MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, AUTHOR & SUCCESS COACH

December 2022 Newsletter Focus on Fun in 2023

Focus on fun in 2023

One thing all of us have in common is that we like to have fun. We need to do things that make us happy, whether that means going on vacation, getting together with friends and family, or doing our favorite hobby. My point is that we need to be able to look forward to doing something that is fun. It might happen tomorrow, next week, or maybe several months from now. Regardless, we need to feel excited about getting ready to do something fun in the future.

 

I have always described my idea of having fun as working and creating more opportunities for business. However, I am going to make a pivot and change my definition just a little. I am going to incorporate at least two small trips a month to Arizona and California during the winter and take at least one trip during the summer to somewhere I have never been before. To be specific, in the summer of 2023 I will be spending at least five days in Lake Tahoe during the Pro-Am celebrity golf tournament. I have been talking about doing this for many years, but we all know what talking about something is — it’s just talking. And because I have procrastinated for so many years about doing this, I’m going to make my reservations right now so I will have something to look forward to this summer. It’s that simple. Make a commitment to your fun goals and make it happen.

 

What are you looking forward to doing in 2023? I firmly believe that if we have something in the near future to look forward to, we are likely to work a little bit harder and with more enjoyment. Fun things do not have to be big or expensive. They could be very small and very affordable, but they have to be things you look forward to doing. Having something to look forward to can create enthusiasm that makes you perform better at work.

 

Now that you are thinking about fun things you want to do in 2023, it is time to put this in writing and make a visual plan, just as you would do if you were setting goals for your business. Hopefully you are writing down your career goals and objectives for 2023 and reinforcing them with visuals and reminders. I recommend that you also make a visual board geared toward having FUN. Write down all the things that you want to do in 2023, then attach pictures or anything that will give you a visual image of what you are looking forward to doing. Next, make a timeline for making these events happen. Your fun item could also be a purchase of something you have been working hard for, such as a car you have always wanted, a new home, or maybe your first rental property. It just has to be something that you would consider FUN!

 

“You must have discipline to have fun.” – Julia Child

 

When you have those visuals in front of you, you know what you’re looking forward to because you can see it! Just like Napoleon Hill wrote way back in 1937, “If you can conceive it and believe it, you can achieve it.” I have been putting that statement in practice throughout my life. As you might already know, I am really big into visualization and I also believe that our dreams are just a prelude to our reality. I started making vision boards decades ago, and believe me, it works!

 

Having fun is so important. Using myself as an example, I feel like I have been in first gear over the last couple of years and now I am ready to elevate my enthusiasm to full throttle and super excited about creating more fun in my life.

 

When you start planning to add more fun to your life and you talk about your plans with others, you will often inspire them to do the same thing. So not only are you making your own life more fun, you are also helping other people have fun, too!

 

If you make having fun a priority, you will feel great, have more energy, and inspire your friends and family. Make having fun a priority. Let’s all get in a higher gear and make 2023 a year that includes a good balance between work and pleasure.

 

“Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.” ― Andy Rooney

 

As I get older, I am becoming more and more aware that our time on earth is never long enough. With this in mind, let’s put time and energy into doing things that make us happy.

 

If you have been grinding hard or in a funk, then making plans to have more fun next year might be just what you need!

 

Here are a few things to remind yourself:

 

  • Life is better when you have fun and exciting things to look forward to.
  • You will be more motivated at work when you have this mindset.
  • Fun makes life more enjoyable for the people around you.
  • Fun is contagious and creates enthusiasm.

 

Just like anything else in life, if you want something badly enough you can create a discipline, and that discipline will become a habit, and eventually it will become natural to you. If you have to take baby steps to create fun in your life, then start doing so. Keep in mind that you don’t have to be great at it to get started, you just have to get started to be great at it.

 

Let’s have more fun in 2023!

 

What People in the Audience are Saying…

With Van's passion, humor and experience you can be assured of one thing- your audience is going to get fired-up, built-up, and fully charged –up. As an entrepreneur at the top of his game Van is in the unique position of being able to "talk the talk" because he has "walked the walk". Over the years he has been a great inspiration to me and my staff. Van is a speaker with charisma, humility and impact and he's a difference maker in the lives of the people he touches…"

—George Akers // President, First Mortgage Corp.

I wanted to thank you for coming and speaking with our company today. I thought your presentation was awesome! I was really motivated and inspired by your thoughts and ideas. I will use this motivation to grow my business and my personal life.”

—Justin Pauls // Realtor, Tampa, Florida

We are delighted you will be accepting the award for Omaha’s Top 25 fastest growing companies. Congratulations on your outstanding growth and we wish you continued success.”

—Tracey Fortina // Omaha Chamber of Commerce

Thank you for running such a class act company. It is an honor and a pleasure to be associated with someone such as yourself. I know you are probably one of the most respected businessmen in the region.”

—Dustin Talacko // Realtor, Omaha, Nebraska

Congratulations on writing “Selling from the heart” and thank you for sharing a copy with me. Your class has been one of the most enjoyable classes I’ve ever taken. Your enthusiasm and passion for your work are awesome. But the most refreshing part of the class was your delightful sense of humor. Thank you again for being a fantastic teacher.”

—Linda Reismeiler // Student at Randall School of Real Estate, Omaha, Nebraska

Kudos to you, Van, for reaching a major goal. But more than that...For successfully building one of Omaha’s best companies from scratch and making it thrive even in less than ideal market conditions. You have realized the American Dream...And brought it home to many, many others. My best to you!”

—Todd Andrews, Anchor and Producer, KETV Omaha

Having you here again was such a blessing to so many! As I looked at the pictures, I could see just how interested each and every person was in what you had to say!

This has been such a gift to our agents when they need it the most. The fact that you come, you are so genuine and caring, you are so honest, you are not trying to sell anything and your passion to help each and every person believe in themselves and become the best they can be is HUGE! The timing is perfect for us all helping and caring about each other, so, thank YOU from the bottom of my heart for giving of yourself to help all of us!”

—Carolyn Summerton // First Mortgage Company of Idaho

I enjoyed your seminar and its focus. I was on the fence whether or not to attend and decided why not? I could have sat through an all day session if there was one, usually I end up at the seminars that start with a focus and quickly go astray. I found with yours time flew by too fast and it was already time to go but I wasn’t ready to go.”

—Scott Asbill, CDPE // Associate Broker, Realtor