This is encouraging.
It’s still better to reduce the amount of waste we use and to find ways to use less oil. Having said that, I found this story hopeful about a company that has created a machine that can turn trash into oil.
Weight Watchers PowerStart Works Well: Lessons on Productivity
Weight Watchers just introduced PointsPlus 2012.
The program has not changed a great deal. They’ve made some minor Points Plus target changes, giving some people the ability to go to a Points Plus Value as low as 26 (it used to be 29). They’ve instituted a range. In effect, they’ve made a flexible program even more flexible, which I think is good.
However, the biggest change (at least in my opinion) is how it’s explained to the new members (as well as returning members who would like to have it refreshed). It’s called PowerStart.
What is PowerStart?
Previously, new members would stay for a single “Getting Started Session,” where the concept of points (or points plus values) were explained. The weekly points plus allowance and activity points were also outlined, as well as the concept behind the Weight Watchers program in general. It took about 30 minutes, but was necessary if you wanted to be successful – as I’m sure people do when they join. However, one thing they found out is that in trying to take in that much information, especially while being a bit emotional at the time, people were overwhelmed.
Why emotional?
Think about it. Most people who join Weight Watchers – or any diet plan – are not in a good mood when they begin. They tend to be sad, feel guilty for putting on that much weight, or scared. After all, no one wakes up one morning and says,
“Yay! I finally put on enough weight that I can go to Weight Watchers!”
By the time they show up, they’ve tried everything; nothing has worked; so they broke through the veil of denial and decided to do something about their weight. But let’s face it, when you finally admit to yourself that you’ve “let yourself go,” you don’t feel so good about yourself. Therefore, when somebody starts a diet program, she usually feels bad about herself. Add to that feeling that they’re absorbing a lot of information and, well, what happens is they get distracted; they don’t learn it, and their heads explode.
What to do?
Weight Watchers has changed the game, so instead of one” getting started session,” they have introduced three PowerStart sessions; each one focuses on the basics of the program for just a few minutes but spends a lot of the time focusing on three different skills that will help the members actually make some helpful and healthy changes – and begin without delay.
Overcome Procrastination by Overcoming Perfectionism
Strive to get better – not perfect.
Perfection is an impossible goal.
Attempting to be perfect – in effect – trying to “do it all” is not only a barrier to actually getting things done, in many ways, it’s an excuse we use to avoid doing them.
After all, if you get up in the morning and are so overwhelmed with everything you have to accomplish, isn’t your first thought to pull the blankets back over your head and “wait until tomorrow?”
Beyond that, if we KNOW that our definition of success is to “get it all done” and we KNOW that objective is impossible, why would we even begin to move forward? The result of our “failure” is that we’ll get to feel bad in the end. Therefore, since we’re going to feel bad anyway, we might as well not go through the effort in the first place.
Set your goal to “do more,” not “do it all.” Find small measures of success and continue forward.
Forget perfectionism; it’s actually hurting you.
Moving Forward When the Road Seems so Long
Anti-Perfectionism Affirmation
Looking Backwards to Move Forward
We accomplish more when we compare ourselves to our starting point, rather than to how far we must still travel. When we look down a road without an “end,” we feel defeated and tend to give up, feeling it’s futile to continue. Rather, look at how far you’ve traveled and the sense of accomplishment will help propel you forward yet again.
Today, I will acknowledge the changes I am making, no matter how small.
Fixing Smokey: Who is More Stubborn, Cats or People?
My wife, Mary Ann, is one of the most nurturing individuals you will ever have the pleasure to meet. She is also a passionate advocate for animals. More specifically, one might refer to her as “one of those cat ladies.” I personally would not do that as the result would be that I would spend my evenings in solitary. (Of course, she would spend the night-time with our cats, proving my point. Yet, I think the irony would be wasted on her.)
We had three cats.
Sadly, “K.C.,” the elderly matriarch passed away early this year, leaving the two identical ginger cats, “Tiger” and “Motor.” (Let’s be clear; I did not choose their names, okay?) These “orange boys” are “inside cats,” because our vet said that the best way to ensure your kitties lead a long, healthy, purr-fect life is to not them prowl the streets. As nimble and agile as felines might be, they don’t understand the concept of automobiles.
Within our fenced backyard dwells a third, Birman, cat. She (we think she’s a “she” but we’re not sure) unexpectedly appeared six years ago, and although she has departed for short periods, she always returns. Exhibiting no fear of us, she’s incredibly affectionate, so we think she was abandoned. Due to her silky, strikingly beautiful, long, silver, and black fur, we call her “Smokey.” (I wanted “Velvet” but was over-ruled.)
Since K.C. passed, my wife has wanted to integrate Smokey with the orange boys, especially as the weather turns harsh. Last weekend, she was finally able to convince Smokey to come inside. To help her feel safe (as well as let the other animals acclimate) Smokey stayed in an unused upstairs bedroom, replete with bed, food, water, litter box, and a screened — but slightly open — window, allowing her the ability to survey the neighborhood from on high. After Smokey was given the good-health go-ahead by the vet, we would begin the process of assimilation. [Read more…]