What do a cellphone and a Sports Illustrated Model all have in common? They can both be huge distractions. Cell phones and texting have become a very dangerous and serious topic. Instead of being distracted by the model, take some time to actually look at the magazine.

This was a major topic at last month’s Transportation Department’s Distracted Driving Summit; how to deal with driving and cellphones. Texting and the consequences of this distraction can be deadly. This past August, a doctor in Los Angeles was texting a picture and message about his dog to a friend as he drove off a cliff and died.

Ways to Help:

-Oprah’s Campaign not to Text.

-States that have banned it.

-Warning labels on cell phones, more help from social media.

Although many states have a ban on texting on your cell phone while driving, studies show these bans have very little effect on people’s habits. So if you are driving and have a need to text think twice about it. Don’t be reckless! If it is urgent, pull over to a safe place and then text. Make sure you arrive to your final destination safe and sound.

Located between your voice box and collar bone, and wrapped above the windpipe is a butterfly shaped gland that is very important to our metabolic system. The gland is the Thyroid, yes it is shaped like a butterfly and is vital to our body system because it provides and produces thyroid hormone. A very powerful chemical that regulates metabolism and body temperature. It is a small gland but a very powerful one because it basically rules everything from the nervous system, waistline, energy level, and mood. If your think your thyroid is off, look for symptoms of dry skin, hair loss, nervousness, forgetfulness, fatigue, and even cold hands. These are all warning signs your thyroid may not be working properly. Check with your doctor to follow through.

Some may disagree that being part of a team is not the way to approach life. Well I see it as a plus ;if everyone is there to motivate and help empower one another and acknowledge individual strengths and what adds to the group as a plus factor. It may not seem like the most efficient way to get things done but it will definitely ensure the best solution to the group’s “problem.” The problem lies within everyone’s ego if we could all see we are here for a higher purpose and to add all our individual qualities to one group everyone will benefit and learn from one another. Some of the people on your team might rub you the wrong way and you might feel resistance from them, but this is a wonderful opportunity to get to know them better and find a new way to appreciate the value they bring to the group. We all are not made from the same mold and if so wouldn’t life be boring?  After all, they wouldn’t be part of the team if they weren’t valuable, right? Find the value in everyone you work with and correspond with and see if you might learn something from your new open mindset. Remember we all have are strengths and weaknesses so have patience and a open heart. Take one for the team to make your work a WIN- WIN setting and formula!!!

Right Brain Dominant:

• When given a task, you want to know why it is important because you like to see the big picture.
• You don’t need to make lists becasue you like to “just wing it.”
• You prefer painting or doing something artistic over doing puzzles becasue you enjoy being creative.
• When traveling, you like spontaneous adventure. When things are too structured or planned it seems to wreck the excitement.
• You are very visual. You like textbooks, paintings, and photographs.
• You can remember a persons face but not necessarily their name.
• Organization is not a number one priority. Your desk may look messy but you know where everything is in your mind.
• Have to pay extra attention to the time. Usually running late, even if you meant to be on time.
• Usually globally visionary people.

***Tips to help stay ahead of the game:

Try to take small steps in getting organized before getting overwhelmed. Ask for   help if you can’t do it on your own, very common.

Work on developing better time management skills.

Makes notes to self and lists of things to help you stay on track.

Use visualization to help you remember people and events.

Rhythmic activities help to regain focus. Listen to music if you are cleaning,         working, or even studying.

Left Brain Dominant:

• When given a task, you don’t always need to know the reason it’s important.
• You get a great deal in pleasure making ‘to do’ lists, and checking completed items off.
• You prefer puzzles over looking at paintings.
• When traveling, you want a structured plan in place, a full itinerary with everything planned out from hotel room to adventures.
• You respond to verbal cues so you’d prefer listening to a lecture rather than reading a textbook.
• You are very good at remembering names.
• You are very organized and neatly put together.
• Always aware of your time. Mostly arrives on time or early to events. Would get great anxiety from running late to anything.

***Tips to make your life flow more positively:

Stay on a routine schedule.

Always be prepared at work so you don’t freak out.

Make precise personal lists and separate work lists, it will make more sense to you.

Practice or study important information constantly, so you can reach your comfort level and are less critical on yourself.

Complete your tasks because that makes you feel complete.

“Always be a first rate version of yourself, instead of a second rate version of somebody else.”-Judy Garland

Are you living in a shadow, the shadow of a family member, spouse, co-worker, or friend? Living in someone’s shadow not only leaves you unfulfilled, but it is a complex issue for one to live with and cause one to constantly struggle with how to be true to themselves. Someone with this issue ends up questioning their own value and self worth in all areas of life. If you are living in someone else’s shadow it is because you have a need to be associated with them, for example, a sibling you are constantly compared to or expectations others assume are you.

You need to look at your life and associations to the shadow and figure out a way to get out of the shadows of the iconic person. Get out of the shade and write down what you want in life, and why you are in this relationship. Step back and observe what you have written and you will be surprised how a pattern of behavior will become clear.

One can easily be consumed by the role of living in the shadow, but be honest with your wants and needs, and make a positive change from your newfound realization. A simple writing exercise is to make a list of feelings, behaviors, wants, needs, and so on. On the left hand side of the paper, list all the negatives or ways you feel you are “no value” or “in the shadow.” On the right hand side write down something positive or a strategy to manage or change those feelings. Write down at least one positive to each negative, and subconsciously and consciously you are igniting change to move out and beyond the shadow. Change your world with your mindset and let your behavior fuel your own self image and self worth.

You don’t have to leave the house to get fit.  Start by bringing the energy home by pumping up your home stereo.  Think about all the household chores you can turn into a workout.

Build shoulders strength by washing windows, vacuuming, sweeping and raking.  Grab two gallon jugs for curls, lateral raises and sumo squats while incorporating front raises.  A full laundry basket isn’t always a bad thing.  With a wide grip, do 3 sets of upright rows, dead lifts and torso twists.

Keep that heart rate up by doing a set of 20 jumping jacks in between chores.  Remember to switch arms to even out the workload and definition while scrubbing the bathtub.  You don’t have need a stadium full of bleachers to build your glutes and quads.  Short bursts of climbing your home stairs can do the trick too!

While putting groceries away, squat before putting the squash in the crisper or the spaghetti sauce in the pantry.  A whole bag of groceries can add up to a lot of squats and a firm behind.  Lunge all over the house.   Building large muscles allows the body to burn more calories.

Cleaning out your closet not only rids you of old, unwanted clothes, it also rids you of calories.  Pulling, reaching and lifting give your upper body and back a nice workout.  While waiting for the clothes to tumble, lean into the wall with your hands and do a few sets of vertical pushups.

Ladies, if we have to keep the house in tip-top shape, we might as well do the same for our bodies!

Many people want success and think they can achieve it by themselves.  Result; almost all fail.  Many people want to succeed and think they can read books and watch self help DVD’s to become successful.  Result; almost all fail.  Many people want success in overcoming addiction and think they can hear from their sponsor or therapist once or a few times and it will make recover a success. Result, almost all fail.  Many people want success and think someone else is going to make it happen for them in some magical.  Result; all of them fail. There are no universal ways or success formula’s that are guaranteed.

What do you WANT? What do you THINK? If you really want success, it is critical to find the right person or team of people who will help you understand who you are and what you want.  From there, they can assist in helping you establish your own goals by identifying your strengths and helping you navigate through you weaknesses and being pillars of support.  Together, they can help you clearly define what you want and whom you truly are and find your unique methodology to achieve your direction, dreams and goals and more importantly, set out an action plan on how to get there.  There are no right or wrong answers when you are on a personal discovery path, but it is vital to be honest with yourself about what your strengths and weakness are and acknowledge if you need some help; companies, cities and even families are not built on a solo effort!

No person on the planet can simply tell you how to do things, because YOU, YOURSELF need to find your way.  However, it is okay and advisable to ask for help, as none of us are not perfect.  If you can connect with the right person/people, who you can trust and believe in and they are ready to help walk with you all the way to success, then be open and prepared to let go of the ego and let them be your undercurrent or the guide to fulfilling your dreams and finding success.  Find your way by listening to and apply what feels right from the support and wisdom of other.  Only if your path is authentically your own can you hope to find any lasting success or total fulfillment of one hundred percent of your desires.

Real connect time is not merely reading self help books, DVD’s or trying to be a copy of someone else or someone else’s unique experience.  True connecting is achieved through relationships, in the letting go of the negative part of the ego, knowing the heart of your purpose and building an inspirational support team around yourself.  No person is flawless, not even the finest mentor you could find to help you follow your dreams or passions – they too have learned from failures and not allowing others in to help.  They would not want you to copy their same mistakes; they have the experience of time on their side for your advantage.  Connecting with the right support team, who you can implicitly trust and respect and who in turn, want to and can help you move along the road of success, is fundamental in the pursuit of your own personal happiness and success.

There is no distant connecting – if either the mind and heart or spirit, feel no rapport, then there will be no ability to build real truth or trust between the parties.  In this situation, it is a wasted effort to even try to forge a circle of trust and the best course of action is to try and find a genuine ally who can unreservedly be depended upon.  Instinct is an important consideration when building a support network because it is this network, whether it be a single person or a team of people, who will deal with your fears, deficits and the complexities of the issues you may consider your shortcomings.

You must be in a space where you can be honest with yourself, and resultantly, in turn be able to openly share everything with your supporters, to set up the necessary structures for success.  A key success factor to finding the right “cheer squad” for the “game of life” is be able to identify those people who enhance and fortify your strengths and pay reverence to your special talents and unique gifts.  When you make an honest alliance in this way and connect through the heart on an instinctual level and in a forum of openness, this is the most powerful foundation for reciprocal collaboration and support.

Developing personal and professional relationships lead to a maturation of professional relations within this core team.  These trusted relationships are the most significant in terms of building your confidence and identity and launching you towards your highest destiny.   These relationships should be open and honest enough to see your strengths and help with your deficiencies.  They should have the freedom to challenge you to, tell you candid truths or be the framework for dialogue of open opinion.  An exchange of ideas in such a setting should provide the inner self-confidence to set your heart on fire, to challenge you and to pull you upwards and push you forward.

Should you expect your team to know it all or have all the right answers?  Of course not!  Again, no one knows it all or is perfect.  Can they do it all?  No, no one can; there is always a ripple effect within a support system.  The important issue here once again is letting go, finding the right team and letting them help you and want to help you.  If you are afraid to trust; which is usually the most problematic issue, the simple act of letting go, dealing with that fear, taking a chance, embracing the challenge of facing that fear and taking a step forward, allows you to find your growth in the process.  Once you understand that growth comes from the act of letting go and trusting yourself and those who support you, other fears and phobia’s will not seem as disproportionately unbalanced as you are not facing them alone anymore.  This is another cumulative step towards greater holistic balance as a person and further reinforcement of your personal strength of character.

Success is the recognition of your strengths, being honest about your weaknesses and connecting all the invisible links between trust, your passions, dreams and goals and focusing that confidence to pursuing life fearlessly.  It is important to also remember your champions and in return, give gratitude, opportunity and support when needed.  The most successful people in life and business have always been those who manage upwards, their peers and inspirations, but also acknowledge the people who work for them towards the contribution to helping them achieving their goals.  Reciprocity or the concept of ‘Pay it Forward’ is a no lose game – Everyone wins!

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won’t take care of you when you’re sick.  Your friends and parents will.  Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument.  Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone.  It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God.  He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s ok to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others.  You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.  But, don’t worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath.  It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood.  Nut the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.  Don’t save it for a special occasion.  Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now.  Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words “In five years will this matter?”
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything.  Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don’t take yourself so seriously.  No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Don’t audit life.  Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day.  Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time.  You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn’t tied with at bow, but it’s still a gift.

Among my favorite types of exercise training is the Tabata method, not to be confused with the not-so-healthy ciabatta sandwich. This exercise method consists of doing a particular move in 20 second intervals followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated 8 times.

The Tabata method, invented by Dr. Izumi Tabata and his team at the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Tokyo, has been around for many years. They found that by picking exercises that are fast paced, explosive and/or plyometric will bring the participant’s heart rate up to its maximum threshold and challenge the body, in turn, burning more calories and fat in less time.

I incorporate Tabata into group fitness classes by having my class sprint on the treadmill for 20 seconds, step off to the side rails or decrease speed for 10 seconds of recovery. By starting on a level or flat surface and increasing the incline after each set, each person’s personal fitness level will be challenged allowing optimal athletic performance, increased heart rate and allowing them to remain in their maximum fat burning zone.

Tabata drills are scientifically proven to physiologically maximize and ignite the body’s fat burning zone, ultimately helping your body burn more fat in a structured, yet highly efficient format. Four minutes of this type of drill will do more for your aerobic and anaerobic threshold than that of running at the same pace and level for 60 minutes.