Thought for the Day

Do What Brings You Joy!

...Before time runs out

Time is ticking, and each day blends into another…or does it for those who are planning their future? There’s a new trend for those who don’t want to lose one second.

Tell us more about this new trend.
• Many people are creating “life lists” which is a contract with yourself outlining goals that you want to accomplish before you die.
• The popularity of life lists is surging with available lists of places to visit, must read books, and things to do before you are 40.
• Media resources are catching the frenzy. There are new movies coming out, and Visa is running a print campaign built around checklists called “Things to do while you are alive.”
• With 79 million baby boomers, they are at the point in their lives where they are taking stock of where they have gone, and what they want to do with the rest of their life.

Why are these “lists” so important to so many?
• These are a perfect way for time-crunched professionals to organize on personal journeys in this quick pace world
• The lists create a road map for the future
• The lists create a mechanism for feeling like people are in control of their destinies and outcomes.
• The list gives people a mechanism for feeling mastery and life accomplishment
• People feel happiest and heightened self-esteem when they are accomplishing goals and working towards an outcome.

How do we create a life list?
• Quite simply… just start to write down anything you’d like to accomplish before you die.
• Make your goals attainable and small do-able tasks (vs. something vague and too general… like creating world peace).
• Compile your list and check off the things you accomplish. Some therapists and motivational coaches suggest starting with 100 goals and add items to your list whenever you’d like.
• Remember life isn’t a dress rehearsal, so use each moment and get moving towards everything you’ve always wanted to do.

Working Dads Want More

A recent survey from CareerBuilders.com reports that dads want more time with their families. Tonight’s segment focuses on current trends related to work and family life.

What does the research indicate?
• 38% of dads say they would take a pay cut to spend more time with their kids
• 24% of dads say working overtime is negatively effecting their relationship with their children
• 48% of dads say they have missed a significant life event at least once due to work obligations

How does work commitments relate to the loss of family time?
• 25% of dads spend less than one hour with their children each day
• 42% of dads spend less than two hours with their children each day
• 27% of dads work more than 50 hrs per week—limiting family time

What are some suggestions for working dads?
• Create a family day. Go for family bike rides, outings, movies, picnics, and enjoy the day free of work, cell phones, computers, and text messaging.
• Talk to your boss about flex-time. Try to work towards flexible hours, job sharing, or creating a means for attending important events.
• Investigate your priorities in life. What is most important? Money? Time with family? You have to have the desire to make changes you want in your life.
• Balance your life by setting limits on the hours you are willing to work, and stick to your commitment
• Keep in touch with your family during work breaks or during lunchtime.

After a While

After A While
by Veronica A. Shoffstall

After a while you learn
the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul
and you learn
that love doesn't mean leaning
and company doesn't always mean security.
And you begin to learn
that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises
and you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes ahead
with the grace of woman, not the grief of a child
and you learn
to build all your roads on today
because tomorrow's ground is
too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of falling down
in mid-flight.
After a while you learn
that even sunshine burns
if you get too much
so you plant your own garden
and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone
to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure
you really are strong
you really do have worth
and you learn
and you learn
with every goodbye, you learn...

Could living in Peoria be good for your health?

Recent research indicates that suburban life can actually take a toll on Americans, and effect their work, leisure, and relaxation.

How does your location effect your health?
A recent study of over 47,000 Americans has indicated:
o People who work more hours simply get up earlier or go to bed later, which puts them at risk for sleep deprivation.
o Time at work is the biggest risk for our sleep statistics, but a close second is travel time. Those who spent lots of time traveling to work or destinations, or who are stuck in traffic on the way to work, have a higher rate of sleep deprivation.
o People who live in sprawling suburbs make a long workday longer trying to run errands on clogged roads.
o National sleep Foundation says sleep deprived drivers cause more than 100,000 auto crashes a year, and more than 1,500 deaths

How can the loss of sleep or sleep deprivation hurt us?
o Memory loss
o Poor performance on the job
o Loss of attention and concentration
o Fatigue
o Obesity (link now to sleep and obesity)

What are some common suggestions for sleep disturbances?
o Establish a regular time for going to bed--be consistent (this helps stabilize your internal clock--try to go to bed and arise at the same time each day)
o Do not go to bed too early (this sets up a pattern of fragmented sleep--you will also awaken early)
o Healthy maintenance- (Exercise regularly, eat a proper diet, stop smoking, no caffeine 6 hours before sleeping, and take a warm bath before bedtime)
o Deal with stress during waking hours. Enroll in a stress management class, learn some techniques, enlist a support group, see a therapist, etc.
o Develop a ritual, which signals the end of the day (putting the kids to bed, closing up the house, read a book, meditate, herbal tea. This all shifts your thinking from daily stressors.