Happy Fabricator: One Stroke at a Time. Shin Splints: What to Do About Them!.

"One stroke at a time." In an interview, Tiger Woods shared this simple formula for success. He further revealed that his habit to focus on the task at hand and not the previous stroke nor the next stroke keeps him self-disciplined. Tiger's recent 4th win of the Masters and being the first golfer to achieve this accomplishment before the age of 30 reaffirms his personal success formula.

The Tiger Woods "

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One stroke at a time" is a brilliant example of short-term goal setting and more importantly goal accomplishment. Each stroke is a short-term goal. The obstacles are viewed from hazards to weather conditions. Solutions appear to be instantaneously created with action steps quickly following. With the completion of each short-term goal, Tiger Woods is that much closer to completing the long-term goal of completing and hopefully winning the game. Each completed game then reverts to a short term goal allowing him to work towards his long term goal or dream of being the very best in the game of golf ~ past, present and future.

Goal setting is a behavior that when used consistently and correctly guarantees success 98% of the time. The problem is that many individuals look to long term goals and do not include supporting short-term goals. Short-terms goals, "one stroke at a time," are the foundation for the successful completion of long-term goals.

Tiger Woods' positive attitude about the past and the future also greatly contribute to his ability to achieve his goals. Attitudes are really habits of thought. Tiger's habit of thought by focusing on the present allows him to stay self-disciplined and self-directed thereby accomplishing both short and long-term goals.

With over 20 years of practice, Tiger has mastered the physical skill of golf and has developed extensive knowledge about this sport through years of application. His skill level supports his positive attitudes and goal setting behavior. Finally, Tiger Woods also revealed that even though becoming the best golfer the world has ever seen is his long-term goal, he realizes that his life must have balance. We can see and hear of this balance when Tiger talks about family and friends.

Everyone from business leaders to individuals can take a lesson from this young man on how to begin to accomplish your goals both personally and professionally ~

- Develop and maintain positive attitudes

- Become an expert

- Stay balanced and remember ~

"One stroke at a time"

Leanne Hoagland-Smith is President of ADVANCED SYSTEMS, The Process Specialist, located outside of Chicago, IL. With over 25 years of business and education experience, she partners with her clients to connect the 3P's of Passion, Purpose and Performance to affect sustainable change in 4 key areas: financials, leadership, relationships and growth and innovation with a variety of industries ranging from education to manufacturing. Leanne believes that training and development are investments that should deliver a positive return. Her solutions are ROI based and align the strategies, systems and people to develop loyal internal customers that drive loyal external customers. She is the co-author of M.A.G.I.C.A.L. Potential:Living an Amazing Life Beyond Purpose to Achievement due for June 2005 release. Leanne also speaks nationally to a variety of audiences. If you are tired of doing the same thing over and over again hoping for different results, contact Leanne at info@processspecialist.com or 219.759.5601

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

The Athletic Gym Towel Workout - for Strength, Endurance & Dynamic Flexibility

One of the most common injuries associated with figure or endurance training is shin splints. The pain will stop your cardio program in its tracks. Even one simple step; produces a feeling of broken glass rubbing in your shins. Shin splints are simple to diagnose and even more simple to treat.

The most common cause of shin splints is a weakening and a drop in your foots' arch. Once the foot arch drops, the shin muscle, called the Tibalis Anterior and its' tendon will stretch and tear. This results in the loss of normal blood supply and the tendon will start to inflame and after a couple of weeks, results in painful degeneration. That is all it takes and you will have significant sharp bites in the front of your shin when you walk or run.

A simple test - You can do a simple test to determine if a weak arch is the cause of your shin splints.

Ask: Does it hurt more with or without shoes? If The Answer Is: More pain without shoes, then you are likely a candidate

Step One : Picking out the right shoe

It sounds simple, but getting the right shoe is about as difficult as finding the right person to be your mate for life. Various shoe categories exist, since everyone's feet and gait are different. This helps provide you with the proper type of shoe. Most shoes if you are running about 30 miles a week, will last you about two months, however, there are some ways to stretch that time.

Step Two: Orthotics

Orthotics fit inside of your shoe to provide a platform for your foot to rest in, while in the shoe. Ha, you say, "My shoes have an arch support!" Most manufactures (99.9%) spend a whole .50 cents on their insoles.

Need I say more?!

Additional Suggestions :

* Try the Towel Lift!

Take a towel and sit on a chair with your feet on a smooth surface. Place the towel on the ground and use your toes to grip the towel and practice lifting it up. Repeat about 100 times. This will help develop the supportive muscles in the bottom of your foot and the front of your shin.

After performing this function, move to the stairs and place your heel on the stair, then allow your foot to point down, while maintaining pressure on your heel. This will allow your shins to stretch. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat 5 times.

* Try switching up your cardio. Make a cardio program that allows you to use lower impact equipment. An example is, 5 minutes of recumbent bike, 5 minutes of stair climber and 10 minutes of elliptical.

* Do not use NSAID's after two weeks, it just complicates the problem of healing.

(What Is A NSAID? A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as aspirin or ibuprofen)

* Use topical pain killers like Icy Hot, Medic Ice, Bio Freeze on the shins prior to exercise.

* See a physician for help, if you don't get better in a couple of weeks, find a new physician.

Eat lots of sulfur content foods, Onion, Garlic, etc.

Shoe Information:

There are three groups of running shoes; cushioned, stability and motion control.

Cushioned: Obviously provides maximal shock absorption, not much support. Stability: Very strong mid-sole material, best choice if you weigh over 200 pounds for a male or 150 for female. Motion Control: Very firm shoe, best if you have wider feet or flat feet.

* Most shoes don't last longer than 1000km.

* To tell if your shoes are worn out, look at the mid-sole. If there are two or more creases over top of each other, then your shoe has likely lost over 50% of its ability to support your foot from running.

* Don't use your running shoes to train calves, since this breaks them down too quickly.