Mindconnection eNL, 2003-10-01

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In this issue:

Brainpower tip
Time tip
Finance tip
Security tips
Health tip/Fitness tip
Thought for the day

1. Brainpower tip

Have you ever wondered why another person just doesn't get what you are saying? You've made your point, but the other person doesn't get it? One of the most common reasons folks don't understand an idea another person presents is emotional over-ride.

For example, suppose you are an expert painter. You come to my home while I am painting and offer your expert advice. But, I ignore it. Why would I do this? My ego is on the line, and I am being defensive. My emotions are over-riding my brain's ability to process and accept new information.

We all do this, to some extent. The cure for this is simple to understand, but hard to implement. You will need to make a conscious effort. When you find yourself not accepting another person's input, stop and ask yourself if you are engaging emotional over-ride. You'll have to set aside feelings of pride and defensiveness. Set aside ego-driven or agenda-driven responses. Try to listen to what is right in what the other person is saying, and you will find better success.

The effect of this is that you multiply your own brain power. Two minds working together can be far more than twice as smart as the brighter of them working alone.

2. Time tip

One of the services I offer is personal executive time coaching. This personal coaching involves my following an executive around for most of a day, observing and taking notes. Then, I provide exact (and sometimes brutal) feedback on where that executive is losing time and what to do about that. This means no canned "one size fits all," but a laser-tuned solution.

I also follow up with an interview that goes beyond the workday we experienced. Time management starts from the moment you get up--many people just start their day behind and get more so as it goes on.

This service isn't cheap. But, an executive who blows a performance appraisal due to a preventable time management issue finds my fee a bargain in hindsight. One who gets a handle on his or her time can easily make that money back in a salary increase, due to the improvement in attitude and performance that others see on the job.

The reason I am telling you all of this is to make the point that there is no single system of time management that works for everyone. You have to follow some key concepts (e.g., setting goals, eliminating waste, focusing, etc.), but you must consciously develop your own time management strategies and religiously maintain your system. Make a constant effort at managing your time, and you'll be surprised at how much more you get done than someone who makes occasional effort.

3. Finance tip

Most readers of this eNL know what the The Russell Factor is. Well, I'm going to apply it to the latest atrocity to hit the financial "services" market: The Interest-Only Loan.

This type of loan has a lot of marketing hype behind it. As the loan merely propagates and hands off debt without creating value, it's immoral and economically backwards. If someone suggests you take out such a loan, my recommendation is to suggest that person get his/her head examined.

What happens when you plug in the Russell Factor?

Forget about the "low payments." You will still have to pay all the loan costs when you eventually sell your house. And you will pay them with no equity!
Forget about ever paying off the loan. It's just a pit that digs itself deeper over time.
The loan is very expensive. There is no upside to it.
This loan might make sense if you intend, from the outset, to default on it. Somebody is going to "take a bath" on this type of loan. If you die or declare bankruptcy, it will be the creditor. Otherwise, it'll be you.

Apply the Russel Factor when you are unsure of how to proceed.

4. Security tip

If you have a credit card with auto charges on it, get a second card for that account. Then, leave one card in a safe place and use the other one when you leave the house. This way, if you have to cancel a lost or stolen credit card, you won't have to worry about one that merchants are auto-charging.

5. Health tip/Fitness tips

I was recently at a catered event, where someone mentioned the Atkins Diet. There are few ways to spin me up faster than to mention this anti-health spew that the "Atkins A--holes" sucker people into. What they are doing to their victims should be illegal.

Don't do the Atkins diet, unless you are trying to lower your testosterone, get osteoporosis, have horrible halitosis, develop gum disease, lose your teeth, damage your liver, damage your kidneys, load your blood with ketones, and be fatter in the diet rebound phase than when you started. Yes, people do get smaller on this diet. But, they do so at great--and unnecessary--cost.

Trust me--I'm at 5.5% bodyfat, and know what I'm talking about. You cannot maintain lean healthy body tissue on the Atkins diet. With an intelligent diet, however, you can be healthy and lean--without the bad breath and other problems the Atkins diet creates.

To see more details on this fraudulent diet, see the free article at www.supplecity.com.

6. Thought for the Day

Intellectual honesty has more value than all the excuses in the world. Rather than cover problems up, it allows you to confront them and solve them.

Wishing you the best,

Mark Lamendola
Mindconnection

Authorship

The views expressed in this e-newsletter are generally not shared by criminals, zombies, or brainwashed individuals.

Except where noted, this e-newsletter is entirely the work of Mark Lamendola. Anything presented as fact can be independently verified. Often, sources are given; but where not given, they are readily available to anyone who makes the effort.

Mark provides information from either research or his own areas of established expertise. Sometimes, what appears to be a personal opinion is the only possibility when applying sound logic--reason it out before judging! (That said, some personal opinions do appear on occasion).

The purpose of this publication is to inform and empower its readers (and save you money!).

Personal note from Mark: I value each and every one of you, and I hope that shows in the diligent effort I put into writing this e-newsletter. Thank you for being a faithful reader.

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