Experts say that all exercise should consist of three elements: stretching, cardio vascular training and resistance (or weight) training. And you should keep your heart rate elevated for a minimum of 20 minutes a day. But how do you find time to squeeze in a workout with the pressures of a family and busy real estate career?

If you belong to a gym, and like the structured approach, decide when you like to exercise. Most people need to get up early and “get it over with”. If you wait until the end of the day, you will always find a reason not to work out. Most gyms will provide an introductory session with a personal trainer. He can design a customized workout routine to suit your needs.

But if you don’t belong to a gym or health club, you can set up a simple home gym by purchasing an inexpensive set of barbells or weights, and an exercise mat. There are also many excellent exercise videos to help motivate you and to structure your workout.

If neither of these ideas work for you, there are ways to help keep you fit through normal daily activities. Exercise does not have to be done all at once. The secret is to make the most of your time. Take advantage of short opportunities for activity throughout the workday. At your desk, stretch and perform isometric exercises between phone calls and computer work. Instead of going out for a big lunch, pack a light salad you can eat quickly and spend the rest of your lunch break by taking a walk. Make the most of your day while running errands. If you are not self-conscious, you can do standing push-ups or leg lifts while waiting at the bank, post office or doctor’s office.

At home, choose activities that help you get some exercise. Instead of playing a board game, play catch with your kids, shoot some hoops or put on a snappy tune and do a little dancing. Take the dog for a brisk walk or do some gardening. When you finally settle down to watch some television, grab those barbells and do a few curls while watching your favorite sitcom.

The key is to make use of every minute, stay active and have fun. You will feel better, look better and be more productive.

We all have a work space at our office, and most of us have that special place at home where we pay bills, surf the Internet and organize our personal business. But when set up properly, that home office can be a workspace that leverages your professional productivity.

First, make sure you select a quiet place, free of distractions. Pick a place that is far away from the general activity in your home. It should be bright, well ventilated and have plenty of electrical outlets for your computer, fax machine and lighting. Install a wireless, high speed internet connection, making sure that you have a strong signal when working in your home office. (A better signal means faster download speeds.)

Next, get a decent sized desk. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. Just something big enough to hold your computer, a lamp and any documents you may want to spread out on your desk will do. I have an old, plain laminated desk with a large top. Use a desk lamp with a halogen bulb to go easy on your eyes. Direct the light on your documents and keep the glare off of your computer screen.

Spend some money on a decent chair, and set it up to be ergonomically correct: Back straight, knees bent 90 degrees, feet flat on the floor, arms parallel to the ground at keyboard level, and your eyes roughly level with the top of the screen.

Keep yourself organized with a file cabinet. Invest in one with drawers that will accommodate legal-sized documents, like closing statements. Also invest in a label maker. I use hanging folders vs. tabbed folders. They hold more and are easy to expand.

Lastly, install a hard phone line. You spend enough time dealing with dropped calls, static and that maddening cell phone delay when on the road with clients. Having a “real” phone connection is a welcomed relief!

Nobody wants to lose a potential sale, listing or lead because they are down with the flu. You can help ensure that you don’t come down with this dangerous, miserable, productivity-buster.

Vaccination against the flu each fall remains the primary way to prevent this disease. In addition to vaccination, the following simple actions can help decrease the spread of respiratory illnesses like the flu.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
• When you are sick or have flu symptoms, stay home, get plenty of rest, and check with a health care provider as needed.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
• Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

These simple precautions can keep you in top selling shape this flu season.

Are you struggling with mounting debt? If you are, here’s a great trick debt counselors use. It’s called “the snowball strategy“, and it’s really quite simple. First, make a list of all your debts beginning with the smallest balance first. Then, continue listing your debts from smallest to largest. Don’t fret or concern yourself with your payment amounts or interest rates.

Then, begin by starting to pay off the smallest debt first (of course while continuing to make your minimum monthly payments on the other debts). Once the smallest debt is paid off, then take that payment and combine it with the payment for the next smallest debt. You’ll double your payment power and pay off that debt more quickly.

After you pay off the second debt, you’ll combine that payment with the payment for the next smallest debt and continue on the process, creating a “snowball effect“. You’ll pay off your debt faster and easier, and it’ll keep you motivated at the same time!