HEALTH - 10 Secrets of People Who Never Get Sick

10 Secrets of People Who Never Get Sick

Follow these simple rules and give illness the run-around.

by Gene Stone

It’s tempting to dismiss it as luck: Some people might catch a slight cold or suffer an occasional ache or pain now and then, but they never seem to suffer from flus, fevers and illnesses that send the rest of us diving under the covers for days. 

Despite centuries of scientific advances, doctors still can’t tell us definitively how to stay well. So why not look for healthy living solutions from the people for whom the common cold is, well, uncommon? 

Here, 10 surprising habits of those people who never get sick—and how you can adapt them to your own soon-to be healthier life.

1. THEY STRESS LESS. Researchers at Duke University found that stress damages the immune system and the heart. Other studies suggest that it increases your chances of contracting bacterial infections, such as tuberculosis. There’s also evidence that learning relaxation techniques early on is crucial: A 2009 Stress in America Survey by Harris Interactive on behalf of the American Psychological Association found that stress is a top health concern for kids between ninth and 12th grades, and suggested that stress could do serious long-term damage if those children don’t learn to manage it. Of course, exercise is one of the best ways to chill out. A University of Southern California study found that when participants took a vigorous walk around a track, they reduced tension in their bodies by 20 percent. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is also crucial, as is laughing: It releases endorphins in the body that act as natural stress busters. Plus, a good guffaw gives your heart muscle a workout. 

2. THEY SPRINKLE BREWER’S YEAST ON THEIR FOOD. Just one tablespoon packs in most of the B vitamins you need each day, including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B6, folic acid and biotin. Without enough of these vitamins, the body isn’t able to metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins; the Bs are also essential for healthy hair, skin, nerves, blood cells, hormone-producing glands and a thriving immune system. B vitamins help manufacture antibodies and white blood cells that make up the immune response. And in times of stress, the Bs can be depleted, which compromises your immunity. Sprinkle a tablespoon of brewer’s yeast over popcorn or cereal, mix it into soups or sauces (the taste goes especially well with split pea soup or any dish made with tomato sauce) or bake into quick breads and cookies. 

3. THEY EAT LESS. As far back as the 1930s, studies found that animals that were fed less lived twice as long. More recent research in humans has linked calorie restriction to lower incidences of age-related health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Participants in one study who ate 25 percent less than their usual amounts had lower overall cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, triglyceride levels and blood pressure. Keep in mind that calorie restriction is an easy diet to do unsafely, however. Start by limiting simple sugars and flours, and pack your meals with dark leafy greens and other vegetables. You can find more tips on calorie restriction at crsociety.org.

4. THEY EMBRACE BACTERIA. OK, so no expert will tell you to toss a few dirt clods into the blender the next time you whip up some pesto, but research suggests that the move toward complete sterility in the modern age wasn’t necessarily more healthful. It appears that the path to increasing health is probably somewhere between the squalor of our ancestors’ environment and the hyper-cleanliness of the developed world. Bacteria and our bodies have a symbiotic relationship in which their presence helps our systems stay healthy and balanced. “Good” germs can improve your metabolism, enhance your immunity and reduce inflammation. Scientists at the University of California, San Diego, found that the more bacteria you have on the surface of your skin, the better you combat inflammation. So go outside, have plenty of contact with Mother Nature and get dirty! And rather than scrub your foods raw, give them a quick rinse. 

5. THEY OPT FOR HERBAL REMEDIES. Although plant-based health aids have been long derided by the Western medical community, about onequarter of all prescription drugs are derived from plants. Herbal remedies (plants purported to have medicinal properties) are an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine, and what we know about plants’ abilities to heal is impressive: They can alleviate high blood pressure, stimulate the nervous system, destroy germs and boost the immune system. But you needn’t fill your medicine cabinet with supplements; something as simple as green tea can help improve your immunity and your health. Commercial green tea beverages have come under fire recently for unsubstantiated health claims, yet studies have shown that antioxidants in green tea called polyphenols have the potential to boost metabolism and burn fat, protect against liver disease, control blood sugar levels and lower LDL cholesterol. Skip pre-packaged bottled versions and sip unflavored loose-leaf green tea instead. 

6. THEY MAKE FRIENDS A PRIORITY. Studies show that people with strong friendships tend to have more robust immune systems and are less likely to succumb to infectious diseases. In 2008, Harvard University researchers found that positive social attachments might protect against memory loss and other cognitive disorders. A 1993 Swedish study of male blue-collar workers (who are at increased risk of heart disease, statistically) concluded that men with strong social support lowered their risk of cardiovascular disease; and a 2009 study in Buffalo, N.Y., found that those with few friends were most likely to suffer from heart disease, depression and anxiety. If you feel the need to boost your crony count, try this little experiment for one week: Strike up at least two conversations every day with someone you haven’t talked to before. And aim to listen more than you speak; the more airtime you give someone, the more generous he or she will be with personal details. Also, keep the bellyaching to a minimum. Your tone can determine how often others will want to spend time and talk with you. 

7. THEY STAY Ph BALANCED. According to some practitioners of alternative medicine, the body is healthiest when its systems are functioning midway between completely acidic and completely alkaline (i.e., pH balanced). When pH levels fall below that midpoint, the body suffers from a condition called acidosis, which even in minor cases can cause fatigue, rapid breathing, stomach problems and confusion. Many experts say that the typical American diet, chock-full of meat and sugar, has created an epidemic of acidosis in the Western world. Most vegetables are alkalizing, however, so eating them regularly can reduce your risk of being too acidic. Include lots of dark leafy greens, green beans, asparagus and carrots in your diet; other alkalizing foods to reach for include cucumbers, coconuts and avocados. 

8. THEY EAT GARLIC. Studies have shown that garlic can act as a powerful antioxidant and antibiotic, as well as cut the duration and the number of colds you catch. In addition, garlic has proved efficient in reducing blood pressure and triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Some experts say that garlic’s medicinal value lessens when it’s in a supplement form and recommend that you eat it fresh if you want to get garlic’s health benefits. 

9. THEY DETOX REGULARLY. Many chemicals used commonly today—such as phthalates, dioxins and PCBs—were absent from our environment a century ago. That might be why the rates of diseases (including cancer and liver disease) linked to toxic exposures are increasing, say experts. Although no long-term studies on the benefits of detoxification have been done, chances are good that your health will improve if you lower the level of synthetic chemicals present in your body. Digestive issues, fatigue, breakouts or muscle pain are often signs that you could benefit from a detox program, most of which require you to limit meats and avoid wheat, sugar, dairy, caffeine and alcohol. (See naturalhealthmag .com/detox for an easy, safe plan.) You can also purge toxins by sitting in a sauna or taking Bikram yoga classes, which are practiced in a hot room. Cleansing homeopathic or mineral baths might help, too. Talk to your doctor before embarking on a detox program of any length. If you’re pregnant or nursing, have an eating disorder or suffer from any kind of chronic health condition, it’s especially important to detox only under the supervision of a health care provider. 

10. THEY TAKE MORE NAPS. Sleep deprivation has the same biological effect as stress: Overtired bodies ratchet up production of the hormone cortisol, which gives you energy but restricts production of human growth hormone, limiting your body’s ability to repair itself. Just like stress, sleep loss has a degenerative effect on your health, and lack of sleep is also tied to compromised immune function. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, found that the number and effectiveness of immune cells decrease without enough sleep. A counterintuitive napping tip: Consider drinking a cup of coffee or other caffeinated beverage right before your nap. Because it will take about 20 minutes for the caffeine to travel through your digestive system, you can fit in a short snooze before it takes effect. Japanese researchers found that subjects who did this were more alert when they awoke than those who didn’t, and that their post-slumber work productivity was higher. 

Adapted from The Secrets of People Who Never Get Sick (Workman Publishing, 2010) by Gene Stone.

Source: http://www.naturalhealthmag.com/health/10-secrets-people-who-never-get-sick

MIND & THINKING - How to think positively

7 days 7 ways: Take these daily steps to a more
optimistic outlook. 

One goal for positive thinking for each day of the week.

Turn your negative thinking around and live a happier, more optimistic life. Start with one goal for positive thinking each day.

Monday

Start with the simple things and smile. Even this basic act will make you feel happier.

Researchers at Barnard College in the US studied people who had undergone Botox and found the lack of facial expressions infl uenced their ability to feel emotions. Starting the day with a smile makes you happier.

Tuesday

Identify your strengths.

Psychologist Dr Tim Sharp, from The Happiness Institute, says, "We all need to work on and/or manage our weaknesses and limitations, but there's no doubt those who spend more time building on what they're already good at tend to be happier, healthier and more successful."

Wednesday

Choose to be happy.

Philosopher Bertrand Russell said: "Happiness must be, for most men and women, an achievement rather than a gift of the gods."

Eat a lunch that makes you smile, put on music that brings back happy memories or call a friend who always makes you feel good.

Thursday

Find a solution.

There's one for every problem if you look hard enough. Rather than risking disturbing your sleep by thinking late at night, Dr Sharp recommends finding the time of day when you're most creative and thinking most clearly to find solutions.

"We're all different so find what time works for you."

Friday

Be grateful. We tend to forget all the simple things we have to be grateful for, so take some time to write them down. Start with the basics (health, family, shelter) and then move on to more specific items. Starting a gratitude journal can also help hone your focus on all the good things in your life.

Saturday

Turn negative talk into optimism. "Real optimism includes an active search for and focus on positive things, but it's also grounded in realism," Dr Sharp says. "Aim for flexible thinking that focuses on positives as often as possible, but that also focuses on challenges when necessary, in a constructive way."

Sunday

Keep focused. Plan your week around what's going to make you feel positive. Having a short-term, mid-term and long-term goal to improve your life will see you focused on a better future. If you know what you want, and deal with any issues that come up along the way, you'll have a more positive frame of mind.

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/

PEOPLE - Gratitude is good for the body, mind and soul

Gratitude, or thankfulness, seems to be a lost art today.  

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others,” wrote Roman philosopher Cicero. “Nothing is more honourable than a grateful heart,” Roman senator Seneca was quoted as saying.

Most religions encourage gratitude. In Buddhism for example, gratitude is said to be a hallmark of humanity. 

“When a person doesn’t have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity. A person can almost be defined by his or her attitude toward gratitude”, wrote Elie Wiesel.

In fact, the spiritual practice of gratitude has been called “a state of mind” and “a way of life”. Showing gratitude, however, is more than just a spiritual practice. Gratitude is a feeling that nurtures the soul.

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom”, wrote Marcel Proust, the greatest French novelist of the 20th century.

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” — Melody Beattie, American author of self-help and recovery books

Why it’s important 

Gratitude is important for one’s well-being, said Robert Emmons, professor of psychology at the University of California, who has studied and documented the thoughts of philosophers, theologians, and writers on the age-old process of giving thanks.

If you are grateful for all positive things that you see around yourself, you will undoubtedly have a fulfiling and happy day. In fact, it is written that gratitude is the best medicine for depression, self-pity and fear.

Gratitude is actually a form of love. When we feel gratitude for another, we begin to harmonise with that person and the bond within that relationship becomes stronger.

In To Give Is to Receive, Roger Walsh, M.D. Ph.D. wrote, “Gratitude bestows many benefits. It dissolves negative feelings: anger and jealousy melt in its embrace, fear and defensiveness shrink.

“Gratitude deflates the barriers to love. While forgiveness heals the heart of old hurts, gratitude opens it to present love.”  

“Gratitude helps you grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of those around you”, wrote Eileen Caddy.

The Hausa of Nigeria believe that if you give thanks for a little, you will find a lot. Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life.

“A grateful mind is a great mind which eventually attracts to itself great things.” — Plato, famous Greek philosopher

What is gratitude?

To be grateful, in the true sense of the word, is to be modest. In Hebrew, the word for gratitude, hoda’ah, is the same as the word for confession. To be grateful, or to offer thanks, is to confess dependence, to acknowledge that others have the power to benefit you, to admit that your life is better because of their efforts.

“Gratitude is a virtue that helps us remember the obligations and responsibilities we owe others in return for the gifts we have received,” says William J. Bennett, former US Secretary of Education.

“Gratitude is the memory of the heart”, goes a saying.

Benedictine monk David Steindl-Rast shares, “Gratitude is more than a feeling, a virtue, or an experience; gratitude emerges as an attitude we can freely choose in order to create a better life for ourselves and for others.”

“Gratitude is something of which none of us can give too much. For on the smiles, the thanks we give, our little gestures of appreciation, our neighbours build their philosophy of life.” — A.J. Cronin, Scottish novelist

Live, not just show, gratitude 

Expressing our gratitude to someone directly is a wonderful way to give back. People love to hear that what they did was appreciated.

But as you express your gratitude, don’t forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

Well-known professor of art history and respected theologian Johannes A. Gaertner said, “To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch heaven.”

Many people today complain that they are not tall, slim, handsome or pretty enough, their job stinks, the weather is foul, their family demands are a chore ... they wish they were richer, fairer, handsomer, luckier ... 

Often instead of rejoicing in what we have, we yearn for something more, better, or different. We can’t be grateful because we are making comparisons with others. As a result, we become unhappy.

99% of the time we have an opportunity to be grateful for something. We just don’t notice it. We go through our days in a daze.

Cultivating gratitude begins with cultivating thankfulness for your lot in life — ie living it in your daily life. Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude.  Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness.  While gratitude is shown in acts, thankfulness consists of words. 

“Gratitude expresses itself in a sincere thank you ... not for the gifts of this day only, but for the day itself; not for what we believe will be ours in the future, but for the bounty of the past,” says novelist Faith Baldwin.

“There is calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy” — Ralph H. Blum, American author

See the rainbow in adversities 

While it is easy to be thankful for the good things, a life of rich fulfilment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Life’s difficulties are something we can actually be thankful for because gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. “Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings”, goes a saying.

We should thus be thankful even if we have problems. If you are going through a tough time, you can be grateful for the lessons you are learning, the strength you are gaining and the compassion you find for others going through a rough spell.

Difficult times and difficult people can be our best teachers. When we are open, they teach us to find peace and harmony within, they build our strength and compassion.

When things get really tough, if we want to keep our mental health intact, they can even force us to live in the present moment.

“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” — Charles Dickens, famous author of classical English literature

Count your blessings

Being grateful means taking nothing for granted. Our life, health, friends, society, our job, the food we eat, and our very body with its fingers, muscles, senses and internal organs are gifts which we often take for granted.

In How To Want What You Have, Timothy Miller wrote, “Gratitude is the intention to count your blessings every day, every minute, while avoiding, whenever possible, the belief that you need or deserve different circumstances.”

Stoic philosopher of the 1st century Epictetus said, “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”

“They are not poor that have little, but they that desire much. The richest man, whatever his lot, is the one who’s content with his lot”, goes a Dutch proverb.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can’t buy — like your life, or your family.

The wise man who penned, “I once cried when I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet” knew the wisdom of this.

“To know you have enough is to be rich”, taught Lao Tzu, Chinese philosopher and founder of Taoism, in Tao Te Ching.

Shakespeare agrees.  “Poor and content is rich and rich enough.”

 

“Thank God — every morning when you get up — that you have something to do which must be done, whether you like it or not. Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you a hundred virtues which the idle never know.” — Charles Kingsley, Church of England parson

Source: http://consumer.org.my/

SELF MANAGEMENT - 10 Interesting things to do When you are Feeling Bored

Article by Saranya Nayak, May 23, 2013

‘An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.’ Ever heard of that saying? If you haven’t, you should know that idleness can be one of your worst enemies. A lot of people prefer to work as much as possible since they claim that doing nothing saps their energies faster than keeping busy. They are branded as workaholics. But do we stop to think about what they really mean? Test it, and you’ll see that its true. Boredom kills your drive to work, to push ahead, and to make best utilization of the time available to you. So never ever allow yourself to feel bored. Always try and find things worth doing. Here is a list of top 10 interesting things you can do when you are feeling bored. This is just to help you make a start. There are countless other activities which can help you find enjoyment and enrichment when the air feels dull.

10. Listen to Music

This is by far the most popular activity to kill boredom. And its popular because it always works. ALWAYS. Good music can pep you up like nothing else. The moment one song gets over, you feel like listening to another one, and then another, and then another…There are some songs which cause you to relive you certain events, some which make you think of certain people, and some which just remind you of other songs you just have to listen to ‘right now’! There’s nothing like music to make you forget everything else in the world, or recall everything at once, depending on how each song or tune makes you feel.  Music can release the most carefully pent up sorrows, unleash trance-like ecstasies, induce deep reflection and vanquish all anxiety as long as the rhythm beats along with your heart. So what’s boredom? It doesn’t stand a chance!

9. Google Interesting Facts

You don’t have to be a nerd to do this. No, it won’t increase your boredom, as many of you might have already decided after reading the subheading. It can get you hooked, if you search for something you really want to know. Come on, there are always things you want to know, like…some might want to know how to make a full fledged video montage, some would want to know which movie is releasing when, some one else might want to google the guitar chords for a song he or she wants to play, and still another may want to watch a documentary on the Challenger Deep. So utilize this free time to gain all the knowledge you want from the Internet. Its the easiest and most convenient portal there is. Maybe at the end of those few hours, you’ll end up making a sweet little video, pick up the song, know all about the latest film releases and assimilate intriguing facts about the ever-mysterious ocean bed! What are you waiting for? Boredom?

8. Shop

They say shopping can raise anyone’s spirits in a matter of minutes. I say they are right! New clothes, gifts for friends, chocolate boxes, shoes, jewellery, shades…the thought of all things new can immediately make your eyes light up! So if you’re feeling jobless, just pick up your wallet and head to the nearest shopping centre! Try selecting stores which are offering sales and discounts, as a 50% off poster can perk you up and fill you with instant shopping energy! Okay, what if the circumstances are such that you don’t have enough cash, or a card or you’re stuck somewhere where there’s no market within ten miles? Internet! How can you ever ignore this supreme innovation of technology? Check out all the shopping sites on the net and order anything you like. You can always pay on delivery. And even window shopping can help you pass the time before you know it!

7. Dress Up

This is a classic boredom-eliminating trick! All you need is a wardrobe full of clothes (they needn’t be your own), and success is guaranteed! Imagine you’re going to a masquerade ball or a beach party or a road trip and dress up as you would for the occasion. Its perfectly fine if you don’t have any  new clothes. Mix and match all your old ones to discover new colour combinations and accessorize differently. Maybe you’ll find a fantastic new get-up you’ve never tried before, and can flaunt it at the next real party! So pull out all you’re jeans, skirts, scarves, stoles, dresses, and jackets! Oh, and don’t forget shoes, accessories, eye make-up and new hairstyles! Go all out! You will love it, and forget feeling bored, you’ll want to do it everyday!

6. Observe

Stuck at an airport? Next flight is nine hours away? Not sleeping ’cause you’re scared someone might scoot off with your bags? Dying of idleness? Situation Understood. So…what interesting thing can you do which does not require closing your eyes, getting up from your seat or spending money? Don’t fret. All you have to do is look around. Literally, look around at everything and everyone around you! No, it’s not as boring as it sounds. It really isn’t if you concentrate on your surroundings and try to derive the best out of your observations. Play a game with yourself – observe the people around you and try to figure out all you can about them without talking to them – where they are from, what language they speak and even what kind of person they are. And if you want o, later, you can start a small chat with them to check whether your guesses were right or wrong! All great detectives are keen observers. Who knows, maybe you’ll discover your own investigative capabilities through this new pastime! And even if not, you will always find a few unusual people who are fun to watch, or maybe pick up new knowledge by listening in on a conversation. Oh come on, some eavesdropping doesn’t hurt, does it?

5. Click Interesting Photographs

Photography isn’t everyone’s forte, accepted, but there are not many people who dislike taking photographs! When you are handed a camera and entrusted with the responsibility of capturing beautiful moments, your eyes attain a whole new perspective. Your focus shifts from yourself to the world surrounding you – the sky, the water, the land, the darkness and the lights. Pressing the shutter button at the perfect moment is always a challenge, so let it engage your energies whenever you have a free moment!  You can take photographs of literally anything – seashells, salads, balloons, bathroom fittings…or you can specialize – wildlife photography, still life photography, or whatever other divisions there are, and mind you there are many! And if you like taking pictures of people, that’s a wonderful idea too, ’cause  most people love posing for photographs! And if you manage to take a few good snaps of those who don’t, they’ll start loving it, and you too! Once you get reasonably good at it, you can start a Facebook page called So-and-So Photography. Then just keep uploading photos and wait for hundreds of people to like your page! Boring? No way!

4. Take a Short Drive or a Bicycle Ride

A journey can never be boring, even if it’s a few minutes long. Because for those few minutes, it keeps your mind occupied with itself and the destination, and in between a few other pertinent thoughts in your mind swirl around. So if you’re bored, take out your car and drive through a beautiful street, go around the places you love, and the places  which hold endearing memories. If its evening, you can go out cycling – absorb the naked view of the lighted city streets, the people walking along pavements, birds flying back to their nests on the trees, and the sky changing colour, from blue to orange to purple to black. If you can’t drive or ride the bicycle, you can always take a walk down your favourite lanes or alleyways in the vicinity. Take in the sights and sounds of your quaint city neighborhoods  or vibrant village marketplaces. It will calm your mind if you are anxious, excite it if you are bored, or simply, provide the atmosphere for intense reflection. And you will comeback with your soul more contented than before.

3. Go Through Old Facebook Pictures or Photo Albums

Often, you are compelled to stay at home and going outdoors is not an option (especially if you’re sick). What do you do to occupy yourself when you can’t even get out of bed? Reading will be the most common answer. But we aren’t looking for common answers. And if you have already finished a book, you can’t start reading another one immediately. You need to give time for the first one to sink in. So what do you do in the meantime? Look to the Almighty – Internet! (what did you think?) Just open your Facebook account or your albums in My Pictures and start going through your photos – from the most recent ones right back to the first pictures you uploaded. You won’t even know when you start smiling at the screen, and the smile will only grow wider and wider as you keep flipping through albums of your own and your friends. If you don’t store your photos on the computer or upload them online, I’m sure you have those big dusty family photo albums on your book rack. Just pull those out and start turning the pages. You’ll be hooked within seconds! And priceless memories will be brought back alive once again!

2. Try Writing a Poem or a Song

This, for some people, is one of the most difficult things to do, and it can keep you occupied for hours, days even.  Rhyming two little lines seems like a piece of cake, but trust me its not easy when you need to write an entire song or poem. But its always a challenge to express what you feel in an aesthetic and appreciable manner, and it will make you feel like you’ve achieved great things even when you’re just half-way through your poem! And that’s exactly how you need to feel when you’re bored, to get rid of the dullness surrounding you. Engage your mind in something unusual and it will lead you to things even more interesting! If you’re done with your poem, try giving it a tune This is the fun part – you can compose your very own song – you don’t have to be a musical maestro to do it. All the jumbled up tunes and beats which flow through your mind at any moment can help you create a wonderful melody. Just stop and listen to yourself, and you will find the music in your soul!

1. Daydream

This one is so easy it’s not even funny! You don’t have to do anything at all, and it can take you to places which you can only imagine, well, literally! And that’s why it tops our list – it is the simplest and the most powerful trick to get rid of boredom. Your imagination can transport you to magical new places to which you’ve never been before, show you things you’ve never seen before and teach you the tricks to do everything you’ve ever wanted to do, in your mind! You can be whoever you want to be, wherever you want to be, and whenever you feel like it.  However mundane your daily life may seem to you, your daydreams will feel new and enchanting everyday, even if you dream the same things every time. SO dream on, and let your fantasies grow wild, let them inspire you, motivate you and drive you. Soon you will find yourself blessed with a wonderful reality.

Source: http://listdose.com

THE 10-80-10 PRINCIPLE - The Key to Maximizing Your Time and Effort

BY JOHN C. MAXWELL
JULY 22, 2014

People ask me all the time how I get so much done. First, I tell them that a lot of it is thanks to my high energy mixed with low IQ. I just don’t know any better. But that’s not really the key to my success at achieving a variety of goals. The secret is something I’ve been practicing for many years, but haven’t really taught that much: The 10-80-10 Principle.

If you know me, you’re already aware that I’m a big fan of delegation. I delegate almost everything. But there are right ways and wrong ways to delegate. The 10-80-10 Principle is what I consider the best way to delegate.

Here it is in a nutshell. For any project, I divide the total process (100%) into the first 10%, the middle 80%, and the last 10%. Then, I involve myself in the first and last 10%. The middle 80% is carried by my team. I pour myself into the first 10% in order to get the project started on the right track. Then I hand it off to the team. I interact a little bit with them, but not much. It’s really their baby. After the team has taken the project almost to completion, I dive back in again and help with the final 10%.

I call those two parts the bookends of success. I coul also compare the process to piloting a plane. The crucial parts of the flight are the takeoff and landing. They’re the most dangerous, and the most complicated. By involving myself in the team’s project during those crucial times, I’m able to help them make a successful trip.

For today’s post, I’ll describe the five things that I make sure to provide for my team during the first 10% of any project. Then on Friday, I’ll share the five things I provide during the final 10% of the project.  Here’s what I provide when I involve myself in the first 10%:

1.  The Big Picture

I’ve often said that leaders see more than others see. This time at the front end of the project is when I share with the team what exactly I see, and what exactly I want the outcome to be. I don’t want my team to get started and get lost. It happens all time. People get started and get lost, because they don’t see the big picture. So I use this time to make sure we’re all on the same page and have the same goal.

2.  Objectives

Now it’s time to break down the goal into specific objectives. I try to focus on only four or five main objectives. These provide the “how.” How are we going to achieve the overarching goal? It’s a good idea to keep these objectives simple, and make them visual. You want your team to be able to look at them later and be aware instantly of whether they’re still on target.

3.  Direction

Here I break things down even farther – helping figure out the specific responsibilities of each person on the team. I want to give each individual direction, because they’re not all going to be doing the same thing. Each person needs to know their position, so that there won’t be conflicts later. And it’s easier to know who’s accountable.

4.  Resources and Support

Now each person knows what they need to do to achieve the goal. It’s time to find out what they need from me to make it work. What kind of resources do they need? Do they need other people to assist? Do they need workspaces? Are they in need of monetary support? Before I can expect people to give me what I’m asking for, I need to give them what they need to get the job done.

5.  Responsibility

This is where I hand off the “ball” and let them start on the next 80% of the job. I’ve given them what they need and set them up for success. I want them to be clear on the fact that the task is theirs, and I won’t be involved much until the end of the project.

At this point, after handing off the project for the team to do the next 80%, I can move on to other projects, or go back to tasks that I need to accomplish. Delegating in this way allows you to have more than one project going at once, because you’re not involved for 80% of it.

Now, a lot of people delegate in this way, but the ratio is more like 10-90. The leader is involved for the first 10%, but then the team takes everything to completion. That’s what I love about 10-80-10. It takes any project to another level of excellence, because the leader, the one who originated the big picture, steps back in and helps elevate the work of the team.

Source: http://www.johnmaxwell.com/

SECRET - The Surprising Secret of Success

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

The Surprising Secret of Success

Conventional wisdom warns not to mix business with pleasure. But these BFFs ignored that advice, and their companies—and friendships!—are stronger because of it. Here, what you can learn about blurring the lines.

PUBLISHED: APRIL 14, 2014  |  BY MEREDITH LEPORE

Female entrepreneurs, it seems, are taking over the business world. And perhaps the key to their ascent is that many of them are doing it in tandem with another ambitious chick: their closest friend.

There can be major benefits to working with someone you're bonded with, but this intimacy can also lead to heightened (read: not totally professional) emotions. The real-life cofounders and pals here have thrived as pairs. Emulate their wins—and sidestep their mistakes.

BIRCHBOX
A subscription-sampling and discovery service of beauty products, currently with 400,000 users

CLAY PATRICK MCBRIDE

THE PAIR: Hayley Barna, 30, and Katia Beauchamp, 31, who originally bonded at Harvard Business School

What's the best thing about working together?
KATIA: It can be trying to start a business, and it can be lonely. Having somebody who is as into it as you are makes you feel more self-assured.

Are you able to make decisions without your partner if needed?
HAYLEY: We feel really comfortable that we can represent each other. It definitely takes time, as you l earn more about each other and see how you both handle situations. We are sensitive to the fact that we can't slow down each other or the company.

Do you always talk about work?
KATIA: A lot, but we make a concerted effort not to. I'm married and Hayley is getting married, so we've been talking about wedding planning.

Advice for someone considering starting a biz with a friend?
KATIA: Don't start a company with just any friend. That is a recipe for disaster. If your communication is really strong and you have the ability to help each other grow in an honest way, you can work together.

What do you wish you had known before starting a company?
HAYLEY: We are actually very grateful for what we didn't know. Not knowing helps make you fearless and naive enough to break "rules" and problem-solve based on common sense, learning as you go.

REVELRY HOUSE
A party-supply company that helps people throw stellar fetes by sending everything that's needed, from invites to decorations

COURTESY OF SASCHA ISRAEL (REVELRY HOUSE)

THE PAIR: Christianne Amodio, 29, and Lauren "Lo" Bosworth, 27, who previously worked together at a sports-marketing agency in L.A.

When did you think, We can definitely have a business relationship?
CHRISTIANNE: The fact that we started out as colleagues is the most important aspect of our business relationship. Before our friendship developed, we already had a deep mutual respect for each other in the workplace. That kind of trust and respect forms the foundation of a great business partnership.

How do you deal with disagreements?
LO: It's so important to work with someone whose skills are different from yours. Christianne and I have complementary skill sets, and we trust each other's decisions. It's all about knowing the person that you're working with well enough to say "OK, I defer to you here."

How do you get some distance from work—and each other?
CHRISTIANNE: Taking personal time—reading a book, spending time with other friends—gives me the perspective I need to make my best decisions.

FOOD52
An online marketplace with chef-vetted recipes, how-to chat boards for cooks, and curated kitchen goods for sale

COURTESY OF FOOD52

THE PAIR: Amanda Hesser (a former food editor), 42, and Merrill Stubbs (a Boston private chef), 37, who met when working on a cookbook together

Can you communicate without talking?
MERRILL: We worked together for so long testing our recipes in her kitchen, so we learned all about each other's styles of working. Cooking is such a good way to reveal someone's personality. How you are in the kitchen is often how you are in life! So we had that time to figure out where one of us had a strength and the other was not as strong and how to fill in those gaps.

Your careers were well established when you came together for this company. Any power struggles?
AMANDA: We often joke about how often we agree—we even have some of the same clothes!—but of course there are moments when we have a difference of opinion. We try and work through any tensions as quickly as possible.

How honest are you with each other?
MERRILL: We made an effort to be more transparent about the way the business affects our personal lives and about the stresses each of us is having. It is tempting to hold these in, but if you can share it with a partner, it is invaluable. The more transparent we are, the better the business runs.

What traits should friends going into business share?
AMANDA: A compatible sense of humor. For everything from frustrating conversations to projects that require a lot of effort, that sense of humor has had a huge effect on getting through hard things and making good things better.

GROW MARKETING
A marketing firm that creates advertising people connect with emotionally (for clients including Google, Glenlivet, and Gap)

COURTESY OF AUBRIE PICK (GROW MARKETING)

THE PAIR: Cassie Hughes, 47, and Gabrey Means, 43, who used to be marketing rivals at Levi's and Gap, respectively

Best thing about working together?
GABREY: When you are an entrepreneur, there isn't a boundary between your personal life and your professional life. We wanted to be kick-ass businesswomen, but we are also moms. Today my kids, my dog, and my husband are in the office. I think only if you were a good friend could you have your lives so deeply intertwined.

What's the key to knowing if you and your friend will work well together?
CASSIE: Gabrey and I were competitors, and then suddenly we were in a room and it was like love at first sight. It was like, "Whoa! So interesting! So cool!" I think the key to our success is that there has never been a day when we didn't want to champion the other person. That idea that we want to build this company and our lives together. When you have that type of perseverance and commitment, you are helping each other create the lives that you both want.

How do you take breaks from each other?
CASSIE: Sometimes we know there needs to be boundaries, like, "Hey, I'm checking out this weekend; unless there is an emergency, I am not responding to e-mail."

How do you learn to run a business together?
GABREY: I had more of an interest in the numbers, and Cass was more into building the culture, so we've kind of played to our strengths. We were also both able to recognize where we didn't have expertise and then bring in people who did.

How honest are you with each other?
GABREY: I can go, "Honey, you seem tired. Get a massage." And Cass is awesome at this—she reminds me to take care of myself. We also don't make each other feel bad if the other leaves early to go get that massage.

What do you wish you had known before starting a company?
CASSIE: I wish someone had told me not to wait so long to listen to and lead from my gut versus my experience. Wisdom and age have helped me to now lead from intuition.

THESKIMM
A cleverly written daily e-mail that summarizes the news of the day for women on the go

SOPHIE ELGORT (THESKIMM)

THE PAIR: Carly Zakin, 28, and Danielle Weisberg, 27, who met in college while studying in Rome

Do you know what the other's thinking?
DANIELLE: In order to be successful, you have to be on the same page, and if you are, this trait comes pretty naturally. We actually had a scary point when we were accidentally editing each other's to-do lists--they were linked on our phones.

When things go wrong, you _____:
DANIELLE: We have a minute of frustration, and then we usually make a joke. What can you do? It's a start-up. We make a lot of mistakes and try to handle them as professionally as possible.

Biggest piece of advice you'd give to other BFFs going into biz together?
CARLY: Have a very honest conversation before you start about your finances, ownership in the company, and what you want to get out of the business.

You two also live together. How do you spend so much time in the same space?
DANIELLE: We definitely have a sense of what pushes the other's buttons and don't go there.

Source: http://www.womenshealthmag.com

IDEAS - 4 Steps to Making Any Big Idea Take Off

HOW START A BUSINESS

4 Steps to Making Any Big Idea Take Off

That genius vision of yours can become an actual business if you follow this advice from the founders of natural-beauty brand Yes To.

PUBLISHED: MARCH 20, 2014  |  BY IDO LEFFLER AND LANCE KALISH

To launch your own big idea, look for opportunities in unexpected places and realize that you don't have to go to the best business school (or any business school at all) to learn the entrepreneurial skills that will allow you to succeed. Here are four tips to get you started.

Bond with like minds.
Work with people you trust and can build a long-term partnership with. The more their progress is aligned with yours, the more committed they will be to making sure you succeed. Also—and we can't overemphasize this—being an entrepreneur can be the loneliest, most isolating job in the world, so get very good, very quickly, at finding people who can act as a support system.

Recognize momentum.
You can have the best idea in the world, but if the timing isn't right, you're up a creek. We sensed a growing interest in natural beauty. In general, natural and organic products were clearly more than a fad, but the natural-beauty market was still emerging at the time, meaning the big companies didn't even bother taking notice of it. We knew we were doing something special.

Be authentic.
Don't put on a business persona—if it's not you, it will just come across as awkward. When we were meeting with a Walgreens executive—a huge opportunity—she stood up to shake our hands. Ido realized the only way we were going to do business was if she met the real and authentic Ido. So he ignored her hand, stepped forward, and wrapped his arms around her. The hug was a hugely risky move, and we don't recommend indiscriminate hugging as an everyday practice—but it worked!

Catch your wave.
Be confident, even if you face setbacks. That meeting with Walgreens wasn't a slam dunk: The trial they offered to give our products would be online only. Still, this was our audition for the big time, and we had faith. If you want to build something fast, you have to be prepared to jump into the water and swim. We got the basics right. We created a product that people loved, that worked, and that we were passionate about. And then we gave it everything we had!

Source: http://www.womenshealthmag.com