I dusted off the old skis, found something to keep my ears warm, borrowed my kid’s gloves and pulled on my old long johns and a pair of sweatpants.  I grabbed some sunglasses and something that would keep me warm till I got up to the hill. I pulled out that old one-piece ski suit and I was off. It’s late-winter and I am planning to spend this Wednesday up on the mountain, as Wednesday’s are Ladies Day. How could one pass up the deal with the price of a lift ticket including a lesson, lunch and a day in God’s fresh air.

I am thinking, as I drive up to the hill, that I probably should have gone to a few of those Pilates classes to strengthen and stretch those underused muscles, but hey I am a mom.  What better training could there be for a day on the slopes?  Running up and down the stairs 25 times a day should be training enough. I’ve wanted to have this day for a few years now and kept hearing the local radio station talk about the Women of Wonder on the slopes every Wednesday.  A day to feel like you did when you were in your  20’s; able to make a decision without considering your family’s needs first, to be able to eat your lunch while it’s still hot, and even having a glass of wine to top things off.  Wow I am getting excited now…

I get to the hill and find lots of parking available, great – this mid-week skiing really is the way to go. Now let’s get suited up and go get my lift ticket. I take that 15 year-old one-piece suit out of my ski bag, you know, the one that I wore BK (before kids) and pull it on. It feels a bit snug so I decide to take off that extra sweatshirt.  It’s a nice day so I probably won’t need that extra warmth. I say to myself, “hey I have the PBFA” (personal body fat advantage).  Well, I decide to take off those sweatpants too, Lord knows I will really want all the freedom I can get when I tackle those bumps on the black diamond runs.  It’s still a bit snug but I get that zipper up.  Ok, now the boots. I get  them on and the true test is to see if I can actually bend over and do them up.  Alright, so I actually get my girlfriend to bend over and do the boots up. I’m going to be standing most of the day anyway.   Off I go. 

I think my feet have gained a bit of weight too, I just don’t remember them hurting this much before.  My keen memory forgets that I used to ski with a wine skin. Nothing hurt in my 20’s???

To say I felt like I was in a straightjacket – correction, I mean straight suit is being modest.  Upper and lower body is so constricted I start feeling light headed, but it must be the altitude. Wow the price of tickets has really gone up! But it does include lunch and the kids really do like macaroni.

Off we go to the chair lift and for the first time in my life I look like a life-size version of Barbie, you know the Barbie that can’t bend her legs. Mind you, I don’t have her waistline, long blonde hair or pointy toes.

My 200 cm skis that used to be cool are now archaic but wouldn’t be so obvious if it were not for their florescent purple and pink color. Ah the 80’s. As I start to sing the lyrics to Tainted Love, I realize it’s my turn for the chairlift. Hey, bonus, I don’t even need the foot rest on this lift as the tightness of the suit keeps my leg pointing straight out. At the top I decide that I best warm up with a blue run. Those black diamond runs will have to wait a bit.  Within 30 seconds I realize I must have taken a wrong turn and I’m now on a black run as the bumps and the vertical drop seem a bit daunting (ok, the colour was green but in the shape of a diamond).  I remembered my first lesson as a child – when in doubt, just sit down and slide down the hill.  And I would have, if I could have actually bent my knees. So I go for option 2 – traverse, tree to tree down the run trying not to look too un-cool as the Wednesday ladies zip past me in their shape skis and shape bodies.

I wish I could describe the joy in getting to the bottom 2 hours later and sliding right into the lodge to warm my frozen body and limbs (circulation must be acting up???). The final insult came when it was time to undo my ski suit.  Imagine me in front of a Mountain Resort Lodge full of beautiful people and pulling the zipper to what must have looked like the cutting open of a bag of pink insulation. Talk about a ‘fulfilling’ entrance!

So the moral of the story is: If you choose to hit the slopes this spring, try the suit on before you leave just in case it has shrunk.  

Have a great time outside this year.

Linda Edgecombe

“Re-Energizing and Re-Engaging You and Your Team”

www.lindaedgecombe.com

250-868-9601

Visiting the Torch

After 17 days of sporting events, it’s time to turn off the TV.  And as we collectively all get back to our regular day to day lives and go through the last event from the Olympics… Television Detox, it’s important to reflect on why this event is just so compelling to us arm chair nationalists.  Our countries have come together nurturing a sense of national pride, and I might even go so far as to say our collective national self esteem has been boosted.  But on this sunny early March 2010 day,  it’s time to get back to work.   I truly hope the past few weeks of seeing our athletes compete at such a high level has inspired all of us to stretch just a bit farther than we normally do.  Regardless of the age you are, how in or out of shape you might be, all of us can do more and better than we are currently doing.  And when we do stretch to do more, and be more, this does require energy and some stamina, so I would love to see you all take the next couple of days to really take care of yourself.   Get more sleep, eat more fruits and veggies and make sure you drink way more water than you normally do.  And for those of you who actually took in the experiences of “Hockey House” or created your own hockey house, then you must drink a ton of water these next few days, just to counter balance the Canadian Molson Beer that has been consumed.

Our Hockey House

I sure do hope that our athletes will take this week off, even though I know many are off to other countries to get back on the World Cup circuit.   I get tired just thinking about it.  Do you consider yourself an “average Canadian or American”?  I see myself as just that kind of woman.  You know the ‘work hard, play hard’ adult trying to do the right thing on most days.  I get about 4-5 days of exercise in each week.  I eat mostly pretty good foods.  I nurture my friendships and my marriage and put an effort in becoming the best parent to my daughters I can possibly be.  It’s when I watch the Olympics that I start to question “have I done enough”?  Could I be doing more?  Will I ever look like that in one of those skeleton or bobsled suits?   And honestly my answer would be “I don’t know.”  Some of you might remember that last year I did a survey of my data base to find out the answer to the question “What does THERE look like for you?”  And do you have the ability to celebrate the bench marks along the way?  Surprisingly the vast majority of you all said you were definitely not THERE yet,  and most did not know how to define THERE.  And sadly some felt they were so far from THERE, they felt they had really made a mess of their journey.  The 2 percent of you who felt they were there all had a common sense of their own spirituality.  And those were all defined very differently.  If asked, I would also say,  no I am not THERE yet.  And if pressed, I would also have to say I need to spend some time defining what “THERE” looks like.  The one common thread, that I found,  in that survey was that we all like to celebrate basically the same way.  With Food and Wine.  Hands down the most common way to celebrate a bench mark was dinner out with friends and family and a favourite beverage to go along with that.   So as we all reflect,  over analyse and think about the past few weeks,  put your mind forward to the rest of 2010 and put pen to paper to define your THERE.  Those if you with kids will smile when asked in the car, “are we THERE yet?”  Let’s hope more of us say yes to the question.

Cheers

Linda Edgecombe

Energizing and Engaging Teams

www.lindaedgecombe.com

info@lindaedgecombe.com

Most of us have heard the saying that says “What you put out, you tend to get back”  So I want you to think about what is it you want?  Then I want you to do something this week that has nothing to do with you.  Think of the word ‘contribution’ as your focus word this week.  How can you do something for someone that gives you no other gain than feeling better about the world we live in?  The truth is by helping out others, the greatest gain is for ourselves.  So how do you choose what to do?  I am going to suggest you put the idea out there and let a few friends know you are looking for something or somewhere or someone to contribute to and it will line up for you.

Start small if you like. We can ramp up before we go after saving the world. Perhaps go and help with a school lunch program.  Shovel someone elses snow, or sweep their sidewalk.  Bring a bag of food down to the food bank.  One of the best energizers that I have done for myself this past couple of years, has been working for a charity that rescues girls in Nepal from Contract Bonded labour. IWEN, the Intercultural Women’s Education Network” is a great organization that is grass roots and we literally go out and rescue grils from Child Slavery and get them into school.   We get them out of these awful situations and give them an education. Find out more at  www.iwencanada.com  By doing something for someone else other than yourself you get completely re-inspired.  I can’t urge you enough to find a cause that you have some passion for and get involved.  You won’t regret it.

Enjoy these last few days of the 2010 Winter Games.   Hey if you are looking for a laugh,  I have just uploaded some very funny clips to my site www.lindaedgecombe.com/video.php

Linda Edgecombe

www.lindaedgecombe.com

Start by watching my latest slide show to music here:  http://www.lindaedgecombe.com/lindas-nepal-project.php   it will inspire you and pass this on to your friends who need a little boost too.

1.      Change how you see what’s going on around you.  This is called your attitude.  Take a few minutes to examine the frame around yourself that allows you to see your life as it unfolds in front of you.  The parts to our frames are our upbringing, our cultural backgrounds, our judgements, our belief systems etc.  All these frame how we experience our day to day lives and situations.

2.      Get moving physically.  There is probably nothing more powerful than you going out and moving your body, with the only intention of moving your body.  The best nutrient you could ever put in your body is Oxygen.  So by getting more O2 moving through your body more often, you will not only shift how you physically feel, but better, you will shift how you mentally feel about yourself.

3.      Stop waiting to be rescued; Oprah probably isn’t going to call…  Now don’t get me wrong here, because I keep hoping from a small corner of my mind that she will find out how amazing I am too, but she won’t want to chat with those of us who are just sitting around waiting to be rescued anyways.  She wants to connect with folks who are making changes in the world.  So while you wait for the phone to ring, get off your butt and be the change you want to see.

4.      Do something this year that contributes to making the world a better place.  One of the best energizers that I have done for myself this past couple of years has been working for a charity that rescues girls in Nepal from Contract Bonded labour.  We get them out of these awful situations and get them into school.  By doing something for someone else other than yourself you get completely re-inspired.  I can’t urge you enough to find a cause that you have some passion for and get involved.  You won’t regret it.

5.      Find a Personal Accountability partner of group.  Be honest with yourself and if you need someone to keep the momentum going for you, then find that person or group.  We are all more committed to our goals when we have a buddy who calls us up and says, “Hey are we on this morning?”   If you want to start your own group or get together with a partner, I have a wonderful book for you.  I wrote a manual on accountability without the guilt. www.lindaedgecombe.com/store.php  It’s called “Guilt Free Accountability”.

Have a great week!

Linda Edgecombe

www.lindaedgecombe.com

www.50weeksto50.wordpress.com

Just before you get into the 8 Tips….don’t forget about the 18 things to Just DO at any age!!!!  …..

1. Ride the world’s largest roller-coaster – Dare to keep your eyes open and hands up in the air the whole ride

2. Bungee Jump! – Scared?

3. Score the winning goal/basket – Remind all your friends at every given opportunity

4. Win an award, trophy or prize – Write that acceptance speech and thank the world

5. Learn an instrument – No air guitar

6. Go back stage at a gig – It’ll be something you’ll boast about for years to come

7. Meet you idol – Being a celebrity stalker might not go down too well

8. Play a part in your favourite TV show – Be an extra and learn to speak without talking

9. Meet someone with your own name – With a world population of 6 billion it should be easy

10. Make a discovery – Whatever the discovery, make sure it’s named after you

11. Get away with the perfect practical joke – Be careful of retaliation, it could end in fears

12. Own a pointless collection – One person’s junk is another person’s prize possession

13. Invent a word that makes it into the dictionary – Make it a part of your crew’s lingo

14. Conquer your biggest fear – If you’re too scared, try hypnotism

15. Raise money for charity – Get some exercise be signing up for a charity road race

16. Pass your driving test the first time – Go straight to the next task

17. Complete a road trip coast to coast – Only 7,821km from Victoria to St John’s NFld

18. Reach 18 105 years for age healthy and happy

8 tips to help you Thrive in the Office this Week

1. Sort E-mail Fast: Use the folders or file system built into your e-mail program instead of keeping lots of e-mails in your inbox. If you already have a large amount of e-mail to deal with, learn to use the “sort” feature in your e-mail program to your advantage.

2. Just Do It: Get in the habit of re-filing things after you use them instead of setting them down and creating a pile. For easy access to pending paperwork, create a small desktop file, organized by project, with “expiration” dates on each folder to let you know when to file it or throw it away.

3. Eliminate Post-It Clutter: Tape down post-its around your monitor to keep important information close at hand, and keep only a few so that they don’t create a visual distraction. If you hang post-its to remind you to do things, consider getting used to the task pad, to-do’s, or calendar in your PIM program instead.

4. Leave Work When You Leave the Office: To feel more “finished” when you leave the office, organize your thoughts for the upcoming day. Whether in a computer program or on a physical pad of paper, keep a list of priorities. Make sure you update the list, then close the pad or program before you leave the office.

5. Keep Things Visible: It’s great to keep things looking neat, but if it’s too easy to hide a mess, the mess will just grow. Consider more visible options, such as a set of file folder trays, and desktop organizers to keep things close at hand and well sorted.

6. Mail Clutter: Incoming mail is one of the largest sources of clutter. Toss junk mail immediately, before it has the chance to hit your desk. Keep catalogues or flyer’s that look interesting by storing them in a single place (such as a small basket or tray) to make them available for browsing when you’re ready — and clean it out often!

7. Everyone Helps:Make organizational maintenance everyone’s responsibility. Create — and enforce — the rule that if someone gets something out to use, that person is responsible for putting it back.

8. Move your body.  Get about 15 minutes of movement in everyday and try and do that 2-3 times a day.  You will thrive and have more energy than you thought possible.

Have a great week!

Linda Edgecombe

www.lindaedgecombe.com

www.50weeksto50.wordpress.com

www.shifttopaidspeaking.com

Accountability, as a new way of living, has become very in Vogue.  It seems we really desire a life of significance and have not quite figured out where or how to start living that way.

Since 2004, at every presentation I have given, I have been almost evangel in my desire to get the word out.  I know I have always been a goal setter, but kept falling short in a few areas of my so-called-life.  I have been amazed how being accountable is such a simplistic process.  It’s not about check lists and prison guard bosses who hover over us to make sure we are on track.  It is about showing your staff and your teams that simply by writing down on paper our goals and desires and setting some reasonable time lines, coupled with a weekly check in to chat about progress makes for amazing results.

So where do you start? Take an honest snapshot of your life. Don’t just take “your best side” and smile at the pretty picture in the frame; use the wide lens and take yourself, warts and all. Record all that is good, all that could use some improvement, perhaps even a few things that need a little tweaking.

It’s amazing how long we can go just seeing ourselves as we want ourselves to be: the capable, helpful, together, hip, cool, friendly, gracious, selfless soul who’s always up for just one more favour, task, role or duty. Meanwhile we’re frazzled to the breaking point, lacking sleep and showing it on every inch of our puffy, sleep-deprived faces. While in our fantasy lives we picture ourselves as king or queen of the prom, but  in reality we walk around like the lead zombies in our very own soap opera! Oh the drama of it all.  Do you ever just get tired of hearing the same old story that keeps coming out of your mouth?

I know, I know; it’s hard to trust the photographer when you’re the one taking the picture. So don’t; ask friends and family for an honest assessment of you as well. Then ask yourself the following eight questions to help discover the true you hiding underneath that big, heaping pile of duties:

1.      How would your friends describe you in each of the roles you play?

2.      How would you describe yourself?

3.      Which of these roles energize you?

4.      What roles would you like to drop if you could?

5.      Can you re-define yourself in any of these roles?

6.      Are you truly yourself when you play these roles and are you more YOU in some than in others?

7.      Why is that?

8.      What are some common values you find shine when you are more yourself in any of these roles?

The reason I started my latest book with this lesson is because you really can’t go forward unless you know who’s taking the journey. In other words, you can only be successful when you know who and what you are.

Now What?

So here are my final thoughts on Accountability.   The key to a balanced life is one that looks at and moves forward on all parts of our lives.  We tend to be pretty good at making goals for our careers.  Some because we have to and some because we want to, but most executives and staff who I’ve spoken to admit in private to me that their work goals, really are not THEIR goals.

Where we have fallen short in our lives is we don’t address the multitude of things we want to accomplish in the other 72 hours we have to fill each week.  The time we call “Home Life“.   My challenge to you is, should you decide to take it on, is to email me with your next weeks “To-Do’s” They must be in my inbox by Monday at noon.  Choose a couple of your to-do’s to move you towards one or two of your larger annual goals.   

If you are really keen to get more focused, and create a life that has True Meaning for you, find a handful of colleagues or friends, email me and have me send you out ”The Guilt Free Accountability Success System“ and get your group going.  You will email once a week to each other and meet once a month to discuss how it’s going. 

The cost is minimal and the results are truly amazing. Click here to order your copy of “The Guilt Free Accountability Success System”

Where in the World do you want to go? It is time to Shift or get off the pot!  

Linda Edgecombe

1-888-868-9601

www.lindaedgecombe.com

info@lindaedgecombe.com

Pink’s Performance at the Grammys. This is an amazing performance! …updated link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qphCCFOgcCo

Well we are now into February and for many of us,  our focus to keep to our “healthy” living plan may have loosened a bit.  I have included for you this week, some power house foods and easy tasks to keep you energized and moving. 

Power House Foods and Fun!

Tips to do a quick re-energize

Bananas – a lack of potassium can lead to fatigue – but bananas, especially good in smoothies, give an instant potassium boost.

Yogurt - the protein found in this favourite lasts for hours – and when you add your favourite fruit, you’ll feel the energy sooner.

Smiling – studies have conclusively demonstrated that those who smile and are positive have more energy, live longer and enjoy life more.

Water - yes, water, with or without a zest of lemon or lime,

Moving - get out for a walk, run or swim.  Get some oxygen in your blood system.  Wear a hat and take water.

Dung out a closet - yes as mentioned from my Boost Article, this activity will literally make you feel lighter.  So pick one and clean it up.

Laugh – go and see a good funny flick.  Or visit some friends who make you laugh.

Whole-Grain Pasta/bread - carbohydrates boost energy.

Kiwi fruit/strawberries - with twice the Vitamin C of an orange – kiwi feeds the energy production cycle and boosts your immune system.

A nap – yes that afternoon nap can and does build energy – treat yourself to a peaceful hour’s sleep. Nothing more or it will affect you sleep tonight.

Don’t over-book your social calendar - we tend to overdo the social life, depending on the season, so take a break once and a while

Visit my other blog for additional tips and articles to inspire you at www.50weeksto50.wordpress.com

Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lindaedgecombe

Have a terrific week!

Linda

www.lindaedgcombe.com

Do you need to give yourself and your organization an Energy Boost? What do you need to help you re-focus, re-energize and re-invent how you and your team see life and work. Do you want to see your team …..

• Increase efficiency and creativity?
• Increase endurance with energy to spare?
• Feel revitalized and positive?
• Extraordinary with your clients?
• Driven to be outstanding in the field?
• Then READ ON!

This 6 step plan to improve engagement will be the best cleanse your team has ever experienced.  I know the idea of a cleanse sends most peoples behinds into a fast clench,  but not to worry, this cleanse will have you and your team skipping to work and home again.  It will require buy in from everyone concerned, and some cases, tough love on those of you who will be the energy administrators of  this challenge.

So re-energizing and engaging your team is something you need to act on.  Energy is a physics equation.  What you put out you will get back.  It is just simple science. The Following 6 challenges can be completed in whatever order you wish.  But I would recommend you start with number 4 and then go whatever challenge you want to.  Some will be easier than others and some will be downright challenging but preserver.  As the Energy Catalyst, you will have to get full support and buy in from your team prior to setting out on the challenge.  Now not to worry,  even if you only get a few of the following challenges completed, you will have started the perverbial energy ball rolling and you will see a change in yourself and your team.  The most important task with all of this is to have fun while you do it, or don’t even start.  Let me say that one more time.  Just have fun. Now go and do Challenge number 4.

1. Technology, love it and sometimes leave it.

Here is the challenge you must take on and it won’t be easy.  How’s that for a sales job.  But the truth is, this one most people will find difficult.  So lets’ start out easy.  Choose a day, and I will suggest a Friday that everyone on your team (and this could be your family team) and for an entire day, no cell phones, pages, blackberry’s, no text messaging, no TV, video games, computers, radios, CD players, any of it.  You must have face to face conversations and simply amuse yourselves by being with the people on your team or family. 

At the end of this day, you must journal a bit about how the day went for you and then set some time to share this experience.   Yes the withdrawal may cause some headaches.  Ibuprofen might be required.

2. Come clean – How honest, authentic communication can bring out the best in people.

The truth about the truth is, honesty can sometimes be hurtful.  The concept of authenticity has received a significant amount of attention recently as people search for meaning and happiness, particularly in their work lives. How one chooses to try to live more authentically depends on their own perspective on authenticity. Like many other popular concepts, different people have different views about authenticity and many people feel very strongly about their own views. Some people might assert that an individual is being authentic if they are being completely honest and participating in the here-and-now. There are others who assert that authenticity involves many other features, including, eg, always being centered with themselves and others, living in a completely integrated fashion with their own values and principles, always feeling complete meaning or sense of purpose in their lives, and I personally applaud those who can live this way.  Also very challenging to do.

Regardless of others’ perspectives on authenticity, it’s important for people in management to live and work as authentically as possible — a goal that is usually often difficult to achieve, particularly in large organizations. So to start the process, start to notice what you notice about yourself and communicate with respectful honesty.

3. Creating a Team Energy Plan.  Learn how full team buy in engages and inspires everyone.

OK, whether you like this one or not, this is about each member of your team doing the following three things.

1.      Move your bodies,  get more oxygen flowing through everyones body more often.  This one is NON-Negotiable.

2.     Laugh more,  it is mandatory that laughter is state of the atmosphere and is also mandatory for your home and work life.

3.     You must all start to do some of the things each of you loves to do outside of your workplace.  So if you were given 2 extra hours in your day and you can’t do anything that is job or career related, what would do you do with that time.  And start to do it.

4. Dung it out!  How the environment you work/live in affects your “engagement ability” and outcomes.

The place to start is to take an honest open eyed look at where you work.  You need open, organized space to be creative and engaged. End of story!  It is time to ’spring clean’ even if it’s February.  That means, every closet at work (and/or home) needs to be opened and left open until you dung it out.  Start 3 piles, Keep, give away, and chuck.  Block off a certain amount of time for this task and all team members are to do this task at the same time.  So plan a ‘get dirty’ day.  Bring whatever you need, boxes, packing tape, garbage and re-cycle bags, brooms, dusting rags and go to town.  You will literally feel lighter when you are complete.  And if right now you are saying   “we have cleaners who come in and do this for us,” well give them the week off.  Crank up the music and bring some good coffee and when you are done, everyone should go out for beer and wings.  Well, that’s what I would choose to do.  Also a very good team building activity.

5. The number “1″ thing that needs to happen for teams to truly bond.  “The Power of Getting to know each other’s Performance Personality styles.”

We have known for  many years that the number one thing any leader could do to energize and engage his or her team is to allow the members get to know each other better and when I say get to know each other, I mean other than the things they do at work. One simple thing you could orchestrate would be to have everyone on your team bring in some photos of themselves and their life outside of the career they have chosen.  They need to know that the photos will be used, so perhaps have them bring in copies of photos.  You are going to create a “Team Board” Then in a meeting, ask the question “What does TEAM mean to you?”   Have your team create a mural/poster of their answer to the question along with clipped out sayings, words and other pictures from magazines and the personal photos they have all brought in.   And when complete, have each member of your team talk about what part of the poster they like the most and why.  Then just sit back and watch how it unfolds.

I have done this activity with every kind of team and it is just a wonderful way to re-inspire, energize and engage the people you work beside every day.

6. Whistle while you work.  The science behind music and how it affects mood and outcome = improved bottom line.

I will just say this, since radio has been around, music in the workplace has always made us more productive.  So if you currently do not have music playing, then I suggest you re-think your strategy around this one. According to the University of Cubria, playing music at work could increase productivity and lead to a happier and more motivated workforce, according to Richard McGregor, Professor of Music, believes the right level of background music can make the day seem shorter, keep spirits high and reduce the number of stressful situations that can occur. However, choosing the wrong type of music can cause office arguments and lead to more problems than it was intended to solve.  So find out what is the most preferred choice of music and turn it on.

 My suggestion on this list of challenges is to choose one to take on every week or once a month for 6 months.  I guarantee you will see a major shift in your team.  And if you are super keen to really give you team an energy boost, try one of our Energy Boosting Workshops.

Linda Edgecombe

“Energizing and Engaging Teams”

www.lindaedgecombe.com

info@lindaedgecombe.com

1-250-868-9601

Oh what a day!

On our Journey to become the best we can be, this week’s question:

Admit your ability.  What are you good at?  What do you do that is better than most people?  What is your single greatest strength?

So in reflecting on these questions, it might feel like you are bragging, but really, if you want to move in a direction that is best for you, you need to be clear on what you are really good at.  So you can then create more of that.  It’s a big question to ponder “what is your greatest strength?”  I found it helpful to reflect on my values here.  What is that your really take heed in?  Is it your health, family, financial freedom, your relationships, running a successful business. I guarantee you that if you align your values with what your are really good at….. You my friend, are living a GREAT life!

Like you, I often get sent various feel good notes and slideshows from my sisters, friends and colleagues.  And maybe because I am a “professional motivator”,  I have become a bit of a cynic,  but this morning while I was cleaning out my emails,  I came across a slide show that one of my sisters, Diane had sent me well over 3 months ago that I had not looked at yet,  so I opened it.  I have to say that the quotes are refreshing, the photos a must see and I could do without the music.  It’s well worth your 3 minutes to have a look at this slideshow.  Enjoy!

 Lessons in Life Slideshow

If you are inspired by this slideshow, consider donating whatever you can afford to your local Redcross for Haiti Relief.

Have a great week! 

Linda

Visit www.lindaedgecombe.com to order your copy

Turn off the phone

OK, Business People of the world, put down your cell phones, Blackberries, PDA’s, Pocket PC’s…Whatever! And FOCUS.  This may sound amusing but I am dead serious here. Oh, and I don’t mean turn them to vibrate, stun or whichever setting you normally do to appear courteous.  I want you to shut them OFF.  Off means OFF! 

But wait, there’s more: I want you to keep them OFF, once again this year, for one full day.  Yes indeed I formally declare January 15^th, 2010 as the 2^nd Annual “National Disconnect to Re-Engage Day”   – Are you addicted to your communication devices?

In light of the January 1^st changes to Several Provincial and State Legislation around the use of cell phones and PDA Devices, while driving, it has prompted me to make my plea to all North Americans to ….just turn off these little communications devices all together.

 On Monday January 11^th, 2010. Oprah featured Peter Walsh and he put out a challenge even bigger than my Day Challenge.  So for those of you who really want to re-connect your families and homes and all relationships, take Peter’s “Striped Down Challenge” read more:

http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20091112-tows-stripped-down-challenge

Peter Walsh on Oprah

WARNING:  You will feel naked, so bring a small blanket with you for the day.  Just so you have some security as you try and navigate through the quiet and calm.

Are you hooked on Electronics?

Fact: IPSOS Poll Shows across North America

1.   92 % of Knowledge Workers (folks who use a computer at work) read, send, make or take work-related communications in NON-Work situations
2.  73% have kept their communication devices on over the weekend
3.  45% still tune into the office while on vacation
4. More than half of the working population 55%, communicate about work in social situations, while spending time with their families, over dinner, on dates and about 20% have cut a date short to take a work call or respond to a work message.
5. 6% of the population says they always ignore the request to turn off phones and pda’s while in meetings, church, plays and movie theatres.

Before you look at the effects of this obsessive behavior we all continue to condone, we need to ask ourselves why do we keep it up, and what’s  the payoff?   Have we whittled down our ability to connect face to face with people and replaced the skill of conversation with our current version of Virtual Relationships? 

How to tell if you need this challenge:

1.  If you have checked for messages in the past 10 minutes, you need to detox. 
2. If you have ever scrolled emails over the dinner table, you need to detox. 
3. Have you checked messages and emails while on vacation, right after making love to your partner, perhaps while the kids opened their Christmas or birthday gifts, you need to detox.
4. During your weekly visit to Church? The Synagogue, Mosque or your inlaws???
5. OK, simply if you own one, you need to detox. 

Now I know, using these electronics is safe, you can think before you type and we all feel very self-important; You know that “I’m needed”  feeling you get when your little mini personal excitement device vibrates on your hip. I can feel the wall of reasons that are coming up why YOU are different than the other  billion business women on the planet who are also addicted to their connection crutches but to tell you the truth, you are not.  Sorry to break that news to you. 

Those who may be exempt:

1.  If you currently are working in an Emergency Room, are an “on call” doc or perhaps are an EMT, then you can keep yours ON during this day off. 

For the rest of you that are saying to yourselves  ”what if… someone really needs me?” Or better “I make my living in sales with my cell phone;”  that means you Realtors… well tell them up front they can call you on your land line and if you are not there.  LEAVE A MESSAGE.

What’s the Upside?

Now here’s a novel thought about what you can do with the time you will literally have on your hands this day.  Go and buy yourself a stamp, and put pen to paper and write someone a handwritten letter.  You many need a massage after to help with the cramps you will experience, but whoever you write to, will love receiving your letter later that week.

But here’s the real reason you are going to take on this challenge.  I want you to “just notice what you notice” about yourself for one full day of less distractions.  Notice how you love the freedom from the constant connection.  Notice that you feel out of sorts and seem to fumble around.  Notice what people actually look like when they talk with you this day.  Notice what you will be able to  read between the lines in conversations with family, friends and co-workers. But most importantly notice yourself. 

Being engaged in something, whether it’s your work, your relationships or yourself, means having a current conscious awareness of more than just the obvious that is surrounding you at any given time.  It means giving a dam about what you are doing.  And consciously making decisions to give it your all.  Here’s to shifting towards Re- Engagement.

Linda Edgecombe, “Accountability with an Edge”                                               

Award Winning Speaker, Writer and Humorist

www.lindaedgecombe.com

 ”Shift or Get Off the Pot!  26 Simple Truths about Getting a Life“

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