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Who Cares What Your IQ Score Is

You Want Brain Power, Not Scores! Would you like to know what your IQ is? Want to improve it? What is IQ anyhow? The American Heritage Dictionary defines Intelligence Quotient as "The ratio of tested mental age to chronological age, usually expressed as a quotient multiplied by 100." Basically, it's a test of intelligence, with 100 as the average score. There are some problems with IQ tests ho. . .

Steps to Financial Freedom

Financial freedom is the power to do what you will with your life without being forever bound by lack of money and over burdened by debt. This worthwhile goal can be achieved by anyone through careful planning and persistence. Just follow these steps: Pay yourself first Control your spending Get free of debt Build a contingency fund Become an informed investor Give Achieving financial freedom. . .

10 Reasons Why People Don't Visit Your Web Site

1. You don't offer free original content. It's important to give your visitors information they can't find any- where else. If you're the only source for a certain type of information, people will flock to your web site. 2. You don't offer free software. Most people like to find good deals on software for their computers. If the software is free, that is even better. 3. You don't offer a free c. . .

Creating More Effective Proposals

The need for good proposals - the business kind, not the marriage kind - struck me again a couple of days ago, when I received a poor proposal. I had talked on the phone with a sales rep, and then she followed up with a proposal. You know what? Her proposal was even worse than her live sales pitch. It was a completely canned message, which wasted her time and mine. With that, some thoughts on c. . .

Welcoming Your Website Visitors

Imagine you're going on a blind date. You've heard wonderful things about this person, and in your heart of hearts you're thinking -- hoping -- this might just be "the one." Your heart beats a little faster as you pull into the driveway, and your stomach is all aflutter as you gingerly reach out and ring the door bell. The door opens, and suddenly you are facing one of the most attractive membe. . .

Why You Buy

Behavioral economics is a new science that sheds light on some of our most important decisions. It is the study of how and why people make money-related choices. Here are some of the things the studies have shown thus far: Decision Paralysis One study showed that customers spent more when given four samples of jam to taste than when they had twenty to choose from. Too many choices seemed to lea. . .

Emotions That Sell, Part 2

In a previous article, we looked at three emotions (besides fear and greed) that you can use to connect with your prospects and enrich your marketing campaigns. This time, we're digging a little deeper into the sales psyche. See if you can "connect" with these feelings: Nostalgia: Remember how wonderful things were back in the "good old days?" Whether those days were really "good" or not, we ha. . .

Communicating In Chaotic Environments

How do you, or would you, communicate in a chaotic environment? That question was put to me by a reader who works in big, frantically-paced telecommunications company. Many projects operate at the same time, and many connections exist among the project teams. In this environment, teams work independently, but at the same time depend on each other for critical information. Without that informati. . .

Are You Throwing Money Away?

Shopping for trade show giveaways can be an overwhelming experience. One catalog is jammed with custom printed pens, another showcases mouse pads. Your boss mentions that last year, everyone was giving away really nice tote bags. The sales rep really wants you to buy keychains that can play MP3’s of your marketing message set to popular tunes. But what happens to all this stuff after the show?. . .

Motivation ABC’s: Tune Up Your Booth Staff

Are your sales people burnt out? You may want to check. Have they clocked too many twelve hour days? Do they have enough frequent flier miles to charter a jet to Mars? Are their faces permanently skewed into perpetual smiles from chatting with hundreds of thousands of trade show attendees? Answer yes to any one of these questions – or even chuckle at a situation a little too close to home – an. . .

Turbo Strategy - A Book Summary

This article is based on the following book: Turbo Strategy 21 Powerful Ways to Transform Your Business and Boost Your Profits Quickly By Brian Tracy AMACOM, 2003 ISBN 0814471935 160 pages Businesses are run mostly on auto-pilot and any problem areas are only dealt with when they are already critical, but by then it may already be too late. Most business managers are too busy with the day-. . .

Primal Leadership - A Book Summary

This article is based on the following book: Primal Leadership “Leading To Lead With Emotional Intelligence” By Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, Annie Mckee Published by Harvard Business School Press 2004 ISBN 1591391849 306 pages Primal leadership takes center stage in this book. This concept goes beyond the set of conventional competencies on the making of a leader. Beyond bottom line f. . .

The Brand Called You - A Book Summary

This article is based on the following book: The Brand Called You: “The Ultimate Brand-Building and Business Development Handbook to Transform Anyone Into an Indispensable Personal Brand” By Peter Montoya Published by Personal Branding Press 2003 ISBN 0967450659 278 pages What does it mean to consider yourself a brand? When Ralph Lifshitz wanted to become a famous fashion designer, he didn. . .

Get Speaking

On a recent Sunday evening, I watched a friend ‘graduate' from a beginner's class for stand-up comedians. Needless to say, I saw many levels of competence and talent as the nine students gave their 10 minute ‘commencement speeches' before an audience of perhaps 250, mostly friends and family. Some, obviously, would never make it to prime time. Others have a good chance, given determination and . . .

7 Sure Ways To Grow Your Ezine Subscriber List

1. Swap an ad for your ezine. Use testing and tracking to show you which ads are best to use in your swaps and also which ezines pay off the best for you. 2. Swap a "thank you" page recommendation. Your swap will give you excellent long term promotion of your ezine. You'll also be able to build up your readers' trust in your recommendations because they'll see that the ezine you endorsed deliv. . .

Business Startup Checklist

Use this comprehensive checklist to plan and start your new business. ___ Determine what kind of business you want to start. ___ Learn about the industry for your business. ___ Analyze the market for your business. ___ Study your competition. ___ Educate yourself on running a business. ___ Join trade associations. ___ Name your business. ___ Perform a trademark search. ___ Register a domain nam. . .

Create Your Vision of Success

Most marketing strategies are about being in motion. Have a plan, be proactive, and take the necessary action steps. Although being proactive is a necessary aspect of marketing, an often overlooked and yet equally important part is your company’s internal perception. Many companies put a lot of effort into all the external aspects of what they do, yet completely overlook what is happening due . . .

Fatigue Getting To You?

I've had problems with fatigue and a lack of energy all my life. It would be wonderful to know why. I've asked doctors, read books, and learned that some questions just won't be answered in my lifetime. I've also learned that even without discovering the root causes of my tiredness, there are things I can do to alleviate it. Here are some of energy boosters that have worked for me and others ov. . .

You Can Apply For These Strange Jobs

Have you had some strange jobs in your life? Years ago I stole cars as a repo-man, had some adventures as an investigative process-server, and even handed out samples in grocery stores. Here are some other unusual jobs you can aspire to: Wrinkle Chaser This is the person that irons wrinkles from shoes as they are being made to ensure they are perfectly smooth when you buy them. Chicken Sexer Th. . .

Listening Strategically

Usually, we're most interested in communicating outwardly; getting our messages out to others. But finding ways to hear what's going on around us can be just as important. Let's start by identifying three different types of listening we do. The first type - informal listening - comes naturally, as in listening to another person. I take in what you have to say, and how you say it. A second type,. . .

Profitable Growth Is Everyone's Business - A Book Summary

This article is based on the following book: Profitable Growth Is Everyone's Business "10 Tools You Can Use Monday Morning" By Ram Charan Published by Crown Publishing Group, 2004 ISBN 1-4000-5152-5 198 pages The days of ruthless downsizing and drastic cost cutting are long gone. Nowadays, companies have realized that the best way to earn profit is only through growth – profitable growth. In t. . .

The Oz Principle - A Book Summary

This article is based on the following book: The Oz Principle : Getting Results Through Individual and Organizational Accountability By Roger Connors, Tom Smith, and Craig Hickman Published by Penguin Group, 2004 ISBN 1-59184-024-4 234 pages In The Oz Principle, Connors, Smith, and Hickman brilliantly use the analogy of “The Wizard of Oz” to discuss a business philosophy aimed in propelling . . .

Ten Problem Solving Techniques

Do you ever need to find some good ideas, or come up with a solution for a persistent problem? Learn some simple problem solving techniques, and start applying them. Choose a few of the methods below, and get in the habit of using them in your personal life and your business. Problem Solving Techniques 1. Clarify what a successful solution is, and that will guide your efforts. In fact, sometim. . .

Easy Relaxation Techniques

Stress is more than just unpleasant. It's dangerous. Try these relaxation techniques today, and use them whenever you feel that tension coming on. 1. Leave the room. This really helps if the things stressing you out are in the room or related to it. Just get out for a little while. 2. Take five deep breaths through your nose. Close your eyes and pay attention only to your breathing while doi. . .

Why You Buy, Part Two

More of the findings of the recent studies in behavioral economics: Webers Law A change of stimulus is more emotional and motivational, according to the base: Most subjects tested would drive across town to save $10 on a $20 item, for example, but not to save $10 on a $500 item. The lesson for sales people? If you won't lose a sale on a thousand-dollar couch over $10, sell the other benefits of. . .

Ideas Are Free - A Book Summary

This article is based on the following book: Ideas Are Free By Alan G. Robinson and Dean M. Schroeder Published by Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc., 2004 ISBN 1-57675-282-8 232 pages Without great ideas, no organization can stay afloat, much less flourish. Managers and top executives are constantly struggling to come up with big ones – creative marketing strategies, ingenious cost-cutting. . .

Execution - A Book Summary

This article is based on the following book: Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done By Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan Crown Publishing Group ISBN 0609610570 278 pages You’ve got the bright ideas and the smart people, and the market is just ready for you. But why hasn’t your business taken off as you predicted? Maybe the problem is in your execution. What does it really take to get a. . .

Your Ultimate Leadership Feedback Loop: Their Leadership

PERMISSION TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in newsletters and on web sites provided attribution is provided to the author, and it appears with the included copyright, resource box and live web site link. Email notice of intent to publish is appreciated but not required: mail to: brent@actionleadership.com Word count: 517 Summary: Leaders need feedback to thrive. If they don't co. . .

Pitching to Employees

The senior flight attendant on the WestJet flight was starting the routine safety talk: the bit about flotation vests and emergency exits that we ignore at the beginning of every flight. "If we could have your attention, please, we would appreciate it - in fact we'd be downright shocked," she said. The passengers and the rest of the crew laughed along with her and then, having captured our atte. . .

Busy Beavers Build Piles Of Sticks

"Well, you're just a busy beaver, aren't you?" You've either heard or used this cliche, but what do you know about beavers? Let me tell you about something I learned. One night on the Discovery Channel, I watched a scientist determine how beavers knew where to put the sticks to build their dams. It's by the sound of water, he discovered. A recording of running water would soon have the beavers . . .

Make Money Renting Rooms

I don't know why I didn't do it sooner, but one day many years ago, I decided to try renting rooms in my home. I was young and single, and had a nice mobile home on small piece of property. I found that it was easy to rent out the other two bedrooms. Suddenly, I had thousands of dollars extra each year. Why Room Rentals? In many towns where the rents are high, single people are forced to share . . .

How To Ask Einstein For Advice

What If You Could Ask Anyone For Help? Have you ever noticed how sometimes you are at your most creative when you are interacting with another person? You and your friend or acquaintance feed off of each other's ideas and help each other clarify things. Well what about those times when you are alone, or you have no one you wish to share your ideas with? What can you do then to stimulate creativ. . .

Buy Happiness? Maybe

Can money buy happiness? It's easy to say no, and probably correct, but that's just a way to stop thinking about the tougher issues. What is your relationship to money, for example, and how do you use this most powerful of worldly tools? Maybe you see that chasing after money for its own sake is destructive, but isn't it equally damaging to have such a powerful instrument in your hands while pr. . .

Getting Robbed Overseas On A Bus

We knew better. Both me and my wife had a strong feeling we shouldn't get on that bus in Cuenca, but neither of us said anything. A taxi was two dollars, and the bus cost only twenty-five cents. Ana sat down, but there was no room left for me, so I was packed in with the other commuters standing up. Almost immediately I noticed the drunk pushing his way through the crowd, randomly going this wa. . .

Inventor Help: Go Hire a Great Patent Lawyer

Inventors should review hiring a top tier patent attorney, versus filing on their own or even worse doing nothing to protect their most important asset. A patent is the property right given by the U.S Patent and Trademark Office to an inventor. It gives the inventor an exclusive right over the invention preventing others from making, using or selling the invention stated in the patent deed. The. . .

Climbing Mount Chimborazo

The climb up the glaciers to the summit of Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador isn't considered highly technical. Technically, it is mountaineering, but how hard could it be, considering that I went to 20,600 feet the first time I used crampons and an ice axe? Okay, I had used them once for practice, on a sledding hill near my house. I climbed almost forty feet while people walked by with their sleds, . . .

Mind Mapping

Ever been on a project where you had trouble keeping all the 'if' questions straight? "If this happens," you say, "we'll do one thing. But, if that happens, we'll do something else instead, but only on a Wednesday." In cases like these, especially with high stakes, you may have drawn a diagram on a piece of paper. That way you could visualize the forks in the path ahead, while still seeing the . . .

Get Rich With Mobile Homes

Does the myth that mobile homes depreciate in value keep you from investing in them? Well, they do lose value in a park, on a rented lot. Mobile homes with real estate, however, are an entirely different investment. My mobile home doubled in value in the twelve years I lived in it. The home deteriorated a little (don't all houses?), but the value of the land continued to rise. Also, by renting. . .

Thinks You Should Know Before You Bid On A Home Based Business

Whatever your reason for going out on your own, you must keep your reason in the forefront of your mind. If you forget your reason for starting your own home business, you will not be working for yourself for long. Self-motivation is the key to success when you start a home-based business. You need to possess the ability to push yourself ahead. Your drive and determination will be reinforced wi. . .

Stop Wasting Time: The Thorns of Opportunity...Part I

The Thorns of Opportunity... What are you trying so hard to do? Do you ever find yourself saying "If I just had a little more time life would be great!" or asking "Where did all the time go?" In this story you will learn how you can have more time and actually begin to enjoy your day. Imagine, if you can, three separate fields of roses. Each field tended by it's perspective owner and brimm. . .

Here's A Diet That Won't Work

How's this for a diet: Take in fewer calories than you expend and you'll lose weight. I just read another article that suggested this as the sure-fire way to lose weight. Of course it's true, and about as useful as telling an alcoholic he can beat his problem by not drinking. Yeah, right. Have you noticed that almost every diet is guaranteed to work if you follow it? Of course, it's your fault . . .

In Leadership, Identifying Dreams That Lead To Great Results

PERMISSION TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in newsletters and on web sites provided attribution is provided to the author, and it appears with the included copyright, resource box and live web site link. Email notice of intent to publish is appreciated but not required: mail to: brent@actionleadership.com Word count: 956 Summary: The importance of motivation in leadership cannot . . .

Try Creative Procrastination

Do you ever postpone things, or just forget about them for a while, or tell yourself, "I'll get to that later?" Do you sometimes feel guilty about it? Well, it's true that procrastination can be a bad habit, but there are times when it can be useful. Procrastination When You Are Unsure Sometimes procrastinating makes sense if you aren't sure you should be doing something. If you haven't started. . .

Traveling Light: The How And Why

I learned how to travel light from lightweight backpacking, then found it was just as useful to keep it light on trips overseas or driving across the country. The last time my wife and I went to Ecuador, I had 10 pounds of luggage, all in one carry-on bag, and Ana had just 8 pounds in her carry-on bag. This wasn't a short trip. We spent six weeks in Ecuador, at times on glacier-covered mountai. . .

From Ebay Zero to Power-Selling Hero: Don’t Be That Random Ebay Guy

If I could convey only one concept to someone who was about to start selling on Ebay, it would be this: no one has ever purchased anything on Ebay with this in mind--"I think I'll buy something on Ebay from some random guy and pay more than I would at the store down the street." No one has ever said that. Not once. That is why Ebay sellers who appear to be "that random guy" always fail mise. . .

Write A Poem In Ten Minutes!

You Can Write Poetry Today Have you ever sat there staring at the paper, ready to write, but unsure where to begin? Want a solution that will overcome even the worst writer's block? Anyone can start writing poetry today using a few simple techniques. One, two, ...? Did you say or think three when you saw the above? If not, you certainly would when I asked you to fill in the blank. Your mind is. . .

Protecting Your Home both Inside and Out

If you are a parent, you have probably wondered at one time or another, what more you can do to protect your children and yourself, not only physically but emotionally, mentally, spiritually etc. Today many parents and families are discouraged. They perceive, and even experience first hand a disturbing lack of basic civility and community respect. This disregard of the ‘protective virtues’ o. . .

Victims of Hurricane Katrina – IRS Gives Tax Relief

In response to the devastation along the Gulf Coast, the IRS is giving tax relief to victims of Hurricane Katrina. The following steps are expected to be expanded upon in the next few weeks. The IRS seems to realize it is hard to file your taxes if your home or business is gone. Tax Relief – A Small Step The Commissioner of the IRS has issued orders extending all tax filing requirements for vi. . .

A Practical Method To selling Customers What They Want

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter on your web site as long as the byline is included and the article is included in it's entirety. I also ask that you activate any html links found in the article and in the byline. Please send a courtesy link or email where you publish to: support@multiplestreammktg.com ------------------------------------ A Practical Method To selling. . .

Strange Ways To Make Money

The first time I heard about an old couple that went diamond hunting in parking lots, I knew there were more ways to make money than my scheming mind could imagine. By twelve years old I was taking Playboy magazines out of newspaper recycling bins to sell for a dollar each in school. I also sold ammunition to both sides in my brother's paper-wad war, so I had a taste for the more unusual ways t. . .

Want To Relax And Think Clearly

Learning To Be In The Moment Imagine thinking clearly, and feeling relaxed at will. Could you get more done? Enjoy life more? Would you like to know how to do that right now? Start by learning how to put yourself more in the moment with a simple mindfulness exercise. Basic Mindfulness Exercises A basic mindfulness exercise begins with sitting down, relaxing and breathing deeply. Close your eye. . .

Secrets Of Cheap Travel

There are two ways to save money traveling. The first way is to get the best deals on the specific things you want. There is a limitation to this type of approach though. If , for example, you find the lowest price on the best hotel in Honolulu at the height of the season, you WILL save money, but still have a very expensive vacation. Trying to get exactly what you want, or what you think you w. . .

A Forty-Five-Second Meditation

Is Meditation Too Much Time And Trouble? If you haven't meditated before, you might think it's too much trouble to learn. If you do meditate, you know it can be difficult to find the time to do it consistently. So is there really a meditation you can learn right now that can be done in 45 seconds? There is. Three Deep Breaths Try this: breath through your mouth, and notice how your chest expand. . .

Why Do All Diets Fail?

There's a dirty little secret in the diet industry. The sellers of weight loss programs won't admit it, but no weight loss plan works for everyone. In fact, all diets fail MOST OF THE TIME! Don't we all have a friend who can eat and eat without gaining a pound? Clearly, we're not all the same, so if you try a weight loss plan that "works for everyone," and still can't lose weight, don't get dis. . .

Inviting Inspiration Into Your Meditation

Try Not To Force Things Too Much Often, when meditating, we try too hard to force a certain state of mind that we think we should have. We try hard to suppress thoughts, for example. This is just another thought, of course, and another obstacle to the peaceful state we are hoping for. So how do you make things happen that can't be forced? The question itself shows the need for another perspect. . .

Stress: Guilty As Charged

How To Defend Yourself Do you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed? Do you sometimes feel like you just have too much to think about? Does it make you tired, irritable, or even depressed? What can you do about it? People rarely go to the doctor to say "I think I have stress," and yet the National Institutes of Health say that 80% of illnesses are caused by stress, directly or indirectly. Horm. . .

What If You Were Intuitive

Think back to a time when you had a hunch about something. That was intuition. It is nothing more than your mind using more than what you are consciously aware of. But how do you trust your intuition? How can you improve it and use it? First, understand what it is. Gary Kasparov can play and beat the best chess computer. How is this possible when the computer can calculate positions many moves. . .

Boost Brainpower By Learning A Language

Hablas Espańol? Do you speak any other languages? Maybe you've considered how good it would feel to be able to speak to people in another language, but did you know it also expands the range of your possible thoughts? It's true. There are concepts in each language that don't exist in others, as well as different expressions. These can give you new ways to think, and change your perspective on t. . .

Seven Habits Of Ineffective People

For maximum effectiveness in life, love or business, it helps to have the right habits. You knew that, of course, but don't forget that it also helps to not have the wrong habits. What are these? Seven Effectiveness-Killing Habits 1. Short term thinking. I knew a man who paid $700 rent instead of $550 per month for a nicer place. The landlord didn't require a deposit, so he could move in for $. . .

In Leadership, Dreams Are The Stuff That Great Results Are Made Of

PERMISSION TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in newsletters and on web sites provided attribution is provided to the author, and it appears with the included copyright, resource box and live web site link. Email notice of intent to publish is appreciated but not required: mail to: brent@actionleadership.com Word count: 919 Summary: The importance of motivation in leadership cannot . . .

Edible Wild Plants For Backpackers

Knowing a few edible wild plants can make your next backpacking trip, or any trip into the wilderness, a lot more enjoyable. You can pack lighter if you eat wild berries every morning for breakfast, for example, and leave your oatmeal behind. So push the bears out of the way and gorge yourself on blueberries. Less weight on your back always feels better. You'll also enjoy your backpacking more . . .

Learn To Meditate Right Now

Why Should You Meditate? What if you could close your eyes, then open them a few minutes later and be relaxed, alert, and able to think clearly? Meditation can do that for you, and it's easier than you might think. Documented Benefits of Meditation Less anxiety.r Decreased depressionr Reduction in irritability and moodinessr Better learning ability and memory.r Greater creativity.r Slower agi. . .

How To Learn More Effectively

How Do You Learn Something New? If you could learn fast and effectively, you might become the person with something interesting to say on any topic. It also can help you in your carreer or business. You can learn more efficiently. Just use a few of the following techniques, and use them until they become habit. First, when you want to learn new material, expose your mind to it as soon as possib. . .

Increase Your Intelligence With Music

You Are What You Listen To Can music really help you think better? Yes, according to the research that has been done so far. Listening to, and participating in music creates new neural pathways in your brain that stimulate creativity. Studies have shown that music actually trains the brain for higher forms of thinking. There was a study at the University of California, for example, about 10 ye. . .

Strategic Clarity for Communication Management

Over the past few weeks I've been developing plans for a communication project, a media relations campaign. That's prompted me to reflect again on the communication management process by which we transform communication ideas into operational activities. For me, the communication management process has four phases: conception (strategy); development (tactics); operations (execution); and review. . .

Finding That Balance

Balanced life…is that an oxymoron? Life is just that…LIFE! You never know what’s going to come your way, but as a business owner, spouse, parent, friend, etc. you must attempt to find that balance. Running your own business can take a toll on you if you aren’t careful. I like to call it between a rock and a hard place. Why? Answer this question…what’s more important -- the kids that want a. . .

Reward Your Customers

The formula for success for any business is to get your customers to make repeat purchases. There are a number of factors involved for getting repeat customers: pricing, quality of products and services, excellent customer service etc. One of the best ways is to reward your customers for their repeat purchases. Here are three effective customer reward programs you could implement: Number. . .

Have More Brainpower Today

What Do You Think? Can you solve problems easily? Can you learn new things efficiently? Can you increase your brain power? Whatever you think and feel about these questions, those thoughts and feelings will have an effect on your brain function, because brain power and psychology are intimately connected. Expectation Checkmate in four moves, the book said, so I looked until I found it. I love . . .

Easy One Minute Meditation

Maybe learning to meditate intimidates you, and in any case it's tough to find the time for daily meditation. The solution to both problems is an easy meditation you can learn right now, that will only take a minute to do each day. An Easy Meditation Technique Breathing through your mouth expands your chest, but if you breath through your nose you'll notice how your abdomen extends. You see, no. . .

Be More Intuitive In Three Easy Steps

Have you ever used your intuition to solve problems? Can you trust your intuition? Can you improve it? What Is Intuition? Intuition is simply a feeling , sense, or hunch based on information not available to your conscious mind. Some say this comes from the ether or wherever, but I'm content to believe that our minds have a lot more going on in there than we know. How can Gary Kasparov win a ch. . .

7 TIPS TO MAKE A FANTASTIC IMPRESSION ON PEOPLE WHO COUNT

Making a fabulous impression on people opens doors for your business, personal, and career endeavors. People like charming people who make them feel comfortable. So, making a fantastic impression helps you get where you want to go. The basic rule to make a great impression is this: Humans crave to be around people who seem similar to themselves. The key word is seems. Everyone differ. . .

Be Your Own "After" Photo In 2 Hours

You've seen them a hundred times: "Before" and "After" pictures. Are you ready to be the one in the photos? Don't wait until you lose more weight. You can have an "after" picture today. You've probably noticed that the photos from before and after a diet don't always show a great weight loss. Oh, many times they do, but what do they show just as often? They show a slouching, frowning man or wom. . .

Who Wants A $10,000 House?

How do you find a house for ten or twenty thousand dollars? In three steps: 1. Find towns that are affordable. 2. Find houses you like. 3. Make an offer. 1. Affordable Towns Altoona, Pennsyvania still had dozens of homes for sale for less than $30,00 when I checked today. The cheapest one is listed for $7,500. As the photo on our site shows, this is a cute little town, yet still big enough to h. . .

Email Newsletters: Privacy and Unsubscribing

As you likely know from personal experience, the value of email has been greatly tarnished by spam, unsolicited messages, online junk mail. So, many subscribers and would-be subscribers care very much about the exposure of their email addresses. Since this issue is so important, articulate a privacy policy for your newsletter. Will you rent, sell, or exchange the names of your subscribers to ot. . .

Why Mobile Homes?

There are mobile homes for sale, for much less than stick-built houses, in most areas of the country. Despite persistent predjudice against them, mobile homes are the cheap housing choice of millions. The advantages are not always obvious, but they are real. First of all, the big "truth" about mobile homes and depreciation is only half true. Mobile homes in parks generally go down in value ove. . .

Backpacking: Why Ultralight?

Want Safer, More Comfortable Backpacking? Contrary to what many think, ultralight backpacking is not just about the freedom to hike more miles or to take your whole pack up the mountain with you. It is also about comfort and safety. Backpackers with heavy loads work too hard and threaten their joints too much. Challenges may add to the experience, but why suffer more than is necessary? The Disa. . .

How To Enhance Your Creativity

Have you ever heard the saying, "The harder I work, the luckier I get?" Guess what? That's the way it is with creative inspiration too. Don't Wait For Creative Inspiration Graham Green, the famous English writer, attributes much of his success to a simple habit: He forced himself to write at least 500 words daily, whether he felt like it or not. Creative inspiration can strike at any time, but . . .

Tom Sawyer Day

My river-rafting adventure started on a bicycle. The small daypack I wore carried a hatchet, a saw, some scraps of rope, food, water, a garbage bag bivy sack, a hat, and odds and ends. It weighed less than fifteen pounds total. It was late May, so Id stay warm in my homemade bivy, without a sleeping bag. I might wear my hat, and pile up some leaves to sleep on. If the mosquitos were bad, I'd us. . .

A Dirtbagging River Trip

Dirtbagging is stripping camping or backpacking down to the essentials: fun and adventure. Just throw a few things in any old pack, and get out there. You don't need all that expensive camping and backpacking gear. Leave the extra clothes behind, sleep in a pile of leaves or next to a fire. Dirtbagging is keeping it simple and using your wits instead of your wallet. Recipe For A Dirtbagging Tri. . .

How to avoid being labelled as Average.

When your life is over how will you be graded? Will you get an A or a B or will you get a C Average? Will your time on this earth be rated as average? None of us want to be average. We all want to be successful. We all, deep down, have the desire to achieve something in our lives. So why oh why are you satisfied with being Ms or Mr average? What is it that makes you content being average? What. . .

The E-myth Revisited - A Book Summary

This article is based on the following book: The E-Myth Revisited Why Most Small Business Don't Work and What to Do About It By Micheal Gerber Published by Harper Business, 2003 ISBN 0967450659 278 pages Ever wonder why most small businesses-- no matter how huge effort they put in their endeavor--still fail? Micheal Gerber reveals the answers in this book. Accordingly, the future of small bus. . .

Who Wants To Be Creative?

Can You Learn Creativity? Have you ever watched Robin Williams do a stand-up routine? Could so much creativity and spontaneity result from a highly organized approach? Definitely. Wild and funny thoughts don't come from nowhere. Comedians have habits of mind, and even the most spontaneous ones get better with practice, because they're training their brains to find the humor in situations. You . . .

What is the Emperor Wearing - A Book Summary

This article is based on the following book: What is the Emperor Wearing? Truth-Telling in Business Relationships By Laurie Weiss Butterworth-Heinneman ISBN 0-7506-9872-1 217 pages Once upon a time, an emperor who loved clothes was approached by two con men who made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. They promised to weave him a special cloth that would be invisible to anyone that is stupid or. . .

Come Alive!

"Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive". ~ Howard Thurman As many of you know I have a passion for helping people identify their dreams and go after them. What you may not know is that (much to my surprise) I have uncovered a spiritual aspect to my work. I use a 3 stage process to help people find the kind of work tha. . .

The 18 Immutable Laws of Corporate Reputation - A Book Summary

This article is based on the following book: The 18 Immutable Laws of Corporate Reputation By Ronald J. Alsop Wall Street Journal Books ISBN 074323670X 320 pages Everything an individual or company does or produces contributes to its reputation. Reputation is an intangible asset, but a very important one. In some ways it is even better than having money in the bank, but not as easily quanti. . .

Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office 101 - A Book Summary

This article is based on the following book: Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office 101 Unconscious Mistakes Women Make That Sabotage Their Careers By Lois P. Frankel, PhD Warner Books Inc., 2003 ISBN 0446531324 288 pages Dr. Frankel clearly identifies the common mistakes –101 in all—that women commit unconsciously to sabotage their careers. This book provides revolutionary guides to help th. . .

Otitis Media (ear infection)

In simple terms, otitis media is an ear infection. It is inflammation of the inner ear, often caused by moisture which gets collected in the ear or by minor injury to the ear canal. The moisture often collects after swimming or bathing. Often allergies cause liquid to build up in the ear. Injuries often occur with hard impact with water or careless or intense use of cotton swabs. Discomfort, ba. . .

Mind Your Own Business - A Book Summary

This article is based on the following book: Mind Your Own Business A Maverick’s Guide to Business, Leadership and Life By Sidney Harman Doubleday & Company, Inc., 2003 ISBN 0-385-50959-6 208 pages A maverick is an independent person who will not go along with the other members of a group (Oxford ESL Dictionary). This book provides priceless stories and insights from a maverick of the busine. . .

Post Nasal Drip

Post nasal drip is a sensation of mucous build up in the throat. Sometimes you may even feel a dripping sensation from the back of your nose. The cause is over-production of mucous by glands in the nose and in the throat. At a healthy level those glands produce around two quarts of mucous each day. Most, if not all, of that is swallowed without knowing it. The mucous, however, serves a healthy . . .

What Color Is Your Parachute? - A Book Summary

This article is based on the following book: What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual For Job-Hunters And Career-Changers By Richard N. Bolles Ten Speed Press 2004 Edition ISBN 1 58008 541 5 411 pages The best-selling job-hunter’s bible for decades, this indispensable resource is a complete handbook for people who are on a quest to find their mission in life, or at the very least, . . .