What the FOCUS are you talking about?!

Are you in it to win it?

Mindset is so critical. I learned from Darren Hardy, former publisher of Success magazine, who offers free daily words of wisdom through darrendaily.com each morning. "Getting better and better every day," is his mantra. It is something I say to myself as a reminder that I am improving and accomplishing my goals little by little. However, I found that when my main goal revolved around making myself happy before taking action, it resulted in quite an unproductive day. It was only when I began to take action, check off tasks, and move closer to my goals that the belief system stayed in place.

Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin group, maintained clarity and kept the group's attention on the important task at hand. Every time someone in the group had an idea that was not relevant to the current goal, Richard Branson would say, "What the FOCUS are you talking about?"

Distractions are everywhere, especially in today's hi-tech world. The difference between the average and the phenomenal is the ability to discern what is a distraction and what is dire for the current goal to be completed.

So, where is your focus?

A Wandering Eye and Your Why

I have done it.

You have done it.

We're not proud about it after the fact.

Truth is, the grass is not greener on the other side.

It starts when you get that wandering eye. The idea that maybe... just maybe... if you try something new or different, it will be better than what you had. You act on it. It turns out to be really disappointing.

That is what happened to me. I cheated on my company hoping to get bigger and better things. It backfired. One item stopped working after a month. The other did not work as effectively as I expected. Obviously, I could have saved that money and put it toward a better quality item that has lived up to its name. However, I had to know.

Perhaps you have been there, too. You question your loyalty to a product, company, or certain people in your life. As one mentor asked, "How can what you are doing impact the world for the better?" If you cannot answer that, perhaps it is time to reassess your activities and purpose. I cheated on my company in hopes of finding a bargain only to find what I had in front of me was the best thing all along.

Once you have found that thing you love and want everyone else to benefit from as well, stick with it. Loyalty goes a long way not only in relationships but also with brands. If you have chosen a certain company to share with others, then own it. Know the information, know the reason why you love it, and always continue learning. When you become a leader in your field, you will sooner or later become an expert and then others will look to you to figure out how you have come so far.

Start with these questions to figure out your 'why':

1. What am I passionate about?

2. Does my current situation bring me joy?

3. What skills or strengths do I have?

4. What is my purpose?

5. How am I serving others?

You may think that your sphere of influence is too small to really make a difference. Keep in mind that a single drop in water creates a ripple effect that expands farther than the eye can see. Or as one of my favorite quotes puts it, "If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito."

Cheers to your 'why' and making a difference in the world.

Yours in Health,

Dr. D

Thankful

​Gratitude changes everything. Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful

​Gratitude changes everything.

---

Amplifeied

Killing Your Microscopic Pets

What pets do you kill and which ones do you spare? I'm not talking about your precious felines and canines. That would just be cruel. Rather, I am talking about the inside of you. That's right... The ooey gooey microscopic pets that cuddle up together in your intestines and everywhere else in your body. Not to mention the not so nice ones like parasites from the food and water you had on your last international vacation. While you were having a blast trying tasty delectables, your current village of invisible animals were making new friends with international breeds of bacteria and parasites. Don't travel often? Try sushi places or other restaurants. Mmm...

There is definitely a concern over microbes that are morphing into mini beasties and fighting the pharmaceuticals originally meant to slay them. Where do we go from here? Do we pray that our bodies can push through when drugs no longer work or just avoid "germ-infested" places. Spoiler alert! Germs are everywhere, guys. You're just SOL unless you're interested in becoming a Morlock from H.G. Wells' The Time Machine; then, you may have a chance. Although I would imagine that living in a cave would bring about its own set of issues...

So how does one stay healthy amidst the infestation of critters?

1. Vitamin D. Easy enough if living in Miami year round; however, it is a major deficiency for most people. Although fatigue and muscle pain/weakness can be symptoms, the majority have no warning signs at all. Thus, we are unknowingly walking around with our vitamin D fuel on empty. No bueno.

How to fix it? Sun worshipers will jump with glee when they read the following sentence. Your body will never make TOO much vitamin D. It is suggested that you can roast yourself in the sun for brief moments of time to get a healthy level. Otherwise, if it's too chilly for said baking, then foods such as egg yolks, cod liver oil, salmon, and tuna are excellent sources as well.

2. Probiotics. You want to be careful with overdoing this one. You want to find a supplement that has a numerous amount of organisms. If it is only one kind, then it's definitely not enough. 60-80% of your immune system is located in the gut. Your gut is considered to be the "second brain," so it is vital that you keep it as healthy as the one in your head. Kefir, sauerkraut, miso, kombucha, raw cheese, or yogurt that comes from grass-fed organic sources are great sources.

For more information on probiotics, check out: https://draxe.com/probiotics-benefits-foods-supplements/

3. Hydration. Overdosing on water is unlikely, so make sure you are getting plenty of it. Half your body weight in ounces is a good start unless you sweat during your job or exercise. Be sure to tack on more if that's the case. Flushing out the system helps your body get rid of unwanted guests much faster and before you know it, they'll be announcing that, "Elvis has left the building." That's assuming that the bad bacteria in your body would be named Elvis...

4. Ginger. You can take it as a tea, essential oil, root, or powder in cooking. It is very beneficial in all things related to digestion including antibacterial and anti fungal properties. When you have sushi and consider leaving the ginger behind, think again.

5. Eat the Colors of the Rainbow. No...no skittles for you. You'll have to take that one up with the Soup Nazi. However, having a well-rounded meal with multiple colors will help lead the way toward a healthy digestive tract. Think of veggies from the garden, multiple varieties and colors that will lead to a balanced digestive system. Otherwise, eating processed food, dairy, and sugars will lead to a leaky gut resulting in your own body turning on itself. No one would welcome chihuahuas with machine guns attacking everything in sight. That is essentially what happens every time you consume products that are not natural and created in a lab. So let's keep that scenario to a minimum.

Ultimately, it is up to you to take care of yourself. Just like you would care for the pets in your home, your microscopic pets need some TLC as well. If they are happy and active, you'll be much happier and active too!

Yours in health,

Dr. D

Nutrition Simplified

"You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces, just good food from fresh ingredients." Julia Child

Nutrition Simplified

"You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces, just good food from fresh ingredients." Julia Child

---

Amplifeied

Persistence Pays Off

No goal was ever met without a lot of sweat. Be positive, patient, and most of all, persistent!

Persistence Pays Off

No goal was ever met without a lot of sweat. Be positive, patient, and most of all, persistent!

---

Amplifeied

20,000 Days and Counting

One of the best books I've ever read was 20,000 Days and Counting by Robert Smith. Why? Because it is a real conversation about death. All too often, I find myself assuming that things will get done tomorrow or that next year at this time will be amazing. However, we are not promised tomorrow, much less a year from now.

It is easy to put off starting things if we do not think about the end. Given that we do not know when we will take our last breath, we can only track the past. After reading such an eye opening book, I downloaded an app that adds the days instead of counting down. Currently, I'm at 10,263 days and each day the app adds one day to my life. It has changed my perspective on the days I have lived.

What did I do yesterday that was worth remembering? How did I affect others in a positive way? Did I make a difference? These are questions that come to mind as I look at this app on my home screen every time  I turn on my phone. Life is too short and at only 28 years old, I already feel like life is passing me by. It's precisely the motivation needed to move me each day to do something spectacular...or at least mark off something on the to do list so that each day is just as productive and I am constantly moving forward toward my goals.

Aside from work, the app makes you think about friends and family. When was the last time you called a friend to see how he or she was doing? Or called family to let them know how much they mean to you?

Life is short. Are you living up to your own standards? Or are you sacrificing your days to appease others and what they prefer for your life? Your face in the mirror is truly the only one you have to please. If you have trouble looking at it, perhaps it is time for a change. Step out of the box and your sacred comfort zone to live the life you were meant to live. Perhaps it doesn't fit the secular model that is common to society. So what? What do you have to lose by being different? What do you gain by appeasing people who don't really care?

You were born for more. You were born to be exceptional and to be the truest you. That means no hindering, no pulling away from strife if it means following your dreams. Life is short. Follow your dreams. In the end, the only regrets will be the things you never tried.