Issue 15 - December 15, 2003

Editor: Lynne Bullen
lynne@associatedsecretarial.com.au

Publisher: Associated Secretarial
Copyright © 2003 Associated Secretarial

In this issue:

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1. Editorial

Hello. Welcome back. Glad to have you with us. To our new subscribers, good to see you've joined us. Every month, our newsletter will give you something to think about, to relate to, to help you and have you Inspired to Succeed.

This month we're talking about choices. There seem to be many decisions to make this time of the year, and the age old "I just don't know where the time goes!" is chasing us again.

With Christmas almost upon us, many have not yet chosen gifts for loved ones. A confession from me ... I have only last night sat down to write my Christmas Cards! I should have done it weeks ago, but there always seemed to be something else needing attention. Unconsciously, I kept choosing not to do it ... yet!

Yes, unconsciously! We do it all the time. Then there are the times when things happen, not of our choosing. As an example, here's a true story about a choice I didn't make.

A few months ago I found myself in a very nice hospital room (with a window!) with cheery nurses and a very good specialist to take care of me. So, did I choose to be here? Of course not! But some of the choices I've made over the past few months have had some bearing on my current circumstance.

During a period of 16 or so weeks, just doing the ordinary everyday things had me "out-of-breath". As each day passed I was able to do less. In fact, just walking to the front gate for mail had me breathing heavily.

It became increasingly evident that I could no longer put this down to being over my ideal weight and somewhat unfit. I couldn't walk and talk at the same time! Just standing up from my desk and walking to the kitchen for a glass of water was a tremendous effort. By the time I got to the fridge, I felt like I'd just run
a marathon. My breathing was hard and laboured.

It was time to make a choice! Put up with this, or find out what was happening.

I decided that I should go see my doctor. I didn't quite make it from the car to her rooms. An ambulance was called and I was given an oxygen mask to help me breathe.

I can't really remember much of the remainder of the day, but I was aware that something was seriously wrong.

Looking back, I'm glad that I had made the choice to go visit my doctor. Without going into great detail, after a series of tests, blood work, x-rays, CT scans, lung function, ECG and many others over the course of the next five hours, it was found that I had small blood clots in my lungs. The doctors call it Pulmonary
Embolus ... both lungs were badly damaged. The sections that were not damaged were working overtime just to keep me breathing. That, as it was explained to me, was why I was so very breathless. There was no oxygen exchange. If you want to know more about Pulmonary Embolus, just type it into your favourite
search engine's browser, using quotation marks at the beginning and end - like this: "Pulmonary Embolus".

It will take around three months or so before I can go power walking, and around 12 months for my lungs to repair themselves. A drug called Warfarin will help to take care of the thrombosis and should stop this from occurring again.

Well, here I am!!! Living and breathing, and on the road to recovery! I guess my Fairy-God-Mother traded in her old Magic Wand for a new one!

By now, you must be thinking, "Why are you telling us about this?"

The answer is simple. It's about The Choices We Make.

All choices you make today will have consequences, either today, tomorrow or in years to come. Remember also that it's not just you who will feel the impact; people around you may also be affected.

You might like to have a little fun, which could also reveal consequences today of a choice you made months or even years ago. Think back and you'll see the results of the actions you took. I'm sure you'll be quite surprised. How have those choices impacted on your life today?

If you think there's a story in it, please send it to me. It may be published in this newsletter (with your permission, of course) and, you never know, it might just prompt you to help others choose carefully when a choice is to be made.

As the holiday season is almost here, from us at "Associated Secretarial ... the perfect solution" have a wonderful Christmas and a safe, happy and prosperous New Year!

See you next month! Lynne
lynne@associatedsecretarial.com.au

2. Article: The Choices We Make

We are all given choices to make right throughout our lives. " Should I fill up my gas tank now or leave it until tomorrow?" " Should I tell so-and-so how awful she looks in that outfit?" " Will it be better for me to just show up or should I call first?" "What will I have for lunch today?"

Of course, there are situations in which choices are far more serious and some will have far reaching consequences.

All choices have consequences, good or bad, right or wrong. Fortunately, most of us will make the right choices. We may regret one or two choices we made in the past. There will be times when we are very happy with the choice we made.

Most of the choices we are given in life help us to grow and learn. We gather the information we need, weigh up a situation taking time to think about what the consequences are likely to be, whichever option we choose. Every time we make a choice, we are learning.

More than likely, you'll find that there are several choices to a situation, but none of them can be regarded as right or wrong.

Keep in mind that it's not the situation itself, but the way you react to the situation that is the key here.

If you find yourself in a dilemma that only you can rectify, or a situation that needs immediate attention, look at the choices you have, make a decision and then act upon it. Usually, common sense will prevail and the choice you make will be right for you. You could also ask for an opinion from a friend or a colleague. It could help you to see things from another angle.

Another thing about choices is that there are two types. One is the choice we make on a conscious level after gathering information, to learn all we can about the situation so that we can make an informed choice.

The other is the choice we make on an unconscious level. We're given choices every day, and all without us thinking too much about them, we make our choice! You won't find yourself in the dilemma of thinking, "Should I?" or "Should I not?" Somehow, these choices seem to take care of themselves.

To give you a few examples: Stepping off the footpath onto the road at the right time, so as not to be hit by a motor vehicle. Putting on the kettle so you can make yourself a cup of tea or coffee. We don't really think too much about these actions. They just somehow happen!

We all choose to BREATHE, but we don't really think about it. I like to call my unconscious choice my "auto-pilot mode".

Making choices is part of daily life. The consequences of your choices may not be evident right away, but somewhere down the track you'll be marvelling at how the universe works, how a choice you made years ago has lead to this point in your life.

There are, of course, many times when we find ourselves in a situation not of our own making. Something we didn't plan, something so far out of left field, we would never have thought of it in our wildest dreams.

My little trip to hospital is a perfect example. No choices for me there! Others made them for me; thankfully by people who were qualified and experienced, who recognised that my situation was grave and something must be done NOW!

I am so very lucky.

I'd like to share with you some of the choices made years ago, their consequences just now evident.

In 1991 I decided I'd rather work for myself rather than someone else. I was ready for the challenge.

I made the choice on a very conscious level.

Over a period of about six months, after gathering information, carrying out research and weighing up the pros and cons I was set to go.

I was lucky enough to have made some really good professional relationships whilst working for others. They, as well as my family and friends encouraged me, offering advice, suggesting options. There were certainly many choices on the table!

My business grew slowly but steadily. Business people in networks I had previously developed were interested in what I was doing. Some use my services today; others recommended me to their business contacts.

In 1997, new technology and the advantages offered by the Internet and email looked to me like a great way to take my business to another level, so I jumped on board.

I made the choice to "join the revolution".

A few years later, through one of the networking groups to which I belonged, I met several other very astute businesswomen who, like me, wanted more out of life. After several planned meetings and with a true agenda, we decided to form a "consortium" or "association". This choice was made partly because it was
necessary in our evolution and partly so that we could have a personal life as well as a professional life. All of us were burning the midnight oil on many occasions, working weekends, which meant that we really didn't have too much time to spend with our families or just have time to ourselves.

We each made a choice.

Each of us has our own successful business enterprises. We do similar things but each of us has some services the others don't. We see ourselves not as competitors, but as complementing each other. Our Association allows us the freedom to do several very important things; we have buying power, marketing expenses are shared, we can take a few days off here and there, and if we become ill, there is always someone to take care of business!

So, who was looking after my clients whilst I was in hospital?

My "Associates", of course!!!!

You can see that some of the choices I made back as far as 1991 are now delivering their consequences. When I made those choices, and others in between, I wasn't even thinking about my current situation. What would have happened to my clients if I hadn't made those choices?

By the way, my colleagues and I call ourselves Associated Secretarial ... the perfect solution. Our choice to form this wonderful association has paid off, especially when any of us find ourselves in situations not of our choosing.

So you see, The Choices We Make throughout life, whether they are conscious or unconscious, will have consequences somewhere down the track ... tomorrow, next week, next year...

When you have the chance to make a choice on a conscious level, take the time to think carefully about what the consequences might be and then act.

About the author: Lynne Bullen is a successful businesswoman whose talents include Public Relations; Editorial and Commercial Copywriting; Design and Facilitation of Seminars, Forums and Workshops, and helping small business to grow and prosper. Lynne Bullen Strategies was registered and commenced business in 1991 to offer VA services, including Digital Transcription, to the small business owner. Lynne is happy to share her knowledge to help others achieve their goals. You can contact Lynne via email:
lynne@associatedsecretarial.com.au You can visit her website at http://www.lynnebullenstrategies.com.au

3. Resources

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/ An Aussie site (Victoria) with many topics which will help you make your choices more easily. Look at "Healthy Eating" or the "Events Calendar"

http://choices.wesley.com.au/ Another Aussie site (Queensland) regarding Breast Cancer. There are some great resources for those with Breast Cancer and those who would like to know more. Choices.

http://www.health.usyd.edu.au/smarthealthchoices/ From the University of Sydney. There are choices you make daily regarding your health. An excellent resource for health conscious men and women.

http://www.homeworkchoice.com/ From Western Australia. On line tutoring for those who have made the choice to take on a little extra with a view to improving marks.

http://www.choice.com.au/goArticle.aspx?ID=100255&p=1 From the land of OZ again. Find out about Genetically Modified Foods and then make your choice.

4. Article: No Regrets

Editor's Note: The choices we make can change our own lives and the lives of many others. When you make a choice, whether on a professional or personal basis, think about the likely consequences. The best choices are those made with "No Regrets". Enjoy this next, true story.

At the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, the sport of canoe racing was added to the list of international competitions. The favorite team in the four-man canoe race was the United States team. One member of that team was a young man by the name of Bill Havens.

As the time for the Olympics neared, it became clear that Bill's wife would give birth to their first child about the time that the U.S. team would be competing in the Paris games. In 1924 there were no jet airliners from Paris to the United States, only slow ocean going ships. And so Bill found himself in a dilemma. Should he go to Paris and risk not being at his wife's side when their baby was born? Or should he withdraw from the team and remain with his family?

Bill's wife insisted that he go to Paris. After all, competing in the Olympics was the culmination of a life long dream. But Bill felt conflicted and, after much soul searching, decided to withdraw from the competition and remain home, where he could support his wife when the child arrived. He considered being at her side his highest priority, even higher than going to Paris to fulfill his dream.

As it turned out, the United States four-man canoe team won the gold medal in Paris. And Bill's wife was late in giving birth to their child. She was so late, in fact, that Bill could have competed in the event and returned home in time to be with her when she gave birth.

People said, "What a shame." But Bill said he had no regrets. For the rest of his life, he believed he had made the better decision.

Bill Havens knew what was most important to him. Not everybody figures that out. And he acted on what he believed was best. Not everybody has the strength of character to say no to something he or she truly wants in order to say yes to something that truly matters. But for Bill, it was the only way to peace; the only way to no regrets.

There is an interesting sequel to the story of Bill Havens...

The child eventually born to Bill and his wife was a boy, whom they named Frank. Twenty eight years later, in 1952, Bill received a cablegram from Frank. It was sent from Helsinki, Finland, where the 1952 Olympics were being held. The cablegram read: "Dad, I won. I'm bringing home the gold medal you lost while waiting for me to be born."

Frank Havens had just won the gold medal for the United States in the canoe-racing event, a medal his father had dreamed of winning but never did. Like I said, no regrets.

Thomas Kinkade eloquently said, "When we learn to say a deep, passionate yes to the things that really matter, then peace begins to settle onto our lives like golden sunlight sifting to a forest floor."

About the Author: Steve Goodier Publisher@LifeSupportSystem.com is a professional speaker, consultant and author of numerous books. Visit his site for more information, or to sign up for his FREE newsletter of Life, Love and Laughter at http://LifeSupportSystem.com

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From the Eagle's Nest: Copyright © 2003 Lynne Bullen and Associated Secretarial (articles by other individuals copyrighted as indicated). Prior to using Lynne's articles please e-mail her at lynne@associatedsecretarial.com.au - she will provide her bio and a URL link. Thank you.

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