Spring gets me up and moving in the right direction. It’s the time of the year when I start thinking about the warmer weather, getting outdoors and losing those few extra pounds I gained during the holidays. The trees and flowers are finally starting to bloom—perfect for grilling outside!

Sitting at my desk for hours at a time every day has given me time to think; I’ve realized that I don’t need to drive myself crazy with New Year’s resolutions or with finding the ‘perfect’ healthy lifestyle to feel better. That’s right! It’s easy and free to open the door, go outside and enjoy nature. You may even lose those few extra pounds without even trying.

Enjoying the outdoors gives me a much-needed break from technology and especially from the ‘on-the-go’ lifestyle we’re all so accustomed to. I hang out with friends, spend some quiet time alone, or even play with my pets and get them out on the trail with me for a walk. Being outside just gives me a clearer, more focused mindset no matter what I’m doing.

Ready to get out there? Here are a few easy ways to work the benefits of nature into your day!

Make it a ritual. Go for a morning or evening walk every day. It’s a great way to connect with your partner, children and friends. And if you have one, bring your pooch too! Everybody underestimates the benefits of simply moving. You may even learn something new about your neighborhood or neighbors.

Commit to the outdoors, rain or shine. When you’re layered properly, you can enjoy the outdoors in all of its beautiful seasons. There are some fun and healthy outdoor activities available during the rainy or cold months, too. These are the times that we have even less interaction with nature, but it may be when we need it the most!

Visit beautiful places. For your next scheduled break, take some time to visit a state or national park or go to a beautiful beach – whatever landscape speaks to you! We all want to relax when we finally get a break from our crazy lives, but that doesn’t mean we have to be couch potatoes the whole time. The benefits of being outside (even if you’re just lounging) have been well documented.

Garden. I love to work in the yard—it’s the perfect opportunity to let my mind wander as I’m digging in the dirt. Try planting a vegetable or herb garden. It gives you the opportunity to spend more time with your family and can also be fun when it comes to cooking. I’ve also come to love my trips to the local nurseries. Wandering the aisles surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers always puts me in a good mood.

Bring in nature. Setting up bird feeders, birdbaths and water fountains brings you closer to nature. Research suggests that contact with ‘wild’ nature is beneficial to everything from stress reduction to increased creativity.

Sit outside. Beginning in the spring, I make it a point to sit outside on my deck when I get home from work. I pour myself a glass of wine, put on some music and think about what delicious dish I’m going to cook on the grill. Everyone’s always so ‘go-go-go’, it’s nice to relax. So the next time you have a break, try sitting outside quietly and just appreciate the nature around you, especially here in New Mexico!

Find a trail. Albuquerque is considered one of the most biking and hiking friendly communities in the country, for good reason. Getting away from it all is often just a short step out your door! To find one near you, you can go to: www.trails.com

Go to a local park. Ask others in your neighborhood which park is their favorite to visit. Then the next time the weather is good, trade your usual gym workout for an outdoor one. Parks also give you a way to become more involved in your community and get to know your neighbors. Finding connection is important.

Find a local dog park. Dog parks aren’t just great for your pet. When your dog is working off his pent up energy, you’ll reap the benefits of his improved behavior. Plus, playing fetch with your pal is a great way to get the exercise you need each day. And you’ll be surrounded by dog lovers like yourself to ask questions, get training tips and swap information about dog food, toys, medicines and more.

So the next time you get a chance to get outside for a walk, bike ride or hike, take the opportunity to soak in that Mother Nature! Just sayin’

Published: Apartment News Magazine – March/April issue 2013

It’s official—the New Year is here. Like everything else in our rapid-fire world, with the flick of a switch (or drop of a big crystal ball in Times Square) all the anticipation, planning and counting down is suddenly over. Then comes…the big let down. Or, we could look at each new year as a chance to start over. As a time for new beginnings, with a fresh outlook on life and your business.

So, here are a few sure fire ways to make you feel, look, and perform better in the new year. 

Eliminate wasteful activities. One of the most common complaints I hear about why people fail to accomplish their goals is lack of time. But these are the same people hitting the snooze button nine times, watching hours of TV, or constantly checking their e-mail and Facebook. Doing relaxing activities is important, but it is easy to get carried away. If you are spending hours playing Farmville, you have free time to do more. Try cutting your TV and Internet time and instead work toward accomplishing your resolutions. You don’t have to do anything big; just spending that time working towards your goals in any way makes a huge difference.

Lose other people’s opinion. Quit worrying about trying to please everyone. Bill Cosby once said, “I don’t know the key to success, but I know the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” Enough said.

Go someplace you’ve never been. You don’t have to drop big bucks and travel around the world in order to change your life (although, if you can, bon voyage!). Check out the art gallery you always pass, or hike those trails you’ve read about. Do something tourists come to town for that you never once tried. You might discover a new hobby or make a new friend. Or, you might simply have an unforgettable time.

Keep friends close. Take a life inventory. How are your relationships with friends and family? How often do you laugh? Are you doing the things you love the most? Having a good friend to talk to, especially someone who can be honest with you about your stinkin’ thinkin’, is priceless. 

Change your perspective. Whenever I get tired of what I’m wearing, I immediately think I need new clothes. But then I organize my closet and realize I have more than enough options. I forget I have so much! In fact, I already had exactly what I needed. I just needed to look at things differently. 

Slow down to speed up. For 30 minutes each day, I slow down to think, plan, and visualize. I have become aware of my biggest opportunities, smartest activities, and greatest tactics for growth. With this amount of insight and clarity, I can take actions that will drive excellent results. Really commit to making it your breakthrough year and know you’ll have to slow down for a bit each day to accomplish this. Then you’ll be perfectly prepared to speed up and win.

Do something scary. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” Go skydiving or bungee jumping. Try an exotic meal. Ride a horse. Ski the black diamond run. Constantly challenging ourselves by confronting our fears allows us to say yes to future opportunities. It builds confidence from knowing that you still can do something you weren’t sure you could.

Have something to look forward to. Buy sporting or theater tickets and display them prominently. I print out road trip directions, marking places to stop along the way. I get excited about lunch dates with friends and mark them in BIG BLOCK letters on the calendar. My favorite is to get away for a night or two with my spouse at a great hotel, a romantic dinner and a wonderful massage. We didn’t go far or spend much, but I come back feeling that I have been on a little vacation.

Nothing becomes ‘new’ unless we do. Become new in the New Year. Just sayin’. 

Published: Apartment News Magazine – January/February issue 2013

The holidays can be a time of renewal — renewal of friendships through visits and cards; renewal of family relationships through gatherings and shared meals; and a renewal of one’s faith through the rituals of the season.  All this activity also makes the holidays a time of added stress. Did you ever see the movie, Home for the Holidays? That was our family — a whirlwind of gathered craziness.

If wisdom comes with age, I can say that after experiencing so many of these holidays, I’ve come up with some practical tips to get you through yours. You may even end up enjoying the holidays more than you thought you would.

Be realistic. The holidays don’t have to be your idea of perfect; or exactly the same as last year. As families change and grow, their traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to and be open to creating new ones. For example, if your older children can’t come “home,” find new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing pictures, emails or videos. Or think about rotating locations or even taking a family holiday vacation to a dream destination.

Keep it simple. Keeping the decorating down to a minimum will help with the stress. I have reduced my stash down to one box full of the most meaningful ornaments, tree trimmings and decorations. Also, I stop waking up early the day after Thanksgiving to fight the crowd to save a nickel. Spending that time relaxing with family is much more meaningful to me now.

Stick to a budget. Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend, and then stick to your budget. An avalanche of gifts doesn’t buy happiness. I’ve found some great alternatives to buying stuff, like donating to a charity in someone’s name, giving homemade gifts, or even starting a family gift exchange. As a family, we have a blast with the white elephant gift exchange that has a dollar amount limit on the spending.

Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. To prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten items, plan simple menus and then make your shopping list. That’ll help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten items. Also, if you’re the one hosting the event, make sure to line up help for party prep and cleanup.

Come together. Familiar holiday foods can evoke positive memories, and many hands make quick work. Let each family member participate by bringing their favorite and traditional dish to your holiday gathering. Then share the leftovers amongst the crowd.

Late night.  It’s now become a tradition at our house — when family and friends come to visit or stay during the holidays, it’s time to break out the board games. Monopoly seems to be the game of choice, and games often last late into the night.

Don’t abandon healthy habits. Holidays often become a free-for-all of overindulgence.  Feeling guilty about eating too much of the wrong foods only adds to your stress. Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so you don’t go overboard on sweets or rich foods. Limit yourself to one or two drinks, continue to get plenty of sleep, and stay physically active.

Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone with no distractions will refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Take a walk at night and stargaze or listen to soothing music. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring your inner self.

Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can’t participate in every project or activity.

Perfection and trying to be all things to all people, especially at the holidays, is the ultimate recipe for stress.  You’ll enjoy the holidays more when you let go of unreasonable expectations, are open to change, and take time for yourself.  Just sayin.’

Published: Apartment News Magazine – November/December issue 2012

Looking back, I realize that some of my life-changing decisions took place as I matured – like it’s never too late to make changes in your life. In a recent morning meeting, we talked about the word “change.” That we can’t grow if we continue to be complacent, sitting on old ways and letting the world pass us by. In fact, change is something that we can always count on – it’s a continuous process. It never ends.

I’m still learning, too – I’m not there yet, but I’m closer than I was yesterday. With a little time and patience, I have learned some very important life lessons that have kept me changing in the right direction. Here are a few beliefs that have changed me for the better.

Willingness. It all starts right here – be open to change. I believe if you want to change your life, you can. If you’re not willing to change, there is nothing in this world that can do it for you.

Take the time. I had to give myself time to think and reflect. If I’m always busy, I won’t have the time to think about my life – let alone take action to improve it.

Rethink thoughts. A good friend of mine pointed out that I was unconsciously saying things to myself that were hindering me from moving forward. I had no idea that I was doing this. Making a conscious decision and effort to identify those negative thoughts, I had to eliminate phrases like:

“I can’t …”

“I won’t be able to …”

“There’s no way …”

I replaced these limiting thoughts with empowering beliefs; writing out positive statements that countered the negative ones, like:

“I can …”

“I will …”

“I’m capable of …”

Replace habits. Besides identifying my limiting beliefs, I had to identify my bad habits in order to change for the better. Knowing that there were habits that were dragging me down, I made a list of all of them. Looking at them helped me evaluate the problem. So, rather than focusing on breaking those habits, I focused on creating new positive ones to replace them. For example, I love to watch TV (especially the Food Channel). It’s on all day, every day. Instead of focusing on reducing my TV time, I built positive habits that used my time in a better way. For instance, I developed a routine of reading more.

Build confidence. Making a list of what I’ve accomplished in my life has helped to remind me of my inner strength and resources when things turn topsy-turvy. Reminding myself, “I’ve put myself through college. I’ve raised two great sons. I can definitely handle this, too.”

Accept responsibility. It ain’t them! Once I stopped blaming family, friends, a boss, or the economy for the bad things that have happened and accepted responsibility for my life, real change was within my reach. Whether your life goes up or down depends on you and you alone.

Keep a journal. Journaling is by far one of the most useful things I’ve done to change my life for the better. It works in such a silent, yet effective way. Writing down feelings, ideas, goals, and activities confirms your beliefs in life. All you need is pen and paper.

Gratitude. When was the last time you said “thank you” with all your heart? A true attitude of gratitude is key to success. Listing daily all that I’m grateful for keeps me in a positive state of mind.

Don’t stop learning. Being open to new avenues and adventures has kept me motivated. Don’t get stuck in a single career or hobby that you find boring and limited. Learning different skills, from completely unrelated fields has kept me challenged.

Just do it. Did you ever see the movie, The Bucket List? The whole time I was thinking of all the things I wanted to do in my life, but fear always got in the way. What was holding me back? I made a list of all my life goals – picked one and made it happen. Doing something that I’ve always wanted to do has kept me alive! Be the change and go for it!

Maintenance. Repetition strengthens and confirms. By living the change and practicing your new behavior day after day, you will create your own discipline. If you get side-tracked, not to worry – get up and get back into your routine.

Don’t like your life? Change it! Accepting change doesn’t mean that you have to fear it. These days, I’m really not fond of my skin heading further south. But, only when I accept that my work and personal life will go through different phases, can I take the necessary steps to minimize the negative impacts and capitalize on the opportunities. Just sayin’.

Published: Apartment News Magazine – September/October issue 2012

For many years, I worked very hard at working hard. I took life at a run without thinking about my pace. But when you work in a panic, nothing is clear. Everything takes longer than it should. I have only learned how to work smart through my experiences, life lessons and listening to the advice of others. I realized that I don’t need to run at it. Here are a few simple techniques that I have added to my world to work smarter, not harder.

Have a Plan. Just as every organization needs a business plan, working smart means having a well-thought out scheme to help guide you. Schedule tasks for the days, weeks, and months ahead so that you know what’s coming and when.

Be Real. Before you plunge into something headfirst, remember that enthusiasm needs to be tempered with wisdom. Allow yourself time to think about a project, task or assignment so that you can be sure that everything can be accomplished on time and accurately.

First Things First. One of Stephen Covey’s 7 habits in 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, putting first things first means taking care of the most important things before the rest. Dealing right away with whatever comes in by email or by phone is working hard, not smart. I structure my day so that the truly important work gets done first. It’s amazing how much I accomplish in a single, focused hour when I’m feeling fresh and motivated.

Get Help. To work smart, you need to let other people help you – the ones who get more done in less time and with fewer resources. Give them the tasks they’re good at and that drain you. Help can come in all sorts of forms, too. It might be emotional support, or someone taking care of the housework so that you can focus on work.

Get with the Times. Don’t take shortcuts on quality materials or ways to do something – that’s working hard, not smart. Trying to save a few bucks, but spending an extra hour or two because the tool wasn’t quite what you needed, doesn’t make any sense. Your time is worth more.

Don’t Make It Harder Than It Actually Is. Most pressure is self-induced. We set unrealistically high goals or standards for ourselves and feel like we should be doing more. By focusing on each step, rather than on the entire project, cuts down on the feeling of overwhelm.

Roll with It. Your day will not always go as planned. Try new methods and learn new things. You never know where the next brilliant idea will come from.

Timing is Everything. When you feel great and are in the flow, go for it. I’m a morning person, so I know that I go for the hard stuff right away. I save the easy stuff for the afternoon. When you finish early, if nothing else comes in, than you can play or rest.

Get some Z’s. Rest equals recharging your creativity and energy. That doesn’t just mean getting a good night’s sleep – it also means taking time off to relax and play. When I learned that this isn’t “wasting” time, I found myself with more energy and ideas and interest in my work. That also means when you’re sick, stay at home and rest, too.

If I could have written a letter to myself and sent it back into time, I would have said to myself – go easy on yourself by working smarter, not harder. Because when I work smart, the hard work gets done easily. Just sayin’.

Published: Apartment News Magazine – July/August issue 2012

As the economy inches its way forward, we think about saving money. Imagine you could wave a magic wand and leave all of your worries, stress and money behind. Like any good portfolio, the best investments you make in yourself are diversified, carefully managed, and geared to the long term.

Years ago, I gave up a lucrative “fast-track”executive postion for a simpler life after a good dose of soul searching. Here is what I discovered along the way to a better life through investing in the future:

You’re an asset. Think about that. If you work for someone else, you’re an asset to that company. If you’re married, you’re an asset to your spouse. And it goes without saying that  if you have children or grandchildren you are an incredible asset to them. You’re an asset to the community you live in, your neighbors, and to those you interact with you on a daily basis.

Be good to yourself. Give yourself a break when things don’t go the way you’d like. And reward yourself when you succeed. Celebrate little things like checking off items on your to-do list with a special cup of tea or square of chocolate. The only person you can count on is YOU.

Attitude of Gratitude. Having an attitude of graditude can change your negative thinking into a positive frame of mind. Research shows that practicing gratitude may be the best pathway to happiness, health, long life, and prosperity.

Eat Healthy. Healthy eating is not a diet. It means making changes you can live with and enjoy for the rest of your life. The way we eat affects our entire well-being, helping us feel our best and have plenty of energy. It can help you handle stress better, and prevent and control many health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.

Exercise. People who say they are too tired or don’t have the time, have it backwards. Exercising creates energy. Exercise releases chemicals in the brain that improve mood and mental alertness. In reality, you lack energy because you don’t exercise.

Read. I remember that my Dad read everything he could get his hands on, and knew a little bit about everything. Cutting down on television, carrying a book with you or listening to an audio book during your commutes can squeeze a little more knowledge into time that may otherwise be neglected.

Listen. Ever notice a person who rolls their eyes, talks over you or looks away as you’re talking? I used to do that. It’s taken me a long time to learn to stop and listen. Over the years, I missed some very good advice because I wasn’t listening.

Learn. Be open to learning something new. Diversify your thinking and the people and ideas around you. Change with the  times. Your brain withers if it isn’t challenged everyday.

Hobby. Find your release, like a hobby. You may find out that a hobby could turn into a fulltime job, or an opportunity to volunteer to help others. This connection with others invests in our own wellbeing, too.

Money. I firmly believe that the key to financial happiness is spending less than you earn. Determine what’s “right” when it comes to how you earn, invest, and spend your income. If you’re not living the life you want, you won’t be able to buy enough things to make up for it.

Home. My home is a place where I gather my strength every day so that I can go back into the world. Make this place special by decorating it in a way that you love. Use color, texture and music to create this sanctuary for yourself. Even a small, sunny nook for reading or listening to music can make a difference. 

Family. We’re working longer hours and spending less time with our families. It’s easy to fall into the together but alone trap. Try eating together in the evenings at the table without distractions of TV and computer. Catch up on and with each other. 

Good friend. What I call my go to person. This person listens without judgement, advises when asked, and tells us we’re being silly, unreasonable or plain crazy when necessary. Having a person like this gives us a safe place to explore ideas and get encouragement when we need it.

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” formula for the good life. Instead, I’m convinced that no matter how deep in debt or how rich, how unhappy at home or at work or content, you can make your life better. Sometimes all it takes is a bit of fine tuning, investing some time and energy into figuring out what you really want out of life. Just sayin’.

Published: Apartment News Magazine – May/June issue 2012

For some of us, the holidays are the most stressful time of year. But for me, it’s the several weeks after the holidays that really stress me out. This is when all the fun and bustle of the holidays is over and it’s back to work on all the projects we left for “later.”

Whenever I’m anxious about the future or worried about the past, I try to remember what a very old but wise horse trainer once told me. Breathe. Stay in the moment, right here, right now. Do you know how hard this is to do?

We live in an age of distractions, yet technology often impinges on our ability to pay attention to the future. I find myself fantasizing at work about being on vacation. On vacation I worry about the work piling up on my desk. I don’t appreciate living in the present because our “monkey mind” (as Buddhists say) jumps from thought to thought like monkeys swinging from tree to tree.

Realizing that I was letting my worries hinder my ability to work to my full potential, I began to do some research on how I could center myself so I could become a better person in all aspects of my life.

Here are few discoveries that help me stay in the present moment:

Recharge: I finally got tired of being sick and tired. Our bodies require energy to manage tough situations, and stress drains you. I had to figure out ways that I could get back in the game. I knew that a simple gym membership would not do the trick, and that I would only find myself yawning and leaning on the machines. I finally found something – spin class! For me, a set time and place with others struggling beside me was the ticket. Knowing that we are all here for the same reason keeps me going and coming back for more.

Renew: Once I started losing sleep, only then did I realize how important it was to get a good night’s rest. Getting back into a routine of going to bed and waking up at the same time, even on the weekends, has renewed my energy during the day.

Breathe: Funny, but I forget to do this. Simple as it sounds, it works! Try it. Take a moment right now and slowly breathe in. Now breathe out. Deep breaths help me focus and center me. I do this in the car to and from work. I also try to remember to do this when I’m in a situation that is unfamiliar or strange, as it helps release the fear that comes along with it.

Getting off the grid: One day a week, I try to unplug. I read instead of watching television (with my favorite classical music planning quietly in the background). I do this on what I call my “Sanity Sundays.” It helps me get focused so I can gather my thoughts for the week ahead.

Trading on the grid: Here’s my trade off for my Sanity Sundays. If I get to a point where I can’t get ahead at the office because of all the distractions that come with running a business, I do a trade off. I take off on Friday and go down to the office on Sunday. I get three times as much work done. This totally frees me up so I can be more productive during the week .

Multi-tasking: I’m so tired of doing ten things at once and fighting with myself. Ever notice that person who says that they can juggle twenty things seems to be in a foul mood more often than not? I’d rather do one thing at a time and be present (and happy) than juggle ten things and forget I’m doing it at all. Or do all of them poorly.

Flow: I realize that I can’t control everything. But it’s hard to roll with the punches sometimes. When this happens, I try to breathe and remind myself that other people must have the freedom and trust to do their jobs. As long as the outcome is good, letting go of the micromanaging.

Being in the moment: General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt said, “Do every job like you’re going to have it forever. People start to get derailed when they say [about a task], ‘This one is beneath me.’ Being the best ______ (fill in the blank yourself) you can be, in the moment, is very rewarding.”

When I get anxious, fretting about all the things I need to do, phone calls to return, projects to put back on the front burner, I keep these tips in mind to be right here, right now. Just sayin’. 

Published: Apartment News Magazine – March/April issue 2012

When I was younger and for many years, in what I call my other life, I had a wonderful and demanding career that required a lot of my time. Or so I thought. I felt I had to prove that I was worthy of the cause by working long hours. But I wasn’t thinking smart. Now that I’m older with more experience, I realize that I was worthy. Or they wouldn’t have hired me. I was promoted several times, and earned awards and bonuses.

Back then, juggling a career with travel, dressing the part, being married with two small boys, dogs and feeling like I needed to keep up with the Joneses, I was drained. The effort took a toll on me both physically and mentally. I missed important events and lost time with family and friends. I was married to my job. My work life and personal life were out of control, which left my stress level out of whack.

I’m grateful that I had my grandmother (we all called her Gigi). She was smart, savvy and very wise. I would go to her for advice on life and situations that were not familiar. She would always have a profound answer. I thought to myself, how does she know this? Well, she had lots of years of experience. Now, after my experience trying to balance work and home life, I have to tell you, it’s totally different these days!

Here are a few ideas for a better work/life balance. Or, you can wait until you’re a grandparent to rack up the experience: 

Keep it simple. Last year I wrote a three-part article on “Simplifying your life, home and business.” Read it again to start out the year by moving into balancing it all out. Go to www.sharonjustsayin.com 

Rise and shine. Try waking up several hours before leaving for work. A few more added minutes to your morning can help with tasks around the house – defrosting something for dinner or starting the dishwasher. It’s the small things that we do on a daily basis that add up. By waking up a little early you eliminate frantic dressing, lack of breakfast and forgotten tasks that add up at the end of the day and week.

Food to go. Keep nuts and health bars in your car. This helped me when I’d leave work to go directly to a soccer game. Then the family could eat a healthy meal later at home. I still do this today and it’s been a real lifesaver!

Go-to place. Near the door, find an area for items that you need on a daily basis: keys, briefcase, purse, school backpacks or letters to be mailed. Also, keep a petty cash jar handy for all household members to use for parking, lunches or a tip for the delivery person.

Go-to person. Find a trusted friend that you can vent your frustrations to. And equally important, allow them to vent to you. Share your feelings to ease your pain. Put a time limit on the pity party, then do something fun together. 

Routine. You’ve heard it before. Repetition strengthens and confirms. Develop routines in your life. Days that you don’t have that Zen mojo you can put yourself on autopilot. Knowing you can fall back on built in routines will get you through the day. 

Say no. Quit doing things out of guilt or a false sense of obligation. You will make more room in your life for the activities that are meaningful to you and bring you joy.

Leave work at work. With the technology to connect to anyone at any time virtually anywhere, there’s no boundary between work and home – unless you create it. Make a conscious decision to separate work time from personal time. When you’re with your family, turn off your cell phone. When it’s time to take a vacation, take that time off. You need that time to recharge for when you’re back to work. 

You’re worthy. Eat healthy foods and include physical activity as a part of your life. Better yet, discover activities you can do with a partner or friend – such as hiking, walking or taking cooking classes (my favorite). 

Laugh. Look on the bright side and have a sense of humor. Everyone feels sad, angry or frustrated sometime. It has been proven that laughing can help ease difficult situations.

In the struggle to meet the demands of an increasingly complex world we all need to develop strategies for maintaining balance in our lives. Just sayin’. 

Published: Apartment News Magazine – January/February issue 2012

The holidays are here, and I’m not looking forward to the annual extra weight I (and everyone else) will gain. I have solved the mystery surrounding why I am out of shape, though. Yep I know, I’m a little older but no excuse. I figured out that I don’t move! Shocking, isn’t it? Getting to this simple conclusion took a little research on the whys and wherefores, and also uncovered a pretty easy solution. And guess what? The solution is free and will last a lifetime.

Here’s what got me going in the right direction. I read an interesting article. In it, a doctor asked his patient, “I can give you medicine that will treat one condition and cost money, or I can give you a prescription for physical activity that will help prevent a whole range of diseases.” Which would you choose? I know I’d rather NOT take medication, especially when there is something I can do that costs nothing and could have beneficial side effects. 

Here are some of the ideas I discovered that you could implement, too. All are low cost or no cost and require only a little gumption. Being physically active is key to living longer, healthier, happier lives and can help people achieve and maintain a healthy weight and lowers the risk for certain diseases. 

Prescription Trails. Healthcare professionals assess their patients’ fitness at the beginning, then write a tailored walking prescription based on the current physical condition. Walking programs can contribute to the treatment and prevention of a number of chronic conditions such as diabetes, depression and high blood pressure. For more information on local walking trails and parks go to: www.prescriptiontrailsnm.org.

Walk the dog. You and your best friend will benefit from a quick stroll around the block. This is something that I personally need to do more often. Our dogs love to get out, but when it’s cold and getting dark at the end of a long day, it sure is hard to go for the leash and head outside. That’s when I look at my furry children and remember that their health is just as important as mine.

Buddy up! Exercising with a friend is one of the best ways to get and stay motivated. You make a commitment to each other – and no one wants to disappoint their friend. Plus, you wind up pushing each other to do more, faster and longer than if you go it alone. 

10,000 steps. Conventional wisdom says that 10,000 steps a day is the minimum we need to move. In the normal course of events — just living and working — the average person takes anywhere from 900 to 3000 steps in a day and not much more. Walking 10,000 steps is the approximate equivalent of walking 5 miles. You can totally do that. 

Pedometer or iPhone app: Unless you are really good at counting, you will probably want to pick up a quality pedometer to measure your steps. Some pedometers also monitor distances, and even heart rate, calories burned, etc. or if you’re lucky enough to own an iPhone you can down this aps to your phone. 

Truck it. You’ve heard this one over and over again. Park as far away from entrances when you shop. I started this years ago when I got my first new car, and didn’t want any door dings. Then I realized, it takes just a few seconds longer but worth it to burn that few extra calories. It all adds up. 

Hit the mall. Did you know that most malls open an hour or so early for walkers? Cold weather is right around the corner, so move your walk time indoors. And even if the stores are open, you can leave your cash and credit cards at home and simply stroll around the mall in a temperature-controlled, relatively safe environment. As long as you plan your route away from the food court, you’ll be fine. 

Take the stairs. Elevators and escalators were fun when we were kids, but taking the stairs adds steps to your daily total, and it is a great, easy calorie burner. 

Just move it. Can’t get out to walk? Do something else! Dance! Swim! Bike! Hike! Jog or run! Take an aerobics, Pilates or yoga class! Box or do a martial art! The idea is that moving your body more than you do now will be beneficial.

I promise that if you try any of these suggestions, you’ll start to feel better, your clothes will fit better and your mood will improve. Just sayin’.

Ask most managers, executives and business owners what stands in the way of greater effectiveness in their businesses, and they will say communication, whether you have 5 employees or 5,000 employees. When a business suffers from poor communication among employees this generally leads to: 

• Misunderstandings
• Lack of perceived importance
• Frustration and poor performance
• Increased staff turnover 

No matter your experience and expertise, your ability to communicate effectively can make the difference between success and simply “getting by.” But effective communication doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a consistent process requiring time, research, and coordinated effort. 

Here are a few helpful hints to help open the door to better communication: 

Personal Contact. In this age of electronic communication, far too many of us use our business emails as a substitute for personal interaction. Set aside consistent time to meet in person. People relate to one another better when they can read each other’s body language and hear tonal inflections, that’s how you feel the energy and connect. If personal contact is not possible, the next best way to connect is by talking on the phone or Skype. 

Positivity. Having a positive upbeat attitude lets people know that you care. People like to communicate with friendly, likeable and approachable people. The words “please,” “thank you” and “you’re welcome” show that you appreciate a person’s effort. Try saying, “Would you please…” instead of just, “Please…” You will sound more sincere. 

Open Door Policy. People need to know that you are not sitting on your “throne.” Be approachable as an individual. If your time is not to be interrupted let them know when you will be available. We all get so caught up in our own little worlds that we forget who is helping us reach our goals. Your employees should feel like they work with you, not for you. 

Find the time. It is critical to carve time out of your schedule for regular one-on-one and group employee meetings. Not doing this puts you back on that throne you shouldn’t be on! 

Consistency. Consistency builds trust. You can’t be nice one day and bite someone’s head off the next. You will be feared instead of admired. 

Expectations. Clearly share your expectations with your employees. Then there’s clarity on the work to be done. They will comprehend what you expect without misunderstandings. 

Read My Mind. When you give instructions or discuss a business situation, do not assume that everyone understands you. Ask whether you’ve been clear or if further information or explanation is necessary. Make sure that everyone understands what needs to be done. At times, everyone feels like others should know what’s in their heads. But no one can read minds! Pause and with a smile, ask, “Did I explain this clearly enough for you?” Assure yourself that they understood what you said. 

Listen. Perhaps the most difficult communication technique of all is effective listening. By listening to others you show respect. Don’t interrupt. Pause and make sure that the other person has stopped talking before you start talking. Make your conversation like a game of tennis and keep the ball going back and forth. If you both serve at the same time the game will not go well. 

Ask Questions. If you hear something that confuses you, ask. Maybe you missed a detail or maybe you remembered something others forgot. Chances are if you’re confused, then others are too. 

Speak Up. If people have trouble understanding you, they will stop listening. If you speak with a very soft or slow voice, or if you mumble, you’ll appear lacking in confidence. You don’t have to be the loudest one in the room, just speak with assurance so that others can hear you loud and clear. 

Read. Educate yourself about current affairs so that you can talk intelligently about subjects in a conversation. I like to read the local paper, business weekly and a popular magazine so that I’m up on what’s happening in my area. Also make sure that you know a little of what’s going on around the world. This helps round you out. 

Meaningful Feedback. A well-considered annual performance evaluation can be a valuable communication tool. But do not limit feedback to a once-a-year event. People do not like surprises. They desire an opportunity to develop and improve throughout the year. Provide continuing constructive on-the-job evaluation. Focus on situations as they arise, while they are still fresh. Point out the positive as well as the negative. 

Reward. Consistently emphasize the good and reward achievements with private accolades and in groups meetings. Positive reinforcement goes a long way in business. 

I promise that if you try these techniques your communication with your employees will improve. Just sayin’.

Published: Apartment News Magazine – September/October issue 2011