Salute to a Mother's Sacrifice

It would be remiss of me to not blog about my mother as we near Mother’s Day 2009.

If you’ve ever heard me speak, you’ve likely heard me speak about my mother. I attribute every great thing I am, have done or will do, to her parenting. All the bad things…. Well they must be from the father I never met. (insert smile here)

I was raised by a single mother. She got pregnant with me very young. Her hopes of one day becoming a nurse were drawn to a close as she made plans to try to raise me the best she could. I had a great life growing up. She experienced many hard times, but I was mostly oblivious to it. I knew we didn’t have much money but money was not the mainstay of a child’s life. We lived in a row of little houses and duplexes with other single parents and an abundance of children to play with. My childhood memories are very happy. I was spoiled rotten- with love.

My mother often worked a full and part time job during her life to make ends meet. I’ll never forget the day I went to her part-time job (dishwasher at a large department store that no longer exists) to tell her I got into Temple University. (She hadn’t even known I applied.) I remember the shock, the joy and the tears. She was elated that her only child was going to college. But, she was also numb with the prospect of me asking for her to help pay for it. I never did ask. I wouldn’t have dared. She had done quite enough to give me the tools I would need to be successful. Now it was my turn to show her how much I learned. I learned successful and rewarding life strategies each and every day in her shadow.

My hat is off to my mom and every mom out there who has sacrificed for her child/ren.

Remember, being perfect is overrated. We don’t want or expect mothers to do that. We just hope you show us your best so we can learn it and one day show it to someone too.

I DID IT! Pittsburgh Marathon 2009!

I did it! The Pittsburgh Marathon came back to Pittsburgh this year and I ran in it. I’ve never had a runner’s body- nor a runner's will. But, I worked hard for several months and I completed the marathon with a relay team, MetaFitness1. I am very proud of myself. And, I was really exhilarated by the people that came out to cheer us on!

The alarm came way too early this morning, 4:45 AM! But, we had until 5:30 AM to get ourselves out the door to join 10,000 other runners in the Strip District of Pittsburgh. Yesterday I got all of my running preparations completed – down to what meals I would eat before and after (the celebratory meal!).

I walked and ran my leg (7.2 miles) of the marathon. I ran for 1 minute and walked for 2-3 minutes at a time. My body was straining at first, until my shins got warm they were screaming! But soon, I was in a groove. The IPod was loaded with hundreds of songs to keep me going. For the first 2 miles it was really hard to stop running (5.2-5.6 MPH) and keep up a great walking pace (around 3.6-3.8 MPH). My body thought we were taking a break- and really wanted to stop. But, after pushing through a few rounds, the harmony was there.

I used any decline to my advantage. I took all of the water and Gatorade offered to me at the stops. Although I must confess walking and drinking isn’t my strongest skill, so most of it landed on my shirt. I paced myself and realized I was doing far better on time than I had in all of my training and my dry run the week before. I was feeling quite pleased.

I planned (at worst) to walk the whole thing and finish in 2 hours with a 15-minute mile. Runners would laugh at that stat but walkers would most likely find it very admirable. It’s hard to keep up, especially off the treadmill and on surface roads. I did better than I expected. With my running bursts, I made the complete trip in 1.5 hours! Shaving off 30 minutes from my plan!

The coolest parts of the marathon included:
Being on the 16th Street Bridge, closed to traffic of course, and feeling the cool morning air rushing against me. I felt like the whole bridge was mine. The views were spectacular. And, the experience heightened the reality that I was accomplishing a goal I would have never dreamed a year ago. I was running in a marathon. How cool is that!

Seeing the volunteers and especially the youth involved in the marathon. They held water for us, cheered us on, supported their proud city by inviting those not from here to “live in our city neighborhoods” and “come to our city schools”. It was awesome.

Now don’t get me wrong, I needed to rest afterwards (after the high wore off). And, I needed shower. Oh, and that celebratory meal. But, it wasn’t 30 minutes after my finish that I told Rob I’d like to do the ½ marathon next year. He said he’d do it with me. (Big Smile)

Now, go do something wild and extraordinary for yourself today. I’m going to rest. After I post a short clip on my start on you tube.

The Company of Friends

This picture is of my Hen Happy Hour last weekend. It was a wonderful time to connect with local friends and take a break from our every day routines.

I don't do that enough. Or maybe I do and I'm looking for an excuse to do more of it. (Insert Smile Here)

This blog is to remind you of the importance of connecting with others- and getting out of the house or office.

Tell me what you accomplished last week that truly enriched your life? If you can't name anything you really need to get out and share an evening with a friend or group of friends. You'll be refreshed and find rejuvenation in them (if they are the right kinds of friends). Keep it upbeat. Limit the doom and gloom talk. Limit the gossip. Tell your own stories and just sit back and laugh. Or, draw each other in a deep discussion that is all consuming (if that is your cup of tea).

People can fuel us. Connections can sustain us. They have to be the right people and the right connections. If you aren't being fueled, you have to ask yourself why not? It may not be the right person or connection. Do yourself a favor and find them. They are waiting for you as much as you are waiting for them.

Get out of the office for lunch today. Get out this weekend for coffee/tea with a dear friend. Or, choose to connect with nature- go for a hike.

PS- I'm walking/running my first marathon this Sunday (the Pittsburgh Marathon). I'm doing the first leg of a relay. Think about me, if you are awake at 6:30 AM -8:30 AM on Sunday. (Another Smile Inserted Here)

Do Something Unexpected for Someone Today.

In the last week and a half I've been overwhelmed at the kindness, generosity, and love that has poured through my mailbox. My best friend orchestrated a "card shower" for my upcoming wedding. At first I thought it was just circumstance that a few friends were sharing these wonderful memories with me by mail. But on the third receipt I knew there was a planner behind it!

I can't begin to tell you how I felt knowing that people took to time to share so much with me. My best friend went well above and beyond any expectation I could fathom. In fact, I had no expectation. There was no shower planned. She created one! (How did I get so lucky to get her in this life?)

Do something unplanned for someone you care about today. They'll never forget that you did so. And, it may bring more than one tear to their eye, as it did mine.

That was a Bad Decision!

This week I was reminded of bad decisions. We all make them, sometimes. And, for the most part, we also recognize that they are likely bad decisions. Still, we do them.

I encourage you to identify a bad decision and then chose more wisely. Ask yourself what the true benefits are to the bad choice over the one you know is better for you.

Here are some bad choices:

1. Choosing to get a new puppy when you have a baby (thinking they’ll grow up together and it will be beautiful)

2. Choosing to have someone in your life that is detrimental to your health (physical, mental and emotional)

3. Choosing to open your body or mind to addiction (usually people do this for the short-term benefits)

4. Choosing to let one comment or one experience ruin your day (this can be expanded to week, month and year/s)

5. Choosing to deny yourself joy because you don’t think you deserve it

6. Choosing to let your anger get the best of you by acting out or drowning in a substance rather than accept conflict and work through it openly, honestly, carefully and without further offense to anyone

7. Choosing things that are beyond your means (because you deserve them)

…. The list goes on but I’ll let you create your own.

Today is the day to rid yourself of bad choices. It’s like food choices- you get a lot of chances to practice. If you make a mistake, don’t beat yourself up. Just, strive to better with the next opportunity.

172.4 and feeling great

OK, last week the scale said 171.0. GREAT! This week 172.4. Well, there is a good reason for that- and I'll spare all of our male readers but you can guess what it is. We, women, have a few pound fluctuation each month during a particular week.

I had a killer shin splint on Friday from my fast-paced walking (for an hour) on Thursday. Funny, my body prefers to run vs. walk fast as measured by how I get shin splints from walking and not running! Weird but true. But, I worked through the pain- working out for a full 1 hour on Friday, Sunday and Monday. I took Saturday off. (I am allotted one day per week to not work out.) This morning I went back to running for a minute in between walking. My body has really adjusted nicely to that. I find that I can run for more minutes than before. GREAT!

The marathon is just a few weeks away. The wedding a few more than that. I feel wonderful. I know the numbers haven't budged much but my confidence and strength sure have! My trainers tell me not to worry about the weight as much because I'm really putting on great muscle in my legs from the workouts. And, my nutritionist is mostly happy with my eating plan. Yes, I can do better!

So, its off to another great week. I've got a few exciting events this week but plan to remain vigilant to my health plan (with Friday being my exception!).

If you are in Pittsburgh, and female, join me and my fitness team for a workshop on Thursday. See my website for details. RSVP today if you want to attend.

Health, happiness and prosperity to each of you. Keep up the good fight to gain your health back!

I'm Quitting! You're Fired! Well, let's be rational.....

Today’s blog is for both employees and employers. The bottom line is that it’s better to work it out and stay than it is to find someone new or a new job.

Employers:
What is your cost for hiring and training a new employee? You will want to do this for each type of employee you have as the costs may be different depending upon training and recruiting. How long do you have an employee before they “paid for themselves”? This could be that their service paid for the cost of hiring, training, and retaining or it could be that they are self-sufficient, bringing in funds to match their own salaries 1:1 or better 5:1. As your employees stay with you over the years, do they become more or less valuable? Evaluate this too.

Make sure you know how much employees actually cost you before you haphazardly get rid of them. Make sure you know how long employee retention benefits you. When is it the easiest time to replace an employee for an equally qualified candidate? How do you put a price on institutional knowledge?

There are all kinds of questions to consider before knowing when to “let go” of employees.

I often see employees released over an improper fit with the workplace climate, or over a lack of communication and mutual understanding. I can tell you this, I’d rather have worked it out to save my company the thousands (perhaps hundreds of thousands) that it will cost to have a “poor fire”. (I call a “poor fire” a situation where someone was let go when they could have been saved.)

Take this decision very seriously, more so than you have. And, have the numbers to back it up. Know what the cost is to you, your company and the team the employee worked on. It’s usually easier to let them go- but it’s very costly. With a little work, you could have a satisfied employee, team and company. Try it.

Employees:
If you are dissatisfied at work, I encourage you to work hard to work it out rather than leave. Leaving is the easiest of the remedies but it’s also the most costly to you. How much did you spend on landing and holding this job? Add your hours, your actual costs (mailings, travel, meetings, literature, etc…) and your time spent in the position to understand your investment. Don’t just throw that away- especially if this is a pattern of what you normally do. It will show on your resume and a wise HR person will recognize it right away.

Rather, I suggest you make sure you’ve talked with your supervisor about your professional frustrations. Talk with a nonbiased party to have them look at the situation and offer suggestions. Remain professional at all times and confront the conflict in an open and “solution-driven” way. Don’t just look to fuel conflict. Look to resolve it with the other party/ies. Focus on other things for a few weeks (personal hobbies or throw yourself into a work project) to take your mind off of it. Have coffee with a friendly and open colleague in another company to see that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Every position comes with pros and cons. S/he may have suggestions for you too.

Whether you are the employee or the employer, don’t throw in the towel too soon (as >70% do). Recognize your investment and work on it, like any other relationship. Give it the respect, professionalism and resources it deserves to be wildly successful. Remember, most things can be turned around.

I Love HOT Sneakers!

I'm not talking about attractive sneakers.

I'm talking about the warmth of my sneaker tread when I'm stretching after an hour of walking and running. As you know I've recently challenged myself to walk/run a relay in the Pittsburgh Marathon. My leg is 7.1 miles or maybe 7.6. Truthfully, I haven't obsessed over the length. I'm most concerned with how much of it I can run versus walk. As of now 75% will be walked with intermittent running. I've never been a runner. But, that is changing.

Its so exciting to challenge myself for a task I've always wanted to to but was never prepared for. Or, I was simply too afraid to try.

I hope you are challenging yourself to do something this year. It could be a difficult emotional task or exploration or it could be something else. Just do it. Know that you are more powerful by just trying.

Don't be a balled up curtain!

I was flying last week from Pennsylvania to Texas to meet my future in-laws. With a wedding less than 45 days out, that seemed to be the thing to do. Not a perfect scenario by any means but better than not meeting them at all before the wedding.

It’s the flight that I want to draw from for my blog entry today. Coupled with a short discussion of ineffective systems or policies.

You’ve all seen the curtain they pull between business class (first class has fallen off the earth it seems) and economy or coach. I’m usually sitting behind it in economy. I’ve always found it a bit absurd but on this flight I found it comical. The space it should cover is about 3 feet wide. The curtain itself covered about 12 inches, or 1 foot, of that space. Yet, the attendant pulled it across several times throughout the flight as she went through it- as though it was habit.

I want you to imagine taking a sheet and balling it up to put it away in a box for 10 years. Pull it out upon its 10th year and than hang it up. That is what this 1 foot balled up curtain looked like- yet it was supposed to provide some privacy. Ridiculous.

It prompted me to think about ineffective systems/policies/procedures. We all have them in our lives. They are things we do by habit but have little “effectiveness” at all. They serve little or no purpose. But, we feel good being able to check them off our list as though we’ve done a good chore. Companies are wrought with ineffective systems/policies. They may have served a good purpose at one time but they do so no longer.

I encourage you to evaluate your systems/policies/procedures for the next 30 days. What are you doing that is no longer serving its intended purpose? What are you doing that is ineffective? Revamp it to be purposeful, effective or worth your time in some respect. Encourage your company to do the same.

Don’t be the balled up, 10 year old, curtain with no life and providing no service to anyone. Be better than that.

And, visit your future in-laws well before the wedding count down. These relationships should be a priority for you. You’ll thank me for it.

Leave on a High Note... Not High!

Those who know me will get my sense of humor in the subject line of this week's blog. Those who don't, forgive me. I love to infuse a little humor in my work.

I tried to remember the last job I left on a bad note. Then it came to me. It was 1988. I was 15. It was my second or third job and I worked as the cotton candy girl at the local amusement park. I made sticky sugary treats all day long. The trouble was that it was the era of big hair too. Sweet, sticky, sugar and big hair attract one thing- bees. I asked to get out of the candy booth several times as I was stung (and threatened) by bees- but no one came. Finally, a group of us decided it was time to hit the big fair, 20 miles away. We tossed our name tags in the stream and hit the road. (forgive me environment) I'm sure my boss was pretty ticked at how we all left. She had a right to be.

Since that time I've always left on a high note. I've almost always been asked to stay- and once told to sign my own paycheck with any amount I'd like. (That was incredible! I still left. You have to know me to understand how that made sense.) I can call up 90% of my old supervisors today and have an hour chat- about anything. I'm very proud of that. Its come in handy several times. Heck, I even found one of my old supervisors a better job!

I encourage you to always land and leave on a high note. In work and in relationships. No one wins when you leave with a sour taste in your mouth- or leave a mess to clean up. You'll be forever remembered by the way you left- far more so than the way you were when you were there. Conflict and disagreement are OKAY and in fact often encouraged for creativity and ingenuity. But, strive to do it professionally. Allow for a cool down period and go back to the person and have a calm discussion. Work hard to find resolution and common ground. You'll be glad you did. Above all things, be honest. Politely honest.

Wishing you high note departures and great relationships.

(This post is a bit early for my normal Friday posting. And, I won't be posting on Monday as usual either. I have a date with the future in-laws. I'll be back online next week.)

Oh, and I expect one of your to request a photo of "big hair Lisa"- I'll try to hunt one down. I'm sure my Mom has one. :)

172 and running

What has happened since my last blog posting on weight?

Well, (1) I picked up my wedding dress. The women at the shop screamed when I said I was determined to lose weight. "Don't! It fits perfectly as it is!" Sorry to disappoint sisters, but this girl is on a mission. It reaches much further than the fit of a wedding dress. My weight management and challenges may have a wedding milestone (May 23) in sight- but they are far more life-long than that. This is about healthy lifestyles and reaching a level of fitness I haven't seen in years!

(2) I met with a nutritionist. She's part of my plan. I learned that my diet (defined as what I eat) is better than most and right in line with what they want you to be eating. Great! However, I need to be more of a grazer, eating smaller meals throughout the day and not eating the large portions we've all become accustomed to.

(3) I've signed up for the Pittsburgh Marathon- a relay (May 3). So, I've continued getting my body in the mood to run (which isn't easy). Remember, this body was built for comfort not speed. :) I run/walk in 3 or 1 minute intervals- depends upon my energy that day.

This week the scale went back and forth between 172 and 174- so no great news on numbers. However, as I lay in bed I still get this great feeling if one hand brushes over my arm or my leg as I stretch- yes, there are newer, bigger muscles there - and I love that. Strength is very sexy. And, I'm getting stronger every day.

Here's to your health!

You Sent What at 2 AM?

We all know her (or him)... the boss/colleague/friend who sends emails at all hours of the night.

This is one thing if you are in college and everyone is in a cram period where they're up at those hours. Its entirely another if you are a professional running or working in a business. Stop it.

Why are you sending emails at night anyhow? Are you always working? Do you expect that others should also always be working? Are you getting any sleep?

Please realize that people do take notice to when you send emails. The time is clearly displayed on the email. And, if the recipient has a device that delivers emails the same way it delivers a telephone call- they are receiving an audible or vibrating notice that you are sending the email at that outrageous hour. Its rude.

I've blogged about this before. My energy on the topic was renewed when I saw a similar article in Pink Magazine. No, its not just me that feels this way. Get a hold of yourself.

Here are some of my thoughts on late-night emails:

• People (including your clients) will worry for your health if you are sending these emails at odd hours.
• Your employees will feel as though you expect them to do the same and they'll resent you for it.
• The pressure to work all the time is "out" and life balance is "in". Help to promote it.
• If you can't sleep try reading or taking a warm bath- don't run to the computer.

People will not have a favorable impression of you if you are sending late-night emails. They have a name for these emails... and its not "professional".

Send Someone A Reminder of the Past

As I prepare for my wedding, I'm also multitasking my clearing clutter from my house. Anyone who knows me would know this is typical. I like to stay busy with a few projects at the same time- for variety sake.

As I'm combing bookshelves, drawers, keepsake boxes and such, I'm finding photos and trinkets from years ago. They trigger a flood of enjoyable memories with friends.

I decided to use some of those tokens in the welcome bags of my wedding guests. Its a way to show them I cared enough about them and that event to save something- and now am passing it on to them to evoke wonderful memories too.

I encourage you to visit your keepsake boxes and send a few of the items to those who shared them. Its a great way to reconnect with a friend- no matter how close or far away they are.

We often close keepsake boxes for years at a time. Perhaps you should share the contents with your partner, children or a new friend. Keep it on your dining room table for a week- to explore with others and share wonderful moments of the past.

Time for Your Passions- Find Speakers

Make Time for Your Passions- and Hearing Others Who Share Them.

Last night I had the pleasure of attending the Yale Club’s (of Pittsburgh) event featuring CEO and President Wayne Pacelle of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

I have been an animal advocate all of my life. I’ve volunteered in shelters to walk dogs. I’ve written to my legislature for action protecting animals from abuse and neglect. I’ve adopted my best friends from shelters. I make regular donations (including gift donations). I try to find ways in my every day life to be a strong advocate for animal protection and human responsibility toward animals. I’ve even become a vegetarian, twice. :)

To hear someone who shares your passions and has made it their life’s work is stimulating and exhilarating. To be surrounded by others who, mostly, feel the same is also energizing. This event was one of the more heavily attended events, according to organizers.

I received this invite because I recently sat down with a staunch animal advocate at my local shelter. She was kind enough to extend this invitation, that was a private invite-only affair. I feel fortunate that this meeting led to such an exciting opportunity. It was great to hear Wayne. It was even greater to feel revived in my efforts to be the best I can be in the areas I am passionate.

I encourage you to seek out speakers and presentations of those you admire. The experience is likely to be moving.

To learn more about the HSUS visit: http://www.hsus.org/
I further encourage you to have a plan for your pets in your absence, temporary or permanent. You’ll be glad you did.

The Road to Being Fired.... Probation

Having a successful job isn't measured in sheer skill alone. You can be great at your craft and you can still have a tough time maneuvering the work day. One of the reasons for such is that you are likely working with other people, whether they are at your location or remote. You still have to get along with and work well with others. (Remember what our parents tried to teach us in the sandbox?)

I have a client who has talent beyond her years in her field. The trouble came when she exerted her strong and assertive personality in the workplace. They weren't ready for that- and quite frankly, they didn't like it. This can be of particular trouble for women, who are often expected to be more mild-mannered and the peace-keepers in the office. Needless to say, my client landed on probation. (You're getting the shortened version of this story of course.)

This blog is meant to be two-fold in its purpose: (1) warn you that your personality matters and can help or hinder your success and (2) a few tips on what to do if YOU land on probation.

I think the warning is clear. Recognize how your personality can impact your success. What are you known for? Do people like you? Don't they? And, why? Truly, examine your personality through the workplace context to prepare yourself (and make any adjustments necessary) to achieve your goals/succeed.

Now, on to the tips. If you are brought in today and told you are going on probation I recommend you do the following:

• Repeat to your supervisor/s the reasons that you are on probation to ensure you have the cause/s exactly right
• Understand how long the probationary period is (get it in writing if possible)
• Understand (and repeat it) what you can do to come off of probation (you want exact steps here- this should be crystal clear and measurable)
• Schedule your meetings during the probation period to discuss progress (depending upon the period, you may want them weekly or monthly) and bring your probation plan, progress, outcomes, etc... to the meeting. Show them you are working hard and WANT to stay.
• Ask if you can have a representative or witness to all of your probationary meetings (for you to compare notes with afterwards- they may have gleaned something you didn't)
• Be professional, be courteous, always take the high road... this is not the time to let anger, hostility, or juvenile competitiveness to get in the way of your success
• If you want to keep this job, be the stellar employee they need you to be (and that you know you can be) ... otherwise, hit the opportunity circuit and see what is out there

Remember, probation is on the road to getting fired. It isn't the equivalent to getting fired. You can still turn this around if you play your cards right. If nothing changes in you, nothing will change in their decision. You'll have to decide if the opportunity is worth the adjustments.

Getting Ready for a Layoff

I do encourage you to stay away from the doom and gloom discussions. But, I also encourage you to be prepared at all times for the possibilities. One such possibility is that your company could lay you off- or you could find yourself out of work. So here are a few tips to help you feel more in control and prepared if that happens:

Ø Have your resume updated and keep 3 versions on hand (1 generic, 1 specific to your current field or a primary field you would pursue, and 1 for a secondary field you might pursue)
Ø Have two to three people review your resume with your target field/audience in mind
Ø Spend 1 hour per week examining the help wanted ads to identify where opportunity exists and what fields seem to be doing well
Ø Pick up your local business times and get more familiar with the job climate in your city
Ø Consider if now is the time to change careers/fields, move cities, etc… It’s actually a great time to make a break if you ask me.
Ø Take coffee breaks with those you like and trust. Now is the time to make up for all those “meant to connect” appointments you failed to make time for in the past. Opportunities are out there- and those people may know about them. Keep the conversation upbeat, optimistic and full of opportunity. Let them know you are keeping your eyes open for possibilities in the event of a layoff. (Everyone is doing this- so it won’t be a surprise.)
Ø Brush up on your skills. Take a class. Become a voracious reader. Learn something.

Even if you don’t experience a layoff the above will be a great exercise to remind you of your worth, challenge your current status and state of mind, and allow you to play with the possibilities.

Enjoy the ride.

Excessive Waste, Urgent Need, Add Three Women

Wow. I attended a luncheon yesterday at the Edgewood Country Club with a dear friend Susan Lieber. I had recently asked Susan to support a charity I was working with (the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation). She stood ready to assist and in turn asked that I attend a fundraiser luncheon she was hosting for Global Links. "Where and when?" were my only questions. I'm honored to be able to work with charities and happy to lend a hand to friends who do the same.

Now, on to the "Wow". I had a vague idea as to what Global Links does. But, this luncheon delivered a far more powerful education. The founder of Global Links was there to share with us her vision when she started the group 20 years ago, in her garage with two friends. A local radio icon was there to introduce the founder. And, I was surrounded by fellow women business owners, some new faces and others that feel more like family. It was an amazing luncheon to say the least.

Global Links (in a nutshell) is an organization, mostly volunteer, that seeks to improve health care around the globe. They initially identified a huge surplus of medical waste in our country as well as a dying population in others- from lack of medical supplies! Connect the dots. We have very stringent medical safety protocols that demand we throw unused supplies out to landfills under a host of conditions. We also update our medical equipment, to remain state of the art, far more frequently than most countries. Therefore, why don't we donate our unused supplies (that are still sterile and available for us) and our gently used equipment to places where others have little to nothing? Seems like a no brainer to me!

One quick story that our beloved radio host shared with us, was her own volunteer (2 hours a week) experience. She was counting maxi pads and then putting so many in a zip lock bag for dissemination when the volunteer coordinator told her to add a "cheesecloth-looking item". She asked what on earth it was? The coordinator demonstrated for her that if you gently pulled it a part it was a rudimentary pair of underwear. After all, what good does a maxi pad for a woman who doesn't have underpants to place it in? The vision of a woman having to bleed down her legs crossed my mind and I was struck in a profound way. We take so very much for granted each and every day. Can you imagine a hospital not being able to save your life simply because they don't have the sutures to seal your wound after surgery? Why perform a surgery if you can't seal the opening and the patient will die anyway?

As March is Ethics Awareness Month- I encourage you to make ethical daily living choices that bear Global Links and the people it serves in mind. Let's reevaluate the way we live and dispose of so much. Let's all make a commitment to live better.

If you wish to visit Global Links- please do. The site is http://www.globallinks.org/

Guessing 172 -174. New Program on Board.

I haven’t replaced my scale. Remember, the one I threw out because it was malfunctioning. So, I’ll weigh myself at the gym later today. However, I don’t expect the numbers have budged. My clothes feel the same. I don’t feel any differently either.

Since I couldn’t post my number this morning, I opted to give you a photo instead. I know so many of you check this blog with great anticipation (and I appreciate that very much!). Yes, that is me. I figure if they can do it on the Biggest Loser so can I! So many people gasped when I told them I was going to post it. Why? It’s me! Just minus a blouse! This is my shape, size, what I look like… This photo will also serve as my reminder of where I am and where I want to go. As a bonus, I have a dress that I WILL be wearing on May 22nd at I greet guests on the night before my wedding. Its tight now, but I assure you it will be fitting beautifully in a little more than 2 months.

My vegetarian lifestyle is running smooth. I have added a few vitamins to help me balance while I learn the healthiest vegetarian balance of meals for optimal benefit. I know that I still need to master portion control, smaller meals, more snacking times, and better choices all around (remember cheese is vegetarian- and who doesn’t love a fried zucchini?!). I’ve cut way back on my beloved daily glass of wine. I only have it once or twice a week.

I’ve added Metafitness. Metafitness is a science based program that is individualized to measure what calories you need each day for your level of fitness and goals; and what energy you expend each day in your own lifestyle. I wore the monitor you can see in the picture for 4 days. I learned which workouts I do that give me the most bang for the buck and got to see how sedentary really means sedentary! I’ve got to get a treadmill desk in the coming months! As I sit here and write this I realize how little movement means little payoff. Yikes!

I’m so wowed by Metafitness that I’m going to start to offer it to my clients. And, I’m going to host a workshop on it in the coming weeks. Let me know if you are interested. I’ll keep you in the loop.

I’ll get there. I’m learning every step of the way. And, I feel good about it. Those numbers will catch on soon. I know they will.

Know When to Revamp the Process and Know When to Quit

I just wrote one of the lengthiest blogs of my history and blogger experienced a problem and couldn't save it! Yikes. And, it was a rant too. What a shame.

My blog today was highlighting a medical experience I had recently that was appalling. Appalling from a customer (patient) standpoint. I highlighted the importance of delivering outstanding service- everyone on your team must do this to be viewed favorably and valued. If you can't deliver great service, or are working with a team that cannot, I encourage you to move on. Move on could mean finding a new team. Or, it could mean finding a new profession.

I don't have the time, unfortunately, to recreate that blog. Perhaps I'll do so another week.

March is National Ethics Awareness Month. Check your ethics.

Sorry for the blog malfunction.
Lisa

The Power of Choice

I am re-reading some of the business and personal success classics. As I was reviewing Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People last night, I was reminded of my own days of independence. By days of independence I am referring to those moments in time when you declare to make a choice that is harder, against the norm, ill advised by others, or against the grain of what you had done for so long. I've been wildly fortunate to make these declarations so many times in my life that they have now become the norm. My new norm, if you will. Pages 97-144 on Principles of Personal Leadership are my favorite. They discuss the importance of a personal mission statement to serve you, your business and your community. As I pondered this notion I was delighted to relive my discovery of a poem that changed my life.

In 1993 I went to Philadelphia to study at Temple University. They had a poster fair for students. I found one that had made a profound impact on my life. Its called I Am Me by Virginia Satire (1975). That poster hung in my dorm room, later my office, my homes #1, #2 and #3... It still hangs in my bedroom today, more than 15 years after I bought it. Its torn, written on and battered- but that makes it more powerful. I can't tell you how many times I've stopped my day to read it out loud to declare my choice and control on my destiny. It is my mantra. I believe what the poem says, that each of us have the power to change those things about ourselves that are unproductive, unattractive, unwanted, etc... You are your own engineer the poem says. I truly believe that. That belief has allowed me to make choices against the grain... with confidence and power. Here is the poem:

My Declaration of Self-Esteem
by Virginia Satir
I AM ME In all the world, there is no one else exactly like me

Everything that comes out of me is authentically me

Because I alone chose it - I own everything about me

My body, my feelings, my mouth, my voice, all my actions,

Whether they be to others or to myself - I own my fantasies,

My dreams, my hopes, my fears - I own all my triumphs and

Successes, all my failures and mistakes

Because I own all of Me, I can become intimately acquainted with me -

by so doing

I can love me and be friendly with me in all my parts - I know

There are aspects about myself that puzzle me, and other

Aspects that I do not know - but as long as I am

Friendly and loving to myself, I can courageously

And hopefully look for solutions to the puzzles

And for ways to find out more about me - However

I Look and sound, whatever I say and do, and whatever

I think and feel at a given moment in time is authentically

Me - If later some parts of how I looked, sounded, thought

And felt turn out to be unfitting, I can discard that which is

Unfitting, keep the rest, and invent something new for that

Which I discarded - I can see, hear, feel, think, say, and do

I have the tools to survive, to be close to others, to be

Productive to make sense and order out of the world of

People and things outside of me - I own me, and therefore

I can engineer me - I am me and

I AM OKAY
© Virginia Satir, 1975.

Perhaps you need to read this mantra out loud too. Perhaps you also need to pick up the 7 Habits and give it another look as to how it belongs in your life today.

Open your life to new interpretations and revisit older inspirations.