Category Archives: Observations

Just Go for It: Extreme Skiing with JP Auclair

Here is a bit of inspiration from JP Auclair.

JP is an extreme skier. There are lessons in life in this video. Watch as JP travles down the mountain at lightninig speed. No need to look back…

Just keep going!

Sometimes you just have to go for it. Just point yourself straight ahead. You can’t worry that things are looking scary. You need to keep moving forward.

Many times you will feel that it is just to much. Learn a lesson for JP.

The magic is in the journey itself. Sure there may be some pitfalls and dangers.

You need to just go for it!

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Seize The Moment

You may only have one chance.

Fear and doubt are thundering down on you like a freight train.

Whether or not you win the game of life, you have to decide how you will walk out of here when it is all said and done…

 You need to make sure you grab the opportunity…It’s all about you and your goals.

Will you reach them? Will you succeed?

You are in control. You are at the helm. It all comes down to what you do with it…

While the visuals in this video use sports as a backdrop, the message is a universal one.

The following can be applied to every action that you take in business and in life.

You need to decide… 

Have passion…then take action….

Here’s to you and your absolute success,

albert grande
Student of Life

Talk is Cheap With Dragon Naturally Speaking

I have struggled with my writing for quite some time…Not that I can’t write. I can write fairly well.

I like to write. Editing takes a lot of time but, I like to write.

Here’s my problem…I am a terrible typist. It takes me a long time to type out the words I want to get out. I can think and talk a lot faster than I can type. I think a lot of people have the same problem. Do you?

I’ve watched the speech to writing software for a while. Hey it looks like it can really cut down on the time it takes for me to type.

The problem was the expense. It semed like a lot of money…Hey I’m a cheapo.

I just recently found an offer I could not refuse. Here it is:

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Standard software with a 63% savings. So I went for it. I just ordered it. I’m not sure how long it will be this price. I think it is an incredible deal. Incredible.

And I wanted to share this deal with you. You can get it here at a great price. Plus it comes with a headset. Sweet!

So I plan on using it to update my blogs, my web pages, my reviews and anytime I have to type something. And I type a lot….

As I said it’s an offer I can’t refuse. and I hope you take a look at it as well.

If you are like me this could save you a lot of time. Hey talk is cheap and time is after all money.

I plan on giving a report on how I make out with this. But at this price, it is something you should not let slip by…

check this out, now; just click on this link  >>> Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Standard<<<

 

Stay well,

 

albert

The Best Time to Solve A Problem

I found this article on on Qondio, a site which helps you promote content. You can view my profile (and join) if you have anything to promote, at this link.

I found this to be great advice for anyone who is stuck with an issue. This works for business as well as, life issues.

The Best Time to Solve A Problem

By Nick Radovanovic

Before I begin, I’d like to take a minute explaining that I am not the type to read self-help books or attend motivational seminars. I would much rather read a novel set in 19th century Russia than Rich Dad, Poor Dad. If you speak to highly successful people, none of them have motivational books in their bookshelf, anyway.
I’ve always believed that I alone can come up with the inner strength needed to tackle life’s problems and attain my objectives.

However, there is one quote from a successful person that has given me a tremendous boost, and vastly improved my ability to juggle my workload. One single sentence turned out to be a gift which I treasure to this day.

The quote came from Carlos Ghosn. This is an amazing character who went from most-villified person in Japan to semi-deity, in a matter of months.

Back in the late 1990’s, when Japan’s economy was doing badly (and the rest of the world was still doing well), the French automaker Renault bought a stake in Nissan, which was on the verge of bankruptcy. They sent in Ghosn (pronounced Goan), a Brazilian of Lebanese decent, to run Nissan.

Ghosn’s instatement as CEO of Nissan was a major cultural shock in Japan. People were used to the idea of Japanese companies buying up businesses all over the world, but to have a foreign company buy up a major domestic automaker and put a Caucasian in charge to run it was a like a bomb exploding in the middle of Tokyo.

The name Nissan happens to mean, Japan Made.

A foreigner could not possibly understand the uniquely Japanese way of doing business, or the finer points of Japanese culture that had allowed Japan to be what it was.

Ghosn did not disappoint his detractors. He closed factories and laid off thousands – something no Japanese CEO would have dared to do. Ghosn was everyone’s worst nightmare. He was the devil incarnate. To image the degree to which people hated him, bring to mind the way liberals in the US felt about George W Bush.

But a scant one or two years later, Nissan was raking in record profits. Nissan cars were hot again and selling like hotcakes. New factories were being built. Almost overnight, Ghosn became one of the most respected persons in the country. People literally genuflected before him. He became, and still is, something of a deity. Japanese reporters interviewing him used a reverent tone normally reserved for the imperial family.

Of course, foreign reporters from news organizations such as the BBC would have none of this. They asked hard questions. I remember an interview Ghosn gave just as Nissan was starting to emerge from its darkest days. Someone asked him why he hadn’t negotiated further with the unions (or something like that).

Ghosn said, “The best time to solve a problem, is now.”

In other words, a problem may be unpleasant, but the effort required to solve it will only increase with time. Solving the problem now will remove the problem from the list of problems to solve, and free up time and resources for more productive tasks. Therefore, it is expedient, more efficient, and easier to solve the problem as soon as possible. Not later, not tomorrow, but now, as in right this minute.

The best time to solve a problem is now.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but that sentence would change my productivity forever. I gradually started hearing this phrase every time I faced an unpleasant task. Whenever I confront something that needs to be done, I hesitate momentarily. The option of ignoring the problem and carrying on presents itself. It is tempting to pretend the problem doesn’t exist, or to just push it back to the queue for handling ‘later’. But I then conjure up Ghosn’s magic words, like a spell.

The best time to solve a problem is now.

Right! I then jump right in and start dealing with the problem without any hesitation. Done! I can remove the problem from my to-do list.

Ghosn’s spell works for domestic chores. Notice something untidy? Pick it up and restore it to its position there and then – otherwise you’ll soon have to spend a whole day, or even weekend, cleaning up and setting things straight.

I used to have a permanent pile of unwashed dishes. If I needed a particular knife, I’d often need to wash it, dry it, and then use it. Nowadays, I still have a stack of unwashed dishes – I process them in batches – but the stack is much smaller, and I never have unwashed pots or pans or other items that are used frequently. It is such a luxury to be able to have any item available when I need it.

It works for business, too. Something not functioning? Fixing it now will allow more time for dealing with ancillary problems brought up during the fixing process. It minimizes revenue lost and frees up time and resources for investing in new capaibilities.

A problem usually turns out to be much easier to deal with than anticipated. Unsolved, it hangs over us, like a gloomy cloud, dampening our spirits. But when tackled, it turns out to be not as bad as we thought. By dealing with a problem now, rather than later, we are reducing the time the gloomy cloud can cast a shadow over our life.

Like any rule of thumb, the rule has exceptions. If you continue solving problems one after another, you’ll never get any sleep. So you have to have a cut-off time for all your problem solving activity. But generally, Ghosn’s wisdom holds true for just about any problem.

http://nick.qondio.com

A Little Reasearch Saved Me $267

I love my video camera. It’s a Sony that is 5 years old. I’ve made lots of videos. I’ve even posted some.
Check some of them out here.
(FYI: Here’s a YouTube video I made with my camera: with 50,000 views by the time you read this!)

I recently noticed that there was something wrong with the camera. A yellow band of blur was showing up in my videos. I had video camera issues, no doubt about it.

I immediately checked different websites to see what kind of support I could get to fix my sick camera. The Sony website explained there was a minimum charge of $267 to fix my camera. I figured after 5 years, it was definitley out of warranty.

Wow, I thought $267? Was it worth it? I was unsure…

I decided to google my camera model number. I found several forums that were discussing issues with my camera.

As I read the posts, I was gettng more depressed by the minute. All of the posts said the same thing: there were bugs with the camera, and there was little that could be done about it. Oh well…

One person suggested calling Sony directly. They said they had been successful in getting their camera fixed for no charge. They even gave a phone number.

Long story short: I called Sony and gave the model number. The support guy said “No problem. We’ll fix it for free and we’ll pay all shipping.”

Obviously, I thought, there have been a number of issues with this camera….

My shippinng label was emailed to me. I put it in a box and took it to the UPS store. I’m as happy as a clam…hopefully, I’ll get my camera back soon and I can start making some more videos. And best of all it didn’t cost me a dime.

So a simple web search saved me over $267.00 and I got my camera fixed, free of charge! Yeah!

Afterthought: I always fill out a registration form everytime I buy anything. I certainly did this when I bought my video camera.
How come if Sony knew there were isssues with this camera, they never contacted me… I’ll still fill out that product registration card next time I make a purchase, even though it’s probably just a waste of time.

Not making videos, yet…

albert

P.S. Here are some sites that are definitely not a waste of time. As a matter of fact you can find lots of valuable stuff:

Traffic Secrets Giveaway: win a copy of John Reese’s incredible Traffic Secrets 2 Product

Viral Marketing Giveaway All of the tools you need to succeed, for free.

Eva Cassidy: The Most Incredible Singer You Never Heard

What can I say about Eva Cassidy?

Eva lived an all to brief life. She was a singer who was just starting to come out to national and International recognition when she tragically died at the tender age of 33 in 1996.

She did a few tours but mostly she played the folk club circuit in her home area near Washington, D.C.

Eva may have faded into obscurity if it were not for an English DJ who happened to hear one of her albums. He began to play her stirring rendition of “Over the Rainbow”, and immediately listeners began to respond. Eva was famous two years after her death, in England.

I first heard of her through Ted Koppel, when he featured the story of her posthumous success on “Nightline”.  That was around 2001. 

She is someone who deserves recognition. She has a sweet, voice. An angelic delivery. An amazing presence.

You can listen to some of her music, right here. Check out Eva Cassidy:

Regards,
Albert
http://pizzatherapy.com
http://pastatherapy.com
http://grandepublishing.com

Amnesty International: Music for Human Rights

Every once in while you need to take a stand. You need to stand up and be counted. You have to give your support to those less fortunate than you.

Please make a stand for those whose rights are being violated. One organization who is making a difference is:

Music For Human Rights

“Music for Human Rights is your place at Amnesty International and on the web to learn about the issues and to take action to protect your rights and the rights of others. Find out what your favorite musicians are doing to spread the word and then join them in the fight for human rights. “

You can make a difference. You can help those whose rights have been violated.

Here is where you can go to help. Click Here.

Get up, Stand Up. Stand Up for their Rights…

 

Bloggers Unite

Sincerely,
Albert Grande

The Secret of the Planet Earth

Discover the views of our own planet from a different perspective. You will marvel at the the scenes, the wildlife, and outer space.

 I watched this video and frankly, I was blown away. Experience it, feel it, share it.

At times, we need to step back and realize the wonders of our life, the wonders of planet earth.

The following clip helps us rediscover and appreciate our own world. Feel the vibration.

Rhonda Byrne, who created this film  had the following to say:

“Every good thought, every good word, every good emotion, and every act of kindness, is lifting the vibration of your being to new heights.  And as you begin to raise your vibration, a new life and a new world will reveal itself to you. ”

Rhonda exlains this clip will give off positive energy and vibrations. This is an uplifting and spiritual experience.

The music was composed by Jo Blankenburg. Discover the Secret, here.

Be well. Stay well. Onward and upward.

Albert Grande

Learn How to Make Pizza

E-books, Information and Internet Resources

Kitchen Remodeling

The Day Starbucks Ran Out of Coffee…

True story:

I like Starbucks. I like to drink coffee. Not the double latte, triple shot espresso with caramel and whipped cream. Just straight coffee with half and half.

Yesterday, I walked into Starbucks, and stepped right up to the counter. There was no line. I handed the guy behind the counter my traveling coffee cup.

“House coffee” I said.

“No coffee” he replied. I was shocked. I stumbled. I couldn’t believe it.

“Just wait a few moments, sir, and I’ll brew some more” he quickly added.

He was right, it was just a couple of minutes and the brew was finished. I reached in my pocket.

“No charge” he said. “The coffee is on me”.

“Thanks”, I smiled. “I really appreciate that”.

I started to tell him, “you know, I wrote an ebook, exactly about what you just did called “The Law of Reciprocity: When You Give you Get”. 

But I didn’t. I just waved and walked out.

Here’s the point. That free cup of coffee just cemented my relationships with Starbucks. I will definitely go back, again and again. It’s all about The Reciprocity.

There are a couple of Internet Marketers who are practicing this important law right now. Check out these giveaways based on reciprocity:

The Viral Marketing Giveaway.

and my friend Lady Angel is up to it again at:

The Lady Angel Giveaway

Please visit and grab some valuable resources. You will find tools, ebooks, videos, courses and everything else an Internet Marketer could want. And you will discover: when you do business on-line or off-line: it’s all about The Reciprocity.

All the Best,
Albert Grande
http://pizzatherapy.com
http://grandepublishing.com

PS:

The Viral Marketing Giveaway.

and my friend Lady Angel is up to it again at:

The Lady Angel Giveaway