Newsletter for June 2004:
Time Money & Life Balance - Part 3 - Life Balance
Contents:
- This Months Thought
- Time, Money and Life Balance, Part 3: Live Balance
- Quotes of the Month
- Strictly Business: The In Marketing, C= (N) X (I)
- Humor: Top 10 NOT to Say to a Police Officer
This Months Thought
Happiness comes from life balance. Happiness comes from a disciplined and reasoned approach to the "big pieces" in life. If time management is the essential first step, and if managing money is a critical second step, the ultimate path to happiness is living a balanced life.
Time, Money and Life-Balance, Part 3
This is the third article in this series, and the most important. What good is free time or lots of money without a life that makes sense, without a life of purpose, fulfillment and satisfaction? Time without purpose is merely boredom, and we all know that money cannot buy happiness.
The Dalai Lama has written that the goal of human life is happiness, and he could be on to something that most of you probably already knew. Yes, we can quibble over definitions, but in the end, we want to be happy.
It seems to me that all too often our culture focuses excessively on the extremes of pleasure on the one hand and work on the other. We sell everything from cars to vacation packages with the promise that they will make us popular, sexy or powerful. And, at the same time, we work more and more hours, striving to Become "successful". It is exhausting, and neither work nor pleasure can be relied upon to create lasting happiness. Happiness is different.
I think happiness is usually the result of a well-balanced life. Happiness is the sum total of meaningful work, good health, positive relationships, lots of fun, some challenge and even failure, seasoned with laughter and joy. I suspect happiness requires a level of self-discipline, and a dash of wisdom.
Happiness comes from balancing the "big pieces" in life. What are the "big pieces"? We all have our own list, and yours might differ slightly, but here are my thoughts:
1. Spirituality and a Moral Compass. Humans are unique in our ability to hold such a volatile mix of good and evil, and without a vital Center, we quickly lose our way. I believe pursuing a spiritual path is first and foremost.
2. Positive Personal Relationships. Without love and friendship, laughter, trust and intimacy, most of us feel alone and lonely. The good life is rarely a do-it-yourself operation. The quality of my life depends on the people I love and those who love me. I think this is the second of the "big pieces".
3. Meaningful Work. We love to lie on the beach, read a good book or take the day off, but we also want to use our skills and talents to do something worthwhile. Work hard, work smart, work with pride. Do work you love and do it well. I believe work is the third "big piece".
4. Health, Fitness and Fun. I've never been disabled or limited for any length of time, and I consider that a great blessing. The ability to enjoy a sunrise, or go for a walk or sit with a close friend and just enjoy each others company is the third "big piece". Take care of your body and soul. It's your "data port" to the world.
5. Finances and Resources. Like squirrels storing nuts for the winter, we must monitor our resources, use them wisely, and invest for the future. Managing your finances opens doors, eases worry, and provides security during hard times.
When Henry Thoreau wrote that most of us "live lives of quiet desperation", I think he meant that our lives are out of balance. Some of us work too much, others not enough. Some of us spend all our time socializing, while others remain separated from those who would embrace them. Some of us spend foolishly, while others are misers. We know that over 60% of Americans are over-weight. These extremes, while they may at times bring "pleasure" cannot be a path to happiness.
Happiness comes from life balance. Happiness comes from a disciplined and reasoned approach to the "big pieces" in life. If time management is the essential first step, and if managing money is a critical second step, the third step to happiness is living a balanced life. Determine the "big pieces" in your life. As Spock used to say (for those who remember Star Trek), “may you live long and prosper".
Quotes of the Month
"Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value." -- Albert Einstein
"The thoughts we choose to think are the tools we use to paint the canvas of our lives." -- Louise Hay
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable." -- Helen Keller
"Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die." -- Amelia Burr
Strictly Business: In Marketing, C (N) x (I)
A common challenge for professionals and small business owners is how to turn their practice into a true, systematized business, and much of the challenge focuses on marketing. It seems most professionals, from Accountants to Veterinarians, want more customers!
The following is a formula I found that helps my clients strategize about their marketing campaigns and it works like this:
The number of clients (customers) a marketing program attracts is a product of the Number (N) of people in your audience, multiplied by the Impact (I) of your presentation. The result is very simple. To increase sales, you must, either reach more people - increase the N - or increase the Impact of your presentation. Here are three examples.
A radio ad in a major market might reach a million listeners (N), but the impact (I) will be very small. Changing the ad to a call- in talk-show might reach the same number of listeners, but by increasing the Impact, you'll attract more business.
Similarly, a speech to a local service club might have an audience of 100 people, but if your presentation creates enough impact, you'll still attract several new clients.
If you mail 1000 brochures and attract 6 new clients, the (I) for that mailing is .006 and the formula C N x I works out to be: 6 Clients 1000 x .006
You can attract more business by increasing the Number of prospects, or by increasing the Impact you have on each of them. Some people prefer contacting more people via the Internet or renting large mailing lists, while others prefer the intimacy and personal contact of workshops. Any method can work, but the formula remains the same: C (N) x (I).
Humor: Top 10 things NOT to Say to a Police Officer
I think the following are pretty humorous reminders of what NOT to say if you're pulled over for speeding:
- I can't reach my license unless you hold my beer.
- Sorry, Officer, I didn't realize my radar detector wasn't plugged in.
- Aren't you the guy from the Village People?
- Hey, you must've been doin' about 125 mph to keep up with me. Good job!
- Are You Andy or Barney?
- I thought you had to be in relatively good physical condition to be a police officer.
- You're not gonna check the trunk, are you?
- Gee, Officer! That's terrific. The last officer only gave me a warning, too!
- I was trying to keep up with traffic. Yes, I know there are no other cars around. That's how far ahead of me they are.
- When the Officer says "Gee Son....Your eyes look red, have you been drinking?" You probably shouldn't respond with, "Gee Officer your eyes look glazed, have you been eating doughnuts?"
Rodger Blaker is a Personal Coach who supports people in their desire to bridge the gap between where they are today and where they want to be! For info on resources for your success, visit: http://www.rodgerblaker.com
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