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In this issue:
•Feature article Travel around the world – made easy
•Improve your skills
•Question Period – creating smarter brains
•Tai Chi vacation in California
•Life quotes – from the British Bulldog himself
•Additional wellness products
Feature Article: Success Secret – Chart your Performance to Achieve your Goals
Here we are – about a month after New Year’s resolutions. Are you still on track?
Many people set lofty goals – more often than not around this time of year – but sadly, most will fail. There are many reasons for this – from fear of failure, fear of success, fear of change, lack of motivation, laziness and so forth. Or sometimes it is simply a lack of accountability tools. Change is hard and more often we “default” to the way things were.
Whatever the reason, I am going to offer a tool that I have used for years to keep me “on track”. I force myself to meet my goals by charting my progress.
An example. Many years ago, a friend of the family shared his secret to continued exercise on his stationary bicycle. He pinned a map of Europe on his wall and “cycled” to different locations. Every five or 10 miles ridden on his bike was charted on his map. This little game worked for him. He enjoyed the goal of getting to Vienna, then to Rome, then to Athens. He travelled the length and breadth of Europe, then moved to different countries.
I adopted that idea. I decided that I would run around the world before I died – a total of 24,900 miles. A lofty goal, considering the first year I logged just over 100 miles. The road was filled with challenges – family commitments, sporting aches and injuries, illness. And a new hip 2 years ago that actually has forced me to change my approach to exercise. Now I log miles in the kayak, miles swimming, miles on the elliptical trainer and cycling (counting 2 miles of cycling as the equivalent of one running).
At the end of 2009 (18 years later), I had reached 12,500 miles – half way around the world. If all goes well, at about 1000 miles a year, I’ll be finished the journey in 12 years. Then what? Hmmmmm. How close is the moon? About 240,000 miles… I’ll have to give that some thought.
And you know what? It wasn’t that hard. Here’s the secret. Set a lofty goal, then break it into doable sections. For a few years, my goal was 300 miles a year. Then 500. Then 600. Now that I have more time, I set it this year to 1000 miles/year.
But breaking that down further – it is 25 miles a month, then 40, 50 and now just 80.
And in even smaller goals – it is just a commitment of a mile or two a day.
I started by simply writing down my progress in a chart. Now I use an Excel spreadsheet. I also keep track of my yoga practice times and my weight so I can stop the weight from “creeping” up.
Some of you will embrace this idea. Some will rebel against it (“it’s not my style”, “too rigid”, “too much work” etc.) All I can say is that those who chart and monitor their progress more often than not have a better chance of success.
Followed by this most important comment. If you have not reached your goals in the past, then you need to do something different if you truly want to succeed. Perhaps now is the time to chart.
One more thing. Odds are that your “inner voice” will provide all sorts of excuses, rationalizations, reasons, etc. We call that “blah, blah, blah, blah”. Ignore it all and JUST DO IT.
“Heal Your Mind, Heal Your Body” DVD offers advanced instruction in 4 Minute Fitness. This live seminar teaches many smaller details that will increase your benefits. Plus – see 4 Minute Fitness is a totally different way. www.4minutefitness.com/home-eventDVD.htm
Easy Tai Chi CORE DVD is a continuation of your Infinite Nine form (Tai Chi for Busy People). It offers more secrets and principles designed to increase your skill level in all styles of tai chi. And the moves are gorgeous! www.EasyTaiChiCORE.com
Patrick Mooney, one of our advanced instructors, offered the following observation. His students learned the CORE moves faster than the original Infinite Nine moves, even though they are slightly more complex. Why?
Well, the first moves are the hardest to learn as they require the somewhat unusual coordination of hands, feet and breathing. For most people, these moves are quite foreign to the brain and take some concentration (this is so good for aging brains, keeping them more mentally agile). But after a few weeks of practice and learning, the brain gets used to handling these demands and forms mental “templates” (neural pathways) that can be used to make learning further moves easier. In essence, the brain becomes more adept in learning new moves simply as a result of the initial training.
So – the more moves you learn, the easier it becomes to remember new moves. In the process, you become more coordinated, graceful and stronger. And your balance improves, stress levels decrease, circulation improves and so much more. Nicely done.
Palm Springs, CA Nov. 11 (evening), 12, 13, 14, 15, 2010
Ready to take your tai chi to the next level? Then save these dates and join us in sunny Southern California for some pool side tai chi.
www.easytaichi.com/vacation.htm
“Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm”
“When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber”
both from Sir Winston Churchill
Wellness Corner and Additional products
1. Teacher Certification
I have the greatest job in the world. I get to teach people to move, breathe deeply and think positive thoughts. Want to join me? Start teaching in 2010!
We have many enthusiastic people in this program. No experience is necessary!
Check it out:
www.easytaichi.com/teachers.htm
www.easytaichi.com/teacher-FAQ.htm
2. Remarkably Effective Weight Loss Ideas
Practical and effective weight loss ideas from the practical perspective of a veterinarian. Interested?
3. Krisanna’s New Book
Learn the art of conscious loving. Great sex enhances relationships and can help you feel TERRIFIC – at any age!
www.GreatSexForLifeToolkit.com
4. Ten Free Gifts
Our gifts to you. Please feel free to send this link to anyone who might find benefit.
www.easytaichi.com/free-gifts.htm
Please contact me with any questions. If you know people who would benefit from this information, please feel free to forward this page.
Enjoy every precious minute,
Keith Jeffery
What is 4 Minute Fitness?
www.4minutefitness.com/4MinuteBROCHURE.pdf
For more information, please contact
Dr. Keith Jeffery at:
1836 Douglas Crescent, Nanoose Bay, B.C. V9P 9C7
Toll free – (866) 682-4244 after 9 am Pacific
Tel (250) 468-9950
fax (250) 468-9910
E-mail: keith@EasyTaiChi.com