Now on the other hand, if you’ve gotten the thumbs up from the doc and you’re in great shape, you still might find yourself staring outside the window into the endless white horizon hoping that the temperature will rise enough to melt Mr. Winter away. So I ask, “What type of snow shoveler are you?”

Maybe it’s an odd question, but your response will likely determine how quickly and efficiently you’ll complete the job. Think about it. If you approach snow shoveling with an emotional response, chances are it’ll work against you. Emotional responders view the job with an attitude of, “I really don’t want to do this.” So what happens?

One of two things. The thought drags you down and causes you to procrastinate, putting it off until the last possible moment. Progress is agonizingly slow because the “I don’t want to” mentality weighs you down at every step. The second possible outcome is that the thought pushes you to get the task done as fast as possible just to get it out of the way. But with snow shoveling, this is not a realistic goal. The result will be overexertion and a sloppy, half-done job.

Shoveling snow requires commitment to the task. It requires pacing yourself – not too slow, not too fast. This way, you won’t drag it out too long or tire out too soon. The efficient snow shoveler approaches the task with a logical response. If you’ve learned about my Systematic Attitude Development-Technique™ (SAD-T™), my proven process for achieving goals, you’ll know what I’m talking about. An emotional response sabotages progress, but a logical response provides a plan, a roadmap, to get you from start to finish in a timely manner, without draining your energy in the process.

No matter how much there is to clean, it’s still a finite amount. With a logical response, you break up the job into steps. You assign a length of time for each step. You include breaks in your plan. You begin at Step 1. When that’s complete, you move to Step 2, and so on, through all of the steps you’ve outlined until the job is done. This systematic logical approach is so much better than the hit-and-miss emotional response.

Of course, I’m talking about much more than snow removal. The logical approach wins every time, in any job, large or small, at home or at work. Keep this in mind the next time you’re shoveling snow. In this job, as in any, the right attitude makes a world of difference.
DISCLAIMER:

Winslow came to me from multiple terrorizing sources. First he was the product of a puppy mill, then he was placed in the care of a veterinarian who starved him, and then he was sent to multiple foster homes. When I picked him up the very first day, uncertain of his new surroundings, he was so terrified that he threw up in the car. He was 30 pounds underweight and could not jump on the sofa or a couch because his rear legs were never really developing since being in a cage for so long. He was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. Initially he was distant, a loner, trying to regroup and figure out his place amongst me, my husband of the time, and our other rescue Apollo. He would fall asleep and cry in his sleep. I’m not sure what he saw; I could only tell that it wasn’t good.
 
Today, he has gained the weight. He is 61 pounds and has the run of the house. He is a Basset Hound watch dog, sounding his bark any time a neighbor walks by with their own furry friend, and he loves it when I sing to him. In the midst of running crazily through the house, he will listen to my voice, lie down, and fall asleep in my arms.
 
He is 8 years old now, not terribly old for a Basset Hound, but I know old enough that his days are numbered. That is why I am calling this newsletter, Winslow’s Call. It is merely because I will never make the decision to take his life away from him, under any circumstances. It’s his call. I have said this before but I stand even more firmly now. He is here on this earth for as long as he wants to be. 
 
You see when I wake up each morning both my boys are sleeping with me. Before I even say a word or lift my head from the pillow, I hear this thump on the bed. It is Winslow’s tail wagging against the bed. He hasn’t lifted his head or moved, but somehow knowing that I am awake, he is wagging his tail in happiness. I know there are mornings he is in pain; I know there are days he is tired; but I know more than anything that he wants to be here and that the pain he has experienced in the past is a galaxy away from the love and happiness that surrounds him today. I know it would be an injustice to take his life.
 
What am I asking? I am asking for you to spread the word that getting a pet is a life-long decision. It is an inconvenience. It is difficult. It is costly. It is sacrifice. And it is hard work. But the lessons I’ve learned from Winslow are far greater than the lessons I have ever learned from any text book. His lessons are about truth, unconditional love, honesty, and the ability to be real. In life we search for people with these same values to surround us; we look for them in friends, in our families, and in the newcomers who enter our lives. Is it possible that we could be missing something that is right in front of us?

Best, 
Gail

Here is my second tip for keeping your summer body throughout the winter (and holiday) months.. Be sure to check out the full article, with 2 extra tips at www.top1percentclub.com.

2. Find outdoor activities you can do. Some people love the outdoors, even in cold weather. If you’re one of these people, you’ll have plenty of options available: skiing, ice skating, brisk walks in the park, snow shoeing, nature hikes, building snow-people, snowball fights, horseback riding, taking your dog for walks, sledding and much more. You’ll need to bundle up; make sure you have the right winter gear, then go outside and have fun!

Gail Kasper, Author
Unstoppable: 6 Easy Steps To Achieve Your Goals
Another Day Without A Cage: My Breakthrough

The days are colder and shorter now, which can make it harder to keep active. Still, there are dozens of ways to stay active and keep fit during the winter months. Remember, it’s much easier to stay in shape through the season than to get into shape when spring rolls around. If you do nothing, you’ll face an uphill battle once winter’s over, and you certainly don’t want that. Take control of your fitness now, and you’ll be in great shape for bikini season. Here is my first tip:

1. Stay active indoors. Just because you’re indoors doesn’t mean you have to become a couch potato. Get up and move! You can bring a couple of pieces of exercise equipment into your home and use these regularly. Or you can join the local gym and make use of their facilities. Your community may have indoor ice rinks, roller rinks and swimming pools; consider making good use of these. Another option is to commit to walking at the indoor shopping mall – just remember, you’re there to exercise, not shop! If you like to dance, then join (or start) an informal dance group.

Check back tomorrow for a second tip on staying in bikini shape, even in the winter! Thanks for reading!

Gail Kasper, Author
Unstoppable: 6 Easy Steps To Achieve Your Goals
Another Day Without A Cage: My Breakthrough

Here are the final 2 tips for avoiding procrastination.. For yourself and your children!

2. Create a detailed list. Once you’ve written down the major points of your plan, it’s time to define and refine. How will you accomplish the goals listed in your plan? What steps will you take to get from point A to point B? What specific tasks need to get done to complete each goal and activity in your plan? Here’s where you work out all the little details, getting as specific as possible. If you can, give each task a time frame.

3. Now do it! You’ve got your roadmap, you’ve got your detailed list of specific tasks. All you have to do now is jump in and do it! Follow your step-by-step plan, and keep that momentum going. You can be sure that your kids are watching and learning from you. By beating procrastination through a systematic, logical approach, you’re setting a great example for them to follow.

I look forward to sharing more of my tips and strategies! Thank you for reading!

Gail Kasper, Author
Unstoppable: 6 Easy Steps To Achieve Your Goals
Another Day Without A Cage: My Breakthrough

Here is my newest article on avoiding procrastination. I have included the first tip to my strategy.. Be sure to check back Monday for the last 2 tips!

It can be frustrating when you ask your child to tidy their room and they tell you, “In a minute.” That minute stretches into five, then twenty, then sixty, but the room remains a mess. Or how about when your child has had three weeks to work on a school project, but she hasn’t done a thing and now she’s rushing through it because it’s due tomorrow? I’d say a lesson on avoiding procrastination is in order.

But what if the one who inadvertently taught your child to procrastinate is YOU? If your son or daughter has learned to put tasks off to the last possible minute from watching you do the same, don’t scold your child and don’t beat yourself up. Instead, take action! Teach yourself to avoid procrastination, and you’ll become a fantastic role model of efficiency for your child.
My self-empowerment tool called Systematic Attitude Development-Technique™ (SAD-T™) teaches people to take action and get results, especially when they feel stuck or unmotivated. I’ve included three action items below, taken straight from SAD-T™, to give you an effective strategy for avoiding procrastination.

1. Formulate a plan. You have a job to do, but you keep putting it off because you have no idea where to begin. Lacking a roadmap, you don’t know what to do, how to start, or even what’s involved to get the job done. To get out of this crippling state of uncertainty, the first thing you must do is develop a plan. Write down what needs to get done and how you plan to approach the job. Don’t worry about all the details yet. Just capture on paper a big-picture plan listing major goals and activities.

Remember – Check back on Monday and I will be posting my last 2 tips for avoiding procrastination, AND helping your kids in the process! See you then!

Gail Kasper, Author
Unstoppable: 6 Easy Steps To Achieve Your Goals
Another Day Without A Cage: My Breakthrough From Self Imprisonment To Total Empowerment
www.gailkasper.com

Yesterday I had given you 2 tips to help you figure out “where you belong” in the career world. Here is my 3rd and final tip… Enjoy!
3. What gives me a sense of meaning? Let’s face it – you spend a great deal of time at work. Why not plug into a career that holds meaning for you? When you feel that there’s a sense of purpose attached to your job, you’ll do it more willingly, putting greater energy and enthusiasm into the daily tasks that are expected of you.

See you soon for another article and more advice on how to live your best possible life!

Check out the full article, Where Do I Belong? How To Figure Out Which Career Is Right For You, here! http://www.top1percentclub.com/article.html

Gail Kasper, Author
Unstoppable: 6 Easy Steps To Achieve Your Goals
Another Day Without A Cage: My Breakthrough From Self-Imprisonment To Total Empowerment
www.gailkasper.com

Regardless of whether you’re fresh out of college, you’ve been with the same company for thirty years, or you change jobs every two years, figuring out where you really belong is a worthwhile endeavor. Below I have included 2 of my 3 questions to ask yourself:
1. What’s my passion? When you feel a sense of joy and excitement over what you’re doing, that’s your passion. Discovering what you’re passionate about will point you to the right career choices. If you gravitate toward a career because of the income potential and job availability, but you have no interest in the field whatsoever, then you won’t stay long. Boredom alone will force you to switch careers eventually. Figure out what your passion is, and then seek out jobs that relate to your passion in some way.
2. What are my skills and talents? A careful, thorough assessment of all your skills, talents, and abilities will reveal the many areas you’re good at, even the fields where you can excel. Take the time to determine where your strengths lie; write them down. You can use your strengths as keywords on a career-related Internet search to find jobs that are right for you.

I’ll be adding my 3rd tip tomorrow so make sure you check it out to be certain you find Where You Belong!

Gail Kasper, Author
Unstoppable: 6 Easy Steps To Achieve Your Goals
Another Day Without A Cage: My Breakthrough From Self-Imprisonment To Total Empowerment
www.gailkasper.com

As promised yesterday, I have included my 3rd tip to conquer your fears and step up to the plate to get your dream promotion.

3. Just Do It! After you’ve carefully planned, prepared, and rehearsed, you’re ready to go. No need to wait or hesitate now – just do it! Go for it and don’t hold back. Approach your boss with a big smile, a winning presence, and a pleasant demeanor. Proceed with confidence. You deserve this promotion!

Make sure you visit http://www.top1percentclub.com/article.html for the full article! Stay tuned for a new article and new tips next week…

Gail Kasper, Author
Unstoppable: 6 Easy Steps To Achieve Your Goals
Another Day Without A Cage: My Breakthrough From Self-Imprisonment To Total Empowerment
www.gailkasper.com

It’s true, we all want to advance in some way in our careers… And I have included 2 tips below to help you get the promotion you want and deserve, with confidence!
1. Make Sure You Deserve It. Before your boss promotes you, you have to earn it. Take a good, objective look at your performance these past several months. Have you given at least a hundred percent? Have you professionally performed all that your job requires of you? Have you gone above and beyond what’s expected of you? You stand a much better chance of getting a promotion when you add a touch of excellence to everything you do in the workplace. You can be certain that managers are watching, and they know who arrives early and who gets there late, who works efficiently and who wastes time. If you haven’t been doing your best, then take at least a month to get into shape. Do your job conscientiously and with passion. Give your boss a reason to say “yes!” when you ask for a promotion.
2. Plan, Prepare, and Rehearse. When you approach your boss you’ll need loads of confidence; what better way to achieve that confidence than through preparation? Plan what you’re going to say. Write it down and rehearse it, over and over again. Prepare yourself mentally for whatever the answer may be, and have several responses of your own ready (be sure to practice these as well). Plan what you’re going to wear, how and when you’ll approach your boss, and what relaxation tricks you’ll use to keep calm regardless of what happens. Practice in front of the mirror. The more prepared you are, the better you’ll do.

Check back in tomorrow as I will provide my final piece of advice for going for that promotion! See you tomorrow!

Gail Kasper, Author
Unstoppable: 6 Easy Steps To Achieve Your Goals
Another Day Without A Cage: My Breakthrough From Self-Imprisonment To Total Empowerment
www.gailkasper.com