We have an interesting conflict going on locally and it makes me wonder about the principles involved.

We have a very old high school - more than 100 years old, which is still in use but badly in need of repair.

After several years of debate, discussion and input from a variety of sources the Board of Education decided
to rebuild the existing school then did an about face and decided to build a new school elsewhere.

The municipal government then jumped in and said the want the old school rebuilt.

(Under our system the Board of Education is independent of the municipality and sets its own taxes but the municipality can refuse to sell a new property to the Board)

Now I for one believe in the preservation of history and the school in question is definitely a "Heritage" building
of the type we will never see again and should be preserved.

BUT

Is it appropriate for the Board of Education to fund the preservation of an historical building?

Their funds after all are allocated for EDUCATION !

The figures released are that a new school would cost 30 million dollars and rebuilding the old school would cost 35 million dollars.

But

The rebuilt school would not be as functional as a new school and the property is not really as large as is desired.

A major question to me is still that of using education dollars to fund historical preservation.

Any comments ?

Len McNally

Hi folks;

I've just discovered that the pain in my shoulder is a torn rotator cuff.

And I have never even tried to throw a slider!

Anyway its one of those things that aches all the time and is just a genuine pain in the - well - shoulder.

And it sure does interfere with my curling game. After sitting out a couple of games one of my teammates suggested I try throwing with a stick. For those not in the know - and I guess that means most non Canadians - this is a relatively new device invented to allow the "old guys" with bad hips or knees to throw a curling rock while standing up. (At 66 I am NOT one of the "old guys").

So, after a couple of hours of practice, I tried it in a game and - it works not bad! Of course it will take a little time to redevelop my usual finesse (never mind the cat calls) but at least it means I'm not finished for the season. We have only 5 or 6 weeks till playoff time and I didn't want to miss that.

I see my doctor next week to talk about surgical options but my guess is that although I will be OK for curling I will miss the 2007 sailing season which REALLY hurts. I have an invite to crew again in the Chicago Mackinaw and Port Huron Mackinaw races which is a blast. (I have a Gold Medal from the 2005 Chicago Mac - my lifetime sailing accomplishment) but I know I won't be able to pull a line or grind a winch. Sometimes we just have to accept the rotten apples that come our way!

By the way, if anyone has a magic cure for the torn rotator cuff (or legal pain relief) I will be glad to hear from you.

Hope you're having a great winter (or I guess its summer for my Aussie and Kiwi and S.A. readers) we have had a whole lot of snow in the past 10 days or so and I'm looking for spring - soon!

Len McNally

PS.

If you haven't done so yet, why not sign up for the AODR Weekly Ezine! It's FREE already !

Hi Folks;

Winter has finally arrived in Southern Ontario !

My stand of evergreens are covered in ice (very pretty
actually at least the Spruce) and the frail Norway Pines
look pretty sick with 7 and 8 foot long branches hanging
to the ground under the weight.

I had planned to thin them in the spring anyway so I
guess this will make it easier to decide which to remove.

Still, I faired better than some. as I drove around town
yesterday I saw a number of huge beautiful trees with
limbs broken and dangling or laying on the ground.

But all was not lost. The kids got a day off from school
since we are reluctant to send school busses out on ice
covered roads and even walking was hazardous. (When
driving around town - mainly to my curling club - I stuck
to main streets which were well salted and sanded.)

They say we'll be back to unseasonably warm temperatures
within a few days so this won't be too hard to take. We sure
are getting spoiled - watch out for next year!

Len McNally

PS.

If you have a website or any other product to promote I
recently came across a new product that can send a message
directly to the desktops of people who have agreed to receive
these messages. It looks like a fantastic alternative to email
advertising with all the barriers and resistance to reading.
You can check it out at:
http://www.DesktopLightning.com/aodrlen

But before you go, why not sign up for my weekly ezine.
Its FREE already !

Len

Resolutions and Stress

As if we don't have enough stress in our lives there seems to be something
about our society that demands we set "New Years Resolutions" to do more,
be more, achieve more in the coming year.

Setting "New Years Resolutions" isn't all bad but:

When we set impossible goals

That we do not have the tools

Or the skills

Or the know how to accomplish

We are setting ourselves up for failure.

And any time we find ourselves in a situation where we are failing

Or appear to be failing

Or feel destined to fail

We are creating stress.

And while stress CAN be a good thing

A necessity to achievement and to growth

This kind of stress is bad.

This kind of stress kills!

A few years ago I attended a conference where a very expensive psychiatrist
told us that the secret to reducing stress is to reduce the gap between our
expectations and reality.

Since we can't change reality ( we can change our perception of reality but that
is another story) this means we must reduce our expectations - not the ticket to
high achievement.

What we need to do is to be realistic in setting our objectives in the first place.

When we are setting objectives ( I really don't like the "Goal" word) which is what
"New Years Resolutions" are we should take careful stock of who and what we
are, what resources we have available and determine what we need to have, do,
and become in order to achieve these objectives.

We should commit to objectives only after we have determined that they are achievable
- with a lot of sincere effort - within the framework of our resources.

So, don't set yourself up for failure.

Examine your resolutions

Examine yourself

Examine your resources

Examine your motives

And then commit to what you are realistically capable of achieving this year.

You can then set long term objectives to be accomplisher in 2, 3, 5, 10 or even
20 years and then take action steps this year to bring you closer to being able
to accomplish them.

On the AODR "Yes I Can" Website, on the "Products" page under "Ecurriculum"
there is a course available entitled, "Setting and Achieving Objectives" and another
course entitled "Know Yourself".

Visit:

http://tinyurl.com/yarthk/products3.php

Either (or both) of these just might be what you need to set and achieve your 2007
"New Years Resolutions" without getting all stressed out.

At any rate I do hope you will resolve to make 2007 your best year ever!

Happy New Year!

Len McNally

PS.

Once again that URL to visit is:

http://tinyurl.com/yarthk/products3.php

Hi Folks:


You likely know that 90 % of new years resolutions will not be achieved!

What about you?

Do you want to end 2007 in the same place you are ending 2006 ?

Do you understand that if you keep doing the same things
you will get the same results ?

If nothing changes - nothing changes!

So simple its silly ?

Maybe.

But you know its true !

There is a simple to use easy to follow program available
at a very reasonable cost

That if you follow it:

Will increase your chances of achieving your objectives

EXPONENTIALLY !

You CAN move forward in 2007 !

You Can achieve the things you REALLY want to achieve!

Henry Ford told us,

"Whether you think you can, or

whether you think you can't ---

you're right."

I KNOW you can !

YOU must know it too!

Check it out now at:

http://tinyurl.com/yarthk/products3.php

And scroll down to "Setting and Achieving Objectives"

Or just go back to our HOME Page, click on ECurriculum and scroll down.

If you have any problems or questions send me an email at:

len@lenmcnally.com

I will respond within 48 hours!

Make 2007 your best year ever!

One more time:

Go to:

http://tinyurl.com/yarthk/products3.php

And scroll down to "Setting and Achieving Objectives"

Or just go back to our HOME Page, click on ECurriculum and scroll down.



Len McNally

Hi folks;

Don't know about you but I'm so full of turkey I go "gobble, gobble, gobble"
every time I open my mouth!

Not that I'm complaining mind you, turkey is one of my favorite foods.

One of my hobbies is cooking (I do all of the cooking at our house) so when
my daughter asked me to cook a turkey dinner for her and her kids as well
as her twin brother and his family, she knew I'd readily agree.

Then, because my wife's family are mostly located in London, Ontario, about
a one hour drive from us, we can never get everyone to come to our house for
Christmas dinner and we usually go to London. (My twins are there too)

This means that we get to participate in all the Christmas goodies with none of
the work. So -- since my sister in law separated from her husband a year ago and
is alone in her house (except for her dog) we suggested that we would do a family
Christmas dinner (my wife's family) at her house on December 26th.

Now, I'm usually pretty organized (in fact personal organization and time
management have always been a mainstay of my Executive and Corporate
Coaching practice through The Leadership Centre - see TLC-Leadership.com) but
organizing two huge meals out of town, at two different homes, and bringing
everything required for both, from roast pan to champagne, was quite a challenge!

As it turned out, we served 10 at my daughter's home and 12 at my sister in law's
without a single hitch or problem - except abdominal extension!

For some strange reason out of 22 people only 3 (including myself) like either
turnip or cranberries! Go figure! Too bad, I cook, First and Foremost, for me!

Early January will see a return to diet and exercise, but for now there are lots of
leftovers!

This "Yes I Can" Website, Ezine and Blog, is dedicated to helping you to recognize
and take advantage of opportunities around you so check out our Products, including
the E Curriculum.

I have also come across and become involved with a couple of other thinks that might
be of interest, especially if you're interested in online marketing or product promotions.

Check out:

http://tinyurl.com/y3rl5b

and

http://tinyurl.com/yb2l9s

By the way, tinyurl.com is a free to use service that shortens a
long url to something more manageable.

Have a fantastic 2007 !!!

Len McNally

Hi Folks;

You know sometimes we're so busy chasing goals
that we lose ourselves in the process. Remember
the story of the goose that laid the golden egg?

One day, a farmer discovers his pet goose has
laid a golden egg. But instead of looking after
the goose and nurturing it, he decides to splice
open it's belly to get more eggs!

To his dismay, the farmer doesn't find any more
golden eggs and even worse, the goose is now dead!

Being successful is not just about getting more
golden eggs or results. If you want to be happy
in the long run, you also need to take care of
the asset that creates your results - that is YOU!

My fiend Matt Clarkson has an excellent e-course
which has helped thousands of people just like you.

You'll learn the simple meditations and breathing
exercises you need to achieve your highest ambitions
and be fulfilled.

http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?Clk=1732247

In fact, you'll not only learn plenty of ways to
reduce stress, you can even listen to his
meditations online right here, right now:

http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?Clk=1732247

Trust me, you'll be glad you did!


To your happiness and success,

Len McNally