Issue No. 11 November 2009
Who's In Charge? Frantic or Simplifer?
Dear Friends of Balancing Act,
Age of Miracles Book Cover 
Can you believe the holidays are almost here?  Yesterday, it was summer.  The good news is, there's still time to strategize for a peaceful, more balanced season.
 
The last time I really took time to do this was late 2001, when we'd been rocked by September 11.  That year, my usual Frantic self and my Simplifying self had a standoff, and I wrote a column about the internal debate.        
 
This year, with the economy still shaky, we have another opportunity to re-think our celebrations.  Before grandma gets run over by a reindeer for the 497th time, I hope you'll try a little exercise that I dreamed up for myself and see if it works for you.
 
The idea is to remember five favorite memories from the past and extract from them the essence of what made them so great.  If finances or some other loss make them impossible to duplicate this year, what can you do instead to recapture the essence of that treasured feeling?
 
To make it easier, here's a template for you to use.  I hope you'll share your Aha! moments in The Dog Journal.      
 

                                                      Pat   
social media crosswordSocial Media +
Time Management =
Oxymoron??? 
 
Putting together a program on social media and time management, I bumped into an amazingly helpful series of online articles  on the subject by Amber Nasland, a social media marketing guru. If your online life is eating up your offline life, these article are worth checking out.
 
Among her tips was to identify three daily priorities, based on big-picture goals, schedule time for them, and then bore in, uninterrupted. If social media work is one of them, then plan to spend at least an hour a day on it. She also offers online tools thata can help you manage your communications.
 
BTW, her advice is less flawed than the puzzling art I downloaded for this article. The dog sure ate somebody's planner. See the problem?  Report it at The Dog Journal and you'll be entered in a drawing for a free copy of The Dog. 
 
Boost Your Brain/ Balance Your Life
 
Brain Rules with CD Need to process information more efficiently? Be more creative? Have time for the rest of your life?
 
Then check out this wonderful book by a molecular biologist who's bracketed a laptop to a treadmill to optimize his own thinking. In Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving At Work, Home and School, John  Medina extols the virtues of exercise, tackling one thing at a time (sorry, multi-taskers), and the afternoon nap. Don't be put off by his scientific credentials.  It's a fast, easy read. 
 
His section on how people pay attention is a good one for presenters who want to avoid "Death By PowerPoint. "  Seems we need to refuel those dry slides with pictures at least every 10 minutes. And please, he suggests, an interruption-free zone each day (no e-mail, phone, IM program or BlackBerry). Interesting stuff.
Leash Law No. 11: Sharing the JoyAge of Miracles Book Cover 
  
 
 Since men seem less stressed over holiday preparations, it's time women let the men in their lives take over and do what they do best: procrastinate painlessly. Three requirements, though: clear instructions, no second-guessing and lavish praise. Sisters, is that too great a price to pray to reclaim a life when it's your own?  Brothers, are you up for this? 
   
virtual book tour banner 

 
 
 
 
 
How To Buy The Dog ...  
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 it along with a second specially labelled "waiting room" copy at no extra charge for your doctor's office. Click here to order.  
 
 
Copyright 2009 Pat Snyder
In This Issue
Frantic or Simplier
Social Media and Time
Boost Your Brain
Leash Law: Sharing The Joy
The Dog's On Tour!
Quick Links
The Dog's
On Tour!
Age of Miracles Book Cover
The Dog will be on the "Twelve Days of Christmas" virtual book tour weekdays December 1-16.  Friend Pat on Facebook for a daily report on which blog she'll be visiting next. Henry The Time Management Dog will also tweet his location daily. Follow Henry on Twitter.

 
WRITING WORKSHOP
 December 5, 2-4 pm
       NW Library
   2280 Hard Rd.
Columbus, OH 43235
 
 Gift of writing
 
Would a personalized creation of writing be the perfect gift for that special someone this year? To get you moving, let Pat provide the inspiration and a block of time set aside just for writing,  Bring a notebook, pen, and an open mind.
Leave with the makings of a cherished gift. Registration details on the library website.
 
 BOOKING NOW FOR 2010
 
Blue M&M
      Pat, the Blue M&M 
 
Pat's taking bookings now for her life balance programs with a humorous twist and an occasional surprise. In this recent community program, she came in costume as a Blue M&M. Check out the programs on her website, and contact her for your upcoming events.
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