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THE BALANCING ACT

Building Balance for Better Living

NOVEMBER 2005

by Brent O'Bannon, MBS

(Author, Speaker, Counselor/Coach)

Read in this edition...

Always Personal...$ugar Daddy Syndrome-moms too!      

Always Professional...Working with E's (enthusiasm)

Forever Playful... Marriage is many times hilarious

Do you ever feel the pressure to spend more than you can afford during the holidays?

You're not alone because 44% of Americans feel that same pressure to splurge on buying gifts. In fact, the average gift giver will need 4 months to pay off holiday bills. The holidays produce a pressure, I call the, "$ugar Daddy Syndrome."

Would you like to have a balanced budget coming out of the holidays? Follow these free ABC tips!

1. Assemble a holiday expense and gift budget. Talk it over with your significant other. Go to www.betterbudgeting.com to download your free worksheets.

2. Be wise with credit cards. Pay with cash if you struggle paying off your credit cards. If you choose to use credit cards, use 0 interest and low interest credit cards that you will pay off within the month. If you can't afford to pay for it now, then you can't afford to buy it now!

3. Create memories with meaningful gifts that touch the heart and cost less. One of my favorite gifts is a collage of pictures framed of my dad called, "Tell me 'bout the good 'ol days."  Go to www.betterbudgeting.com for more ideas.

Don't give in to the $ugar Daddy Syndrome! Build balance with a budget in the black!

Now download, Brent's "Holidaze Survival Guide"

                                           at the resource page at www.brentspeaks.com                                            

Why do so many people seem to enjoy watching college football rather than professional football? I asked this question to several of my friends and they unanimously said, "College teams have enthusiasm!"

It's sad that many professionals have lost their enthusiasm. Not just football players, but doctors, teachers, accountants, salespeople, and a host of other professionals.

Have you lost your enthusiasm for work? Would you like to work with "E's"? Learn today how to work with enthusiasm.

Norman Vincent Peale inspired his listeners when he said, "There is real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment."

Practice these tips to sprinkle the magic of enthusiasm and accomplish more in your work day.

1. Be the host to get the most! Greet the day, your co-workers, and customers with intentionality. Instead of going through the motions, open the eyes of your heart with the same intention you greet your friends coming to your Christmas party.

2. Let it go and be gung ho!  Exaggerate your body language. Smile bigger, speak faster then slower, linger with the handshake, and make longer eye contact . Don't hold back, let it go and be gung ho!

3. Balance outstanding old with the novel new! Reminiscing on the outstanding old in your life can create optimism, confidence and celebration. Focusing on the novel new adds newness, adventure, and anticipation. Go ahead, play around with something old and something new.

Take it from the greatest professional football coach, Vince Lombardi, "If you aren't fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm." As Brent, "The Balance Master" says, "Get fired up and work with enthusiasm!" 

Stay tuned, for the next edition to learn about Brent's fourth "Everyday Secret to Working with E's".

 GET EXCITED!

 SOMETHING NEW IS COMING...

TELE-SEMINARS WITH BRENT

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Would you rather get personal, professional and playful from the comforts of your office or vehicle on your cell phone?

PUBLIC SEMINAR

FEBRUARY 25, 2006 DALLAS, TX

THE MILLION DOLLAR MINDSET

(How to look, live and feel like a million bucks!)  

Call 903-819-0301 or  Contact Brent Now.

Have you ever noticed how marriage is hard, hectic and many times HILARIOUS?

Coming up with a fun date is hard! Bing, bong, my buddy and I came up with a surprise date that we thought would score major brownie points with our wives. We bought the movie “Grease” with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. We iced down some Coca-Cola, popped some microwave popcorn, and set up a 13 inch TV/VCR, in my grandmother's garage. We took our wives cruising around town before parking in the garage. With a push of a button, the garage door opened, the truck windows rolled down, and the movie came on. To their amazement, sitting in my truck, we all watched our first high dollar, big screen, surround sound, drive in movie. Both of our wives agreed that we needed to read the book, "Dating for Dummies"!

To make up for that impressive date, my wife asked me to make the bed the next morning. Do you realize how hard this task is for an average middle aged man? It's like putting together a 5,000 piece jig saw puzzle..., wearing boxing gloves!  I barely know how to tuck the sheets and pull the bedspread, let alone arrange 237 pillows. Schwoo! Tell me, when did making a bed become so complicated?

Marriage is hard and sometimes hectic. I found that out, when I hurriedly ventured barefooted into the walk in closet to retrieve a party dress. (Hey, the dress is for my wife.) To my right were piles of dirty laundry and to my left garments strewn everywhere, but I failed to notice the predator lurking on the closet floor. Rushing forward, I plunged onto her spike high heel. Ouch! Woo! Ugh! I jumped up and down on my one good foot, trying to escape the deadly creatures. Guess who walked in and found me dancing in the closet? My wife looked at me and said, “Honey you’re just falling in love, head over HILLS.” Oooo, yes I thought it was corny too.

Embarrassed and limping, I was ready to escape to the golf course. However, I catch enough grief for playing golf.

For instance after a round of golf my face is usually red with sunburn because I forget to lather up with sunscreen. My wife will graciously point out that I’m getting wrinkles or crows feet around my eyes and of course looking much, much older than her. So how can I look younger? While watching Oprah my wife discovered and bought me a fountain of youth miracle ointment. Was it Oil of Olay? Oh no. Was it Estee Lauder? Absolutely not! It was a poor man's botox, also known as “PREPARATION H”!!! In case you didn’t know, this product is intended for a place…that is not…your face!  Do you think there was a hidden message?  After I used it for months my wife said, “Are you still using that stuff?" I can’t believe you fell for that. 

As Larry, "the cable guy" says, "I don't care what you say, that there is FUNNY"! 

The fact is I did fall for that, just as many of us fall in love and fall for marriage. If you're head is hurting about how hard and hectic marriage becomes, then remember to look high for the HILARIOUS silver lining. 

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