MAKE IT A WINNING LIFE:
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Vol. 9 No. 1, January/February. 2007
Copyright 2007 by Wolf J. Rinke
mailto:WolfRinke@aol.com
http://www.WolfRinke.com

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IN THIS ISSUE
1. NEWS YOU CAN USE
2. SPECIAL OFFER FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
3. HOW TO CONQUEOR STRESS--PART III
4. HEAR WOLF "HOWL"--I MEAN SPEAK
5. A HUMOROUS MOMENT
6. ABOUT THE EDITOR
7. PRIVACY STATEMENT AND SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

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INSIGHT BREAK
Remember that there is nothing stable in human affairs; therefore avoid undue elation in prosperity, or undue depression in adversity.
--Socrates (469 BC - 399 BC)

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1. NEWS YOU CAN USE
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In the previous eNewsletter (www.WolfRinke.com) I described Acute and Episodic Acute Stress and their symptoms. Here are the other two types of stress and the symptoms associated with each according to The American Psychological Association:
Level 3 - Chronic Stress
This is long-term stress that causes the immune system to be impaired. The person typically feels out of control without any hope in sight. It may be associated with long term illness, dysfunctional families, or intense work dissatisfaction. Studies have shown that with chronic stress almost all measures of immune function are diminished, and that the longer the stress, the more the immune system shifts from potentially adaptive changes such as the "fight or flight" response, to increasingly detrimental changes.
Symptoms of Chronic Stress include:
--Loss of appetite or overeating
--Feeling of insecurity and inadequacy
--Weakened immune system
--Heart disease
--Chronic pain in joints, back, jaw, or shoulders
--Persistent pessimism
--Extreme or chronic anger
--Inability to concentrate
--Persistent resentment
--Peptic ulcers and other digestive disorders
--Diminished coping ability
--Depression
--Chronic fatigue
--Migraine headaches
--Persistent anxiety
--Reclusiveness
--Constant irritability
--Persistent cynicism
--Inability to perform

Level 4 - Traumatic Stress
This stress comes from experiencing an extreme emotional response as a result of a traumatic experience such as losing a loved one, getting fired, witnessing a terrible crime, having extreme financial problems or being involved in an accident. In order to cope with the intense experience the person may go into "shock" or denial. If you should be so unfortunate to experience this type of stress you should seek professional help.
Symptoms associated with traumatic stress include:
--Feelings: unpredictable, intense mood swings; anxiety; nervousness; depression
--Thoughts: flashbacks; vivid memory of event; inability to concentrate
--Physical reactions: rapid heartbeat; sweating; headache, nausea, chest or general pain, and digestive problems
--Relationship problems: strained, frequent arguments; withdrawal and isolation from group activities
Source: W. J. Rinke, Beat the Blues--How to Manage Stress and Balance Your Life, (CPE Home Study Course, approved for 28 CPEUs), Wolf Rinke Associates, Clarksville, MD, pp. 47-50, 2006, www.WolfRinke.com/CEcredits.html

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2. SPECIAL OFFER FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
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HARDCOVER BOOK: "Make it A Winning Life: Success Strategies for Life, Love and Business" (283pp) by W. J. Rinke $24.95.
"Your book came at a critical time in my life and helped me immeasurably."
Lou Holtz, former Head Football Coach, University of Notre Dame

POWERFUL CD: "Positive Attitude: The Key to Peak Performance" (73 mins) $19.95.
This powerful LIVE CD by yours truly provides you with fail-safe action strategies that will enable you to live longer, get sick less often and succeed faster.

PERPETUAL CALENDAR: "Make It a Winning Life Perpetual Desk Calendar." $12.95
This one-of-a-kind desk calendar gives you words of wisdom and inspiration every day of the year! PLUS easy to apply action steps to transform the message into reality!

Order both book and CD--$44.90 + s/h and get the Desk Calendar ($12.95) FREE! What a Bargain--You SAVE $12.95!

111% MONEY BACK GURANTEE: You risk absolutely nothing! If for any reason the book and CD are not everything you expected, send them back to me and I will give you your money back. The perpetual calendar is yours to keep!

Log onto www.wolfrinke.com/Specialmiwlpacal.html or call 800-828-9653.
Mention this ad when ordering by phone! Offer expires 3/15/2007.

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2. HOW TO CONQUEOR STRESS--PART III Wolf J. Rinke
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In the previous eNewsletter (www.WolfRinke.com) I described the following stress-busting strategies:
1. Hang Out With Positive People
2. Recognize That You Are Not Your Job
3. Get Your Life In Balance
4. Cut the Electronic Umbilical Cord
5. Reduce Your Commuting Time
6. Find A Boss Who Knows How To MBA--Manage By Appreciation
7. Move Your Body

Here are 8 more strategies to help you kiss stress goodbye:
8. Exercise
Do approximately 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every other day such as jogging, biking or fast walking. Alternate that with resistance exercise like lifting weights, or using a "gym" machine. And be sure to start every exercise session with light warm-up exercises and end with a comprehensive stretch routine.

9. Take Breaks
You'll be surprised how refreshed you feel just by taking brief stretch breaks throughout the day. (This is great advice--I just took one myself, and yes I feel much better.) Simple actions such as taking three very deep breath and exhaling slowly; going for a short walk or just standing up and stretching at your desk is a powerful way to alleviate stress and boost productivity.

10. Get Eight Hours of Sleep a Day
If you find you don't have eight hours, reduce TV viewing by one hour per day. (Good advice even if you get enough sleep.) That will give you--are you ready for this--15 extra days per year. Just think how much fun stuff you could do if you had 15 extra days.

11. Manage Priorities
You can't manage time. We all get the same 24 hours every day. But you can manage priorities. (Have you ever noticed that all of us make time for all the important things in our lives?) So each day figure out what your high pay-off items are and do them when you are at your best. And don't forget to make vacation and play time a priority.

12. Get Rid Of Conflict
If you're having problems with a family member or a particular individual at work, arrange to meet with him or her to discuss the situation. By opening the lines of communication, you'll set the stage for a fair resolution. You may even find out that what seemed like a major and stressful conflict was actually a misunderstanding. And remember to liberally use the most powerful conflict and stress reduction phrase in the world: "You are right about that."

13. Celebrate More Often Than You Think Is Wise
Set attainable and measurable goals for each of your projects may they be at home or at work. Then celebrate each accomplishment with small rewards, such as taking time to go out to lunch with your spouse or colleagues. It will keep you motivated and increase your productivity.

14. Reduce Information
Most of us suffer from TMI--too much information. So when you need to make a decision, avoid what's referred to as "decision optimization" in systems language. (A friend of mine refers to it as contemplating your navel.) Instead, go for decisions that are minimally acceptable. It's faster and leads to better decision outcomes in the long term. I truly believe that most of us need lots more reminding and less information. In other words, I believe most of us know how to do right--we just forget what we already know. If you could use help with this I have just the right tool for you. It is my Make It a Winning Life: Success Strategies for Life, Love and Business perpetual calendar. Every day it provides you with a motivational message--a reminder of what you probably already know. However, then it takes you to the next level by providing you a specific action step. An action step that helps you implement what you already know in a dramatically new and different way. When you get to the end of the year, the calendar starts all over again. Why not order yours right now at 800-828-9653 or www.WolfRinke.com?

15. Ask For Help
If you still have stress after all this it's time to ask for help. (Remember asking for help is a sign of strength--not weakness.) While sometimes it may seem like it's you against the world, keep in mind that this is rarely the case. Often the help you need is available simply by asking. Reach out to family members, colleagues or your boss, by letting them know of your challenges. You can avoid being perceived as a complainer by objectively outlining how others can help. If that still does not do the trick, talk with your mentor or coach (you do have one don't you?) or a professional counselor. Because they are removed from the situation they are more likely to provide you with a fresh perspective which may enable you to develop new strategies for dealing with stress.

Source: W. J. Rinke, Beat the Blues--How to Manage Stress and Balance Your Life, (CPE Home Study Course Approved for 28 CPEUs), Wolf Rinke Associates, Clarksville, MD, pp. 45, 50-51, 2006, www.WolfRinke.com/CEcredits.html

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4. HEAR WOLF "HOWL"--I MEAN SPEAK
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These full day seminars maybe open to you if your company is a member of the Institute of Management Studies (IMS). Contact the chairperson for specifics.

Winning Management: Building a Peak Performance Workplace
3/27/07, Toronto, Can, Mark Jesty, Toronto@ims-online.com
4/4/07, Columbus, OH, Wes Mirick, Columbus@ims-online.com
6/5/07 Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX, Mike Godwin, Dallas@ims-online.com
6/7/07 Pittsburgh, PA, Maury Burgwin, mburgwin@ims-online.com

Don't Oil the Squeaky Wheel: Innovative Strategies to Improve Leadership Effectiveness.
10/11/07, Seattle, WA, Bill Woods, Seattle@ims-online.com
12/11/07 Hartford, CT, Art Muldowney, Connecticut@ims-online.com

NOTE: I have other "in-house" presentations scheduled in the U.S.A., Canada and Europe. Please let me know if you are interested to preview me or bring me into your organization at reduced expenses when I'm scheduled to be in your area. That way we can let you know when I'm coming your way!

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5. A HUMOROUS MOMENT
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Still living at home and expecting to inherit a fortune when his sickly, widowed father died, John decided it was time to find a woman to help him enjoy all that wealth.
So he went to a singles bar and searched until he spotted a woman whose beauty took his breath away.
"Right now, I'm just a man of ordinary means," he said, "but within a month or two my father will pass away and I'll inherit over $10 million dollars."
The woman went home with John that night and four days later she became his stepmother.

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7. ABOUT THE EDITOR
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Dr. Wolf J. Rinke, CSP is a highly effective management consultant and executive coach who specializes in building peak performance organizations, teams and individuals. He is the author of 14 books including "Make It a Winning Life: Success Strategies for Life, Love and Business" available at www.WolfRinke.com and an internationally recognized motivational and management keynote speaker and seminar leader who delivers customized presentations that combine story telling, humor and motivation with specific "how to" action strategies that participants can apply immediately to improve their personal and professional lives. You can preview a live demo at www.WolfRinke.com.
To take advantage of Dr. Rinke's services contact us at 800-828-9653 or WolfRinke@aol.com

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8. PRIVACY STATEMENT AND SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
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We will not make your name or e-mail address available to anyone. Period!

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