Winning Strategies

The Seven Wonders of the World

You'd think it would be very easy to identify 'the list' of the 7 wonders of the world.  Well, upon googling it, it was not.  There are more than a few lists.  Wow, there are a lot of lists. 

In 2007, online voting from around the world announced the following 'new list' 7 wonders:

Wonder	Location	Image
Chichen Itza Chi'ch'èen Ìitsha'	Yucatán, Mexico
Christ the Redeemer O Cristo Redentor	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Colosseum Colosseo	Rome, Italy
Great Wall of China 万里长城 萬里長城 Wànlǐ Chángchéng	Beijing, China
Machu Picchu Machu Pikchu	Cuzco Region, Peru
Petra البتراء al-Batrāʾ	Ma'an Governorate, Jordan
Taj Mahal ताज महल تاج محل	Agra, India

Source:  (http://wiki.ask.com/New7Wonders_of_the_World?qsrc=3044)

Why do I care?  You might ask.  I've always struggled to remember the exact list.  Maybe this is why it is difficult to name the list, because the list is ever changing (just like my vacation wish lists and my Christmas and birthday lists).

Where in the world would you like to go?  What vacation destination has you dreaming away?

A 2 Hour Vacation

I got up at the crack of dawn today to hike to Fisherman's Warf in Monterey, California. The sound of the waves crashing into the shore never ceases to relieve my tired spirit and renew my body and mind.

Monterey, California comes across as a sleepy , laid back area with wonderful beaches and views.

At the early break of dawn, before the sun rose, I could hear sea otters and sea lyons noisily finding their morning food and talking to one another. Someone told me the hotels on the water have installed sound proof glass so people can sleep through all the sea otter commotion.

As I walked down the beach, the light of day began to peek over the horizon. Light shed over the incredible views and- as in life- as I traveled, the views grew even more beautiful.

My feet sank into the sand and sand oozed through my toes. Waves ran towards me, almost covering me in water up to me knees. I ran away from the waves, laughing like a little child- perfectly content to play alone on the beach in the early morning hours.

I feel blessed. I travel on for miles, entering Cannery Row. I spot a Starbucks and am excited at the thought of a warm, hot liquid to warm me. It is 50ish in temperature.

We can refresh ourselves in the shortest amount of time. Watch the serene video and close your eyes, listen to the waves and the noises of the ocean.  http://youtu.be/xCLoTAv8U38

Take a 2 hour vacation this weekend. Do something that you truly enjoy!

 

Our 2 Hour Tour of San Fran: Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge

We were scheduled for a long layover in San Francisco on our way back to Dallas, so we decided to tour the city by car. Who says that a 2 1/2 hour tour can't be loads of fun? I think we should take whatever time, opportunities and resources we have to innovatively create experiences in life that we can enjoy. We should take every opportunity to 'stop and smell the roses'.

Our first stop is to ride over the Golden Gate Bridge. Stopping at the view point, we try unsuccessfully to see the bridge through the intense fog. Even without the full view, the view as we pass under it is exhilarating. We drive down a winding road to the quaint town of Sausalito. It is an appealing waterfront town full of little shops and restaurants. I make a mental note that I'd like to return here some day.

We continue our two hour tour and see an amazing view of Alcatraz. Veering back over the bridge we stop by Fishermans Warf and taste fresh crab, oyster stew, Fish sticks and shrimp cocktail. Yummy.

Jumping back in the car, we speed back to the airport. Our 2 1/2 hour tour of San Francisco was a blast. We originally thought- yuk- a long layover in San Fran. Then we turned our thoughts towards 'what would make this fabulous?'. Take something in your life this week that is awful and commit to making it fabulous. You own your path and your destination.

You can turn awful into fabulous.

Destination Singapore and Maylasia

OK- having the blog is a big responsibility (read- I have to DO what I proport is the right thing to do).  Which, translates, means that I have to strive to have work/life balance the same as I advise all of you to do. 

Yes, it is just as difficult for me to wrangle work and kids to manage scheduling in a vacation- but we make it an annual priority for both a couple trip and a trip with the kids.  These trips don't have to be far away or costly.  We pick our trip locations based on budget, travel conditions, and places we've always wanted to see.  This year we have selected Singapore and Maylasia for our romantic getaway.

Exploring travel videos, books, and reading up on the location is half the fun.   We have looked at Starwood and Marriott properties in both Singapore and Maylasia.  Although we have booked the airfare, we are early in the selection process for the hotels.

It is like a great game of exploration.  We study the beaches, read the travel journals, and make an educated guess about the place that we'd like to rest our heads.  We pick the dates, book out the dates on our Outlook calendars, and WHALA - we are fast approaching the on-ramp for the road to vacation.

So the answer to all those notes that I get is YES.  I realize how hard it is initially to take that first vacation. Yes, I understand how much work is waiting for you at the office.  No, I don't think you should cancel your vacation plans because a work project came up.  A work project will always come up.  Yes, I think it is important to prioritize your life and your expenditures to ensure that you can enjoy the things that really matter to you in your life; your family, your relationships, and time AWAY from work.

Best of luck getting those days booked on your calendar.  Do it now.

Your Own Serene Retreat- Own a Beautiful Island in Houghton Lake Michigan

My uncle is selling his beautiful house and land in Houghton Lake, Michigan.  The house is sitting on 20 acres of beautiful land, complete with a lake, covered bridge,  horse barn, and woods all around.

Find a serene escape from the city and retreat away to the beautiful countryside.

Link:  http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/9910-East-Houghton-Lake-Drive_Houghton-Lake_MI_48629_M32516-05678

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A Cheap (and Instant) Vacation

I settle into a lounge chair next to a fountain of running water with a book in my hand. I am about to travel to Afghanistan via the pages of the book that I am reading.

Reading can take you to hundreds of different cities and transport you into new lands and cultures. You can escape wherever you are at the moment and enter into another time and location. It is a dying pastime- as movies and constantly busy schedules have eroded our ability to sink into a chair and bury ourselves into a book and a story.

I challenge you to discover or rediscover these instant vacations and enjoy the break from your routine.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT

Couples Retreat

After our annual couples retreat, we are back at work and settling into life as usual.  We are back to the day to day normalcy of routine with kids, chores, work, and much to do.

When we return from these retreats, we talk more, spend more time together, are more caring, and generally just nicer to each other (and the kids).  It is a nice chance to refresh and renew our relationship.  I often talk to couples that say that they don't have time or resources for an annual get away.  It doesn't have to be an expensive trip nor does it have to last a long time.  I always tell couples that the odds are set against us.  We are dealing with divorce rates in this country of over 50%.  You may think you cannot afford the time away from work, but you cannot afford to lose the relationship either.  Think of the cost of a divorce and living in separate households.  Our relationship is the best investment that we can make for our future and the future of our children.

As the year wears on, we slip into busy mode and, we too think we are too busy or lack resources for a trip.  Then we go....and our resolve dimishes.  The refreshing retreat  bolsters our spirits.  We begin to dream.  We begin to think about life after the kids are grown.  We dream together.  We create ideas and thoughts for a future.  We become more a unit and less of the two individuals that started out on the trip.  It proves to be more valuable than money.

Our children see and feel the difference when we come back.  We are virtually different people.  Of course we are different people, can you imagine how relaxed we are after several days of no work, no schedules and no kids?  We have become heavy proponents of a couples retreat annually.  Why?  Because we have personally seen the benefits.  We have felt the closeness of renewing our relationship.  We have taken time to fall in love again. 

Consider taking the plunge.  You took the big plunge by getting married.  You took a bigger plunge when you had kids.  Take time to get away.  You will find benefits untold in an annual couples get-away.

Vacation Dreaming

As I stare our at a yard full of snow- with flurries still flying, I begin to focus my attention on my upcoming trip to Tahiti and Bora Bora. We are planning to stay at Starwood Resorts named Le Meridien in both Islands. I am on my way to teach a class and surrounded by 'To Do' lists and evidence of my too busy life. I'm anxious to relax, spend time with my husband and finish book 2 (my 3 vacation goals).

I spoke to a group of woman at JPMorgan Chase last week and I was invigorated. Seeing the faces of the women, & making an impact in their lives makes all those late night speech prep sessions, speech writing, and prep worthwhile. If I can change or impact one life- then my goal has been met.

I'm ready to slip away with my amazing husband and renew our relationship, rest, chat, and enjoy each others company and renew our batteries. My battery is worn down.

I will blog the trip- bringing a refreshing perspective to you from half way around the world. Life is what you make of it. God is good.

A Plan to See the World

Lots of people ask me how we've been able to visit locations all around the globe. Having a traveling job with IDX/GE definitely helped (nothing like those miles and points for free airfare and hotels). But it also takes a decision, a lifestyle and a conscious effort to do it.
I realize this more now since in the last few years I have have not had the luxury of miles or points.

DREAMING
Where would you like to go? It is time to sit down and dream.  What regions interest you? What world monuments or wonders of the world are you dying to see? Make a long list. In effect, you could use this list for the rest of your life, slowly checking off locales as you accomplish them on your life journey.

PLANNING
When you needed a car, you sat down and planned how you would get it, what the make and model would be and then you searched. It was an effort combined with plan and patience. You probably did the same thing if you are a homeowner. Traveling is the same way. It is an effort combined with plan and patience. Different trips are available based on the budget you wish to spend and the amount of things that you decide to go without in order to travel there.

BUDGETING
You may decide to forego a new car, not buy that bigger house, not spend as much on clothes, and cancel some of your eating out trips. That will create budget for travel.

CATEGORIZING
Next- segment your locations into budget categories. Would it take a little or medium or large amount of budget dollars to get you there. This may take a little research. Go to www.expedia.com or american airlines vacations and price out a few of the locations. Use trip packages to give you a 'packaged price' idea. You will end up with dream destinations in 3 budget categories. You now have your menu.

SETTING ASIDE MONEY
Setting aside money for travel is next. Now that you have a vision and a menu, you can budget for the travel into bi-monthly payments where you can 'pay into' your vacation savings account. This will give you the spending money tosee the world.

SCHEDULING/BOOKING
Now comes the fun part. Early in the year- you will blazingly pick dates and book yor trip. You will not cancel it no matter what! There will always be something at the office or some reason to 'put it off'- but you will not. You will rank life and relationships higher on your priority list than your job.

I look forward to your questions.

Over 2,000,000 Miles on American

As I plunk into an American Airlines seat on my flight, my mind wanders to the literally hundreds of flights that I've taken over the years. I think of all the people and organizations that I've met and browse through the lessons I've learned.

I have traveled over 2,000,000 miles on American Airlines and am Platinum for life. I've spent approximately 3 years in hotel rooms (if you add them all up). In traveling the way that I and many have done- we get a chance to see a global view of healthcare, operations, and organizational structures and cultures. It is amazing how much clearer things are when you are looking across organizations rather than the view from within the four walls.

As I sip my latte and reminisce, this is a shout out to all the people that have touched my life over the last 15 years. I have enjoyed the journey, the experiences and am glad that today I head off to create new experiences and start a new day. I hope you all are having a great day as well.