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Greetings!  For large parts of my life, I have lived in deserts. I was raised in the San Fernando Valley. Although not what one might consider your stereotypical desert, it used to get plenty hot. After I graduated from UCLA, my first job was in Palm Springs. I remember my last night before leaving town; it was 117 degrees and there was a thundercloud hanging over the city. Wow, ridiculously hot - and humid to boot. I left Palm Springs and traveled around the west working at radio stations in Palmdale, CA (when it had only 9,000 people); Redding, CA; Bakersfield, CA; and finally ending up here in the cool foggy climes of the north coast of California. My first summer in Redding was the most brutal summer I can remember. It was over 100 degrees for 40 days, over 110 for ten of those, and even pushing 120 on a few. People used to say, "At least it's a dry heat." (You know, so is Hell, but I wouldn't want to live there either.) 
Anyway, most of the country recently has found itself in an oven; I feel for you if you're in one of those. However, I think it's making us all a little nuts. We're yelling and screaming at each other. Our tempers are frayed. Even the AttitudeIndex is showing a negative downturn. With all that in mind, this issue is hoping to cool us down a little. I've tried to pick things up, give us a lighter spirit.
With that in mind, the main article focuses on my pre-mentioned perception of a collective national grouchiness. However the blog postings are more light and inspiring with everything from learning from an adopted dog to how to change your attitude from stress to acceptance. Our guest authors provide practical advice in these trying times, and of course, there are the super-popular videos.
Watch a small child who learned how to ride a bike inspire you. Ellen DeGeneres's very funny and inspirational commencement address is here too, as is a good reminder about the value of time.
Turn on the fan, grab some lemonade, put your feet up, and take a load off. It'll get better - and it starts now. Treat yourself special.
 Scott "Q" Marcus CDO, www.ThisTimeIMeanIt.comP.S. Please to others who might find the articles and links of interest, and take a moment to answer the four anonymous questions at the AttitudeIndex.
P.P.S. Oh yes, if this time, YOU "really mean it," and want some positive, upbeat coaching and support to change some habits, we've introduced the brand new TTIMI Personal plan. It includes a weekly phone call, monthly conference calls,, weekly motivational emails, suitable-for-framing cards, and unlimited email support. To save $50 and get some cool freebies, click here to go to the special deal at the end of this newsletter. Don't wait. If you start now, you'll be feeling great by fall!
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 "My, But We've Become a Grouchy Lot, Haven't We? Maybe it's climate change, or the economy; who knows?
 It could be the alignment of the stars for all I know, but we've got our cranky pants hitched on and we're wearing 'em a little too snug around our sensitive parts.
Okay, maybe YOU are not cranky, but many of us are, and if you won't own it, I will.
I'm at the supermarket loading up on low-calorie, high-fiber, sugar-free, non-fat, no-taste foods that I force down my gullet in order to keep my weight in check. I really want chocolate, french fries, and chips; but that's not happening, so I'm feeling deprived. Adding insult to injury, I don't have time for this errand, but since my refrigerator resembles an arctic cave, I'm cooling my jets in the check out line. The lady in front of me waits until after the clerk has totaled all her groceries before she takes out her checkbook, enough of a trigger to kick my internal curmudgeon into overdrive...
To find out how to change & read the full post, follow this link .
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Videos of the Month
We all like videos and the most popular links in the newsletter are therefore the videos I post. I work on finding videos that are inspirational, educational, and humorous.Video #1: Motivational Child Bike Rider If this child doesn't have a career ahead of him as a motivational speaker, I don't know who does. Get ready to go for your goals! Video #2: The Value of Time A great look at what really matters. It will put things in perspective. Video #3: Ellen DeGeneres Commencement Speech I think Ellen DeGeneres is one of the funniest people on the planet. However, in this case, she's also inspirational. This video has been around a little while but even if you've seen it, it worth watching again. It's ten minutes so it's the longest of the group. (Note: the videos are not embedded in this email. To view them, click on the picture and they'll take you to a location at my blog where you can view them.)   
By the way, if you have a suggestion for a video for the newsletter, please let me know. Most of the time, that's how I find out about these.
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Recent Postings on the TTIMI Blog
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Great Guest Authors on the TTIMI Blog!
I am always looking for people who write well, provide good content, and are inspirational. Following are a couple posts from some of our guest authors.
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Bring Scott to Your Next Event
 Why hire Scott? Scott's presentations are described as "a cross between attitude 101, group therapy, and a southern revival." They are extremely interactive, playful, motivational, and with great content to help: - Improve Communication
- Reduce Conflict
- Lower Stress
- Increase Productivity
- Have Fun
Click here or on the image below & it will take you to a 10 minute video portraying his style or follow this link to get a list of his topics. If you're interested in having Scott help your organization with its next event, click here.
(Please note, Scott has been known to do presentations in exchange for great quality chocolate or enough french fries - but he'll vehemently deny it if asked.)  | |
The Four Steps to Improved Communication A Humorous Approach
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With Gratitude
"Take some time everyday to be grateful - especially at those times when it's difficult to do so" - from the Shade of a Tree is the Very Best Shade There isIt's important to be thankful, so at the end of my newsletter, I express it publicly. With that in mind, just some of the people to whom I am grateful include: the Mastermind Alliance; Humboldt Speakers; the Northcoast Small Business Development Center, Weight Watchers International; Mike Domitrz for his support in developing my career; my guest authors; Kathy Kendrix, the president of The Empowerment Group, my speakers bureau, for all her help; a-dec, the Oregon Municipal Finance Officers Association, Oregon Toastmasters, NSA/Oregon, for inviting me to present; all my local clients, who continue to hire me; the folks who have signed up to be coached and supported by me on ThisTimeIMeanit.com; the editors of the newspapers that run my column and the websites that post it - as well as the people who read it; and of course to my family - especially my loving wife Mary Ann. I am also very grateful to YOU dear reader, for allowing me into into your life.
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About ThisTimeIMeanIt.com
 ThisTimeIMeanIt.com is a website dedicated to helping people finally accomplish the goals they've been "intending to accomplish" for a long time.
It is the hub of a supportive group of people who come together to improve their lives and help others. Using email, coaching, goal planning, motivational products, and developing affiliates, and practitioners, we find non-judgmental, affordable support for each other by providing options and ideas that one person alone, might not see.
To read our mission statement, vision statement, and principles, you can follow this link.
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| SPECIAL OFFER FOR NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS ONLY! |
Two Free
Books & $50!
Expires
August 31, 2011
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Sign up today for the special six-month TTIMI Personal Plan using the special link below and get a COMPLIMENTARY copy of Scott's Weight Loss Tips Booklet AND his popular book of quotations, "The Shade of a Tree is the Very Best There Is."
The plan includes
- Phone Coaching
- Conference Calls
- Weekly Motivational emails
- Monthly suitable-for-framing cards
- Unlimited email support
Normally $387 for six months ($14.95/week). Special: $337 ($12.95/week)  This offer is not available anywhere else. You can see the original plan & details here.
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