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Dear Friends of Balancing Act, 
I had the privilege this month of speaking to a group of very sharp professionals who are in transition, thanks to the current economy. The unlikely topic, considering their unemployment or underemployment, was the importance of having more fun.
Good sports all, they were willing to take stock of the fun they were (or weren't) having and think of ways they could build more into their day.
The reason is simple. If there's ever a time life can get out of balance, it's during a major transition. Whether it's a job loss, a new job, a new baby or any other major life change, it's easy to become so laser-focused on the "new normal" that we forget everything else. Setting aside time to have fun is one way we can put balance back into our lives.
If you're in transition, I hope you'll take a few minutes to inventory what's fun for you and how much time you spent on it before and after the changes in your life. If you're spending less time, give yourself permission to have more fun. You'll improve your perspective and your mood.
Pat |
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Is your budget tighter than tight? That's no reason to scrimp on fun - just time to be more creative. Scour your community events calendars for free programs, lectures and exhibits. Check out old favorite movies and new releases at the library. Head for the local parks, where it's possible to join groups for no-cost nature exploration and even photography. Let others know about the fun-on-a-budget you've discovered by sharing it in The Dog Journal. |
 Act Like A Lady, Talk Like A Man? You learned last month that Henry The Time Management Dog (of Dog Ate My Planner fame) is now on Twitter as "plannerdog" sending tweets at lunch time on ways to manage your time.
Henry has become insufferable, scarfing up tips like kibble and spitting them out. He insists that Balancing Tips readers know about his so-far favorite, a blog post by one John McKee, who describes himself as a leadership coach and recommends, among other things, that the time-efficient park their cars in a getaway position, act like ladies and talk like men. So, in deference to Henry, check it out. |
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In A Rut? Try Harvard For Free 
If nightly news rants have got you down, help balance your perspective and your life by tuning in to Harvard's popular "Justice" class being offered for the first time to the public online and for free.
Taught by Professor Michael J. Sandel, "Justice" offers 12 two-hour sessions in which Sandel engages students in a dialogue on ethics issues such as lying, the nature of the good life, and affirmative action. For program information, reading guides and the opportunity to form an online discussion circle, go to the Justice site. |
No-Fly Zones For The Holidays
Now's the time holiday calendars fill up. And now's the time you can keep your holidays from going crazy. If you want to build some quiet zones for yourself, do it now before obligations fill every square inch of your planner.
Take a moment to pull out last year's calendar and see where you could have used some breathing space. Stake it out now in pencil, then schedule around this "appointment" or if you absolutely must, work a trade so that you can place the quiet zone nearby.
With budgets tight, there's a perfect reason to simplify holiday preparations. Take advantage of it and save time as well as money. That way, the holiday dog won't eat your planner.
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Leash Law No. 10: El Cheapo Fun 
Cooking parties and potlucks can make for fun and inexpensive entertaining. An easy way to host a cooking party is to distribute a menu and recipes ahead and have each couple bring the ingredients. Better yet, let the menu itself be a surprise by letting everyone choose a recipe and bring ingredients to make it. It's easy on the budget and something to talk about besides global warming and a national energy policy.
Copyright 2009 Pat Snyder | |
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| The Dog's on the radio, Facebook, in a national promo, and at coming events. |
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Pat and The Dog were featured on an hour-long radio call-in show, "All Sides with Ann Fisher," on WOSU Radio, the local NPR station in Columbus, OH.
To hear the show, click on this link, then on the 11 a.m. program " A Balanced Life In Central Ohio," which aired on September 17.
TTN features The Dog
The Transition Network (TTN), a NYC-based not-for-profit, has The Dog featured as the October spotlight on its web page.
Free Workshop
On Nov. 5 at 7 p.m., at Barnes & Noble, Polaris in Columbus, OH, "Don't Let The Dog Eat Your Holiday Planner." Details and other coming events here.
The Dog now has a Facebook fan page with photos from the book launch and other Dog events. Check it out by friending Pat on Facebook.
On Second Thought ...
For a story-and-pictures account of the "Sniff Out Your Own Funny Tales" workshop at On Second Thought, go to owner Jen Richards' store blog, and click on "Pat Snyder's Visit." The best deal online is to buy The Dog directly from Pat, who will autograph it to suit any (well, almost any) occasion and send along a second specially labelled "waiting room" copy at no extra charge for your doctor's office. Click here to order. |
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