Quote of the Week 28th June ~ 4th July

Asking yourself where you want to be in a year, in two years, in ten years, that gives you purpose. Once you have determined your purpose and started moving purposely towards those things with positive thoughts and attitude, there comes your passion

First Step to Successful Weight Lose

Just thinking about how to lose a lot of weight can be daunting. Here's how to get started:

Add Small Amounts of Exercise

Fill up on low-calories food

Don't deprive yourself while dieting

Whether you have 100 pounds or 200 pounds to lose, the trick is to keep focused on losing one to two pounds each week, and be very consistent in what you do.

People with a lot of weight to lose may lose more in the beginning. For the long haul, your body is capable of losing a certain amount of weight per week safely, and if you keep doing that, ultimately you will get there.

Believe me, if you think you can, you can.

I am in the midst of undergoing the weight management program. I called it "The Right Approach to Weight Management". This 3 months program will bring me to my ideal weight and most important, to burn the fats and to increase my body's metabolic rate. I am 30 and my metabolic age is 36. Imagine how slow it is and how incapble my body in burning off the food intake....duhh.. No wonder i am putting on weight so fast when i'm consuming so very little food everyday. Weighing at 52.5kg today (after 2 weeks thru the program. Prior weight was 53kg), i will see what's my weight like after another 2 weeks... Yes i can, i know i can!! My ideal weight should be 45kg by the end of the 3 months if not less. :)

Who Are You?... A Bucket Carrier? Or A Pipeline Builder?

Do you get paid only when you show up and do the work? Or do you work once and then get paid over and over again?

If you're like most people, you're working the bucket-carrying plan. It's call "The Time For Money Trap" For example, one hour of work equals to one hour's pay, one month's work equals to one month's pay and so on for one year's work equals to one year's pay. Is this what you're doing?

The problem with this kinda job (in this case, we call it the bucket carrying job) is that the money stops when we stop carrying buckets. Which means the concept of "secure job" or a "dream job" is an illusion. The danger of carrying bucket is that the income is temporary instead of ongoing.

Here, some of us might argue that in our traditional employment, we do have sick leave and annual leaves. But remember, once we have used up our leaves, if we do not continue to carry our buckets, we won't continue to get a paycheck. This will equals to no work, no money (ie. we have to take unpaid leave, ain't this mean that our wages will be deducted?)

Let's see this example. There's this man Mr ABC, a very successful civil engineer. His career is at the peak due to the booming economy. He was a leader in all his construction projects. He is making very good money throughout his working life. Besides having a so-called secured job, he has a very happy family too. Giving his family the best home, sending his children to the best school, the family will go for long vacation once a year. They are having the best of their lives. Everything goes well. This was a bucket-carrier's dream job if there's one. One problem. One day, an accident happened at work and Mr ABC broke his leg. He could never stand on his feet again after the incident. He could never visited the construction sites any longer. He is lucky he didnt lost his job totally but what can a civil engineer do if they don't go to sites. The employer gave him a job in office. The pay would not be as great anymore and he is earning one-third of the income he earned as Project Manager at sites. Through no fault of his own, his dream job dissapeared.

Now. do you see why we said there's no such thing as secure job in bucket carrying job? Can you see how vulnerable bucket carriers are?

The problem with the Time For Money Trap is that if you can't trade the time, you can't get the money!

What will you do if your income stopped tomorrow?

What would happen if you got laid off?

What would happen if you got sick or disabled and couldn't carry those buckets anymore?

What if a medical emergency ate up your savings?

What if your nest egg evaporated overnight?

If your income stopped tomorrow, how long would you pay your mortgage? make your car payments? or even pay for your kid's schooling?

If a disaster strikes, do you have a lifeline that could protect you and your family?

Or are you gambling will continue uninterrupted for as long as you need the income?

Think about it, whether you are a doctor, engineer, teacher or cleaner, you're still a bucket carriers.

Quote of the Week (14~20 June)

Make a "To Do List", prioritize it. These are the things you need to do the next time you have a few minutes or a few hours to work your business. You've identified them, now do it. And celebrate every time you check something off...and then start a new list the next day.

~From the Success Formula~

Do You Know.....

...60% of The World’s Population is Struggling with their Weight

The Most Popular New Year’s Resolutions

Number #1: Lose Weight
Number #5: Promises to get Fit
Number #6: To eat right

The World is Getting Fatter...

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO),

Globally in 2005 Overweight population: 1.6 billion, 400 million obese are adults
Its projected By 2015: Overweight population: 2.3 billion and >700 million adults will be obese .

Whereby in Malaysia, almost half of the population is FAT. According to Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, 12 April 2008 (Source from Bernama), The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity is now 43.1%, double the figure 10 years ago.

Why Do We Need to WORRY?

Being fat and overweight increases the chances for certain chronic diseases：

Type II diabetes (x 5)
Cardiovascular disease (x 2)
Hypertension (x 3.5)
High uric acid/Gout (x 2.5)
Rheumatoid arthritis (x 1.5)
Other joint problem (x 1.5)
Other concerns:
Stroke
Certain forms of cancer

Do we have reason to worry now? Yes, it scares me a lot..

The Power of Action

ARE YOU GUILTY OF MAKING EXCUSES FOR FAILURE?

Beliefs and knowledge alone are not enough to achieve your goals. It is imperative that once you know what you want, why you want it, and you truly believe in the goal, that you take action. Developing a specific plan and taking consistent action are all essential elements to success. Albert E.N. Gray said, "The common denominator is that the successful were willing to do the things the unsuccessful people weren't willing to do."

Once you've set your mind to do it... it's your responsibility to fulfill your own dreams. No one else is going to do that for you. No one else is going to say, "Oh, here's your dream come true." It doesn't happen. You have to go and get it yourself. If you want it, you've got to create it.
~From the Success Formula~

The 90/10 Principle

Let's take a look at this story...

You (the daddy) are having breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your wife and you criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows, you storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish her breakfast and getting ready to go to school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school.

Because you are late, you drive 40 miles per hour in a 30 mph speed limit zone. After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60.00 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minute late, You realize you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home.

When you arrive home, you find a small wedge in your relationship with your wife and daughter. Why? ... Because of how you reacted in the morning.

A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?

The answer is “D”

How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day.

Let's see how the story goes if you act differently...

Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say: “It’s okay, honey, you just need to be more careful next time.” Grabbing a towel you go upstairs and change your shirt. You grab your briefcase, and you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff.

Two different scenarios.
Both started the same but Both ended different.

Why?
Because of how you reacted. You really have no control over 10% of what happens in your life. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.

Author: Stephen Covey

Discover the 90/10 Principle. It will change your life (or at least, the way you react to situations)

What does this mean?

We really have NO control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in the traffic.

We have NO control over this 10%. The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%. How?... By your reaction.

You cannot control a red light. However, you can control your reaction. Do not let people fool you. YOU can control how you react. Let us use an example…

Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 Principle.

If someone says something negative about you, do not be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You do not have to let the negative comments
affect you. React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, or getting stressed out.

How do you react if someone cuts you off in the traffic?
- Do you lose your temper?
- Pound on the steering wheel? (a friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off),
- Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket?
Who cares if you arrive 10 seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive?

Remember the 90/10 Principle and don’t worry about it. You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time to find a new job.

The plane is late. It is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger, why stress out? It will just make things worse.

Now you know the 90/10 Principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results.
You will lose nothing if you try it. The 90/10 Principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this Principle. The result? You will see it by yourself!

Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and headaches. We all must understand and apply the 90/10 Principle. It can change your life! …Enjoy it...

It only takes willpower to give ourselves permission to make the experience.

Absolutely everything we do, give, say, or even think, it’s like a Boomerang. It will come back to us... If we want to receive, we need to learn to give first... Maybe we will end with our hands empty, but our heart will be filled with love...
And those who love life, have that feeling marked in their hearts …

What About Now

Why do we love to procrastinate? Do we realize when we procrastinate, things don't go the way we want? Then we give excuses.. wrong timing, wrong place and everything seems wrong. Have we ever asked ourselves, what differences can we make if we don't procrastinate?

This is what we call "The Power of NOW". I have read this book by Eckhart Tolle some times back. Being a #1 New York Times bestseller, the book has been translated into over 30 languages. (Don't quote me wrong, i'm not here to promote it nor did i get paid for blogging about it)

I'm here to share... If we are able to be fully present and take each step in the NOW.. if we are able to feel the reality of such things as the inner-body, surrender, forgiveness, and the Unmanifested, we will be opening ourselves to the transforming experience of The Power of Now

Here take a listen at this song, What about now by Daughtry - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtFw61BZUKo

Shadows fill an empty heart
As love is fading,
From all the things that we are
But are not saying.
Can we see beyond the scars
And make it to the dawn?

Change the colors of the sky.
And open up to
The ways you made me feel alive,
The ways I loved you.
For all the things that never died,
To make it through the night,
Love will find you.

What about now?
What about today?
What if you're making me all that I was meant to be?
What if our love never went away?
What if it's lost behind words we could never find?
Baby, before it's too late,
What about now?

The sun is breaking in your eyes
To start a new day.
This broken heart can still survive
With a touch of your grace.
Shadows fade into the light.
I am by your side,
Where love will find you.

What about now?
What about today?
What if you're making me all that I was meant to be?
What if our love, it never went away?
What if it's lost behind words we could never find?
Baby, before it's too late,
What about now?

Now that we're here,
Now that we've come this far,
Just hold on.
There is nothing to fear,
For I am right beside you.
For all my life,
I am yours.

What about now?
What about today?
What if you're making me all that I was meant to be?
What if our love never went away?
What if it's lost behind words we could never find?

What about now?
What about today?
What if you're making me all that I was meant to be?
What if our love never went away?
What if it's lost behind words we could never find?
Baby, before it's too late,
Baby, before it's too late,
Baby, before it's too late,
What about now?

No Boundaries

This is the winning song for the last American Idol Season 8. And the winner is... Kris Allen.

I know a lot of people out there were dissapointed and they were hoping for Adam Lambert to win the title. Well, regardless, both guys got themselves album contract with the recording label. I personally think Adam is a better singer although no doubt, Kris is better looking...hehe..So which one is your idol?

It's just another healthy competition :) Enjoy the lyrics.. it's good...Always remind ourself, there are no boundaries in our undertakings

Ohh
Seconds, hours, so many days
You know what you want
But how long can you wait
Every moment lasts forever
When you feel you've lost your way

What if my chances were already gone
I started believing that I could be wrong
But you gave me one good reason
To fight and never walk away
So here I am still holding on

With every step you climb another mountain
Every breath it's harder to believe
You'll make it through the pain
Weather the hurricanes
To get to that one thing
Just when you think the road is going no where
Just when you almost gave up all your dreams
They take you by the hand and show you that you can
There are no boundaries
There are no boundaries

I fought to the limit you stand on the edge
What if today is as good as it gets
Don't know where the future's headed
Nothing's gonna bring me down
Jumped every bridge I've run every line
I risk being safe, I always knew why
I always knew why
So here I am still holding on

With every step you climb another mountain
Every breath it's harder to believe
You'll make it through the pain
Weather the hurricanes
To get to that one thing
Just when you think the road is going no where
Just when you almost gave up all your dreams
They take you by the hand and show you that you can

You can go higher
You can go deeper
There are no boundaries
Above and beneath you
Break every rule cause there's nothing between you and your dreams

With every step you climb another mountain
Every breath it's harder to believe
You'll make it through the pain
Weather the hurricanes
To get to that one thing
Just when you think the road is going no where
Just when you almost gave up all your dreams
They take you by the hand and show you that you can
There are no boundaries
There are no boundaries
There are no boundaries
No boundaries
Yeah, there are no boundaries

10 Strategies for Living Better, Longer

Everyone wants to have better living, not to mention live longer.. here are some tips for a better and longer living ...

1. Be proactively involved in your health - Nobody knows you as well as you know yourself. Take charge. Don't miss an opportunity to do something that will make a difference in the length and quality of your life

2. Eat right - What you eat impacts every aspect of your life—from general health to the appearance of your skin. Optimize your nutritional intake with dietary supplements to ensure you are getting the nutrients that support your specific needs.

3. Stay connected-belong - Numerous studies show that having a supportive circle of family and friends and being part of something larger than yourself are key contributors to a long life.

4. Manage stress - Physical and emotional stress promote excess production of cortisol, which can rob you of health and vitality and accelerate the aging process.

5. Protect your environment - Your environment is not just comprised of your physical surroundings. You live in a digital environment with unseen dangers lurking everywhere. Your privacy, data, assets, and even your very identity are vulnerable to external threats. You owe it to yourself and your family to seek protection from these perils.

6. Exercise and manage your weight - The right amount of daily exercise (an average of about 30 minutes a day) supports your health and positively affects your mood and outlook on life. It also helps you manage your weight, which in turn supports longevity

7. Develop strategies for lifelong learning - There is a positive correlation between years of learning and years of life. Continual learning keeps neuronal connections sharp and may delay the onset of dementia.

8. Enjoy life-be an optimist - The way you look at the world can determine how long you will be in it. A Mayo Clinic study documented that, over a 30-year period, pessimists have a 19 percent higher mortality rate than optimists. So do things that make you happy and strive to be an optimist.

9. Stay fiscally fit - Financial security supports longevity by enabling access to the resources that can lead to a long and beautiful life. Because of this, more people than ever are looking for alternate means of gaining supplemental income to secure their future.

10. Be kind to your skin - A small investment today in caring for your skin will pay dividends for years to come. Start with a daily regimen that provides a solid foundation for skin health and longevity, then add advanced treatments that help mitigate signs of accelerated aging.

Wait no more, practise these 10 strategies and you'll have a better life :)