March 23, 2009

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In This Newsletter:

Feed the Positive Dog - Article

Team Discussion Guides

See Jon Gordon LIVE in St. Louis

Create A Positive School

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Feed the Positive Dog

CNN reported the other night that one-third of all Americans are losing sleep over the economy, 8 out of 10 people are stressed out, and an increasing number of people are turning to popping pills to deal with the stress and lack of sleep. While these pills may work in the short term, there is a better way. It’s the secret weapon against stress, it doesn’t cost a dime and it is only a thought away.

The answer is to feed the positive dog.

If you read The Energy Bus you know I share a simple story about a man who travels to the village to speak to the wise man. He says to the wise man, "I feel like there are two dogs inside me. One dog is positive, loving, kind and optimistic and then I have this fearful, pessimistic, angry and negative dog and they fight all the time. I don't know who is going to win." The wise man thinks for a moment and responds, "I know who is going to win. The one you feed the most. So feed the positive dog."

The fact is we all have a positive and negative dog inside of us. It's part of our human nature. The key is to feed the positive dog and starve the negative dog. The more we feed the positive dog the bigger it gets and the stronger it becomes. The actions are simple. We just need to make them a habit and do them every day. Here are a few ways to feed the positive dog.

• Practice Gratitude - You can't be stressed and thankful at the same time. Gratitude is like muscle the more you do it the stronger it gets. Take 10 minutes each day and make a list of what you are thankful for. You will fill your body and brain with costless and priceless anti-depressants.

• Take a Walk of Gratitude/Prayer - I do this each morning and it feeds me all day long.

• Turn off the News - Starve the negative dog.

• Smile More - It enhances your serotonin levels and uplifts you.

• Focus on Get to vs Have to - Read the article here.

• Read Uplifting Books - I happen to know of a few good ones :)

• Get together with a positive, uplifting person.

• Call or visit someone who has made a difference in your life and thank them. (research shows this is a huge happiness booster)

• Write a Few Thank You Notes Today - When you thank others you feed them and yourself.

• Focus on God instead of Gold - For more read, Matthew 6:33

• Start a Success Journal - Write down the one great thing about your day. The more you look for success, the more you will find it.

• Practice the 5 Things To Do Instead of Complain. Download here. (PDF)
• Decide to Make a Difference - When you help other people with their problems you forget about your own.
  

I Challenge You:
I challenge you to pick 1, 2 or 3 strategies identified above and make them a daily habit. Do them for 10 minutes a day, every day for 30 days. Don’t wait. Start them today. Don’t just read this newsletter, say “that’s nice” and put it away. Identify what you will do, when you will do it and commit to it. Your positive energy and natural anti-depressants are more powerful and effective than any pill. After 30 days, email me your results at info@jongordon.com. I read every email that comes to us. I look forward to hearing from you.

Accept this challenge and declare the actions you will take on our blog here.

Stay Positive!
Jon

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Team Discussion Guides

Download free discussion guides to apply The Energy Bus and The No Complaining Rule principles with your team at work. Download here.

See Jon Gordon LIVE in St. Louis!

Experience Jon Gordon LIVE on Friday, April 3, 2009 from 8am until Noon in St. Louis. Tickets are just $79 each for groups of 4 or more. For details and to order tickets online visit www.jongordon.com/stlouis.html

Create A Positive School

We are excited to announce the launch of www.PositiveSchool.com, a central place where educators, administrators and parents can find the tools, training and strategies they need to empower teachers and students. If you are a principal, teacher or parent who is ready to create a positive school:

	Visit the site www.PositiveSchool.com
	Download the Positive School Manifesto.
	Host a workshop for your principals, teachers and an assembly for your students.
	Connect with other positive educators.
	Write and share lesson plans.