LEADING WAYS NEWSLETTER #45

When we are told something during a presentation, we all need examples – clear, step-by-step visuals. Start a sentence with things like “I want you to imagine……”

A MEMORABLE PRESENTER remembers that when she/he wants an audience to do something then they should not talk theoretically. They are specific and provide living, breathing examples and pictures.

"It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change."
Charles Darwin

And now on to Leading Ways ........... Lasting the Distance, in the Race of Life.

Even for me this topic is a strange one, and one strangely enough triggered by deciding to get a “Well-man” medical. Yes a comprehensive medical, right down to a colonoscopy.

No, I don’t have any health issues and so my decision was simply based on prevention. Is there something about my health I need to know?

I’m a fairly resilient kind of person and you could say I tend to ‘tough’ things out. Well my friends, that changed when I booked in for the medical.

I was in a sweat for weeks…. What happens if they find something?..... what if I have cancer?.... what if…. What if…..

Of course they didn’t find anything, and threw me out of the doctor’s office. However, that experience left a lasting impression.

It got me thinking about all the work-related pressures people are currently experiencing…… pushing themselves so hard to stay employed, but knowing that redundancies are going on all around them…. those facing redundancy, and others with ‘survivors guilt, or the uncertainties of 2010…

There may be other stressing situations, and in those work overload situations just having to courage to say “No!” “My workload is already too heavy.”

For once I’m not here to offer advice…… I just don’t have the knowledge. I know what I am doing (or not doing… I still love junk food and don’t eat enough greens) and those things I am doing seem to be keeping me fit for life.

Jokes aside, it doesn’t matter what the exercise is. Running, walking, kayaking, cycling, unicycling…etc ……stress release, good heart-beats, less cholesterol, probably lower blood pressure on, and on….. start today!

Eat right – I know, I should practice what I preach. We all know the benefits of fish, eating your greens and having serial for breakfast.
“Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon.” ~Doug Larson
Taking the right vitamins and minerals, at different stages of your life.

Manage your workload and your manager – decide what is fair and reasonable. None of us mind stepping up to the plate when the chips are down. However, make sure this increased workload doesn’t become the ‘norm.’ Sometimes the pressure just creeps up, to the detriment of your health and family.

Not over-indulging in the simple pleasures – no, I am not moralizing. I know how great it feels at the time, when you have had a few too many. But I also know how I feel the next day. Do it too often…. And we all know the harm!

Be safe -- not just at work. Take care of your friends, loved ones and workmates.

Develop emotional resilience – good and bad things happen to us all. It’s called LIFE.

Emotional resilience refers to your ability to adapt to stressful situations or crises… "roll with the punches." It has been found that those who deal with minor stresses more easily can also manage major crises with greater ease.

Even though emotional resilience is partially inborn, it can be learned and developed. Suggestions include::

1. Attitude
Resilient people do not have a "victim mentality." An important step is to develop positive self-talk and to remind yourself that you are strong and can grow stronger and more wise as you handle life’s challenges.

2. Become Aware of your feelings
Part of resilience is emotional awareness; it’s important to understand what you’re feeling and why. Maintaining a journal can help you explore your inner feelings, and come up with a plan of action.

3. You are in Control
Resilient people believe that they’re in control of their lives. While we can’t control our circumstances, we can control how we respond to those circumstances. That makes a big difference in our attitudes and in the course our lives take.

4. Becoming more Optimistic
It is a way of viewing the world where you maximize your strengths and accomplishments, and minimize your weaknesses and setbacks.

5. Rally Social Support - Develop a supportive friends or group of friends who can help lighten your load. Those with little support typically find themselves more vulnerable.

6. Maintain your sense of humour
Those with a sense of humour about life tend to experience life as less stressful.

7. Exercise
Yes, here it comes again !! Exercise has been correlated with stronger levels of resilience. Regardless, adding a regular exercise habit to your lifestyle can benefit you in more ways than one.

8. For some, Getting in Touch with your Spiritual Side
Studies have shown that those who are more spiritual tend to be more resilient as well. If you are open to it, reconnecting or strengthening your connection to your spiritual side can provide you with strength.

9. Don't Give Up
Stickability ---- Don’t give up on your situation; don’t stop working toward getting through it.

If you need to break bad habits…. Remember it will probably take 45 days to replace your current habit with a new and better one …. For my full article on Lasting change email denis.orme@yahoo.com

"1. Marry the right person. This one decision will determine 90% of your happiness or misery.
2.   Work at something you enjoy and that's worthy of your time and talent.
3.   Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
4.   Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
5.   Be forgiving of yourself and others.
6.   Be generous.
7.   Have a grateful heart.
8.   Persistence, persistence, persistence.
9.   Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest salary.
10. Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.
11. Commit yourself to constant improvement.
12. Commit yourself to quality.
13. Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige, but on relationship with people you love and respect.
14. Be loyal.
15. Be honest.
16. Be a self-starter.
17. Be decisive, even if it means you'll sometimes be wrong.
18. Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.
19. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did.
20. Take good care of those you love.
21. Don't do anything that wouldn't make your Mom proud.”

Now is the time to decide to be Fit For Life

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being,and not merely the absence ofdisease or infirmity.

~World Health Organization, 1948

Looking for a speaker for your next business meeting?
For a list of typical presentations go here
or contact denis.orme@yahoo.com