My apologies for my absence…the past two weeks have been a blur.  My son was born last Monday morning and I have been walking on a cloud as well as trying to get some sleep. 

I thought I knew what happiness was…boy was I wrong! 

The day Mason Louis Balbo was born changed everything.  It was a day of complete bliss…and each day since then has been even more wonderful.

So, I share my son with you and my genuine happiness.  Can you tell I am beaming???

A few months ago Maryann requested me to write a guest blog entry on my recent weight loss and what keeps me motivated. My initial thought was, well it has to come from within, and that’s not enough to write about. Then something happened, something I never thought would occur in this lifetime.

A friend told me she was joining the gym and wanted my assistance to get started. She said in watching me transform this year, she’s now been inspired to begin living a healthier life. If that doesn’t keep one motivated I don’t know what will. As a result of that conversation, I am ready to share my motivation.

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”-Reinhold Niebuhr

As I entered 2008, I entered it with this prayer/quote as my guide to live a better life. I love these words so; I bought a plaque to hang in my bathroom so I would never begin a day without saying the Serenity Prayer. When I stepped back and realized what the true meaning of this quote is, it was crystal clear. I couldn’t/can’t control everything; and I needed to focus on what I really wanted out of this life.You see I’ve always been one of those career driven people, meaning that was the only thing I’ve ever really cared about. For example, at just 21, I was a Guest Service Manager at Walt Disney World, after working my way up from internship to internship. Perhaps that’s what sparked me to dream big and reach for the stars.When I really thought about it, the #1 thing I could control and do for me, was living a healthier life and managing my weight. I told myself no more trying to control moving up the corporate ladder until I get a strong hold on me. Don’t get me wrong, my career is still very important to me, but I’ve learned you can only control a small percentage of what happens in the workplace. I started my life changing transformation by believing in myself like never before. This time, I wouldn’t let myself down or allow quitting to be an option. I started small, by cutting my food portions in half, or pushing away the plate when I started to feel full(this is still the hardest part). I then began reducing my number of sweets, fried foods and basically anything else that I’ve grown to love. Slowly I started to notice the difference in not only the way I looked but also felt. After a few months of concentrating on my food and overall mindset, I added in the final and most important layer…exercising. My initial routine was working out 4 days a week totaling about 3.5 hours.  Almost 6 months later, I’ve increased to 5 days per week, and 7 hours total, a number I had idea I was able to achieve.I can’t begin to explain how my life has changed since I started to accept the things I can not change, and asked for the courage and strength to change what I really could. In addition to being down 40+ pounds and 3 dress sizes I feel incredible. Not only physically, but mentally as well. Life is good, the bad things or trouble that may cross our path, only come to make us stronger or healthier in my case. I must say for the record, I am not on a diet! If I want something not so healthy I’m going to eat it, but I’ve learned when to stop or not give into temptation. I am however on a quest, to continue to change my life for the better one step at a time.Best Wishes,Dominique

I am all about seeing the glass 1/2 full…and try to look at life in a positive manner.  Looking at it in a negative manner is so much easier…yet so draining and ineffective.  However, I am also a realist…but also a dreamer…that all dreams can come true with the right attitude.  The key is to keep that attitude going…even when obstacles and people try to stand in your way.  Be RELENTLESS!!!

Check out the story below from Brian Kim’s MIT about UCLA. 

Unranked UCLA was playing against a very good ranked Tennessee team
(#18) on national television Sept 1. 2008.NOBODY expected the UCLA Bruins to win.They had a weak offensive line.
A third string quarterback.
New coaches implementing a new system.
And on and on and on.

The consensus in the sports world was that UCLA would be destroyed. 

Yet, despite all that, UCLA pulled off the win 27-24.The mantra for that team, isntalled by the new head coach and printed in
the locker room for all to see?“Relentlessly positive.”Not just positive, because anybody can be positive for a short while.

Check out this video…it’s mushy but powerful!

http://www.simpletruths.tv/movies.php?movie=STAP

 Howard Stern

I love this quote by Howard…working hard and producing is one of my favorite topics to share my thoughts about.  But, today I will let Zig Ziglar share his thoughts in this inspirational story about Dave Longaberger…he personified this exact topic. 

Moving Up By Zig Ziglar

Where You Start Is Not Important -     It’s Where You Go That Counts

Dave Longaberger graduated from high school at age 20.  He repeated first grade and three-peated fifth grade.  He read at the eighth grade level, stuttered, and had epilepsy.  Dave died in 1999, but the company he founded, Longaberger Baskets, is still growing strong and is a multi-million dollar business.  How did it happen?

Dave had a lot of positives going for him.  He was possessed of an entrepreneurial spirit.  As a child he worked so many jobs his family called him the “twenty-five-cent millionaire.”  He learned many important lessons from his jobs.  As a seven-year-old in a grocery store he learned that the way to please the boss was to figure out what the boss wanted and get it done. 

Next, he studied people and learned about them from every job.  Examples: Work could be fun and he did a better job when he enjoyed his work.  The more the people he dealt with liked him, the more likely they were to continue doing business with him.  In the Army he learned about uniformity, control, consistency, and Central Headquarters. 

He also learned how to become a risk-taker and not a gambler.  For example, he opened a tiny restaurant on a shoestring.  On opening day he had $135 which he used to buy the first day’s breakfast fixings.  After breakfast, he had enough money to buy supplies for lunch, and then he used the money he made from lunch to buy dinner preparations.  That’s starting a business on bare bones!

Later, Dave bought a grocery store and ran it very successfully.  All the time he was preparing for bigger and better things. 

Know someone always busy but never gets anything done?  Ever heard the saying…want something done, give it to a busy person? 

It’s all about results…do you actually accomplish what you set out to do?  Or, do you constantly complain about your “to do” list and never actually achieve results? 

In my opinion…actually producing results is so much more effective.  I am not a fan of when people talk about “theory” and this should be the “protocol.”  But, they never actually get anything done…but everything is lined up for them to.  Instead…why not reward the person who actually GETS IT DONE!!!

Talking and doing are two very distinct differences.  Be the doer and let others do the talking.  Eventually, it’s got to pay off!

Ok, now that the 08 Bejing Olympics are over, I can get back to my normal life.  After years of anticipation and hours of watching I can now sit back and share a few of the most inspiring athletes to me.  As you know, I love an underdog!  Defying all odds to succeed…that is motivation!

First, is American Henry Cejudo…when I heard his story I teared up.  He is the epitome of the American dream.  He is a son of an immigrant, was raised in poverty by a single mom but had a dream.  He paid for his wrestling lessons by selling tamales on the street…never losing sight of his goal.  He embraced the land of opportunity and wouldn’t let his dream die.  He won gold in Bejing and cried as he took his victory lap with the American flag draped over his shoulders.  He said, “The United States is the greatest country in the world.”  And, he is the greatest wrestler in the world!

Next, is the Chinese gold medal table tennis player, Zhang Yining.  I was at lunch watching the taped match on Saturday and when the commentator shared Yining’s story…the tears began and I started cheering for this person I had never heard of in a sport I am not a fan of.  Her Uncle had gotten her into the sport over 20 years earlier and when competing against her teammates a few years ago for titles she asked him if she was going to win.  He said no…Wang Nan (her teammate) would beat his niece.  And, this is exactly what happened.  In fact, Yining really struggled after that defeat with her own self-confidence and esteem.  Her coach finally told her noone can get you out of this funk besides you.  It’s in your hands…so she worked hard physically and especially mentally.  And, during this Olympics she was up against her teammate Wang Nan-who had beat her in the past-and won the gold!  Talk about self-motivation and defying the odds!

Today I am inspired by Uncle Marc’s blog.  Now, my Uncle isn’t a typical Uncle…in fact…he’s only 5 years older than I am.  So, my entire life I have never referred him as Uncle…in fact I call him Marky…which I am sure he doesn’t appreciate at his age-but that is who he is to me.  My Grandparents (Marc’s parents and my Dad’s) lived less than a mile from my parents so I was at his house all the time…especially in the summer.  We played as brother/sister…rather than niece/uncle.  In fact, some of my best memories are with him (even when he was throwing sand in my eyes or teasing me).

I am inspired today by his post on his Dad…my Grandpa Mosher.  My Grandpa Mosher just turned 90 this past month.  And, he is still going very strong.  In fact, you can’t slow him down-never have!  He has broken just about every bone in his body, been hit by a car, had cancer, caught on fire….the list goes on and on.  Yet, he always stayed in good spirits and has never given up!  The man is relentless and tireless! He is a cross-country skier, loved to bike and of course walk on his land.  He is a writer-documenting all his trips with my Grandma after retirement and even wrote his own auto-biography. 

He is a self-made man coming from humble beginnings and working toward his ultimate goal.  Owning his house, farm and having a family.  He is absolutely the hardest working person I have ever met…and the most determined!  He never took a day off before he retired-unless you count his stays in the hospital- and worked feverishly everyday to preserve his heritage.  He volunteered his time, took in foster-children and always helped a neighbor.  He never complained, never said no to my many request for rides and always had something nice to say about EVERYONE!

But, in my mind…my Grandpa Mosher is so much more than just a role model…he is my hero.  He taught me values that have guided my entire life.  For a long time I questioned where my inspiration came from…and then one day I figured it out…from him!!  In fact, Get Motivated with Maryann has alot of his influence.   He absolutely loves animals and taught me respect for all God’s creatures and nature.  He taught me about the value of life and how death is a part of it. He always says he’s not a religious man because he doesn’t go to Church-yet has his own relationship with a higher being.  His a truly positive person-always seeing the best in every situation.  He showed me by example the opportunities you have to make for yourself-not wait for someone to hand you.  He is not only determined but extremely ambitious.  He took on leadership roles with various organizations in our area including banks, clubs etc.  And, talk about resourceful…. he can figure out a way to develop a business out of anything and is stubborn when people try to tell him it won’t work.  He even sold ice in the winter in upstate NY-don’t ask.  The guy is good!

I don’t have many role models in my life and have my own issues with my childhood.  But, I always say my Grandpa Mosher is the reason I am who I am today.  And, finally this year I was able to share with him what an influence he has had on my life.  I don’t think he knew what an inspiration he has been to the little girl that spent so much time at his house listening and watching him.  He was a true success story to me-in an area where there aren’t many.

He was shocked when I told him I wanted to give him the most precious gift I could and honor his attitude in a way that will always live on.  Now, help keep my secret (don’t google him or do any research to find out his first name) but my baby boy that will be born in 4 1/2 weeks will be honored with my Grandpa’s Mosher’s first name.   At first, he was upset that a baby would be given such an “old fashioned” name but after some encouragement got over that.  It is the only name fitting for a child who will be influenced by the greatest motivator in his mom’s life…My Grandpa Mosher.  I hope Baby Balbo will follow in his Great Grandpa’s shoes…I know I am trying everyday!

As most of my loyal readers know…I am gearing up for the biggest job of my life…I am having my first child in 5 weeks! I have dreamt of this time my entire life (what little girl doesn’t dream of the big wedding, the dress and being a mom) and am so excited. We have waited a long time for this amazing moment…my husband and I have been together for over 10 years and married 8 years. We have put our career first, travelled, bought fancy cars, eaten out every night-the list goes on and on. And, now it’s time to put one little human being first in our lives. 

So, when putting all the plans in place I have been extremely motivated that everything be perfect!  I set up the photographer, registered, signed up for classes, picked out the name, did my work paperwork…in the first 3 months!  I am ready!!!  (Except the nursery furniture that was ordered months ago finally arrived after being back-ordered.  No worries-it goes up this weekend).

So, when deciding on the nursery…my husband and I decided to be creative.  We both are generally creative people-we have to be working in media-and thought long and hard what our little boy’s room should be like.  Well, as all my loyal readers also know…we love dogs.  And, we want to teach our child the importance of all life and how to treat God’s greatest creatures-animals!

We decided on a dog park theme and hired a very talented muralist (Dan) to paint it.  I collected pictures of family dogs from the past, current friends dogs and of course our two furry children.  I explained the theme and the feel I wanted-soft, water-color’ish and warm.  I wanted every stroke to have meaning.  Even the willow tree is adopted from our first home together-we had our engagment pictures taken under it and it holds many memories of our early years of marriage. I want to be able to share stories about all the animals that will live in the nursery with Baby Balbo-so he will understand how important these precious creatures are in all our lives.  They all have a special meaning and teach a lesson.

And, so Dan went to work-logging about 100 hours in 3 weeks.  The transformation of our once office to a room filled with creativity and love was amazing.  Every night I would go in and check out the progress-it might only be a few additions of color or shading-but it made an amazing difference. 

Creativity began in my husband’s and my minds but grew in Dan’s imagination.  The end result is a beautiful, serene and safe environment for our little baby boy to come home to and learn from.

Did I add we are hoping he will be a veterinarian??  Just kidding!  Enjoy the pictures and get creative today!

Also, you will notice the above picture of Fozzie and Sophie has a sign next to it that reads “blank Dog Park.”  We have covered up the name-we are keeping our baby boy’s name a surprise until he enters the world.  And, below is a picture of Dan the Muralist…the upmost creative individual I have ever met!

 It is budget time at the station.  And, I actually enjoy the strategic aspect of planning for the upcoming 3 years.  You can be creative and develop your ideas for growth etc.  It actually is pretty fun.  But, this year I am dealing with alot more numbers since I have a sales team now.  This is the first time I have had to get down and dirty with budgets, commissions etc.  And, I actually am enjoying learning and the process.  Of course, I am a little slower than those around me and there is definately a learning curve.  But, I am trying my best while making a few mistakes along the way. I look at this as a time to expand my knowledge.  And, I am working hard to keep up!  This is what growth is all about!

Check out the excerpt below from MIT…

Whatever you find yourself having to do, do the best you can at it.Even if you’re not very good at it.