Year after year, people make New Year’s resolutions only to see them fail, making them feel like failures. Having owned Physical Therapy at the Flagstaff Athletic Club for more than 20 years, every January, I see the club packed with people only to see most of the new members gone by Valentine’s Day. The most common resolutions have to do with some combination of getting in shape, exercising and losing weight. Quitting smoking ranks pretty high. Resolutions about saving money or spending … [Read more...] about Why New Year’s Resolutions Do Not Work
Tourism: Benefiting the Community
A leisurely jog through Buffalo Park, stargazing at Lowell Observatory or a casual evening at a local restaurant will likely result in overhearing conversations in languages other than English or with accents spoken by visitors. Flagstaff is a destination with year-round appeal for both domestic and international travelers, for people traveling solo, as friends and couples or multi-generational families. Tourism is an economic driver for Flagstaff resulting in steadily increasing bed, board … [Read more...] about Tourism: Benefiting the Community
Preparing for Another Year, Another Tax Bill
Happy 2018! Last year at this time, the biggest thing to talk about for taxes was a 20-page summary of the PATH act, delays in refunds for taxpayers claiming certain credits and some changes for Arizona employers. Today, I'm beginning to wade my way through more than 700 pages of the conference report on what is being called the “Tax Cuts And Jobs Act.” Before we get too far, unless otherwise noted, none of this applies to filing your 2017 tax return. Wait for the documents you normally get but … [Read more...] about Preparing for Another Year, Another Tax Bill
Understanding Hearing Loss and Associated Comorbidities
I found this article from the CapTel phone organization and liked it so much that I am sharing it with you. In only the last dozen years, many important studies have surfaced linking hearing loss to disabling conditions such as cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease, clinical depression, diabetes, falls among the elderly, heart disease and many more. These linkages are often referred to as “comorbidities,” which is defined as the simultaneous presence of two or more chronic conditions or … [Read more...] about Understanding Hearing Loss and Associated Comorbidities
Hurtful Words are Based on Judgments
All couples have disagreements, but not all couples have the skills to handle them well. Research suggests that the best indicator of divorce has to do with how couples speak to each other. When couples use judgmental and blaming language, their relationship is threatened. Without the skills to use words respectfully, even the smallest disagreements can block the intimacy and trust that couples need to succeed. As a relationship coach working with couples, I’ve seen how ineffective … [Read more...] about Hurtful Words are Based on Judgments
How to Reduce the Risk of Falling for Older Adults
As individuals enter the elderly stages of life, the risk and consequences of falling greatly increases. That probably does not surprise anybody, but what is surprising is that most people are not taking the necessary steps to ensure safety. Below are a few questions and precautions to take into consideration concerning an individual who is at risk of falling. Health and Safety Home Assessment Do you or a loved one take four or more medications daily? Multiple medications can cause … [Read more...] about How to Reduce the Risk of Falling for Older Adults
Want Success? Try the Law of Probability
Welcome to 2018! This is the time of year to lift our heads out of survival mode and reset that compass and tweak our life course to match our goals. What is success to you? The definition of success is clearly not the same for everyone, and I can attest, they change over time. I’d like to share a simple model that I’ve used to achieve business and personal goals in the many challenges I’ve faced throughout the years. My success invariably has been directly proportional to my efforts. Whether … [Read more...] about Want Success? Try the Law of Probability
A Different Approach to Back Surgery: From the Side, Not the Back
When most people think of back surgery, they probably picture the patient laying on their stomach and the surgeon making incisions on the back, close to the spine. But for nearly a decade, specialty trained orthopedic and spine surgeons have been taking new approaches to get to the lower spine, including from the side of the body, the throat and the abdomen. These new approaches mean less pain and faster recovery. Often, a patient's recovery time and post-surgery pain is based on the amount … [Read more...] about A Different Approach to Back Surgery: From the Side, Not the Back
How Will You Treat Me After I Resign; Does it Matter?
As a manager, one of the worst things we can hear is, “I’m quitting” from one of our employees. Our immediate thought is that we are already over-worked and understaffed. Then we start thinking about the hassle of recruiting, and trying to find someone qualified to accept the pay for the cost-of-living that exists. Let me challenge you to look at this differently. Stop thinking about yourself and instead ask how you can make this a great experience for the resigning employee. I know this … [Read more...] about How Will You Treat Me After I Resign; Does it Matter?
Meat: The Other Vegetable
Over the Thanksgiving holiday, my daughter arranged for us to take a tour of the University of Arizona slaughterhouse in Tucson to see where her adorable little 4H lamb went to die after being sold at the county fair. Her goals were to understand the process of killing and packaging domestic livestock animals as well as to convince me never to eat meat again. “How can you call yourself an environmentalist if you eat meat, Dad!” She is right. Domestic livestock production is the most resource … [Read more...] about Meat: The Other Vegetable