jeff noel – Page 1156 – Disney Employee Engagement Speaker

Hope, the dog

Orlando Sentinel article about a biped puppy, found abandoned with his seven siblings.

www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-lochopedog21032109mar21,0,4491003.story

This dog doesn’t know what’s impossible.

Funny thing. After ten years of walking, running, stretching, eating right, getting plenty of sleep (mostly), I’m on the verge of discovering the very same thing as Hope, the Dog.

Maybe anything is possible. Maybe not.

I wonder how much of it is the fact that, if you’re like me, you rarely get a chance to challenge popular belief, and therefore, everything big, is impossible.

Feel free to read this amazing story. And, oh yeah, make it a GREAT day, because if you don’t, who will? Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

PS. So far (it’s only 6AM) my left foot feels great.

Two days later

Sunday, March 22, 2009, which is exactly two days after my first left-heel cortisone shot, from a wonderful Podiatrist, Dr. Cyrtis Wagner, at Sand Lake Commons, near Walt Disney World.

Went to Holy Family Church for 8:45AM Mass. Then went to Gold’s gym around 10AM for a strength and core workout, skipping all calf exercises. No pain. Cool.

It’s 2PM and I’m rocking my left foot back and forth over a frozen water bottle, like I always do. No pain.

No pain!

Cool. Hope this feeling lasts.

Dream big. Get there. Stay there.

The first two are the ones that many people attain. Dreaming big is the easiest. Getting to your goal, an aweful lot of work. Goals have a way of lifting us to extraordinary effort.

But “staying there”! That’s in a league by itself.

If I have to explain this to you, may I suggest you first re-read the last two sentences, slowly and carefully.

If you don’t get it, well, sorry.

One more try. Just look at dieting, or relationships. Losing weight and finding a great partner can be very motivating goals.

Agree? Good.

Staying at a healthy weight the rest of your life, or staying married for a lifetime, a whole different level of challenge.

Now do you get what I’m saying? Hope so.

Make it a day to Dream Big. Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

One day later.

So how do I feel today?

Pretty good. Not great or excellent. Pretty good.

I’ll give it another day.

Some mild pain on my left heel when I rub it over a frozen water bottle.

I guess I was thinking there would be zero pain after 24 hours.

I remain hopeful. And faithful. Faithful that whatever the plan is, it’ll work out exactly as it’s supposed to.

In the back of my my mind is the thought of ten years of incredible effort, and an upcoming milestone birthday. And a few other factors all coming together to make for an inspirational story.

Maybe tens years is too early. Maybe 50 is too young.

Maybe not.

I surrender.

For real.

Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

Shot in the dark and you’re to blame…..

…..you give love, a bad name. Wait!

That’s Bon Jovi’s song. Sorry.

If you’ve ever heard that song, you know it’s one heck of an adrenaline-rush, heart pounding song, right? www.bonjovi.com/bonjovi/

That’s what it felt like, at least a little, this morning at Dr. Curtis Wagner’s office. www.floridafootdocs.com/gpage2.html

I had been praying hard for wisdom and guidance, in the days leading up to today. In my gut, I felt it was inevitable.

A shot!

A cortisone shot.

Yikes. Right?

Not really.

I know people who think they’d rather die than have to endure a cortisone shot. And did I mention, in my left heel?

Dude, seriously, in my freakin’ heel. Are ya with me?

Dr. Wagner was incredibly patient and wise. He let me talk it through (my concerns – pros & cons), and, we’ve also established mutual respect and trust; critical decision-making foundation.

So we agreed. Shot. It’s the “gold standard” for eliminating the pain.

So Dr. Wagner gets the needle and I hear, “Shot in the dark, and you’re to blame, you give love a bad name…….” Screaming guitar. Pounding drums. Thundering bass.

But it’s actually not Bon Jovi. It’s a song I’m visualizing in my head. It’s a Mid-Life Celebration song, just for me.

Why?

Because it’s a gutsy move. The right move. For the right reasons.

As I’ve said before in another Jeff Noel blog, the pain of regret is far greater than any pain of sacrifice or hardship.

Dr. Wagner s exceptionally talented and his bed-side manner is one of supreme confidence. Ever wonder why some people are called professionals. Dr. Wagner is like a poster-child for why.

It’s over in about 10-12 seconds. I give a half-hearted, “Yeeeee-haaaaa…..”, at the peak of the pain, which lasted maybe 2-3 seconds. Then it’s over. Pain vanished.

Come Monday or Tuesday, start light jogging, maybe two miles per day and by this time next week, should be back on track and better than ever.

Lane 8, here I come.

I hope you understand what this is all about. For those just joining, you’re curiosity will lead you to reading more so you can see where this incredible, and mostly impossible, goal is heading.

Make today a day like no other. Make it the best day of your life. Because if you don’t, who will? Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

PS. I’m Jeff Noel, the Fortune 100 Transformational Speaker who has applied Disney’s teachings and key Disney strategies and tactics to overcoming high cholesterol. Now I’m heading to the 2009 Masters Track & Field World Championships.

What motivates you?

To do your best, everyday, what does it take?

Do you help others to do their best?

What does it take to be able to help others everyday?

And, what are the ingredients?

Motivation?

Inspiration?

Excitement?

Goals?

Focus?

Discipline?

Drive?

Talent?

Luck?

I’m convinced it’s luck!

Luck? You’ve got to be kidding, right?

Nope.

You know what I’ve discovered in my 50 years?

It’s amazing, but I’ve found that the harder I work, the luckier I get.

Thank you Benjamin Franklin, for the orginal “luck” story.

Good LUCK to you today. Carpe diem, jeff 🙂