Dear boss, I'm pregnant, bankrupt, divorcing
Posted: September 9, 2012 at 8:12 pm
By Geoff Williams , Reuters
You may be sitting at your desk right now, appearing normal to all your coworkers. But at home, your life is like a country song -- breakups, babies, debts, disease, your truck broke down and your dog is sick. Assuming your job isn't at the Grand Ole Opry, how much do you spill?
Sharing personal details at work can be a difficult terrain to navigate. Tell all early and you can inoculate yourself against criticism later if your personal life affects your work. But overshare and you can marginalize yourself at the one place where things are calm and quiet.
"Having to disclose personal information in the workplace can be one of the most anxiety-provoking decisions an employee has to make. Particularly in this economy, where many employees are worried that any sign of weakness may adversely affect their continued employment or personnel review," says Wendy Patrick, a management and ethics lecturer at San Diego State University.
Of course, some personal details like pregnancy or that whole body cast from your weekend skiing injury may be difficult to hide. But for everything else, here is a quick primer for what, how and when to share at the office.
What do you have to tell?Distinguish what you need to tell versus what you don't. As a general rule, you should share information that could affect your work and keep private the personal news that won't have an impact on your performance.
Legally, you're usually on solid ground if you keep your mouth shut, says Nigel Telman, an employee attorney at law firm Proskauer Rose in Chicago. You aren't even required to mention pregnancy, though of course you would have to if you wanted to take maternity leave.
"The one exception is if you have an illness that could potentially put your co-workers at risk of contracting the illness. For example, tuberculosis. Then you must advise your employer of the situation," says Telman.
What do you want to tell?If you have a soft fuzzy workplace and consider your boss your friend, you may feel like telling more. Interestingly, workers' views on sharing may be affected by their age, says Amy Lynch, a Minneapolis consultant, who offers corporate seminars on managing multiple generations in the workforce.
Read this article:
Dear boss, I'm pregnant, bankrupt, divorcing
Rethinking my legacy
Posted: at 8:12 pm
My personal bankruptcy forced me to re-evaluate and re-prioritize
If youve followed my column in the National Post this past year, youll know that I focused on my Dragons Den investments after the cameras stopped rolling: the people behind the projects, their successes, and their challenges. Ive enjoyed telling these stories because they celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation that is very much alive and well in Canada.
Based on the success of those columns, the Post has asked me to continue as a contributor. I am delighted to do so. But Im going to switch gears, and talk about business from a few different angles. I will write about a variety of subjects relevant to todays entrepreneurs everything from business ethics to philanthropy to social media.
First up is success. How we define it. How we measure it. And what it really means when we get it. My business career rolled out rather well. At least, by most standards. I was a very successful investment banker before the age of 40. My material dreams came true. I had what I thought I wanted. But I quickly found out how hollow success can be. I gained everything and lost what really mattered to me: I faced cancer, a failing marriage, and barely-there relationships with my three children.
This is not a new or unique story. Its one that gets told every day in corporate Canada. And its not unique to the business world. Canadas Own the Podium sports program celebrates medals rather than effort. Many athletes have trouble transitioning to a normal life after retiring from competitive sport because they have been more focused on the prize than the process. In school, students often feel compelled to get a job rather than spend time figuring out how they can uniquely contribute to the world. A few years in, theyre miserable.
It seems to me we constantly measure success according to some finite target winning a medal, getting a job or building a sizeable bank account rather than focusing on what we really value.
I encourage people to think hard about how they define success. My single-minded pursuit of wealth and power got me what I thought I wanted, but I had to spend years rebuilding my health and relationships with family and friends. That is not success.
My personal bankruptcy forced me to re-evaluate and re-prioritize. Faced with my own mortality and a disappointing family life, I did some serious and long-overdue self-assessment. I pondered a question that was given to me along with a small group of colleagues from the Young Presidents Organization (YPO): When you pass away, what would you like people to say at your funeral? When your family, friends and partners all stand, what will they likely say about you?
My response focused on what I wanted the outside world to see: My success as a businessman and philanthropist. Then the moderator modified the exercise slightly, and asked, What exactly would your children have to say if they wrote your epitaph? I knew what I would like them to say: that I was a great father. But I was honest enough to admit they could only say I was a great businessman. That exercise was a bucket of cold water in my face. It forced me to face the unpleasant reality that there was a significant gap between who I wanted to be and who I was. I was stumbling badly in the one area of my life that was truly important. So I set to work undoing the damage, living according to a new set of priorities. By example, in seeking shared time over the past 15 years, Ive travelled to some 40 countries with my now adult children, providing opportunities for incredible shared memories and bonding experiences. Were not perfect, but Im enormously happy with the progress.
Its easy for entrepreneurs to get out of balance. Were driven by passion that can sometimes consume us, causing us to sacrifice the things that bring the most lasting joy. Finding balance based on priorities actually takes a lot of work. I still struggle with the work addiction that got me out of balance in my early years, but I hold myself accountable to my new priorities, and I have a close circle of friends and colleagues who do the same.
See the original post here:
Rethinking my legacy
Yoga Baron Launches Free Yoga Marketing Plan for Yoga Studios and Teachers
Posted: at 4:16 pm
(PRWEB) September 09, 2012
The yoga marketing plan created by the folks behind Yoga Baron takes an unusual approach to marketing in that it starts off with a discussion about the importance of choosing marketing activities and developing a marketing strategy based on one's personality type and interests.
The reasoning behind this is that marketing, especially web marketing, is a process that requires a diverse set of skills and interests. Not everyone is well-suited for every type of marketing activity; however, there are marketing activities for every person's interests.
Once a yoga studio owner understands their interests, strengths and weaknesses, they can create a robust marketing plan that incorporates marketing activities for which they are well suited. This approach increases the likelihood of success because when interested and engaged in the activity, a yoga studio owner is more likely to persist and follow through with the planned campaign.
Yoga Baron's marketing plan for studios then goes on to set out a 5-step action plan followed by a listing of 40 plus marketing activities to choose from to include in the plan.
The marketing plan is a PDF document that users can save to their computer and/or print as a desk-reference.
About
Yoga Baron is a website dedicated to yoga professionals including yoga teachers and yoga studio owners. It publishes information on building and marketing a yoga business.
To get Yoga Baron's free marketing plan, visit http://www.yogabaron.com/yoga-studio-marketing-plan
Visit the Yoga Baron website at http://www.yogabaron.com
See original here:
Yoga Baron Launches Free Yoga Marketing Plan for Yoga Studios and Teachers
Coaching legend Luciano dies
Posted: at 4:24 am
Anthony Tony Luciano, a legendary coach at Hudson Falls whose influence extended far beyond the playing field, died on Saturday morning. He was 91.
Luciano worked at Hudson Falls as a teacher and coach for 35 years, a career that began in 1948 and extended into the 1980s. He coached football, basketball, track and cross country, and spent much of his tenure as the schools athletic director.
But high school sports was only a part of the work he did. Luciano was heavily involved in community sports, running summer playground programs and weekend basketball leagues. He served as secretary of Section II from 1957 to 1980 and was on the Section II basketball committee for decades. He was a basketball referee, and later served as an assignor of officials.
He was totally committed to his life and his profession, said Doug Kenyon, who was hired by Luciano to coach basketball at Hudson Falls and later went on to become athletic director at Glens Falls and director of the state boys basketball committee.
Luciano earned many honors during his lifetime. Hes a member of the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame, and was recently inducted into the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials Hall of Fame.
He received numerous other civic and community honors.
Lucianos teams had a lot of success. His basketball teams were a combined 335-135 in 25 seasons, according to NYSPHSAA records. His track teams won 15 Northern Conference dual-meet championships in 34 years.
He is better remembered by many, however, for his work with students at the grassroots level.
Tony, in my mind, was a guy that was the epitome of what a coach and a teacher should be, Kenyon said. First and foremost, he loved the kids. He commanded a lot of respect just because of his love for teaching and coaching. ... He was just totally committed and dedicated to what he did.
His legacy lives on in Hudson Falls in many ways. The road into the high school is named Tony Luciano Lane. The 28th annual Tony Luciano 5K Road Race was held last month, and an invitational track meet during the spring also bears his name.
More here:
Coaching legend Luciano dies
Betty Weider Honored at Muscle Beach 9/03/12 Labor Day – Video
Posted: at 4:23 am
Original post:
Betty Weider Honored at Muscle Beach 9/03/12 Labor Day - Video
June-Marie Raw Food and Fitness Health Fashion fun 001 – Video
Posted: at 4:23 am
Link:
June-Marie Raw Food and Fitness Health Fashion fun 001 - Video
June-Marie Raw Food and Fitness Health Fashion fun misc videos Blog videos – Video
Posted: at 4:23 am
See the original post here:
June-Marie Raw Food and Fitness Health Fashion fun misc videos Blog videos - Video
June-Marie Raw Food and Fitness Health Fashion fun 023 – Video
Posted: at 4:23 am
Continued here:
June-Marie Raw Food and Fitness Health Fashion fun 023 - Video
Brandon Schwartz and Jen Nordic Crowned Alpha Male and Alpha Female at National Alpha Showdown Competition Sept. 8
Posted: at 4:23 am
CHANHASSEN, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Top competitors from all over the country demonstrated their athleticism and strength in the National Alpha Showdown competition that took place Saturday at Life Time Fitness Colorado Springs but ultimately only two were crowned Alpha Male and Alpha Female. Brandon Schwartz from Chanhassen, Minn. and Jen Nordic from Excelsior, Minn. defeated more than 65 competitors including 22 regional finalists. Schwartz and Nordic completed three gauntlets power, strength and endurance with Schwartz finishing with a total time of 16:16 and Nordic completing the challenges in 16:45.
Alpha Showdown participants competed in a series of events that emphasize the eight fitness abilities including power, strength, coordination, agility, endurance, balance and speed. All events were timed and participants were disqualified for not meeting required time restrictions.
2012 Alpha Showdown National Results
Alpha Female Division:
Alpha Male Division:
As Alpha Male and Alpha Female, Schwartz and Nordic will represent the Ultimate Alpha in Alpha Showdown marketing and promotional materials for 2013. They will also receive more than $1,000 in prize money and promotional items.
Launched in 2010, Alpha Showdown takes place in 87 Life Time destinations nationwide leading up to regional competitions and culminating with the national competition. Recently, Life Time has launched a training program to help participants prepare for Alpha Showdown and beyond. Alpha Training improves fitness abilities in core areas that make up a complete athlete. Those who participate will improve their body composition, strength, power, speed, agility, coordination and cardiovascular endurance in a fun, competitive and intense workout. For more information about Alpha Showdown or Alpha Training please visit http://www.wearealpha.com or http://www.facebook.com/wearealpha.
About Life Time Fitness, Inc.
As The Healthy Way of Life Company, Life Time Fitness (LTM) helps organizations, communities and individuals achieve their total health objectives, athletic aspirations and fitness goals by engaging in their areas of interest or discovering new passions both inside and outside of Life Times distinctive and large sports, professional fitness, family recreation and spa destinations, most of which operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Companys Healthy Way of Life approach enables customers to achieve this by providing the best programs, people and places of uncompromising quality and value. As of Sept. 8, 2012, the Company operated 105 centers under the LIFE TIME FITNESS and LIFE TIME ATHLETIC(SM) brands in the United States and Canada. Additional information about Life Time centers, programs and services is available at lifetimefitness.com.
Continued here:
Brandon Schwartz and Jen Nordic Crowned Alpha Male and Alpha Female at National Alpha Showdown Competition Sept. 8
Are You Ready To B.Fit?
Posted: at 4:23 am
Bandar Seri Begawan - B-Mobile, in collaboration with Fitness Zone and the Health Promotion Centre, has recently launched the first-ever national fitness event in Brunei Darussalam called the B.Fit Challenge.
This particular event calls individuals from the age of 20 to 43 years, with a body mass index (BMI) between the ranges of 30 to 38, to come compete in the challenge to test their physical endurance, as well as their mental capabilities to become the last person standing in order to win $60,000.
The B.Fit Roadshow can be found at Times Square, Berakas, which will end today.
Those wishing to register can visit the booth which is on the ground floor of the Times Square between 10am to l0pm.
Individuals who come to the roadshow will also stand a chance of getting giveaways from B-Mobile and Fitness Zone.
The signup fee is $10 and once the participant is accepted into the programme there will be a $30 participation fee, which will also cover personal insurance for each contestant during the programme.
Upon registration, the individuals will have their BMI checked by the Fitness Zone instructors based at the B.Fit booth at Times Square.
Only those who fit the criteria will be accepted into the programme.
Individuals who pass their BMI criteria will be required to attend a blood test screen and an electrocardiogram (ECG) stress test at Fitness Zone together with a final medical assessment by the Ministry of Health on September 13 and 20.
Prospective participants who did not get a chance to register during the roadshow can register at Fitness Zone.
More:
Are You Ready To B.Fit?