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Vol. 3 No. 6 November/December 2001 ############################################ IN THIS ISSUE 1. NEWS YOU CAN USE 2. BEAT THE 9/11 AND THE HOLIDAY BLUES 3. SUCCESS ACTION STEPS 4. HUMOR BREAK 5. HOLIDAY SPECIAL 6. ABOUT THE EDITOR 7. CONTACT AND SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION ===================================================== INSIGHT BREAK "When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which never happened." --Winston Churchill Source: Make It a Winning Life, Perpetual desk calendar, Nov. 5. (See paragraph 5. for more information.) ===================================================== 1. NEWS YOU CAN USE ===================================================== BECOME YOUNGER Only 30 percent of how quickly you age is in your genes! The other 70 percent is determined by your life style. Something that you can control and even turn around. ACTION STEP: Compute your real age at the source below and begin to make life-style changes that can decrease your age. (My real age is 10 years younger than my chronological age.) Source: www.realage.com WHAT DOES NOT KILL YOU MAKES YOU STRONGER Ed Hommer had everything going for him. He was in the prime of his life (26 years), an avid backcountry skier, climber, and airline pilot and about to become a new dad, plus doing what he loved to do--climbing Mount McKinley, when tragedy struck. A freak accident prevented him from making the return trip. It took five days before rescuers could get to him. By then "his feet had frozen into solid blocks of uselessness," which had to be amputated. Totally devastated and depressed, he had lost his job--major airlines do not permit double amputees to fly--and his passion--it's hard to go rock climbing without feet. Until he became totally disgusted with himself and decided that "there had to be a way out." He got prosthetics, and with a steely determination became re-qualified to continue to fly for American Airlines, started skiing and rock climbing again and even scaled the summit of McKinley to make peace with himself and the mountain. (Ed was the first double amputee to achieve this incredible feat.) And this August he was making his first attempt to climb Mt Everest. ACTION STEP: Live according to Ed's belief that: "courage is not always marked by a loud roar, but more often by quietly saying at the end of the day, 'I will try again tomorrow.'" Source: American Way, 8/1/ 01, pp. 66-69. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION, SUGGESTION OR A SUCCESS STORY? We are getting some great success stories from our subscribers and would like to hear whatÕs working, or not working, for you. Mailto:WolfRinke@aol.com. ===================================================== 2. BEAT THE 9/11 AND THE HOLIDAY BLUES By Wolf J. Rinke, PhD, CSP ===================================================== The insanity of 9/11, the uncertainty of yet another case of anthrax, and the question of what is coming next getting you down? The combination of a virtual state of war and the holidays, which are just around the corner, will pose a special challenge for many. According to the National Institute of Mental Health and the American Psychiatric Association (www.viahealth.org) many people are experiencing clinical depression since 9/11. You have a serious disorder that requires medical attention if you are suffering from one of the following NEARLY EVERY DAY, ALL DAY, FOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS: - loss of interest in the things you used to enjoy - feeling sad, blue or down in the dumps In addition people who are depressed also experience at least three of the following symptoms: - feeling slowed down or restless and unable to sit still - feeling worthless or guilty - increased or decreased appetite and weight - thoughts of death or suicide - problems of concentrating, thinking, remembering or making decisions - trouble sleeping or sleeping too much - loss of energy or feeling tired all of the time. If you are experiencing these symptoms you should make an appointment with your doctor now. If on the other hand you are experiencing the following symptoms you are likely experiencing the blues: - headaches - inability to sleep or sleeping too much - change in appetite causing weight loss or gain - agitation and anxiety - excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt - diminished ability to think clearly or concentrate -decreased interest in activities that usually bring you pleasure such as food, sex, work, friends, hobbies or entertainment. To beat the blues take the following actions and make this a truly joyous holiday season: TURN OFF THE NEWS The media's axiom is: If it bleeds it reads. It is time that we inoculate ourselves from this insidious virus—the incessant reports of bad news. Remember, that whatever gets reported in the media represents the exception--not the rule. The problem is that we hear the same bad news over and over again, and we begin to believe that that is the way things are. They are NOT! Think about it. At the time of this writing there have only been 21 cases of anthrax, and four anthrax related death. Now ask yourself, how often have you heard about anthrax. And how often have you heard about a good deed being committed in your community? Now which one do you believe occurs more often? Enough said! MANAGE EXPECTATIONS When are children most excited? About a week before the holidays or right after they have ripped all the presents open? The former, of course. Just like children, many of us also experience a feeling of let down when the hustle and bustle of the holidays wind down. The reason is that all of our mental and physical energies have been occupied by all the things that needed to get done. And now that it is over, you experience a sense of disappointment and the blues kick in. To combat this phenomena start on a new project or a new goal right after the holiday. For example, you and your significant other may want to start planning your summer vacation. MAKE LOVE NOT WAR Tonight, when you put your children to bed give each one a really big hug and tell him/her from the bottom of your heart: "I love you, and I'm very proud to be your parent." And then shut up. Do not continue the sentence with "but" because but erases everything you have said before. Repeat the exercise with your spouse. Your spouse and children are the most important people in your life. So do not waste another day without giving them lots of hugs and kisses. COMMIT RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS To do this right you must do something for someone else without expecting anything in return. For example, get the family together and serve a holiday meal at a shelter for the homeless. Or visit your local nursing home and talk with an elderly person in need of companionship. HELP CHILDREN FEEL SECURE When children ask you questions about the despicable events associated with September 11, 2001, about anthrax, or other challenges that we will be facing in months to come, listen actively (see below) and then answer candidly. Be sure to share your sadness, anger and frustration, however do all you can to avoid expressing hate, spite and revenge. Instead, remind your children that they can feel safe, because most people are good, and that the evil perpetrated by a few represents the exception. GIVE THE GIFT OF LISTENING To really listen you have to learn to make your own mind quiet and give the other party your undivided 111% attention. The act of active listening—not giving advice—is one of the most wonderful gifts you can give during these stressful times. CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY It was Abraham Lincoln who said: "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." Happiness is a state that only you control. So don't wait for others to give you happiness. Make a choice to be happy and then make it happen! For example, learn to get pleasure from people, not things. Plan to spend the majority of your available time with the people you love and deeply care for. If you want to supplement it with stuff, learn to get pleasure from little things. (For a wonderful tool, see section #5.) MANAGE STRESS Master the most powerful stress control system of all time: - Change the changeable - Accept the unchangeable - Remove yourself from the unacceptable Also make quiet time for yourself and treat yourself to whatever truly helps you relax, may it be a hot tub, a movie or a walk in the woods. DECREASE CONFLICT Whenever you are in a situation that seems to be moving in the direction of conflict, simply and sincerely say: "You are right about that." The primary reason that we have a "need" to be right is to feed our ego, and feeding your ego disempowers you. To insure that you are not sounding like a parrot, use these derivations: "That's an interesting perspective." "I have never thought of it that way." "I see what you mean." HAVE "PLASTIC SURGERY" If overspending is a critical issue for you, start by having "plastic surgery." Get rid of your credit cards, or at least put them away for the holidays. Establish a holiday budget in advance. Make up a gift list that insures that you stay within the budget. Avoid keeping up with the "Jonses." It won't do a thing for you. (For other tips see "Finance 101" below.) Want to do something extra-ordinary for that special someone? Make a gift yourself! For example, write a beautiful poem, sign it and put it in a frame. It will be more appreciated than even the most expensive gift you can buy! (Also take a look at the HOLIDAY SPECIAL section (#5) of this eNewsletter for a unique gift that every one will love. It is inspirational, will keep on giving forever and yet is inexpensive.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ===================================================== FINANCE 101 1. Spend less than you make (this one is the most important!) 2. Save at least 10% of all that you make. (Use a "forced" savings technique ex. automatic withdrawal by your bank.) 3. Balance your investments i.e. don't put all your eggs in one basket. 4. Avoid high-risk investments i.e. Internet stocks, unless you can afford to lose the money. 5. Maximize any kind of contributory savings plan such as 401(k) 6. Buy your own house. Don't rent, except for brief times. 7. Don't get greedy--"If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!" Remember: it's not how much you make, it's how much you have left over! Adhere to these seven basic steps and you will make it through the holidays without going broke and may even retire wealthy. HOW DO YOU TALK TO YOURSELF? YouÕre meeting someone for the first time. Lets say itÕs at a football game. In the excitement of the game you notice that your new acquaintance spills his drink. Would you tell him that he is a careless, clumsy, stupid fool? IÕm sure you answered not just no, but heck NO! Since you wouldn't even think of talking to a virtual stranger like that, why would you do it to yourself? ===================================================== 4. HUMOR BREAK ===================================================== The crumbling, old church building needed remodeling, so the preacher made an impassioned appeal, looking directly at the richest man in town. At the end of the message, the rich man stood up and announced, "Pastor, I will contribute $1,000." Just then, plaster fell from the ceiling and struck the rich man on the shoulder. The rich man promptly stood up and shouted, "Pastor, I will increase my donation to $5,000." Before he could sit back down, plaster fell on him again and he screamed, "Pastor, I will double my last pledge." He sat down and an even larger chunk of plaster fell, this time hitting the rich man on the head. The rich man stood once more and hollered, "Pastor, I will give $20,000!" This prompted the pastor to shout, "Hit him again, Lord! Hit him again!" ===================================================== 5. HOLIDAY SPECIAL--FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY ===================================================== Looking for an affordable, one-of-a-kind, holiday present? Something that will chase away the blues all year long? And keep on giving Éforever? Give the special people in your life--loved ones, co-workers, bosses etc.--my Make It a Winning Life Perpetual Desk Calendar This unique 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! Best of all when you get to the end of the year, turn it over and use it again, and again . . . Like having a mentor who will keep you on track FOREVER! And for the holidays we will even ship FREE ! (USA only.) ********************* 4 Calendars for ONLY $30 ************************** $$$$$$ Regular Price $51.80 + $4.50 S/H You SAVE $26.30 $$$$$$ --------------------------- One Calendar $12.95 ----------------------------------- ########## You must mention this offer when you order!! ######### ******* 100% UNCONDITIONAL MONEY BACK GUARANTEE. ******* Order NOW! Offer expires 12/30/2000. Call 800-828-9653 or http://www.WolfRinke.com/MIWL.html
======================================================== 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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