So far the Olympics have been met with both tragedy and success!  Is there a sport that I don’t like to watch?  Not yet…Most of the winter sports have me sitting on the edge of my chair and seem to be for speed demons!

Last night the commentators were quick to point out that Winter Olympians are a fearless bunch, and I have to agree.

Here’s a quote from American Todd Lodwick on his comparison of real-life to ski jumping.

“The best way I can describe it is to go up onto the thirtieth floor of any building, and then get in the car and drive that car off the top roof, and then land safely. That is pretty much what it is.”

So I’ve got to ask…

1. Would you willingly volunteer to take a wild ride like this? And not just once…but over and over again until you’re confident, in control, and know that 99% of the time you’re going to land safely!
2. Would you even consider jumping if you had the slightest thought that you might fail?
3. Does this sound like FUN to you?

These great athletes from all over the world have spent endless hours practicing their sports, paying attention to diet, nutrition, cross-training, injury-prevention (or rehabilitation) and many have still had to work, take care of their families, and handle other responsibilities.

And they are now reaping the benefits of their dedicated efforts by being the best in their sports and selected to represent their country in the Olympics!  Way to go – I’m proud to cheer you on!

If these athletes can juggle life with Olympic training to achieve success in their sports, perhaps those of us with regular lives can also strike a balance to achieve success, whether it’s for fitness, business, or other endeavors. The drive, determination, and motivation that these athletes share definitely lights a fire of inspiration under me to make better choices and continue striving for success until I reach my own “Olympic-sized” dreams.

Do the stories of Olympic athletes help to motivate you? I’d love to hear what’s helped inspire you to stay focused on achieving your dreams.

What’s on Your Bucket List?

I’m going to encourage you to stop what you’re doing right now, and get out a piece of paper, open a word document on your computer, or click open the notepad on your phone and start jotting down anything and everything that comes to your brain that sounds fun, exciting, and needs to be on your bucket list for dreams and goals that you’d like to make happen before you actually “kick the bucket!”

Here are some things that your bucket list might include:

• Health and fitness goals
• Places to go
• Things to see
• People to meet
• Stuff you want – house, car, jewelry, new bike…
• Wild Adventure – skydiving, bungee jumping, African safari, heli-skiing, climbing Mt. Everest…
• Talents to develop – art, dance, fly tying, knitting, singing….

It really doesn’t matter how far-fetched or crazy the things you write down are – just do it!

Not too long ago I found a list that I’d made more than 10 years ago.  When I started looking at the things on my list – I realized that many of them had been achieved!  And some of them were way out there and at the time I didn’t really believe I could ever make them happen.  (But I wrote them down anyway!)  And several of the big ones for me actually happened all in the same week!

Here’s the point…writing things down on your bucket list is the first step in making them become a reality!  Set your intention and then have fun making your dreams come true.

There might be some things you can start taking active steps to make happen today.  Other things on your list, might manifest with the help of a friend, or will come to happen down the road – But it’s actually great to keep this list in front of you, or at least put your list in a safe spot where you can find it and pull it out every so often to see what you’ve accomplished so you can say – “Wow!  I’m so happy that I’ve gotten to do _____________!”

Chances are once you start paying attention to the things you really want to enjoy and achieve – you’ll find your stress level will go down, and personal happiness level will increase.  You can be confident that you’re not just in a home to work, work to home rut, but are taking daily action steps to really enjoy life!

Fill your Bucket with fun and crazy things to do, and then enjoy emptying it one fantastic experience at a time!

Napoleon Hill shares the wisdom he learned from the billionaire Andrew Carnegie more than 100 years ago.  This is an excellent way to get your New Year’s resolutions off to a great start!  And well worth watching on a regular basis as a reminder of these principles of success.

• Grab a notebook
• Jot down the thoughts that stick in your brain
• Follow these success principles
• Enjoy the rewards from your efforts

What are YOUR Goals to Achieve and Intentions for Giving in 2010?

Discover more from the Master:  Napoleon Hill!

Click here to view the embedded video.

“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve, regardless of how many time you failed in the past or how lofty your aims and hopes may be.”

Take the power of your own mind and direct it to whatever end you desire.  All success begins with the definiteness of purpose. Have a clear picture in your mind of what you want in life.

Here are the riches you may enjoy if you take possession of your own mind and direct it to achieve the purpose and passions of your own choosing:

• Sound health
• Peace of mind
• Labour of love of your own choice
• Freedom from fear and worry
• A positive mental attitude
• Material riches of your own choice and quantity

Here are the penalties you must pay if you neglect taking possession of your mind:

• Ill health
• Fear and worry
• Indecision and doubt
• Frustration and discouragement throughout life
• Poverty
• Anger, greed, jealousy, hatred and superstition

Begin directing your mind in the right direction today!

What to Do:

Buy a pocket size notebook.

1. Write on page 1 a clear description of your major desire in life, your idea of success.
2. Write on page 2 precisely what you intend to give in return for achieving your desires.
3. BEGIN GIVING it NOW!
4. Memorize your two statements and repeat them at least 12 times a day.
5. Always end with the following prayer:

“I ask not for divine providence, for more riches, but more wisdom with which to accept and use wisely the riches I received at birth in the form of the power to control and direct my mind to whatever ends I desire.”

A clear purpose, and the right mindset, and gratitude for the gifts you receive, will have you quickly moving in a positive direction to achieve success for health, wealth, and happiness!

Best of Success to YOU!  May you enjoy an absolutely amazing and fantastic New Year!

Aliesa George, Centerworks.com

When was the last time that you sat down and really thought about your definition of what wellness means to you?

Do you think of wellness only from the standpoint of how you look, or being a certain weight or size?  Or do you know you’re well because you have the energy and endurance to enjoy your favorite activities,  and have the stamina to play with your children and grand kids?

Perhaps it means that you’re happy instead of battling with your inner-self  and fighting to overcome moments (or a lifetime) of depression.  It might mean that your medical checkup is showing a strong heart, cholesterol and blood sugar in a normal range, and even though your chronological age is 55, by comparison you have the body of a 30 year-old! Wellness might be a sense of inner peace and calm, or the spiritual connection you feel with your Higher Power.

Maybe your definition is:  I’ll be well when I complete my first Marathon, or swim a mile without stopping, or my dog and I will both be well when we consistently take walks together (for the rest of our lives!)   I’m sure there are lots of things that you can put on your Wellness Checklist! 

That’s step one…  Know  what’s important to you and what it means to you personally to BE WELL! It really doesn’t matter what the rest of the world thinks about your definition, as long as you are confident with what you want and are striving to achieve it.  And if you haven’t clearly figured out for yourself what Wellness really means – you may be in a cycle of self-sabotage feeling like you’ll never achieve your goals because your brain and body aren’t in sync with what those goals really are!  So take some time this week to contemplate and create your Wellness Wish List.

A Wish is a thought, a dream that has yet to come true.  Speak it out loud and write it down to light the flame of inspiration in your brain and body.  And you will begin the creative process to bring it to life.

Give your dreams a deadline and they shift into goals. Every goal has specific and measurable action steps that must be taken to achieve success.  And as Napoleon Hill once said, ” Whatever the mind of man can dream and believe, it can achieve.”

But, we might not be able to do it alone!  Some things, definitely!  But there may be some of your wellness goals that will move forward farther and faster with a little friendly support! It may be having friends, family or co-workers in your corner and on your “team” all working together to help each other stay on track.  Or perhaps seeking the advice of your doctor, a personal trainer, nutritionist or other professional to guide you with the right information and exercises to help you reach your goals.

While some of us (myself included) are a bit shy to sometimes reach out for help…  It truly is all around us.  And think of it this way – when you deny someone else the opportunity to help you, you deny them the privilege of a feel-good moment in their life. Everybody likes to lend a friend a hand! And the folks out there who are in the wellness and health professions are passionate, driven, and I think probably divinely inspired,  to want to help others succeed and offer support and guidance!  USE YOUR RESOURCES.

You’ve got a list of your Wellness Goals.  Now make a list of your Wellness Resources. What friends, family, co-workers, professionals, and organizations can assist you in moving forward to help make your wellness wishes come true? Put the names of all these folks down next to the items on your Wellness Wish List that you think they can assist you with.

Now…Why wait another minute? Reach out to someone on your list and see what happens.

Oh, and I should say, please don’t be discouraged if some bozo you put on your list has a brief moment of insanity and doesn’t give you the positive feedback and support you were hoping for.  Just know that in this moment, they are not the right person to hang with to move your butt forward to Wellness Success!  Love ‘em anyway and call somebody else for support!  Do not let their potential laughter or negative attitude steer you off course.  Their reaction is their problem, NOT YOURS!  Perhaps in time you’ll get an apology for their bad behavior, but either way…  Stay on track.

Enjoy a “Champagne Moment” to Celebrate Your Success!

There are stories about how Joe and Clara Pilates helped their clients celebrate success with “Champagne moments.” Every time someone had a breakthrough, successfully completed an exercise that they had been struggling with, or just generally had a WOW moment.  They were rewarded for their success!  All action stopped in the studio, the cork was popped  on a cool bottle of Champagne, and everyone toasted to their success.  I’ve heard rumors that this was a very frequent occurrence in the studio!  How much fun and memorable would it have been to enjoy a Champagne moment with Joe!

So who’s your Joe?  Or Joe(s).  The mentor and friends you want to help toast to your success?  And what kind of celebration will really mean something to you? It might be a Champagne toast, or  going shopping with a friend to buy  a new outfit, or a night on the town!  Take a moment to cheer yourself on and be sure to share that moment with others. Everyone loves a celebration!

What’s Next?

Well, first I’m going to suggest, “let’s get there first!”  Why put extra unnecessary thoughts in the way that might block progress. Stay focused on your current Wish/Dream/Goal list.  Chances are you’ve got more than one thing on your list and plenty of fun things to play with to tweak your wellness program.

Achieving our goals is a process.  So enjoy the journey!  Each step forward is a cause for celebration.  Might as well wait until we’re at the top of the hill to take in the view, instead of worrying about what we’re going to do when we get there.

There will be new choices and opportunities for us to see and explore! f you’re a big picture thinker, and the What’s Next really needs to be answered for you.  Then  chances are you already know the answer.  So write it down!  Then live in the moment, don’t worry about what’s happened in the past, enjoy today, stay on your path,  and your “what’s next” will show up right along with your Wellness Success!

So there aren’t too many things that hit my inbox that send instant chills down my spine, and tears streaming down my face… But this did it!

Whatever your hopes and dreams, or goals and visions be it personal, professional, health, family, or life…

May you experience a shift in perspective today to strengthen your belief in yourself and your ability to achieve your potential!

Please close your eyes and attempt to clear your mind for 30 seconds.

Then, read the questions below and enjoy this video clip:

1. What is the “right” age for accomplishing my greatest dream?
2. Do I hear the laughter and believe the doubters when I am mocked for expecting life’s very best?
3. What great possibility have I forced myself to stop considering?
4. Who will be inspired or benefit directly when I succeed?
5. When will right now become the best time to begin?

(forwarded message & questions from — Your friend, Andy Andrews)

Click here to view the embedded video.

I may be a bit behind the times when it comes to enjoying the fun and benefits of all the new interactive video game products on the market – like the Nintendo Wii Fit…  but recently my techno-geek boyfriend purchased a Wii Fit for home.  (He’s had one at work since they first hit the market.)  Being a bit shy about actually getting a computer to do what I want, for me is intimidating, never mind the hand-eye coordination it takes to “win” a computer game…..I was never any good at these games as a kid.

I have to admit my extreme skepticism about the benefits of staring at a TV screen and using a computer game for fitness.  But am always excited to hear about new ways to inspire and encourage people to increase their exercise and activity level, and ANYTHING that people enjoy doing that involves movement can be a great way to improve health and fitness.

After playing with the Wii Fit only a couple of times, I am a happy to report that I am a fan of the fun, interaction, and health benefits that this gadget can provide!  Last night my family spent 6 hours playing Wii Fit games together!!!  Tennis, Baseball, Boxing, Bowling, Golf, balance games, yoga.  I think we explored the gamut of options!  I can honestly say that I can feel my abs this morning – so core muscle strengthening was definitely happening, and I wasn’t one of the folks that spent tons of time playing! So can only imagine how sore a few other people might be today!  We had more fun, spent more time laughing, talking, and encouraging each other in competition that the evening flew by and nobody wanted to stop playing.

While I wouldn’t want to spend all my workout time on the Wii…I think it’s a great option for friendly competition, a way to check-in on your health status with weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), goal setting, and some basic fitness testing for strength, balance, and control.  This gizmo provides instant feedback to see where you’re at, games and skill challenges to improve your health, and a way to do something besides just be a couch potato in front of the TV.  I also think that the balance awareness and assessment tools are excellent.  More about that in an upcoming blog post!

Do you Wii???  If you’re doing or teaching Pilates and haven’t tried this yet…find a friend who’s got one – create your Mii (your own personal cartoon version of you!) and go play!  I’d love to hear what you think about using Wii Fit as a tool to help your clients track improvements with their health and check-in with Posture and being “on center” for balance and body control that is such a key aspect of Pilates training.

Share your Wii Fit experience!