Stop the Runaround!
We all know how it feels to put something unpleasant off, only to end up having to do it later. But according to Dr. Kevin Gyoerkoe, clinical psychologist and author of The Worrier’s Guide to Overcoming Procrastination, “plowing past procrastination can be as simple as rewriting a few faulty rules.”
1. OLD RULE: Avoidance works. If a situation feels bad, I should avoid it. It’s bad to feel bad. Feeling anxious means there’s something wrong with me.
NEW RULE: I can face it. I’ll do what I need or want to do regardless of how I feel. Feeling anxious at times is normal and doesn’t mean something is wrong with me.
2. OLD RULE: Perfection is possible. High standards motivate
me. I can’t live with mistakes. I won’t feel good unless things
are “right.”
NEW RULE: Good enough is okay. I realize striving for perfection leaves me paralyzed, so I am for a standard that allows me to move forward.
3. OLD RULE: Failure is unacceptable. I can’t tolerate failing. If I’m not sure I can succeed, I shouldn’t try. Failure is shameful.
NEW RULE: Failure is part of life. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Failure is a normal part of life. If I’m falling short somewhere, I’ll take steps to boost my skills.
4. OLD RULE: It should feel right. There is a right time, place and mood for getting things done. I need to wait for these moments.
NEW RULE: The time is now. I can accomplish a lot even if I don’t feel perfectly focused or motivated. If I have a few minutes, I can get started now rather than wait until later.
5. OLD RULE: I shouldn’t have to. If something is boring or unpleasant, I shouldn’t have to do it. I deserve to have fun.
NEW RULE: Let’s get it over with. Sometimes I need to do things that I don’t necessarily want to do. The quicker it gets done, the sooner I can have fun. iBi
Vigilance Behind the Wheel
Use extra caution when you get behind the wheel this month, for August is statistically the most dangerous month for drivers, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Drilling more deeply into the data, AAA reports that the absolute deadliest time to drive is during a weekend pre-dawn rain shower in August. Don’t forget:
- Ten percent of fatal crashes occur on weekends between midnight and 6am.
- Four times as many fatalities occur on rainy days than snowy ones.
- Nearly 2,900 people were killed in crashes during August of 2009.
Check Your Web!
A company called Social Intelligence is among the first to take advantage of a recent FTC decision allowing internet and social media background checks on individuals at the request of employers. It scours up to seven years of your electronic trail, searching for activities that are aggressive, unlawful, discriminatory or sexually explicit in order to determine whether you could cause legal headaches for your potential boss. While the service does not intend to pass on embarrassing photos from your college days, it’s still a good idea to clean up your online presence, or at least bump up the privacy settings on your Facebook account. Even if you’re not currently on the job market, you’ll likely run into a social media background check sooner or later.
Pets in Luxury
While the economy continues to negatively impact the American consumer, pet owners make up one market segment that keeps laying down the dough. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, U.S. pet owners were expected to spend $47.7 billion on their furry friends in 2010, up from $45.5 billion the previous year.
JR Runkel has been president of Fortner Insurance Agency since 2000, and has served in a variety of leadership positions in the community. He is president-elect of the Downtown Kiwanis Club, mentors a young man through Big Brothers Big Sisters, teaches a class in economics at a local elementary school through Junior Achievement, and is an active volunteer at Salem Lutheran Church. A dedicated family man, Runkel enjoys golfing, RVing and watching Cardinals games with his twin 10-year-old boys.
My Favorite…Movies
Caddyshack is just a CLASSIC golf movie—humor and truth tied together.
I played college football and would watch Fletch and Hoosiers every Friday night as part of my routine before the games.
Remember the Titans has great football action that is real, BUT it is more about teamwork and race barriers that are broken down. It demonstrates what can be accomplished if all parties are working for the best of the team and not individual goals.
I am a sucker for a happy love story, but there are some really TRUE discussions in When Harry Met Sally. My favorite: Can men and women be friends without romance getting in the way? A never-ending question.
