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Greetings and Happy Thanksgiving to You and Your Family

MedDevCoach believes Thanksgiving is a special time—an opportunity for us to give thanks; to express our deepest gratitude for our family, friends and our valued clients.

We also want to thank the Red Sox for their outstanding showmanship this season. Congratulations on being World Champs once again!  They really played well, and we saw some amazing games—especially in the World Series.  I am curious to know how many people stayed up to 3 a.m. during Game 3 (I know that I wasn’t alone).  It was too bad we lost that game; however, we came back with even more energy and showed people what the Red Sox were made of.  They had a lot of grit.

I also want to take a moment to thank God for the miraculous work that Dr. del Nido did on John Robert on August 29^th, and for his quick recovery.  He’s doing great, and he’s now participating in gym and all of his extracurricular activities (tap, jazz, drama, Boy Scouts, altar boy).

John Robert is truly doing outstandingly well.  Thank you!  I mean this sincerely from the bottom of my heart.  He has made a smooth transition to his new school, Learning Prep.  He likes his teachers, the students, and even the subjects. 

One of his classes is Performing Arts; I think that’s his favorite subject. He still participates in a local drama club and was just in the play Cinderella this past weekend.  It featured him and another boy playing the two wicked step-sisters.  They were hysterically funny, and they milked the applause.

And now is my time to say thank you to all of you who continue to keep my son in your thoughts and prayers. Take a few minutes to think about what you are most thankful for this Thanksgiving.

Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families.

With gratitude and best wishes,
Lisa Sasso, Executive Coach & Motivational Speaker

“People will not give you their hand until they can see your heart.”
— John Maxwell

The above quote really resonated with me.  I believe in showing people my heart, and this message to you comes from my heart: thanks for all the continued support.  My son, John Robert, is not only back to school after his open-heart surgery, but he is also back to several of his activities—dancing, drama and Boy Scouts.  It’ s great to have him doing so well.  He is full of energy, and just gained back the 6 pounds that he lost at the hospital. We are so blessed.  It will take a few more weeks until he is swimming or playing basketball; he just needs to heal.  Thanks for all your prayers and well wishes.  They have certainly worked, and they have meant so much to me and my family.

And now, how are you doing?  It’s already the beginning of the 4^thQuarter; as you spring to the end-of-year finish line, what are you going to do to make it memorable?  Have you set up goals that you want to complete by the end of December?  Have you written them down, and are you looking at them on a daily—or at least weekly— basis? With 75 more days to go before the year ends, there’s still plenty of time to achieve most goals.

Speaking of goals, I am moderating an event for MDG on Tuesday, October 16^th at 5:30 pm entitled “Transitioning into and within the Medical Device Industry.”  I will have a stellar panel consisting of Keith Faucher from Getinge, Steven Colbert from CardioFocus, and Andrea Cahill from Boston Scientific, as well as several guests discussing Networking.  This is the 12th Annual Event that I’ve had the privilege of putting together for MDG.  It is being held at Regis College in Weston, MA.  If you’re in the medical device industry, or if you want to get into the field or learn more about the Industry, I encourage you to come and join us.  It will be time and money well spent.   It’s only $25 if you register in advance.  To learn more or to register, please click here.

Also, I wanted to acknowledge my book Motivation Now!  which has just celebrated its first-year anniversary. This year certainly went by quickly.  My goal last year was to finish the book and to have 50 reviews on Amazon and I am proud to say that I was able to make both goals.  This year my goal was to conduct 20 paid speeches and to go from being an Academy member with National Speakers Association to a Professional Member.  I completed this goal and I met a lot of great people along the way that are now part of my members.  It is not too late to leave a review, I greatly appreciate every review on Amazon.  Wow what can happen in a year!

I know many of you already have a copy of Motivation Now! (thank you!).  But if you haven’t and would like one, please check out Amazon to order your copy.  You can also view the first chapter for free (click here) and learn about goal setting— which fits into your working on your quarterly goals.  If you buy my book online it’s $12.99 plus shipping, or you can buy it directly from me for only $10.00 (no tax and no shipping charge). Just a reminder: I donate 50% of the proceeds to Children’s Hospital.   Send me an email if you are interested in purchasing directly from me.

Thanks for all of your love, help and support.  It all goes back to the quote on the top of this page.  I hope that you see my heart.  I also hope to see you at the Transitioning meeting next Tuesday, October the 16^th.  It really does take a village to put on an event like this.

Have a great weekend!
With gratitude and best wishes,
Lisa Sasso, Executive Coach & Motivational Speaker

“Sometimes we don’t realize the blessings we have until we no longer have them. Appreciate all the blessings in your life, take none for granted.”
— Catherine Pulsifer

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.  John Robert went into Children’s Hospital two weeks ago today for open-heart surgery, and miraculously, 4 days later he came home. Now he needs to continue to rest, recover and get stronger.

He’s an All-Star, as his shirt shows.  He’s also a trooper and a “miracle kid” —which is how they referred to him at the hospital. You know, we expected him to be in the hospital for 10-14 days, and he was out in just 4 days!  He is remarkable, and keeps us all in a state of wonder.

On Friday, September 14th he will be going back to Children’s Hospital for some tests.  If all goes well, the doctors might authorize him to go back to school.  He’ll be starting 6th grade at Learning Prep in West Newton,

We all want the best for our kids.  I just want John Robert to go back to school safely.  Learning Prep is a middle school, and a new school for him.   He’s really looking forward to it, and I hope that he’ll be able to make the transition easily.  Especially since he will have missed the first 2-3 weeks of school because of his surgery.

Of course, September is the month all of our children or grandchildren go back to school, excited about a year of adventure to come.  Whether they’re off to pre-school or college, we all get to re-live a little of our own history through our kids or grandkids.  Take a few moments now to relish this, and find joy in thinking of all the good times that they’re about to enjoy.

Prayers and good wishes to all kids starting new grades for a year full of adventure!

Do you remember your favorite teacher?  I recently connected back up with two of my elementary school teachers, and it’s great being back in touch with them.  I want to do a call-out right here to Ms. Florencourt and Ms. Tierney, and thank them for attending my workshops.  You two ladies are the best!!!

SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 12th Annual Transitioning into and within the Medical Device Industry.  Click here for more information and registration details.

Wishing all of you continued hope, inspiration and motivation.

With gratitude and best wishes,
Lisa Sasso, Executive Coach & Motivational Speaker

“Wish me courage and strength and a sense of humor—I will need them all.”
— Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Yes, it’s unfortunately true: our son, John Robert, needs open heart surgery again, and it’s scheduled for later this month at Boston Children’s Hospital. It’s been 8 years since his first operation, and he wasn’t expected to need this major surgery again until he became a teenager.  However, his medical team determined that he needs it now because he has grown so fast—3 inches taller each year for the last 3 years, meaning that his heart is already the same size as—or even larger than— an average adult heart.

The good news is that Dr. Pedro del Nido will again be the lead surgeon.  We know that John Robert is in great hands with Dr. del Nido, who is the Number One pediatric cardiac surgeon in the world who performs the “Cone Procedure” that John Robert needs.

My husband and I will be staying right by his side.  He really doesn’t remember his first surgery, and so far he’s handling the prospect of this upcoming operation very well.  And for our part, we’re trying to keep the worrying and the chattering about the surgery to a minimum—except when our boy wants to talk about it—and then we’re all ears.  I feel that it’s healthy to talk about it, and for me, it’s actually cathartic.

During John Robert’s early years, I used to write a daily blog whenever he was in the hospital, and a lot of my followers subscribed to his “Sparkysfriend” Carepage [Carepages is no longer active, we have created a new page on the CaringBridge site. Those interested in receiving updates should let us know and we will send you an invite to the page].  The first 7 years of my blogs were all grouped by month, and were eventually formed into my book, Motivation Now! There were many blogs about John Robert overcoming challenges, and I think that I will re-read my book to get the motivation I need to get me through this.

Everyone needs motivation to get through their challenges in life.  I have the cutest, bravest 11-year- old son.  We are all saying our prayers and hoping that the surgery is uneventful.

This summer, we were all in Punta Cana for a week.  Then we went to Canobie Lake Amusement Park, and finally had a wonderful time swimming at Foxwoods. All in all, it has been a great summer.  John Robert also did a week of Boy Scout camp, 3 weeks of summer school, a week of dance camp, and will be ending the summer with 2 weeks of drama camp.

We have done our best to keep him busy and keep his surgery off his mind.  He is going to be fine.  I repeat this mantra daily, and I now actually believe it.  He was doing so well, and even his scar was almost invisible. Nothing ever stays the same in life.

Change is the only constant.

With gratitude and best wishes,
Lisa Sasso, Executive Coach & Motivational Speaker

“It isn’t how much time you spend somewhere that makes it memorable: it’s how you spend the time.”      — David Brenner

June 21^st officially marked the first day of summer, and my family sure didn’t waste any time enjoying it —we kicked off summer on June 26^th with a family vacation at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. It was great having a week without cooking, cleaning and doing laundry.  We snorkeled, swam, and went on an island tour.  We all really needed a break, since our last vacation time was exactly the same week last year.  That one was at the Orange Lake Country Club, Orlando, Florida—and that ‘s also when we planned this year’s Punta Cana trip.

Do you know the best time to plan a vacation week?  It’s when you’re on vacation!That’s exactly the time when you’re in a planning type mode, enjoying your present break—whether you’re on a trip or taking a “staycation”—deciding what activities you want to do and having fun doing them.  It really is worth it to plan vacations ahead of time, and there’s a bonus, too: doing it this way affords you plenty of time to look forward to your next getaway.

Ours was a very restful and relaxing vacation this year—just what the three of us really needed.  How about you?  When was your last real family vacation?  What did you do? What do you wish you had done that you didn’t do?   What things can you put on the agenda for next year’s vacation?

We always go on vacation in June-July; it marks the halfway point of the year, when I pick up my goals from January and check how I’m doing against them.  (Time certainly goes by quickly—doesn’t it seem as though 2018 just got started?)

I encourage you to readdress your own personal goals, as well. And if you haven’t already made up your goals?  Never mind, it’s not too late.   Take some time now to consider some goals for the rest of the year.  If you need a little help, go to the first chapter of my book, Motivation Now! on Goal Setting.  If you don’t have my book, you can get the first chapter for free on my website, www.LisaSasso.com.

For planning a vacation, you need to first come up with a place, and then a budget.   Second, you need to choose your transportation (plane, boat, car, train or bus).  Then third, you can research the location and come up with fun activities and entertainment to enjoy during your stay.  This year, we saw a musical show each night at the Hard Rock Resorts Theater.  That was great; my family enjoys that type of entertainment.  How about you?

Top 5 Ways to Make a Vacation Memorable:

5. Don’t do any work
4. Don’t talk about work
3. Don’t take any work phone calls
2. Don’t read any work-related books.

And finally,
1. Don’t do any emails.

Instead, do the Top 3 Things to Capture Memories:
3. Write in a journal daily.
2. Take lots of photos.
1. Talk with your family; reconnect with them and capture mental memories.

I didn’t even bring my computer along on our trip to the Dominican Republic, so I couldn’t be tempted to look on Outlook, Linked In or even Facebook.  It was great.  I would highly recommend it.  As I write this, I realize now that not checking in on email might sound extreme, but it is great to completely unplug for a week.  Get away from everything. One week of down time is not going to kill you.  It will help you to come back rested and relaxed.  I strongly recommend it.  It was the best thing that I did.  It allowed me to spend quality time with my family.  How nice!

Here’s to your next vacation!  Make it a priority!  If you need help planning it, just ask.

With gratitude and best wishes,
Lisa Sasso, Executive Coach & Motivational Speaker

“Well, June is busting out all over.”

We are going to college graduations, high school graduations, and our son John Robert is graduating from elementary school.  It seems like he was just in kindergarten; boy, did those 6 years go by quickly!

And June always makes me so happily nostalgic:  it’s all about brides and anniversaries.  My mom and I were both June brides. My mom and dad are celebrating their 52nd wedding anniversary on June 12^th, while John and I will celebrate our 26^th anniversary just a week later, on the 20th.

Whatever you’re celebrating this June, make sure that you acknowledge your date and your partner.  Anniversaries are very special days, but some people take things for granted.  Don’t be one of those people!

Finally, I want to honor all the wonderful fathers out there—both those in our family and amongst our friends. I especially want to wish my loving father, my caring father-in-law, and my devoted husband a Happy Father’s Day. On Sunday we are planning to go out to brunch with the whole gang.  It doesn’t matter where we go, as long as we are all together. Again, I reflect on how lucky I am to have both of my dads in my life and I am blessed to have my husband.  Lots of blessings all around.

So, June is certainly bursting with many activities, and then summer vacations will start.

Wishing all of you—all my friends and family­—happy, healthy and safe vacations.  Make great memories while enjoying some rest and relaxation.

With gratitude and best wishes,
Lisa Sasso, Executive Coach & Motivational Speaker

Beautiful blessings for Mother’s Day

Do you ever count your blessings?  Are you often grateful for what you have in life?

The greatest thing we can have is our health.  If we don’t have that, we don’t really have anything.  It is priceless.  When you are operating at a sub-optimal level, everyone and everything suffers.

For example, recently my husband caught the flu right before our vacation was to start, so we were unable to carry out our plan to drive to a timeshare in South Carolina and soak up the sun.  We were disappointed.  But he eventually got better, and we did a “staycation”— doing things in and around Boston.  The illness was a temporary thing, and we knew that we would have many other vacations in the future.

But as I know all too well, not everyone is so fortunate:  some people have life-changing illnesses.  My godmother, Aunt Marilyn, suffered from severe MS (multiple sclerosis). From the age of 31, she had it for 45 horrible years. She used to allow bees to sting her arms and legs — just so that she could get some feeling in her nerves.  Every day she went through this ordeal.  Through it all, she remained a strong mother, wife and grandmother, and never complained. I miss her; she died a year-and-a-half ago.  She had great faith, and that is what got her through things.

If you know me, you know that I share this approach to life.  Who taught me to be this way? It came from my upbringing.  I’ve had several great teachers, including my mother, mother-in-law, and godmother.  They all have this type of attitude and belief.  I have lived my life to emulate this type of caring.

Here’s a thought about blessings I’d like to leave with you:  If you want to be able to truly count your blessings, go to the VA hospital and see people who are in bed 24/7.  What do they have to be thankful for?  Life!  They are often the kindest and nicest people. They appreciate life.  This will make you feel better because there is always someone worse off than you.

Happy Mother’s Day to Mom Tosi, Mom Sasso, and all other mothers who celebrate the day. Remember to do something special for your mom this weekend (if you are lucky enough to have your mom with you). If you are a mom, do something special for yourself.  Count your blessings every day.  I am so thankful every day for my family and for having all four of the parents alive and reasonably healthy.  Sometimes it’s the little things in life that matter the most.

With gratitude and best wishes,
Lisa Sasso, Executive Coach & Motivational Speaker

“Courage is the most important of the virtues, because without courage you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.  You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.” — Maya Angelou

Happy April!  The weather is starting to cooperate, and it’s feeling a lot more like spring.  After the 3 snowstorms in March, we were wondering when we would be experiencing good weather.

Every month is a good month but April is a little more special to me because it’s my son John Robert’s birthday month. I am dedicating this monthly blog to him.  John Robert loves drama, and has already been in 3 musicals in the first 3 months of the year: He started off with a “Misfit Cabaret” performance from the Lion King, then he was the doctor, the salsa dancer and the chef in Matilda, and finally, he was Rooster (Mrs. Hanagan’s brother) in Annie Jr., where his performance included acting, singing, and dancing (Easy Street).

Yes, he does singing, swimming, dancing, drama, basketball and Boy Scouts, and is an altar boy on Sundays as well.  He also just earned his “Arrow of Light” and has officially transitioned into Boy Scouts.

Do you remember how being in elementary school wasn’t always easy?  Well, he has had his own challenges.  However, just last week, playing kickball at lunchtime he was on base 2 times, and he even got a home run.  These little things make life a whole lot better.  He always seems to amaze me.  He tries to not let the little things get to him.  He will be 11 years old this month and he is excited about his birthday. He’s planning his “friends party,” and of course I will have a family party for him as well.  We usually have his family party at Easter, but Easter came so early this year.

Our son has courage.  From the time he was a baby and well into his childhood, he was having to endure IVs in his arms and hands.  He never complained—just went with the flow.  He was a trooper. We love him, and he is loved by many.  It is amazing how the warm smile from a kid like him can change your mood from negative to positive.  He has a can-do attitude and I, for one, love being around him.

Other noteworthy events that have happened recently and which I’d like to share with you:

• I was on TV!  It was the Steven Katsos show, an Arlington Cable TV feature, Episode 249. He interviewed me about my new book, Motivation Now! The show airs locally, nationally and even internationally.   If you’d like to watch it, here’s a link:
• We had a great Easter weekend.  My cousin, Jim Tosi, was married to his betrothed, Karyn, on Saturday, March 30^th. It was a beautiful wedding; we sat with my parents, my brother and my sister-in-law.  It was nice to get together for a happy occasion;  there have been way too many deaths in the past several years.  We also had a great Easter Sunday and the Tosi’s and Sasso’s were again all together to share a delicious Easter meal.

John Robert continues to show courage with his annual appointments at Children’s Hospital and his fearlessness on the stage.  I showed courage being on my first TV interview, and my cousin Jim showed courage by writing and saying his own vows.  Three great examples of Courage Now!

With gratitude and best wishes,
Lisa Sasso, Executive Coach & Motivational Speaker