Sure, we all know emotional eating is bad. But there is something to be said about the childlike giddiness that naturally comes when your favorite dessert is in your midst. (Is it just me?) Adultitis melts away for a few delicious moments of sugary happiness. Delighting in a treat is very childlike! When's the last time you sat with a stack of Oreos and a glass of milk? Or how about picking out a treat for yourself from the local bakery? When I was little my sisters (aka the K-Mart Sisters) had organ lessons every Thursday afternoon. Since I was too young to join, my mom and I would …
Adultitis
The Biggest Dreamer of All
Few people in history have exhibited the intense and authentic childlike qualities of Martin Luther King, Jr. Knowing the weight of his message and adversity he met on his journey of justice, he should've had a major case of Adultitis. I do not believe that he did, however. Here's why... He dreamed BIG. REALLY big! He was curious (and brave) enough ask some of the hardest questions ever asked. Why? Why not? What if? He was honest, speaking the truth that was in his heart, even when others weren't open to what he had to say. …
Adultitis Fighting Tip: More Time
Innovative sites like Lifehacker and LifeTipsDaily try. Respected authors like Stephen Covey, Timothy Ferris, and David Allen continue to give it their best shot. No one has successfully managed to add more time to our daily ration of 1,440 minutes a day. Until NOW. I am excited to share that there are now more than 24 hours in a single day. Woo Hoo! You can thank the striking folks from the WGA (Writer's Guild of America). Yep, since the strike started on November 5th, they have added hours to our week. In our household, we've received six additional hours a week, which adds up to be …
In Search of Good News
Is it just me or does watching the nightly news make you want to jump off a cliff? Filling my head with images of tragedies, war, and political fighting is not my idea of a natural transition to a peaceful night of sleep. It's no surprise studies show that tuning into the news leaves viewers needing psychological intervention to get back to a relaxed and healthy state of mind. Yikes! No wonder Adultitis is so common and widespread. My childlike optimism refuses to believe that the ratio of good to bad news is that far off. Somewhere along the line, producers decided that bad news sells …
Pokey Mania
In our speaking programs Jason and I share tons of tips (many from The Escape Plan) to give our audiences realistic ideas to bring back into their busy lives to help them stress less and have more fun. It's one thing to talk about all of this... and it's an entirely different thing to actually do something about it. We love talking to individuals afterwards as they share what action steps they are planning to adopt immediately on their fight against Adultitis. One idea is the game "Hide Pokey." Some of you long-time podcast listeners may remember this from one of our shows in '05. You all …
Adultitis Case Study #4: Christmas
The Cure Adultitis Institute has released a new public service announcement, just in time for Christmas. It can be the most joyful time of year, unless someone with a serious case of Adultitis shows up. It's a crucial time of year to spread the word about Adultitis. And look on the bright side: both Ebeneezer Scrooge and the Grinch were Adultitis survivors. There is hope. …
Stop Cooties
The disease we primarily focus on around here is the dreaded condition known as Adultitis. Grown-ups everywhere are stricken with the symptoms, and sometimes I feel like the fight is an uphill battle. The disease can also affect children, in the form of Juvenile Adultitis. Nasty stuff. But there is another childhood plague that is also quite serious. It's been around for a long time, at least since the widespread establishment of public education. I am speaking, of course, of cooties. Even though we spend most of our time treating grown-ups who have forgotten what it was like to be a …
Hands-Free Addiction
Warning sign that you might be taking yourself too seriously (a.k.a. Adultitis Symptom)... there's a cell phone in your ear, but you aren't talking to anyone. Heck, you aren't even expecting a call. Don't get me wrong. I love the idea of hands-free cell phones. They are safe for driving and making typing much more convenient. It makes sense in a lot of situations, but when I see someone out to eat with her husband with a cell phone in her ear, I can't help but wonder. I just hope she's an emergency responder or waiting for a call from her best friend who is about to go into labor. One …
10 Ways to Have a Childlike Thanksgiving
In case you've been wondering, yes Adultitis is contagious, but so is being playful and young at heart! Which would you rather spread? There will always be the "Scrooges" of the world who turn their noses up at you, but there is hope... just look at the Grinch, an Adultitis survivor. So, I challenge you to be a real live Adultitis Antidote by modeling a childlike (not childish) existence this Thanksgiving. Be an example of someone living life with less stress and more fun. Does this mean you should channel the 6th grade class clown at the dinner table? Not so much. Crossing the line into …
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Beat the Clutter
Do you have any clutter in your life? If yes, then you are also probably living with a case of Adultitis. Whether it's in your house, cubical, or head, clutter is causing you stress and preventing you from moving forward. Jack Canfield, co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books talks about this, referring to the "Cycle of Completion." He says, When you don’t complete tasks, you can’t be fully prepared to move into the present, let alone your new future. When your brain is keeping track of all the unfinished business you still have at hand, you simply can’t be effective in embracing …