 While some kids find their passions early in life, many bounce from one activity to the next without quite finding a perfect fit. Don’t let a few false starts keep your child from trying new things. With some patience and a little research, you can help him discover a talent he never knew he had. Here are some suggestions from Nalley BMW.
Avoid Labels and Negative Thinking
Kids are prone to labeling themselves, or picking up on labels that adults have given them. If your child has decided that he is just not athletic or artistic, you need to remind him that there are many different ways to be athletic or artistic. A kid who hates basketball and soccer may love swimming. A kid who is terrified to perform on stage may love making set designs or working the lights and sound system.
Get a Physical Before Getting Physical
Before trying a sport, make sure your child has had a recent physical or well-child check up. Undiagnosed medical problems, such as seasonal allergies or asthma, vision or hearing problems, could affect your child’s ability to do well in sports or certain activities.
Practice at Home
Sometimes children dislike a sport or activity because they feel like their skills aren’t as strong as the other players. Practicing at home can help your child catch up by giving him a safe place to try out his new moves without the pressure of the rest of the team watching. Ask the coach for tips on what to practice to help your child improve.
Branch Out
Parents often start their children out in the same activities they enjoyed as a child, or in activities that an older sibling enjoys. However, your child is his own person and may have very different interests. There are many kinds of extracurricular activities, from sports to performing arts and everything in between. Look through community catalogues to find local classes or summer camps that spark your child’s interests.
Talk to Teachers and Other Parents
Though you may think you know your child best, his teachers might see a different side to him and have some suggestions about after-school activities that he might enjoy. Likewise, other parents may have ideas for activities that you and your child may not have considered.
Explore Your Child’s Personality
Understanding your child’s basic personality may help you find an activity that appeals to him. Is he outgoing or introverted? Does he thrive on socializing or feel drained by it? There are many books available that can help you understand your child’s personality, including Nurture by Nature, written by Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger.
Extracurricular activities offer a range of benefits, such as building confidence, teaching responsibility and fostering social skills. Don’t let your child miss out on great opportunities just because he doesn’t like the activities he first tried. With some patient encouragement and an open mind, you can find an activity that will bring out your child’s hidden talents.
 Have you ever stood on the sidelines of the Boston or New York City Marathons and wondered how in the world those people could run 26.2 miles without collapsing in exhaustion after mile 10? You’re not alone. A lot of us at Nalley BMW have wondered the same thing.
It takes some serious mental and physical endurance to just finish a full marathon. We won’t even get into what you’d have to do to win it. Finishing the marathon will be reward enough, trust us.
First, you have to be pretty healthy. Anyone interested in running a marathon should really consult his or her doctor before embarking on the mission. The training will put a lot of stress on your body and you want to be sure that you’ll be able to handle it.
It would also be helpful if you’ve been exercising on a regular basis. It doesn’t matter if you’re 17, 30, 50 or 80 – if you exercise at least three days a week for a minimum of 30 minutes, you’re in good condition to start training. If you’ve been neglectful in that department, just know that you’ll be extending your training regime, thus putting your marathon goals off to a more distant deadline. Oh, and if you have a pack a day habit, marathon training will be challenging to say the least.
It may be helpful if you try running some 5 or 10K races to get yourself into the running groove and used to the momentum of race running. Either way, before you begin your marathon training, choose a marathon you plan on running in. That marathon should be at least 16 weeks after you begin your training.
You’ll need a good pair of running shoes and a strong mind once you embark on this training regime. Remember, it’s mind over matter when it comes to distractions like thirst, fatigue and boredom. It’s not usually recommended you listen to an Iiod or MP3 player while road running. You’ll have to just sing your favorite tunes in your head.
You’ll want to start incorporating one long run each week. Divide out the miles you’ll run each week by creating a mileage goal for the single week. The mileage goals should increase as the weeks progress. Make sure you build in rest days, at least one to three days a week, as well, so your muscles can rejuvenate. Three weeks before the marathon, you should be running a long run of 20 miles.
For a training schedule to help you reach your goals, check out Runner’s World. The magazine offers training plans for both half and full marathons.
 Nalley BMW has a guide to the biggest news from the 82nd Geneva Motor Show about what you can expect from BMW in the upcoming year:
- World premiere of new BMW coupes.
The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, the brand’s first 4-door coupe, will blend sportiness and functionality in one stylish package. The first U.S. option will be the 640i model, featuring a turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine with 315 horsepower. A 650i option with a 445-horsepower V8 and available all-wheel-drive is expected to follow shortly after.
The redesigned BMW M6 Coupe will also be introduced. The new model is about 3 inches longer in both wheelbase and length and replaces the previous model’s 500 horsepower V10 with a twin-turbo V8 that makes 560 horsepower. This high-performance model will also feature a 7-speed M dual transmission Drivelogic and a rear Active M Differential for an unmistakably-M driving experience.
- Introduction of the M Performance line.
We’d heard the announcements about the M Performance line, but the Geneva Auto Show will be the official debut of this new product category. The first four vehicles will be the BMW M550d xDrive, BMW M550d xDrive Touring, BMW X5 M50d, and BMW X6 M50d. All models will be powered by an exclusive inline 6-cylinder diesel engine with triple turbocharger, capable of a maximum output of 381 horsepower.
- Sustainability on display.
With the BMW 116d EfficientDynamics Edition and i Concept vehicles on display, the show will have plenty to offer for those seeking sustainability in action. The 116d EfficientDynamics Edition (pictured here) will be the most economic option in the BMW program and will be powered by a 116 horsepower diesel engine.
The BMW i3 Concept and i8 Concept will showcase the brand’s groundbreaking commitment to sustainability throughout the supply chain. The i3 is set to be the first electrically-powered premium vehicle, while the i8 is a new, sporty take on the plug-in hybrid.
You can see the BMW Group official Geneva Motor Show press kit here for even more information. At Nalley BMW, we can’t wait to start seeing these exciting announcements become reality. Stay tuned for more information.
We take our place in the Decatur community seriously at Nalley BMW, and we are pleased whenever we are able to contribute to an important cause. We hope you will join us in supporting the Atlanta Human Rights Campaign Gala & Dinner Auction on May 5th.
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. This annual gala, held this year at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Atlanta, includes a large private auction and black-tie dinner, which last year brought in more than 1,200 dinner participants and raised over $400,000 for the cause. Please visit the event’s website to reserve a better table early, become a corporate sponsor, or donate to the auction.
Thank you for helping us address these important issues. We hope to share in the fun with you.
 Be honest, you miss your car when you drop it off for service. Those fawning headlights, that playfully wagging windshield wiper…it can be a long afternoon while your faithful companion is getting a tuneup. Don’t worry, Nalley BMW can help you put an end to that separation anxiety.
Come to Nalley Collision Centers of Marietta for any of your body shop, auto repair, or parts needs, and if you leave us a phone number or e-mail address, you’ll be able to see photos of your car online as it progresses through its service and our certified, experienced, and knowledgeable body shop technicians assess your situation with care and consideration. We also offer car repair estimates in Marietta to fix your vehicle promptly, the first time, and at an affordable price. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. Contact us today!
 While some kids find their passions early in life, many bounce from one activity to the next without quite finding a perfect fit. Don’t let a few false starts keep your child from trying new things. With some patience and a little research, you can help him discover a talent he never knew he had. Here are some suggestions from Nalley BMW.
Avoid Labels and Negative Thinking
Kids are prone to labeling themselves, or picking up on labels that adults have given them. If your child has decided that he is just not athletic or artistic, you need to remind him that there are many different ways to be athletic or artistic. A kid who hates basketball and soccer may love swimming. A kid who is terrified to perform on stage may love making set designs or working the lights and sound system.
Get a Physical Before Getting Physical
Before trying a sport, make sure your child has had a recent physical or well-child check up. Undiagnosed medical problems, such as seasonal allergies or asthma, vision or hearing problems, could affect your child’s ability to do well in sports or certain activities.
Practice at Home
Sometimes children dislike a sport or activity because they feel like their skills aren’t as strong as the other players. Practicing at home can help your child catch up by giving him a safe place to try out his new moves without the pressure of the rest of the team watching. Ask the coach for tips on what to practice to help your child improve.
Branch Out
Parents often start their children out in the same activities they enjoyed as a child, or in activities that an older sibling enjoys. However, your child is his own person and may have very different interests. There are many kinds of extracurricular activities, from sports to performing arts and everything in between. Look through community catalogues to find local classes or summer camps that spark your child’s interests.
Talk to Teachers and Other Parents
Though you may think you know your child best, his teachers might see a different side to him and have some suggestions about after-school activities that he might enjoy. Likewise, other parents may have ideas for activities that you and your child may not have considered.
Explore Your Child’s Personality
Understanding your child’s basic personality may help you find an activity that appeals to him. Is he outgoing or introverted? Does he thrive on socializing or feel drained by it? There are many books available that can help you understand your child’s personality, including Nurture by Nature, written by Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger.
Extracurricular activities offer a range of benefits, such as building confidence, teaching responsibility and fostering social skills. Don’t let your child miss out on great opportunities just because he doesn’t like the activities he first tried. With some patient encouragement and an open mind, you can find an activity that will bring out your child’s hidden talents.
 Nalley BMW would like to introduce our new assistant service manager, Justin Straton! Chances are you already recognize Justin from around the dealership – he’s been with us since August 2006 and has been an infectiously positive presence with both our customers and our staff. “We have a great team,” he said. Justin lives here in Decatur and loves the downtown area, where he recently had his wedding reception at the Old Historic Courthouse on the square. He says his dream car would be a 1970 Chevelle SS LS6 – “4-speed, of course.” Justin, thank you for everything you do here at Nalley BMW! We are truly blessed to have people like you!
 When you purchase a new or pre-owned vehicle from Nalley BMW, we help you find the one that’s an extension of your personality. You can add even more functionality and convenience to your vehicle with one of the many available BMW accessories. Use this list of 5 top BMW accessories to make your vehicle stand out. Keep in mind that some accessories are not available for all models.
- Sun blinds: These blinds fasten easily to the rear window and are available for many models. Use them to keep your interior cool in the summer, or just to keep the sun out of your eyes.
- Navigation system: With this indispensable accessory, getting where you’re going is as simple as entering an address. The BMW Navigation system Professional has a widescreen monitor with dynamic route guidance—a Business Navigation system is also available.
- BMW Care Kit: When it comes to your BMW, washing your car isn’t a chore—it’s a chance to spend even more time with your vehicle. Caring for your BMW is even easier with this handy accessory, which includes an interior cleaner, wheel rim cleaner, wet wipe glove, and wheel brush, all in a bag with BMW lettering.
- DVD systems: You can choose between built-in and portable DVD systems to keep your passengers entertained on the road. Add an available DVD changer to store up to 6 DVDs at a time and switch between them at will.
- BMW Car Hotspot: Grab this cutting-edge accessory and get wireless Internet access in your BMW through a SIM card in the Hotspot accessory or through a mobile phone with a SIM access profile.
For pricing and availability of these or any other BMW accessories, stop by Nalley BMW today!
 Working from home has many potential benefits, including saving money on gas and parking, creating more time in your workday by eliminating a commute, and maybe even saving your sanity by avoiding office politics. In some cases, working from home may also allow you to set your own schedule or avoid the cost of childcare. However, depending on the type of work you do, working from home can be isolating, and some individuals find it difficult to stay motivated and organized when working in a home-office environment. Fortunately, all of these pitfalls can be overcome with a little planning and effort. Here are some tips from Nalley BMW to help you do just that.
1. Create a dedicated home office. When you work from home, it’s important to designate a dedicated space for working. Don’t worry if you don’t have a whole room to devote to your home office; even a small corner will do. What matters is that you have a place where you focus on work and work alone and where you can keep all your files and work supplies organized. If you’re constantly migrating throughout the house or working from your sofa or kitchen table, you’ll likely find it hard to keep your work materials organized and keep yourself on task. Designate a workspace and then designate particular places for all your supplies so you always know where to find what you’re looking for.
2. Develop routines. For many, one of the benefits of working from home is a more flexible schedule. But just because you may have the freedom to go grocery shopping in the morning or take an afternoon nap doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Developing and sticking to some sort of routine, even if it’s not based on a traditional nine-to-five schedule, helps you stay organized and motivated. For example, you might designate certain times of the day for checking email, returning phone calls, or visiting clients. If working from home allows you to manage your own projects, you may also need to set your own deadlines in order to stay on task. By creating routines and maintaining a set schedule, your work time remains your work time and your family time or free time remains just that. You’ll likely find that developing and maintaining routines keeps your more organized and more effective with your time. Plus, you’ll likely still have co-workers or clients checking in, and they’ll need to know when you can be reached.
3. Start small. If you’re already working from home and organization has gotten away from you, getting reorganized can be overwhelming. To make the task seem less intimidating, start small. For example, begin by organizing a single desk drawer or the top of your desk, and then start working your way through your filing system and shelves until your entire home office is organized again.
4. Always put things back where they belong. When you were young, your parents probably asked you to put away one toy before you got out another. Just as this technique helped keep your room clean as a child, it can also help you stay organized as an adult who works from home. If you always put things back where they belong as soon as you’re done using them, including opening and organizing your mail and returning files when you’re done, you’ll always know where to find what you need.
5. Don’t forget your virtual desktop. These days, many individuals who work from home don’t need an entire home office, because their work is done primarily on their computer or laptop. In this case, one of the most important tips for good organization is keeping your computer files organized and your virtual desktop clear of clutter. Go through your computer files at regular intervals (schedule them on the calendar) and set up an effective labeling and filing system to help keep your virtual workspace organized.
If you follow these tips, your home workspace will not only stay neat and organized, but you’ll have an easier time staying on task–which means your valuable time will be more productive.
 Changing your lifestyle to help save the environment doesn’t have to be a chore, especially when you consider the potential savings. A little bit of eco-consciousness goes a long way, and even small changes at home will have a cumulative effect on the environment – and your electric bill. Here are some ideas from Nalley BMW.
Unplug Parasitic Electronics
Did you know that certain electronics act as parasites and add to your electric bill? That’s a nasty way to describe electronics that suck energy even when they aren’t in use, wasting your hard-earned money in the process.
Your computer is a perfect example. It’s bad enough if you leave it on all day even if you aren’t using it. If you are eco-conscious enough to turn it off, does “off” really mean that it is no longer using energy? The answer is an expensive “no!” With parasitic electronics, the answer is always to unplug.
Look around your home for other parasites that are raising your electric bill, such as television sets and digital electronics. By using power strips or protectors you can minimize the damage to your electric bill. At the end of each day power down all of your electronics and turn off the surge protectors. Check your home for anything that uses a power pack and unplug it when it isn’t in use. Put your cell phone charger at the top of your “unplug it list” because it is one of the hungriest of all power-sucking parasites.
Change Light Bulbs
It’s no longer just about turning off lights in empty rooms. By now just about everyone knows that change is in the air as energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs) continue to replace traditional incandescent bulbs. The Department of Energy notes that CFLs and LEDs “are 75 or 80 percent more efficient than traditional lighting, and they’ll last 10 or 25 times longer. In some cases, you might never have to replace them.”
These bulbs will cost more upfront, but will more than pay for themselves in long-term savings. It’s tough to argue against saving money while protecting the environment simply by making this easy change.
Consider Appliance Operating Costs
When it comes time to replace your old appliances, one of the best ways to save on your electric bill and help save the planet is by choosing new replacements that bear the “Energy Star” label. This label is the government certification issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. It is estimated that 20 percent of your electric bill comes from the use of your refrigerator, washer and dryer, and dishwasher, and selecting “Energy Star” models ensures that they will run as efficiently as possible.
The next time you go shopping for a new appliance, understand that each item bears two costs: the purchase price and the operating cost. Don’t let the purchase price be the sole factor in your decision making process. What may be a bargain today could cost you double your money in inefficiency over the long term.
Isn’t it worth making a few eco-conscious changes that will save on your electric bill and save the planet, too? Think about it and begin to make these easy changes around your home today.
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