Motivation Monday

Let's get moving! In case your Mondays are crazy chaotic like mine, I'm going to share a quick and effective 20 minute workout you can do in your own home. This is a "kid friendly" workout if the kids want in on the action (or if you can't take your eyes off them!)

What you will need: Yourself, clothes you can move in, athletic shoes and a piece of cardio equipment (elliptical, treadmill, jump rope, stairs or even the side walk).

1. 2 minute cardio warm-up (if you are using the side walk, take a brisk walk out a minute and a half or so, then jog back).
2. 2 minute wall squat (keep you back flat against the wall and make sure your legs are a at a 90 degree angle (so you thighs are parallel with the floor and your knees are directly over your ankle bones.) Don't let your knees sneak over your toes!) 
3. 2 minute cardio kicking the pace up a notch or two. We are only doing a total of 10 minutes of cardio, so challenge yourself!
4. 2 minute plank (on your elbows and toes with a flat back.... suck in your tummy!)
5. 2 minutes cardio
6. 2 minutes of push-ups (on your knees or toes; again suck in your tummy and keep your back flat!)
7. 2 minutes of cardio
8. 2 minute boat pose with twists (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-T9CO-HWb4)
9. 2 minutes of cardio
10. 2 minutes of side plank with hip dips. 1 minute on each side. You can do this raised on your hand for a big challenge or on your elbow for a challenge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9X7owkYnag)

If you are working out with a buddy, which is a great way to workout, simply trade between the cardio machine and strength exercise. 

Thanks for reading!  I hope you will share my blog and post an inspirational workout of your own.  I love mixing it up!

Wendi Finn

http://www.issecuritysolutions.com/
http://wendifinn.myplexusproducts.com/testimonials

Let's Inspire

I love the feeling of inspiration, whether I have been inspired or have had the opportunity to be an inspiration. It's a feeling as if a step toward greatness has occurred. It's a feeling of happiness.

Each year I make a goal to try something new. This year's goal is to provide inspiration and to receive inspiration. Thus, I will need your help. With each posting, please share your thoughts, ideas and own inspirations.

I will start off with sharing the various "new" activities I have experienced over the years. In turn, please share some activities you recommend I try.

1. I trained for a triathlon and ended up participating in two. The training was a great way to stay in shape but does require a lot of time.  Once the boys are old enough to participate, I will probably try another. ("Thank you!" Kelly Widder Sussey for being such a fun partner in training!)
2. I ran a 15k with one of my best friends, Carrie Appell. I would do this again with a friend or one of the boys in a heartbeat. Working out is so much better with a bud.
3. I took snowboarding lessons with the boys. Again, it's fun to spend time with the kids, but I did break my tailbone... so jury is still out on this one!
4. I have tried a number of exercise classes:step, boxing, TRX, Spin, Body Pump, yoga, hot yoga (love it), extremely hot yoga (hated it) and boot camp. It's fun to mix it up. 
5. I took guitar lessons with my littlest buddy. Very fun and I can now play Wild Thing with the best of 'em.
6. I coached all my kids soccer teams (when they were 7 and really just needed disciplined fun).
7. I've published three books (One Fateful Night, A Leap of Fate and A Beginner's Guide to On-line Security). I can't begin to tell you how much I have learned about writing, publishing, marketing and social media!
8. Career wise, I took my own Leap of Fate in 2004 and started a company, IS Security Solutions, LLC. Ten years later, the company is still going strong.
9. This year I joined the State of Ohio Audit Committee. It is a goal and ambition to join the audit committee of at least one publicly traded company. 
10. Just recently, in a commitment to stay fit and healthy for my boys, I have joined the Plexus family.  I just joined last week, so I will have to keep you posted!

I am so fortunate to be surrounded by a husband, kids, family and friends who support and encourage my "Leaps of Fate." I am so thankful for their positive energy and willingness to get on board with my crazy adventures. Just last weekend, my mom placated my wishes by going parasailing on my birthday... another cherished memory!

Thanks for reading!  I hope you will share my blog and post more inspirational ideas... What should I try next???

Wendi Finn

http://www.issecuritysolutions.com/
http://wendifinn.myplexusproducts.com/testimonials

Are you prepared?

Are you prepared for an emergency or a disaster? As I was being prepped for an emergency surgery, my husband and I quickly learned, we were not!  In this day and age, disaster recovery and business continuity don't only apply to the workplace. Here are some tips to consider:

1. Keep documentation in a secured location (such as a lock-box). Include:
1. A list of bank accounts,
2. A list of investment organizations (personal investments, 401k, etc.)
3. Passwords to computers and important accounts
4. A current copy of trusts, wills, living wills, etc.
2. At least twice a year, ensure the information above is current.
3. Make sure you have an emergency contact who can access your secure location (and make sure they know!)
4. Kids schedules and contacts (sitters, teachers, coaches, team managers, etc.).  While not critical, I would have gotten a lot more rest if my husband was able to figure soccer out on his own!

Just a few "lessons learned".  Enjoy!

Be Inspired

If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.Dolly Parton

Wendy's Wonderful Kids

Tell your friends, One Fateful Night is currently running a Kindle promotion to earn funds for Wendy's Wonderful Kids!

For the last few hours of February you can download One Fateful Night on Kindle for only $1.99!  Every 40 hours the price will increase by $1 until it reaches the daily price of $5.99.

http://www.amazon.com/One-Fateful-Night-Wendi-Finn-ebook/dp/B00757TN18/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393641683&sr=8-1&keywords=one+fateful+night

Communicating with Tact, Professionalism & Diplomacy

I attended a fantastic training on effective communications last week.  Below are the Top 3 Take-Aways from that session:

1. It takes 20 minutes to get back "in the zone" after an interruption.  Those of you looking for an excuse to work from home, this fact is a good one!  I truly believe there are a number of positions where folks could work more effectively from home a couple days a week.  Programmers, for instance, could go to the office M/W/F to attend meetings, obtain requirements, perform testing, collaborate with the system users, etc.  Then on T/Th they could find a private closet in the house where phones don't ring, cell phones don't work and co-workers don't interrupt their creative flow and simply code. The speaker shared a story of a new CEO coming in to a company that was floundering. While a number of changes were made to save the organization, the change with the most profound effect was this, "Across the organization employees were not able to access their e-mail until 3 pm.  From 3:00 - 5:00 e-mails could be received and responded to. E-mails could be drafted and sent prior to that point, but with the exception of Customer Service, IT had configured the e-mail system to not receive until 3:00 pm."   I think this is a great idea. 

2. It is impossible for your brain to focus on two tasks simultaneously. When you are talking to somebody or in a meeting, put the phone down!  If the person you are attempting to communicate with is focused on something else, as for their attention or schedule a better time to talk.  

1. "Your brain just can’t take in and process two simultaneous, separate streams of information and encode them fully into short-term memory."  www.Forbes.com

3.      Treat communication as a two-way street.  If somebody is talking to you, acknowledge their statements. "Yes, I can do that," or even, "Duly noted," works.  Likewise, be sure to obtain an acknowledgement.  If you ask your son to take out the garbage while he's engrossed in a video game, be sure he at least gives you a thumbs up in acknowledgement of the chore.  Since the brain can't focus simultaneously on you and the game, odds are he just wrecked and can now take out the garbage!

Launch Pictures Are Now Available!

Thank you for all your support during the launch of A Leap of Fate. Pictures taken by my great friend, Catie Christensen, have been uploaded to www.OneFatefulNight.com.  I hope you will take a few minutes and check those out!

Lucky winners from the raffle include:

Colin Appell - Rocky Boots Gift Certificate
Jennifer Clark - DK Fitness (Update: Jen completed her first spin class yesterday.  She is getting Pelotonia ready. Go Jen!
Catie Christensen - A Twist on Olives sampler
Jessica Roseman - Bob Evans Gift Card
Tony Poggiali - Bob Evans Gift Card
Tammy Clark - 31 Gifts Cooler
Jenni Hunter - Body by Juana Unlimited Fitness Pass
Katie Fell - Rodan & Fields Beauty Pack
Ellen Farquharson - Marzetti's Gift Basket


Enjoy!