Created for Success

Got Debt Relief?

2009-01-14T13:44:00.000-08:00

In case you haven’t noticed, we’re in a recession. And we have been since December of 2007. That fact courtesy of the U.S. government’s National Bureau of Economic Research, released a few months back.

Here are some clues in case you missed them:

Millions of jobs lost and layoffs looming nationwide
Skyrocketing unemployment hitting record levels not seen in 25 years
Thousands struggling to pay overwhelming credit card debt while they try to keep afloat financially
Millions declaring bankruptcy at alarming levels and growing
Home equity tanking beyond belief, and millions upside down on their mortgages
Rampant foreclosures glutting the market, forcing thousands to abandon their homes

We got suckered—or did we?

My wife and I like thousands of other homeowners took the bait when it came to a low-interest home equity loan.

Yeah, we went for it. But, payback’s not so fun—especially when your payment more than doubles. Our Adjustable Rate Mortgage, or ARM, went up over $400 when the rate adjusted.

Where are we supposed to come up with the extra money?

Naturally, we just assumed that we could Refi later and get a fixed rate. Our mortgage broker (who made 2.5 points or $2,500 off us) assured us this was the case.

Ooops! I guess no one could foresee the future, even with credit flowing freely and home values hitting the stratosphere in many states.

Since nobody’s lending money now unless you have a stellar credit score of around 800, you’re out of luck. That means we have few options.

And that sucks. Big time.

Try ‘Mods’

If you’re like us and you got jacked when your ARM payment went up, or if you’re struggling to make payments on your home loan, you may want to go for something called a loan modification.

A few months back mods were pretty much unheard of. Now, with so many people unable to keep up on their payments, walking away from their homes or allowing them to go into foreclosure, mods have become more popular.

I don’t know much about them, but basically, you pay a company that will work with your lender to restructure your loan by reducing your monthly payments or eliminate the principle on your loan.

Yeah, it costs, but the way I figure it is if they can knock $250-$275 a month off my monthly, it’s well worth it. Inside of a year, I will have saved well over the fee (whatever it is), be able to get back on my feet financially, and keep my home.

Wipe Out Your Debt

Perhaps you’re one of the few lucky people able to refinance your home before the market tanked, or you’re somehow even on your mortgage. (Not upside down like the rest of us). Sweet.

But you may still be struggling under a ton of debt. You may want to check out your options to get rid of your debt. I don’t know what will work for you, but you may try consumer credit counseling.

In this program, your counselor with work with your creditors to eliminate interest charges and/or fees and negotiate lower payments. We did this for a while once we stopped using our credit cards. This option is also easiest on your credit score, I believe.

Settle for Pennies

You may instead try debt relief. This was the route we ended up going, since we were less patient and wanted to get rid of our debts ASAP.

Basically what happens here is that you are assigned a debt negotiator that works with your creditors and offers a lump sum to settle each of your debts. Often, they can settle for pennies on the dollar, sometimes eliminating 40% or more of your debt outright.

The trick here is that you have to save up funds so you have the money to settle once your creditors agree to a specific figure.

I realize there aren’t any easy answers here when dealing with your debt. I’m a firm believer in paying what you owe (although I think paying thousands in interest and fees is a rip off and ridiculous).

While these programs may not be for everyone, I know that these methods work. We’re living proof.

TESTING...

2009-01-07T15:05:00.001-08:00

TEST test

World Wide Web Marketing Discovered by NextStudent?

2008-02-26T13:38:00.000-08:00

Let's be honest. You got had. Titlebait strikes again.

Marketing on the web wasn't in fact founded, created or even stumbled upon by NextStudent.

No, that came along long before we were ever around to help students find great student loans and give some of the best customer service in the industry.

Here's some truth for you, though: NextStudent Web Marketing is the hippest, coolest, smartest, bestest place on the planet to work.

That is, if you like crazy, random outbursts, blogs that push the envelope, and characters that are more fit for fiction novels than the typically stodgy corporate workplace.

Spring Fever, Winter Vacation & Fixating on Finances

2007-12-19T13:53:00.000-08:00

Every year at about this time, I break down, weak in the knees for fake trees, cheesy Christmas decorations and ample holiday cheer. Like about 40 million other people on the planet.

This year, though, I have to admit that I have a bit of spring fever when it comes to my upcoming vacation, which includes sitting around and a whole lot of nothing. That makes work a bit painful, and this week one of the slowest I can remember.

Anyway, one of the things I do each year is look at my finances and where I stand with my debt. One of the things I'm still paying on is my college loans. I only have one of my student loans left to pay off, since I had a student loan consolidatio n several years back.

More fun includes finding a fixed rate mortgage loan to replace my adjustable rate mortgage which is set to increase by several hundred dollars in January.

I guess it's just my mortgage company's way of saying "Merry Christmas" to themselves.

Crazy Creative Finds Inspiration at NextStudent

2007-09-21T11:03:00.000-07:00

Who hates their job? Pretty much everyone I know. Except those crazies I work with at NextStudent, a Student Loan Company. And, me too of course, if the boss of me, Chris Hooley is reading this.

Never a dull day on the job. Talk about entertainment value. If I'm stuck and just don't have the ability to write another word, I turn to the guys to take my mind off of things.

Our social media specialists, seo dude, affiliate mktg girl, web page gurus--when I sit and listen to their banter and lives--everything just takes on a different hue and I forget I'm even at work.

Then I go deep inside myself and find that I have the ability to write again after all.

Who Wants to Be a Superhero?

2007-06-06T10:32:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys, I haven’t been blogging for a while in case you haven't noticed.

Life is kinda crazy with a lot of stuff going on. Recently, I became the Copy Team at NextStudent. Two people have moved on, so we are actively looking for a NextStudent Copyeditor and two NextStudent Copywriters.

So, if you or anyone you know are great at your craft and have proven skills that generate results, get in touch with me.

‘Til next time!

In the meantime, I'm a one-man team, looking for capable friends...

Perfectly Positive Pollyanna Get's Real

2007-03-09T07:23:00.000-08:00

Last night I was thinking about the big disconnect between my desires and where I really am. For me there's this huge gaping valley that at times seems impossible to traverse.

Here's what I mean:

I want to be positive but I tend to be critical and judgemental.
I want to be happy but don't always seem to have the best attitude.
I want to be unaffected by my circumstances, but tend toward frustration.

Now I understand that life isn't perfect and that we are all our own biggest critics, yet it would be wise to include a lot of grace in the mix. Not only when dealing with others, but also when dealing with ourselves. I think it would go a long way.

Anyway, I found this great article by David Leonhardt entitled simply "Happiness" that really encouraged my heart-it adjusted my perspective in a way that I desperately needed.

His website is: www.thehappyguy.com and you can get his "Daily Dose of Happiness" email, where I got this piece. I've taken the liberty of emphasizing key points.

"Happiness

Are you happy every day? Are you happy every hour? Are you happy every minute? Me neither.

Happiness is not about wearing a 24/7 grin across your face. Happiness is about being comfortable with who you are and where you are, and feeling that your life is good.

There is room for frustration in happiness.
There is no room for being ruled by frustration.

There is room for sadness in happiness.
There is no room for being ruled by sadness.

There is room for anger in happiness.
There is no room for being ruled by anger."

What a refreshing perspective!

Choices That Change Your Life, Guaranteed

2007-03-08T07:37:00.000-08:00

Years ago I kind of just floated through life, without a whole lot of direction. It was commonplace for me to be swayed by my circumstances, and my attitude reflected what I was going through. My outlook was generally pessimistic and the words out of my mouth usually reflected a cynical disposition.

More recently, though, I have realized that:

I can't CONTROL my circumstances.
However, I can control HOW I RESPOND to circumstances.
My attitude and outlook on life shape my circumstances.
So, I can make choices that shape my attitude that gets me THROUGH circumstances.

My desire is to be joyful, happy and peaceful at all times. You, too, can make these choices that will change your life.

Though I'm not perfect and no one is, you can strive toward these ideals and watch your life be transformed. (I know this sounds simplistic and borderline "cheesy," but I encourage you to try it).

Daily, in everything you do, as difficult as it is, choose:

1) Gratitude. Keep your heart open and be thankful for everything that comes your way. That doesn't mean you have to like it, only accept it and stop forcing things to go the way you want. You'll find that life is a lot easier.

2) To be happy. Regardless of your circumstances, make a decision to remain happy. No one or nothing can steal your happiness unless YOU ALLOW IT TO HAPPEN.

3) To be joyful. Make a decision to focus on what is good and right with the world, instead of being obsessed with the bad, evil or wrong in society. This doesn't mean ignoring these things or becoming a positive pollyanna, but what you focus on is usually what you get.

4) To operate out of rest: Strive to function out of a place of contentment and acceptance, peace & faith, knowing that all things are working for your good. Repeat to yourself, "I no longer struggle but naturally attract those things in life that I want and need, and walk in the miraculous daily."

Happiness Is for Hippies?

2007-03-07T07:59:00.000-08:00

Ok, so the title was little more than a cheap ploy to draw your attention. But, the truth of the matter is that we should all be happy and enjoy life, not just those embedded in the hippy culture, living life on their own terms.

Recently, I've been thinking a lot about life balance, happiness, joy and what's important in life. Yeah, I know, money is important but it doesn't buy you happiness.

If that were the case, the United States would be one of the happiest countries on the face of the earth: we have one of the wealthiest populations on the planet.

In fact, when compared to other countries, we don't rank anywhere near the top in happiness: the U.S. is #23.

I found this really cool article called "The World Map of Happiness" on Guy Kawasaki's blog, http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2007/02/the_world_map_o.html.

Here's who made the top 20:

Denmark
Switzerland
Austria
Iceland
The Bahamas
Finland
Sweden
Bhutan
Brunei
Canada
Ireland
Luxembourg
Costa Rica
Malta
The Netherlands
Antigua and Barbuda
Malaysia
New Zealand
Norway
The Seychelles

Here's the actual World Map of Happiness Map

So, with all that being said:

What is happiness?
How can you be content, regardless of your circumstances?
How do you find joy whether something good or bad happens to you?
What does life-balance and quality living have to do with happiness?

I'll address these questions in a future post...

Gratitude: Why Bother? Studies Tell the Story

2007-03-06T08:07:00.000-08:00

Back in February I wrote about a practice I had started, listing 5 things each day that I'm thankful for. It has radically altered my life and changed my heart in ways that I couldn't have imagined; my outlook on life has become more positive, and I've become more loving, giving and understanding of others.

For those of you out there that are "practical pragmatists," I found studies that highlight the benefits of people who are grateful and how much more they get out of life.

But first, a few quotes:

"The best kind of giving is thanksgiving."--Chesterton

"Ingratitude is the essence of vileness."--Kant

"Give thanks in all things..."--The Bible

"A noble person is mindful and thankful of the favors he receives from others."--the Buddha

Why it pays to be grateful:

" Consider that recent academic studies have shown:

People who describe themselves as feeling grateful to others and either to God or to creation in general tend to have higher vitality and more optimism, suffer less stress, and experience fewer episodes of clinical depression than the population as a whole. These results hold even when researchers factor out such things as age, health, and income, equalizing for the fact that the young, the well-to-do, or the hale and hearty might have "more to be grateful for."
Grateful people tend to be less materialistic than the population as a whole and to suffer less anxiety about status or the accumulation of possessions. Partly because of this, they are more likely to describe themselves as happy or satisfied in life.
In an experiment with college students, those who kept a "gratitude journal," a weekly record of things they should feel grateful for, achieved better physical health, were more optimistic, exercised more regularly, and described themselves as happier than a control group of students who kept no journals but had the same overall measures of health, optimism, and exercise when the experiment began. (Researchers use frequency of exercise as a barometer for general well-being because it is an objective measure that links to subjective qualities; people who exercise three or more times per week tend to have better indicators of well-being, even when health conditions that affect the ability to exercise are factored out.)
Grateful people are more spiritually aware and more likely to appreciate the interconnectedness of all life, regardless of whether they belong to specific religions."

[I got this from the article, "Rx for Life: Gratitude (Why every day should be a day of thanksgiving)" by Gregg Easterbrook, found on www.beliefnet.com.] Check it out if you get a chance.

So, you see, it pays to be grateful--literally! I'm glad that the world of mainstream psychology and people in general are beginning to see the wonderful benefits of "giving thanks daily" or being grateful in your own way.

Here are some articles about being grateful you might find interesting:

1) Rx for Life: Gratitude
www.beliefnet.com/story/51/story_5111.html

2) Boost Your Health With a Dose of Gratitude:
www.webmd.com

3) Gratitude at work:
http://gbr.pepperdine.edu/064/gratitude.html

4) Start Your Gratitude journal:
http://www.touchpointcoaching.com/newsletters/3mc_02.htm

5) Research Project on Gratitude and Thankfulness:
http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/labs/emmons/

FUNday Monday Videos: The "Happy Dance"

2007-03-05T08:34:00.000-08:00

What follows is the 2nd installment of "FUNday Monday Videos," to help you kick your week off right and bring a smile to your face...

This video chronicles the travels of Matt Harding who starting in 2003, traveled the world, doing a silly, funny dance in each country that he visited.

See the positivity blog, www.positivityblog.com for more info.

I give you "The Happy Dance:"

Getting Things Done While Maintaining Your Sanity

2007-03-02T07:32:00.000-08:00

I know some people who are so organized that every piece of their life is planned, down to the last detail. To me that's a little overboard. But, a few tools to help you maintain balance and bring order can certainly be helpful. It has been for me...

Recently, I found a couple of tools that have really helped me keep my priorities in front of me and get things done.

1) Joe's Goals; www.joesgoals.com/:

This is a great, FREE easy to use resource. Not for your "To Do" List but instead for routine tasks or priorities, like:

working out at the gym 6 times/week
eating 6 meals a day at specified times
going to the chiropractor twice per week
date night

Joe's Goals allows you to check off the items you accomplished and those you did not, giving you a daily, weekly and monthly score to track your progress. And, its very easy to use.

2) Vitalist; www.vitalist.com:

Granted there are tons of tools out there that help you "Get Things Done" (GTD), but I found one that works well, with a minimum of headaches. Here's why I like Vitalist:

IT'S FREE
easy to use, intuitive interface
allows you to drop your list onto your Google/Yahoo page, so its right in front of you
integrates into your Google calendar
many features like the ability to add notes, due dates, put off until "someday," ticklers, etc.
separate lists by context for work projects, home tasks, biz stuff, etc.

If neither of these appeal to you, go to this website where you'll find tons of stuff to help you streamline your life:

3) "Big List of Online Productivity Tools:"

http://lifedev.net/big-list-of-online-productivity-tools/

Loving Your Mistakes: Are You Nuts?

2007-02-28T07:40:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, everyone makes mistakes and "failure" is part of life's experience.

What follows is an article I found that is really powerful, for the simple lesson it contains: its about loving your mistakes and accepting yourself and others in the process. And yes, its pretty transparent, even personal...

Anyway, It hit home for me.

As difficult as this is to say, I can be very judgmental of myself and others, in particular with my wonderful wife. Granted, we all make mistakes and have faults, but some tend to let these things slide while others are more like me (as embarrassing as this is) and can sometimes not be too forgiving.

The article really touched my heart and got through to me. Here are some key things I learned:

When my wife forgets or makes mistakes, whatever, I can simply accept it, realizing that she's only human, and that's part of the special someone that she is.
I can recognize that forgetfulness or follow-through is not her strength and love her for who she is and not judge her for who she's not (more like me).
As I am more compassionate and understanding of others, their actions and who they are, things seem to occur naturally when I don't force it. Things fall into place in an almost miraculous manner.
When I "go with the flow," accepting all that comes my way instead of fighting it, I am more peaceful, happy and content.

Here's the article (it's a bit long, but I think worth the read):

"Can You Love Those 'Mistakes'?"
Judith Sherven, Ph.D. & Jim Sniechowski, Ph.D

It's so easy to feel embarrassed and humiliated by the dumb stuff we all do. You've no doubt tried to hide the evidence that would expose you. And every one of us has lied to cover up our mishaps.

But what about turning moments that might be thought of as mistakes into just another aspect of your ability to be fabulous at accepting all of who you are . . . who you really are . . .and incorporating your ditzy, addle-brained professor stuff into your intimate family history?

The other day Judith decided she would make lamb stew. But she didn't have any flour to thicken her concoction. So she thought by mashing up some of the cooked potatoes and putting that into the mix it would do the job.

Well, it didn't. So what she ended up with was a pretty runny mix.

She told Jim about her experiment and then served him what was kind of like stew and sort of like soup.

Jim started calling it "stoup." Lamb stoup.

Now "stoup" is part of our intimate history and an endearment that will be with us for a
long time.

And then another time Jim used an antique piano stool he'd bought for Judith as a step stool
to fix a window blind. Oops! The mahogany seat cracked and it now wobbled when Judith
sat on it to do her make-up.

At first she couldn't understand what had caused the damage, but then she put two and
two together -- and voila! -- she'd solved the puzzle.

Now, she had to reconcile her anger at the broken piano stool with her compassion for Jim's naivete about how delicate some things can be.

The answer -- to remember that it all came from love -- both the gift of the stool and the crack that happened while Jim was lovingly fixing the blind. So she decided to get it fixed so it won't wobble anymore but keep the crack -- because every time she sees the crack she sees how
much Jim's behavior is motivated by love.

And, just like with "stoup," the cracked piano stool is also part of our family's romantic lore.

How can you see your foibles as simply human, sometimes pretty funny, sometimes a lot of aggravation, but just human . . .

AND love your humanity while you fix the problem as well as you can?

On the other hand, how can you get creatively generous . . .and make the most loving tribute out of your sweetheart's mistakes?

After all, they're just "mistakes."

And you can be so wonderfully fabulous when you open your heart.

Just remember that even you can be a goof up from time to time . . . and then you can give
the gift of your heartfelt humor and understanding!

So love those mistakes!

******************
NOTE: Reprinting of this article in newspapers, newsletters,
ezines, and blogs is allowed as long as proper author
credits and, if published online, a link is provided back to
http://www.fearofbeingfabulous.com
******************

SuccessTools: Inkless Printer for Cell Phones

2007-02-27T07:23:00.000-08:00

As if we need another resource so we can work and play 24-7-365...

Available in late 2007, a company related to Polaroid called Zinc Imaging has developed a hand-held printer that integrates with cell phones and digital cameras.

Apparently, the printer does away with ink by changing the color of the paper when heat is applied. Don't ask me how it works, or how they fit the paper in the mini-printer, but its really cool.

And in the future, my guess is that they will eventually integrate NEARLY EVERYTHING: expect a phone/camera/video/printer/computer hybrid. Then we can be REALLY successful, if you aren't already. (A little humor here).

For more info check out this link.

FUNday Monday Videos Kickoff

2007-02-26T07:51:00.000-08:00

This weekend I was stumbling around, looking at online videos and came up with this idea:

A lot of people may struggle to get up Monday morning to face another week of work.

To combat that and help you kick your week off right, bringing a smile to your face at the beginning of your week when u need it most, I present to you:

FUNday Monday Videos

They're silly, they're fun and who knows, they might make you laugh. But they'll definitely change your frame of mind, if you let it.

This one is called "The Gummy Bear Dance." Enjoy!

Sidenote: Since beginning my new job a few months back at NEXTSTUDENT I have to say that I love it and look forward to Mondays and what I do. Honestly, my NextStudent job is the first job that I can say this about.

Not What It Appears: New Student Loan Bills Threaten Education

2007-02-23T09:08:00.000-08:00

Education is one of the cornerstones of our country. Not only are we one of the wealthiest countries on earth, we are also one of the most educated. But, I wonder how long that will last. While I believe greatly in creativity, ingenuity and entrepreneurial ventures, education plays a key part in success. I know it has for me.

Recently, however, the democratic congress has introduced student loan legislation that is not only detrimental to our educational system, but hazardous to the long-term wealth of our graduates.

Though college students may appear to be winning "the student loan wars," with increases in the Pell Grant Awards and other considerations, the costs may be too great. My hope is that by informing people we can avoid a disaster in the making. My intention here is not to invoke fear, but to bring awareness that leads to action and the ultimate defeat of these detrimental bills.

Here's a blog that gives you a clear picture of what's going on and what is really at stake.

Character & Integrity Prevails, In The Long Run

2007-02-22T07:55:00.000-08:00

Hollywood portrays the successful business person as doing "whatever it takes" to succeed, with little regard for morals, honesty or integrity. Whatever shortcut, conniving scheme, manipulative trick that will get that person to the top, make them millions or achieve their goals is considered acceptable.

But is it really? Whatever happened to character? Integrity? Honesty?

Anyone ever heard of the saying, "what goes around, comes around? I think some people call it karma. Others call it the law of attraction. Whatever you call it, it "bites back," even if you don't believe it will. Now, I don't mean this in a graceless, legalistic or harsh manner. It's just a law of nature that I've seen play out many times in my own life.

Here's a really uplifting story I read the other day. You know how the movies most often portray cops as dishonest, amoral,"on the take," or more interested in racking up tickets to meet his/her monthly revenue quota than serving others?

Well, this article, "Cop who ticketed himself reaps praise" may seem a little silly or even ridiculous at first glance, but it speaks volumes when it comes to character. Here's what happened, according to the article:

"Chief Dick Knoebel drove past a stopped school bus with its lights flashing in September, then wrote himself a ticket for $235 and docked himself four points on his driving record."

Most police officers would have blown it off or outright ignored the flagrant violation. But this guy, Chief Dick Knoebel "did the right thing," even when no one was looking.

Now, in my book, that's the definition of character: what you do and how you act when no one's looking. That's the true you. If only more of us would follow his example more often, what a different world we might live in...

Oh, and here's the link for the article so you can read it yourself.

Your Ideal Life: "You Can Do It!"

2007-02-21T07:54:00.000-08:00

What is it that you want out of life? Here is a simple process to put you on the path to achieving your dreams. The key is imagination, repetition and perseverance.

1. Ask yourself these questions to help you figure it out:

What are your passions, dreams and desires?
What do you find yourself naturally doing, that people gravitate towards you for?
What do your currently do that you love? (for work, play, fun)
What would you do if you didn't get paid for it (ok, make that "not paid much")?
How can you live "your ideal life," doing what you love to do, being who you were created to be?

2. Write out the answers to these questions, then think of what your "ideal" would be in each of the following areas of your life:

career/work
health
financial
spiritual
relationships
personal growth

3. Now, focus your vision a little bit more by writing out what your "ideal" would be in each area. When you are writing up your “ideals” or dreams, write a vivid,engaging description as if it has already happened. The more details the better. Make it something that gets you really excited and motivates you to move forward. Use present tense, for example: “I am a full-time entrepreneur, doing what I love daily…” Then add specifics.

4. Select the dream/area that is most meaningful to you, and read it every day out loud. Do it first thing in the morning & then in the evening, before you go to sleep. When you read it, do so with emotion and passion. Perhaps you can close your eyes and pause after each sentence, picturing yourself living your dream.

5. Commit to doing this 5 days of the week for a month. You will find that you’re naturally getting excited about your dreams and making them a reality in your life. I’ve done this several times and have had incredible results.

One example is when I put together my vision of my ideal client when I was working in the real estate field.

When I met with my potential client, I showed him what I had been envisioning/praying for (I typed it out) and compared it to the description of what he was looking for. He was both incredulous and excited. “Talk about synchronicity,” he said. And we decided to work together on the spot.

I encourage you to get started today, and then start expecting the miraculous to come your way each day!

$50K in 2 days: figure the odds

2007-02-20T11:51:00.000-08:00

How'd you like to make twice the median salary of an American in just two days?

It can be done. What's interesting is HOW it happened in this story.

This airline pilot didn't have anything particularly special going for him that I'm aware of. He wasn't involved in network marketing, didn't play the stock market, and it had nothing to do with gambling in the futures or options markets, or any other crazy scheme or idea.

The key component here is LUCK. You see, Mr. Raymond Snouffer Jr. won the lottery. Twice. Two days in a row. According to lottery officials, the odds of that happening were "incalcuable." I'd say.

Congratulations, Mr. Snouffer! We don't know how you pulled it off.

I guess this remarkable feat just goes to show you that no matter what your situation, you can always have hope in the miraculous and get it.

Now, I'm not advocating that everyone invest their life savings in the "big one" (lottery that is) and hope that they will somehow make millions.

I'm simply pointing out that whatever your dreams and desires are , however unlikely it may seem that you will achieve them, move forward with hope and faith. Someday, you will see them fulfilled. As with the man who won the lottery two days in a row, stranger things have happened!

I found this story, "‘Virtually incalculable’ odds: Minnesota man wins $25,000 lottery two days in a row," on the MSNBC site, www.msnbc.com.

Don't Let the Bank Rob You: Success of a Different Sort

2007-02-19T08:22:00.000-08:00

Here's a really great story I found regarding a biz owner on the "island" of England (U.K).

You know how banks charge you for everything these days? And, if you happen to be off when balancing your checkbook and you have a few checks that bounce, you get hit with $25 - $35 per check charges (even higher in England)?

Well, you don't get any grace or mercy from the bank when that happens. And it seems that both here in America as well as in England, the banks are going crazy with these charges, with little consideration for right or wrong, or even correcting their errors.

According to the Daily Mail article titled, "Customer sends bailiffs in to seize bank's computers" found at www.dailymail.co.uk, a man named Declan Purcell had a bunch of charges deducted from his account to the tune of 3,400 pounds that he thought were wrong, so he:

"decided to give one of the high street giants a taste of its own medicine. When Royal Bank of Scotland refused to refund £3,400 charges that Declan Purcell believed he was owed, he sent in the bailiffs.

Stunned customers at his branch of RBS watched as debt collectors seized four computers, two fax machines and a till filled with cash.

The branch manager was told that the items would be sold unless RBS came up with the money owed to Mr. Purcell.

Only when the manager gave an undertaking that the debt would be paid did the bailiffs leave.

Mr. Purcell said: ‘I think the bank was pretty shocked when the bailiffs went in. But my view is that this is exactly what they would have done to me.’”

Great story! Apparently, what happened was that Mr. Purcell went to court, got a judgment against the bank and then had the judgment enforced, according to the law. The Royal Bank of Scotland decided to not defend their interests and neglected to respond to any correspondence regarding settling the judgment. So, the law stepped in and the bailiffs went to collect the money owed.

Kudos to Mr. Purcell for stepping up and taking action in the face of extremely daunting odds—and prevailing! According to the article, Britain’s Office of Fair Trading is investigating the exorbitant charges that are leveled on customers for overdrafts and other practices.

Exercise This, Man...

2007-02-16T10:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I spoke about the importance of rest and what that does for your health and well-being. While rest is critical, exercise is crucial. The last few months since I've been eating more healthy, I've been feeling so much better. Several weeks ago, I decided I wanted to go back to the gym and start exercising again.

Just "Do It!"

Let me just say that it's been a lot tougher than I thought. I'm not in the same trim, 7% body fat shape I was in my collegiate days. But, I will persist and I'm sure my efforts will pay off. Also, I have accountability--so I can't quit. My wife and I have entered the Body for Life Fitness Challenge (starts next week) at our chiropractor's office, so we have a system in place to help us be successful.

So, I encourage you to get back to the gym or engage in a specific, ongoing exercise regimen. It doesn't have to be anything complicated and you don't have to aspire to be a professional body builder or female model. Just get in there and "do it!" You'll be glad you did.

A Creative Way to Exercise: Wii-ercise Me, Baby!

Here's a twist on exercise that you've probably never thought of. It's mostly for the college crowd, those fanatical gamers out there, or for those looking for a good excuse NOT to go to the gym while engaging in some type of activity.

You've probably heard of "Jazzercise," which involves exercising to music in a vigorous, yet creative fashion. Well, I call this "Wii-ercise." For those of you out there that are clueless, it's basically an interactive video-game, kinda like virtual reality where you become part of the game (literally), whether its bowling, baseball or whatever.

Ok, it's not truly exercising with the goal of fitness in mind, but for those who struggle to show their faces inside the likes of a gym, it may be a good technique to move in that direction.

I found this really interesting article which outlines how to get your "Wii ON." You might want to check it out, it's a lot of fun!

"You Deserve a Break Today!"

2007-02-15T07:55:00.000-08:00

This last week I've been exhausted. Tired, running on empty, kind of dragging along. Definitely not operating at my best. Two weeks ago, I started taking these new supplements: a super powerful greens product and a powerful antioxident. I started feeling great, within hours of first taking it. More energy, better outlook and attitude, a greater capacity for productivity.

So, what did I do? I started working harder, staying up later so I could get more done and sacrificed my sleep. Now I'm paying for it.

I recently found this study on the Slacker News website, "New Study Finds More Naps Mean A Healthier Heart," (http://www.channel3000.com/health/10989723/detail.html) that said that it's great to take short naps during the day and that it may help your heart.

I've also heard that it's great to take a day of rest each week. I know that when I've tried it, it's had a huge impact on my health, outlook and emotional well-being.

Since most of us can ill afford to take that 30 minute snooze during the day, and it's even more difficult to take an entire day off and rest, I figure that somehow we can take some type of break where we just "do nothing more than enjoy or appreciate life."

I found this website that has some really beautiful images and sayings to encourage you to take that time. So, today or whenever you get the chance, take 10-15 minutes and check it out. Then, perhaps set up a daily time where you do nothing more than relax, recharge and renew your focus, whatever that looks like for you. Enjoy!

Here's that website: http://beinglive.com/win101/phwinspire501k.htm

What’s Love Got to Do With It?

2007-02-14T10:53:00.000-08:00

I was surfing Amazon.com earlier today and checked out their survey which asked, “do you think…”: Love is in the air? OR Love stinks?

Here are the results:

Amazon Love Meter
45.1% of those who voted think that love is in the air.
54.9% think that love stinks.

So for those of you who are down on the day, I apologize for this post. For those of you who want to spread the love and have someone you care about, here are a few tidbits that may help.

Gifts that are a really bad idea:

“Do I look like a people person?” T-shirt.
The book, “You on a Diet.”
A giant ant farm.
“Why You're Dumb, Sick & Broke...And How to Get Smart, Healthy & Rich!” book by Randy Gage.
“Fart Proudly: Writings of Benjamin Franklin You Never Read in School.”

Looking for just the right movie to get you and yours in the right frame of mind for this evening? Try these ideas and see where the night takes you.

Movies To Get You and Your Date “In the Mood” (along with memorable quote):

Jerry Maguire: "You had me at 'hello.'"
The Big Easy: "If I can't have you, can I at least have my gator?"
Flirting: "Football. It's a form of mating ritual."
Body Heat: "You aren't too smart. I like that in a man."
Secretary: "Who's to say that love needs to be soft and gentle?"
Say Anything: "I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen."

Relationships Are That Important

Perhaps you’re desperate. You’ve waited until the last minute to buy the flowers (all the local shops are out of roses), or make your dinner reservations (her favorite is booked). Don’t panic, you’re in luck. The least you could do is find a card and write something meaningful.

Then, spend a little time on this site to get some ideas: http://www.theromantic.com/stories/valentines/main.htm

Who knows? Maybe you can still save the day and take your romance to the next level.

"Like a Candle in the Wind:" Anna Nicole Smith & Your Health

2007-02-13T07:51:00.000-08:00

Last Friday, Feb. 9th we were shocked by the death of Anna Nicole Smith. She was a cultural icon of sorts, who in recent years rocked the world of reality TV addicts and made an impression on people that couldn't easily be forgotten, whether you liked her or not.

What most people don't know is that the day before, Rosie O'Donnell on her live TV show "The View," expressed her concerns and fears about Anna Nicole Smith's health. The next day the former Playboy model was dead. She was only 39--the same age as me. It was a little close to home. Honestly, I didn't follow her exploits and didn't lose sleep over her reality TV show appearances. But, her passing was sad none the less.

With the average life expectancy of Americans hovering somewhere north of age 70, Anna Nicole Smith had at least another 30 years left, as averages go. It made me realize not only the obvious--how precious life is--but also how crucial our health is to living life to the fullest.

What’s Your Real Age?

Just the other day I found this great website, www.realage.com, that allows you to take this great test to see where you stand health-wise. Granted, it’s a gimmick, but it makes sense. I took it and when all the dust cleared, I was actually 6 years younger health-wise than my actual age. I attribute this to the fact that I’ve lost significant weight after my appendectomy a while ago, and have kept it off through a healthy diet and exercise.

When I heard of the fact that Anna Nicole Smith had died, it made me think how important it is to do everything I can do to remain healthy. It solidified my commitment of sticking to my exercise and aerobics regimen, and to eat nutritious foods, at least a good deal of the time.

Ask yourself:

How do you feel? Are you operating at your optimum? When you wake up are you ready to go or do you already have that headache and flagging energy that drags throughout your day?
Where do you want to be? Are you satisfied with your health, productivity, physical-emotional-spiritual balance or would you like to make improvements?
Are you willing to change? If you’re happy where you are, great! If you would like to make improvements, start small. Maybe you could begin by taking the test at www.realage.com. Yes, it’s a bit long, but it’s also very comprehensive. This could be just the jumpstart or catalyst to start you on your way to a “new you!”
What are some easy, simple things you could do that would have an impact on your health? Ideas: get to bed earlier, cut out those triple cheeseburgers and super large fries at Wendy’s, walk twice a week, etc.

"Crack That Whip:" Developing a Personal Motivation Plan

2007-02-12T08:17:00.000-08:00

It's funny, but I never was motivated by force or threats, and my guess is that most people aren't either. A while ago, I had this life "coach" whose idea of motivation was harassing, pushing and nagging me to action. Did it work? Well, let's just say that the relationship lasted for less than two weeks.

I call this the "push" method of motivation/management. You see this in may top-heavy corporations that have an authoritarian management structure, and whose employees are basically told what to do.

Later, I hired a life coach who encouraged and supported me in such a way that I found my own personal system that motivated me and moved me to growth.

This is the "pull" method of motivation/management. It allows people to discover their gifts and skills and work in areas in which they can make the most significant contribution to their company or business. You will generally find this in companies that are smaller organizations whose management encourages ideas, creativity and autonomy and whose managers are confident visionaries.

What are some great ideas for forming your personal motivational plan?

Probably the most important thing to remember is to ENJOY YOURSELF. Don’t make this a boring, legalistic chore that you look forward to as much as getting your teeth pulled at the dentist’s. Have fun with it!

Here are some suggestions:

Write out your list of your dreams, goals and desires. When you know what you want, you have a target to move toward. Most people (97%) don't bother and thus wander aimlessly across the landscape of life. Go ahead, dream a little—you’re entitled.

Put together some type of tracking system, or some way to know how you’re doing and review it on a daily basis. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy and this certainly can be lighthearted and fun. (On a later post, I’ll share some great online tools for doing this—and it takes just minutes a day to do!)

Exercise regularly and watch your nutrition. When I first started this I wasn’t happy. I cut out many foods temporarily like beef and other stuff I liked, and I felt deprived. But I kept at it. And in only a few weeks, I felt better than I’ve felt in years, I’m sleeping better, have great energy and my productivity has increased by a factor of three or more. Persist for a bit and you’ll get the rewards.

Find your spiritual center. I don’t mean go out and join the latest cult or become “so heavenly that you do no earthly good.” However, research has shown that there are significant benefits for those who attend church, pray and read the Bible, amongst other spiritual practices. These include: oftentimes longer life, healing more quickly from illness and diseases, and overall better outlook/attitude on life.

Associate with positive people and images. This may seem unnecessary for some. Yet, I can say that when I stopped watching horror movies, associating with those who did nothing but complain, and started focusing on the positive things in life and the possibilities instead of the negative, my life changed in a huge way.

Set aside a time each week where you can review your progress and plan for the next. You’d be amazed at what this simple process can do for you. You’ll gain an appreciation for all you accomplish and before you know it, you will see your dreams materializing before your very eyes.

Get together on a regular basis with a group where you can share your dreams and progress. Some people call this a "mastermind" group. Whatever you call it, it’s a forum where you can get with others and be accountable. You can share your progress toward your goals, your struggles in getting there and get feedback along the way.

If you have any comments or anything that’s worked great for you, please share it with us.