Featured Posts Read our blog for topics relating to living a life with no regrets.
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Written by Mike McCall
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Monday, 25 May 2009 |
I hope everybody had a quality Memorial Day today. I heard a few people say happy Memorial Day and then suddenly said there was really nothing to be happy about. It is true; today is a day of remembrance of those who died in service to our country.
I think many people take for granted or forget what sacrifices our fallen veterans have made to preserve our way of life. Although our republic may have yet to been perfected it is still the best system of government we know. We must NEVER forget those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our way of life and we must continue to do our part to perfect our republic.
The following video is a short but well-done tribute to those we must continue to choose to remember.
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Written by Mike McCall
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Wednesday, 06 May 2009 |
The
following video is titled “Did You Know.” I first saw this video at a
school board conference about eight months ago. It is very
enlightening and somewhat disquieting. I am recommending that you
watch it because it is inevitable and you or your children are going to
be confronted by many of the challenges that these statistics present.
If you come back to watch this video again and it is not here it will be in our blog archive.
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Written by Mike McCall
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Sunday, 03 May 2009 |
You can see from my book of the month review that I have been working on improving my time management skills and my ability to get more done. I must say that taking the time to get everything and I mean everything organized while overwhelming at first will bring you a sense of peacefulness that you may have not had for some time.
This is not my house (thank goodness)
This does not mean that you have to have everything exactly the way you want it. Everything just has to have a neat home so when you do get around to taking whatever action you wish, everything is there and ready to go.
Once you have placed things is strategic locations you can then develop you master list of things to do, tasks, or next actions as referred to in David Allen’s book Getting Things Done. I have definitely felt much more compelled to start tackling items I have been putting off since I both put everything in its proper place and made a massive list of things to do.
For example, since cleaning up and organizing my garage/barn, I have completed many more small projects around the yard. After cleaning up my workshop area, I have taken it to another level and organized all of my tools, paints supplies, nuts and bolts etc… It is now pleasant to walk in that area as opposed to dreary because a) it was a mess and b) I always lefts depressed because I knew I had to clean it up.
Many of you probably go through the Spring-cleaning ritual. Don’t you feel much better once the house is thoroughly clean? It is a great feeling and allows you to enjoy your abode to its fullest.
It is also a great feeling to throw things out. How cluttered many of our homes and offices become in such short periods of time. Do we really need one-half of the STUFF we own?
You do not have to read the book Getting Things Done to get organized with respect to STUFF. You only have to go though everything in your house discard unneeded or unwanted items, put the rest in designated places, make a list of everything you want to do with the left over items and then start pecking away. You will be surprised at how much sorting and throwing away you can get done in front of the television.
Trust me, you will feel much better when you at least get through the organization phase. So schedule a full day in the near future to make this happen. You won’t regret it.
Neither is This (too bad)
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Written by Mike McCall
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Sunday, 19 April 2009 |
In our world of high tech gadgets, information overload, and constant deadlines it is sometimes easy to forget about the simple things in life. For example, when was the last time you strayed from civilization and took a walk in the forest? I recently had the fortune of having such a getaway in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
On a brisk spring day, our family went looking for a natural feature names Diana’s Baths. We were informed that Diana’s Baths was a waterfall. My wife and I were excited to go on the hike however our children were not so enthusiastic. Even if we had not made it to the waterfall I would have said that the walk was a success. For about half of a mile we traversed a half frozen path that meandered through moss covered granite and pine trees. The peacefulness was almost therapeutic. We crossed over a couple of brooks that, prior to reaching, sounded like they might be the waterfalls.
Finally, we reached our destination and were rewarded with a glimpse of the power of nature. I was expecting to see your typical waterfall where there was only one fall however; Diana’s Baths is a series of cascading falls, waterspouts and granite basins. The sizes of the granite boulders were enormous. I stopped and took some pictures and then we proceeded upward. Each new level provided another spectacular view. It looked as if we could climb forever and had I been alone I would’ve tried. I stood there and pondered the magnificence, simplicity and timelessness of nature and forgot all about the mundane trivialities of everyday life. In short, I felt humbled and untroubled.
Exploring nature can be a very soothing experience. It can help clear your mind and put problems and or incomplete thoughts into perspective or a better context. Most likely there is some type of natural area near you. In fact, there are 391 national parks that cover over 83 million acres and over 3,500 state parks. When life seems to be overwhelming go take a walk in the park. You and your wallet won’t regret it.
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Written by Mike McCall
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Sunday, 29 March 2009 |
Do you ever find yourself grumbling about all of the things you feel you have to do but can never find the time to do them? If you are like most people of course you do. The key is to 1) get started doing them and 2) try and have some fun while doing them.
It is difficult to focus on things that really matter when you have a long list of trivial tasks hanging over your head. Additionally, not completing these tasks may interrupt your ability to relax and enjoy the moment. For example, it may be difficult to relax and sit on your deck drinking coffee and reading the newspaper or a good book if the deck needs staining or a board needs to be replaced.
Solution – stain the deck or replace the board and then thoroughly enjoy it when you are done. Easier said then done, right? Maybe, but that doesn’t change the fact that you probably will not be content until it gets done. Let’s take the staining of the deck for example. Look at the weather forecast for the next few days and try to pick a day when you will commit the time to do it. It may have to be an evening after work in which you will only have a few hours to get it done. A day or two prior do all the prep work, clean it, buy all the needed supplies, and the day before stage everything. You could also enlist the help of your family or friends and make it somewhat of a social event. This follows the principle of breaking or chunking things down into shorter reasonable tasks so the overall objective does not seem so overwhelming and leads to procrastination.
I have come to look at things like staining the deck, mowing the lawn, cleaning the house etc… as a form of therapy that is good for the soul. The one great thing about tasks like these is that they provide immediate gratification and a sense of accomplishment which is a key ingredient in happiness. Sure, you could outsource some of these items and many times it makes all of the sense in the world to do so but occasionally it is good to do some of these things yourself. You will feel better afterwards.
Another way do deal with tasks like these is that if you just cannot stand them is to listen to something on an mp3 player or something similar. With today’s audio technology you can listen to your favorite music, the news, amateur or professional podcasts or an audio book. Theoretically you could learn to speak another language while cleaning the house or learn how to stain a deck while mowing the lawn. The options are endless.
Make a list of everything you need or want to do around the house and then start chipping away. Don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments. After you get the deck stained, make sure to have a family or neighborhood barbecue to enjoy it because that is why you are doing it.
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Written by Mike McCall
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Monday, 23 March 2009 |
A colleague who I had not spoken with in over 10 years recently contacted me. This person had been through some very difficult times since I last saw him. He had been through multiple job changes within the same industry, failed at his own business that resulted in filing for bankruptcy and finally a divorce. He definitely had some regrets.
Now he is reassembling his life and has a few opportunities before him. However, he faces the dilemma of choosing between doing what is best for himself and taking care of his elderly father. This is a position that no one would envy.
How does one make such a decision? I am an advocate of the Ben Franklin method that recommends developing a list of pros and cons. In this case a simple version of this list may look something like the following in relation to two career opportunities, one local, one distant:
Local Job
Pros – Can still be in the vicinity to look after father. Father can remain in-house most likely. Good job at a well established business. Pleasant people to be around. Job virtually guaranteed and would start immediately. Could live with father if chose to thus saving rent.
Cons - Less pay than other opportunity. Not as excited as other possibility. No possibility for career advancement.
Distant Job
Pros - Better job in terms of income and future advancement. Pleasant place to live.
Cons - Would most likely have to put father in assisted living facility. Job is not a sure thing and will not know for a few weeks.
This is a simple list and I’m sure there are many other things that could be added but it would be hard for me to speculate. Obviously, this is a difficult decision that comes down to how his father will live out the remainder of his life. Again, it is difficult to speculate on the relationship between my colleague and his father but this will definitely have to be factored in.
The question of the father’s willingness to be flexible must also be taken into consideration. For instance, is the father willing to move to a new location and live with his son to avoid entering an assistant living facility?
Another point that I do have a strong opinion on, is that if my colleague decides to take the local job he must stick with it for a reasonable amount of time, at least a year. He cannot take the local job, and if offered the distant job two weeks later, resign and move away. This would be a lack of integrity.
Making good choices under difficult circumstances is never easy and there will be many occasions when it seems impossible to choose. My recommendation when faced with such a choice is to go with your gut and do the best you can to make it work. You’ll only regret your decision if you did not spend adequate time evaluating the pros and cons of your situation or once you made the decision you did not do your best to make it work out. Only you can be the judge of the effort you put into the decision-making process and the actions taken after the decision was made.
I wish my colleague well in this difficult decision.
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Written by Mike McCall
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Sunday, 15 March 2009 |
 We at no regrets lifestyle continually stress the importance of life long learning. I recently read an article in an education publication that was advocating the importance of a liberal education in both high schools and colleges. The author, Thomas Dillon, President of Thomas Aquinas College, made the statement that if you have a solid liberal education you will be prepared to succeed in any environment. I agree with this statement.
The truth is that we as a nation do not read enough of the great books of the past. Most of us are looking for books fresh off the press yet many of the ideas in these books are just repackaged in a newer form and less educated vocabulary. It is true that older books can be challenging to read but that is one of the reasons why you and students should read them. They cause you to think about the subject matter.
Mr. Dillon gave an example of how Thomas Jefferson’s bookshelves were filled with great thinking authors such as Plato, Locke and Cicero and if they benefited men like Jefferson and his colleagues then they must have something to offer us. I particularly liked Mr. Dillon’s reference to C.S. Lewis’ recommendation to alternate reading between old and new books. I thought this was a fantastic idea and I plan to implement it immediately and hope you will also give this strategy a try.
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Written by Mike McCall
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Sunday, 08 March 2009 |
Three weeks ago, I was sitting waiting to board a plane and a gentleman was talking very loudly to his wife on his cell phone with an earpiece. He  had absolutely no regard for those people sitting in the vicinity. I could hear that he was some type of teacher. Here is a person who teaches students in some capacity. What is he teaching them, that it is acceptable behavior to ignore the feeling of everyone around you? People were reading, typing, having low audible conversations but this gentleman apparently did not care or he was simply oblivious to his surroundings or common courtesy.
I had the same experience just the other day at the doctor’s office where there is a sign that specifically states “no cell phones.” I was trying to read a book but could not concentrate due to this woman’s loud tone. She could have easily walked out near the elevator to have a more private conversation but she chose not to. The other issue is that no one in the doctor’s office said anything to her. What is the point of displaying a sign that states a rule and then to not enforce it?
Cell phones are very useful devices however some common sense rules are needed. Here are a few to start:
1. Do not have the ringer set to the highest volume setting (try low volume with vibrate)
2. Cells phones should be set to vibrate or turned off in the following settings: restaurants, movie theatres, seminars, etc…
3. If you have to answer a call in the vicinity of others, quickly walk to a more suitable area where you will not disturb them.
4. Do not keep talking on your phone when conducting a transaction with someone else.
5. Common courtesy applies
If we want our world to be more pleasant people are going to have to start thinking about others.
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Written by Mike McCall
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Tuesday, 03 March 2009 |
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The video below is called "Lead Out
Loud." There are many leadership roles out there but none is more
important than leading your own life and reaching your human
potential. Once you are the right path as an individual then it is time
to expand your leadership role and help others.
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Written by Mike McCall
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Sunday, 01 March 2009 |
 I recently received an email from a person who stated only “All I have is regrets.” At first, I felt sad for this individual, knowing he was living what was probably a very unhappy life day in and day out. I responded with an offer of my services, confident that I would be able to help this person.
The next morning, I felt better knowing that this person was looking for answers and help. I reaffirmed my belief that at any given moment a person could decide to change their life.
That decision is only the beginning, but it is a new beginning. At that point, you need to take one day at a time, one decision at a time, doing the best you can to make the best possible choices that confront you. Each success, no matter how miniscule, will start to overshadow past regrets.
The goal is to develop a habit of making good choices. Good choices lead to no regrets.
I do not know if this individual will choose to utilize my services, but I take comfort in the fact he has acknowledged poor choices of the past and is striving to change his ways. This is his new beginning and I wish him well.
You also can decide today to change some aspect of your life that is causing you regret.
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Written by Mike McCall
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Sunday, 22 February 2009 |
I actually wrote this post back in April but never posted it for some reason. It was  based
from an article in TIME Magazine titled The Clean Energy.
We as a human race are going to have deep regrets due to our greed and ignorance. In summary, the article details how the destruction of the Amazon rain forest is being accelerated due to the United States decision to pursue ethanol as an eco-friendly fuel. Since one fifth of the U.S. farmers are planting the majority of their corn for ethanol production corn prices are increasing. Therefore, many soybean farmers are switching to corn to make more money. As the supply of soybeans decreases the price increases. In order to fill the gap in soybean production farmers in Brazil are converting grazing pastures into soybean fields. Finally, ranchers are clearing the rain forest into pastures for cattle.
Most people are aware that the rain forest stores carbon. Reducing the area of rain forests reduces our world’s capacity to store carbon. The bottom line is the savings in carbon emissions from ethanol does not outweigh the reduction in carbon storage of the rain forest resulting in a net effect of more carbon going into the atmosphere.
I understand the economics of the situation but where is the virtue. We are depriving our children or their children of a sustainable world. And why, to profit from an idea that never took into account the chain of events that would occur from such a decision. While ethanol may have been a well-intentioned solution, it is now clear that it is not. We as a country need to take the lead and discover a better alternative that takes into account all of the variables.
In the mean time, there needs to be concerted effort to stop clearing the rain forest. Marriott International has stepped up and committed 2 million dollars to protect 1.4 million acres of rain forest. It is this type of corporate leadership that is needed in order to overcome such a daunting challenge. While I have always been a fan of Marriott, they have just guaranteed my business for the foreseeable future.
But let us not forget that we can all play a role in protecting our environment. Whether it be through recycling, donating to reputable environmental charities, purchasing environmental friendly products or better gas mileage vehicles, planting trees, lobbying for environmental change, not supporting companies who do not protect the environment etc… You can make a difference. Let each of us take action now so we can live and die with no regrets.
For your information 10% of all profits of No Regrets Lifestyles go to save the rainforest and protect manatees.
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