Keeping It Simple

The late Larry Burkett outlined six "Basic Biblical Minimums" for any business or business leader in his book Business by the Book. The six minimums are very common sense, but often disregarded. These six standards provide a measuring stick against which any business should be assessed:

• Total honesty
• Be accountable
• Provide a quality product at a fair price
• Honor your creditors
• Treat your employees (associates) fairly
• Treat your customers fairly

One doesn't have to be a professed Biblicist to acknowledge that the listed "minimums" are, in fact, essential to legitimate success.

As I contemplate actively re-entering the network marketing industry, these will be my benchmarks. There is obviously room for expansion, but my goal is to keep it simple.

While I work to increase my physical activity, I plan to use the same resolve in working toward a successful business. In each case my focus remains the same . . . always make a difference!!

Passport LLC & Oasis Lifesciences

I am currently reviewing the move by Passport LLC and its move to merge into Oasis Lifesciences. Passport has established a solid reputation, in this blogger's opinion, for integrity and quality. Its leadership has been focused and demostrated a sincere interest in the distributor network.

Most impressive is their willingness to lay aside personal ego and benefit for the greater good. This speaks volumes about their true intent . . . making a difference in a very convoluted industry.

Thanks, guys, for always making a difference!

The "Body" of Evidence

I'm learning, after 52 years, that verbal commitment doesn't guarantee productive action. I can say it, write it or memorize it, but until I DO IT, all the verbiage is worthless.

The Nutrition Action Health Letter December 2005 edition has an interesting article entitled "While You Wait:The Cost of Inactivity." An interesting quote by Miriam Nelson of Tufts University in Boston says, "If muscle isn't stimulated, your body senses that you don't need it. Metabolically, it's expensive to keep up so you start to lose it." Wow! That kinda puts a new spin on the need to get active.

Have you ever heard the argument, "It doesn't hurt anyone but me"? Well, that same mental game is often used to justify inactivity. Until I pledged to make physical activity a priority in my life, I rationalized that my couchitis was only hurting my muscle development. Now, however, I realize that inactivity affects every organ in my body in some way. Diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and osteoporosis can be hastened by inactivity. In addition, researcher Steven Blair says, "People who are active are less likely to develop depression."

The research is voluminous. Physical activity is vital part of maintaining ones total health.

The Nutrition Action Health Letter provided the following as The Bottom Line

• To lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and colon cancer, shoot for at least 30 minutes a day of moderate intensity aerobic exercise like brisk walking, cycling, jogging or swimming.
• To keep off sustantial amounts of lost weight, shoot for 60 to 90 minutes a day of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise.
• To build muscle and prevent bone loss, do strength training exercises at least twice a week using weights you can lift no less than 8--but no more than 15--times.

So much for the words. Now is the time to move forward.

Always make a difference!

A Genuine Thanksgiving

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

Accountability & the English Muffin

At dinner tonight, my family and I enjoyed some homemade potato soup. This soup is very popular in our house and has become a "tradition" of sorts. For years our Christmas Eve meal would include beef stick and cheese balls from Hickory Farms and a big pot of mom's delicious homemade potato soup.

In addition to the soup, I enjoyed an egg bagel and two taquitos. As we were finishing, I saw that an English muffin remained on the table. It didn't take me long to assess that the English muffin, adorned with some natural peanut butter and honey, would be the perfect finish to an already delightful meal. As I reached for the muffin, I was reminded by my newfound accountability partner that I'd never achieve the goals I'd been writing about in my blog if I didn't act upon my professed desires. OOOOUUUUUCCCCCHHHHH!!!!! Needless to say, I didn't eat the muffin, and I'd enlisted my first accountability partner.

My blog was discovered by my wife as a result of my placing the URL in her favorites listing. No doubt, I subconsciously did so with the hope that she would "stand in the gap" and protect me from myself. Subconscious or not, my plan worked! She's on my team and stepped up to remind me of my goals.

If you're having trouble sticking with your goals, just remember the English muffin! Tell someone what you intend to achieve and be ready when they hold you to your word.

Thanks, baby! Gonna make you proud!!

Always make a difference!

Stay the Course!

Last week was a bust as far as my exercise plan. Exercise - 0; Laziness - 7. I guess the road to hell is indeed paved with good intentions.

What now? Should I reconsider? Should I just quit and admit that I'm too old to change my lifestyle? Am I trying to do something that is impractical or unrealistic?

The answer to all of the above is . . . Stay the Course!

Writing a schedule is the first step. I now need to enlist someone who will hold me accountable for my goals. Someone who will, without mercy, hold my feet to the fire.

In a recent interview I was asked, "What are the consequences if one of your employees doesn't meet their daily expectation?" In retrospect, my response should have included:

• continued accountability (reports, checklists, etc.)
• enhanced coaching (observations, feedback, etc.)
• correcting errant performance (verbal disapproval/correction, retraining, etc.)
• rewarding progress (verbal approval, public recognition, etc.)

Such will be the next step. I will document my schedule on a weekly calendar. Each day I will enlist my accountability partner to check with me to confirm adherence to the schedule. My initial goal is to exercise 30 minutes at least three of the seven days. The ultimate goal is to exercise six out of seven days for at least 30 minutes each day.

I have enrolled in a program through my workplace that includes a health coach. This coach will provide guidance as I progress. His/her feedback will help me stop the self deception and excusitis.

The last thing I will do is to establish and document reward checkpoints.

Stay with me as I'll post these "adjustments" tomorrow. Once again, I invite your participation. One purpose of this series of posts it to create a broad accountability. Thanks in advance for your help!

Always make a difference!

Whew!!!

Just changed the template for my blog . . . and lost everything that I had done previously. Hard lesson! I spent about two hours rebuilding, and I'm still not convinced that I included everything.

Sorry for the confusion. I'll try to do better in the future when I make any changes.

Just a little note . . . Change isn't bad, but be prepared for the consequences!

Always make a difference!

Determination . . .

Phew!! This action stuff is hard work. But . . . I refuse to give up!

Too often difficulty has caused me to give in to my inherent weaknesses. Rather than confront my faint spirit, I rationalize and make excuses. Our pastor defines an excuse as "the skin of a reason, stuffed with a lie." How accurate!

Perseverance is a central quality in all who excel. Consider Thomas Edison, George Washington Carver, Abraham Lincoln, and more recently, Rosa Parks. All could have easily yielded to their limitations. Not one of them, however, was willing to cede his or her will to the apparent realities. Winston Churchill, though a poor student and lacking in athletic ability, became a master horseman and cavalry officer, and won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Go figure!

Determined to succeed in developing the habit of daily physical activity, I press on! My failure to follow the established schedule will not control my will. I will persevere and rein in this physical body.

Perhaps you face some habits that seem to have control of your life. Stand up and face them! Admit the REAL problem, confirm a genuine solution and press on!

Let's work together to always make a difference!

Stop the Madness!!

May I digress? Of course I can! This is my blog!

Am I the only one put off by the continued partisan sniping among politicians? While I personally hold to conservative political positions, by and large, I retain the right to listen and be objective when someone of a differing opinion speaks. Further, I refuse to whine, stomp my feet, hold my breath or perform any other sophomoric antic to try to get my way.

Politics, by nature, is partisan. I understand that. But being partisan doesn't require the destruction of those with whom I differ or oppose. That, however, is the current climate in American politics.

It has been said that the government is a mirror of the electorate. Arrgghhhh! That is one scary thought. Are we the people that hateful, condemning, and pessimistic? Do we seek ways to tear down the neighbors or associates with whom we have a disagreement? Have we become so prejudiced that we seek ways to personally discredit those whose positions differ from our own?

For the record, I do believe in absolutes. I live according to a Christian worldview. My worldview, without doubt, causes me to take a stand on issues involving morality, ethics and biblical values. That same worldview, however, also causes me to look at each issue through the eyes and the mind of Christ. Jesus urged his disciples to prove their Christianity to the world by their love for one another. What a striking contrast to our current state of affairs!

May I beg our elected officials to tone down the rhetoric and back off the destructive practices? I'm not looking for a "hugfest." Nor am I looking for a watering down of ones strongly held beliefs. What I am begging for is a civilized discussion; a reasoned debate.

Making a difference in our world doesn't result from always being right. It's the product of right principles, rightly applied. Let's be the promoters of making a difference in our political process. Let's be Americans first, partisans next.

Remember, always make a difference!

P.S. Thanks for allowing the digression!

Failing With Enthusiasm!

Winston Churchill said, “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” On day three of my journey I appear to be very successful by Churchill's definition.

While my intentions were good, my expectations were less than fulfilled. However, my enthusiasm hasn't waned, and I'm pluggin' on.

I have yet to meet my activity goals, but am staying on course and shooting for at least four days of activity this week. I have scheduled the time, now I need to add discipline to the equation.

Stay with me! And remember,

Always make a difference!

Lights . . . Camera . . . ACTION!!

The time has come! Let the action begin!!

Let's establish some baselines from which I can assess progress. First the physical characteristics:

Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 230 lbs.
Waistline: 41"
Bicep: 15"
Thigh: 25 1/2"
Chest: 44"
Hips: 47 1/2"

Next, what is my desired outcome:

Weight: 185 lbs.
Waistline: 34"
Bicep: 18"
Thigh: 20"
Chest: 42"
Hips: 38"

Now, what activities will I undertake to obtain my desired results?

• Walking
• Stationary bike
• Free weights

My exercise plan will be as follows:

1. Monday - Walking-30 minutes - 6:30 a.m.
2. Tuesday - Free weights - 6:30 a.m.
3. Wednesday - Stationary bike-30 minutes - 6:30 a.m.
4. Thursday - Walking-30 minutes - 6:30 a.m.
5. Friday - Free weights - 6:30 a.m.
6. Saturday - Walking or stationary bike-30 minutes - as possible
7. Sunday - Free weights - as possible

My initial target is to exercise a minimum of three days each week. Eventually I plan to exercise at least five.

This will certainly be a challenge as I tend to be a well-trained lazy person. It is far easier to remain sedentary; inactive. Now, however, is a time for action! Nothing ever changes until one is willing to change him or herself. So, here we go!

I will maintain weekly checkpoints and reward success. Rewards will be non-food related, and provide encouragement to "keep on keeping on." Stay with me . . . and feel free to cheer me on!

Remember, always make a difference!

Let's Get Physical!

The first challenge for me is to take my planted posterior out of my favorite recliner. Physical activity, even of moderate-intensity, has been shown to result in health benefits. Research has shown that a cumulative 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most days of the week provides such benefits as improved energy, reduced stress and help in managing chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

So, knowing the benefits of physical activity, what prevents me from making the choice to be active? Perhaps it's my willingness to settle for good health.

That's right. Right now I feel fine. I have no pain, no shortness of breath, no apparent heart problems. Sadly, that speaks of an attitude of mediocrity. Someone has been quoted as saying, "When better is possible, good is not enough." Good is often the worst enemy of best, and that's most often true when it comes to our physical well being.

Permit me to once again quote from The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews (pg.70):

"A person who moves neither left or right is destined for mediocrity. When faced with a decision, many people say they are waiting for God. But I understand, in most cases, God is waiting for me! He has given me a healthy mind to gather and sort information and the courage to come to a conclusion. I am not a quivering dog, indecisive and fearful. My constitution is strong and my pathway clear. Successful people make their decisions quickly and change their minds slowly. Failures make their decisions slowly and change their minds quickly. My decisions come quickly, and they lead to victory."

Alright, I've made the decision to become physically active. Now I need to discern what the barriers are that prevent me from actually moving forward. I need to find the right combination of activities (e.g. walking, strength training, jogging) that will fit into my schedule. Then I need to plan the activities and place them within my daily schedule. Lastly, I need to establish an accountability, be it extrinsic or intrinsic.

Stay with me as I surmount the "barriers" to becoming physically active. Hey you . . . stop the office pool regarding the odds of my success! In the words of the fictional Joshua Chamberlain in The Traveler's Gift (pg. 71), "I am courageous. I am a leader. I seize this moment. I choose now. I am a person of action."

Always make a difference!