4/30/07

Good Morning MOJO,

Sitting their watching TV with a beer in one hand and a slice of pepperoni pizza in the other, while his kids are in their room playing X-Box he says, “I want better health…I want to have better a relationship with my family…I want to be more successful…I want to make more money...and I want it now!!!!!” Well, I have news for you…unless someone comes up with some new “non-obesity pill” so you can eat whatever you want, never work out and still never gain a pound…some great method that can replace you spending quality time with your family and still have a great relationship…some way to get ahead at work without being positive, energetic, efficient and hard working…some way of getting ahead financially without saving and investing, your going to have to start making some changes. Here is the good news…all you have to do is make some small changes. However, you need to maintain these small changes for a long time…perhaps a life time.

From the outside looking in, it appears it’s some big break…a massive change that catapults people to get what they want in life. I am not going to sit here and say that is not the case for some, but for the majority of us to get more of what we want in our life, it is about the cumulative affect of all the small decisions we make everyday. It’s the slice of pizza or the salad…going for a run/walk or watching TV…spending quality time with our family or working until 8pm…being focused and discipline at work or chit chatting with whoever will take the time to talk…spending $10 to $20 for lunch or brown bagging it instead with a PP&J. Doing any one of these things just once, won’t have much, if any, impact…but if you do any of them long enough the cumulative affect will amaze you.

Here is a great example of how the cumulative affect of a small thing can make a big difference. If I gave you penny and said I would double it every day for 30 days, how much do you think you would have? A penny is not a lot…right? Heck, after 10 days of doubling it every day it still is not a lot of money...it’s only $10.24. However, at the end of 30 days, get this…that penny doubled every day becomes $10,737,418.24. So, if a penny doubled everyday is over $10 million at the end of 30 days, imagine what these types of changes could do for you over time:

• a salad instead of pizza
• a walk/run instead of watching TV
• hanging out with your family instead of hanging out in the office until 8
• brown bagging lunch and saving the $10 (over $600,000 total savings in 30 years if invested at a 10% return on investment)

It is the cumulative affect of the small things which will makes the difference between getting what you want or getting more of what you’ve already got. Now, it is going to take more than 30 days, but if you do it long enough, you will have life which is pure magic.

To learn more about how little changes can change your life, here is a link to Jeff Olson’s audio book, The Slight Edge… http://www.amazon.com/Slight-Edge-Jeff-Olson/dp/B000NU3KS6/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/103-1085872-9815049?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177905623&sr=8-2 Check it out…it could change your life!!!!

Make it a GREAT week!!!!!

"When you feel like giving up, dig deep and see what you're made of...you'll be surprised what you are capable of if you really want it!!!"

Tom Tognoli
COO, Founder
Regional President
Direct: 408.342.3001
Fax: 408.904.7762
Email: TTognoli@InteroRealEstate.com
Website: www.InteroRealEstate.com

4/23/07

Good Morning MOJO,

“He is so lucky…everything always seems to go his way”. “We call her the golden girl…everything she touches turns to gold”. “If I only had a little of their luck, my life would sure be a lot better”. “They have such a great relationship…they are soul mates…they are so lucky”. That is how it appears from the outside looking in doesn’t it? It’s luck? But more times than not, it’s what I call “created luck”. What is “created luck” you ask? It is luck which comes to those who work extremely hard when you aren’t looking. They are the ones working at it… training…preparing…fine tuning their skills behind the scenes. All of their hard work and commitment helps improve their odds of being lucky. It’s simple…if you want to be lucky you have to work hard at it when no one is looking…fine tune your skills, and prepare yourself to take advantage of those opportunities to be lucky

Remember this shot on the 16^th hole in the final round of Tiger Woods 2005 Masters victory? I would say this is a great example of “created luck”. Wonder how much Tiger practices his chipping everyday…what do you think? Come on…its just luck...right? http://youtube.com/watch?v=fnP3Mz1wh9c&mode=related&search=

Make it a GREAT week…get out there and CREATE SOME LUCK!!!!!

"When you feel like giving up, dig deep and see what you're made of...you'll be surprised what you are capable of if you really want it!!!"

Tom Tognoli
COO, Founder
Regional President
Direct: 408.342.3001
Fax: 408.904.7762
Email: TTognoli@InteroRealEstate.com
Website: www.InteroRealEstate.com

4/16/07

Good Morning MOJO,

We both woke up around 2am because we where so fired up we could not sleep. We had trained hard for months…got ourselves in peak physical condition…where ready to drop the hammer. This was how my partner and I felt before we started the Sea Otter Adventure Race last week in Monterey (kayak, mountain bike, run). There were 80 two person teams…we came out of the kayak section in 5^th and half way through the mountain bike section we where in the top 10 when it happened. We where so focused on our speed, trying harder and being in the lead pack, that we made a major mistake…we were so focused on our speed that we didn’t slow down long enough to take the time to read the maps properly (we turned a 17 mile mountain bike ride into a 30 miler). Because in Adventure Racing, it is as much about patience as it is about being in peak physical condition, power and speed. After the race was over and we finished in the bottom half (1½ hours behind the winners), I was thinking about what went wrong. Well, it didn’t take long before I figured out I didn’t take my own advice from many of my past Monday Morning MOJO’s…”TO SPEED UP, SLOW DOWN”…it is finding that fine balance between “PASSION AND PATIENCE”…“TO PERFORM BETTER, TRY LESS”. Congrats to my buddies J.T. and Andy Tse, who came out of the kayak in the middle of the pack but finished the race in 8^th place. Not that they aren’t in great physical condition right now, because they are…but because they where patient and weren’t so focused on the pack…they where focused on what was most important…know where you are and where you are going at all times!!!!!

So, here is what I think we all can take away from our Adventure Race experience last week. No matter what you are doing in life, trying too hard to peak perform can actually slow you down because you make more errors. Don’t get me wrong…speed is critical, but you can’t be reckless. Learn how to perform with a feeling of ease…in essence trying less. People who know how to find the right balance between trying and letting it happen end up winning. They trust what they have done in practice to prepare for competition. You must find the perfect balance between maximum speed and effort…it’s called effortless speed.

If you want to perform at your peak in sports…at your job…or in life, but with precision effortlessness and void of tension that comes with trying too hard, your goal should be to discover how to push yourself to the edge, but at the same time find effortless performance. However, before you can perform effortlessly, you must first uncover mental barriers that get in the way of effortless performance. Fear of failure, anxiety, and tension will lead to over control and prevent you from performing effortlessly. Perfectionist, highly motivated, and very goal-oriented people are the ones who struggle the most with fear of failure and trying too hard.

The harder you try, the better you perform, right? Wrong!!! If you have a hint of perfectionism, fear of failure, or lack of trust in your performance, you block your ability to find the zone of effortless performance.

J.T. and Andy, we will redeem ourselves at Half Moon Bay in JulyJ!!!!!!!!

Make it a GREAT week!!!!!!

"When you feel like giving up, dig deep and see what you're made of...you'll be surprised what you are capable of if you really want it!!!"

Tom Tognoli
COO, Founder
Regional President
Direct: 408.342.3001
Fax: 408.904.7762
Email: TTognoli@InteroRealEstate.com
Website: www.InteroRealEstate.com

4/9/07

Good Morning MOJO,

F.E.A.R...nothing stops us faster or more completely.

Great plans, dreams, goals...all of which could have been ours...dumped like yesterday's garbage when our F.E.A.R. kicks in and cons us into believing its lies.

"There's no way you can do that!" F.E.A.R. screams in that “I know what's best for you” voice it uses to keep us under control and locked up tight.

"I know somebody who tried that and you can't believe how much they hurt when they failed," our F.E.A.R. swears. "You just stick with what you've got! Go with the flow and do what everyone else is going to do. I know it hurts, but hey, life's no picnic...it's not supposed to be easy! It's full of suffering...no point making it worse. Just hang in there and be like everybody else...it'll be OK."

And as stupid as that strategy obviously is when you stop and think about it, that's exactly how most of us live our lives! We sit back, we do hold back on our power, we do sell ourselves short and sell out for other's approval and to look good and be liked. Meanwhile, we watch our dreams die, needless victims of our own F.E.A.R.

So how do we get past our F.E.A.R. and get what we really want?

Begin by remembering F.E.A.R. stands for "False Expectations Appearing Real"...which means simply that we make pictures in our mind of all the bad things we expect will happen if we go for what we're after and don’t just go with the flow….don’t follow the pack. Next, begin working your way through the following "F.E.A.R.-buster" exercises. Yeah, I know you're too busy, and yeah, I know you don't want to write anything down. Trust me on this...it's worth the effort:

1) You need to decide, once and for all, that it's time to have the F.E.A.R. instead of letting the F.E.A.R. have you. The next time F.E.A.R. hits, don't panic. In fact, don't do anything. Just stop, stand back, and watch the show! Marvel at the massive displays of sound and fury, the amazing level of feelings F.E.A.R. can trigger in a heart beat. And remember, as you watch the show, that it's purpose is to scare you into submission - which is what will happen if you give in to it, even a little. Just hang on - the F.E.A.R. will pass.

2) Start focusing on what can go right rather than on what can go wrong. Hey, it's your brain…take control!!! Spend your time picturing all the good things you're after and how you're going to make them happen.

3) Make a list of the things you'd do if you weren't afraid, and then start doing them (yes, it is that simple).

4) Remember, things are never as bad as you think they are. Truth is, the fear itself is a lot worse than most of the problems you're facing.

5) Keep showing up...doing what you know you need to do...even when it doesn't feel right...because there will always be F.E.A.R. The trick is to keep moving, acting, doing something that takes you toward your goal versus sitting around thinking about all your F.E.A.R.s because then they'll mushroom. Take massive daily action based on your unshakable faith that things will work out, one way or another -- that's your ticket out.

6) Defuse your fear with the following 4-steps:

· First, write down your biggest fears and describe each in detail and tell how it's helped you (yes, it has helped you) and why you've kept it around. I know it sounds weird, but our fears have protected us over the years; that's why we won't let them go. And we've got to understand how they've helped us before we can turn them loose.

· Second, describe the risk you'll be taking if you don't confront the fear now. Just because the fear's helped you in the past doesn't mean it won't destroy you in today's fast-changing world.

· Third, describe the worst that can happen if you took the action you've been fearing. Can you handle that?

· And, finally, describe the best that can happen if you do what you're contemplating. Can you handle that?

7) Change your input. Local TV news has degenerated into a graphic recap of the day's tragedies, and tuning in for a nightly dose of misery right before bedtime's a sure-fire way to get more scared and depressed. Get your news off the Net...it's better, quicker, easier. And find shows to watch and books to read that build you up instead of tearing you down. Why? Because you think about the stuff you put in your head, and what you think about becomes your life. Also make sure you are hanging around people who build you up instead of tearing you down for their own selfish reasons.

8) Don't think about anything real serious after 7 at night unless it's completely unavoidable. Why? By that time of the day you're tired, your defenses are down, and it's easy for F.E.A.R. to take over and cause you to say and do really dumb things.

There's a whole new life out there waiting for you if you'll just take control and make it happen. But to do that, you're going to have to face the biggest F.E.A.R. of all...the one Nelson Mandela described this way:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?" Actually, who are you not to be? "You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the World. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you." We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." (by Marianne Williamson)

Enough F.E.A.R already...it's time to live, really live, before it's too late.

And you know exactly what I mean.

Make it a GREAT week!!!!

"When you feel like giving up, dig deep and see what you're made of...you'll be surprised what you are capable of if you really want it!!!"

Tom Tognoli
COO, Founder
Regional President
Direct: 408.342.3001
Fax: 408.904.7762
Email: TTognoli@InteroRealEstate.com
Website: www.InteroRealEstate.com

4/2/07

Good Morning MOJO,

We get so caught up making a big deal about the little things…spend all of our time trying to figure out how to make another buck…stressing out about all of our unfinished projects...focusing on things that don’t really matter…spending all of our time planning for tomorrow, instead of appreciating what we have today…not spending QUALITY time with those we love the most. Until we have a crisis…a life or death situation. Take time to appreciate everything and everyone you have in your life…it can all change in a fraction of a second. Here is a real life story an agent at Intero-Cupertino is dealing with right now. This will hopefully help put your priorities back in the RIGHT order…

Make it a GRREAT WEEK!!!!

When you feel like giving up, dig deep and see what you're made of...you'll be surprised what you are capable of if you really want it!!!

Tom Tognoli
COO, Founder
Regional President
Direct: 408.342.3001
Fax: 408.904.7762
Email: TTognoli@InteroRealEstate.com
Website: www.InteroRealEstate.com

Tom,

Thank you for your concern and words of encouragement. It means a lot to our family that others are thinking of us and keeping our son is in their prayers. Here is a brief summary of what our family has been going through.

Perspectives:

I am truly one of the lucky ones. Our world has a way of directing our lives and setting our priorities in ways that are not always meaningful. I worked hard, pursued success in ways I was told would make me happy, and I thought I was. Until, February of 2007 when our family was blessed with the arrival of our son Jonathan Yamanaka. This joyous moment was sobered by the fact he was born 15 weeks early and weighed a mere 1lb 14 oz. His birth has forever changed my priorities in life.

When I first saw Jonathan, I was not prepared for what he would look like. He was so tiny my wedding band would fit around his ankle. He clung to life as he desperately gulped for each breath. He looked so frail. It brought about great sadness to our family as we tried to search for answers... Why would God allow this to happen to our son? Jonathan could not breathe on his own, there was fluid in his brain, wires and tubes attached all over his body, his body was bruised, and he had virtually no immune system. This young boy, only a few hours old showed my wife and I what courage is really about. When faced with more challenges than I have in a lifetime, Jonathan showed his mettle by making it through the night. Then day by day he began to take on each challenge one at a time. We prayed everyday that God would give us one more day with our brave little boy and our prayers were answered.

On March 17, only 3 ½ weeks old, Jonathan’s lungs began to fail as infections caused many problems for him. With his lungs failing, his heart could no longer keep up and he required CPR to keep his heart beating. With the help of the incredible Neonatoligists and nurses at the El Camino NICU, Jonathan was revived and made it through the night. He is still with us today and continues to show us what life is all about. He still has a very long journey and is currently battling another infection, but he is a fighter. We know Jonathan will overcome this infection and eventually come home with us Thanks and please, give your kids a hug from Jonathan and ask them to pray for him.

I know in 18 years, I will be visiting Jonathan in college and not worrying about the listing I didn’t get! Jonathan has redefined what determination really is.

Fyi there is a blog setup to keep everyone abreast of Jonathan’s progress.

www.babyyamanaka.blogspot.com

Take care,

Harvey

Harvey Yamanaka
Direct: (408) 342-8662
Mobile: (408) 202-6688
Fax: (408) 715-2542
Email: hyamanaka@interorealestate.com

Website: www.HarveyYamanaka.com