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Google's Next Big Move

Google's Next Big Move (Will your website be ready, or will you be playing catch-up six months too late?) By David Leonhardt November 2003 might go down in history as the month that Google shook a lot of smug webmasters and search engine optimization (SEO) specialists from the apple tree. But more than likely, it was just a precursor of the BIG shakeup to come. Google touts highly its secret P. . .

Are You A Bill Clinton Webmaster?

Are You A Bill Clinton Webmaster? Post-Florida Google Pulls Back the Fig Leaf By David Leonhardt One of the most frequent questions I get asked about my ebook, Don't Get Banned BY The Search Engines , is whether I amended it to include post-Florida Google. "Florida" is the code name that search engine optimizer wizards gave to a November, 2003, shakeup at Google that left many webmasters co. . .

Double listings at Google

Double listings at Googler By David Leonhardt Have you ever searched for something on Google and noticed that a website has a double listing – a main listing and a second listing indented – and wondered "Why?" And then wondered, "How?" Google lists up to two pages from a domain for any given search. Most likely, you already have two pages listed for your major search terms. Your pages mig. . .

There Should Be More to your SEO Consultant Than Rankings

There Should Be More to your SEO Consultant Than Rankings r By David Leonhardt, SEO Consultant Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions in SEO is that ranking at Google and Yahoo is all that counts in search engine optimization. Potential clients come to me with a single goal: "Get me a top-ten ranking at Google." Some will also mention MSN, and a few will rhyme off a list of search engine. . .

Web site monitoring is a global necessity

Web site monitoring is a global necessityr Web site and shopping cart performance should be monitored from around the worldr By David Leonhardt Bill Huang sits down at his computer. As he connects to the Internet, he glances out at the sun poking its nose above the Hong Kong skyline. It will be another busy day, and he has to order those slippers for his wife before rushing off to a meeting.. . .

No Happiness Without Patience

No Happiness Without Patience Instant gratification is not the recipe for happiness By David Leonhardt I'm searching for modern happiness. The old-fashioned kind takes just too long. That happiness requires patience and I don't want to wait. I want upgraded happiness. I want release 4.02, the "new and improved" version. This is the 21st century and I demand instant gratification. Once upon . . .

Communications Equipment in the Wilderness

Communication in the wilderness is a matter of survival, as well as convenience. Before even leaving home, communications must begin. In fact, our first two communications tips do not even require equipment or gadgets. "Make sure that somebody knows when you leave, when you expect to return (or get to your destination)," advises Chad Brown, owner of Farm & Field fishing and hunting equipme. . .

Life Insurance: To Broker or Not To Broker

In the information age, do you really need an insurance broker? Are you going to remember to review your coverage every few years? If you aren't absolutely confident in what you need or have a full understanding of your policy, going to a life insurance broker is a better route for you.How Do I Find A Life Insurance Broker? If you are already doing research on life insurance, you probably have. . .

Recruiting Excellent Job Candidates

An independent recruiter, recruiting agency or executive search firm is charged with tracking down excellent potential candidates for available job positions. Despite the fact that there are innumerable people seeking positions of employment in the 21st century, it often seems to a typical recruiting agency that qualified men and women are few and far between. Here are six easy tips that recr. . .

Marketing Lessons From a Woman's Magazine

Marketing Lessons From a Woman's Magaziner By David Leonhardt It's amazing what you can learn about marketing if you can just find the time to spend in a dentist's waiting room. I was reading a certain woman's magazine, which will remain nameless because of my allergy to lawsuits. The magazine obviously has figured out what sells well, given that it operates on a consistent formula. For in. . .

A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Internet

A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Internetr Tips for working in the global cyberspacer By David Leonhardt "Where do you work?" "Planet Earth." Sound familiar? No? Well, it should. More and more people are working from home on the Internet, and there are two things you should know about your office when you work on the Internet. First, your office will be very, very small and very, very lonely,. . .

Why web hosts and ISPs need web site monitoring

Why web hosts and ISPs need web site monitoringr By David Leonhardt If you have spent much time earning a living on the Internet, few things will surprise you. However, I am always amazed with how many companies and individuals make astounding claims without backing them up. Web hosts and ISPs make such claims all the time: 99% uptime. Some web hosts post on their site live results of their. . .

Weather and Latitude are not allies

There is a popular assumption that if you move to higher latitudes (toward the poles) you can escape the heat, and that by moving to lower latitudes (toward the equator) you can escape the cold. The equation is simple. But is it real? If it was, then the most northerly capital, Reykjavík, would also be the coldest...at least until they establish a country on Antarctica. Yes, it appears that. . .

I was probably The One Jesus

I was probably the one who shook you as violently as the storm was to wake you, and pleaded for you to calm it. I was probably the one who sank into the ocean when you called me to come to you. I was probably the one who scolded the women for washing your feet with precious oil, and wasting it. I was probably the one who had forsaken you for 30 pieces of silver. I was probably the one who. . .

Just Because The Phone Rings...

Just Because The Phone Rings...r By David Leonhardt Brrrrrringgg. The telephone rang. It was as predictable as Niagara Falls. We had just sat down to a piping hot dinner, so of course the telephone would ring. My wife reminded me that just because the phone rings, doesn't mean we have to answer it, but... "Hello," I answered. "Good evening, sir. I am calling to let you know about a fan. . .

Curbing the Public Nuisance (Part 2)

Curbing the Public Nuisance (Part 2)r By David Leonhardt Yes, that pillar of society that has been with us since that slithery dude threw humanity for a curve in the Garden of Eden – that cornerstone of society has been automated. I am speaking, of course, of the public nuisance ( I wrote about him in Curbing the Public Nuisance (Part 1). ) No longer do pests have to come around in restaura. . .

Our House is a Danger Zone

Our House is a Danger Zoner By David Leonhardt Home is where the heart is, so they say. But for 20,000 Americans each year, home is where the heart stops beating. According to a 2002 study, that's how many Americans fall victim to fatal injuries in their own homes. At this rate, it will take just 14,750 years for clumsiness and carelessness to wipe out the entire population. Fortunately, a. . .

My Identity Crisis

My Identity Crisisr By David Leonhardt When we are young it is all so simple. We know exactly what I want to "be" when we grow up. You know what it's like: "I want to be a fireman." I want to be a ballerina." "I want to be a movie star." "I want to be a nuclear physicist specializing in embryonic schisms in post-menopausal subatomic particles." This aspect of growing up came back to haun. . .

Recruiters: The Challenges of Executive Head Hunters

Recruiters: The Challenges of Executive Head Huntersr (and how the Internet is solving them)r By David Leonhardt Once upon a time, head hunters were no more than common cannibals. Some people still view them that way, but executive recruiters are a vital link in a chain that keeps major enterprises functioning well. The top positions at any organization dictate the fortunes of the company, t. . .

The Animal Rights Summit

The Animal Rights Summit By David Leonhardt Is it just me, or is society becoming increasingly polarized? It seems like for every action there is an equaller and oppositer reaction. For and against war. For or against the environment. For or against the family. Consider the role animals play in society. No, I am not referring to politicians, TV producers or Janet Jackson. I mean animals. . .

Ball Bearings Are Flat – Another Myth Crushed

Incredible but unrelated things I learned working on the Internetr By David Leonhardt What shape are ball bearings? They are shaped like a ball, as everyone knows, right? The funny thing about what everyone knows is that everyone can be wrong. For instance, everybody thinks that the America's Cup is an ocean-sailing race, and yet the Swiss managed to win the Cup. For those readers who are . . .

The Middle of Nowhere (Can you find it on a map?)

The Middle of Nowhere (Can you find it on a map?)r By David Leonhardt Working from home on websites for international customers has certain occupational hazards if you live out in the middle of nowhere. Allow me to explain. I pay for my family's daily rations of bread, water and the occasional snow flake (when in season) by promoting my clients' sites, mostly to the search engines. My clien. . .

Curbing the Public Nuisance (Part 1)

Curbing the Public Nuisance (Part 1)r By David Leonhardt He's been around since the dawn of humanity. His profession is even older than the world's oldest profession. He's been loathed and reviled by politicians, bureaucrats and hot dog vendors. I am speaking, of course, of the public nuisance. He was that slithery dude in the Garden of Eden, taunting folks to shoplift. "Go on. Take a bit. . .

How Not to Compromise With Your Partner

How Not to Compromise With Your Partnerr By David Leonhardt Do you ever disagree with your spouse? Or your boyfriend or girlfriend? Of course not – she/he/it is perfect, right? You can imagine my shock when my friend confided in me that he and his wife often fought over tiny things. "You're kidding." "Yes, we fight over the tiniest, most unimportant things," he confirmed. "Well, why don'. . .

Hunting the Executive Head Hunter

Hunting the Executive Head Hunterr 5 tips to win over an executive head hunter or management recruiterr By David Leonhardt Many job seekers find themselves overwhelmed with dread at the prospect of hunting down a new career position on their own. That's why many people hope to hang their hats on the experience and connections of executive head hunters to do their hunting for them in their on. . .

Network Monitoring for Serious eCommerce

Network Monitoring for Serious eCommercer By David Leonhardt In the real world, businesses come in every size, from self-employed entrepreneurs like me to mega malls like Wal-Mart. On the Internet, companies come in every size, too, from a stand-alone ebook sales page with webmaster and owner all in one, to 300 pound gorilla like Amazon, with over a million pages, who requires the entire pop. . .

The Undercover Vitamin - D

The Undercover Vitamin - Dr By David Leonhardt There is a secret vitamin in the neighborhood, wandering around your body under cover. This "vitamin" has just one single purpose, although some researchers believe he has ulterior motives. He goes by the inconspicuous codename of "D" – vitamin D. Don't be fooled by his clever disguise. D is no vitamin. He's a steroid hormone, slipping th. . .

The Self-employed Employer

The Self-employed Employerr By David Leonhardt It's that time of year again, when all Canadians rush to their mailboxes, their corner stores or their neighbor's houses to read the latest edition of Maclean's Magazine. For those who don't know it, Maclean's is the Canadian equivalent of Time or Newsweek, and the time of year is the annual Top 100 Employers report – the employers who issue mor. . .

Welcome to my stress-free world

Welcome to my stress-free world r By David Leonhardt What the world needs more of is...stress. This means I must deliver a formal apology to all 17,124 subscribers to my newsletter, A Daily Dose of Happiness, for running a series on stress reduction tips and wasting their time in such a frivolous fashion, when they could be using that time to watch the all-oatmeal channel, polish their med. . .

Mr. Cheapie's Frugal Shopping Tips

r By David Leonhardt Hello. Mr. Cheapie here again with three more fantastic I-can't-believe-I-didn't-think-of-that frugal shopping tips. I already gave you my best frugal eating tips. Now let's move away from food, because it is to always important to buy the sizzle, not the steak. That's the first tip. If the steak was any good, why would Madison Avenue spend all its efforts selling th. . .

Is Vacation Rental Ownership Your Business Opportunity?

Is Vacation Rental Ownership Your Business Opportunity?r By David Leonhardt It's a dream I've heard so many people express: "I want to run a bed and breakfast. They are so cute" Or "I want to own a vacation rental property, so I can get a free vacation and make money the rest of the year. But what is really involved in being a vacation landlord? Is it a business that is right for you? I . . .

By Now, I'm a Expert at Memory Loss

By Now, I'm a Expert at Memory Lossr By David Leonhardt I sat down to write my weekly humor column, but I just could not remember what I wanted to write about. This seems to be an increasingly more common affliction, ever since I turned 40. For instance, like most people over 40, I often can't remember my age. In fact, I am quite certain I am not yet 40. How do I know? Well, I can't reme. . .

Customers Don't Always Connect Where They Live

Customers Don't Always Connect Where They Liver By David Leonhardt Pop Quiz: You have an international website and you want to do business in Canada. But you want to make sure your website delivers top performance to your Canadian customers: speed, accessibility, as well as proper functioning of digital certificates, forms, password protections, shopping carts and more. In which of the foll. . .

Sorry, No Customer Service After 4:00 P.M.

Sorry, No Customer Service After 4:00 P.M.r By David Leonhardt A few months ago, I wrote about ingenious styles of customer service that every business should know about, mostly because their employees were inflicting them on their customers. For instance, I warned about "in your face customer service" and "run for cover customer service", two equally effective opposites...like pouring too mu. . .

So You Want to Start a Home Daycare

So You Want to Start a Home Daycarer By David Leonhardt I hang out with the other mommies. No, I am not a "Mister Mom" or a "Househusband". I do have one enviable situation, though. I work from home and I have the flexibility to say, "This morning I am going to spend with my daughters. I can play with them. I can sing with them. I can laugh with them. I can clean up their ice cream tha. . .

Priorities: Don't Dry Your Dishes

Priorities: Don't Dry Your Dishes r By David Leonhardt Do your dishes really need to be dried, or could you just let the water evaporate? If you spend just 5 minutes per meal drying dishes, that equals a quarter of an hour per day, or 91 hours each year. Imagine spending almost four days in a row standing at the sink drying dishes. No eating. No sleeping. No bathroom breaks. Just drying. . .

Serious Dieting Tips, Humorous Explanations

Serious Dieting Tips, Humorous Explanationsr By David Leonhardt A few months ago, I set out to lose 22.6 pounds, then to put back on at least half of it. Huh? Anybody who's ever found herself stuck on a yo-yo diet is probably thinking that I am either crazy or planning way too hard for the inevitable yo-yo heartaches. However, my plan is more sneaky than that. First, I want to lose this . . .

Pets. The Wild Kind.

Pets. The Wild Kind.r By David Leonhardt Just because we moved out to the country a couple years back does NOT mean we want to run a farm. Tending to animals is just not how we want to spend our time. We don't want cows or sheep or chickens. We don't want hogs or ducks. We don't even want a dog or a cat to train. OK, so my wife says that she wants a cat, but that's only because she kno. . .

Handbags, purses and toolboxes, oh my!

Handbags, purses and toolboxes, oh my!r By David Leonhardt Never send a man to do a woman's job. You'd think I would have figured that out by now, but I haven't made my quota of mistakes just yet. Somehow I got it into my head to buy my friend a handbag. It seemed simple enough. I've never had a problem buying toolboxes, cabinets or file folders, so how hard would it be to pick up a handb. . .

Could You Be A Workaholic?

Could You Be A Workaholic?r By David Leonhardt If you need to put on boots and grab a lap-top computer to relieve yourself at night, you might be a redneck workaholic. It never crossed my mind that there could be such a thing as a redneck workaholic, until I read a column on “Are you a workaholic?” “Did you read this?" I asked my wife. "Are you a workaholic? It looks just like those you-mi. . .

Website Backgrounds: 5 Cool Tricks for a Professional Look

Website Backgrounds: 5 Cool Tricks for a Professional Look By David Leonhardt Most websites feature white backgrounds. Or they sit on a navy or gray background -- but most of the screen is still white, like a page of paper set against the darker background. Occasionally, you might run across more interesting colors - reds and purples and greens and rust – often looking more gaudy than profe. . .

Am I Really A Stroller-Monger?

Am I Really A Stroller-Monger?r By David Leonhardt I was reading "A Modern Infant Armada", a humor column in Maclean's Magazine written by a fellow humor columnist. Writing about it now is a bit like a painter painting another painter or a singer singing about another singer (but it not like a cook cooking another cook.). David Russell (yes, another humor columnist named David) laughs at hi. . .

Who You Calling A Hick?

Who You Calling A Hick?r By David Leonhardt For the last time, I live in the country, not in the sticks. And I am relaxed, not a hick. Ever since we moved to the country, I get the feeling you city-folk are confused. So here is a primer on what it means to be living in the country. When you walk three blocks from your house in the city, you will be in another neighborhood...and possibly l. . .

Suck Up Those Dust Hippos

Suck Up Those Dust Hipposr By David Leonhardt The sun was shining. The refrigerator was humming. The kids were stapling each other to the broom closet door. It was a typical, peaceful day around our house. Until I decided to vacuum. "Make sure to vacuum under the bed," my wife called out. I stopped to consider this unexpected twist in the plot. It would require bending down, maybe even. . .

Kissing for Fun and Profit

Kissing for Fun and Profitr (OK, just for fun)r By David Leonhardt Every now and then a quarrel breaks out down at the barber shop, lines are drawn, challenges leveled and, with any luck, somebody walks out with very few blood stains. All over a seemingly innocent discussion: What is the greatest sport ever? Some say "football". Some say "baseball". Canadians say "hockey". The rest of th. . .

Fighting through the hotel room wall

Fighting through the hotel room wallr By David Leonhardt Ever since I began working for that Florida vacation rentals website, I have been plagued by recurring nightmares. I am haunted at night by the spirits of hotel rooms past. There was a time when I traveled quite a bit on business. Thankfully, I don't hotels hop any more. But at night I float off to a hotel room far away in time... . . .

Shaving off my beard

Shaving off my beardr By David Leonhardt Body image is a big issue for some and a small issue for others...but it is an issue of some kind for almost everybody. Some people feel they are too wide. Others feel they are too thin. Some are too bald. Others too graying. Some too tall. Others too short. Celebrities are not immune. Michael Jackson thinks he is too tanned. Pamela Anders. . .

Get more than just "a presence" on the Internet

Get more than just "a presence" on the Internetr By David Leonhardt The water purification salesman had been talking to us for what seemed like hours. During a lull in his monologue, I asked if he had a website. "Yes. In fact, we are the only independent distributors of this product who does," he proudly beamed. "So you get a lot of leads from the website, then?" I asked. "No, actually I . . .

Vitamin C -- The Most Famous of Vitamins!

Vitamin C -- The Most Famous of Vitamins! r By David Leonhardt We call Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, "the most famous of vitamins" because it really is the best known. It is the first one schoolchildren learn. It is the most cited cure for the common cold. Most people can rhyme off at least a few foods that contain vitamin C. And vitamin C is the single most searched nutrient on. . .

How to meditate without even trying

I remember when I started trying to meditate. I would sit down, close my eyes, and try to be really calm (my definition of meditation at the time). That was hard: my head would burst with ideas, thoughts, solutions, problems… I would become agitated, and stopped generally after ten long minutes, if not less. It’s during my short “meditations” that I felt less… meditative. I knew there was somet. . .

What's So Real About Reality TV?

What's So Real About Reality TV?r But some are "personal growth" showsr By David Leonhardt Those people who defend the intrusive presence of a television in private homes always seem to cite "educational value" as its redeeming grace. They mention the documentaries they watch all the time...which explains why The Feeding Habits of the Gray-haired Stork broke all Nielsen ratings records las. . .

It's a Sick World

It's a Sick Worldr By David Leonhardt It's no joy to be sick. It's even less joy when your child is sick. But the most unjoy is when you AND your child are sick together. That happened to my poor wife a few weeks ago. She and Little Lady, going on three years old, both had a cold -- with all the sneezing and wheezing, hacking and coughing, wailing and whining required for a certificate of. . .

Top Ten Reasons To Pick A Vacation Rental

Top Ten Reasons To Pick A Vacation Rentalr By David Leonhardt We are planning a family trip for just a few days. That is my family, my brother's family, and my other brother's family. Our mother will be joining us, too. That makes four households, seven adults and six children all under three years old. Praise to my brave (foolish?) wife who has somehow volunteered to coordinate the arrang. . .

SSI: Why and How to Use Server Side Includes

SSI: Why and How to Use Server Side Includesr What Every Webmaster Should Knowr By David Leonhardt If you are a webmaster or a website owner and have not yet used server side includes (SSI), I am about to make your life soooo much easier. SSI can save you a lot of time updating your site. Set them up right at the beginning and you will be forever grateful that somebody thought up SSI. In . . .

The Road to 25-hour Days - Part One

Do you wish you had more time to do things you love, to be with your children, your life partner… and maybe with yourself, too? Do you wish you had the energy to cook healthy meals for yourself – or to exercise? Are you always too stressed to meditate or pray (or whatever makes you feel at peace)? Then here’s a clever exercise thought out by a time management specialist. I invite you to follow . . .

Vitamin Supplements in a Liquid World

Vitamin Supplements in a Liquid Worldr By David Leonhardt Every day, it seems like we are living in an increasingly liquid world. I'm not preaching against the evils of alcohol or for a new era of prohibition that will save us from sin and politicians. After all, water is also a liquid, and it rarely inflicts us with either sin or politicians. But we do expect everything to be excruciating. . .

English has come a long, long way...

English has come a long, long way... By David Leonhardt I often wonder what would happen if Shakespeare were to be transported in a time machine to our world today. What would he think? How would he react? Yes, Willie would probably tell me "thou hast too much time on thy hands if thou spendeth it wondering about such flights of fancy." But only after he found his feet. You see, Willie w. . .

Dressing a toddler, whomever she is today

Dressing a toddler, whomever she is todayr By David Leonhardt Some things we take for granted. Like getting dressed. Unless we are paraplegic, an absolute klutz or have just smoked far too much cabbage, getting dressed is a cinch. Sure, if you happen to be the winner of the 2004 Imelda Marcos Shoe Collection Trophy, you might have trouble choosing just the right shoe for the occasion. But. . .

Go Ahead...Rearrange My Face!

Go Ahead...Rearrange My Face!r By David Leonhardt I've been known to be somewhat opinionated. Oops. My wife just caught that typo. I am told I have been known to be VERY opinionated. I have at least two opinions on just about every topic. I am sure there are times when people have felt like rearranging my face. Unfortunately (for them!) there is no legal method for them to do that. Bein. . .

10 things you should be monitoring on your website

10 things you should be monitoring on your websiter By David Leonhardt Every business needs to know how it is doing. That's the idea behind exit surveys, customer feedback forms, suggestion boxes and other devices. Without feedback from the customer, monitoring inventory, expenses, revenue and other benchmarks, a business can take a quick slide down a slippery slope, without the owner ever s. . .

When Self-Growth becomes Self-Sabotage

Many of us invest quality time and energy into our personal development. We buy inspiring books, sometimes with the workbooks or journals that complement them. We discuss psychology with our friends – or we look for friends with whom we can have open discussions on the subject. There is activity in our mind – at times a little bit of confusion. We encounter so many different lines of thoughts. . .

Why you don't need motivation

As a life coach, I often hear people say they lack motivation – in fact, the “motivation discussion” is almost a ritual with my new clients. You really want something, in fact you almost need it, but you just don’t have the drive to get to it. As a result, you blame yourself; you get stuck in your disappointment, your guilt, or your frustration – further and further away from your goal. But why. . .

My Career As A Hermit

My Career As A Hermitr By David Leonhardt "Work from home. Make big bucks in your pajamas." – typical work-from-home ad. Quick. What do writers, stay-at-home parents and online marketing geeks have in common? I mean, besides insanity? They are all hermits. The typical writer locks himself up for years brooding in a dark room, surfacing only long enough to find out who this year's Americ. . .

There's More to Orlando than Disney

There's More to Orlando than Disneyr Don't forget to take in some of the secret treasures of central Floridar By David Leonhardt Orlando is one of the top tourism destinations in the world. It features Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World. People come from every continent to take in these famous theme parks, and especially to meet Big Mickey. But there is another Orlando, a ci. . .

When Mother Comes to Visit

When Mother Comes to Visitr All Hell Needn't Break Looser By David Leonhardt My mom came to visit us for a few days. I know what you're thinking. I know it's happened to you, too. Just when someone comes to visit, All Hell decides to break loose. And especially if it's your mother, All Hell delights in knocking everything just enough out of whack to showcase your utter incompeten. . .

Super Bowl 2004: Silly or Boring?

Super Bowl 2004: Silly or Boring?r Janet Jackson reveals one of two thingsr By David Leonhardt If you watched the Super Bowl, you know that Janet Jackson revealed one of two things. She revealed how silly and paranoid otherwise normal human beings can get. Unfortunately, she did not reveal how bored we have become with run-of-the-mill celebrity nudity. Had she revealed both things, like. . .

I saw an angel at work

I saw an angel at workr By David Leonhardt Sometimes you have to see something to believe it. Like angels. Unfortunately, angels are adept at not being seen, yet many people believe in them. I saw an angel at work last year. No, I did not see the halo. Or the feathered wings. Or a flowing white gown dancing in the wind. But there was no mistaking the unique handiwork. When Little Lady. . .

Hurry up and procrastinate

Hurry up and procrastinater You, too, can become a champion procrastinatorr By David Leonhardt I've been meaning to write this column, but I keep putting it off. There always seems to be something better or more important or easier to write about. Everybody is rushing to enter the contest to find America's Biggest Procrastinator. As an expert in the field, I will help you win the contest. . .

Vacation in comfort with kids

Vacation in comfort with kids Three stress relief techniques for families while away from home By David Leonhardt It takes a special person to travel with kids – a parent. Children have their own needs. Their idea of a vacation is more "adventurous" than a parent's. They need constant stimulation and they can get as tired as they are tiring. There are many top ten type lists of tips for . . .

Unique Gift Ideas for the 21st Century

Unique Gift Ideas for the 21st Centuryr Poor advice from a personal growth specialistr By David Leonhardt As a personal growth specialist, I like to think I'm hip. I like to think I am avant garde. I like to think I am on the cutting edge – despite what everyone else around thinks about me. I read last year that the growth sector of the future is in healthcare and wellness. So, being the. . .

Give a Hug for Happiness

Give a Hug for Happinessr Here is Some Daily Motivation to Get Closer By David Leonhardt Hugs have a long and honorable tradition, going back to the day the caveman first squeezed his wife and discovered that no ketchup squeezed out. Since then, he found that his wife makes an awesome teddy bear, and he can always squeeze a rhinoceros when he wants ketchup for his hotdog (which gave him the n. . .

The official "parenting" cheesecake recipe

Whoever writes all those fancy cookbooks has never been a parent. To begin with, the pages are never spill-proof, almost guaranteeing that somewhere in the middle of mixing ingredients, a spill will cover the remaining two ingredients listed. This means that parents must learn to improvise. Some would suggest that the very thrill of cooking is experimentation. So what’s the big difference . . .

Top Ten Tools for Writing Humor

Top Ten Tools for Writing Humor Humor columnist David Leonhardt share his favorite humor techniques. By David Leonhardt (Humor Columnist) Ever want to write a funny book or a humor column? Or add spice to your newsletter editor or web page so that people read beyond the typical drivel that sends otherwise eager-to-spend customers into a boredom-induced coma? Here are my top ten favorite humo. . .

The Great Career Switch

The Great Career Switchr Brad Pitt's Grizzly Bear Visits the Doctor.r By David Leonhardt "Hello. Is the doctor in?" "I'll be with you as soon as I finish filling in these forms." "But I really need to see a doctor." "There, now what can I do fo – EEEEEK! You...you....you're a grizzly bear." "Yes, ma'am. Can I see the doctor, please? "Wh...why would you want to see the doctor? He doesn'. . .

Ditch the hotel for a villa or vacation home

Ditch the hotel for a villa or vacation homer Whether in Orlando or Budapest, private vacation home rentals are tops!r By David Leonhardt Two visits to Budapest. Two apartments, walking distance from downtown. I did not even set foot in the Hilton. My mother and I saw Budapest like only someone who stays away from the Americanized hotels can. We stayed with the locals. We came to feel the. . .

Vitamin E: not quite a magical cure

Vitamin E: not quite a magical curer By David Leonhardt Vitamin E is an absolutely vital nutrient in your body, but it probably can't do half the things you heard it can. What does vitamin E do? To begin, it is an antioxidant. It tames dangerous free radicals and helps prevent blood clots and blockages in coronary arteries. Research points to its ability to reduce the risk of chronic dise. . .

Help! The Kids Are Taking Over

Help! The Kids Are Taking Overr By David Leonhardt Once upon a time, I harbored a quaint notion of child development. In the my imaginary world, children eventually transmogrified into those horror-movie monsters called teenagers. They would overrun the house for a few years, scorching and pillaging along the way...but leaving no lasting damage that a new mortgage and a five-year Caribbea. . .

A Bad Hairdresser Day

A Bad Hairdresser Day By David Leonhardt "Hey everybody!" Hairdresser Lady called out. "It's The Happy Guy." "Don't try buttering me up, Hairdresser Lady," I warned. "It's not going to work." "What's not going to work?" she demanded. "You can't cover up your gross incompetence with a 'Hey everybody' cheer." "Gross incompetence?" "That's right. Just look at my head. Go ahead, take a real c. . .

I Am a Grinch

That's the Christmas spirit By David Leonhardt Last Christmas, Uncle Albert promised his neighbor, Wilson, to find a way to keep the Christmas spirit alive all year. You know, just like Wilson and everybody else wishes people each year. Yesterday I was checking my calendar. "Holy smokes! It's almost Christmas. I better check to see if Uncle Albert found a way to keep the Christmas spirit al. . .

Three Inspirations for Happiness

Three Inspirations for Happiness By David Leonhardt The following three inspirations were adapted from A Daily Dose of Happiness, and they represent three key ways to increase our happiness. 1. FORGIVING FOR HAPPINESS We like to think we are better than our friends below us in the food chain, such as the octopus and the snail. After all, we have love. We feel happiness. We have empathy. We . . .

Are You Asking the Right People?

This article may be published electronically in either your ezine or website under the provision that all copyright, contact and link information is kept in tact. We would appreciate receiving a copy for our Publishers Directory. Thank You. Word count: 543 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ARE YOU ASKING THE RIGHT PEOPLE? © Rhoberta Shaler, PhD www.OptimizeLifeNow.com Were you ever tol. . .

A Happiness Poem

If a happiness poem could bring forth a smile, Then my face would always dress in style. If my ears could hear my computer screen, From one to another, they, too, would grin. My keyboard types for my eyes not my tongue This happiness poem will never be sung. But what of my eyes? Don't they shine? Yes, but not from this poem of mine. The pen is mightier than the sword, But a pen can write . . .

Being True to Ourselves

Being True to Ourselves By: Frederick Zappone © 2003 Happiness is a by-product of being true to ourselves. The fact is, many people are not being true to themselves. They are true to other people, or beliefs and philosophies that do not serve them. In my lifetime, I have spent a great deal of time and energy trying to please other people. In the end, I pleased no one - not even myself - until . . .

The Secret Of Champions

The Secret Of Champions By: Frederick Zappone © 2003 People who are successful in life never quit, they never give up. They have their vision of what they want from life and like a powerful magnet they let their vision pull them forward. When obstacles and roadblocks show up in their life they notice them but never take their eyes off their vision of what they want. People who fail, in life, fo. . .

Creating Integrity

This article may be published electronically in either your ezine or website under the provision that all copyright, contact and link information is kept in tact. We would appreciate receiving a copy for our Publishers Directory. Thank You. Word count: 290 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CREATING INTEGRITY © Rhoberta Shaler, PhD www.OptimizeLifeNow.com Is integrity near the top of y. . .

Be Consistent to Be Successful

This article may be published electronically in either your ezine or website under the provision that all copyright, contact and link information is kept in tact. We would appreciate receiving a copy for our Publishers Directory. Thank You. Word count: 436 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BE CONSISTENT TO BE SUCCESSFUL! © Rhoberta Shaler, PhD When you take a moment to think about you. . .

Any Unfinished Business?

This article may be published electronically in either your ezine or website under the provision that all copyright, contact and link information is kept in tact. We would appreciate receiving a copy for our Publishers Directory. Thank You. Word count: 554 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ANY UNFINISHED BUSINESS? © Rhoberta Shaler, PhD www.OptimizeLifeNow.com Do you have energy leaks?. . .

Are You Inviting Dripping Garbage?

This article may be published electronically in either your ezine or website under the provision that all copyright, contact and link information is kept in tact. We would appreciate receiving a copy for our Publishers Directory. Thank You. Word count: 416 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ARE YOU INVITING DRIPPING GARBAGE? © Rhoberta Shaler, PhD What would happen if a friend came to . . .

A Dream With A Time Limit

This article may be published electronically in either your ezine or website under the provision that all copyright, contact and link information is kept in tact. We would appreciate receiving a copy for our Publishers Directory. Thank You. Word count: 387 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A DREAM WITH A TIME LIMIT © Rhoberta Shaler, PhD "A goal is a nothing more than a dream with a ti. . .

Are You Willing to Prosper?

This article may be published electronically in either your ezine or website under the provision that all copyright, contact and link information is kept in tact. We would appreciate receiving a copy for our Publishers Directory. Thank You. Word count: 460 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ARE YOU WILLING TO PROSPER? by Rhoberta Shaler, PhD www.OptimizeLifeNow.com Are you willing to pro. . .