How do you celebrate July 4th?

Country. Family. Love. Pride.

What's the golden rule for staying fit?  Be consistent.  We all know the real way to keep wait off and maintain a continuous healthy lifestyle is to remain committed and follow a consistent eating and exercise routine.

We also all know – this is easier said than done!  What about those who work full time, have kids, busy schedules, or all of the above?

How can one remain fit – despite a heavy work schedule?

Here are a few pointers according to MindBodyGreen:

1.   Set yourself up for success.  No one knows you better than yourself.  What are your temptations?  Make sure they are nowhere in sight.  Don't wait until you're absolutely famished and raid the pantry like you were a contestant on Survivor for 40 days.  Keep your stash stocked with healthy choices – and get rid of temptation at home.

2.  Even a little exercise helps.  If you don't have time to put in two hours at the gym EVERY day – find 5 minutes here or there to flex your muscles on a “down” day.  This will help maintain your consistency during days you can't make a full commitment at the gym.  A few crunches here and there, a few squats on your coffee break, some leg exercises under your desk.  These will help maintain the hard work you've put in on other “on” days.

3.  Always have food available.  Back to #1, don't set yourself up for failure by binge eating because you're absolutely starving.  If you have long work hours, ensure that you bring healthy snacks to your desk and a full nutritious lunch. 

4.  Try your hardest not to cheat.  Not everyone is perfect, but if you're committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle despite your busy schedule – keep to your routine!

Yes, it's ideal to spend time in the gym on a consistent basis -- but for those of us who have long work or family responsibilities and are not willing/able to wake up at 4 am – try these helpful tips.  Bottom line:  Anyone can stay in shape if you put your mind to it! 

Despite all the hand-held devices, social media venues, and internet-enabled modes of communication, having a face-to-face conversation is still a crucial component of the working world.  Are face-to-face conversations still a part of YOUR work culture? 

What about your family life?  Do you spend more time emailing, Google sharing, Drop boxing, Instagramming, etc. etc.?  When was the last time you met your girlfriend for coffee?  Hopefully not too long ago. 

Why have people dropped human interaction with the art of “being alone, together” with their technology?  According to Sherry Turkle from The New York Times, “Human relationships are rich; they're messy and demanding. We have learned the habit of cleaning them up with technology…. FACE-TO-FACE conversation unfolds slowly. It teaches patience. When we communicate on our digital devices, we learn different (negative) habits.

The art of holding a traditional conversation is crucial to both your personal and professional life.  Here are a number of scenarios where face-to-face communication is the way to go:

•  When preventing or resolving conflicts
• When it is necessary or helpful to read non-verbal cues
•  When providing information on step-by-step or organizational changes
• When reviewing a performance appraisal with an employee or meeting for disciplinary purposes
• When exchanging confidential information
• When attempting to reach a negotiated agreement

Of course, when building a personal relationship or designating personal, one-on-one time with someone special – an in-person conversation may be the right call as well J

Talk to people – the real way.  It'll make both of you feel better and more accomplished. 

It's been a long and laborious winter, indeed.  Now that it's finally starting to warm up and spring is actually in sight, you may get that itch for spring cleaning.  Embrace that need for cleanliness and organization while the feeling is strong!  People who are clean and organized in their personal life tend to be clean and organized in their professional life as well…

Where to get started you ask?  It's easy to hear general tips on how to clean for spring – but what about more specific pointers?  Here are a few tips on kicking your spring cleaning into high gear according to the Spring Cleaning Guru herself – Martha Stewart:

1.  Clean windows – use a rubber-edged squeegee for best results.

2.  Dust lightbulbs – sounds odd but polishing your bulbs with a microfiber cloth dampened with water will bright up your room immensely.

3.  Stock your stain fighting kit – spring means more outdoor activities and more nature-related stains.  Make sure you got the goods stocked and ready.  (Go ahead, stock your cleaning products supply while you're at it as well)

4.  Bedroom makeover – got springy linen?  It's out with the old and on with the new.

5.  Clean out refrigerator – This job isn't always fun, but you can break it down into smaller parts.  Clean up spills immediately, wash and scrub shelves with a solution every few weeks, and break out that toothbrush for hard to reach crannies!

6.  Change your batteries – if you're making updates around your house make sure to update important battery operated devices like your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Once you get your spring cleaning kicked into gear – we hope it influences your surroundings at work as well.  Clean your desk, your mind-set, and your attitude!  Let the sunshine be a positive influence on every aspect of your life!