Become a Better Father/Every Day Dad http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/ Author of Every Day day: The Guide to Becoming a Better Father....Insights from a parenting expert, award winning speaker and published author en Copyright 2010 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 18:59:40 -0800 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.2 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Every Day Dad book signing Saturday December 18th from 12-3pm at Borders Books in Eureka CA.
You are now invited to come on by and get a signed book.

]]> http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/12/every_day_dad_book_signing_1.html http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/12/every_day_dad_book_signing_1.html Parenting Wed, 15 Dec 2010 18:59:40 -0800 Every Day Dad book signing FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

LOCAL DAD AND AUTHOR DOING A BOOK SIGNING AT BORDERS BOOKS, BAYSHORE MALL, EUREKA, CA
New father guide uses business strategies to help dads parent successfully

Every Day Dad: The Guide to Becoming a Better Father
by Scott Hammond shows fathers how to be more effective parents

HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. – Every Day Dad: The Guide to Becoming a Better Father by Scott Hammond will be doing a book signing Saturday December11TH FROM 12-3pm at Borders Books in the Bayshore Mall, Eureka CA.
Hammond mentors fathers on how to attain their personal best in parenting while creating a legacy of love and support with their families

Filled with real life stories and personal anecdotes, Hammond’s Every Day Dad seeks to offer hundreds of quick relief, motivational tips to inspire change and growth to make fathering a more positive experience. Addressing all the challenges and stresses of parenthood, Hammond uses his business consulting acumen to teach readers skills to better connect with family, friends and oneself.

Hammond lays out steps to help dads transform good intentions into positive actions. Besides learning how to listen more effectively, he shows fathers how to manage their time and resources to ensure that kids get the bonding they need. Designed to be hands-on and easy to use, Every Day Dad treats fathering as an applied science, which can be learned.

Says Jim Tunney, author, educator and former NFL referee, “Now comes along Scott Hammond's book with lessons that, with effort (yes, it requires EFFORT) puts fatherhood in excellent perspective for your success.”

Every Day Dad: The Guide to Becoming a Better Father is available for sale online at Amazon.com and at Borders Books in Eureka, and other channels.

About the Author
Scott Hammond is professional speaker and the father of nine children. Recognized as a parenting expert, he is the creator of Becomeabetterfather.com. After earning his bachelor of art’s degree in recreation administration and liberal arts at Humboldt State University, he worked in radio, newspaper and advertising sales for over 28 years. He is a graduate of Pro-Track, the National Speakers Association of Northern California’s professional speaking school.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Scott Hammond
E-mail: scott@becomeabetterfather.com
sjhammond@suddenlink.net

]]> http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/12/every_day_dad_book_signing.html http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/12/every_day_dad_book_signing.html Parenting Thu, 02 Dec 2010 09:03:03 -0800 Your Rock and Roll Resume My Rock and Roll Resume

If I had a nickel for every concert I have been to….I’d be a rich man”…..so goes the adage…
In my case I would have a few bucks!!…maybe a lot of money actually.
I am not sure if my Rock Concert List below is a badge of fame or shame in that it cost me in money, brain cells and hearing!
I am sure at 50 years, my hearing has suffered at the hands of Foghat and Black Sabbath and more.
This I am confident: these guys were the best of all time in an era of Rock and Roll Renaissance.
My experience with music is that simple worship songs on an acoustic guitar are more profoundly moving to me than a
multi-million dollar music extravaganza.
Time with music in worship of the Living God is definitively more heart-changing than a lead guitar solo by Jimmy Page or Jimmy Hendrix.
Well, here is the list and you may have one as well. Here is to guys who are just humans who still need God, love ,and people and are not the heroes to whom we wrongly attribute stardom and idol status…..Just another human on the Bus of Life. Many have perished in a life of questionable meaning and legacy. What will your legacy look like? Just asking…
Some of the Shows and Bands I have enjoyed as a young man mostly in San
Diego in the 1970′s—-
Chicago
Rod Stewart
Leon Russell
Black Sabbath
Traffic
Keith Green
Lynard Skynard (Pretty sure)
Yes
Emerson, Lake and Palmer
Led Zepplin
Jethro Tull
Bachman Turner Overdrive
Ted Nugent
Peter Frampton
Moody Blues
Neil Young
Alice Cooper
Aerosmith
Steve Miller Band
Steely Dan
Elton John
Foghat
Bruce Cockburn
Santana
Eddie Money
Foreigner
Edgar Winter
Earth Wind and Fire
The Grateful Dead
Merky and the Martians
T Rex
Supertramp
Many more…..the best were forgotten in the Fog of….the moment.
Some of the bands I missed…..would have loved to seen:
The Who
The Stones
The Beatles
Pink Floyd (gave my tix away!)
Many others….
All my heroes have changed and some are still alive.
Funny how we define meaningful lives and legacy.
Weird how we value what is art by artists of nebulous character.
Who are your heroes and what do they stand for? Better–what are you standing for?
Do we compromise ourselves in some way by enjoying art of those who may be real life monsters?

]]> http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/12/your_rock_and_roll_resume.html http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/12/your_rock_and_roll_resume.html Goal Setting/Planning Thu, 02 Dec 2010 08:01:18 -0800 TIME MANAGEMENT II Do we ever truly get it all done?

To think that we could have it completely whipped is a fallacy and a dangerous life paradigm. Could you get at least some of it done? It is possible. Here are a few ways and strategies that can increase your productivity:

1. Schedule your time for work -- be consistent. Don't do personal things in your schedule to work. Make it to do list and prioritize your tasks. A list is often more effective for those of us need to consult a reference or see it in writing. When you've completed a task, cross off your list. You get a real sense of completion in satisfaction as you see your list getting shorter and shorter.

2. Do the most difficult, time-consuming, least favorite jobs first -- do the first things first. Do the hardest task at hand when you have the most energy and motivation to tackle the project. If you tackle the toughest job first, the rest of your tasks will seem that much easier.

3. Do not allow yourself to get interrupted by other people's emergencies or drama-be able to say “No.” Learn to have boundaries. Learn to say no and a polite but firm way. Be professional, kind and understanding, but also be ready to use the most famous boundary word of them all: No.

4. Organize your files-set up the system right from the beginning. Don't reinvent the wheel. Use a Day-Timer for scheduling. Have a 31-day and 12-month filing system. You can have technology, but don't let technology have you. Do not reinvent the wheel. An ordered space will allow you to be less stressed.

5. Organize your workspace-the better organized and efficient your workspace, the more efficient you will be in time management. The time it takes you to search through out all your piles of paper or to remember where you put that file could be spent in working on new projects. Put the things you use most on your desktop and always put them back in the same place when you're done. Keep a file organizer on your desk for current projects, so they are always at your finger tips. Have clearly delineated places for everything.

In conclusion, plan your work and work your plan. Translate intention into action daily by budgeting time for what is most important. Leverage your gifts ,skill-sets, and time and you will make the difference in your world.

]]> http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/12/time_management_ii.html http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/12/time_management_ii.html Goal Setting/Planning Wed, 01 Dec 2010 07:32:35 -0800 Use Your Kids as a Gym by Leo Babauta (Zenhabits.net) Use Your Kids as a Gym by Leo Babauta (Zenhabits.net)
Minimalist fitness: use your kids as a gym
Post written by Leo Babauta.
I’m a big subscriber to using whatever you can find to work out: pullups on trees, throw big boulders, flip logs or big tires, jump over things, sprint up hills (see Minimalist Fitness, part 1 & part 2).
As a parent and a minimalist, I’d like to share my ultimate minimalist workout secret: my kids are my gym.
Fellow parents, if you’re not doing this yet, I can’t recommend it highly enough. How are they my gym? Instead of paying hundreds of dollars (even thousands) a year for a gym, I use my kids to get in shape.
How? Every way I can, but here’s a few:
I carry them on my shoulders as we walk around town.
We race each other to the corner, sprinting. Often up hills.
I do pushups with them on my back.
I lift them up in the air — it’s like lifting weights.
I’ll let them hang on me as I do chinups.
We climb and jump around in the playground.
We play with the soccer ball — getting lots of sprints in as we do.
We jump around in the ocean. A great workout.
We wrestle.
We challenge each other to do pistols (one-legged squats) or handstand pushups (what they sound like). Mostly we can’t, but it’s fun.
We do lunges while walking up a hill.
I carry them slung across my shoulders — a fireman’s carry — which is a great workout btw.
I’ll carry one on my back, piggy-back style, while racing another kid up a hill. Yes, I love hills.
Awesomer than a gym
So why is this so awesome?
1. We bond. Instead of spending time away from the kids at a gym, I spend time with them. And get a great workout in throughout the day. It’s two birds, one stone, saving time while helping me bond with my kids.
2. Work becomes play. It’s not exercise, it’s not a workout, it’s *play*. And that’s a whole different ballgame. Play is fun, it’s challenging, it’s easy, and yet it’s a great way to get in shape.
3. No cost. OK, kids aren’t cheap — but I have them anyway, so why not use them? I’m saving money and getting fit — that’s all kinds of win.
4. I’m being a role model. Kid learn most of all from what they see others doing, especially their parents. You can tell them things all day long, but unless they see you doing it, you’re not teaching them much. When we go to the gym, they don’t see us working out. When we workout as we play with them, they’re learning how to be healthy, and that is a gift that will last a lifetime.
5. It’s a lifestyle. I don’t work out at one time during the day, and then stay sedentary the rest of the day. It’s all throughout the day, every day, which means it’s woven into my life, not a small segment of my life. This is what a healthy lifestyle looks like.
6. It’s functional. When you do a bicep curl with a dumbbell, you’re making a motion that you never would do in real life — when have you ever lifted something heavy while keeping your upper arm fixed to your torso? Instead, when we lift heavy things, we bend at the knees, and use our legs, our torso, our shoulders, our arms — basically most of our body at once. When I lift my kids, that’s the same motion I’d use to lift anything else. Functional exercise is much more useful than isolated lifts.
Working out using my kids as equipment is the best thing I’ve done with my fitness. It’s fun, so I never want to stop. It’s functional, it’s cheap, and best of all, I get to do it with my kids. I love it.

]]> http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/11/use_your_kids_as_a_gym_by_leo.html http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/11/use_your_kids_as_a_gym_by_leo.html Parenting Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:42:22 -0800 Developing a Dynamic Topic Developing Dynamite Topics
May 26, 2008 by Scott Hammond (Edit)
Filed under Scott Hammond, Speaking

I. What Is A Dynamite Topic?
A. One that people remember
B. Gets you booked
C. Not the same as a hot or trendy topic
II. Hot Topics
A. These are the same as they’ve always been
Motivation
Sales
Team building
The future
B. The problem with hot topics
Too much competition
III. Trendy Topics
A. Hot for a short time
I’m an expert on sales & marketing
A lot of people speak on these topics
B. The danger with trendy topics is that they die out

IV. Why you want a dynamite topic
A. Reduces the competition
Think of how many motivational speakers there are

B. Makes it easier to sell
You don’t have t time or money to market to everyone
Narrows your audience
Think about marketing a motivational keynote
Maybe you could narrow it down to sales motivation
Next make it selling services
How about selling real estate services

C. Makes you more memorable
There are plenty of people who speak on negotiations
V. The Importance of Passion
A. The importance of passion
Why you need passion
You will spend a lot of time on t subject
Researching
Could be hours
Writing books
Could be hundreds of hours
Speaking
Could be days
B. Finding your passion
What books interest you?
Where do you automatically go in a bookstore?
What’s on your bookshelf at home?
What do you read about?
(Write them down)
What television programs do you watch?
What television programs do you watch?
(Write them down)
Is there a topic that people keep asking you for?
That’s one you should concentrate on
VI. There Are Riches In Niches
A. Why you need a niche
There’s way too much competition in hot topics
Most of us will never be famous enough to own a hot topic
It’s best if you can develop your own niche
C. What do you know that no one else knows?
The market wants experts who speak, not speaker who are experts
They want information they can use in their work or lives now
Complaint about “all fluff & no stuff”
You can become an expert at almost anything w/1 hr of study a day
B. Can you provide a unique perspective on an old topic?
7 Habits of Highly Successful People is not new
It is a unique perspective
C. What do you know that no one else knows?
Experiences
Knowledge
Combination
D. What makes you unique?
You need to know if you will be able to own the niche
Do you have credibility in a specific topic?
Degrees, designations, books, articles
Experiences
What have you learned?
E. What challenges have you overcome that others have not?
Our great speaker W. Mitchell was horribly crippled in a motorcycle accident
Then he was disfigured in a plane crash
His story of survival is awe inspiring
F. What unique perspective do you have on your subject?
Experiences, challenges
Be controversial – if you can
(Write down your experiences)
G. A niche is a group of people, not a subject
Who would pay to hear your subject?
VII. Audience Analysis
A. Ask yourself “What is the audience for this topic?”
Managers
Salespeople
Couples
B. It must be large enough to support you
Some audiences may not be big enough
If so, you are too tightly niched
Doesn’t have to be t biggest market
I make a great living speaking to home builders on how to sell to diverse cults
I even have a book just for them (show book)
C. Will they pay?
Some audiences will not pay to hear your topic
Will they pay to hear your solution to their problems?
D. What will they pay?
VIII. Developing A Niche
A. What do you know that’s unique
B. Do you have credibility?
You may have studied a very specific subject very intensely
People w/doctorate degrees are very broad
It’s harder to become an expert than simply expanding your expertise
You are already an expert in something
Finding what it is can be a challenge
C. Do you have unique perspectives
Rush Limbaugh has unique perspectives
D. What problem needs solving?
What keeps your audiences up at night?
This should be the focus of your topic
IX. Niche Your Niche
A. This is the key to memorability
B. It’s much easier to own the niche
You can become a celebrity in a small much quicker than large market
C. Makes it much easier to market
X. Other sources of ideas for topics
A. Industry magazines
The articles generally deal with the issues & problems of readers
What topics are hot?
What issues keep coming up over & over?
(Scan)
B. Get on conference mailing lists
These are seminar topics that are hot now
Can you provide a unique perspective?
C. Go to industry trade shows
Talk to people
Look at booths
D. Call trade associations & talk to them
Talk to experts
E. Be controversial if you can
People like contrarian views
XI. Hot Titles
A. Must have a hot title otherwise no one will remember it
1. Brief
3-5 words is best
2. Catchy
3. Descriptive
4.Unique
5. Memorable
6. Ask a provocative question
(Determine your highest priority & develop a good title)
7. Answer a tough question
Secrets
8. Solve a difficult problem
XII. Testing Your Topic
Once you have a topic you must carefully analyze it
After all, this is a business
C. Do audiences ask for more?
Do people ask you to expand on it
Do people ask you to present it in different industries
Do people offer to pay you for it?
XIII. Honing Your Topic
A. Present it in low-risk forums
Animal circuit if a business topic
Moose, Elks, Lions, Rotary Clubs, Chambers of Commerce
Churches & other groups if not a business topic
B. Add New Material
What questions does the audience ask?
Find the answer and add it in
Eventually I had a book
Expand what works
C. Delete the superfluous
Get rid of the fluff
Drop what doesn’t work
Change it to meet t need of your audience
Your audience will tell you what they want to hear
What questions do they ask?
Find the answers & incorporate it into your program

XIV. Own Your Niche
A. Write articles
Great free marketing tool
I have a publicist who place my articles
B. Write books
Nothing more than an expensive business card
They will usually not throw it away
C. Appear on TV & radio
If your topic is unique enough
You can become a celebrity in a niche
D. Develop products for your niche
Gen-X tapes
Manuals
Booklets
People want to take you home
XV. Determining Your Fees
A. Charge more than you think you are worth
Remember, you are unique
B. Never be fully booked
If you are your fee is too low
C. What clients should never say OK
D. Keep raising your fees
Having a unique topic will earn you top $
Courtesy Michael Lee

]]> http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/10/developing_a_dynamic_topic.html http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/10/developing_a_dynamic_topic.html Speaking Fri, 29 Oct 2010 21:23:34 -0800 MISSION AND VISION Vision and Mission…
Start with the big picture—put first things first.
Experts in the fields of psychology and personal success now recognize it if you feel upset or an uneasy about your lack of personal time, it’s not because you have too much to do. It’s because you not satisfied with most of what you do. Determine what’s most important in your life. What is your passion?
Ask such questions as what’s most important?
What gives your life meaning?
What do you want to be and to do with your life?
Clarity on these issues is critical because the answers to these questions affect everything else in your life—your goals, the decisions you make in the way you spend your time, and so much more.
The need for a really balanced life—
If you don’t think balance in your life is vitally important to your happiness, success and health. Consider this: there is considerable evidence showing that mishandled stress at home interferes with work performance, and mishandled job pressure creates and magnifies problems at home. Research shows that the quality of your personal relationships strongly influences job productivity, disease resistance and longevity. Conversely, people who have value power over family and friendships appear to have a harder time fighting off disease and sickness.
Ask yourself these questions:
Can success in one area of life compensate for failure in another?
Can success in your profession compensate for a broken marriage or ruined health?
Can success in the community justify failure as a parent?
Important: success or failure in any role you have contributes to the quality of every other role, and your life as a whole. Keep balance in your life. Identify your various roles and keep them right in front of you so that you don’t neglect important areas such as your health, your family, your community involvement, or personal development. Evaluating your various roles and attaching a new level of priority in each is another important step in becoming balanced and aligned and a whole person.
You are the architect of your future—
You are the builder, the engineer, and the architect of your future. You have the ability to define your future if you so choose and if you’re willing to be systematic, incremental, and methodical. You can plan your life resources and apply them conscientiously toward an imagined end.
This future based vision of what will be at what can be will require focus, imagination, planning, and most of all, time. It takes time to determine who you want to be when you grow up. It takes time and intentionality and seeking to really determine what it is you’re trying to accomplish how to go about it.
This future based visualization requires the ability to innovate and be imaginative. One needs to be a lifelong learner and open to the Art of Possibility. New ideas and new information and innovating become the currency in this new economy. The ability to synchronize and systemize new thought and ideas into old paradigms becomes a very valuable skill. Orchestration of resources, information, new thought, ideas, and new concepts into old skill sets is truly an art to be mastered.
It all starts with having a written plan and putting your dreams on paper. The idea of being incremental and doing a little bit each day is key to this integration. In some sort of a personal systematization becomes an incredibly efficient way to learn and grow. It allows for consistency and fresh energy every day. Calendars, schedules, and time management become key to the discipline of being systematic and methodical in achievement of our Life Plan and goals.
Accountability becomes a great help when one has partners and coaches and friends to hold one accountable to one’s own dreams. Having coaches and mentors really allows for extra contribution and value added content and experience to your Life Plan. Reminders, post it notes, another visual posts will serve to make your plans memorable and more top of mind. Use your reticular activator to look for and be reminded of your life’s plan and written guidelines.
The ability to stay flexible and dynamic and changeable is a key factor in developing a Life Plan and vision. New information is always presenting itself. One needs to have flexibility is a key skill set. Remaining changeable and flexible and malleable in being the architect of your future is key.
The steps are as follows—
Know when and how to find your dream and vision
Articulate it on paper and verbally
Bring using the resources of time, information, skill sets, and determination
Refine and articulate your Life Plan
Resource your Life Plans through time management, calendarization, resourcing, energy, and life units.
Just do it…
Evaluate on an ongoing basis and rethinking and rewriting as needed.

]]> http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/10/mission_and_vision.html http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/10/mission_and_vision.html Goal Setting/Planning Fri, 29 Oct 2010 21:00:18 -0800 TIME MANAGEMENT Time management—
We all possess valuable resources, but none is trickier or more valuable than time. Managing your time is THE key skill set in managing your life. Show me what you do with your time and I’ll show you what your value system is all about. When leveraging time you will utilize and expand on core strength. If you can manage your time well you can accomplish almost anything. Using time incrementally, methodically, and strategically will help you stay on track and achieve your life priorities.
Personal productivity is only as limited as your proper use of time. Wise use of time maximizes and leverages all resources and helps you achieve your goals, objectives, and priorities. Good time management allows you to plan ahead and to use your purpose and passion with laser focus—nothing becomes impossible. Your productivity, as you leverage your passion through good time management, increases exponentially resulting in compelling accomplishment.
“Plan your work, then work your plan” is a great axiom. The “work your plan” part has to do with time management. Planning is great, but is useless without execution. Time management is all about the execution of your plans, goals, passions, and objectives.
Time management can be leveraged through productivity systems and good planning.
The 80-20 rule is evidence of this…. You accomplish about 80% of your results from 20% of your work. The key here is to find your personal “prime time” then leverage that time in the most productive way possible. To schedule around your 20% “prime time”, where you are most productive and efficient is the key to leveraging time, productivity, and accomplishment. For most people their prime time is in the morning. This is the time to get all of your core work accomplished. This key time is to be secured and set aside as the valuable commodity it truly is. Prime work time should be scheduled on a daily basis and should have compelling content at its core. Planning, goal setting, reviewing, communicating, executing initiatives, key meetings, key document creation, and much more are all the key elements of utilizing your prime time window.
Procrastination and its opposite workaholism are both dysfunction to avoid. Our society allows for both to its detriment. It takes discipline and self control to avoid the dysfunction of workaholism and over commitment and the sickness and the result they produce. The same can be said of procrastination—we are to avoid it like the plague. It all starts with analysis and admission and truly owning our own poor habits.
The idea here is to have a balanced life. This begins with healthy relationships and healthy personal spirit. Living your life in balance and alignment starts with living your priorities. The piece and congruity that results is compelling. A life lived well, living your priorities, and being able to have fun productivity that energizes you is a compelling work style/lifestyle.
The Covey idea of sharpening your saw and resting so you can work more efficiently is the key. A life lived in balance with family, work, community, friendships, and personal fulfillment is truly a productive life.
It all starts at time management, personal discipline, and self-control. Just do it.
Time management is—
The definition of Time management is a set of skills, tools, and systems that work together to help you get more value out of your time and leverage it to accomplish what you want.
Learning time management will do the following:
Give a personal definition of time management, and how you can use it
Help you know the signs that you’re off-track
Help you know the signs that you are on the right track
Help you know what your focus should be on
You know you’re on the right track when—
Your customers, boss, family and peers praise your accomplishments.
You meet your sales, personal, or family goals and have a positive performance
You are often considered for additional responsibility and special projects.
You feel good about your work and family and are energized by them.
You know you’re off-track, when—
You’re working really hard, and little is being accomplished
You’re not meeting your sales, personal, business, or family goals
People around you complain about you
You’re the only one who seems to think you’re doing a great job.
You’re always putting out fires
You’re spending a lot of his time socializing and complaining
Eight most common time wasters—
Lack of planning
Lack of priorities
Over commitment
Management by crisis
Haste
Paperwork and reading e-mail
Routine tasks
The telephone
How to combat procrastination—
Accept that procrastination is common, and that you are not unique
Fearing failure is absolutely normal… we often procrastinate because we fear failure
If you find you tend to procrastinate in certain situations… face them head on
Never choose low priority work in front of high priority work
Control your socializing at work
Schedule start time as well, as the finished time for your work being planned
Adopt single handling thinking. Touch it wants. You’ll pick up one job only and only put it down when it’s finished. Multitasking is a myth…
We should focus on activities that—
Contribute to your customer, family, stakeholders success and satisfaction
Booster personal productivity and performance
Support your family or organization’s strategic vision and goals
Time management tips—
Know and use your calendar or Daytimer
Prioritize demands on your time
Keep your priority list in front of you
Keep checking your progress with time management.
Stockpile work or questions, and to schedule says its time work on them. Only work on things in your scheduled to do so.
Seek support when you need it— delegate
Develop techniques that help you when in a unique situation
Pick a morning or an evening to work when no one is around and get organized. Order creates less stress and helps focus
Spend a few minutes at the end of the day putting everything in its home base and getting ready for the next day. Remember… trash it, act on it, refer it, or file it away.
10. Keep yourself motivated.
More tips for time management—
Making a commitment that you’ll measure time more efficiently to be the best promise you ever make to yourself. In the long run, you’ll be glad you did. Here are some tips that may help to some move your way to a little more time efficient life. You may even find that after you get the hang of it, you’ll have more free time!!
Manage your availability— in which coworkers know when you are available to help them and when you’re not.
Learn to prioritize—one of the most important things you can do in your search for more time. Prioritize your commitments. If you belong to any organizations that are turned into obligations, just give up your membership. There is not enough time to spend on doing things which aren’t that important to you.
Make all your calls in the morning—this is when people are most likely to be available. Then, block off the rest of your day on interrupted work.
Schedule time every week to take care of your filing—take time every week to get your filing done and keep up the organizing and purging of your files. This will go a long way to help you stay on top of your job responsibility. The get and stay organized.
Create an activity log—keep a detailed personal activity log for several days to determine how you’re actually using your time. See where you’re spending too much and not enough time.
Control your busywork—it’s not always easy to admit that sometimes we allow ourselves to get immersed in busywork. Focus on the job at hand and don’t let meaningless tasks consume your precious time.
Create a system for yourself—no one knows your schedule better than you do. Incorporate simple and effective systems in your life that help you do what must be done on a daily basis so that you actually can get things accomplished. Get a routine and form positive habits.
Don’t bite off more than you can chew—break up big projects into manageable pieces. Divide your projects and concentrate on one part at a time. Gradual progress and growth is the best practice.
Never forced the finishing of a project, if it can be helped—there’s no point in force yourself to finish a job when you’re not making any headway. Switch to another project in the new challenge will refresh and renew your mind so that you can return to the original job. You will then feel ready to complete it.
10. Plan ahead—this tip will eliminate the procrastination and ensure higher productivity. Estimate how long a job will take. Then at about one third more time. Then count the number of days back from the deadline, and set that as your defining starting point…Hot tip!
11. .Learn what is urgent, versus what is important—there is a tremendous difference. Too often we respond to the urgent and forfeit the necessary. In other words, things that demand our media attention usurp what is necessary. By contrast, important tasks might not require an instant response, but they necessitate important activities that will keep you on track in achieving your goals. Be wary of the Tyranny of the Urgent!
12. Under promise and over deliver—this is a very old axiom, but nonetheless very true. Never promised too much; you’re more likely to disappoint people. Instead, with all things, under promise and over deliver. People will be pleasantly surprised when you’re done more than originally planned.
Five ways to improve productivity—
There is so much happening and less and less time to handle of all these days. Learning how to increase your productivity could give you the edge you need to get it all done. The idea of getting it all done is nebulous at best.
Do we ever truly get it all done?
To think that we could have it completely whipped is a fallacy and a dangerous life paradigm. Could you get at least some of it done? It is possible…. here are a few ways and strategies that can increase your productivity:
Schedule your time for work—be consistent. Don’t do personal things in your schedule to work. Make it to do list and prioritize your tasks. A list is often more effective for those of us need to consult a reference or see it in writing. When you’ve completed a task, cross off your list. You get a real sense of completion in satisfaction as you see your list getting shorter and shorter.
Do the most difficult, time-consuming, least favorite jobs first— do the first things first. Do the hardest task at hand when you have the most energy and motivation to tackle the project. If you tackle the toughest job first, the rest of your tasks will seem that much easier.
Do not allow yourself to get interrupted by other people’s emergencies or drama—be able to say No. Learn to have boundaries. Learn to say no and a polite but firm way. Be professional, kind and understanding, but also be ready to use the most famous boundary word of them all: NO.
Organize your files—set up the system right from the beginning. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Use a Daytimer for scheduling. Have a 31 day and 12 month filing system. You can have technology, but don’t let technology have you. Do not reinvent the wheel. An ordered space will allow you to be less stressed.
Organize your workspace—the better organized and efficient your workspace, the more efficient you will be in time management. The time it takes you to search through out all your piles of paper or to remember where you put that file could be spent in working on new projects. Put the things you use most on your desktop and always put them back in the same place when you’re done. Keep a file organizer on your desk for current projects, so they are always at your finger tips. Have clearly delineated places for everything

]]> http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/10/time_management.html http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/10/time_management.html Goal Setting/Planning Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:58:31 -0800 The Other 10 Commandments 10 Rules for Being Human
Ten Rules for Being Human
by Cherie Carter-Scott
1. You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it’s yours to keep for the entire period.
2. You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called, “life.”
3. There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of trial, error, and experimentation. The “failed” experiments are as much a part of the process as the experiments that ultimately “work.”
4. Lessons are repeated until they are learned. A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it, you can go on to the next lesson.
5. Learning lessons does not end. There’s no part of life that doesn’t contain its lessons. If you’re alive, that means there are still lessons to be learned.
6. “There” is no better a place than “here.” When your “there” has become a “here”, you will simply obtain another “there” that will again look better than “here.”
7. Other people are merely mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects to you something you love or hate about yourself.
8. What you make of your life is up to you. You have all the tools and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you. The choice is yours.
9. Your answers lie within you. The answers to life’s questions lie within you. All you need to do is look, listen, and trust.
10. You will forget all this.

]]> http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/10/the_other_10_commandments.html http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/10/the_other_10_commandments.html Relationships Sat, 09 Oct 2010 10:05:48 -0800 You Just Broke Your Child- Congrats! You just broke your child. Congratulations by Dan Pearce
You just broke your child. Congratulations.
Dads. Stop breaking your children. Please.
I feel a need to write this post after what I witnessed at Costco yesterday. Forgive me for another post written in desperation and anger. Please read all the way to the end. I know it’s long, but this is something that needs to be said. It’s something that needs to be heard. It’s something that needs to be shared.
As Noah and I stood in line to make a return, I watched as a little boy (he couldn’t have been older than six) looked up at his dad and asked very timidly if they could buy some ice cream when they were done. The father glared him down, and through clenched teeth, growled at the boy to “leave him alone and be quiet”. The boy quickly cowered to the wall where he stood motionless and hurt for some time.
The line slowly progressed and the child eventually shuffled back to his father as he quietly hummed a childish tune, seemingly having forgotten the anger his father had just shown. The father again turned and scolded the boy for making too much noise. The boy again shrunk back and cowered against the wall, wilted.
I was agitated. I was confused. How could this man not see what I see? How could this man not see what a beautiful spirit stood in his shadow? How could this man be so quick to stub out all happiness in his own boy? How could this man not cherish the only time he’ll ever have to be everything to this boy? To be the person that matters most to this boy?
We were three from the front now, and the boy started to come towards his dad yet again. His dad immediately stepped out of the line, jammed his fingers into his son’s collar bones until he winced in pain, and threatened him. “If you so much as make a sound or come off of that wall again, I promise you’re going to get it when we get home.” The boy again cowered against the wall. This time, he didn’t move. He didn’t make a sound. His beautiful face pointed down, locked to the floor and expressionless. He had been broken. And that’s how his father wanted it. He didn’t want to deal with him, and breaking him was the easiest way.
And we wonder why so many of our kids grow up to be screwed up.
I’m going to be blunt. People see my relationship with Noah, and quite often put me up on a pedestal or sing my praises for loving him more than most dads love their own kids.
Damn it. I don’t understand that, and I’ll never understand that. Loving my son, building my son, touching my son, playing with my son, being with my son… these aren’t tasks that only super dads can perform. These are tasks that every dad should perform. Always. Without fail. There is nothing special about me. I am a dad who loves his son and would literally do anything for his well-being, safety, and health. I would gladly take a rake in the face or a jackhammer to my feet before I cut my own son down or make him feel small.
[sigh] I am far from a perfect dad. And I always will be. But I’m a damn good dad, and my son will always feel bigger than anything life can throw at him. Why? Because I get it. I get the power a dad has in a child’s life, and in a child’s level of self-belief. I get that everything I ever do and ever say to my son will be absorbed, for good or for bad. What I don’t get is how some dads don’t get it.
Dads. Do your faces light up when you first see your child in the morning or when you come home from work? Do you not understand that a child’s entire sense of value can revolve around what they see in your face when you first see them?
Dads. Do you not realize that a child is what you tell them they are? That people almost always become what they are labeled? Was whatever your child just did really the “dumbest thing you’ve ever seen somebody do”? Was it really the “most ridiculous thing they ever could have done”? Do you really believe that your child is an idiot? Because she now does. Think about that. Because you said it, she now believes it. Bravo.
Dads. Do you honestly expect anybody to believe that you can’t find 20 minutes to step away from your computer or turn off the television to play with your child? It has to happen every single day. Do you not understand that children will hinge their entire facet of trust on whether or not their dad plays with them and how involved he is when he plays with them? Do you know the damage you do by not playing with your children every day?
Dads. Should anybody buy into this silly notion that anger is sometimes or often necessary? Do you not understand that anger is almost always an emotion for people who wish to control others while simultaneously failing to control themselves? Do you not know that there are incredible books and courses that can teach you better methods? Most importantly, do you not see the speed at which a child is crushed or becomes completely defiant when anger rules the roost? Are you that desensitized to the luminosity of your child’s spirit that it doesn’t crush you completely when they flinch or cower in your presence? Is that really what you want your child to do? To fear you?
Dads. Do you not realize that your child needs to feel your skin on his? Do you not realize the incredible and powerful bond that skin on skin contact with your daughter will give you? Do you not understand the permanent mental connections that are made when you stroke your son’s bare back or rub your daughter’s bare tummy while you tell bedtime stories? And if any idiot says anything about that being inappropriate, you’re gonna get kicked in the face, first by me, and then by every other good dad out there. Touching your child is your duty as a father.
Dads. Wake up! These precious souls that have been put into your care are unique and so very sensitive. Everything you say or don’t say will impact their ability, success, and happiness throughout their entire lives.
Do you not realize that your kids are going to make mistakes, and a lot of them? Do you not realize the damage you do when you push your son’s nose into his mishaps or make your daughter feel worthless because she bumped or spilled something? Do you have any idea how easy it is to make your child feel abject? It’s as simple as letting out the words, “why would you do that!?” or “how many times have I told you…”
Let me ask you this. Have you ever looked into the swollen eyes of a parent who’s child has just died?
I have.
Have you ever cried through a child’s funeral?
I have.
Have you ever touched a wooden box with a child inside? A permanent tomb from which another laugh or giggle will never sound?
I have.
If you want the motivation to be the best parent on earth, do that just one time. I pray you never have to.
Dads. It’s time to tell our kids that we love them. Constantly. It’s time to show our kids that we love them. Constantly. It’s time to take joy in their twenty-thousand daily questions and their inability to do things as quickly as we’d like. It’s time to take joy in their quirks and their ticks. It’s time to take joy in their facial expressions and their mispronounced words. It’s time to take joy in everything that our kids are.
It’s time to stand up and ask what we can do to be better dads. It’s time to get our priorities straight. It’s time to come home and actually be a dad.
Dads. It’s time to show our sons how to properly treat a woman. It’s time to show our daughters how a girl should expect be treated. It’s time to show forgiveness and compassion. It’s time to show our children empathy. It’s time to break social norms and teach a healthier way of life! It’s time to teach good gender roles and to ditch the unnecessary ones. Does it really matter if your son likes the color pink? Is it going to hurt anybody? Do you not see the damage it inflicts to tell a boy that there is something wrong with him because he likes a certain color? Do we not see the damage we do in labeling our girls “tom boys” or our boys “feminine” just because they have their own likes and opinions on things? Things that really don’t matter?
Dads. Speak softly to your sons. Speak calmly to your daughters. Who do you want your child to be? Do you want him to be the kid at school that sits by himself with absolutely no friends or self esteem? Or do you want him to be the kid running for class office and feeling like he deserves to win it? Do we not see that we have the power to give that to our children? Do we not see that we have the power to teach our children the tools of societal survival?
Dads. Do we not see the influence we have when we say we believe in one thing, but our children see us living something else? Do we not realize how little we encourage our children to actually decide what they believe, declare what they believe, and then live by it? Whether it’s religion, politics, sports, or societal norms. It is not our place to tell our kids what to think. It is our place to teach our kids to think correctly. If we do this, we need have no fear of what they will decide for themselves and how strongly they’ll stand behind it. A man will follow his own convictions to his death, but he’ll only follow another man’s convictions until he steps in manure.
Damn it, Dads. Every child has the innate right to ask for ice cream without being belittled and broken. Every child has the innate right to do so without being made to cower in the corner because the man who is supposed to be his hero is actually a small, small man altogether. Every child has the innate right to be happy, and giggle, and laugh, and play. Why aren’t you letting them? Every child on earth has the right to a dad who thinks before he speaks; a dad who understands the great power that has been given to him to ultimately shape another human being’s life; a dad who loves his child more than he loves his television shows or sports games; a dad who loves his child more than his material junk; a dad who loves his child more than his time. Every child deserves a superhero dad.
Maybe the truth is that a lot of dads don’t deserve their kids.
Maybe the truth is that a lot of dads aren’t really dads at all.
I apologize for the heatedness of my post. I believe a part of me feels like a coward for not saying something to the man in front of me at Costco. Consider this post to be my penance. Perhaps a part of me feels that if even one person reads this and decides to be a better dad, it was worth every second that I spent typing it. If one child has a better life because something in my words stirred their father to step up their game, then it was worth every ounce of begging and pleading with you to share this with others, of which I am inevitably going to be guilty.
Dads. Children are gifts. They are not ours for the breaking. They are ours for the making. So stand up with me and show the world that there are a lot of good dads around.
To the men and women who read this post… married or not… parent or not… share this post on Facebook and Twitter, even if it doesn’t apply to you because you’re already all these things. If you’ve ever seen a father break his child, share it. You never know what child might get his superhero dad back. You never know what tiny spirit might feel just a little more loved because Dad took the time to tuck her in tonight.
All because you were willing to paste one link and ask others to read it.
Dan Pearce, Single Dad Laughing Pleading
PS, I am seriously ornery and sad right now. Please comment below and say whatever you like, but please also tell me about a good dad you know, somewhere, and what makes them good. I really need to hear it right now.

]]> http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/10/you_just_broke_your_child_cong.html http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/10/you_just_broke_your_child_cong.html Parenting Sat, 09 Oct 2010 10:04:46 -0800 NETWORKING ON PURPOSE NETWORKING ON PURPOSE

“Networking”….Much has been written and said about it lately. It seems to be the buzz word in business today. For some it conjures up images of the classic schmoozing in a social setting and for others just good old fashioned fear. Neither has to be the case if you will simply learn some basics about the new science we call “networking.”

Networking can be learned like any other area of knowledge. It requires time and practice but can be mastered by even those who hate contrived social contact. I have seen the most shy colleague blossom into a full-on networker who is both kind-hearted and transparent in her approach. Networking is about building good relationships.

How do I find the best places to network with people I need to know?
A better question might be, “Who do you need to know?” Are you targeting
retailers, public school superintendents or commercial property
owners? This information will help you determine where they hang out. Are
there associations or conferences aimed at these professions? Do people in your
network know who you want to meet? Can any of your connections introduce
you to the right people?

How do I gain more confidence while networking?
Your goal should be to learn from and help everyone you meet. How? Ask
them questions, clarify their responses and, if you can, give them information
they need. If you can’t, introduce them to those who can. When you help others,
it takes the pressure off of selling to them (which you shouldn’t be doing
anyway). No pressure, no problem. If you genuinely try to help,
they may return the favor in the long haul. You will gain greater confidence as you get better at helping people and communicating (when asked) how they can help you. That’s how it works. Try it and see.

How can I strengthen my networking with key partners?
Give tons of referrals and information to partners who are competent, credible
and ethical in their practices. If they aren’t and you refer them business
anyway, it will make you look bad. You need to give to get. (Givers Gain).
If you give lots of referrals to your key partners and get no referrals in return, it’s time to get new key partners. Or it’s time for conversation that might sound something
like this: “I think we should discuss how we can refer more business to one another. What is an ideal referral (piece of business) for you? An ideal referral for me is (fill in the blank)”


In the meeting, focus on your key partner first. How can I help you more? Do
not mention how much you give and how little you get. If you don’t get a
positive reaction from your key partner (or it’s all one-sided), find a new key
partner! Remember, your ability to network and exchange business increases the possibility of growing your business and helping others too.

Where do I start in Humboldt County?

Here are a number of organizations and venues to meet and greet a lot of folks and network with both freedom and fun”:
• All local Chambers of Commerce’s-Each have monthly mixers (often on Thursdays) and provide a great venue to meet and mix and have fun while building relationships.
• B.N.I. (Business Networking International)-Has 5 local chapters which all meet on Tuesdays both at breakfast and lunch. They are the quintessential networking organization in the universe. Founded by Dr. Ivan Mizner , B.N.I. has written the book on compelling and effective networking. Go to www.BNI.com for more info.
• Fortuna Monday Club-Meets at the FBID office building at noon on….well…Monday!
• Toastmasters International-Meets at noon each Thursday at the SBDC office conference room in downtown Eureka and at City Hall in Fortuna on Wednesday nights. Toastmasters can equip you to speak AND network more effectively.
• Associations, Non-Profit involvement, Civic and Service Clubs, and events.

Kinda shy? We all are. Why not just dive in today and come on out and meet some of the folks who are just as shy as you. We will all be richer getting to know you! Most people are just kind-hearted and want to be loved/known/and understood-- just like you and me.


Scott Hammond is the author of Every Day Dad: The Guide to Becoming a Better Father, a parenting expert, and the father of 9 children, who offers a unique point of view on fathering and intentional parenting. Scott is an award winning professional speaker and a recognized business consultant and leadership coach.
Scott motivates and inspires others toward positive, personal change and growth with his comfortable style, authenticity, and transparency. Using real-life stories, Scott shares how you can overcome life and parenting obstacles and become a better person.
Scott resides in McKinleyville, California with his wife of 30 years, Joni, and their kids. To connect with Scott, visit www.BecomeABetterFather.com or www.EveryDayDad.com

]]> http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/09/networking_on_purpose.html http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/09/networking_on_purpose.html Relationships Wed, 29 Sep 2010 21:09:01 -0800 CUSTOMER SERVICE Perception is Reality…
How do Your Customers Really See You?


Humboldt County is famous for its kind people and great customer service. We have the benefit of retailers and other service professionals who really “get it” when it comes to great customer care. We all have fabled stories of rotten and awesome customer service received and we tend to repeat them freely…what is your favorite---good or bad?

Just think of your favorite restaurant for store you buy from—what makes them stand out to you and spend your hard earned dollars with them? I‘d wager it has much to do with some component of great customer care and service. Customers are just people and people want to know they are valued, understood, and served well.

This “service” translates into all relationships: parenting, marriage, home, church, business, career, school, and more. How are you serving those in your life and relationships? Are you known as someone who serves those in your world and sphere of influence? Why or why not?

To keep both our internal (employees) and external customers happy we need to have a thorough understanding of their likes and dislikes. To make sure you are keeping them happy and delivering the best possible service-- ask yourself, your staff, and above all your customers the following questions;

How well do we deliver what we promise?

How often do we do things right the first time?

How often do we do things right on time?

How quickly do we respond to your requests for service?

How accessible are we when you need to contact us?

How helpful and polite are we?

How well do we speak your language?

How hard do you think we work at keeping you a satisfied client?

How much confidence do you have in our products or services?

How well do we understand and try to meet your special needs and requests?

Overall, how would you rate the appearance of our facilities, products and people?

Overall, how would you rate the quality of our service?

Overall, how would you rate the quality of our service compared to our competitors?

How willing would you be to recommend us?

How willing would you be to buy from us again?

If you and your staff have positive marks on the above kudos to you! If not, where will you start to ratchet up your customer service game and make it fun and rewarding to do business with your company? There must be some “low hanging fruit” in which you can quickly make your business a better place to do business with. Pick just 3 things and write them down now and begin working on a plan to execute and move forward in your plan for better customer relationships, care and service. You, your employees, and the community will be better for it and you will be more profitable. Like my dad Bob said:”If you are in this for the money, you are only half paid…” Why not reap the full reward of giving good, to great, to absolutely awesome customer service today!

Scott Hammond is the author of Every Day Dad: the Guide to Becoming a Better Father, a parenting expert, and the father of 9 children, who offers a unique point of view on fathering and intentional parenting. Scott is an award winning professional speaker and a recognized business consultant and leadership coach.
Scott motivates and inspires others toward positive, personal change and growth with his comfortable style, authenticity, and transparency. Using real-life stories, Scott shares how you can overcome life and parenting obstacles and become a better person.
Scott resides in McKinleyville, California with his wife of 30 years, Joni, and their kids. To connect with Scott, visit www.BecomeABetterFather.com or www.EveryDayDad.com

]]> http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/09/customer_service.html http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/09/customer_service.html Relationships Wed, 29 Sep 2010 20:43:29 -0800 Bob on Business My Father Bob

“If you’re in this for the money, you are only about half paid…”

Bob Hammond (1921-2004)
Motivational Speaker/Dad

My father, Bob Hammond, grew up in Iowa during the Great Depression.
He was poor but received two years of college before being enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World War II.
He was an elite P-51 fighter pilot in the Asian Theater and was a decorated soldier.
He drank for 30+ years as he processed the experience. Consequently, our family grew up within the confines of alcoholism, divorce, and dysfunction.

As I got older, and my father got sober, we forged a relationship for a lifetime.
His support for me going to Humboldt State University, coupled with a mutual
spiritual revival, made for a lifelong friendship until his death in
2004. My father always supported my educational goals and expressed
confidence in me; he always believed in my choices and was available 24/7.
He was a people person and an expert salesman. He was relational in every way. People were his passion.

The lessons my father taught me had to do with relationships. People were priority.
For example, he came to work with me one day at the Tri City Weekly in Downtown Eureka to attend and contribute to a sales meeting. I was so proud and excited for my cohorts to hear the wisdom of this sage businessman and sales expert! He was my dad—coming to share his heart.

We gathered around, pen and paper in hand to hear from Bob Hammond, Sales Extraordinaire. We were ready…
He sat down at our office at 6th and D St. and we expected at least 30-45 minute training about the secrets of great sales. No Dice. No even close…

He sat cross-legged in his chair, took a deep breath, and uttered words that were simple and profound and have taken me 15 years to really comprehend….He simply stated:
“IF YOU ARE IN SALES FOR THE MONEY, YOU ARE ONLY HALF PAID.”
That was it. No prelude, no commentary, no addenda---Just 13 words spoken with authenticity and belief.
I must admit, I was a bit annoyed and aghast he didn’t have a strong follow-up and more to add. He didn’t need to.

His point was just this: In business, as in life, people and relationships are key. They are the reason for why we do what we do in business and commerce and in life. The Free Market System is lacking, even meaningless, without good relationships, friendships, and the joy of living a life full of meaningful experiences with fellow human beings.

My dad was a people guy, a hugger who loved crossword puzzles, plants, music, people, and God most of all.
His legacy of kindness, acceptance, thankfulness, gratitude, and forgiveness will always be with me.
As an alcoholic, he always had a special place in his heart for those who struggled with alcoholism. He modeled non-judgment and kindness toward all. My father left an inherent sense of godliness, spiritual value, and
a kindness that transcends most people you’ll ever meet. Although he
was a warrior in World War II and killed many while flying a P51
Mustang, the rest of his life was spent building, not destroying.
He’ll always be remembered in our family as the ice cream grandpa, who always loved Humboldt County and
insisted on multiple gallons of ice cream with each and every visit. Here’s to the legacy of a great guy, a great sales person… one of the Greatest Generation. May we approach our lives, careers, and business with a relational dimension and the kindness and care that all people want and need. Thanks dad for modeling this respect and honor for people in your quiet, but profound lesson.


Scott Hammond is the author of Every Day Dad: The Guide to Becoming a Better Father, a parenting expert, and the father of 9 children, who offers a unique point of view on fathering and intentional parenting. Scott is an award winning professional speaker and a recognized business consultant and leadership coach.
Scott motivates and inspires others toward positive, personal change and growth with his comfortable style, authenticity, and transparency. Using real-life stories, Scott shares how you can overcome life and parenting obstacles and become a better person.
Scott resides in McKinleyville, California with his wife of 27 years, Joni, and their kids. To connect with Scott, visit BecomeABetterFather.com

]]> http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/09/bob_on_business.html http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/09/bob_on_business.html Relationships Wed, 15 Sep 2010 08:39:40 -0800 Every Day Dad: The Guide to Becoming a Better Father

Every Day Dad:
THE GUIDE TO BECOMING A BETTER FATHER http://everydaydad.org/
By Scott Hammond

Parenting Experts, Dads, and Coaches are calling Scott Hammond’s new book Every Day Dad: The Guide to Becoming a Better Father the must have book for fathers who want to transform their lives, become a better parent, and live life with purpose and passion.
Title: Every Day Dad: The Guide to Becoming a Better Father
Author: Scott Hammond
ISBN: 978-1450-5366-46
Pages: 352
Release Date: June 2010
Available from Amazon.com & other booksellers
To request an interview, review copy of Every Day Dad, or other materials: contact Scott Hammond or call 707-616-7665.
BACK COVER DESCRIPTION

You had such plans for your life and for your family…
But the stress and pressure of work, marriage, and parenting has taken its toll.
What are you going to do?

How do you overcome and become the Hero you dream of?
Every Day Dad equips you with the tools and knowledge you need to connect with your family, live life with passion and purpose, and become the Hero you have always dreamed of – for yourself, for your wife, and for your kids.
In Every Day Dad, you’ll be mentored through the stresses and challenges you have, and will encounter, so that you can transform your life, joyfully engage with your family, and build a positive, lasting legacy.
DOWNLOAD COVER PHOTOS, TABLE OF CONTENTS, AND CHAPTER 1

Cover: Web Quality: 72dpi Print Quailty: 300 dpi B&W 300 dpi
Table of Contents
Read the first 28 pages (Forward through Chapter 1)
EVERY DAY DAD SUMMARY

Every Day Dad: The Guide to Becoming a Better Father shows dads how to overcome the challenges of life, joyfully engage with their families, and build a positive, lasting legacy. Written in a practical, straight-forward manner, the books equips dads (and all parents) with the knowledge and tools they need to connect with their families, to live life with passion and purpose, and become better fathers.
ADVANCE PRAISE FOR EVERY DAY DAD

Here are just a few of the things readers have had to say about Every Day Dad:
We are a society in crisis and the root cause is parenting. This book will give you great tools to become a better parent and a better person at the same time.
Larry Winget, Television Personality and New York Times Bestselling Author, Your Kids Are Your Own Fault: A Guide For Raising Responsible, Productive Adults
When I became a father, several decades ago, I wanted to be the best I could be. After all, that’s what I wanted to do in all the (work) jobs I had. There was no book on all that it takes. Now comes along Scott Hammond’s book with lessons that, with effort (yes, it requires EFFORT) puts fatherhood in excellent perspective for your success.
Jim Tunney, Ed.D
Author, Educator, Former NFL Referee
Scott Hammond’s book, Every Day Dad, is an encyclopedia for being a Dad. He understands the business of being a Dad and he communicates it extremely well. This book is a must for every Dad.
D.J.Young, www.Wisdom4Dads.com
It’s about time! What a wonderful concept and hats off to you, Scott Hammond, for bringing the extremely important, long overdue issue of fatherhood to the forefront. With shifting roles, two working parents, and changes in the world at warp-speed, we need fathers more than ever to help the women in the world with our shared bundles of joy. To enjoy the laughter, joys, tears, and milestones, there couldn’t be a more important role for the men of this day and age and for the children of tomorrow!
Karen Simmons, CEO, Founder, Autism Today
Click here to Read more comments and testimonials from readers.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR, SCOTT HAMMOND

Scott Hammond is the author of Every Day Dad: The Guide to Becoming a Better Father, a parenting expert, and the father of 9 children, who offers a unique point of view on fathering and intentional parenting. Scott is an award winning professional speaker and a recognized business consultant and leadership coach.
Scott motivates and inspires others toward positive, personal change and growth with his comfortable style, authenticity, and transparency. Using real-life stories, Scott shares how you can overcome life and parenting obstacles and become a better person.
Scott resides in McKinleyville, California with his wife of 27 years, Joni, and their kids. To connect with Scott, visit BecomeABetterFather.com

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND STORY IDEAS FROM SCOTT HAMMOND

“Growing Up With Gabriel: A Father’s Story” (One Sheet)
“Ten Things More Important Than Money” (One Sheet)
“Momentum Creation With Scott Hammond” (One Sheet)
4 Challenges to Compelling Parenting
Returning to Your First Love (audio)
Dads are Endangered Species (radio commentary on KINS)
The Upside of Down Syndrome (audio)
Pain is the Fuel of Passion (audio)
7 Secrets of Effective Parents (audio)
Leaving a Living Legacy (audio)
2009 Father’s Day Interview on KHSU (radio interview)
Click here for Videos from Scott Hammond
You can also follow Scott on Twitter and Facebook
To request an interview, review copy of Every Day Dad, or other materials: contact Scott Hammond or call 707-616-7665.

SCOTT HAMMOND - INTERIOR BIO

Scott Hammond with his wife Joni, and 2 of their boys
Scott Hammond is a Parenting Expert, the author of Every Day Dad: The Guide to Becoming a Better Father, and as a father of 9 children (all theirs) offers a unique point of view on fathering and intentional parenting.
Scott is an Award Winning professional speaker and has been recognized as a business consultant/coach with 30 years of marketing experience. Scott is a published Author and creator of BecomeaBetterFather.com
Scott was born in Emmetsburg, Iowa and grew up in San Diego California, before moving to Humboldt County California. Having earned his BA in Recreation Administration/Liberal Arts at Humboldt State University, Scott has worked in radio, newspaper, and the Cable TV ad sales industry for over 25 years.
Recognized as Award Winning Competent and ATM Gold Toastmaster, and a graduate of the Cascadia School of leadership, Scott has completed and graduated from Pro Track, the National Speakers Association Northern California’s professional speaking school.

Scott & Joni Hammond having fun with their family
Scott uses a comfortable, personal speaking style to motivate, inspire, and train people toward positive personal, parental, and professional change and growth. He uses real life stories to connect with his audience via genuine authenticity and transparency in sharing ways to overcome life and parenting obstacles. He resides in McKinleyville California with his wife of 29 years Joni and their kids.

To request an interview, review copy of Every Day Dad, or other materials: contact Scott Hammond or call 707-616-7665.
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]]> http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/05/every_day_dad_the_guide_to_bec.html http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/05/every_day_dad_the_guide_to_bec.html Parenting Mon, 31 May 2010 13:05:02 -0800 New Book: Every Day Dad...coming soon Gotta tell you it is really getting close to the release of my New Book……….
“Every Day Dad” is a 3 year work on helping equip dads to be proud of their families.
It offers all the tools to become a better father…really!
It takes the best of Fathering University and real business acumen and combines them into a quantum leap forward toward more intentional and effective fathering.
Written from the perspective of a “Regular Joe” dad (that’s me for sure), my book will help dads to discover both how to become more intentional in their fathering and to follow through on their goals. The Book has a Free Strategic Life Planner with every copy…the PSP is a road map to life and better relationships and comes FREE ($49.77 value) with the book which will be available on Amazon in Early June 2010.
You will see more and be able to sample before you buy. Hope to hear from you.
Best,
Scott Hammond
BecomeaBetterFather.com

]]> http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/05/new_book_every_day_dadcoming_s.html http://www.tsblogs.com/betterfather/2010/05/new_book_every_day_dadcoming_s.html Parenting Fri, 07 May 2010 07:30:58 -0800