Choosing Friends

How do you choose your friends, your pals, or even your partner? What criteria do you consider when selecting those who would befriend you? Do they show regard and esteem for you? Do they show a concern for others? Do they show respect for life?Each time we choose a friend, pal, or associate, we choose a part of our destiny. Bad associations corrupt good morals and destroy good personal conduct. Don't let the wrong people turn you into the wrong person. Don't allow bad associations to waste your goodness and love for life. Don't follow those who would lead you to forlorn hope. Life is too meaningful to allow bad associates to waste your life. Select as your playmates, your chums, your friends, and associates those who will support your growth in a positive manner. Associate with those who show honesty, integrity, good character, and concern for their fellow man. Share your life with those who want to better themselves, their environment, their community, and this world.Choosing your friendships is a lifetime effort. Learn who you can trust. Learn who you can rely on when difficulty arises. Learn who supports your thoughts and deeds. Know who you feel comfortable with. And, most of all know and cultivate the association of those who want to share God with you and the world.

Take care of your body, it’s the only place you have to live.

"Take care of your body, it’s the only place you have to live.” -- Jim Rohn

Sometimes a new thought or a new idea is all you need to make a lasting change. You can wake up one day and decide to make your entire life change. If you are new to exercise or you dropped it for a while and you want to get back to doing it, the best way to begin is with small steps.You don’t have to become an athlete overnight to make exercise a part of your lifestyle. It’s actually better if you commit to making small changes in your daily routine instead of reinventing yourself overnight, because you are more likely to stick with it. Small changes in habits can lead to lasting, permanent change.

So think baby steps and incorporate exercise into your life with these tips.
1.  Develop a "move more" mindset.Carving out a specific hour of a day for a workout is great (and we will get to that in a little bit) but first, start each day with the mindset to move more. By reminding your body to get more movement throughout the day, you will be more likely to do it. So sit less and stand more. Take more steps and stairs. Walk to talk with a coworker instead of emailing them.Stretch in your chair, squat to pick something up, park far away from stores so you will walk more, stand up when you talk on the phone and do some exercises while you watch TV. There are numerous ways you can sneak more movement into your day. Begin each day with a move more mindset and you will find them.
2.  Commit to regular activity.You may not be the type of person who wants to train for a triathlon and that’s perfectly okay. You don’t have to become a fitness buff to benefit from exercise and movement. Start by committing to getting activity regularly. Schedule exercise like any other appointment on your calendar and treat it as a commitment rather than something you squeeze in if you have time. Even if you can only allot 15 minutes at a time, schedule it.Take a short walk. Walk at a leisurely pace at first if exercise is new to you. You can build up to a power walk. If that’s not your thing, take a fitness class, swim laps or sign up for dance classes. Whatever exercise you start, build up slowly so you don’t overwhelm yourself and give up. If your body isn’t accustomed to regular exercise, build up slowly day by day so you don’t get too sore and throw in the towel altogether.
3.  Find your favorite exercise.I know people who commit to a form of exercise and hate it. How long do you think they will keep that up? We aren’t inclined to dive in or stick to things we despise. Out of all the forms of exercise out there, find one you just love. Get really specific. Don’t just say, “yoga” discover what form of yoga is your favorite. If swimming is your thing, do you prefer swimming laps or water aerobics? Or maybe you’d dread a step class but you can’t get enough of Pilates.A good way to identify what type of exercise is right for you is to first figure out if you like to exercise alone, with a partner or in a group setting. You may have to experiment a little bit before you know. Try different forms of exercise until you find one that energizes you physically and mentally. Find your favorite exercise—one where excuses won’t even enter the equation when it’s time to exercise.
4.  Focus on health and strength and what it means to you, and not on numbers on a scale.Many people can get easily discouraged and give up when there’s too much emphasis on weight loss. Rather than an exclusive focus on weight loss, focus on the joys of exercise and movement instead. Take pride in your body getting stronger or your new ability to able to exercise longer, even if it’s just in baby steps. Think about the great way your body feels after exercise and the exhilaration you feel. Taking the time to consider what really connects you to exercise on an emotional level, is powerful because you can use those thoughts to motivate you.Most likely what motivates you runs much deeper than getting skinnier or being a specific set of three numbers on a scale. Identify what it is for you. Maybe you want to have more energy for your children or grandchildren or you want to be in more control of your health—whatever is your core motivation—connect to it.
5.  Add strength training to your weekly routine.Exercise isn’t just cardio alone. Strength training is critically important to retain muscle as you age, have a strong body and an effective metabolism. Even if you focus on just one muscle group a day and do three different exercises with three sets of 15 each for that muscle group you will benefit. You can divide strength training up throughout the week. Try two days a week to start and work up to three. Strength training will change how you feel, help you conquer your workouts with all that new muscle you are developing, and it’s the secret to a revved up metabolism.
6.  Put yourself first.Stressful situations can take your focus away from properly caring for yourself. If you neglect yourself for the sake of external problems, you will be creating more problems than you are solving. Make sure you consider what you need and do something—however small—for yourself each day. Even if you only have 15 minutes, just commit to 15 minutes. It all goes back to the oxygen philosophy you hear about on planes flight attendants advice: “Put your own oxygen mask on before assisting others.” Put the mask on you first and then your children. You aren’t able to effectively take care of anyone else if you don’t take care of yourself first. Keep that in mind.
7.  Exercise with a group.Exercise doesn’t have to be a solo sport. Make it an outing with friends and family. When you join up with others to exercise, not only do you get the immediate benefits of exercise, you also get time spent with friends—a double deposit into your well-being. When you discover physical activities and forms of exercise you love, you develop a sense of camaraderie and community with others. Accountability works.
8.  Think of how exercise boosts your sense of well-being.You probably know exercise can help you live longer and go a long way to disease prevention, but what you might find more rewarding is to think about all the immediate benefits exercise provides to your well-being. While the long-term benefits are numerous, let’s face it, many of us aren’t motivated by what we can prevent decades down the road. Think short-term instead. All of us can use exercise today to get more energy, alleviate stress, increase productivity, improve our outlook, sleep better and feel happier—today! Think about what you stand to gain if you work out today. Maybe it’s a sunnier disposition or the satisfaction in knowing you pushed your body. Just give it some thought or better yet, make a list.
9.  Look to the futureDon’t get caught up in guilt or regret because you haven’t worked out or don’t beat yourself up if it has been a while. Guilt and regret only make you feel badly, they don’t get you where you are headed. With a simple decision in your mind, you can let go of what you did or didn’t do and just start again. Look forward. If you are feeling badly about yourself, you are less likely to make positive change. Start over with a clear plan of what you will commit to doing each day for your health.
10.  Avoid stop and start and stop again syndromeOne great way to kill your confidence is to constantly start and stop your exercise routine. It’s common for people to get psyched up and dive in to working out and then drop it altogether when the craziness of life intervenes. But if you start and stop all the time, you are setting yourself up for a never-ending cycle, where you won’t see any progress. Don’t tackle the world in a day. Think baby steps. Think of what you can do and schedule today even if it’s small increments of time that you eventually build upon. Commit to what you can achieve, at least at first.
11.  Remind yourself daily of your why.It’s easy to get off track if you aren’t reminding yourself of why working out and eating healthy is important to you. This goes back to your core motivation that we addressed earlier. If you make it automatic to wake up and remind yourself of why exercise is important to you, you will be more likely to keep your commitments to yourself. You also will be putting exercise front and center on your day instead of treating it as an afterthought that you skip at day’s end. Wake up thinking of what exercise you will do today and it becomes a priority.
12.  Stretch post workouts.An effective exercise regimen involves cardio, strength training and stretching. Stretching after exercise can help relax and balance tension caused by the workout itself. Post-workout, when your body is warm is the ideal time to stretch. The risk of muscle injury is much lower, and you will save yourself from tight, sore muscles the following day. Plus, the calm, relaxing feeling of a good stretch is a great way to end a workout.

Try some of these steps to make exercise a part of your life. Remember, a great way to avoid skipping workouts is to ask yourself how you will feel afterward. You can feel proud of your dedication and gain the exhilaration of accomplishment, or you can be disappointed and defeated that you skipped, again.

Value Everything

Value your health. Take good care of yourself because many people pray just to be healthy like you. Health is wealth.

Value your life, don't lose it. Don't even think of suicide because many people wished they had enough time to accomplish their dreams. You still have a chance to do that so why give up?

Value your freedom because so many people are willing to spend all they have to buy their freedom. If you doubt this, go to the prisons.

Value your parents irrespective of their status, whether rich or poor. If you think I'm wrong then go to orphanages and see how the kids wish they had someone they could call mother or father, no matter how bad they are.

Value your friends because they are not easy to come by. Be a good friend too. Be left alone on an island for a year and see if you will not contemplate suicide.

Value the food you eat, no matter how cheap because so many people have enough money to buy it but can't eat it because of their health.

Value your job because so many jobless people out there envy your job and wish to have it.

Value what you have because you might not have a chance to get it again. They say a bird in hand is worth 10,000 in the bush.

Value the little things you are given because they have the tendency to attract bigger ones.

Value yourself, value people and value the things around you, no matter how little. That's the best way to live and enjoy life.

So Value Everything.

PROGNOSTICATION (Learn from TenaliRama)

When the Commander-in-chief of Vijaynagar State got a son, he invited the king, Maharaja Krishnadevrai and his entourage for a gala feast. The King readily accepted the invitation and promised to come at the appointed time.

Next day along with Tenalirama and other courtiers, the king reached the Commander's house. When they saw the baby the king opined: 'A very sweet baby! May he become as vigilant and brave as his father is!' Seeing the baby Tenali said: 'The boy is really very fortunate. When he grows up he would definitely outshine his father in every sphere!'

Tenali's this prognostication made the king ask him: 'How can you say with such certainty now, Tenali? Tenali: 'Maharaj! The promising children appear so even in the cradle. One can always prognosticate looking at one's basic property!'

Although the remark made by Tenali was forgotten by the king, the jealous courtiers again tried to pollute the king's mind against Tenali. They told the king in private: 'your majesty! We very much doubt the prognostication made by Tenali when he saw the commander's son. His remark made out of an attempt to flatter the commander. He is becoming a sycophant and loosing his intelligence!' 'But how can you say,' the king asked, 'That Tenali made that remark out of flattery. He is a sharp man and can visualises future much better than any of you can hope to visualise. He has a very keen insight!' 'That is what we wish to test, Your Majesty! He can't predict anything merely by observation.' The courtiers insisted.

'But how you propose to conduct the test?' the king again asked. Although he had faith in Tenali's intelligence and foresight, yet he also wanted further confirmation of this fact. Moreover, he thought to have some enjoyable past-time!

Then a courtier suggested: 'I have thought of a devise. Kindly have two small gold pitchers made. One of them should be hollow and other solid. But outwardly they must appear identical!'

'Then', the king again asked. 'Then, Your Majesty! Get those two pitchers hanged at some distance from Tenali- then Tenali should be asked to identify the solid and the hollow pitchers merely by looking at it. He should not be allowed to touch them at all!'

'Well,' said the king visibly pleased: 'It is a nice way of testing him. But together with this test I'd also attach a condition and then I would see how smart he is!'

Next day the pitchers were made ready. The king had them hanged quite far and high!

Then the king summoned Tenali and asked: 'Tenali! Do you still maintain the assertion you made the other day that merely by observation a things basic property or a child's promising qualities can be prognosticated correctly?'

'Yes, My Lord', said Tenali.

The Maharaja then showed him the two identical pitchers hanging from quite a distance. Don't you see them, Tenali! These I've got specially made to test your intelligence,' 'yes, Your Honor! I see them', replied Tenali!

'One of the pitcher is solid and the other is hollow! Go and look at them and identify which is which', ordered the king and added: 'If you Identify then correctly then you'd get these gold pitchers as the award and should you fail, then you've to give equal amount of gold as used in making the pitchers! Agreed?'

'Agreed, sir,' said Tenalirama and went ahead to identify them.

Tenali reached near the pitcher and began to observe them minutely. He also heaved a long sigh to make the onlookers believe that he is facing a really ticklish problem. Tenali looked nervous apparently, and the jealous courtiers were greatly enjoying the discomfiture suffered by Tenaliram. Many of them were passing derogatory remarks at Tenali's intelligence. But undaunted by their disturbing remarks, Tenali continued to observe the pitchers and heave long sighs. After some time, Tenali declared: 'Maharaj! The pitcher on the right is the hollow one and on the left is solid!'

The king was delighted to find Tenali's observation unerring. But he still asked: 'Tenali, how could you identify?' 'It was not difficult, Your Majesty, explained Tenali, 'if you want you can get the veracity of my observation confirmed.'

'Yes Tenali! You have identified correctly. But, would you spell out how you could identify them?'

'when I watched them closely,' said Tenali, 'I concentrated on the chains the pitchers were hanging by whose support. Then I could know which was heavy and which was light. The chain from which the solid pitcher was hanging was taut owing to the weight, while the other chain was not as taut. Moreover, my exhalations couldn't make any effect on the solid one while the chain of the hollow one did vibrate a little by my sighs. And thus I could know I could easily identify them!'

'Oh---very well done, Tenali' exclaimed the king and gave the two gold pitchers to Tenali as the award. Then bowing in respect to the king, Tenali went out happily with two valuable and costly pitchers in his each hand. The jealous courtiers were drawing a long face at yet another victory of Tenalirama!

Great Rules for Easy Living

If you open it, close it.
If you turn it on, turn it off.
If you unlock it, lock it up.
If you break it, admit it.
If you can’t fix it, call in someone who can.
If you borrow it, return it.
If you value it, take care of it.
If you make a mess, clean it up.
If you move it, put it back.
If it belongs to someone else and you want to use, get permission.
If you don’t know how to operate it, leave it alone.
If it’s none of your business, don’t ask questions.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
If it will brighten someone’s day, say it.
If it will tarnish someone’s reputation, keep it to yourself.

MARKETING VS ADVERTISING VS SALES: What's the difference?

MARKETING VS SALES

Let's think about this question for a moment. Without marketing you would not have prospects or leads to follow up with, but yet without a good sales technique and strategy your closing rate may depress you.

Marketing is everything that you do to reach and persuade prospects. The sales process is everything that you do to close the sale and get a signed agreement or contract. Both are necessities to the success of a business. You cannot do without either process. By strategically combining both efforts you will experience a successful amount of business growth. However, by the same token if the efforts are unbalanced it can detour your growth.

Your marketing will consist of the measures you use to reach and persuade your prospects that you are the company for them. It's the message that prepares the prospect for the sales. It consists of advertising, public relations, brand marketing, viral marketing, and direct mail.

The sales process consists of interpersonal interaction. It is often done by a one-on-one meeting, cold calls, and networking. It's anything that engages you with the prospect or customer on a personal level rather than at a distance.

Your marketing efforts begin the process of the eight contacts that studies show it takes to move a prospect or potential client to the close of the sale. If marketing is done effectively you can begin to move that prospect from a cold to a warm lead. When the prospect hits the 'warm' level it's much easier for the sales professional to close the sale.

Do you see the cycle?

As you see in my explanation above it takes multiple contacts using both sales and marketing to move the prospect from one level to the next. That is why it is import that you develop a process that combines both sales and marketing. This will enable you to reach prospects at all three levels; cold, warm, and hot. It's all about balance.

Are you unsure of how to integrate your marketing and sales?

Try this. Take a few moments and divide your prospect lists and database into categories of cold, warm, and hot leads. Then sit down and identify a strategy on how to proceed with each individual group.

For example you could try the following methods of contact:
·         Cold Lead Strategy - Send out a direct mailing or offer them a special promotion
·         Warm Lead Strategy - Try a follow-up call, send out a sales letter, or schedule a special seminar or  
           training session to get all of your warm leads together.

Once you've moved your prospect to the 'warm' level it's time to proceed in closing the sale. This will be easier to do if you somehow engage the prospect. You can do this by conducting a one-on-one call, make a presentation, or present a proposal, estimate, or contract.

What if you are uncomfortable with the sales or marketing process?

An alternative that often proves successful is to partner with someone that possesses the talents that you feel you lack in. You can do this by creating a partnership, subcontracting, or hiring in that talent.

Remember the key to success in marketing and in sales is balance!

MARKETING VS ADVERTISING VS SALES

This is a common question, and a lot of people confuse these various terms. First of all, marketing encompasses a wide range of both analysis and tactics. For example, marketing involves doing customer analysis, including market segmentation, market perceptions, market sizing, but also competitive analysis and reactions, target segment selection, positioning, branding, advertising, sales, promotions, channel of distribution arrangement and management, product line decisions, sales force management, and more. You can see, marketing involves a number of activities.

Advertising, however, is a tactic in marketing. It involves a number of activities to be sure, but it really focuses on communicating a message to the market (which it partly shares with Public Relations).

Sales is also a tactic of marketing. This is typically what the sales force does. But it is marketing's job to focus the entire marketing effort (of which the sales force is one part) towards providing what customers want and gaining a sustainable strategic advantage.

Value Everything

Value your health. Take good care of yourself because many people pray just to be healthy like you. Health is wealth.

Value your life, don't lose it. Don't even think of suicide because many people wished they had enough time to accomplish their dreams. You still have a chance to do that so why give up?

Value your freedom because so many people are willing to spend all they have to buy their freedom. If you doubt this, go to the prisons.

Value your parents irrespective of their status, whether rich or poor. If you think I'm wrong then go to orphanages and see how the kids wish they had someone they could call mother or father, no matter how bad they are.

Value your friends because they are not easy to come by. Be a good friend too. Be left alone on an island for a year and see if you will not contemplate suicide.

Value the food you eat, no matter how cheap because so many people have enough money to buy it but can't eat it because of their health.

Value your job because so many jobless people out there envy your job and wish to have it.

Value what you have because you might not have a chance to get it again. They say a bird in hand is worth 10,000 in the bush.

Value the little things you are given because they have the tendency to attract bigger ones.

Value yourself, value people and value the things around you, no matter how little. That's the best way to live and enjoy life.