Puff the Magic Dragon…

…lives by the sea; and so do most of the assholes that try to sell you get rich quick schemes, wealth without effort, manifesting secrets etc, etc, etc.

They live in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and San Diego. Some live in the mountains and lush desert resorts, but you get the point. All I'm saying is that if they're living the high life it's probably due to much more than just wishing, and hoping, and manifesting, and positive thinking. Once in a while someone wins the lottery, but most of the recipe for success consists of 10 parts hard work with equal parts failure, frustration, disappointment, doubt and fear blended vigorously.

Oh, and some of the assholes I've seen in this world simply inherited money from their parents and haven't blown it all yet. If they're good marketeers they may even expand their inheritance several fold. It's easy to "go with the flow" when you were born on the river of plenty. By the way; you can sell anything if you've got enough capital to sustain a global marketing campaign.

Before I launch into my tirade; there is something to be said for "going with the flow." If you're relatively relaxed, open to new ideas and experiences and enjoy a relatively balance life you're going to be healthier, more engaged and more energetic. Your brain will generally work better so you'll make better decisions. You'll see abundance and opportunity where others might see scarcity and danger.

My mission today is to make sure you don't throw good money down the tubes on teachers, seminars, books and DVDs that promise to reveal the secret technique to success, health and wealth.

If you really want some secrets, here they are for free:

• Find someone who was successful doing what you want to do. Do what he did.
  
• Once you fully commit to a goal; keep going until you reach it.
  
• Accept failure as part of the game.
  
• Recognize small successes along the way and reward yourself for them.
  
• Do the right thing and you'll always feel better than you would if you did the wrong thing.
  
• Two heads might not be better than one, but two brains are. Make sure to surround yourself with good brains.
  
• Treat people with respect. All people; those above you, below you and around you.
  
• Work really, really, really hard.
  
• If you really want the easy life, find something you really love to do and work really, really, really hard at that.
  
• Give unconditionally; especially love, respect and wisdom. Giving is what you do now; rewards are what might come later.
  
• You're not entitled to anything but opportunity.
  
• Be here, right now and enjoy.
  

I may have just saved you several thousand dollars and many hours of study and research! That's how I learned these secrets. Many of these secrets came to me from ancient martial arts masters who were experts at doing things very well and maximizing human potential. Others I learned from generous teachers, bosses, mentors, peers and small children.

So…I'm saying you should never buy motivational books, attend self-help conferences or watch inspirational videos, right?

Wrong. I also learned many of these "secrets" from seminars, videos, great speakers and my Dashboard University.

Invest as much time and money as you're comfortable with on books, programs and seminars. Just be sure you're spending with your head and not just your heart; particularly when your heart is empty. Moments of emotional, spiritual and material poverty and desperation are not the best times to commit resources you don't have on promises that may or may not be realized. You may have more fundamental work to do first.

Make sure your expectations are realistic and that your motivation is internalized and sustainable. Start with a practical inventory of your resources and invest your time, money and energy based on a rational assessment of your current position. I encourage big goals and grand adventures; just be sure you prepare and provision for the expedition!

Finally, beware of the bullshitters! There is no authentic success without hard work. These days the most co-opted and exploited philosophy is the Law of Attraction. Can you really expect to manifest wealth by cosmically aligning your energy fields and mental state with the quantum field of the universe? Is the universe really some kind of psycho-metaphysical vending machine?

Come on. Think about some of these claims and apply your bullshit detector.

The Law of Attraction does work. You do tend to attract more opportunities when you're in a positive frame of mind. Negativity is blinding and narrowing. Positivity opens you to possibility which in turn improves probability of success. If you're a positive, creative and energetic person you're likely to find other positive, creative and energetic people; and those are the people who get the work done!

The Law of Attraction, however, is dependent on one ancient principle the great Chinese philosophers called "kung fu."

A good translation is: WORK.

The Law of Attraction is an action philosophy. At least that's what Napoleon Hill taught and he was the one who coined the phrase. The Law of Attraction is the result of a process of self-perfection. Making yourself a better person creates value for yourself and those around you. People are attracted to you because you offer greater value when you're a better person. You're open to greater opportunities because you train yourself to recognize them and you're constantly preparing to take advantage of them.

Self-perfection is hard and endless work. Enjoy it; it's worth it!

Here's what you should reasonably expect from motivational teachers, seminars, books and other materials.

• Inspiration and stories that motivate you to action. The first action is to internalize the motivation.
  
• Examples for what to do and how to do it.
  
• Systems and techniques that may make your journey to success more efficient or less painful.
  
• Validation of feelings of pain, suffering, frustration and failure. The knowledge that you're not alone and that successful people have these same feelings.
  
• Encouragement to continue on your path if it's the right one.
  

If you're willing to invest blood, sweat and tears along with a few bucks, then find a teacher, coach, book or seminar that makes sense to you and go for it!

If you're looking for a shortcut to fame and fortune; go to Vegas; you've got just as much of a shot as anyone else.

Jim Bouchard
Speaker, life-coach and author of Think Like a Black Belt and Dynamic Components of Personal POWER!
www.JimBouchard.org

Leaders and Dictators

Contrary to what some leadership teachers preach, you can control people through force, deception, coercion, fear, bribery and violence. There are three major problems with trying to control people, particularly using these methods:

1. People don't like to be controlled and will rebel.


2. It's expensive.


3. It's wrong.
   

Fear and force are the commodities of the dictator. A dictator can be very efficient; he doesn't have to take the time to attract people to his cause. The dictator simply decides what he wants to do and does it with no regard for the impact of his actions on others. In the short term, you can affect some control as a dictator but it's an incredible drain on resources to maintain this control. The dictator is always worried about his enemies, and even his friends are potential enemies.

Effective leadership is based on your ability to attract a willing group of followers. The key word in that statement is "willing." When people are attracted to an authentic leader the power of this relationship is exponential. Bill Belichick took a group of second-stringers, an unknown back-up quarterback and a bunch of cast-offs and turned them into the team that transformed the New England Patriots from a perennial loser to an NFL dynasty. John F. Kennedy set a goal that pushed the envelope of impossibility and we landed the first man on the moon. Abraham Lincoln understood the destiny of a relatively new country and forever united the States. Mahatma Gandhi asked a nation to find its identity and freed India from the greatest imperial power on earth. General George S. Patton took an army out of a winter battle, marched it over 100 miles without sleep and defeated an entrenched German enemy. Martin Luther King stood against violence and injustice with fortitude forever changing our society.

What do these incredible leaders have in common? They all had the ability to develop willing followers. Willing followers will defy the odds, display incredible courage and make unbearable sacrifices to rally behind their leader. They'll put personal ambition aside; at the same time they'll find undiscovered levels of personal excellence and performance.

Study these leaders and you'll find some very clear characteristics. You'll find skills and techniques you can emulate. Sure, many great leaders seem to be born with a larger than life sense of self-confidence and charisma, but I chose these examples because in studying the lives of these men, all heroes of mine, and you'll find people who also faced terrible moments of self-doubt, adversity, unpopularity and personal defeat.

Each of these men also understood and exemplified some of the most powerful values and components of effective leadership.

1. Personal responsibility. Share the credit, keep the blame. All of the leaders I chose in this example were famous for crediting followers for success and assuming responsibility when things turned for the worse. They shielded loyal followers from blame for mistakes and recognized them for their contributions.


2. Unwavering commitment to the cause. Would you follow someone who doesn't know where he's going? Of course you've got to choose your leaders wisely; some can lead you off the cliff!


3. Flexibility in action. Firmness in commitment does not exclude flexibility. A great leader is able to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining focus on the ultimate goal.
   
4. Personal discipline. Dedication to self-perfection. This is the old adage that a great leader walks the walk.


5. Courage. Not the absence of fear, but the ability to act in the face of fear.


6. Generosity. Particularly in sharing power. Power is only expanded by sharing.
   

There are many other traits of effective leadership and it's certainly a bonus if you're born with genetic self-confidence, charisma or attractiveness. I selected these traits because anyone can develop and cultivate these through practice and discipline. You may be lucky enough to be a born leader, the rest of us have to learn the trade and effective leaders are always trying to improve.

You can become an effective leader. You can become a more effective leader. Study leadership and study great leaders, but don't stop there. Identify your own personal weaknesses and strengths. Cultivate your strengths and mitigate or correct your weaknesses. Commit yourself to improvement in perfection, confidence and leadership and you can become an effective leader at home, at work and in the community.

The power of a society doesn't depend on the leadership of a few exceptional individuals. Our power is multiplied when each of us embraces leadership at all levels. Encourage leadership at all levels and your organization becomes more powerful, effective and productive.

We need more leaders. Be a leader!



Special Leadership Edition of PowerPAGE available featuring Neil Ducoff, author of No-Compromise Leadership & Mark Altman, author of Leadership for All the Mountains You Climb.

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Jim Bouchard teaches you how to Think Like a Black Belt! Jim is a speaker, coach and author of Dynamic Components of Personal POWER. His second book, Think Like a Black Belt scheduled for release in January, 2010. Find out more at JimBouchard.org.

The Death of Certainty: I Think…

The two weakest words in the American lexicon:

"I think…"

Is it just me or does nearly every expert commentary on any serious life altering issue now start with the words "I think?" I'm sick of it! I don't want to listen to anymore "I think," tell me what you KNOW! You're the expert!

I think we've reached a point where people are afraid to take a stand. What' wrong with really knowing something? You're a human being; you're entitled to express yourself knowingly based on your knowledge, expertise and personal experience. When you've got a solution, a nugget of useful information or a genuine opinion, just tell me what you know!

"I think the economy is still heading for serious trouble over the next few months…" Who cares? Tell me what you know about it; specifically! I think that "I think" has become a fail-safe for people who either don't really know what's happening but are still paid to talk about it. Nowhere has this been more apparent and dangerous than in economics. A couple of years ago most of the experts were saying "I think the economy is fundamentally strong." Now these same experts are saying they never saw this disaster coming and they don't really know if things are turning for the better or the worse! Vice-President Joe Biden just said that "NOBODY" saw this coming; if you didn't know which way the economy was going you should've kept your "I think" to yourself!

Honestly, I don't think I have the solution to the economic crises. I KNOW I have a technique that will help you make your point clear, believable and sincere whenever you need to express your opinion or share your knowledge. This technique works in a one-on-one sales call; it'll make your elevator speech more memorable; it'll make your next keynote powerful and position you as an expert in your field. It may even help you meet your next romantic partner!

…And it's simple!

When you're making a statement of fact, simply state the fact.

"I think we're heading for a new age of prosperity because I think the American Entrepreneur is the engineer of our future success!"

…or…

"We're heading for a new age of prosperity! The American Entrepreneur is the engineer of our future success!"

Just read these two lines and see which one feels more powerful. Power is your ability or capacity to perform or act effectively. One of the most important aspects of Black Belt Mindset is Confidence. People respond to authentic confidence and power; they're turned-off by weakness.

To really be effective, confidence has got to be authentic. Confidence has to be rooted in honesty and tempered by humility. Humility isn't weakness, it's simply acknowledging that no matter how confident you are, you're willing to learn, grow and adapt as you develop new knowledge, insight and wisdom. Just blowing your horn isn't an expression of confidence, that's just cocky!

Save "I think" to punctuate a sincere expression of personal opinion that sometimes transcends facts and data. It's OK to share a thought based more on feeling than pure rationale. It's an expression of weakness to use "I think" as a prefix or filler when you're not sincere or sure of your facts.

There's still an out if you're wrong! Believe or not from the dawn of humanity most people have been wrong once in a while. Being an expert doesn't mean you're right 100% of the time; it means you're willing to stand behind your statements and judgment based on the knowledge and experience you have at the time. If your perspective changes, then change your message; and be damn sure of yourself when you do! You're the expert!

I think this is enough ranting about "I think." I hope my argument will help erase "I think" from American public speech. "I think" is the weakest form of expression; I know that without it you'll express yourself with power and clarity.

Jim Bouchard is America's Black Belt POWERVATOR, speaker, coach & author of Dynamic Components of Personal POWER!

Think Like a Black Belt! Visit JimBouchard.org.

Book Jim for your next corporate event, conference or retreat! Call 800-786-8502!

Why do employees waste time at work?

That's the $5,700 question! According to an extensive survey by Salary.com the average American worker is wasting 2.09 hours a day; that means about $5,700 a year in wasted wages per employee. By any accounting measure, that sucks!

Where's the time going? The Top 4 answers include:

• Personal web surfing
  
• Socializing
  
• Conducting personal business at work
  
• Spacing out!
  

That's right, "spacing out" is the number 4 time waster at work!

WHY?

The number one reason given for wasting time at work is simply not having enough work to do. Next is the perception of being underpaid for the job followed by allowing other workers to distract you.

Not enough work to do? What's up with that one? Should most American companies simply put more people on the street? Assuming this is an accurate reason for wasting time, what can be done to fill this perceived void in the work day that would benefit both the employee and the company?

The most important concept in Black Belt Mindset ™ is:

"Perfection is not a destination, but a never-ending process!"

Personal and professional development is a key component in productivity, innovation and job satisfaction. Provide opportunities for employees to fill wasted time with developmental programs and resources. Invite speakers and trainers, develop in-house mentoring and utilize on-line and self-directed programs to help employees grow personally and professionally.

Let's do a little "Bizjutsu! ™" The first secret of the martial arts is practice. The second secret is more practice! Encourage employees to perfect job skills through interactive practice sessions. This is especially productive in sales, mentoring and leadership areas. Wasted time could also be directed toward peer mentoring, cross-training and innovation brainstorming sessions.

What if some of this wasted time was simply translated to wellness and personal development programs? Wellness programs reduce sick time, lower insurance premiums and claims and improve job performance. Personal development opportunities engender loyalty, strengthen team morale and develop talents and abilities that increase job performance.

The pro-active employer can do a lot to reduce wasted time. Still, if you're an employee it's ultimately your responsibility to use your time properly on the job! First of all, you are the only person responsible for your personal success & happiness. If you feel you're underpaid, then get a better job! If you've honestly outgrown your position, look somewhere else; on your own time! If your employer is paying you an agreed upon wage you're not underpaid. You accepted the deal. If you're worth more; prove it! If you're truly giving value beyond your compensation you will have no problem earning a good recommendation for your next position whether that happens with your current employer or somewhere else.

You don't need to wait for a corporate program to develop your talents and abilities. Use down time to improve yourself. If you don't really don't have enough work to do, ask your supervisor to allow you to utilize wasted time for professional development.

Letting other workers distract you? You need to invest some time to develop Black Belt Mindset ™! Get my first book: Dynamic Components of Personal POWER and study the section on "Focus!" Every minute on the job is valuable in creating your personal vision of success and happiness. Why let someone else screw it up for you? Learn how to apply focus to reduce distractions and improve your personal power, productivity and value.

There is one more alternative: start your own business. I guarantee you'll have an entirely new appreciation for the value of time on the job!

Communication between employers and employees can eliminate most of this lost and wasted time on the job. Find out specifically why people waste time in your organization and channel that wasted time to productive ends. The potential savings are immense; the potential for increased productivity and profitability is exponential. One study showed that an investing in an engaged workplace culture can increase productivity by more than 700% over companies who ignore or refuse to invest in employee engagement and motivation.

What's needed is simply a culture that encourages focus, discipline and constant attention to self-perfection at all levels. That's Black Belt Mindset ™!

Jim Bouchard is America's Black Belt POWERVATOR: speaker, coach & author of Dynamic Components of Personal POWER. Book Jim for your next corporate event or conference & bring Black Belt Mindset ™ to your organization!

Call 800-786-8502 and visit http://www.jimbouchard.org/!

A Response to Janeane Garofalo

I was all set to blast Janeane Garofalo unmercifully after her latest ridiculous rant. As much as I try to live by the Rule of Respect, Garofalo has challenged my patience and tolerance. Too many people substitute weakness and silence for authentic tolerance and compassion. I really felt it was my duty to speak up even at the risk of lowering myself to Garofalo's level and calling her hideous names including bitch, (Yup, that one did come to mind!), bigot, ignoramus and intolerant dolt.

I decided not to go there.

After all, Ms. Garofalo is entitled to her opinion. I'd prefer to debate her point by point.

In one of her recent tirades she said that everyone who attended the Tea Party protests were racists, that the protests were not about the economy but were obviously a bunch of "rednecks" who were "all about hating a black man in the White House."

I wanted to tell Ms. Garofalo that I voted for Jesse Jackson when her mother was still dumping poop from her Pampers. Of course, in the spirit of refraining from juvenile retorts, I decided to find out how old she is. To my surprise, these uninformed childish remarks come from someone who is only 4 years my junior. My mistake, I took Garofalo for much younger. I did in fact vote for Jesse Jackson for President; I don't know if Ms. Garofalo was still wearing diapers at the time.

The fact is that like many who attended the Tea Party protests, my issue has nothing to do with race. This seems to be a prominent theme in Garofalo's life. She also openly expresses hatred for attractive women and athletes. Strange perspective from someone whose looks have certainly not shut any doors in her career, but who am I to judge the depths of her insecurities? Oh, the race thing…I forgot that in the Janeane Garofalo world view you're only considered a racist if you're white; my mistake. I suppose the words redneck and cracker are terms of endearment, silly me to be offended.

By the way Janeane my neck is a rather bland beige color sometimes turning mocha brown in the summer. It is not red despite the fact that I often wear white socks and have enjoyed the occasional Blue Ribbon beer.

Next she goes off about how none of the people who attended the Tea Parties know anything about American history. To give her credit where credit is due, she did graduate with degrees in history and American studies from Providence College (Let's Go Friars!) so she must know something about the original Tea Party. She may have a point here; the original Tea Party was an illegal protest by English citizens in direct violation of several laws regarding assembly and the destruction of private property. If we really wanted to be authentic, we probably shouldn't have drawn permits for our events, should have destroyed someone's property and polluted some waterways. We really could have lived up to Garofalo's distorted accusations by disguising ourselves as Native Americans. That would not only have been racist, but we all could have hidden our true identities from the media who of course do nothing but promote right-wing causes. Oops! I forgot; at least at the event I attended the media never showed up!

Finally, Garofalo says that this protest is not about economics. If it were, she asks, where we were when the Bush administration was spending us into debt. Like many others I opposed the original TARP package. I questioned policies that were creating derivative financial products and extending credit without diligence. Janeane, most of us were speaking out then as now, though it was and remains a difficult struggle to be heard. We were respectful in our debate then as now which also makes it difficult to attract attention to our cause; obviously name calling and hatred attract more media exposure.

The real irony is that the political machinations that created these conditions were remarkably bi-partisan. Republicans allowed spending to go on unchecked and lost any fiscal high-ground as they joined Democrats in creating the policies that allowed the housing and credit bubbles to first inflate and then burst. Democrats jumped into bed with the "evil" big businesses that they'd been railing against for years; many of them own these business. Career politicians from both parties curried favors, lined their pockets and sold out the American taxpayer to preserve their power and increase their personal fortunes.

Of course most of us do not enjoy the public platform that Garofalo and other celebrities can use to blow their political horns. Pardon us if we were busy at our local Chambers of Commerce, attending town meetings and trying to get the ears of our state and federal representatives, many of whom have long ago forgotten that they work for us.

Here's the deal Janeane. I am very concerned that America is devolving at an increasing rate into a society where initiative is destroyed, personal responsibility cast aside and people who contribute to society are robbed by those who do not. We do not lack compassion as you accuse; we're committed to helping those with authentic need and those who appreciate and leverage our generosity to improve their lives. We're sick of those who take what we give and demand more and those who can and should contribute but instead condemn themselves to a never-ending cycle of dependency.

Most of all I'm sick of elite voices thumping chests and spouting rhetoric about tightening our belts and putting our "skin in the game." We've been skinned and our hides have been sold to keep lousy business afloat, to support foreign banks and to support politicians that pander to the same interests they publicly denounce. Our hard-earned supports illegal immigrants, deadbeats and people who refuse to do anything to take care of their own health.

Until recently we watched as our personal liberties were threatened and as our fundamental rights became the subject of political debate and judicial discretion. We've seen our treasure plundered and redistributed by so-called experts who cannot provide solutions but have the power to rob us of our property.

The Rights expressed in our Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution are not granted by our government. These are the natural rights of mankind that our founders, for the first time, rightfully protected from the abuse of any government. Many Americans have surrendered these rights for the sake of convenience. Many more of us have not.

The vast majority of the people who attended Tea Parties are those who still value the rights of the individual, the sole entitlement of opportunity and the fundamental principal that our government was created to serve and protect the individual, not to be a patriarchal provider to a society of dependents.

Janeane, to be blunt you're one of those elite voices. If you want to really find the heart of the American people I invite you to a delicious bar-b-cue and respectful debate on July 4^th weekend. If you're willing, I'll even take you to a Tea Party event so you can actually meet the people you so openly condemn.

You're a self-professed pessimist. You once said, "I guess I just prefer to see the dark side of things. The glass is always half empty. And cracked. And I just cut my lip on it. And chipped a tooth."¹ I know you're a comedienne and to be honest, that is kind of funny in context, but it's also kind of sad in a way.

I'm a self-professed optimist. Despite a few chipped teeth, a dozen or so concussions, a pound of metal in my leg and times when my wallet and my heart were empty I remain optimistic for my future and the future of our country. Let's visit for a few hours; maybe I can cheer you up!

On second thought, I'd rather just enjoy my weekend.

Click here for Ms. Garofalo's complete exchange with bloggers in Boston.

1. Wikipedia contributors, "Janeane Garofalo," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia,
   http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Janeane_Garofalo&oldid=289665592 (accessed May 13, 2009).

Jim Bouchard is America's Black Belt POWERVATOR...Speaker, coach and author of Dynamic Components of Personal POWER! Click here for more information on Jim or to book him for your next corporate event, meeting or conference!

Jim also serves on the Governement Liaison Committee at the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber of Commerce where is active in working with business people and legislators to create sensible policy for Maine and America. We could not find any such affiliations for Ms. Garofalo....DCPP Staff.

The Flu & You (& your business!)

Lock the doors! Stay away from all other human beings! Wear a mask and incinerated clothing daily and carry a can of Lysol with you at all times!

Actually, there are relatively simple, common sense ways to deal with the newest global catastrophe identified by our vigilant 24/7 news organizations. Before I share those simple protocols, I'd like to clear up some misconceptions about the flu.

• You can still eat the poor little piggies! The swine flu outbreak should not deter you from your springtime bar-b-que. The flu is not spread by eating pigs; it's named that because before the clever little virus mutated, it was primarily a pig disease.
  
  
• The great mystery: Why are a higher percentage of people dying in Mexico than in the States and other areas? While not a politically correct sentiment and Michael Moore's incontrovertible research, The U.S. does still have the best health care system on earth. We starting tracking and reacting to this outbreak even before the virus became the latest illegal alien to cross the Mexican border. If you pay attention to the protocols specified by the CDC and other medical advisors your chances of getting the flu will be greatly reduced and your chances of full recovery after a few days of suffering will be greatly enhanced.
  
  
• The flu can kill. In fact, flu kills about 30,000 people every year. The Great Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918 killed about 300,000 people in the States. We had the potential of another serious epidemic in 1976 which led to a controversial inoculation program. At any rate, the media seems to be relying heavily on 1918 data. Remember also in 1918 that medical science had still not found penicillin (I know, not effective against viruses, just making a point!), we still locked up "mentally challenged" people in "sanitariums" and we were just barely out of the stage where the local doctor was likely the local barber simply because he had some useful cutlery!
  
  
• Small children and the elderly are at the greatest risk. That's always true with a viral outbreak. It's smart to take extra precautions for newborn infants, smaller children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
  

OK…now on to the common sense part of our program. You have a great deal of POWER when it comes to preventing the spread of the flu. Remember in Black Belt Mindset power is "your ability to perform or act effectively." You can learn much more about that by reading Dynamic Components of Personal POWER. The point is you can take effective action to mitigate your chances of infection and to help keep others safe as well.

Your grandmother may have been a medical genius! Here's what she likely told you and these tips are validated by the Center for Disease Control and the Surgeon General!

• Wash your hands.
  
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
  
• Keep your stuff clean.
  
• Stay home when you're sick.
  
• Keep your hands and fingers out of your eyes, nose and mouth.
  

We shake hands a lot, particularly people in business. Wash your hands or carry a bottle of disinfectant hand cleaner with you. If you're paranoid about antiseptic hand cleaners destroying your immune system, don't worry about it; that's been de-bunked.

We also stuff ourselves into planes, trains, offices, schools and elevators on a daily basis with people who may not head their grandmother's advice. The CDC does advise wearing a mask in crowded areas where people may have the virus. Of course, you can also get yourself a full "pandemic emergency defense system" including mask, gloves, goggles, disinfectant hand-wipes and full haz-mat overalls. I found a bargain on volume orders of full kits at FLU ARMOUR! (I didn't find an affiliate link, so I'm not making a commission by sending you there!)

All joking aside, this is probably a good idea if you work in a hospital or clinic, but I think we can handle school and the office with just a couple of more common sense steps and a little personal responsibility:

• STAY HOME WHEN YOU'RE SICK! I know grandma already told us this, but it bears repeating. I'll also add: KEEP YOUR KIDS HOME WHEN THEY'RE SICK…even if it means staying home with them! It's selfish and stupid to take your germs to where they're going to harm other people.
  
  This especially goes for people who use public transportation. I travel a lot and I don't want to sit on a 5 hour flight next to your selfish coughing and wheezing butt. I guarantee if you sit next to me on the plane you'll be subjected to a continual flow of high-pressure air from every nozzle I can point at you!
  
  
• EMPLOYERS: SUPPORT EMPLOYEE's DECISION TO STAY HOME! OK, some people will take advantage and fake it, but that's way better than having half your business out with the flu at one time. If you've got employees working with the public, what could be worse for your business during this scare than having your employees sneezing and coughing all over customers and prospects?
  
  If your employees are staying home to nurse sick children, support that decision as well. It's the right thing to do.
  

One of the best ways to prevent spreading this or any other nasty virus around is to keep your own immune system healthy and fully functioning. Eat properly, exercise regularly and try to reduce stress in your life; simple, not easy! This requires Discipline, the most important Dynamic Component of Personal POWER! If you need some help in that area go to JimBouchard.org and I'll do what I can!

Be vigilant, not paranoid. Just like the Scouts, be prepared! Lay in some supplies in case you or someone in your household needs to hunker down for a few days. If symptoms are severe, get thee to the doctor.

Best thoughts for HEALTH and happiness!

DO NOT Let it Get THAT Bad…

A man named David Kellerman was found dead this morning, hanged in his basement.

That name may not resonate unless you've been keeping up with current investigations at the eupho-governmental agency Freddie Mac. Until 5 am this morning or so the now late Mr. Kellerman was serving as acting chairman of Freddie. Tragically, he leaves behind a wife and young daughter. Kellerman was 41 years old.

According to the Baltimore Business Journal:

"Nearly half of Freddie Mac's $50.1 billion net loss in 2008 occurred during Kellermann's first full quarter as acting CFO, or soon after it was taken under the government's control. The company reported a net loss of $23.9 billion for the quarter ended Dec. 31, or $7.37 per diluted share, compared with a fourth-quarter 2007 loss of $2.5 billion, or $3.97 per diluted share."

Freddie Mac has been under investigation by the SEC and the Justice Department in relation to their accounting practices. Kellerman has been an auditor and analyst at Freddie for 16 years prior to becoming CFO. Did he take his life for some reason related to this investigation? Was it the pressure? Was it a combination?

It doesn't matter.

That may sound harsh but the gloves are off. Kellerman is not the first top-tier executive to commit suicide over the past few years. Add the rash of murder/suicides over the past few weeks by people who recently lost jobs or faced other financial hardship and we've got an emergency on our hands.

There will be some who say it's time for reflection. Bullshit; it's time to do something and now.

1. Before we do anything else we've got to return to traditional values of personal responsibility, perseverance, courage, honor and honesty. We've got to trumpet these values loudly and indoctrinate our culture with these values at all ages.
   
2. We've got to start sticking our collective finger in some chests and hold people accountable for their greed, arrogance and audacity when those behaviors cross ethical and legal limits.
   
3. We've got to become engaged in one another's lives again. The quiet-guy-next-door who never-bothers-anyone does not suddenly commit murder and suicide. These are the acts of desperate and isolated people. In the typical epilogue to these stories co-workers, neighbors, friends and family start to recognize symptomatic behaviors. It's time to start paying attention before when someone is standing quietly on the edge of the cliff instead of after he's jumped.
   

It's ignorant to say that anyone other than the guy with the gun or the rope is responsible for any of these deaths. On the other hand, too many of us have grown distant from the people around us. We don't want to interfere. We don't want to rock the boat. We don't want to get anyone angry or upset. We don't want to provoke.

Fear, doubt and complacency are the causes of the failure of our society; and yes, I say we're in a state of failure. To call it anything else is irresponsible. To wallow in this sad state is stupid, lazy and inexcusable. By and large we're a compassionate, ambitious and even disciplined people. It's time for the good silent people to speak up and the good spectators to get in the game. It's time to share the power you have by teaching others how to live with honor, dignity and discipline.

It's time to teach others how to face fears with courage.

Courage is not the absence of fear; the absence of fear is stupidity. It's right and natural to have fear when you're facing a federal investigation, the loss of your job or the foreclosure of your home. It takes courage to face these challenges and do what it takes to get past them. It takes emotional and spiritual resources to see you through the tough times. This support can and often should come from people around you who should be willing to help. Emotional and spiritual support is often more valuable than material support at these times.

It's easy to say you'd never consider taking your own life, much less anyone else's. I'm sure most of these people felt the same way for most of their lives. Most of us at some point will face some adversity that causes to wonder what the point is to the whole mess. Can we continue to live the "full catastrophe?"

If you're feeling desperate, trapped, isolated, angry or hopeless ask for help; now. If you know someone who else who is nearing the edge of the cliff, reach out a hand; now!

The gloves are off; there's no help once you're dead. No matter how bad things may be, as long as you're drawing breath you have a chance to create a new vision of success and happiness, but that chance starts with you. Reach out; people do care and are willing to help! By helping one another we truly share the power that can change our world!

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Jim Bouchard is America's Black Belt POWERVATOR!, speaker, coach & author of Dynamic Components of Personal POWER. Get your personalized copy at JimBouchard.org!