25 Things to Put on This Summer's Bucket List

by Amy Kennard, Social Media/Marketing Strategist, Xapsis Integrated Marketing

It's June - and unofficially (until the 21st, if you're counting) summer. We Midwesterners earned this one, too, after the endless, gray subzero days, snowpocalypse after snowpocalypse and cabin fever so high we thought we'd all go crazy.

That said, it's time to enjoy these next few months of warmth and sunshine for all they're worth. It's easy to take them for granted and let them pass by like just days on a calendar, especially for us working folk. But remember those days of young when "summer" meant an endless cornucopia of not "what are we going to do today" but "what AREN'T we going to do today?"

The older we get, the harder it is to keep these days precious, especially if we're cooped up in the office for the bulk of them. That's why a summer bucket list is so important. It gives you the opportunity to think back to what summer meant to you - what it means to your family, your kids, your friends - and take note so that these days we so longed for as children don't become a distant memory.

To get you started, here's 25 things you may want to put on your summer bucket list.

AT WORK

• Take a walk during your lunch hour.
• Drive to a park and have a picnic with a friend or coworker.
• Hold a meeting outside under a shade tree.
• Take a different route to or from work - with the windows rolled down. 
• Listen to summer tunes on your headphones.

AFTER WORK

• Grill your dinner and eat outside.
• Take walks with your kids and pets at sunset.
• Turn off the TV and and go outside. Talk to that neighbor you haven't seen all winter. Play catch with your kids. Go fishing at dusk.
• Start a new outside exercise routine like walking, running or biking. 
• Head out to the ball park and cheer on your favorite team.

ON THE WEEKENDS

• Visit your local pool and actually swim with your kids. Heck, go off the diving board! Why not?
• Plant an edible garden with herbs and veggies of your kids' choice. (Sugar snap peas and mint are my kids' favorites!)
• Plan a "Staycation" and pretend you're "just visiting" the town in which you live. Explore some of the areas you've never visited, like nature centers or community parks. 
• Take a day trip to a state park, like Starved Rock in Utica, Illinois.
• Visit your local farmer's market.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, FIND YOUR INNER CHILD

• Have a water balloon fight.
• Draw with sidewalk chalk.
• Visit an ice cream stand.
• Attend (or better yet participate in) a parade.
• Run through the sprinkler.
• Catch fireflies.
• Go mini golfing.
• Re-read one of your favorite books from when you were a child (Mine is "The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles").
• Roast marshmallows and make s'mores.
• Watch the fireworks and ooh and ahh and the big ones.

Whatever you do, make the most of this summer, for it is a special, yet fleeting time.

“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Will Work Out for Free Pizza

By Amy Kennard, Copywriter

You gotta admit – Planet Fitness is pretty genius. 

What other gym chain offers free pizza night?

But wait a minute – that makes no sense. Gyms are for those fitness freaks - you know, those chiseled, buff overachievers we all aspire to be like. Who’s going to eat pizza at the gym? 

Try “the other 85%.” 

Co-founder and Chief Executive Chris Rondeau of Planet Fitness explains that “most health clubs cater to the roughly 15 percent of Americans who consider themselves fitness nuts and love to work out. Planet Fitness's goal, on the other hand, is to attract the much larger percentage of people who want to be healthier but may only use the gym a few times a month.”

That’s why they offer free pizza once a month at one of the 750 locations nationwide, to the tune of three million pieces of pizza a year. “The rest of the industry is fighting over that 15 percent," he says. "We're going for the other 85 percent."

That other 85 percent can pay a membership fee as low as $10 a month, and enjoy mainly cardio and weight lifting equipment, which seem to be the mainstays for those with a sporadic workout regimen. Free pizza night takes the place of juice bars and personal trainers. 

What Planet Fitness has managed to accomplish is huge. It’s taken the well-known concept of a gym, a workout facility that exists in thousands of places across the country, and differentiated it by reaching not the fitness nuts, but the majority of people who manage to drag themselves to the gym a couple of times a month with its “No gymtimidation” policy. And it’s working. Rondeau reports that the gym's 5 million members account for roughly 10% of the 50 million people in the U.S. who belong to a health club.

What’s the lesson here? No matter what your business does, there are probably a number of other businesses out there that do the same or similar thing. Your challenge is to find that differentiating factor that separates you from the pack. A local pharmacy with free delivery.  A paint store that comes out to your home to counsel you on colors. A marketing firm that will produce a customized versus a cookie-cutter website for your business (insert shameless Xapsis plug here.) 

Competition is pretty stiff in today’s world. Look around at other businesses like yours and ask yourself what you can offer that will make you stand out from that 15 percent crowd  - even if it means branching out of your comfort zone and going after that other 85 percent.  

Be an Artist at Work

by Stacy Calvert

Copywriter

Are you creative? If you don’t work in what’s considered an artistic field, you may not think so. Yet, most of us come up with resourceful – even downright innovative -- solutions to mundane problems every day at work. You may not realize how valuable creativity is, but a growing number of employers place a premium on the ability to think creatively.

You don’t have to be an economist or human resources expert to know that the workplace is changing. Corporate downsizing, globalization, technological progress and a number of other factors have caused a major shift in our economy. In this ever-changing landscape, people who can think on their feet are more valuable than those who resist change and think inside the box.

As companies continue seeking ways to become leaner and more cutting-edge, inventiveness is one skill every job-seeker should consider honing. Taking up an artistic hobby, playing online “brain games” or even devising your own creative thinking exercises can help you get a leg up on the competition. If you’re willing to invest your time and money to grow your career, some universities even offer classes, certificates, and majors or minors in creativity. Just sitting down with a pen and pencil or their electronic equivalent can even yield surprising ways to increase your value at work. Brainstorm for just fifteen minutes, and you might come up with some truly ingenious new ways of looking at your job.

The fact that colleges consider creative thinking a teachable skill set says a lot about its role in the business world. While experience and knowledge still carry a lot of weight, the word “creativity” is turning up on more resumes and LinkedIn profiles than many tried-and-true business-related buzzwords. Whether you’re looking for a job or seeking ways to grow in your current position, becoming a more innovative thinker may be just what you need to kick your career into high gear.

Taking a Break with Wacky January Holidays

by Stacy Calvert

Copywriter

We’ve made it through the big winter holidays, and January is now solidly underway. Besides ringing in 2014 and getting started on – or breaking – our resolutions, we honor Martin Luther King, Jr. on the third Monday of the month. But did you know that the first month of the year is also Business and Reference Books Month? Or that January plays host to Meat Week? Check out these slightly lesser-known holidays you could be celebrating as a distraction from the Central Illinois cold.

Bath Safety Month: You can never have too much bath safety awareness. Create a “no-slip countdown” to hang on the wall for inspiration.

Clown Month: A guaranteed good time for some. For others…not so much. Clown-phobic fun seekers can celebrate Cuckoo Dancing Week during the third week of the month instead.

Crime Stoppers Month and Law Enforcement Training Week (2^nd week): This is not a good time to start a life of crime.

Retail Bakers Month: Someone decided to make January a month to celebrate Diet Resolution Week during the first week of the month, Healthy Weight Week in the last week, AND luscious cupcakes, pies and other sweet treats throughout the month. Fortunately, this is also Soup Month. Studies have shown that eating soup as part of a meal helps you consume fewer calories.

Both Tea and Gourmet Coffee Month: Staying awake should NOT be a problem during January. Since January temps in Peoria tend to the not-so-balmy side, just holding a warm cup of joe or hot tea is a bonus.

Human Resource Month: If you’re looking to stir things up at work, now’s the time! Not only will you get noticed; you’ll probably get to know your H.R. reps a whole lot better. Or you could opt to make their lives easier by turning in forms on time and getting along with your co-workers.

Snowed in? Plow through some work at home!

by Amy Kennard, Chilled-to-the-Bone Copywriter

If you're within snow blowing distance of the Xapsis offices in ice-kissed downtown Peoria, Illinois, you know that we are under a deep freeze. And by deep freeze, I mean "travel highly discouraged/your face will freeze that way within seconds/your pets will probably refuse to go outside to do their business" deep freeze.

For some of us, these frightfully frigid temps, coupled with impenetrable snowdrifts, have made today a "work from home" day. And though the thought of working in your jammies with a puppy at your feet might seem awfully appealing, I'll offer up some tips to stay productive even from the comfort of your cave.

Create a space. If you're fortunate enough to have a home office, great. If not, commandeer the kitchen table or a corner of the basement where you can adequately spread out.

Make a to-do list. Since much of the time spent on the computer at home is for play, log out of tempting social media sites and newsfeeds that might get you off track. Set task completion goals, even if it's something as simple as, "I will finish this blog by noon."

Get on chat. Many offices have applications such as Google Hangouts or Yahoo Instant Messenger where you can keep in touch with coworkers to ask quick questions or get feedback immediately. It helps make you feel more connected to the office when you need to be, and also lets your boss know you're really working.

Use the cloud. Keep documents updated and uploaded to a cloud storage service such as DropBox or Google Drive. Being able to access your files can be invaluable on days you're snowed in or home with sick kids. 

Speaking of kids. Create what I call a "no-fly zone" when you're working. Basically that's a "if you're not bleeding, don't bother me" rule. Obviously, this works better if your kids are older. If your kids are younger, see if a neighbor or family member can watch them for a few hours or regulate your work time to nap time.

Above all, know that it may be "virtually" impossible to be as productive as you might be in an office environment, especially if you have little ones running around. However, even if you use the day for organizing files, deleting old emails or getting caught up on correspondence, the work from home day won't be completely wasted.

Eliminating “Wealth Blocks” for a Successful 2014

by Stacy Calvert

Copywriter 

As 2013 comes to a close, you’re probably already thinking about the positive changes you want to make in the next 365 days. Self-improvement just seems to go hand-in-hand with the changing of the calendar page. If wealth-building is one of your aspirations for 2014, maybe it’s time to do a little “pre-spring cleaning” before crunching numbers and putting precise goals on paper. 

Instead of coming up with a laundry list of business-related tasks right off the bat, consider taking a look at what copywriting guru Dan Kennedy calls the “wealth blocks” standing in your way. A wealth block is something or someone that stops you from achieving the financial outcomes you want.

Whether fear, toxic people, an ineffective marketing plan or inefficient procedures are impeding your progress, the new year is the perfect time to eliminate internal and external negative forces in your business and life. Once you identify roadblocks, Kennedy advises you to be brutal. It can be difficult to cull thought processes, routines and especially people from our lives, since familiarity can make even the most toxic influences seem friendly and comforting.

Getting rid of them is worth the effort, though, according to Dan Kennedy. It’s a truly effective way to make room for people, systems, goals and beliefs that benefit your finances and fit into the bigger picture. Doing so will help you forge a positive new path and prepare for a lucrative, rewarding 2014.

The entire team at Xapsis Integrated Marketing wishes you a happy, prosperous new year!

Shopping Last Minute? Shop Local!

by Amy Kennard

Copywriter/Marketing Strategist 

With Thanksgiving so late in the month this year, Christmas has crept up on all of us like a sneaky Santa. If you’ve suddenly realized you haven’t shopped for that special someone, here are a few great last-minute ideas from some of our favorite local clients! Some of these businesses are already sporting custom-designed Xapsis websites; some are still a work in progress. Regardless, these businesses are wonderful establishments and a great way to add some variety to your gift list. 

The elves have been busy in the kitchen at Julie’s Corner Store, preparing more than 100 delicious flavors of gourmet fudge, including pumpkin, malted milk-ball, and watermelon. Pair your favorite with one of her selections of wines from local Illinois wineries and you have yourself a gift basket that’s hard to beat! 

Be the first to give the gift of Peoria-made craft whiskey and bourbon! J.K. Williams Distilling, LLC debuted their grandfather’s recipe to East Peoria just this year. Choose from J.K.’s Original Corn or Lemon Whiskey or check out the smooth and spicy Smitty’s Apple Pie for a truly unique gift idea for your favorite whiskey or bourbon lover.

You’ll be the life of the holiday party with the kettle-fresh flavor of Kitchen Cooked Potato Chips. Order online from a variety of snacks, from Classic Potato Chips to Barbeque Pork Rinds to Jalapeno Kettle Curls! Many can be found in local stores around the area. 

How about a romantic getaway? Cornerstone Inn in Washington, IL takes you back to a relaxing time in one of seven spacious rooms filled with period antiques and beautifully restored woodwork. Regardless of whether you stay at the Inn, enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner at Denhart Baking Company, located on site. 

Stuff stockings with gift cards for great food from Qdoba Mexican Grille or Double A’s Pizza. Give them a shopping spree for festive New Year’s Eve wear from Wannabe’s Upscale Resale, or offer up a cabin fever-busting game of bowling from Sunset Lanes in Pekin. You’re sure to please the outdoorsman or woman in your life with a gift card from Presleys Outdoors, or surprise your favorite decorator with an accent piece from Lippman’s Furniture and Interiors.

It’s great to give this season; it’s even greater to buy LOCAL! We at Xapsis support local establishments year round and we hope you will, too. The merriest of holidays to you all from us at Xapsis!