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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
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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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