Time to Reaffirm New Year's Resolutions

January 31st, one month into the new year. It is a good time check-up on our resolutions. It is a great time to reaffirm them!

What were your resolutions? Many center around getting healthier, through exercise, through healthier eating, or even through *gasp* dieting. That brings to mind one of my favorite old one-lines, "why do the first 3 letters of the word diet spell die?"

Of course, there are lots of other resolutions we make. They can be related to job changes, your financial picture, family relations, or fun things like make sure to plan and take a real vacation.

Regardless, take a minute and take stock of where you are at. Are you making progress? If so, great! If yes but not as much as you like, remember phrases like "Rome wasn't built in a day" and re-dedicate your purpose. If you haven't made progress, add the word yet, as in, "you haven't made progress yet." And then renew your vow to make that difference.

Yes, January 31st is a perfect time to reaffirm you New Year's Resolutions.

Prepared for Winter Weather?

The American Red Cross asked Twitter readers "What are your tips for preparing for cold, snow and ice?" Most of the posted responses were very practical but there were a few fun ones mixed in.

Besides advice such as dressing in layers, or having the right supplies on hand, there were cute things such as "Buy hot cocoa before the grocery stores run out!" and "Bundle up with a cup of something warm in front of a fire & enjoy the snowfall." A couple of responses even involved moving to Hawaii. You can find the full posting on the American Red Cross website page: "YOUR Snow Safety Tips"

Are wondering what this Twitter thing is? This is straight from their FAQ:

Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent messages. People write short updates, often called "tweets" of 140 characters or fewer. These messages are posted to your profile or your blog, sent to your followers, and are searchable on Twitter search.

Visit the Twitter website at http://twitter.com and you just might get hooked. When you do, follow the American Red Cross at http://twitter.com/RedCross or one of your Medi-Facts bloggers at http://twitter.com/jespi55.

Fitness Ideas and Tools

Come January of each year, we see a surge in the Wellness and Fitness markets. Individuals and small groups of friends everywhere drive the heavy interest. We make resolutions, we want or need to shed some of the holiday pounds, we start to eye the summer vacation, or we simply see the New Year as a great time to start working on the new and improved self.

I came across a great posting at http://lifehacker.com/ that I encourage you to go check out: What Are Your 2009 Fitness Resolutions? The page asks you to share your plans for getting or staying in shape in '09. Of course, that means you've got to think about it and come up with a plan. Now you see why I sent you there?

What's cool too, is a link to another posting of theirs about six months earlier. This one is called The Best Tech Tools and Fitness Plans to Get in Shape. Again, the more help we can get, the better we can do. Among other things are ideas such as Map Your Workout, Pick the Right Running Shoes, and Track Your Fitness on Your Computer

It is this last item that refers on one more post of their own: Get in shape at Traineo. One of the reasons I suggest the post before going directly to the Traineo (http://www.traineo.com) site is to read the comments on the post. The encouragement there really tells the story. Traineo has a blog, but even better there is a community forum for exchanging ideas, asking question and garnering support from other members. The best part? Traineo is free.

If you have thoughts on these links or have other recommended suggestions for fitness, please feel free to add your comments.

Optimism Rides In with Obama's Inauguration

According to a New York Times poll, Poll Finds Faith in Obama, Mixed With Patience, Americans have tempered confidence that he can turn the economy around.

As we all know, 2008 spiraled to a close on a scale not seen in the lifetime of most of us. We have all at least seen, and more than likely know people directly affected by, events such as lost jobs, budget cuts, well-known companies folding up shop to say nothing of countless small ones. It is the magnitude of the economic downturn, combined with the rest of the State of the Nation that President-elect Obama inherits, that leads to the collective "but the turnaround can't be all accomplished immediately" opinion. From the article accompanying the poll:

Most Americans said they did not expect real progress in improving the economy, reforming the health care system or ending the war in Iraq — three of the central promises of Mr. Obama’s campaign — for at least two years. The poll found that two-thirds of respondents think the recession will last two years or longer.

While polls are great to get a read on the general population, there is always more personal impacts where you work, play, live and at home. First there is the question of where are now: Have you had to shrink your own budget? In the community where you live, are essential services being reduced or cut? If you help oversee a business budget, what changes have you had to make?

Then comes the question of what is your personal outlook? Do you see positive change? If so, how soon? If it will take two or more years as suggested in the article, what will you do differently? Are there steps you will take to help others around you or those impacted by reduced services in the community? Where you work or at other local businesses and organizations, can you make suggestions or influence in ways they can help?

We're all in this together; it doesn't belong to Barack Obama alone. As the Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday was titled and themed, "We Are One."

Back Home After Vegas Trade Show

After spending a few days in Las Vegas for "The PPAI Expo 2009" trade show, it is great to be back home.

Mind you, I have no complaints about Vegas, or the Mandalay Bay that played host to the convention, nor the perfect weather, and even the air travel (with connections) was near flawless. But I am glad to be home.


It is always great to re-connect with our fellow exhibiting suppliers. Greeting what
are technically competitors with warm smiles, handshakes and hugs as dear friends. But that simply is because we DO become friends. Exhibiting at shows across the country -- quite literally -- we have shared many meals, many bus and plane rides, many side excursions and outings. This leads to an ever-growing history full of entertaining stories and laughs. And we call these competitors? We understand we each have specialties and niches; we appreciate that we each bring something to the table; we support and help each other in every possible ways. I raise a toast to my friends!

I haven't even mentioned our distributors yet! Our customers at these shows have too become great friends. Walking down a crowded corridor and you hear your name called out. Turning back you see a big smiling face with hands, or even arms, already extended out. Before you answer things like "what's your booth number?" you spend a few moments checking on family and such. The business discussion will wait until you're both at the booth. When I wrote about suppliers helping each other out above, it is in large part because as suppliers, we understand that is the best way that we, collectively, can support our distributors. A case in point: we had a customer asking for a very specific type of product that we don't carry ourselves. We offered three possible suppliers and suggested which was most likely to carry the item. As an example of how good our distributor clients are, this person took the time to come back to our booth -- and this is a big 2-floor show and our distributors walk all day -- just to thank us. They found exactly the item they needed where we suggested they might.

This industry, Promotional Products, really is fabulous. And yet, it is great to be home.

It's Awards Season or Let's Play "What's My Cause?"

While the various awards shows you see, may be great for the self-serving interest groups that sponsor them, and can even be entertaining, we are sometimes witness to the passions of participants in the events.

You are free to interpret "witness to the passions" as you please since this will vary by your viewpoint of celebrities or their causes. You might think "subjected to tirades" or you might think "validated by much needed public expression." You may even think that a cause is worthwhile but a particular celebrity's endorsement does more harm than good. One thing we do know, the behavior isn't going to change.

Celebrities may choose to be vocal either on the red carpet or as an award winner. If you notice though, there are far more silent statements made by people wearing Cause Awareness ribbons and Cause Awareness wristbands.

Have you seen colors that you don't know what they mean? Do you have a special cause outside of the most popular Pink Ribbon for Breast Cancer? Go over and look at the List of awareness ribbons from Wikipedia and see the list assembled so far. Over 20 ribbon color combinations and over five dozen, yes, five dozen causes.

Don't forget that supporting cause near to your heart is something you don't need to be a celebrity to do. You can do it too. What's your color?

Promoting Wellness the Medi-Facts Way

To blog or not to blog is NOT the question. The question is can we do blog well enough to make a real difference. You see, we create "kits" that help people organize information. Information that could be used in an emergency. The real benefit is in the form of having peace of mind that those you care about can receive the best possible response should an event arise. The hidden goal that goes with this is, of course, that you never even need to have an emergency responder.

The gem behind this idea is making it so individuals like you and those around you don't have to go buy expensive products for this peace of mind. Rather, through a network of distributors, we find buyers that are willing to give them out. These purchasing organizations, companies, emergency teams and the like, have the option to print their logo or other messages on the items in exchange for providing the service to in their communities. There is a benefit to everyone involved all the way down to the final recipient.

And why do we care to blog well enough to make a real difference? Printed on the back of our business card, and as a daily internal reminder on our login screens of our intranet is:

Medi-Facts -- Committed to Making A Positive Difference!

• In the Lives of Recipients
• In the Quality of Communities
• In the Reputation of Purchasers
• In the Bottom Line of Distributors
• In the Recognition of Partners
• In Ourselves and Our Families

We fully expect it will take time for our messages to take root and have an impact but we are indeed commited to making a positive difference.

Welcome 2009 and A New Outlook

A new year dawns, full of hope, full of desire to see a return to stability, full of promise for a brighter, better future.

By any definition, 2008 is a year that caused strife and stress for many. We ask you to watch this space here, and even participate with us, as we discuss ways to promote the wellness of each of us to strengthen our individual healthy outlooks and in turn, helping our communities stand strong.

We wish you a Happy, Prosperous and Healthy New Year!