Focus is critical to the accomplishment of any task we set our mind to.  The problem is that so few of us these days can seem to stay focused for long.  We can’t even watch a television show all the way through without surfing channels to see what else is on.  Our whole culture seems to be afflicted with ADD.  The problem exists in our businesses too.  We often hop from idea to idea and from product to product.

A longtime business friend of mine sends me a motivational or leadership book every Christmas.   This year the book was “EntreLeadership” by Dave Ramsey.  The sub-title of the book is “20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches”.  This is going to be a great read based upon the page I randomly opened the book to.  In that section of the book, Dave Ramsey was writing about the importance of focus.

He related how standing on the sidelines at an NFL rookie camp impressed upon him the speed and violence of the game and the “physical intelligence” of the players.   ”Those men can do things with their bodies and a football in a nonosecond that blows your mind.”  He asked a veteran receiver “How is it that you get paid ten million dollars a year to do one thing, catch a football, and then sometimes you drop it?”

The player answered that if the ball is thrown correctly there is only one reason that the ball would not be caught: loss of focus.  He said that there are two main reasons receivers lose focus:  fear and greed. 

In their profession the fear is not the paralyzing phenomenon that we often think of as causing people to be disfunctional and quake in their boots.  They hear the footsteps of a 310 pound defender approaching them with world class speed, footsteps that signal huge amounts of pain to follow.  That causes actual fear and loss of focus.

We’ve all witnessed NFL receivers lose focus due to greed.  They take their eye off the ball, looking downfield or starting their move downfield thinking about the long gainer or a touchdown.

The same things can cause us to lose focus in our business as well as in other areas of our lives.  Instead of concentrating on success we’re thinking about all the potential for failure.  Or our greed causes us to take our eye off the good of the customer.  Greed takes us out of the moment and into a celebration of victories not yet earned.

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The author is a social entrepreneur working to end global malnutrition among children.  For more information, or if you would like to help, go to this website.

The marathon is instituted in commemoration of the renowned long distance run coming from Marathon to Athens in ancient times. The actual distance for the very first modern Olympic in 1896 is about 40,000 meters. Because marathon race intervals have been preserved, the world record time has slipped by more than 30 %, from 2:55:18 to the recently set record of 2:03:38. Exploring the advancement of times and the factors that contribute to a runner’s success is important whether you are in the middle of your first marathon training or seeking to observe what are the ideal marathons to see.

An athlete who breaks a record doesn’t always mean that he actually breaks the world record time. The International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) needs to ratify and approve it first. This particular international athletic governing panel only began documenting marathon world record times in 2004, and they have founded strict, continually-evolving regulations regarding precisely what events and times count as world stats. A lot of records are not accepted since the standard regulation which was made in 1921 is not followed like the exact distance and the way it should be measured..

One of the most recent changes to the criteria include disqualifications of competitions for inclusion in world record data according to elevation drops, tailwind, or whatever they label “artificially fast time” aspects.  Because of this, a record-breaking 2:03:02 time in the Boston Marathon by Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya was recorded as “fastest marathon ever run,” but not as a world record breaking time. 

Similarly, despite the fact that most women have been running modern marathons since the 1896 Athens Olympics, whenever Stamata Revithi unofficially ran the men’s marathon course the day after the standard competition was held, the IAAF continuously make adjustments to what is approved women’s marathon times as world record settings. For a woman’s world record to be recorded it should happen in an all- women’s event and that’s exactly what should happen in January 2012. To date the best time clocked by a woman in a marathon was made by Paula Radcliffe in the 2003 London Marathon and the time was set to 2:15:21.

The latest men’s marathon world record was set in September 2011 by Patrick Makau from Kenya; the man ran a 2:03:38 race in the Berlin Marathon. Today, the Berlin Marathon has become the world record mine, with 4,000 runners and eager fans. It’s one of the five most favored, best marathons on earth, along with NYC, Boston, Chicago and London.

In the past 100 years, most of you must’ve noticed how the pace has dropped significantly. Standard pacing for male marathoners currently hovers about 4:45, and race breaks for the best marathon runs shows the 2nd part of numerous marathoners’ runs in fact fall by seven seconds. Aside from the athletes, there are some factors that really affects the time record, the weather, the sport itself , the preparation and so on.

If you’re seriously into running marathons and other sports and fitness activities, don’t forget the importance of nutrition.  It’s the fuel you need.

When I got my first management job, my wife gave me a briefcase.  It was the biggest one Samsonite made at the time, and I liked it because I could bring work home from the office every day.  That briefcase went along with me on business trips overseas, to corporate headquarters and other regional offices in the U.S. and to meetings with clients.  It was handy for popping into the overhead on the airplane, and I could retrieve it during the flight so I could work.

I was a workaholic, leaving for work early and returning late.  I even enjoyed going to the office on some weekends because I could get more done.  Not being paid for the extra work wasn’t an issue with me.  I was never a 9:00 – 5:00 guy.

The promotions kept coming, and I had less and less family time.  My unused paid vacation time began to mount up.

Gradually I came to to realize how my job had taken over my life.  I had money, but no time to enjoy it or to spend with my growing family.  The companies I worked for controlled my time and my income.  Sometimes I was knocking myself out while others in similar positions were paid exactly the same while putting in minimal effort.  Frequently, I wondered if my superiors even knew what I did, and I felt more like a number than an individual.  I began to be dissatisfied and my briefcase got heavier and heavier.

It seemed to me that I had stepped onto a conveyor belt when I graduated from high school, carrying me through college and into the rat race while the years flew by.  Worst of all, despite all of the heroic mission statements of the companies I worked for as Operations Manager, General Manager, Regional Manager, and Managing Director, I didn’t feel like my efforts had added any true value to others’ lives.  At heart, we had been profit-driven, not purpose-driven. 

In an effort to escape the ratrace I started a part-time home business on the side.  Investing over $15,000 for equipment and supplies, it was my chance for greater control over my life.  When that business wasn’t successful, I tried a second time.  It required a large investment in inventory plus a physical storefront… and also failed.  But I never lost my desire to get out of the ratrace.

Years later, I was able to achieve the freedom and quality of life I had been seeking by starting my own home-based business.  From the beginning, the business was purpose-driven.  You see, we started this business simply by purchasing some products that we hoped would add to the quality of life of our two adopted children who were born with a terminal illness.  The products worked so well that we joined the direct sales – mlm company that produces them.  Since then, both our children and our business have thrived.

When I escaped the ratrace and retired my briefcase, the cat found a much better use for it.  She catnaps in it when she isn’t sleeping on my home-office chair.

If you’re ready to escape the ratrace and stop trading your time for money you should check this out.  It’s got it all.

At a seminar this week where the presenters included several well-known leaders such as Gen. Colin Powell, Rudolph Giuliani, and Steve Forbes, one of the speakers asked us to consider who we are.

Many of you may have been to an event where the host suggested that everyone turn to the person on their left and introduce themselves to the person on their left and then to the person on their right; kind of an icebreaker, loosen up exercise.

However, in this case, the question we were to ask another person was “Who Are You?”  We were to ask this question of the same person three times.

Not surprisingly, most people first answered with their name; “I’m Gerald Hoffmann”.

When asked again “Who are you?” details started coming out like; “I live in Macon, Georgia” or “I’m married and have 2 children”.

When asked the third time “Who are you?” more things came out like; “I’m a pharmacist and I’ve been doing that for 3 years”.

The speaker then pointed out to us that we are all “Human Beings”, not “Human Doings”.   Too many people identify or define themselves by what they do or where they live.  But that’s not the core of who we really are.  At our core we are essentially people of beliefs, attitudes, and values that present a much clearer and important indication of “who we are.”

Taking time to think about this and knowing who we are and having a clear self-concept is critical to our happiness, satisfaction, and achieving our goals in life.

Now I can answer that question with something like; “I’m a trusting, confident, and generous man who enjoys giving to others”.

I’m not suggesting that you introduce yourself at an event or to another person with this kind of a self-definition.  But the question “Who Are You?” is a question that is most properly asked of ourselves until we can honestly answer it.  If necessary, stand in front of a mirror and look into your own eyes when you respond.  When we get the answer it can become part of our daily affirmations, repeated to ourselves every day or when setting goals or when making important decisions.

So, who are you?

The Ancient Greek aphorism “Know thyself”, was inscribed in the pronaos (forecourt) of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi.

P.S.  If you got something out of this post, please leave a comment with your own thoughts on the matter.  You can also opt in to receive an email notification when we post new articles to this blog.

BJJ Baltimore students know that having your muscles fatigue on you is one of the worst feelings your body can feel.  The main cause of muscle fatigue can be tied to exercise intensity and duration.   During workouts of high intensity the muscles will become fatigued because there is a depletion of the main energy source, adenosine triphosphate (ATP).   ATP helps the muscles fiber contract so your body can move accordingly.   Without ATP present the muscle fiber can no longer contract and muscle fatigue begins.

Lactic acid is the cause of muscle fatigue resulting from intense workouts ranging from 30 seconds to lengths of time extending up to 60 minutes.   Though various factors can be attributed to muscle fatigue, the main problem with lactic acid is that it stops the cells from being able to contract.   New students who do Kickboxing Classes in MD have experienced that burning sensation in their legs from lactic acid.  Lactic acid is a waste product of anaerobic energy production known to cause localized muscle fatigue.   Whenever you work out a muscle and you feel pain or soreness that is usually the lactic acid spilling onto your muscle cells.

ISKA, the International Sport Karate Association, has certified nutritional supplements from Mannatech which combat muscle soreness and exhaustion and maximize aerobic functions, endurance, and quick recovery.  More information can be found in “Combat Magazine”.

Exhaustion occurring from exercise exceeding 60 minutes is due to low levels of glycogen which is the stored form of glucose.   Without a source of glucose in the exercising muscles the muscle cells cannot contract even if the body has an adequate supply of oxygen and fat.   When a runner is no longer able to maintain the correct intensity due to muscles becoming fatigued it is referred to as “hitting the wall.”   Other symptoms of muscle fatigue include dehydration, raised temperature, additional by-products and even lack of interest in the task.   Mixed martial arts is extremely exhausting on the body that why Maryland Jujitsu students do circuit training to make their body’s stronger.

To learn more about or purchase all natural Real Food Technology nutrition from Mannatech for martial arts athletes or for anybody interested in maximizing their fitness and health visit http://www.mymannapages.com/yourvibranthealth .

Sweet, chewy “gummi” vitamin supplements are a hit with mommies and kids.  Kids like them because they’ve got cartoon characters and bright colors on the label and they taste just like candy.  Mommies like them because they believe they’re making up for any shortfalls in the diet they feed their kids (often heavy on fast foods and processed foods) and they don’t have to fight with their kids to take them.

Good nutrition is critical for children, who are in their growth years, when their bodies and brains are developing, and when they are especially susceptible to stress and infections.

Parents might be surprised to learn that many of these children’s vitamins aren’t nearly as beneficial for their kids as they think they are, because they contain synthetic and artificial ingredients.

Children’s vitamins with synthetic ingredients have the same achille’s heel as adult supplements with synthetic incredients:  They’re  missing the food matrix, the associated micronutrients, that vitamins found in nature come with.

Most nutrients like Chromium, beta-carotene and B-Complex are found in complex groups.  Amino acids, vitamine E, trace minerals and vitamin C all come in families.  It’s important that this family integrity is kept intact.  If it isn’t you are getting only the isolated vitamin and not all the other known and unknown factors, just as nature intended.

“The synthetic vitamins may be identical with naturally occurring substances or closely related.  The close relations, although useful in many ways, pose some problems in that they may have only a fraction, whether large or small, of the biological activity of the natural products…  Synthetic vitamins may perform some of the functions of their natural counterparts while being useless for others.  But what may be more important is the fact that synthetic vitamins, prepared from chemicals instead of nature, are frequently less active biologically than their natural counterparts, thereby reducing any beneficial effect they may have.” – Isobel Jennings of Cambridge University. 

Many synthetics are made from coal tar derivatives.  That’s the same stuff that causes throat cancer for tobacco smokers.  Your body can tell the difference between real and synthetic vitamins.  Certainly, your cells can make the distinction between food and coal tar.

Here is a list of ingredients in the most popular children’s vitamin.  As you can see, most of the vitamins are synthetic.

• Glucose Syrup – Currently, glucose syrup is mainly produced by first adding the enzyme α-amylase to a mixture of corn starch and water. α-amylase is secreted by various species of the bacterium Bacillus.
• Sucrose – It is a common ingredient in many processed and so-called “junk foods.”
• Gelatin
• Water
• Choline Bitartrate – Synthetic
• Artificial flavors
• Ascorbic Acid – Created in the laboratory, an artificial, reduced form of natural vitamin C.  It is not the same as natural vitamin C which can be found only in natural health supplements, whole food vitamins, and organic vitamin C.  Invented as a synthetic version to replace the natural form which is destroyed by heat.
• Bees Wax
• Carnauba Wax
• Citric Acid -
• D-Biotin – Synthetic
• D-Calcium Pantothenate – Synthetic
• Artificial Colors – FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #6
• Folic Acid – Source not given – The natural form comes from yeast or liver.  The synthetic form comess from Pteroylglutamic Acid.
• Potassium Iodide
• Pyridoxine Hydrochloride – Synthetic
• Vegetable Oil (coconut or palm)
• Vitamin A Acetate – Synthetic
• Vitamin B12  – Source not given
• Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) – Synthetic
• Vitamin E Acetate – Synthetic
• Zinc Sulfate – Synthetic

95% of the children’s and adult vitamin supplements available today contain synthetic vitamins for one main reason – they’re much cheaper to manufacture.  Using old technology that’s been around for decades, synthetic vitamins are created in the laboratory out of chemical derivatives of petroleum isolates.

Recently, however some vitamin manufacturers have begun using new and innovative techniques to extract natural vitamins directly from living plants.

These natural and ”Real Food Technology” vitamin supplements contain the total complex family of micro-nutrients (known and unknown) just as they are found in nature.  Such micronutrients are essential for proper absorption and maximum utilization.  Here’s an example of a children’s vitamin based on real food technology.  The ingredients are all naturally sourced and include: 

• Pectin
• Gum Arabic
• Gum Tragacanth
• Aloe vera (inner leaf gel powder)
• Phyto Proprietary Blend – Pomegranate juice concentrate powder (fruit), Brussels sprout (aerial part), Broccoli (flower/stalk), Cabbage (leaf), Carrot (root), Cauliflower (flower/stalk), Kale (leaf), Tomato (fruit), Turnip (root), Papaya (fruit), Pineapple juice powder (fruit).
• Other Ingredients – Tapioca syrup, evaporated cane juice, water, citric acid, xylitol, natural flavors, fruit juice color, vegetable juice color.

Although vitamin supplements containing synthetics may be cheaper than natural vitamins, they are not the best value because of their reduced absorption by the body.  If you’re buying a vitamin supplement for good health it doesn’t make much sense to buy vitamin supplements that don’t work.  It’s like buying a parachute with rips in the cannopy.

To capitalize on the health benefits of these new and potent natural vitamin supplements and to avoid wasting your hard-earned money on synthetic vitamins it’s necessary to learn to read labels.  Did you know that most vitamins on the market claiming to be natural only have to be 10% natural to make this claim?  Many so-called natural vitamins have synthetics added to increase potency, or to standardize the amount in a capsule or batch.

To learn more about all natural Real Food Technology nutritional supplements or to purchase them visit http://www.mymannapages.com/switchingforreal .

Periondontal disease is another term for gum disease.  It’s an infection of the gums wherein during the primary phase the tissue turns out to be irritated and swollen because of plaque accumulation on teeth. Once the gums are swollen it causes open spaces for more bacteria to develop which causes more plaque as well as severe symptoms such as foul breath, bleeding gums, receding gums, tenderness and furthermore pain to happen.

So how can you stop periodontal disease naturally?  There are efficient periodontal disease remedies as well as treatment of periodontal disease available, and good nutrition practices you can follow for healthy teeth and gums.

You have to remember that periodontal disease symptoms are actually a sign of poor dental care or poor dental condition or even both. Smoking, drinking alcohol, chronic illness and also the intake of soft foods are also factors which can lead to gum disease.

One effective way of treating periodontal disease is the use of natural supplements.  These are a powerful treatment of periodontal disease because the majority of nutritional deficiencies are frequently associated with this condition.  Poor gum health is really due to lack of vitamin C, calcium, folic acid and bioflavonoids.  Aside from that, nutrients help speed up healing, improve blood circulation and tissue repair.

Did you know that Vitamin C with bioflavonoids improves healing? And bioflavonoids hamper the increase of plaque.  Vitamin E is found efficient in terms of healing of gum tissue even while Calcium and Magnesium prevents bone loss.

Same goes with taking supplements, having a well-balanced diet is also essential. Ensure that your diet is stuffed with fresh fruits and vegetables.   Some fruits and vegetables have been discovered to help clean teeth naturally and exercise the gums like raw apples, carrots, broccoli, bell peppers, green leafy vegetables and cucumbers. Green tea, cashews and cranberries also help stop plaque from sticking to teeth.  Avoid foods abundant with sugar and carbohydrates since they contribute to plaque growth while make an effort to increase consumption of whole grain fibers, legumes and raw nuts.

Herbs can increase natural healing of gums.  Sage, clove, thyme can safely and successfully be employed as herbal rinses.  Sage is a good approach to reduce inflammation while Thyme and clove are effective antiseptics. Chamomile tea is another gentle and helpful herbal remedy which reduces pain and inflammation while cleansing the mouth.

Even though addressing nutritional needs and using herbs for natural healing works in stopping periodontal disease, it is also imperative to take steps to boost dental health.  Listed below are the basic yet effective means to improve oral health:

- Massage gums each day to increase blood flow.

- Brush your teeth each and every after a meal with a clean toothbrush and all natural toothpaste.

- Floss your teeth one or more times day.

- Employ tongue cleaner or scaper to eliminate bacteria from tongue daily right after brushing.

- Rinse your mouth with natural mouthwashes like OraMD in order to clean your mouth and avoid plaque from building up on teeth.

Sure, it’s possible to stop periodontal disease naturally.  But ensure that you pay your dentist a visit frequently because serious cases of periodontal disease may need dental surgery.