Everyday New Articles Directory and Topics to discuss

Culture

2007-09-21T03:26:00.000-07:00

5 Benefits You Get By Learning Spanish:

Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. Aside from English and the Asian languages, Spanish is spoken on several different continents and is one of the most adopted languages for international commerce and politics. That said, it is hard to understand why Spanish is so frequently overshadowed by English as the one and only language to know.

The benefits of learning any language are profound. As well as gaining the ability to write and converse in a foreign tongue, you also learn about the structure of language, syntax and grammar, and how these interact with your own natural language. This translates to a greater understanding of English, which can be beneficial for writing, reading and interpreting our written language. Additionally, learning a language requires a particular mind frame, and the skills developed from building up a second or third language can be applied in everyday situations to great effect.

The particular benefits of learning Spanish over any other language are also numerous. Widely spoken across North and South America, and of course Europe, Spanish is a diversely spread cultural language, which takes many different guises. It is used widely in business transactions across certain frontiers, and is also advantageous for those considering travelling to Spanish speaking countries. Rather than having to rely on others interpretation of your English, it is significantly more advantageous to have a handle of Spanish to get what you want.

The Spanish culture is something which interests many people. The Spanish influence on literature and the arts has been profound, and by learning the language, most people can begin to get to grips with the Spanish conventional train of thought and tradition. On top of this, language skills are desirable additions to any resume, and this could be seriously beneficial in applying for a promotion or a job.

Whatever your motivation for learning Spanish, it is certainly a worthwhile pursuit. Why not consider taking a class in your local area? Alternatively, you could consider a trip to a Spanish speaking region on vacation to help pick up the lingo. There are loads of ways to learn Spanish, and the more committed and dedicated you are to learning, the more likely you are to see success. The benefits of learning Spanish will be useful in daily life, and will help you fully understand the mechanism of language, which can be an invaluable attribute for an employer, and help you out should the need ever arise.

The Connections You Make In College & The Importance Of Going Greek:

Do You Put The “eek” in Greek?

Sorority chants and stories of Greek weeks past come rolling through my mind as I scroll down the page of a Greek apparel website. Tempted to invest in a new hoodie, I quickly remind myself that I am two years out of college and that I own enough sorority clothing to dress a small children’s choir. Regardless of whether or not I should be investing in new Greek apparel for my too-old-to-do-a-socially-acceptable-keg-stand self, I will still don all 14 t-shirts, 3 sweatshirts, 2 sweatpants, picture frames, flip-flops, key chain, shoulder bag, 4 shot glasses, and a car sticker until my future husband tells me that he thinks I’m too old. “Eek” I think to myself, as I happily order a new set of bottle-opening key chains for the ‘05 Alum bar crawl we’re planning for next month. Will it ever end?

Making the decision to join the Greek community during college is one that many people take too lightly. Some people opt to check out the Greek housing facilities simply because they don’t want to live in the college dormitories any longer, while others have their heart set on going Greek the moment they mail in their college deposit. At some schools, the Greek community takes up more than half of the student population, while other schools might have 2 or 3 small houses amongst a large campus. Whether you are a young college student considering entering the Greek community at your school, or a recovering sorority girl reminiscing on how happy you were with the choices you made years ago, the following list of information may come as a surprise;

48% of all US Presidents have been Greek
42% of US Senators have been Greek
30% of US Congressmen/women have been Greek
40% of US Supreme Court Justices have been Greek
30% of Fortune 500 Executives have been Greek

Feeling the love yet? Regardless of the size of the Greek community on your campus, the whole point in joining the system is for a much larger purpose. When choosing to join a fraternity or sorority, you’re choosing to join a group that spans the nation and unites men and women in a common bond. Total membership in the nationwide Greek community has risen steadily from 1985 through 2005 which means that it is not only progressively growing but also that the Greek community traditions are being practiced and remembered throughout generations of college students all over the country.

There is both the nationwide connection between all fraternities and sororities, and the local connection one gains from joining an organization and feeling like their huge college campus is really not that huge at all. When I was living in a sorority for my years at a large state school, I found it was an effective way for each and every one of us living in my house to feel connected to each other while walking around a gigantic campus. Seeing the block lettering on your friend’s t-shirt before she was close enough for you to recognize her face gave everyone a secure sense of belonging while walking from class to class.

I continue to wear my sorority t-shirts to the gym, and oftentimes there’s a sister of mine from a different school who happens to walk by and notice it. Sometimes we’ll exchange a smile and walk by, and other times it sparks a conversation and a new friendship. Just like it did years ago in college, the Greek connection that I will hold on to for the rest of my life is able to make the city feel a little bit smaller.

Computers And Technology

2007-09-13T13:23:00.000-07:00

How Do I Protect Myself Online?

You keep hearing there are all these scary things to avoid while being online. There are so many confusing topics and just a lot of noise out there about what you should be doing and shouldn’t be doing. You get to the point where it’s easier to just not go online!

You ask yourself, what sites should I go on, which ones to I avoid, what e-mails can I open, and can I download anything or not? These are some of the questions you should be asking yourself and become aware of.

Why is this important? The bottom line is the Internet is an amazing utility to use in your daily life to connect with friends and family, do some shopping, and get work done much faster. Just as there are scams you need to be aware of in your daily life, you need to be aware online.

Unfortunately when you are online you can’t see what sites and programs you can trust or not trust. It’s not as easy as your wallet was stolen so you can easily call and cancel your credit cards. But if you are going to use the online world (which it’s a great tool and you should!) like everything else, you need to protect your information. You don’t leave your personal information out for anyone to see and pick up in your daily life, and you need to learn how to not do that while you are online! With these few steps you can be relatively safe. Just as when you are in the real world you need to always be aware and cautious.

Top 4 things to be aware of:

1. E-mail Links/Phishing: Don’t ever click on links or call phone numbers sent to you via e-mail asking you to update your banking information, even if it looks like the company you have a relationship with. You may have heard of this, it’s called Phishing This is a huge scam going on that people need to be very aware of.. If you are concerned about your account, you can easily call the number on that company’s website and ask about your account.

2. Never give out your passwords or PIN numbers: No matter who asks for it, do not give it out. Almost all legitimate sites will never ask you for that information. If you loose your password there are ways for you to change it yourself. If someone offers to change it for you, say no. A good tip is to change your password periodically and don’t use your home address or birthdates as that information may be easily obtainable by predators. You can be confidant that you are the only one that’s knows it.

3. Beware of downloads: Unfortunately over the past few years it’s become increasingly dangerous to download anything online. Once a malicious program gets onto your computer it can be a great annoyance factor and harmful to your personal information. Companies that offer a free download of their product you should be wary of; do a gut check as to whether you can trust them. Also have common sense; most things in life are never completely free!

4. Website Address: Always make sure you have typed in the correct web address for the site you are using any personal information. Many copycat sites will take popular web site addresses with slightly the same name for people who type in URL’S wrong and ask for personal information.

At the end of the day you should act online how you act in your daily life; always use common sense! If something looks odd to you, then take an extra minute to check it out. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is. Online scammers prey on people who are not aware, often in a rush, and most of all gullible. With a few easy steps you can easily protect yourself and have a great online experience.

If you have been a victim of online banking fraud or suspect you are sent something fraudulent you can contact the FDIC at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/

Tips To Avoiding A Computer Virus :

Although numerous in their design, computer viruses can basically be broken down into two categories. These include a virus that can either be destructive or simply annoying. In order to combat both, software developers have created anti-virus software that is designed to detect and remove certain types of computer viruses, along with worms, spyware, adware and identity theft.

With modern technology having turned toward computers and the internet, computer viruses are more problematic than ever. While anti-virus software is important, the best approach to fighting against a computer virus is knowing how to avoid one. Here are a few tips:

$Never download an e-mail file from anyone that you do not know. Whether it be a document, photo or other program, simply close the e-mail without downloading it’s contents.

$When visiting websites, carefully select reputable companies when downloading files. This may include e-books, freeware, software, photos and other programs. If you are not familiar with the company or the website, there is no way to know what you will be accessing and how damaging it may be to your computer system.

$If you choose to download either an e-mail or internet file, use your anti-virus software to check the file prior to opening it on your computer.

$Always keep your anti-virus software updated with the latest information and upgrades from the manufacturer. When it is time to replace your software because it is outdated, don’t wait. New computer viruses are created often and no system is truly safe without some type of updated detection software.

As mentioned earlier, a computer virus can be either damaging to your computer system or may be nothing more than an annoyance. An example of a destructive virus would be one that destroys your hard drive files, prevents your computer from continuing to operate or may cause you to have to re-install the computer’s configuration using the Restore CD that accompanied your purchase. An annoying virus may cause your computer to operate slower than usual or may prevent certain files from working properly.

In some cases, software manufacturers create programs that have ‘bugs’ within the program. This is often called a virus, but should not be considered in the same manner as a typical computer virus. The reason is because a software manufacturer does not create these ‘bugs’ to intentionally hinder their customers and will generally work to replace the faulty program. In addition, a software glitch will not prevent your entire computer from operating or delete all of your files from the hard drive.

Common sense, along with an anti-virus program, will go a long way in both detecting and avoiding a computer virus. Without these important elements, your entire computer system and the information on it are at risk of infection.

Using A Computer Flat Screen Monitor:

Are you in the hunt for a new computer monitor? Do you know what style of monitor you want? Maybe you’re an architect and need a wider high resolution screen. Do you or your children play video games? If so this may dictate which screen you purchase. Below we talk about why you should use a computer flat screen. There are several advantages listed below.

You may think that a computer fat screen is just a technology gimmick, but it is not true. There are many scientific reasons behind the invention of computer flat screens. Its always good to have a computer flat screen.

An advantage of computer flat screens is the amount of space they save on your desk. While a traditional computer monitor may cover up to two feet, a computer flat screen is usually no thicker than an inch or so.

Flat screens not only save space, but they also help in fighting with diseases like back pain. Back pain is imminent in people who over-use computers. Flat screens also have a low radiation as compared to Common monitors. Thus, they are less harmful to the eye.

Tip of the day: Remember computer flat screens come in all different sizes and models. Take your time when selecting your computer flat screen monitor.

This helps in freeing a lot of space on your desk, which can be used for other things, like files or office stuff, or just to give you more room to stretch out and be more comfortable in your workspace. Here is a great electronics site http://www.informationinquiry.com/. This is very important for the people who work in cubicles or share offices with coworkers. Space management is the key.

Computer flat screens may be more durable. A traditional computer monitor works like a projector; that is why it takes up so much space. The parts can easily overheat and break. This is the reason why a traditional computer monitor has many vents on it.

Computer flat screens work on a different principle altogether. There are no parts or pieces that can be damaged due to heat thus making computer flat screens more durable. If you have sat in front of a traditional monitor all day and then spend sometime working on a flat screen, you will notice a difference in the radiant heat. A traditional monitor becomes warm after constant usage, while a flat screen will remain cool.

Additional Tip: Remember to consider the climate of the room the flat screen will be going in.

Last but not the least; computer flat screens have a better resolution and a better picture quality. Many people start slouching and start leaning in towards their computer screens as they become used to working on the computer.

Tip: Remember to purchase a nice graphics card to take full advantage of your computer flat screen monitor.

This ill posture can result in diminishing eyesight, back pain and many more problems. It can also lead to various other complexities in the body.

A computer flat screen offers a better resolution, so eyestrain is not common. You can keep a better posture and form with computer flat screens because the display is easier to see. This prevents work related injuries and diseases and overuse injury. This has become more common as people spend more and more time at their offices in front of their computers.

In conclusion make sure you do some research prior to making a sizeable investment on a computer flat screen monitor. It will cost you some extra cash but the advantages should out weigh the extra money it costs. If space is tight then it is a no brainer to purchase a computer flat screen monitor. Good luck with you hunt

Satellite Radio Makes Sense:

Like cable television, Satellite radio is fast becoming a new genre of and unto itself. While not having to endure the same regulations as applied by the FCC in regards to free radio, the broadcasters of satellite radio, like cable television, have more options available to them and are able to offer a wider variety of programming as a direct result.

Satellite radio is the cable television of the radio broadcasting world. People can buy a satellite radio subscription in much the same manner that they would subscribe to cable television. The subscription includes various types of radio broadcasting not otherwise available to the listener. These usually include more adult-oriented radio broadcasting since the FCC does not regulate the industry in the same manner that they do for the free radio airwaves.

Since people are paying for the privilege of listening, and satellite radio is a buyer’s market, the wide selection of broadcast media that is available are regulated mostly by what the listeners want and what they are willing to pay for. While satellite radio may not be a viable alternative for everyone, it does offer more listening opportunities for those people who are willing to pay for it. Satellite radio subscriptions vary in cost, but all things being equal, the subscription fees are not at all unattractive when the broad spectrum of radio programming is compared to what limited choices are available without satellite radio.

There are also still some limitations in the availability of satellite radio. While these areas are in steady decline as satellite radio listeners increase in numbers, there are still voids in the market where it is not yet financially feasible to install satellite radio options. It is best to check for the availability of satellite radio before purchasing any satellite ready receivers.

Satellite radio receivers vary in all manner of shape, style and output range and are available to fit the needs of most any satellite radio listener. Deciding which one is best for any given use will require the purchaser to do a little research into satellite radio and what local options are available, then adjusted according to the personal preferences of the listener.

While the advent of Satellite radio technology is seen as a new path to freedom for some and a road to decline for others, the satellite radio of today looks like it is here to stay. If satellite radio is available in your area, it can be a worthy investment. Satellite radio really does offer many options not available to the regular radio listener.

Design Your Dream Deck With A Computer:

When going about adding a deck to your home, you want it to be perfect. It must fit in with the scheme of your home, and you don’t want it to be too big or too small. But there is a solution. Software has been developed to aid you in designing your dream deck, and allows you to add and subtract pieces easily with the click of a button. This eliminates the guess work when deciding what kinds of options you’d like to add on, and can give you a real picture to attach to your existing home. You can try stairs, tiered layer decks, screen porches, anything you’d like.

Since the software is in 3D, it allows for easy placement of deck pieces to see where you’d like them all to fit. You can see the deck from different angles, and imagine what it would like in your own backyard. It even offers you options to add finishing touches to the deck such as furniture, planters, etc. You can see your dream come to life before you take the risk of having it built first.

Some of the more elaborate software is available for purchase, but there are some programs that are available online for free download. These of course won’t give you the vast choices as some of the other software that is available, but it will allow you to get a picture of what you are imagining none-the-less. You are able to choose the type of building material that you are interested in, the stain color, or color of paint and how much you’d like to elaborate the deck is completely up to you! Since you have the program in your own home, you can take all the time that you need to play around and find the perfect combination that you have been envisioning. When you go to the contractor who is going to do the job for you, you can go with much more confidence since you will have a thought out extensive design of exactly what you had in mind.

This will also help the contractor very much since you won’t have two different ideas in your head when you try to explain exactly what your dream deck looks like. You’ll have something to show him, allowing the outcome to be exactly what you were hoping for!

Hightech Cameras Making Sport Training Easier:

Lately, the advances in commonly used everyday items has increased dramatically. We have cell phones that can double as MP3 players, as well as having internet capabilities, video consultations on our computers, digital cameras that can download right to the computer and then be sent in for printing, and so on. One advantage that new technology has given many people is the ability to take more pictures in a short period of time. This has changed many methods of how coaches are able to train athletes.

With the benefits of being able to take rapid pictures, three per second and up, it allows the athlete to see their form, and pick out more of what they are doing wrong. This can be easier than slowing down a video because it shows each stage in a still frame. It’s impossible for the human eye and brain to catch every movement that human body goes through when watching a golf swing, a pitcher, etc.

Computerized motion analysis is the newest method of aiding coaches in their training efforts that is available. Although this is one of the best resources you can get to monitor the progress and flaws of an athlete, this sort of technology requires expertise in computers, software, and photography to be used correctly and most effectively. It isn’t always easy to jump into a program that you have little background knowledge in, and manipulating and identifying software so that it is most beneficial to you takes more than just common sense. This is why the computer motion analysis systems are still in their beginning stages.

New technology will need to become available to allow easier compatibility with coaches and athletes, enabling them to use this type of software without first going to school and getting a PhD. Well, obviously it’s not like that, but who wants to go learn about all sorts of other things that have to do with computers if you just want to help improve your athlete? You could hire someone now, for the time being, until the software has all glitches and ease of use increases, and some say it’s worth it. With how much competition has increase, times running within hundredths of seconds of each other, maybe this ability to slow down and watch separated still frames is the answer. I suppose, as with anything else, it’s up to you and the resources you have available. These companies who manufacture the software do promise in the future easier use for all.

Learning About Computer Game Design:

Computer games have become extremely popular in the past few years. With new games being launched almost every year world over, the demand seems never ending. Those adept at computer programming, computer aided art and computer hardware are the masterminds to produces these extremely sought after games.

Usually, an interest sparks if you are a passionate about playing games. One may be an expert player, but subsequently gets bored of the games available and there by begins thinking of concepts for new games or means of improvising the already existing games. Taking a computer game design class and ultimately enrolling in a full fledged course for the same are the next steps. At the end of it a new computer game designer is created.

Computer games have become such a technology rage in themselves that schools have begun offering classes in computer game design. The popularity of these classes leads to their getting filled up soon and they can be a bit expensive. I found some great computer information at http://www.mycomputingnews.com. Hundreds of schools, most of them very much techno oriented have come up in order to fulfill the desires of those who wish to learn computer game design. Those who opt for a complete course of computer game design will be exposed initially to concepts like game balance, level design, narrative and storytelling, basic game architecture, motion planning and control.

As a career, it’s not at all simple. Hundreds of different aspects that comprise the computer game design have to be considered. Those aspiring to learn all will learn about the history of computer games, software architecture, animated sprites, sound and music, realism ,challenges, level design, plot pacing, interface techniques, 3D loading , camera control, rule based approaches among many other concepts.

Most fail to understand that designing a computer game is just like writing a technology filled book. A good game needs a good storyline that comprises a plot, characters, narrative, a thrilling begin, middle and end. Also emotion, repercussions and interaction also are a vital part. The domain of computer game design has many challenges for anyone who aspires and decides to master the basics.

Computer game design, has become a profession for many today. The average money one can spin is about $74,900 annually. That’s not bad at all to work on especially when you enjoy it thoroughly. Some computer game designers are able to clinch contracts with big players and make over $100,000 per year. For those who indulge in computer game design as a freelancer can enhance their earnings from a regular job by about $10,000 to $30,000 a year. Hence, in conclusion, computer game design is surely fun filled, challenging and lucrative from every possible perspective.

Cheap Digitial Cameras:

Are you on the look out for a cheap digital camera? Technology changes so fast and there is so many different models to choose from. What you really need to do is decide what you’re going to use the camera for. Will you be just taking pictures? Do you want to take mini movies also? Once you decide what you need the camera to do it makes the buying process much easier. So start a spreadsheet of options your looking for in your cheap digital camera selection.

Are you on the look out for a cheap digital camera? Technology changes so fast and there is so many different models to choose from. What you really need to do is decide what you’re going to use the camera for. Here is a great technical resource http://www.informationinquiry.com. Will you be just taking pictures? Do you want to take mini movies also? Once you decide what you need the camera to do it makes the buying process much easier. So start a spreadsheet of options your looking for in your cheap digital camera selection.

Do you take pictures often? Then go digital. Today, photography is not so hectic and expensive as it was a decade ago. Pictures we take of our lives are no more only on paper as before, the technology now allows us to store our sweet memories on our PCs and share them with our near and dear ones. The moments of our childhood, our student life, love and romance, family and children- all memories are so sweet when we turn back and look at them.

So, pictures are the best way to capture the memories of these moments. Picture-taking method and ease have changed for the better. Digital cameras might be a small step of advancement for technology but it is a whole new world for us. The burden of films is no more; it’s just the matter of a small memory stick or a mini DVD. It's all about our computers.

Want to send your child’s pictures to your folks? Want to share the records of some of your life’s precious moments with your friends? Now digital photography has made all this cost just a few clicks of your computer’s mouse. It is even more fun to browse for cheap digital cameras online now days.

Brands such as Canon, Kodak, Nikon, Sony, and Toshiba all offer a wide range of products that can suit every requirement. With a little web surfing, you are sure to spot a few cheap digital cameras in no time. Isn’t it hard to avoid the convenience of a digital camera over the old-school models?

We simply need to plug in our digital cameras to our computer upload the photos and cleanup the memory and again start clicking. Have you upgraded yourself to the digital age yet? All you need to do is drive to any of your local superstore and check out a variety of digital cameras. They are well worth it.

It’s simply because you save a trip to the local film developer and also due to the control you have with the photographs. Digital cameras allow you to save any and all pictures onto your computer in contrast to the cameras with film which forces you to click or print only tangible pictures. This also has made photography more private and reliable. Here you have the additional power to print them or send them to anyone you wish with ease.

If you are in the market for cheap digital cameras, you must have experienced this wonderful technology. To buy a digital camera, all you need to do is log onto Google and sort through the many cheap digital cameras available in the market. One glance at an old photo and you have taken takes you straight back to that particular occasion. So, why don’t you get hold of onto those experiences forever? You just need a quality digital camera to record and cherish your memories.

Did this article help you narrow down your digital camera research criteria? We certainly hope it did. I know that is can seem overwhelming when searching for the right cheap digital camera. Remember to jot down some notes on what you want in a camera. Do a chart and compare features and functionalities amongst the vendors. Take your time and don’t just buy the 1st one that catches your eye. If you have a vendor that your already comfortable with try using them. Good luck and we hope you find the right cheap digital camera for your lifestyle.

Personal Info That I Put On My Flash Drive . . .

Because I don’t have the latest and lightest laptop, I need to have a way to bring my information from home to work and back again. When the portable flash drive came out, I was thrilled. Finally, something that could be portable and easy to use, so long as I could find a USB connection – and everything had a USB connection.

At first, I only put a little information on my flash drive, and then I realized just how much information I could fit – credit card numbers, user names, passwords, my social security number, work files, budget reports, my personal financial information, etc. I could fit my entire life on that little flash drive and just put it in my pocket whenever I needed to take it somewhere – it was a brilliant invention for keeping all of my information in one place. And it still is.

However, it took just one mistake for me to realize that maybe I needed to do more than put my flash drive in my pocket. I had my drive on my keychain for a while when I was walking to my car one day and realized that it wasn’t there. I panicked. I thought of all the information that was on that drive and what I would need to do to replace it. Unfortunately, I didn’t make another backup of that information, so I would have been in deep trouble.

Thankfully, I was able to find the drive just a few yards away, but it got me to thinking – was I going to have to go back to lugging around a laptop or could I find another way to protect my drive? I looked all over the Internet for possible programs that could encrypt my data on my drive and found Portable Vault. It was the answer to my prayers.

Not only could I keep all of my information in one place, but it would be guarded by a high quality encryption program that few people could ever break. No more worrying for me!

When Can I Expect Results When I Optimize My Computer?

In the world of instant gratification, one of the first questions that get asked after learning about optimization is when people can expect to see a change in their computer. And this makes sense because if you’re having troubles with the speed of your computer, you probably also want it fixed right away. Here’s the truth: it happens immediately.

Not tomorrow or in a few weeks, but immediately. All you have to do is invest a little time into the overall process of optimization and you’ll see results as soon as you’re done. You might want to reboot your computer first, but after that – welcome to a faster, more efficient PC.

Here are the steps that you can take:

1. Start by cleaning up your hard drive. This means removing any programs or files that you don’t use. Look through your add and remove program function to see what programs are installed and then look to see when the last time was that you used them. If it’s been over a year, chances are good that you probably don’t need it.

2. Then use a registry cleaner like Registry Repair. This will help get rid of problems that you might not even know exist. Some viruses can get into your computer and slow down the overall speed of your system, but registry cleaners remove them and help add to the health of your PC.

3. At this point, you will also want to remove any spy ware that you have with a spy ware killer. This spy ware can slow down your PC’s ability to function, though it might not be harming your PC in the process.

4. Then you’ll want to defragment your computer to make the remaining programs process faster. This program reorganizes your files and data to be more easily accessed by the hard drive.

And in this short time, you’ll have a fully optimized PC that runs fast and starts running better as soon as you’re done. There’s no need to wait for a faster computer when you can do it yourself and do it quickly.

Digital Cameras - Good For The Environment:

Digital cameras help to save trees! This is because as more and more people move away from conventional cameras they are unwittingly reducing the use of chemicals that were earlier being used to process the film. These chemicals, especially the developer and fixer solutions, were serious environment hazards. More importantly, you don't have to print every picture in the roll of film, you can print just the one or two that you like, thus saving lots of paper as well.

1. Chemicals

Law requires that chemmicals need to be neutralized before disposed of. Unforunately, most film processing centers released the chemicals into the drain because of high expenditure involved in treating them before discharge. A lot of photographers have been found guilty of this also.

2. International Waters

They are not the only ones who broke the law with abandon. The cruise ships in the international waters were even bigger culprits. As a routine, these ships first developed pictures shot by passengers and then dumped the film-processing chemicals into the open ocean. No one cared, since no restrictive laws apply to international waters. This is the reason why our oceans and green reefs are dying at a rate faster than the rain forests.

3. Digital Cameras

They can now thank the makers of digital cameras for saving them from some of the chemicals that earlier poured on them from ships. The same can be said of ponds and rivers that used to be polluted with chemicals flowing out of film processing labs, and that incidentally still flow out of such labs in the third world.

4. Inkjet Printers

There are some green campaigners who point fingers at inkjet printers - used to take prints - and rechargeable batteries used in digital cameras. Of course, they must realize that very few people take prints of the photographs. Most transfer the images into computers electronically. Also, used cartridges are either recycled or dumped in landfills. Very rarely they find their way in water bodies.

5. Rechargable Batteries

Impacting digital cameras are rechargable batteries - don't buy batteries ever again! Get rechargables. In particular, get NiMH rechargable batteries with a charge of at least 2200 or higher. These will last about 8 hours and they can be charged in as little as two hours. These batteries can be charged up to 1,000 times before they have to be thrown away. Even if you theoretically used your camera every day for a year, you still would have years before you had to get new batteries.

How To Speed Up Windows XP:

The default install of Windows XP includes features and processes most users don't need. If you're involved in gaming or multimedia, and you can't afford a top-of-the-range PC, here are a few tips to get the most out of your machine.

For beginner users:

1. Go to: Start > Control Panel > Display > Settings.
Select: Resolution 800 x 600 pixels and Colour Quality Medium (16 bit).
Click: Apply.
What it does: Reduces system overhead. Less work for your CPU.

2. Go to: Start.
Right click: My Computer.
Select: Properties > 'Advanced' tab > Performance > 'Settings' button > 'Visual effects' tab. Select: Adjust for best performance.
Click: Apply.
What it does: Removes unimportant cosmetic effects, thereby reducing system overhead.

3. Go to: Start.
Right click: My Computer.
Select: Properties > 'Advanced' tab > Performance > 'Settings' button > 'Advanced' tab.
Select: Processor scheduling > Programs.
Select: Memory usage > Programs.
Click: Apply.
What it does: Prioritises _your_ programs over those that XP _thinks_ are important.

4. Go to: Start > Control Panel > Display > Themes.
Select: Windows Classic.
Click: Apply.
What it does: Cleans up the desktop.

5. Go to: Start > Control Panel > Display > Desktop.
Select: Background - None.
Click: Apply.
What it does: Cleans up the desktop.

6. Go to: Start > Control Panel > Display > Appearance.
Select: Windows Classic Style.
Click: Apply. What it does: Cleans up the desktop. For Medium Users:

7. Go to: Start
Right click: My Computer.
Select: Properties > 'Automatic Updates' tab. Select: Turn off automatic updates.
Click: Apply.
What it does: Stops Microsoft messing with your computer at inconvenient times. You can re-enable this when _you_ feel like an update.

8. Go to: Start > Run.
Type: msconfig
Select: 'Startup' tab.
Action: Untick all boxes, except those you are certain you need to start when XP boots up.
Click: Apply.
What it does: Stops programs starting when XP does. Frees up system resources. For Advanced users:

9. Run your favourite program.
Click these buttons on your keyboard simultaneously: ctrl + alt + del (Control + Alt + Delete). Click: 'Processes' tab.
Right click: The process of your favourite program.
Select: Set priority > Realtime.
What it does: Diverts CPU resources to the selected program.

10. Go to: Start > Run.

Type: services.msc

Right click: Any service you are sure you won't need, like 'Automatic Updates', 'Help and Support' or 'Indexing Services'.
Select: Properties > 'General' tab > Startup type > 'Manual' or 'Disabled'.
Click: Apply.
What it does: Stops processes starting when XP does. Frees up system resources.
Warning: Change one setting here a day. Reboot your system after each one. Run your most popular programs. If they're running normally, try disabling another service the next day. This is to make sure you don't turn off something important. If you're not sure, leave them alone.

Related programs:

Tune XP http://www.driverheaven.net/dforce/
This is freeware and simple to use.

X-Setup Pro http://www.x-setup.net/
This has a 30 day trial, and is for more advanced users.

Enjoy!

PC Security: It’s Bigger Than Viruses And Spyware:

Nowadays the words ‘computer security’ are on every person’s mind who deals with computers. Everyone seems to be worried about some security concern with their computers. But what exactly does computer security mean?

Simplified, it means keeping your computer and of course, its data secure and safe. In the present age, most of personal data are stored in the computer. But some of us don’t have the fundamental knowledge of keeping those data in safety. This basic knowledge is very simple; all you have to do is following some uncomplicated rules that will improve the security of your computer hugely.

First of all let’s see what the internet connection is all about. We can take up a comparison- a computer with internet connection resembles your very own house. Your house has many openings- doors, windows. With the increase in number of openings, increases the number of chances for someone to enter into your house. I am not saying that some robbers are going to come, but more openings imply more chances of getting robbed.

So to check these visits from strangers you need to install a quality firewall and also update this installed firewall on a regular basis.

Nowadays, it’s not a headache to update your software or operating system. Microsoft Windows Update feature is a good instance. Ensure updating all your installations of your computer.

You will come across two basic kinds of firewalls. Both of these (one, hardware and another, software) carry out the same task. Generally, a hardware firewall is included in your router in case you use one but you may not have a software firewall on your computer.

Sometimes we quite foolishly let strangers come in. just opening an email or browsing the net can invite strangers. Your guards are often fooled by viruses, Trojans or spyware. Sometimes an email from your buddy can carry a fatal virus. So how does your computer fight these unwanted ‘guests’? - By installing anti virus software.

In the present days, anti-virus falls under a huge category. Usually these packages or suites include a spyware scanner and a firewall. Although these guards are quite effective in their jobs, you are advised not to relax and rely completely on them. The protection plan of your computer’s requires multi-tiered protection plan but they are just a single layer. The ultimate yet one of the most crucial advices that I must give you is that your computer’s anti virus software should always be in a state of updated. They should be updated manually regularly since your computer can be subjected to new threats everyday.

Career

2007-09-11T01:50:00.000-07:00

What Every Manager Ought To Know Why The Employees Leave The Company:

Don’t blame it on anyone else if the employees leave the company. Look into yourself. Have you been acting like a good leader

One of the biggest research done by the Gallup Organization, compiled in a book titled First, Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman, states that if you want to know why those good employees leave the company, you should look into the manager.

Employees don’t simply leave the company they have been working for just because of the money. And, actually, it’s not the company that they leave, it’s the working unit, the manager.

How does that happen?

Let’s say that the company gives generous pay, benefits and training, and somehow the employees are satisfied with that. Yet, this company has no good manager to lead and handle these people.

A bad manager doesn’t know how to treat their subordinates well enough. They don’t realize that good employees are the biggest assets for the company. Yes, there might be many people out there looking for jobs, yet, these managers don’t count the expenses the company has to spend on recruitments and trainings. Plus, the possibility that the good employees leave the company for the competitors. They don’t consider the loss that company might have to suffer.

That is why it is necessary for employers/managers to learn more about tips on handling employees. They have to understand how to build employees’ sense of belonging towards the company, how to create a comforting atmosphere so that the employees feel at ease in staying at the company and most important, how to praise the employees.

Those tips are not only good to retain employees but also good to augment their performance. The employees’ satisfaction will surely affects their way of work and eventually affect the company growth.

What Makes Your Job Search Go ‘Round:

It’s no secret: your job search can be a drag. And it can be very draining on your psyche. Maybe if we go in-depth to see what really is all involved in a job search and what it entails, it’ll help you gain perspective.

The Mental Preparation

Yep, you have to be in the right frame of mind for a job search. If you’re not then it can mean a very stressful and tense time for you. It can also cause you not to put your best work into your job search.

Let me explain this last point. If you’re dreading doing something, what do you tend to do? Do you procrastinate? Do you just hurry through it and not really take the time to care how good it is? This is where the problems start and that’s why you have to begin your job search with enthusiasm and hope for the future.

Job Search Document Preparation

A good job search needs a good resume and cover letter. Let me correct that: it needs a GREAT resume and cover letter. Have you ever known anyone to be very successful in their current job and then you catch a glimpse of their resume when they start job hunting and you’re stunned by how…amateurish it looks? Now, you know that this person is successful in his own right but looking at his resume, how would any future employer know that?

This happens more than you know – at all career levels. It also makes your job search stall before it really can even get started.

Interview Skill Preparation

If you don’t know the walk and talk, then how do you plan on landing the job you want? Getting comfortable in an uncomfortable situation is crucial to your job search success and can determine whether your job search lasts two weeks, two months or two years.

Knowing that, why do so many job seekers take this part of the process for granted? People seem to feel confident in their abilities to convey all the important messages that will help get job offers. They ‘know’ the things to do and things not to do. Are you overly confident? Maybe now is the time to freshen up your interviewing skills.

Talk to Everyone

When you’re job hunting, everyone you meet can be your friend. What I mean is that you never know who knows someone who knows someone who is hiring for a position that would be perfect for you. Having that inside tract is a great way to really boost your success rate of landing job offers. If the hiring manager knows someone who knows you, then you must be okay, right?

Your job search is not over until you have accepted a job offer. So if you still don’t have one in hand, keep applying for job openings that are appealing to you, that you’re qualified for and that you feel is a good step for your career. And don’t stop until you have reached your goal of a better – more rewarding – job.

All You Need To Know About Side Jobs:

Just like a wife who doesn’t want her husband to cheat. That is how a company looks at the side job you’ve been doing. If you ask for their blessings, you wouldn’t get it.

Yet, when there is a will, there is a way. If you decide to do it, be smart about it.

However, take some time to review the agreement you signed when you first entered the company. Isn’t there stated that you are asked to be devoted to the company and not to work for other part?

Why should there be such a rule?

They have reasons, of course. The company wants you to focus on your job. You are commanded to give all your time and to concentrate only for the sake of your tasks.

If the employee has another job or business, his/her focus will be divided. This might cause the employee’s bad performance which affect the company’s as well. What if the employee gets sick out of too many side jobs? His/her main job will also be affected.

The other reason is related to the company’s top secret. Just like a family, every company has also a top secret that cannot be shared with anyone, especially the competitors. That’s why, an employee, as a part of the family, is asked to keep the secret. The way is by locking the door to side jobs.

Yet, mostly, the company is wise enough. The employees would be given other additional benefits that can avoid them from taking side jobs. It is some kind of a compensation out of their loyalty to the company.

However, if you still do it, is it legal?

If in the agreement it is clearly stated that the employee must not break the commitment by working for other party, then you are breaking the rule. And, if the company finds it out, they have all the right to give you the pink slip.

Yet, if it not clearly stated, you’d still have to play ‘safe’ so that you can do both works well.

Why You Should Become A Nurse:

Introduction

Are you deciding on a career? Would you like to serve humanity, be paid well, have flexibility in scheduling, and opportunities to travel? If these perquisites seem interesting to you, then you should consider becoming a nurse. Nurses are well needed in America, and along with other careers such as fire fighting and policing, is one of the most noble job choices.

Fast facts about nursing

- Nursing is the largest health care profession

- There are currently more than two-million jobs for registered nurses in the U.S.

- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for registered nurses will grow faster than the average of all occupations through 2008.

- Nursing students comprise more than half of all health care students.

- Nurses are the largest single component of hospital staff.

- Wages for registered nurses are above average, especially for nurses with additional education and training.

- Starting salary for a registered nurse varies between $30,000 and $45,000 per year, depending on geographic location, type of nursing, and level of education.

- Schools of nursing are noticing a decline in enrollment.

- The total population of registered nurses is growing at the slowest rate in over twenty years.

- As a result of fewer new nurses, the average age of registered nurses is increasing.

Why nurses are in demand

- Increased number of elderly patients

- More acutely ill patients

- An aging nursing workforce

- Increased retirement rate of nurses
- A decline in student nurse enrollment

The perks of nursing

- Healthcare costs are rising. Physicians are spending less time with patients. The role of a nurse is evolving into educators and providers of direct care.

- The shortage of nurses is projected to grow to over 800,000 in the next 15 to 20 years. The shortage is causing a dramatic increase in nurses’ salaries. Hospitals and other facilities are offering signing bonuses, cars, childcare, and housing assistance.

- Nurses truly make a difference in the lives of people. This presence of altruism is a factor missing from many jobs.

- It is never too late. Many people look for second jobs and second careers. Many nursing schools are offering accelerated 12-18 month programs.

- Nursing is not just for women. Many men are becoming nurses.

- Salaries are rising for nurses, and as an added incentive, many facilities offer time flexibility.

- Nurses have the option of working in a variety of facilities. Nurses are needed in hospitals, schools, physician’s offices, hospices, etc. Nurses are also needed to work with lawyers, insurance companies, sales reps, and clinical researchers.

- Nurses have the ability to travel extensively. Some agencies have systems where nurses are placed in other geographic locations for short and long-term periods.

Conclusion

There are many reasons to attend nursing school, or if graduated, go back to nursing school for additional education. It is a noble profession that offers intrinsic as well as extrinsic rewards. Are you happy in your current position? Do you want to make a difference? The door is open.

Here Are Some Facts About Being Well Organized:

A person not being organized would find more troubles than those who are. It is better to be organized, or even to be well organized.

By organizing your life, you are minimizing the complications and helping yourself live an easy life.

There are several things in your life that might need to be organized:

• Your time and schedule. By organizing the use of your time and your daily or weekly or monthly schedule, you are making the best out of it. If you’re an employee, it helps you be more productive and effective, also ease your road to success.

• Your home. Some people are too lazy to clean up the house. Can you imagine the mess they might be creating? Can you imagine how depressing the condition is? Not only it’s unclean, it will also be difficult for those living in the house to locate their belongings. If you can create a schedule to do cleaning up or if you can manage your stuff in order, things are a lot easier. And, of course, it lessens stresses. Please remember that a house is a place where you find peace and comfort.

• Your future. Yes, your future. Make a list of what you would like to do in the next 2, 3 or 5 years. This is to help you decide your priority. That way, you can picture your future in a clearer way.

• Working space. How can you work in a messy place? You’ll find it hard to concentrate. It must be difficult to find your stuff. Then, you will be less productive, less effective. And, that can shut in your way to success. On the contrary, if your desk is clean and your papers are well organized, you can easily locate them. The road to success is only an inch away.

How To Begin Your Interior Design Career:

Is it your dream to have an interior design career? If so, you need to have a plan to achieve your goal. Where are you going to go to school, should be the first question you ask yourself. Have you done any research on Interior Design schools in your area? If you have found a school, research it thoroughly. What do Professional Interior Designers think of the school? Does it have a good record of accomplishment in graduates getting work in the Interior Design field?

Speak to a Professional Interior Designer; ask them how they got their interior design career started. What school did they attend? Was it difficult in finding work once they graduated? Did they volunteer their services in order to gain experience? Another important aspect to consider is will you be able to attend school in person or do you need to take an online degree program instead. Many Interior Design students keep a full time job and take an online degree program from an accredited Design school. It is something to consider if you need to keep working to pay the bills or support a family. Do not give up on your dream!

We already know that you want an Interior Design career, but do you know what Interior Design is all about? Do not think that this career is all about being creative all day long. It is also not about choosing pretty colors and working with amazing fabric either. Interior Design is about selling the client on your ideas, organizing every detail and making sure that the client is completely happy when the job is finished. An Interior Designer must work with the local municipalities to make sure all building codes are adhered to, and accurate records must be kept regarding the entire job from beginning to end. Other important tasks that the designer is responsible for include negotiating with contractors and making sure they get the job done properly and on time. Dealing with problems is a daily occurrence for Interior Designers, what do you do when the painter does not show up? It is the Designers job to make sure everything comes together smoothly.

Once you have finished your education, your Interior Design career will likely begin as a junior designer or assistant designer. As your career advances, you could end up as a senior designer, a project manager or even a partner in a design firm. Another option for your design career is to become a self-employed interior designer.

To give yourself an advantage over other aspiring interior designers, it would be prudent to learn as much as you about computer aided drafting software. Knowledge of this type of computer program could start you off at a higher pay scale. You can aid your interior design career by taking some marketing or sales courses since interior design is more about selling and marketing than anything else is. If you really want to improve your sales pitch to prospective clients, take some acting classes.

I hope that this information has not dissuaded you from seeking your dream of an interior design career.

How To Get A Government Job:

Government jobs are very sought after because they offer better job stability and benefits than many comparable jobs in the private sector. However, many people are intimidated by the fact that they don’t know how to navigate the process of getting a government job. Don’t let fear of the unknown eliminate a fantastic opportunity! With an understanding of how the process works, getting a government job will seem like a walk in the park.

Finding Government Jobs

The first hurdle you have to cross is locating government jobs for which you are qualified. Because government jobs are not always posted in the same formats – or in the same places – as jobs in the private sector, most job seekers overlook them entirely.

Vacancy Announcements

An ad for a government job is known as a “vacancy announcement.” These announcements list more than just the basic information that you would expect to find in a normal job ad. For instance, a vacancy announcement usually includes:

• Basic information

• Who can apply

• When they will start accepting applications

• When they will stop accepting applications

• Pay range

• Series and grade

• The highest grade level (promotion) available in the position

• Job duties

• Basic qualifications

• Required knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs)

• How to apply

• Conditions for employment

• Standard legal information

Where to Search

Vacancy announcements for government jobs can be found in a number of places:

• USAJOBS – The official website, which is maintained by the United States Office of Personnel Management, lists all government jobs open to the public. Access the site at http://www.usajobs.gov/.

• Individual government agencies – To make sure you don’t miss out on the jobs that aren’t announced to the public, you can contact the agencies directly. A complete list is available at http://www.usa.gov/Agencies/Federal/All_Agencies/index.shtml.

• Newspapers and job fairs – Don’t overlook the normal avenues available to job seekers! Job fairs are a particularly good resource, as many agencies attend the fairs intending to fill a position.

Applying for Government Jobs

Applying for a government job is a little more complicated than for a job in the private sector. Your resume will need to follow a special format, and you may have additional forms to submit with your application. In addition, most vacancy announcements include KSAs that applicants need to address.

Federal Resumes and Forms

You usually have two choices when applying for a government job: Submit a form application, or submit a resume. The form OF-612 is the one you should use in lieu of a federal resume. However, read the vacancy announcement carefully, because sometimes a vacancy may require the submission of specific forms – whether or not you submit a resume.

If you use a federal resume, it must include the following subjects:

• Personal Information – The normal contact information, plus your SSN, veterans’ preference, and federal status

• Job Information – The title, series, grade, and job announcement number of the job you are applying for

• Summary of Experience – An easy-to-scan summary for the convenience of hiring managers

• Professional Accomplishments – Similar to the “Work Experience” section of a regular resume, but with salary information, average weekly hours, and supervisor’s name and number

• Education – Similar to the “Education” Section of a regular resume

• Training – Training and/or certificate programs you have completed that pertain to your career

• Other Qualifications – Separate sections for any awards, certifications, publications, and presentations that pertain to your career

KSAs

“KSAs” refer to the knowledge, skills, and abilities a position requires. Many vacancy announcements list KSAs that must be answered in writing along with your resume or OF-612. When writing answers to a set of KSAs, be sure to:

• Be complete and concise. Hiring managers expect you to fully answer the KSA, but they don’t want to wade through a lot of fluff.

• Echo the wording used in the vacancy announcement. Using the same terminology for specific skill sets draws an instant comparison between the position requirements and your qualifications.

• Quantify your accomplishments. Make an impact by reporting a specific dollar amount, number of hours, or percentage.

• Make your KSA easy-to-scan. The main points of your answer should be easily found at the top of the page, with more specific details listed below.

What Happens to Your Application?

The process of applying for a government job is easier when you know what to expect. Unlike a regular job, a government job requires that your application be sent through several stages of review: A human resources team will check to see that you are qualified for the position, after which a panel of experts ranks all the qualified resumes. Only the top-ranking resumes are then forwarded to the hiring manager.

Most government jobs offer an automated system for checking up on the status of your application. If not, you can call the agency, but make sure you wait three weeks from the closing date listed on the vacancy announcement.

Interviewing for Government Jobs

Interviewing for a government job is much like interviewing in the private sector. However, because the stakes are often higher and the competition more stringent, you may feel there is more pressure on you to perform well in the interview.

Preparation

Nothing improves your chances of interviewing well like a little preparation. Although you can’t anticipate all of the questions you will be asked in an interview, there are a few that you will almost surely be asked.

For instance, most interviewers will start out an interview by asking you to tell them a little about yourself. This is not meant to be answered on the fly. Since you know you will be asked, prepare a short synopsis about your education, your career, and your goals. The more you practice this ahead of time, the more smoothly you can answer in the interview, and the more your confidence will show.

Follow-Up

One fatal error many job seekers make is failing to follow up after an interview. Hiring managers want interviewees to follow up afterward, as it gives them an idea of who is truly interested in the job. Sending a short thank-you note via snail mail or email is sure to leave a lasting impression.

In addition, a thank-you note gives you the opportunity to add information about your qualifications that you feel did not get adequate coverage in the interview. You can also ask the hiring manager when you should expect to hear from them regarding the position.

Negotiating Job Offers

With any luck, you will soon get a call with a job offer. While the laws regulating government jobs do not leave much room for negotiation, you will have a little leeway to negotiate the salary and benefits offered.

The important thing to remember, though, is that you did it. You impressed Human Resources, the panel of experts, and the interviewers and/or hiring manager well enough to garner a job offer. At this point, you can look back on your job search, remember how much you dreaded it, and smile – because you now know that getting a government job is not as difficult as you had imagined.

Can Free Interior Design Software Help Your Business Or Career?

Interior Design software can get quite expensive. Hence, students and designers are always looking for free interior design software. People want their design software to be robust whether it is free or not. Ideally, the software must be able to provide you with online 3D design graphics for the home and office designer.

Typical free interior design software should work similarly to the expensive software programs. The software should allow the potential client to plan and design his or her own office and home interior spaces.

A good software program will give the interior designer a competitive advantage if the client can design a living space using the software on the Interior Design website. Once the client sees what their new look will be, that will increase the chances of the Interior Designer securing a new client.

Potential clients are demanding to see the 3D designs from several different angles, this your software program must deliver otherwise you could lose customers. If you are going to be a successful designer then you need to stay up to date with the latest software whether it is free interior design software or not.

Free interior design software will help you create custom specification sheets for specific interior design jobs and track budgeting numbers so you and your client know how much the project will cost. You will be able to share project information with co-workers and vendors to help with the design of the project. Additionally, your vendors will be able to provide prices based on your 3D layouts.

Some free interior design software is only free for a short time period in order for the buyer to test it out before buying. If software is given away free then there are likely other items the company will attempt to sell to you in order to make money.

Interior design software will show the user many different ways that money can be saved by re-organizing many of the more labor-intensive aspects of design jobs that can really slow you down.

Free interior design software may come with several modules such as a kitchen-planning center, bathroom-planning center, exterior-planning center and even a bedroom-planning center.

What interior design software does is it allows the professional to work with improved accuracy for their budget plans and provides the user with better means of communication with your team. By implementing software into the design process professionals can modernize their approach to layouts, room colors, furnishing layouts and almost every important aspect of the entire design process.

Whether you are a professional designer, student, dealer or sales representative, working with the rights tools such as free interior design software allows them to manage projects efficiently.

5 Ways Your Cover Letter Says, ‘I Don’t Want This Job’:

Cover letters can be a great way to get employers to notice you. Of course you always want to send one but what are some ways that your cover letter can actually hurt your chances of getting interviews?

1) You use ‘Dear Sir or Madame’ as your salutation.

It can be a lot of work to find out the name of the hiring manager or the person that your resume is being sent to. However, if you do, it will put you in the good graces of the hiring manager…at least to start off with.

2) The reader is left with the question of what job you are actually applying for in their organization.

You need to state the title of the job somewhere on your cover letter. It can be as a title or in the first paragraph. Hiring managers don’t want to guess which job you want. If they do, then you’ll likely get passed up for interviews.

This is another way you can personalize your cover letter. If you use the exact title for which they are hiring, then they’ll know that you took the time to tailor it just for them.

3) Your cover letter addresses none of the job requirements.

One way to really impress an employer is by their specific needs they listed in the job posting. This is where you can completely personalize your cover letter. Check out your achievements from your resume and see what is applicable to their needs. Pull a few and reword them a bit to add them as a bullet list on your cover letter.

4) You end it with a passive call to action. You want to make the Hiring Manager do the least amount of work as possible in order for you to get an interview. One of the ways you can ease their burden is by calling them to follow-up. State that you will call them in a certain amount of time – say one week or on a specific date – and be sure to do it.

Don’t worry about coming across as to aggressive. It’s acting proactively which employers think highly of and you can expect them to take note. Of course they may call you even before you get a chance to give them a ring, but that’s a good thing.

5) No contact information.

I know you’re saying ‘Give me a break!’ It seems like that’s common sense, right? Not necessarily. Sometimes when job seekers create their own resume package, they only put their contact info on their resume, not their cover letter. But what happens if the two get separated and your resume accidentally gets tossed? Your desire to get an interview just got tossed along with it.

Paying attention to detail will go far when you’re job hunting. Don’t be in such a rush that you forgo some of these pointers. Take your time to do it right and you’ll find yourself getting many more employers wanting to meet you.

The Secret Of Successful People:

There are many people out there who can grab a success, yet, you wonder when your turn will come.

Are you waiting for your turn? Do you think those people were just waiting for their turn to come?

No. The answer is a big big NO.

They worked hard for it. Success is not luck. You have to work on it.

Not knowing how to? Check out these simple tips you can do to improve yourself and guide yourself to the road of success:

• Be positive. Be optimistic. See everything positively. Look for ways to move forward. Don’t focus on disappointment or negative feelings. Try to see failure or stumbling blocks as temporary, something that you will soon recover from.

• Learn and learn. Learn from your failure. Learn from other people who have set their feet on the path of success. Never stop gaining knowledge from every aspect of your life.

• Minimize your self-doubt. This is beyond important for anyone willing to be successful. Try not to have doubts on yourself.

• Be willing to change. Change is important. Dare to make any necessary changes in your life for a better result.

• Focus. You need to focus on the present and future and your tasks. Stop looking back. Even if you have to, you do it only to learn from it.

• Build a good reputation. Try to be honest and trustworthy. People won’t work with those who are dishonest and unreliable. Try to make people trust you, both personally and professionally.

• Be energetic. Be as healthy as possible. With a vigorous body, you can do everything with ease. You can move without problem. And, people have more faith in you. If you look weak and seem like someone who can barely do anything, your clients or bosses won’t trust you with jobs.

• Be passionate. Having passion over your work is the most important factor for a success. If you don’t, you will unlikely to do the other steps above.

Business Management

2007-09-05T10:58:00.000-07:00

How to Create a Procedures Manual For Your Cleaning Company:

While most companies have specific policies and a printed procedure manual written up for employees to follow, your cleaning business may have started on a part-time basis with you doing everything. Most likely, nothing was put in writing. With many different tasks pulling you in a thousand directions, putting your procedures down into writing has most likely not made it to the top of your "to do" list. But what happens when you want to go on a vacation? Or if you become sick or injured? Having a written policy and procedures manual for your cleaning business means your business can keep running if you do become sick or injured or if you decide to take some much needed time off.

So how do you go about writing down the procedures you do to keep your business running? Start off by realizing this is an important task to take on. Following are a few tips to help you create a procedures manual for your cleaning business:

1. Don't try to sit down and write out your manual in one sitting. You will get discouraged and most likely set the document aside and never get back to it. You do not have to tackle this project all at once. Instead, set aside a block of time every day or once a week to work on your manual.

2. Set up your manual as a Microsoft Word document and password protect it. Microsoft Word is an easy program to work with and allows you to easily make changes. By password protecting the document it will not be accessible to anyone else. Just make sure you share the password with a spouse or trusted assistant in case something happens to you.

3. Start by putting basic information into your manual. This is the information that you needed to get your cleaning business up and running and is probably scattered about your office in numerous documents. Some of the information you'll want to document include: your business address, e-mail, phone number, fax number, your attorney's name and address, accountant's name and address, bank account information, Employee Identification Number (EIN), sales tax number and credit card information.

4. When you are working on specific tasks for your business, whether that be sending out billings, making sales calls, etc., write down your procedures. If there are particular tasks that have to be done regularly, or other tasks you feel are important to the business, make sure you document the procedures, step-by-step. You can even dictate the specific procedures into a tape recorder and have those transcribed.

5. If you have other people helping you, such as an assistant, bookkeeper, or salesperson, have them document what they do. For instance, if your bookkeeper is responsible for paying sales tax she should write down all relevant information including when to send in the taxes, where it goes, who she or he calls if there are questions. Keep your manual consistent by creating a simple template that you use for all of your procedures. Following is an example for the format of a section:

1. Date Updated: _________________

2. Updated by: ___________________

3. Procedures Required to ____________________________________

4. List step-by-step procedures

A filled out page might look something like this:

Date Updated: 9/15/06

Updated by: John Jones

Procedures Required to CheckVoicemail.

- Call 555-5555

- Press the # key to stop the message

- Enter code: 9156

- Listen to messages

- Press 3 to delete message, press 7 to save message

Listed below are additional items that you will probably want to include in your cleaning business' procedures manual. This is just a general list. One of your first steps in putting together your own manual will be to decide what information you need to include.

- Important contact information.

- Customer contact information and contract information.

- Account numbers and passwords.

- Vendor lists.

- Legal information

- Type of business entity, important account numbers.

- Computer procedures, software and product ID's, back-up systems.

- Website designer, website host and registrar for domain names.

- Bookkeeping procedures.

- Procedures for paying taxes.

- Payroll procedures.

- Employee evaluation procedures.

- Where to find equipment warranties and service information. Information on your safety program including where to find MSDS sheets.

The easiest way to begin putting together your manual is to make a list of all the things that you and others do for your cleaning company that need to be documented. If you can delegate some of these items to others then do so! That will make your job all that much easier. Put together a template that works for your cleaning business and then start filling in the blanks. Before you know it, your manual will be completed. Print it off and put it into a three-ring binder so you can use it as a reference. Then if for some reason you cannot work or if you decide to finally take that vacation there will be procedures in place so your cleaning business can run efficiently in your absence.

A Virtual Assistant Can Help You Grow Your Small Business Or Home Based Business:

A virtual assistant can help you grow your small business or home based business by handling your administrative support tasks. If you're a successful small business entrepreneur, you've already learned the value of outsourcing tasks (even ones you're capable of doing yourself) in order to spend your time strategically growing your business and working on bottom-line functions.

You probably already outsource tasks like your accounting and advertising. But did you even know that you can outsource your clerical and administrative support tasks to a virtual assistant? Also called a VA, a virtual assistant is an independent contractor who works from his or her own home or office space. A virtual assistant works virtually, thanks to technology like email, telephone, fax machines, postal mail and courier services. Virtual assistants can work for you on an hourly basis, project basis or on a monthly retainer basis.

Once you find a virtual assistant that meets your criteria, you will develop a long-term working relationship so that you can call on this VA for years to come. As your business grows, you may even develop working relationships with multiple VAs who can handle your administrative business needs. That way you will always have the administrative support you need at a moment's notice and you can outsource projects to various VAs based on their specialties such as Internet research, press release writing and distribution or translation. That's in addition to the ordinary administrative tasks a virtual assistant can do for you like database entry, updating your Outlook contacts, mail merges, creating reports and more.

Here are 12 reasons that you want to hire a virtual assistant now:

1. You will have more free time to spend with your family and friends.

2. You will have more time to work on growing your business.

3. Pay only for work you need completed.

4. Reduce your business overhead costs. You don't provide benefits, office equipment or office space. You don't even provide a paid lunch hour and holidays!

5. No need to train staff. VAs come equipped and trained in their specialty areas.

6. You will be provided with skills that you don't have but need (e.g. Create PowerPoint slide presentations).

7. Virtual assistants provide you with additional help. VAs are an additional set of hands.

8. You will have someone who helps you implement your great ideas quicker to build your business faster.

9. Virtual assistants do even your boring tasks! Hate data entry? Hire a VA to do it for you.

10. Get help with emergencies quick. 24 hour support available (by some VA's and VA agencies).

11. Use software you don't even own (many virtual assistants own and use PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat and more).

12. VAs are professionals and independent business owners. They understand better then anyone your needs as a home-based or small business owner and give your business the same care and service they expect in their own business.

When you use the services of a virtual assistant, you're investing in your business growth.

The Conference Call:

Conference calls are not a new thing, I can still remember that conference calls were held fifteen or maybe twenty years ago, but the main difference then was that this was something special, that an event has occurred that required a conference call, just the way you learned of an upcoming conference call would make you nervous.

Today things have changed significantly as conference calls are used on everyday basis not only by businesses and company managers but also by the general public and individual people. The reason that conference calls have become so wide spread is that it has become more available for people to communicate this way, conference calls rates are down and the public pays less for them, this makes conference calls a very powerful tool to use in business and marketing.

The main power of the conference call is to bring a detailed presentation of a service or even a product to a potential costumer, this is usually a situation where one company offers its services to another company, a demonstration can be synchronized with a conference call in a way that the people who are in the call will get the information and answers immediately from the people who are directly responsible for the actions they are viewing.

The conference call is particularly efficient when it comes to online services or internet services, since this is a computer based service you can have all the people involved in front of a computer screen and upload a certain program that is tailor made for that costumer needs, once the program is running you can walk the listeners through the complete process of the software and involve other experts on your part to further explain the benefits of the product.

The great advantage of the conference call is that unlike the usual "cold call" you will be able to form a relationship with a few of the people working for the other company, you can try and locate a person that you will find more cooperation with within that group and you could also control the way you make your sales by having a few of your manager on the line to make sure that the presentation is done according to the general plan that you had.

The development of the conference calls has also created a large product market, special conference phone products and companies that give full support for conference calling can be found on the market and they supply companies as well as individuals with all the services needed to conduct conference calls on a regular basis, this has led to the increase of non business related conference calls.

The latest way to use conference calls is to form social connections, for meeting other people and having the opportunity of an open discussion, this is a simple way of using this advanced idea in order to expand a phone call into a large meeting room in which people can wonder around and meet new and exciting people by phone.

How To Calculate CRM Total Cost Of Ownership (TCO):

Although it may look and sound complicated, calculating the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for on demand CRM is as simple as elementary subtraction. Or to go one step further, more money will be going into your business rather than the system that struggles to support it. The on demand model affords customers greater flexibility in accessibility and product, hassle free hosting of information, upgrades year round and greater security of information, just to name a few perks!

For those not using on demand CRM allow me to break down its cost effectiveness versus out of the box or custom built solutions:

For starters you can take your current IT costs and subtract all your hours and dollars spent on system maintenance, upgrades, integration and up keep.

Now further subtract the cost incurred for hosting your current network or CRM application. If it is in house then you can deduce server costs, power costs etc... If you host via third party you can go ahead and drop that cost all together.

So things are starting to look a little brighter!

For those who currently use an out of the box CRM system, you can go ahead and knock off the costs incurred for support, training, customization and yearly upgrades, and every other hidden fee you incur.

I am sure that by now some of you are probably feeling a little skeptical; and I don’t blame you, the potential to save this much money definitely warrants some initial second guessing. But don’t let me convince you, see for yourself and put your worries to rest once and for all.

No upfront costs – with on demand CRM, the software is already built and it is entirely hosted online, all you have to do is subscribe and start using it.

No downloads – the on demand CRM platform ensures you are never burdened by continual downloads cluttering up your computer and network while slowly eating up your memory.

No hosting fees – the on demand platform is designed, built and maintained by an expert IT staff, hosted at an external secure location with manned security personnel. Enabling you the user to focus solely on your business and only your business.

Customizable platform – the on demand SaaS platform is readily customizable by expert developers and product engineers. No longer will you have to fork over thousands of dollars to mash stand alone legacy systems into a tedious and often bug ridden enterprise solution.

Free upgrades – with the flexibility of the on demand CRM model, top CRM vendors can offer continual and seamless updates and enhancements to their solution. Security of Information – a common misconception with the on demand platform is the issue of information security. While many find comfort in having their information hosted on site, they are in fact more vulnerable to intruders or hackers, or disgruntled employees then they would be by using the ASP/on demand platform. A good CRM vendor out sources the hosting of their servers to ISP providers, thus guaranteeing greater security and up time for their customers.

There is no denying the aforementioned facts, on demand CRM offers you greater bang for your buck when compared to the conventional out of the box offerings. On demand CRM removes the headaches of IT maintenance along with its hefty costs, it optimizes your employee work rate and in turn, allows you to bring in more money while spending less. Not to mention your company info could not be more secure!

Invest In Your Internet Business Education:

There is a common misconception among some online business-owners: That everything you need to grow your business can be found online and you don’t need to pay for it. This is a belief that can have you running around in circles trying to figure out how to run your business online. I know because I’ve done it.

There are so many sites on the internet that offer you free business information, free courses, free forums and all kinds of things to help you grow your business. Now I’m not saying that these sites are not incredibly valuable (many are, many are not) but you need to know what is good information and what is not. Many times the only way to do that is to pay for it, that’s right, with real money.

I stress the money part because for a very long time I myself was under the impression that I need not pay out money for information I could find for free online. You see, the problem is much of the information is scattered all over the place, in no clear order, so it makes it very difficult to determine how to apply it to your business.

When you pay for a course, book or service you are buying information that someone else (who hopefully knows what they’re doing if you’ve chosen right) has taken the time to organize and prioritize so that you can learn from what they’ve already learned and save yourself tons of time in the process.

Even if you only earn a little back by using what you read it will increase your knowledge and allow you to make informed choices about what you need to know next time you invest in your business. Often the return on your invest will be huge and you will wonder why you didn’t invest in your Internet Business Education sooner!

Here are some steps to take when looking to purchase business self-education materials online:

· Read the sales copy all the way through – There will often be a lot of valuable information in the sales copy of someone who knows what they are doing. You can go through their sales page and learn just from that! If you are reading a page that is full of ‘fluff’ and ‘promises’ but no real solid facts or information, move on because they are probably selling you something not worth your money.

· Look for testimonials and check them out - Almost all reputable sites will have testimonials of people that have used their product and were very pleased with it. Often they will include a link to the site of the person who wrote the testimonial. Check out their site, have a look at what they have done with it and you may also learn a few things.

· Contact them and ask questions – If you have any questions about the product or service being offered use the contact information available and ask them. The amount of time it takes for a response and the quality of the response should give you a very good idea of whom you are dealing with.

· Ask around – If you belong to any discussion groups or forums, etc, ask around and see if you can find someone who has purchased what you are interested in and what they thought of it. I have done this before and it is great to get feedback from someone who’s already spend money on what you are looking to purchase.

The important thing to remember is that if you learn from it and grow your business it is not a waste of money. If you only break even you are still getting education that will help you in the future with your business.

I have used some online courses and services that I have found invaluable. It took me a long time to decide to invest in my business education, but once I did I was sorry I waited so long to start really learning!

Here are some courses/services I would recommend to start your internet business off right:

· http://www.marketingtips.com - Insider Secrets To Marketing Your Business On The Internet
· http://www.sitesell.com - Make Your Site Sell
· http://www.mommasterminds.com - Mom Masterminds
· http://www.perrymarshall.com - Perry Marshall’s ‘Definitive Guide To Google Adwords’

I would love to hear of any you have found to be worth your money, please let me know.

Good luck and Best Wishes In Your Business!

The Legal Issues Of Starting A Business:

When you want to start your own business, it is not just a matter of setting up shop and waiting for the customers to come to you. Depending on what kind of business you want to start, you may have to get permission from the town or city. Some areas of a city have special zoning regulations in place that do not permit a business in a residential area, even if you plan to operate it out of your home. You do have to get a license from the government for taxation purposes and so that you can claim your expenses when you have to file your income tax return.

Other issues that you have to look at when starting a business relate to finding a suitable location, a building and the staff that you can work with. Of course, you do have to have insurance on the building and the stock if you sell products and if you provide services, you will need to have your equipment insured. You might say that you plan to run an Internet business out of your home so none of these issues will apply to you. No matter what kind of business you have, you need to have a business taxation number that allows you to collect taxes from your customers. You also have to pay taxes on the income that your business generates.

If you plan on opening a business where you prepare or serve food, then you have to deal with health and safety issues. Government inspectors will do regular inspections to make sure that your premises are clean and that you prepare the food in the proper way. If you wish to serve alcohol, you will have to obtain a special licence.

Having your own business also means that you have to deal with issues of hiring and paying staff. Accurate financial records are necessary in order for you to determine whether or not your business is making a profit. If you don't have the talents to do this on your own, you will have to hire an accountant to help you out. These are all issues that you have to consider when you decide to start your own business.

What Makes A Great Working Environment?

We know a lot about what a great working environment is.

In a great working environment the mission is being accomplished and morale is high. It's the "user" side of the two key leadership objectives: accomplish the mission and care for your people.

Most people know exactly what I mean by a great working environment. They may not be able to list characteristics, or point to research, but they've usually experienced one. So have you.

Think about a time in your life when it was great to come to work. If you're lucky there are lots of them. If you're really lucky, now is one of those times.

What was it like then? I'll bet you were excited about the work you were doing, and you knew that it was appreciated. You almost certainly felt that you were being treated fairly and that you had some control over what you got to do.

There's been quite a bit of formal research into the factors that make up a great working environment. Here's a quick summary of what the research tells us make for a great working environment.

* Interesting and Meaningful Work
* Clear and Reasonable Expectations
* Frequent and Usable Feedback
* Fairness (Consequences = Performance)
* Consistency (Predictability)
* Maximum Control Possible Over Work Life

In my training classes, I often do an exercise where participants identify the times when they were in a great working environment and what that was like. The language is often a bit different from the formal research, but the same things come up over and over again.

Interesting and Meaningful Work

People want to do work that's interesting and meaningful. They want what they do to be enriching for them and important to others.

Different people define interesting in different ways. For some people, it means that they're learning a lot, having lots of personal growth. For others, the most important thing is that there are lots of different situations to deal with or lots of different problems to solve.

Sometimes "interesting" is not so much about the work itself as it is about the people you work with. This selffulfillment comes from being part of a team, an elite group, or just a bunch of folks you like working with.

It's also important for the work to have value to others. The "others" can be the whole world, or just your customers or the people you work with.

Clear and Reasonable Expectations

People like to know what's expected of them. They like to know the rules of the game.

Expectations need to be clear. At the supervisory level, that may mean laying out detailed, stepbystep procedures. At the management level expectations may come out of discussions with several people. At the leadership level, slogans and other brief statements that people can use as a "test" of their plans or actions are usually the most effective.

Don't underestimate the values of frequency, simplicity, and memorability when you're communicating expectations. You have to communicate the important things over and over in memorable terms.

In fact, repeating things is one way of telling people what's important. Slogans are great for this. So are devices like pocket reminder cards with simple messages or messages in table form.

Use your regular forms of communication, like newsletters, emails, sales bulletins to reinforce your leadership message. Reinforce your written communications of expectations with oral communications. Reinforce your formal communications with informal ones.

Remember that you need to state expectations for the performance you want, but you also need to be clear about the consequences of performance that's beyond or not quite up to standard.

Frequent and Usable Feedback

People like to know how they're doing. Feedback is how they find out. To work, the feedback must be frequent (lots of small course corrections) and usable.

How frequent is frequent? The answer, which sounds something like a copout is: "As often as necessary?"

Some people want and need a lot of feedback. Other people prefer to be left alone most of the time to do their work. You have to know who needs what and in what situations.

The idea is to make lots of small course corrections on the way to the clear target you've established with your expectations. Lots of small adjustments are almost always easier and more effective then a few giant ones.

Feedback also has to be usable. Time your feedback so it reaches people when it is the most helpful. In most situations, that means you want feedback as close to the performance as possible. If you can set up a system so people can get their own feedback, so much the better.

Work on your communications skills so you deliver feedback in the most effective way possible. Learn about different ways that people process information, and match your communication to their preferred style. Learn about Social Styles and other ways that help you communicate with people in the ways they most like to be communicated with.

Fairness (Consequences = Performance)

People want to know that they (and others) are being fairly rewarded based on their performance. This is one of those words that requires definition. Otherwise, it becomes one of those words that everyone agrees with, but no two people have a common definition for.

For us, fairness means that the consequences of the performance are determined by the quantity and quality of the performance. One of the people in my class put it in almost Biblical terms: "The good shall be rewarded and the underachievers shall be punished in accordance with their results."

This ties back to reasonable expectations. It depends on regular and usable feedback.

Consistency (Predictability)
Consistency means predictability. Subordinates want to know how their supervisor will react in a given situation. Consistency also relates to predictability in terms of performance.

Your people want to know how to predict your reaction in different situations. If they can't, they worry about whether or not to trust you.

According to some management studies, consistency (predictability) is the single most effective standard to establish with your own leadership behavior. It's actually another form of communication. It's a way of walking the talk.

Leadership by example means that you act out the values and principles that you say you and others stand for. To quote Howell Raines on Bear Bryant: "Coach Bryant had an idea about how a man ought to act and if you watched him, you could figure out what it was."

Leadership by example means that you consistently pay attention to the important things, consistently reward good performance, consistently see that rewards and punishments are meted out fairly.

Maximum Control Possible over Work Life

People want to have a say about things that affect their life. You can make that happen for them by giving them as much control as possible over issues that affect them at work.

Obviously that varies from person to person and situation to situation. Some people like to be left alone. Others want to see you frequently.

Some people are qualified to make lots of decisions about their work. Others need to develop their skills a bit before they can do the same.

Some people work hard and make an effort to do the job. Others slack off.

It's probably a good general rule to allow individuals as much control of the basic decisions about their work as they are capable of handling and willing to handle. In today's flatter organizations, this is easier to do from an organizational standpoint, but it's hard for many of us from a personal standpoint.

Part of your job as a boss is to create a great working environment for the people who work for you. It's not easy, but the result can be both high morale and high productivity.

The Functions Of Effective Management:

ou may have used the word ‘management’ thousands of times at personal level in the context of leading a hassle-free life. Today this term is used at commercial level too. It has entered all spheres of human life and its popularity has reached an unavoidable stage. This can be accounted with the needs of the present socio-economic structure of every society. Management has been in great practice in the recent past though it is true that earlier it was practiced at a very subtle level. Now it has become a profession and one of the most over-rated characteristics in the economic sector. At personal levels also management has become an essential virtue. This is the reason that more people are taking tips to manage their life with efficiency and pleasure. It cannot be denied that all this has happened for betterment as significant progress is witnessed in all the economic sectors as well as personal domain.

In economic terms, you can describe management as the process of leading and directing all the parts of an organization or a business. It is basically done through an analysis and application of recourses (human, financial, strategic and intellectual). Management is an art to get things done correctly at right place and on right time. You can realize management as a very intrinsic quality that needs to be displayed with confidence at various extrinsic levels. There are many organizations, institutes and consultancy firms that offer management studies, training and tips. However, it entirely depends upon your observation and learning ability to make the best use of the studies. Following guidelines with discipline is a key factor in growing as a good manager. There can be nothing better than self coaching and it can only be accomplished when you are confident of yourself.

Management is a skill that is polished through regular practice and up-gradation. Understanding of the situation and determining the advantages and disadvantages is a primary task in management. An experienced manager will listen to suggestions and find a well-thought solution to some issues or problems. Management is also an art of balance between personal thoughts and influencing factors. Apart from personal management, every other form of management has to be directed towards group interest. Here lies the success of a manager and organization as a whole.

It would be beneficial to know that there are five functions of management. They are planning, organizing, leading, coordinating and controlling. You can understand that there is a need of dynamism for effective management. All these functions are directed towards the six separate branches of management that are categorized to facilitate the studies and application of management. Human resource, Operations management, Strategic management, Marketing management, financial management, and Information technology management

The one who manages various departments is called a manager. Every person is not blessed with this art of management but he or she can be a better manager with a disciplined approach towards learning management. Managers are responsible for all the planning and application of strategies. In an organizational set-up there is a hierarchy of managers who take care of all the management activities within and outside. CEO (he/she is the topmost authority responsible for the success and failure of the company. Sitting at the top of any management, every policies and activities pass through a CEO. Understanding the work of a CEO can give a complete insight to a management activity. Vice president, marketing (he or she is responsible for marketing strategies, advertising, promotions, sales, product management and pricing), Marketing managers and Promotion managers follow the footsteps of a CEO.

Growing Your Small Business With Honesty And Integrity:

Small business is America. Almost every person has at one time or another dreamed of owning their own business. Why not? I don't have to answer to a boss. I can set my own hours. In 10 or 20 years, I can live a life of leisure or somewhere at the top of the food chain.

So the goals are set, the die is cast and off you go into the world of owning your owm small business. You make a business plan, get some additional capitol financing, align personnel, arrange a facility and your off.

Now comes the real fun. Decision after decision on the best approach to service, products, marketing. You've done your homework. Your happy with the initial results. You say let's let this profit machine start rolling.

Six months later you get a real shock when the profit/loss statement comes out of the printer and the bottom line is still red. Your financial partner has called you a couple of times on the return on his investment. The spouse wants new livingroom furniture. The vendors have put you on COD. The pressure is mounting. You feel the weight of the organization on your shoulders. Then the test comes.

Fred's produce down the street pays you in cash. The thought occurs to you to keep the cash off the books to pay for the spouse's livingroom furniture and no one will be the wiser. Gee, that worked so well, why don't I cut back on the product quality, save a few bucks there and see if I can get my investment partner off my back.

Every small business owner has been at this fork in the road. Each one must make his own decision as to which road to take. Looking the other way is the easy route at first but it is costly in the long run. A small business should be built on partnerships of trust with customers, vendors and financial partners. Honesty and integrity in the marketplace are wonderful pillow partners. The kind of partners that will let you go to sleep at night with the satisfaction of knowing you were truthful and honest at any cost. There are no skeletons hidden in your closet which can rear their ugly heads. You don't have to be looking over your shoulder while your trying to move your business forward. At the end of the day you can say "It's been a good day!"

The Basics Of Project Management:

Any project can only be successful if the people behind the project implements proper project management skills or hire a reputable and dependable project management group.

Project management may sound like a complicated term and it really is as it involves the process of organizing the different factors involved in creating and completing a project.

All projects should start out with a good plan so that the project creator would know the things required for the project to proceed as well as the necessary timeframe within which these requirements must be accomplished. The project plan should identify the scope of the project and the people accountable for the various aspects of the project.

The plan should include the costs involved in managing the project including the costs involved in hiring human resources and materials for the project. A good and realistic plan will enable the project manager to fulfill the project requirements on time and in an efficient manner.

Like every other project, a project management plan should include a good plan for human resources as they will be the best resources the project manager can have. Another important aspect is the communications plan not only between and among the project manager and the employees or workers. It should also include a good communication system with the outside world.

The project manager should be more wary of a good communication plan especially if the project has a very great impact in a certain community. If this is the case, the project manager should also make sure to include a public relations plan as well as a communications plan in cases of emergency or negative reaction from the public.

Risk management should be one of the most important aspects of the project plan. The project manager should avoid being reactionary whenever emergencies or negative publicity comes up. To avoid this and to become proactive he should establish a contingency plan for possible situations.

One of the most challenging projects to handle or to manage is a software project because of the technical emergencies that may happen, the sudden changes in costs and the sudden changes in technical people involved in the software project. However, a project manager should always be prepared for any eventuality for any type of project he is handling. The best thing to do is to prepare a very efficient project management plan so that he is not caught unaware of very important aspects of the project.

Break-Up

2007-09-04T08:43:00.000-07:00

Planning A Successful Meeting - Getting Started:

Typically if your job title is “Meeting Planner”, “Event Coordinator” “Program Director” you plan meetings, either internal or external, on a regular basis. Some meeting planners who work for large companies and associations are Certified Meeting Professionals and have teams of people they work with for planning their meetings with each member of the team responsible for a different aspect of the planning. If however you are planning a meeting for the first time and are unsure how to get started, there are some key areas you should focus on. Set-up a worksheet and start gathering information and answering the following questions

1. The name of the company, association or department that the meeting is being planned for.

2. What kind of event is it? i.e. national sales meeting, client conference.

3. What is the objective of the meeting?

4. Will you have a theme for the meeting?

5. What will the event consist of i.e. opening/closing keynote speaker, luncheon entertainment, breakout sessions, workshops, cocktail party. Each segment should be separately organized and then incorporated into the overall event.

6. The number of days the event will take place over. Come up with a timeline.

7. Date of the event. Come up with a preferred date and have second and third choices.

8. Commencement date in the AM or PM and the date and time that the meeting will be over.

9. Size of the event. How many attendees do you expect?

10. Check the calendar to make sure that your date is free of conflict with religious holidays, other industry events etc

11. Determine the budget that you are working with.

12. Put together a plan for publicity, promotion and advertising.

13. Location – where will the meeting be held? Will you have the meeting at a convention center, hotel, resort, historic property?

14. If the meeting is going to be off-site will it be local, in another town or city or in another State?

15. Site visits may be in order to help you determine the best location for your meeting. Once you have chosen the meeting site, determine how many guest rooms and how many meeting rooms will be required.

16. Start planning for meals and food/beverages that will be available on-site.

17. Audio visual and sound equipment. What will be required? Will you use the services provided by the facility where you are having your meeting or work with outside vendors?

18. Entertainment – will entertainment will bought in and be part of your meeting or be provided off-site?

19. Transportation - people/freight.

20. Insurance

21. Estimated overall expense.

If there is a website with a page set-up where you are advertising your meeting or event, it is really helpful to keep updating the information there to keep potential attendees or members abreast of developments as you finalize respective details i.e. date, location, facility, about the surrounding area, the meeting agenda. Carefully thinking everything through and attention to detail throughout the planning process will help to ensure a highly successful and memorable event.

Dealing With Friends And Family During Divorce:

In a divorce it is not just mom, dad, and the kids who are affected. Your parents, siblings, in-laws, uncles, and friends are all drawn into the conflict. As you begin the divorce process, your tendency will be to think only of your most immediate world: home, children, and property. This is the core that is changing, but that can blind you to the larger world outside. As the process drags on you will discover that your entire range of relationships has changed. Some of these changes are sudden and huge. Others are far subtler.

Whose friend is whose? Will you ever see your in-laws again? What are the fault lines of your children’s loyalties? Will any of their friendships be affected? Much of this turns on the divorce process itself. The nastier it gets, the more difficult these questions become. Can you remain friends with the couple that is still on good terms with your ex? When you’re around them do you have to watch every word you say?

As with all issues of divorce, this one is easier if the split is amicable. If you and your ex are on friendly terms, that feeling will usually extend to his relatives. But if things have been ugly, then relationships change radically. The bitterness in a divorce tends to bleed into far too many other parts of one’s life.

When you are one of the people who are divorcing, you suffer not only the loss of a spouse, but a whole set of people you cared about. These may be people you spoke to candidly, folks with whom you shared holidays and vacations. You may have even thought of them as people you would confide in about anything. Suddenly they are cast into an enemy camp, and you wish you’d never said a word to them.

The easy thing to say is: be strong. The most important thing to say is: go to the friends and family who have stuck with you. When people turn against you, go to those people who are true to you. Your real friends won’t ask you to spell out everything, or to prove anything. They will simply give you love and support, and that is exactly what you need most now.

Bedroom Furniture For The Newly Divorced:

If you have recently divorced, you may have had to split your furniture or even give up all of your furniture all-together. What can you do if you are faced with the decision to buy new Bedroom Furniture but you are on a bit of a budget due to your divorce? Well, good news is that there are many great options out there once you know where and how to look. It's hard for some people that are used to sharing a room with another to get divorced and then have to decorate a bedroom on their own. Here are some tips to help you do that with style and class- and also on a budget.

The first thing you need to consider is how much furniture you need and how much space you have. If you are limited on space, as many newly divorced people are, then you probably won't need furniture as large as what you had before. If you moved to an apartment or smaller house, a King Size Bed Bedroom Set might not even fit in your new room. You need to think about the amount of space that you have to work with and also the fact that you likely won't need as much space now as you did before when you were married.

But thinking necessity does not mean you have to do away with style and fashion. There are any Affordable Bedroom Sets in smaller size such as a regular full sized bed. For some people, even a twin size bed may work for their needs. If you have always wanted a canopy bed but your spouse didn't approve, this may be the perfect time and opportunity to go for a four poster canopy bed or metal canopy bed.

It doesn’t stop when you have chosen your bed; you might also want to look at bedroom dressers and bedroom TV Armoires to find the perfect fit for your clothing and personal belongings. But since you are divorced, you may choose smaller sizes with fewer drawers since you won't need as much storage space in the bedroom. For many people, a divorce is a starting over point. It can also be a very emotionally trying time in your life so doing something good for yourself, even if it is just something small, can make a big difference. You owe it to yourself to take care of yourself and creating a bedroom that you can relax in and sleep well in is a good way to do this. A good night's rest in a Comforting Bedroom will help you get the mental and physical rejuvenation that you need to start your day anew.

Keeping Positive During Divorce:

If you are facing a divorce, you may be feeling very depressed and upset. These feelings are very normal. You cannot predict what is going to happen when you get married. Some marriages work and others do not. It is important to understand that this is not the end of the world and things like this happen all the time.

You are not a bad person because you are getting a divorce. If you and your spouse cannot longer get along, there is no reason to live together in a situation that makes you unhappy. You need to worry about your future and the well being of yourself and your children ,if any. Sometimes a divorce can be avoided with the help of a marriage counselor, but often there is just no hope.

Altohugh it is difficult to keep a positive outlook when you are going through a divorce, you cannot let yourself fall apart. If you are being accused of untruthful accusations, you have to remain strong so that you can defend your name and your reputation.

Do not give up. You have to gather all of your strength an inner resources. If you are determined to get something that is rightfully yours, you need to stand up for it. Getting what you want in a divorce is not always possible, but you have to stand up for what you believe in.

Keep yourself surrounded by others that are positive as well. Keeping your friends and family around you is important. You need to make sure there is humor and laughter in your life even though you may feel like falling apart. This will keep you in a state of positive energy and keep you ready for what is ahead.

Once the divorce is over and done with no matter what the outcome, you have to be ready to go on with your life. You may not believe it now, but you will have an exciting new life to look forward to and you can make your dreams come true. Your life is not over even if you think that it is. There are always second chances and you deserve to have one. Your time will come for love again and even if it does not, you will know that you are better off without your spouse.

You are being given a chance to start over again and you get to choose whether your life will be filled with happiness and joy or bitterness and hate. Slowly over time you will begin to let go of the bitter feelings that once consumed you.

Remember life is a choice. What happens to you ultimately is based upon how you choose to live your life.

Breakups : How To Get Over Relationship Break Ups:

Are you at the end of a relationship and finding it hard to come to terms with your loss? Are you finding it hard to understand why your relationship has come to the end in the way that it did? Are you feeling that this may be something that you just can’t get over? Do you just want the pain and anguish to go away so that you can heal and start over again? If you are experiencing a bad relationship break up then you can certainly understand the negative impact that it can have on your emotions and also the feelings of the people that love and look out for you.

In my career as a hypnotherapist I have helped hundreds of individuals with soothing that pain and hurt that comes from hard relationship break-ups. Some people that I have seen see it as the end of their world and in the first instance find it very hard to move on, put it behind them and get on with their life. For them this is a real pain that is not even comparable to the worst kind of physical pain. If you are suffering in this situation right now then I want to offer a message of hope and say that how ever hard it is to believe right now, that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Just hang in there.

With the clients that I help, I use hypnosis, this is done on a one to one bases or through my hypnosis download for break ups. Hypnosis basically works to reprogram the part of the brain that we call the sub or un-conscious mind. It is the sub-conscious mind that holds all of our thoughts, beliefs, memories, behaviours and habits, so it is a great place to start to deal with the negative impact of your break-up. By soothing the pain and other emotions related to break ups you can then start to look at your situation differently – in another light. This allows you to make decision about your future with more clarity.

If you are serious about getting over the pain and discomfort of a relationship break up then I wish you the best of luck and success. I suggest that you start with a hypnosis recording or download or even look up your local hypnotherapist to seek their help.

I really wish you the best of success in this and remember – this is not the end of the world – you are strong enough to beat this.

The Cost Of Divorce:

The costs of getting a divorce are staggering. The payouts – which don’t end overnight or in a month – can cripple you financially. It could be years before you get back on your feet.

For celebrities and members of the upper classes, they would gladly pay for expensive lawyers and financial trustees to rid themselves of a spouse that has proven to be more of a liability rather than an asset. It was good while it lasted, but people like to move on with their lives. They pick up the pieces and start anew.

When we think of the cost of divorce, our first impulse is to see dollars and cents dancing in our heads and we reel from the bills that land in our mailboxes. The financial picture can look as ugly as the divorce itself. But it’s not just the money that is the thorny issue. There’s another kind of cost that is equally staggering. And devastating.

That cost is the emotional toll on individuals who divorce. No wonder many of them come out of a divorce 100% different. Their sentiments and attitudes have taken a 360 degree turn so when they finally leave the courtroom or their lawyer’s offices, they can’t begin to comprehend what truly hit them.

Your heart goes out to the man in Alcoholics Anonymous who says that after the divorce, he lost everything – his job, his wife and kids, his house – and with bitterness, he says “I also lost me. Don’t know where I’ve been or where I’m going.”

Both the financial and psychological cost of divorce generate such a devastating outcome that will last a long time; you sometimes stop to think and ask the question, “was getting a divorce really worth it?”

Cost of Divorce: The Emotional Aspect Can you imagine yourself being a changed person all because of a divorce? Change is probably too mild a word. Let’s try transformed or metamorphosed. Has the innocence of youth totally disappeared that you’ve lost trust in your fellow humans?

Focusing on the divorce itself tends to make us overlook the few years leading up to the divorce. Your emotions have been stretched a lot in that period of time. They’ve been stretched so much that they’ve lost their elasticity. You’ve tried your best, experimented with solutions, visited one counselor after another but your instincts tell you that the love and trust are no longer there and the marriage is over. You need to call it quits before there’s not a morsel left in you. You need to conserve the little that remains, because sadly, it’s all you’ve got to try to build on from scratch. Staying in the marriage will only deprive you of that tiny, tiny chance at finding happiness again.

In the meantime, do you know what’s happened to you, your soul and the elements that once defined you?

Perhaps the best way to illustrate the emotional cost of divorce is to look at a few examples of “wounded” husbands and wives whose emotions had changed from the time they were newlyweds up to the time of their divorce.

Case # 1: Honey, I’ve got a headache.

HE: At first I said she was just tired and stressed from looking after the kids all day. But then she was beginning to refuse sex more frequently. This made me feel that I’m unattractive and have lost the ability to excite her. I mean, the point of getting married is to have one partner for life but my wife is unresponsive and is not interested in sex. Makes you wonder about the whole monogamy issue. Can’t she see I’m hurt by her constant refusal? Does she not love me anymore?

SHE: He expects me to be there ready for him. I feel he treats me more like a machine – something he can turn on and off – gets what he wants and turns his back when he’s done. I feel so cheap, so unloved that I’d rather refuse his advances than endure his mechanical lovemaking. I’m ready to throw in the towel. I prefer someone who’s less demanding physically.

Case # 2: Help, our bank account’s sinking!

SHE: I understand that it’s important to save for a rainy day. I agreed to be thrifty and I’ve been through years of self-deprivation. I work so it’s not as if I’m spending his money. I contribute to the household expenses but every time I buy a dress or a bottle of my favorite perfume, he makes me feel like I’ve lost all money sense and that I don’t care about our future. I resent the way he tries to make me save like he does. To me, money was meant to be saved and spent. I want to have more control over my money. He’s interfering in an area where he has no business interfering.

HE: I’m trying to emulate my dad. We weren’t very rich but because he saved consistently, he managed to provide for his family adequately, and my mother did not have to find work after he died. I see a lot of our friends who have since gone bankrupt because they always had to have the latest gadgets. All those cars, motorcycles, iPods, cell phones, pools, club memberships, eating out – they’re all a drain on your savings. My wife believes in instant gratification. I keep telling her that’s the sure way to financial ruin. She’s totally ignorant about what our lives will be like when we retire – and with escalating health care costs…

Case # 3: I’m not good enough for him. He criticizes my lack of knowledge and he says I’m an ignoramus

SHE: I feel like I’m under a microscope. He questions me as if I’m an underperformer in school. He forces me to read books I don’t enjoy and brings home magazines that he expects me to read so when he questions me, I can come up with a decent answer. He says he admires his female colleagues in the office who are lawyers. He calls me dumb blond when my hair isn’t even blond. He keeps taunting me with “you could have at least finished high school. You don’t even know what’s happening in the world.” Then finally, the last straw was when he said he didn’t want our children to be as ignorant as me. That’s when I decided I was no longer going to take any verbal abuse from him – he killed my spirit but I wasn’t going to let him kill what’s left of me.

HE: My wife is so lazy and lacking in ambition. Here we are living in one of the largest cities in North America and she won’t do anything to educate herself. Our community offers all kinds of self-improvement courses and I’ve told her time and again how important it is to learn new things so we could have a decent conversation. But she’s content being at home, caring for the kids. She won’t even pick up the newspaper. I was aware I was marrying someone who lacked a bit of initiative, what I didn’t know then was I marrying someone who was slothful.

From the three cases above, we can summarize the emotional cost of divorce thus:

Death of love and loss of respect, isolation, self-doubt, low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, absence of trust, cynicism, intolerance, anger, bitterness and feelings of inadequacy.

Over time, if these psychological imbalances do not get the care and attention they need, the emotional cost of divorce could translate into medical costs as well. As an example, when one spouse falls into a depression, then psychological care will represent an added expense. When the fighting and the bickering drives someone to alcoholism or drugs, rehab costs should also be factored in.

Cost of Divorce: The Financial Aspect Before you file your divorce papers, do think twice, thrice, four times. Talk to family members and friends. Find out how much their divorce set them back financially. When they tell you the numbers, you may want to re-consider.

Now, if you’re NOT prepared to re-consider and you do want to divorce, the cheapest possible way is the do-it-yourself divorce, but if you haven’t done any homework or due diligence, there’s a chance you could end up with the short end of the stick. If your spouse is more knowledgeable than you about issues such as alimony, child support and division of marital assets, you might not be getting your just part of the bargain.

Another alternative is the collaborative divorce where your lawyer and your spouse’s lawyer try to finalize the divorce in the friendliest of terms.

What we mentioned does not really address the issue of how much it’s going to cost financially.

We’ll begin with the legal fees. This is where you realize that words aren’t cheap. Bear in mind that a lawyer will charge you not only on the number of minutes he talks to you in his office and on the phone, he will charge you for researching jurisprudence, administrative costs like stationery, courier services, court fees, filing fees, paralegal’s fees and others. In fact he could be billing more time without you than time with you. He has to write the proceedings, motions and affidavits.

Lawyers charge on an hourly basis, on a retainer basis or per package. Hourly fees in North America range from $100.00 to $250.00 – higher in some cities. Retainer fees range anywhere from $8,000.00 to $12,000.00 depending on where you live, the specifics of your case and the lawyer’s hourly rate. Some provinces in Canada and states in the US can charge higher retainer fees. Keep in mind that if you choose to pay on retainer basis, a written retainer agreement must be drawn up.

Caution: if the retainer agreement stipulates surrendering title to your house or substantial cash assets for failure to pay legal fees, do NOT sign the retainer agreement! In other words, don’t give up anything you CAN’T afford to lose.

Financial costs do not end in the lawyer’s office, unfortunately.

Your properties: the properties and assets acquired during the marriage may now only represent 50% of their original value to you. If the divorce agreement calls for a 50-50 split, you automatically lose 50% of the total value.

Personal effects like furniture, clothes, knick knacks, collectibles and cars are usually evaluated on a “garage sale” basis, so you and your spouse can agree who gets what.

As for the house, the spouse with primary custody usually stays in the house with the children; or if the house is no longer affordable to either spouse, you can both decide to sell it and split the proceeds equally.

Other costs to consider:

Depending on who gets to keep the house, the following will be have to be included into the cost equation:

• Mortgage and interest payments

• Property taxes

• Insurance

• Maintenance costs

• School and water taxes

Also, you may want to ask your lawyer how each spouse’s retirement plans, 401(k) plans (US) and RRSPs (Canada) and other pension benefits and plans should be divided.

Add: children’s expenses: tuition, medical and health bills, recreational activities, baby sitters, special care (if psychologists are hired to help the children through the divorce), vacations and other expenses.

How To Deal With Your Ex-husband's New Girlfriend:

Many of us find a new mate immediately after divorce. Your ex-husband may be one of them. This can be hard on you emotionally. My own ex took no break whatsoever. His relationship was the cause of our breakup. She moved in with him two months after he left my home. She left him after little more than a year. I was elated.

Her departure was satisfying on several levels. My feelings stemmed from my own hurt, and they also came from the disruption and pain she’d brought to my children’s lives. But I admit that revenge was a factor. I liked the feeling that my ex was finally getting his comeuppance. Now he would feel the sting of rejection. I wanted him to suffer this. I had good reason. He had thrown out 13 years of marriage, and I wanted him to pay for it.

His girlfriend had been a painful reminder of all that, and I couldn’t help but feel relief that her life no longer intersected with mine or my children’s.

But these feelings of relief and satisfaction were quickly tempered by the fact that he soon found another girlfriend. I decided that any woman was better than the last, but still I wondered, how could anyone want to date a broke, often-unemployed, overweight, balding man?

His new girlfriend was only 24, 14 years younger than he was. She seemed nice enough, but deep down it still bothered me that he was happy. Despite all the books I had read on spirituality, forgiveness, and love, I still felt rage.

Try as I might, I couldn’t understand these feelings. I no longer had any physical attraction to this man. I didn’t even like him. Why would I care? The real reason was that I wanted him to suffer for what he had done to me.

It is normal to have confusing feelings long after the divorce is final. An ex’s new partner can stir hostility whenever she comes in contact with your children. This is inevitable. Your life has been turned upside down. The familiar and routine are changed forever. Even if your marriage was filled with anger, it was still the life you knew. Some inmates find security in a prison cell. Marriage can be the same.

With divorce new people enter your life, some not by choice. You must find a way to deal with your ex’s new love. This is difficult if you are not currently in a relationship yourself. Why him, but not me? You ask over and over.

You feel you are a good person, and you deserve love. You feel as if your ex deserves loneliness and pain. Stop taking it personally. The right person will show up. Though it may not seem so now, he will arrive at exactly the right moment. Be cautious. Look before you leap. There’s no need to risk repeating a painful experience. Take your ex’s success as an omen. You know that if it can happen to him quickly, you too will find love. If his new love proves fleeting, don’t rejoice or worry about it. The longer you wait the better chance you have for a truly lasting love.

Don’t jump into something just to prove yourself. This is not a competition. This is a serious search for a love that will last a lifetime. You do not need to suffer again.

That doesn’t mean you should ignore your negative emotions. Release them. Talk to a friend or therapist. Punch a pillow. Wait until you are alone, then call your ex every dirty name in the book. Shout it and scream it. Let all of it go. Let go of all of the pain, hurt, and betrayal. The process may take months, or even years, but you will feel better in time.

That special someone will come, and your divorce will fade into memory. You will no longer harbor hateful feelings toward your ex. You will come to accept your ex for who he is, and wish him well.

How To Try And Save A Marriage:

"Can you still do something to save your dying marriage?"

The fact is, there are lots of ways to save a dying marriage and prevent divorce. And if the couple wills it, they can successfully bring back the excitement that is last felt long time ago.

Marital retreat

Married life can be stressful. The work, children, financial obligations, and the overwhelming tasks of living contribute to the slow death of marriage. And in this modern time where it is hard to stay way from stress, the marriage will more likely to fail simply because it never occurred into the couples' mind that all they need to do is to rest.

Slowing down and taking the time to rest and to forget all the things that keep the couples away from each other could mean bringing back the lost excitement that the couples once have. Spending quality time with each other together with other couples in a marital retreat can work on saving the marriage before it even gets to your mind.

Admitting the mistakes of couples and forgiving each other for any sin they have committed and pain they have caused to one another could save marriage.

Improving the things that has caused cheating to happen is an effective way to keep the family in tacked.

Seeking professional advices and couples therapy is a great way to heal any wound caused by infidelity.

Improving communication

There will come a time when marriage is going nowhere but down. One of the reasons for this is the lack of communication from both parties. This could be because of the limited time they spend together mainly because of career. While making money is important, taking care of the family is priceless. Communication keeps couples emotionally connected. And spending quality time together provides a good venue to keep the lines open.

Marriage counseling is often seen as the last resort in the attempt to save marriage. This is very unfortunate since marriage counselors can be more effective if the couple has seek help when the problem is just beginning to arise. What is more unfortunate is that the notion that once the couples decide to go to marital counseling sessions they have already given up since there are already tremendous emotional buildup inside marriage and there is nowhere to go but to separate.

Marital counseling should be taken as one of the more effective ways to save marriage and not just as a final nail on the coffin of marriage.

Deciding To Divorce:

The most intense, heart-wrenching decision comes at the start: Should you get divorced? Much has led up to this question, including the notions of separation and divorce. Up to now they have only been thoughts and words, with no immediate consequences. Now that you realize the time to decide has come, you have to contemplate action. The focus on action clarifies the situation, but also makes it seem more difficult and scary.

Any number of scenarios might lead to the end of a marriage. Sometimes there’s no choice; it’s your spouse who crosses the line. Often an affair ends a marriage. Other times physical abuse occurs, and the marriage becomes dangerous and intolerable. Circumstances like these leave little choice in the matter. A divorce becomes the only acceptable step.

But many divorces arise out of situations that are far less cut-and-dried. You may find that your marriage has grown dull. You look at your mate and realize that all the physical attraction you felt is gone. Or maybe the emptiness is in a different area. You might feel restricted, and even suffocated in everything you do. Your soul mate is no longer your soul mate. Your lives have grown apart. In situations like these others may still see your marriage as ideal, but deep down you feel it is all pain and misery. This may be one-sided. One partner may think everything is fine, while the other only wants out. Or you may be gasping for breath, and not even knowing it. If you come to the realization that your marriage is failing, should you get a divorce?

Before you take any steps you should contemplate where they might lead. Divorce is a painful, difficult choice. Ending a marriage is almost never easy, even when both sides agree that they no longer love each other. When one spouse still has deep feeling and the other doesn’t, or when there is any sense of imbalance at all—whether it be emotional, financial, or professional—that can only make it worse. In most cases you are ending a long relationship. There was love here once, and intensity. You are considering cutting the cord with someone who was the most important person in your life.

The presence of children amplifies the problem. The younger the kids, the worse it can be. Most children cannot help but feel torn when parents separate.

Divorce is often a financial earthquake for both parties. The family home might be sold. Two households are set up, both having to accommodate the children. Unless both parties are rich, this will affect your family’s standard of living.

Whether the problem is mental, spiritual, or a combination of factors, divorce is a step you should examine carefully. If there is no physical abuse in the picture, you may want to go to couple’s counseling before making the final decision. Offer to go with your spouse to see a therapist. Put it in positive terms, and make it a wholehearted offer. If you don’t think of it this way, counseling will have little chance of having any value. Your spouse may say no, but you will have tried.

If there is abuse, either physical or mental, couple’s counseling is almost certainly not the right course. Spousal or child abuse should not be tolerated. If it happens you need to protect yourself. In such a case you should simply look for the quickest, safest way out. Appeal to friends and family or, if necessary, go to a shelter. Do whatever you must do to effectively separate yourself and your children from your spouse, then look for a lawyer.

Has your spouse cheated? For me this was the cause of my divorce. Some will be able to forgive their spouse and try to save the marriage. I was unable to accept my husband’s affair and he quickly changed into a different person, both emotionally and physically, leaving me no choice but to file for divorce.

I know from my own experience, and from observation of many divorces, that your road ahead is long, frustrating, and probably ugly. The best scenario would be that you and your spouse begin by meeting with a mediator to agree on a fair settlement. If this route is possible it will save both of you thousands in legal fees. If you feel that your spouse will agree to an amicable divorce, this is the way to go.

Break-Ups Are Never Easy, But You Could Make Them Easier!

This issue is bigger than you think, with thousands every year having to struggle through all of the emotional as well as the practical quagmire. And the unfortunate news is that this type of devastation is on the increase both in Europe and the United States.

Not only the weak and dependent suffer extreme heartache and anxiety when break-ups and separations occur. For some people it can almost feel like the end of the world, and it may seem that no one understands or is able to heal the pain.

Not surprisingly Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy are very helpful in these situations, because they quickly deal with the negative emotions that seem to dwell in us at such traumatic times, such as anger, disappointment, resentment, low self-confidence, self-blame and many more. It then helps us to prepare for a strong and happy future, so that eventually we can return to feeling the way that we want to feel and get back to having some comfort and even enjoyment back in our lives.

You may feel that this is too big to get over and that nothing will take your pain away, however this is because you have issues and other things to resolve. These issues tend to look bigger than they actually are, especially with all of the associated negative emotions that you will currently be experiencing. During session of Hypnotherapy, you will be helped to deal with the emotions and the stress that you are feeling.

This will help you to be able to look into the future with clarity and even find you security. When this happens you will then work on putting your life back together and increasing your motivation to work on goals that you wish to achieve in the future as to ensure that you get out of life exactly what you want!

Hypnotherapy deals with the part of your mind that decides whether you feel sad or happy, it also deals with the part of you mind that creates you perceptions about things. This is why you will be amazed just how quickly you will see the benefits!

One day I was driving down a highway close to my home in Oxfordshire, when another car over took and nearly pushed me off the road. Instantly I felt rage and negative emotions beginning to build – almost automatically, as though this was the normal thing to happen. This happened while I was on my way to the airport and if it were not for my friend who was with me, then I would have been in this rage until I rose off that tarmac at the Standstead Airport. My friend said something very wise to me that allowed me to instantly look at the scenario from a different perspective, which in turn allowed me to enjoy the rest of my journey. What she said was simple – “Maybe his wife has had an accident or his son or daughter is ill”. See what I mean? After looking at it in another way I felt completely different.

In therapy we call this ‘re-framing’ and even though it is a very small part of the process you can see just how effective it is.

Ending A Marriage:

Ending a marriage is always difficult to do. Nevertheless, whether you want to try to separate from your husband or wife or just go right into a divorce, there are a few things you need to handle properly.

First of all, if you have children, pay attention to parental concerns and parenting plans to making a transition easy for your children. Family holidays and weekend should be addressed and arranged. If you don’t want to conceive of the notion right now of ever dating again, ensure that you will always spend time together by having at least two free weekends a month so that your spouse doesn’t end up with the better deals when all is said and done. And it is regardless how much you love your children, you are going to want to take breaks and sometimes that may mean getting away for several days that is usually easier on weekends.

Finances should be also discussed when processing a divorce. Who will pay the Master Card bill? Who will pay the electric bill for the current household bill? Whose paycheck covers summer camps? And if you send your children to private school, who will pay for tuition fee? You also have to start to plan on splitting up any assets of the marriage. Who will own the home where you currently live together? What about cars? Who wants to take the Jeep Cherokee and who will inevitably be able to afford the car payments on the Hummer?

Divorcing with your widen eyes will help make things so much smoother for all sides, and it is essential to tackle the task right up front when talking about parental cares and finances or division of property in an amicable fashion. Moreover, you have to get these things in papers while both parties are in agreement because often as divorce progresses things can change and usually get ugly.

If you can’t pay for an attorney, you have to try to agree on everything together and see one jointly to save money for you both down the road. Just because your marriage lay in ruins, it is not a reason for your finances to be devastated by your divorce.

Try to separate all joint checking as soon as possible and consider about other finances or sell all property that is jointly owned. If one party is keeping a jointly owned home, ownership needs to find its way into one name.

The best preparing for a divorce is to search on the internet for divorce checklists and look for ways, ensuring that you get everything done properly. If you don’t want to take care of the housekeeping involved with divorce, it will make you less grief ‘later’ if you act responsibly and take care of things ‘now’.

Be considerate for above all, even in aspect of property. If you didn’t collect the Elvis albums, give it to your spouse. Being far in the division of all things will go a long way in divorce.

What To Do With Your Children In The Middle Of Your Divorce:

There is nothing worse that seeing a couple going through a divorce and at the same time, playing a war with their children. While a divorce is about to begin, usually, children are the parent’s victims as they are used to against the other person, it is meaningless if their children are adults or just kids.

Putting children in the middle of the parents’ divorce and asking them or hoping them to be on their side, usually reflect the immaturity of the parents and this is nothing

short of mental abuse to their children. Children involved usually do anything in anyways to rebel and to facing a divorce of their parents. When being put in the middle, the children are more likely to rebel even worse than the parents could expect, because they do to against their parents and sometimes this problem becomes too ate to be fixed after the shock of your problem which are minimized.

Divorce is usually a cause for kids to become involved in drugs and alcohol. Currently, with drug use, among adolescents who are involving they tends to use methamphetamines and strong pain medicine. And the last thing you want your child to get involved is drug abuse.

Parents who encourage their children to choose a side of them, need to give up their own selfish feelings and concern more about their children. In fact, rather than placing their child or children in the middle, how about putting them in a clear focus?

While children usually get on a parent’s last nerve when a divorce is in progress, they need more parental care than ever. Having them taken care by their grandparents or neighbors during the divorce is OK in some circumstance, but not through the entire process.

As parents, it is essential to remember that divorcing parents still need to find a way where the family could be reunited with their children. For example, they might have a family meal together, or attend a concert or a sporting event together and remain friendly at all the time in front of their children. If you have a fight with each other or need to discuss something serious, remember that often behind closed doors, there are little ears spying what is going to transpire on the other side.

Maturity among parents is required in these days and this age. If you placing your children in the middle during a divorce, don’t be surprised when you find that your teenage daughter running away or your son drunk in the garage. You usually get back what you cause and this isn’t something you need to cope with while processing a divorce.

Putting a child in the middle of a divorce can only be worked out positively when you remember to concern about the child’s needs. If you can keep your children at the center of your life although trials of your divorce sadden you, you probably find them to be an inspiration when you have several inspiring moments left. Search for ways to encourage them while looking for some peace within your own life while being able to cope with your divorce.

How To Determine If You Have A Good Relationship:

Stop Your Divorce and Save Your Marriage

How do you know if you are in a good relationship? Most of us know when we do a good job at work but most can’t tell whether they are in a good relationship or not.

Can you?

If you can’t you can learn to tell if you are in a good relationship. Better yet, you don’t have to wait and see over a long period of time if you and your partner will make each other happy or miserable down the road.

No matter what stage of the relationship you are in, you can take its pulse right now and be able to tell if it’s thriving, sick and needs help, or if it’s beyond help and needs to end.

First, understand that your feelings are not always a good barometer of whether you are in a good relationship or not. Realize that a good relationship is not always all about love.

Isn’t love important in a good relationship?

Well, it is and it isn’t. People get into relationships to feel good or because they are in love, or so they think. But in reality, every person gets into a relationship to meet a complex set of deeper personal needs such as understanding, companionship, approval and to give and receive love.

Many people are in love with each other and yet have a bad relationship. This is very common. People stay in bad relationships and marriages because they are lovesick over their partner yet unable to let go.

At the same time people in good relationships sometimes feel bad and think it’s the relationship making them feel bad. For example, who among us has not been with someone who seems deeply in love with us, and yet runs? It may be a good relationship the person is running from, but one that made him or her feel the fear of intimacy.

This is why your feelings are not always a good judge of whether you are in a good relationship or not. Take a look at the circumstances in which you find yourself in order to begin to figure out what is a good relationship and what is not.

Arts and Crafts

2007-09-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

Arts & Crafts - Encourage Your Children:

The moment you first give a toddler a crayon and a piece of paper, you're giving that child a step up to a world of creativity, learning, entertainment and accomplishment. It's the world of Arts and Crafts. A small phrase for such an important part of a child's development.

Children are interested in Arts & Crafts from an early age. Toddlers love to scribble on pieces of paper with chunky crayons. Later, when they understand not to eat it, play dough is a fascinating medium. They can squish it, use plastic tools on it, blend the colors together, and press out shapes from it. Everything get in a mess - play dough gets mashed into clothes, hair, shoes, the floor...but of course that's part of the fun for pre-schoolers. The messier the better! And what could be messier than paint?

Give a small child a pot of thick paint, scrap paper and a chunky paintbrush, and they're happy. If you can't bear to have paint on everything, take it outdoors. Using playdough and painting materials, kids are learning about form and substance, improving their motor skills and enhancing their imaginations. As they grow, there will be more and more crafts to choose from, and, thanks to the diverse range of crafts for kids, there's something for everyone, whether 2 or 12 years old.

If you join in, you'll be giving your kids happy memories to store away. So, encourage your kids to express themselves with arts and crafts. Never force them - it has to be an enjoyable pursuit. Similarly, don't ever disparage your child's work of art. Don't be discouraged if your child lacks interest - just explore different options. Be imaginative. Do crafts outdoors as well as in. Use different materials or seasonal themes.

In this age of mindless TV watching and video games, the ability to something creative is an amazing skill for a child to have. You'll be so glad you encouraged them.

Options For Perspective Art Students:

Outside of buying a home, the investment in education is one of life’s biggest expenses. Too many students don’t understand what they are buying or what their options really are. Art school is not like other areas of education. A doctor or lawyer needs an education in order to practice their profession. However, an artist does not. Many well-known artists have no formal training at all.

As in any profession, attending a top-ranked school may provide better career opportunities for artists, but it is best to think of art school as a time and place to acquire the skills that you want to grow as an artist. There are ways to enhance your arts education; for fields such as animation, graphic design and web design, practical hands-on experience could be acquired through certifications, internships and freelance projects. If you are focusing on Fine Art, try to participate in as many exhibits and shows as possible. These types of activities will boost your resume and online portfolio.

1. The Top Schools

Every school says that they are the best but in truth only a select few are rated at the top of independent studies. If you want a chance to get into a school like Cal Arts, Chicago Art Institute, RISD, Pratt or School of Visual Design, you will need to prepare while you are in high school. The top art schools require a portfolio, not just the knowledge that you want to be an artist. These schools include some academic courses and the student earns a BFA or MFA.

2. Major Universities

Studying art within the walls of a university has several advantages. Art is a study of life and the world around us. A fine artist may find history, sociology, anthropology, even physics interesting and helpful. Graphic designers can benefit from computer science classes. The mixture of academic and artistic courses is a style of learning that many aspiring artists enjoy. The best part is that many schools have excellent programs. Yale is widely considered one of the very best art schools and some of the large state schools such as Indiana University, UC Berkeley and University of Michigan offer a great arts education at a reduced price for in-state students.

3. Arts Trade Schools

Trade schools do not require the academic rigor of universities or the commitment and portfolio development expected of top tier art schools. They do provide real world training and the technical skills that can be matched to great talent. These schools are located in cities like New York, San Francisco, and Seattle – cities with large established art scenes that can benefit students that are looking to refine art skills.

How To Get A Graphic Design Job After Art School:

After four years of art school and countless portfolio reviews, late nights in the computer lab, and enough espresso to kill an elephant, I made the worst mistake of my life. I graduated. Most art schools make it appear that your degree will immediately lead into a fulfilling career in which you can make your own hours, explore your artistic passions and collect a sizeable paycheck. Art schools perpetuate this myth because it makes them money – your money. The truth is that graphic design is a highly competitive field and only those with both talent and the ability to market their work will have any chance of achieving their dreams.

Many talented graphic designers get discouraged, as they are turned away from jobs that they want. Unfortunately, most design schools do not provide the real world experience.

Graphic designers are hired through online portfolios.

In ten years of graphic and web design I would estimate that I have found 90% of my jobs online. I have often heard young designers complain about the time and energy that goes into building a great web site. You may be reluctant to invest the effort when you could be sending out resumes instead.

Would you hire someone who has never driven a car to fix your car? Why would anyone hire a web designer that doesn’t have a web site? An online portfolio is easy for recruiters to use and they will usually ask to see your work before you can get an interview.

Develop skills that complement graphic design.

Take a look at the graphic design jobs in the paper. You will see words like HTML, Microsoft Office, _Javascript, and copywriting as required skills. It takes time for talented graphic design students to become talented graphic designers. Employers hire to fill needs and solve problems. If you can fill multiple needs and solve multiple problems then the employer will often take a second look. Because design is so competitive, employers are often quick to hire and quicker to fire. Employers rarely fire someone they can’t live without. Make yourself indispensable. If you are the only one in the office that knows how to use a spreadsheet or change the web site then your life span could be a lot longer.

Software skills pay bills

“Photoshop, Flash, Illustrator, Freehand, PC, Mac” – these are the most common terms in graphic design want ads. Software is the lifeblood of any modern design company and companies need people that know how to use multiple software applications. Even if you are not creating comps for the client you will still have a job if you are the only one that knows how to put them into Flash for the presentation. Computer skills are of equal importance to artistic skills.

Do the job even if you can’t get the job

When I started out, the two phrases I heard the most were “under-qualified” and “inexperienced”. So how do you handle this type of rejection? If you really want the job, then ask for three days to work on part of the project. If the employer really needs a great flash presentation for an auto site then bring one that you created with you on your next visit. Even if you don’t give the employer exactly what they want, they will be impressed with your effort. Everyone respects hard work, initiative and dedication.

Look for the back door

Every company has a back door to the design department. It may be an administrative assistant job or stuffing envelopes in a corner office or a file clerk. If you can get near the graphic design department and make friends, then sooner or later you can lend a hand. Volunteer for the job that you really want in your free time and eventually you will have the job that you really want.

Get over yourself

Art school is a very different place from an office building. At art school you can make a statement, become political, and follow your dreams. These same attributes may get you fired in an office building. I’ve interviewed talented designers who told me in interviews that they have some reservations about working in “corporate America” and would prefer a small environmentally conscious company that supports indigenous rights and vegan dietary needs. Maybe somewhere deep in the Amazon there is a group of graphic designers making $50,000 a year with full benefits, but I’ve never met them. If you don’t want the job then don’t apply for it. Most companies are not going to hire someone who lectures them in interviews.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Purchasing American Indian Art Online:

Today’s society is one in which individuals look for the easiest ways to do things. This is most often seen with online shopping. A large number of individuals do not have time to spend the day shopping at their local mall; therefore, they shop online instead. Online shopping is a great way to obtain certain items, but what about American Indian art?

The presence of American Indian art is felt widely in the United States, but it is also popular in other areas of the world. This is why American Indian art is sold all around the world. There a large number of stores that sells American Indian art on and offline. If given the opportunity, many individuals would prefer to shop for American Indian art at a storefront location, but not all are able to do so.

Online American Indian art stores and gift shops have made it possible for individuals to purchase art online. Many online shoppers shop online to save time, but a large number do so because they do not have local access to an American Indian art store or gift shop. While shopping online for American Indian art can have advantages, it has disadvantages as well.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of shopping online for American Indian art is the selection. Most storefront American Indian art stores and gift shops are limited on the amount of space that they have. This means that when an individuals shop at an American Indian art store or gift shop there are only viewing a small percentage of the artwork available. Online stores do not always have this problem; therefore, they are able to have more art for sale.

Another benefit of shopping for American Indian art online is the money that can be saved. With online shopping, it is easy for an internet user to quickly compare prices. This has led many online stores to offer American Indian art at a lower price. The low price helps an online store stay in competition with other retailers. Individuals shopping for American Indian art online can take advantage of this by purchasing beautiful American Indian art for a discounted price.

While there are advantages of shopping online for American Indian art, there are disadvantages as well. One of the biggest disadvantages is the possibly of damaged items. When an item is ordered from an online store, the item can be damaged during shipping. It is advised that all online shoppers insure their products for shipping. It may also be a good idea to ask an online retailer about their shipping policies and packaging standards. Most online retailers will properly package your order, but why take the change with an expensive piece of American Indian art?

Another problem commonly found with online shopping is the authenticity of an item. The internet is amazing, but it has allowed a large number of individuals to open their own online stores. Just because someone claims an item is authentic American Indian art, does not really mean that it is. Purchasing American Indian art from an online auction website is how many individuals get scammed into purchasing American Indian art that is fake.

It is important to note that just about everything you do or purchase will have advantages and disadvantages. It is advised that you do not let disadvantages persuade you from purchasing American Indian art online. Taking the time to verify an online retailer’s reputation is a surefire way to make online shopping disadvantage-free.

Crafting With Bead Jewelry:

For someone who is into arts and crafts, beads are a great means of fun and an engrossing hobby. It can very soon turn into passion and in turn become a big business avenue. Jewelry, attire designing, shoes decoration are some areas where bead jewelry can be employed.

Beads, small and big, colored, beach theme beads all can be utilized to make jewelry designs. Imagination is the key when using beads to make jewelry. You can use a plethora of items like seashells, buttons and even beads available at the local craft store.

The first thing to start with for your project should always be size and color selection. You might find this online craft site useful http://www.thecraftyfinger.com. Remember that, initially there might appear a range of options to choose from, but a craft store is not equipped to make bead jewelry designs. Hence, you might not be interest in the selection offered to you once you have made a good number of jewelry pieces.

Having said that, there exist a great number of websites offering material for bead jewelry designs, some of them even are specializing in it. One of them might possibly become your only source to buy supplies. Hence it is vital to ensure that the company is the best for you and advisable to build a relationship that in the long run would benefit you.

A number of people buy beads on the Internet. Reviews by these consumers are worth reading to protect your own interests. Abundant information can be gathered from the consumer reviews. This might make you aware of companies you didn’t know. Also, you can also learn from mistakes that others have committed when transacting with websites that disappear overnight. It can be very disheartening not to receive the jewelry designs that you ordered and yet loose money.

After making the designs from the material ordered online you can sell them back on the Internet, if you intend to earn a profit from your passion. If you are not concerned with profit, your bead jewelry designs are a great item to gift to your friends and loved ones on their birthdays and other special occasions.

The History Of Greeting Cards – An Overview:

Greeting cards started out as simple slips of papyrus, that were exchanged by both the Egyptians and Chinese as messages of goodwill. As the concept of greeting cards evolved, Europeans began to send them to one another for holidays such as Valentine's Day – and this occurred as early as the 1400's. Of course, these cards were handmade and expensive so not everyone could afford to send greeting cards for their holiday well-wishes.

Greeting cards really hit the mainstream in the 1850's, when commercial printing as well as the invention of the postage stamp started to allow people all over the world to send greeting cards to their loved ones. Now, greeting cards are a billion dollar business, with people purchasing and sending cards for holidays including religious celebrations, birthdays, and even just as a simple thank you or gesture of love. The two largest greeting card companies, Hallmark and American Greetings, offer cards that are perfect for any occasion, with themes and illustrations that are great for all tastes.

Of course, you don't need to buy your greeting cards in a store. Computers and home printers have made it easy to create and print out your own cards at home. Many people have also taken up paper crafts, and have taken to hand making their own greeting cards out of many different materials, with embellishments ranging from ribbons to beads. Some even go as far as to make their own paper, which is a time consuming process but definitely shows your recipient just how much you care. Hand painting and rubber stamping with ink can complete your homemade creation.

Greeting cards have evolved from an item used only by the rich to an everyday tradition. Whether you want to communicate with far-off relatives, or just let your sweetie know how much you love them – greeting cards make a great (and inexpensive) way to brighten up someone's day!

Remember Paint By Numbers:

Ever thought about the state of paint by numbers? Many of us have warm recollections of paint by numbers. These were those, with lines and numbers all over and each number represented a different color. As a kid we would treat paint by numbers like a game.

These colors came along with the picture put together in a package and the result was supposed to be a picture that corresponded to the picture on the box or on the back of package. You can learn more about crafts at http://www.thecraftyfinger.com. For kids, these packages ultimately reached a point where hardly any actual painting was required and just wetting the paper produced the color. Proper paint by numbers kits are available which result in watercolor pictures of wild animals, or a snowy winter afternoon.

But earlier, in the 1950’s, this was considered to be an art form. You had the option of getting tutored in paint by numbers, and many hobbyists took it up, producing amazing imitations of other’s art and having them framed so as to adorn their homes. So much so that you could make a copy of Rembrandt!

Paint by numbers was a major source of income for many people. What a wonderful way to have fun and at the same time earn! It was a very productive method for people with idle time to invest time to produce a picture even if they were not arty.

Eventually some great artists were born, while others were happy with an artifact that they enjoyed creating to adorn their houses as articles of decoration. This way they could experiment and yet be completely aware of what it would result into. The popularity of paint by numbers was so high that people chose them over works by famous artists for their homes.

Paint by numbers provided people with a channel to invest time into. And it was not a hard and fast rule to adhere to the numbers. Though paint by numbers didn’t possess any unique attribute, many artists had found a way around. They would make minor modifications to the picture, like blurring of lines or leave out a section of picture not of their interest.

Paint by numbers in many ways was a very intriguing fact and its fame mystifies many people even today. Its popularity is credited to the fact that it made a person feel like an artist – a liberated mind. Nevertheless, some rules and safety guidelines exist and they are presented as below.

Bead Design, An Enjoyable Pastime Or Business?

If you are the creative type who loves working with arts and crafts and are interested in making some money while doing something you enjoy, then you should consider taking up bead designing as a career. Not only can beads be used to design jewelry for classy formal parties and beach wear but they can also be used for designs on apparel and shoes. This increases the scope and possibility of developing further.

To start with, you could buy your first set of beads from a craft store round the corner. The good thing is that beads are relatively inexpensive as a raw material. Even though the choice might seem endless to start with, you may soon start to feel the need for more elaborate and up-to-date materials. Since the craft store does not specialize in beads, it has many other items to store in its inventory; there will be a limited amount of bead materials available.

You next stop in the search of more and better bead materials could be the online bead stores. These websites provide a plethora of options for the beads specialist and it will definitely be some time till you need to look for other options.

If you are looking at making bead designs for a considerable amount of time and not planning to give it up as a fad, then you should build and maintain a relationship with the online store since you will need to do a lot of shopping from there. Remember to check the store's reputation before parting with any money; do a quick search online to see how others have been served by them.

Once you have figured the trick of sourcing the beads and your raw material parcel has arrived, you can now let your imagination flow and create designs for various items that can be adorned with beads. Skirt tops, long skirts, jewelry, head gear, handkerchiefs, spectacle chains and the list goes on. Unleash your creativity and discover that you can produce delicate designs to go well with a business dinner or bold designs using large, colorful beads for a beach party. Once you get comfortable with the bead options that are available, you may want to mix and match your designs with other related material like shells, buttons and the like.

The designs done, you can use the wonderful medium called the Internet to sell the designs you have created to other apparel manufacturers and even to end consumers.

American Indian Art: A Gift For Any Occasion:

Many individuals spend days, even weeks, searching for the perfect gift for a close friend or relative. Despite spending a large amount of time searching, there are still many individuals who are unable to find the perfect gift. American Indian art is an amazing gift idea for just about any occasion, but many individuals do not even consider it.

It is hard to determine exactly why American Indian art isn’t given as a gift more often. There are many individuals who aren’t even aware of these beautiful items. This is because not all cities and towns in the Untied States have an Indian art store or gift shop. Online shopping and mail-order catalogs have made it possible for just about every individual to purchase American Indian art.

It is often hard to find a gift that is tailored to a specific person. The good news is that there are a wide variety of different American Indian art items. Many individuals associate art with paintings, but there is more to art then just paintings. American Indian art may include, but is not limited to, paintings, pottery, and sculptures.

Special occasions that a gift may be given on include birthdays, anniversaries, the birth of a baby, a new home, and holidays. Every single one of these occasions is the perfect time to give an American Indian art gift. There are no set rules when it comes to giving American Indian art as gift. This means that a gift giver could select whatever gift they feel their friend, relative, or co-worker would want.

One of the most popular occasions that American Indian art is given as a gift is birthdays. When it comes to birthdays, just about any gift can be given. If an individual having a birthday is interested in Indians or horses, a great gift idea would be an American Indian painting. Of course, other gifts can be given, but a painting is an amazing way to show appreciation to a person that you know or love.

A housewarming gift is another way that American Indian art can be given to an individual. One of the first things that a new homeowner does is decorate their home. Almost all American Indian art pieces can be used as home décor. These home décor items may include paintings, sculptures, pottery, and much more. A new homeowner will be very appreciative of American Indian art.

It has been said in the past that a large number of individuals believe that there is a meaning behind each piece of art. If determined, these meanings could be used to find the perfect American Indian art gift. New parents may want to receive a gift that signifies the importance of having a new child or new homeowners may want a gift that brings peace to their new home. This way, not only will an American Indian art piece be beautiful to look at, but it may also have a special value.

If you are tired of going from store to store looking for the perfect gift for a friend or relative, stop searching. Visiting a local American Indian art shop or shopping online is a great way to find a gift that will not only appeal to the eye, but to the heart as well.

Kids Educational Craft Ideas - Alternatives To Using A Paint Brush:

Painting opens up a world of colour and communication for children and is a wonderful way for them to create. There are many simple and exciting alternatives to using a paint brush.

String painting is easy and is a great way for children to pattern paint. You just wrap some string around a small wooden block (this could be a building block that your children play with). A square or rectangle shape is better, but make sure that it is big enough for the child to hold easily. To aid in your child's learning, it is best to have a variety of different sizes handy. Prepare some paint and pour it into some old polystyrene trays or any tray that you can afford to use for lots of painting activities. Dip the block into the paint and press on the paper and you're done!

Marble painting is another way for children to have fun and also learn hand eye coordination whilst creating different patterns. Prepare some paint and put it in a container that has deep sides, such as an old baking tray or a shallow cardboard box. The top of a shoe box is an excellent example providing that it is still strong and intact. Put some paper in the bottom of the tray with a small amount of paint (you can use two or three different colours at a time). Drop a marble in the tray and let the children move the marble backwards and forwards, sideways etc. to create their own work of art.

Finger painting develops the child's sensory skills as they feel and touch the paint. Put some paint on an old table and let the children put their hands in it and make their own designs. If you do not have an old table that you can use, then you can always put some plastic on the table and this will suffice.

Please bear in mind that most paints are easily washed off surfaces and hands with hot soapy water but please check the instructions to be certain! Once the children have finished their painting, put a piece of paper on top and peel it off. Put it somewhere to dry and then they have a print of their art work to show to family and friends.

Here are some other quick tips and alternatives that your children may enjoy that can also be used for printing...

* Cotton bud painting can encourage children to paint in a different way, which develops fine motor skills.

* Cotton wool has a different feel and texture to it.

* Paint rollers are fun to use on large rectangular areas. So this would be ideal for example, if you are planning on painting a red cardboard bus.

* Cotton reels and corks can be used for pattern painting.

* Sponges cut into different shapes can be a great way to recycle and you can use both their rough and smooth sides in painting. Some examples of shapes you can use are rectangles and circles and a diamond or star. You can also purchase sponge shapes from a good toy shop, or you can order them from educational supply magazines.

* Other ideas include the cardboard rolls inside household foil and plastic wrap, plastic forks or jar lids.

Just remember to let those creative juices flow.

Tips To Successful Amateur Photography:

Whether you just have a simple point-and-shoot camera or the more expensive digital SLRs, you can definitely take quality pictures like the pros do. It’s not the type of camera that takes great shots, it’s the photographer. If you don't know how to correctly take a shot, you can take a really bad picture from an SLR camera.

As long as you know how to correctly take pictures and are willing to make some adjustments, taking great photos will be easy for you. Here are some tips to help you shoot like professionals even with your simple digital camera.

1. Would you like your shots to have a warmer feel? Most shots taken from a digital camera without any adjustments look cool and clammy. This is because the white balance setting is set to “auto” as default which is fine for snapshots.

If you want a warmer effect, though, with sharp colors, you may want to set the white balance to “cloudy” setting instead of auto. This is like adding a mild warming filter to the lens of your camera. Cloudy setting increases the yellow and red colors adding a richer and warmer effect to your shots.

2. Polarizing filters can be one of the most important investments you can add to your digital camera. These filters reduce the glare and unwanted reflections on your shots. This is great when you frequently take landscape and outdoor shots. Pictures taken with a polarizer have richer and more saturated colors.

If your camera won't allow filters, like a simple point-and-shoot camera, don’t fret! You can still have a polarizing effect on your shots by placing a good quality pair of sunglasses in front of the lens. It gives an effect similar to a polarizer. Just make sure that you place it to the lens as close as possible and the rims are not seen.

3. For an outdoor shot with shine, use your camera’s “flash on” or “fill flash” feature. This lets you control when you want the flash to go off, instead of it deciding when it wants to. This mode exposes first the background then adding enough flash to illuminate your subject.

For great results, place your subject where the sun illuminates the hair from the side or back. Alternatively, to let your subject be comfortable and not be annoyed by the sun’s heat, place your model in the shade then use the flash to illuminate the subject.

However, built-in flashes only have a maximum range of 10 feet. Thus, it would be better not to go too far from your subject.

4. Taking detailed shots of objects like flowers or small insects is easy with your digital camera. Most digital cameras have a feature called “close up” or “macro mode” usually indicated by a flower sign. With this mode turned on, you can take shots of objects as close as possible. However, you only get a shallow field-depth when taking close up pictures so it is better to focus on the most important part of the subject then allow the other parts of the image go soft.

5. Leveling the image may be difficult for amateurs as well as some pros. One way to get a level or an even shot, especially of a nature shot, is to look for some horizontal lines as guide. If you have a view of the horizon, where the sky meets the ocean, you can use that as your leveling guide.

If it still is difficult for you, you can try to take several shots at different angles so you’ll know which one would give you the best shot. After some time it will become natural for you to take even shots.

These are just some of the tricks you can do to take wonderful shots on your digital camera, be it a simple point-and shoot kind or the more professional SLR type. Photography is really an enjoyable and fulfilling hobby, especially when a lot of people also appreciate your shots. And it is not that difficult to have shots that most people will like. Just explore, read different books, and take advice from pros and you’ll surely be one of them in a matter of time.

Is There A Difference Between Vintage And Antique?

Antiques, simply put, are old items, things left over from a bygone world, markers of eras past. The Titanic wreck is an antique, although we don’t think of it as such. The only difference between this and what we normally consider antiques is that the Titanic, though having value, can’t be bought or auctioned off.

That’s another distinction regarding antiques: They have a market value. Although in an economic sense this is true, in the true definition of the word and concept of antiques, it’s irrelevant. Antiques are known for their age and, quite often, their rare and/or unusual design. Hey, even the Titanic has a particular design which represents it as an icon of a certain era, with a history all its own.

Of course, when it comes to antiques, it’s important to distinguish between antiques, collectibles, and vintage:

Antiques: Items of the past, usually identifying a particular era, with some value--economic, personal, cultural, artistic, but always intrinsic. Think: 1915 one-piece bathing suit, a “Model A” automobile, an authentic revolutionary tricorn hat, and, of course, the Titanic.

Collectable: Items produced to be collected and can comprise a series, such as baseball cards. Of course some aren’t produced for this reason, such as butterflies or coins, but, like antiques, they can form interesting collections and are each of a particular type which distinguishes them from the rest in the series. Think: a 1912 penny or a 1956 Buffalo nickel. These are distinctively different but are both unique coins, therefore they are collectable. They are also antiques! Collectables usually have some monetary value, but they are always sought for their personal value.

Vintage: This is synonymous with “antique,” but there is a difference. Vintage wine, for example, is that which is made primarily of grapes harvested within a specific year. It’s not too unreasonable to presume, then, that vintage items are not only identifiers of a particular historical era, but also a particular year, such as the 1912 penny, or the 1956 Buffalo nickel—or the Titanic!

Antiques cannot be discussed without mentioning road shows. Begun in England during the 1950s, road shows are collectives of antique enthusiasts (dealers, collectors, specialists) who travel around a particular country (sometimes internationally) appraising the monetary value of old items for those who are interested. Sometimes auctions take place where interested owners can sell their antiques (or collectables) to others who are interested in buying them. Nowadays, both road shows and auctions take place online as well as in some physical place.

Modern antiques, a seeming contradiction, are those items that are either technologically obsolete, such as computer hardware no longer being made, or items that are more recent yet still old enough to be considered antiques. Customs laws and dealers vary on the stipulation of age, but the commonly accepted age range for modern antiques is anything made within the previous 100 years. The 1956 Buffalo nickel, a Beatles album, and, yes, even the Titanic fit into this category.

Historically, however, antiques hold a particular reference. Those relics from Old Greek and Roman civilizations—called the “Age of Antiquity”—are particularly considered antiques, but this is only applied in certain contexts, not in the true sense of definition.

Antiques are all around us! They describe our world and who we are as a people, and measure where we’ve been and where we are now. Antiques are an ongoing commodity of human civilization and will always hold significance to us. Without antiques, we can never know ourselves.

Designing Your Own Greeting Cards:

Designing your own greeting cards is a lot of fun. Here are some tips for making your own greeting cards.

1. There are many different types of greeting cards you can design including: wedding, anniversary, cards for kids, sympathy, holiday and get well cards. Choose one you need and get started.

2. The first thing you will need is good paper. You can purchase pre-folded paper or simply buy some card stock and fold it yourself. Using a bone folder will ensure a nice clean fold. Make sure you have envelopes to fit your choice of card.

3. You will need an image on the front of your card design. Choose a sticker or a rubber stamp. Experiment with different colors and designs until you have the image you are looking for. You can layer the image on other paper, or even a combination of paper such as plain and matching patterned paper, to create an interesting design.

4. Also try using an embellishment for an extra touch and for a unique design instead of a sticker or stamp. These often add a three dimensional effect.

5. Choosing the proper glue is important in making your own cards. You can use a glue gun which works well but can wrinkle many lighter papers. A standard glue stick is probably the best all around option. It dries smooth and clear and can be used with nearly any paper weight.

6. The next step is to design the text. What will your card say? A decision also needs to be made about whether to put the text on the inside or on the cover or both. The text can be applied using rubber stamps, stickers or computer printed letters.

7. Once you have your overall design it is best to lay everything out on the card before you glue it all together.

8. Now that the front is finished it is time to begin on the inside of the card. Try using layering techniques with paper that matches the front of the card.

9. Your card is almost finished. Are you pleased with your design? Are any finishing touches needed such as: colored brads or buttons? If you used a stamp would the design look good colored in?

10. No card is complete without fiber. Take several strands of coordinating ribbon, yarn, or thread and tie into a knot. Then attach the fiber with your glue gun. You can trim the ends so your needs.

11. The Envelope. Now that you have designed this beautiful card there it is not acceptable to put it in a plain or ordinary envelope. Using the same materials you used to design your card, decorate the envelope.

It does not take very much time to design a personalized greeting card that your friends and family will love.

Arts On Line:

The profusion of online Arts websites allows anyone to explore thousands of art galleries, museums and art expositions from around the globe. Search by subject, medium, country of origin and more. Public listings of expositions and online ticket sales make it easy for even the busiest people to enrich their lives through enjoyment of art and artistic performances.

The internet serves not only traditional artists, but also those specializing in computer art. There are many web sites solely dedicated to art created on computer, and even museums of computer art. This is an entirely new venue for the new global media art community, and supports the creation, presentation, discussion and preservation of modern art that uses computer technology in original ways.

Many are free community sites which offer opportunities for the presentation of digital art from multiple digital artists as well as discussion forums for artists and members of the public. These provides a guide for both amateurs and professionals interested in exploring and using digital media and computers for creative purposes. Look for sites offering free downloads of images to enhance your personal or commercial website with photos, clip art and animations.

Read online critical history of computer graphics and animation. The internet is a global communications forum, providing professional advice from worldwide experts on creating digital art and illustrations. This advances the concept of digital fine art while promoting public interest and knowledge about this new medium.

For those more interested in traditional art, many museums now have digital photographs of their collections posted online. Without leaving your home, tour a virtual art gallery with information about the artists at your fingertips. If you are curious about a given work of art, it only takes a mouse click to find a biography of the artist and other information about the art.

Appreciation of art is greatly enhanced by knowing the artist's motive in creating it, as well as an social factors influencing the subject matter. For instance, to understand medieval paintings, it helps to know the preoccupations and perceptions of people living in this era. Many older works of art use symbolism not readily apparent to modern viewers, and an online guide brings to life the meaning behind many seemingly minor items in these paintings.

Don't forget about online ticket sales. It is so much easier to buy tickets online than over the phone. This eliminates waiting in line and guessing whether or not you are going to get a good seat for the performance. You can see a map of the theater so you can pick out exactly where you want to sit.

For those interested in learning new art-related skills, there are numerous online courses in fine arts, interior design, graphic design, art and art history master's courses. With more people engaged in distance learning than ever before, many large universities are now offering their courses online. With so much available, there's absolutely no excuse for not participating.

Advices

2007-09-03T12:09:00.000-07:00

6 Ways To Improve Your Psychic Ability:
It’s a shame that Hogsworth is not part of every child’s school curriculum, but then again, the chaos of flying broomsticks, leaping frogs, hooting owls and sudden “kapoofs” of wizardry would be overwhelming for any parent.

But, we all have the ability to sense things. When we allow ourselves, our intuition can often be right on the money. Your intuition can be developed further and here’s how.

6 ways you can improve your psychic abilities in the privacy of your own home...

1. Be Positive
You can’t tap into your psychic powers if you have a negative attitude. Stay open minded and give yourself permission to learn new experiences.

2. Relax
If you are feeling angry, tense, jealous or mentally cluttered, it is now time to unwind. Let go of those feelings and create a sense of peace around you. In this relaxed state and place of positivity, you will be able to develop your psychic skills.

3. Practice
They say practice makes perfect. Spend a few minutes each day practicing the following exercises. When driving around for a car park, visualize a spare car spot just for you. Over time a car park will always present itself to you. When the phone rings and before you pick it up, visualize who could possibly be calling you. Again, over time your accuracy will improve. Lay down six different colored pencils. Close your eyes and tell yourself to pick up the blue or red pencil. Open your eyes to see if you are right. Flip a coin and tell yourself whether it will be head or tails. This will improve your prediction skills. When a person is about to make a decision and has to choose option A or B, say in your mind the item that you want to choose. You will be surprised at how often people will choose what you stated in your mind, even when the likelihood of them choosing the other was more probable. When standing in the fast lane at the supermarket or fast food restaurant waiting to be served, select in your mind which cashier will serve you. Think of a person whom you haven’t spoken with in a while. Focus on them each day for a few minutes. Over the coming weeks they will either call you or you will bump into them in some way.

4. Use Tools of the Trade
There are a number of free online tools that will enable you to learn more about tarot, astrology, i-ching, numerology, crystals and more. These tools are used to help us focus on certain issues or questions at hand and channel our thoughts through. Do a search on Google or go to http://www.tarotreading.mobi for a range of tools.

5. Share Experiences
Don’t forget to share your experiences with like-minded friends. By talking about your psychic experiences you learn more about yourself and your craft. Keep a journal. You’ll be surprised at how far you have come over a short period of time.

6. Have Fun
Most of all, have fun and enjoy the journey. You are going to learn so much more about yourself, friends, colleagues and strangers whom you’ve just met. I’m not saying that you will now be able to foretell the lucky numbers for this week’s lotto with your newly developed psychic abilities, but these skills will certainly help you get more out of life. Whatever you do, don’t change your name to Harry, Hermione or Lord Voldemort… unless that is really your name.

Belief In Yourself:
What do you believe in?
Ponder that for a few moments...

The first and only way to fulfill dreams in any avenue of life is to have belief in yourself and what you are doing. Is that instilled in you? Before any steps are taken in a home business, you have to believe in yourself. This is the most critical element to your success! It is not what others believe, but what you truly believe! Doubters have no permission to shake or break your belief system. Believe you can and it will be so. I believe in Christ and I know through Him I can do anything if I truly believe. How can you reach the top if you are afraid of what might be there? Believe you can walk the extra mile or ascend the highest peak and you will! It is inside everyone of us and we all can attain it!

It does not matter what life you have lived up to this point. Maybe you have never believed in anything. What if all of the sudden you did? Things would change and your life would have no limits whatsoever on it's true potential. Try it! This is where any thing that you take on in life starts. What attitude do you have to develope, handle, and maintain a venture? When starting a home based business, attitude is the first key to any success. Do you know that you will be successful in it? Do you have the willingness to take all experiences and use them to your benefit? Do you have a confident, all-out attitude to realize your goals and make them happen?

You have your business plans set-up and ready to go. You have your goals and dreams outlined. Your attitude determines if you will overcome the massive amount of time invested, training, and doubts that will arise. Are you ready for it? 95% of home business do not become fruitful. Why? A give-up belief or attitude! Things don't go the way they perceived it would and they quit. They quit. Are you in the 5% that will rise above and stick to it through thick and thin? Of course you are, you just have to have the attitude and belief in you!

Believe in yourself and see what happens!
God Bless,

Break Your Bad Habits:
Having just looked at a list of bad habits posted on the internet, I can honestly say that whilst they are habitual repetitive behaviours, many of them are also disgusting! One site listed nail biting, throat clearing, lying, interrupting, chewing the end of a pen, smoking and swearing in its top 20 list of bad habits. And that’s not to mention knuckle cracking and thumb sucking.

Habits are formed when a behaviour is consistently repeated. Eventually, it becomes an unconscious behaviour, that is, that you can do it without thinking about it. In just the way your unconscious controls you blinking, breathing and walking without you having to remember to make it happen, it also takes over responsibility for activating the habit.

In a sense, the levels of competency goes some way to explaining how this unconscious activity is created:

Unconscious Incompetence- Not knowing about it and not doing it. (Ignorant)

Conscious Incompetence- Knowing what needs to be done but unable to do it, lack of skill required.

Conscious Competence- Knowing what needs to be done and have to think about how to do it, in order to do it.

Unconscious Competence- Knowing what you need to do, and being able to do it without consciously thinking about how it is done.

We can see by looking at the levels of competency process, how a positive behaviour such as learning to drive for example, is taken through the above stages so that it shifts from a conscious activity, into an unconscious one. The problem with this process is that the unconscious mind will not distinguish between a good habit, and a bad one. When learning to drive, this is generally a beneficial habit to master, and biting your nails for example is not. However the unconscious simply responds to the programming it is given. It does make a distinction about whether it is right for you or not. The more times you repeat the behaviour, the more hard wired the behaviour becomes, good or bad.

This means that in order to break a bad habit, the automatic function of it, needs to be bought back into the awareness of the conscious mind, in order to give the conscious a choice about whether to continue with the action. This could be enough for some to break their pattern, yet for other, even though when they are conscious of the habit, may continue to pursue it. For example, many people who smoke and know that they should give up, are aware of the cigarettes they light up and inhale. Worse than that, they are even conscious of what they are doing to their depleting immune system as they do it- and still they continue- why?!

The answer is that they get some sort of a pay off. An opportunity to be destructive and release some tension by biting your nails, or a moment to drift off and take a break from the busyness of work when having a fag. In the great scheme of things it’s important to note that these payoffs are of course only temporary. They only alleviate pressures for a short amount of time and usually come with a down side, such as ultimately damaging your health, the way you look, the way you feel, or the way people respond to you.

NLP techniques are great for helping to get “leverage” for applying pain to the unwanted problem and pleasure to the solution. Anchoring techniques can provide an instant desired state to relieve tension for example, so that it is no longer achieved from performing the habit. A Hypnotherapist can be consulted to reprogram the unconscious part of the mind, linking unsavoury feelings to the unwanted behaviour (for example feeling sick if you go to put your fingers in your mouth to bite your nails) and forming new habits to deal with stressful/ boredom situations in a new empowering way.

A Hypnotherapist in Hertfordshire can help you to achieve a state of well being and to be rid of bad habits. Hypnosis works because of the clients ability to focus on the hypnotherapists voice. Hertfordshire Hypnosis teaches hypnotherapists how to use their voices to create the best level of trance possible.

Disney Wedding Cake Toppers:
Your wedding could be the appropriate time to make your guests smile with some fun giving wedding cake toppers and novelty figurines. At the same time as your guests walk into the reception room one of the first things that they will see will be your fabulous wedding cake. In that case, what better way can there be to kick things off than to have one of the numerous Disney wedding cake toppers available to raise a laugh and get your guests talking.

Now things are changing rapidly as in past we used to see the traditional wedding cake with a round three tiered white cake decorated with white or pastel colored flowers. With putting of Disney wedding cake toppers, along with the guests, kids are sure to derive pleasure from these sorts of stuffs. Surely, Disney wedding cake toppers could be only available way to bring a very light moment to your grand occasion.

You will capture the magic of your Disney wedding with this charming precious ever after figurine. Disney wedding cake toppers of such extent could be an enchanting keepsake of your unforgettable day, this darling figurine features a newly wed couple in a loving embrace. Disney wedding cake toppers with ceramic figurine could well be a delightful memento of your Disney theme wedding and fairytale ending.

Disney wedding cake toppers might also include Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed up in wedding clothes, ready for their vows. Mickey might be having a black formal tuxedo while you must locate Minnie is in a pearl white wedding dress. In such Disney wedding cake toppers, her veil is full and flowing almost to the floor.

In such Disney wedding cake toppers, she carries half dozen roses, and her dress is trimmed with pearl-like balls along the edges. This Disney wedding cake topper containing a figurine is perfect for the top of a wedding cake, as a present for newlyweds, or as a beautiful figurine for you to own and show proudly. Arguably, this is one of the most stunning sets by Disney for any wedding seating.

Six Steps To Beneficial Discipline:
Hmmmm. That's a thought provoking title isn't it?

One point that needs to be made from the start. Never discipline in anger.

I tell my daughter when things get too complicated, "You go to your room, I'll go to my room and I will come to get you when I have calmed."

Often times, she just went to sleep. There was a time when I found that very upsetting, how could she sleep when I'm so distressed?!?

In hind-sight, it was probably better for both of us that she did take a nap. It may have been her need of sleep that caused whatever the situation was in the first place. The situation may have been even better resolved if I had napped also.

But, alas, you know what they say about hind-sight.

Our first step in any situation is to call a family meeting. This is a solemn conversation, no TV, no CDs or DVDs; everyone sitting around the table face-to-face for the sole purpose of correcting this situation.

Our position is that our family is a team, if one of us has a problem, we all have a problem and we all will solve it.

Our second step is to let the family member with the problem explain it to the rest of the family in enough detail to come to a solution.

(The trick is to look very thoughtful, and not laugh, these stories take some interesting turns in order to cover the back side of the teller.)

Our third step is to ask the family member involved, what they think will best solve the problem.

This depending on the age of the child, usually involves beating up someone else's child, or the child's parent.

It is explained that the other family will take care of behavior problems in their family, and that is not our business. Families each have different cultures and rules that they are governed by and we have ours. We are concerned with behavior in our family. Each member of our family regardless of age will behave according to our morals and standards.

Our fourth step is to pray for guidance.

This is a short, to the point prayer, so that the person with the problem knows how much that they are loved and that we and God are always there for them to help them find truth and a good life. Thanking God for always being with the person with the problem and watching over them. (The child at this point is reconsidering their story.)

Step five is asking the person with the problem if there is anything more that they remember about what happened before we, as a family, decree what action we shall take. This will usually take you back to step three, now that the 'God is always with me' reminder has kicked in.

Step Six, finally.

My answer to beneficial discipline was to reinforce what the child was being taught in school at the time.

Our daughter only had one problem at school, when she was 6. She falsely accused another child of wrong-doing.

After going through the above process:

She had to write the alphabet X amount of times, presenting them to her father after each time for correction. If she skipped a letter, he threw it away without comment and it was redone.

I told her to write a story about a fictitious character who had done something that they shouldn't and what the consequences of that character's actions were. She then had to turn it in to her teacher.

The teacher told her that it would count for her grade for that marking period.

This is beneficial discipline, because it demonstrates to the child family support and values, religious values, and practical application of educational skills. By writing the story we were sure that she understood what was going on.

Discipline should not be violent, it should not be a show of dominance,it should be loving and educational.

How To Stop Drinking Alcohol: Take Back Control:
Feelings of self-loathing, fear and helplessness are only some of the emotions that accompany the alcoholic in his unhappy state. An alcoholic has no control, or not enough control, over his own emotions. It can happen that the drinker is unable to cope, emotionally, with the world, and may use other negative emotions - such as blame - to cope.

The alcohol is a way to numb feelings, but unfortunately it only works in the short term. The use of alcohol only adds to the feelings of failure and self-pity, which of course reinforces the need to drink. In the long term, alcohol addiction makes the problem grow steadily worse in a vicious cycle, because it simply hides the problem instead of solving it.

For the alcoholic to get free of the addiction, it becomes vital to take back control. Without control, he has no reason (in his perception) to change. But, when he has learned how to take charge of his own emotional and mental state - something that even many non-alcoholics find hard - then there is an excellent chance of lasting change.

And how can this be done? How can the alcoholic learn to take charge of his own mind and learn how to stop drinking alcohol and have a good time instead? The mere idea that this is possible will seem preposterous to a typical alcoholic, who is so wrapped in his own misery and self-shame that he cannot see the possibilities.

The trick is to learn certain mental skills. The right types of mental skills allow the alcoholic to change the way that he or she unconsciously views the world. It changes, sometimes subtly and sometimes hugely, the way that this person thinks and feels about things, and what he says to himself.

These skills, fortunately, are easy to learn and practice.

There are several different "styles" of mental skills that can be learned. Some examples are EFT (emotional freedom technique), NLP (neurolinguistic programming) and hypnosis.

Whilst therapists will "do" the work on the alcoholic, all of them should teach the skills for self-application. For example, self-hypnosis is easy to learn and do. Learning to use these skills for himself gives the alcoholic both the ability and the responsibility of getting better.

In other words, it gives back control to the sufferer.

With persistence and practice, and help from therapists, the alcoholic can learn to take back control and start to choose a better way to live.

Alcohol Addiction: On The Wagon Or Social Drinker?
Learning how to stop drinking alcohol for some people is a long and difficult process. If you have become dependent on alcohol to cope; if you drink in the morning or before work; if you are unable to cope in social situations without your "friend" (the drink); if you have hurt people while you were drunk - then you have some important decisions to make.

The most important decision, of course, is to get rid of that alcohol addiction. Unfortunately, without that decision, it all too often ends up on that "slippery slope", that "downward spiral".

Another decision to make, and this is an important one, is whether to aim at becoming a teetotaler, where you never drink alcohol again, or allowing yourself the occasional drink in social situations.

This is a controversial topic. Some people and organizations claim that once you are addicted, you are addicted for life. Just as an ex-heroin addict can become instantly re-addicted after just one dose, so the ex-drinker can become instantly re-addicted with just the one drink.

Other people, such as certain NLP practitioners (but not all), say instead that it's better to aim for choice. In every situation, the ex-drinker can choose to drink or not to drink.

I believe that it's a little more complicated. Firstly, there are degrees of addiction. An alcoholic needs to aim at total abstinence in the first place. Only when he or she has become an ex-drinker, and (with the help of mind skills such as NLP, EFT or self-hypnosis) can have a good time without drinking any alcohol, can the decision be made.

The ex-drinker would do well to always err on the side of caution. If there is any doubt at all, then the safe route is to avoid all alcohol. The problem is not that the person may be irresponsible, but that the first thing to disappear with a drink is judgment (that is why drink-driving is so dangerous). So, after the first drink, the ex-drinker is no longer in a position to judge whether another drink is safe.

Here are my tips for an ex-drinker as to whether a social drink is safe. If the answer is "no" to any of them, then stay on the wagon!

1. Are you enjoying yourself?
2. Are you in a safe environment, where you will not be subjected to stress or bad feelings?
3. Have you coped well with this situation before without drink?
4. Have you learned to take control of your emotions even in stressful situations?
5. If you have drunk in this situation before, did you do so in strict moderation and in good spirits?
6. Finally, are you absolutely sure that you will cope with just one drink and know how to stop drinking alcohol before it has any effect on you?

Getting Greater Results:
It is true that everyone would love to have more time, but no one can have more. There are only so many hours in a day. You are entitled to twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week not one minute more. The way you handle your time , the greater the difference will be in your life.

Yes! Everyone gets frustrated from not having enough time. Have you started checking into ways to get better results? Why not take your life to the next level? Learn from the techniques below on how to get better results.

Schedule everything.

Create a balance in your life.

Only deal with what you know you are good at.

Learn how to discipline yourself.

Block time for high payback projects.

There are several ways to achieve your success.

Quit looking for ways to explain why something can't be done. Just do it.

Take control of your attitude.

Dump everything that isn't helping you to get where want to be.

If you know you are better at certain tasks, increase your worthiness.

Always plan on going in the forward direction. If you find yourself going backwards , you are heading for a hard fall.

Have a vision.

Write down your vision, and understand that is the goal you are heading for.

Do the right thing.

You should spend your time during the day, doing what you are best at.

Make yourself productive in the short period of time you have.

If you are to succeed , you have to be willing to change.

If you are to become a leader, there are times when you will have to look bad and unpopular.

These time management tips have helped many to achieve their goals. You should always want to manage yourself more effectively. When you can manage yourself , your accomplishments will be much greater and your stress level will lessen. If you have a clear focus on your goals, you are better qualified to achieve your goals.

Don't let the many interruptions of your daily life cause you to waste valuable time. You have only one life to live and you should make every minute of the day count toward your perfection. Don't be one of those that let's their pride stand in their way.

Everyone at some point has wasted time. Haven't you. There is still time to make a change in your daily life. Learn to make every minute count. Avoid wasting time.

Three Sciences, No Straining:
If two heads are better than one, then what's better than that? A sweater with two necks? Actually, three heads is probably the answer, although I can't imagine how you'd get through the door. Three heads, or at least three sciences, are what have been put together to make the science of ergonomics.

By examining each of these specialties you can see how seamlessly they fit together to create the school of evidence and thought which tells us the best ways to sit, play, and work. Ergonomics is Greek for the "laws of work", so it makes sense why these understandings have combined to change the way we do things in our employment and beyond.

The Body As A Whole

Anatomy is the science of the body and all its hundreds of parts. From organs and tissue to muscles and tendons, anatomy is the science we look to help us know where things are and how they function. Anatomy is used in ergonomics to show how the posture and way we do things affects our individual muscles and bones. The anatomy of the spine shows what happens when incorrect pressure is put on it, and the muscles of the neck reveal how their tension can lead to headaches, eye strain and cranial-facial tingling and nerve damage. Anatomy is where ergonomic designers begin when they look for a better chair or way to sit.

The Body In Motion
Physiology, often the dancing partner of anatomy, is the science of the body's most kinesthetic form, movement. It is a science that studies the effects of movement on the body and how bodies create energy to move and work. Repetitive motion injuries are often the focus of study in physiology which has developed an understanding of what happens to the body when the same movement is undertaking, and what can be done to prevent damage before it begins. Physiology also helps engineers design chairs desks and keyboard to work with the body's flow of energy and reduce the stress on the joints and muscles of the wrists and arms.

The Mind And The Body

Psychology also plays in important role in the collaborative theories of ergonomics. By understanding how human beings process information, make and change habits and the mindset they use as they work, psychology helps designers and occupational therapists develop methods and instructions to get workers to use their body more correctly. Organization psychology, which studies how people function together as a group with a common goal, is often used in ergonomic development to predict how workers can respond and adapt to changes in the physical and physiological work environment. The hardest part of getting a work place to work with ergonomic efficiency is getting the people to change how they do things. Psychologists help with that process in invaluable ways.

Ergonomics did not just burst on the scene when people started complaining of sore wrists. Design engineers have been using this unique science for decades to assist them in making the work place better for all of us.

Are You Happy?
Dr. Albert Schweitzer, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952, said, “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” So often we look to our successes to find that feeling of happiness. Yet, to find real success, we must find happiness first.

Research published in The American Psychologist reports that happy people have certain characteristics that separate them from unhappy people. Here’s what they say:

Happy people are less self-focused, less aggressive and violent, and less susceptible to disease. “They are more loving, forgiving, trusting, decisive, creative, sociable, and helpful.” Happy people have happy emotions and that’s because they are usually more sociable and they are more apt to set optimistic goals and strive to meet them. Consequently, their attitudes create healthier immune systems.

Happy people don’t suppress good feelings when they feel them. They laugh when they are happy, and they don’t hide their success or talents to fit in with the crowd. If they receive a compliment, they take it. If they have something happy to talk about, they share it.

Happy people are usually spiritual people. Though some studies show that some forms of active spirituality can correlate with prejudice and guilt, for the most part, a belief in God—and consequently, an active spiritual life—correlates well with several mental health criteria. People who are active in their church tend to be less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, divorce, or commit suicide.

Some say that money doesn’t make you happy. Not true. There is a connection between wealth and well-being, though it is not significant. Stress from financial disorder does make people depressed. However, wealth cannot be attributed to redeeming a depressed person.

Support matters. When we have a large support system of loving friends and family, we are much more happy and healthy and less likely to die prematurely. Physical support plays a key role as well. Research shows that an overwhelming percentage of depressed people are often cured by a change of diet (which includes a decreased intake of refined sugar and elimination of caffeine, drugs, tobacco, and alcohol), an increase in regular exercise, and improved sleep habits.

We have the choice to be happy by changing behaviors that make us unhappy. If you find that your behaviors aren’t in line with happy living, and you want to be happy and successful, it’s time to look at the root cause. Typically, self-worth issues rest at the core of dysfunction, and such issues most often find their roots at home.

Happy homes and families have one important thing in common—they are kind and loving to one another! Homes in which family members are overly critical, judgmental, and have tendencies toward perfectionism will produce generations of people who tend to struggle with depression. (See, "Healing Your Family History: 5 Steps to Break Free of Destructive Patterns," by Rebecca Hintze, foreword by Stephen R. Covey, Hay House, 2006, for help overcoming family patterns of unhappiness and depression).

We can begin today to resolve the reasons why we’re not behaving like happy people. As you heal, assess your behavior and see if you’re making choices that lead you to live a happy life—one that brings success.
Ask yourself:
Am I too self-focused?
Do I have happy emotions?
Am I sociable and able to express myself well?
Do I feel comfortable being myself around others?
Am I spiritually connected and have faith in a loving God?
Do I share myself with others?
Do I have healthy physical habits?
Do I surround myself with people who love and support me?
Do I spend a tremendous amount of time judging and criticizing others, including myself?
Am I a perfectionist?
Am I charitable toward others?
What underlying issues am I suppressing that may cause me to behave in ways that prevent happiness?

Use your answers to help you identify an area where you can improve. Set a goal for the week that’s realistic—one that will help you reach your goal of living a more happy and successful life.

If your answers (and your life) feel overwhelming, remember the words of the world-famous psychologist Carl Jung. He said, “There are as many nights as days, and the one is just as long as the other in the year’s course. Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word ‘happy’ would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.” Your days in dark times serve a purpose. They provide the balance of opposition needed for growth and happiness. If you’re living in unhappy, dark times and want to be happy, just choose it. While we must past through darkness as part of our life’s experience, we don’t have to live there. Use the clues in this article to get you on track to a lighter, happier time.

What Are The Best Home Schooling Programs?
Most home schooling programs are fully comprehensive and provide everything you would need for your child's complete k-12 education. However, you should keep in mind that many experienced home schoolers do not stick to just one program. They pick and choose from what they believe are best of each of the various programs. I cover in greater detail how people mix and match in my home schooling newsletter.

There are many popular and respected home schooling programs. The ones I'll cover briefly here are Saxon, Center for Learning and Curriculum Associates.

Perhaps one of the more well-known home schooling programs comes from Saxon. Saxon is a part of Harcourt Achieve, a publisher that provides a variety of educational materials across various subjects. Saxon focuses on math, phonics and early learning. Many home schoolers like Saxon's math texts. Math is an area that children will need expert instruction in. If the parents don't have a math background, Saxon may be the right math program for your child.

The Center for Learning is another of the great home schooling programs. They provide curriculum materials to public, private and parochial schools. They are also a favorite choice of home schoolers. Just as Saxon provides good math texts, the Center for Learning provides materials on English, Language Arts, Drama and Social Studies. They provide religious materials.

Finally, another favorite among the various home schooling programs is Curriculum Associates. Their materials focus on Reading, Language Arts and Math. They also have materials on test preparation, study skills and assessment.

As I mentioned, most parents will not stick to any one of the home schooling programs. They will choose Reading from this publisher and Math from that one. They often find what they like best through experimentation or from what their friends recommend.

So, which of the home schooling programs do you choose? If it were me, I would contact your State's Department of Education Home School contact person. This individual will know what programs with which students are having the most success.

How To Find The Right Flight School:
So you want to start flight training. What do you do? First of all you should research all the flight schools in your local area. By just browsing the local flight schools web site you can get a good idea of what that flight school has to offer. Check out what type of airplanes they use for flight training. Are they new or old airplanes? How many airplanes do they have? It’s up to you if you want to spend the extra cash flying a new airplane. Remember an airplane is an airplane. They might not look good but they all fly. To make it easy for you to locate all the flight schools in your area, just go to flightschoollist.com. Flight School List.Com has one of the largest aviation school lists on the internet. Once you’re done browsing all the flight school web sites you’re going to want to call and talk to a flight instructor at each flight school. I suggest that you talk to one of the flight instructors at the flight school and not the secretary. The flight instructor will be able to answer your questions in detail; the secretary will only have a general knowledge about flight training. What should you ask the flight instructor?

How many flight instructors work here?
How busy is the flight school?
Will I be able to schedule a flight instructor and airplane any time I want?
How many of the same airplane do you have? It’s nice to have two of the same airplane just in case one of them is down for maintenance.
How many hours do the flight instructors have? Remember that hours don’t automatically translate into teaching ability.
What kind of airplanes do you use for training?
What kind of maintenance do you perform on your rental aircraft?
How much does the aircraft cost per hour?
Is fuel included in the price?
Are there any fuel surcharges? Most flight school will add a fuel surcharge when fuel goes up.
How much does flight instruction cost per hour?
How much is ground instruction?
Are there any other aircraft rental fees or taxes?
Do you have any discounts for purchasing a block of time?
Usually when you purchase a block of time, you purchase it in 10 hour increments or whatever the school offers. You put the money down right away and you get a certain percentage off per hour of flight time. It depends on the flight school, they are all different.
In general how many hours does it take to get your pilots certificate at this school? The national average is about 60 to 70 hours of flight time.
What type of training materials do you use?
What am I expected to buy?
Typically how long is a flight lesson?
When can I schedule a tour of your flight school and aircraft?

Once you get done talking to the flight instructors at all the flight schools in your area, you should go pay a visit to the schools that best answered your questions. Try to talk to all the flight instructors at the flight school. Sit down with them and ask them a few questions.

Here are a few examples:

· How long have you been flying?

· How many hours do you have?

· Do you like flying?

· How do you like teaching?

· How long are you planning on teaching here?

· How many students do you have?

· Do you want to work for the airlines?

· Are you a career flight instructor?

As you’re asking the flight instructors your questions, see how they react. Are they happy to answer all your questions or do they look like your bothering them? If they act like you’re bothering them you probably want to stay away from that instructor. Once you’re done with the flight instructors, try to talk to a few students. Ask the students how they like flying at the school. Do they like the flight instructors? How hard is it to schedule an airplane and instructor?

Checkout how the office looks. Is it neat? Are the airplanes in good shape or are they all beat up? Hang around the flight school for a couple hours if you can. You’ll be able to see how they run the operation. As long as your there ask one of the flight instructors if you can rid along on a training flight to observe. Ok, know your done researching all the schools. Sit down and decide which one of the flight schools you liked best. Which one of the instructors did you like talking to? Who had the cheapest rates? Remember just with anything, you get what you pay for! Cheap is not always better. Now call the flight school that you think is the best and schedule your first lesson. Remember this article is for reference only. There are a thousands of questions you can ask a flight instructor about flight training, I just can’t cover them all right know. If you have any other question about flight training please visit flighttrainingforum.com. Here you can ask all the flight training question you want for free. I hope this article will help you decide which flight school is right for you.

Living And Working Where You Want!
Living and working any where you want, sounds like a vision come true. Others are doing it, is it your turn?

We all come up with excuses that help us feel better about not going after our goals. Well isn't it time you stop making excuses and get on with your dream?

Living the life of your dream, what does it mean to you? Isn't a dream just a journey of sorts? A place where we would like to be. Step by step we can live in our utopia, living where we want and working in our dream job.

Could you be asking how can I continue my dream when I am stuck in my life?

With bills to pay, and barely making it by. What if I tell you that, where you are is a direct result of the decisions you have made? Ouch, that one hits home.... We are where we are, as a result of what we've done or have not done. A stark reality.

Do you find yourself stressed out and off your journey? Asking yourself, can I really achieve my goals? Just like being in a strange territory without a map... we would pass by on quite a few fun stuff to see and do. A squandered life.

Most of us want success, so many have tried. More importantly so many are getting their dream life. Isn't it your turn?

What is it, that those who are living the dream are doing, that you are not? What is their secret? How can You find out? Don't you wish you could just go and ask them to show you the way? I know I do.

Spending most of my adult life studying the success and set backs of others and having had success come and go in my life, I learned a lot along the way.

A essential point I learned was, when going to a new destination... set up a good plan or even better than that, get a good mentor who knows the field. Mentors will help you save time and money when pursuing your dream, living and working your way.

How we select good guides and mentors is nearer than you think. They really do want to help you succeed with your ambition, working online. Creating your dream!

You're About To Learn 'Secrets' That Most People Will Never Know About How To Really Succeed Online...follow me the guy with the map.

Add: Five Simple Tricks For Work That's Boring:
Even if you have an ADD-friendly job, you probably still have certain tasks that have to b be accomplished that you just hate to do. So, you procrastinate or you avoid doing them completely. But that's not good. You have to pay the bills to keep your business running, or you have filing as part of your job. What's an person with attention deficit to do?

Some of us have built our businesses up to the point where we're able to hire people to do the stuff we hate to do. But what happens if you're just starting your business or part of your otherwise ADD-friendly job bores the heck out of you? Here are 5 ADD tricks to keep you from ignoring them completely.

1) Listen to something. If you're doing something that's mindless, you could put on a self-help tape or some kind of educational recording that relates to your business. Or, you can play music as loud as you can stand it. If you're in an office environment, put these things on an .mp3 player or use other headphones to keep from distracting others.

2) Plan your schedule every day. Start by making a list of tasks that you need to accomplish that day. Having things written down is sometimes less intimidating, and very important for anyone with ADD. A great way to accomplish this is through Mark Joyner's Simpleology at http://www.simpleology.com/ where you can do it all digitally, if you like.

3) Snack on something while working. If you just get a tin of sugarless mints or some wheat crackers or something that's healthy for you, you'll distract your sense of taste while you work on the task you hate.

4) When the focus runs out---switch! Rotate the tasks you have to do. If you have 6 things to do, split your hour into 10-minute segments. Do the task you hate for 10 minutes, then do something you like to do for 10 minutes and so on, until the hour is up. Then, start all over again. This will keep you non-bored and actively focused on each task you have to accomplish.

5) Dress for success. Put on your best business suit, even if you work at home by yourself. Somehow, just looking the part makes you feel the part, and you'll be more productive.

You'll be surprised at how well these 5 simple tricks can work for you, and help you accomplish things your ADD bran rebels against. Try them, and see if they don't make your workday smoother and your ADD brain happier.

How You Can Tell He's Cheating On You:
How can you tell he’s cheating on you?

No one wants to think their guy is cheating, but if you’re beginning to be suspicious, well, there there’s smoke there’s fire. Of course we psychics get a lot of calls about this – does he have another woman? Is he cheating on me? I haven’t seen him in two days, where is he?

It’s wrong to cheat on someone you love. It hurts in the heart. But if you suspect, here are the top ten clues that someone is cheating. Then you’ll know when it’s time to find out for sure.

1. Too much time on the computer behind closed doors.

This is the No. 1 clue. I read for lots of people who are dating online, it’s the no 1 way to meet people these days. Well, those women who are dating online tell me all the time about the married men who write them, and how they start right in with indecent proposals, or want a picture of them naked. So if he’s on the Internet all the time, and doesn’t want you to see – look out. You can also get specific help from TheCloser (www.thecloser.cc. It’s discrete and sensitive and thorough.) Watch your Aries guy on this one. It’s not like a fire sign to spend hours in a room, with a computer, with the door shut!

2. Overtime or working later.

Especially if this is NEW and he didn't get a promotion or anything. It’s an easy way (they think) to cover up an affair. This is an easy way for Pisces to cheat, because they have more spare time on their hands to begin with. If suddenly he’s got meetings all the time, in the evening, or has to go out-of-town on the weekends, look out.

3. Hangups or dial tones.

Now tell me the truth, when you first fell in love, didn't you call the guy a lot if he wasn't available, and sometimes just to hear his voice on the answering machine? If the phone rings and when you pick it up and say “hello” you hear a click, uh oh. If your guy’s a Gemini, this is a good place to look. They’ll want to be in constant communication with the new chick.

4. Lack of interest in sex or sudden abnormal desires.

Anything different in this area, unless there’s a cause like medication, can mean trouble. Like suddenly he’s wanting you to wear something weird, or sex toys or something. Of course if your Scorpio guy loses interest in sex, it’s a major sign.

5. Hiding or “losing” the phone bill, cell phone bill or credit card bill.

A lot of the women I’ve read for who caught their man cheating found out through bills. I guess they get careless. You’ll find a bunch of calls to the same phone number and it’s a number you don’t know. One woman I read for found out he had charged $800 on the cell phone that month. Maybe you always paid the bills and suddenly he wants to. You know there’s trouble without having to go any farther. Watch your Virgo guy on this one. You KNOW they aren’t going to lose or misfile a BILL. Come on now.

6. Accusing you of having an affair.

Well that’s just one of the nutty things men do – turn it around. They start sneaking around, so of course they suspect YOU of sneaking around. Sometimes too they’ll just pick a fight hoping you’ll leave then alone or something. Find out early while you can still work on the relationship. This is all about early detection. From what I hear, this is an Aquarius thing.

7. Excessively critical or unbelievably nice.

Both of these are sort of coming from guilt. Guys know it’s wrong to cheat on their woman. Some become critical and pick on you about everything. Suddenly it seems like he’s never in a good mood, and you can’t do anything to please him. Other guys start being sugary sweet. He hasn’t given you a gift in a year and suddenly you're getting a dozen roses? Or worse, you’ve been after him to let you have a vacation and suddenly he’s telling you to go on a cruise and take your sister along, his treat, and make it a 2-weeker. Uh oh. A Leo often shows you they’re cheating this way, because flattery is their game. They will start flattering you like crazy and fawning all over you, or suddenly the pussycat is all claws and growls.

8. Taking off or “losing” the wedding ring.

This one is just pathetic, like you wouldn’t notice. Me and my girl friend had a flat one day and pulled over to the side of the road. Well this guy pulled over and came charging out of his car to help us and we were laughing because we could see the outline of his wedding ring in his shirt pocket. Well then they for get to put it back on. Guys don’t just lose a wedding ring. Think about it. I know guys who’ve hung on to the same wedding ring for 50 YEARS. Don’t be fooled by excuses, ladies. Watch a Taurus on this one. After all a ring costs something, and money’s what it’s all about with a Taurus. Not like him to, um, misplace something of value.

9. Taking pictures out of their wallet.

I don’t know why they do this, but they do. Maybe he feels guilty having the picture of you and the kids in his wallet when he’s cheating on you. Check his wallet every now and then, or ask him if he’s still got your wedding photo in there, and can you see it, pretty please. A Cancerian who removes photos of his family from his wallet is sending you a big, big message.

10. Last big one – new interest or hobbies, activities and even eating new kind of food.

One woman I read for, well they had always had pretty plain cooking, steak and potatoes. Suddenly he’s asking for things she can’t even pronounce. Or he starts talking about Harry Potter when you two don’t have any kids, or he wants to take up golf.

Think about when you were dating. Didn’t you always pick up some new interest from the guy? You can tell it with your girl friends, too. I remember once the girls were talking about weight loss and I told them the anecdote about Laffit Pincay eating one peanut on a plane trip – half at the beginning and half at the end. Who on earth are you dating? they asked me. I was dating a guy who was in to horse racing. (Laffit Pincay was a famous jockey.) Watch those anecdotes. If your TV-watching, video-game-playing Libra suddenly starts quoting Proust, uh oh Where do you think he got it from?

Well, I hope it doesn’t happen to you, but if it does, it pays to know the early warning signals.

Learn To Love Yourself First:
What is the first thing that you usually do when you wake up in the morning? Do you stretch and smile, eager to start your day? Or do you throw the covers back over your head, wishing that you could “fast-forward” past the day and all of the responsibilities that await you? When your feet finally meet the floor and you make your way towards the bathroom, do you smile at the person staring back at you in the mirror? You should, because that is the only person who you can truly depend on to make you happy. When you put your happiness in the hands of others, you will soon realize that you will be setting yourself up for disappointment.

You’d be surprised to find out how much joy you can bring into your life by simply treating yourself good. Self boosters such as smiling every time you pass a mirror and telling yourself how gorgeous you are can make a huge difference in the way you feel about yourself. Think of how good it makes you feel when a stranger pays you a compliment or when someone tells you how brilliant they think your ideas are. The truth is we don’t really need others to make us feel this way. Even though it’s nice to hear these kinds of things from others, we possess the ability to create this for ourselves, but only ten times better.

Just as others can easily make us feel good about ourselves, they can also say things that can easily lower our self esteem. For instance, overhearing someone mention how big your thighs are, or a group of kids on the bus laughing as they use you as an example of a whale. A person with a healthy self esteem would not be affected by such things. We are all aware of our personal flaws, and trust me, we all have them, but once we learn to accept the ones that can’t be changed as a part of who we are and make an effort to change what we want to change, only then will we see that others will accept us too.

Talk to yourself...

Don’t worry; no one will think you’re crazy--if they do just sarcastically invite them to try it for themselves. In a world where talking to ourselves would label us nutty, it is completely normal and extremely healthy in one particular sense. When we make it a habit to tell ourselves positive things, and use words such as “I can” and “I will” instead of words like “I can’t”; we simply eliminate any room left for negativity to affect our lives.

Positive thoughts and positive actions can only lead to positive results. Tell yourself how proud you are of you and don’t be afraid to give yourself a hug from time to time. Often times, our past can find ways to blind us from our promising futures. Always remind yourself that “yesterday is gone, forget about it--today is here, enjoy it!” Learn to accept each new day as a brand new adventure, with a brand new opportunity, to make it better than you could ever imagine. Even when times are not so good, understanding that you hold the power to make it better will grant you a sense of peace.

Patience enables our hopes and dreams to become a reality…

Living in this day and time, stress seems to lurk under everything we fix our eyes on. With matters of employment, obtaining a job is difficult within itself; but lacking a college education can bring a person to feel as low as the sugar settled to the bottom of a cup of coffee. Another thing, the cost of living often exceeds the average salary; forcing many of us to take on additional jobs in order to barely “get by”. Money has a tendency to greatly affect our happiness, wellbeing, confidence, and self worth; it can literally alter the way we view the world. When we are unemployed, we may feel worthless, we may feel like a failure more than anything else, and worry about how the rest of the world perceives us.

There is a saying that goes “Why stress what cannot be changed in a moment’s time”. Being hard on yourself will only make matters worse and will only put a damper on your spirit. Instead, do something nice for yourself that will help lift your spirits; even if only for the time being. The key is learning how to take a step at a time. Reducing stress will help you to focus more energy into the things that you are trying to accomplish. Some enjoyable stress relievers include warm baths, reading, listening to music, reading a book, taking a walk, enjoying the company of family and friends, cooking, meditating, and basking under the gentle glow of scented candles.

Nothing is EVER as bad as it may seem…

Our minds are powerful tools, and if we allow it, they can take us on irrational rollercoasters. Think back to when you were a child; did a monster ever actually come out from under your bed or come leaping out of your closet? I would hope not! Use that same general idea and apply it to some of your fears as an adult. The only differences are upgraded fears and wisdom due to age. The only thing you possibly have to fear about your life is fear itself. It is because of fear and doubt that we are so hard on ourselves. When you finally learn and make a choice to become your own best friend, every time you walk past a mirror, the words “I love you too” will surely find a way to escape from your lips.

Discover How To Turn Your Dreams Into Reality:
What do you want from life? Do you know, or do you just drift from day to day without any particular aims or sense of direction? It might even be that you feel defeated, or stuck in a rut from which there seems to be no escape.

Whatever your situation, unless you’re happy with it exactly as it is, there’s plenty of scope for change – and a powerful tool for changing our circumstances is to create a Dream Book or, better still, a Dream Sheet that is then placed on a wall where you can hardly avoid seeing it every single day.

I recommend buying the biggest sheet of card that you can find and covering it with pictures of your ideal life. Even if you’ve never taken time to think through the kind of life that might be perfect for you, this exercise is a simple one to adapt to – and great fun to do. If there’s somewhere you’d love (but can’t currently afford) to go on holiday, download views of that destination or get brochures from your local travel agent and cut out pictures to arrange on your Dream Sheet. Likewise, your ideal house, car, school for your children, bicycle, motorbike etc. etc – just get them all up there.

The reason why I believe a Sheet to be preferable to a Book is that it takes no effort whatsoever to see it up there. It’s simply there. It’s best, as I’ve said, to put the pictures on a wall that you’re seeing all the time because then the images can most easily be absorbed into your subconscious. And, once there, they begin to take effect. As familiar images they somehow come within reach. Not immediately. Nothing is that easy! And don’t ask me how it happens because I couldn’t answer with any degree of accuracy. All I know is that it does. It has happened over and over again for me, for members of my family and indeed for everyone that I’ve told about this method.

For example, my eldest daughter had pictures of Canada all over her sheet, along with a Mazda MX5. When she placed them there, she did so thinking in terms of ‘pie in the sky’. However, they became familiar territory and as time went by it began to feel as if a trip to Canada and ownership of the sports car of her dreams were part of her ‘reality’. She didn’t so much hunger for them as inwardly accept that they were there and that it was inevitable that she would go to one and own the other!

Sure enough, she did, with no cost to her …

Unexpected doors had been opening since she put her Dream Sheet in place and suddenly, one day, a family member ‘all out of the blue’ offered her a red MX5 for which they no longer had a use. Similarly, a year or so later, a dream trip to Banff and a train journey across the Rockies from Jasper to Vancouver came her way.

As I mentioned earlier, I can’t explain how Dream Sheets work. That part needs, I feel, to be taken on trust. But I could give many more examples of how they’ve worked for us – so what have you to lose by trusting them too?