5-steps-strengthen-community

Communities across the country have concocted a myriad of ways to make sure that drug violence does not accumulate into the further deterioration of their community. Anywhere from community and children's programs, to things so simple as creating a beautification initiatives throughout their neighborhoods.
Most recently, the city of Cincinnati, OH teamed up with county sheriffs to increase the number of law enforcement presences in one of its most crime ridden sections, Over-the-Rhine. In many of these cases, community initiatives are great in theory but lack the thought out planning necessary to make the long lasting effects.

It is the same effect as trying to hit your target with a gun and shooting before you aim. After extensive research, I have found a 5 step brainstorming excise idea for communities to use in order to effectively, and literally, take back their streets.

Step 1: Decide What Your Problem Is

The first step would be to assess the problem of problems in which you are attempting to address. A useful starting place for finding ways to improve your community's livability or to make an initial assessment of your community's strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for constructive change, first identify the scope of your assessment.

For example, determine whether you are assessing a single issue; (i.e. drug trafficking or teen pregnancy) or multiple issues. Once you have targeted what issue or issues you want to address make at least a broad educated guess based on your current knowledge of the issue, about what the cause of the problem may be.

Of course, it takes more than just an idea and what you think is the problem, the presence of two or more solidly and proven causes to the issues at hand must be aligned.

Step 2: Can Your Organization Accomplish the Goal

You want to make sure that you are not biting off more than your organization can chew. Just like a kid in the candy store, our eyes are sometimes larger than what our stomachs can handle.

If you community organization has a difficult time planning a community action meeting, lasting about an hour, it may be a bit premature to attempt to tackle an issue like education or health care reformation.

Step 3: Create An Action Plan

In taking this step you want to embrace the problems in which your group has identified, acknowledge the policies which would address that problem, identify the decision making body you need to impact and distinguish other steps will your organization will need to take to take. Looking back on the Step two, delineate your work into smaller tasks.

Step 4: Make It Happen

Once your group has agreed upon a modus operandi, you will need to decide how it maintains the change and ensures that the desired results are achieved.

For example, one cannot be successful at reducing youth access to alcohol if you do not put in place actions, deterrents or a fear of consequence. In addition, your group will have to decide what its future will be once you attain your goal.

Step 5: Take a Step Back and Reflect

As laid out in your plan for action, it's important to carefully review your progress during the campaign to ensure you stay on track, in addition to conducting evaluation of your progress.

• You may even think of some evaluation questions to ask.

• -Are we making progress toward what we set out to do?

• -What are the biggest challenges?

Taking in consideration these 5 steps, your organization should be well equipped to hit the ground running in your next attempt to rid your community of crime.

5 Steps for Gaining Unstoppable Energy

Wishing for more energy to experience everything life has to offer has become an increasingly popular pastime. Consider those commercials for energy shot beverages, or stop to see how many quick-stop coffee shops are in your area. These businesses are making billions of dollars from people wanting that next burst of energy to make it through the day with. Instead of reaching for an expensive beverage that only promises a few hours of vigor though, why not learn these life-changing steps for gaining an unlimited amount of energy? Not only will you find boundless energy, you will save some money and increase your overall health and happiness.

Five Steps for Gaining Unstoppable Energy

1. Reconnect to broader energy sources. 

Taking even five minutes a day to connect with something larger than yourself can be just the ticket you need to feel invigorated and full of life. For some, that might be a divine presence, for others, it might be nature. It could also be your higher self, goals you've set or intentions you've created. Whatever that broader source is for you, that time to fully immerse yourself in the energy it offers. Breathe it in, feel it and carry it with you throughout the day.

2. Surrender! Resistance is an energy sucking vampire if there ever was one. Acceptance on the other hand allows you to have the energy to make other choices. Accept everything, exactly the way it is and then decide what you will do about it from that point. (Hint: You can't change other people, places or things, so make your decisions about your own options)

3. Relax! Forcing yourself to fit as much as possible into a 24 hour time period creates pressure and you expend tons of energy trying to navigate with all that weight on your shoulders. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that you have plenty of time. Remaining relaxed and focused will help you get a lot more accomplished than stressing yourself into an early grave from always trying to beat the clock.

4. Learn to discern. Consider your energy level as if it is cold hard cash. Is it worth it to get all bent out of shape and using up a massive amount of energy because the driver in front of you is driving 25 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone? In other words, stop to consider what you are giving your energy away to and choose whether it is truly worth it.

5. Attend to the moment. When you keep thinking of everything you have to do and how little time you have, you get overwhelmed and stressed out and - guess what? Yes. That's a huge energy zapper. Write your things to do on a piece of paper or in a computer file and then check them off as you go instead of continually thinking about them. You'll find you have tons more energy for each moment if you attend to them one at a time.

Of course getting a great night's sleep, eating right and exercise will help your body process and store energy you need. These five steps for gaining unstoppable energy can give that healthy living a power boost in ways that energy drinks or caffeinated beverages will never be able to compete with. Give them a try and discover for yourself how invigorated you'll feel.

5-reasons-take-ballroom-lessons

Flowers die, but your first dance together as husband and wife will last forever. When planning your wedding don't overlook wedding dance preparation. As a dance instructor and choreographer, I have seen the difference a little time and practice can make. Here are some tips that I have discovered over the years to ensure that you wedding dance goes off without a hitch.

1. Learn the style of dance that fits your song. Give your music to your instructor ahead of time so the style of dance (e.g. waltz, rumba, cha-cha, etc.) can be determined. Let your instructor know if you want to learn basic leading and following steps or if you want a fully choreographed routine.

2. Let your personality shine. Your instructor will be able to create a dance to fit your personality and comfort level - sweet, funny, etc.

3 .Start early. Begin at least a few weeks ahead of time. As the big day draws near you will want your dance ready and perfect, instead of trying to find time for extra practice.

4 .Have fun. Partner dancing is fun - especially when it's in anticipation of your wedding day.

5.Be financially savvy. If money is the only thing stopping you from taking lessons, here is a tip. Look into dance instructors who work as independent contractors. When I first began choreographing wedding dances I worked for a popular franchised dance studio. The private lesson fee was more than a little steep - a forty five minute lesson would set the student back $98. Individual dance instructor fees vary - but I would say $40 an hour is fair. Look online or in the yellow pages for dance instructors that offer private lessons. Typically, their rates are much more reasonable.

Taking dance lessons with your significant other is an exciting part of wedding preparation. And, when the big day arrives, you will be ready to impress your friends with a repertoire of dance moves. Your first dance together as husband and wife will certainly be cherished for years to come.

5-healthy-morning-rituals

For many, waking up and preparing for the day ahead is a grueling process filled with rushed routines and half-eaten meals. This does not have to be the case. Starting the morning with healthy habits can set a positive, productive tone for the day. Most importantly, keeping these rituals consistent can enhance your well-being in the long run.

Ditch the annoying alarm clock. 

Studies from the Institute of Industrial Health in Japan prove that the loud, beeping alarm clock is bad for the heart. The noise jolts sleepers from their vulnerable state of slumber resulting in high blood pressure and rapid heart rate. Over time, the body can develop physical and mental distress known as chronic stress.

• Researchers recommend using alarm clocks with soft, gentle sounds or sunrise/dawn simulators. Open the bedroom window(s) at night so you wake up to the sunlight. Making sure to get the recommended time of sleep also helps.

Drink warm water and lemon.

Besides hydrating your body after a long night's sleep, simply drinking a cup of warm water with lemon juice can help improve digestion, skin elasticity, weight loss and immunity. Wellness educator Ashley Pitman emphasizes keeping the water warm, not hot, and squeezing juice from half a lemon. Changes to the body are gradual but noticeable if diligently consumed every day.

Eat breakfast.

 Dr. Louise Chang of WebMD, affirms that a nutritionally complete breakfast contains fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low or non-fat dairy products, and lean protein. These items, combined, help to improve concentration, endurance, and lower cholesterol.

• Most notable, a healthy breakfast can regulate weight gain. Eating a morning meal can prevent hunger cravings and large lunches later in the day.

Show some love. 

Kiss. Hug. Give high fives. Write a love note. Say "thank you," and "I love you." Express your love and gratitude to members of the household. This not only helps your family members know just how much they are appreciated, but it allows them to reciprocate their love to you!

Think happy thoughts.

 According to the Mayo Clinic, positive thinking is the key to ward off feelings related to stress. Confident thoughts and self-talk can help reduce states of depression and heart disease. They can also remedy the common cold.

Happy thoughts come in a variety of forms. They can be affirmations, visuals of inspiring individuals, goals for the day, applied faith, kind wishes, and feelings of gratitude.

4-strategies-implement-today-improve-your-life

I never cared about work-life balance early in my career. I was an ambitious woman in a male dominated field trying to work twice as hard as everyone else to prove myself. This all changed 8 years ago when I gave birth to my son. I returned to work when my son was 7 weeks old. As driven as I was in my career, I was equally driven to be a high performing mom. These strategies have helped me balance my home and work life.

No one cares about your work-life balance more than you. On occasion I mentor young men and women who are concerned about their life balance. I tell them that it is their responsibility to make sure their home and work life is balanced. You need to advocate for yourself. Read your company policies and talk to your manager.

I tell my employees to put their family first and their work second. I am always supportive when there is a personal situation that needs attention. However, I do not take their personal lives in consideration when I am delegating tasks or assigning projects. I rely on them to let me know if there is a conflict between the workload and their work-life balance. If your manager is not empowering you to speak up on then you need to empower yourself. Early in my career it would never have occurred to me to talk to my staff about balancing their home and work life.

You will feel guilty but don't let it drive your actions. This was something that took me many years to master. When my son was very young I lived in a constant state of guilt. At work I felt guilty about not being home, and at home I felt guilty about not being at work. I read that I needed to get rid of the guilt but I was never able to stop feeling guilty.

I can't control the sting of guilt I feel when I need to miss an important meeting to pick up my sick child from school, or when I need to leave for a few days on a business trip. What I can control is my behavior. Ultimately I understand that I am a better employee and a better mom when I stop trying to give 100% of myself to both my job and my family.

Prioritize what is important at work and at home. I am a people pleaser so I really do not like to say no to any request. What I have learned to say that has helped me tremendously is, "Yes, I can do that but here is where it sits on my list of priorities." Understanding the important things both at work and at home will help you concentrate your time on the tasks that matter the most.

Communicating the priority to the requestor also helps to set clear expectations for when they can expect the results. As we all know priorities can and do change so it is important to maintain that communication with the requestor throughout the process. This feels more natural for me at work so let me give you an example for your home life.

If my husband asks me to renew my son's passport I might say, "Sure, I can do that. I know that we need to have this complete before we fly internationally so I will make sure to have the process started 10 weeks in advance of our flight. Right now my top priorities are finishing the birthday party invitations and getting cookies baked for the bake sale. I will put organizing the yard sale on the back burner for now." He then has the choice to do it himself, help with the other top priorities so that I have more free time for the passport task, or wait until I am able to do it myself.

Block time on the calendar for your home life, including time for yourself. At work I always know what I need to be doing because it is scheduled on my calendar. When I get home it is easy to be distracted and end up not accomplishing things that are important -- especially spending quality time with your family and spending quality time alone. Blocking time out for these activities helps me align my family to the plan and ensures we take the time to connect with each other and ourselves.