Happy Cauliflower

Getting The Golf Ball In The Air With Physics. Love, Appreciation, and the Heart.

2005-10-28T00:44:00.000-07:00

Together Sex -- Book on Swinging - Download

Sir Issac Newton was one of the world's most influential thinkers. He tackled what most people would consider to be complicated topics. But most things when explained in layman's terms become a slot simpler.

For example one of Sir Issac Newton's Laws of Physics states, 'For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction'. In simpler terms, if you run at a brick wall at full speed, what do you think the equal and opposite reaction will be?

In golf we can apply this theory very easily in regards to your golf swing. If you are having difficulty in getting the ball in the air, or you hit "worm burners", or low shots you may be using his theory backwards without knowing it.

What some people may think about how to get a golf ball off the ground, by swinging up on the ball, or trying to lift it off the ground, actually produces the opposite result desired. Remember the law, an equal and opposite reaction. Swinging up produces an opposite reaction, a downward reaction of the ball. In contrast, swinging down on a ball, or hitting the ball on the downswing, produces the opposite reaction, the upward reaction of the ball.

The other factor that comes into play here is the golf club. The clubs are designed to achieve a degree of lift according to the loft of the club. The loft on a four iron is less than the loft of a nine iron. The four iron will get the ball in the air enough to allow it to go longer where the nine iron will get the ball a lot higher for closer shots you want to land softer.

Read more articles by this author, about this and other subjects, here.

About The Author

Bob Power has been an Internet entrepreneur for longer than he would like to remember. He is currently on a voyage of learning, thanks to his readers, who have asked him to answer questions about topics they want more information on. You can see some of the surprising, and at times exciting results, and variety of topics and paths this has taken him on, or to contact Bob Power please click here.

These articles may be reproduced exactly as shown above. No revisions or changes are permitted.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

IntoThisMoment.com - Transform Your Relationship with Money; Energy healing helps release anxiety, f...

As I started to write this article a few words from a song kept running through my head "all you need is love..." This month we will be bombarded with ads for cards and gifts and urgings to show others that we love them. Many religions and traditions exhort us to "love one another," to care about others and to appreciate the gifts of life. In both advertising and tradition the heart is the symbol of love.

Recent scientific discoveries have found that the heart is actually involved in emotional processing. Messages are sent both ways between brain and heart.

The Newest Science in Golf

The new science of called Neurocardiology has shown that the heart is actually a sensory organ and a sophisticated encoding and processing center. The heart can learn, remember and even make decisions independent of the brain.

The emotional processing of the heart operates much more quickly than the linear reasoning process of the mind. This emotional processing can bias or color the cognitive processes. Stress caused by unmanaged emotions can affect the entire body.

The research conducted at the Institute of HeartMath has consistently demonstrated that positive emotions such as love and appreciation are the key to optimal functioning. The use of heart rate variability (HRV) measurement equipment provides information on the beat-to-beat changes in heart rate. HRV is very sensitive to changes in emotional state. When people think angry, frustrated, or anxious thoughts an erratic and disordered pattern is shown.

When people experience positive emotions like appreciation, love or compassion a much more ordered or coherent pattern is displayed. Obviously it is much healthier for the heart and body to have a coherent heart rate. Fortunately there are easy to learn techniques that can be put into use during stressful times that can help change our habitual responses to stress.

Simply remembering to feel appreciation for short periods of time every day can be a first step. The holidays shouldn't be the only time we remember to express our love for others. Tapping into that "loving feeling" can be good for our hearts as well as for our relationships.

Lorna Minewiser, Ph.D has been helping people reduce their stress for more than 15 years.

Yoga Health Secrets: relaxation, stress-relief, health and inner peace

She offers individual and group coaching, workshops, CDs, e-books and Stress Reduction and Relaxation kits. She is available for presentations on the power of beliefs and on Stress Reduction. For more information you can reach her at http://www.thestressreductioncoach.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
Lightweight Backpacks - Some Ideas
Easy Steps to Get Onto Google Top Search Pages
Hooray, You Failed!
Three Ways to Transition to a New Career
Ticket Scalping: A Victimless Crime?
Flower Delivery Online - Sending Flowers is a Thoughtful and Convenient Gift Idea
Music Therapy: Can Music Really Soothe The Savage Beast?
Training Courseware : The Complete Computer Training Manuals
Search Engine Submission : Reciprocal Link Exchange SEO Management Software - Increase Targeted Traffic
Submit Rss Feed : Print Release
Wolverhampton Horse Racing : Make A Huge $54.00 Per Sale!
Lingfield Horse Racing :
Recommend: How To Train A Happy Dog In 15 Minutes A Day...
Generates Statistical Reports: Lotto-pro Lottery -winning Lotto Software Packages, Systems, & Strate...
Profitable Office: Clean Grow Rich. Office Cleaning - Your Cleaning Business 120 Pg. Ebook - Free Cl...
Talking About You: Your Own Online Business, Using The "simple Online Business" System...
Spent Thousands Of Dollars: Affirmations Goal Setting Software - Motivation & Personal Growth...

Mortgage Broker Training: How to Secure Loyalty From Realtors. The Symbolism Behind an Anchor Tattoo and Anchor Tattoo Design.

2005-10-27T09:45:00.000-07:00

Creating Relationship Magic Book... Filled with relationship Strategies that work

So you've just returned to your office after delivering an Oscar worthy presentation to a real estate agent. They're impressed and ready to do business with you. In fact, they promised to refer their next buyer to you. Good job, now you can kick your feet up on your desk and wait and wait and wait....

Does this sound familiar? Have you had agents promise you deals that never appear? So what happens after the first meeting? Why do Agents have such short -lived memories of promises they've made to you? Has it reached the boiling point - the point of giving up on Agents altogether? If so, keep reading because you'll find the mistake you've been making that by correcting it could dramatically turn things around.

Practice Like a Trial Attorney

If you consider it for a moment, trial attorneys are one of the great persuaders among professions. They spend their careers in courtrooms convincing juries if someone should be deemed guilty or not. So why not take a few cues from them and adapt as part of your strategy for building loyalty with agents.

Like an attorney's opening argument expresses his point of view, in your first meeting with an Agent, you share compelling reasons for doing business together.

Loans Officer Mortgage Calculator

After your opening argument is often the place loan officers make their mistake. Once they've heard the Agent remark, "I'll send you my next piece of business," they think their job is done, when in actuality, it's just begun. What the Agent has really said is, "I like you and you're a swell person." Not exactly the sound of commitment, is it? Solidifying a relationship with an Agent comes from building your case, just like an attorney convinces the jury, it happens over the course of the trial.

To Build Your Case, Document Your Performance

Too often, loan officers have a tendency to make lots of promises, like:

Closing loans on time
Being available 24/7
Returning calls promptly
Having doc's early to Title
Providing leads to Agents

Instead of making promises, learn how to document your performance. Documenting your performance means that you've specifically accounted for your actions and quantified results you've helped achieve with the Agent - your client. It communicates how you've solved a problem for them. Nothing ever speaks louder to a prospect than your track record.

Look at the two examples to demonstrate the point:

Example A: "I can close your loans on time."

Example B: "Over the past 2 years, 99.3% of loan doc's have arrived to Title 5 days prior to close of escrow."

Example B uses the S.M.A.R.T. method. The results are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-phased. This method will help shape your documentation so it's powerful in the written form.

By reviewing your performance regularly with Agents to document results, not only do you uncover quantifiable intangibles, but also it helps to positively remind the Agent why they chose you instead of your competitor. So the next time your competitor solicits your client, they'll be confronted with some tough-to-answer questions on how they've solved problems for other Agents.

With a track record in tow, you can use it to build your case by dripping it to your prospects after the first meeting. As long as you document, you'll always have fresh and continuous results to build your case with a prospect.

To Build Your Case, Use Variety of Packaging

Why do people believe what they see in writing before they believe what they hear? Because words published in black and white text are considered trustworthy compared to the spoken word.

Once you've documented your track record, package it in varieties. This includes, but isn't limited to:

Articles
Case Studies
Audio CD's
Newsletters
Flyers
Postcards

Gift wrap your documentation in varieties because people gather information differently. Some prospects want information in small doses. Sending postcards with pint size content can be easily digested. Then there are prospects that need to know everything. They'll appreciate reading a newsletter or lengthy article.

Having variety gives you the chance to build your case by dripping over time. Just because you send a prospect a flyer after a first meeting is no guarantee that they'll read it.

It's like a Grammy Award Winner. A musician doesn't win an award after someone has heard his or her song one time. They win because listeners hear the song repeatedly.

Send the same information repeatedly, just change the packaging. If your first piece is an article, let your second piece be an audio CD of the article. Or send information at different lengths. A postcard communicates a different message than a newsletter, yet both can include the same message.

To Build Your Case, Communicate Single Messages

My last trip to the grocery store turned out poorly. My wife called and asked me to pick up some things, she gave me the dreaded grocery list. Upon returning, she graciously informed me that I didn't get half the things she requested. It wasn't my fault - but that's another story.

When you communicate a list of things, nothing gets communicated. Agents are more likely to read or listen to information that communicates a single message. Remember, you're competing in a communications jungle that's overcrowded and most messages get lost in the noise. It's easier to get noticed by sending one message than by sending too much information that ends up diluting your case.

Besides if you tell the prospect everything there is to know, there's nothing left to anticipate. That's like getting the same prize every time in the Cracker Jack box. After a while, it becomes anti-climatic.

As you drip one message at a time, you'll stay in sight and in mind! This establishes familiarity, which breeds attraction. After meeting with an Agent, building your case is the key to solidifying the relationship. A documented track record gives you persuasive material that can be packaged in varieties and dripped to your prospect. It becomes only a matter of time before they are convinced that you're their preferred loan officer.

Jeff Nelson helps mortgage companies and individual loan officers increase loan originations by attracting quality relationships with real estate agents from the development of customized relationship-building strategies.

Click here to get a free copy of the Marketing Planning Guide, a 20-page workbook designed to help you outline a strategy to becoming an Agent Magnet.

Visit us at http://www.loan-officer-marketing.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Catch Your Cheating Spouse -- How To Find Out If Your Husband, Wife, Girlfriend, or Boyfriend are ch...

Anchor tattoos were all the rage for sailors. It was often the symbol of a very experienced sailor. Anchor tattoo designs are one of the oldest types of tattoos. However with an interest in all things retro and chic these have come back into fashion. In fact in the tattoo field as a whole retro tattoo designs have been experiencing a resurgence. These retro tattoo designs have come back to life with new more vibrant tattoo colors, designs and placements on the body. This trend originated on the west coast mostly and has even become known as west coast tattoo style.

Retro themes in tattoo designs are especially popular with the rockabilly group.

So what is the symbolism behind the anchor tattoo design? While the earliest forms of an anchor being used as a symbol harkens all the way back to the early Christians. They would often use the anchor as a hidden symbol for the cross. This was often used to show that they were Christian while escaping persecution from the Greeks.

The symbol much later became popular with sailors. This is a pretty obvious connection here being that sailor use anchors constantly in their work.

The anchor tattoo design has become a symbol for stability and a strong foundation. It can also mean a boyfriend, girlfriend or significant other in someone's life. You see a man might get an anchor tattoo to show that his girlfriend is the stability in his life.

These have become increasingly popular for women to get and they often place them just below their collar bone on the right of left side.

So the anchor tattoo is a great tattoo with lots of symbolism and history behind it. If you are looking for something to remind you to stay grounded or want to symbolism a particularly stable or grounding relationship that you have then an anchor tattoo design might be something to look into.

Chris has been running Design My Tattoos website for the last three months. He likes helping people find the custom tattoo designs and where to get them done by professional tattoo artists. Check out the site and post a job to get your own custom tattoo design. If you are a tattoo artist and would like to earn some extra income go ahead and sign up as an artists and make some money in your spare time. Check out this article on the symbolism of anchor tattoos on the site.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
Building a Character Wall
How To Make Shaving Easy!
Why Choose A Professional Web Designer?
Composite Credit Report Score Simplifies Mortgage Issues
Consumers - Fight Back With FTC's Do Not Call Registry
Best of British: Gizmondo Doomed To Fail?
Dead Man Walking
Auto Blog : Auto-Blog Builder
Arabic Lessons : FSI Programmatic Spanish, Begginer Spanish, Intermediate And Advanced Level Spanish
Horse Racing Odds :
Search Engine Optimization Forums : Next Generation Linking Solution
: Forex Trading With Real Time Chat Room Support!
Sales Lead Generation
Coffee
Egyptees
What a Palm
Aint it a notebook

Ten Things Medical Doctors Are Not Good At. The Next Generation IBT TOEFL.

2005-10-24T13:36:00.000-07:00

YOUR RIGHTS and Responsibilities as a Renter - Protect Yourself

Of course, I'm not referring to your doctor who, like Mary Poppins, is practically perfect in every way. But let's just say that the rest of us physicians have things we could do better...

1. Taking time to actually stop and get to know the patient.

I know one lady who says she has a better relationship with the checkout clerk at the grocery store than with her physician. It's true that doctors have a legitimate need to see a certain volume of patients in order to cover practice-expenses and still have money to take home. This translates into a limited amount of time per patient. However, some of the time-pressure doctors feel they are under is of their own making, and even the same amount of time might be better spent.

How is this any different from what a restaurant owner has to do? The restauranteur has to supervise employees, handle deliveries, and oversee the preparation and serving of food, yet still finds time somehow to chat with the customers.

2. Sticking to appointment schedules.

Yes, medicine is unpredictable and doctors must meet the medical needs of the patients in front of them before moving on to others. Patients understand this. But scheduling ten different patients for a 1:00 p.m. appointment is inexcusable.

3. Remembering what happened at the last visit, what test they asked for and why they asked for it.

Need I say more?

4. Dealing with more than one chief complaint per visit.

This is a variant of the time-pressure issue. With the allotted time being only just adequate to cover one problem, woe to the patient who has two or three. There is no easy solution apart from scheduling another visit to handle an additional problem. But if you're the patient, it's in your best interest to prioritize your problems and take control of the agenda. Get the most important issue out on the table first thing and before the doctor launches into an unrelated and time-consuming tangent.

5. Diagnosing conditions for which "objective" tests are not available.

Even modern medicine doesn't have good tests that show every condition as an abnormal blood-level or as a spot on a scan. But that doesn't mean that the untestable conditions don't exist or are somehow less credible. For example, there is no confirmatory medical test for migraine, but unless the 12% of the population experiencing this problem is lying, there are a lot of folks out there for whom the tests might be normal, but they aren't.

6. Staying interested in you when there are no more tests to order or procedures to do.

This is not a good time to drop the ball. Regardless of the outcome of a test or procedure, there is still some unmet need to be addressed.

7. Delivering on promises.

This one seems so needless. For example, why would a doctor promise that records and films will go to a specialist and then not follow through? Better not to make such promises in the first place.

8. Picking up a telephone to call another doctor.

I don't understand why this occurs, but physicians often seem incredibly reluctant to phone another doctor to sort out a question concerning their shared patient. Sometimes they order a nurse or clerk to do it instead, or leave the issue unresolved.

9. Respecting boundaries.

This bears explaining. Boundaries refer to the lines at which one person's rights and responsibilities end and another person's rights and responsibilities begin. Crossing a boundary without permission usually leads to grief and resentment. An example of one doctor not respecting a boundary with another doctor is when doctor #1 tells the patient to change the dose of a medicine prescribed by doctor #2. This leaves the patient caught in the middle.

10. Calling you back with results of procedures and tests.

Once patients have had, say, a scan, a colonoscopy or a blood-test, they start worrying about all the most dangerous things that might turn up. A simple phone call to the patient that nothing bad turned up on the tests and that the details can be discussed at the next visit--even if it comes from staff--prevents a lot of worry and sleeplessness.

There seems to be a recurring theme here. Perhaps I'm revealing my age when I say I am reminded of the chain-gang boss in Paul Newman's "Cool Hand Luke" movie who drawled, "What we have here is a failure to communicate!"

Gary Cordingley, MD, PhD, is a clinical neurologist, teacher and researcher who works in Athens, Ohio. For more health-related articles see his website at: http://www.cordingleyneurology.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

A number of years ago Educational Testing Services (ETS), the people responsible for the TOEFL test, brought the test into the computer age by transitioning it from a paper-based test to a computer-based test. This allowed them to stop the practice of previewing

IT Exams Practice Test, your A+ , MCSA and MCSE exam preparation material.

questions and answers while listening to material, and it allowed them to add some unique testing questions, such as matching up items and placing a sentence within a paragraph. It also allowed them to individualize the listening and grammar sections of the test by catering items to the ability of the student. A student's score was no longer dependent on the number of correct answer he or she gave but the degree of difficulty of questions he or she was able to answer correctly.

However, the computer-based TOEFL was an assembly of separate skills - reading, listening, grammar, and writing. In this format it was possible for students to learn tricks to increase their performance in each of these areas, a practice that did not reflect their true ability to handle the language. Students could demonstrate their reading skills separate from their listening skills and writing skills, but true language is seldom so fragmented. This weakness in the test was made worse by the absence of a speaking component. If a student wanted to demonstrate a competency in this skill, he or she had to take a separate speaking test such as the TSE, the Test of Spoken English, also produced by ETS. It became obvious that a change in the TOEFL was necessary to reflect the true nature of English to see whether a testtaker could handle the language in more true-to-life situations. Enter the Internet, the ultimate medium.

With the Next Generation iBT TOEFL, students go on-line and take the test directly from ETS at test centers throughout the world. There are roughly forty-five sessions a year, all on Fridays or Saturdays. Details can be found on the ETS web site at http://www.ets.org. The iBT, Internet-based

Business English Language Multimedia Grammar Practice

test, is an integration of all four language skills - reading, listening, speaking, and writing - in which grammar plays a more minor but still a necessary component. In other words, there is no longer a grammar section on the TOEFL, but grammar is taken into consideration in the evaluation of both the speaking and writing sections. Another change is in the scoring. Whereas the computer-based TOEFL was scored out of 300, the iBT is scored out of 120, 30 in each of the four skills. To succeed in this new format, students need to be good note takers as they will be required to read passages and then listen to lectures or long conversations in order to respond either orally or by writing to questions, usually about how the written material relates to the listening material. The language skills of gist, details, inferences, vocabulary, reference, and insertion are still tested along with the new skills of paraphrasing and determining overall organization and purpose. The addition of these new skills, along with the integration of the sections, makes the Next Generation iBT TOEFL a more valid evaluation of a student's real-life language skills and his or her ability to succeed in a real academic setting.

Since preparing for

ESL TRAINERS INTERNATIONAL &#150 employment in teaching English as a Second Language

the Next Generation iBT TOEFL is challenging, a student is well advised to take a class or join a study group to develop the necessary skills to pass. Also, it is essential that a student get a good preparation textbook, but there are only a few that have kept up with the changes in the test, such as Longman Preparation Course for the TOEFL Test , Next Generation iBT and Delta's Key to the Next Generation TOEFL Test. Many private and community colleges offer one- or two-term preparation courses, but there may be prerequisites a student must satisfy before being admitted to these classes. There is an alternative, however, for people who want to bypass prerequisites or are unable to invest three to six months preparation time. The TEST PREP Team offers a 45-hour intensive TOEFL Preparation Course over ten Saturdays. This course is available only in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Information on this course, as well as a number of learning tools to help students prepare by themselves, is available at http://study4toefl.com, but hurry - the next class starts on October 8th.

Ambien has been teaching ESL at the college level since 1989 and, as a TOEFL specialist, has been helping students get high TOEFL scores since 1997. He is friendly, personable, kind, patient, supportive and motivating. Ambien is certified as a specialist in the Next Generation iBT TOEFL.

Ambien Malecot, BA, MA
Instructor / Program Developer

GMAT GRE LSAT Test Prep, Personal Statement and MBA Essay Editing

The TEST PREP Team
TOEFL Course
#206 - 3280 West Broadway
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6K 2H4 CANADA
Telephone: 604-738-0077
Fax: 604-739-3777
E-mail: info@study4toefl.com
Web Address: http://www.study4toefl.com

When one teaches, two learn - Robert Half

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
Ab Sculpting Exercise - One Of The Most Productive Exercises For Your Abs That Is Hardly Ever Used
Well Managed Investing Risks Bring Rewards!
Five Quick Ways to Determine One Hosting Company From Another
The Benefit of Pilates
FAT LOSS: The Truth On Fat Loss And How To Achieve It!
Do What You Love, Love What You Do
The Art of Successful Branding
Jewelry: Evil Eye
Fishing lodges are interesting places. Some have reputations fishing...
For safety when you jump two experienced instructors will jump skydive...
The marshes and swamps also serve as homes lake...
Hart, a Memphis stockbroker who was elected to basketball...
By contrast, less than 5 percent of the student body attends basketball...
Mother Suffers: Crystal Healing For Pleasure Or Profit....
Right Track: Living Within Your Means - The Easy Way...
Going Through: 1000 Questions For Couples - The Book Of Questions...
Highly Targeted Resume Distribution: Resume Distribution | Resume Submission Services...
Legal Within: Unlimitedgamedownloads.com : Free Unlimited Game Downloads...

Are You Flushing Your Money Down The Toilet...Literally?. Guidelines For Conducting A Good Meeting.

2005-10-23T12:42:00.000-07:00

"Access Diabetes, the Vitamin and Mineral Connection, Diabetes type 2, sugar diabetes, diab...

Many of you are probably aware that The American Medical Association has officially declared that all adults should be taking food supplements. Taking a multivitamin/mineral and an antioxidant every day is now doctor-recommended.

Like most people, you probably buy your multi-vitamin from your local drug store or GNC. You've looked at the label to see what's in those little pills and, assuming it passes the test, you purchase it.

What if you knew that the money you were spending on vitamins was literally being flushed down the toilet? Would you continue to spend your hard-earned cash on something that was doing absolutely nothing for you?

Millions of Americans are trying to lead healthier lives by taking vitamin and mineral supplements. The problem is that MOST vitamin supplements have less than a 20% absorption rate. The remaining 80% is going down the toilet...that is why you don't FEEL any different when you take your vitamins.

In Salt Lake City, for instance, over 150 gallons of undigested vitamin and mineral pills show up in their filters every month. In Tacoma, Washington 25,000 pounds of undigested vitamin and mineral pills (some with their brand names still legible) are pulled out of the sewers every 6 weeks!

What is the solution, you ask? Scientists have developed a way to increase your body's absorption of certain vitamins and minerals. Your body naturally absorbs the sugar fructose (a fruit sugar) so, they bound the vitamins and minerals to the fructose. This is called fructose compounding and it increases your body's absorption rate to 98%.

Imagine taking a vitamin every day and reaping the benefits of balanced nutrition. The key is in taking a supplement that your body can USE.

What can you do about it? Do some research on companies that use this patented delivery system. There are a few reputable companies that sell vitamins your body can use. Some are more expensive than others, so look around. They can be found in liquid or pill form (both work equally well with this delivery system).

Switching to a vitamin that you can actually use can have tremendous effects on your energy level and sense of well-being. If you are already spending your money on a supplement to improve your health, why not try one that can make a difference!

Jennifer Smith is a dentist and also works from home with a wellness company to promote health and safety in homes across North America. To receive free information on how to improve your family's health and safety, send a request via email to smith_jendr@yahoo.ca.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Okay, so

500 free DHTML and JavaScript applets: download menus, script-generators, guestmaps, scrollers, tick...

you've figured out what kind of meeting is needed, you've planned well and you have all the right materials. How about the meeting itself? How can you be sure the meeting you've so carefully planned and prepared actually comes off as expected?

The checklist below can help you through the process.

- Begin on time, clearly stating the meeting objective and your intentions to stick to type, time, topic, agenda

- Obtain agreement on the agenda items and times for each item

- Agenda changes must be consistent with meeting objective, type, time limits

- Consider having a time keeper, rather than letting topics exceed time limits

- Use action language to assign responsibilities -- What will be accomplished, who will accomplish it, time frames and deliverables (when and how to be accomplished)

- Appoint a scribe to document meeting results

- Have a "parking lot" for topics not on the agenda - at end of meeting - Review parking lot, decide resolution, assign follow-up, if appropriate

- Anyone who feels the process is not supporting the objectives of the meeting should speak up and share this observation

- Decide date and time for next meeting, if needed

- Debrief the meeting (should take less than 5 minutes). Ask questions like Was the meeting necessary? Did the meeting begin and end on time? Was the agenda adhered to? Were participants objective, and all viewpoints heard? Were outside interruptions avoided? Did all participants have an opportunity to contribute? Were digressions and repetitions avoided? Were win/win solutions achieved? Was feedback offered and accepted?

- End on time

Denise O'Berry - aka 'Team Doc' - is the founder of http://www.teambuildingtips.com Visit our site for helpful team building tips and tools and advice.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
The Fastest Way to Success
Tourist in My Own Hometown
Build a Great Team - Ten Easy Ways to Start!
Intellectual Property:Trade Mark Infringement - Pharmaceutical Product - Exhaustion of Rights
7 Tips on Using Food Diet Remedies for Your Common Health Ailments
Baby Boomer Beats Battle of the Bulge: "If I Can Do It - You Can Do It!"
Are You Living An Illusion Romance Like Lisa Snowdon and George Clooney?

A Fundraising Road Trip: Planning & Achieving Your Goals. What Answers To Questions For A Home Insurance Price Quote Will I Need To Know?.

2005-10-21T18:41:00.000-07:00

FundRaising for REAL People

Do you ever daydream about going on a great vacation? It's fun to think of all of the great sights and things to do once you get to the destination. But usually there's lots of planning involved, such as planning around schedules, getting tickets and placing reservations. It can be quite an ordeal. But once you're on your dream vacation, boy is it worth it.

Oddly enough, creating fundraising goals is itself a little like going on a trip.

Here's how...

The Destination: Long Term & Yearly Goals

What's the first thing you do when you decide to go on a trip? Yes, that's right - choose the destination. Is it Disneyworld or New York City? Will you camp at the local state park or Yellowstone? Starting a fundraising program without a predefined goal is like getting in your car at the beginning of a vacation and saying, "I don't know where we're going, but I hope we get there!" (Doesn't make much sense, does it?)

Your yearly goal is the final destination that your group should be striving for all year long. Whether your organization follows the calendar year, school year, fiscal year, or whatever the case may be, you still need to set this long term destination goal.

Budgetary requirements generally guide the financial goals that are needed for your organization. What are the total expenses for the year, and how much of those expenses need to be covered by fundraising efforts? Write down this "big target" number that needs to be reached by the end of the year.

The Roadmap: Project Goals

Now that you've decided on a fundraising destination, the next step is to break down that number into smaller, more manageable goals.

Imagine your organization's individual fundraisers such as events, raffles, or candy sales as the highways you will take to get to your final destination. Therefore, each individual campaign or event has its own fundraising goals. The combined goal amount should equal or be greater than the yearly goal.

Having too many fundraisers that appeal to the same audience can become burdensome and reduces the effectiveness of your efforts. By forecasting the amount of funds needed, you'll be able to plan the right amount of individual fundraisers.

The Pit-Stops: Fine Tuning Your Fundraising Goals

During the course of the year, periodically review your fundraising goals. Have your fundraisers met their individual targets? If not, the "pit-stops" are times when you can do some fine tuning to your list of goals and objectives.

Consider ways that you can earn more on the remaining fundraisers

1. Increase attendance at your event by adding something unusual, like a door prize drawing, a contest or a "celebrity" appearance

2. Place calls or send letters to get more prizes donated for your raffle or auction

3. Add an additional source of revenue to already planned

4. Add an easy fundraiser that doesn't require much time from volunteers, such as an online magazine fundraiser

Reaching Your Destination

Your group has worked hard to raise funds for your cause. Be sure to celebrate along the way, thanking donors and volunteers. Each year evaluate what programs worked best, how you can improve upon them, and ways that you can become more efficient in planning the fundraising programs.

About the Author: Sandra Sims has been raising money for non profit organizations for over 10 years. She is the publisher of Step By Step Fundraising e-zine and website, which will help you get maximum results from your fundraising campaigns. Get a free copy of the special report The 5 Keys to Successful Fundraising.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

How To Build Your Own Automatic Lawn Sprinkler System

Lets face it, finding the best home insurance price quote can be an aggravating task if you're not fully prepared with answers to the common questions that most insurance companies will ask. This article outlines the questions that an insurance agent will ask you when you're requesting quotes for home insurance. Having this information handy will make finding house insurance easier and save you valuable time.

The most obvious question that will be asked first deals with your address information. The home insurance agent will need your street address as well as the state, city and zip code. This information will be used as the starting point for all future questions.

A normal question deals with the approximate location of your home in relation to the nearest fire hydrant. You can also be expected to have to know how far the nearest fire department is from your house. The insurer will want to know if you have a fire alarm system and if so what type of system.

Additional questions will focus on whether or not anyone living in the house smokes and if your building has an internal sprinkler system. Make sure you know if you have a burglar alarm and what type of alarm it is because that question will come up. You might be asked if you live in a gated community and if you have a dog as a pet. If you do own a dog then the insurance provider will want to know the breed.

You can be assured that you will be asked how old you are and if the answer is over 55 expect a follow up question on whether or not you are retired. The insurance company will expect that you already have some form of homeowners insurance with another company so be prepared to answer that question along with if you have car insurance, if so - with what company and for how long. Don't be alarmed by such questions, as they are routine when trying to determine a home insurance price quote.

If you've made any insurance claims within the last 3 years then the home insurance provider will want to know the claim amount and the reason for initiating the insurance claim. You will also be expected to truthfully answer if you have ever had an insurance policy cancelled or non-renewed.

Questions that center on your home include, how many rooms in the house - without counting bathrooms, the number of people living in the house and a rating of your home from inexpensive to expensive. You will be asked if you own any property that is very valuable (such as: jewelry, antiques, home entertainment system, or a musical instrument)? You'll have to know what year the house was built, the type of residence it is, what building materials were used to construct the dwelling and if you rent or own the property.

As you can see although the list of questions is small having the necessary answers when you need them will save yourself as well as your insurance agent valuable time and eliminate unnecessary headaches. It may also help save money on your home insurance price quote.

Timothy Gorman is a successful webmaster and publisher of Best-Free-Insurance-Quotes.com. He provides more insurance information and offers discount auto, life and home insurance that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

Other websites operated by Tim

Cellular-Phone-Solutions.com - Free information and resources regarding cell phones and cell phone plans.

Military-Loans-Online.com - Which provides free money saving loan quotes on all of your loan needs to include home equity loan information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
HP Digital Cameras - History and Beyond
Dog Hygiene Basics
Friendship Albums
Your Kid's Career - Whose Choice?
3 Steps To Increasing Your Income
The News About Newsletters
Sell More: How to Get Motivated Buyers To Call You First
Speed has grown slightly all up to 550 km hour...
Cartoon Lead
Perfectionist All Hiking
Get rid of depression with depressive Gothic Jewelry
The skin around your eyes massage...
The Morgan's Rock honeymoon package is not...
Farrell plays a former All basketball...
He was a money machine. A tremendous earner for these casino...
The military, and military schools military school...

The Forgotten Advertising Tip. Home Field Advantage in the MLB (Part 1).

2005-10-20T17:23:00.000-07:00

I'm

Police officer and Law Enforcement Job Testing Tips

sure while you have seen many tips on advertising, many that talk about testing and tracking your ads, I'm sure that this one important tip is rarely mentioned: Running more than one ad at a time isn't the greatest idea.

While it seems like a good idea to spend your monthly advertising budget all at once at the first of the month, is it really gaining you the best exposure? Even if you are running ads on various websites and networks, there is a pretty good chance many of those that see your ad on one site are going to see them on another.

Rather than having several ads running at the same time, try to space out your ads a bit and run only one at a time. Why? Well think of it this way. Say a visitor seeing your ad on one site and thinking "interesting, I may have to buy something later". Later that same day if they are on another website I'm sure they'll think, "there it is again, but I'll buy later".

Now think if you would have waited a week or two before advertising at that second site in which this visitor comes to daily, and then seeing it saying, "oh wow that site! I forgot I was going to buy there last week, so I'd better do it now".

See the difference? Rather than one person seeing your site several times in one day or week and it still being the bad time, if you space your ads out you have a better chance of catching them when it IS a better time...or at least taking a closer look at your site and getting them subscribed to your newsletter or other free offers you have on your website.

Another reason it's good to spread your advertising dollars as far as they will go is for constant exposure. If you are seen constantly in several places at all times, the easier you are going to be remembered. Not to mention like we said before, always be seen by someone who IS ready to buy.

Now of course, when you do choose to advertise on several sites at the same time, there is the chance you will reach more of your target audience. Plus if you have the funds to constantly advertise on several sites at once, go for it! Just remember to keep the ads going, so you have a constant flow of visitors.

About the Authors: Kara Kelso & Anita DeFrank are two busy wahms, and the owners of Direct Sales Helpers. Learn how you can be successful in your company by visiting: http://www.DirectSalesHelpers.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Of all the major sports, baseball is known for not having a great home field advantage. During the regular season, astute bettors will prey upon bookies by betting on teams that are in situations where the home field advantage is extreme.

Home teams win on average 53.6% of the time. This translates to a 7.2% advantage over road teams which is a smaller disparity compared to Basketball and Football.

Pro Football Handicapping Services - Football & Basketball Free Picks

Home teams in Football and Basketball feed off of their home town fans and are motivated. With baseball, it is most appropriate to try to find situations in which baseball teams will be more motivated.

Consider the Red Sox are 51-15 + 29 units the past 3 seasons at home off a home loss. Over the same span and angle, the Rangers are 47-33 +17 units and the Braves are 52-20 +20 units. These are 3 such teams that have a strong home field advantage given this situation. Because baseball is such an unpopular sport with bettors and this angle does not apply to all teams, the oddsmakers have not had to adjust on a situation as this.

Those 3 teams alone combined for 150-68, +66 units. This means that to even it out, the spread would have to be adjusted 30 points. So instead of being -130, the team would have to be -160. Instead of being +145, they would have to be +115. This is considerable in the eyes of most bettors. The normal home field advantage

Free Sports Picks - Sports Handicapping Picks - Sports Handicapper

is already taken into account in the spread but it is the handicapper's job to find profitable situations in which the home field advantage is higher and capitalize on it.

Chat about this article at the Sports Wagering Forums

By Proloy Bhattacharyya
NFLSystems.com
proloy@nflsystems.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
You Cannot Hide From the Public Record Search Engines
What Blog Can Make Money?
Home Equity Loan or Home Equity Line of Credit - Which is right for you?
Near-death Experience is the Mother of Invention for Two Dallas Electricians
Forget All About That Calorie Counting Crap And Learn How To Lose Some Weight!
Miracles?
Advertising and Community Relations -- Get the Best of Both Worlds
Position however is not limited to one rules of assignment to peasants of the ground in constant usi...
Nosy A Brahms
Confident No Director
This might not worry some owner-occupiers. Many will have mortgage rate...
Supposedly the seller has another project that they...
Septic tanks are in use by the private lake...
However, their body fat levels are often higher cycling...
I believe they weigh close to only 11 grams sunglass...

In the Villa of the Sick Cat -- A Lesson in Customer Care. Habit Change--Six Steps to Success.

2005-10-19T10:50:00.000-07:00

Diet Plan - Why do you overeat? When all you want is to be slim. By Zoe Harcombe, Diet Guru.

If you're a pet owner, you know the stress of having a sick pet and you know that having a great veterinarian is a wonderful thing. My cat, Zoe, came down with a nasty infection that had me racing off to the vet's office last week with an unhappy, howling kitty in tow. (She's doing much better now.)

This was my first visit to this vet's office, having just moved here last year. When I arrived, the building was under construction. Lots of hammering, sawing, and loud noises-not exactly the controlled, calm atmosphere preferred by a sick pet. But fortunately, Zoe lives in the House of Perpetual Construction Projects, so she did okay.

But, what really struck me was the construction project itself. The waiting room has been transformed into an Italian Villa with high ceilings, a graceful figure-eight-shaped pool in the center of the room, a decorative fountain, and "faux" plants. It is gorgeous and would make a great setting for a romantic Italian meal complete with fine wine and a strolling violinist.

My first reaction on walking in was "This is beautiful, I wonder how high my vet bill will be." As Zoe and I sat waiting (and waiting and waiting and waiting), I watched all the other customers coming through the door. Each one looked around at the beautiful setting and said "I wonder how much this is going to cost me."

The newly designed waiting rooms and exam rooms were not designed for the customers-dogs and cats. They weren't designed for the humans bringing in their pets for medical care. It's a total ego design. Impressive. Elegant. Grand.

And instead of all the customers (animal and human) being wowed by the design, they reacted negatively. You see, sick cats and dogs want quiet, dark spaces and they want their visit to the vet's office to be over quickly. Instead, the new design with its concrete floor (fashionably treated to look like a sun kissed rock patio) and its soaring ceilings means that every time the phone rings the noise reverberates throughout the waiting area. The poor scheduling means that a sick pet has to stay in that waiting room for what must seem an eternity. And of course, the humans immediately understand that the money to pay for this project has to come from somewhere...namely their wallets.

Fortunately, our new vet turned out to be competent and caring and Zoe is recovering nicely. But, the business lesson remains. Focus on what your customers care about and you'll never go wrong.

Caroline Jordan,

Millionaire Cash Sources

MBA helps self employed professionals build successful businesses, attract clients they enjoy working with, improve cash flow, and develop additional sources of revenue. To find out how visit: http://www.TheJordanResult.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

HOME STAGING, FIXUPS AND HOUSE MAKEOVERS ...

As every New Year approaches, many of us are doing the usual...thinking, "This year will be different. I'm going to change...(fill in the blanks)...my work habits, my attitudes. I'll lose those pounds; I'll make that difficult choice that's long overdue." We re-make these resolutions throughout the year.

But will really follow through until the goals are accomplished? Or will this new "determination" be like the others...lots of good intentions, plenty of wishes, but basically, life goes on as usual?

Research on personal change (Prochaska, Norcross, and Diclemente; "Changing for Good") has demonstrated that successful change comes in six well-defined stages. Perhaps the failure to recognize these stages has been responsible for your past frustrations and failures in following through on self improvements.

You see, each of these stages has a series of tasks that must be completed before you can progress to the next. You set yourself up for failure when you either try to accomplish changes you aren't ready for or when you stay so long on tasks you've mastered (such as understanding your problem) that you become stuck indefinitely.

Think about your past experiences as you read what happens in these six stages.

STAGE 1: PRECONTEMPLATION When you're at this stage, you aren't even admitting you have a problem. We've all seen unhealthy denial in others. We often have trouble seeing it in ourselves.

Writer G.K. Chesterton said, "It isn't that they can't see the solution. It's that they can't see the problem."

Precontemplators don't want to change themselves. They think others are to blame for their difficulties. Likely, others are experiencing the precontemplator's problem and may be applying pressure for him or her to change. The responses...denial and resistance.

Are you in this stage? Chances are, you are with at least one of the destructive and self-defeating behaviors you need to change.

STAGE 2: CONTEMPLATION When you move to the Contemplation stage, you acknowledge you have a problem, and you want to get unstuck. You begin to think seriously about solving your problem. You try to understand its causes, and you begin to investigate your options. At this point you have indefinite plans to take action within the next few months.

However, you can stay stuck in this stage for months or years. (Is this where you are now?) You know you need to change, and you intend to...someday...just as soon as...after...when the rush is over (when would that be?). You know your desire and your destination, but you're not quite ready to go.

Fear of failure can keep you searching for an easier, more dramatic, or more complete solution to your problem. The irony is, failure is guaranteed if you don't move on to the next stage.

STAGE 3: PREPARATION "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."

You greatly reduce your success probability if you suddenly wake up one morning, say "This is the day," and dive headfirst into a change without realistically and specifically planning how you will make the change happen.

At Stage 3, you develop a detailed plan of action and you may announce your intentions publicly. Your awareness is high, and you may have already begun small behavioral changes. Before moving ahead, however, you need to know exactly how you will keep your awareness and commitment high throughout the struggles of the next stages.

STAGE 4: ACTION This stage is the one that requires the most commitment and energy. It's where you actually DO IT! You receive the most recognition and support during this stage, because others can see that you're working at it. You follow the plan you've made in Stage 3, make revisions as necessary, and "keep on keeping on" even when it's inconvenient or difficult.

Here's a caution: Action doesn't necessarily mean that lasting change has been made. It's an essential part of the process, but the failure to do what's necessary in the next stage, Maintenance, can sabotage the progress you've made so far.

STAGE 5: MAINTENANCE The maintenance stage is a long, ongoing process. From my experience, it's the most difficult. (How many times have I dieted, for example, only to gain the weight back?)

The Action stage must be followed by constant vigilance and a systematic plan for dealing with those temptations that can draw you back into the old, destructive pattern. It's hard work to consolidate the gains you've made during the first four stages and to prevent relapse.

Celebrate achieving your goals, but don't relax and tell yourself, "Whew! I'm glad that's over!" Develop a menu of mental and behavioral coping strategies that will take you through the times when your feet begin to slip. (More on that in the next article.)

STAGE 6: TERMINATION There is lively debate about whether this stage is possible when the behavior you've changed is an addictive habit. The ideal would be that you no longer feel tempted, and the habit is absolutely not a problem for you. Some say, however, that you must always maintain a life of vigilance.

I tend to agree. Some can progress to the point that they are not constantly tempted, nor do they think about it every day. However, I believe that once you've had a deeply ingrained habit or addiction, you are always more vulnerable than if you'd never had it. Keep a level of awareness, especially in times of stress. Studies show that in times of stress or conflict, people are most likely to slip.

NOT A LINEAR PROGRESSION

Wouldn't it be nice if we smoothly progressed from one stage to the next? It's possible, but not probable. Most people have episodes of backsliding into Contemplation or even Precontemplation before trying again. In fact, studies show that New Year's resolutions are made, on average, five times before the changer moves all the way to Maintenance! (That's average. You don't have to do it that many times if you know how to move more effectively through these six stages.)

Don't give up! If you have a setback, don't stay there. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try again...this time with a revised and better plan.

Dr. Bev Smallwood is a psychologist who has worked with organizations across the globe for over 20 years. Her high-energy, high-content, high-involvement Magnetic Workplaces (r) programs provide dozens of practical strategies and skills that can be put to work immediately to:

build strong leaders who influence and develop others through serving;
energize, motivate, and retain team members;
successfully accomplish important organizational transitions; and
impress customers and build their loyalty.

Review a complete list of her programs available for your convention or corporate meeting at the website, www.MagneticWorkplaces.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
Getting to Grips with Business Coaching
Why is a Logo so Important to Your Business?
Current Dietary Recommendations in Strength Training
German Philosophers
Get Out of Debt
Ignite The Fire In Your Belly - How To Move From Being A Procrastinator To An Activator!
Bankruptcy - Is It The Right Choice For You?
Increase Your Web Traffic By Using Keyword Articles
Stocks: Reduce Risk Yet Maximize Profits
Then political strike has passed to the state level...

Ready to Skip This Holiday? Why No Just Make It Your Own?. Home Office Furniture - How To Set Up A Professional Home Office.

2005-10-18T15:35:00.000-07:00

Creating Money - Spells, Rituals, Prayers, Affirmations, Herbs, Gems, Lunar Magic, Saints, Angels, ...

Do you feel panicked, or exicted? Are you experiencing joy or depression? Do you have childlike visions of toys and celebration with the people you love? Or pressure, loneliness, alienation and annoying relatives?

Sometimes we really can't help but ask "What is celebration? Do we really need it?"

I can tell you there were times after my divorce and my daughter's death that I asked myself those questions. My kids had moved out. I was alone. Holidays were just painful reminders of the life I no longer had. So I worked. I worked long hours just to avoid the malls with all that chirpy pain-in-the-neck holiday merriment. Bah humbug.

But the truth was, it hurt too much to celebrate. And I was the loser.

But you know what? Celebration is a ritual of life. It gives us a set of patterns, symbols and actions that mark important events and transitions in our lives. Right now, we're about to celebrate the ending of one year and the beginning of the next. It's important to do that. It's important to mark these times in our lives. You might say "It's just another day." and that might be true. But there's also a spiritual reality at this time that we need to recognize if only to celebrate the incredible, wonderful miracle of you.

"We can think of sacred ritual as the intersection of ordinary reality and spiritual reality. Ritual provides a safe framework, or container, for us to experience the sacred." Rachel Pollock - The Power of Ritual

Over the years I've found a number of different rituals and practices that have given me that connection. That spiritual reality. None of them are time consuming or difficult. In fact, I can honestly say they restored my sense of joy and wonder.

Releasing the past. This is the first step to recognizing endings and embracing beginnings. It doesn't mean we have to forget all that came before. It just means that we're releasing all the negative energy and stress from the past. When we take time to release the energy of disappointment or hurt, we open ourselves to forgiveness and love.

Write out the name of any limiting feelings you may be having. It could be sadness, or guilt, or a feeling of lack. If there are a lot of them, put each on a separate piece of paper. Then take each one and burn it. Then the next, then the next, until they're all gone. You may throw them into a fireplace, or burn them over a candle. As you do, watch them go up in smoke, rising upward and leaving your heart. Feel the release. Isn't it wonderful?

Invite new feelings to come in to take their place - love, sharing, friendship, creativity, or whatever you want more of in your life. You just created a vacuum, and nature rushes in to fill a vacuum. Make sure it is filled with all the good stuff you want in your life. Then seal the deal with another ritual. Celebrate each new feeling with a sip of a warm drink. Like hot cider. Or hot chocolate. Or mulled wine. Be sure you savor the taste and sensation as it warms and fills you. Know that these new qualities you are inviting into your life are now part of you and will grow with you in the coming year.

Gratitude. During the season of giving and receiving, it is easy to get caught up in the material hustle. So ask yourself: why the gifts? When you stop and think about it, they don't have to be an obligation. A burden. If you choose to buy gifts, recognize they're just a human way of showing our love and care. They're an opportunity to show our gratitude for what comes to us.

Think of other ways to express your deepest gratitude for all that you've been given. Allow yourself to notice it all around you, then honor it with thanks the moment it comes to you. This can be a game you can play by yourself or with others. Every time you smell a holiday scent, like cinnamon, turkey, evergreens or cider, think of a specific thing for which you are grateful. Or you may want to pick out holiday symbols, like snowmen, stars, angels, reindeer or Santa to trigger your sense of gratitude. Have fun coming up with ideas, and appreciating the rich symbolism we have during the holidays.

Renewal. As you get ready for the New Year, start fresh by releasing whatever hold you may have on the past. Release any negative thoughts you may have or people who don't support your excellence and growth. Take time to acknowledge any darkness in your heart and replace it with light and possibility. You can honor yourself by making this the best holiday yet.

Having learned from experience how to grow from adversity to outrageous fulfillment and abundance, Carole Hodges shares her expertise through workshops and private coaching. She works with adults ready to re-vision the second half of life. Learn about more holiday offerings at http://www.OutrageousChoice.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Home Office

Clean up in your own office cleaning business.

Furniture - How To Set Up A Professional Home Office

Each day, more and more people are getting caught in the 'work from home' fever. Government as well as companies is quickly embracing this type of 'work from home' scheme as there are many benefits such as employee being able to spend more time with the family and saving office space rental as well. Likewise, the explosion of the internet has created many internet entrepreneurs who just need a computer in their home to operate a home business.

As home office is getting more and more popular, it is important that you design and setup your home office in a manner that is conducive and productive for you to work in. First of all, identify a location within your home where you can work conductively without any noise or distraction. Is there a spare room in the house or is there any place where you can create a space to work in? Make sure that there is sufficient lighting during the day time.

Once you have chosen that area, consider doing up wall shelves to put your stationery and office document to save space on the table. As table space is usually small, consider buying a 'miniature' desktop computer / laptop to put on the table. More spaces can be created by attaching the house phone to the wall as well.

If there are clients coming to your place, you might want to add in a sofa at a corner and a few magazine racks for them to browse through the magazine while they are waiting. To give your home office a 'more professional' look, you might want to get creative and decorate the wall with nice paintings or paint the wall with a nice color. Try adding some greenery such as potted plant or flowers as well. By taking the effort to spruce up your office, you can enhance a more professional company image when client steps into your office.

As you can see, the expenses really do add up when you spruce up your home office image. One cost saving idea is to buy used office furniture.

Clickbank .com Affiliate Classifieds. For sale. Used Cars. Classic Cars. Sports Cars. RVs. Airplane...

Check out places like the classified section in your newspaper, flea market or bankruptcy sales as you can get great bargain for your office furniture.

Justin Koh is a freelance writer whose articles have appear in most major ezines. You can find more of these at: http://www.officefurniturecenter.info

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
Aerobic Workouts For Weight Loss
Buy and Hold Investment Strategy
European Car Rental - Top Ten Tips for Europe Travel - Tip #5: Restrictions
Creative Ways to Decorate Your Walls
Spyware Attacks! Windows Safe Mode is No Longer Safe
Lateral Thinking, Logical Thinking, Applied Creativity
1111 What Opportunities Are Waiting For You?
Hiring The Right Webmaster
Top 10 Reasons for Buying a Home Treadmill
The history of the Line abounds with set of examples and tragedies...

Unique Beach Wedding Themes. How Your Credit Rating Affects You, and How to Check It.

2005-10-17T10:50:00.000-07:00

If you are considering a beach wedding, the ideas are as endless as your imagination!

One thing about choosing a beach wedding theme is that it allows you total creative freedom. Depending on the time of day, the beach can set the mood. At sunrise or sunset, it is a place of serenity, beauty and romance. Mid-day, it is the hub of excitement, activity, and fun. By nature, a beautiful scene has already been set for you. There is no need for many decorations! Are you planning an intimate wedding with just a few guests? Let the beach help you set the stage for your romantic wedding ideas with a dawn or dusk seaside ceremony.

Albanian Sunrise School- quality education in Albania

The sunrise or sunset will provide a spectacular background for your wedding photos.

On the other hand, if you want to "tell the world" and have a large gathering of people, consider a mid-summer day "beach-side bash" or fantasy beach wedding that includes your guests. That's the fun part of a beach wedding - your guests can participate. Everyone has fun!

Here are a few ideas to get you started...

* Be Cinderella with your Prince Charming. Have him place the "glass slipper" that fits on your foot as a symbol of your perfect union. You could hire a professional sand sculptor to build a beautiful sand castle as a background for your fairytale theme. Leave in a horse drawn carriage.

* Have a Pirate Wedding.

"resources for treasure hunting, gold prospecting, metal detecting and exploration."

Rent costumes and decorate with treasure chests fake gold coins and jewelry. Have a real treasure hunt. When you leave, sail off into the sunset.

* How about an "I Dream of Jeannie" beach wedding theme? Decorate with pretty, colorful bottles in the sand like the one she was found in. At the end of the day, disappear in a cloud of smoke!

* A Western beach wedding theme would be fun! Many beaches allow horseback riding. The reception could be a good old fashioned fireside "camp out" under the stars.

Horseback Riding - Learn Horse Riding from home without expensive lessons.

Leave on horseback.

* Have a Rainbow Wedding. Create a rainbow to wed under out of brightly colored helium filled balloons tied together. Hold them down with the "pots of gold" at each end. Have everyone bring a colored umbrella to decorate the aisle with. Great back plan up in case it rains!

* Butterfly weddings are popular. Shades of yellow and orange with butterflies woven amongst the flowers in your tiara and bouquet would be beautiful. Use butterflies as boutonnieres for the guys.

* A Surfing theme would be neat. Of course surf boards and "The Beach Boys" come to mind here!

By the way...

Don't rule out you beach wedding ideas because you don't live near an ocean. The definition of a "beach" is - "the shore of a body of water, especially if sandy or pebbly". That includes lakes and rivers. For that matter, you may have a "beach" right by your swimming pool. There are no rules. Be creative!

It is your beach wedding...it can be anything you want it to be - wherever you want it to be! Most of all...have fun!

Cindy English is the publisher of:

Beach-Wedding-Themes.com
Beach wedding themes full of fun, fantasy and romance!

All-Florida-Beach-Weddings.com
Plan your wedding celebration in Paradise!

© Copyright 2005 by Cindy English
This article may be reprinted with no changes, omissions, or additions. All links must be left live and in tact.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

How Your

Teachers Lesson Plan on How to Write Checks Balance a Checkbook

Credit Rating Affects You, and How to Check It

You might not know it, but every time you take out any kind of loan or credit or pay something back, it gets counted on your credit rating. Who keeps a record on you will vary according to where you live, but the big three credit reference agencies are Experian, Equifax and Trans Union. They will provide your credit rating to any company that is thinking of lending you money.

What is Included in Your Credit Rating.

All the debts you currently have are included in your credit rating. There is a history of all the debts you've had in the past ten years or so, and special emphasis is put on anything that has gone wrong. Defaulting (never paying) on any debt will ruin your credit rating completely. Borrowing a lot before you start paying anything back will make you look like a very bad risk, and so will going all the way up to (or even over) your limit on a credit card.

It is also worth considering that the credit reports of anyone you live with may be linked to your report, and could reflect badly on you - your wife or husband's credit rating is tied to yours quite closely.

How Your Credit Rating is Worked Out.

Learn How To Save Time and Money When Paying Bills. Improve FICO, credit rating and increase your fi...

The most common method of coming up with your rating is called &FICO', named after the Fair Isaac Corporation, who invented it. Your current credit status is prioritised, in this order: whether you've paid past debts, how much debt you currently have, your credit history, the types of debt you use, and how many times your rating has been checked recently. Things that happened more recently are given more weight than things that happened a long time ago.

Why Your Credit Rating is Important.

Any time you get turned down for a credit card or any other loan, the chances are that it was because of your credit rating. Companies giving out small loans are far more likely to rely completely on this rating than to bother checking your income, and a worse rating will mean that you are offered a higher interest rate.

Your rating is important when you get car loans and mortgages too. You don't want to find a house you love only to get turned down for the mortgage thanks to your habit of paying your credit card bills late.

How to Check Your Credit Rating.

Credit reference agencies can't hold your information on file without telling you what it is they have. If you write them a letter and pay a very small fee, they have to send you the full credit report that they have about you.

You can then check over your credit rating, and send a letter back to the agency telling them about anything that you think isn't right. You might find that a screw-up has made you look bad when it wasn't your fault. They will include anything you send in your file.

In some countries, you may find that you can sign up to get credit reports regularly for a small fee, or even for free! Make sure to check your local laws.

Ken Austin is the webmaster at Debt Consolidation Solutions and Credit Relief Solutions

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
Parenting Problem? 5 Simple Things That Will Help
Natural Remedies for Premature Ejaculation
The Low Carb Craze and Other Dieting Mistakes
Buying A Treadmill - 3 Common Mistakes Most Buyers Make
Wisdom Teeth Part III: The 'Pros & Cons' of Wisdom Tooth Removal
Las Vegas RV Rentals
A Diet Made For You Will Make All The Difference
Investors - What Separates the Good Traders from the Bad Traders?
Before You Register a Domain Name for Your New Online Business...
Among leaders of the Moscow freemasonry the main place was borrowed with former employee Rejhelja pr...

Guide to Software Marketing. The Truths About Beaded, Costume, and Cubic Zirconia Jewelry!.

2005-10-14T22:09:00.000-07:00

Intro
This concise article will tell you in plain English how you can promote your software easily and effectively.

Submit your software
I recommend submitting your software to upload.com. It costs $79 dollars a year, but is well worth it. It will display your product on download.com and its partner network made up of 20 other major download sites.

ExamSimulators.com - It's Easy To Pass When We Show You How! Step-by-Step

Download.com is so popular that if your product was only listed on download.com it would still be worth the yearly fee.

Use Rudenko's (submit.rudenko.com) software submission service to submit your software to hundreds of software archives. Unlike auto-submit programs, Rudenko has employees manually submit your software to each archive so it is less likely to be rejected.

Rudenko's software submission service is also beneficial because most of the software archives will have a link to your website. Relevant pages that link to your website increase your link popularity. The higher your link popularity the better your search engine ranking will be, especially in Google. Rudenko's software submission service costs $70 and if you include "David Mahler - 10% discount" in the comment field you will receive 10% off.

Promote through your website

Phantom Cloaker - Search Engine Optimization, Cloaking Software

If you have a website than you can promote your software for free by utilizing effective search engine optimization techniques.

The two key factors for search engine optimization are effective titles and clear body text. Make sure that the titles are relevant, unique to each page, and include key phrases that are likely to be searched. Body text should be clear, concise and saturated with key phrases. Feel free to add your key phrase as many times as it seems natural to do so. Before you publish your masterpiece, test your website copy by reading it out loud to yourself or to a friend. If it sounds awkward you probably need to take a few of those key phrases out. Remember it is important to write for both people and search engines.

For more information on search engine optimization I highly recommend highrankings.com.

Have someone else do the work
Websites like shareit.com and cj.com allow you to partner with affiliates that distribute your software for you. This is an easy way to get your product out there but you can expect to pay a commission to the affiliate.

Conclusion
Whether you are a sole proprietor or a major corporation, these software marketing techniques will be effective in promoting your software.

David Mahler started his business (Small Business Services) creating websites in 2002. His company has since extented his services to Intranet design, database design and website copywriting.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Shopping for Inexpensive Yet Brilliant Pieces

History of Beaded Jewelry

Beads have been used to create jewelry and adorn costumes since the dawn of time. If you were to look back on the Ice Age you would discover small objects crafted of natural "beads" including animal bones and teeth, seashells and colorful stones. These items were usually attached to clothing or plant fibers to form the most primitive forms of beaded jewelry.

Beaded jewelry symbolizes many

Culture Briefings are your guides to foreign cultures, customs and traditions

different things for different people; different cultures have associated beads with varying spiritual beliefs, cultural customs and social traditions. Beads, like many other jewelry items, have been used throughout time to adorn the bodies of men and women alike, signifying power, beauty and the human spirit.

The very first actual "beads" that have been discovered date back to approximately 38,000 BC. Made by cavemen, these beads were crafted from animal parts. In later times, beads were crafted as symbols of fertility and animal spirits.

During the stone age, beads were crafted primarily as a means of adorning the body; they were also used for trading on occasion however. A couple thousand years later, beads were crafted out of coral and other "precious" substances. In ancient Greece there is evidence that carnelian beads and beads made of lapis lazuli were worn by wealthy members of society.

The Complete Bead Guide - Everything You Have Ever Wanted To Know About Beads!

The use of semi-precious stone beads began to become more popular about 2800 BC among the Syrians, who fashioned beads of materials like agate and serpentine.

Since that time beaded jewelry has become more and more valuable and popular. Gold and other semi-precious stones are often used to craft beaded jewelry.

Perhaps the most popular form of beaded jewelry is glass jewelry. Evidence of the first glass beads suggests that glassmaking was common in Mesopotamia around 2180 BC. Glass beads were popular then and are popular now in part because of their durability and inexpensive pricing. The Egyptian and Phoenician cultures are well known for their use of glass to make beaded jewelry. Beaded jewelry was commonly found buried with wealthy pharaohs in the ancient tombs of Egypt, though it was not uncommon for glass beads to be buried with poor families as well.

In modern times beaded jewelry is popular because of its versatility and diversity. Beads can be crafted from almost any material including the following:

Coral/seashells
Gemstones
Glass
Rock Crystal
Gold
Silver
Stone
Pearls

Beads can even be crafted out of plastic (though this is of course less lovely than some other more traditional options). Though in times of old beads served as symbols of status, wealth and heritage, today beaded jewelry is more much representative of a persons unique style preferences and personality. Beaded jewelry can be custom made in almost any style, using any type of chain and any type/combination of beads.

Beaded jewelry is just as popular today, if not more popular than it was in ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian times. Buying online is easy, and perhaps the best option for bead savvy and not so savvy consumers alike. Buying online eliminates the hassle of traveling from store to store, which can take days or more to find the right beads or beaded jewelry. By shopping online, you have literally tens of thousands of unique selections to choose from. Though no longer traded for food, modern jewelry enthusiasts often engage in bead trading for fun and camaraderie.

Costume Jewelry

Costume jewelry is sometimes referred to as "fake jewelry" by some well meaning but unknowing individuals.

The Metal Plating Bible!

Costume jewelry is crafted from among other items, rhinestones, glass stones and gold plated metal or sterling silver. Costume jewelry first surfaced in the United States around the early twenties; it was very popular among European immigrants that settled into the states during this time. Movie stars and common folk alike wore costume jewelry that was carefully crafted and ornamentally designed.

Costume jewelry, particularly antique pieces, are well worth their weight in gold. Many hand crafted pieces can fetch thousands of dollars on the open market. There are some designers that are more well known than others in the world of costume jewelry:

Napier
Nettie Rosenstein
Ciner
Inspirational Messages, Spiritual Healing Awaken Yourself By Hattie Pembrook & DeeJazz
Hattie Carnegie
Miriam Haskell

Even celebrities currently invest thousands of dollars on costume jewelry every year. Because unique pieces are harder to come buy and rarely mass produced anymore, some pieces created in the early 30s to late 40s can be hard to find. More common are pieces that were created in the 1960s or later. Costume jewelry is fun in part because the wearer is at liberty to make a bold statement. Not modest, most costume jewelry shouts out "here I am, look at me!" An excellent choice for the bold and daring, costume jewelry can be a wonderful accessory to just about any wardrobe.

Costume jewelry collecting has even become a favorite pastime among many jewelry enthusiasts, much like beaded jewelry trading and collecting. The appeal of both of these styles is their uniqueness and diversity. Though in some instances hard to find, costume jewelry can be easily explored via online shopping. When buying online, be sure to have in mind a price range and style before shopping. The selection available online might leave you a bit overwhelmed.

If you collect costume jewelry, you might be wondering just how much it is worth. Just as there are popular designers for look and feel, some designers work is more valuable than others, including:

Ciner
Marel Boucher
Eisenberg
Hobe
Kramer
Vogue
Hollycraft
Monet
Coro
Kenneth J. Lane

These precious gems are often marked when crafted.

Cubic Zirconia Jewelry

Cubic zirconia jewelry has to be among the most popular inexpensive "knock off" jewelry items to buy. Part of the appeal of cubic zirconia jewelry is its remarkable ability to look exactly like real diamond jewelry. Most cubic zirconia is hard to distinguish from its natural cousins.

The widespread use of cubic zirconia became popularized around the 1980s, when it first became mass produced. It is created through a chemical process that combines zirconium oxide and yttrium oxide, which when melted together form a radiant and shiny crystal resembling a natural diamond.

Brilliant mental math short cuts that will amaze everyone!

Most cubic zirconia jewelry is very durable, brilliant and long lasting. Some people have to look at a cubic zirconia under a powerful magnifying glass to distinguish it from a real diamond, a testament to its quality and aesthetic appeal. If you are looking for a clear, brilliant and inexpensive option to traditional diamond jewelry, don't hesitate to shop a wide selection of cubic zirconia jewelry. Buying online provides the most advantages, because there is a wider selection and you have the ability to customize your pieces with the click of a button.

About The Author:
Successful freelance writer, Antigone Arthur has completed a number of informative articles providing valuable insight for consumers on such topics as beaded jewelry, costume & vintage jewelry, and cubic zirconia jewelry.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
How Do I Prepare for Retirement?
Poor Credit Car Loan - Get Approved Online
Ecommerce Solutions for Small Business Owners
Katrina Scams Move Online
The Hushed Willow - A review by Amanda Evans
Child Custody Evaluation
10 Tips for Tantalizing News Releases
HDTV: An Introduction
Two Principles That Can Change Your Life Completely
The report of the State Control over execution of the state list...

How Do You Paint New Age. How To Improve Your Memory In 5 Easy Steps.

2005-10-10T16:19:00.000-07:00

Self-Healing Expressions - spiritual healing, new age healing, holistic health, holistic education

About once every year or so, I take a critical look at the design of my web site and now our popular newsletter and wonder what I could do to create a theme background for them.

The site has been changed several times over the last four years, but it doesn't really have a theme backdrop. I deliberately keep it simple for easy viewing and administration.

Once again it is screaming at me to do something. I have spent some time looking over ready made themes and theme pages, but nothing has come up New Age.

Today the light bulb lit up over my head, what would be a New Age Theme? If you log onto my site you will find several text definitions of New Age, but when it comes to the real world that we live in how would I picture it?

There is always a tendency to use esoteric, abstract or religious symbols, angels, trumpets, clouds, butterflies, or symbols of ancient generations. Then I had a thought, what if we all had the chance to change the theme of the world how would we paint it differently than it is now?

Would we be walking around in long robs, with hoods in our bare feet? Would the world be painted in pastels with fuzzy outlines or would they be bright contrasting colours with dark borders? Would there be no roads or vehicles because we had finally mastered the art of travel without machines. Then would our backgrounds be painted with empty fields, rolling hills, trees and butterflies. Would we have come to terms with the over population issues and now live in small communities without the background of noisy cities and skyscrapers?

Would our villages still be silhouetted by church steeples and statues and our skies painted in vapour trails from high flying aircraft?

One might create a little smirk on one's face right about now as he/she tries to picture the new world. If you were to take a minute or so to reflect on your childhood and the surroundings that you were raised in and then look around you now, it would not be the same. Over the years of your life you have changed the background of your physical existence. You have done it individually and en masse. You have co-operated with others to create the backdrop for your new play, for the life that you are experiencing at this moment, and for the most part you have done it subconsciously.

There are a few dreamers that envision these changes and then seek to make them happen, builders, architects or city planners etc. are some of them. But for the masses we simply accept them as a part of change. The change is a physical manifestation of a collective thought that we have about how our environment should be, and we are always arguing and fighting about it.

How many of us actually spend any quiet time and imagine how we personally would paint the world. What would be your personal image of the New Age? No one's image would be exactly like another's; the images would be as diverse as the individuals that are making them up.

As whimsical as these thoughts may be, we all have the opportunity and power to create the world that we envision. We are making it up right now, so why not do it the way that we want with some forethought about how it should be on a conscious level. The first step for change comes from your imagination, then a thought about change and then speaking your thoughts and watching them manifest into the finished piece.

A painter has the image in her/his mind first, as does the sculptor or the architect and the planners, all things that you see now came from someone's imagination. The funny thing is, is that you do not have to be anyone of those people in order to make the changes happen. But what you have to do is think about it first and have it in your mind. Your thoughts along with similar thoughts of others will manifest what you have imagined. This is how it has always worked; this is how you can make it happen in your lifetime.

It is not too late just because you are old, your thoughts know no age, and they are added to the thoughts of others to create your imagined world no matter how old your are, the circumstances of your life, or the wealth you may have or not have. All thoughts carry the same weight or relevance. You can create the New World, but first you must take the time to see it in your head and it has to be your focus, that's all you need and that's all you have to do, it is really that simple.

For me I have moved past the angels and trumpet symbols and my world is very simple and uncluttered. I do not see the need to work my butt off twelve hours a day for technology that is sitting at home talking to each other and partying it up while I'm away trying to support them.

New Age is now, it is the farmer in the field ploughing the earth and it is the ambulance racing down the street screaming to get the hell out of the way. It is the skyscraper moving up and tumbling down. It is the gun and the knife; it is the hand of love and friendship stretched out to help another. It is what we are and what we are doing now.

New Age is not about something that is going to happen in the future, that will never come. It is about the starving and the waste, the poverty and excessive abundance. New Age is what you see, hear, feel, taste and smell at this moment. The world is a physical representation of your thoughts and your position relative to your environment and the others around you. If you are to create a Future Age then take a few moments every day to imagine it, hold that image in your mind and then make it your New Age, now.

How am I going to paint the background of my New Age site? I don't have a clue, it is already New Age. Possibly I could create a mosaic of now images flowing into the mouth of a gigantic blender. The issues with "now," are that by the time you start creating it, the image is old news and is no longer "now."

I have been on this ride many times and I am just not that great of an artist. I may be in contradiction with myself as a New Age Writer, but my feet are firmly planted on the ground and spirituality is all about my daily life in the physical world. I definitely know that I do not want clouds, angels and trumpets (Not that there is anything wrong with that). I want to accept the way that I am now, change the things that I do not like and make way for improvement. I have been able to do that all my life, I am doing that now and perhaps just I want to create change just for the sake of change and that is reason enough.

After this entire mental workout, the issue of my site's background remains at a stalemate.

Roy E. Klienwachter is a resident of British Columbia, Canada. A student of NLP, ordained minister, New Age Light Worker and Teacher. Roy has written and published five books on New Age wisdom. Roy's books are thought provoking and designed to empower you to take responsibility for your life and what you create. His books and articles are written in the simplicity and eloquence of Zen wisdom.

You may not always agree with what he has to say. You will always come away with a new perspective and your thinking will never be the same.

Roy's style is honest and comes straight from the heart without all the metaphorical mumble jumble and BS.

Visit Roy at: http://www.klienwachter.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

197 Ways to Improve the Curb Appeal of Any House

Today everyone is overwhelmed with information and having a good memory is very important. There are thousands of little things that you need to remember each day. You need to remember names, numbers, prices, study material, daily tasks, foreign languages, passwords and so much more. The list could continue forever here.

But can you really improve your memory, is it hard and how much time does it take?

You can improve your memory and it's easier than you think. With the right knowledge you can have a better memory in a matter of days.

Memory Improvement Techniques with Software - Improve your Memory package

Read the 5 steps carefully, try to follow the advice and watch your memory improve.

Step #1: Use your imagination

Use your imagination when you face something that you want to memorize. When reading a book, imagine the things you are reading about. Imagine objects, people, situations, sounds, motion and more.

Imagination keeps you interested in a topic, makes it more fun, and gets you involved. This way your mind concentrates on what you are reading or listening and you're much more likely to remember it later

Step #2: Motivate yourself to learn

It's much easier to memorize something that you're learning with interest and motivation. It's also important to have a purpose why you want to learn something.

Understand why are you learning something and what benefits does the new information give you. Be involved in what you are learning as much as possible because then you have a purpose and more motivation to learn it.

Step #3: Have some spacing between learning sessions

You don't have to learn all information at once when you can learn everything much better by taking breaks between learning sessions. You should take breaks as rewards because this gives your mind a chance to review what you have just learned.

When you face lots of information that you have to learn, plan your learning and divide it into parts and learn each part separately. It is better to study in two or three small sessions than to study in a long six hour session.

Clear Your Clutter, Clear Your Mind

Step #4: Learn with a clear mind

Try to be relaxed when learning. It is harder to learn something when you are stressed, tired, anxious or angry. You learn more, better and faster when your mind is not occupied by thoughts that distract you.

Also eliminate distractions like clutter, and other things that can distract you. Learn in stimulating, light and positive environment. Distractions can keep you unfocused and waste your time. Before you learn, make sure that the learning environment is free from distractions.

Step #5: Always educate yourself about memory

Your memory is one of the most important assets that you have and learning how to improve your memory is very important. By having a better memory you can make more money, be more effective, save time, always remember important details, look smarter, have more friends and so much more.

Considering all the advantages that good memory gives you and how easily you can improve your memory, it wouldn't be wise to not do anything about it.

An excellent website where you can learn how to improve your memory is http://www.memory-improvement-guide.com/

From this website you'll learn very effective ways how to improve your memory and how to develop a memory that you can rely on in a short time. What you will learn here can improve your memory to what you want it to be.

The email course that this website offers is absolutely fantastic. From this course you will learn real memory 'secrets' like how to easily, quickly and perfectly memorize long digit numbers, long speeches, names of people, foreign languages, long lists of items and more things that was previously hard to memorize.

You'll learn the 'secrets' that memory experts use to perform

INSIDER TENNIS STRATEGIES,TENNIS TIPS, AND TACTICS TO IMPROVE YOUR GAME -

impressive memory stunts on stage and how you can easily apply their memory 'secrets' in everyday life to improve your memory to what it really can be.

Your memory resources are unlimited. Start taking advantage of them now! Go to: http://www.memory-improvement-guide.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
24 Time Management Tips
Microsoft Great Plains e-Commerce - additional considerations for programmer
Home Based Business on the Internet
Hello! I Can't Sell!
Salon Marketing Using Wireless Broadband Internet Access
Free Feng Shui Tips for Romance
Make Your Digital Camera Batteries Last Longer
Income that PAYS Your Child Support WITHOUT Increasing Your Child Support
Moving Past Your Comfort Zone
But it does not mean that Lenin's temple and has not been erected...

Choicemaking: Self-Help Secrets Revealed. Espresso Makers: Depending on Your Need, There's an Espresso Maker for You.

2005-10-08T11:25:00.000-07:00

Choices Energy Psychology Manual by Patricia Carrington PhD

We all assume that making choices is a simple process. We see what's in front of us and we choose the best option. That's the way it goes in this choicemaking process.

But what if it were not that simple? Because, let's face it, people make the wrong choices everyday. The wrong girlfriend! The wrong boyfriend! The wrong destination! The wrong colors, and so on.

Choicemaking is not as simple as it may seem. Smokers continue to smoke. Drinkers continue to drink. Drug users continue to abuse. If making choices was so simple, then none of the above problems would exist, would they?

Look at your own life for a few moments.

See if all your choices have been wise ones. Is there a repeating choice occurring that still produces the same negative result? Why are you still making it?

When it comes to Life Choices, then we see that this process is not as simple as choosing the right candy, or movie, or other form of entertainment.

Truly FREE choicemaking is based on Personal Characteristics, Prehistory and Personal Awareness.

How aware are you of your Prehistory to determine why you may be making the same faulty choices over and over again? Why does a woman continue to choose the same type of abusive man? Why does a man continually succomb to the definitions and desires of others? There's no choice in such examples, only repeating patterns!

But the fact is: "There is choice!"

Choicemaking still goes on, even if it's outside our conscious awareness. A part of us is making choices based on - prehistory, old patterns or a familiar expectation like "I never get what I want" or, something similar.

These are some of the common denominators of Prehistory.

As a child you React to your environment. You adopt the Status Quo, that is, how things work in your family of origin. You make unconscious choices based on Survival Value. "If my dad always yells at me when I need something, then I won't "need" and won't ask anymore."

And you give up trying to get that Need Met! Repeat this a few dozen times and see how many things you have given up. And worse, you start convincing yourself "you don't really need it!"

The more dysfunctional your Family of Origin is, the more Reactive and Unconscious your choices tend to be. And this is the root of all negative choices.

Very few people would Consciously choose a situation or pattern with a guaranteed negative outcome. So called "common sense" is about hindsight and stating the obvious. The fact that so many choices are made at a subconscious level, cancels out any so-called fruitful effects of "common sense." Common Sense isn't so common after all.

Patterns return. Familiarity seems safer. Only because these are known.

Making a choice for a better Life is tatamount to a Crisis. It certainly is a Crisis for the Part of You that makes your unconscious choices! Some call this part your "survival side" or your "inner tyrant."

He, she, or It, has a big investment in maintaining Control. So you "doze off" or "go numb" when an important Critical Choice has to be made. You are still making a choice, only you are "choosing not to choose." And the necessary choice is relegated to your Unconscious Self.

You "allow" this unconscious "protector/controller" self to make the choice for you. And then, you see the Same Old Negative Result. Once again confirming "You Are the Victim of Forces Beyond Your Control!"

What has to happen on a conscious level for this pattern to change?

"Know Thyself" is the key phrase here. And this is no small order. Even well trained Psychologists can have a tyrannical unconscious self to deal with.

It is critical to get to the bottom of this though. One has to see that those unconscious choices: a) exist and; b) no longer work. What once had survival value, during childhood, has now become a detriment to your healthy development as an adult.

We've all had occasion to say: "he's acting like a child again." Or, "I felt like a child who needed her mother." These are common enough experiences for all of us to relate to.

The Primary Sign of True Adult Development is Emotional Maturity.

This includes the ability to make choices based on the evidence at hand, and not the "programs" from one's prehistory. True Freedom comes when one's childhood, hurtful past is laid to rest.

Freedom comes when we take hold of ourselves and declare: "

Fix your credit for less: Take your credit into your own hands: beat collection agency and credit bu...

I'm making the decisions from now on - not my old Childhood Self - not my Abused and Frightened Self - not my Victim Self, or any part of me that came into being before I could make conscious choices.

In a safe environment we grow up capable of making informed choices. We are allowed to be ourselves.

In Dysfunctional Environments, Conscious Choicemaking is Absent.

We react. We resist. We counterattack. And we become passive- aggressive. We identify ourselves as victims, because we feel victimized. And we make limited, uninformed choices based on these stressful circumstances.

There's no such thing as a Free Choice here. Survival takes precendence. "What do I need do to survive this stress?" replaces "What choice would I like to make at this time?"

We come to believe that: "we are what is happening to us" - The Victim - The Abused One - The Abandonned One, and so on. Name your Poisonous Identity.

These are factual results of various types of domestic tyranny. There are hundreds of self-help books addressing each one of these results.

How do You Change a Reactive Choice to a Free Choice?

You become aware of who you are. Of what happened to you as a child, and what you need now to correct this.

You make Conscious Choices to better your life. You seek out resources that will help you untie all these psychological and emotional knots. You Choose to open yourself up to the Inner You, the person you are, or could be, had none of the above happened.

You choose to get in touch with your full potential, and to clean out all the garbage that no longer belongs. You are choosing Your Freedom!

This Could Be A Long Process Indeed.

What's your alternative? To live out your life as a pattern of prepackaged reactions that were triggered by others? Or, to live your life as it could be, given what you now know about cleaning up messes?

I made my commitment 40 years ago, and I still work at it. But it's not so hard anymore, and I have had some fun along the way. I actually enjoyed untangling those knots.

As I needed certain things, they came along in one form or another, a good Counselor, a Friend, many Great Books, an Inspiring Movie, and so on. As I learned to take responsibility and own my feelings, things improved. I improved. I got stronger. I benefitted from these conscious choices.

As I learned to overcome defeat and curtail negative self- references, I gained self-esteem.

As I realized that a part of me ( the tyrant) seemed programmed to harm me, I took away its power and claimed it for myself.

This Is The Hero's Journey From Mythology.

Into the Heart of Darkness we go, past the Guard Dog "Cerebus" (inner tyrant) to recover our Essential Self (innocent inner child), and become what we can be.

It is a long and difficult journey at times, but well worth it in the end. I wouldn't trade my journey for any other experience. That's the level of my commitment and the rewards that come with it.

Whatever it takes. Wherever I need to go. I'll do it. Because, I am worth it. AND SO ARE YOU!!!

Are you ready to commit to the Full Expression of your Being? Then Let's Get Moving!

Maurice Turmel has a PHD in Counseling Psychology and was a practicing therapist for nearly 25 years. Self-Help issues are dealt with regularly in his monthly Ezine "The Self-Help Advisor." Dr. Turmel likes to use parable stories to illustrate important points. He has authored 3 books and is also a performing songwriter. He can be reached through his Website at: http://www.mauriceturmel.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

The Automatic Money Machine on eBay!

Since Starbucks first went International in the early 1990s, espresso has been the number-one item on the minds of those who need a quick pick-me-up to get their day started. It started out as a fad, but with the onslaught of Friends on NBC in 1994 and Starbucks reproducing like rabbits throughout the last decade of the 20th Century, it has morphed into a worldwide phenomenon.

But what is espresso exactly. To put it in the simplest terms, espresso is coffee's more aggressive and strong willed little brother. Espresso is caffeine's answer to a shot of whisky. Just as addictive in some cases, but will not get you thrown in jail.

Espresso is made by filtering 1.5 to 2 ounces of water through tightly ground, espresso coffee, roughly the caffeine equivalent of four cups of coffee. If everything goes according to plan, what you get is 2 ounces of compressed caffeine with a small layer of foam on the top. The resulting concoction looks like a dark German beer with a head...only a lot smaller.

But how do you make espresso? Is it as easy as Starbucks would have you believe? In a word...yes. So where do you start? Again, the answer is simple...right here. There are five basic types of espresso machines. Let's take a quick look:

Stovetop espresso makers are popular with hikers and tourists because they do not require electricity. But since the stovetop espresso maker is usually the "one-cup" variety, you won't get the creamy foam layer top. What you will get though is a very concentrated shot of espresso.

Steam powered espresso makers work a lot like the stovetop variety but is fashioned more like the standard pump driven espresso makers. Still convenient for tourists and hikers, the steam powered espresso maker is not as popular with this crowd because of its bulky size.

The piston driven espresso maker is the grandfather of all espresso makers and the reason most espresso comes with a foamy top. Invented in 1938 by Achille Gaggia, the piston driven maker is still a good way to make espresso, though not often used. This kind of of espresso maker is sold as an antique as often as it is the caffeine junkie's primary maker.

Pump driven espresso makers are the offshoot of the piston driven variety and the most popular maker in commercial settings. Usually hooked up directly to the building's plumbing, pump driven makers heat the water as it is filtered through the coffee and uses a built in shot timer to help insure every shot of espresso is exactly the same.

Automatic espresso makers are becoming increasingly popular because the machine does almost everything for you. Automatic machines consistently produce the same espresso shot every time and require less fine-tuning than commercial makers. In addition, this expensive but consistent alternative to your daily trek to the corner coffe house does everything from grinding the beans to disposing of the spent grounds. The only thing the user has to do is turn on the machine.

Now that you know how to make espresso, how do you decide what your favorite concoction is? After all Starbucks has more varieties of espresso than Baskin Robbins does ice cream. You do not want to make a fool of yourself when you when you are late for work and don't have time to make your morning wake-me-up at home. Yo need to feel confident and proud when you walk up to the conter and ask for:

ESPRESSO - For those who prefer the simple things in life, a single shot of espresso, no foam, is probably best.

ESRESSO DOPIO - Or a double espresso is for those days when you just cannot wake up.

If you are feeling a need for some balance in your life, try an ESPRESSO MACCHIATO (a single or double shot of espresso with a whipped cream top).

For those sweet and sour days, try an ESPRESSO ROMANO, a single shot of espresso topped with a sliced lemon peel.

For amateur espresso drinkers who prefer a foamier, creamier, more chocolaty taste than a straight shot of espresso, CAPPUCCINO, CAF�½ LATTE and MOCHA CAPPUCCINO is probably the safest bet.

So now that you know everything there is to know about espresso and why there seems to be a Starbucks on every corner of every city in every state in every country in the world, you can decide whether you want to join in on this worldwide phenomenon. But beware...if you decide not to join the crowd on this one, you will likely be left behind. A caffeine-powered work force is what made the world what it is today.

Allen Shaw is a successful author who provides information on espresso makers for A1 Coffee Makers. "I am the news director at USA News Network and have been working as freelance writer for 2 years.

FileSharingCenter - File Sharing Center - Download Free Unlimited Music MP3 and Movies!

I've been published in a few magazines, newspapers and websites and my specialty up to this point has been movie and music reviews."

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
Celebrity Fashions For The Average Woman
Decorating A Child's Room
Joe Johnson Trade Outlook
The 7 Best-Kept Secrets to Ultimately Achieve Success In Your Life And Your Home Business
Parents: Take the SAT Challenge!
Of Snakes and Terrorism
A Case Study on Selecting Contract Management Software
Why Autoresponders Are An Essential Tool For Your Business
Triple Your Profits Easily With The Right "USP"
The aircraft technicians who have run up to me have found out...

Miami Lawyers, Miami Personal Injury Lawyers, & Miami Injury Attorneys - Things You Should Know. How What We Drink Can Affect Our Weight and Health.

2005-10-05T22:28:00.000-07:00

I am a Miami Lawyer, practicing Personal Injury, Criminal Law, Immigration, Divorce, etc. and I deal with several clients on a daily baisis. I think that clients are entilte to get the best attorney possible. I think that every client

Immigration Canada

in legal matter, (whether it be Personal Injury, Criminal Law, Immigration, or Divorce) should possess the following "basic client rights:as published by the Florida Bar

When I retain a lawyer, I am entitled to one who:

1 WILL be capable of handling my case.

2 WILL represent me zealously and seek any lawful means to present or defend my case.

3 WILL preserve my confidences, secrets or statements which I reveal in the course of our relationship.

4 WILL give me the right to make the ultimate decision on the objectives to be pursued in my case.

5 WILL charge me a reasonable fee and tell me, in advance of being hired and upon my request, the basis of that fee.

6 WILL show me courtesy and consideration at all times.

7 WILL exercise independent professional judgment in my behalf, free from compromising influences.

8 WILL inform me periodically about the status of my case and, at my request, give me copies of documents prepared.

9 WILL exhibit the highest degree of ethical conduct.

10 WILL refer me to other legal counsel, if he or she cannot properly represent me.

again, i welcome questions regarding florida personal injury cases. As mentioned before, I am a Miami Lawyer, practicing Personal Injury, Criminal Law, Immigration, Divorce, etc. and I deal with several clients on a daily baisis.

Justin Ziegler
Miami Lawyer and Florida Lawyer
305.403.0966
http://www.justinziegler.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Weight Loss Program-Health and Weight Loss Tips

Hello Everyone,

I thought that I would talk about what we drink. Everyone loves a long cool drink, but often we forget to think about how many calories and nutrients are in what we drink. The warm weather can leave us dehydrated, and it is important that we are all drinking lots of water, especially before we go to a class. There should be no risk to a healthy person of exercising in hot weather providing you make sure that you drink before, during and after exercise (water that is).

Often we exercise and watch what we eat, but forget to add in the amount of calories that we consume through drinks. Someone left a delicious bottle of lemonade in my fridge last week, and as I haven't had a fizzy drink in ages, I got very excited and drank the lot over the course of the day. I was horribly shocked as I glanced at the label as it went in the bin to realize that I had consumed over 1000 calories! That is at least 3 aerobics classes worth of calories, and yet it looked harmless and tasted so delicious. From now on I am back on the sparkling mineral water. As I look around me on the street and in our sports centers I see children walking along drinking from cans and cartons. A2001 report in The Lancet warned of a 60% risk of obesity for every can of high-sugar drink a child consumes each day. An average child in the UK consumes 15 high-sugar drinks each week. The best way to cut down the amount of simple sugars in your child's diet is to cut out these unhealthy drinking habits. Try dilute fruit juice (you can change the dilution slowly to give your child a chance to adapt) or fizzy water with a little fruit juice. Good quality squash should be saved for treats, and kept very weak. The best drink for your child is water, and you will be surprised how quickly they adapt to enjoying it. It is useful to note that even fresh fruit juice is high in natural sugar and can add to weight problems, also the body has difficulty digesting fruit juices and they should be watered down.

Alcohol is high in calories (1g = 7kcal where as 1g of fat =9Kcal). In a perfect world, none of us would touch it, especially whilst following weight loss goals. However, in reality we all like a drink. It is important to keep your intake of alcohol under control - moderation is the key. While a 5 oz glass of wine per day at 100 calories may seem harmless enough, over two and a half weeks that's approximately an extra 1,700 calories. This is equivalent to about a half a pound of body fat. That's about 10 pounds of body fat, per year.

The Royal College of Physicians recommends that alcohol consumption be no more than 21 units a week for men; 14 units a week for women. It is better for health to spread alcohol units (up to the maximum recommended) throughout the week, than to drink large amounts in a single day or weekend. Therefore women should aim to consume no more than 2 units a day; men 3 units a day.

One unit of alcohol is the amount in half a pint of beer, a single (25ml) measure of spirit, a small glass (120ml) table wine, or a small glass (50ml) of fortified wine, such as sherry.

It is easy to see how even a "moderate" consumption of alcohol can have a very serious impact on your daily calorie quota: 3 units of beer could amount to a total 345kcal, 2 units of wine 160kcal.

How Many Calories in Various Alcoholic Drinks?

Calorie content
1 Pint/568ml Lager 230
1 Pint/568ml Beer, Bitter 182
1 Pint/568ml Cider, Sweet 240
1 Shot/25ml Spirits, 37.5% Volume 48
1 Bottle/275ml Alcopops (Calculated Estimate) 200
1 Glass/120ml Wine, Red 80
1 Glass/120ml Wine, White 77
Calories in Popular Mixers

Calorie content
1 Glass/250ml Tonic Water 83
1 Glass/250ml Cola, Coca Cola* 105
1 Glass/250ml Cola, Diet, Coca Cola* 1
1 Glass/250ml Lemonade 53
1 Glass/250ml Diet Lemonade 3
1 Glass/200ml Orange Juice, Unsweetened 72
1 Shot/25ml Lime Cordial 28

Ways to Reduce the Calories

�€� Try alternating alcoholic drinks with low calorie non-alcoholic drinks or water.

�€� Ask for low calorie / diet mixers where possible.

�€� Make your wine into a spritzer (a longer drink), or your lager into a shandy - both have fewer calories.

�€� Substitute your "alcopop" for a shot of spirit and a low calorie mixer - about a quarter of the calories!

�€� To add a healthy slant, try a single shot of spirits with some fresh fruit juices.

Don't be tempted to skip meals to allow for drinks, alcohol won't satisfy your hunger. In fact, alcohol lowers blood sugar levels (it prevents sugar that is normally stored in the liver, as glycogen, from breaking down). A drop in blood sugar levels sends signals to the brain you are hungry. With alcohol in your system, willpower can go out of the window and the snack attacks kick in. Eating a proper meal before you go out will line your stomach and slow the rate at which alcohol absorbs into your bloodstream. Keeping you in control of how much you eat and drink.

So the message is to enjoy a drink or two if you wish, but to support your body by eating before hand, drinking plenty of water, and not over-doing it.

Vikki Scovell BA(hons) PG DIP is a fully qualified Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach. She is a qualified Nutrition Adviser and runs successful Community Exercise classes. Vikki is a consultant in Healthy Eating and Exercise initiatives to schools in the independant sector. Visit her website on http://www.getfitter.net or http://www.corporatechill.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
Do You Need Computer Training?
5 Ways To Entice Your Parallel Market to Trade Links
Reducing Fraudulent Transations - 5 Simple Ways To Protect Yourself
7 Strategies for Sustained Innovation
Little Hoochie Mammas
Six Steps to Personal Success
Movement, Muscles and Machines
Possible Acne Messages
The 5 Words That Are Ruining Your Life
Within 1996 the structure of NATO did not change...

The Three Essential Attributes of a Leader: The Demonstrated Abilities. The ABC's Of A Great Life: "P" Is For Passion.

2005-10-03T21:15:00.000-07:00

Virtual Real Estate

Leaders need to:

1. Have a vision to which they are committed

Leaders arrive with a vision: a deeply thought out view of what to do to make a difference in the complex, competitive world of today.

The qualities of their commitment and their vision set them apart.

They may not know all the steps to deliver their vision but they know what it will look like when they arrive, and, they are committed to that point and beyond. This level of commitment to a vision, that no one else may share, is either craziness or powerful beyond measure. Time is often the factor that enables us to differentiate.

Galileo and Copernicus were socially ostracized, persecuted and one of them executed for their interpretation of their observations (vision) that the earth revolved around the sun. Facing death for your vision is quite a commitment!

Mother Teresa felt moved to go to the slums of India and represent the needs of &her people'. She was not averse to taking advantage of the invitations of powerful leaders, to ask for help.

The engineers who conceive of huge projects have it. Often the technologies to deliver the results are not available yet. The huge new airbus with two layers of 747 sized seating, if built with current technologies would weigh twice as much per passenger, creating fuel costs that would be non-commercial.

To find the technologies to make it weigh less per passenger, when we may not know what they are, then make them safe, cost them and deliver requires an amazing commitment to the vision with the financiers breathing down your neck!

What vision do you have? What is the contribution you wish to make in the world?

What level of commitment do you have to your vision? These people showed us what it is about.

Real Magic - online magic tricks magical illusions

It is at a level that we are willing to discard our illusions about ourselves, our personality and find out what is real in us. Not by standing on the sidelines and planning it, but by doing it and making it work! Many of us work at this level each day but justify it in other ways and lose the generic insight to be gained.

2. Have the ability to communicate the vision to others.

We need to be able to communicate our vision to others so that they can bring their expertise to enable the delivery of it!

This has two parts. They want to see our level of commitment and excitement about it - to know we are really in this. This is not difficult, not many leaders stumble here.

Secondly, they want to understand the incremental edge or quantum leap it will provide in the market place so that they can understand which part they might &own' and why their expertise is needed in the delivery.

To have a vision, understand the current market place, and understand what to break, to do something different is great. To communicate what this means to others, such that they begin to share your excitement is rarer.

It requires us to know what assumptions are made by most people, see beyond this to another truth and take advantage of that niche.

Toy'r'us was one of the first category breakers. Mum's and Dad's toy stores folded as they could not compete against the Toy'r'us offering, the prices and the buzz within the store.

The internet provided massive opportunities to change the face of many businesses. The need to have a shop front for a real estate business in a busy area, has now been superceded by a virtual tour, or simple presentation of the property on the web.

Richard Branson's debonair nose-thumbing of conventional models of corporate control and the success of his businesses have opened our eyes to some of our assumptions.

Can you see your assumptions about the corporate model? Can you see the assumptions of others? Can you communicate the difference that others can join you in your understanding? (a tool of deep appreciation of individual motive is useful here: the Enneagram provides much insight.)

3. Attract others to join and follow with them

A leader with a vision and a level of commitment is great, that they can communicate what they have is wonderful. Now what the high potential people, who can transform this spark into reality, are saying is, "Great commitment and great idea but not for me... or not now.'

What the leader needs are key people to join them - the vision will take a very long time to deliver, or it will arrive in a very small package without this.

Magnetism is the word for this powerful, yet subtle energy. The ability to magnetize themselves such that others are subtly attracted to them, the vision and the transformational process such that they want to join in.

To be magnetic, is to turn heads when you walk into a room. People aren't sure why but they are interested in some subtle energy you command.

Without this, the communication looses it power and does not gain the support of the levels of expertise it requires to be delivered.

McDonalds is a wonderful business based on young people running a well thought out structure.

Real Estate Business and Investment Opportunities Book by Bryan C. Wittenmyer

Yet the expertise to run a real estate business, based on hamburger profits, with a great system required much expertise to be attracted and retained.

Most companies have high potential staff identified, and being developed. Many are beginning to understand the complexity of retaining them. These high potentials often have the communication skills and the magnetism, they are just seeking the passionate project to join and commit to. If it isn't provided by their current role, in their time frame, they move on in their quest for it.

To be a leader requires some serious and non-linear development to enable these qualities within you to be identified, developed, polished and delivered.

With these three attributes, we have the fire of commitment, the command of ourselves, and the tools to enroll significant talent to deliver. Our leadership has the wings to deliver results.

This article may be reproduced in printed or web format, provided the resource box below is included.

Rosemary Johnston is a professional corporate and personal coach. Working with executives from some of Australia's largest and most successful companies for over 15 years.

Rosemary's new book, "How To Develop Your Leadership Style and Skills to Take Charge of Your Career and Life" is now available to download at her web site. Read about how you can share some of the success Rosemary has had coaching leaders in Australian blue chip companies. http://www.leadershipfirst.com.au

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Big Time Downloads Unlimited File Downloads

What life can be great without great passion? Having something in your life about which you are passionate is a great start, but consider this: Why not create an entire life that you are passionate about - start to finish, top to bottom? Can it be done? Yes, and it's not nearly so hard as you might think.

Of course, the first task is to figure out what it is that you're passionate about. One of the easiest ways of doing this is by figuring out what it is you do when you can do whatever you want to do, such as when you go on vacation, or what you stalk off to do when you're mad, hurt, frustrated or otherwise needing to "get away" and make yourself feel better. Another way of discovering your passion is to visualization such a situation. What are you looking forward to doing when you retire? What would you do with your time if you had unlimited supplies of money, support and resources?

Once you have found your passion or passions (most of us have several to choose from), spend some time auditing your life to see where it includes these passions and where it denies them. Then weed out everything in your life that leads you away from or denies your passions and replace them with work, hobbies, activities, habits and possessions that reflect them.

Of course, the hue and cry goes up that not all of us can pick and choose our jobs and where we live. But to a great extent, this is fear speaking. It is scary to pull up stakes and move to places unknown because your current residence in slowly killing you inside. It's abjectly terrifying to follow your heart when it leads in a different direction than your head. And it's sheer folly (in the eyes of many who do not dare) to announce to the world that you're giving up everything you ever worked for to pursue a dream that might fail miserably.

But the truth is that it is far better to fail doing what you love than to succeed at a life of mediocrity and regret. This is not a dress rehearsal and you do not get a chance to "use what you learned" to do it over right - even if you believe in reincarnation, you know that you will enter the next life bereft of all the lessons you learned in this one. You only get one shot (or one shot at a time) to live your life as if you meant it. Are you?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Soni Pitts is the Chief Visionary Butt-Kicker of SoniPitts.Com. She specializes in helping others reclaim "soul proprietorship" in their lives and to begin living the life their Creator always intended for them.

She is the author of the free e-book "50 Ways To Reach Your Goals" and over 100 self-help and inspirational articles, as well as other products and resources designed to facilitate this process of personal growth and spiritual development.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
Scam And Scheme Free Advertising For Your Business Web Site
Bois De Santal: The Source of Tranquility
Do You Read Labels?
Acne Scars - Cause, Prevention and Treatment
Before You Buy
In the Villa of the Sick Cat -- A Lesson in Customer Care
Occupational Health and Safety - Stress and Workaholism at Work
Know Your Editing Choices
The Fountain of Youth - Right in Front of Us All This Time!
How to Breathe New Life into Your Advertising Campaign

MLB 2nd Half Outlook. 7 Ways To NOT Sabotage Your Admission Essay.

2005-10-01T20:02:00.000-07:00

NFL Football Picks, Free Football Picks, Free MLB Picks, College Football Picks Daily!

American League:

East: The Yanks and Red Sox will battle it out (again) for the East title, but with a twist this yr. The team that finishes 2nd doesn't get the Wild Card. Yankees take the division in the final weekend of the season.It'll be a longjam with The Twins, Indians, Rangers, and possibly Oakland in the WC race. The O's will continue to fade and finish under .500

Central: White Sox will hang on to the division, but not before getting a scare from Minnesota. White Sox win the division by 3 or 4 games. Twins get the Wild Card

West: Angels keep Rangers and A's at bay, and coast to the title by 7 or 8 games.

National League:

East: Braves overtake the Nats in late Aug/early Sept as their pitchers get healthy. Braves take division by 4 or 5 games. Marlins make a mad dash at the end, but come up short (2nd place), but capture the Wild Card. Phils and Mets fade.

Central: Bold prediction here...Cards take division by 20 games!!! Cubs and Stros tese their fans by staying in the Wild Card hunt, but fall short in September.

West; Padres slowly but surely pull away, as the D Backs and Dodgers continue play up and down baseball. Pads win by about 10 or 12 games. Bonds comes back late in the year to keep the fans interested in SF, but they'll be way back by then.

Playoffs: 1st round Yanks eliminate Twins (AGAIN) Angels beat White Sox in a hard fought series

Cards beat Marlins Braves beat Pads

2nd round:

Angels take Yanks in 6. Cards sweep Braves.

World Series:

St Louis wins the World Series in 6.

Storylines of the 2nd half: Pujols gets into the triple crown race vs. Lee. But Lee wins batting title, while Albert takes the HR and RBI crown.

Sosa, Bonds, and Clemens retire at the end of the season.

John O'nan is sports writer/moderator at the online players union http://www.theopu.com and Football contributor at http://www.realfootball365.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

7 7-->

Ways To NOT Sabotage Your Admission Essay

I got seriously involved in the college admission essay-writing business shortly after I published my eBook on recommendation letters, Instant Recommendation Letter Kit, a couple of years ago.

People who bought that book for help with their recommendation letters soon started asking me if I would review their admission essays and/or personal statements for them. In some cases, I was asked to write their essays and/or statements from scratch.

To do that properly, I was obliged to conduct a lot of research into the entire subject of admission essays. So, I did a fairly extensive literature search of what was available on the subject, both online (Internet) and offline (books).

One thing that really struck me in my research was the number of people that seem to go out of their way to sabotage their own college admission efforts.

Time, and time

Essay Exchange Trade - Free from StudentGoldMine

again, I read about the first-hand experiences of Admission Committee members who received essays and/or personal statements with two or three strikes against them from the outset due to some glaring oversight, omission, or risky strategy.

In fact, it's been hard to believe at times, some of the things I've seen on draft essays that have been submitted to me. Fortunately I've been able to fix most of those before they went any further. Unfortunately for some people though, these problems don't get fixed, and end up being submitted to an Admissions Committee.

Here's a list of the seven (7) common mistakes that reviewers frequently encounter when reading admission essay personal statements:

1. Eliminate Spelling and Grammar Errors

This is the most commonly cited error. It is not a small consideration. Admission Committee members generally see these kinds of sloppy errors as a reflection of the candidate's personality and an indication of how they will likely perform in their studies. It also makes the reviewer question the seriousness of the candidate, since they can't even take the time and trouble to get such an important document correct.

2. Don't Forget To Change the Name

This one is surprisingly common. It's amazing how many Admission Committee essay reviewers have mentioned this error. It usually refers to a situation in which a candidate writes a "generic" essay and then submits it to a number of different programs. This is not a bad thing in itself. But then, for whatever reason, they forget to change the name of the institution or program! So, the last sentence may read, "It is for these reasons that I believe that the Yale Business Program is the one for me". The only problem being that this was the application to Columbia! Admission reviewers generally take this as an insult, and it doesn't do anything to help the candidate.

3. Make Sure You're Original Enough

Your essay or personal statement must be specific enough so that the admissions committee can gain a good understanding as to who YOU are as a person, and exactly why YOU want to attend that specific institution and that particular program. Some candidates fill their essays with generalities and platitudes that could apply to just about any person and/or program. This doesn't help the Committee, and thus won't help the candidate. You've got to tell your own unique story in your own unique voice.

4. But, Don't Be Too Original

There are cases in which people tend to go too far overboard in announcing their own uniqueness. People have written poems, told stories, and submitted videos when there was no such requirement. This is highly risky and is likely to alienate many reviewers rather than endear them to you. Generally speaking, an extreme approach like this will be seen as "grandstanding" or trying to get attention just for the sake of it. Remember, that hundreds (or thousands) of other applicants are operating within the same stated guidelines as you are. The challenge is to make you stand out as different, but within those guidelines.

5. Avoid Talking "Through Your Hat"

Some people have a tendency to make sweeping or grandiose statements that they can't really back-up. Such statements as "I'm going to find a cure for cancer" or "I intend to eliminate poverty from developing countries" are seen as na�½ve and somewhat trite at the university program level. They're nice sentiments, but they don't show a realistic understanding by the candidate of the career path and educational program they have chosen. Make genuine statements that show a good understanding of you in relation to the world around you.

6. Answer the Question

Admission reviewers often report that many candidates don't address the specific question posed on the application form. When this occurs, one of three situations is possible: 1.) the candidate has made a conscious decision to ignore the question asked for some reason, 2.) the candidate has not read and/or understood the question, or 3.) the candidate has submitted a "generic" multi-program essay and has not taken the time to adjust it to address the particular question at hand. Even when applying to multiple programs, make an effort to adjust your essay or statement when necessary to deal with the specific requirements of different programs.

7. Respect the Guidelines

This refers to situations when an application form states a specific requirement for the number of words or characters for your essay or statement. Some people seem to completely ignore these. Don't. They were put there for a reason. When one doesn't follow these very specific guidelines, they are either choosing to ignore them for some reason, or their "generic" multi-program essay is just being plugged in and they won't take the time to adjust it for the specific program. Ignoring such guidelines can make admission reviewers wonder if the applicant's inability to follow instructions extends to other areas that might have implications on their studies.

Why do so many people "shoot themselves in the foot" by committing such easily avoidable errors? Beats me.

I'm not sure what the problem is. Perhaps it's because many people assume that they can leave the drafting of the admission essay or personal statement to the very last minute, and things then slip through the cracks during the last minute rush. Or, perhaps some people think that the essay isn't really all that important, and probably won't get read.

Both of these assumptions are serious mistakes.

In fact, the admissions essay personal statement is probably the single most important part of the application to a university or college program.

And yes, these essays do get read. At least once, for a poor essay that will not go any further in the review process. Multiple times, for a good essay that continues through to the end of the evaluation process.

All of the foregoing "don'ts" are very avoidable mistakes. So, why commit one of these errors when there's no need to? After all, isn't the college and university admission process competitive enough already?

So don't make it extra difficult for yourself (or the Admissions Committee). Read the application very carefully and do exactly what it says. You won't go wrong if you follow all of the instructions.

For an entire eBook on the subject of writing college admission essays and personal statements, check out the following:

http://instantcollegeadmissionessay.com

The Great Unknown, The Great Explorers - The Great Web of Percy Harrison Fawcett

Shaun Fawcett, is webmaster of the popular writing help site WritingHelp-Central.com. He is also the author of several best selling "writing toolkit" eBooks. All of his eBooks and his internationally acclaimed f-r-e-e course, "Tips and Tricks For Writing Success" are available at his writing tools site: http://www.writinghelptools.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
Laptop Computers and the PVP Effect!
The Anabolic Evolution of Modern Bodybuilding
Acupuncture Eases Tension Headache Pain
If You Want A Date, Promote Yourself!
In the Nick of Time: Your Car's Serpentine Belt
How To Go About Selling Your Home On Your Own
Secured Loans For Home Improvement - When You Can't Buy A Luxury Home
Bankruptcy - Bankruptcy Myths
Writing a Press Release: Inverted Pyramid Style
Baby Names - Avoiding Family Conflict

Genius Time... It Matters. Building Wealth: A Wealth Building Strategy Is More Than Simply Diversifying Your Investments.

2005-09-29T18:46:00.000-07:00

Discover Your Inborn Genius - by Masha Malka

I frequently give presentations at small business gatherings, providing me the opportunity to have engaging conversations with owners about the challenges they face. Based on their input, the economy continues to plug along, heading in the right direction, and distancing itself from the difficult journey of the past few years. However, the resulting business climate is considerably different than before, with greater competition and higher customer expectations. Success as a small business owner requires maximizing your daily productivity, so you can focus more on the big picture and less on the many things that eat away at your day.

"Genius Time" is what you do that brings the most value to your small business. It is those high-impact activities - and just the three or four most important things - that lead to your peak performance. For example, Genius Time could be networking, client relations, employee motivation and/or providing continuing education. There are many other things that could make up your Genius Time, but know this...dedicating yourself to Genius Time will lead your entire organization to better results.

Success Handler Action: After you finish reading this e-newsletter, spend 30 minutes thinking about your Genius Time. Here are some questions to help you get started:

~ What do you spend most of your work time doing?

~ What things can you and you alone handle?

~ What are the most important roles you perform in your small business?

~ Which areas of your company are not getting the attention they need?

~ How often do you plan what you want to get done each day? Week? Month?

~ Why do you think things get in the way of executing your priorities?

Many of the small business leaders we work with struggle with their own Genius Time. They live in a world of crisis management - trapped by a never-ending stream of tasks that keeps them in a state of "stuck" - seldom able to grow beyond their current level. There are many reasons this happens, from lack of awareness about how they actually spend their day, to the never-ending challenges of interruption after interruption. Instead of developing systems and training their employees, which are the keys to creating more time to think proactively, they spend their days reacting to situations and putting out fires.

Success Handler Action: Having determined your Genius Time, keep track during the next week of how you actually spend your working days. Note things like how often you check e-mail, handle incoming telephone calls or work on personal matters. List all of the interruptions that distract you...from employees, to customers, to your cell phone ringing. Be sure to note all of the successful moments you spend on Genius Time.

At the end of the week, follow these five steps to identify where you're placing your priorities:

1. Take out a yellow highlighter and mark all of your Genius Time work

2. Put a red circle around those "time wasters" that cut into your productivity

3. Review all of the other ways you spent time during the week

4. Add up the hours you spent performing Genius Time, "time wasters" and "other" activities

5. Determine what percentage of your working hours you actually spent on Genius Time

One of the interesting people I met recently is a retired Army veteran and new small business owner. On 9/11, he told me he was sitting 100 feet from where the plane hit the Pentagon. He and another member of the military crawled to safety through smoke so thick they weren't sure which direction they were heading.

He said the reason he chose to start his own business is because working the system is the closest thing he could find to the life he lived and loved the past 20 years. "In the military, we spent our days taking the plan and working it, with the goal of maximum productivity and results," he said. "Tell me what the most valuable use of my time is and I'll prioritize that every day." This American Hero pursuing the American Dream truly understands the importance of Genius Time.

The Coach, David Handler, is the founder of Success Handler, (http://www.successhandler.com), and specializes in helping small business leaders find clarity and take action. He understands the challenges of running a business, because he's been there - as a small business owner, franchisee, franchisor, corporate leader and trainer. Much like sports coaches, his coaching will show you how to compete on a level playing field in your industry.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Wealth - an abundance of values. Each of us determines what is or is not of value to us. He or she may not be wealthy even though they may have a great deal of money because they have no honor, no happiness.

I measure wealth not only by the numbers but by holding it up against my happiness level at any given time.

Building Your Wealth Consistently in Minutes a Day

Building wealth is fine, but most people assume you are interested in building wealth to become secure, stable, and happy in life.

Assuming you are happy, just not thrilled with your current portfolio returns, you should know that there is more to diversification beyond what the average person thinks is all you need to know.

With a successful wealth building strategy comes the understanding of what kinds of diversification offer you the protection you need from taking great losses in the short and long term.

"Wealth is when small efforts produce large results. Poverty is when large efforts produce small results."

Power: Jobs - wealth - money - Attract it all: new job, dream partner, dream home...whatever you de...

Financial wealth involves the ownership of multiple money producing assets that flow to you, not money draining assets that flow from you.

Investing is a fundamental way to build financial wealth. The sooner you start to successfully invest the more opportunity your investments have to grow.

In order to build wealth there are four simple things you must do:

1) Control your spending.

2) Pay off debts that don't produce some form of income to you.

3) Create or acquire wealth building assets or income streams.

4) Acquire the knowledge to learn how to leverage your TIME and your ENERGY.

Try seeing "diversification" in an entirely different light.

As an example, David Futrelle, Money Magazine, wrote a great piece on this entitled "Build Wealth in any Market."

In it he discusses that diversifying investments in your own country's stock market may not be diversified enough.

"More than half the world's stocks are traded outside the U.S. We think it makes sense to keep at least a quarter of your stock money in foreign equities." David Futrelle, Money Magazine, August 12 2004.

Futrelle goes on to give tips on diversification. This is a good exercise in building wealth in the unstable world of stock investing.

Additionally, think of how you can diversify the following sets of capital:

1) Human Capital (your job and career),

2) Physical Capital (your house and other possessions) and

3) Financial Capital (those stocks, bonds and cash).

All these components should work together in your wealth building portfolio.

Diversifying financial assets alone will not offer you enough protection without understanding what kind of diversity offers true protection against avoidable losses.

C.C. Collins is a Financial Planning Advisor and Author of "Scientific Wealth Strategies" at http://wealthscientist.com Find more information at http://www.networthpublishing.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
Plain Jane Email Equals Flat Results
My High Blood Pressure
Disaster Decision - Do You Need Insurance?
Have You Been Thinking About Owning Your Own Business? Or Becoming An Entrepreneur? Part 1
How NOT to Get a Freelance Writing Job