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TIP: Binders may seem outdated, but they still serve an important purpose.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.

5 Signs You Need a System Reboot

Our bodies speak to us in many ways, and they are particularly good at letting us know when they are unhappy. It’s all too easy in today’s world to fall into unhealthy habits involving lack of exercise, lack of sleep, heightened stress levels, and of course, our diets. It’s true, no one is perfect, and on occasion we indulge in foods that are deemed unhealthy. We may even go weeks, months, or years at a time without setting foot into a gym.

The important thing is that we recognize when our bodies begin to feel neglected and make necessary changes to reset our vital systems, enhancing their overall function and improving the way we feel.

If you struggle with any of with these five symptoms, it may be an indication that it’s time to start cleaning up your act:

1. Weight Gain

Oftentimes, overweight bodies are unhappy because they are filled with harsh chemicals found in junk food. These chemicals not only prompt weight gain, they can actually make it difficult to lose weight. Eating an unhealthy diet of processed foods, sugars, and refined carbohydrates, can lead to bloating, indigestion, and increased cravings for these potentially harmful foods.

2. Brain Fog

“What was I just doing again? Oh, right.” If you have this thought multiple times a day in the middle of accomplishing tasks, there is a chance that your body doesn’t have the proper nutrition and energy levels to maintain focus.

3. Body Odor

While this isn’t a pleasant topic to address, it’s certainly hard to ignore. If you are experiencing bad breath, frequent gas, and you smell bad no matter how much deodorant you apply, your body is trying to push out unwanted chemicals that are brewing inside. Get rid of them!

4. Skin Issues

If you look in the mirror and feel like you’re staring back at your pimply teenage self, there’s a problem. In fact, a number of skin problems, including rashes, are a manifestation of a deeply rooted issue. Rather than trying to clean your skin from the outside in, try addressing the issues that exist within the body and work your way out.

5. Lethargy

If you find yourself having a hard time keeping your eyes open in the middle of the day, either you’re sleep deprived or your body is feeling worn down by the unhealthy habits you have  gained. If you are sleep deprived, and spend most nights tossing and turning, this could be another sign that your body is in need of a system reboot.

ProArgi-9+ Published in 2016 Physicians’ Desk Reference

ProArgi-9+ has once again claimed its place in the Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR). The 70th edition of the 2016 PDR contains approved drug and supplement label information in addition to hundreds of full-color product images, including a photo of ProArgi-9+. Each product description includes dosages, side effects, and more.

The PDR states that “ProArgi-9+ is the highest quality l-arginine supplement in the world,” and “ProArgi-9+ was formulated in collaboration with leading scientists and cardiovascular specialists who have conducted extensive research on the proper application of l-arginine in promoting heart health.”

Considering that the PDR is available in libraries, bookstores, pharmacies and clinics, and is a resource to physicians, medical specialists and more, ProArgi-9+’s placement in the PDR gives Synergy WorldWide valuable credibility and visibility in the marketplace. We encourage Team Members to use this as a valuable talking point as you invite others to discover ProArgi-9+ and benefit from its powerful ingredients in order to live a healthier life.

Countdown to Kickoff 2016!

We look forward to seeing all those who registered for the 2016 Kickoff on Friday, February 5! This event will build an incredible amount of excitement as attendees learn where Synergy is headed in 2016 and beyond. Synergy’s future is bright and the potential is limitless.

On the docket to speak are North America General Manager Shane Greer, Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Matthew Tripp, Synergy Founder Dan Higginson, and more! You’ll also have the chance to tour the Hughes Center for Research and Innovation where Synergy products are developed and tested.

KICKOFF 2016 AGENDA

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5

Session I
3-5 p.m. – Meet at the Hughes Center for Research and Innovation located on the first floor of the Nature’s Sunshine Products offices:

2500 Executive Pkwy. #100
Lehi, UT 84043

Here, you will be given a tour of the Hughes Center and listen to an informative presentation from our manufacturing team.

5-7 p.m. – Dinner break

Session II
7-8 p.m. – We will regroup to hear from Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Matthew Tripp regarding his research in the Hughes Center, and will receive a special visit from Synergy Founder Dan Higginson at Synergy WorldWide Headquarters:

1955 W. Grove Pkwy. #100
Pleasant Grove, UT 84062

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6

Session III
9-11:30 a.m. – Top leaders will be eager to offer dynamic trainings as well as Synergy’s vision for the future in an information-packed meeting at Synergy WorldWide Headquarters.

We look forward to seeing all of you this weekend to prepare for a strong 2016!