People are overwhelmed with the complexities of their own lives and are desperately seeking a way to maximize happiness in their home and work lives, says Gary Kunath, an entrepreneur, speaker and former CEO who works with some of the world's top corporations and business schools.

"I used to be caught up in the spin cycle of thinking that net worth automatically afforded me life worth," says Kunath, a speaker at top business schools and author of "Life ... Don't Miss It. I Almost Did: How I Learned To Live Life To The Fullest," (www.lifedontmissitbook.com).

"I sacrificed time with my family with the justification that I was providing necessary material things, but at a certain point you realize that money doesn't make you rich, it just allows you to buy more stuff."

Priorities for professionals have shifted; now, U.S. workers seek family wellbeing above all else, he says. Companies need to recognize that it's imperative to positively affect their employees' lives, both inside and outside working quarters, he says.

"We need to bring humanity back to business," Kunath says. "Leading corporations are aware that most professionals today - 70 percent - would trade a pay raise for an increase in personal wellness."

But employers are struggling with that, he says, citing a new American Psychological Association survey released in March in which 48 percent of employees say their employers don't value a good work-life balance.

More professionals are trying to find a path to life worth, rather than centering their behavior on net worth, Kunath says. He offers five ways career-minded individuals can achieve both:

• Look for signs you're falling into the net-worth trap: For Kunath, those signs were clear. One day, he says, "it was like someone had smacked me on the head," when his son, then 12, walked away in dismay after Kunath said he couldn't play baseball with him because he was too busy working on a business proposal. "The look of disappointment on my son's face was something I will never forget," he says. Kunath dropped everything and spent the day with his son. "I promised that would NEVER happen again". The next occurrence included a mental and physical breakdown after Kunath pushed himself to make an unnecessary business trip while sick.  After a 19-hour ordeal in a delayed flight to Spain, "...I knew in my bones that if I did not draw the line right there ... I would ruin every part of my life that mattered to me."

• Don't be an employee, be employable: Unless you are self-employed, you are always vulnerable to someone else controlling your professional destiny, and therefore, your life worth. But employees can empower themselves by diversifying their skills so that they can have more choices about where and for whom to work.

• Bad things happen to good people: Adversity finds us all. No one enjoys the worst, most painful moments of their lives. Nonetheless, life events like loss of a loved one, financial ruin, divorce, addictions or illness tend to define us. We need adversity in our lives. Anyone can be a rock star when life is perfect. But when adversity strikes, then the "real" you is revealed. How you face adversity can either extinguish you or distinguish you.

• Believe in something bigger than you: There will be times when you are utterly helpless, with no control over an outcome. All the money in the bank and all the authority at work will do no good when it comes to, for instance, the death of a loved one. Believing in something bigger than you is an important part of having life worth; it helps you maintain your emotional health when you face life's biggest challenges.

• Don't Major in the Minors: As Henry David Thoreau wrote, "The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it." For every evening spent late in the office there are moments professionals miss out on - and can never get back. Many of us spend time on things that ultimately don't matter. "The three greatest gifts you can give to your family are: Time, Memories and Tradition," he says. "These are things in life that matter."

About Gary Kunath

Gary Kunath is the founder of The Summit Group, which is ranked among the top sales-training companies in the world by Selling Power magazine. His value-creation approach received the "Innovative Practice of the Year Award" by 3M worldwide. He was named Businessman of the Year for the United States and was recognized a dinner hosted by the president of the United States. He has lectured extensively at several prominent business schools, and he is currently an adjunct professor at The Citadel's Sports Marketing graduate program. Kunath is as an owner of several professional minor league baseball teams along with his partners, Bill Murray, Jimmy Buffet and Mike Veeck. The group is famous for managing its teams around the "Fun is Good" approach.

Illinois Businesses Global Leaders in Water Tech; Helping Mexico City Face Tremendous Clean Water Challenges

MEXICO CITY - Governor Pat Quinn today held a meeting with key leaders to promote water technology firms from Illinois, businesses that are uniquely qualified to assist Mexico with its clean water challenges. The governor is currently on a trade mission to Mexico - part of his agenda to drive Illinois' economy forward and create jobs.

"Illinois is striving to lead the nation and world in clean technology and environmental innovation, especially when it comes to clean water," Governor Quinn said. "There are currently more than 100 water technology companies in Illinois, and these firms are positioned to offer expertise on a global scale and sell their products and services abroad. Illinois will take full advantage of opportunities for water technology growth in Mexico while helping the neighboring nation deal with its clean water challenges."

Governor Quinn today met Mexico City Mayor Miguel Mancera, two governors and representatives of the Mexican National Water Commission (CONAGUA) to specifically discuss water treatment and how Illinois can help. One of the world's largest metropolitan areas, Mexico City faces tremendous challenges accessing clean water. These challenges include decreased groundwater, overexploitation, land subsidence, risk of major flooding, poor water quality, inefficient water use, wastewater treatment and the reuse of wastewater in agriculture. The security of the city's water supply and stormwater drainage in the metropolitan area are major concerns for all levels of government.

The Mexican market for water technologies is estimated to grow three percent during 2013. United States exports in this area are also expected to increase three percent this year. Illinois firms that can take advantage of this heightened Mexican demand include : In-Pipe Technology Company of Wood Dale, which provides engineered wastewater treatment technology and services that meet the challenges facing today's municipalities; Elan Technologies of New Lenox, an innovator in open channel flow measurement and monitoring; Grundfos of Aurora, a global leader in advanced pump solutions and a trendsetter in water technology; and Nalco of Springfield, which develops technologies that either prolong water's usability in closed systems, prepare water for reuse rather than discharge or redirect the water into an application with different requirements.

Known by its Spanish acronym, CONAGUA is the federal agency responsible for the maintenance of the country's potable and municipal wastewater infrastructure. Mexico contains a total of 2,400 municipal water utilities, 713 potable water treatment plants and 102,548 miles of pipeline to distribute potable water to urban and rural areas. CONAGUA estimates that 90 percent of the total Mexican population of 108 million has access to running water. As in most countries, the Mexican water business remains somewhat localized, but is opening up to global competition.

In response to Mexico City's water challenges, Mexico initiated a $2.8 billion Water Sustainability Program which includes water conservation as an important element. Investments envisioned under the plan include an increase in wastewater treatment, the importation of groundwater from irrigated areas north of the city, the construction of a major new stormwater drainage tunnel, increased water imports from an expansion of the energy-intensive Cutzamala system and better water allocation methods.

Last year Governor Quinn launched the $1 billion Illinois Clean Water Initiative to help local governments overhaul aging drinking water and wastewater treatment plants and pipes while creating more than 28,000 jobs. The initiative will help ensure that residents will have access to safe drinking water and that our environment will remain protected.

The Mexico trade mission is the latest by Governor Quinn as he seeks to promote Illinois to an international audience. Past missions include China and Japan in 2011, and Canada and Brazil in 2012.

Students in grades 6-12 can enter one (1) original poem of up to 25 lines for a chance to win a gift certificate of up to $25. Deadline for entries is April 20. Read your poems at the Poetry Café on May 4 at 10:00 a.m. This contest is free and entry forms are available at the Moline Public Library or online at http://molinelibraryteens.. For more information call 309-524-2440 or visit us at 3210 41^st Street, Moline, IL 61265 or online at http://www.molinelibrary.com.