonald began in the insurance industry, where she went from making coffee to making millions in her own insurance business by age 35. After eventually selling that company in 1998, her aspirations took her to soaring heights with the Mary Kay Cosmetics company.

Not one to stop short of reaching any of her goals, Jean's successful endeavors continue as she reaches another pinnacle on her journey as the popular and noted author of  "Get Up, Get Dressed and Get Out The Door".

Jean MacDonald is also a member of Toastmaster's International and holds the honor and recognition of "Distinguished Toastmaster", a designation held by less than 2% of Toastmasters worldwide.

For more information on connecting with Jean, visit:

~ S.R.F.

CLICK HERE to catch up on FOXOLOGY TODAY!
 

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Kelsey Scott: "12 Years A Slave" Actor Talks About Her Newest Role

Kelsey Scott, Actor and Screenwriter
She is impressive. She is beautiful. She is smart. She is well-spoken. She's a movie star.

Those were my initial thoughts when I met "12 Years A Slave" co-star, Kelsey Scott today.

Not knowing quite what to expect, I exercised two seconds of caution as we were introduced. As my instincts kicked in, I smiled and gave her a hug, sensing an extremely warm and friendly demeanor coming from her. 

As she smiled and hugged me back,  I felt the same kind of natural and genuine affection that I have often felt from my own daughters, an almost childlike embrace. She was sweet, but also had swag. She was graceful and elegant. I could tell she was special. I knew this was going to be a fun afternoon.

For the next two hours I talked with Kelsey about lots of stuff. We laughed a lot as she shared short stories and insights about herself and about her life, but her new movie and her love for her art were what we talked about most.

Her eloquence and her way with words amazed me. She phrased her thoughts without having to ponder or think very hard, and so much of  it seemed simply profound as I listened. I finally got around to asking her how she got started in acting, and her response was no surprise.

"I have been acting since I was six. I was a ham, and my mother looked for some way to channel it." At that early age, with the help of her Mother, the theatre became her first venue and love. As they say, after that it's all history. Today, she has become a successful screenwriter and actress.

With little provocation, Kelsey brimmed over with pride when we talked about "12 Years A Slave".

"I loved working with Steve McQueen," she said blushing, as she confessed that she also has an "actor's crush" on him. She clarified it as "artistic", a professional admiration that she feels about him.

"It was wonderful to work with him. He really trusts his actors. That they've done their homework and they'll be prepared.

"He trusted us all as artists. Joe Walker, the film's editor, says that Steve 'loves you into doing your best work.' I felt that. It's true."

When asked what did she appreciate most about doing the movie, she was at no loss for explaining what impacted her most.

"I read the book first, of course. I asked myself, 'how is this going to be reflected in the film?' The movie is very true to the book. It is the actual story. To 'connect' emotionally, I thought about how I would feel if I was accused of a crime that I didn't commit and had everything taken away. My freedom. My comfort. My privileged life.

"When you watch it, it's hard to deal with that, but it's the truth. The word the press has been using to describe the film is 'harrowing'".

Having heard that the movie had so many tough and brutal scenes, and some viewers were being quoted as saying that it was to difficult to watch. Some supposedly have said that they had to walk out because of that. I asked how did she feel about some of the negative feed back.

"I have immense respect for Steve for not trying to make this story palatable, but to make it true. The press is right. It is a harrowing story. But there's hope in it. That's what you're feeling, that he (her husband, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor) will somehow get out of this situation. It really is a story of hope."

Landing her role as Mrs. Anne Northup required flying back and forth from Los Angeles to New Orleans several times before the deal was sealed. The first audition was actually for a smaller part. One callback led to another callback, and that ultimately led to a bigger role as Anne Northup, after making an impression on the director. It's a role she embraced and is still pinching herself about.

"I am so proud to be a part of the film. So humbled."
                       

~ S.R.F.

Watch the trailer!

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Got Anger? Wait a Minute...or Longer.

Do you have one of those tempers that goes from zero to sixty in less than five seconds? Are you constantly feeling like you have to put someone in check, and you actually do it? Are you the person who is ready to start a fight and finish it? If so, Whoa! Wait! I want to talk to you for a minute.


Do they call you the "B" with the bad attitude?
The potential for damage being done is at high risk when we lack management of our emotions. We hurt people, most times it's people we love and care about. We damage relationships with significant individuals that sometimes leaves them broken beyond repair. We destroy ourselves, because our personality "flaw" becomes who people around us begin to label us as, the "b!#&*" with the bad attitude, or the person with anger issues. In the end, no one  wants to become the brunt of the brutish, uncontrollable behavior you splatter everywhere. 

Anger and attacks have to be managed by the individual, not always by the circumstances. Circumstances can't be allowed to dictate our behavior. We recognize situations, yes. We respond to them, yes. We react to them, yes. However, HOW we recognize, respond and react is key:

1. RECOGNIZE that you will never have complete control over things, people and stuff. Stuff is going to happen, whether it is self-imposed or not doesn't matter. People are going to do their thing without your approval or permission. It is not worth the emotional energy and turmoil trying to "make" situations go the way you think they should. Keep your blood pressure and your anger in check when things and people don't seem to be cooperating. It can be disappointing and frustrating, but the fact is, you are harming your own head and health in the process. 

Try this: STOP. Wait a minute. Seriously. As soon as you feel the anger rising up, STOP. Don't yell. Don't scream. Don't break anything. Don't hit anybody. STOP. Go somewhere alone for a minute and and reel yourself back in.

2. RESPOND with more EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE. That means THINK.  That means THINK WISELY. That means THINK WISELY and don't go off. The real issue may not be what is happening. The real issue may be how you are handling it. Wait for a minute, and just THINK. Do you really want to create additional drama? Do you really want to be seen as an out-of-control crazy person? Do you want to lose whatever may be at risk, i.e., your job, your friend, your relationship, your reputation? I'll answer that for you: NO. Start teaching yourself to respond with more calm, and you will see that you will have better outcomes.

3. REACT by choice. You must DECIDE how you are going to react when you feel the anger demon coming on. Let's say you are driving and suddenly you see that you are about to hit something. What's your immediate reaction? You hit your brakes, of course, and make every attempt to not go head-on into it. Well, that's exactly how you are going to have to train yourself to react in every situation when you feel like you are about to "hit" something emotionally. Put on the brakes. Wait a minute. Make every effort to not go head-on into your tirade. DECIDE to swerve left or right, and miss the encounter altogether. Deciding to say nothing or just walk away is a mature way to avoid a collision.

Many people don't believe that they can control their tempers, but you can. Your temper doesn't have a mind of it's own. YOU rule it and over it. You can tell it what to recognize, how to respond and how to react. Remind yourself to WAIT A MINUTE when  you feel the temperature rising. If it takes a few seconds longer, that's okay. That's all the time you need to dodge a collision, and save yourself and everyone else  from any possible damage. A minute is all you need to get to a "cool", safe place in your head. Get to that place, and stay parked.

~ S.R.F.

Silver Rae Fox is a personal and professional development expert and coach, author, and the radio host of FOXOLOGY TODAY on Blog Talk Radio. If you would like to have Silver scheduled to speak or participate in your next in-person, television or radio event, email your request to silver@silverraefox.com, or contact the Pastorini-Bosby Talent Agency at 713-266-4488.

Catch up on FOXOLOGY TODAY! Click on any episode to listen:


Monday, September 2, 2013

Is Your Life More Labor Than Love?

Is life feeling mundane and like a drag? Are you feeling pooped and overwhelmed? Are you wanting the world to stop so you can get off?

Take a breather. Take a break. Take it all in!
It's true that our day-to-day stuff can get very challenging, but there are simple ways that we can take ourselves from under the undue pressure of it all. Sometimes we just need a breather. Sometimes we just need a break. Sometimes we just need to take a backseat and let somebody else do the driving for the day.  I've been there, and I hear you saying, "yes, yes, yes", too! 

So do it! Take a breather, a break, a backseat. It doesn't have to be hard. Here are a few things you can do:

1. If you love it, do it. 
You are most inspired when you are doing things that you love and enjoy, things that fill your heart with meaning and purpose. Spend some time giving insightful thought to what those things are, and spend more time doing them, even if it isn't for profit. It's the "doing" that gives you a sense of fulfillment when you're engaged in those things you truly love.

2. Challenge your habits. 
 When we live so routinely,  as so many of us do, we can get trapped into believing that "this is all there is".  Well, it's just not so. Deliberately, do something different. If Saturday is laundry day, put it off until later and do something more fun with friends or family. The laundry can wait. The fun is worth it.

3. Spend some time alone. 
Take a day off from "normal life". Take off on a one-day excursion by yourself. No family, friends or associates on this trip. Perhaps, you could visit a town nearby. Make it a point to make conversation with new people you encounter. See new things. Sit in the park or on the water, and just watch the scenery. Whatever you do, don't grumble. Don't complain. Don't worry about things. Take in the moments, and appreciate the break from the norm. You will feel a great sense of refreshment, and a bit of that extra energy that you needed.

Yes, we must take care of ourselves purposely and lovingly. As often as you can, escape from the norm and do the things that fulfill your heart. Take a real "break-away". Enjoy the people who are most important. Refresh yourself, by yourself. Plan some quality time away from it all. You will fall in love with your life all over again, and again! 
~ S.R.F.

Silver Rae Fox is a personal and professional development expert and coach, author, and the radio host of FOXOLOGY TODAY on Blog Talk Radio. If you would like to have Silver scheduled to speak or participate in your next in-person, television or radio event, email your request to silver@silverraefox.com, or contact the Pastorini-Bosby Talent Agency at 713-266-4488.

Catch up on FOXOLOGY TODAY! Click on any episode to listen: