Mindconnection Brainpower Informational eNewsletter 2003-05-04

This issue is dedicated to Chris, who phoned me to say how much he likes this eNL.

1. Brainpower tip

Language is critical to proper communication, and to proper thought. So many times, we use unclear language. But, language forms the basis for ideas and the exchange of ideas. You can work on your language skills by reading the free writing tips in the Mindconnection library at https://www.mindconnection.com/library/writing/writingtips010.htm. Just follow the series of articles you find, there.

The so-called grammar police aren't just picky about form. They are picky about the foundations of human achievement.

2. Time tip

Meetings tend to waste enormous amounts of time, simply because people don't plan and execute them properly. Most people who are sitting in meetings may prefer an execution--as in "shoot me, please!"-- to five more minutes of an experience often equated with getting a root canal operation.

Mindconnection offers an Effective Meetings Course. No, it's not $499. And no, it's not 350 pages of filler added to a few good points to remember. It's only $15.97, and it is designed to be a quick and effective read. Get yours today at:

3. Security tip

Concerned about identity theft? Buy an inexpensive shredder and shred all of your discarded receipts, bank statements, and other sensitive information (this would include any trashy pictures of you, but save the ones of your boss in a compromising position....). The idea here is to make "dumpster diving" difficult for those who rummage through people's trash to get personal information.

4. Finance tip

Don't switch cell phone plans based on the advertised rate. The added fees can boost the price of one plan by 40% and the price of another by only 15%. You can't compare, based on those rates. Get the total monthly cost, then compare.

5. Career tip

Most people get into a groove and keep doing their jobs the same way. This may give some folks comfort, but if you aren't always improving then you are working toward obsolescence. You must be constantly honing your skills, improving the efficiency of the job you do, questioning procedures, and coming up with cost savings or better ways of doing things. This is true of nearly any job. Mindconnection has a Career Success Secrets course available, and also has 17 other courses on various career skills. You should get one or more of these. See:

Don't stop there, though. Become a regular visitor to your public library. Join a professional group, trade group, or users group, and become very active in it. The opportunities thus gained are huge.

6. Health tip/Fitness tip

A lot of folks think "going to the gym" will make them healthy. Let me ask you, has going to the bank made you rich? It's what you do, not where you go, that counts.

What you must do is develop a plan for working each muscle group, then stick to that plan.
Muscle groups:

Find out what you can about working each of these groups and then do one workout for each one. So, you might do Back and biceps on Monday, Chest and triceps on Tuesday, rest on Wednesday, then do Shoulders on Thursday. In addition, you should do squats or deadlifts twice a month and calves once a week. If you do the squats properly, you can work abs once on your off week and have a nice set of abs. That's how I did it, anyhow. It's not rocket science--it's just planning and execution.

7. Cool vs. Really Cool

Cool	Really Cool
You are cool when you are driving a Corvette, Mustang, or other muscle car.	You are really cool when you don't need to drive a Corvette, Mustang, or other muscle car.
You are cool when you have something to brag about and can upstage everyone else.	You are really cool when you don't need to brag, and instead say things that make other people feel respected.
You are cool when you can whip anyone at basketball, a board game, or a video game.	You are really cool when the game doesn't matter, but how well the other person enjoys it does.
You are cool when you can turn your music way up in your car and really rock!	You are really cool when you don't even listen to music, but instead listen to your passengers.
You are cool when you eat whatever is put in front of you and don't worry about your diet.	You are really cool when you show the discipline to take care of your body--it's the only one you have.
You are cool when you win an argument, and when you prove you are right.	You are really cool when you value the opinions of others and don't get into arguments.
You are cool when you put one over on your boss or a coworker.	You are really cool when you lead by example and your boss and coworkers admire you for it.
You are cool when you teach your noisy neighbor a lesson by making your own noise to wake him up.	You are really cool when you befriend your noisy neighbor and gently mention the problem.
You are cool when you manage to rush in front of other folks to get to the head of the line (at the airport, theater, store, restaurant....)	You are really cool when you give up your place in line to an elderly person, pregnant person, or someone serving in the military.
You are cool when you can impress a person with something you have done.	You are really cool when you tell a person how impressed you are with something s/he has done.

9. Thought for the Day

What unnecessary activities are you doing throughout the day and as part of the various tasks you perform? If you think of time as the sum of opportunities presented to you each day, you will begin to trade unnecessary activities for those that have real value.

Authorship

Except where noted, this e-newsletter is entirely the work of Mark Lamendola. Anything presented as fact can be independently verified. Often, sources are given; but where not given, they are readily available to anyone who makes the effort.

Mark provides information from either research or his own areas of established expertise. Sometimes, what appears to be a personal opinion is the only possibility when applying sound logic--reason it out before judging! (That said, some personal opinions do appear on occasion).

The purpose of this publication is to inform and empower its readers (and save you money!).

Personal note from Mark: I value each and every one of you, and I hope that shows in the diligent effort I put into writing this e-newsletter. Thank you for being a faithful reader.

Mindconnection eNL, 2003-05-04