THE BALANCING ACT
Building Balance for Better Living

MAY 2006

May 3 TAAP- Put your money where your mouth is...Balanced Speaking & Presentation Skills

May 10 Nortel- The Art of CAREfrontation

May 17 ICDS- Put your money where your mouth is...Balanced Speaking & Presentation Skills

May 20 District 50 Toastmasters Conference-Giggles & Grins: Getting Playful in Presentations  

Would you like to rise above all your earthly troubles? There's more than one way to do it!

My parents gave my wife and I a hot air balloon ride for our birthdays last year. Finally, after 4 failed attempts, my wife and I were able to lift off some 1,500 hundred feet above our problems and stressors . God knew just the right time when we needed to rise in the sky like a soaring eagle!

On May 12th, 2006 "Airventure Balloons" gave us the ride of our lives in a 120,000 cubic feet hot air balloon called, "The Winter Soultice" . We were amazed at how 3 football fields of rip stop nylon could be inflated with cool air heated from propane burners. After 10 minutes, we jumped into the basket, the balloon began to rise full of hot air, and our eyes gained a new perspective on life.

The peaceful ascent was combined with blasts of heat that filled the balloon with hot air. Standing in a basket, we had a one hour ride blowing with the wind for approximately 30 miles. One interesting note about ballooning is that you don't know where your going to land. You have to pick a safe place where ever the wind takes you. Our pilot made sure the balloon was safely away from power lines, trees, crops, cattle, etc.  We gently landed over a coral of horses in a field behind two houses. It was an amazing high and awesome adventure.

Since, I'm full of hot air let me share 3 quick tips about rising above your earthly problems.

1. Risk to find life's natural highs. So many people try to escape their problems by getting high on illegal or unhealthy things. Take a risk, have an adventure, and experience lifes natural highs. 

2. Trust your pilot. Who is your pilot in life? What are your spiritual beliefs? How do you build your trust in a pilot? We can have a spiritual pilot through God and we can have earthly pilots that help guide us.

3. Land in a safe place. It's true that we don't completely know where life will take us. Life is full of perils, sickness, and dangers. Each of us is responsible to land in a safe place. Who are the family members, the friends, the people, the places that are safe for you?

For a professional counselor, life coach, and safe place...

Call 903-819-0301 or  Contact Brent Now.

Recently, when I presented, "The Art of CAREFRONTATION" at Nortel in Dallas, I was asked by many professionals how to deal with anger, work conflict, and specifically, "The Back Stabber". This is one of the 7 types of difficult people I teach about coping with in my, "Dealing with Difficult People" audio CD.     Go now and view Brent's resources at www.brentspeaks.com

By the way, I want to thank the "Engaging Women" organization for inviting me and helping create an outstanding and successful presentation!

I define, "The Back Stabber" as an untrustworthy person who destroys relationships with gossip. Do you know anyone in your office like this? How do you deal with them in a PROFESSIONAL manner?

1. Make sure you are balanced and healthy in your relationships. Your network of family, friend's, and co-workers is your safe place. When you are feeling attacked by someone you have to have open, caring, and healthy relationships at home and in the office. It's been said, "The wolf wants to separate the sheep from the shepherd and the sheep from the sheep".

2. Document the facts and let your supervisors know your every move. You know the importance of documentation. Also remember to go to your superiors and let them know what is going on. It you don't trust your superiors, there is always someone higher up who can help you.

3. Use the "front-door" with "back-door" motives. Be direct and open in front of others so there is no question of what is being said and how it's being said.

UPCOMING TELESEMINAR

HANDLE WITH CARE: Dealing with anger, conflict, and difficult people with a careful twist

If you are interested in the teleseminar, email Brent, your preferred day and time's.

Call 903-819-0301 or  Contact Brent Now.

Wouldn't you like to be eating a "Cheeseburger in paradise"? or laying on a beach drinking a margarita singing, "Margaritaville" ? What's stopping you, "It's 5 o'clock somewhere." You may recognize these famous songs by Jimmy Buffet. However, did you know Jimmy Buffet also said, "If we didn't laugh we would all go insane"!

Thanks to my awesome dad, my wife and I participated in our first playful parrothead experience, south of disorder on April 28th at the Dallas, Smirnoff center.

I discovered that concerts can be a fun filled experience but, "wow" ! The tailgating experience was totally rollicking and frolicsome! I've never seen so much creative beach decorating in a parking lot. Tiki huts, swimming pools filled with crawfish, karaoke bars, motorized coolers, hoola hoop contests, and the best grilled food you've ever tasted.

To keep from going insane (and have a little fun) how about singing, dancing, and laughing with your favorite concert artist this summer.

Why not, "It's 5 o'clock somewhere".

  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