How to Create a Plan of Action

Now that you’ve begun setting yourself up for success by attending Kickoff events, considering where you want to take yourself in 2016, and performing the necessary steps to contact new customers and Team Members, how do you bring all these new pieces of information and ideas into one cohesive whole to reach your goals? Action planning and goal setting are some of the most productive ways to reach your potential as a business owner.
There are many ways to create an action plan. Each one is unique, but in order to create the best action plan for yourself, there are a few crucial steps you need in order to remain productive.
Specify the Goal
As you start to plan, be certain that you know exactly what you to accomplish. If you don’t set clear goals for the short-term and long-term future, you’ll never be able to tell if your preparation is working, or if it’s even worth pursuing in the first place.
TIP: When setting your goal and working through your plan, be sure to keep a record. Keeping a record helps you organize your thoughts, gives you an idea of how you are progressing, and keeps you accountable.
Be Realistic
Remaining realistic isn’t meant to dampen your drive for success. Rather, it’s used as a tool to reduce stress that may come with missed deadlines, extraneous circumstances, or even being plain exhausted. Being realistic lets you proactively accomplish goals without becoming discouraged when interruptions inevitably happen.
TIP: To stay realistic and productive, set milestones that are measurable and simple. Allowing yourself to reach specific levels of production keeps you motivated and intent on continuing with your plan.
Stay Organized
This cannot be stressed enough. If you’ve spent time on a task and you’ve finally finished, mark it off. Visual confirmations, such as checkmarks on a list, help you to keep track of what is done, as well as what still needs to be done. Plus, physically checking off a task is incredibly satisfying.
TIP: Binders may seem outdated, but they still serve an important purpose. If you or your computer are prone to forgetting or misplacing information, keeping hard copies in binders is a safe alternative (or back-up) to keeping your important information safe and easily accessible. Just don’t lose your binder …
Timelines
Without setting legitimate timelines, small tasks get pushed back, or even forgotten. When this happens you may find yourself neck deep in projects and you’ll end up stressed. Establishing a realistic timetable keeps you accountable and allows ample time to think ahead. So if you’re not certain how long something will take, give yourself an extra hour just to be sure. If you finish your task earlier than expected, great! You can move on to the next one without feeling rushed.
TIP: Include breaks in your timetable. Setting time aside to relax helps your brain from getting burnt out and lets you stay focused without feeling overwhelmed. Set aside lunch/coffee breaks where you can unwind for an hour.
Don’t Stop Once you’ve established a plan, coordinated with your team (if applicable), and goals are set, the final step is the simplest and most important. Keep working!
TIP: Sometimes, unanticipated events happen. If you feel the need, change some dates around. Don’t get discouraged. Review and revise your plan, but never give up on your goal!

10 Foods that Protect Your Heart

February is Heart Health Month here in the United States, and we are celebrating at Synergy by sharing our heart health knowledge with you. We encourage you to pay special attention to your heart this month. After all, it is a hard working muscle in your body. At times, we get caught up in daily routines and neglect the heart’s needs. However, by making heart healthy choices every day, you have the power to strengthen not only your heart, but your overall wellness.

A healthy diet is crucial to maintaining a healthy heart, but unless you know which foods to turn to, you may have a hard time getting the most out of your diet.

Here are 10 superfoods to help protect your heart:

Salmon
This fish is a popular choice for heart health because it contains plenty of omega-3 fatty acids that aid in the prevention of blood clots, keep blood flowing throughout the body, and lower triglycerides that contribute to heart disease.

According to the American Heart Association, aim for at least two servings of oily fish a week. The serving size is approximately 3.5 ounces, or about the size of a computer mouse.

Nuts
Walnuts, almonds, cashews, and pistachios are another good source of omega-3. Nuts are a more economical option for getting omega-3 fats, and researchers say that snacking on about 5 ounces of nuts a week can help protect you from heart disease.

Fat-free/Low-fat Milk or Yogurt
Dairy products are known to be high in potassium, which helps in lowering blood pressure. When you choose fat–free or low–fat dairy, you get little to no saturated fat, a known factor in raising cholesterol levels.

Raspberries
Filled with antioxidants, fiber, and Vitamin C, raspberries and other berries are a healthy and tasty way to lower risk of heart disease and stroke.

Chickpeas
Hail to the hummus! The chickpea is a popular and versatile heart healthy food. These little wonders are a fantastic source of soluble fiber – the fiber known to lower “bad” cholesterol (LDL).

Oatmeal
Oats contain fiber called beta-glucan that helps lower LDL. Having as little as one and a half cups of oatmeal is all it takes to help lower your LDL.

Avocados
The reason these fruits have such a creamy texture is because of the “good” fats that are found in them. These fats help lower LDL and have anti-inflammatory function that protects arteries.

Olive Oil
A common staple in Mediterranean diets, olive oil is said to be a healthy alternative to butter and other oils, and limits your intake of saturated fats, which raise your LDL and can cause fat build-up inside your arteries.

Dark Chocolate
Yes … chocolate is on the list. Cacao, the plant that chocolate comes from, is rich in flavanols. These help lower blood pressure, prevent blood clots, and the antioxidants in chocolate help keep the “bad” cholesterol from sticking to your arterial walls.

Grapes
The resveratrol found in grapes contributes to a healthy heart because it keeps blood platelets from sticking together, reducing the risk of blood clots and preventing damage to blood vessels in the heart.