“Habits are at first cobwebs, then cables.” -Spanish Proverb The new year is here, and with it come the billions of small promises we all make to spark some change in our lives. For some it will be a brand new creative endeavor, like writing that first novel. For others it will be the abandonment of an unhealthy habit like smoking. Almost invariably, resolutions center on the formation or destruction of a habit. Habits are like compound interest. If you understand how to harness their power, the returns in the long run are enormous. But how to we support the willpower it requires to start and sustain a new habit? An often overlooked tool in our quest for habit formation is the simple ritual. A ritual is a series of actions or behaviors followed without deviation. Rituals are most often associated with religious ceremonies or family traditions. Even if you're not big on a religious practice, there's increasing scientific evidence to suggest that "rituals appear to benefit even people who claim not to believe that rituals work." Rituals have been shown to alleviate grief after loss and help enhance confidence before sporting events. Rituals can serve as an excellent "boot up" routine for a new habit. As most gym rats will tell you, the hardest part of most people's workout is putting on their shoes. But the act of putting on the gym clothes, preparing your sports drink, and printing out your lifting routine can become a powerful ritual which not only gets you in the mindset for your workout, but puts you on automatic pilot. Rituals often help us build habits because we don't think, we do. Some rituals don't have to be directly related to a habit we want to build or break. For instance, you might decide to start each day by sitting down at the kitchen table and drinking a large glass of ice cold water. The act of drinking the water might simply be a moment to reflect on and remind yourself of your commitments, "filling you up" with willpower. Rituals can be an important part of being mindful and living in the present. What rituals do you have in your life? Where are there opportunities to create new rituals?

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Just in case you want to know what the next trend in designs are. 21 Hot Housing Trends for 2015 Everyone wants to be hip, and the latest trends in design can help distinguish one home from another. It's not all flash; many new housing fads are geared to pare maintenance and energy use and deliver information faster. Here's a look at what's coming. http://enews.realtor.org/a/tBUkOqsB8f3M-B8$SxJAACbz-Rz/btn9

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Here is an article I found quite interesting about what to expect in lending for the next year. Yea, I know I read the weirdest things when thing get slow, but I learn cool stuff too. HousingWire Home Accenture: 3 big predictions for mortgage lending next year Will housing survive or thrive? Brena Swanson December 19, 2014 Housing survived 2014, and now heading into next year, experts are once again weighing in on what they see for the future of the housing industry and overall economy. Ghazale Johnston, a managing director with Accenture Credit Services, outlined in an interview with HouingWire 3 topics she believes will take precedence in 2015. Here are her predictions for mortgage lending in 2015. 1. Regulations Some lenders may be under the impression that the regulatory scene will quiet down somewhat in 2015. But that doesn’t look likely. Lenders will need to be prepared for the CFPB’s proposed HMDA rules which will place an even greater emphasis on monitoring of predatory lending and consumers’ access to credit. The new rules could expand the information lenders collect from borrowers and may even extend the law’s reach to additional consumer finance products such as home equity loans. Regulators may also seek historical information about closed and denied loans. Lenders with robust data content management systems that effectively track and aggregate all this data - so that it can be reported to regulators - will be well positioned to meet the requirements without major disruption to their current business. While most lenders are aware that the new RESPA/TILA rules will take effect next August, they may also need to start preparing for potential new modifications regarding timing requirements and disclosure language. These and other regulations may require lenders to make upgrades to their systems, update their processes and retrain staff. 2.Flat mortgage market With origination volume unlikely to spike markedly in 2015, according to projections, lenders will need a sales capture strategy that focuses on taking market share away from competitors. In short, lenders will be fighting for fewer customers. Never before has differentiated customer experience been so critical to lenders’ ability to compete. Accenture research shows that 55 percent of consumers who encounter a frustrating experience while shopping for financial services began considering different providers almost immediately. To address this challenge and be well positioned to win new business, lenders must have digital capabilities that support customer preferences – from prospecting through servicing. Look for bold lenders to reorient their mortgage business to become “Everyday Banks” – using mobile, online and social media to play a deeper role in the everyday lives of their customers. These lenders will increasingly integrate their offerings with local realtors, online home marketplaces such as Zillow, builders, home goods retailers and home security firms. In so doing, lenders become integral to the home buying experience, rather than just a provider of another financial product or transaction. The goal is to turn mortgage financing from what has traditionally been a one-time event into a long-term borrower relationship. 3. Data analytics To broaden their customer base next year, some lenders may ramp up non-qualified mortgage lending and go back to originating mortgages with as low as three percent down payments per the FHFA’s new guidelines. To take advantage of these opportunities however, lenders will need to strengthen their data and analytics solutions to ensure that the expansion of new originations does not introduce unnecessary credit and repurchase risks. Additionally, the right analytics tools can give lenders a more complete view of borrowers and their home buying needs. That can help lenders anticipate existing customers’ needs for a new loan in advance of an application, enabling them to extend offers to these customers and connect them with other key parties in the home buying process.

from Sharon Shepherd, Realtor, ePRO, CHS http://ift.tt/1siYFnX

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Well, it is official, I have been married 49 years today. Wonder if I will get taken out to dinner tonight. Ha ha, fat chance, unless I pay for it.

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Put our flag out first thing this morning before we left for work. Never forget !!! My uncle was on the USS Virginia and was one of the first gunners to open up on the japs. He watched the Arizona sink.

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Yea. Simple infection. I may get out in the next hour. I will be drinking a lot more water for sure and taking my potassium like a good girl

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Ack another bloody test. White count is up so where is the infection. GAAAA I AM HUNGRY

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Must be a requirement that all emts must be cuties. At least the scenery isn't bad here

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Well nothing like a ride in an ambulance (with good lookin emts ) to make your night interesting. Now I am HUNGRY and I want to go home and feed my horse and me. Waiting for test results sucks. I want FOOD!!!! Sleep would be nice too

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