If you have any questions or requests for me, please contact me at Nicole@NicoleGruendl.com and I will respond as soon as possible.

Have a WONDERFUL day!

With Love

Nicole

But as we know, it’s not always that easy, or is it?  The fact is, most of us have dreams but we are scared to reveal them because we believe that they will never come true.  The gap between dreams and reality is too big!

2009 has been an interesting year to say the least. I believe for many of us 2010 brings us some form of relief and hope. We all have dreams for the new year and some of us have bigger dreams than others.  By following the 15 Steps in Creating the Life of Your Dreams, you can start moving forward and building this wonderful life that you have always wanted.

So click on the link below to download your free Ebook!

15 Steps in Creating the Life of Your Dreams

BUT WAIT THERE IS MORE!

READ ON TO FIND OUT HOW YOU REALLY CAN MAKE ALL YOUR WISHES AND DREAMS COME TRUE!!!

Remember when I said that you are afraid to reveal your dreams because your think that dreaming or wishing big is not realistic?  Well, what if I told you that your wishes could come true?  Really.

I invite you to read it for yourself.  See how perfect strangers can help you in making your wish and dreams come true.

Just click on the link www.wishesdocometrue.ca and you will see how life can change if you trust and believe in the proce

Remember if you want to be a winner in life, you have to play the game of life!

Wishing you all the best in 2010!!!

Nicole Gruendl
Life and Success Coach
Nicole@NicoleGruendl.com

I had the great opportunity to share my story along with other incredible people! Writing the chapter for this book has been one of my life dreams and has given me the opportunity to create greatness and abundance in my life.

The one and most important thing in my life is that I have learned not to quit.  Through the many trials and tribulations that I have overcome, I have learned that each and every one of them was a lesson.  Good or bad, the lesson was learned and I grew stronger and better for it! 

This is the attitude and passion that I love to share with my clients, friends and family.  There is an old saying that when the going gets tough the tough get going.  It isn’t always easy, but you always have the choice to get going and take responsibility or play the victim.  You have the power to live the life that you want. 

I made the choice to stand in my power, how about you? 

If you want to read about my story and all of the other great stories from many wonderful people such as Dr. Wayne Dyer, Brian Tracy, John Assaraf and so many more, then you should reserve your copy today!

Click ADD TO CART and see how so many inspiring people have chosen to believe and trust in the process and live the life of their dreams by Bouncing Back and Thriving in Changing Times.  

  EXCEPTS FROM BOUNCING BACK 

"We’ve all had the wheel fall off our wagon at some point in life.  You now have a decision to make while staring at that wagon. You can say "Yep, it’s broken,’ or you can pick up that wheel, put it back on and continue on the path of life.  There will always be bumps and that wheel may fall off a million times more, but if you keep moving forward, you will eventually reach your divine destination." — Jennifer Kay

"Setting a goal involves taking your imagination and motivating yourself to turn a vision into reality.  This seems simple at the beginning, but why do so many people fail to reach their goals while others continually succeed?  It’s because successful goal achievers follow a plan."
– Robert Mesmer

"Adversity comes in all shapes and sizes. It is a personal thing to each of us.  What makes the difference are the actions you take to raise yourself up, even when you feel you can’t go any farther.  What will you do to persevere?"– Shannon Panzo

First, let’s talk about what happens to muscles as we age.
Muscle mass decreases as we age. Beginning in the fourth decade of life, adults lose 3%-5% of muscle mass per decade, and the decline increases to 1%-2% per year after age 50. Muscle keeps us strong, it burns calories and helps us maintain our weight, and it contributes to balance and bone strength. Without it, we can lose our independence and our mobility.

Is my body past the phase of muscle building?
Muscle mass can increase at any age if exercised properly. In an important study of weight lifting and older adults conducted with 100 male and female residents of a nursing home in Boston (age range: 72 to 98 years of age; average age 87), subjects lifted weights with their legs three times a week for 10 weeks. At the end of the study, there was an increase in thigh mass of 2.7%, walking speed increased 12%, and leg strength increased a whopping 113%! In a similar study of adults 65-79 years old, subjects who lifted weights three times a week for three months increased their walking endurance by 38% (from 25 minutes to 34 minutes) without substantial increases in mass.

These are the areas and ideas that you should focus on:

Flexibility and Agility Exercises: This improves your body’s flexibility, range of motion and increases your metabolism. This helps you maintain a strong body structure and helps prevent more serious injuries like sprains and strains.

Relaxation: Helps reduce stress and lower your blood pressure and anxiety.

Eating Healthy: A properly combined diet is imperative to good health. Having a little “snack” here and there is part of life, but it should not overtake our whole eating regime. Eating well and maintaining proper eating habits is the biggest factor in keeping a healthy weight.
Strength training exercises: Increases your overall body strength, builds more muscle and improves your bone density. To explain further, I have listed some examples in these areas with more detail so you can see what may work and be appropriate for you and your schedule.

Yoga: Yoga has become so popular in our society because of its total heath benefits. Researchers have found that regular practice led to reduced back pain; improved sleep, better sense of wellness, improvement in heart health, reduction of rheumatoid arthritis and type 2 diabetes; and greater overall physical fitness. There are many types and levels of yoga. Find the one that works best for you!

Water Aerobics: Water aerobics is an excellent way to stay fit and in shape. All the areas mentioned above are compiled into this form of exercise; Cardio, Strength training and flexibility training. This can be done anywhere there is water, anytime of the year; in a pool, a lake, or an ocean. Alone or with a group of people together for a class, it’s a great way to get started in an exercise routine if you are just getting out there.

Tai Chi: Tai Chi is a series of traditional Chinese movements that help increase stamina, flexibility, reduce stress and clear your mind. The gentle exercises really focus on your inner being and knowing your body and getting you to become aware of who you are. Tai chi does not promote any joint or muscle strain, therefore it suits anyone who is in rehabilitation or suffering from any illness.

Dancing: Now who doesn’t love to dance? And anyone can do it. If you are in need of assistance of a wheelchair, or having difficulty with any sort of movement, you can still get up and dance. It’s all about what is in your heart. Music is one of the best means of therapy. Dancing is fun and exciting and you can do it solo or in a group. Ballroom dancing is fun, classy really gets you moving. Or how about a simple get together with a group of like minded people who just want to be with one another and share some old classical tunes. As the saying goes, “Dancers don’t stop dancing when they grow old; dancers grow old when they stop dancing.”

Weight Training: When you think of strength training, what is the first thing that comes to mind? The heavy weights, dealing with and the loud music, does this sound about right? The fitness centers and gyms have changed drastically since those “muscle head” days. There is new equipment like resistance bands, exercise balls, specific routines to attain your goals or just wanting to feel good and stay in shape. There are also areas to work with for rehabilitation issues such as sprains and strains. If your choice is not to join a gym, there are many other centers that offer the same type of programs without the extra expense. Senior Centers have programs, YMCA’s or YWCA’s and so on. All you have to do is get up and get out!

Now I’m sure you get the idea! Just get up and do it! It’s not all just about the physical activity, but the the fun and socialization aspect of it all. Get out there, walk, talk and join clubs, groups and be yourself and HAVE FUN! Because this is really what it is all about!

Before starting any type or new exercise program, please be sure to check with your doctor. Now get out there and have a great time, make Fitness for Fun and meet new people. Live your life to the fullest, you deserve it!!!

Nicole Gruendl, Life and Success Coach
Nicole@NicoleGruendl.com
www.NicoleGruendl.com

Life expectancy in the United States has been on the rise for a decade, increasing 1.4 years — from 76.5 years in 1997 to 77.9 in 2007, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The life expectancy data, compiled by the agency’s National Center for Health Statistics, are based on nearly 90 percent of the death certificates filed in the United States.

Doctors say that not only is lifespan increasing, but more important, the “active” lifespan is increasing as well.

“The most noteworthy aspect about all this is not just that people are living longer but living better,” said Dr. Gary Kennedy, director of geriatric psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, N.Y. “At the same time, people are living a longer active lifespan. Seniors are healthier, more active and economically better off than they ever have been.”

Despite the good news, Dr. Kennedy warns that the data are from 2007, before the economic downturn, which could take a toll on health and life expectancy.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we see differences in the future because of the economic stress people are under,” he said. “It’s good news now, but there could be some painful realities ahead.”

The report found that both men and women are living longer, although a gap of five years remains between men and women. In 2007, average life expectancy was 80.4 years for women, but 75.3 years for men. Although men still die younger than women, the gap has narrowed slightly. In 1979, women outlived men by nearly eight years.

Despite the gains, U.S. life expectancy still lags many other countries. According to the World Health Organization, 14 countries in 2007 had life expectancies of at least 81 years, including Japan (83), Australia and Italy (82) and France, Israel, Singapore and Spain (81).

In the U.S., African-American men also tend to die younger than men overall, but for the first time life expectancy for black males has reached 70 years.

The C.D.C. also reported a 10 percent drop in death rates related to H.I.V./AIDS, the biggest one year decline in mortality since 1998. H.I.V. is the sixth leading cause of death among 25 to 44 year olds.

Overall, the United States death rate continues to drop. In 2007, there were 760.3 deaths per 100,000 population, down from the 2006 rate of 776.5. And 2,269 fewer people died in the United States in 2007 than 2006.

Nearly half the deaths in 2007 (48.5 percent) were due to heart disease and cancer. However, fewer people overall died from heart disease-related problems like stroke, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Among the 15 leading causes of death, mortality rates dropped for 8 of them. In 2007, fewer people died of influenza and pneumonia (8.4 percent decline), homicide (6.5 percent decline), accidents
(5 percent decline), heart disease (4.7 percent decline), stroke (4.6 percent decline), diabetes
(3.9 percent decline), hypertension (2.7 percent decline) and cancer (1.8 percent decline).

Nicole Gruendl
Life and Success Coach
Nicole@NicoleGruendl.com

Financial stress is one of the most common forms of stress that people experience and is one of the major reasons behind the huge number of divorces each year. Being “broke” is not pleasant, and almost anybody would do what they could to change their financial situation – if they knew how.

The good news is that you can take control of your finances, and it all starts with making the commitment to do so – and the decision to do whatever it takes to get to where you want to be financially.

To get out of your financial mess, the first thing you need to do is put together a budget that works for you. Remember it is pointless setting up a budget that is too restrictive because you will never stick to it, but on the other hand you don’t want one that is not restrictive enough. Otherwise you will never get out of the financial hole that you’re in.

Here are 7 simple and easy ideas on how you can save a few extra dollars:

1-Create a Budget that works for you
2-Set Goals and Live by Your Values
3-Review and Evaluate Your expenses
4-Avoid using your credit card and pay cash
5-Create a vision?
6-How much money do you REALLY make?
7-How you too could make some extra money?

Of course, in order to get anywhere in life, it is important that you set goals. This goes for financial goals too. If you don’t know where you’re going, how will you know you’re on track or when you have reached your destination? Your goals must be in line with your personal values too. So sit down now and establish your financial goals. This step alone is extremely powerful when it comes to changing your financial situation for the better.

It is now time to be really conscious of what you are spending your money on, including your wants versus your needs. If you don’t really need a particular item, should you be buying it?

If it seems as though you are constantly going backwards and you can’t cut back your expenses any further than you already have, then you may need to identify any other ways you can make more money.

You could do this by taking up a second job, starting your own online business, or even having a garage sale or selling some unwanted items on an auction site such as eBay. The ways in which you can bring in more money are limited only by your imagination.

Ok, so you’ve established what you can do to help ease your financial situation, and now it is really important to work out what got you into this situation in the first place. If you don’t want to find yourself in the same situation again, then you want to avoid the actions or situations that got you there.

But no matter how you got into your current financial situation, it will be comforting to know that once you have committed to doing what it takes to alter your financial situation, then you will begin to see improvements once you begin to take action.

Taking control of your finances and beating the recession is most definitely within your reach, and once you have the right tools and strategies to use and follow, your bank balance will begin to show positive changes.

For more information, you can click on beat the recession to continue your financial growth and have access to more great tools and ideas!

Good luck and remember:  Now is the perfect time to take control of YOUR money!

Nicole Gruendl
Life and Success Coach
www.NicoleGruendl.com

As Seen in NW Retirement Magazine!

Truth is our emotional and physical well-being is closely linked. Does it not make sense that people who are ill or disabled would recover faster or be more at ease if they had something to look forward to, to laugh about or to cuddle with? It is a well known fact that the patient’s emotional state often takes a back seat to standard medical procedures.

As a pet owner, you know that animals can have a positive effect on the physical and psychological well being of individuals of all ages.

Having a pet brings out feelings of comfort, love and excitement. Your pet is there to comfort you when you are sad and greet you when you come home. Nobody else can show you the level of unconditional love and loyalty like a pet can. So it is not surprising to know that having a pet can offer great health benefits.

Imagine how you would feel if you and your pet are forced apart? The feelings of sadness, frustration and concerns are the result of when an individual is required to move into a nursing or care home where they will be separated from their pet. They may experience distress knowing that the pet is no longer a part of their lives. Wouldn’t that be devastating to you? This is why Pet Therapy is so important to their well being.

Nursing and care homes can quickly become a very lonely and boring place to be Residents become withdrawn and can even suffer from depression. The introduction of pet therapy means that these people have something to look forward to. Knowing that today is “pet therapy day” brings joy to these people.

“A little boy was lying in his hospital bed, staring at the ceiling. He shuffled over and the dog jumped up on the bed next to the boy and snuggled against him. Tears started streaming from the child’s eyes as he reached out to pet the dog. All he needed in that moment was a hug.”

Interacting with therapy pets brings on a significant improvement to the resident’s health. Their quality of life improves, as does their sense of well-being.

Improvements shown may include:

* Lower Blood Pressure
* Reduced Cholesterol
* Reduced Stress
* Reduced Anxiety
* Improved Self-esteem
* Improved Quality of Life
* A Better Sense of Well-being
* Improved Dexterity
* A Sense of Belonging and Connection

In fact, research has shown that patients who owned a pet were most likely to be alive a year after a heart attack than those without pets.

Also, it was determined that only 6 percent of heart patients who owned pets died within a year compared with 28 percent of people who did not.

Would seeing changes and results like these not make your heart swell with love and amazement? By bringing pet therapy into your facility, you can create these changes.

Specially trained Therapy Pets can either take up residence in nursing and care homes, or they are taken to visit to a facility. The patients and residents are encouraged to stroke, play, and cuddle the animal. Interactions such as these often result in the improved physical health and mental well-being of the patient – and the animals enjoy it too!

During a pet therapy session residents might be asked to do such activities as brushing the animal’s fur, or giving the dog a command. Such tasks allow the residents to exercise their physical, emotional, cognitive and social abilities. But most of all, a pet therapy session gives the residents someone warm and fuzzy to cuddle – a loving recipient of their affection.

A well organized pet therapy program benefits everyone. It gives volunteers the opportunity to provide a well-appreciated service to the community, the animals enjoy getting out into the community, and of course the patients benefit both psychologically and physiologically. They feel loved and special for that is what comes naturally to the animals. They have an intuitive nature and it reflects upon everyone around them. Animals make people smile and feel better…period.

Although dogs are the most popularly used pets in these programs, other animals may also be used. Pet owners or any pet program may include cats, guinea pigs, birds and rabbits.

So why not give it a try? Become a volunteer or suggest such a program in your facility. The results will be amazing!

For more articles on Senior and Care Homes please visit my webpage at www.NicoleGruendl.com or for more information on how I can support you and your facility http://CareHomeCoaching.NicoleGruendl.com

God Bless all of our furry friends;

Nicole Gruendl
Expert in creating a harmonious and peaceful workplace

Having a strong team and work foundation in today’s society is imperative for success in any business. Conflict of any sort creates chaos which leads to dysfunction and breakdown. What is worse than communication breakdown within a team that is working with patients and seniors? Get the picture?

Here are so ideas on how you, as the Team Leader, Administrator or Manager can create that calm and easy going work environment that benefits not just you but your staff and all that you come in contact with.

1. Be a role model.  Remember; you are in a position of authority and your staff looks to your for guidance and direction. They will often reflect what you are doing so always to treat them how you would like to be treated.

2.  Maintain open communication.  Open communication is key. Asking questions, talking to your staff and genuinely be concerned about how they are doing. Listen to what they have to say and make them feel and know that you care. Hear their concerns; ask their opinions about how they see things working and let them have input.  

3. Share information.  Having weekly meetings is imperative in having a smooth running facility. Keep your employees well informed, not only of your expectations, but what is going on in your environment.  Let them know what the expectations of the entire organization are, not just your own.
 
4. Don’t be a micro-manager.  Instill trust in your employees. You hired them because you believe they could handle the position that they applied for. By giving them space they will feel the trust and handle the pressure and do a better job. Now they know that you are not hovering around every corner.
 
5. Give positive feedback.  We know how easy it is to criticize a person’s actions. How much more productive would it be to focus on what is going well and not just the pitfalls of the every day activities? Would this create more positive feelings and fewer frustrations? Remember to always remember to let your employees know how much their efforts are appreciated

6. Encourage personal development. Create projects at work for team and personal development. This enhances the team building and they get to create and set goals not as individuals but as a group that will grow together.
 
7. Offer professional development opportunities. Providing continuing education, seminars and workshop opportunities expands their knowledge and personal skills. Have them work as a team in discovering new ways to improve and explore in their work environment.
 
8. Be a team player.  Create a cooperative environment where everyone’s suggestions are welcome and heard. Reflect upon these ideas at the staff meetings and mention them for projects and creative aspects where they work.  Remember that there is potential for growth and change in every idea that is revealed.
 
9. Consider mediation. If there are issues and concerns in the work force, offer your employees the chance for a professional to mediate their dispute.  Their productivity will rise and the conflict will cease to exist. 

10. Keep smiling! Being a supervisor brings with it much stress and responsibility. But it can also be a source of joy and satisfaction.  Communicate to your workers that you enjoy your job and they will more likely do the same for you.   Reflect upon others what you want to be reflected upon you!

Remember, a Happy Staff creates a Happy Work environment!

For more information about Care Home Coaching and my services please visit

Nicole Gruendl
Life and Success Coach
CareHomeCoaching.NicoleGruendl.com

With the economy the way it is, many companies are downsizing. It’s not a news flash that we are in an economic crisis. If you suspect your job is in jeopardy, here are six tips to help you thrive in the event of a layoff. But even if a layoff is not in your future, though you many not know it, take the time to follow these simple steps to enhance your life!

1. Collect what is owed to you. File any outstanding expense reports, and collect any remaining vacation or overtime pay that’s owed to you. It’s important that you tie up any financial loose ends before your departure. Remember, you worked for these benefits and are therefore rightfully entitled to collect them.

2. Don’t take it personally. Unlike getting fired, a layoff is usually not related directly to poor performance but rather to lack of business, or even budget cuts. You may be quite proficient and an asset, but if you are the company’s most recent hire, or if your department is being cut out altogether, your position may be at risk. Keep in mind that you’re being laid off because your employer is having trouble in a tough economy, and not because you aren’t a great at what you do. 

3. Make job searching your full-time job. Create a project and set goals for yourself that’s built completely around job hunting. Schedule time for updating and sending out your resume, tailoring cover letters, scheduling information interviews, networking, and attending events hosted by trade organizations. This will help you to maintain the structure you need to propel you forward in finding a job and will give you a sense of accomplishment at the end of each day. 

4. Manage your finances wisely. Be frugal and plan for the worst case scenario. Try to stretch out your severance pay (if you received any) or your savings for as long as possible. Save money by cutting out nice-to-have but unnecessary expenses such as cable TV and dining out. And even if money is very tight, resist using your credit cards for purchases. If you have outstanding credit card debts, make it a priority to pay off as much of the monthly balance as possible by the due date. 

Warning! Don’t tap into your retirement funds unless you absolutely have to. Dipping into your RRSP savings (money which you’ve worked hard to save) can have serious financial consequences that include paying taxes and penalties of up to one-half of any withdrawal you make.

5. Start your own business. What do Wikipedia, Microsoft and MTV Networks all have in common? All three of these businesses were started during an economic slump. Perhaps you have an idea that you’ve been waiting to turn into a business. If you have the financing, tenacity and passion to start your own business, this may be the ideal time to do it. Many successful entrepreneurs attest to the fact that starting a business during a recession forces them to focus more and take a harder look at whether or not their ideas are feasible. If your business turns out to be profitable during a recession, once the economy bounces back you’re likely to be even more successful. Remember to take the opportunity to thrive and move forward when others are hiding under their shell.

6. Stay positive. In addition to putting your energy towards returning to gainful employment, it’s essential that you also make time to do the things that interest you and alleviate stress. Exercising, working on home projects and volunteering are all things that you can do to remain upbeat. Keep a healthy and positive attitude and you’ll be back in business in no time! Think about all the things you can get done that you couldn’t get done before…because you were working so much. Take this time to smell the roses, regroup, breathe and enjoy your family.

Time to move onward and upward and not wallow in your self-pity for this will keep you down and non productive! This too shall pass.

Nicole Gruendl
Life and Success Coach
Nicole@NicoleGruendl.com

They are placed in an environment where the choices were not always their own. They have lost the option of when they wake up, eat, or even go to sleep. They have lots all sense of independence and responsibility. Accidents happen, health issues arise, and the fact that they just cannot take care of themselves any longer. This is when the decisions are made for them and now they find themselves in such facilities as your own. This is when disgruntled patients come into play.

Caregivers, some more trained than others, are now faced with such patients. There will be conflicts of interest between the staff and the patients as well as between the co-workers. Many times, the administrators and managers will support their staff and will attempt to sort things out but sometimes there is just too much tension and tempers flare just a little too easy. At other times, however, outside help may be necessary to resolve the conflict within the staff so that they, in turn can ease the tension with the patients. This is where one calls in a mediator and coach.

You may ask why you need to call in a mediator coach if you can handle the situations yourself. Mediation coaching requires someone who is qualified in this field and has the tools to address the problems in a professional manner. Being familiar and having the experience with care home facilities is a major asset for it’s supports in understanding the pressure and chaos that can arise from such an environment. The largest request that we have as coaches etc is that everyone must be a willing candidate for change. More often than not members tend to play the blame game and feel that they should not be involved in such meetings. It’s not their fault, they have no issues, you get the idea. The fact of the matter is this, many of the staff members then to bring their work home with them and vice versa.

If there is conflict at home, it reflects in their work and with their peers. A grudge with a family member can easily be taken out on a patient of another employee. This may not be intentional, but it happens. Unfortunately, it happens more often than not. The conflicts that arise between the employee’s themselves is also a big factor and this cannot go unnoticed or unattended.

The main object to all of this is to clear the resentment, the anger, the fear and all the emotions, no matter where they stem from, and create a wonderful and more loving working environment for all. This ability to push through the objectivity from the staff and create open communication comes with time and experience which is a very useful technique to manage conflict in long-term care settings. This may be something that the administrators and staff managers may not have enough of.
It would also mean that you would have to be completely neutral which makes things a little trying for this conflict has been presented to you previously. You have already been jaded.
Damage control is a serious issue and working with the members to subdue the damage is not a feat that is easily handled. Sometimes it comes from a situation derived from personal issues but can also come from a simple confrontation between two employees.

One final note; every position held in a care facility is a very responsible one indeed. The patients will not always be cooperative or easy to handle but it is the staff’s responsibility to make it as easy as possible for them and for their peers to resolve any issue that may arise.

If the staff is there for the patients, who is there for the staff? You as an administrator or director can only do so much and handle so many conflicts before this too will take a toll on you. Call in some help and you’ll be happy you did!

For more information about Care Home Coaching and my services please visit:
Nicole Gruendl
Life and Success Coach
CareHomeCoaching.NicoleGruendl.com