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12/08/2025

Smile More Challenge:

Ever walk down the street and look at the other people on the sidewalk?

How often do you see anyone genuinely smiling? Most of the time, I see people buried in their cell phones sending text messages and not even looking up at the people right in front of them!

Technology is putting a real damper on human connection. The busier we get, the more we have on our minds and the less we SMILE.

According to a recent study, smiling can actually reduce stress. Of course we don’t need a study to tell us this…you can feel it all by yourself.

On average, kids smile up to 400 times a day, while most adults only smile 20 times. WHAT!? That’s a crazy difference!

How sad that more adults aren’t smiling more and enjoying or appreciating the small things in our lives.

When we smile, the muscles in our face contract and a positive feedback loop is created that reinforces feeling of joy. In other words, smiling can stimulate our brain’s reward mechanism in ways even chocolate cannot.

The interesting fact is that if you pay a little attention, you can practice getting back to that joyful state more often. Here are a few simple ways:

1. Before engaging in any conversation or business meeting, try visualizing something that makes you genuinely happy. It will not only make you feel more calm and happy, but a genuine smile can get you a long way.

2. Practice smiling in front of a mirror. (sounds weird, but do it anyway!) You’ll know when it is honest because you will instantly feel relaxed and happy.
Week 22: Smile More Challenge:

Ever walk down the street and look at the other people on the sidewalk?

How often do you see anyone genuinely smiling? Most of the time, I see people buried in their cell phones sending text messages and not even looking up at the people right in front of them!

Technology is putting a real damper on human connection. The busier we get, the more we have on our minds and the less we SMILE.

According to a recent study, smiling can actually reduce stress. Of course we don’t need a study to tell us this…you can feel it all by yourself.

On average, kids smile up to 400 times a day, while most adults only smile 20 times. WHAT!? That’s a crazy difference!

How sad that more adults aren’t smiling more and enjoying or appreciating the small things in our lives.

When we smile, the muscles in our face contract and a positive feedback loop is created that reinforces feeling of joy. In other words, smiling can stimulate our brain’s reward mechanism in ways even chocolate cannot.

The interesting fact is that if you pay a little attention, you can practice getting back to that joyful state more often. Here are a few simple ways:

1. Before engaging in any conversation or business meeting, try visualizing something that makes you genuinely happy. It will not only make you feel more calm and happy, but a genuine smile can get you a long way.

2. Practice smiling in front of a mirror. (sounds weird, but do it anyway!) You’ll know when it is honest because you will instantly feel relaxed and happy.

3. Make eye contact and smile at random people throughout the day! If you’re at the grocery store, walking on a sidewalk, or passing someone in the hallway at work, look each person in the eyes and give them a big, genuine smile.

Your challenge this week is to do all you can to smile often and from the heart, because smiling makes you happier and helps you to live longer!

Are you in with me? Let me know below!

3. Make eye contact and smile at random people throughout the day! If you’re at the grocery store, walking on a sidewalk, or passing someone in the hallway at work, look each person in the eyes and give them a big, genuine smile.

Your challenge this week is to do all you can to smile often and from the heart, because smiling makes you happier and helps you to live longer!

Are you in with me? Let me know below!

12/06/2025

It really is a superpower. The strength, the concentration, the burn.

12/02/2025

12/01/2025

Power Pose Challenge: 2 minutes every day practice a power pose!

Studies have shown that if you “stand in a superhero pose before a job interview, big presentation, or a really hard task, you will not only feel a lot more confident, but you’ll perform measurably better.”

And the best part is – it only takes a couple of minutes to work!

Do I have your attention now?

When you are genetically predisposed with higher levels of testosterone and lower levels of cortisol (both men and women), you’re more likely to be more confident, assertive, less anxious and generally the kind of person who can handle situations under pressure well, all due to better hormone balance.

But for those of you who aren’t that lucky (which is many of us), research has shown that physical cues such as body language can impact performance and improve how you feel in your own skin within minutes!

Amy Cuddy (picture below) is a Harvard researcher who is responsible for spreading the whole story about “power poses” and how you can benefit from them.

In one of her studies, she learned that certain poses increased testosterone by 20% and decreased cortisol levels by 25% in just a few minutes. This means, that on demand, you can shift your hormone levels to help you in any situation you want!

How can you use this information practically in your everyday life?

Simply stand tall like a Superman or Wonder Woman or any other superhero you prefer for at least two minutes per day.

You know how they do it – chest out, hands on the hips, legs slightly spread, chin up…

You may also close your eyes and focus on your breathing as a part of your morning ritual.

If you’d like to check out Amy’s Ted Talk, it’s definitely worth it! http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

Are you up for giving this a try? Your challenge this week is to perform a power pose each day this week for at least 2 minutes!

Let me know below if you’re up for this challenge!

(NOTE: Some of the findings presented in this talk have been referenced in an ongoing debate among social scientists about robustness and reproducibility. Read "Corrections & Updates" below for more details as well as Amy Cuddy's response.) Body language affects how others see us, but it may also ch...

11/29/2025

We can all relate ;)

11/25/2025

11/24/2025

Take the Stairs!

Are you someone who decides to take the stairs every day to get to your office?

Or are you someone who waits 5 minutes for the elevator to take you up a few flights?

We all take the elevator from time to time.

Maybe it’s because you just had an awesome leg workout, had a long day at work, or maybe you had to carry four bags of groceries and didn't want to drop anything.

Your challenge this week is to NO MATTER WHAT- and no matter where you are or whatever floor you have to go to….take the stairs!

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Taking the stairs can save up to 15 minutes of waiting every day
• Climbing the stairs burns around 10 calories per minute (burns more than jogging!)
• It will get your blood flowing and boost your cardiovascular system
• It will cause your body to produce endorphins
• You’ll actually be saving energy and electricity

So this week, your challenge is simple. No excuses and no matter what…take those stairs!

If you want to take it to another level, you can even add stair workouts to your routine this week! They’re a lot of fun and pretty intense!

Set a 10-20 minute timer and start walking, jogging, or running up and (walking) down the stairs.

Are you in for the “Take the Stairs” challenge this week!? Let me know in a comment below!

11/22/2025

11/17/2025

Treat Yourself!!

This week we have a special challenge for YOU! We know that you work hard every day. Not only at work, but also at Your Business Name and at home.

Sometimes we have so many things going on, that we forget to make ourselves a priority and do something special for ourselves!

Now, some of you might say working out is doing something for yourself, and you're RIGHT! It’s one hour of YOU time when you can release some stress.

But this week, I’m challenging you to…..TREAT YOURSELF!!

You've earned it!! But not only that, here are some reasons why taking care of YOU is so important:

• You’ll feel rejuvenated: Stepping away from the chaos or even just getting away from your normal routine will refresh you. If you take just an hour to go do something special for yourself, you will feel like a whole new person.
• It’ll improve your mood: What do you love to do? Paint? Play the piano? Sit in your favorite chair with a warm cup of coffee? Go do something that will bring joy into your life, even if it it’s just for a few minutes!
• You’ll have more to give: When you’re good to yourself, you’re more likely to be good to others. Treating yourself will allow you to be a better friend, co-worker, and loved one.
• It can serve as motivation: Working all of the time can be physically and mentally draining. However, if you have a reward like a massage at the end of the week, it could be the very motivation you need to help you through the week!
• You’ll avoid burning out: Some of us are constantly on the go and never stop to relax! It can mentally, physically, and emotionally wear you out! Taking a moment to relax is always good to help avoid fatigue and burn out.

Just in case you can’t decide what you'd for your “treat” hour, here are a few ideas: Spa service (massage, manicure, pedicure, facial, haircut), golf, go to the movies, read a book at your favorite coffee shop, take a walk around your neighborhood, go watch the sunset, get tickets to your favorite athletic event, stop at a beauty counter and get a makeover, buy a new outfit, take a nap, and the list goes on!

I know how hard you work and how much you do for others! So your challenge this week is to take 60 minutes and do one extra special thing for yourself! YOU DESERVE IT!

Are you in!? Let me know in a comment below!