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Vol. 3 No. 4 July/August 2001 ############################################ N THIS ISSUE 1. NEWS YOU CAN USE 2. BREAK THE CYCLE 3. SUCCESS ACTION STEPS 4. HUMOR BREAK 5. LESSONS LEARNED 6. ABOUT THE EDITOR 7. CONTACT AND SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION ======================================================== INSIGHT BREAK Children today are tyrants. They contradict their parents, gobble their food, and tyrannize their teachers. —Socrates (470-399 B.C.) (Note the date: the more things changeÉthe more they stay the same!) ======================================================== 1. NEWS YOU CAN USE ======================================================== LACK OF EXERCISE MAKES YOU FAT, SICK AND STUPID The latest research shows that one of the best ways to improve your brainpower is by exercising your body. It seems that aerobic exercise—the stuff that keeps you lean and healthy—also provides you with a brain-booster, improving your memory and concentration. In a review of the literature Washington Post writer Powledge concluded, "in scores of human studies going back at least two decades, researchers have demonstrated that exercise improves cognitive functions and the moods that affect them." The reason, vigorous exercise stimulates brain cell production and reduces stress. Yet according to the Surgeon General's report on Physical Activity and Health fewer than one in seven American adults take part in a vigorous workout at least three days a week; and one in four get virtually no exercise at all. ACTION STEPS: Get in the habit of exercising at least every other day for 30 minutes of moderate exertion. For example a brisk walk that makes you perspire will do the trick. (For additional easy-to-implement strategies see this eNewsletter Vol. 2-3 and 2-4 at www.WolfRinke.com) Source: The Washington Post/Health, 4/10/01, p.15. OPTIMISTS HAVE FEWER STROKES Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston reported that individuals who had a positive outlook in their later years had far fewer strokes than their negative counterparts. This major study of 2,478 men and women over the age of 65 who were followed for seven years concluded, "Elderly folks who often feel blue tend to have more strokes than those who are not depressed." ACTION STEPS: Get in the habit of focusing on the good stuff. Here are three habits you can start implementing today: 1. Avoid watching local news on TV. 2. Hang out with positive people. 3. Say positive things or nothing at all. Source: Journal of the American Psychosomatic Society as reported by www. abcnews.com, 3/22/01. WINNERS LIVE LONGER Actors who have won an Oscar live nearly four years longer than their colleagues who did not win an Oscar. Multiple winners live an average of six years longer. Dr. Donald Redelmeier, professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto, Ontario, and co-author of the study that analyzed 1,649 performers stated: "Once you get an Oscar, it gives you an inner sense of peace and accomplishment that can last for your entire life, and that alters the way your body copes with stress." The researchers found that the increased longevity cannot be explained by higher income alone, because even Academy Award also-rans tend to be wealthy. Instead it is related to factors of success, such as feeling better about you. ACTION STEPS: Make peace with yourself! Like yourself just the way you are, not the way you ought to be. Once you like yourself, others will like you better too. And use yourself as the standard for making decisions about your accomplishments. Instead of comparing yourself to others, ask yourself: am I getting better? If you are, give yourself credit and celebrate your success. If you're not, make an action plan and start the plan that will enable you to taste the sweet smell of success. Source: Annals of Internal Medicine, Vol. 134 (10), 5/15/01 www.annals.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION, SUGGESTION OR A SUCCESS STORY? We are getting some great success stories from our subscribers (see section #5), and would like to hear what's working, or not working, for you. Mailto:WolfRinke@aol.com. ======================================================== 2. BREAK THE CYCLE by Wolf J. Rinke, PhD, CSP ======================================================== During her formative years my daughter Nicole had the habit of consistently placing her cup of milk right on the edge of the table, and right in the vicinity of her elbow. As a Dad, who had been inculcated with a severe case of "perfectionitis"—which by the way cause hardening of the categories—I would admonish her to put the glass in the middle of the table. Of course the next meal the glass was right back were it did not belong. I in turn would admonish her to put the glass in the middle of the table. The more often I did that the more frustrated we became. When Nicole finally spilled the milk I did what my parents had done to me. I ranted and raved and told her that she was a clumsy bumbling fool that she would never learn ad infinitum. At the time that was "my normal response pattern." After all, "the apple does not fall far from the tree." Having grown up—that's me I'm referring to—I now use the "spilled milk" story in my management and motivational presentations. After all, many of us are in the habit of punishing the actor as opposed to the act. (The actor could be our children, our spouse or our employees.) To break this destructive cycle we need to develop the habit of asking ourselves a critical diagnostic question: If I rant and rave really well, will the milk pick itself up and jump back into the glass? In other words: does my behavior have a positive impact on the "bottom line?" If the answer is yes, continue. If the answer is NO, which is usually the case, become "future oriented." Because when we punish the actor, instead of the act, we significantly diminish people's perceived worth and self-esteem. Being future oriented means that you ask: what have you learned from this mistake? If she can explain that, then ask: what are you going to do different the NEXT time? If she has that figured out, then it is your job to help re-build her self-esteem. You might say something like: I'm glad we both agree that we don't want ________________ (whatever the mistake). And I know that I can count on you to be more careful the NEXT time. After all you are an incredible human being with unlimited potential who has been very successful in ---------_________________ (describe a specific past situation or accomplishment). After many years I was finally able to break the cycle, which may be the most powerful thing any parent, spouse or boss can do. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For FREE articles, inspirational messages and money saving offers on books, audio and videotapes that will help you succeed FASTER visit our website: http://www.WolfRinke.com or call 800-828-WOLF (USA); 410-531-9282. ======================================================= 3. SUCCESS ACTION STEPS ======================================================== TAKE OUT THE GARBAGE Are you in the habit of taking out your garbage once a week? Then why do you tend to piggyback lots of verbal garbage that others unload on you? Make it a habit to unload the garbage in your mind on a regular basis. In fact, use taking out the garbage as the cue to unload the "garbage" in your mind at the same time, and you will be a much nicer person to be around. GET RID OF HATE This past week at the National Speakers Association (NSA) annual convention in Houston, TX, I heard Dave Pelzer talk about the importance of getting rid of hate. According to Pelzer: "Hate is a cancer that kills one cell at a time." By the way Dave has earned the right to talk about this topic. He has forgiven his mother who abused him so severely that he "earned" the unenviable title of the third most abused child in the US. Get rid of hate in your life, because it takes far more away from you than anyone else. Start right now—make that call, write that letter or do what ever it takes to forgive one of your "enemies!" Repeat that process every day until you no longer have any enemies. YOU will benefit beyond all expectations. STEP OUT ON "GROUNDLESS GROUND" I heard Jamie Clarke, of Calgary, Canada, who reached the top of Mt. Everest after three tries, talk about the importance of perseverance. It is true that no matter what obstacles are in your way right now, you can overcome virtually all of them by taking one step at a time and never giving up. So step out on groundless ground, do whatever it takes, pay any prize, hang in there and you too will get more of what you want. ======================================================== 4. HUMOR BREAK ======================================================== Question: Why did Abraham offer to sacrifice his son at age 12? Answer: Because at 13 it would no longer be a sacrifice. ======================================================= 5. LESSONS LEARNED ======================================================== Wolf, Thanks for sharing the story about your daughter (see "Plant the Right Seeds" this eNewsletter, issue 3-2, at www.WolfRinke.com). You have reason to be very proud of her. I have a similar situation with my 10-year-old son, Geoffrey, who is an extremely intelligent (IQ=150) but challenging kid. Your advice is quite timely and well taken. I also wanted to share a story with you that you might find very touching: One night as I was tucking my two young sons in bed, I began telling them how they should thank God for another great day and how life is short and we need to make the most of each and every day. Then my youngest son, Ben, then 4 years old began to cry and said, "Dad, I don't ever want you to die." I responded, "Oh Ben, don't worry about that. I'm gonna be around for a long time." Still sobbing, Ben then said, "Dad, I'm never going to eat my vegetables again." Puzzled, I asked Ben what vegetables had to do with anything we were talking about. He responded, "Vegetables make you big and strong right?" I said, "Yes, of course, Ben." Then he said, "Well I'm never going to eat my vegetables again because they will make me big and strong and then you won't be able to hold me." At that point I realized how fortunate I was and that it really had been a great day! Thanks again. I always enjoy reading your eNewsletter and hearing from you. Best of luck to you and your family. George Dilly Editor: Thanks George for sharing that powerful story with all my readers. Readers keep those e-mails coming!
======================================================== 5. ABOUT THE EDITOR ======================================================== Dr. Wolf J. Rinke, CSP is 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 the quality of their personal and professional lives. He is also a highly effective management consultant and executive coach. Call us at 800-828-9653 or mailto:WolfRinke@aol.com to ======================================================== 7. CONTACT AND SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION ======================================================== Editor: Dr. Wolf J. Rinke, CSP President, Wolf Rinke Associates, Inc. P.O. Box 350, Clarksville, MD 21029-0350 USA (410) 531-9280, Fax (410) 531-9282 For orders in the US (800) 828-WOLF (9653) Email: Mailto:WolfRinke@aol.com Website: http://www.WolfRinke.com If this was forwarded to you and you would like to receive your own FREE subscription mailto:WolfRinke@aol.com and type the word SUBSCRIBE MIWL in the subject box. To remove yourself from this mailing list, please type the word UNSUBSCRIBE MIWL in the subject box. PRIVACY STATEMENT: We will not make your name available to anyone. Period!
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