Stop and Smell the Roses

As I head off on a three week vacation with my family, I reflect on the concept of being able to stop and smell the roses on the way. It's time to slow down, enjoy the journey and reflect on our health.

How lucky are we to be able to enjoy great health which in turn enables us to enjoy this great journey.

Without my health I wouldn’t be travelling overseas. No amount of money could enable me to travel if I was sick.

Good health is not only a result of following a healthy diet, regular exercise and taking high quality nutritional supplements. Good health is also about achieving balance in our lives – which means to work, rest and play.

This time of year can be very stressful. I spoke to a friend this week, who tells me she is working ridiculous hours, has a daughter in her final year at school and is feeling the weight of stress.

I encourage you to take time for yourself, look after your health, play, and enjoy spending time with family and friends. Have fun and find your balance, so you can feel refreshed, revitalised and full of passion for what you do.

This may be my final blog for 2008 – but watch out for photos of my trip - it's a family vacation in South Africa and I intend to swim at the top of Victoria Falls!

Who Is On Your Team?

I've been reminded this week of the great benefits of teamwork. It's been an amazing week entertaining our Gold Directors at the New Gold Director Seminar. As I watched my corporate team work together, I felt a glow of pride to be surrounded by so many special people. It is truly a privilege to work with people who are all share the same vision.

We all have the opportunity to surround ourselves with special people who enrich our lives, have fun and share the success as we move towards a common goal.

Who are you surrounded by? Who is on your team?

How do you face a challenge?

The sustainability of the high performance business has never been so important. The current financial crisis will test our stamina to perform but there are opportunities in every crisis. While attending a business breakfast this week, I had an insight I wanted to share with you. But first the question – how do you face a challenge? Do you view it as your glass half full or half empty?

My marathon training started on Tuesday this week. Faced with injuries, a rising temperature and rain; I could have bailed. But I chose to look at my glass half full and be grateful that I could go to training, still run, get wet and enjoy it!

What opportunities are you facing in this financial crisis? Are you offering to make a difference to peoples’ financial state? I want to let you in on a secret – USANA are hiring not firing. We offer a stable business opportunity based on growth. We offer an opportunity to focus on maintaining optimal health at a time when this becomes even more critical. I don’t know about you but in such times of economic crisis, I’m excited to be here with USANA - in the right place at the right time.

Inspired by the Spirit of Others

I watched a great movie last night and felt inspired by the passion in people who set out to do something extraordinary, such as running a marathon. What gives me even greater inspiration is seeing the effect we have on each other daily, as we go about our normal life.

Touching peoples lives is often about leading the way and walking (or running) the talk with passion.

The Reset Challenge has been embraced by many here at USANA corporate. I am thrilled to see the passion of individuals and the effect on team morale. Teams across departments are focused on exercising together and supporting each other in their achievements.

During this time, I loaned a book (about running, of course) to a Reset Challenge team member. She was so inspired by what she read; she has joined a local charitable organisation to do a 2.7km ocean swim in January 2009. On hearing this, another team member tried to join her, but the ocean swim was fully booked. Not letting it go at that, she was placed on a wait list and this week received a call. She too will do a similar ocean swim in February 2009. Both women are excited to be participating and raising money for a worthwhile cause.

Two more staff are now running at lunch time. They started walking the two and half kilometres around the suburb and are now up to running over half of it.

There is something very special at seeing others take up a cause, a challenge, a passion, and an interest. It has given me reason to look within and ask myself, "How am I leading by example? Am I sharing my passion and igniting others? Does it help or hinder peoples lives?"

Something to think about...

Realising Dreams

Just recently, I was privileged to spend a day on Bill Duncan’s (USANA Executive Vice President of Australasia) boat, Mentor, cruising the beautiful Sydney Harbour. It was a day to reflect and recuperate after 10 busy days of travelling with USANA Health Seminar.

Once again, I was reminded of the need for balance in our lives. Glamorous as it sounds, travelling can be hard on the body and increases our need for high quality supplementation.

I spent time in many different cities with a variety of climate changes. My days went from wet to very cold, to very hot on the Gold Coast.

Many plane rides later and lots of Proflavanol 90, I was left in need of some Vitamin D from the spring sunshine and fresh open air.

Tim Wood (USANA Executive Vice President of Research & Development) and I were treated to a glorious day on Bill's boat, Mentor. Bill has been planning for this boat ever since I joined USANA. It was a treat to see his hard work rewarded. Bill not only worked hard to achieve his goal, he now gets satisfaction from sharing it with others.

Working hard for a goal and then realising your dream gives you the inner glow of peace, a job well done and fulfillment. As you plan your goals think about how you can "pay them forward" as well.

Step INTO your zone

I had the privilege this week of traveling to New Zealand on the Health Seminar, where I met a woman named Angela in the ladies room. Yes sometimes our most inspirational moments come when we least expect them. New to USANA Angela gave me an “ah ah “ moment as I like to call them.

As we chatted, Angela talked about her comfort zone. Yes I know this is a familiar story but she had a different take on this. So often we are told to step out of our comfort zone. Angela felt that in the first few months of joining USANA she was stepping into her comfort zone.

“We are told that we need to challenge ourselves and step OUT of our comfort zone, but with USANA I feel like I’ve stepped INTO my comfort zone. I’ve ALWAYS thrived on meeting and helping people – I am a born networker - but until now I had no vehicle! USANA is driving me to achieve my dreams, and I’m going to pick up as many passengers as I can along the way.” - Angela Morris

Angela feels she belongs. She has come home to a place where she feels totally comfortable and happy to be. How privileged are those that find a place that they feel secure happy and most of all fulfilled? USANA provides that haven for Associates and employees who enjoy a focus on health and wellbeing, balance and optimism.

Just Say Yes!

I am constantly amazed that when you say YES to something that seems quite small and insignificant, it can lead to incredible experiences and the opening of many more doors.

Collette Larsen reminded us of the power of the three words, "Just say YES!"

When I said YES to a simple challenge of raising $800 for charity I had no idea that it would lead to running five half marathons in one year. I had no idea that it would lead to a whole new outlook on life, meeting new people, making special friendships, and the fabulous opportunity of doing the final half marathon lap in the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

The half marathon I ran on Sunday 5 October was an opportunity for me to achieve a unique "personal best". This was a personal best not for my fastest time but for my slowest.

I feel proud to say my fifth half marathon was my slowest and took the longest time. Why? You would think that I would get faster. That's true. But sometimes just saying YES involves changing your perspective and goals.

I changed my perspective and slowed down to help another achieve their "personal best". My goal was to ensure that my friend and team mate made it across the line. My friend had said YES to running a half marathon, only eight weeks after major surgery for cancer!

Would you have said YES? How many times have you said "no" because you weren’t sure where it would take you? How many times have you said "no" because you were frightened, cautious and just plain terrified?

Say YES today when you are tempted to say no and see where it takes you. You might be surprised.

Next Race: PARIS MARATHON