7am Sunday morning… It’s going to be a hot one in Perth today..
But that doesn’t bother me..
I’m bathing in ‘after Christmas glow’..
What a lovely Christmas we’ve had over here in the Farnell household..
Christmas Eve Mass followed by drinks at Pat and Sharon’s house..
(Their 17 year old son is reading our ‘Cracking the Million Dollar Sales Code’ Book..
‘Hey Leigh, I’m just reading your book..’
Wow, what a great start for young guy.. to learn stuff I hadn’t learnt for another 20 years…)
Then we opened the presents as a family because we had to get up early the next day for ..
The Christmas Day Mass where my darling Grace sang carols and hymns solo as her Grandmother Veronica played the church organ and James played guitar…
I remember a book about a family of Moles we used to read to the kids where there was a line ‘happy is the musical family..’
I felt like the Daddy Mole in the book, all the music we had over the past few days..
Cath got James and I a Yamaha keyboard for Christmas.. so there we all were Christmas Eve and Christmas Day playing the keyboard..then James played guitar to the family after Christmas lunch (note: Musical Mole Father bathing in pride as he watched on from the side..)
I won’t go on… but I hope your Christmas and Boxing Day were as joyous as mine..
What are the lessons from the week? I hear you ask..
FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
Whether it be the hanging out surfing and planning at Margaret River for 5 days with Blakey and my son and his mates, Christmas Eve with friends and family, Christmas Day with family or Boxing Day with friends down the beach or around the lunch table…
All that talking, laughing, telling stories, playing games people got for their Christmas presents..
(we played one yesterday around ‘Right or Wrong Questions’ that was super fun… eg ‘who is your Moral Hero?’)
It’s an essential part of being human..
Social connection… sharing.. laughing.. acknowledging you are part of a community..
Dr Martin Seligman in ‘Authentic Happiness’ says it in the research –
The happy person has more social connections… so if you want to be happy.. get out and connect more..
TOUCHING BASE IS TOUCHING
At the lunch yesterday and on several other occasions people were telling me how much they enjoyed getting this newsletter each week.
Several asked to be put on the list.. (so I will do that..)
I was touched that they were touched…
Whether its sitting here at my desk at home, or in an airport or in the cabin down at Margaret River, the wonders of the Internet allow me to put my thoughts down and share them with almost 5000 people now..
Lesson: make sure you are touching base with your clients, prospects and people you care about regularly too..
‘reach out and touch…..’
RITUALS, DISCIPLINE, CONNECTION
It’s Sunday morning…8am I have water polo training…
Saturdays at 7am… swimming training..
Monday nights for me is band practice.. but for James it’s guitar lesson with Dom then Tuesday singing lesson with Cassandara..
Another ritual that we are developing is that I go to church on Christmas day with my old mate Pumper..
Since his Mum passed away several years ago he makes a point of regularly attending Church..
As a water polo mate of almost 30 years now, for the last 2 Christmas’s, he and his son, and I have gone to Church on Christmas morning together.
This year he came with my family to hear Grace and James.
He has seen my kids grow up just as I have seen his kids grow up..
So, to do this each year is a simple but powerful ritual that celebrates our friendship and at some level is a chance to say thanks to God, the Universe, the Life Force, the Giver of the Gift that says as Richard Bach writes:
‘Here is the test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished:
if you’re alive, it isn’t.’
Lesson: As the New Year approaches, take a look at what rituals you might want to put in place, refine, enhance and live out your Mission…
Finally..
If you’re a coach, consultant, trainer… or you’re thinking of becoming one.. Lock in Feb 20-21 in Sydney for our 2 day Coaching and Consulting Mastermind weekend..
We’ll be giving you more details shortly..
Otherwise hit reply and write SEND ME INFO in the subject line and we’ll keep you posted February 20-21…
FREE GIFT FOR SALES MANAGERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS
If you haven’t taken advantage of our Blue Rocket Gift please check it out..
There are free samples of brilliant interviews with business leaders, top coaches and inspiring sales legends..
Some people had trouble a couple of months ago accessing them.. so here is a reminder..
www.freegiftfrombluerocket.com
I was looking at the page yesterday and was reminded what a great package of inspiration and information is in that offer..
Clients are raving each month about what arrives in their mail and how it stimulates and coaches their sales teams for less than the cost of a cup of coffee and biscuit each week.
Give yourself an early Christmas present..
www.freegiftfrombluerocket.com
Time to hit the beach..
Have a good week.
Leigh Farnell and John Blake
