Annie Meehan

Dynamic Speaker and Coach

Blog

Can you tell the difference from Real to Fake?

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Real or Fake?
Can you tell the difference between those who are real and those who are fake? Does it really matter if you can? While in Napa this past summer, I hung out with a few plastic surgeons who told me they believe everyone is fake. Even now, after giving it more thought, I still don’t believe it. They said 80% of people (both men and women) have Botox. On top of that, they told me 50% of women have had liposuction, and many more people have fake parts all over their bodies from head to toe.

Did you know these aesthetics can range from hair to teeth, eyes to chins and cheeks, all the way down to fingernails, chests, backsides, and more? These plastic surgeons get rich making women, and men, feel beautiful. At the end of this conversation I was stunned, I had no idea.

In my life, I’m always striving to encourage people to not be so hard on themselves, to stop comparing themselves to others, and to come to peace with the fact that our bodies change throughout our entire lives. The human body is miraculous, we’re not supposed to stay the exact same.

A few years ago, when I found out that most women wear Spanx, I was surprised. I recognize it’s each person’s choice to dress their bodies as they wish, but isn’t there a little relief and freedom in knowing your well-earned wrinkles came from laughing too much and smiling too hard compared to someone else’s Botox-stiff face?

Over the years I’ve had four babies, I’ve spent way too much time in the sun, and I will never again look as young as I did at 20 which feels exciting to me because I see a life that’s being lived. Are there days when I wish I was taller or want a cuter little nose without a scar? Absolutely, but I honor that these things are a part of me, and I plan to stay just the way I am in hopes that people like me beyond my looks and care more about my heart and wisdom.

This week, when you hear that little voice in your head telling you to change something about your appearance, I challenge you to answer it back with a positive reason why it’s perfect just the way it is.
What does living your exceptional life look like to you?
HAVE YOU DONE THINGS TO ALTER THE WAY YOU LOOK? WHY?
WHAT PART OF YOURSELF HAVE YOU ALWAYS WISHED YOU COULD CHANGE? WHY?
WHAT ABOUT YOUR LOOKS DID YOU NOT LIKE BEFORE BUT HAVE ACCEPTED AND EMBRACED NOW? WHAT CHANGED YOUR MIND?

Burning Bridges

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Burning Bridges
I’ve been thinking a lot lately, “How many bridges can one person burn until there are no bridges left?” To me, good relationships are one of the many keys to living an exceptional life. Over time, that will also include relationships that end due to a change in season, someone moving away, changes in personal values as we grow, children coming into adulthood, a sports season ending, a change in jobs, or a relationship that has simply run its course.

Throughout the course of many good relationships that I’ve experienced, I’ve also had someone in my life that has always needed help, whether it be financially, emotionally, or mentally. When it came to this person there was always a story behind the problem, and it was always someone else’s fault. No matter the season, they had struggles in every area of their life from work and relationships to finances to health.

As I continued to watch this person’s story unfurl, I was left with the question I previously posed, “How many bridges can one person burn until there are no bridges left?” As I pondered this, and took a step back from this person, I had to accept that it’s not that I didn’t care anymore; rather, a person only has so much to give until there’s nothing left.

Sometimes, for those who have experienced others stepping away, it may feel as if they’ve been abandoned or are unloved. It’s very unfortunate that they can’t see their part in creating the struggle and how they could empower themselves to make a positive change. In some ways this reminds me of the boy who cried wolf where, eventually, people stopped listening or lending a helping hand.

While it may seem uncaring and unkind to the person, it’s out of self-preservation and not allowing others’ stories and struggles to take you on an emotional roller coaster every day. Good relationships are guided by boundaries and self-care. Holding onto unhealthy, toxic relationships with someone who is unwilling to care for and stand up for themselves will never serve them, nor will it serve you.

This week, I encourage you to reflect on your current relationships. Do you notice any of these warning signs in a relationship that are affecting your wellbeing and positive health? If so, I inspire you to make one forward step toward caring for yourself first.
What does living your exceptional life look like to you?
WHO IS IT TIME TO BURN A BRIDGE WITH TO START A NEW CHAPTER IN YOUR LIFE?
ding a bridge with in 2020? What do you feel are the first steps?
HOW HAVE YOU HANDLED A BURNED BRIDGE IN THE PAST? HOW HAS THAT CHANGED HOW YOU CARE FOR RELATIONSHIPS NOW?

20/20 Clear vision, What will you notice in the second half?

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Maybe Clear vision means seeing what you have missed in the past? Maybe it is like Saul having the scales removed to see the people right in front of you or A new prespective of what you thought of how things would be in 2020…What Will You Do? What have you learned the surprised you since this year began? One is one thing that is working well or one silver lining through the challenges?
A new year comes wrapped as the gift of a clean slate; it provides a do-over, a fresh start.

My favorite thing to do on New Year’s Eve is to look back and reflect on the year behind me, then look ahead. I savor the moments that brought me joy, as well as my accomplishments. After that, I look ahead to the new year, (keeping those joyous moments and accomplishments in mind), and plan for what I envision should come next.

In 2019 I set out to accomplish many things, including booking 100 speaking engagements, (currently at 96!), connecting with 10,000 people on LinkedIn, (currently at 15,758!), embracing our new empty nesting lifestyle with my husband Greg, (so far, so good!), and becoming the woman I’ve always meant to be, (personally and professionally).

Overall, I’m impressed and blessed by all that I accomplished in 2019. Though I may not have met every goal at 100%, I love my life, my family, and the work I’m compelled to do. On top of all that love and excitement, I also wrote my fifth book this year and I’m enjoying every second of spreading the Pineapple Principle around the world. With all that said, there’s only one thing left to do in 2019…start planning for 2020! This new year I have some big goals, and I’m hoping you’ll join me in making them happen.

In keeping with the previous year’s preparations, step one is to choose a focus word (in 2019 that word was “full/fulfilled” – not “busy”!). In 2020, my focus word will be “intentional” (by choice, focused). With that in mind, I’ll be ready to start reaching my 2020 goals of booking 90 speaking engagements, getting back on track with my exercise since my bike accident, hosting three retreats, immersing myself in a new Bible study, and continuing to create and love the life I choose to build up and live each day.

As you begin the new year, I encourage you to join me in choosing a focus word that’s close to your heart. Then, I empower you to keep this word on your mind as you move through the year, (and your goals!), while making decisions that will continue leading you to living your exceptional life!
What does living your exceptional life look like to you?
WHAT WILL YOUR FOCUS WORD BE IN 2020? WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE GOALS IN 2020? HOW CAN I HELP YOU ACHIEVE THEM?
WHAT’S YOUR NEW YEAR’S EVE TRADITION? DO YOU DO ANYTHING SPECAIL TO MARK THE HALF WAY POINT ON JULY 1ST?

Are you ready to Be a Pineapple and Change the world in 3 simple steps?

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Monday Motivation, What do I do? Why do I do it? Why all our stories matter. Do you really See, Value, Honor and Spread Kindness to everyone we meet? Will you be a Pineapple with me? I will share Why and How to be a Pineapple! I will show you How to Be the Exception using the Pineapple Principles #BetheException #PineapplePrinciple #MotivationalSpeaker

Would you like to learn the 3 simples steps to Better Leadership, Motivating your team, Retaining your customers, Being a more Positive Influencer? Join me as I share the Pineapple Principles

How to get unstuck

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How to get unstuck

Sometimes it feels like you are stuck in Ground Hogs Day Movie…

Is today a new day? What is different than yesterday? How can I find JOY today?

I know too many that feel stuck in a hamster wheel where one day roles into the next. Sometimes the days are filled with sadness, grief, loss or struggle to just get through. Other days are filled with Hope, Sunshine and Possibility. I believe there are new creative opportunities to connect, care and collaborate that we might have missed in the busyness of earlier days.

Today I just want to remind, encourage and hopefully INSPIRE you to make time each day to take care of you. It can be something small but also something very needed in these days of so much unknown and out of our control days

How can you keep taking care of your Health? Here are a few thoughts

Physical Health: Shower daily even if you are not leaving the house, Drink Plenty of water at least half your weight in ounces, take stretching breaks at least every 2 hours if only for a few seconds, Turn up the music & Move UR body 5+ minutes

Spiritual Health: Early Quiet mornings, Pray, Devotional, Gratitude, Breath, Trust God’s plans to be better than your plans or your understanding, Serenity Prayer

Emotional Health: Journal, Rest, Allow yourself to feel whatever you feel, no judgement, Cry, Grief, laugh, celebrate and connect with others. Declutter your rooms, drawers it feels so good to give stuff away and organize

Mental Health: Make lists of what you can control, Read a bit each day, learn something new if you are up for it, teach something, Write a kind note to someone or even yourself, Learn without pressure

Relationship Health: Take breaks from those you live with and reconnect with those you are missing. Make intentional time of when you will share space and when you will take separate walks. Be patient with yourself & others

Financial Health: This is a nice time to create a new budget and talk about what extra expenses you can live without. Buy food in bulk to create/freeze meals in the weeks to come when you don’t feel like cooking. Ask yourself is this a need or a want. Take a Dave Rasmey course online.

There are many things we can not control in our career and the world right now You can take control of taking care of yourself it is even more important now more than ever.

The one thing I am finding solace in is that we truly are all in this together on the same playing field. People have been so divided about so many things it literally hurts my heart to see the Hate in our world. I feel like as tragic as this virus is it is bringing people together that might think they have many differences but at the end of the day we are all the same, just people doing our best and wanting what is best for everyone.

I hope this week you find time and space to offer extra kindness through a smile, a kind word or a written note. Keep being the best version of you as you take care of yourself and those around you You got this, lets go…Just one step forward everyday to get unstuck and get healthy in all areas of your life!

Are you Building or Burning Bridges?

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building bridges

In a time when most if not all of us are feeling a little more needy then usual lets spend more time Building Bridges then Burning them. Take a moment today to ask yourself, what can I do to serve others? Past clients, past relationships, Friends, strangers or neighbors. Everyone could use a little extra encouragement, kindness or support. So instead of thinking what is in it for me, today think and plan to serve others. As we are often encouraged to live with a Grateful Heart of what you got out of today, May I encourage you in addition to ask What did I not get but Give today? Who could you build a bridge with and give just a little bit more of you to?

Burning Bridges

I’ve been thinking a lot lately, “How many bridges can one person burn until there are no bridges left?” To me, good relationships are one of the many keys to living an exceptional life. Over time, that will also include relationships that end due to a change in season, someone moving away, changes in personal values as we grow, children coming into adulthood, a sports season ending, a change in jobs, or a relationship that has simply run its course.

Throughout the course of many good relationships that I’ve experienced, I’ve also had someone in my life that has always needed help, whether it be financially, emotionally, or mentally. When it came to this person there was always a story behind the problem, and it was always someone else’s fault. No matter the season, they had struggles in every area of their life from work and relationships to finances to health.

As I continued to watch this person’s story unfurl, I was left with the question I previously posed, “How many bridges can one person burn until there are no bridges left?” As I pondered this, and took a step back from this person, I had to accept that it’s not that I didn’t care anymore; rather, a person only has so much to give until there’s nothing left.

Sometimes, for those who have experienced others stepping away, it may feel as if they’ve been abandoned or are unloved. It’s very unfortunate that they can’t see their part in creating the struggle and how they could empower themselves to make a positive change. In some ways this reminds me of the boy who cried wolf where, eventually, people stopped listening or lending a helping hand.

While it may seem uncaring and unkind to the person, it’s out of self-preservation and not allowing others’ stories and struggles to take you on an emotional roller coaster every day. Good relationships are guided by boundaries and self-care. Holding onto unhealthy, toxic relationships with someone who is unwilling to care for and stand up for themselves will never serve them, nor will it serve you.

This week, I encourage you to reflect on your current relationships. Do you notice any of these warning signs in a relationship that are affecting your well-being and positive health? If so, I inspire you to make one forward step toward caring for yourself first.

What does living your exceptional life look like to you?

Who is it time to burn a bridge with to start a new chapter in your life?

Who should you work on mending a bridge with in 2020? What do you feel are the first steps?

How have you handled a burned bridge in the past? How has that changed how you care for relationships now?