Long-Term Success

Our team staying warm just before running their path to success!

"I did it!" Eleven-year-old Shanna was beaming at her accomplishment. She had just finished her first 5K along with 200 other local girls from Girls on the Run. I had the privilege of running/walking along side of her in Sunday's Cleveland Fall Classic. We were surrounded by 1,000 other runners, but all that mattered for me was that Shanna cross that finish line. It helped when she saw her family in the home stretch, cheering her on with pride. She got a burst of energy, we held hands, and she sprinted to the end.

Our team trained 10-weeks for this moment. For most of these girls, it is the biggest goal they've ever achieved. Children today don't often have the opportunity of completing a long-term goal. We've set them up for instant gratification, so if rewards aren't paid off in minutes, they're off to something else. Yet it is in the working and earning for a goal over time where confidence is built.

You better believe these girls made their parents proud on Sunday. But, more importantly, these girls were proud of themselves.

Follow This Recipe

Backstage with Guy Fieri

There are thousands of chefs in the world, so what makes Guy Fieri stand out? It's more than his spiked, blonde hair. I met Fieri backstage at Cleveland's Fabulous Food show and watched his show. He's passionate and energetic on and off stage. He has what the producers of all successful Food Network shows want: personal stories.

This is a recipe for success we all need to follow. Whatever your profession, I guarantee you, thousands of others do the exact same thing. On paper, you're forgettable. The only thing that makes any of us stand out is our personal perspective shared through stories.

Guy's prep food fridge also included personal stories...

The best stories come from living a full life. Break out of what everyone else is doing and go explore your passions. Develop your interests and hobbies. Learn something new, meet new people, observe your world. These are the things that make you unique! Anyone worried about job security or how to stand out in an interview needs to remember what Guy Fieri knows: no one can compete with your personal perspective.

Sous chefs prepping behind the stage of the Fabulous Food Show.
Prep your "show" by developing stories from your life.

Everyone has a story! Make the most of yours.

How is Stress Different from Depression?

Are you stressed or depressed? It can be hard to tell. The symptoms can appear very similar and at times, co-mingle, but there are some stark differences. Namely, in stressful situations, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. But, depression is far more pervasive. It can feel like there's nothing that you, or anyone else can do to lift the dark cloud.

Tough economic times combined with the winter blahs and the upcoming holiday season may leave you feeling overwhelmed. If you're concerned for yourself, or someone else in your life, here are the signs to watch for:

Symptoms of Stress	Symptoms of Depression
Disrupted sleep cycle Disrupted eating patterns Physical ailments Loss of memory/hair Extreme behavior Negative impact on relationships	Experienced for at least two weeks or longer Persistent, sad, anxious, empty mood Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, guilt Loss of interest in things that used to be fun Disrupted sleep/eating cycles Lack of concentration Thoughts of suicide

More Facts about Depression

• According to the National Institute of Mental Health, major depressive disorder affects approximately 14.8 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year.
• Highly treatable with professional help! The most successful treatment results include talk therapy, and in some cases, medication in combination. Anti-depressants can provide a window of opportunity to change behavior, but a pill alone will not change negative thought patterns.
  
• Take the National Mental Health Association’s online depression screening at http://www.depression-screening.org
• Contact your Employee Assistance Program or Insurance Company for help finding a qualified mental health provider. If you live in NE Ohio and would like to schedule an appointment with Susan Fee, call Lakeshore Educational & Counseling Services at 800-600-5327.
  

Run Like a Girl!

You know that feeling you get when you achieve a BIG goal? Part disbelief, part celebration, part panic because now you need a new goal? Well, I'm still riding high on that feeling after completing my first marathon in Akron, Ohio in 5:21.

I ran in memory of my father, who died on April 18th. The last time I spoke with him was by phone three days earlier, on my 46th birthday. He called to wish me a good day, but in retrospect, I understand he was calling to say, goodbye. At the moment he called, I was standing in the bookstore with a marathon training guide in my hand. We discussed my goal and he offered his enthusiastic support, as always. I couldn't think of a better way to honor his life than to dedicate this moment to him. I ran it just the way he'd want me to: smiled the entire time, greeted and thanked all the supporters along the way, and appreciated my finish no matter how long it took me.

So this one's for you, Dad! Thanks for encouraging me to live life to the fullest, and may this serve as inspiration to others to do the same.

Standing with my 11-year old daughter at the start. After telling her that it would take me at least five hours to finish, she asked, "What are you going to do for five hours?" Ha! Just keep putting one foot in front of the other...

20 miles in. Hurting, but still smiling!

Take Back Your Lunch

How did you spend your last lunch hour? Were you hovered over your desk, scarfing food down in ten minutes? Maybe you skipped it altogether. Any chance, you took a break from work, ate something nutritious and took a short walk? According to author Tony Schwartz, the last option is unlikely. He says we skip lunch to be more productive, but the result is just the opposite.

I've been a fan of Schwartz's work since he wrote The Power of Full Engagement. Now he has a new book called The Way We're Working Isn't Working in which he continues his agenda of teaching readers how our minds and bodies really operate. In short, working harder does not equal better work.

His research supports other current findings about how to optimize brain power (check out Brain Rules by John Medina). Both authors note that our bodies have a natural cycle that makes us tired between 1-3 PM each day. That is so true for me! The remedy? Take a cat nap -and yes - there are companies that actually supply and promote sleeping pods so employees can recharge. Since I'm self-employed, I can take a nap whenever I want, and most days I grab some shut-eye sometime during this window. I don't feel lazy or guilty at all. To me, it's crazy that we have access to amazing details about how our brain functions, and then we ignore all the findings with old habits.

Schwartz tried to start a movement this summer to get people to take back their lunch hour. It was a clever way to promote his book, but it's also a good idea. Be brave! Take a stand. Or, a nap.

Nightmare Roommates!

Thinking about saving a few bucks by taking in a roommate? Or, maybe you have a son or daughter heading off to college and you're worried about who the roommate may be? Check out this article on MSN Real Estate, Nightmare Roommates for tips from my book, My Roommate is Driving Me Crazy!

BOOMERANG KIDS

When adult children move back home, it’s tough for everybody. If all goes well, your children act responsibly and are grateful for your help in getting them back on their feet. The key phrase is, “back on their feet.” In other words, the idea is that their time home is limited and they are doing all they can to return to the real world of independence. It’s when the opposite happens that a different type of help may be necessary.

Yesterday on Good Company, I discussed what to say if your adult children have turned into freeloaders. Watch the video here. It’s hard and disappointing because no parent wants to believe their children would take advantage of them, but some do. If that’s your situation, here’s an example of a conversation you must have with your son or daughter:

“I love you so much and I know you want to live on your own. I want that for you too. I realize I’ve been holding you back by doing too much for you. Because I believe you’re capable, I’m going to help you differently than I have in the past. I’m giving you a clear deadline in moving out (or other requirements like rent). If you’re not ready to meet these requirements, I trust you’ll find a different place to live at that time.”

Remember, when you do for your children what they should be doing for yourself, you’re reinforcing the message that you don’t believe they are capable.

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