Annie Meehan

Dynamic Speaker and Coach

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Short People…Got so many reasons to live ; )

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Being Short

I’ve heard the same thing sung repeatedly throughout my life, “short people have no reason to live.” I think I’ve even sung this song a time or two myself and wow was it a sad song.

For the most part, it’s never bothered me to be short. I mean sure, I’ve had moments at a concert where I wish I could’ve seen over the people in front of me, but overall, I’ve loved and embraced being short. Looking on the bright side, I was never taller than anyone I dated, I could simply climb up on things when needed, I could easily weave through people in a crowd, I could wear high heels and never be too tall, and people have always told me that good things come in small packages.

However, while working with a taller client of mine recently, she said something I found quite interesting and had never felt to be wholeheartedly true before, “You’re so lucky to be short!” I couldn’t believe she said that! Then, she explained being short from her perspective.

Her first questions to me were, “You know how you’re always standing up straight, pushing through to be seen, heard, and valued?” Of course, the answer was “yes” as I’ve embodied this my entire life. She then told me that growing up as someone who’s tall you are always trying to shrink down so you aren’t called big, you constantly look down on everyone, you’re always slumped over, and you’re laser focused on trying not be too loud so you don’t draw too much attention to yourself.

As a seasoned shorty, it’s the opposite for me and I’d never considered the other side of the coin. For us, it’s important to play big, act big, and speak with a strong voice which is part of what I think makes short people such great speakers. I hadn’t thought about any of this before until she opened my mind to it.

As someone who considers myself average, or even tall some days at 5’2″, I do whatever it takes to be seen and heard. To all of you on the shorter side of life, I encourage you to stand tall, shine bright, and let your voice be heard! Good things do come in small packages and each of us are exactly who we were meant to be.

What does living your exceptional life look like to you?

Do you like your height? Why or why not?

What is one advantage and one disadvantage of your height?

Do you wish you were taller or shorter, or are you just right?

Has anyone ever song you this song? Used to make me cry, now just makes me smile because I know I have so many reasons to live!

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=short+people+got+no+reason+to+live+lyrics

Motivational Monday with Annie Meehan

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Good Morning, Here is to Motivating your Monday Morning…Be Courageous! Don’t do more this week just Be More! Hope this starts your week out with Purpose, Passion, Meaning & Motivation…Enjoy! #MotivattionalSpeaker #InspirationalSpeaker #BetheException #ActivationalSpeaker #PineapplePrinciple

Special Delivery…Get your Package HERE!

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Do you love to get packages in the mail? How would you like to open your mailbox this week to find encouragement and color waiting for you inside. If you are a Corporation, Organization or Association looking for the right speaker to Inspire and Activate your team…PM me and I will send you a package worth opening and exploring. Looking forward to working with you soon! #MotivationalSpeaker #BetheException #SomeGoodNews #PackagesAreFun #ActivationalSpeaker #PineapplePrinciples

Special Delivery…Get your Package HERE! Package full of Possiblities, Could you and your team use some encouragement right about now?

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?