Filed under: Business, Finances, On-Purpose | Tags: Realizing Harmony, On-Purpose, value, sales, selling, purchasing, touch, feeling, impulse
In 2003 the Illinois state attorney general’s office warned holiday shoppers to be cautious of retailers who encourage them to hold objects and imagine the objects as their own when shopping.
Authors Joann Peck (University of Wisconsin-Madison) and Suzanne B. Shu (UCLA) wondered whether the warning was valid and, more generally, if touch influences the feeling of ownership and valuation of an object.
“In our research, we have evidence that the warning from the attorney general is valid. In four studies, we find that merely touching an object increases the feelings of ownership a person has for the object. This, in turn, results in a person being willing to pay more for most objects that they touch versus objects that they cannot touch. We also find that when touch is unavailable, such as shopping online, having people imagine owning a product increases their perception of ownership and how much they are willing to pay for a product.”
The research may help explain the link between touch and impulse purchasing, the authors explain. “Encouraging touch in a retail store, as Apple does for products like the iPhone, may increase the feelings of perceived ownership and influence the amount a customer is willing to pay for a product.” Likewise, offers of “free trials” for a certain time before the consumer is obligated to pay are likely to increase perceived ownership and product valuation.
So, if you’re struggling to pay all your bills… it would be wise to keep a “hands off” attitude when going through stores. (How often have you been tempted in the store by those people with the samples of food? How about at the car dealership, after you’ve sat in the vehicle?) Keep your distance and you’ll undoubtedly spend less, and come home with less – saving your money for bills for things you bought on impulse. Use this knowledge to your financial advantage!
On the other hand, if you’ve got something to sell – like a home – one of the best things you can do is give your prospective buyers something nice to experience. Engage their senses… all of them, if possible! You too can use this knowledge to your financial advantage.
Filed under: Health and Fitness | Tags: exercise, health, music, water, eating, success, Health & Fitness, Health and Fitness, Realizing Harmony, On-Purpose
I’ve had a few conversations recently with family and friends who are having a hard time sleeping. And, truth be told, I’ve had my own share of struggles with getting to sleep.
A while back, we stayed at a Crowne Plaza hotel for a convention, and they provided a CD to help guests sleep better. On the cover of the CD sleeve it says: SLEEP SOUNDLY. With the Sleep Advantage(R) CD. Inside, after skimming all their advertising about how they’ve gone the extra mile to not just give you a bed, they offer 10 Sleep Tips as developed by Michael Breus, PhD, ABSM of SoundSleep Solutions.
Funny thing, the SleepSound website has 10 slightly different Sleep Tips.
I thought I’d combine the two lists, and give you the 11 Sleep Tips. First the 10 from their website (with additional details added from the CD in parentheses and bolded parts that emphasize things that were new to me.) Then the extra tip that’s only listed in the CD sleeve.
- Cut caffeine. Simply put, caffeine can keep you awake. It can stay in your body longer than you might think — up to about 14 hours. So if you drink a cup of coffee at noon and are still awake at midnight, that might be the reason. (Not only coffee, but also many teas and sodas contain caffeine.) Cutting out caffeine at least four to six hours before bedtime can help you fall asleep easier. If you have already had too much caffeine, try eating some carbohydrates like bread or crackers to help reduce the effects.
- Drink alcohol in moderation. Alcohol may initially help you fall asleep, but as your body clears it from your system, it can also cause symptoms that disturb sleep, like nightmares, sweats, and headache. Drink one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage consumed to try to reduce these symptoms.
- Relax before bedtime. Stress not only makes you miserable, it wreaks havoc on your sleep. Develop some kind of pre-sleep ritual to break the connection between all the day’s stress and bedtime. These rituals can be as short as 10 minutes or as long as an hour. Some people find relief in making a list of all the stressors of the day, along with a plan to deal with them — this can act as “closure” to the day. Combining this with a period of relaxation — perhaps by reading something light, meditating, aromatherapy (try an aromatherapy spray for your linens – such as lavender), light stretching, (listening to a relaxing CD), or taking a hot (shower or) bath — can also help you get better sleep. And don’t look at the clock! That “tick-tock” will just tick you off.
- Exercise at the right time for you. Regular exercise can help you get a good night’s sleep. The timing and intensity of exercise seems to play a key role in its effects on sleep. If you are the type of person who gets energized or becomes more alert after exercise, it may be best not to exercise in the evening. Regular exercise in the morning even can help relieve insomnia, according to a recent study.
- Keep your bedroom quiet, dark, and comfortable. For many people, even the slightest noise or light can disturb sleep — like the purring of a cat or the light from your laptop or TV. Use earplugs, window blinds or curtains (with drape clips), (an eye mask,) and an electric blanket or air conditioner — everything possible to create an ideal sleep environment. And don’t use the overhead light if you need to get up at night; use a small night-light instead. Ideal room temperatures for sleeping are between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures above 75 or below about 54 can disrupt sleep.
- Eat right, sleep tight. Try not to go to bed hungry, but avoid heavy meals before bedtime. (It’s about balance.) An over-full belly can keep you up. Some foods can help, though. Milk contains tryptophan, which is a sleep-promoting substance. Other foods that help promote sleep include tuna, halibut, pumpkin, artichokes, avocados, almonds, eggs, bok choy, peaches, walnuts, apricots, oats, asparagus, potatoes, buckwheat, and bananas. Also, try not to drink anything after 8 p.m. This can keep you from getting up to use the bathroom during the night.
- Restrict nicotine. Aside from the deadly effects you already know smoking causes, having a smoke before bed — although it may feel relaxing — actually puts a stimulant into your bloodstream. The effects of nicotine on sleep are similar to those of caffeine. Nicotine can keep you up and awaken you at night; it can stay in your body as long as 14 hours. It should be avoided particularly near bedtime and if you wake up in the middle of the night.
- Avoid napping. Napping can only make matters worse if you usually have problems falling asleep. If you do nap, keep it short. A brief 15-20-minute snooze about eight hours after you get up in the morning can actually be rejuvenating.
- Keep pets off the bed. Does your pet sleep with you? This, too, may cause you to awaken during the night, either from allergies or pet movements. Fido and Fluffy might be better off on the floor than on your sheets.
- Avoid watching TV, eating, and discussing emotional issues in bed. The bed should be used for sleep and sex only. If not, you can end up associating the bed with distracting activities that could make it difficult for you to fall asleep. (Note: funny thing… isn’t sex a “distracting activity”? I mean, really… the problem with children “sleeping together” isn’t sleeping.)
And the extra tip from the CD sleeve…
Understand jet lag. Before you cross time zones, try waking up later or earlier to help your body adjust to the time difference. And remember, it takes a few days for your body to catch up.
Which of those tips are new to you? Are you already following all of them? If not, try using one or two new ones. A good night’s sleep is worth it!
Filed under: positive, victory journal | Tags: success, victory, purpose, Realizing Harmony, On-Purpose, connecting, greeting, deserving, luck, gratitude
“Fine!”
“Great!”
“OK.”
Common question. Common answers…
even if they’re not thoughtful, much less true.
So often we just run on automatic, asking cruise-control questions and getting knee-jerk responses. The person asking doesn’t really care to learn how the other is really “doin’” And the person answering doesn’t really care to say.
But it’s still a good question. And there’s a much better response. Let me digress a moment…
I recently read a blog by Seth Godin in which he asks, “Do you deserve it?“ He clarifies with a series of simple questions:
Do you deserve the luck you’ve been handed? The place you were born, the education you were given, the job you’ve got? Do you deserve your tribe, your customer base, your brand?
His conclusion: No. In fact, you’re asking the wrong question.
But I think it is the right question.
Why? Because if answered truthfully, it can lead to gratitude on our part.
If we think we’ve somehow earned everything we have, or it’s some sort of “God-given right” – then, far from being grateful, we’ll tend to take everything for granted or worse yet, get smug about it all – adding pride to our ingratitude. If, on the other hand, we know and acknowledge that we don’t deserve what we have, then we’ll tend to be more grateful for everything we are fortunate (or blessed) to have.
Frankly, I’m not fond of the concept of “luck” – as I believe more often than not it’s Providence and/or Providence combined with appropriate behavior and attitude on our part. But I digress even futher…
Let me get back to the original question… what’s the best response to the question, “How ya doin’?”
The best response, I believe, is “Better than I deserve.”
I find when I respond this way it does a few things.
First, it lets people know I’m not down in the dumps. I’m not bottoming out. It’s a bit like telling them I’m doing “fine”, but it’s different… unexpected.
Second, it lets people know I’m not thinking “I’m all that.” There’s a recognition of how well I’m doing, but without bragging about it.
Third, it creates a somewhat better opportunity for conversation. Most of the time people respond with a surprised look or a chuckle. But, more often than would happen if I just responded “Fine”, it’s started a short conversation about what that means. People will either ask about what’s so good, or about what I’ve “done wrong” that I don’t feel deserving. Either way, it’s led to connecting better with people.
Finally, and most importantly, if nothing else, it’s a reminder to myself that no matter how bleak things may look, I’m still blessed. I’ve messed up in big and small ways, yet I’m not destitute, I’m not a hard-core drug addict, I’m not in prison, and I’m not dead. (All things I’ve been told at one time or another – either by others or myself – that by all “rights” I should be.)
What I’m still working on is developing the habit of not only letting people know I’m doing “better than I deserve” but also asking them how they’re doing and how I can help them.
So, I’ll start right here, right now…
How are YOU doing? And how can I help YOU?
Filed under: On-Purpose, Personal Development, Time, thought of the moment | Tags: On-Purpose, Killing Cockroaches, time management, effective, Time, responsibility
I really need to be getting to bed… it’s late… after 1:30am. But I just had to share this video. It’s called “Killing Cockroaches.” I found it through Tony Morgan’s site.
It’s for anyone who’s in a position or role of Leadership – whether that be in business or in ministry. It’s funny. But it’s really about making the most of our time.
Check it out! (Less than 3 minutes.)
“Worry is nothing less than the misuse of your imagination.” – Ed Foreman
“Worry is nothing more or less than negative goal setting.” – Ed Foreman
If you can’t do anything about it, why worry?
If you can do something about it, why worry?
We spend so much of our lives lamenting the past or worrying about the future that we rarely actually LIVE our lives.
No, let me make that more personal:
I spend so much of my life lamenting the past or worrying about the future that I rarely actually LIVE my life.
I hate to admit that (don’t we all hate to admit hard reality!) but that’s what I, too often, do.
It’s good to learn from the past. And it’s good to plan for the future. But we (I) need to live in the here and now, and enjoy the life we’ve (I’ve) been blessed to have.
I just saw this opinion piece. Let me quote a bit of it:
I’m not a politician, I’m a businessman. And while I’m occasionally idealistic, I’m much more pragmatic about business decisions.
That’s why I think President Obama’s economic stimulus plan will work, and I’m optimistic about the future. There are some who say it’s too little.
There are some who say it’s too much. The wonderful thing about democracy is that both sides have their voice, though I confess I’m getting tired of hearing the same old news repeated endlessly on TV and in the newspapers. In the end, a rather remarkable President has drawn a line in the sand and put his political capital on it. My money’s with the smart guy. Here’s why I think it will work. Public perception is what fuels large consumer economies. Capital — money — is the medium of exchange, but the power behind the economy is public perception.
You’ve heard this before, I know, but it’s the truth. How you feel about the way things are going has more weight on how things are going than the corporate machinations at General Motors, the political acrobatics in Washington, D.C. or the wild gesticulations that comprise much of what we call “news” today.
While there’s some truth there, that what we think does, in fact, have some bearing on what we experience, this opinion is largely another case of placing blind trust in “hope” and “change” – it’s mostly just Blowing Sunshine.
You can “hope” all you want, but if you’re in debt past your eyeballs, if you don’t stop spending and/or start earning more, you’re never going to solve the root problem.
In business, people often say they’ll “make it up with volume” when they put a product or service on sale. But if the sales price is below their cost, the more volume they do, the more money they’ll lose.
What is true in business is true in government. “Bailing out” big businesses with borrowed money isn’t going to fix those businesses, nor will it save the country from economic disaster.
Thinking positively about it may make us all feel better. But it won’t fix it.
Singing a happy song while the Titanic is sinking won’t keep the ship afloat. It may make the drowning more pleasurable, but you’re still going to drown.
So, sure, feel good about the economy if you want. But act responsibly. Buy only what you need and/or can afford – without borrowing. Earn as much as you can. And give to those who are truly in need.
Don’t try to run your personal, nor the Federal economy on feelings… be smarter than that.
Filed under: About me, Business, Challenges, Finances | Tags: change, decision, difficult, mortgage, music, tough, victory
I’ve been fighting this for quite some time. But I believe it’s time to make this tough decision.
It feels like I’m admitting failure. It feels like I’m declaring myself to be a Failure. But my wife tells me otherwise.
She says what I’m doing is recognizing and dealing with internal conflict.
What’s the conflict?
One of my core values is to live and promote a debt-free lifestyle. To be or be heading in the direction of being completely debt-free.
However, for coming up on 2 years, I’ve been working as a Mortgage Broker.
I moved into this career path to help people, to give them an ethical alternative… someone who would be trustworthy, who would tell them the truth – even if it was difficult, who would truly look out for their best interests. And I think, by and large, that’s exactly what I’ve done.
The things I’ve accomplished that I’m most proud of in this industry are helping a couple of families.
One of them I was able to help by telling them the truth – that there was no way they could refinance their home – and I detailed both the reasons why that was not possible as well as some strategies for them to get themselves into a place where one day, if they were faithful to follow a strategy, they would be able to refinance, and eventually pay off their home loans. This saved them from spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars with more and more lenders who were all more than willing to take their money to do credit checks and appraisals on their home only to dump the paperwork back on them and give them a simple, “Nope!” without any explanation. (They were also working on getting this family into the riskiest loan program I’ve heard of – without the family’s knowledge or understanding. So, even if they had qualified, they would have been in a significantly more precarious situation than they already were in.)
The other came as a result of helping that first family not get a new mortgage. This second proud moment came as a result of getting this other family out of one of those extremely risky loans that they’d been refinanced into just a year and a half before. It was pretty close, but, together with my team, I was able to get them into a safe, affordable fixed-rate loan (that saved them a couple of hundred dollars a month over what they’d have been stuck with if refinancing wasn’t possible. And in several years, when the mortgage insurance is no longer required, their payments will drop even further.)
In both of those cases I felt really good about what I was doing. I was helping people avoid further debt and/or get out of debt.
But what was nagging me is the thought that generally, as a Mortgage Broker, my job was to help people borrow money… that is, my job was to help people get into debt.
And that is in direct conflict with my debt-free core value.
So, the decision I’ve made… is to retain my license as a Mortgage Broker, to continue to help people who are struggling with their current mortgages and those who are looking for sound advice with regard to mortgages, but I will no longer be trying to originate loans as my primary source of income. It will be more of a side-job.
For now, I’m going to focus on two primary jobs: Audio Engineering (which I’m really good at) and developing our healthy lifestyle/sports nutrition / beauty / gift album business. And Mortgage Consulting will be on the side.
That will allow me to better live in congruence with my core values.
Filed under: Politics | Tags: Realizing Harmony, Lincoln, build up, tear down, help, lift, discourage, weaken, destroy, establish, further
Ran across this quote recently. It’s often mistakenly attributed to Abraham Lincoln. But in truth, it came from a pamphlet written by Rev. William J.H. Boetcker in 1916 – long after Lincoln’s time. The link to Lincoln came even later – in 1942 – when a political organization printed a leaflet titled “Lincoln on Limitations” that included several quotes from Lincoln on the front, and this quote on the back. People just ignored the juxtaposed attributions and presumed each quote on the leaflet was from Lincoln.
The Ten Cannots
- William J. H. Boetcker
- You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
- You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
- You cannot help little men by tearing down big men.
- You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
- You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
- You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.
- You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
- You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.
- You cannot build character and courage by destroying men’s initiative and independence.
- And you cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they can and should do for themselves.
It seems to me, this is advice our current governmental leaders would do well to heed.
Filed under: Business, Challenges, Finances, Politics | Tags: economy, foolish, good advice, make it up in volume, profit, volume, wisdom, wise
Where would YOU recommend someone go to get good advice?
I imagine you’d probably suggest going to someone who has been successful. Preferably someone who’s successfully resolved whatever challenge is currently being faced. Or at least a challenge similar to what is being faced.
Now, success in business isn’t just a matter of getting product flowing, or service being rendered. While extreme product flow looks great, and may very well be impressive, if you’re achieving that at the cost of any profit, that doesn’t equate to success.
People often say, “We’ll make it up in volume.” But if you’re operating at par, the more volume you have, the more busy you’ll be, but you won’t be turning a profit. If you’re operating at a loss, the more volume you have, the more indebted you’ll become.
Someone who’s foolishly trying to “make it up in volume” when they’re either just staying busy, or digging a debt hole, is not someone you should be turning to for good advice on how to turn around your own debt-situation.
So, why bring this obvious thing up?
It seems our President is turning to a “successful” business that’s doing a HUGE volume of business, with NO PROFIT for economic advice. And that busy-but-unprofitable business’ CEO’s response?
“Going to the White House tomorrow for a meeting about the economy (which must mean they’re *really* out of ideas). What should I tell them?”
Even HE knows he’s not a good source for good economic advice.
This doesn’t bode well for the country’s economy.
