THE BALANCING ACT
Building Balance for Better Living

February/March 2006

 

Read back issues of The Balancing Act eZine. Forward this issue to family, friends or foe!

March 22 Verizon-Time Management

March 23 Teleseminar-Sleeping Soundly

March 27 Centenial-Managers Guide to EAP

My wife and I decided if we were going to dig out of our rut, we needed a common hobby. She suggested shopping, and scrap booking so we compromised on scuba diving! We jumped into the local scuba diving class, and really bonded as buddies, until the first ocean dive in Costa Rica. My wife asked if I would hold her hand throughout the dive.  I said, "Of course I'll hold your hand honey; I'm your buddy."

 We climbed aboard an old boat, with our hearts pounding; we took a giant leap into the deep. We descended hand in hand and began to swim about 60 feet below the surface. I let go of her hand and swam over to a beautiful school of fish around some radiant coral. Finally, I swam back around, and Rhonda was gone! I swam back to the other side and there was no Rhonda. I swam deeper and still there was no Rhonda. I began to panic and hyperventilate. The dive master calmed me down and motioned for me to continue to swim with the group.

After the dive, I got on the boat, and heard the rest of the story. Rhonda was huddled in a corner, crying, and sizzling with anger toward me. She didn't have enough weight on her weight belt and when I let go of her hand, she shot to the surface! I never thought to look up!

As you can see, that first dive experience was not a hit with my wife. Though she was traumatized, a year later Rhonda agreed to jump again into the Caribbean. We held each others hand every moment and now our marriage has a new sizzle!

Remember these heart felt tips to get unstuck from your rut:

1. If you are stuck in a rut, learn a new hobby. The adventure can open up new opportunities for growth, connection, and fun.

2. Never let go of your buddy! Don't let go of yourself, your loved ones, and friends.

3. Don't forget to look up! Look to God, build your spiritual connection, and keep your optimism.

4. Keep jumping! If at first you don't succeed, jump, and keep jumping, until you get it right.

Would you like to work with E's? In this series you have learned about education, experience, enthusiasm, effort, and excellence. In this segment, Brent will help you develop your credibility power by building your expertise.

Whether you are a doctor, teacher, financial planner, speaker or any other professional, you have your own professional DNA. You are an expert that has potential to develop your expertise. The way you differentiate from your professional field is to find your niche. It does take time to specialize and discover your unique expertise.

We are familiar with the greats such as Oprah Winfrey, Larry North, Martha Stewart, and Jack Canfield. However do you know Michael Bohdan?

Michael is in the pest control business. Yes, he kills cockroaches for a living! Michael graduated with a zoology degree and then served as president of the Texas Pest Control Association and public relations committee member for the National Pest Control Association. Bohdan created the World's Largest Cockroach Contest in 1985. Within a short period of time he wrote a book called, What's Buggin' You?, started his own radio show, and was a guest on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Bohdan has photos of Johnny Carson walking a cockroach on a leash. Michael Bohdan also started the Cockroach Hall of Fame as a mini-museum in his pest control office. Michael Bohdan teaches us, if he can become the pest control expert with an expertise in cockroaches, it's possible for all of us to develop credibility power by  building our expertise!

What is your education background? What is your life experience? What do you have enthusiasm for? What efforts have you accomplished? What do you excel in? Would you like the Balance Master, Brent O'Bannon to help coach you in building your expertise?

Call 903-819-0301 or  Contact Brent Now.

Laugh a little.  Brent's top 10 signs of job burnout in David Letterman style.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE BURNOUT WHEN...

10. ...you get to work and it's your day off.

9. ...your phone is always on do not disturb.

8. ...you start planning your future sick leave for a 3 day weekend.

7. ...you spend all day at work looking for another job.

6. ...you treat department food fests like National Holidays.

5. ...your son is walking around in a dress and you don't care.

4. ...you are a frequent caller to the Dr. Phil show.

3. ...oncoming traffic looks attractive.

2. ...you have Jack Daniels instead of coffee.

Drum roll please... You Know Your BURNOUT When...

1. ...your co-worker calls in sick and you say, "Thank God"!

I would love to hear your funny line!!!  Contact Brent now!  

• Do you have a question or comment for Brent?
• Do you or someone you know need counseling or coaching?
• Do you or your organization need a speaker/training workshop?
• What topics would you like Brent to write about in upcoming issues?

View Brent's resources at www.brentspeaks.com