24th September 2008
It’s Game Time! Four Powerful Lessons in the Game of Life
I turned 29 last week, and if statistics are right and I
die on or around my 78th birthday, I am almost 40%
done. In a numbers game, that is pretty close to
half way. This had me thinking about when I played
basketball in high school and college. I thought most
about the half time events in the locker room.
Whether we were winning or losing at half time, the
whole team gathered in the locker room and the
coach would give us a talk. There were two major
topics we discussed. One was to reflect on what
went right and wrong in the first half, and the other
was to decide what our strategy was in the second
half so we could win.
Thinking of that and my life, I decided to reflect on
how I wanted to feel going into the locker room at
halftime.
Stay Disciplined. At halftime, I definitely
want my
coach to say I was disciplined. Now that I finally
figured out the direction I want my life to take, I
have been pretty disciplined about accomplishing my
goals. I deserve to continue on that path and honor
my desires with persistence and patience. Often
coaches ask their players to be and stay disciplined
in carrying out the game plan they have developed.
So far, my game plan has worked well. Now I need to
keep on it and finish well.
Take more risks. Life rewards those who take
risks.
This is all about trusting yourself. If you cannot take
a risk on yourself, you are going nowhere. Use your
instincts and intuition, make decisions and see what
happens. When I played basketball with my brother,
he LOVED diving on the floor for a loose ball. There
were days he succeeded and days he didn’t. Sure
he got
bruises and floor burns, but that was the risk he
took. We won a few big games because of that risk,
and that was worth it in itself.
Enjoy the game. I remember my high-school
coach
saying: “go out there and have fun.” Those words
ring true today as well. We deserve to have fun in
our game of life. Aside from the winning and
discipline, what good is it if it isn’t fun? My wife
always reminds me it is the journey that is more
important than the destination. So I am going to
make sure that I am having fun along the way.
Cherish your team. I look around at all the
people who
will help me succeed in my game of life, MY team.
My Mom, Dad, Brother, Wife, friends and family. If
we neglect our team, there is no way we will feel
victorious at the end. I have asked myself: How can
I spend more time with them? Show my love for
them? Help them in their game? Get to know your
team. All athletes know that great team dynamics
lead to victories. Even a well played game that is
lost, sill has great feelings and stories.
Those are the things I think about as I approach my
half time of life. It may be the last 5 minutes for all I
know. I have decided to make whatever time is left,
the best.
CHALLENGE This week I challenge you to
look at your game. What is your game plan that you have
developed? What risks are you taking? What is one thing you do on a daily basis to have fun? Who is someone on
your team you can contact RIGHT NOW to let them
know you appreciate them? Who is your coach?
Jeffrey St.Laurent graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a BS in Exercise Science. He holds current certifications from the American Council on Exercise (ACE) as a Personal Trainer and Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant and from the American Red Cross for Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Additionally, he is certified through BodyTrainingSystems as a Group Fitness instructor and National Trainer & Presenter. Jeff travels throughout North America giving workshops and providing continuing education to health clubs, personal trainers and group exercise professionals on exercise science, motivation and improving teaching / coaching skills.
Jeff is certified by one of the most highly acclaimed coach training institutions in the United States, The Institute for Professional Empowerment Coaching, iPEC Coaching. His passion for helping people from his health and fitness background has turned into a fierce desire to EMPOWER people to do it themselves through coaching.
23rd September 2008
Empower Others to be Great
Everyone on a team is important. Everyone has an important role to play – from the star who scores the most points to the last player on the bench who provides moral support and encouragement to his teammates. This is the essence of a team: working together toward a common goal and performing your job to the best of your ability so that your teammates can do their jobs well, too.
Coaches play an important role in empowering those under them to be great. This creates a team concept and a positive, winning attitude. How teammates interact with one another is critical to a team’s success. It’s up to the coach to manage that interaction by fostering an environment in which everyone feels important.
When I was coaching the World Team Tennis Boston Lobsters during the 2005 season, there were times when players were either not getting to play in matches at all or were only playing in one set. Of course, every player wants to play every match. If a player was not upset about sitting on the bench, I would have to wonder. When a player is not playing as much as they would like, however, their behavior and reaction become critical not only to themselves, but to the team environment.
During the Lobsters’ season, I received a lot of feedback regarding the players’ demeanor on the bench. This was valuable information that allowed me to see how the fans perceived the players’ behavior. I used this feedback during individual and team meetings. For the players who did not get to play very often, I told them how important they were to the team and that it does matter what they say to their teammates and how they conduct themselves on the bench. I also stressed that I wanted them to look good, whether they were playing a lot or not and that how they conduct themselves on the bench is a reflection on them. I was trying to empower them to be great regardless of their playing time. The result was that every player had an active role in helping the team to victory. We were a true team, which as you know, is sometimes difficult to manage and sustain.
Another key element of empowering others to be great is for players to have trust in the coach’s decision making. Implicit in that trust is that the decisions made are for the benefit of the team, not the individual. Coaches can ensure this trust by believing in and telling their team that they are not just the coach, but that they, too, are a member of the team. This attitude and leadership certainly promotes more camaraderie and fun while achieving the primary goal – winning!
As coach of the Lobsters, it was my job to win. This was important for the owner, the city of Boston, and the team. I had to make the critical order of play (deciding which sets to play first, second, third, fourth and fifth) and lineup decisions for every match. Believe me, my decisions were not always popular, but it was my responsibility to create a winning environment regardless of whether my decisions were popular or not.
There were times during the season when I asked for player feedback, particularly regarding the order of play. I welcomed their input; however, I made the decisions regarding the lineup. For example, if I saw that one of my players was playing better than his partner in doubles, there was a good chance that I would substitute the person who was playing better that night into the mixed doubles. These substitutions were not always understood, but I was looking out for the best interests of the team, enabling each player to contribute to the team in a necessary and meaningful way. As you all know, everything turned out great, as the Lobsters made it to the playoffs as a first-year franchise. We won a playoff spot by edging the Philadelphia Freedoms by ten games. Everyone on the team contributed to winning those crucial games. Would Martina Navratilova have played in the last five matches of our season if she did not love the team and its incredible chemistry and spirit? She showed how much she enjoyed playing for the Lobsters. She played in our last match for free. How many professionals would have done that!
At the professional level, it’s the coach’s job to win, and decisions that are made must always be in the best interest of the team. In our case, we were able to have it all – a trip to the playoffs, a winning team spirit, and players who were empowered to be great.
19th September 2008
What Stunning Things Might Help to Minimise Loss of Hair in Males
The worst part of baldness for chaps is that there is no sure fire miracle. Baldness has been an annoying issue for guys all around the universe but there are excellent things that can prevent further loss of hair.
There is a topical treatment for baldness called Minoxidil that might be taken in capsule or topical lotion form and might well help males regrow their hair and reduce further hair loss. The baldness lotion comes in a variety of strengths with four percent being the most popular. The loss of hair treatment is used under the supervision of a hair loss doctor and should be made aware that the baldness treatment is not a brilliant miracle cure. However, the brilliant success of this treatment is approximately fifty percent. The hair loss treatment course is a minimum of four months before incredible results might often show and all males are recommended to continue the hair loss treatment for at least seven months.
For lads that do not observe any success with Minoxidil they can often try hair transplants. Transplant surgery is a permanent solution and involves moving the hair follicles on the head to prevent bald areas. Hair transplants can be high priced and involves a medical procedure so may not be for everyone. For the best hair growth and Hair loss treatments visit AHS and get back your confidence.
Walk Away From The Problem
Life is full of problems, from little ones to big ones. Sometimes the problems can seem overwhelming and create stress and frustration. Trying to solve a problem is not always easy, as it may seem like the answer will never be found. In times when the problem is just too much to deal with, I have found that it is best not to. Walking away from the problem can be the best answer to finding a solution and saving your sanity.
As I was dealing with a computer problem I found myself getting more and more frustrated. After two hours of trying to figure it out and several calls to technical support, no answers were forthcoming. At one point I felt like throwing my laptop computer across the room. Thank goodness I still had enough sanity left to know that wasn’t going to help matters. So I walked away from the problem. Instead of trying to tough it out I went and cleaned my kitchen. I figured a little physical activity would at least help release steam.
And you know what? While I was up to my elbows in Lysol I figured it out. I remembered that something similar had happened several months ago and how I fixed it then. After finishing up in the kitchen I went back to the office and viola! The answer that had come to me was the right one. Walking away helped me clear my mind so I could think.
I have read about this theory of removing yourself from the problem and how it can help solve it. I think it is because, when you are in the middle of the problem, it is difficult to see the big picture let alone relax enough to allow your brain to think. I know when I was working on my computer problem I was so frustrated that my brain just shut down. All I could see was the problem. I couldn’t focus on anything else. The next time you find yourself in a situation where the answer isn’t coming and the frustration is rising, walk away. Go on a break, go to lunch, call a friend, it doesn’t really matter what you do. Just remove yourself from the situation. Giving yourself this type of mental break will help you to relax and be able to see the problem more clearly. Even if you don’t come up with an answer during your break, when you come back you will be refreshed and ready to dig in with a new attitude and new energy.
Coach Rachelle Disbennett-Lee, PhD, is a Certified Master Coach specializing in working with business owners and professionals in being more profitable and productive while staying sane and balanced. Coach Lee is the publisher of the award winning e-zine, 365 Days of Coaching. Her first book, 365 Days of Coaching – Because Life Happens Every Day (Universal Publisher, 2004) was named a finalist for Best Book 2004 by Publish.com and has a five star rating on Amazon.com.
Purpose
Many people go through much of their lives without really thinking about their purpose. I don’t mean a lofty, philosophic, and often unrealistic purpose that has us striving to save the world or solve the challenge of poverty throughout the world (although these are both admirable for those whose true purpose is to do so). What I am talking about is the individual and unique purpose that drives and grounds us. The one thing that gives meaning to our lives and motivates us to achieve our potential.
Purpose is best expressed in two parts. The first part is fixed. This is the intrinsic nature or core of who we are. It describes the “what” of our purpose and does not change over time or across situations. The second part is variable. It is “how” we express our purpose and can change over time or across situations. The “how” represents the actions that we take in the fulfillment of our purpose. When our actions are synchronized with our purpose, we will not only perform our best but we will also feel our best. For example, in my previous management roles, I always found myself feeling the most satisfied and energized both during and after helping one of my team members solve a particularly challenging situation. As I was to discover, this reflected the fact that this situation or activity was in sync with my purpose which was to “help others to help themselves” (the “what”) by coaching people to explore their options and discover their capabilities (the “how”). In my current coaching practice, the work I do with my clients is one of the most satisfying times in my day as it allows me to fully express my purpose.
One way of viewing our lives and our state of being is as a system. When part of that system is out of sync with the rest, we cease to function efficiently and effectively. When our actions are out of sync with our purpose, we do not function at our best. This is what happens when we spend our time focused on material and external rewards. We fail to truly attend to our purpose and risk working against our true nature. This leads to both dissatisfaction and unhappiness as we go through life trying to swim against our natural flow. If we focus our efforts on fulfilling our purpose, the material and external rewards will follow or, more often than not, will lose their importance. Even without these rewards, our lives will be much more fulfilling and this will lead to greater satisfaction.
Purpose is particularly important in the fulfillment of our potential as it represents the ultimate commitment in our life. When we use our capabilities in activities that serve our purpose, we achieve a state in which our skills and our commitment are highly synchronized. In this state we are achieving what Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi refers to as flow in his books “Flow” and “Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life” (I highly recommend these books). When we are in flow, we are at the highest level of engagement in what we do and are the most contented. For many of us, this state is achieved without awareness. All we know is that we are thoroughly and completely enjoying what we do.
In identifying our purpose, there are a number of things that we can do. First, we can attend to situations in which we have achieved a state of flow. What are we doing when we are most contented? What activities provide us with the most enjoyment and satisfaction? When do we feel the most challenged and that we have the capabilities to meet these challenges head on? The activities in which we are engaged in during these situations represent the expression of our purpose. In examining these expressions of purpose we can discover the very essence of who we are. Second, we can look at where we have achieved the most success. Through examination of our successes we can discover both what we do well and what brings us satisfaction. Third, we can look at what we dream of doing and why. Our dreams provide us with great insight into where we can achieve potential and thus satisfy our purpose. Finally, we can follow our hearts. When we over-use our great ability to think and analyze in discovering our purpose, we too often begin to judge and, as result, limit our possibilities.
Do not worry if you are uncertain about your purpose. Most of us do not discover our purpose without a lot of effort while some of us know right away. Look at discovering your purpose as an exciting journey. One that will allow you to better understand who you are and of what you are capable.
Copyright © 2005 by Peter Cartmill, All rights reserved.
Peter Cartmill is a Personal and Career Coach and the founder of GreatAspirations.ca. To learn more about how Coaching can benefit you, visit http://www.greataspirations.ca
13th September 2008
An Unexpected Freezer Outage Can Be Very Costly
Has the power gone out at your house? Did your refrigerator break last night? Do you have qualms about food that was in the freezer?
Not to worry – there are some simple guidelines to food safety in such a situation.
Through the food away when it is thawed or warmed to room temperature. If it has been kept at room temperature for more than two hours, throw it away.
If the food has thawed out, but is still cold, it is safest to cook it right away. As long as you have cooked your meal it’s fine to eat and stick it in the fridge to eat later.
You may notice ice crystals on your food and if so, it’s okay to freeze it again. You can put it in a cooler with some dry ice if no freezer is available. These items will need to be cooked, because your freezer will not offer the same longevity that a normal freezer would offer.
You can immediately get rid of items that have signs of freezer burn.
It’s not possible to prevent the occurrence of unexpected power interruptions due to weather or accidents, but it is possible to react properly in such cases.
Getting a new Fridge or freezer is a great idea to save energy and replace that old worn out one, giving your kitchen a new look. A new American Style fridge freezer is a great option if you have the amount of space needed. You will find that it can make a big difference with just about any kitchen. A variety of American refrigerators and freezers from many suppliers are listed on this site.
12th September 2008
Unique Gifts for Mom
Ah, what to buy for beloved mom for Christmas. Here’s a list of unique gifts for mom that are sure to make her smile.
Unique Gifts for Mom
Okay, she is probably tired of getting bubble bath and so on. This year, you need to get her a unique gift. And here we go…
1. Terry Velour Spa Wrap – In the bathroom theme, but so much more, the Terry Velour Spa Wrap is a great unique gift. The wrap is super soft, warm and is put on when getting out of the shower or bath. It has a velcro strap to ensure a snug fit and is a definite keeper with moms. You can expect to pay $40 for this unique gift.
2. Shiitake Mushroom Log – If mom likes to cook, she is going to love this very unique gift. The Shiitake Mushroom Log is exactly what it says, a wooden log on which she can grow gourmet Shiitake mushrooms for years. The log comes with instructions and starts producing mushrooms within 10 to 20 days. After the first crop, the log will continue to produce mushrooms every 8 weeks or so for years. A very unique gift that shows you put some effort into finding her a gift. The Shiitake Mushroom Log will set you back roughly $40
3. Picture Time – If you really want to make an impression, gather up your siblings and get a professional portrait done of all of you together. Next, get a custom made calligraphy card thanking Mom for putting up with all of your antics and always being there. A unique gift that is guaranteed to bring tears of happiness to her eyes. Prices will range depending on your location, so make sure to shop different photography studios. Also, make sure you see examples of their work so you can determine if you like the style.
4. Salsa Dancing Lessons – On occasion, moms need a little spice in their life. Nothing is spicier than salsa dancing lessons. Practically every metropolitan area has salsa dancing studios where mom and dad can learn the Latin dance style. Price range from location to location, but expect to spend $50 to $200 for two to four lessons. A very unique gift for mom.
5. Nomad Writing Journals – If mom likes to travel, the outdoors or just document family activities, these writing journals will be a hit. The journals come pre-organized for a variety of subjects such as travel, camping, hiking and bird watching. Each journal contains blank spaces for notes as well as cue areas to remind her to write down information such as places stayed, people met and their contact information and so on. The journals cost as low as $9 without waterproof case and $25 with case.
If you’re looking for unique gifts for mom, the above list should do the trick.
Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com – makers of writing journals for travel and outdoor activities. Writing journals make great Christmas gifts for her.
10th September 2008
How to Buy Christmas Presents Without Breaking the Bank
I have kids that are 16, 13,10 and 6 years old. We all know that when kids get to this age that they want gifts that are expensive. All their friends have new mp3 players, high tech video games, cell phones, etc. As working parents we know how much these things cost.
I work at a factory, so spending hundreds of dollars on the newest gadget isn’t in my
Budget. But since we love our kids and want to give them things they actually want and like, it makes it tough on us. So every year we spend too much money and then the bills come in, and our eyes bug out. Then we have to try and get overtime to pay them off. If you are lucky, you will pay off those bills before next Christmas.
I have found items that kids do like that aren’t that expensive. Since it is winter, most kids like to get warm pajamas and slippers. Believe it or not, even my 16-year-old daughter loves to get pajamas with cool characters on them. The younger kids love to get
slippers with Spongebob, Barbie, or whoever is popular at the time.
You can get most of these items for around $20. Not only that, but since my girlfriend likes to keep the heat at around 64 degrees, I wouldn’t mind a set of flannel pajamas myself.
Not to mention the fact that my 2 older children don’t really care for toys anyway, so it would really be a waste of money to buy these things.
The other thing I have noticed is my 16 year old and many of her friends are into the retro look. You know, the clothes that we wore at their age, that we had hoped were lost forever. But it does make it easier to buy clothes without emptying your wallet. I think every city now has these resale stores, you know the ones, they sell used clothes, and when I go in them my allergies start bothering me. You can get some great deals in these stores.
Another great place to buy gifts is Ebay. I know some people are leery about buying online, but I have never had any problems. You can get some good deals on Ebay, but you have to be careful. If you have a product in mind you can check prices at different websites, like shopping.com or bizrate.com. Then you can make sure you are getting a good deal. The other thing with Ebay is to make sure to check the feedback of the person you are buying from. This tells you what other people thought of this seller. The last thing to check is the shipping charge. Some people sell things low, but charge a huge amount for shipping.
No matter what you choose, using the internet for research or purchase is a great time
saver, and maybe even a money saver. So good luck with your Christmas shopping this year and DON’T break the bank.
Mark McAuley is a 40 year old divorced father,factory worker and struggling website owner.
Please visit my websites at:
http://purplemoose.us
and http://www.mcauleygifts.com
9th September 2008
Unearth the past with a past Life Regression Therapist, Its Unbelievable
Past life regression can discover the reason why we have arguments with people in our present life or why we are apprehensive of certain situations. You have girlfriends around you in your current lifetime that you would have astonishingly met with before, now just imagine being proficient to locate what happened and what your relationship was to them at that past time and lift blocks that plague you in your current time and even locate talents and bring them into your present time. Past life regression is astonishing.
When you are having a past life regression, aka PLR, session you will go back to the life you most need to know about in your present time. This is super and will probably point out a considerable deal about your present lifetime and help you should to move forward with your life with a greater understanding of yourself, your life and the family around you.
You could also uncover why you are the individual that you are, now that is unbelievable. If you like nature maybe you were once working on a farm, if you love to travel maybe you were a traveller. Instead of dampening down our strengths we embrace them.
Every experience is wonderful and unique. Other participants have visited places they had lived in before and ?knew? where to go. Unearth the issues in your present life with Past Life with AnneJirsch.com.
7th September 2008
Go for a new house with bkr loan, 494233 euro in a week
Settlement costs can include everything from broker commissions and loan-origination fees, which cover the lender’s costs in processing the loan, to appraisal and credit-report fees, among others. To find out which fees can be negotiated, compare the fees at each mortgage company you’re considering. So how do you find a lender or broker you can trust’ Some will quote you precise, competitive rates 6 percent. And of course, each loan and each borrower are different. Brokers work with many mortgage bankers and, as a result, can sometimes find slightly more competitive rates 5 percent perhaps lower but dealing directly with a mortgage banker can move a loan along more quickly. Both banks and brokers have their strengths and weaknesses.
Translated in Dutch it means: Woon je in Waalwijk of Opmeer en heeft u BKR notering’ Lenen met een BKR registratie is nergens zo eenvoudig. Koop een andere caravan met geld lenen minikrediet, 343307 euro is gewoon mogelijk om te lenen. Van Rijswijk tot Doesburg, geld lenen met zonder BKR is altijd mogelijk.
See which lenders are charging fees 4 percent and for how much. Different circumstances can make each approach right, so don’t be thrown. Many of these fees are fixed but some can be negotiated.
Although most mortgage experts say that rates 7 percent are pretty much the same wherever you go, give or take this tiny 6 percentage. But others will claim low rates to bring in customers or tell you that the rates 9 percent offered by competitors will change.
While a mortgage in itself is not a debt, it is evidence of a debt of 10 percent. Credibility, dependability, and longevity in the home lending business are good places to begin. Different lenders charge different fees. Arranging a mortgage is seen as the standard method by which individuals and businesses can purchase residential and commercial real estate without the need to pay the full value immediately. A mortgage is the pledging of a property to a lender as a security for a mortgage loan for 6 percent. It is a transfer of an interest in land, from the owner to the mortgage lender, on the condition that this interest will be returned to the owner of the real estate when the terms of the mortgage have been satisfied or performed.
Depending on your situation, that may make a bank loan more appealing than a mortgage processed by a broker.
In most jurisdictions mortgages are strongly associated with loans 9 percent secured on real estate rather than other property and in some cases only land may be mortgaged. In other words, the mortgage is a security for the loan that the lender makes to the borrower. See mortgage loan for residential mortgage lending, and commercial mortgage for lending against commercial property. Start with credibility. It’s not easy to know if the prices quoted by lenders are reliable.