Wednesday, November 26, 2003
61. HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF
Some years ago, two struggling young actors were employed by the same Hollywood studio. They landed bit parts in B-grade films, waiting and hoping for their "big break." One day, both young men were called into the office of the studio head.
"I'm letting you both go," the boss barked at them, "and I'll tell you why. You!"--he bellowed at one of them--"you just can't act. And you!"--he said to the other--"you're just too ugly!"
With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the pair of stunned actors. As they skulked out the door, the one who "couldn't act" turned to the "ugly" one.
"I don't know what you're going to do," he said, "but I can always learn to act."
Though it's good to be receptive to criticism, don't let other people's opinions (especially if they're misguided, destructive, or self-serving) stop you from pursuing your dreams.
By the way, the one who couldn't act was named Burt Reynolds. And his companion, the "ugly" one--was Clint Eastwood.
Some years ago, two struggling young actors were employed by the same Hollywood studio. They landed bit parts in B-grade films, waiting and hoping for their "big break." One day, both young men were called into the office of the studio head.
"I'm letting you both go," the boss barked at them, "and I'll tell you why. You!"--he bellowed at one of them--"you just can't act. And you!"--he said to the other--"you're just too ugly!"
With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the pair of stunned actors. As they skulked out the door, the one who "couldn't act" turned to the "ugly" one.
"I don't know what you're going to do," he said, "but I can always learn to act."
Though it's good to be receptive to criticism, don't let other people's opinions (especially if they're misguided, destructive, or self-serving) stop you from pursuing your dreams.
By the way, the one who couldn't act was named Burt Reynolds. And his companion, the "ugly" one--was Clint Eastwood.
Monday, November 24, 2003
60. STAY YOUNG IN HEART AND MIND
You're never too old to become younger.
--Mae West
You're never too old to become younger.
--Mae West
Thursday, November 20, 2003
59. EAT BREAKFAST EVERY DAY
Mom was right. Studies have shown that people who don't eat breakfast have metabolic rates 4 to 5 percent below normal. By skipping breakfast, you may wind up with an 8-pound gain over a year!
If you're really rushed for time, try this nutritious drink.
Fat-Free Fruit Shake
1/2 cup skim milk
1 ripe banana
4-5 ice cubes
Blend milk, banana, and ice cubes in blender until drink is smooth. Makes 1 serving.
145 calories; 0 grams fat.
Mom was right. Studies have shown that people who don't eat breakfast have metabolic rates 4 to 5 percent below normal. By skipping breakfast, you may wind up with an 8-pound gain over a year!
If you're really rushed for time, try this nutritious drink.
Fat-Free Fruit Shake
1/2 cup skim milk
1 ripe banana
4-5 ice cubes
Blend milk, banana, and ice cubes in blender until drink is smooth. Makes 1 serving.
145 calories; 0 grams fat.
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
58. SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE
It's easy to spread yourself too thin. If you're about to go over the edge, try the following:
~ Delegate at work--don't bite off more than you can chew.
~ Cut back on volunteer work.
~ Restrict social obligations.
~ Turn off the TV and radio--too much info.
~ Get rid of clutter.
~ Hire a housekeeper.
~ Toss the cell phone and beeper.
~ Dump the high-mantenance boyfriend or girlfriend--really!
You'll get a better idea what you can trim from your life and what's essential by going through the exercise in #96.
It's easy to spread yourself too thin. If you're about to go over the edge, try the following:
~ Delegate at work--don't bite off more than you can chew.
~ Cut back on volunteer work.
~ Restrict social obligations.
~ Turn off the TV and radio--too much info.
~ Get rid of clutter.
~ Hire a housekeeper.
~ Toss the cell phone and beeper.
~ Dump the high-mantenance boyfriend or girlfriend--really!
You'll get a better idea what you can trim from your life and what's essential by going through the exercise in #96.
Monday, November 17, 2003
57. TREAT YOURSELF TO A PROFESSIONAL, ALL-BODY MASSAGE
Friday, November 14, 2003
56. CHERISH THE SPIRITUAL IN EVERYTHING AROUND YOU
To me, every hour of the light and dark is a miracle,
Every cubic inch of space is a miracle.
--Walt Whitman
To me, every hour of the light and dark is a miracle,
Every cubic inch of space is a miracle.
--Walt Whitman
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
55. SET A GOOD EXAMPLE
Caroline Maynard got the greatest compliment of her professional career quite by accident one afternoon. As she was leaving the high school where she taught American history to the junior class, Caroline overheard two girls comparing notes on the report cards that had been distributed that day. Caroline's ears pricked up when she heard her name mentioned, and she ducked into a doorway and shamelessly eavesdropped for a moment.
"Amy! You got an A in Maynard's class?" one girl practically shouted at the other.
"Yeah," Amy replied. "It wasn't easy."
"I can't believe it," her friend continued. "No one gets A's from Maynard! She's the hardest grader at this school!"
"I had to get an A in there," Amy said. "She's just such a great teacher that--I don't know--I would've been ashamed not to."
Setting a good example challenges others to find the best in themselves. How do we set a good example? Simply by challenging ourselves to live up to our own role models.
Caroline Maynard got the greatest compliment of her professional career quite by accident one afternoon. As she was leaving the high school where she taught American history to the junior class, Caroline overheard two girls comparing notes on the report cards that had been distributed that day. Caroline's ears pricked up when she heard her name mentioned, and she ducked into a doorway and shamelessly eavesdropped for a moment.
"Amy! You got an A in Maynard's class?" one girl practically shouted at the other.
"Yeah," Amy replied. "It wasn't easy."
"I can't believe it," her friend continued. "No one gets A's from Maynard! She's the hardest grader at this school!"
"I had to get an A in there," Amy said. "She's just such a great teacher that--I don't know--I would've been ashamed not to."
Setting a good example challenges others to find the best in themselves. How do we set a good example? Simply by challenging ourselves to live up to our own role models.
Sunday, November 09, 2003
54. SAY WHAT YOU MEAN
" Then you should say what you mean," the March Hare went on.
"I do," Alice hastily replied; "at least--at least I mean what I say--that's the same thing, you know."
"Not the same thing a bit!" said the Hatter. "Why, you might just as well say that 'I see what I eat' is the same thing as 'I eat what I see'!"
--Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Unless you want to find yourself hosting a neverending mad tea party at work or at home, you had best say what you mean and mean what you say. Eventually, equivocation to save face or spare others' feelings is sure to land you in a Wonderland-like muddle. (Hint: an honest "yes," "no," or "I don't know" can often save you untold time, trouble, and even expense.) Be direct, be candid--and be tactful.
" Then you should say what you mean," the March Hare went on.
"I do," Alice hastily replied; "at least--at least I mean what I say--that's the same thing, you know."
"Not the same thing a bit!" said the Hatter. "Why, you might just as well say that 'I see what I eat' is the same thing as 'I eat what I see'!"
--Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Unless you want to find yourself hosting a neverending mad tea party at work or at home, you had best say what you mean and mean what you say. Eventually, equivocation to save face or spare others' feelings is sure to land you in a Wonderland-like muddle. (Hint: an honest "yes," "no," or "I don't know" can often save you untold time, trouble, and even expense.) Be direct, be candid--and be tactful.
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
53. SAVOR YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
They're yours--go on! Landed that big new account? Got your diploma? Exceeded your sales quota? Take yourself to dinner; treat yourself to that new suit! Allow yourself to acknowledge a "job well done." Jot down those accomplishments in your journal (#7), so you can reflect on them over time. You may also want to take a peek at them when things aren't going well--just to remind yourself, "I did it before, and I can do it again!" One more thing: don't gloat.
They're yours--go on! Landed that big new account? Got your diploma? Exceeded your sales quota? Take yourself to dinner; treat yourself to that new suit! Allow yourself to acknowledge a "job well done." Jot down those accomplishments in your journal (#7), so you can reflect on them over time. You may also want to take a peek at them when things aren't going well--just to remind yourself, "I did it before, and I can do it again!" One more thing: don't gloat.
Monday, November 03, 2003
52. OWN UP TO YOUR MISTAKES
(WITHOUT HESITATION)
None but the well-bred man knows how to confess a fault, or acknowledge himself in an error.
---Benjamin Franklin
(WITHOUT HESITATION)
None but the well-bred man knows how to confess a fault, or acknowledge himself in an error.
---Benjamin Franklin
51. PLAN A DREAM VACATION
For this assignment, you will need all of the following:
~ a world atlas or globe
~ a notebook and pen
~ a dream
What exotic place have you always dreamed of visiting? Tahiti? India? China? Madagascar? Egypt? Antarctica? You'll need the atlas to search for your destination. In the notebook, list your top 10 choices and start compiling information. And you'll need the dream--well, if you have the atlas and the notebook, you've already got the dream. This is a long-term project to share and savor with your spouse or entire family. It's a big world--start exploring.
For this assignment, you will need all of the following:
~ a world atlas or globe
~ a notebook and pen
~ a dream
What exotic place have you always dreamed of visiting? Tahiti? India? China? Madagascar? Egypt? Antarctica? You'll need the atlas to search for your destination. In the notebook, list your top 10 choices and start compiling information. And you'll need the dream--well, if you have the atlas and the notebook, you've already got the dream. This is a long-term project to share and savor with your spouse or entire family. It's a big world--start exploring.
