Sunday, November 28, 2010

Tip#408: How Movies Help You Visualize Success, Part 1 – Pecha Kucha Night – Temple Grandin

I had the pleasure of doing my second Pecha Kucha Night presentation in Toronto recently. This is a unique format where the presenter uses only 20 images at 20 seconds each to tell a story. See more about my previous presentation: tip#395

My presentation showed my 3 recent newspaper features: The New York Times, The Globe and Mail and The Toronto Star (see tip#405) and how they contacted me. And I shared how the movie Julie and Julia helped me visualize getting my movie blog featured in The New York Times (see tip#404). I also shared these 3 success factors related to movies:

1) Sharing your passion plants seeds to connect with others
2) Social media like Youtube.com and 43things.com are powerful online tools
3) Visualizing is a key tool for attracting what you want

See video of my presentation: Click here

Temple Grandin 2010

The TV movie Temple Grandin is an inspiring example of how an individual utilizes her unique way of visualizing to achieve her dreams despite her autism. Temple (Claire Danes) has the ability to retain and access all the imagery she sees as well as visualize solutions on a multidimensional level.

Computer graphics are used to simulate how Temple thinks. It is like a rapid cycle of images that flashes in her mind. Or you see how her mind generates virtual blueprints for something that needs fixing or building like a ranch fence door. See examples in the movie trailer: Click here

This movie is personally exciting because it's the closest film to show how I see the world. Temple's visual process is similar to how I created my artwork, music and even my keynote and seminar presentations. The very basics of this visualizing method is a skill set I believe others can learn to access. This is why I focus on movies as a powerful audio-visual stimulus for the mind and heart.

If you are unhappy in your life or career then do your best to focus on what you want. Feed your spirit with positive images. Discover movies that can help you visualize what you desire. And when you find movie heroes who attain something you identify with get excited. You may be witnessing your future success!

SEE VIDEO OF PECHA KUCHA PRESENTATION,
HOW MOVIES HELP YOU VISUALIZE YOUR SUCCESS:
Click here

Related Tips:
Tip#408: How Movies Help You Visualize Success, Part 1 – Pecha Kucha Night – Temple Grandin
Tip#880: How Movies Help You Visualize Success, Part 2 - Fantastic Voyage
Tip#568: Visualization & Your Imagination, Part 1 – 6 Movie Tips
Tip#831: Creative Visualization - Reticular Activating System (RAS) - Focus 

SEE NEW MOVIES MOTIVATE LIST A to Z!
Look up your favourite movies and the
motivational tips written for them: Click here

JOIN ME on FACEBOOK: Click here
JOIN ME on YOUTUBE: Click here
JOIN ME on TWITTER: Click here

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Superhero at Your Service!
Professional Speaker & Movie Blogger
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Tip#407: How Passion Drives You – Meeting Tim Burton - Edward Scissorhands

Imagine you are an 11 year old who has had a passion for Tim Burton movies since the age of 2. And imagine that this passion is what drove you to wake up early one morning, wait in line for several hours and meet your hero. That's what happened for one excited boy featured recently in The Toronto Star when Tim Burton came to a book signing at the TIFF Bell Lightbox.

See The Toronto Star article: Click here

The boy ended up first in line at 6am even before the Lightbox building was open. While in line he was interviewed by The Toronto Star, Globe and Mail and Global Television. He was thrilled to later meet Tim Burton. It just goes to show that when you are passionate about something you will be driven to achieve your dreams.

Burton says in the article it was amazing the boy and hundreds of others waited so long to meet him. He said it reminded him of when he sent a fan letter to famed horror star Vincent Price and he responded. Burton wanted to be equally generous with his fans.

Edward Scissorhands 1990

The fantasy movie Edward Scissorhands stars Vincent Price as The Inventor who creates an artificial man named Edward (Johnny Depp). Unfortunately The Inventor passes away before he could finish Edward and he is left with scissors for hands.

It's a story about how an isolated person faces the challenges of integrating with people and with society. Edward soon displays his unique talents using his scissor hands to create beautiful sculptures from neighborhood hedges and unique haircuts for his new neighbors and dogs.

The music is what moves me the most. Especially when Edward creates an angel ice sculpture from a block of ice. The shavings transform into snow and becomes so magical with the choral music composed by Danny Elfman. This film would become one of many movies created by Burton to generate a legion of fans all around the world.

Be Inspired

Be inspired to follow your passion and let it drive you to meet your heroes like the boy who woke up early and wait in line for hours to meet Tim Burton. I'm very inspired, especially so because the boy is also my nephew! He loves movies like I do and his passion led him to meet his hero and receive media coverage as a bonus.

Sometimes you have a dream that seems impossible to achieve. All you have to do is focus on what you want and allow your passion to energize and guide you forward. Passion is your fuel. Let it drive you towards your dreams and goals!

SEE NEW MOVIES MOTIVATE LIST A to Z
Look up your favourite movies and the
motivational tips written for them: Click here

READ THE NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE
FEATURING EMMANUEL LOPEZ:
"Who Will Be Oprah's Last Star?"
Read online: Click here
See printed: Click here

JOIN ME on FACEBOOK: Click here
JOIN ME on YOUTUBE: Click here
JOIN ME on TWITTER: Click here

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Superhero at Your Service!
Professional Speaker & Movie Blogger
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Tip#406: Facing Your Fears - Media Mastery Bootcamp – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

For me the Harry Potter movies, at the core, have been about perseverance, facing fears and the power of friendship. For years these films have helped inspire me to increase my self-confidence and to find my hidden strengths. It's how I've achieved many of my dreams and goals.

Media Mastery Bootcamp

Recently I met an amazing soul who shared a passion for the Harry Potter movies and trains professionals on how to manage their fears. Shawne Duperon is a Six-time EMMY award winning producer and a Media Expert who facilitates an empowering 2 day workshop called the Media Mastery Bootcamp. It is also one of the most incredible personal development programs I have ever participated in. See more: Click here

Shawne's workshops are designed to help you manage your fear whenever you are networking, presenting or being interviewed by the media. One of the exercises are a series of drills in role playing where participants pair up and take turns being the interviewer and the interviewee. In each case we were asked to stand as close as possible to the other person and stare into their eyes.

This exercise literally had each of us face any fears we had in engaging with someone you just met at close range. Some faces were just inches from the other person. We were asked to be aware of and express whatever feelings came up. We were being trained to be more present with who we were with. After doing this I found I expressed myself with much more confidence, clarity and enjoyment while talking to the interviewer. I was able to speak more from my heart instead of my head.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 2010

The characters of the movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 continue to teach audiences how to face fears. In this first part of the final chapter of the film series, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) is on a quest to find and destroy Lord Voldemort's (Ralph Fiennes) secret to immortality. And as in all the previous movies, Harry is able to accomplish his goals through perseverance, finding his hidden strengths and with the help of his friends.

In this chapter there is a powerful scene where Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) must face the manifestation of his deepest fear. It appears as a frightening and overwhelming image. Despite the terror he feels Ron is able to reach into himself and unleash his hidden strengths and courage to defeat his fear.

Movie Mirror

This scene can be a mirror for your own potential to face your own fears. You can see yourself as Ron and empower yourself to know that if he could be successful in managing his own, darkest fears than you can too. So when you feel a connection with Harry, Ron or any of the other movie characters let that be a signal that you've found a cinematic role model to help bring out the best in you.

At many points in your life and career you will be asked to face your fears in order to move closer to your dreams and goals. All you have to do is believe you have the strength and courage inside, persevere and look fear right in the eyes. And remember you are never alone on your quest. You will always have friends near who can help.

SEE MORE ABOUT SHAWNE DUPERON and HER SERVICES
Networking, Media and Gossip Expert: Click here

READ THE NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE
FEATURING EMMANUEL LOPEZ:
"Who Will Be Oprah's Last Star?"
Read online: Click here
See printed: Click here

SEE NEW MOVIES MOTIVATE LIST A to Z!
Look up your favourite movies and the
motivational tips written for them: Click here

JOIN ME on FACEBOOK: Click here
JOIN ME on YOUTUBE: Click here
JOIN ME on TWITTER: Click here

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Superhero at Your Service!
Professional Speaker & Movie Blogger
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Tip#405: Feel Like A Superhero – The New York Times – Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Despite all the intense challenges I've faced in the last 7 months I have been feeling like a superhero. Being featured in The New York Times recently with the title "Who Will Be Oprah’s Last Star?" launched my self-worth and self-confidence into the stratosphere!

And the 3 major newspaper coverage over the last 3 months has been magical, synchronistic and surreal. Each time I saw my name in print it sent a surge of positive emotional energy through me. And seeing the photos of myself looking bold in The Globe and Mail seemed to solidify my feeling of being a real-life superhero!

See scans of articles and photos:
1) The Toronto Star – Click here
2) The Globe and Mail – Click here
3) The New York Times - Click here

Just to let you know I did not contact these major newspapers. They contacted me. And if you've been following this movie blog you will know that life has been a financial kick in the ass (see more details: tip#400). But it is the media coverage that has helped increase my own superhero power of indestructible optimism. It is allowing me to finally admit one thing for the first time to the world…

I am homeless.

I am not "on the street" homeless but it's how I feel. And even though I have a short-term roof over my head, this is not my home. But I believe this will pass. It's what I told The New York Times. They believe in me too. That's why movie heroes like Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness keeps me optimistic. I KNOW I have a new home waiting for me somewhere. Feeling like a superhero gives me the confidence to just enjoy this phase of my life. In the end I want my story to inspire you.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World 2010

The movie Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a fantastic and visually stunning example of a movie hero who you wouldn't expect is a superhero. Filmed in my hometown of Toronto (as Toronto!) Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) appears to be a typical, geeky nerd and yet has the power to attract women. One of these has 7 Evil Exes whom he must fight and defeat.

That's when the movie suddenly shifts and Scott reveals his superhero powers. The thing is he doesn’t change into any costume when fighting the Evil Exes, Scott is still dressed as himself. And despite his ability to throw super-powered punches he is still self-conscious of his scruffy hair!

Cinematic Role Models

Scott Pilgrim is my new hero and cinematic role model. He is a superhero and very human at the same time. Plus I grew up a geeky nerd so I know this movie is especially for nerds and geeks everywhere! And whenever I see this movie it makes me feel like a superhero.

Everyone goes through periods of having to battle life, career and financial challenges. What will save you every time is your attitude. Choose to feel like a superhero. Choose to tap into the self-worth and self-confidence already inside you.

Accept compliments and acknowledgements that come your way whether by email or person you are with. Get excited whenever you see your name or photo in print celebrating you in some way. These are all reminders from the world that you have great value.

You ARE a superhero! Can you feel it?

SEE NEW MOVIES MOTIVATE LIST A to Z!
Look up your favourite movies and the motivational tips
I've written for them: Click here

JOIN ME on FACEBOOK: Click here
JOIN ME on YOUTUBE: Click here
JOIN ME on TWITTER: Click here

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Superhero at Your Service!
Professional Speaker & Movie Blogger
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Tip#404: Visualize and Magnetize – The New York Times – Julie and Julia

On the day of this post, November 14, 2010, The New York Times had featured me for the first time! In the 4 years of writing this movie blog this is the biggest news I've shared. I am very excited because I had a vision this would happen. And I hope this reminds everyone that dreams can eventually come true when you first visualize what you want in your life.

Read The New York Times article: "Who Will Be Oprah’s Last Star?"

It is also proof that, despite the many hardships and life crisis I've endured this year (see tip#400), following and sharing my passion for movies has been my fuel to persevere and maintain my indestructible optimism. Being featured in The New York Times is proof that if you dream big you can achieve big.

The New York Times

The New York Times has a daily circulation of over 950,000 and over 1,375,000 for the Sunday edition. That means over a million people may be reading about me because I'm in the Sunday paper. Synchronistically last weekend I was featured in Canada's largest-circulation national newspaper The Globe and Mail with a circulation of over 400,000 (see article). It’s as if I've reached an exciting tipping point from the time I've invested in using creative visualizing techniques inspired from movies I loved.

Movies have been a profound resource for me in visualizing the future I want during difficult times. Movies also kept my positive emotional energy active and flowing when I felt exhausted and even hopeless. And the film Julie & Julia is the one that fueled my excitement of being contacted by The New York Times. Seeing blogger Julie Powell receive a call from this newspaper is what excited me because it led to a whole new world of attention for her food blog. It gave me something to visualize for myself.

Julie & Julia (2009)

The biographical movie, Julie & Julia, is based on two true stories of French Chef Julia Child (Meryl Streep) and food blogger Julie Powell (Amy Adams). Julie endured her own hardships while blogging about her passion for food. And she persevered to complete her mission to document online her daily experiences of cooking the recipes from Julia's book Mastering the Art of French Cooking.


What you see is Julie learning to enjoy the journey of focusing on her passion for food. You also see the relationships that supported her on her quest. And ultimately you see that after The New York Times publishes a story on Julie's blog, she attracted the immediate attention of journalists, literary agents and book publishers. And with this film she becomes a cinematic success story for all women and men to follow a dream or passion!

“One day, your book will change the world.”

Julia Child's story is also inspirational. While questioning what to do with her life she chooses to follow her passion for eating and persevered with cooking classes in a culinary world dominated by men. She then co-wrote a cook book that would be loved and appreciated all around the world. Her legacy would live on after her passing as a cinematic role model in this movie. Meryl Streep would later be nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards and win a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress.

Inspiring Themes:
• Courage
• Having a Vision
• Creative Visualization
• Following a Passion
• Leadership
• Self-Confidence & Self-Esteem
• Persistence & Perseverance
• Resilience
• Career Transitions
• Supportive Relationships
• Indestructible Optimism



Positive Emotional Energy

Witnessing these inspiring cinematic moments in Julie & Julia is what helped me visualize what I wanted for my own blog. It helped me fill my heart and mind with the excitement of successes I desired especially when I knew the movie was based on true stories. And I believe that somehow this positive emotional energy within me radiated out into the world and made my dream come true with The New York Times. I believe in the law of attraction and it was in full play here!

Let true-life stories inspire you to keep following your passion. Let favourite movie heroes be your cinematic role models and help you visualize the future you want. Olympic gold medalists like Michael Phelps already use the power of creative visualization. It may also take time and many hurdles to reach your goals so remember to surround yourself with people who believe in you. Your heroes have already taken similar journeys and they can help you stay motivated. Let them remind you to keep moving forward with indestructible optimism!

"Positive emotional energy is the key to health, happiness and wellbeing. The more positive you are, the better your life will be in every area."
Brian Tracy, Author, Personal & Professional Development Trainer & Speaker

READ THE NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE
FEATURING EMMANUEL LOPEZ:
"Who Will Be Oprah's Last Star?": Click here

SEE NEW MOVIES MOTIVATE LIST A to Z!
Look up your favourite movies and the
motivational tips I've written for them: Click here

JOIN ME on FACEBOOK: Click here
JOIN ME on YOUTUBE: Click here
JOIN ME on TWITTER: Click here

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Superhero at Your Service!
Professional Speaker & Movie Blogger
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Tip#403: Give Something A Second Chance - Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

There are the few occasions that first impressions are not so good. That's why being open minded, and perhaps forgiving, can allow you to experience surprising benefits and gifts that were waiting to be discovered.

One example started upon hearing harsh reviews of the movie Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. So I kept an open mind, as I always do, and gave the movie a chance. I found it very entertaining and filled with many motivational and insightful moments. And yet, to my surprise, the ending threw me off because the scenes during the end credits didn't seem to fit the movie. The bright colours and tones seemed like it was from another film.

A week later my gut told me to give it a second chance and saw the film a second time. I was surprised to discover that there were actually scenes that prepared the viewer for the end scenes. In the background during two walking scenes in parks were the clues that connect to the end scenes. (Note: I am purposefully keeping vague in case you haven’t seen this movie yet)

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps 2010

The movie Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is a sequel to the 1987 film Wall Street with its villain Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas). It follows his life after an 8 year prison sentence and his estranged daughter Winnie (Carey Mulligan) and proposed son-in-law Jake Moore (Shia LaBeouf).

The movie has many themes about transformation. There are analogies of the financial bubble bursting in 2008 and of Gekko opening his eyes to the value of family and time versus money. It's a story about making comebacks after life pushes you down to the ground. This film also has empowering messages about our environment and making positive decisions right now to benefit future generations.

Be Open

There are people that may challenge the value I see in this movie. Even I recognize flaws in the film. I'm just glad I gave it a second chance. I discovered that the motivational messages were so energizing for me that it outweighed any of the negatives. Perhaps it will for you too.

Be open to give something a second chance. Be open to people and first-time experiences that left a negative impression. That person might have had a bad day when you first met or maybe you were not in the right frame of mind to see a certain type of movie. Remember that second chances could lead you to discover something extraordinary, enriching and empowering!

SEE NEW MOVIES MOTIVATE LIST A to Z!
Look up your favourite movies: Click here

READ GLOBE & MAIL ARTICLE
Featuring my experience with G20 Queen Spadina: Click here

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Superhero at Your Service!
Professional Speaker & Movie Blogger
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Sunday, November 07, 2010

Tip#402: Recognize The Power of The Media – The Globe and Mail – Citizen Kane

The Globe and Mail is Canada's largest-circulation national newspaper with a circulation of over 400,000 on Saturdays. That means 100's of thousand people may have seen the recent cover story in the Globe T.O. section of my G20 experience at Queen and Spadina, June 27, 2010, Toronto.

Read Globe and Mail article: Click here

Read my G20 Toronto blog series: Tip#369

What excited me the most is that this article can now help people understand how over 300 innocent bystanders (like myself) were caught in an unfair use of a riot police technique called kettling. Hundreds of non-protesters were detained in freezing rain for hours. The article states that Toronto Chief of Police, Bill Blair conceded that mistakes had been made, especially at Queen and Spadina.

Being interviewed and photographed for this national article is also a social media success story. I was contacted by a Globe journalist because of the video I shot while being kettled by riot police and posted on YouTube. It's a great example that people will see or read whatever you post online even if you think you are not reaching anyone. See video: click here

Newspapers and social media have incredible power in reaching 100's of thousands of people. It's amazing to think about how any message can quickly go out into the masses and communicate an important idea or story.

Citizen Kane 1941

The film classic Citizen Kane was about the life and legacy of Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles) who takes over a newspaper business at the age of 25 and uses the power of the media with sensationalized journalism. You get to witness the power of the written word and it's affect on the masses.

The character of Kane was based on American newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst who was not happy with his harsh portrayal in the movie. Ironically Hearst used the power of his own newspapers to create a negative campaign against Welles's film. Read more about this battle: click here

Your Idea, Message or Story

If you have an idea, message or story, remember the power of the media as a vehicle to reach the masses. Recognize how quickly you can reach a great number of people through newspapers and social media like Facebook, LinkedIn, Blogs and Youtube.

Your message will be heard if you take steps to getting it out there. Start by writing down your thoughts. With a click of a button you could be reaching the entire world.

Read my Globe and Mail article: Click here

SEE NEW MOVIES MOTIVATE LIST A to Z!
Look up your favourite movies: Click here

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Superhero at Your Service!
Professional Speaker & Movie Blogger
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2010

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Tip#401: Enjoy Lists – Movies Motivate List A to Z – The Bucket List

Making lists are a powerful method for organizing thoughts and tasks. Reading lists are also fun and entertaining like someone's top 10 favourite foods, top 20 vacation spots or the top 100 movies of all time.

In celebration of my 400th tip on this movie blog I have updated a new website listing all the movies I have blogged about in past 4 years in alphabetical order. Now you can look up your favourite movies and click on a motivational tip it is written under.

I loved seeing the vast number of movies I had written about over the years. And it was interesting to see that I'd posted many tips on the same movie like Groundhog Day, Peaceful Warrior, The Pursuit of Happyness and Stranger Than Fiction. Making this list helped me see a wealth of personal and professional development tips that could be more accessible once the movies were in alphabetical order.

See Movies Motivate A to Z List: Click here

The Bucket List 2007

The comedy-drama The Bucket List is about two terminally ill men who write a wish list of things they want to do before they die or "kick the bucket". While both are sharing the same room in a hospital Carter (Morgan Freeman) starts out the list and billionaire Edward (Jack Nicholson) adds his own wishes.

They go on a road trip around the world and together they skydive, climb the Great Pyramid in Egypt, ride motorcycles on the Great Wall of China and dine in France. In the end, Carter and Edward fulfill their wildest dreams and make peace in areas they never thought they could thanks to their list.

During their whirlwind vacation Carter shares two thought-provoking questions that sum up his goal for a fulfilled life...

1) Have you found joy in your life?
2) Has your life brought joy to others?

Think about these questions for yourself and, if you choose, take steps to make these goals a constant in your daily life. Use the power of list making to help you take daily steps towards these goals. Lists help make any overwhelming goal feel attainable by breaking it down into manageable pieces to accomplish each day.

Whatever list you are making or following remember to enjoy the process. Be conscious that your lists are helping you accomplish tasks that lead to your dreams and goals. What list will you enjoy today?

SEE NEW MOVIES MOTIVATE LIST A to Z!
Look up your favourite movies: Click here

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Superhero at Your Service!
Professional Speaker & Movie Blogger
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2010