A friend OF MINE once wrote a poem which he recited at one of my seminars.

It ended with the words, I am unique, just like you. Even in our uniqueness we have commonality. Uniqueness is a gift. It is from our uniqueness that we derive our distinctive competencies. We could all be lawyers, teachers or coaches and still avoid poisoning our spirits with feelings of inferiority that lead to jealousy and competitiveness. To put it plainly, No one can do you like you no one! It does not matter how many people carry a similar job title.

It is for this reason that I get passionate about helping others leverage their uniqueness, since so many use it as a barrier to success. We make ourselves so different from the others that we sabotage our lives as we recite one excuse after another as to why we cannot accomplish what others have.

There is a fine line between reasons and excuses and the truth is that the creative energy spent on pummeling ourselves into irrelevance could be spent noticing, celebrating and putting ourselves into productive action.

So how exactly does one sabotage oneself with their uniqueness? First, you find someone who has been as successful as you desire to be, usually in your professional field. You then launch a desire to be as successful as that person. Then you start to lay the groundwork and start feeling pretty good about what you are planning to create, but then you hit a snag. You realize that this project, career or business is going to cost you more money than you anticipated.

Now be mindful that this single factor is the reason you are experiencing a snag you are still competent and still have a deep desire to achieve your goal. But then you allow that one snag to trigger a chain reaction of limiting thoughts which sound something like this: I cant make that much money!

They are smarter than I am. It is surprising to me that they are so successful, If I did not have to work part-time, I would be better at this.

If I lived in America . . . . They have connections. I dont.

My complexion is different.

They have been in this field longer.

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COACHING LIFE: The unique saboteur

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NOW IS THE TIME Health and Fitness Tulsa Oklahoma June 2012 - Video

WHO: Diesel Fumes Cause Cancer

Diesel exhaust fumes cause cancer, the World Health Organization said Tuesday. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the WHO, elevated diesel exhaust from the "probable carcinogen" to the "known carcinogen" level, a move that could help exhaust be seen as a more serious public health threat. "It's on the same order of magnitude as passive smoking," Kurt Straif, director of the IARC department that evaluates cancer risks, told Time. "This could be another big push for countries to clean up exhaust from diesel engines." One of the biggest concerns? The number of people exposed to diesel exhaust. Affected groups include street pedestrians, ship passengers and crew, railroad workers, truck drivers, mechanics, miners, and people who operate heavy machinery. Diesel is now in the same category as other known hazards like asbestos, alcohol, and ultraviolet radiation.

Why Try Interval Training Workouts? Quick Results

If you're looking to rev up your fitness routine, interval training may be your ticket. You can get more out of that spin class, run workout, or lap swim by alternating short bouts of high-intensity exercise (yes, you have to work hard!) followed by a few minutes or seconds of rest. By doing this, you stress out your cardiovascular system and build up lactic acid in the muscleswhich boosts body fuel, strength, and staminawhile then letting yourself recover and prepare for the next tough interval.

The trend toward interval exercise to gain cardiovascular benefits isn't new for seasoned athletes, but the technique is gaining popularity among general fitness buffs looking for big gains in a short amount of time. And for good reason.

Evidence shows that with high-intensity interval training, participants can increase their maximum aerobic capacityhow well their body uses oxygen for energy at their greatest heart ratehigher than those who participate in a continuous exercise program, such as going for more than a 20-minute run, bike, or swim at a steady, moderate pace. The more oxygen your body can convert to energy, the stronger and faster you become. As your body adapts to the stress of interval training, your fitness level improves along with your muscle function.

But before taking your routine up a notch and risking injury, it's crucial to build a base fitness level first, notes Ed Coyle, director of the Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin. For healthy people, this means typically doing 40 minutes of exercise three to four times a week for eight weeks, gradually working up to a higher heart rate level (220 minus your age is the predicted maximum heart rate, beats per minute). [Read more: Why Try Interval Training Workouts? Quick Results]

Bikes for Aspiring Cyclists

Learning to ride a bike is a childhood milestone. And there's good reason to stick with two wheels as we grow up. For one thing, it makes financial sense: With $4-a-gallon gas in some cities, commuting by bike is a cheaper option. Every type of bike is available at different price points, making it affordable for most riders. Prices range from $200 into the thousands, with average costs hovering around $500.

Biking is as good for your body as it is your wallet: In a study published in 2010 in the Archives of Internal Medicine, for example, researchers found that women who biked for as few as five minutes a day gained less weight than those who didn't ride. Other studies suggest that cyclists live about two years longer than non-bikers, and take 15 percent fewer sick days. And overall, research indicates that biking is good for the heart and helps stave off obesity, arthritis, and depression. (Expect to burn about 500 calories per hour, depending on how much you weigh, when moving at a moderate clip.) "The biggest thing is the fun factor," says cycling enthusiast Selene Yeager, author of Ride Your Way Lean: The Ultimate Plan for Burning Fat and Getting Fit on a Bike. "It's one of the closest feelings you can get to flyingit brings back the memory of your youth, it's a beautiful way to see places, and it's a relaxing form of exercise."

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Health Buzz: Diesel Exhaust Causes Cancer

NEW YORK, June 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Entrepreneurs looking to start a health fitness franchise might not expect to see the family atmosphere that prevails at the CKO Kickboxing booth #150 at International Franchise Expo this week.

That's because the fast-growing, nationwide cardio kickboxing franchise prides itself on creating a friendly atmosphere for its franchisees -- and are dedicated to helping them succeed with regular training sessions geared for specific business challenges.

In fact, most franchisees started out as club members.

"They liked the workout so much, they bought franchises," said Joe Andreula, Founder of CKO Kickboxing, one of America's fastest-growing franchises according to industry standard Entrepreneur Magazine, which included the kickboxing gym franchise in its Franchise 500 list of best franchises. They also rated CKO Kickboxing as the 48th top new franchise in 2011.

"People who invest in CKO are in for a surprise. They thought they were just investing in a business. They did not expect this to change every part of their lives," he said. "They get into great shape. It changes their lifestyle. Their relationships with their friends and family get better. They never expected that."

CKO Kickboxing is emerging as a leading fitness franchise opportunity.

"It becomes a purpose for their lives. It's not just a business. This is what they love. It's not like work. They love going to the gym. Every day becomes a great day," he said.

"We treat our franchisee owners like they are family, because they are," Andreula said. "They aren't numbers or faceless profit centers. That's why so many people, including military veterans, want to take advantage of our fitness franchise opportunity."

CKO Kickboxing was ranked in the top 10 percent of all franchises and named a 2012 Military Friendly Franchise by G.I. Jobs Magazine.

The health fitness franchise honors veterans by offering a 20 percent discount on initial franchise fees, so veterans can use their training and operational skills in a new career.

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CKO Kickboxing Seeks Family Oriented Franchisees at International Franchise Expo

Aurora Wellness Center

Healing with Yoga: This series is open to those currently undergoing cancer treatment and those who have completed treatment. Learn techniques to relieve stress through imagery, breathing, gentle stretching and deep relaxation. The focus for cancer patients is on restoring and nurturing all parts of mind and body, and on regaining a sense of control, optimism, energy and wholeness. Participants may start six weeks after surgery; a doctors permission slip is required. 10:30-11:45 a.m. Tuesdays through Sept. 25 (participants may join at any time). Free, registration is required, go to http://www.aurorahealthcare.org or call (800) 499-5736. Aurora Wellness Center, 300 McCanna Parkway, Burlington.

Home Instead Senior Care

Senior Information & Health Fair: Home Instead Senior Care and Senior Friends/Happy Traveler Tours will host the 10th annual fair from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 20, at Fountain Banquet Hall, 8505 Durand Ave., Sturtevant. Free. The fair features 50 exhibitors, hourly door prizes, raffle table and coffee. For more information, call (262) 632-1939.

Balistreri & Associates Physical Therapy

Helping You Help Yourself Seminar: Dr. Timothy Okland, a local chiropractor, will discuss how to prevent and treat shoulder injuries. 5-6 p.m. June 21. Balistreri & Associates Physical Therapy, 1135 Prairie Drive, Mount Pleasant. Reservations required, call (262) 886-6780.

American Red Cross

First Aid Training: Learn how to give immediate care to a suddenly injured or ill person until more advanced medical personnel arrive and take over. 6-9 p.m. June 27. Fee: $70. Red Cross Office, 4521 Taylor Ave., Mount Pleasant. Register in advance at http://www.redcross.org or call (888) 733-2767.

Fitness File is published every Wednesday and includes notices of nonprofit fitness and health-related programs. The deadline to submit an announcement is seven days before the desired publication date. Mail information to Fitness File, c/o Diane Collins, 212 Fourth St., Racine, WI 53403; fax to (262) 631-1780; or submit it to the online calendar at http://www.journaltimes.com/calendar and use theHealth-and-fitness category.

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Health & Fitness File, June 13

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire -06/13/12)- Karen H. Wimbish, director, Retail Retirement for Wells Fargo Retirement, joined the Board of Directors of the Retirement Income Industry Association (RIIA), announced Francois Gadenne, Executive Director and Chairman of the Board.

"We are pleased and excited to add Karen to our Board," commented Gadenne. "Her extensive background in banking combined with her proven ability to lead successful teams across an organization will serve RIIA well as we strengthen and expand our membership, our programs and benefits Across the Silos."

As director of Retail Retirement, a part of Wells Fargo Retirement, Wimbish leads a department of over 275 team members who focus on increasing Wells Fargo's ability to help customers plan for and live a comfortable retirement. She works with key partners across the Wells Fargo organization including Wells Fargo Advisors, Wells Fargo Wealth Management and Wells Fargo Community Bank.

Wimbish has over 30 years in the financial services industry, including roles in banking, brokerage and asset management, as well as in credit administration, project management and training. She is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Richmond, holds her Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a graduate of the School of Banking of the South and the Securities Industry Institute at Wharton. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of RIIA, she is also on the Board of Directors of Girl Scouts, Hornets' Nest Council in Charlotte.

"Joining RIIA's board is a wonderful opportunity for me to help shape and enhance the association's unique View Across the Silos as our industry works to provide the products, advisory services, and processes to help millions of Americans achieve their retirement dreams," explained Wimbish.

About the Retirement Income Industry Association (www.riia-usa.org)

Founded in 2006 by leading financial companies, advisors, associations and academics, the Retirement Income Industry Association (RIIA) provides a rigorous, research-driven, household-focused foundation for developing retirement solutions to serve retirees today and into the future. A non-profit organization, RIIA achieves its mission through a unique View Across the Silos allowing members to see change and disruption before others while achieving competitive advantage through diverse discussions, advanced education, market insight, research, comprehensive data, standards and thought leadership for successful retirement income management.

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Karen H. Wimbish of Wells Fargo Retirement Joins Board of Directors of the Retirement Income Industry Association

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc. (GIAC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (www.Guardianlife.com), today announced the appointment of Roger Rocha to Regional Vice President for Retirement Plan Sales for the Northern Los Angeles region.

In 2012, Guardian Retirement Solutions has expanded its 401(k) sales force by four to a total of 16 to advance growth in the small plan market. Employer-sponsored retirement plans under $5 million represent the fastest growing segment of the market, accounting for approximately 90% of all 401(k) plans.

Rocha, a Retirement Plan Specialist with over 18 years experience, will be responsible for developing Guardian Retirement Solutions defined contribution plan sales in Californias North Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino Bakersfield and San Luis Obispo, and Riverside Counties.

We are delighted to welcome a respected industry veteran of Rogers caliber to the Guardian Retirement Solutions team. Rogers appointment underscores Guardians commitment to be the small plan market provider in the industry. Guardian continues to support the strong demand in this market with highly experienced personnel, enhanced product offerings and access to robust fiduciary support services, said Dale Magner, Vice President, Retirement Product Sales, Guardian Retirement Solutions. Guardian is also responding to the industrys changing regulatory landscape with additional support tools and educational resources that help financial professionals and plan sponsors navigate successfully in the small plan market.

Rocha joins Guardian from John Hancock Retirement Plan Services where he was Regional Vice President for over six years. He previously held senior sales positions with ING Financial Advisers and Great West Life Retirement Plan Services. Rocha is a graduate of California State University in Los Angeles with a BS in Business Administration/Finance. He has earned his Series 7, 63 and California State Life Insurance License.

About Guardian

A mutual insurer founded in 1860, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and its subsidiaries are committed to protecting individuals, business owners and their employees with life, long term care insurance, disability income, dental insurance products, and offer 401(k), annuities and other financial products. Guardian operates one of the largest dental networks in the United States, and protects more than six million employees and their families at 115,000 companies. The company has approximately 5,000 employees in the United States and a network of over 3,000 financial representatives in more than 80 agencies nationwide.

For more information about Guardian, please visit: http://www.GuardianLife.com

The Guardian Choice group variable funding agreement and The Guardian Advantage group variable annuity contract are issued by The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc. (GIAC), a Delaware corporation whose principal place of business is 7 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004. GIAC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. Guardian does not issue the The Guardian Choice and The Guardian Advantage and does not guarantee the benefits they provide. GIAC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY.

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Guardian Appoints Industry Veteran to Head Retirement Sales on West Coast

OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Forty-nine percent. Thats how much the average working Baby Boomer has saved toward his or her total retirement savings goal, according to a new survey released by TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation (AMTD). Working members of the Mature Generation have saved on average 71 percent, Generation X have reached 26 percent and Generation Y have achieved 15 percent of their respective retirement savings goals.

Retirement, a concept that once conjured up images of green golf courses and sandy beaches, today evokes feelings of regret, frustration and envy, according to many Americans. In fact, one out of every two Americans surveyed said they are not looking forward to retirement a sentiment being fueled by the fear of not having enough money saved in time, according to nearly 30 percent of respondents.

These findings come as no surprise when you consider that the median net worth of the American family dropped 39 percent between 2007 and 2010, according to the Federal Reserve Boards Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) released earlier this week.

The Challenges Market and economic events of the past decade have made putting money aside for retirement challenging for many Americans. Lack of steady employment, debt, education and healthcare expenses were most often cited by the three-quarters (73%) of respondents who say obstacles have prevented them from saving for a comfortable retirement. To make matters worse, over two-thirds (69%) of respondents have no specific savings goal. Among those who have a specific savings goal, the average amount is $750,000, regardless of age. Just 54 percent are confident they will reach their goal, citing a bad economy, not enough income, expenses and not enough time as the reasons they may not be successful. On average, respondents also would have liked to start saving for retirement eight years earlier than they actually did.

The Future Most Americans (80%) envision having to work part- or full time in retirement. On average, they think they will need income for 18 to 22 years of retirement, slightly less than the 20 to 25 years that statistics indicate they will actually need. Eighty percent of respondents said they believe they will require the same amount of income they currently live on or less, but this may not be realistic given that inflation and rising healthcare costs can significantly impact financial needs. In fact, one-third of those who are currently retired say they have had to change their style of living and almost a quarter of them have gone back to work. Their advice to younger generations: Save as much as you can as early as you can, establish a financial plan, limit expenses and work longer.

Theres no doubt the economic climate in recent years has presented significant challenges for those planning ahead and saving for retirement, said Lule Demmissie, managing director, investment products and retirement at TD Ameritrade, Inc. ("TDAmeritrade"). They key is to focus not on what you cant do, but rather what you can. Consider how you navigate challenging issues and move past them to achieve your financial goals.

The Psychology Current retirees are relatively satisfied with their place in life and maintain a positive outlook, but younger generations still in the planning phase are not so optimistic - experiencing a wide range of emotions.

Matures - Proud, satisfied and positive Despite the fact that half of this senior generation said they had to make cutbacks or lifestyle changes in retirement, they generally report feeling proud, satisfied and positive about retirement. They fear retirement the least and are the most content compared to younger generations.

Baby Boomers - Anxious and regretful While they report they are looking forward to retirement more than any other generation, Baby Boomers outlook is generally bleak. They feel their financial situation in retirement will be worse than it is now, and are plagued with feelings of anxiety and regret over their financial situation.

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When Did ''Retirement'' Become a Bad Word?

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

AppNeta, the leading provider of end-user centric network and application performance management solutions, today announced the launch of PathView Cloud with FlowView Intelligent Application Visibility (IAV) and breakthrough network traffic analysis capabilities. Compared to traditional netflow analysis tools in the market, PathView with FlowView offers the easiest, most in-depth view of application traffic and causes of network performance problems.

With the rapid increase in personal devices and shared network resources, it is critical for network and application managers to have visibility of all levels of activity and application traffic specific to individual users, devices and applications. As the first cloud-delivered solution to analyze network activity, regardless of hardware in place at remote locations, PathView Cloud with FlowView gives IT teams the data they need to know exactly what is happening on their networks and which devices and users are contributing to performance problems. With this insight, it is easy to identify who and what is causing network congestion and poor application performance.

Prior to using PathView Cloud with FlowView, we would spend weeks looking for a phantom performance issue, said Bill Gillis, manager of Clinical Application Services at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. PathView Cloud with FlowView gives us the deep dive visibility into network performance, application traffic and flow analysis that we could not get from any netflow tools. This has been one of the greatest bang for the buck technologies that weve implemented.

For the first time, IT managers can access intuitive, easy-to-understand network usage analysis, presented in clear traffic summaries and classified into simple categories, such as recreational or business-related. PathView Cloud customers drill down into their top applications to get a breakthrough level of detail, beyond standard http traffic to get meaningful data about which application and individuals are causing the problems from Youtube.com to Salesforce.com.

PathView Cloud with FlowView is offering a level of network traffic analysis and intelligent application visibility that has never been available before, said Jim Melvin, CEO of AppNeta. We are excited to offer an easy, scalable solution to tell you what is happening on your network and who is using all of your bandwidth.

Traffic and flow analysis gives users a valuable view of user activity and network bottlenecks. PathView Cloud with FlowView provides continuous and easy-to-access insight into network usage patterns, changes in user activity, and alignment between network usage and outlined policy. This data enables network managers and business managers alike to see which users and applications are consuming capacity and negatively affecting the performance of critical applications.

Pricing and Availability

FlowView is an add-on module to the cloud-delivered PathView Cloud service. FlowView can be enabled immediately on the PathView Cloud microAppliances and does not require flow-enabled devices. To learn more about PathView Cloud with FlowView, please join the Webinar: How to Understand Network Traffic for Mere Mortals: Easy, affordable network usage insight and analysis on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. ET. Sign up at: http://www.appneta.com/resources/webinars.

About AppNeta

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AppNeta Introduces Industry-leading Network Traffic Analysis Solution to Identify Top Causes of Bandwidth Problems

"I've been trying to work some incredibly personal stuff into my act," explained Chris Condren, a 24-year-old stand-up comic from Libertyville. He's appearing Wednesday at the Playground Theater on Halsted Street. He sounded hesitant to explain further, then continued: "Even now, as I'm saying this, I'm thinking I shouldn't be saying this. My mom is not thrilled with me. I'm at that point where I'm still figuring out what I want to talk about versus how it affects the people around me. Audiences forget: There is collateral damage in comedy."

Condren's performance, tucked into the sprawling Just For Laughs comedy festival playing across Chicago this week, is a part of the festival's Pet Project series, devoted to new and experimental comedy voices. His act is absurdist, provocative, disturbing, often unnervingly personal; a chunk of his material is about being expelled from high school and sent to a North Shore day school for adolescents with emotional disorders.

An atypical bit the "incredibly personal stuff" he's fretting over (but working into his Just For Laughs appearance anyway) is about his father. Specifically, he learned that his father runs a gay porn website.

It's not that he's uncomfortable with the subject: "I want to share this," he said. "I'm not trying to 'heal' or anything, and I'm not mad at my father. There aren't any wounds to heal. It's just my way of dealing." Indeed, even his father, Stephen Condren, a visual artist, while not relishing his son's choice of material, is more philosophical than uneasy: "I told him that I didn't think it was wise because one day he might look back and wish that he'd rethought things. But I know he's not being disrespectful. I know it's not malicious."

So what's Chris Condren's worry?

The Internet.

In particular, Condren is worried someone will record his act with a cellphone then post the video online. "I don't want it to go viral," he said. "I know how that sounds: I want to talk about my life, but I don't want everyone to hear. To me, a stage is a controlled environment. What's said there stays there. That's the illusion I have."

Or, as his father said, "Everything is about context. Comedy is about context." And the Internet, impatient and distractible and so easily prone to knee-jerk snark, isn't great with context.

Or tone, or subtlety.

Like a lot of stand-up comics these days, particularly the type who mine excruciating personal details for material, Condren is wrestling with a paradox: Being a stand-up in 2012 means seeming relatable, approachable, having a Twitter account, a Facebook profile, YouTube videos; it means recording introspective podcasts so immediate a listener feels as if the comedian is playing to an audience of one. But there's a difference between revealing personal details to 200 strangers and broadcasting those same details to 200,000. The Internet can make a delicate art seem both more intimate and less personal. Which also means that a historically cranky, anti-social profession, rooted in a tense awkwardness, full of vulnerable people who learned how to rip their hearts open onstage, is learning again what it means to feel uncomfortable.

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How much is too much sharing for stand-up comedians?