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.

Inspiration That Makes Me Speechless

Many of you know my ability to talk and write can get rather lengthy at times...especially when I'm passionate about something.  Well, this post I am very passionate about, but I will do my best to keep it reasonable so you might read on.
Most of you are aware that my wife, Julie, is a teacher. About 2 years ago I went with her to a conference in Atlanta where she was asked to speak. After she spoke, a lady approached her and asked if they could talk.  That discussion took place on a bench outside the main hall where people were coming and going.  The lady who approached her was an editor for Stenhouse Publications. This editor, Holly, asked Julie if she could take what she just presented and make that into a book. She was flattered and thrilled. Many times when we get that way we say things and then wonder if we really knew what we were saying. Julie said yes and the journey began.

Now, I am never a fan of things that stress people out. In fact, I do my best to help remove obstacles from people's lives if I can. This holds especially true with my wife. The months passed and then a year and with each passing moment this book idea seemed like a mountain that might not be climbable. I've known Julie for over half of my life and you know what? I learn new things about her all the time. Through the process I was inspired in many ways to evaluate and adjust my life in areas I felt I needed to as she went diligently through this process.  Here are just a few:

1 - Remember what you agreed to and don't back out. How often do things come our way that we choose to tackle, only to decide we just can't do it and we bail before ever really giving ourselves a chance? You know what we call those people? Quitters. I'd rather not ever be lumped with people like that. Julie had many times she wanted to say, "I've had enough. Writing is not for me. I'm done."  In fact, I may have even encouraged her to do just that at times when she seemed frustrated. However, she would not fall prey to that feeling and she would press on...remembering the promise she had made.
2 - Get mad, get over it, and get moving again. No one likes to be judged. We get tense if we are evaluated on our work because our work is personal and our own and we don't want to hear anything about it. "You can state your opinion, but I'm not changing my ways" is our statement. In book writing, you can't have this attitude. Your editor has a vision for you and your work and you have to be willing to trust them when they ask you to change this or expound on that. It's tough to do and you'll run the gauntlet of emotions. However, on the other side of that is a moment of clarity and you realize that what you thought you had may look different but now it's a little better. Basically, humility rules the day and that's a big life lesson we can all learn from.
3 - Don't think outside the box...eliminate the box altogether. Everyone has a story to tell and something to say. We have thoughts and ideas and then we think to ourselves, "I'll just keep to myself because people have already said all this" or "I don't want to have people make fun of my ideas or tell me 'that's not how we do it'". While I witnessed the process this book took, I was amazed at how Julie's eyes would light up as her brain sparked a new idea. Fortunately, she was working with a wonderful editor who encouraged her thoughts and ideas. What came out of a pretty black and white process was a product full of color that could not be duplicated. In life many things tell us to think or feel a certain way. Those are the boxes we live in. I got rid of mine and you know what happened? Things got really colorful and kind of fun.
4 - Just when you think you're done, there's just "one more thing". If you think there is an end to something, be prepared for one more thing. Often times we miss this little detail or forget something completely. There is nothing more frustrating to us and we pound our heads on the desk and call ourselves stupid. There were many times a chapter seems finished or the order of the book was set, but guess what...there was usually just "one more thing". The end result of that one more thing could be the difference in something that is finished or something that is AMAZING! If one more thing will make something amazing, I'm in.
5 - Be confident in your work...no matter who notices. As you can tell by now, writing a book is a huge undertaking. It's not like just putting things down on paper like we did our term papers in school. However, when Julie looked back at 23 hard months of writing and re-writing she had moments where she thought to herself, "What if nobody reads it?" "What if nobody cares?" That's an easy road to take but it really diminishes the process and the fact that what she had to say already had caught the attention of an editor who felt she had a voice that needed to be heard. What we need to remind ourselves of is that we should never apologize for our hard work. Our confidence in our work will always shine through and people are bound to notice.
There are some other things that I took away from watching Julie go through a process where she was so deeply involved, but those are what come to mind right away. By the way...her book was completed and released just a few short months ago in June! You can see the official page for the book here

You know what else? Others are seeing the value in what she has written. Other teachers can take her book and work on their classrooms and their way of reaching their students and look for ways to be better and more creative in the classroom. Julie has often inspired me to good things, but the lessons I learned as I watched her go through this process will hopefully continue to make a positive impact on me and others that I serve in years to come.
Does someone or something inspire you? Have you learned some great life lessons through the process of others? Feel free to share in the "Comment" section of this blog.
Obviously if you have insurance/benefits needs and/or questions I'm a phone call (205-370-8453) or an email (gene@generamsay.com) away.

PS - Guess who is working on ideas for her next book.

2011 NAHU Leadership Conference...and "The Star Spangled Banner"

A couple months ago, I was helping to prepare for the Alabama Association of Health Underwriter's Conference in Birmingham, Alabama.  As part of the program of events, I was asked to use some of my musical contacts to acquire a group to perform "The Star Spangled Banner" to help get things going.  I contact my old high school and their band director was more than happy to get a small contingent together to play a beautiful rendition of our National Anthem.  However, day two would have no such pomp and circumstance and it was requested that I provide a solo version on my trumpet.  I was more than happy to oblige.  I prepared and did well.
Apparently I had done well enough that the main coordinator of the conference contacted the person in charge of setting up the Region 5 & 6 Leadership Conference which was to be help in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The next thing I know I am taking my local chapter President-Elect status and my musical abilities to New Orleans to kick off the conference there.  Needless to say I was both flattered and little nervous.
People are always amazed that I still get nervous after all my years of playing.  I'd be scared to know what it would feel like NOT to be a little nervous.  I feel nerves enhance what we do and show a deep level of concern that we really want to put our best out there for others to see.
This conference would be a combination of the two things I feel very strongly about...music and my abilities as a health and life insurance professional and an up and coming President of the Birmingham Association of Health Underwriters.  My rendition was well performed and well received.  When the cheers and thanks died down, I was in full "learn mode" so I could capture all I could from other NAHU leaders from all over the Southern US.
Feel free to check out the few pictures from the conference I loaded below:



Let me tell you what struck me the most that many of you reading this can relate to:
1 - No matter how much we believe in something, it's only until others give that positive experience feedback that we make a difference. Have you ever been a part of something and felt like you were the only one who really cared about what was going on in the group?  Have you ever tried to get others involved, only to be summarily turned down and made to feel that what you were doing was essentially a waste of time?  It's kind of like that with NAHU/AAHU/BAHU.  Until others hop on the train we won't truly see that together we can do something special for ourselves and our clients in our insurance industry. The rules apply to any group or organization.
2 - There will always be naysayers.  Don't fight their arguments, build your own beliefs and let them be heard.  They are everywhere.  The people who say, "No" and "Waste of time and money" and my favorite..."What's in it for me?" We all have those people in our work or our organizations.  While we look for solutions, they sit by idly and just fold their arms and grunt.  Forget them.  Get a plan and some people who will help you and watch the naysayers either hop on or disappear.  Either way is a better way.
3 - Some expect to just be entertained.  Do you really learn anything and make a difference by just watching?  Nope.  Last I checked life was not a spectator sport.  Neither are the things that matter to us.  If we want what we do to be viewed with importance and have a sense of excitement to it, then WE have to get going.  We can't just expect to "sit and get".  In fact, what you find many times is that those who have the "What's in it for me?" mentality would make great additions to a project or idea even they might have.
So, thank you for the invitation.  It may have been to provide a rendition of our National Anthem, but I got much more out of it that I hope I can take and use now and for years to come.
My question to you is this...would you like us to help each other?  Maybe you have an idea or a need and you're having a tough time getting your head wrapped around to starting it.  Contact me and I'd love a brainstorming session.  It doesn't even have to be about insurance.  Anything at all and we can get a ball rolling that may change lives and attitudes for the better.  I'd love to be a part of it if you'd like me to be. I'm always a phone call (205-370-8453) or an email (gene@generamsay.com) away.

What Do You Want?

In the business of insurance, things can get pretty personal. A person reaches out to me to acquire some insurance they feel very strongly that they need to have to protect themselves and/or those they love. I listen and evaluate the best way I know how to and attempt to steer my client in the direction that I feel will best suit their needs and concerns.  The real question throughout the process is sometimes not, "What kind of policy do they want"? Rather the question is plainly, "What do they REALLY want"?
In the daily relationships we all have with people, I have found that many people land into just a few categories and as long as we are aware of where they are coming from we can not only be of the best help but can truly fill a void in people's lives.
1 - People want help. Seems like a no-brainer, but it's the basic human need to reach out to others in our times of need and ask for help.  Some people are too proud to come right out and ask for it, but if you pay attention it will quickly and easily be revealed that the person speaking to you needs help.
2 - People want explanations they can understand. In a business like insurance, things can get complicated and words and phrases I understand as an insurance professional may sound perfectly normal are just nonsense to the average person. When someone asks about a policy wording or how some type of insurance works, they don't need to be bogged down with the impressive speech I have...they want an answer they can understand.  I strive to do that with every person I speak with. If you are an attorney, or a doctor, or whatever your profession...steer clear of your verbiage and change it up for the person you are speaking with so they are informed without being further confused.
3 - People want someone to care. There is the phrase out there that says, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."  It's so very true and something we all need to keep in mind as we try to understand what people want. Showing someone that you care can be as simple as acknowledging your feelings for their current situations to doing some physical gesture and/or assistance that directly could help help/enhance their moment. Most of these things boil down to the final thing...and probably most important thing that people want:

4 - People want someone to listen. All the things we have mentioned above can be combined into this final piece.  Listening is crucial to everyone. If we listen (not just hear) to someone, we make HUGE leaps and bounds into providing others what they truly want. True listening involves tuning out distractions, focusing on the person speaking, absorbing what they say. I never mentioned anything in this list about "solving" anything or just blurting out your feelings and opinions. Sometimes people just want to truly be listened to and that's it.
As we interact every single day, let's try to keep in mind that everyone has needs and wants and if we can step up to fulfill that moment then we have gone a long way toward being someone special to someone else at that moment.
My clients know I do my best to be there for them.  If you want someone to help you with what you need and want, and I can help in some way...I'm always an email (gene@generamsay.com) or a phone call (205-370-8453) away.

For the Ladies!

OK, I promised that my next blog would be devoted to the ladies and that I would be talking about health and wellness. So, here is the next blog and I'm doing...as promised.  Now ladies, if you wish to add to any of the basic principles and information I have outlined here please feel free to contact me and I may be able to do another blog on this important subject later.

I have always felt like and said that women are built more like a Ferrari and men more like a good old Ford truck. The woman's overall body make-up is such that it is a finely tuned machine that requires only the best and most advanced knowledge to keep it running at optimal performance, whereas with men some duct tape and Velcro can fix most of the issues guys face (cue canned laughter).
I try my best to read most of what comes across my desk in the health and wellness area as I truly believe that this is one of the major keys to helping all of us in the way of medical expenses and keeping costs down.  Many times people are unhealthy by their own hands and many times a simple adjustment to eating and exercise could be worth pounds and pounds of cures for the body.  How many times have we heard of someone contracting cancer and not wanting to go through the usual chemo and radiation "poisoning" process.  They drastically adjust their diet to only be fresh foods and weeks later the cancer seems to be gone. The person successfully eliminated agents from their body that the cancer fed on to spread and by eliminating the agents eliminated the cancer. The real question is, why would we wait until the clock strikes twelve to do something when there are little, non-life altering things we can do each day to give us at least a better chance at a healthier lifestyle.
Here are a few things to think on for the ladies (guys, you might be able to pick up on some things here too):
1 - Women who exercise regularly have a lower risk of dementia. Nothing earth-shattering here.  We all know exercise is good for our bodies but as the obesity levels rise in our country we just throw our hands up and catch the remote and grab a bag of chips. The NFL had it right when they started their "Move 60" program.  Just an hour a day of some type of movement can have a huge effect on our lives and health. I even talked to a lady awhile back who taught a basic exercise class and she called movement "wiggling" just to make it fun. She said we all needed "wiggle time" each day. PLEASE NOTE...it does not say if you exercise regularly you will be a super model. We are talking about our brains and one of the scariest and most unsettling things that can happen as we age...dementia. Get that blood pumping and "stay with it" for years to come.
2 - SEVENTY percent of those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis are women. Many things could attribute to this fact. To better understand, do some research on what causes arthritis as age increases. Fighting this off revolves around eating right and staying active. If your joints stay well lubricated and you feed the Ferrari the right fuel, you can help keep this at bay.
3 - Menopausal hot flashes and night sweats could lead to greater risk of osteoporosis. Fight this back with exercise (do you see a theme here yet?) and a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D (do some research on what foods are rich in these...it just might surprise you).
4 - Women are more likely than men to experience lesser known heart attack symptoms, like shortness of breath, nausea, and back or jaw pain. In my meetings I have, I often kid that the reason I believe women have a larger propensity to heart conditions is because we men drive you nuts. While that may be part of it, don't take these minor symptoms lightly. I feel the reason God may have given women the lesser symptoms is because they pay attention to when their body tells them something is not right. Guys need the full on stabbing pain to the chest to get the point (cue awkward laughter).
5 - The risk of breast cancer is 30 percent higher in smokers than nonsmokers. Wait, smoking is bad for your overall health? Who knew? I'm being sarcastic of course but come on ladies...it's a no-brainer. Also, a little side note here...if you would like people to find you more attractive then drop the smoking. You don't look any cooler or prettier.
6 - Fiber helps reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol. It also helps you feel full on fewer calories. FIBER IS SOMETHING WE ALL NEED DAILY! There, I said it. Growing up, I thought fiber was that stuff old people needed to keep their bodily functions steady as they aged. I could not have been more wrong. Look at any good eating program and it's usually loaded down with good and healthy fiber options throughout your day. Don't ignore this important part of your daily food regime. You might make a few more trips to the bathroom but if the result is better blood flow, increased metabolism and weight loss then I say grab an extra magazine or two for your restroom breaks.
7 - Migraines happen to three times as many women as men. So ladies, guess what...saying "I've got a headache is a VERY legitimate reason (more awkward laughter).  If you have them, start keeping track.  Journal them.  When you have them, there may be a pattern that starts to emerge. Guess what the best way to fights migraine is...start handling it before it starts. Reasons could be food, stress, odors, too much or too little sleep, smoking, or good old hormonal fluctuations.
8 - Fighting fatigue. Fatigue strikes twice as many women as men. So while many women wear MANY hats and fill many roles this can lead to fatigue. Want to have a better chance of lasting out the day?
 - Try rising with the sun. While many of you may not be "morning people", getting up with the sun and avoiding that nasty snooze bar can set in better sleep patterns and gives your body a chance to get in sync with your busy life. Remember, Ferraris are finely tuned and require constant maintenance.
 - Snack attack. Get healthy snacks to much on through the day. Keeping that metabolism up all day is a good way to be sure you make it.
 - Exercise. Shocking right? Not really. Getting the heart pumping can make your metabolism crank way up and get you through some serious time where you might really want to slow down. Instead of giving in to that, take a short walk and see what happens.
 - Breathing. No, not the run of the mill stuff. Deep breathing. Deep cleansing breaths can go a long way to regain some vigor and also help you clear your head. It should be done for a few minutes when you feel fatigue coming on, but it may just help you make it over the slump hump.
 - Get OUT. Being outside for some fresh air might be exactly what the internal body ordered. Remember the Ferrari? You can't just let it sit in the garage. Sometimes you have to get it out and let it breathe.

Finally, I can't talk about women and their health without addressing one of the biggest fears most women have and that's about breast cancer. Every week people hear about a friend or relative who was just diagnosed. Maybe you went for a yearly exam and the doctor saw something "not quite right" (which always takes 2-6 weeks to get an answer...kill me now!). I am going to mention some basic myths and facts about breast cancer:
FACT - 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
MYTH - If you find a lump, it's probably cancer. (CUE LOUD BUZZER NOISE). While a lump or thick spot on your breast or near your armpit is one possible sign of breast cancer, many times these lumps are non-cancerous. Worried about something you haven't seen or felt before? Go to the doctor and get it checked. Again, more often than not it's something non-cancerous.
MYTH - Most women who get breast cancer have a family history of it. This myth kind of set me back because it seems that often times in my insurance business I have talked to women who are worried about breast cancer because their grandmother had it and then their mom and even their older sister. They just knew their time was coming around. Truth is one one-fifth to one-third of women with breast cancer have a close relative with it. We can't change our genetic makeup but we can control some other factors that can be attributed to cancer. Things as simple as decreasing your weight drinking less alcohol could help prevent breast cancer. In fact, women who have 2-5 drinks daily have one-and-a-half times the risk for breast cancer as those who stay alcohol free.
MYTH - Breast cancer rates are increasing. Good news ladies, it's down to like 2 percent. Why the decrease? Interestingly it seems that it's because menopausal women are taking fewer hormones during this time. A 2002 study showed hormonal therapy increased the risk for breast cancer, and women in general listened and acted.

I have done my best with this and I hope you might find some of this information helpful. Most of the basic information came from goodneighborpharmacy.com. I added my own twist on it for you but there is a ton of good info on that site and many others.

As always, I try to add a video that goes along with my topic. Nike helped me out with this "Make Yourself" video. Sure, the ladies on here are athletes but they have to push themselves to do something just like we all do. I hope it inspires you in some small way.

Again, if you would like to add to this article or help me create another blog feel free to send me links and communicate with me so I can try to help the many who will read my blog. Thank you for reading this installment of "The Ramsay Bugle".
Please remember that I'm always a phone call (205-370-8453) or an email (gene@generamsay.com) away.  If you feel i can help your business or someone individually, I am here.