After a nice summer break, I'm firing up the blog after Labor Day!

After 100+ weekly posts, I've enjoyed a summer break (that included a few rounds of golf, a stay-cation in Newport Beach, lots of reading, and a trip up Highway One)--but I'm looking forward to returning to Little Changes Big Results® blog in September with a variety of articles on how you can make little changes that will have big results--not only in your life, but in your family and community, as well!

Coming up -- a potential tour to 40 college campuses in 2012!  Want me to help?  Let me know by emailing me at media@changeyourlifedaily.com or calling 800.444.6189 for more information.

Be encouraged,

Becky

What do you think makes America great?

Fortune Magazine has just released their yearly “100 Great Things About America” List!

It is an eclectic compilation of people and things that makes America great, from sightseeing spectaculars to philanthropists and pop-culture icons. 

If you've been tempted to worry about our country lately, this list gives you a reason to celebrate our nation!  

Reading the entire list of 100 “greats” is a fabulous Fourth of July exercise that invites you to “agree” or “disagree” with the list-makers.  More importantly, it gives you unlimited reasons to root for our country – honoring the individuals and corporations that are making a difference, recognizing the freedom we enjoy, and appreciating the entrepreneurs and the inventions that have made us great!

Click here to enjoy the article and list.  And if you need to make little change in your attitude, add a few of your own “greats” and get the big result of feeling grateful for living in the United States of America!

Happy Fourth of July!

Becky

Does Your Marriage Need a Spark?

Watch the short video and be encouraged to improve your relationship! View some of the benefits of attending our upcoming Couples Event -- CLICK HERE for more info or to REGISTER for July 16th Couples Event at Voyager's Church in Irvine, Ca.

What does your plate look like?

Mrs. Obama has dedicated much of her time and energy, since moving into the White House, encouraging families to become healthier, beginning with what and how much food goes on your plate.

This week, she helped the government roll out their newest version of the Food Pyramid called ChooseMyPlate.Gov, making it easier and clearer for parents and kids alike to make healthy choices about food.  Just one plate divided into just four categories—fruits and vegetables, which make up half of ones plate, grains and protein make up the other half.

We all know that “good ideas” are only “good” if and when we implement them!

So here is my question for you: What little change can you make using the “plate” concept to see a big result in your health?

Here are some ideas: (1) The two largest portions on your plate should be vegetables and grains.  If you don’t like vegetables (or only like them when they are fried) or you prefer white grains (such as rice and potatoes) instead of leafy greens and whole grains, then your “little change” should begin by having more greens and fibers with your meals. (2) If you only enjoy fruit if it is sweetened or smashed in a smoothie, then this is your opportunity to start eating and snacking on more fresh fruits, such as grapes, oranges, and berries.  (3) If you LOVE your protein (maybe too much), your best bet is to decrease your protein portion to fit into the size of your palm.

Just by making a few little changes (portion control, eliminating sweeteners, and cutting back on white flours, grains, and sugar), you will immediately see big results: reduction in calories at every meal, increase in fiber, and lowering your cholesterol.

Why not start eating healthier today?

Be encouraged,

Becky

A Sheriff, K2, and you...

This past week, I had the privilege of hearing Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens speak at the California Youth Services Open House—a non-profit organization that provides needed counsel and drug/alcohol education to parents and students in our county. 

Sheriff Hutchens personally and professionally understands the negative impact of substance abuse on our culture and has made a career of trying to make our county a better place to raise a family.  Beginning with statistics, she told us that underage drinking and substance abuse is on the rise across America.  She added, that after 33 years in law enforcement, she was confident that a poll of every jail inmate would reveal either personal or family drug/alcohol abuse had been a factor in his or her crime.  But in order to make an even stronger connection with us, Sheriff Hutchens shared that her father had been an alcoholic her entire life, until he died. 

The same week, ABCNews shared the story of one family whose teenage son overdosed on a legal synthetic drug that he purchased at a local mall.  Even just a little digging around reveals how easy and how cheap drugs can be purchased, especially by teens. 

Why does a heart-broken family who just lost a child tell their story?  To prevent other families experiencing such pain. 

Why does a sheriff fight against the legalization of marijuana?  Because she sees firsthand how the lives of those 1000's who commit crimes while under the influence of a mind-altering drugs are devastated.

Why did I attend the open house?  It was not because I am the parent of a student at risk, but because as a former teenage alcoholic, and I believe that all adults—not just parents of teens or sheriffs--have to take seriously the cultural threats against our young generation of boys and girls.

How can you make a little change that will make a big result in your family or community? 

Read and discuss the current stories about drugs and alcohol that include young adults, parents of teens and teens.  Ask related questions to the families and students you know, such as, “Does this happen in your school or with your friends?”  Support youth counseling organizations; attend events where professionals are trying to bring awareness to the community, become a “Big Brother or Big Sister,” or volunteer to be a foster grand-parent.  You don’t have to be an expert.  Just be available, caring and informed.  The big result?  Become a part of changing our culture. 

Be encouraged,

Becky 

Memorial Day Montage

My husband, Roger, and I were in Washington, DC this Memorial Day Weekend.  We had never seen the World War II Memorial, so off we headed early on Saturday morning.  We had no "official" plans but as soon as we arrived, we quickly observed numerous state pillars surrounding the beautiful pools and fountains of the newest memorial in the national park.  Roger's father had valiantly served in WWII, so we decided to look for the Ohio pillar--our home state--and take a picture of it.  Slowly we circled the entire rim of the monument, between the Pacific and Atlantic entrances, reading the inspirational quotes of generals and Presidents who served our country during that time.  The loss of almost 500,000 men and women during that war was staggering.

When we arrived at the OHIO pillar, a group of WWII veterans from the Dayton area were positioned in front of their state memorial while family and friends took their pictures and honored them.  Compelled by overwhelming gratitude, Roger and I moved toward the men and began to shake their hands.  I include their picture in this post because they represent ALL of the parents and grandparents--men and women--who selflessly served our country, preserving our freedom and liberty.  With each hand I shook, tears welled in my eyes.  The last man took my hand and kissed it, which made me laugh!  I felt loved and so did they.

Please send or give your love and appreciation this Memorial Day to those who served our country and to their relatives who loved them and perhaps even lost them as they gave their lives for us.

Be encouraged,

Becky

PS More photos of the WWII Memorial, Lincoln and Korean War Memorial are posted on my FB page: BeckyTirabassi.

OHIO can save you time!

Tracy Middleton of Women’s Health Magazine recently revealed that OHIO, right turns, and 5/25 are catchy titles for time-saving tips that anyone can make.  The beauty of these "little changes" is the result: less time spent on the road, at work, on the phone, or in the office!  

Have I caught your interest yet?  

Three of her suggestions give both a push and proof that anyone can start saving time today.  

Idea #1: OHIO -- Especially helpful for those of us who have oodles of email and voice mails to sort through, the rule is: “OHIO: Only Handle It Once.”  Organization expert Peter Walsh of Enough Already!  suggests, "Decide immediately what to do with each message the first time you look at it or listen to it, so you won't waste time going back to it later."  He adds, “Do any 2-minute task right away.”  (I, too, encourage my coach-ees to time their tasks because it usually proves that chores/tasks rarely take as long as one imagines!)

Idea#2: Right Turns -- UPS, the delivery service, decided to remove time-wasting left turns from their drivers’ commutes by rerouting them to use more right turns.  Guess what happened?  Drivers spent 10% LESS time on the road idling in front of busy street, left-hand turn signals.  

Idea#3: Take 5 Every 25 -- When working on an intense project, taking a 5-minute break every 25 minutes will boost your productivity.  How can you implement this right away? Time Management expert, Francesco Cirillo teaches and trains international groups to improve their productivity using a kitchen timer!  

If you’re looking for a few little changes to make in your daily routine that will give you big results-- more family time, less stress, a longer coffee break, and more productivity at work--why not give OHIO, right turns and 5/25 a try this week?  Feel free to report back your results or post a few of your own little "time-saving" changes!

Be encouraged, 

Becky