You're the Only One Who Can Flip Your Switch

This is NOT some infomercial about a product that will make you instantly thinner or give you an amazing cholesterol number or any other sort of "quick fix". What I want to do here today is encourage a change of mindset that leads to change in your decision making which then effects your time and energy which will eventually, over time, turn into a life changing event.

A little less than a year ago I became keenly aware of the people around me. In restaurants and offices and even on the daily commutes I noticed that at least 70% of the people I came in contact with were overweight to obese. These people had trouble moving and some even had labored breathing just standing there. I would imagine their daily process of everything from their eating habits to their lack of an exercise routine. Well, then I took a look at myself and realized that the people I was looking at could very easily be me.
I was not as careful with what I ate. I did not have any legitimate exercise routine or plans. I seemed lethargic about health and wellness in general and was fine the way I was...or so I thought. However, those of you who know me know that I am not a tall person and that I have had my battles with health issues in my life. Ten extra pounds on me looks and feels like thirty. I woke up one morning this past summer and told myself that this was ending today. I got up, got dressed and headed to play some tennis at our local park where a nice big green backboard waited for me. Now, picking the dead of the summer when the temperature was 100+ was probably not the best option, but after 10 minutes on the wall I was totally wiped. Things hurt I had forgotten could hurt. I was breathing so heavy I thought I might just pass slap out right then. I sat and hydrated and caught my breath. I got back to business and squeezed out 30-40 minutes of really good cardio exercise.
For the next day I ached. Shins, back, shoulders, you name it. However, I was not going to stop. I knew that getting started in an exercise program would take some time for my body to adjust but I would not get anywhere giving up or letting up after one time out. Two days later I was back at it. I went 45 minutes with only 2 stops and I walked off the court (as opposed to the labored crawl I had a few days before).
Those few days turned into to three weeks and then something amazing happened...I saw the results of my labors. Tennis is an amazing sport for cardio and fat burning and I could visibly see the difference. That makes you feel good and makes you want to do even more.
In this process, I also decided to adjust my food management (I do not like the word "diet"). Food management involves picking the right amounts of the right foods and less or none of the wrong foods. It really is that simple. I changed my thinking from "sludge" to "high octane" to fuel my new and improved engine. Result? More visible reminders that this was working. I was starting to be in the best shape of my life and the switch in my brain had hit a new level of commitment to the changes.
Now, I tell you all this not to brag or say that "I've arrived". What I want to get across to everyone reading this is that it all boils down to one very simple thing. The process can not take place anywhere else first but in your mind and being. If you don't determine to make the change nothing will change. Your family can beg you, your friends can make jabs at you (friends can do that), and people around you can suffer miserably with health conditions you are just waiting to get because you are on the same path as they are and nothing...I mean NOTHING will flip your switch but you.
If it helps for me to challenge you to take that first step...consider yourself challenged. Come meet me on the tennis court and we can get started today. All I know is that if you want it and you are willing to go for it, then nothing will stop you. There is no better feeling than knowing you are doing good things to make your life better as a result of the "no excuses" hard work and determination to stay at it. Becoming the new and improved you will always be worth it.
Flip that switch.

Inspiration comes in many ways and from various places. Videos like this one are right up my alley to keep me inspired and remind me what it takes to achieve. Enjoy:

Bring On the New Year!

We all look at a new year a little differently. Many people focus on the things in their lives they are resolving to change while simultaneously shutting the books on the past year (good or bad) and looking to improve in the coming year.
I thought about resolutions this year too, but I am going to approach them a little bit differently. Resolutions usually involve changing something about your life you need to change for the better and/or adding something to your life that will make it better (they are always for the better). Instead of just resolving to do whatever it was I felt needed changing, I decided to make new routines.
You see, we get in these ruts in life that we get so caught up in. Our lives become a series of routines. If you question that, pay close attention to your daily wake up process for a week and just try to do something out of order. It's tough to do. The daily grind just ruins us and our outlook and we can't wait for bad days to be over and it seems like good days are often overshadowed by the "have tos". That's not much of a life and so I feel that to make a true change I need a new routine. A new approach to life in general and not just a good intention and thought.
If you look at your life and the routines you are in, you may find some very interesting things out about yourself. I guarantee you that you will ask yourself, "How in the world did this happen?" once you start that evaluation. The good news is, you can act right now. Check some easy points to remember:
1 - You can start now. Don't say "I need to". Just do it. Find something fun or needed you want to add to your life on a regular basis that you know would make your days better.
2 - Set reasonable goals. Don't get crazy. This new routine is not about a total transformation all at once. You could throw the whole world off its axis and never get it back right if you do. Find some small thing, track it for a few weeks to check on how you are doing and the next thing you know...it's in your routine making you better.
3 - Set specifics. Don't just say, "I'm going to exercise more". Say, "On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I'm going to devote 20-30 minutes for exercise starting at 6PM". You see the difference? You're making a date with yourself and I dare say, you won't stand yourself up unless something pretty important comes up.
4 - Evaluate. Just because you do something for two days does not mean you are now in a new routine. Just like the two biggest resolutions people make about diet and exercise, you won't make any changes unless you make it a part of your daily self. The only way to do that is evaluate how you did on each day, week, and then month, and so on. Think of it this way: people who are stopping a bad health habit track their days since they last had any issues with whatever it is. They celebrate their accomplishment regularly but they realize that days add to weeks and weeks to months and months to years. They evaluate every single day, which in itself is part of their new routine.
5 - Don't be too hard on yourself. New things take time to settle in. If you blow a date with yourself to do something you are trying to make part of your routine, don't dwell on it. That's why there are 7 days in every week. There is always tomorrow or the next date. Some days need rain checks. However, as you evaluate, be sure it's a rain check and not complacency you are falling into.
6 - Share your goals carefully. We have many people in our lives and if they are close to us they look our for us like we do for them. Unfortunately, that sense of care can be one of the biggest roadblocks you will face as you move to make your new routine. Some of your closest companions might say, "You don't need to do that, you're awesome just as you are" or "Why would you waste your time doing that?" Do your best to take all those things that are said and move forward regardless. These are YOUR goals and routines. No one can live them for you and these are very personal. You can share your proposed changes with others (and in some cases it might even be necessary to keep you on track until it becomes part of your routine) but be careful who you share with and if the negative comes...move forward.
I look forward to the days to come. One big routine addition I am making is that I want there to be an element of fun in everything I do. The great thing is that it's not that hard to do. You just have to think about what might make this process, or job, or moment a little different or quirky and approach it that way. Make it interesting and the fun will come. Mix it up a little and you'll find that even the so called "bad days" will have  lots of good in them.

To finish off, here's some inspiration to get your blood pumping:

The Dangers Of Speaking For Yourself

It's never just about you

In my business of insurance and benefits, I come in contact with people every day. People ask me questions, I give them information, and then they usually make some level of decision as to what their next move will be.
Every now and then, I come across the person with no questions and a surly attitude about the entire insurance "scam" process by saying the six words destined to come back around and spank them firmly on the tookis..."IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME".
Just typing that hurts. However, in some cases they might be right (to a certain degree). I can't predict the future any more than they can, however, I know of people who have never spent a day in the hospital, have never been to see a doctor, never taken a medication, or had anything happen to them physically or mentally that they needed to be concerned with.
Should someone like that really see the need to insure themselves. I think so but I can see where they are coming from. Call it luck, good genes, or born under a favorable sign. Whatever it is, the "charmed ones" feel invincible and impervious to painful situations where they will ever need a shred of insurance. They even go so far as to be very cavalier with their aging process and inevitable death as they say, "WHAT DO I CARE...I'LL BE DEAD".
This is where I take my chance to speak up and remind people that it's not all about them.The discussion could go on for days with just a simple phrase of "But what if?" They can reply back and I'll reply with the same phrase until one of us just agrees to disagree and move on.
The harsh reality about insurance of all kinds is the fact that it really is not all about the person in the place of decision. In all insurance aspects, other people in the lives of the decision-makers come into play. Let's look at a few insurance pieces and I'll show you what I mean:

1 - Health insurance. This is the big one. Sure it's expensive, but so is health care. By saying no to health insurance you are telling all those around you that should something happen to you you are counting on them to help you pay the exorbitant hospital bill. By saying no to health insurance, you are telling all your future creditors that you don't care if you have to file for bankruptcy.

2 - Disability insurance. Disability insurance allows you to have an income while you are away from your job due to some illness or injury. Unless you are able to accumulate sick days or have a pretty big savings account (which is a form of insurance), a disability can ruin you...and those around you. Things happen every day that keep people from doing their jobs. Some of those things last a couple of days while others can last a year or more...or indefinitely. From the time it takes a working person to go from injured to getting any government assistance to gain income, it could be two years or more. What do you think happens in that time? Your stuff starts getting taken from you. So when things start to fall apart, where does the wise one now turn for help? That's right...others. Those people he didn't think about to begin with are now his lifeline to survival.

3 - Life insurance. I go over this one until I am blue in the face. While the insured doesn't care what happens to them when they die, others and the law do. The "hefty bag" answer is not an option. A "Weekend At Bernie's" comedy is not in the cards. Life insurance has never been about the insured. It's always been about who they leave behind when they die. Even for the single 20-something, life insurance says to their friends and family that they will financially take care of their final expenses and leave the money so that things may be done properly and in order.

As I type this, I am reminded of one word this all boils down to...RESPONSIBILITY.

My last statement is this: the next time you have a decision to make, ask if anyone else will directly or indirectly be effected by this decision at some point and how making the right one can make for a better situation for everyone involved.

It's never just about you.

Would you like to talk about insurance options for yourself? How about for others in your life who need to consider the options they have?

I try to be a phone call (205-370-8453) or an email (gene@generamsay.com)

Since I used RESPONSIBILITY (it's ok to admit that sometimes you just don't want it) as the key word in here, I thought a funny take on it would be in order:

Healthy Is Up To You

As many of you know, I am the Birmingham Association of Health Underwriters President-Elect. With that duty comes the responsibility of acquiring speakers at our monthly meeting to come and present something on a topic we can all use to further our education.

This month, I was able to procure Dr. James Fox to come and talk to us all about wellness and wellness programs. While this may seem like a topic of little to no interest for people, the reality is that it applies to everyone whether they were in the room or not.

Thinking about wellness made me think back over my life and the health I have had...both good and bad. I've been through kidney disorders, weight problems, inactivity, and the usual cuts and bruises we all get through life. The message we heard and the message I give a hearty "Amen" to is that wellness can no be packaged in a cure all and be expected to be entertained much less activated by those who are delivered this "miracle" option. Ask any company who has had a wellness program in place that failed miserably and I am thinking that the reason for that failure was that the plan was not personal for the individuals who really needed it.

Another main point that Dr. Fox made was that wellness is up to the individual. The person must want to change before change can begin. It's like the person who has an addiction and needs rehab. You can take them there 100 times, but until THEY want to change the trips there are just chances to see old friends, have a place to sleep, eat and be left alone.

With that in mind, let's look at some things we can all consider as we look at wellness as a program within ourselves, our families and/or our places of business:

1 - Get input from those who will be putting in. Let's be honest, the best laid plan in the world is worthless if the plan is never acted upon. The best way to get a plan acted on is to be sure that everyone involved has a say to start with. No one likes to be told what is good for them or what they need to do to change. Start off right by involving everyone in the planning process and success has a better chance of following.

2 - Have a way to monitor. Whether it's a goal of financial gain or a personal goal to achieve something, everyone agrees that setting the goal and then monitoring progress is the key to achieving those goals. Monitoring must be scheduled and consistent to see results and allow for feedback. A wellness plan without a way to monitor is just a list of "do it if you feel like it". This part is where a good plan gets weighed way down because activating the plan took so much work. Many feel the hard part is over but the monitoring is what makes a difference. Weekly meetings? Reminders? Charts? Whatever you and the crew decide is best, let that be your measuring tape and make sure everyone checks in regularly.

3 - Accountability. Ask anyone who has successfully lost weight or quit a habit and the majority of those people will tell you that one key to their success was having someone in the trenches with them. Partner people up who have similar goals they want to achieve. Give them a lifeline when they want to stop after 3 days. There is no better cure for feelings of "I can't" than to have someone right there with them encouraging them on to "I did it".

4 - Honesty. Ask anyone who has been a part of a weight reduction program. The scale doesn't lie. We can lie to ourselves for months, but when we hop on that scale the truth comes out. We have to be like that scale with ourselves. When we blow it on our part, we have to own up, push off the guilt and start fresh tomorrow. Pretty soon we will get used to being honest with ourselves and be able to string days together where we don't have to lie to ourselves because we are sticking with it...honestly.

5 - One day does not an entire goal make. Many times as we start to change something on ourselves, we get all excited up front and ride that wave for a few days and then WHAM! We get blindsided by a setback. In wellness it is definitely that way. We want to lose weight and we do so well for weeks and then our birthday comes or whatever and we eat like we want and see ourselves heading back in the wrong direction. The same could be said of that one cigarette or that 2nd beer. Don't beat yourself up. Tomorrow is a new day and you can get right back on track. This is where the accountability and honesty come into play quite a bit.

6 - It's not about wellness for the now. When you start a wellness program you are determining that these changes you are about to make are not just for now and today's goals. You are looking at a much farther reaching process of a lifestyle change based on good and solid decisions for yourself. Remember, achieving the goals along the way are not the end result and reward. It's a life that has been changed for the better and for years to come.

So, while wellness programs in businesses may help a company show that they have healthier employees and insurance companies should consider that before they increase their premiums, the ultimate goal should be healthy employees...period. A bottom line means nothing if your crew is filled with people having heart attacks, being overweight, and living shorter lives. Employers can give their people much more than a paycheck. With a solid wellness program that is alive and active and properly administered, the employer provides something that can last a lifetime whether those people work for you or not.

For those who feel they can just plop a wellness program in front of people and expect them to be excited enough about it to be a part of it, think again. It's up to each person to have a say and have the desire to do it. No one can be made to change. However, let someone decide to change and then give them some tools to help them change...no one can stop them.

Do you have some ideas for wellness in your life or your place of business? Contact me. I'd love to hear them and even work on them with you.

The video I picked is "Break My Stride" set to some great "moving" movie scenes. Enjoy.

I Am Not My Competitor

In my business of voluntary insurance, I am often asked, "Isn't what you do just like...?" or "That's the stuff I see on that commercial, right?" I have to admit that in the past I have said, "Yes, that's just like it only with a different logo attached to it." I did that for ease and so we could move past the whole quizzical look I sometimes get when I talk about voluntary insurance benefits.

However, I am done with that response. I am in no way affiliated with or like my competitor. That's one reason why we are competitors and I don't represent them. I either don't agree with their way of attracting customers and/or I am especially not fond of the way they talk to individual clients like they are stupid for not getting a certain insurance product they might be peddling today.

It is now time for to stop myself before I go off on a tear about how my competition stinks and I'm way better. That's no way to conduct myself or do business. I have been reminded for the past few weeks how my competition works and what they do. I have also thought about what they do well. Let me focus on a few of those things right here and now, just to be fair:

1 - My competition does a great job of advertising. In many ways they make my job easier because people know their name or company. I can use that information to let them know that I do it better and I won't be on their TV set every 10 minutes wasting their premium dollars on my advertising.

2 - My competition is all over the marketplace. I call on businesses all the time who tell me, "Thanks for your offer, but we have (fill in the blank)." I'm always OK with that because when I show someone I can do it better, at less expense, and with better benefits within the policies I offer I know I have their attention and my competition is being escorted out the door.

3 - My competition has agents busting out all over. While it may seem like a great thing for people to have jobs in this day and time, in this insurance business it means two things are about to happen: (1) you are about to get your door knocked on more than before (even if you already have the competition as a client) and (2) your current agent will be disappearing and will be replaced by someone new. I definitely won't be happy having to answer the phone from pushy cold call salespeople more. I don't know about you, but I'm not a big fan of changing who I do business with. Many times the like or dislike I have of a company is directly related to the person who I have dealt with in the past. When that changes, I may not be as happy as I was. Also, many issues that came up in the past rear their ugly heads again with a new person who does not understand the expectations that have been worked through.

4 - My competition does a great job of selling. Unfortunately for my competition, business is not about selling...it's about buying. I can walk into any of my competitor's client offices right now, take one look at their billing statement and tell you that the people at that business have been sold. Wrong policies, double policies, unnecessary policies run rampant on many bills I see and it's a dead ringer that whoever had been in there had someone believing that if they didn't buy this or that they were missing out. I don't sell. I offer and educate and let people buy what they feel they need and can afford.

5 - My competition has a great customer service department. In the business of insurance people need to know they are covered and that when they need help with a claim or an issue, they know who to call or contact. Many times the client contacts the person who sold them the policy expecting some help there when all they get is an 800 number and an extension for them to call. I am the face my clients know and I want to be there when they need me.

So, a word to my competitors: Keep doing what you're good at because you're keeping my phone ringing.

Are you in the insurance industry and trying to take care of your clients?

Do you want an option that will help you stop the competition from bugging your clients?

Do you own a business and have my competitor selling to your employees?

Are you tired of being put off to someone else to handle your service questions?

Would you like to work with an insurance professional that will be there for years to come?

If you answered YES to any of the questions above, I am a phone call (205-370-8453) or an email (gene@generamsay.com) away.

Are you ready?


Another tag line I have adopted over the years is "Step into my office, let's talk business." I am revealing the origin of that quote here.  I love it and you know what? It still applies.  Thanks Ray.

It's October, So Think Pink?!

It's the month of October. While the children in our lives get excited about what Halloween costume they might be wearing and we all feel that little cool in the air, there is another reason to make October a little more special each year. October, for the last few years at least, has served as the official month for breast cancer awareness. Companies and retailers get out their pink colored products and display the fact that they help support a cause for research and cures for breast cancer. We start seeing emails come to us about various events and fund raisers that are happening all over to help raise money and awareness for breast cancer.

For my very first year, I have decided to take part in raising funds for this cause AND put my body in the action through the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Birmingham, Alabama. I am not much of a runner, but figured I could put together a decent showing for 3.2 miles of distance without causing myself too much physical pain or general embarrassment. How it all happened is kind of a nice story, but I will just post some points for all of us to consider as we go through October and help those around us to be more aware of this good cause:

1 - We have all been effected by someone with breast cancer. If we stop for just a moment, we can think of someone we are either directly of indirectly in touch with who has been effected. Any kind of cancer brings its own set of concerns, but for women this one ranks at the top. The physical and psychological effects can be devastating. Some have died as a result of having it, while others have battled on after some severe surgeries. I can think of no better reason to support a cause than to possible be able to help in some way those I know.
2 - You don't have to do it all by yourself. The reason these companies offer special products and these races are offered is so that the collective good of many people can allow us to at least give something. $5.00 may not seem like a great amount, but multiplied by thousands of people all working with their own $5.00 a life could be saved. We don't have to give it all by ourselves. A small part makes a big difference.
3 - Giving time is just a valuable as money. Maybe funds are tight and even $5.00 seems like a hurdle. We all understand that. However, there are ways you can give of your time to these causes. Maybe join a team in a race or offer to volunteer to help raise money in someone's behalf. The only thing I would consider a bad move in this process would be to not move at all. Be creative and do what you can to help those in need.

Those are a few things we should keep in mind as those around us all become more aware. Hopefully we do as well. As for my participation in the Race for the Cure, I have stated that I would not only race but also attempt to raise $100. I also joined a team whose goal is $1000.00. The reality goes back to what I stated earlier. Everyone working together with their small piece adds up to a big piece that can make a difference. With that in mind, please go to my personal race page here and donate directly for me and my $100.00 goal. If you would rather give directly to the team "Counting Our Blessings", please go here. In fact, if you are feeling good about yourself, join the team and come run with us on October 15, 2011. It's early on a Saturday but when it's over I plan on feeling pretty good about doing all I could do to help.

How Much Is Your Name Worth?

In business, I am often faced with a dilemma of making money to help me and my family make it in this world and doing business with the wrong people. I am reminded almost daily of how doing business with the wrong person or group can really have a negative impact on how others view you.  The question we have to pose before launching off into ventures with others is, "How much is my name worth and will doing business with this person or people or company cost me in the end with regards to who I am at the end of the day?"
It's not an easy question when money pops its little green eyeballs at us with those dead presidents staring at you. The lure and love of money have taken down many a person.  Ask anyone in Gamblers Anonymous or the bank robber, or the illegal trading stock broker. The chance to get buried under cash is a big bit of bait in a world that constantly asks for more and more of us. We might be faced with a financial crisis of our own and we need the funds to get us back to even. Medical bills, college tuition, weddings, funerals, cars, homes, etc. They all add up to needs in this world and all of them come with a price tag. However, as we are sitting in the car mechanic's shop waiting for the total of the "damages" of getting the family truckster fixed we have to contemplate what really matters and what we will be willing to do to make ends even meet, much less thrive monetarily.

I can easily get off point here and preach for hours, but my initial point was to talk about who we choose to do business with and how that will effect how others see us. As you do business in any venue, stop and ask yourself how much your potential partnership will make you versus how much it could cost you in terms of loss of character and having your name associated with the wrong people. Consider these things:

1 - What is the reputation of the person or people you are about to do business with? This one should be an easy one because as the old saying goes, "Good news travels fast, but bad news travels faster." While not all the bad news is really relevant to your partnership, weighing this is crucial to any initial questions and fallout from those who would question that partnering. When you hear words like liar, cheat, dishonest, greedy, slimy, etc. I would advise running the other way...no matter how much money that partnership might bring you. When you hear fair, honest, awesome, listener, caring, compassionate, etc. you can be rest assured that a good character will only be enhanced by such a combination of people doing business together.
2 - How will this effect the relationships I already have in place? If you have ever cringed when someone told you who they presently work with or have worked with in the past, join the crowd. Also realize that the same holds true if you tell others who you work with. Our true character and reflection comes out in the referrals and reflections we get from others. Any time your name is mentioned it will bring up one of three responses: (1)People don't know you. (2)People don't like you (3)People like you. If you have a great relationship with others in your circle and you value them, be very cautious and possibly even get their input when you are thinking about adding someone new to your colleagues list.
3 - Can I walk away if things go badly? While the money may look good and your fridge is full, you always need to be able to have the strength to walk away if a business relationship goes badly. Many times things start out great. Remember what I said about money and its effects? In a partnership only you can be truly responsible for you and your reactions to it. With another person, that's up to them and their case of the "money at whatever cost bug" might be more severe than you could have planned for. You can try to talk them down off the ledge, but you can't be afraid to walk away and leave the negative vibes behind. Like it or not, those actions and switches in attitude are seen and effect the group...not just the individual.

Our own name is all we really have. When we decide to enter into any relationship, but especially a business one, we become associated with that other entity. Some relationships are better left alone at acquaintances or cordial friends. Other relationships are perfect to go to the next level and to be a mutually beneficially pairing of good business practices and ethics. A name is not something you can buy...you have to earn it. Sometimes it gets drug through the mud and it can take a lifetime to get it back to where it's clean again in others' minds. Choose partners wisely and your name could be your legacy.

With a deep blog like this, you need a little something to ease the moment.  This short video on good versus bad character might do the trick (just remember, save your drowning friend...don't help him drown):

Would you like a partner in your business ventures? Would like to involve yourself with me and what i do daily to help others in the area of insurance and employee benefits? Maybe you want to play a good game of tennis or learn to play the trumpet. I'd be happy to speak with you there too. I'm pretty multi-faceted and would welcome an opportunity to see if we can do some business together. I try to always be a phone call (205-370-8453) or an email (gene@generamsay.com) away. I look forward to our future interactions.