Dear %%First Name%%,

We hope you've been enjoying your Monday Morning Motivator. If you've received this issue for the first time - welcome aboard! It only takes a couple of minutes to start your week off right with the MMM! Be encouraged by the success or great ideas of others in your business community. The MMM has a community of 81,478 subscribers.

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Life Is a One Way Street

This week renowned author and leadership expert, John Maxwell asks us the question, "What are you doing with this gift of life"?

When you are 80 years old, sitting in your porch rocking chair and reflecting on life, questions such as Did I live a useful life? will cross your mind. There’s no doubt this question will be important to you at 80, so it really should be important to you now.

Unfortunately, a lot of people make a habit of postponing life. They think that somehow, some way, somewhere at some time, life will get better. This rather poignant saying helps illustrate my point:

First I was dying to finish high school and start college. And then I was dying to finish college and start working. And then I was dying to marry and have children. Then I was dying for my children to grow old enough so I could return to work. Then I was dying to retire. And now I am dying and suddenly realize I forgot to live.

Isabel Moore said, “Life is a one-way street. No matter how many detours you take, none of them leads back. And once you know and accept that, life becomes much simpler.”

I’ve understood for some time that the only day I have is today. Even so, having a heart attack a few years ago crystallized that concept in my mind. Life is a one-way street. This isn’t a dress rehearsal—it’s a live performance.

We need to take special care to live a useful life, starting now.

So what does it mean to live a useful life? For me, the usefulness of my life is determined by:
•    The relationships I form
•    The decisions I make
•    The experiences I encounter

The Relationships I Form

Relationships help us define who we are and what we can become. More than almost anything else, relationships determine the kind of a life you lead. In fact, most people can trace their failures or successes back to pivotal relationships.

Our relationships with others fall into one of four categories:

1. Addition—Some relationships add to who we are.
2. Subtraction—Some relationships take a little bit out of us.
3. Multiplication—Some relationships can multiply our strengths, results and contacts.
4. Division—Some relationships can divide us.

Think about the people in your life. Where do they fit into these categories? I’m sure it wouldn’t take long to put names beside each category, right? Many of the sorrows we experience spring out of relationships with the wrong people. But it is also true that some of the greatest joys we experience in life develop as the result of our relationships with the right people. With that in mind, work to increase the time and energy you invest in the relationships that improve your life.

And, perhaps above all, work on becoming a person who improves others’ lives.

The Decisions I Make

Our decisions also determine the usefulness of our lives. One of my favorite quotes on making decisions comes from the great John Wooden, who said, “Make each day your masterpiece.”

There are two ingredients necessary to make every day a masterpiece: decisions and discipline. Decision-making takes care of goal setting, but discipline also takes care of goal-getting. Decisions and discipline can’t be separated; one is worthless without the other.

Since I’m talking about living a useful life, let me share what I consider to be a few of my own life-changing decisions.

• I am committed to continual personal growth. I believe growth is happiness, it is essential. Out of my growth I live, and out of my growth, I give.

• I will give and serve on the front end. Many of the blessings I enjoy today are the result of the decision my wife, Margaret, and I made to try to live a life of giving with no strings attached.

• I will exhibit a great attitude, regardless of the situation.

Virginia Satir said, “Life is not the way it’s supposed to be. It’s the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.” It’s not the circumstances life deals us that determine our success or failure. It’s our response to it.

The Experiences I Encounter

Finally, the experiences we encounter on a daily basis impact our ability to live a useful life. Joseph Campbell put it best, “People say that what we’re all seeking is meaning for life…. I think that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive.”

Our experiences determine how fulfilling our life is, and there are four realms to every experience:

1. Entertainment—Absorbing experience through the senses
2. Educational—Participation of a person’s mind or body, sometimes both
3. Escapist—Completely involves the person, like going to a theme park
4. Esthetic—Immersion in an environment but not affecting it

Jim Gilmore was spot-on when he said, “The richest and most compelling human experiences draw from all four realms.” If you are a leader or a communicator, ask yourself: When I am communicating with or leading people, do I involve all four experiences?

Final Thoughts
If you’re not doing something with your life, it doesn’t matter how long it is. If you’re doing something with your life, it doesn’t matter how long it is. Life does not consist of years lived, but of its usefulness.
If you are giving, loving, serving, helping, encouraging and adding value to others, you have a useful life!

Have a great week unless you choose otherwise.

Drago


(by the way you can also follow us on twitter now @AdamAdGroup)




PS - We have just finished a series of videos for our new website and would love your feedback, Click Here or copy and paste the following link into your browser http://www.youtube.com/v/LHm4nno0-8E



PPS -  We have some exciting news going on at The Adam Ad Group. We have spun out a new company to handle our amazing growth in online marketing, SEO, PPC , video production and business consulting services, our new company is called The Rainmaker Group. We are in the process of building new websites for Adam Ad Group and Rainmaker Group that will better showcase who we are and what we do.

We also recently announced the arrival of Gerry Shea to The Rainmaker Group/Adam Ad Group. The team continues to grow. We are now pleased to welcome Karen Kirkwood as the latest addition.

Prior to joining The Rainmaker/Adam Ad Group Karen worked with ASL Internet, a full-service website development company specializing in design, production and maintenance of websites for the automotive industry. We are thrilled Karen has joined us! If you'd like to learn more about how The Rainmaker/ Adam Ad Group can assist you company to capitalize on the opportunities present on the web, email or call us at 604.937.8886.
 

Special Note :  Many of you know that my 12 year old son has Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes. We are extremely excited to introduce to you our new program called MyBrandit. (Perfect for client or staff Christmas gifts!)

This system offers our customers and subscribers, great selection, pricing and quality on all promotional products and merchandise. The products are hand selected as proven winners and the best part for us is that we will be able to donate a portion of all sales to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Please Click on the banner below to have a look around and let us know what you think! or copy and paste the following link into your browser http://adamadgroup.mybrandit.com/

Testimonial Of The Week -   “I've worked with many advertising company executives from the likes of MacLaren McCann to Saatchi and Saatchi. I've also worked with Drago at The Adam Ad Group in relation to several of my automotive dealership clients. I have witnessed firsthand his fresh approach, creativity, conscientious nature and most importantly his effective results. If you're not afraid to hear the truth about what you should do and you're looking for a sharp marketing company that will truly consider what you have to say then call Drago and his team. Do it now! I highly recommend them.”

(Peter Cameron-Inglis -  Founding Partner and Vice President Marketing & Operations, ASL Internet)


We also wanted to say Thank You for allowing us to meet with you every Monday Morning. The MMM has experienced incredible growth with a subscriber base of 81,478 people.

To Sign Up For The MMM simply send an email to drago@adamadgroup.com with the word subscribe in the subject line.



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Please meet some of our fabulous clients or view their commercials at our YouTube Channel: (http://www.youtube.com/10ogard)

Success Profile

This week's success profile is Ted Warkentin and his team at Marine Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Fiat of Vancouver.

Since their inception in 1993, Marine Chrysler Dodge Jeep has built a reputation through hard work, commitment and dedication to all of their customers that has led them to become the Number One Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership in the Greater Vancouver region. Their continued commitment to exceptional customer service has led to Marine Chrysler being awarded one of two pilot franchises for Mopar Express, this will change the way routine maintenance is performed.   

The good news doesn't just end there with the new arrival of Fiat of Vancouver, and already being recognized as the Number One Fiat Studio in the Greater Vancouver region. So whether you are in the market for a Dodge or for one of those ultra-cool Fiat's you now see on our streets, it's important to Ted and his team that you are treated like a guest and that they exceed your car buying expectations. If you have questions they have the answers!

To find out more about Marine Chrysler Dodge Jeep visit : 450 SE Marine Drive, Vancouver  - 604 321 - 1236 or online at www.MarineChrysler.com

To Find out more about Fiat of Vancouver visit : 1620 Main Street, Vancouver - 604 681 - 1491 or online at www.Fiat-of-Vancouver.com



Can The Adam Advertising Group help your business, or do you have a success story we should hear about?

Contact Drago Adam at drago@AdamAdGroup.com
or call 604 937 - 8886 or 866 923 - 6477

PS: Thank You for sharing your Monday Mornings with us. The MMM started four years ago with 35 subscribers, today's issue is going out to over 81,478 Weekly Subscribers.