How do you improve your own life?
You find a way to deal with the challenges life throws your way… which is always easier said than done.
A favorite quote of mine, by George Bernard Shaw, explains a lot of why I feel we struggle in life:
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”
Which is why I wanted to write this book. To share howincorporating more FUN into our lives will ultimately allow us to deal with any challenging moments that come our way.
Take a moment right now and think about someone you know who is consistently upbeat, optimistic, and appears to be troubled by nothing. On the surface, they look like they enjoy life and have a lot of FUN.
Ever wished you could be more like them? Wished you could approach life the same way, letting things just roll off your back like water off a duck’s back?
You Can!
By reading Fundamism: Connecting to Life Through F.U.N.you’re one step closer to feeling more joy and fulfilment in your life.
Hello book lovers! Today is a day where I will be writing another author spotlight for a well-accomplished author whose work I have loved. As you know book lovers I love learning about authors and the inspiration behind their work, it fascinates me and adds to the depth of the book because the reader will be able to better understand it. That is how the author spotlights were created because I soon discovered that you lovely readers ALSO love learning about author’s, so I am excited to tell you a little bit more about author Paul Long whose book Fundamism captivated me from beginning to end. I personally would recommend this book to all of those that love self-help books but really the book can be read by anybody as it is flawlessly written and highly enjoyable. With today’s author spotlight for Paul Long, a biography of the author and an interview between us both will be shared, and I hope that you book lovers enjoy reading it! To kick this off here is an author bio about the wonderful Paul Long!
Paul Long is a motivational speaker and consultant that has challenged the corporate landscape for over a decade while engaging audiences around the globe. As the MLB Kansas City Royals’ 2016 Fan of the Year, Paul’s shenanigans have been featured in media outlets like ESPN, the Washington Post and even the Wall Street Journal!! Through his concept of “Fundamism,” infectious spirit and unique take on F.U.N. in the workplace, Paul has provided memorable experiences at hundreds of events while championing pediatric cancer research. Encounters with Paul are sure to bring laughter, tears, and provoke thought to any event.
Now, how wonderful does Paul Long sound?! The author is a truly exceptional writer and I hope that you lovely readers have a read of the author’s work because you will not regret it! Please see below an interview between us both, I hope that you enjoy the author’s answers to my questions, they are incredible and provide some great advice too!
Thank you for joining us today at Red Headed Book Lover! Please tell us more about yourself.
I am a motivational speaker, podcaster, author and conveyor of FUN! My whole life I’ve always been a little different. Creating fun in monotony or every day mundane tasks has always been an area in which I’ve thrived. Prior to this “chapter” of my life (get it?), I was an executive for a Fortune 300 company. Individuals would consistently come up to me in the corporate world and ask if I was always so upbeat and optimistic. They would follow that question up typically with a statement saying that they wished they could be a little more fun themselves. These experiences, amongst many others drove me to write a book that had the potential to create more fun, joy and fulfillment in the lives of others.
Could you please tell us readers about your book and what inspired you to write your book?
Fundamism: Connecting to Life Through F.U.N. is a journey created through entertaining stories, perspective and self-reflection. What it’s not is a traditional self-help book. What it is is an experience that will provide you the opportunity to laugh, think and cry while outlining specific tactical behaviors that will drive positive change in your life. If you’re looking to increase the amount of FUN, joy and fulfillment in your life while mitigating the sting of challenges you face, this is the book for you.
What would your advice be for aspiring writers?
Sit down and WRITE! It took me 7 years to finish my book. 7 years ago I put pen to paper and started writing. One week into the process it became more of a job to me than a fun experience. As a result, I stopped writing. 5 years later I found what I wrote and what I read made me prideful. I was embarrassed that I didn’t finish the project knowing that I believed in the concept so much. I’m a big believer in energy. If you look at something as a task that creates stress, then that is exactly what it will continue to be. When I finally made up my mind to finish the book and found joy in writing again, the book nearly finished itself. I walked through life experiencing every moment and found myself consistently thinking, “this would be great for the book!” Write what makes you happy, find joy in the process and make sure that whatever you’re writing aligns with your personal foundation or purpose. If you do these things, success will find you.
In your opinion, what is the most important thing about a book?
For me, a book has to have great stories. I love when authors force me to think by presenting me with experiences with which I can relate. I’m an emotional person. As such, I have to feel emotionally connected to the author or content.
What is your writing process like?
Terrible. I am disorganized, distracted easily and hate sitting still. I have to be in an environment completely devoid of distraction. No tv, no phone, no people, no anything. A computer, a comfy place to sit and my thoughts are the only things I can have in a room to make magic happen.
Do you have a set schedule for writing, or do you only write when you feel inspired?
I wouldn’t advise anyone to do what I do and feel there’s more than one way to be successful. For me, I only write when I feel inspired. If I’m not in the right mindset, I’ll move on from a task quickly. However, if the energy is good and I’m feeling inspired, content begins to pour out of me.
Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors?
I have a great deal of appreciation for the creative process. My admiration for writers, musicians, actors, comedians and anyone else who creates content that lifts others up, knows no boundaries. However, I’m not a huge reader. It’s an area of opportunity for me that I would love to improve upon. Keith Harrell’s Attitude is Everything was the book that inspired me to get into the business of speaking which was the catalyst for me writing my own. Mr. Super Fantastic was his nickname and his book changed my life!
Lastly, when can we readers expect to read more wonderful books from you?
I guess it depends on demand! The intent of my first book was to lay the foundation and create an introduction of fundamism. I wanted individuals to understand the concept and make the commitment to themselves to create more fun, joy and fulfillment in life. For Fundamism: Connecting to Life Through F.U.N. I took the approach of applying principles more from an individual standpoint in life. My next book will be more specific to applying fundamism in business. However, I’m open to ideas if any of my readers would like to share!
Its official book lovers, I am obsessed with Paul Long! If you have liked what you have read about the author and are interested in learning more about Paul Long, then please do have a browse of the links below and be sure to have a read of the preview too! You will not regret it.
Goodbye for now book lovers,
Amazon U.S. – Amazon U.K. – Goodreads
Paul J. Long: Website – Instagram – Twitter – Facebook – iTunes – Spotify – Google – Stitcher
