In everything...

We should find ways to help each other, not compete with each other.

- Kelly Shipp, 1/31/2009

Little expenses...

Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship.

- Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
American statesman and author

For the community...

The next time you're standing next to a
police officer, firefighter, or paramedic,
tell them that you appreciate what they
do for the community.

Ability...

God will never give you the desire without giving you the ability.

- Joel Osteen

Defeat isn't bitter...

Defeat isn't bitter, if you don't swallow it.

Cell phones exceeded residential phone service

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Cellular phone expenditures surpassed spending on residential landline phone services beginning in 2007.

What the ... duck?

Funny news clip:

Great interviews w/Tim Ferris and Marci Alboher

 
Great interviews with Tim Ferris and Marci Alboher - at Google - about their books, working virtually, being more productive/successful, and how they used Google Adwords to test their book titles.
http://futureperfectpublishing.com/2009/01/23/the-sticky-goodness-of-testing-book-titles-with-google-adwords/

The Worst Food in America of 2009...

Who'da thunk it? According to a recent article from Men's Health:

Baskin Robbins Large Chocolate Oreo Shake
2,600 calories
135 g fat (59 g saturated fat, 2.5 g trans fats)
263 g sugars
1,700 mg sodium

It has more than a day's worth of calories and three days worth of saturated fat, and, worst of all, usually takes less than 10 minutes to sip through a straw. But, don't get me wrong - I love this shake! :)

Eat This Instead! (and ask for two spoons)
2-Scoop Hot fudge Sundae
Chocolate and Vanilla
530 calories
29 g fat (19 g saturated fat)
52 g sugars

Read the article here.

Take off the stress...

How do you sell your stuff to someone who is also concerned about losing their job? If you're Hyundai, you offer a year-long return policy where customers can return their vehicles should they lose their job or suffer some other "life-altering circumstance" such as a transfer. Take a look at your return policies, payment plans and guarantees. Do they relieve the stress of spending money on your stuff?

Learn more: Hyundai Assurance

The Lesson: Use your return policies and payment plans to reduce the stress of your customers.

- Source: GasPedal.net

Do a good job...

Do a good job because you want to, not because you have to. This puts you in charge instead of your boss.

Speech...

Speech is conveniently located between
thought and action, where it often substitutes for both.

- John Andrew Holmes (1812-1899)
U.S. lawyer, brother of Oliver Wendell Holmes

on Leadership...

The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and the self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.

- Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919)
26th President of the United States

Change...

Change is good.

Humor: Gladys on Ellen

I ran across this video and wanted to share. Maybe this will give you a good laugh for the day:

[You may have to click the play button in the lower-left]

Make the most of the time...

When the time has passed, you're not going to remember that bad day at work. You're going to remember the good times with your family. Make the most of the time you'll remember.

- Kelly Shipp, 1/17/2009

GetHuman database...

Tired of prerecorded messages and want to speak to a real human the next time you have a customer service issue? Check out www.gethuman.com – a database of hundreds of major companies with their direct lines and instructions on how to quickly get to a live representative.

Referrals...

When seeking a referral, start by making sure your customers are happy, then follow it with a polite request.

- How to ask for a referral, Gaspedal.com

Happiness...

Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get.

- a Point-to-Ponder from 6/20/1990. I liked it so much I wanted to post it again.

Second job...

Your best second job could be the one you already have.

- Peter Keating

Get the job done...

Whenever possible, eliminate every
rule, regulation, and policy and replace
them with four words: "Get the job done."

Uncluttering System...

Here's how to get rid of the things you no longer need but can't bear to throw out:

1. Put them in a box with a label indicating a date two or three years from now - but don't list the contents on the label.
2. Store the box in the attic or the basement, or wherever is convenient.
3. Once a year, examine the labels. When you come across a box whose date has passed, throw it out without opening it. Since you don't know what's inside, you'll never miss it.

Of course, you can stop things from accumulating by getting in the habit of throwing them out now, rather than later. Every time you start to store something in the back of your closet or attic, ask yourself, "Do I really want to save this?" Discipline yourself now.

- Simplify Your Life, Elaine St. James.

Give credit...

Always give other people the credit for anything good that happens. Credit is like love - the more you give away, the more you have left for yourself.

Just do it -

The next time you find yourself procrastinating, STOP. Just do it! It's 2009. It's time you got some things done.

Help Daniela's family...

This is a great success story on how technology (and caring people) have helped raise money for this family. Please read the story. This is a great testament that the world is a good place and people do really care. This is also a great example of what you can do to help others in need, and how technology can help. Yes, there are organizations worldwide that help the poor and underprivileged, but this is something that you can do to help those in your neighborhood, city, or state.

That new idea...

If you try a new idea and it fails,
keep tinkering with it and try again.
You may be only an inch away from
real success.

Reduce eye strain...

Using a computer for long periods is one of the most common causes of eyestrain. This type of eyestrain is called computer vision syndrome.
Here are some tips for reducing computer eye strain:

• Compared with when you are reading printed material, when you are using a computer, your eyes blink about five times less often. Blinking is good! Blinking produces tears that can help moisten and lubricate your eyes.


• Keep the top of your screen at eye level or below so that you look down slightly at your work.


• If you work in a very bright office environment, you could reduce overhead lighting to make your surroundings the same brightness (or slightly dimmer) than the background on your screen. Computer monitor is a source of light itself, so it doesn’t require additional illumination. Use a floor or desk lamp to throw a spotlight on papers. Too much contrast between the screen and the surrounding environment can cause eyestrain.


• Take eye breaks. Throughout the day, give your eyes a break by forcing them to focus on something other than on your computer screen. Try to give yourself a five-minute rest every hour.

Additional resources:

• Apple article on eyes and vision


• Microsoft article on eye strain


• Mayo Clinic article on eye strain

Become the architect of your future

Act as if failure is impossible, and your success will be assured. Wipe out every thought of not achieving your objectives, whether they are material or spiritual. Be brave, and set no limits on the workings of your imagination. Never be a prisoner of your past. Become the architect of your future. You will never be the same.

Your spirit

Nourish your spirit. Do the things you fear.

Spiritual

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.

Make the best of 2009 - Experience it. Live it!