Archive for August, 2009
MJ’s Off The Wall – How It Relates To You
Posted by Aparicio Giddins in Miscellaneous on August 31, 2009
I was listening to Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall and I heard something that was so profound, I had to blog about it. I spend time reading and researching about topics that can help people improve their life and as I was listening to this record, Michael was saying words, like, “you got leave that 9-5 up on the shelf and just enjoy yourself…live your life off the wall.” We get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life that we forget to enjoy ourselves. Sometimes we are so aggravated with the events and circumstances that happen to us in our lives that we neglect the stress relieving activities like having a good dance, or enjoying the company of our loved ones. What are you going to do to change your situation? Make an effort to live your life differently by enjoying yourself, we only get one shot. You will be surprised by the results.
Texting While Driving…This is Sobering
Posted by Aparicio Giddins in Miscellaneous on August 25, 2009
Please check out the video below. I don’t think any commentary is needed.
Do You Use Credit Cards….Better Read This!
Posted by Aparicio Giddins in Financial on August 24, 2009
With the credit crunch that is hitting the markets at this current time, be careful if you are still using credit cards. Most issuers are trying to figure out ways to remain profitable by increasing rates and adding miscellaneous charges. One charge in particular is the new annual fee charge. Annual fees on credit cards are not new, however consumers are being hit with annual fees at record rates. In fact, 28% of all new solicitations have an annual fee. In addition, the average annual fee is now $82.00. What I find interesting about this is that credit card companies are imposing these annual charges is that they penalizing you if you don’t spend over approximately $2,400 (See Citi Group’s new policy). Let’s do an example, You have a credit card with a $5,000 balance. You currently owe $500.00 and pay a minimum payment of $25.00. The credit card companies will charge you a fee of $80-$90 a year if you don’t spend $2400 a year. How asinine is that?
Citi spokesman Samuel Wang said in an e-mail statement:
“We have adjusted pricing and card terms for some customers as part of our regular account reviews. This is an ongoing process to ensure we offer terms, interest rates, credit lines and products based on individual needs and risk profiles. These changes also reflect the dramatically higher cost of doing business in our industry as we work to preserve the broad availability of credit.”
My advice is not to use credit, change your blueprint because after this credit crisis that we are in, I predict things will only get worse. Credit card use is up 6% for the year compared to last year. Most companies want you to continue drowning in debt. I was in Target recently, which happens to be my favorite store, but what I saw made me sick to my stomach. On the front of the cart is a message that says, “charge it, The Easy Way To Pay” (See Image Above). The Gap will only give you a discount of 25% if you are a cardmember. The goal is to keep you down. I encourage anybody reading this to seek change and to restore the original blueprint of using cash. Don’t take my word for it, check out the CARD Act for more information and read your terms and conditions.
If you are in need of help with credit cards, please call me for a free financial counseling session at 888-882-3058 or you can email me at ag@agthecoach.com.
Source for this post: Leslie McFadden, Bankrate.com
Vick Seeks Redemption
Posted by Aparicio Giddins in Life Coaching on August 17, 2009
Michael Vick was given a second chance at redemption on the football field by the Philadelphia Eagles.
I have never been a Michael Vick fan or supporter, however as a life coach that works with professional athletes I am excited that he is going to have his second chance at life and football. I am shocked that the people of Philadelphia along with the media have been extremely critical of the decision to sign Vick or his past. As I was watching the news on a local TV station, the reporter went to a local dog park to get fan reaction about the signing of Vick in Philadelphia. It seems that people and the media have made an example out of Michael Vick because of his high profile status, but contrary to what has happened to other athletes that have killed people, been involved with murder, involved in sexual indiscretions, and other illegal plots, Vick’s case seems excessive and it seems that the media wants him to fail.
I think we all understand the nature of the crimes that Vick committed and by no means am I giving him a pass, but I am a believer that Michael Vick has paid his debt to society and now it is time to get on with his life.
As I watched Eagles owner Jeffrie Lurie say that, “he needed to see enough self-hatred in Vick,” for what he had done, I thought to myself self-hatred is not what Michael Vick needs. Vick made a severe mistake and lacked sound judgment, but does not need self-hatred to make things right. I am glad that Vick has an advisor in Coach Tony Dungy to assist him in making the right decisions for his life and for football. Michael Vick the person is more important than football. I think Michael Vick was great during the introductory news conference and I like how he handled the media’s questions and took personal accountability for everything that he has done.
It’s time to look past his heinous crimes and look at his future. He has three children and a fiancée that are happy to have him home. He has people in place to ensure that he makes the best possible choices for his future. He has an opportunity to be back in the NFL and to learn from one of the most successful coach and quarterback tandems in the NFL. He will continue to be a spokesperson for the Humane Society. Vick will start to re-build his life and create the most out of this opportunity. That is what changing your blueprint is all about.
Vick has started the process of changing his blueprint by making the decision to change. Having everything stripped away along with almost two years in prison is enough to make anybody humble. I know that there are people who have the opinion that Vick is still a bad individual, but we were not created to cast judgment, but to forgive. I wish you much success Michael Vick and congrats on discovering your blueprint of change.
Why I Love The Beach
Posted by Aparicio Giddins in Miscellaneous on August 13, 2009
When I was growing up I never had an appreciation for going to the beach. My mindset when thinking about the beach was that it was extremely far away to get to and the sand was always extremely hot. By the time I reached the water my feet were completely red. This was my experience every time that I went to Wildwood, New Jersey. How times have changed as well as my blueprint.
I was reintroduced to the beach when I married back in 2002 and I now have an infatuation with going to the beach. What do I appreciate about going to the beach so much? I realized that Wildwood was not the norm. Beaches are actually closer than what I thought. I enjoy taking in the fresh air and the breeze that is smoothe and cool. I love looking to into the ocean as far as my eyes can see to allow me to dream and visualize new opportunities. Being close to the beach makes feel strong mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I am more at peace with everything that may be going on around me and I appreciate what God has created. I’m not sure why being at the beach makes me feel this way, maybe it’s the salt air that relaxes me to the point that I fall asleep like a piece of deadwood.
With everything that is happening with the economy, health care reform, deadlines for my book, obtaining new clients and the doldrums of everyday life, it is great to get to the beach to cure all thoughts and worries. Taking a long walk down the beach with my wife reminiscing about our life together and reconnecting is something special. I don’t have to pay a therapist to get the type of serenity that I can get from going to the coast. I love the fact that going to the beach is free, except in New Jersey, which is why I hate New Jersey. There is nothing more relaxing than feeling the water on your feet as you walk down the beach or laying under an umbrella reading a great personal development book. Stay tuned for the when we purchase our beach home.
Cash for Clunkers
Posted by Aparicio Giddins in Financial on August 6, 2009
At first glance this Cash-for-Clunkers bill seems like a good idea. It follows the European legislation to increase the number of environmentally friendly and safe vehicles on the road. This year the European program is expected to yield 400,000 to 500,000 new vehicles. I am sure that the Obama Administration had good intentions when they evaluated what this program could do for America. Here is how the program works:
- The government will send up to $4500 to the selling dealer on your behalf, if you:
- Trade in a car that — this is a key point — has been registered and in use for at least a year, and has a federal combined city/highway fuel-economy rating of 18 or fewer miles per gallon.
- Buy a new car, priced at $45,000 or less and rated at least 4 mpg better than the old one (gets a $3,500 voucher). If the new one gets at least 10 mpg better, you get the full $4,500.
Sounds great doesn’t it? In my opinion, I do not like this program. This program will create millions of dollars of new car debt for people that can’t afford it. We have been conditioned to think that we need a new car every 4-5 years. The average car payment in America right now is about $440/month. Most families have 2 cars with payments, spending well up to $900/month on car notes alone. That is insane. We have to change our blueprint. In these economic times, we need to get smarter and spend less.
I will be the first to tell you that having a new car is really nice. I love the new smell and the thrill of driving it off the lot and showing it to friends and family. It is a great feeling. That feeling last approximately 2 years until the next model comes out or if there is a heavy maintenance bill. The value of the car may not be anywhere near the original purchase amount. My family and I have changed our blueprint and would rather do something else with that money.
If you have cash in the bank and can benefit from this new program, by all means, take advantage of it. You have probably been driving your clunker for a while now waiting for a deal to come along. Wealthy people drive unpopular cars until they have assets in place to purchase the car they want. Here is a good idea, start a car replacement fund. Start saving the average monthly American car payment and see where you end up in 10 months.
As a Man Thinketh…
Posted by Aparicio Giddins in Life Coaching on August 6, 2009
While on a recent trip to Florida, I had an opportunity to seriously “think” about this topic. What you don’t know is that I had this topic prepared for about a month, but because of how important it is, I really wanted to convey my thoughts as clear as possible. I have been reading, studying, researching, and listening to material that dealt with the power of the mind. I have listened to a CD by Earl Nightingale called, “The Strangest Secret,” about 50 times and I get something new out of it every time I listen to it and I strongly recommend it.
While listening to the “The Strangest Secret,” Earl Nightingale believes that, “we become what we think about.” I never understood the power behind that statement and how what I have done in the past has shaped my blueprint. Having a good mindset is being on the right track to renewing your blueprint and/or to create the level of success that you want to reach for yourself. Ralph Emerson stated this about the power of our mind, “A man is what he thinks about all day long.”
As we are going through our daily lives and situations we feed our minds with the junk of the media or we are just concentrating on our own situations. Our minds conform to what we do on a daily basis. The mind is the most powerful resource that we have and I feel that we let it go to waste at times, not waste as in not utilizing it, but using it to accomplish the wrong goals. Normally when I am working with clients, I always ask, if they have created a 5 year plan. Sadly, not many of my clients have a 5 year plan. In many cases people have conformed to allowing circumstances to shape their life or just going day by day. Our minds were never created for us to go day by day. I’m sure many of you have been told the importance of writing goals, but do we actually accomplish them? Is it because we are afraid of failing? The bible tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7 that, “God has not given us spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
I chose to stop conforming and to sit down and write my vision for 5 years to change my life and the life of my family. I focus on those goals everyday and I know I will become successful because I “think” about creative ways to achieve those goals. Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “A mind once stretched, can never return to its original condition.” When is the last time you stretched your mind? During my time in Florida, I was not connected to the internet, my phone, or to my computer. Being away gave me time to think and many times, just sitting and thinking can allow you to use the most powerful resource that God has given us. As I was reading, I learned that is what the Apostle Paul did, as he walked from city to city, he would use that time to talk and think.
Walter Isaacon, wrote in his book, “In Search of the Real Bill Gates,” about a story when a young Bill Gates was sitting and doing nothing and his mother saw him and asked what he was doing. His response was, “I’m thinking, Mom, I’m thinking.” We all know how this story turned out.
If anyone needs help developing their five year plan, contact me to set up a consult.
Additional Quote:
What I lack is to be clear in my mind
what I am to do, not what I am to know…
The thing is to understand myself,
to see what God really wishes me to do…
To find the idea
for which I can live and die.
~ Soren Kierkegaard
