Apm Issue 15

APM

SHE LEAVES A LITTLE SPARKLE WHEREVER SHE GOES ISSUE 15

7 top tips to enjoy the holiday season without weight gain ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT GAINING WEIGHT OVER THE SILLY SEASON?

10 tips for retailers

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO BATTLE THE CHRISTMAS CHAOS THIS SEASON.

What is cloud Computing?

How can it benefit you? # Y O U A R E N O T A L O N

E

WHY IS IT QUICKLY GAINING A LOT OF GROUND IN THE CURRENT TECHNOLOGICAL ERA?

y r e ev t n e m o m s r e t t a m

From the editor…

Hello our wonderful As the year comesAPM to aLadies. close Iwith our final magazine cannot believe how quickly this year is we would love to wish you a safe and happy holiday flying by. season. We hope that all is merry and bright and that As a are newable year to brings new beginnings you enjoy each day gracefully.

and changes, when we approach the half way point we can begin to reflect on Remember you’re relaxing them. We canwhile evaluate the goals we to check in every once a while with us here at APM. Like your best aimedand to achieve and establish new steps to take.

I challenge you all to friend, we always have your back. revaluate your goals. Decide whether or not you achieved them, are on the way In months to, this or need a newissue goal. we have gathered our favourites

and sprinkled in a touch of Christmas spirit. Looking Thislast month we are alloutfits things or table decorations? for minute gifttalking ideas, winter. Many of us struggle with the Well we have got you covered. We’ve tried to think of winter cold and the fight to get out of everything, so youSodon’t have bed in the morning. we all needto. that one thing. Something that makes us jump out of bedfrom to start day.team Bring Best wishes, thethe APM back the excitement and think about

what it is for you.

From the editor…

Taylah Parker the editor…

From Editor

Hello ourkeep wonderful APMand Ladies.

Finally your eyes earsI peeled

cannot believe quickly this exciting year Hello our wonderful APMsome Ladies.

I is this month, as how we have

flying by. cannot believeand howchanges quickly this year is news, events happening.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

to miss it. Subscribe to flying by. not want You will Asour a new year brings beginnings newsletters and new Facebook page to and changes, when we approach the As a new yeartobrings neweverything beginnings keep update date with half way point we can begin to reflect and changes, when we approach theon APM. them.

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We Courageous can evaluateand the Confident, goals we Be Kind, steps toto take.

I challenge you all new to Taylah Parker aimed achieve and establish revaluate your goals.

Decide whether steps Editorto take. I challenge you all to or not you achieved them,Decide are onwhether the way or revaluate your goals. to, or need a new goal. not you achieved them, are on the way to, or need a new goal.

This month we are talking all things winter.

Many we of us with the This month arestruggle talking all things winter cold and the fight to get out of winter. Many of us struggle with the bed in the morning.

So we all need winter cold and the fight to get out that of one that us that bedthing. in theSomething morning. So wemakes all need jump out of Something bed to startthat the makes day. Bring one thing. us back and the think about jumpthe outexcitement of bed to start day.

Bring what is for you. backitthe excitement and think about

what it is for you.

Finally keep your eyes and ears peeled this month, asyour we have exciting Finally keep eyes some and ears peeled news, events and changes happening. this month, as we have some exciting You willevents not want miss it. Subscribe to news, andtochanges happening. our newsletters andtoFacebook page to to You will not want miss it. Subscribe keep update to date with everything our newsletters and Facebook page to APM. keep update to date with everything APM. Be Kind, Courageous and Confident,

Taylah Parker Be Kind, Courageous and Confident, Editor Taylah Parker

ADVERTISE WITH US Interested in advertising with us, email APM at maree@backtome.com And we can send you an advertising package

WRITE FOR US Would you love to be a guest writer for APM? We are always looking for fabulous content that is suitable for Women that Educates ~ Inspires ~ Informs and grows our knowledge and choices.

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Interested in advertising with us, email APM at maree@backtome.com Interested in advertising with us, email And we can send you an advertising APM at maree@backtome.com package And we can send you an advertising package

WRITE FOR US WRITE US writer for Would you love to beFOR a guest

APM? We are always looking for Would you love to be a guest writer for fabulous content that is suitable for APM? We are always looking for Women that Educates ~ Inspires ~ fabulous content that is suitable for Informs and grows our knowledge and Women that Educates ~ Inspires ~ choices.

Informs and grows our knowledge and choices.

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A Peaceful Mind ⏐ ISSUE 15

CONTENTS

6 APM Women In Spotlight

Maree eddIngs A PEACEFUL MIND

Issue 15

011

11 To Do or Not to Do!

PIppa hanson

PERSONAL JOURNEY 12 Get Grounded this Holiday Season

Maree eddIngs ENERGY

16 7 Top Tips to Enjoy the Holiday Season without Weight Gain

AVRIL CARPENTER WEIGHT PSYCHOLOGY

18 10 Tips to Survive the Christmas Chaos for Retailers

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PENNY VOTZOURAKIS CUSTOMER SERVICE

22 The 2P’s to Christmas Proof your Business

LIsa wIkIng

MOTIVATIONAL LEADERSHIP

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24 Living a Peaceful Life

APM CommunIty TIPS FOR BEING THE BEST YOU THIS SEASON 24 Vegan Living aChristmas Peaceful Life 25 Cake

gA Pu Me s tC owmr mI tuenrI t y

TIPS FOR BEING THE BEST BUFFY ELLEN – BE GOOD YOU THIS SEASON ORGANICS

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25 What VeganisChristmas Cake 26 Cloud Computing

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BUFFY ELLEN – BE GOOD TECHNOLOGY ORGANICS A Peaceful Mind ⏐ ISSUE 145 30 Your Holiday Style Guru 26 What is Cloud Computing

JgUuLeIsEt BwOrUI Rt eK rE

BECKIE WHITE STYLIST J U L I E B018 OURKE

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TECHNOLOGY 32 Your Ultimate Christmas Gift 30 YourforHoliday Guides Under Style $60 Guru

AB PE MC K I E W H I T E

STYLIST CHRISTMAS EDITION

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032 026 030

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24 a Peaceful Life 36 32 Living Your Ultimate Christmas Gift Guides for Under $60

APM CommunIty TIPS A P MFOR BEING THE BEST

YOU THIS SEASON CHRISTMAS EDITION

25 Vegan Christmas Cake

guest wrIter

BUFFY ELLEN – BE GOOD ORGANICS

26 What is Cloud Computing

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JULIE BOURKE TECHNOLOGY

30 Your Holiday Style Guru

B E C K I E W H I T 3 E STYLIST

Our apm writers

Lisa Wiking

A leadership expert, speaker and published author.

Hayley Martin Nutritional advice, recipes & wellness articles to elevate your health

Maree Eddings Exploring energy and how it flows or blocks your personal power

Helen Treloar Business & Leadership tips & articles for SME & start-ups

Avril Carpenter Are you ready to make peace with food and live the delicious life your soul is craving? specialises in the psychology behind weight issues.

Penny Votzourakis Customer service advice to grow sales and client loyalty

Lena Turvey Productivity and organisation queen bringing you tips and techniques

Beckie White Style your wardrobe & your life using Beckie’s secrets & suggestions

Julie Bourke Technology is in everyone’s life! Julie helps you use it and protect it well

Joanne Clark Bringing you NLP Success Principles through ‘Women in History’ pieces

Pippa Hanson Be inspired by Pippa’s personal journey as a business owner, mother and wife

Suzi Petrozzi Her dedication to personal development inspires her to keep growing and living a present, purposeful and powerful life.

She leaves a little

Sparkle wherever

she goes

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A Peaceful Mind ⏐ ISSUE 15

Maree has been described as the queen of transformation. After shifting her own life from the global investment banking industry to the world of energy and connection, Maree now teaches and mentors business leaders, entrepreneurs and individuals how to live and lead a life that is full of energy and fulfilment.

This includes working with energy sensitive and empathic people on how to navigate this wonderful world of energy without being drained and overwhelmed in the process.

WHAT WAS THE MAIN DRIVER THAT COMPELLED YOU TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS? The main reason that I finally chose to leave the corporate arena to where I had been rocking a ‘successful life’ as an Executive Director, to start my own thing was because I was desperately unhappy and very unhealthy.

APM Women IN BUSINESS

SPOTLIGHT

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Maree eddings | energy

I had what you would call a ‘perfect’ ON PAPER career and life. I had ticked lots of the boxes.

I had the title, I had the experience, the travel, the money, and I had all of it. Then one day I looked around and said out loud ‘surely this cannot be all there is to life’.

It was this realisation, that while on paper I was doing all the ‘right thing’s none of it fulfilled me OR was it even close to how I wanted to live my life.

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The thought of living another 12 months the way I was little own another 40 years made me so

unhappy that I knew I had to make a shift in a big way.

So I took myself away, I sat on a beach and told myself I was not going back home until I made some decisions about how I was going to change my life.

That took about 5 days for me to work through things I already knew on some level (we all know on some level that things aren’t totally right and we have ideas about what we truly desire). I was swimming against my true nature and doing lots of things to make other people happy, so I was being a good girl and in the process I was making myself very unwell.

This work and level of honesty set me on a path to change my situation and I got to work. About 12 months later I exited that life (with iterations along the way) and started my own thing which I have been working in every since.

your confidence, so it is really important that you have good support structures around you

including people and mentors.

Outside of the typical stuff about running a business I think something I underestimated was the challenge in shifting from a corporate environment to a self-employed business. Some of the skills that you have are totally transferrable and some don’t help you at all. If I could go back and do some stuff differently it would understanding that transition better and utilising more of my skills rather than thinking I had to let go of everything I knew from that world.

In saying that I still wouldn’t change the decision to start my own thing, it truly has brought me closer to living the life I really want to experience.

WHAT DO YOU MOST LOVE ABOUT BEING A WOMAN? I love this question because I don’t think we take the time to really appreciate what being women in this time in history really means.

WHAT HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES THAT YOU HAVE ENCOUNTERED RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

I know for most of my life I have taken for granted some of the absolute advantages I have in being a women today.

I think my experiences are quite typical.

Everyone I know in business say that it is the best personal development program you can every do is run your own business and I am no different.

You are challenged in every way.

That is great for growth and if you are not careful it can take its toll on

For me one of my biggest loves about being a women is the CHOICE that I have. Now I know that when we look and compare areas of life where women are not afforded choice and even the challenges in the first world where we are not paid as much as men stuff like that, you could argue that we still have some way to go and I would agree

especially in the parts of the world where human rights and women’s rights are violated everyday.

However, my love of CHOICE is that I can actually create and live any life I want. I do have the power to speak up and make a difference, I can work in a structured organisation or I can create my own business, I can travel, I can work from home, I can really do whatever I want. I think some people forget that it is our own responsibility to create your own happiness (regardless of the external circumstances) and we don’t actually need anyone else’s permission.

These choices were not afforded to women in my life that came before me and I feel very grateful to be alive in this time in history where as a women I can absolutely affect so much change.

IN THE WORK THAT YOU DO WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON CHALLENGES THAT YOU FIND YOUR CLIENTS COME TO YOU WITH? I am very fortunate to have a couple of businesses and work with a couple of different types of people.

One area I specialise in is working with people who are energy sensitive and empathic, so they feel their environment. I identify as an empath and it was my experience of having to deal with energy that has lead me to work in this very special area.

The most common challenges that my clients come to me to fix is that

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feeling being exhausted by energy. They can feel other people’s energy, they get drawn into over giving and that tires them

out and they are often very confused and overwhelmed with how they cope with all the sensitivity they have. They talk about having lack of clarity and bouncing from high to low and feeling like they are not getting the traction they really want in their life.

As energetic beings we are constantly absorbing our environments and when you are sensitive to start with this can be a tricky life to navigate.

The other areas I work in are with organisations and entrepreneurs create greater influence in their worlds. This is a disruptive business in the traditional leadership development industry. My work here is teaching leaders how to lead and leverage in an agile, collaborative environment. The role of the leader is changing and the old command and control vertical view is no longer effective, so I train and coach leaders and teams how to step into a place of behavioural accountability and lead in a more effective and compassionate way.

HOW DO YOU HELP PEOPLE WITH THESE CHALLENGES? If I focus on the energy sensitive and empathic people I work with, the main things I help them with his how to navigate this sensitive life they have. For a long time it has been accepted that if you are sensitive then you will be tired and you need to deal with it. I know when I went searching for information to assist me I was given a lot of information about protection and not much else.

So I help people understand the whole energy picture, from their own energy

cycles and how to leverage them, through how they create relationships that are fulfilling, understanding the impact their behaviour has on their energy and daily living decisions to maximise their energy.

It really is a shift for them from feeling like that are being pulled around to one of clarity of what they want, a confidence to be able to do it and a real connection to WHY they are doing what they are doing.

I see a lot of transition in the work that I do.

WHAT IS A PLACE FOR SOMEONE TO START IF THEY ARE ENERGY SENSITIVE AND FEELING THAT OVERWHELM The place of overwhelm is not fun for anyone regardless if you are energy sensitive or not. It is a symptom of being ungrounded. SO in nearly every case I start with getting my clients used to the feeling of being grounded. Energy has more to offer you when you are grounded.

When we know how to get ourselves grounded a high percentage of the overwhelm disappears and then we have someone that is easier for people to connect with what we really need to work on. It is difficult to assist someone in an ungrounded state.

Learning and practicing being grounded as many health benefits not to mention it is a much easier and more fun way to live. It is a daily practice from intention, to energy clearing and visualisation to living with a high vibration mindset.

All practical and doable in 5 minutes.

When we try and make decisions from an ungrounded state we are doing so from a place of drama and it only leads to more bouncing around and more overwhelm.

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WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO MAKE SOME CHANGES IN THEIR LIFE? WHERE SHOULD THEY START? There is a saying the only constant in life is change. I know working with people and human behaviour for over 20 years that change is a bit of a skill.

The more comfortable you get with change and the more you know how to work with your own change behaviour the easier it is to adapt.

When someone has triggered that desire to want something different in their life they need to make some decisions.

Some of the biggest mistakes I see people make is that they get so excited and wipe everything at once and try and jump from that place. A bit like the gym membership at Xmas time approach.

Now that works for some people, however not for many.

So one of the first things is you need to try on the change in a wellsupported environment.

Change and specially life shifts happen on many levels. You touch on your emotional, physical, spiritual and mental capacities so sustainable change can take longer than we think however it can happen once you make that decision.

I see lots of people jump around for years from idea to idea reacting to the shiny promise of change without really doing the aligning work required to sustain it.

So to avoid that I work with people to try things on. Chip away at what they want and make sure they are aligning all aspects of themselves. When we set off on too much at once we trigger the fight or flight response in our brain and we end up being taken down by our ego and not changing anything.

So set the vision and start to verbalise it and see what response occurs in your body. Try a few things out and see what happens then. Once you get to the point that you are aligned from head to toe and heart to soul then the change will be sustainable.

Most of all be kind to yourself during the process.

GETTING IN CONTACT? If people are curious about being energy sensitive or they know they are empathic then they can contact me at my website www.mareeeddings.com I would encourage everyone to play with getting grounded and start to feel the difference between being ungrounded and grounded. Once you get that feeling you have greater clarity and confidence to look at what it is that you really want to experience in your life.

I have grounding visualisations on my website and an energy grounding and clearing spray that supports people get that grounded feeling instantly. All of these resources can be found on my website.

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k n a th TO ALL OUR FANTASTIC APM WRITERS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTOR TO US THIS YEAR.

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A Peaceful Mind ⏐ ISSUE 15

TO DO OR NOT TO DO THAT IS THE BURNING QUESTION! Pippa Hanson ⏐ personal journey There have been many books, articles and blogs written on how to succeed in business. For me business is made up of some key pillars, in no particular order: People, Processes/systems, Clients, Strategy All of which have some form of planning attached to them. Sticking to the plan is the key to success! There may be slight deviations along the way as you can’t always control every aspect, so it is okay to tweak even the best laid plans. What doesn’t work is when people completely deviate

from the plan, always chasing something that looks better, that looks easier, and that looks more exciting!

Think of it like growing a vegetable garden. You prepare the soil, put the seeds in, water, feed, nurture and the end result is the beautiful vegetables that you have grown. This takes time, you know the end result and the steps you have to take to get there. If you were to get impatient and start turning the soil over while the growing process was still happening you would not end up with vegetables to eat.

Being successful in business or any project for that matter is about knowing what the end result looks like, laying the foundations (the processes, systems, strategy) and nurturing this along the way until you reach that goal. Nurturing is about people, whether they are clients or employees, it is how you interact with them, induct, train, and support them along every step of their involvement with you.

There is always room for continuous improvement and this should be done where possible. When you are getting itchy feet about not reaching your goals, remember the objective, be patient, be consistent and follow your plan.

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GET GROUNDED THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

& SKIP INTO THE NEW YEAR REFRESHED AND READY TO GO. Maree Eddings ⏐ Energy Holiday season is full of fun and excitement. It is when we come together with people we may not have seen all year, we eat food we may never have eaten before, we drink more, sleep less, spend more money in a short space of time than any other time in the year and we say goodbye to the year that was.

Lots of activity crammed into a small space of time.

It is a gorgeous melting pot of energies, egos, expectations and anticipation.

For some it is an amazing time of year. I say great that is awesome for you.

For others it is a nightmare of drama and exhaustion.

We promise ourselves we will do it differently and low and behold we don’t. The same disagreements happen with the same family members, the fake smiles and the food is over consumed and under digested to make amends.

I jest of course. No not really.

The increase in energy, lack of

boundaries and continual push this time of year brings sets us up for a big old dose of DRAMA. Why? • • • •

Family are designed to trigger us.

Over eating is designed to trigger us Too much alcohol is designed to trigger us Lack of sleep is designed to trigger us

Starting to get the picture.

AND throw in the impact that increased ungrounded energy does to us and WHOLA drama drama drama.

The drams turns up in tantrums, weight issues, mood swings, present disappointment, relationships challenges, travel issues and the list goes on.

Now you can take the option and try and control all of those things (good luck) or you can ground yourself and let those things happen around you and not be triggered.

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Does this mean the party police

have rolled into town?

Not at all.

Grounded fun is the best fun.

Besides you feeling great and being able to actually enjoy yourself during this festive time you can see the drama for what it is and side step that disaster.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE GROUNDED? The best way to describe it is to describe what it is like to be ungrounded. When your energy is ungrounded you feel overwhelmed, indecisive, a bit cray cray, emotional for no real reason, fearful of thing you are not sure of, overly talkative, you get ‘blamey’, your sleep gets disrupted, you can binge eat never feeling satisfied and generally feel like you are out of control.

So when you are grounded you generally feel the opposite.

Clear, connected, concise, confident, decisive, optimistic, happy, you are rested and can see possibilities that you like to explore. You eat better and don’t tend to overindulge.

It is a much more effective way to live and you have way more fun. Like way more.

To get grounded, as I like to say, you really need to get to identify the feeling of when you are grounded and when you are

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not. Your feeling of it is the strongest and most reliable way of knowing when you are grounded or not.

For me a daily practice of 5 minute grounding visualisation when I am in the shower, the use of an essential oil grounding spray during the day and an evening exercise before I sleep is really all I need. On the days when I have been around lots of people and activity I will add in walking on grass and perhaps a bath before bed. Simple, take no time and all enjoyable activities.

WHERE TO START? Everyone has the experience of feeling ungrounded so I know there are times when you could do with a good dose of grounding. SO start simple with the morning routine and the spray. As you get deeper into the festive season I would up the anti and add in a bath before bed and another grounding visualisation.

You can ground as many times as you need during the day and you can do it in your head.

So get grounded and enjoy this festive season and ROLL ON 2017 with you refreshed relaxed and ready to go!

Be kind to you

Maree xx

For grounding visualisations and

grounding sprays please visit my website www.mareeeddings.com

SOME DAYS YOU JUST HAVE TO CREATE YOUR OWN SUNSHINE and the rest should be history

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TOP TIPS TO ENJOY THE HOLIDAY SEASON

WITHOUT W E I G H T GAIN! AVRIL CARPENTER – Weight psychology ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT GAINING WEIGHT OVER THE SILLY SEASON?

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The bad news is - studies show that if you gain weight over the holidays, you tend not to lose it in January.

Despite our resolutions to change, statistics are not on our side because the majority of NY's diets do not work.

The good news: festive season weight gain is not inevitable! You really can enjoy the holidays without gaining weight with these 7 tips.

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1. FIRST, STOP GIVING YOURSELF ‘PERMISSION’ TO PUT ON WEIGHT There’s nothing like the stress of Christmas shopping and plentiful festive treats to bring out our negative internal chatter.

“I’m guaranteed to put on 5kgs over Chrissy.”

If you give yourself ‘permission’ to put on weight over the holiday – guess what? You will! Instead, make a commitment to eat mindfully, slowly and enjoy every mouthful.

Once..you..make that commitment,..nourishing decisions are easier.

2. MOVE YOUR BODY EVERY DAY Our bodies were designed to move and being sedentary makes our metabolism sluggish.

Why not commit to 15 minutes of movement every day? Have a dance or play tennis with your cousins or get the garden in tiptop condition.

The key is to keep it simple and get your body moving – even a 10-minute stroll does wonders for your body.

You’ll relieve stress, offset holiday weight gain, and get

yourself in a terrific routine for 2017.

HEADS-UP: Do be active, but don't use it as an excuse to eat double portions. The "I walked an extra block so that I can have an extra serve of pudding" logic results in weight gain.

3. CONNECT WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS NOT FOOD Instead of focusing on the food and drink, focus on connecting with the people gathered around.

When we connect with people, we change the biochemistry in our body.

During social engagement with loved ones, hormone the good-feeling oxytocin is increased, which decreases our desire for food.

4. NEVER GO TO A PARTY HUNGRY. It's tempting to forego food before the party, don't! Instead, have a snack before going out, so you don’t show up famished and overdo it on the treats. If you go to a party hungry, you will eat more food than if you ate a handful of nuts before arriving.

5. IT'S OK TO SAY "NO."

You don’t have to try everything. Just because Nana made it, doesn’t mean you have to eat it. Choose your

Avril

favourites - and savour the smell, textures and flavours. Eat slowly and mindfully so you feel fuller with less. Remember it's okay to say, “No, thank you, maybe later.”

6. DRINK WATER. ALL. DAY. LONG.

You're probably eating more foods with salt and consuming more alcohol around the holidays, so it’s even more important to keep your body hydrated. Start your day with some lemon water and keep sipping water throughout the day.

7. IF YOU DO OVERINDULGE, FORGIVE YOURSELF

It's impossible to put on a substantial amount of weight from one meal with all the trimmings. So if you know you overdid it, ease up on yourself and don't use it an excuse to throw in the towel.

Wishing you all happy, healthy holidays!

Love etc,

Avril

PS: If you’re tired of struggling with eating habits that prevent you from being the shape and size you want to be, why not drop me a line? Why not give yourself the gift of 2017 being the year you create the body you love?

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10 Christmas Chaos

TIPS TO SURVIVE THE

WHEN YOU’RE A RETAILER

PENNY VOTZOURAKIS - CUSTOMER SERVICE " For business owners Christmas is the time when they make a majority of their profits for the year, and the time that all retail staff dreads.

Grumpy customers, long hours, and sore feet, and, at the end of it, feeling like they have just gone twenty-five rounds with Mohammed Ali. Then they get only one day off before they have to begin it all over again with Boxing Day sales.

In the lead up to Christmas, retail staff will have listen to Christmas carols ad nauseam, and then endure messy stores, out of stock items, and frustrated shoppers for starters.

Christmas is the most stressful time of the year for most retail staff. The tip is, don't take it personally.

Customers are looking for staff members who are happy, helpful, and interested, and who come from a place of certainty. Once customers know they are dealing with someone they like and trust, then the rest is easy. The customer can then be guided to make the right decision, which can be fun.

Here are ten tips that retail staff can follow in order to help their customers have a Merry Christmas.

1.Wear comfortable shoes: Forget those 10-inch heels. Keep a rotation of shoes, including flats, that you can change into throughout the day. Do not wear anything new since you will want to avoid blisters that are common whilst breaking shoes in.

2.Have early nights and rest: This is not a time to be partying, having late nights, and/or binge watching Game of Thrones so you can discover whether Cersei and Jaime finally break up. Go to bed early so you can be fresh and rested when turning up for work.

3.Meditation and mindfulness: Take time out of the day to mediate. This can be as little as 3 minutes as you quiet the mind and sit in silence. If your mind wanders at any point, just bring it back and keep taking deep breaths. Be

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A Peaceful Mind ⏐ ISSUE 15

mindful during the day. Be

present to what you are doing.

Instead of thinking about the past

or future, be present to the now.

This takes practice, though, but

it’s worth it. You will feel calmer and happier.

4.Be nice: It takes just as much energy being nice to customers as it is grumpy being and

unhelpful. Have a good attitude,

be helpful, and be interested in

them. You will find customers will

treat you differently, and you will

have more energy because you

feel happier.

5.Take breaks and eat healthy food: Take breaks.

Go out into

Bring food from the fresh air. home that is healthy. There is no need to go to the food courts and wait in lines and battle other are waiting to be customers who

served. Healthy food gives you

energy and helps you avoid

illness during this busy time.

Drink lots of water, and avoid sugary drinks and too much caffeine.

6.Do your Christmas shopping

early: Make sure by December 1st that you have done all your

Christmas shopping.

There is

nothing worse than shopping

crowded stores on your lunch

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break or after work when you are tired. This can also lead to bad decisions and spending way too much on presents because you’re too tired to think and you just want to get it over and done with. Plan ahead.

7.Have fun: Christmas can be fun. Find reasons to laugh with your colleagues and your customers.

Don't take yourself too seriously; find the funny side of situations and be light hearted. Laughter is the best medicine.

8.Positive energy: People want to hang out with positive people, listen to uplifting music on the way to work, treat others as they would like to be treated, and find something positive in all situations. Watch your body language and be sure not to slouch. Your posture and facial movements are all unconscious, so ensure they welcoming and not aggressive.

9.Don't get involved in bitching and gossip: This is self-explanatory. Walk away from anyone who is gossiping or being negative. Do this once or twice and that person won’t do it again. Be around uplifting people who are fun and who have great energy.

10.Be knowledgeable: Know where everything is in your store. Know the features and benefits of each product you stock, and the levels of stock. This leads to less stress for all. Customers want to be served by people who know what they are doing.

Christmas can be fun for all. I know it is a tiring, frustrating, and crazy time of year. But if you can see it differently – and more in a positive light – then it can also be a great time of celebration, family, and food. If you can change the meaning of Christmas retail trading to something more positive and fun, then you can also change the way you feel about it and the way you turn up to work every day.

Give it a try!

This is a beautiful time of year to make a difference to others.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, or Happy Holidays, and for those of you who don't celebrate Christmas, take time to enjoy friends and family, drinking and eating and celebrating life and what you are grateful for.

Penny V

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A Peaceful Mind ⏐ ISSUE 15

THE TWO P’S TO CHRISTMAS PROOF YOUR BUSINESS

Lisa Wiking ⏐ MOTIVATIONAL Leadership

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Christmas is upon us and the feeling of panic may be setting in for business owners and managers across Australia.

How are we going to meet our targets this month?

How will we cover costs?

What if we lose money this month, how will we pay the bills?

These are very familiar questions and concerns of many business owners and managers.

It’s no secret that businesses in different industries experience certain business cycles. Christmas can be seen as a danger period for businesses as customer focus

shifts to family, holidays and the festive season. However more often than not, the impact of the ‘Festive Season’ on business is bigger than it needs to be.

Whilst it may be too late for major marketing projects and product overhaul, there is still plenty you can do to arrest the December nightmare and bring in the new year with plenty to celebrate. To minimise the impact of the festive season on your business, address the Two P’s as soon as possible.

PEOPLE & PERFORMANCE PEOPLE; the people in your business will determine it’s result. How people think and what they focus on will determine their action, which determines the result.

A Peaceful Mind ⏐ ISSUE 15

Check in with the ‘conversation’

that happens in the work place.

Are there assumptions that ‘December is slow’ and ‘Nobody succeeds in December’ and ‘It’s a good time to be at work, because you get to slack off’. What’s the general feel from the team. Any conversation like this must be addressed. A team pep talk pumping them up for the month and addressing each of these can be helpful.

For each statement you discover, come up with as many reasons why it isn’t true - and communicate that in your pep talk. For example: ‘December is slow’ - have your accountant pull out some $$ numbers comparing December to other ‘faster’ months.

Look at history of enquiry levels Comparing December to other months.

Often you’ll find that there’s not much difference in the numbers, it’s all in our mind.

Gather evidence anyway you can to disprove their ‘That’s just the way it is’ attitude. Get passionate and banish that mentality from your business. Because ‘what you focus on is exactly what you’ll get’. Like the old saying by Henry Ford “Whether you think you can or you think you cant, you’re right”. So make sure your team are focusing on the results they do want. Have some fun with it and Ban negative talk. You could possibly create a fine jar for anyone who is heard speaking anything other than desired results - and then match the money in there for the Christmas

drinks break up!

Begin a “Best and Fairest” Vote, where each team member votes for another when they observe something great, whether it be ‘helping a fellow team member’ or ‘offering great customer service’ At the end of the month, get together and read out the votes.

The person with the most votes wins the ‘prize’.

PERFORMANCE: If history states that your business typically drops in enquiry then you must focus on and drive a focus of increasing conversion. Do your people know their numbers. Do they track the number of enquiry they take, the number of sales they make and the average $/sale? Do you know what numbers must happen to achieve your target?

Ensure your team is clear every single day - what numbers they need to achieve.

How many customers do they need to serve?

How many sales must they make?

What average $/sale do they need to achieve?

Ensure that each team member knows these numbers daily.

Then introduce customer incentives to help them achieve that.

For example: Introduce a lead generation project in the local area of your business, do a drive (ad campaign) online or implement a referral incentive with a christmas flavour for existing customers to refer family and friends for the month of December.

Then once you’re driving the traffic, you must incentivise your team to convert them.

Introduce a competition or incentive for the top

1,2 or 3 people who have the highest conversion. Make the prize something they really want.

If you don't know what that is, then ask them what they’d like. In addition to this, deliver a series of daily 30 or 60 min Sales Conversion Trainings to help them improve.

Then introduce some sort of ‘purchase with purchase’ offering - like the jelly beans at the chemist. Help your team to up sell by putting together some basic packages and beneficial add ons that make sense. You could also advertise a Christmas Special or Christmas Gift idea for loved ones.

Most of all, stay relaxed. The more tense and highly strung you become, the less your team will sell. So shake it out, go for a walk if you feel your self tensing up!

Ensure you’re language is all about the desired outcome and focus only on that. Make it fun and enjoyable to be at work that’s when you're team will be most successful.

If you’d like a complimentary 20 min session to help with ideas to implement or help designing sales training email me at lisa@motivationalleadership.com. au and I’d be only to happy to help!

I wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy festive season!

Lisa 23

A Peaceful Mind â?? ISSUE 15

VEGAN CHRISTMAS CAKE

A TREAT FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY BUFFY ELLEN Äą BE GOOD ORGANICS Photograph: Buffy Ellen | Be Good Organics

Ingredients:

250g sultanas 250g raisins 100g dried apricots or dates 50g currants 150g pure coconut sugar 2 c water 1 c & 1/3 c coconut oil 50g walnuts, chopped 3 Tbsp chia seeds mixed with 9 Tbsp water (to make 3 'chia eggs') 1 c coconut flour 2 c wholemeal spelt flour (or a gluten free alternative such as rice flour, buckwheat flour, or almond flour) 1 tsp aluminium free baking powder 1/2 c wheat germ or oat-bran (optional) 1/2 c almond flour

What to Do:

1. Put the dried fruit and coconut sugar in a saucepan with the water.

2. Slowly bring to the boil and simmer for 3 minutes (you can also do this in the Thermomix*).

3. Turn off the heat and leave to cool.

4. When quite cool stir in the oil, walnuts, chia eggs, then flours, wheatgerm (if using) and almond meal. Mix well.

5. Grease and line a cake tin.

6. Turn the cake mix into the tin and smooth the top.

7. Bake at 160C for between 1 & 1/2 - 2 hours or until a skewer comes out clean.

Goes Great with:

With some homemade coconut custard, strawberries and cherries right now. Alongside an organic chai tea and of course some fabulous friends and family.

To check out more recipes go to: 25 www.begoodorganics.com

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WHAT IS CLOUD COMPUTING? Julie Bourkeâ?? Technology

noun: cloud computing; 1. the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer. Google Cloud computing is quickly gaining a lot of ground in the current technological era.

There are numerous merits that come from going in this direction. Large companies like Amazon and Google have taken their operations to the cloud already.

In light of this, it is important to know what it entails and why it is the next big thing. Indeed, cloud computing is as a result

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of the evolution of Having said this, it to put your mind concept to really what it is.

the internet. is important around this understand

Cloud computing is becoming more and more popular in society. The companies that provide this service must have essential systems that create backups in a bid to store or process data properly for clients.

Being in the cloud is soon going to become a requirement for businesses who want to save money while retaining a seamless flow of work in their business.

Cloud computing provides a lot of benefits that include email, file storage, calendars, documents,

etc. Some of the cloud computing providers like Google provide a tool that helps you to compare Google mail costing versus Microsoft Exchange. Others like Astadia will provide a basic tool used for calculating your return for investing on cloud services.

Or if you are planning to introduce something new in your business, you can use social media as a platform to raise awareness.

DATA RECOVERY The cloud is very successful when it has been pre-configured for disaster recovery. The cloud recovery plan is an important application that works automatically when data or a

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A Peaceful Mind â?? ISSUE 15

server crashes, since it will help to recover the data at the earliest time

possible. By incorporating these applications it enables the cloud to be an efficient platform to manage PaaS, SaaS and IaaS competitively.

Cloud computing is currently the most promising IT technology in the world today. Most companies are now using cloud services and they are achieving their desired goals.

Cloud computing provides a lot of applications to businesses which are beneficial in the long run.

CLOUD COMPUTING CLOUD STORAGE

VERSUS

Cloud computing provides various IT services in the form of applications to the end-user via the internet.

Cloud technology is defined as a set of networks, hardware, services, interface and storage that are combined to deliver all aspects of cloud services. Some of the cloud services include infrastructure, delivery of software and virtual storage. Below we will look at the difference between cloud computing and cloud storage.

CLOUD COMPUTING Cloud computing entails the sharing of software with different computers over the network. That means the software does not necessarily need to be stored on the local machine. A good example is when a computer user wants to write a report but he has not installed Microsoft Word. The

user can purchase a Microsoft Word

service through cloud computing from another computer on the network.

Cloud computing is comprised of four

characteristics that include elasticity and being able to scale up and down, application programming interfaces, automatic de-provisioning and selfservice provisioning, and finally the ability to offer metering and billing of service usage.

Cloud computing services have become popular because they are convenient and affordable. With cloud computing, you will be able to keep your contacts, emails and calendar updated and you will also be able to view your content, edit and share with other devices that you’re using.

Google Apps is one of the cloud computing services that allows you to view, edit, create and collaborate any office style documents including spreadsheets, presentations and word processor docs. Photos can easily be managed and shared at Google photos and videos can be shared and uploaded through Google owned YouTube.

CLOUD STORAGE Disasters can be as a result of human or natural causes, and can easily fry your computer. Some of these disasters include floods, fire or power surges, and all can destroy your precious files. Beyond these natural calamities, locally-stored data faces many other threats that include hard drive failure, accidental erasures and theft.

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A Peaceful Mind â?? ISSUE 15

It’s hard to predict when and where the disaster will strike, but you can now store

your data in the cloud through a storage management service. This data storage service will ensure that your files are safely stored and they can be retrieved anytime.

Cloud storage can provide unlimited storage at a flat rate fee. This means that you can store a large number of files since the service will not cap your limit. Cloud storage provides some useful features that make it possible to share and upload files in an easy and convenient way. The service will provide offline syncing, folder sharing and file versioning.

With online storage, you will have an opportunity to store digital files and access your data from various devices such as mobile devices and multiple computers.

Cloud storage is a powerful service but simple enough for most customer to use.

This online storage is supplemented with support and help options. Direct customer support is offered via email, live chat and telephone.

Cloud computing technology can be used in different forms that include private clouds, public clouds and hybrid clouds.

This technology can change the way businesses apply technology to serve clients, suppliers and partners. Cloud technology can eliminate many constraints that are common with a traditional computing environment, such as space, power, time and cost.

Next issue I will detail the limitations of cloud computing and the issues you should be aware of, one of those obviously is the need for a stable internet connection to access and store your data.

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Julie

ph: +61 420 305 989 | www.destinypursuit.com.au

coaching & training

Contact joanne@destinypursuit. com.au a few places are available for the next training - 7 Days to be a Practitioner of NLP. Register now at pages.destinypursuit.com/nlp-apm If you are ready for more you can also take your training to the next level in Joanne’s 10 day Master Practitioner training. Register at destinypursuit.com.au/events.php

WWW.DESTINYPURSUIT.COM.AU

server crashes, since it will help to recover the data at the earliest time

possible. By incorporating these applications it enables the cloud to be an efficient platform to manage PaaS, SaaS and IaaS competitively.

Cloud computing is currently the most promising IT technology in the world today. Most companies are now using cloud services and they are achieving their desired goals.

Cloud computing provides a lot of applications to businesses which are beneficial in the long run.

service through cloud computing from another computer on the network.

A Peaceful Mind ⏐ ISSUE 15 A Peaceful Mind ⏐ ISSUE 15

Cloud computing is comprised of four characteristics that include elasticity and being able to scale up and down, application programming interfaces, automatic de-provisioning and selfservice provisioning, and finally the ability to offer metering and billing of service usage.

Cloud computing services have become popular because they are convenient and affordable. With cloud computing, you will be able to keep your contacts, emails and calendar updated and you will also be able to view your content, edit and share with other devices that you’re using.

YOUR HOLIDAY STYLE GURU CLOUD COMPUTING CLOUD STORAGE

VERSUS

EASY OUTFITS FOR ANY OCCASION THIS SEASON! Cloud computing provides various IT

services in the form of applications to Beckie White - Stylist the end-user via the internet.

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Beckie

A Peaceful Mind ⏐ ISSUE 15

THE ORCHID DRESS

… so so versatile

THE HAND DRAWN MAXI

… wildside trends 31

AAPeaceful PeacefulMind ⏐ ISSUE Mind ⏐ ISSUE1515

server crashes, since it will help to recover the data at the earliest time By

possible. incorporating these applications it enables the cloud to be an efficient platform to manage PaaS, SaaS and IaaS competitively.

Cloud computing is currently the most promising IT technology in the world today. Most companies are now using cloud services and they are achieving their desired goals.

Cloud computing provides a lot of applications to businesses which are beneficial in the long run.

service through cloud computing from another computer on the network.

Cloud computing is comprised of four characteristics that include elasticity and being able to scale up and down, application programming interfaces, automatic de-provisioning and selfservice provisioning, and finally the ability to offer metering and billing of service usage.

Cloud computing services have become popular because they are convenient and affordable. With cloud computing, you will be able to keep your contacts, emails and calendar updated and you will also be able to view your content, edit and share with other devices that you’re using.

YOUR ULTIMATE Christmas GIFT GUIDES FOR UNDER $60 CLOUD COMPUTING CLOUD STORAGE

VERSUS

Cloud computing provides various IT services in the form of applications to the end-user via the internet.

Google Apps is one of the cloud computing services that allows you to view, edit, create and collaborate any office style documents including spreadsheets, presentations and word processor docs. Photos can easily be managed and shared at Google photos and videos can be shared and uploaded through Google owned YouTube.

Everything youisneed toasknow Cloud technology defined a set to shop for him, her and the kids of networks, hardware, services, interface and storage that are combined to deliver all aspects of cloud services. Some of the cloud services include infrastructure, delivery of software and virtual storage. Below we will look at the difference between cloud computing and cloud storage.

CLOUD COMPUTING Cloud computing entails the sharing of software with different computers over the network. That means the software does not necessarily need to be stored on the local machine. A good example is when a computer user wants to write a report but he has not installed Microsoft Word. The

user can purchase a Microsoft Word

32

CLOUD STORAGE Disasters can be as a result of human or natural causes, and can easily fry your computer. Some of these disasters include floods, fire or power surges, and all can destroy your precious files. Beyond these natural calamities, locally-stored data faces many other threats that include hard drive failure, accidental erasures and theft.

Peaceful Mind ⏐ ISSUE AA Peaceful Mind ⏐ ISSUE 1515

server crashes, since it will help to service through cloud computing from data at the earliest time recover the another computer on the network.

possible. By incorporating these

Cloud computing is comprised of four applications it enables the cloud to be an efficient platform to manage characteristics that include elasticity PaaS, SaaS and IaaS competitively. and being able to scale up and down, application programming interfaces, Cloud computing is currently the automatic de-provisioning and selfmost promising IT technology in the service provisioning, and finally the world today. Most companies are ability to offer metering and billing of now using cloud services and they service usage. are achieving their desired goals.

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A Peaceful Mind ⏐ ISSUE 15 A Peaceful Mind ⏐ ISSUE 15

server crashes, since it will help to

recover the data at the earliest time

possible. By incorporating these applications it enables the cloud to be an efficient platform to manage PaaS, SaaS and IaaS competitively.

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service through cloud computing from another computer on the network.

GIFT GUIDE FOR Cloud computing is currently the most promising IT technology in the world today. Most companies are

now using cloud services and they are achieving their desired goals.

Cloud computing provides a lot of applications to businesses which are beneficial in the long run.

1

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CLOUD COMPUTING CLOUD STORAGE

VERSUS

Cloud computing provides various IT services in the form of applications to the end-user via the internet.

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Cloud computing is comprised of four characteristics that include elasticity and being able to scale up and down, application programming interfaces, automatic de-provisioning and selfservice provisioning, and finally the ability to offer metering and billing of service usage.

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Cloud computing services have become popular because they are convenient and affordable. With cloud computing, you will be able to keep your contacts, emails and calendar updated and you will also be able to

view your content, edit and share with other devices that you’re using.

Google Apps is one of the cloud computing services that allows you to view, edit, create and collaborate any office style documents including spreadsheets, presentations and word processor docs. Photos can easily be managed and shared at Google photos and videos can be shared and uploaded through Google owned YouTube.

5

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A Peaceful Peaceful Mind ⏐ ISSUE Mind ⏐ ISSUE 15 15 A

server crashes, since it will help to earliest time recover the data at the

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Cloud computing is currently the most promising IT technology in the world today. Most companies are now using cloud services and they are achieving their desired goals.

Cloud computing provides a lot of applications to businesses which are

beneficial in the long run.

service through cloud computing from another computer on the network.

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CLOUD COMPUTING CLOUD STORAGE

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Cloud computing services have become popular because they are convenient and affordable. With cloud computing, you will be able to keep your contacts, emails and calendar updated and you will also be able to view your content, edit and share with other devices that you’re using.

VERSUS

Cloud computing provides various IT services in the form of applications to the end-user via the internet.

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GIFT GUIDE FOR

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LIVING THE PEACEFUL LIFE THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS HERE AND WE WANT YOU TO HAVE A PEACEFUL MIND EXPERIENCE. HERE ARE OUR TIPS TO GET YOU THROUGH THE SEASON FROM SURVIVING THE SHOPPING RUSH, KEEPING YOUR MIND HEALTHY, DRESSING FOR YOU, TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS AND MUCH MORE. TAKE WHAT WORKS FOR YOU SO YOU CAN LOVE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON YOUR WAY!

BE GRATEFUL TO RETAIL STAFF AND REMEMBER TO BE PATIENT WHEN SHOPPING.

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JUST KEEP PEDALLING THROUGH AND YOU WILL NEED OK

THE HIGHER THE EXPECTATION THE BIGGER THE DISAPPOINTMENT. APPRECIATE THE SMALL AND SIMPLE THINGS THIS CHRISTMAS!

BE AWARE OF THE XMAS COMPETITION MONSTER. STAY TRUE TO YOU AND DANCE TO THE BEAT OF WHAT YOU WANT TO WEAR TO BE REPRESENT WHO YOU TRULY ARE. THERE IS NO BETTER GIFT OF A PEACEFUL MIND THAT ONE THAT IS YOUR OWN.

TO AVOID CROWDS SHOP FIRST THING IN THE MORNING OR LATE AT NIGHT IN THE BEGINNING OF THE WEEK IN EARLY DECEMBER.

PRE PLAN YOUR FOOD SO YOU CAN AVOID OVER INDULGING AND EATING ON THE RUN – TAKE HEALTHY SNACKS IN YOUR BAG. NOT BORING YOU WILL BE THANKFUL IN JANUARY TRUST US.

SHOPPING CAN BE STRESSFUL WE KNOW HOWEVER YOU CAN GET WHAT YOU NEED AND SPREAD SOME PEACEFUL MIND LOVE AT THE SAME TIME.

AS THE ROUTINE CHANGES IN DECEMBER KEEP OXYGEN ON YOUR MIND THE MORE OXYGEN THE EASIER TO BOUNCE BACK. THIS INCLUDES BREATHING EXERCISES, OXYGEN FILLED FOOD AND LOTS OF WATER.

GETTING XMAS CARDS TO EVERYONE ON TIME WHY NOT USE ELECTRONIC XMAS CARDS! TRY IT OUT, SAVE SOME TIME AND SURPRISE YOUR FRIENDS WITH SOMETHING FUN AND HEARTFELT.

TRY NOT TO BE DISTRACTED BY WHAT IS COMING AT YOU. THIS IS FOR A SPECIFIC TIME SO JUST KEEP PEDALLING THROUGH AND YOU WILL BE OKAY

LET’S KEEP OURSELVES IN CHECK. THIS TIME OF YEAR CAN PUSH US OUT OF THE PART WITH REGARDS TO WHAT IT IS WE ARE REALLY DOING. SO REMEMBER THE HIGHER THE EXPECTATION THE BIGGER DISAPPOINTMENT. CONNECT, GRATITUDE AND REFLECT

MAKE DECEMBER A MONTH OF RELAX AND REVIEW. NOW THIS IS NOT TO SAY YOU NEED TO SIDE STEP ALL THE INVITATIONS HOWEVER BE CAREFUL NOT TO GIVE ALL OF YOUR TIME AND FOCUS ON THE PARTY SEASON. DECEMBER IS A GREAT TIME FOR YOU TO REFLECT AND START TO THINK AND ONLY THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE MORE OF IN 2017 AND WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE LESS OF. KEEP IT LIGHT AND MAKE THE TIME. DO IT ON YOUR WALKS

RAISE YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS AND LEVEL OF GIVING. LOVE AND LIFE YOU WANT A NEW FAMILY MEMBER HOWEVER PLEASE REMEMBER PUPPIES ARE NOT FOR XMAS………IF YOU ARE IN THE MARKET FOR A FAMILY MEMBER PLEASE ADOPT. BE PART OF THE CONSCIOUS MOVEMENT TO ASSIST IN THE RAISE THE BAR AROUND ANIMAL WELFARE AND YOU CAN TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT COMPASSION AND KINDNESS AT THE SAME TIME

SWITCH YOUR PRESENTS TO YOUR PRESCENCE. CHANGE UP THE PARTY SCENE. INSTEAD OF ONLY CATCHING UP WITH FRIENDS OVER DRINKS AND DINNER, MEET AT A PARK AND GO FOR A 45-MINUTE WALK. CATCH UP CHAT GIGGLE GIVE THANKS AND GET SOME MOVEMENT AND AIR IN AT THE SAME TIME. YOU WILL LOVE HOW THIS CONNECTION TO YOUR FRIENDSHIPS AND SELF WILL REWARD YOU BIG TIME.

SUPPORT YOU LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS. THE MICRO BUSINESS IS EVERYWHERE. STARTED BY WOMEN IN HOMES, WITH FRIENDS BORN FROM A PASSION OR A CHANCE TO REALLY ALIGN TO THEIR CORE VALUES. YOU CAN JUST ABOUT PURCHASE ANYTHING IN THIS SPACE. WHERE DO YOU FIND THEM? ON-LINE, AT YOUR LOCAL MARKET, IN YOUR LOCAL SHOPPING AREA AND WHEN IN DOUBT ASK YOUR ONLINE COMMUNITY.

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A Peaceful Mind ⏐ ISSUE 15

SAY GOODBYE TO 2016 & HELLO TO THE NEW YEAR

As 2016 comes to a close we want to give THANKS to the spirit of community

As a community we are here to raise each other up and I want to personally ask a favour.

What a year 2016 has been. It was coined the year of completion and I think it lived up to its name. For many I know this year has felt heavy and you have been letting go of many areas of your life that you have once been connected.

Jobs, relationships and habits have all changed.

In the lead up the end of the year we are going to use the has tag #youarenotalone and we would like you to consider doing the same thing.

This to reach out and help anyone out there who may feel less than chipper this holiday season and remind them that they are in deed a valued and much loved human being.

This is not about providing counselling or medical advice for people rather a community outreach that says its okay you are supported.

While change can feel challenging especially when it feels like it if forced on you (nothing is really ever forced on us however when we don’t actually plan for stuff it can feel like that), it can take a while to get your head around it.

Well you are not alone.

The good news is 2017 is being called the year of new beginnings. It is about living closer to who you really are and being more aligned to your true nature. Sounds interesting and I for one cannot wait for some new beginning action.

So if you have been one of those people who have felt like they have schlepped through 2016 not long to go and you can turn the corner to the New Year and a new you.

From APM to all of our community we want to wish you a safe and healthy rest of 2016 and we look forward to sharing 2017 with you.

Before we all sail off into the bliss of the holiday season we would also like to raise awareness around not everyone enjoys this time of year.

For some it is a very lonely and isolating time.

Some people don’t have families or are estranged.

We also report as a society a higher rate of suicide during this time of the year.

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My hope is that if enough people know that there are people out there that care that they will choose a new decision and that is one to stay around. It only takes one person to help another person to save them from thinking they have no other option but to check out.

This is about us coming together at a time when people need us the most.

If anyone in our APM community is feeling less than chipper this holiday season please reach out.

I personally will be around if you need a hello gorgeous and a smile to remind you that you are person who we all need around. Please feel free to reach out on social media and I will respond.

For those with social platforms I encourage and ask you to use the #youarenotalone over the holidays and make your Xmas giving on that may just help someone in need that you don’t even know.

As we close on 2016 enjoy your time whatever it is that you are doing and I look forward to connecting with you in 2017.

Maree

Much love and gratitude

happy holidays 39

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