April 29, 2009
April 28, 2009
Maxime Chaya Reaches The North Pole
Maxime Chaya reached the top of the world, the North Pole, where he raised the Lebanese flag on April 25, 2009 .
Maxime returned back to Beirut (yesterday) bringing back with him another great achievement. He is today officially the 1st arab and the 12th person in history to complete the Explorers Grand Slam.
April 27, 2009
Merlini Breaks World Record
David Merlini is his real name. Any resemblance to Merlin the magician is purely coincidental, but he is considered the spiritual heir of Harry Houdini, the legendary escape artist of the early 20th century, also born in Budapest, albeit 104 years earlier.
A young Merlini started his professional daredevil career early at the age of 16 years, being strapped into a straitjacket and then suspended upside down under a burning rope 30ft above the ground. Merlini was free in less than 100 seconds, descending to a huge stage with a second rescue cord.
That was the beginning of a magical career that brought him the Best Escape Artist prize at the 2007 World Magic Awards in Los Angeles. Since then he has set several world records for holding his breath while underwater. And that is exactly what he did on the grid in Bahrain - pushing the record to new extremes - under the watching eyes of the Formula One world and millions of spectators around the globe.
The stunt: Merlini was lowered into a tank on the Sakhir start line by a small crane, his aim to spend as much time as possible underwater without breathing, remaining entirely visible from beginning to end. The target was to beat his own world record from last year of 20 minutes 39 seconds and to push past 21 minutes.
A who’s who of Formula One stood by in amazement watching the time tick by without any visible sign of Merlini surfacing: Formula One Management CEO Bernie Ecclestone, Virgin chief Richard Branson, Toyota team President John Howett, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, drivers Nico Rosberg, Sebastian Vettel, Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock were all baffled bystanders to the unbelievable performance.
As the seconds moved past the 20:39 mark the spectators on the track and the fans in the stands started to clap and there was a breathtaking wave of applause when Merlini finally emerged from the tank after 21 minutes and 12 seconds.
“I knew that he would do it,” said Bernie Ecclestone. “When I first heard of it I thought ‘impossible’, but after I met him I was sure that he is for real. What a performance!” An astonished Branson added: “This guy would be perfect for space!”
The question remains, why does Merlini do this? Preparation for the stunt started 35 days ago in a military camp, in complete isolation in order to attain the ‘right mental state’. But when did his affection for the unusual start?
“Since the age of four I am attracted to everything that is unusual - and since I was a child my biggest dream was to be as free as a fish in the water,” said Merlini. “Since a very early age I’ve spent almost 30 percent of my time in water - and this is the result. Water is one of the most important elements of my life.
“How do I lower my heartbeat? That is not very difficult. Just think about this: when you are upset your heartbeat goes up, so it is just a question of controlling what you want to do. If you are able to bring your heartbeat up you also can lower it. That is the theory.
“When I am submerged in such a small water tank the whole world around disappears - it feels as if you are at the bottom of a big quiet lake and I lose all feeling for time. And as I knew that millions of people were watching me I didn’t want to give up until I was signaled that I’d done it, because I didn’t want to disappoint them.”
A young Merlini started his professional daredevil career early at the age of 16 years, being strapped into a straitjacket and then suspended upside down under a burning rope 30ft above the ground. Merlini was free in less than 100 seconds, descending to a huge stage with a second rescue cord.
That was the beginning of a magical career that brought him the Best Escape Artist prize at the 2007 World Magic Awards in Los Angeles. Since then he has set several world records for holding his breath while underwater. And that is exactly what he did on the grid in Bahrain - pushing the record to new extremes - under the watching eyes of the Formula One world and millions of spectators around the globe.
The stunt: Merlini was lowered into a tank on the Sakhir start line by a small crane, his aim to spend as much time as possible underwater without breathing, remaining entirely visible from beginning to end. The target was to beat his own world record from last year of 20 minutes 39 seconds and to push past 21 minutes.
A who’s who of Formula One stood by in amazement watching the time tick by without any visible sign of Merlini surfacing: Formula One Management CEO Bernie Ecclestone, Virgin chief Richard Branson, Toyota team President John Howett, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, drivers Nico Rosberg, Sebastian Vettel, Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock were all baffled bystanders to the unbelievable performance.
As the seconds moved past the 20:39 mark the spectators on the track and the fans in the stands started to clap and there was a breathtaking wave of applause when Merlini finally emerged from the tank after 21 minutes and 12 seconds.
“I knew that he would do it,” said Bernie Ecclestone. “When I first heard of it I thought ‘impossible’, but after I met him I was sure that he is for real. What a performance!” An astonished Branson added: “This guy would be perfect for space!”
The question remains, why does Merlini do this? Preparation for the stunt started 35 days ago in a military camp, in complete isolation in order to attain the ‘right mental state’. But when did his affection for the unusual start?
“Since the age of four I am attracted to everything that is unusual - and since I was a child my biggest dream was to be as free as a fish in the water,” said Merlini. “Since a very early age I’ve spent almost 30 percent of my time in water - and this is the result. Water is one of the most important elements of my life.
“How do I lower my heartbeat? That is not very difficult. Just think about this: when you are upset your heartbeat goes up, so it is just a question of controlling what you want to do. If you are able to bring your heartbeat up you also can lower it. That is the theory.
“When I am submerged in such a small water tank the whole world around disappears - it feels as if you are at the bottom of a big quiet lake and I lose all feeling for time. And as I knew that millions of people were watching me I didn’t want to give up until I was signaled that I’d done it, because I didn’t want to disappoint them.”
April 25, 2009
April 24, 2009
April 23, 2009
How To Teach Your Preschooler to "Go Green"
Think your preschooler is too young to understand the concepts of going green and recycling? By teaching your preschooler the important lesson of taking care of the earth you will instill good habits in your little one that they will be sure to carry with them for a long time. Here's how.
Difficulty: Easy. Time Required: Over a lifetime!
Here's How:
1. Set a good example. In a 2008 Harris Poll 91% of Americans said that they have recycled. By being good to the earth in your daily actions and deeds, you are already teaching your preschooler. You are the person your preschooler most wants to emulate and using the principle, "monkey see, monkey do" your little one is learning simply by observing your actions.
2. When taking out or sorting through the trash, separate out any recyclables like cans, bottles, plastic containers, newspapers, magazines and pieces of cardboard. Make a point of doing this task in front of your preschooler and asking him to help. Point out when the garbage truck comes and when the recycling truck comes (if they are different). When bringing the cans to the curb, show how each item is separated out.
3. When you are at the supermarket, buy big bags of your preschooler's favorite snack as opposed to the smaller, snack-sized packages. When packing a snack for a day out or for preschool, use reuseable containers instead of plastic bags. By setting a good example, your preschooler is likely to follow your lead in the future.
4. When you are outside, point out nature's beauty to your preschooler. Show him the different types of trees, flowers and plants that exist in your neighborhood. Try to find a local nature trail and when the weather is nice, take a hike together. You'll have an enjoyable afternoon and your preschooler will develop a love of being outdoors.
5. When possible, walk instead of drive. You'll both enjoy the exercise and will get a nice boost of energy from it. Explain to your preschooler how walking is not only good for her body, but for the earth too as we don't use as much gas and energy.
6. Whether they are battery-operated or plugged in, teach your preschooler to turn off any lights, video games or other electronic toys once they are finished playing or when the leave the room.
7. Make good use of scrap paper like old envelopes or grocery store lists by having your preschooler use them to create works of art. Encourage her to color on both sides of the paper. Keep a stack in easy reach so your preschooler knows where it is and can get to it whenever she is inspired to draw.
8. Going out for the day? Instead of bringing pre-packaged juice boxes or water bottles purchased from the store, pick up a couple of BPA-free reusable plastic bottles and fill them with water from the tap or juice from the bottle in the fridge.
Tips:
1. Don't feel you need to teach your preschooler everything all at once. This is a lifelong learning process. If she forgets to put a can in the recycle bin, it's OK -- correct her and move on.
2. If you haven't been great about recycling until now, don't fret. Any time you start is a good time.
3. Make sure you check with your local community or town the guidelines for what they recycle and when. Some towns have home pickups, others ask that you drop off your recyclables.
4. Keep up on any new guidelines or laws that are passed in your area so you stay up-to-date.
What You Need:
* Containers to separate recyclables
* Reusable plastic bottles for water and drinks
* Reusable containers for snacks
* Scrap papers for art projects
* A sunny day for walking or biking instead of using the car
* The address for your local recycling plant
* Rules and guidelines for recycling in your community
Difficulty: Easy. Time Required: Over a lifetime!
Here's How:
1. Set a good example. In a 2008 Harris Poll 91% of Americans said that they have recycled. By being good to the earth in your daily actions and deeds, you are already teaching your preschooler. You are the person your preschooler most wants to emulate and using the principle, "monkey see, monkey do" your little one is learning simply by observing your actions.
2. When taking out or sorting through the trash, separate out any recyclables like cans, bottles, plastic containers, newspapers, magazines and pieces of cardboard. Make a point of doing this task in front of your preschooler and asking him to help. Point out when the garbage truck comes and when the recycling truck comes (if they are different). When bringing the cans to the curb, show how each item is separated out.
3. When you are at the supermarket, buy big bags of your preschooler's favorite snack as opposed to the smaller, snack-sized packages. When packing a snack for a day out or for preschool, use reuseable containers instead of plastic bags. By setting a good example, your preschooler is likely to follow your lead in the future.
4. When you are outside, point out nature's beauty to your preschooler. Show him the different types of trees, flowers and plants that exist in your neighborhood. Try to find a local nature trail and when the weather is nice, take a hike together. You'll have an enjoyable afternoon and your preschooler will develop a love of being outdoors.
5. When possible, walk instead of drive. You'll both enjoy the exercise and will get a nice boost of energy from it. Explain to your preschooler how walking is not only good for her body, but for the earth too as we don't use as much gas and energy.
6. Whether they are battery-operated or plugged in, teach your preschooler to turn off any lights, video games or other electronic toys once they are finished playing or when the leave the room.
7. Make good use of scrap paper like old envelopes or grocery store lists by having your preschooler use them to create works of art. Encourage her to color on both sides of the paper. Keep a stack in easy reach so your preschooler knows where it is and can get to it whenever she is inspired to draw.
8. Going out for the day? Instead of bringing pre-packaged juice boxes or water bottles purchased from the store, pick up a couple of BPA-free reusable plastic bottles and fill them with water from the tap or juice from the bottle in the fridge.
Tips:
1. Don't feel you need to teach your preschooler everything all at once. This is a lifelong learning process. If she forgets to put a can in the recycle bin, it's OK -- correct her and move on.
2. If you haven't been great about recycling until now, don't fret. Any time you start is a good time.
3. Make sure you check with your local community or town the guidelines for what they recycle and when. Some towns have home pickups, others ask that you drop off your recyclables.
4. Keep up on any new guidelines or laws that are passed in your area so you stay up-to-date.
What You Need:
* Containers to separate recyclables
* Reusable plastic bottles for water and drinks
* Reusable containers for snacks
* Scrap papers for art projects
* A sunny day for walking or biking instead of using the car
* The address for your local recycling plant
* Rules and guidelines for recycling in your community
April 21, 2009
Chili Peppers Add Spice to Life
Painfully hot, they make your eyes water, your heart race and can turn your face embarrassingly red.
Once only a staple of cuisine from far flung regions of the world, chilies can now be found in almost any dish around the globe.
A chili's spiciness is measured in Scoville units; the number of times a chili extract must be diluted in water in order for it to lose its heat.
The "ghost chili", also known as bhut jolokia, has more than 1 million Scoville units, while Tabasco sauce ranges from 2,500 to 5,000 Scoville units and jalapeno peppers from 2,500 to 8,000 units.
Chilies have formed part of the diet in the Americas since approximately 7,500 BC and owe most of their fame to their sometimes unbearably spicy flavor.
They have long been recognized for their health benefits. Scientific research --and legend-- have attributed health wonders to chilies over the years.
Diego Alvarez Chanca, a physician on explorer Christopher Columbus' second voyage to the West Indies in 1493, first wrote about the pepper's medicinal effects back in 1494.
Below we look at effects eating chilies has on the body.
Skin
Other than for its flavor-enhancing qualities, chili is, oddly enough, used to fight the summer heat.
As the chili causes extreme sweating and blood rushing to the face, it cools the body down when the sweat evaporates, making it useful for combating heat.
These same heat inducing properties are said to have a cumulative effect and over time are believed to alleviate pain when used in treatments for anything from arthritis and psoriasis to shingles and severe burns.
Brain
The substances that give chili peppers their intensity when eaten or applied on the skin are called capsaicinoids.
When consumed, capsaicinoids connect with pain receptors in the mouth and throat that are normally responsible for sensing heat.
Once activated by the capsaicinoids, these receptors send a message to the brain that the person has consumed something hot.
The brain responds to the burning sensation by raising the heart rate, increasing perspiration and releasing endorphins, which release happy hormones and are called the body's "natural painkillers."
Stomach
Chilies have long been associated with soothing the digestive system, by acting as stomach cleansers. According to the UK Food Guide, chili helps to settle stomach upset and encourages the production of good digestive acid.
Chili aficionados believe the fruits can also induce weight loss because the substance that makes them "hot" speed up the body's metabolism.
However, one study by the American Institute of Cancer Research performed in Mexico showed in 2003 that a high consumption of chilies (approximately nine to 25 jalapeno peppers per day) is in fact associated with stomach cancer.
Immune System
Red chilies contain high amounts of carotene and vitamin C. It is said that chilies contain more vitamin C than citrus fruits. Chili peppers are also a good source of vitamin B6 and are very high in potassium, magnesium and iron, giving them a reputation for naturally boosting the body's immune system.
Heart and Other Cardiovascular Effects
A 2006 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition showed that after adding chili to the diet, bad cholesterol, that can often lead to heart problems, took a longer time to develop into heart diseases.
April 19, 2009
Is Print Advertising Dead?
That's what you often hear people saying about newspapers and magazines. But what about print advertising?
The ad industry continues to expand through mediums like mobile and online advertising. Some major magazines and newspapers have closed their doors. The cost of postage continues to rise.
Others argue that print advertising is alive and well. One explanation is that the rise in online advertising doesn't mean the death of print but that technology-driven mediums are just an extension of the entire advertising industry.
The ad industry continues to expand through mediums like mobile and online advertising. Some major magazines and newspapers have closed their doors. The cost of postage continues to rise.
Others argue that print advertising is alive and well. One explanation is that the rise in online advertising doesn't mean the death of print but that technology-driven mediums are just an extension of the entire advertising industry.
April 18, 2009
April 17, 2009
April 16, 2009
The Law of Leadership
It's better to be first than it is to be better.
Many people believe that the basic issue in marketing is convincing prospects that you have a better product or service.
Not true. If you have a small market share and you have to do battle with larger, better-financed competitors, then your marketing strategy was probably faulty in the first place. You violated the first law of marketing.
The basic issue in marketing is creating a category you can be first in. It's the law of leadership: It's better to be first than it is to be better. It's much easier to get into the mind first than to try to convince someone you have a better product than the one that did get there first.
You can demonstrate the law of leadership by asking yourself two questions:
1) What's the name of the first person to fly the Atlantic Ocean solo? Charles Lindbergh, right?
2) What's the name of the second person to fly the Atlantic Ocean solo? Not so easy to answer, is it?
The second person to fly the Atlantic Ocean solo was Bert Hinkler. Bert was a better pilot than Charlie-he flew faster, he consumed less fuel. Yet who has ever heard of Bert Hinkler? (He left home and Mrs. Hinkler hasn't heard from him since.)
In spite of the evident superiority of the Lindbergh approach, most companies go the Bert Hinkler route. They wait until a market develops. Then they jump in with a better product, often with their corporate name attached. In today's competitive environment, a me-too product with a line extension name has little hope of becoming a big, profitable brand.
The leading brand in any category is almost always the first brand into the prospect's mind. Hertz in rent-a-cars. IBM in computers. Coca-Cola in cola.
After World War II, Heineken was the first imported beer to make a name for itself in America. So four decades later, what is the No. 1 imported beer? The one that tastes the best? Or Heineken? There are 425 brands of imported beer sold in America. Surely one of these brands must taste better than Heineken, but does it really matter? Today, Heineken is still the No. 1 imported beer, with 30 percent of the market.
The first domestic light beer was Miller Lite. So what is the largest-selling light beer in America today? The one that tastes the best? Or the one that got into the mind first?
Not every first is going to become successful, however. Timing is an issue-your first could be too late. For example, USA Today is the first national newspaper, but it is unlikely to succeed. It has already lost $800 million and has never had a profitable year. In a television era, it may be too late for a national newspaper.
Some firsts are just bad ideas that will never go anywhere. Frosty Paws, the first ice cream for dogs, is unlikely to make it. The dogs love it, but the owners are the ones who buy the groceries, and they think that dogs don't need an ice cream of their own. They should be happy just to lick the plates.
The law of leadership applies to any product, any brand, any category. Let's say you didn't know the name of the first college founded in America. You can always make a good guess by substituting leading for first. So what's the name of the leading college in America? Most people would probably say Harvard, which is also the name of the first college founded in America. (What's the name of the second college founded in America? The College of William and Mary, which is only slightly more famous than Bert Hinkler.)
No two products are any similar than twins are. Yet twins often complain that the first of the two whom a person meets always remains their favorite, even though the person also gets to know the other one.
People tend to stick with what they've got. If you meet someone a little better than your wife or husband, it's really not worth making the switch, what with attorneys' fees and dividing up the house and kids.
The law of leadership also applies to magazines. Which is why Time leads Newsweek, People leads Us, and Playboy leads Penthouse. Take TV Guide, for example. Back in the early fifties the then-powerful Curtis Publishing Company tried to field a television- listings magazine to compete with the fledgling TV Guide. Even though TV Guide had only a minuscule head start, and despite the awesome strength of Curtis, the Curtis publication never really got off the ground. TV Guide had preempted the field.
The law of leadership applies equally as well to hard categories like automobiles and computers as it does to soft categories like colleges and beer. Jeep was first in four-wheel-drive off-the-road vehicles. Acura was first in luxury Japanese cars. IBM was first in mainframe computers. Sun Microsystems was first in workstations. Jeep, Acura, IBM, and Sun are all leading brands.
The first minivan was introduced by Chrysler. Today Chrysler has 10 percent of the car market and 50 percent of the minivan market. Is the essence of car marketing making better cars or getting into the market first?
The first desktop laser printer was introduced by a computer company, Hewlett-Packard. Today the company has 5 percent of the personal computer market and 45 percent of the laser printer market.
Gillette was the first safety razor. Tide was the first laundry detergent. Hayes was the first computer modem. Leaders all.
One reason the first brand tends to maintain its leadership is that the name often becomes generic. Xerox, the first plain-paper copier, became the name for all plain-paper copiers. People will stand in front of a Ricoh or a Sharp or a Kodak machine and say, "How do I make a Xerox copy?" They will ask for the Kleenex when the box clearly says Scott. They will offer you a Coke when all they have is Pepsi-Cola.
How many people ask for cellophane tape instead of Scotch tape? Not many. Most people use brand names when they become generic: Band-Aid, Fiberglas, Formica, Gore-Tex, Jello, Krazy Glue, Q-tips, Saran Wrap, Velcro-to name a few. Some people will go to great lengths to turn a brand name into a generic. "FedEx this package to the Coast." If you're introducing the first brand in a new category, you should always try to select a name that can work generically. (Lawyers advise the opposite, but what do they know about the laws of marketing?)
Not only does the first brand usually become the leader, but also the sales order of follow-up brands often matches the order of their introductions. The best example is ibuprofen. Advil was first, Nuprin was second, Medipren was third. That's exactly the sales order they now enjoy: Advil has 51 percent of the ibuprofen market, Nuprin has 10 percent, and Medipren has 1 percent.
The fourth brand that entered the market was Motrin IB. Even though it has the powerful prescription name for ibuprofen, Motrin's market share is only 15 percent. (Keep in mind that Advil was introduced with a "Same as the prescription drug Motrin" theme.) And note the generic substitution. Consumers use Advil as a generic term. Rarely do they use the word ibuprofen. Even an M.D. will tell a patient, "Take two Advil and call me in the morning."
Also consider Tylenol, the first brand of acetaminophen. Tylenol is so far ahead of the No. 2 brand that it's hard to determine who is No. 2.
If the secret of success is getting into the prospect's mind first, what strategy are most companies committed to? The better-product strategy. The latest and hottest subject in the business management field is benchmarking. Touted as the "ultimate competitive strategy," benchmarking is the process of comparing and evaluating your company's products against the best in the industry. It's an essential element in a process often called "total quality management."
Unfortunately, benchmarking doesn't work. Regardless of reality, people perceive the first product into the mind as superior. Marketing is a battle of perceptions, not products.
So what's the name of the first brand of aspirin? The first brand of acetaminophen? The first brand of ibuprofen? (Hint: Substitute leading for first and you'll have the answers to these three questions.)
Charles Schwab bills itself as "America's largest discount broker." Are you surprised that the Charles Lindbergh of the discount brokerage business is Charles Schwab?
Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the moon. Who was second?
Roger Bannister was the first person to run a four-minute mile. Who was second?
George Washington was the first president of the United States. Who was second?
Thomas' was the first brand of English muffin. What was second?
Gatorade was the first sports drink. What was second?
Many people believe that the basic issue in marketing is convincing prospects that you have a better product or service.
Not true. If you have a small market share and you have to do battle with larger, better-financed competitors, then your marketing strategy was probably faulty in the first place. You violated the first law of marketing.
The basic issue in marketing is creating a category you can be first in. It's the law of leadership: It's better to be first than it is to be better. It's much easier to get into the mind first than to try to convince someone you have a better product than the one that did get there first.
You can demonstrate the law of leadership by asking yourself two questions:
1) What's the name of the first person to fly the Atlantic Ocean solo? Charles Lindbergh, right?
2) What's the name of the second person to fly the Atlantic Ocean solo? Not so easy to answer, is it?
The second person to fly the Atlantic Ocean solo was Bert Hinkler. Bert was a better pilot than Charlie-he flew faster, he consumed less fuel. Yet who has ever heard of Bert Hinkler? (He left home and Mrs. Hinkler hasn't heard from him since.)
In spite of the evident superiority of the Lindbergh approach, most companies go the Bert Hinkler route. They wait until a market develops. Then they jump in with a better product, often with their corporate name attached. In today's competitive environment, a me-too product with a line extension name has little hope of becoming a big, profitable brand.
The leading brand in any category is almost always the first brand into the prospect's mind. Hertz in rent-a-cars. IBM in computers. Coca-Cola in cola.
After World War II, Heineken was the first imported beer to make a name for itself in America. So four decades later, what is the No. 1 imported beer? The one that tastes the best? Or Heineken? There are 425 brands of imported beer sold in America. Surely one of these brands must taste better than Heineken, but does it really matter? Today, Heineken is still the No. 1 imported beer, with 30 percent of the market.
The first domestic light beer was Miller Lite. So what is the largest-selling light beer in America today? The one that tastes the best? Or the one that got into the mind first?
Not every first is going to become successful, however. Timing is an issue-your first could be too late. For example, USA Today is the first national newspaper, but it is unlikely to succeed. It has already lost $800 million and has never had a profitable year. In a television era, it may be too late for a national newspaper.
Some firsts are just bad ideas that will never go anywhere. Frosty Paws, the first ice cream for dogs, is unlikely to make it. The dogs love it, but the owners are the ones who buy the groceries, and they think that dogs don't need an ice cream of their own. They should be happy just to lick the plates.
The law of leadership applies to any product, any brand, any category. Let's say you didn't know the name of the first college founded in America. You can always make a good guess by substituting leading for first. So what's the name of the leading college in America? Most people would probably say Harvard, which is also the name of the first college founded in America. (What's the name of the second college founded in America? The College of William and Mary, which is only slightly more famous than Bert Hinkler.)
No two products are any similar than twins are. Yet twins often complain that the first of the two whom a person meets always remains their favorite, even though the person also gets to know the other one.
People tend to stick with what they've got. If you meet someone a little better than your wife or husband, it's really not worth making the switch, what with attorneys' fees and dividing up the house and kids.
The law of leadership also applies to magazines. Which is why Time leads Newsweek, People leads Us, and Playboy leads Penthouse. Take TV Guide, for example. Back in the early fifties the then-powerful Curtis Publishing Company tried to field a television- listings magazine to compete with the fledgling TV Guide. Even though TV Guide had only a minuscule head start, and despite the awesome strength of Curtis, the Curtis publication never really got off the ground. TV Guide had preempted the field.
The law of leadership applies equally as well to hard categories like automobiles and computers as it does to soft categories like colleges and beer. Jeep was first in four-wheel-drive off-the-road vehicles. Acura was first in luxury Japanese cars. IBM was first in mainframe computers. Sun Microsystems was first in workstations. Jeep, Acura, IBM, and Sun are all leading brands.
The first minivan was introduced by Chrysler. Today Chrysler has 10 percent of the car market and 50 percent of the minivan market. Is the essence of car marketing making better cars or getting into the market first?
The first desktop laser printer was introduced by a computer company, Hewlett-Packard. Today the company has 5 percent of the personal computer market and 45 percent of the laser printer market.
Gillette was the first safety razor. Tide was the first laundry detergent. Hayes was the first computer modem. Leaders all.
One reason the first brand tends to maintain its leadership is that the name often becomes generic. Xerox, the first plain-paper copier, became the name for all plain-paper copiers. People will stand in front of a Ricoh or a Sharp or a Kodak machine and say, "How do I make a Xerox copy?" They will ask for the Kleenex when the box clearly says Scott. They will offer you a Coke when all they have is Pepsi-Cola.
How many people ask for cellophane tape instead of Scotch tape? Not many. Most people use brand names when they become generic: Band-Aid, Fiberglas, Formica, Gore-Tex, Jello, Krazy Glue, Q-tips, Saran Wrap, Velcro-to name a few. Some people will go to great lengths to turn a brand name into a generic. "FedEx this package to the Coast." If you're introducing the first brand in a new category, you should always try to select a name that can work generically. (Lawyers advise the opposite, but what do they know about the laws of marketing?)
Not only does the first brand usually become the leader, but also the sales order of follow-up brands often matches the order of their introductions. The best example is ibuprofen. Advil was first, Nuprin was second, Medipren was third. That's exactly the sales order they now enjoy: Advil has 51 percent of the ibuprofen market, Nuprin has 10 percent, and Medipren has 1 percent.
The fourth brand that entered the market was Motrin IB. Even though it has the powerful prescription name for ibuprofen, Motrin's market share is only 15 percent. (Keep in mind that Advil was introduced with a "Same as the prescription drug Motrin" theme.) And note the generic substitution. Consumers use Advil as a generic term. Rarely do they use the word ibuprofen. Even an M.D. will tell a patient, "Take two Advil and call me in the morning."
Also consider Tylenol, the first brand of acetaminophen. Tylenol is so far ahead of the No. 2 brand that it's hard to determine who is No. 2.
If the secret of success is getting into the prospect's mind first, what strategy are most companies committed to? The better-product strategy. The latest and hottest subject in the business management field is benchmarking. Touted as the "ultimate competitive strategy," benchmarking is the process of comparing and evaluating your company's products against the best in the industry. It's an essential element in a process often called "total quality management."
Unfortunately, benchmarking doesn't work. Regardless of reality, people perceive the first product into the mind as superior. Marketing is a battle of perceptions, not products.
So what's the name of the first brand of aspirin? The first brand of acetaminophen? The first brand of ibuprofen? (Hint: Substitute leading for first and you'll have the answers to these three questions.)
Charles Schwab bills itself as "America's largest discount broker." Are you surprised that the Charles Lindbergh of the discount brokerage business is Charles Schwab?
Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the moon. Who was second?
Roger Bannister was the first person to run a four-minute mile. Who was second?
George Washington was the first president of the United States. Who was second?
Thomas' was the first brand of English muffin. What was second?
Gatorade was the first sports drink. What was second?
April 15, 2009
April 14, 2009
Top 6 Topics to Avoid Discussing at Work
There are some conversations that don't belong in the workplace. Topics to avoid include those that could become fodder for the office grapevine and personal information that might negatively influence the perceptions others have about your ability to do your job effectively. You should also avoid lengthy discussions about controversial subjects. Staying away from discussing the following topics will make your work life a lot easier.
1. Religion
You shouldn't discuss your religious beliefs or your thoughts about other religious beliefs at work. Religion is a very personal issue and people are very sensitive about it. They don't want to hear that you disagree with their religious beliefs or that you believe your religion is the one in which everyone should believe.
2. Politics
This is another sensitive issue, particularly around election time. While you may feel very strongly about your political party or candidate, or have negative views about the opposition, you should not try to win your co-workers over to your point of view.
3. Your Sex Life
Why shouldn't you talk about your sex life? Simply because it's no one's business other than yours and your partner's. Other than that, it makes people uncomfortable. Taken to the extreme, it may even border on sexual harassment.
4. Problems With Your Spouse, Your Children, or Your Parents
When you discuss problems you are having with others, your co-workers and your boss may wonder if those problems are distracting you from doing your job. Talking about your problems with your family will reveal your weaknesses. You don't want to do this, especially if you are in a position of authority.
5. Your Career Aspirations
Talking about how you want to move on to something bigger and better will certainly, for good reason, make your boss and co-workers question your loyalty to your current job. If you are interested in moving up within your current organization, your actions will speak louder than words. Do your job exceptionally well, and of course, let your boss know you want to move up, but don't make it the topic of workplace conversations with anyone who will listen.
6. Your Health Problems
Don't dwell on your health problems at work. If you do, you will give your co-workers and boss reason to wonder if an illness will keep you from doing your job. Of course, serious health issues that will cause you to take time off, must be discussed with your employer. No one, however, needs specific details about your health.
1. Religion
You shouldn't discuss your religious beliefs or your thoughts about other religious beliefs at work. Religion is a very personal issue and people are very sensitive about it. They don't want to hear that you disagree with their religious beliefs or that you believe your religion is the one in which everyone should believe.
2. Politics
This is another sensitive issue, particularly around election time. While you may feel very strongly about your political party or candidate, or have negative views about the opposition, you should not try to win your co-workers over to your point of view.
3. Your Sex Life
Why shouldn't you talk about your sex life? Simply because it's no one's business other than yours and your partner's. Other than that, it makes people uncomfortable. Taken to the extreme, it may even border on sexual harassment.
4. Problems With Your Spouse, Your Children, or Your Parents
When you discuss problems you are having with others, your co-workers and your boss may wonder if those problems are distracting you from doing your job. Talking about your problems with your family will reveal your weaknesses. You don't want to do this, especially if you are in a position of authority.
5. Your Career Aspirations
Talking about how you want to move on to something bigger and better will certainly, for good reason, make your boss and co-workers question your loyalty to your current job. If you are interested in moving up within your current organization, your actions will speak louder than words. Do your job exceptionally well, and of course, let your boss know you want to move up, but don't make it the topic of workplace conversations with anyone who will listen.
6. Your Health Problems
Don't dwell on your health problems at work. If you do, you will give your co-workers and boss reason to wonder if an illness will keep you from doing your job. Of course, serious health issues that will cause you to take time off, must be discussed with your employer. No one, however, needs specific details about your health.
April 11, 2009
April 9, 2009
April 8, 2009
Pairing Wine with Seafood
Pairing wine with fish or seafood can be daunting. Yes, white wines are generally the right choice -- but which ones? Choose a dry white when you need a full-bodied, lush wine and you will be disappointed. What about seafood with heavy sauces, like barbecue or tomato sauce? Do you use the same wine with grilled shrimp that you do with lobster Thermidor? It can all be confusing. Here are some quick rules and a few "go-to" wines you can reach for whenever you are serving seafood. Don't worry if you can't get the exact wine here -- these are general rules, and as we all know, rules are made to be broken.
1. Champagne, Prosecco, Cava
Sparkling wine, whether it's from Lebanon, California, France, Spain or Italy, is spot-on perfect for fried food. Select this one first because most of us love fried seafood, and while light beers match up well with fried seafood, most wines lose something when you pair them with tempura or a thick beer batter. Not so with sparkling wine, whose bubbles cut through the weight of fried food as if the wines were made for the dish. These wines also pair well with caviar. Don't like sparkling wine? Try the Lebanese Kefraya or Ksara Blanc de Blanc, or even Musar.
2. Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio
These are the aristocrats of white fish wines. Dry, austere and crisp, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Grigio are the wines you can reach for when you are serving lean, white fish cooked simply. Flounder, halibut, walleye, snapper, raw clams or oysters all do well with these wines. Alternately, you can use these wines to cut through the natural fat in some fish, such as striped bass, catfish, lobster, shrimp or mussels. Looking for something off the beaten track that fits this style? Try an Italian Vermentino or a Greek Assyrtiko.
3. Chardonnay, Fume Blanc, Viognier, Pinot Gris
This is the realm of the fuller whites. Oaky Chardonnay gets a bad rap these days, but you can serve it with striped bass, crab, raw oysters -- even lobster. The theory here is to match a full-bodied wine with a full bodied dish. If you have a broth-based soup, such as she-crab soup, Chardonnay works wonderfully. If you have a fish that's a little oilier, such as bluefish or mackerel, try Pinot Gris or Viognier, or an Italian Grillo.
4. Marsanne, Roussane, Riesling, Gewurztraminer
These are even fuller whites that often have some lingering sweetness to them. Go for these wines with Asian seafood or anything spicy. Gewurztraminer is especially good with the zingy Vietnamese seafoods, and the tropical aromas of Roussane and Marsanne, which are Rhone white varietals, marry perfectly with the flavors of Asia.
5. Albarino, Verdelho
These varietals are from Spain and Portugal, but are increasingly being grown in California. There's something about them that makes these wines absolutely perfect with shellfish: clams, mussels, scallops as well as crab and lobster. It is rare that you don't open an Albarino when you eat clams or scallops.
6. Dry Fino Sherry
It is the perfect wine with simply cooked shrimp. Period, end of story. If you eat a lot of shrimp cocktail, steamed, grilled, stir-fried or sauteed shrimp, this is the drink to go with it. Be sure to buy real Spanish dry fino sherry, which is achingly dry and slightly salty. Tip: This wine marries well with almonds, too.
7. Pinot Noir, Gamay, Sangiovese, Grenache
Basically this is the light red wine category. There are precious few instances where you'd want a big red with seafood, but light reds do quite well with salmon, tuna, marlin, swordfish, mackerel, bluefish or other fatty, meaty, big-flavored fish. Chianti -- which is mostly Sangiovese -- goes perfectly with spaghetti and clam sauce or octopus stewed in tomato sauce. Be careful though: Avoid combining reds with spicy seafood, as you will probably get a nasty metallic taste.
8. Roses and Other Blush wines
Kind of a 'tweener of a wine. Serve Spanish, French or California roses when the sauce is heavier than what you want for a white, but not quite right for a full-on red. Roses can substitute for full-bodied whites such as Chardonnay and Fume Blanc. Use them a lot in summer, too, when you are grilling swordfish or tuna steaks. Rose is also a good choice with a tomato-based seafood soup, such as cioppino or zuppa da pesce.
April 7, 2009
Top 10 '80s Songs Featured in Films
The combination of the very special manifestation of '80s cinema with contemporary music was often an exhilarating one, as some of the most memorable tunes and films of that decade have become almost inseparable. With the advent of the MTV age, the line between movies and music became even more blurry, as music videos provided highly noticeable links between the two media. Here's a look at 10 of the best and most memorable '80s songs featured in films released during that decade.
1. Simple Minds - "Don't You (Forget About Me)"
1985's John Hughes classic The Breakfast Club persists as one of the most beloved teen films of the '80s, but its use of music on the film's soundtrack, particularly this song employed as the main theme, really showed how vibrantly and memorably that music and film could be used together. The song became a huge hit, but it's likely that it would have never reached the heights it did without ties to the film, through repeated appearances in the film and, of course, during Judd Nelson's fist-pumping walk across the football field as the credits roll.
2. Irene Cara - "Flashdance (What a Feeling)"
'80s music in general had a propensity for soaring choruses and anthemic bombast, but when combined with great visuals and an inspiring narrative, a song like this one from the soundtrack to the film of the same name proved that there was basically no limit for uplift in movie themes. Whether it was actually Jennifer Beals (or not) flying through the air in a leotard, this song never would have been the staple of aerobics classes that it became if not for its perfect marriage to Adrian Lyne's welder-dancer underdog story, Flashdance, from 1983.
3. Mike Reno & Ann Wilson - "Almost Paradise"
The '80s never lacked in over-the-top love songs even away from the big screen, but this partnership between the lead singers of '80s fixtures Loverboy and Heart, respectively, truly carried the torch for this kind of romantic power ballad. This was great music for first-date jitters, inaugural make-out sessions or obsessive crushes, and the song's populist appeal stemmed both from its universal emotional base and its prominent appearance in one of the decade's biggest films, 1984's Footloose as well as its soundtrack.
4. Bananarama - "Cruel Summer"
Few '80s movie hits found a narrative niche as snug as this song from The Karate Kid, which perfectly summarized the struggle against long odds of its protagonist, Daniel-San. Associations with visual memories can be as permanent for people as eye color, as I knew a guy whose memory of the scene in which this song played was almost as vivid as anything that happened in his life. Anyway, it's a great song made into something more by its savvy use in a film. But oddly, it's excluded from the soundtrack.
5. Orchestral Manouevres in the Dark - "If You Leave"
For OMD, having one of the most elegant names in synth pop and producing one of the most evocative and lush keyboard openings was not necessarily enough to forge a hit song. But throw in Molly Ringwald's poor-girl nobility and fierce longing for true love, and you have one of the most iconic '80s tunes in any genre. The great synth opening and unforgettable chorus would not seem nearly as striking if not for the song's crucial narrative placement at the prom scene of Hughes' Pretty in Pink. It's also a memorable selection, of course, from the film's soundtrack.
6. John Parr - "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)"
It didn't matter that John Parr sounded pretty much exactly like Foreigner's Lou Gramm or Night Ranger's Jack Blades. It didn't matter either that the only other hit Parr could muster was the rather shameful "Naughty Naughty." All that mattered was that when you combined the bombast of this rousing theme from the Joel Schumacher film of the same name with Rob Lowe's fantastic mullet and a naked Demi Moore stylishly freezing to death in a room with all the windows open, you simply got magic.
7. Peter Gabriel - "In Your Eyes"
This song has the distinction of being a major hit in its own right prior to its association with an '80s film, but there's no doubt it reached an entirely new plane with its inclusion in Cameron Crowe's 1989 teen romance Say Anything. Crowe has sometimes been frustratingly guilty of overly self-indulgent filmmaking, but the image of John Cusack holding a boom box to project this song to Ione Skye will probably always remain one of the best marriages of pop music and film of all time. The film's soundtrack otherwise is not too shabby either, unsurprisingly.
8. Patti LaBelle - "New Attitude"
I guess it's a pretty clear sign of a song's impact when it has the power to show up 20 years later in advertising. Or maybe it's just evidence of the power of the almighty dollar, but either way this bouncy dance-pop tune from Beverly Hills Cop certainly stands as one of the decade's niftiest melodies. As delivered by R&B songstress LaBelle on the film's soundtrack, the song becomes something particularly special. Its arrangement was ideal for the period, maximizing keyboards and a heavy, aerobics-ready beat.
9. Sheena Easton - "For Your Eyes Only"
It's no surprise that Sheena Easton has found her way onto another one of my lists, I know, but this song from the 1981 James Bond film of the same name has always been a haunting favorite of mine. The melody is timeless and forceful, and the vocal performance is one of the Scottish singer's best. The sheer beauty of the tune makes one long for the time when Bond films used to convey some sense of style rather than just sheer sensationalistic excess.
10. Plimsouls - "A Million Miles Away"
Credit 1982's Valley Girl for introducing the great new wave of Peter Case and the Plimsouls to a wider audience. The group made highly accessible pop/rock that somehow never got the attention it deserved in pop music circles. Strangely enough, it took a small cult film soundtrack like this to give the song a sort of immortality that reaches well beyond the rather novelty feel of much of the music from the film. "Johnny Are You Queer?" is an '80s classic in its own right, but it lacks the permanence of this tune.
1. Simple Minds - "Don't You (Forget About Me)"
1985's John Hughes classic The Breakfast Club persists as one of the most beloved teen films of the '80s, but its use of music on the film's soundtrack, particularly this song employed as the main theme, really showed how vibrantly and memorably that music and film could be used together. The song became a huge hit, but it's likely that it would have never reached the heights it did without ties to the film, through repeated appearances in the film and, of course, during Judd Nelson's fist-pumping walk across the football field as the credits roll.
2. Irene Cara - "Flashdance (What a Feeling)"
'80s music in general had a propensity for soaring choruses and anthemic bombast, but when combined with great visuals and an inspiring narrative, a song like this one from the soundtrack to the film of the same name proved that there was basically no limit for uplift in movie themes. Whether it was actually Jennifer Beals (or not) flying through the air in a leotard, this song never would have been the staple of aerobics classes that it became if not for its perfect marriage to Adrian Lyne's welder-dancer underdog story, Flashdance, from 1983.
3. Mike Reno & Ann Wilson - "Almost Paradise"
The '80s never lacked in over-the-top love songs even away from the big screen, but this partnership between the lead singers of '80s fixtures Loverboy and Heart, respectively, truly carried the torch for this kind of romantic power ballad. This was great music for first-date jitters, inaugural make-out sessions or obsessive crushes, and the song's populist appeal stemmed both from its universal emotional base and its prominent appearance in one of the decade's biggest films, 1984's Footloose as well as its soundtrack.
4. Bananarama - "Cruel Summer"
Few '80s movie hits found a narrative niche as snug as this song from The Karate Kid, which perfectly summarized the struggle against long odds of its protagonist, Daniel-San. Associations with visual memories can be as permanent for people as eye color, as I knew a guy whose memory of the scene in which this song played was almost as vivid as anything that happened in his life. Anyway, it's a great song made into something more by its savvy use in a film. But oddly, it's excluded from the soundtrack.
5. Orchestral Manouevres in the Dark - "If You Leave"
For OMD, having one of the most elegant names in synth pop and producing one of the most evocative and lush keyboard openings was not necessarily enough to forge a hit song. But throw in Molly Ringwald's poor-girl nobility and fierce longing for true love, and you have one of the most iconic '80s tunes in any genre. The great synth opening and unforgettable chorus would not seem nearly as striking if not for the song's crucial narrative placement at the prom scene of Hughes' Pretty in Pink. It's also a memorable selection, of course, from the film's soundtrack.
6. John Parr - "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)"
It didn't matter that John Parr sounded pretty much exactly like Foreigner's Lou Gramm or Night Ranger's Jack Blades. It didn't matter either that the only other hit Parr could muster was the rather shameful "Naughty Naughty." All that mattered was that when you combined the bombast of this rousing theme from the Joel Schumacher film of the same name with Rob Lowe's fantastic mullet and a naked Demi Moore stylishly freezing to death in a room with all the windows open, you simply got magic.
7. Peter Gabriel - "In Your Eyes"
This song has the distinction of being a major hit in its own right prior to its association with an '80s film, but there's no doubt it reached an entirely new plane with its inclusion in Cameron Crowe's 1989 teen romance Say Anything. Crowe has sometimes been frustratingly guilty of overly self-indulgent filmmaking, but the image of John Cusack holding a boom box to project this song to Ione Skye will probably always remain one of the best marriages of pop music and film of all time. The film's soundtrack otherwise is not too shabby either, unsurprisingly.
8. Patti LaBelle - "New Attitude"
I guess it's a pretty clear sign of a song's impact when it has the power to show up 20 years later in advertising. Or maybe it's just evidence of the power of the almighty dollar, but either way this bouncy dance-pop tune from Beverly Hills Cop certainly stands as one of the decade's niftiest melodies. As delivered by R&B songstress LaBelle on the film's soundtrack, the song becomes something particularly special. Its arrangement was ideal for the period, maximizing keyboards and a heavy, aerobics-ready beat.
9. Sheena Easton - "For Your Eyes Only"
It's no surprise that Sheena Easton has found her way onto another one of my lists, I know, but this song from the 1981 James Bond film of the same name has always been a haunting favorite of mine. The melody is timeless and forceful, and the vocal performance is one of the Scottish singer's best. The sheer beauty of the tune makes one long for the time when Bond films used to convey some sense of style rather than just sheer sensationalistic excess.
10. Plimsouls - "A Million Miles Away"
Credit 1982's Valley Girl for introducing the great new wave of Peter Case and the Plimsouls to a wider audience. The group made highly accessible pop/rock that somehow never got the attention it deserved in pop music circles. Strangely enough, it took a small cult film soundtrack like this to give the song a sort of immortality that reaches well beyond the rather novelty feel of much of the music from the film. "Johnny Are You Queer?" is an '80s classic in its own right, but it lacks the permanence of this tune.
April 6, 2009
April 5, 2009
Having A Bad Day
Here's How To Turn A Bad Day Around! A Bad Day Doesn't Need To Stay Bad!
Did you 'wake up on the wrong side of the bed'? Is it going to be 'one of those days'? Did mama tell you there'd be days like this?
We've all had bad days. And oftentimes, a day that starts out bad just keeps getting worse, snowballing into a really bad day. This is a common experience--the long day's journey into stress and frustration; we've all been there. But why? Why does a bad morning so often lead to an entire day gone bad?
There are actually several reasons for this. Sometimes there's a 'domino effect' with negative events, where one bad thing leads to another. (Example: You sleep through the alarm, so you're stressed while you sit in the bad traffic that makes you late to work, which puts you 'in the doghouse' with your boss, who feels entitled to pile on more work, etc.)
It's also common, though, that a few negative events early on can put us in a negative frame of mind where we create more stress for ourselves. We may snap at people, causing them to be a little more rude and a little less understanding with us. We may notice more of the negative events and fewer positive events that happen to us. We may miss opportunities for positive experiences because we're busy ruminating about what's happened already in the day. A triggered stress response (that doesn't resolve with a relaxation response) can throw off an entire day.
So what can be done to keep 'one of those days' from continuing on as 'one of those days'? Here are some ideas that have worked for me:
Talk To A Good Friend
Here, the emphasis is on good. Trying to find support from someone with poor listening skills or who really doesn't want to support you can make you feel worse, as can someone who will engage in co-rumination instead of trying to help you pull out of things. (The best balance is someone who will listen to your feelings, empathize, and then help you look at things you may be missing or help you get into a new frame of mind in another way. Sometimes even the listening and empathizing can help you pull out of things on your own.)
Take a Mini-Meditation Break
Meditation can be a great tool for helping people get into a different frame of mind. Even a 5- or 10-minute meditation can give you a needed break from what's stressing you and help you come back with a new perspective and a fresh start. It can also turn off your stress response you you're physiologically back to normal.
Count Your Blessings
Gratitude has some wonderful benefits for stress management and well-being. It's also hard to focus on how bad things are when you're focusing on how good things are! Counting off 10 or more things you're grateful for, or really dwelling on 2 or 3, can get you into a whole different place, and turn a bad day around!
Work it Out
I love to work things out with a good workout--the burst of endorphins and the ability to blow off steam can take the negative energy out of my day, even if the workout is only for a few minutes. And getting more fit is a good thing, too!
Chocolate
Yes, this is a contradiction to the last entry, it may seem, but one small piece of very good chocolate, savored with a cup of green tea and a quiet break from stress, can help me feel a little pampered and do wonders for my mood if all else fails.
Accept The Challenge!
One piece of perspective that can make an enormous difference in your experience of stressors is your locus of control--whether or not you view your situation as a 'threat' or as a 'challenge'. It may seem clear-cut which you're experiencing, but a mild shift in how you view things can actually help you go from feeling trapped and overwhelmed to feeling invigorated and vital. And the best thing about this one is that you can try it under virtually all circumstances, quickly, and with no additional outside-of-yourself resources needed!
Did you 'wake up on the wrong side of the bed'? Is it going to be 'one of those days'? Did mama tell you there'd be days like this?
We've all had bad days. And oftentimes, a day that starts out bad just keeps getting worse, snowballing into a really bad day. This is a common experience--the long day's journey into stress and frustration; we've all been there. But why? Why does a bad morning so often lead to an entire day gone bad?
There are actually several reasons for this. Sometimes there's a 'domino effect' with negative events, where one bad thing leads to another. (Example: You sleep through the alarm, so you're stressed while you sit in the bad traffic that makes you late to work, which puts you 'in the doghouse' with your boss, who feels entitled to pile on more work, etc.)
It's also common, though, that a few negative events early on can put us in a negative frame of mind where we create more stress for ourselves. We may snap at people, causing them to be a little more rude and a little less understanding with us. We may notice more of the negative events and fewer positive events that happen to us. We may miss opportunities for positive experiences because we're busy ruminating about what's happened already in the day. A triggered stress response (that doesn't resolve with a relaxation response) can throw off an entire day.
So what can be done to keep 'one of those days' from continuing on as 'one of those days'? Here are some ideas that have worked for me:
Talk To A Good Friend
Here, the emphasis is on good. Trying to find support from someone with poor listening skills or who really doesn't want to support you can make you feel worse, as can someone who will engage in co-rumination instead of trying to help you pull out of things. (The best balance is someone who will listen to your feelings, empathize, and then help you look at things you may be missing or help you get into a new frame of mind in another way. Sometimes even the listening and empathizing can help you pull out of things on your own.)
Take a Mini-Meditation Break
Meditation can be a great tool for helping people get into a different frame of mind. Even a 5- or 10-minute meditation can give you a needed break from what's stressing you and help you come back with a new perspective and a fresh start. It can also turn off your stress response you you're physiologically back to normal.
Count Your Blessings
Gratitude has some wonderful benefits for stress management and well-being. It's also hard to focus on how bad things are when you're focusing on how good things are! Counting off 10 or more things you're grateful for, or really dwelling on 2 or 3, can get you into a whole different place, and turn a bad day around!
Work it Out
I love to work things out with a good workout--the burst of endorphins and the ability to blow off steam can take the negative energy out of my day, even if the workout is only for a few minutes. And getting more fit is a good thing, too!
Chocolate
Yes, this is a contradiction to the last entry, it may seem, but one small piece of very good chocolate, savored with a cup of green tea and a quiet break from stress, can help me feel a little pampered and do wonders for my mood if all else fails.
Accept The Challenge!
One piece of perspective that can make an enormous difference in your experience of stressors is your locus of control--whether or not you view your situation as a 'threat' or as a 'challenge'. It may seem clear-cut which you're experiencing, but a mild shift in how you view things can actually help you go from feeling trapped and overwhelmed to feeling invigorated and vital. And the best thing about this one is that you can try it under virtually all circumstances, quickly, and with no additional outside-of-yourself resources needed!
April 1, 2009
April's Fools
An April Fool in Denmark, regarding Copenhagen's new subway. Apparently, one of its cars accidentally had surfaced on the square in front of the town hall. In reality, it was a retired subway car from the subway of Stockholm cut obliquely, with the front end placed onto the tiling and loose tiles scattered around it.
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