You Control Your Destiny - Tips and Strategies for Financial and Personal Growth

Do You Want to Work Smarter? Here are Seven Ways to Do It

2012-01-31T05:19:00.000-08:00

You must be organized and your computer must be your best friend and assistant. Using your computer efficiently, being organized, and working smarter is the key.

If you can't find an important document, if you forget to make an important phone call, or you forget to pay an important bill on time, you will not only waste time, but it can cost you money.

Here are seven ways to work smart and keep this type of stress at a minimum:
1. Keep your desk organized. Keep your files that you are currently working on close to your desk. I use two file crates that accommodate file folders always nearby. One crate has the folders that I am currently working on while the other crate has the research that I need to support the articles, blogs, and letters that I'm writing at that time.
2. Manage your time wisely Break your time down into segments associated with tasks. Here's how to do it. Determine what tasks that need to be completed each week. If you are like me, there are certain tasks that are consistent from week to week such as Phone Calls, Copywriting, Operations (organizing, filing, planning), Meetings, and Accounting. You may have other tasks that may not have to be addressed each week. Lay all this out and associate a segment of time to each task, either 30 minutes or more. I use an application, AnyTime for Windows, that I have found to be very valuable.
3. Learn shortcuts for your favorite programs. Here are some shortcuts for using Windows, Word, and Gmail. For Windows, winkey+d brings desktop to the top of other windows; winkey+e open Microsoft Explorer; winkey+m minimizes all windows. For Word, ctrl+a select all contents on the page; ctrl+c copies selected text; ctrl+x cuts selected text. For Gmail, the r key replies to the message sender. The c key allows you to compose a new message; and, the tab then enter key sends the message.
4. Keep adequate supplies available. Don't have your printer running out of toner when you have an important document that need to be printed immediately. The same goes for ink cartridges. Always keep spares on hand.
5. Learn to use the keyboard rather than the mouse. Don't be a slave to the mouse. All of the above short cuts are keyword based. To get more of these valuable shortcuts, type in the name of the application followed by the term shortcut.
6. Don't get caught up in playing games or engaging in idle chit chat. I have two adult acquaintances that hold responsible positions in my community who play games on their computers almost from the time they arrive home to the time they go to bed. Personally, I believe in a life time of personal growth. In my opinion this is not the way to do it. I don't participate in text messaging, idle conversation (although I do love good intelligent, invigorating conversation) and I prefer to read for both relaxation and growth.
7. Read newspapers and articles online. With Google Reader, reading publications online is very easy.
Almost every print publication has an online version. Just use the RSS feed, save it to Google Reader and read periodically during the day. I prefer this approach rather than using Kindle. But, to each his own. By the way, there are some print publications that I prefer to have as a physical copy to read while I'm traveling.

To work smart requires you to have the proper mindset. Make it a priority and your will have satisfying results.

Leave Your Comments.

How to Write a Great Rather than Just a Good Business Letter

2012-01-28T20:20:00.000-08:00

In an earlier post, How to Write a Good Business Letter, I emphasized the importance of writing in aconversational style. Here in addition to emphasizing that the business letter beas specific as possible -- typed and both free of spelling errors andincorrect grammar, I will expand on the three essential points.

A good business letter should be kept toone page. You can take it for granted that the person you writing haven’tthe time nor the interest in wading through a long letter. Therefore, pare yourletter down to the essentials by eliminating every sentence that will not helpthe letter’s recipient to help you.

The average length of a sentence should be 15 to 20 wordsand a paragraph about six to ten lines. Definitely do not let your paragraph bemore than ten lines. Frequent paragraphing breaks up the solid looks of theletter and gives the reader courage to go on. Moreover keep you words short.Don’t try to impress the reader with long or unusual words or phrases. You maynot be using them correctly in the first place. In the second place, the readerwill tend to be put off by them.

The letter should be simple, warm and as brief as possible.Clearly state the subject in the first paragraph in a matter-of-fact way andthen find a way of emphasizing the positive. Tell why you are writing,give the important facts, and describe what you want the recipient to do. Tellingthe recipient why you are writing immediately lets him know what’s on yourmind. It gives him a framework in which to read your letter and a signposttelling him where he’s to focus his attention.

Giving the important facts to support your first sentencewill show that you are businesslike and thoughtful. Limit the facts to the one,two, or three that are most important. I suggest put each of your reasons or argumentsin a separate paragraph, preceded by a number.

Finally, describing what you want the reader to do gives himsomething to act upon. You will confuse the reader if you don’t tell him specificallywhat actions you want him to take.

To repeat these guidelines, ask yourself these questions:

Why am I writing?

What facts supportthe reasons why I am writing?

What do I want the readerto do?

Write all your letters in everyday conversational languagemuch as you would speak. Make your letters interesting and a reflection of yourpersonality. This shows you off as a clear thinker instead of a blowhard.

Apply theconversational test to your all your business letters. Ask yourself, “ IfI was speaking to this person instead of writing to him what would I say andhow would I say it.”

Check each completed letter to see if its wording reallydoes match what you would say in person. Follow these guidelines, and you will increasethe power and effectiveness of your letters.

Leave Your Comments

Seven Steps to Good Male-Female Relationships Whether You’re Married or Single

2012-01-25T05:45:00.001-08:00

If you are in an intense emotional relationship and it begins to deteriorate, it can have a devastating effect both on your work and on other aspects of your personal life. Also, if you are someone who needs that type of relationship to feel personally fulfilled, then you need to take the steps to make sure that it’s a healthy one.

These seven steps are valuable to you whether you are married or single. If you are married, perhaps one or more of the steps may or may not pertain to you and similarly so if you are single. Nevertheless, if you are a man or woman, married or single, read this article carefully and use what applies to you.

1. Learn about the Values and Lifestyle of the Other Person
Your rules of your life are your values. Determine if your values and the other person's are compatible. Ask yourself constantly, "What is the right thing to do?” Consider what changes you would have to make. And, remember that one change makes way for the next and gives you the opportunity to grow. If you are a woman and are serious about establishing a quality relationship with a man, offer to share his interests, and go with him to places he likes to go. Do it actively and enthusiastically. If you think that the places he likes to go are too way out and would require too much of an adjustment for you, but his other qualities make him worthwhile, then discuss it with him and work out a compromise.

2. Get to know his Friends, Relatives, and Acquaintances.
There is an old saying; by your friends you shall know them. If your man is one who is upwardly mobile, you can quickly tell that by his choice of friends. Look for such qualities as stability, industriousness, self-discipline, and honesty. An upwardly mobile man will immediately demonstrate these qualities. Don't let yourself be swayed by others opinion. Do not discuss your boyfriend with your female friend. And if you are a man, do not discuss your girlfriend with your male friend. Don't push obligations early and never ask to borrow money even if you really need it and feel certain that she would loan it to you.

3. Clarify Sex Roles and Responsibilities
Eliminate role conflict. Each family, knowingly or unknowingly, maintains a system in which members fulfill certain roles or functions. Family members are most comfortable when these roles are carefully spelled out. Develop clear division of labor and capacity. God made women and men different and we should appreciate and respect the differences instead of trying to act as if there are no differences. Acquire flexibility to adjust to different sex roles. Each of us in the course of a day, occupy different roles, but not the least in importance are the roles of husband, wife, father, and mother. Seek to grow in the different roles. We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.

Provide mutual support and encouragement in meeting responsibilities. We live by encouragement, and we die without it---slowly, sadly, and angrily. Few things in the world are more powerful than a positive push. Smile and offer a word of optimism and hope. Say "you can do it" when things are tough. No dominant role should be the woman's and no submissive role should be the man's. Each family, knowingly or unknowingly, maintains a system in which members fulfill certain roles or functions. Whenever possible, the man should always be the primary breadwinner.

Make sex a part of the overall relationship, but never build your relationship solely on sex. Moreover, sex should never be withheld as punishment. Marriage is a union between two adults, not between a parent and a child. The idea of punishing one or the other in a marital relationship is silly and childish. A woman should never refuse to have sex with her man and vice versa unless there is a physical reason or a legitimate illness.
Infidelity should never be accepted by either party, if based on a prior understanding. If both the man and the woman sincerely desire to make each other happy, then there's no such thing as boring sex. Don't make getting an orgasm the essence of a sexual relationship. Foreplay is whatever makes both individuals look forward to sexual intercourse. Always make time for sex whether it’s in the morning, afternoon, or evening.

4. Be Flexible in How You Can Meet Your Mate.
Be open to the possibilities of meeting someone any place, anywhere. Every lonely person should remember that meeting a suitable partner to build abiding love and happiness needs only one connection, one meeting, one social function, one planned effort...and any time could be that one time. Possibilities for contacting potential, romantic-love partners increase proportionately with the number of approaches made towards potential partners. Don't be turned off by the other's approach. Stop letting age be a factor. Get beyond the superficial, discover each other's values and interests. Sex can be on the first night, the second night, or any other night. Don't let others determine the quality of your sexual relationship. And, don't discuss your sexual relationship with others

5. Work on Your own Level of Emotional Maturity.
Strive to become emotionally self-reliant. It is estimated that only about ten percent of the population has developed emotional self-reliance. The ability to think and act independently is the essence of being emotionally self-reliant. It begins when we are determined to do everything we can possibly do for ourselves, emotionally and physically, in preference to seeking someone to do it for us. Balance your relationship with other friends. Consider this definition of a friend -- a friend is a person who listens attentively while you are saying nothing. Or try this one -- a friend is someone who knows you well and still likes you. Remember who is the most important person in your life, but don't neglect your own personal growth.

Dwell on the best qualities in the other person, rather than the worst. Accept stress as a normal consequence of being alive, and use it to your advantage. Learn to appreciate your own company. By itself, marriage has little or no relationship to happiness. It is a by-product of a self-reliant, productive, and creative way of life. The individual who has not learned to be happy while single has just as little chance of being happy in marriage.

6. Develop Interests and Hobbies, but Don't Let it Affect your Commitment.
Continue to learn and to develop your mind. Remember, the mind is like the stomach. It’s not how much you put into it that counts, but how much it digests. Keep in mind that doing interesting things makes you an interesting person.

Take time for everything. a. Take time to work. It’s the price of success. b. Take time to think. It’s the source of power. c. Take time to read. It’s the fountain of wisdom. d. Take Time to Dream. It’s hitching your wagon to a star. e. Take Time to be friendly. It’s the road to happiness. f. Take time to love and be loved. It’s the privilege of the gods. g. Take time to play. It’s the secret of perpetual youth. h. Take time to look around. It’s too short a day to be selfish. i. Take time to laugh. It is the music of the soul.

Develop knowledge of the things that interest your partner. Check different sources for continuing learning. Keep up with current events and build your vocabulary. To relax the mind is to lose it. If you are not working at a regular job, become involved in community activities. Discover if your hobby can be developed into a money- making activity.

7. Be Willing to Converse and Discuss, but Never Argue.
Resolve any differences before going to bed. Communication does not begin with being understood, but with understanding others. Always keep open lines of communication. The real art of conversation is not to say the right thing, in the right moment, in the right place, but to leave unsaid the wrong thing. As long as at the tempting word remains unspoken, you are its master; once you utter it, you are its slave. Always look to give praise and compliments, rather than criticism. The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism. Reinforce the good things that your mate does, you'll make sure those get repeated.

Recognize the difference between a discussion and an argument and choose discussion. Arguments are attempts to manipulate and subordinate others. We argue only if we feel weak. If we feel we are in the dominating position, we do not bother to argue. Arguing is a form of nagging and is always a clear sign of dependency. When we give up trying to influence others, we have no further need to argue with them.

Discussion is the anvil on which the spark of truth is struck. When arguing with a difficult person, make sure that you try to look at matters from the other's point of view. Realize that the other's point of is a result of their personality, education, and experiences.

It’s important for your mental health and well-being that your relationships are healthy ones. Become more self-reliant and make sure that your relationships are mutually beneficial. You’ll be a much happier person.

Leave your comments.

Increase Your Reading Speed 50% to 100% With These 10 Easy Steps

2011-11-09T20:12:00.000-08:00

Image via WikipediaIf you are like most busy self-employed people, you want to learn how to read fast just to keep from getting buried in the mountains of paper you get every day. if you read all this information word for word, you'll wind up spending all your time reading and not have time for anything else.

These Ten Steps for Increasing your Reading Speed will help you to experience reading, not as a chore to be put off as long as you can, but as an enjoyable and satisfying skill as well as another way to take control of your future.

You can learn to read faster by following these steps:
1. Take at least one minute to review the material before reading it. First, skim to get a feel of what the piece contains, then the introductory material, section and chapter titles, index, and any other signposts. Next, treat the body of the text as a series of paragraphs, each paragraph being a self-contained unit with his own message to convey.
2. Read by paragraph. As soon as you have grasped the message, move immediately onto the next paragraph and repeat the process.
3. Become an active, rather than a passive reader. Instead of reading individual words, actively search out the important, descriptive, and meaningful ideas. Don't get bogged down in details. Move rapidly over the material.
4. Develop the knack of concatenation (linking two things together). Stop reading one word at a time and develop the habit of joining several words and repeating them as one unit. Learn to read by thought units rather than by individual words. You should take in between four and six words in a single glance.
5. Don't linger or reread words, phrases, or sentences. As difficult as it may be to break this non-productive habit, doing so will pay tremendous dividends. One way you can do this is to place a small slip of paper over the lines you have just read.
6. If your time permits, read at least one hour every day. Break it up into 15 minute segments, if necessary, and both select your reading materials carefully and find an optimum reading speed. Get rid of distractions and concentrate on what you are reading.
7. Eliminate poor physical habits such as sounding out the words in silent reading.
8. Watch for the signpost in reading. Signposts are words or phrases which tell you in a split second whether there's going to be an abrupt change in the author's trend of thought or whether, on the contrary, the writer is really going to add more details to what is already been said. Some of the common turn about signals are: but, despite, on the contrary, however, nonetheless, yet, and rather. When you see these words you know instantaneously that the author is about to introduce a thought that is in opposition to the one he has just stated.
9. While you shouldn't sacrifice comprehension for speed, make a conscious effort to increase your reading speed. Still, make sure you understand what you are reading.
10.Reinforce what you read. At the earliest opportunity, think back on what you learned in your last reading session. Review the important points and any related information relayed by the author.

To make it easy, here are five questions you can ask yourself about what you read, What was the piece about? What important information was presented? What, if any, opinions did the writer present? What is your opinion of the piece? Name one element of the piece that makes it stand apart. This procedure helps to firmly implant the information in your memory.

Take Control of Your Health with Lifestyle Changes

2011-11-07T03:44:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

What scientists are beginningto recognize is that much of the illness in these years is due to lifestyle – afactor that can be changed through individual initiative and taking control.

In fact, researchers believethat 80% of deaths in midadulthood are related to the relatively small numberof lifestyle habits, especially your diet and healthy eating .

Heart disease, including heart attacks and strokes – whichtogether are the leading cause of death and disability for men 40 to 45 – canlargely be prevented by dealing with stress, changing your diet and eating for good health,stopping smoking, getting reasonable exercise, and treating hypertension.

Cancer, the second leadingcause of death, can be prevented in the long run by stopping smoking, makingdiet and health changes, and avoiding exposure to occupational or environmentalchemicals. Finally, cirrhosis, alcoholism and a majority of accidents can beavoided by controlling the use of alcohol.

From the standpoint of bothindividual health and national health, it is amazing to consider that inperhaps three out of four cases, death and disability in middle age can be avoidedthrough limited number of behavioral changes that admittedly take effort andwillpower, but are not impossible to achieve.

None of these changes isdependent on new advances in medical technology, development of new drugs, surgical techniques, or the building of expensive medical facilities.Improvement is basically a matter of lifestyle changes and/or environmentalchanges. To make the changes we have to change our attitude and the way we lookat the world.

Belief in our power to change is essential. We, not doctors, arelargely responsible for creating our own state of health and well-being.

Your Comments?

How to Exercise Your Mind and Your Body

2011-11-06T07:16:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia
For the mind, make reading and learning a lifelong habit.

If you are aren't already addicted to used bookstores, find one to get lost in and keep going back. The books are usually very reasonably priced, you get the pleasure of reading hardcover instead of paperback, and you have an afternoon's worth of entertainment by just browsing.

Don't forget the public library. It's free. Moreover, you won't accumulate shelves and shelves of books to pack, move, and dust. And let's face it, you rarely read them a second time.

Keep the book you never get to read either in your car, your briefcase, or your purse. If you are waiting in a long line some where, or if you are caught waiting for a tardy child, it will become an opportunity to read.

And, finally, think about a book that you absolutely loved when you were in college and reread it. Great literature is every bit as great the second time around.

For the body consider this. Nearly six out of ten people experience no daily exercise. However, like any other activity, it takes both choice and commitment. Walking, jogging, biking, or working out regularly on a home exercise machine such as a stationary bike can have a positive impact on your physical and emotional health, but you have to choose to do it and commit to doing it.

Do it even if you think you don't have time for it. It's good for the mind, good for the soul, and it doesn't have to cost a cent. Also consider walking with a friend. It's a perfect way to do two things at once: exercise and create an opportunity for good conversation. In addition to a regular exercise routine, get extra exercise by walking up a flight of stairs rather than using an elevator.

Back to the simple home exercise machine. It works fine. Forget the fancy looking exercise machines you see advertised on television and forget joining the local health club. You don't need either before you start exercising. In reality, the foundation of any good exercise program needs to be no more complicated than taking a walk or a jog for free and adding a few other activities such as sit-ups, push-ups, or jumping on an exercise bike if you just want to work on certain parts of the body and to give yourself some variety. This is all that is required for you to have a positive effect on your health.

To get the maximum enjoyment from life, you need to pursue the care and feeding of both your mind and your body. Think about health as a broad goal for both your mind and your body.

Your Comments?

How to Write a Good Business Letter

2011-11-06T00:12:00.000-07:00

A business letter should always be typed and free ofspelling errors, incorrect grammar, and obvious correction.

A good business letter should be kept to one page.
Theaverage length of a sentence should be 15 to 20 words and a paragraph about sixlines.
The letter should be simple, warm and as brief as possible. Clearlystate the subject in the first paragraph in a matter-of-fact way and thenfind a way of emphasizing the positive.
Keep in mind that an everyday business letter is also a sales letter,an idea presentation, a product service, or a request.

Business letters requesting the payment of a debt should bebrief and firm without threatening the debtor. Write all your letters ineveryday conversational language. Acquire a natural style of writing much asyou would speak. Never use flowery expressions or a barrage of words. Make yourletters interesting and a reflection of your personality. And, never write astatement which you could get you into legal difficulties.

Apply the conversational test to your business letters. Ask yourself what you would say and how youwould say it, if you were speaking your message instead of writing it. Not onlyask the question as you prepare to write a letter, but read over the completedletter with the same thought in mind.

Your Comments?

Learn the Eight Stress Reduction Techniques

2011-09-02T10:47:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

In his book, Stress Without Distress, Dr. Hans Selye, the great endocrinologist and pioneer in the study of stress, offers these eight stress-reduction techniques:

1. Concentrate on the pleasant side of life.

2. Fight for only those things that are really worth the effort.

3. Don't try to be a perfectionist.

4. When you fail, reestablish your self-confidence by remembering past accomplishments.

5. Don't procrastinate. Get the unpleasant things out of the way.

6. Value the simple things of life.

7. Don't waste time trying to befriend those who don't want your love and friendship.

8. Earn your neighbor's love.

Here's what I'm adding to the above.

Get Exercise. Walking, riding a bicycle, deep breathing, and calisthenics are very beneficial in reducing tension if they are done regularly. Such activities revitalize and refresh you.

Learn to Laugh at Yourself. A wise man once said that one of the reasons he was a happy man was that he didn’t take himself too seriously. You can free yourself of stress and tension by developing the ability to laugh, silently, or aloud, in moments of stress.

Take Up a Sport or Hobby. All types of sports provide release from pressure. Also activities such as singing and dancing, working with the hands, talking, and writing can also be helpful.

And, Occasionally Just Indulge Yourself. At times a certain amount of self-pampering can be good for you. An occasional splurge on something unusual can make you feel better. In most cases, however, it's best to face the problem directly and resolve it.

Dr. Selye passed away twenty-nine years ago, but his words continue to ring true today. Follow Dr. Selye techniques, but don’t forget to exercise, laugh often, engage in a sport or hobby, and occasionally just indulge yourself. You deserve it.

Keep your anger under control, click on Personal Growth to read Anger Management - A Self-Help Strategy and other related articles

Six Ways to Manage Stress and Make it Work For You

2011-09-02T10:30:00.000-07:00

1. Stress is to be expected and embraced.
Stress is normal. Everyone feels stress related to work, relationships, family choices and decisions, your future and more. Stress affects everyone everyday and for the most part, stress offers the push we need to respond to a pressing situation.

2. Use stress as a motivator and challenger.
Because it offers the aforementioned push, stress can be positive. You need a certain amount of stress to perform best at work. The key to stress management is to determine the right amount of stress that will give you energy, ambition, and enthusiasm, versus the wrong amount which can harm your health and well being. Positive stress is a motivator, challenging you to act in creative and resourceful ways.

3. Manage stress rather than mismanage it.
Some simple ways to manage stress are: be realistic; don't look too far ahead; be flexible; take time-outs; exercise; lead a healthy life style; tap into your spirituality; go easy with criticism; and, communicate.

4. Manage stress for personal benefit.
Acknowledge that stress is good and make stress your friend. Based upon the body's natural fight or flight response, that burst of energy will enhance your performance at the right moment. A professional sports player is never totally relaxed before a big game. Use stress wisely to push yourself that little bit harder when it counts.

5. There is no life without stress.
Stress is a part of life in both small and large amounts. It comes with all of life's daily hassles and irritations such as traffic jams, long lines in the stores, dealing with a demanding boss, and arguing with a spouse or child. Stress also comes with crises and life changing events such as illness, marriage problems, financial difficulties, divorce or death. All these events force you to adjust, whether you are prepared or not.

6. Don't hesitate to get help when needed.
If stress is not managed properly, the constant and cumulative impact of stressors, both small and large, adds up to a big impact. Don't hesitate to consider counseling. It's not a sign of weakness to get help, rather it's a sign of a desire for personal growth and an increased capacity to cope with life's circumstances.

Your Thoughts?

Managing Stress as an Independent Consultant and Being Self-Employed

2011-09-02T10:29:00.000-07:00

In this recessionary period, financial conditions can become a source of stress and can significantly complicate both personal and family life . Although stress is a commonly used term, a useful definition of stress for this article is that it is an uncomfortable experience especially when it is overwhelmingly based on personal events and circumstances. This experience is not lost on the independent consultant and self-employed.

Worry over job loss, mounting bills, and family responsibilities can take its toll on one's personal well-being. In that the number one thing that couples argue about, even in good economic times, is money, financial stress can take its toll on marriage and other committed relationships. Psychosomatic illnesses can result including insomnia, high blood pressure, migraines, stomach disorders, loss of appetite, a reduced desire to engage in fun activities, and irritableness. Even anxiety, depression, and panic cannot be ruled out. Other family members will begin to wonder about the changes in your behavior and the deterioration in the relationship.

A recent American psychological Association survey conducted in 2008 found that eight in ten people identified money (81%) and the economy (80%) as a significant source of stress in their lives. Other sources of stress include housing costs (62%), and job stability (56%). Two years after this study, the situation has worsened. Government programs have not been the solution. The stimulus package has resulted in a net loss of jobs instead of providing the environment for job creation; the foreclosure prevention program, the bailout of the banks, and the cash for clunker program which moved buying choices up, have essentially borrowed from our future and piled debt on our children and grandchildren.

In this environment, you as an independent consultant and self-employed must survive and grow. And beyond that, be the expert that your stressed out clients look to for help. You have to manage stress in your life by learning all you can about what causes stress in your life, and what works for you in dealing with it. And, then you must make stress work for you rather than against you. A wider view of stress is that the uncomfortable experience, correctly identified, should be welcomed and accepted. Use stress to invigorate your creativity and resourcefulness -- to wake up the creativity inside you thus allowing you to invent ways to circumvent or overcome challenging events and circumstances and to help you in your work with your clients.

Learn the Eight Business Success Attributes

2011-07-22T00:04:00.000-07:00

In my article, "For Personal Development and Productivity - Start with Managing Your Time", I discussed the three culprits that destroy personal development andproductivity efforts. Here I will reveal the eight business success attributesand ask that you will score one for each attribute that you possess. Managing yourtime is one of them, but all are equally important:

___ Strong-Willed Survivor                       ___ Opportunity Seeker
___ Fluent Communicator                         ___ Information Gatherer
___ Methodical Planner                            ___ Astute Money-Handler
___ Disciplined Action-Taker                    ___ Self-Motivator
___ Personable People-Mover                  ___ Precise Time Manager

A score of eight or more means that you can be reasonably confident that youare a good candidate for starting and succeeding in your own business.

Read my follow up article on great time management techniques after completing this.

Do you have all eight of these attributes?

10 Ways to Help Your Audience Remember Your Power Point or Winging It Presentation

2011-07-21T23:39:00.000-07:00

In my recent article on PowerPoint Presentation or Winging It , I mentioned that I will be giving Presentation Tips based upon my experience in integrating PowerPoint and Winging It in my free monthly newsletter.

However, in this post, I want to just give you 10 ways to help your audience to remember your message whether you are making a PowerPoint Presentation or Winging It.

Here they are:

1. People remember the first and last things you say. Put your most important points up front and drive them home.

2. Audiences absorb as little as 25% of what you are saying. Be clear, logical, succinct, and repeat your message.

3. Attention spans are short, so don't get bogged down in extraneous detail. Make every sentence count.

4. People retain visual information. Paint pictures with your words in vibrant language.

5. First impressions are difficult to change. Look, act, and speak like a confident professional.

6. Research shows that your message is conveyed: 7% through words; 38% through your vocal inflection; and 55% through body signals. Rehearse not just words, but your voice and actions.

7. Never read your presentation to the audience. 93% of your message is non-verbal. Eye contact, smiles, and natural gestures help to make the audience like you.

8. Don't try to be who you are not. Let your own personality shine through rather than trying to copy another speaker.

9. Make sure your audio-visuals, PowerPoint, or whatever are of top caliber, and use them properly and effectively.

10. Practice Q & A in advance. Ask some of your colleagues to come up with some questions that your presentation is likely to generate. Ask yourself ten questions you would hate to get. Fashion your answers in advance.

As I mentioned in my article, I have a preference for Winging It and have been successful in doing so, but since everyone now expects to have a PowerPoint presentation when they come to a workshop, I have decided to integrate PowerPoint in my presentations.

What is your preference?

The Insecure, Small-Minded Boss

2011-07-21T23:35:00.000-07:00

A colleague mentioned to me the other day, that the executive director at her part-time job likes to criticize and browbeat his employees in their weekly staff meetings. It occurred to me that it is typically the insecure, small-minded person who resorts to that kind of behavior.

Over thirty-five years ago at an organization where I was consulting, the staff there had a similar type of boss to deal with. They resorted to sabotaging the boss and the organization which ultimately resulting in the boss being removed. But, before then the organization suffered and undeserved its constituents.

These bosses almost always have advanced degrees. So consider this, learning without wisdom is like a load of books on an ass' back.

If you know of anyone or if you have had an experience like this, let me know about it and and how it was handled.

What is a Vegetarian? The Truth About Vegetarianism

2011-07-15T05:39:00.000-07:00

Living by good health principles is an important element inyour realization of success. Depending upon your definition of success, therealization of it inevitably will require mental concentration, a certain levelof endurance, and considerable stamina. A healthy diet plays a major role inthis effort.

In recent years a significant percentage of the populationhere in the U.S., have began to understand the considerable health implicationsof consuming red meat and realizing the need to eliminate when choosing a healthy diet. Vegetarianism is now being viewed as a real and viablechoice.

To answer the question, what is a vegetarian? Here are the basics. Meals for vegetarians consists of a diet in which noflesh foods are consumed. Therefore, even if you have eliminated red meatentirely, but you consume fish, chicken, turkey and other so-called white meat,then you are not a vegetarian. To repeat, a vegetarian is one who does notconsume any kind of flesh foods.

To go a bit further, if you consume dairyproducts and eggs, without the flesh foods, you are a lacto-ovo vegetarian.And, if you eliminate dairy products and eggs, and only consume fruit, grains,legumes and vegetables, you are a strict vegetarian. A strict vegetarian, however,has the challenge of getting adequate protein in a balanced diet whereas thelacto-ovo vegetarian does not have that challenge at all.

Once again, the purpose of choosing a healthy diet is tokeep health problems at a minimum as you pursue your definition of success. Itwould be to your advantage to take a serious look at the vegetarian option andmake your choice. Personally, my choice for the last four plus decades has beenthe lacto-ovo option with no regrets.

The Life of a Consultant – Finding the Work Life Balance

2011-07-14T22:42:00.000-07:00

A consultant can be best defined as one who chooses not tobe an employee; one who is willing to depend upon his or her own talents,abilities, and expertise for continued existence; one who is a risk taker - knowingthat there is no weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly pay checks; one who may seemto be a little crazy and weird to his peers, but one is willing to try to makea difference in the world.

The life of a consultant means that in working for yourself,you have to organize your own day. I have used Anytime Organizer for the pastseveral years. I organize my day around set blocks of time and types of workand Anytime Organizer has proved to be great software for help in doing so. Forexample, you may break your day down into one hour segments or thirty minutesegments depending on the type of work and how much time may be needed tocomplete that type of work.

Some consulting work might require more time to be spent onthe phone. Consequently, you may allow an hour for phone calls and follow-up tophone calls, while you may allow just thirty minutes for reviewing reports, andan hour for billing. The day and times allocated to each type of work may varydepending upon the type of consulting work that you do. Some type of work maybe required each day, while some might just be required just once a week. Themain thing is that over time it become clear as to how much time you need toallocate to the specific type of work each week and what adjustment you need tomake

A typical day in the life of a consultant includes:

a. making phone calls,
b. checking e-mails,
c. visiting clients,
d. reviewing reports,
c. writing reports,
d. billing clients,
e. going to meetings,
f. and writing letters.

And, of course, until you become well established, you haveto consistently obtain work which includes prospecting, asking for referrals,dealing with no answers, and marketing. Getting paid for your work includesbilling, following up on billings, and negotiating rates.

Finding the work life balance can be a challenge. Being aconsultant means willing to accept extended periods of working alone whilebalancing that need with time to have fun with others. It also means dealingwith the challenge of finding those times and making those times meaningful.

Over time you want to develop the reputation as one who putsthe client first; one is willing to take the extra step; one who is sincerelycommitted to the idea of adding value to what you do; and one who is willing tomake a commitment to becoming an expert in your chosen field.

Are you willing to make the commitment?

How to Deal With the Physical Consequences of Mismanaging Stress

2011-07-05T00:11:00.000-07:00

There is rarely a simple or single solution to any problem no matter how large or small. However, the situation can be made worse if the resulting stress is mismanaged since mismanaging stress can lead to a variety of health problems. There is evidence linking the mismanagement of stress with upper respiratory infection, coronary artery disease, auto-immune disorder, poor wound healing, and depression. These health problems represent the extreme conditions that can occur.

With regards to lesser conditions, there is solid evidence that stress affects most of the basic functions of life, including sleep, memory, managing pain, sexual activity, and getting nourishment from food. It is also becoming acceptable knowledge that many of the changes usually attributed to getting old are likely caused by or accelerated by stress. These changes include the graying of your hair, the decline of your immune system, the aches and pains you accumulate, and your basic ability to learn new information and remember all the wonderful things that have happened to you along the way.

Although stress-related physical symptoms can appear to be overwhelming, stress can be managed and the physical conditions can be minimized or even eliminated, regardless of the cause. Here we will focus on some of the more common symptoms such as frequent headaches, fatigue, insomnia, and restlessness.

For frequent headaches, get a good night's sleep. Have something to eat and do relaxation exercises for the neck, head, and shoulders. Message the temples, and scalp, or put a warm, dry, cloth or a cold, wet one (whichever feels better) over, face, head, or neck.

For fatigue, don't try to fight the fatigue. Sleep as long as you can and go to bed early every night. Eat small amounts of complex carbohydrate foods regularly during the day. And, consider taking a course of B complex vitamin pills or Ginseng.

For insomnia, drink a hot milky drink before bedtime. Eat protein and carbohydrate rich foods in the evening and avoid tea and coffee, especially at this time. Eat your evening meals earlier. And, reduce your alcoholic intake.

For restlessness, try relaxation exercise such as lying on the floor and progressively stretch and release each and every part of the body. These relaxing exercises help you to recognize and distinguish between the different sensations of tension and relaxation. Meditation and prayer also can be quite helpful..

Use these strategies to manage the symptoms associated with stress and therefore minimize the possibility of stress escalated to the more extreme physical conditions earlier mentioned.

Your Thoughts?

Funding College Education With Whole Life Insurance - The Only Real Choice for a Single Parent

2011-06-28T02:53:00.000-07:00

Funding a college education at the rate that tuitions continue to rise can be extremely difficult for a single parent. For example, in Illinois the range for in-state 2010-2011 tuition and fees for a state University such as the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana is $13,640 while the tuition for a private university such as Northwestern University is $40,247. Other educational institutions in Illinois may have tuitions that maybe a few thousand dollars more or less. Each educational institution has to be evaluated on their own merits.

Moreover a two-year junior college may be an option for the first two years. Or even forgetting the liberal arts universities altogether and choosing a technical or trade college maybe even the best option depending on your child's aptitude and interests.

Nevertheless, as a single parent you need to prepare to meet at least some of the cost of financing your child education. And, because your child is clearly dependent upon you, the value of life insurance is a must for consideration.

There are three major types of life insurance to consider: Whole life, Term, and Universal life. Whole Life offers a death benefit, tax-free guaranteed cash buildup, an opportunity to borrow money without any requirements, and proceeds distributed tax-free. Term provides for a larger face amount for the same premium but only for 10, 20, or 30 years. Some term plans allow for return of premium at the end of the time period which may be a good option to consider. Universal life is essentially a hybrid that encompasses the best features of whole life and term, is interest-rate sensitive, has a guaranteed cash value, and allows for flexibility in premium payment.

Here is an example of a whole life cash buildup of for a 38-year-old female single parent with a four-year old child. For a monthly premium of $97.06, a major life insurance company here in Illinois will provide a death benefit of $100,000 and $12,471 in cash value in 14 years. She can borrow this money without having to meet any qualifications and never pay it back if she chooses not to. The amount borrowed would just be deducted from her death benefit. While this loan will not fully fund the child's education, it would cover some significant expenses and would be self-completing by paying the beneficiary $100,000 if she passes away before the child reaches college age.

The other option which allows you to contribute to your child education is a 529 plan, however, this is considered an investment decision with both the benefits and drawbacks and no guarantees. Moreover, politicians can make changes in these plans as a matter of state legislation. And, as this is just an investment plan, it is not self-completing in the event of an untimely death.

All things considered a whole life insurance plan should be your major vehicle for funding your child education. If you choose a 529 plan to augment it, do your homework and choose very carefully.

Whole Life Insurance - the Best Choice in Funding a College Education

2011-06-28T02:42:00.000-07:00

Whole life insurance, written on one of the parents, is an excellent funding vehicle to pay for a child's college education. There are several good reasons:

1. Life insurance is a "self-completing" plan. If a parent dies while the child is still young, life insurance would pay an income tax-free death benefit to the beneficiary (presumably the surviving spouse) who can use that money for the children's college education.
2. If you become seriously ill or disabled, with waiver of premium included as a feature of the policy, the company will pay the premium for you and keep your policy in force with the cash value continuing to build up.
3. Cash value in a life policy will not only grow tax-deferred, but can be borrowed tax-free for college expenses, through policy loans. If its never paid back, it will simply be subtracted from the face amount the beneficiaries will receive when the insured passes away.
4. After borrowing from the policy, it will still have cash value remaining or once again begin to grow for years to come. When you retire, you can access that cash through withdrawals and policy loans. This is using your policy to its greatest potential.
5. Also, money in a whole life policy is not a countable asset when a child applies for college financial aid.

The self-completion, locked-in investment gains, tax-favored access to cash throughout the owner's life, and exemption from countable assets are significant values to the client.

Furthermore, you may choose to have your children take out student loans to pay for college knowing that the interest rate is very low and that the money in the life policy will grow at a better rate. This provides leverage and options for the parent, and the ability to give more money to the child tax-free later on, to pay off the student loans and then some.

Whole Life, Term, Or Universal Life Insurance - How to Determine What's Best For You

2011-06-28T02:05:00.000-07:00

A whole life insurance policy covers you for your entire life. Your death benefit and premium in most cases remain the same. Whole life also builds cash value, which is a return on a portion of your premiums that the insurance company invests. Your cash value is tax-deferred until you withdraw it and you can borrow against it.

A whole life insurance policy may be used as a part of your estate planning. Consequently, whole life insurance is a good choice for you if you want to ensure that you have a life insurance policy in place for your entire lifetime and can comfortably afford the premiums, of if it fits within the framework of your estate or retirement plan.

While whole life insurance is designed to provide coverage on the insured for the insured's entire life as long as the premiums are paid and the policy has not been surrendered, term life insurance provides coverage only for a fixed period that is stated in the policy. It can be for one year or up to thirty years. Term insurance premiums are extremely affordable for a person in good health up the age of fifty. After that age, the premiums start to get progressively more expensive. Term should be purchased if you only need insurance for a specific period of time, such as if you want an outstanding fifteen or thirty year mortgage balance paid off in the event of an untimely death.

Universal life is a type of flexible permanent life insurance offering the low-cost protection of term life insurance as well as a savings element, like whole life insurance, which is invested to provide a cash value buildup. The death benefit, savings element and premiums can be reviewed and altered as a policyholder's circumstances change. In addition, unlike whole life insurance, universal life insurance allows the policyholder to use the interest from his or her accumulated savings to help pay premiums.

Universal life insurance was created to provide more flexibility than whole life insurance by allowing the policy owner to shift money between the insurance and savings components of the policy. Premiums, which are variable, are broken down by the insurance company into insurance and savings, allowing the policy owner to make adjustments based on their individual circumstances. For example, if the savings portion is earning a low return, it can be used instead of external funds to pay the premiums.

Unlike whole life insurance, universal life allows the cash value of investments to grow at a variable rate that is adjusted monthly. As an example, the Indexed Universal Life may base the performance of its cash values on one of several indices, including the S & P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Averages. Moreover while it provides an opportunity for growth, it has guaranteed returns and provides considerable stability. In that it provides both growth potential and a safety net, it is excellent for college planning or retirement supplemental planning.

Two Excellent Choices For Financial Safety and Security During This Era of Uncertainty

2011-06-28T01:51:00.000-07:00

Although 401(k) s are beginning to rebound a bit, financial safety and security continues to be sought in America. In this context, traditional whole life insurance and annuities must be considered as an safe and secure options for acquiring sufficient money to have a satisfying retirement.

The long standing traditional whole life insurance lasts for your whole life and the premium remains the same as long as the policy is in existence. Traditional whole life insurance contains the basic essentials of term insurance, with an investment element added.

You pay a premium amount larger than the premium which would be paid for term insurance and that part of the payment is invested over the life of the policy. The growth of that investment is nontaxable to you. This favorable treatment of return on investment is exclusive to life insurance and offers a significant wealth buildup vehicle.

In a nutshell, here's what traditional whole life insurance have to offer:

o tax-favored cash values

o death benefits

o competitive interest rate

o guaranteed return

Next, an annuity is an investment contract between you and the insurance company. You receive a return on your investment that supplements your contribution. In the future, you can choose to "annuitize" the investment to provide income for a specified period of time in your lifetime.

The earnings on an annuity can grow without being lessened by taxes. These earnings are not taxable until you withdraw them, and then they are spread out over a number of years. When you begin receiving income from an annuity, only part of your income is taxable because you receive both interest and a partial return of the invested principal.

To make the best use of the positive tax advantages of an annuity, you also must be aware of the potential tax problems. The IRS imposes a penalty of 10 percent along with the tax owed on withdrawals unless you are over age 59 1/2 when withdrawing money from the annuity or cashing it in. These charges are in addition to any insurance company fees that might be imposed upon the withdrawal.

It is advisable to approach the purchase of an annuity with the expectation that you will not draw on it until you are older than age 59 1/2. To fully make the most of the tax advantages you

Managing Stress as a Classroom Teacher

2011-04-13T08:09:00.000-07:00

Realize that you can make a difference.

You may not be able to change the stressful conditions that your children must deal with at home but you can offer them a safe, comfortable and accepting place to be while they are in your care.

Be emotionally and physically available for children in your classroom.

Put aside your own frustrations about the past and worries about the future. There is very little you can do to solve your life problems while you are working. Being there for your children means that you will be an active, in-control teacher rather than a reactive, out -of -control, babysitter.

Greet each child warmly every day. That transition from parent to teacher is an important one. Often mornings are extremely stressful for families. Children are often yelled at, hurried, and maybe given breakfast in the car or either walked or took public transportation to school with no breakfast at all. A warm smile or hug as a child walks in the door can go a long way to helping a child feel accepted and wanted.

Spend time with each child every day. Even if it is just for one or two minutes, get down on the child's level, make eye contact, listen and watch. Learn to value each child for their own special self.

Remember that children learn to value themselves through the eyes (and words) of others. What you say (or don't say) to a child has tremendous impact. Make sure that you don't contribute to the stress.

Take a good look at your classroom and your routine. Try to eliminate stressful situations. Ask yourself the following questions:

Is my room arrangement simple and easy to move through?

Are activity areas dearly defined (e.g. art area, block area, reading/quiet area)?

Do I have a balance of center areas that are noisy /activity areas (e.g. blocks, dramatic play) and quiet areas (books, manipulatives)?

Is there a quiet place in the classroom that is available to children when they need to escape for a while?

Have I planned my day so that it alternates between active and quiet activities, organized projects

Anger Management - A Self-Help Strategy

2011-04-04T16:17:00.000-07:00

Anger is a destructive emotion even though it's a very common experience. Everyone gets angry at some time or another. Although some people have learned such self-control that they won't show their feelings, rest assured that their close friends, relatives, and especially their doctor know that they are angry. It can show up in migraine headaches, ulcers, skin problems, allergies, and even sexual problems. While these problems are not always or even most always related to angry feelings, there is a relationship between feelings and physical well-being.

Anger is an amalgamation of many negative feelings and both can and should be expressed in a constructive, healthy way. It is, therefore, necessary to learn how to manage anger and act in appropriately assertive, but not an aggressive way.

Now, a distinction needs to be made between being assertive and being aggressive. Being assertive means letting others know what you feel in a way that doesn't put anybody else down. Whereas, aggressive behavior is always at the expense of somebody else. You will get your way, but you will step on somebody else to do it.

Common situations that provide great opportunity for practicing assertiveness include returning faulty merchandise to a store; asking a neighbor to quiet down, starting a conversation with a stranger, giving a speech in public, or asking someone for a favor.

In contrast to this, aggressiveness is demonstrated by you believing that you have to be right or have the right to be the winner, thus, you find yourself attacking the other person. If you always must have your way at the expense of the other person, as I mentioned earlier, you will get it, but, your relationships will deteriorate, others will reject you, and you will find yourself suffering from a negative self-concept and poor self-acceptance.

So, to manage anger, begin with the knowledge that anger can be controlled and resolved. You must cease placing demands on yourself and others through shoulds, oughts, and musts. Often anger specifically entails a should. "You should have known better." "You should not have given the car keys to your brother. " The more shoulds and should nots - the angrier you will be. Increase your overall level of happiness. Happiness is not like height; you just don't get a certain amount of it and have to live with it. Learn to let go of the unimportant anger triggers. Realize that your anger will hurt you more than the target of your ire. Learn to express justified anger in an assertive and not in an aggressive way. And, keep in mind that the fewer shoulds, oughts, or musts you have, the happier you and all those who associate with you will be.

Your Comments?

The 11 Most Important Time Management Tips

2011-04-03T11:42:00.000-07:00

A wise man once said that counting time is not so important as making time count. Good time management and making time count is a must if you have a home-based business and especially if you have children in the home.

While there are many books and articles on time management, here are eleven time management tips, boiled down, that I believe you will find useful:

1. If you feel that you don't have time to complete things, break the job into smaller units. No time to read a book, set aside 15 minutes a day to read a few pages or a chapter, or better yet, try a short story.

2. Once you determine exactly what is most important to accomplish any given day, do not allow yourself to be interrupted until it is done. Don't take calls, don't take a coffee break, and don't put in that load of wash. Do what you have to do, and then get on to other things.

3. Making lists is a crucial way to organize your life and keep things simple. But always make a list you know you can accomplish. At the end of the day you will feel good about what you've done rather than overwhelmed by which you haven't done. Failure can be exhausting.

4. Keep a list of short calls you need to make (such as calls to arrange appointments) and make them early in the day. You can cross off several "to do" items from the list - and start your day off right.

5. Every now and then you will think of someone you haven't spoken to in a long time and have an impulse to call. However, if it's too late, write those names down and you'll be more likely to get to them.

6. Don't over schedule your children. Children (and adults for that matter), need downtime to do absolutely nothing. This kind of downtime is every bit as important as piano lessons, Little League, and gymnastics. Maybe even more so.

7. Telephone calls are something we all could do a lot less of - - so set certain times of the day when you simply don't answer the phone. Use that time to cook dinner in a peaceful, mindful way, or just hang out with your family.

8. Think about the people you spent time with on the phone or in person. How many of those relationships seem fulfilling? How many feel like habits? Think about time as a valuable commodity, and don't waste it in company that isn't pleasing.

9. Consider not making social plans for more than two weekends in a row. It's important to give yourself time every now and then on the weekend to have no plans. If you feel like pulling something together at the last minute, you can always do it

10. Whenever possible, take your children along on errands instead of arranging childcare. It is educational for them, and it can make a dull task interesting. Of course some errands are fun with children in tow, but others are nearly impossible.

11. Set your alarm clock for a half hour early every morning, and think of that time as all yours. Lie in the bed, listen to the radio, meditate, exercise, soak in the tub, or do whatever you need to do to prepare yourself for the day ahead.

Your Thoughts?

What You Need to Know About Depression

2011-04-03T11:19:00.000-07:00

The blues is a temporary and usually normal reaction to stressful life situations. Most cases don't involve physical symptoms, loss of self-esteem, or suicidal thoughts, and the negative state usually passes within a few hours or days.

Image by El Hermano Pila via FlickrDepression on the other hand, is an intense, pervasive and long-lasting disorder of mood that attacks the body as well as the mind, often resulting in serious problems in work, social, and physical functioning. Unfortunately, some people don't recognize depression for the serious illness it is. They think of it as a personality flaw, a sign of weakness or a character defect.

To go further in depth, depression occurs in at least three different dynamics. People in the first category are chronically depressed. Depression is built into them and may be passed from generation to generation.

The second dynamic concerns lasting grief that occurs after a severe loss. Its severity is entirely subjective but might occur with the loss of a child, spouse, or loved one, an amputation, mastectomy, a sizable career setback, or loss of functioning brought about by disease or trauma.

The third dynamic involves loss accompanied by anger. People who have unresolved issues with a departed loved one often do not know that they are angry. This despair can set in after messy divorces or after a close relative or friend passes away. Since they are not able to deal with these problems by interacting with the object of their anger, they take their antagonism out on themselves instead.

Loss is the common element in all three dynamics. It could be a loss of time, an object, an idealization of an object, or a person.

Symptoms of depression often include disturbances with sleep, appetite and body weight, energy, concentration, and sexual functioning. There is frequently excessive guilt, feelings of worthlessness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, and, in severe cases, thoughts of or attempts at suicide.

Some depressions are the result of a chemical imbalance and may only be treated by anti-depressant medication, some require psychotherapy, and still others a combination of methods.

Those with chronic depression can't be helped except by antidepressants. In these cases, psychotherapy may be of little help and a poor use of time and money. Time helps a person who has suffered a severe loss as well as an involved other person who listens to the aggrieved as he or she gives words to the pain. This does not necessarily have to be a therapist, but if there is not a strong support system, treatment is very necessary.

Finally, only a strong guide can help people whose loss is accompanied with anger move toward slow recognition and safe expression of their real feelings. This is usually the only path out of melancholy.

The good news is that more than eighty percent of depression sufferers can be treated successfully. If you or someone you care about is depressed, seek help now by contacting a qualified mental health specialist.

Take Control of Your Destiny - Learn How to Break Bad Habits

2011-04-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

Image via WikipediaTo take control of your life, recognize that habits are response patterns to situations. If you are a smoker, you reach for a cigarette when the coffee is served, but not during the soup. You don't smoke or even want to in church, in the theater, in a courtroom, or in other places where no one usually smokes. Given the right circumstances you will light up.

In order to break a habit, then, you must recognize that you must deal with the source of satisfaction - that is, you must want to change your ways and give up the real or imagined benefits; you must be aware of what you are doing, and, you must take in account the situation that had become associated with the habit.

A number of methods for habit breaking have been proposed by therapists working from different points of views. Here I will review some of them and recommend the one that I believe is the most effective.

One method for habit breaking is through negative practice. This is deliberately repeating a habit over and over again until you are totally bored with it. This method can be used when you seem to be unaware of when or why you are doing something. This procedure calls attention to the situation involved, which makes them recognizable so that preventive action can be taken.

Another method that can be used is the tapering off method. This is a long-term process and works only if you are seriously interested in breaking the habit. If the habit is related to a life-threatening disease such as cancer or heart disease your motivation to break the habit can be significantly strong enough so that nothing else may be needed.

Another method is to quit cold turkey. You may experience significant stress with this approach or you may perhaps experience some joy out of being able to make such a complete break. This is not a method, but a decision that you make and are willing to stick with despite the potential discomfort that you will experience.

Finally, in my judgment the best way to break any habit is to follow the five main components of the habit reversal method:

1. Recognize that the habit is a strong or persistent urge that is not rooted in deeper psychological problems.
2. Keep precise record of urges and count the number of times that you actually succumb to them.
3. Develop an awareness of the chain of events that leads to or results in the unwanted behavior.
4. Learn relaxation method as a means of combating the urges.
5. And, substitute a response that incompatible with the unwanted behaviors.

If you really desire to quit any habit and take control of your life, this five easy step process really works.

Take Control of Life - Change Your Behavior

2011-04-03T10:33:00.000-07:00

The French philosopher, Henri Bergson, once said that, "To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly."

Change is unavoidable. Change is continuous and is occurring all the time. Our country changes, our city changes, our neighborhood changes, our family changes, and we as individuals change. Sometimes it may not be perceptible by someone on the outside. But, we know ourselves better than anyone else when we have changed. Our political views may have changed, our attitudes may have changed, our appearances may have changed, and even our faculties may have changed.

The term change itself has an even deeper significant when it is in reference to a change in behavior that represents coming to a fork in the road and having to choose one direction or another. If you're dissatisfied with your present state and want to change, that's significant. If you are dissatisfied with your career; if you're dissatisfied with your marriage or other important relationships; if you're dissatisfied with your lifestyle; or if you're dissatisfied with your career; a major change may be necessary. A desire to change and a willingness to do so is essential. No one can change you or your situation. It has to begin with you. It has to begin inside.

Some people continue to change jobs, mate, and friends, but never think of changing themselves. Don't become that person. If you feel that you are stuck in a rut and is seriously desirous of making a change in your life, don't hesitate to seek professional help. If you don't have a close friend who has your best interest at heart, then find a therapist that you can trust and establish a good working relationship with that particular person. Be willing to take his or her recommendations seriously. Just talking about your problem will not bring about the change you need. You must be willing to do homework between the sessions and talk about your efforts and experiences when you return to the session. Most people do not change because willingness to make the effort is lacking.

Think about change as taking control your life and getting off of the roller coaster ride where you are allowing others to affect your emotional level by what they say or do. It is about making the decision to become that person you want to be, to begin taking the necessary steps in that direction, and to resolve to continue to grow the rest of your life

You Control Your Computer. Use It to Take Control of Your Financial Future

2011-02-23T05:49:00.001-08:00

I trust that you have read my previous two articles, Tech Tips for Becoming More Productive, Part 1 and Tech Tips for Becoming More Productive, Part 2 and used at least some of the information to take control of your computer and make your computer more reliable.

As you know this site is to help you to take control of your future and to shape your destiny according to your personal vision. Using your computer effectively to acquire useful information for making significant financial decision was the purpose of those article and similar ones which I will publish in the future.

In future posts, I will be giving you some sites that I think will further increase your productivity and your financial acumen.

Was those articles helpful? Let Me Know Your Thoughts.

More Tech Tips for Helping Your Computer Become Friendly and Your to Become More Productive Part 2

2011-01-22T08:29:00.001-08:00

Take these essential steps make your computer more friendly:
However, to keep it friendly, you have to be a friend to it. You have to consistently take the steps to keep it running fast and efficiently, keep it free for us from viruses and spyware, and then use shortcuts in your frequently used programs to enhance your personal productivity and efficiency.

Here are some more steps to keeping your computer running fast and efficiently.
a. If you are using Windows Vista, disable the Welcome Center that always pops up when Windows opens.
b. At least once a month, run the built-in Windows disk cleanup utility.
c. Upgrade your drivers. Check the web site of your PC, motherboard, or graphic card manufacturer to see if a newer driver exists.

To keep your computer free from viruses and spyware make sure you do the following:
a. Perform a virus scan on your computer regularly. Use one of the free online virus scanners if you don't want to install virus protection on your computer.
b. Spyware must be removed from your computer before it causes damage to your operating system and applications, and as a result brings your system to a complete halt. Use one of the spyware/adware removal tools that are freely available.
e. Turn off Windows Defender, if you have anti-spyware installed.

Since you are now keeping your computer working fast, efficiently and free from viruses and spyware, apply this mindset to your most frequently used application, Microsoft Word.

The menus in Microsoft Word 7 can be wonderful.
But all that clicking might not be the best way of getting something done. Here are some useful shortcuts for Microsoft Word 7:
CTRL + C Copy

CTRL + X Cut

CTRL + V Paste

CTRL + Z Undo

CTRL + Home To top of document

CTRL + End To bottom of document

CTRL + B Bold

CTRL + I Italic

CTRL + S Save

CTRL + U Underline

These are just a few of the shortcuts Microsoft Word 7 has to help you get things done faster and more efficiently.

I am certain that you will find each one of these strategies to be helpful.

Your Thoughts?

More Tech Tips for Helping You Become More Productive, Part 1

2011-01-19T11:25:00.001-08:00

Here are some more tech tips broken down into Part 1 and Part 2.

Take these essential steps to take to make your computer more friendly:

For your operating system, here are three keyboard shortcuts for the Windows key:

Winkey + F - To search for a file

Winkey + R - To open the Run window

Winkey + D - Brings the Desktop to the top of other windows

Keeping your computer fast and clean is also a necessity. Here are five strategies for doing so:

Uninstall Unneeded Software. RevoUninstall is one of the best programs for doing so. I highly recommend it.

Declutter and organize your desktop.
Set up an Icon labeled "Extra Icons" on your Desktop and sweep all your little used icons into it.

Reduce the number of Auto Starting Programs. Go to "Run" type in msconfig, go to Startup and uncheck all the program you don't want to be loaded during Startup.

Update your Programs regularly. Go to Control Panel. Look for Update and click to see what programs need to be updated.

Clean up your Registry. CCleaner is one of the best programs for cleaning up your registry and is another one I highly recommend.

Both RevoUninstall and CCleaner are free programs.

If you use Gmail (and if you don't, you should consider doing so), here are some Gmail shortcuts:

Shortcut Key, /, search - puts your cursor in the search box

Shortcut Key, g then c, - lets you go to "Contacts"

Shortcut Key, g then d, lets you go to "Drafts"

Shortcut Key, g then i, lets you go the "Inbox" or returns you to the "Inbox"

And finally, here are five tips for saving time when using Vista:

CTRL + ESC - Opens the Start menu

CTRL + Shift + ESC - Opens Windows Task Manager`.

ALT + TAB - Switch between open windows

ALT + SPACEBAR - Opens the shortcut menu for the active window.

These are just a few of the keyboard shortcuts and strategies that allow your computer to be friendlier and help you to get more done during your busy day.

Your Thoughts?

Become an Independent Consultant - Here’s What It Takes.

2010-08-10T16:23:00.001-07:00

A consultant can be best defined as one who chooses not to be an employee; one who is willing to depend upon his or her own talents, abilities, and expertise for continued existence; one who is a risk taker -- knowing that there is no weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly pay checks; one who may seem to be a little crazy and weird to his peers, but one is willing to try to make a difference in the world.

Being a consultant means willing to accept extended periods of working alone while balancing that need with time to have fun with others. It also means dealing with the challenge of finding those times and making those times meaningful.

In that you work for yourself, you have to organize your own day. I suggest that you break your day into one hour segments or thirty minute segments depending on the task and how much time may be needed to complete that particular task. Some consulting work might require more time to be spent on the phone. Therefore, you may allow an hour for phone calls and follow-up to phone calls, while you may allow just thirty minutes for reviewing reports, and an hour for billing.

And, of course, until you become well established, you have to consistently obtain work which includes prospecting, asking for referrals, dealing with no answers, and marketing. Getting paid for your work includes billing, following up on billings, and negotiating rates

Over time you want to develop the reputation as one who puts the client first; one is willing to take the extra step; one whose sincerely committed to the idea of adding value to what you do; and one is willing to make a commitment to becoming an expert in your chosen field.

Any Comments?

Do You Know How Much Life Insurance You Need?

2010-07-18T16:55:00.000-07:00

Here is a way to consider how much life insurance you should have.
What would happen if there is no income coming into the household because of the death of a breadwinner?
How will your children fund their college education?
How will your spouse live in retirement?
What happens to the assets you've accumulated if there is no insurance to cover everyday expenses?
How will medical bills be paid?
How will funeral fees be paid?
and, how will estate settlement cost be paid?

These questions demand answers. Stop putting off what needs to be done.

Self Completion in Life insurance Funding of Education

2010-05-21T19:44:00.001-07:00

The one feature that life insurance has in funding education is that of self-completion.

If you should pass away while your children are still young, they would benefit from the proceeds from your life insurance policy. You should set aside a portion of the proceeds from your life insurance policy for your children's college education. No other college education plan can provide this benefit.

The Best Alternative to Social Security

2010-05-09T20:47:00.000-07:00

The best alternative to Social Security is a whole life insurance plan. The next best alternative to Social Security is a universal life insurance plan. I will just focus on the whole life insurance plan today.

A whole life insurance plan provides a life insurance feature which is the face amount of the insurance plan while the cash value feature is your cash build up. Both the face amount and the cash build up is guaranteed for your whole life. A 5% guaranteed interest rate is typical in most whole life insurance plans. You should buy as large a face amount as you can afford. This will allow for a larger cash build up. Remember that the cash build up is tax-free and can be borrowed whenever you decide to do so. No questions asked. However, for the purposes of retirement, you should not touch it until you are ready to retire.

If you have beneficiaries, you can easily see the value of a plan like this. If you pass away prematurely, your beneficiaries will receive the full face amount which can be annuitized after the death benefit is paid.

Nevertheless, for this plan to work properly, you must tell your Representative and Senators that you want the Social Security System to be privatized and don't accept no for an answer. Do not equate this strategy with putting your money into the stock market. This has nothing to do with the stock market.

Keep in mind that the Social Security System is already paying out more money than it's taking in and will be totally bankrupt in a just a few years. The politicians don't care. They have arrogated to themselves a fabulous retirement program with our money.

In a coming blog, I will show you what a great cash build up you can anticipate when you can take the same money you are putting in a dysfunctional Social Security System and choose this alternative.

Leave your comments.

Social Security is not Insurance. It is Going Broke.

2010-04-21T16:08:00.000-07:00

The Social Security System is not insurance. It is going broke earlier than expected.

Back in the 80's I wrote that the Social Security System would be broke, or shall I say bankrupt, by 2012. Now it appears that it is already paying out more money than its taking in.

If you will not be retiring within the next few years, be prepared to accept that your government has stolen your money and that you will never see any benefits. All Social Security taxes now being paid by current workers are used to pay the bureaucrats' salaries and the current beneficiaries. There is no "lock box". The money is being spent as fast as its coming in.

You must tell your Representative and Senator that you want the same retirement plan that they and the rest of the federal work force have. There must not be any inequalities in retirement plans.

Two Great Benefits from Whole Life Insurance - Retirement and Education

2010-04-19T22:34:00.000-07:00

Two great benefits from whole life insurance are the funding of your retirement and the funding of a college education.

The retirement funding is for your retirement. While the funding for a college education is for your children. You can either partially or wholly fund your retirement from the cash value feature of your whole life insurance policy. The cash build up is tax free, guaranteed, and can be borrowed and never paid back if you choose not to do so.

This same cash value feature can be used to fund your youngster's college education. However, two key points to keep in mind, the policy must insure you, the parent, and the face amount should be as large as you can reasonably afford.

With such a policy in place, you don't have to constantly watch the fluctuations of the stock market. Rather you just have to pay the premiums monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually and concern yourself with other things.

Let me have your comments.

In a Partnership, Make Clear the Division of Responsibilities

2010-03-11T05:39:00.000-08:00

The one thing that really discouraged me about partnerships is the tendency of a partner to not respect the division of responsibilities.

In the partnership that I was in, my responsibility was marketing and public relations. My partner, without my knowledge, contracted with a newspaper for an ad that obligated us for payment. The ad was poorly written and the contracting price was not negotiated properly. But, we were stuck with it.

My advice as a consultant to any one starting a partnership is to make sure that the division of responsibilities is clearly delineated in the partnership agreement. And, by the way, if there is no written agreement, then no partnership.

Avoid this when Starting your Enterprise

2010-03-07T10:50:00.000-08:00

Here is what you should avoid when starting your enterprise.

While the two corporate models for starting your enterprise are the non-profit model and the for-profit model, people more often choose either a sole proprietorship or a partnership.

As a sole proprietor you take all the risk and receive all the rewards. Whereas in a partnership you share the risks and the rewards. In my opinion, under most circumstances, the partnership way should be avoided. If you have the rare situation where you and the other partner(s) can agree on how the enterprise should be financed, managed, promoted, and how responsibilities should be shared, that would be fantastic. Even so the partnership agreement should be drafted, finalized and copies kept by each partner. I don't care whether its a husband and wife, brother and brother or whatever.

As a rule, avoid the partnership arrangement. But if you feel that you must do it, make sure you have a clear, unambiguous written agreement.

I will have further things to say about my personal experience in a partnership and why I feel this way in my next blog.

If you have been involved or are currently in a partnership, let me know about your experiences, either positive or negative.

Is Health Care Really on the Table? Obama and the Republicans Meet

2010-02-24T20:02:00.000-08:00

As Obama and the Republicans prepare to meet supposedly to put health care on the table, I am especially interested in seeing whether Obama really listens to the Republican medical doctor, Dr. Boustany, who will be in the group. Its one thing to listen to other politicians, but its another to listen to a real practitioner of the medical profession - especially one who is likely to return to the profession after politics. I was hoping another Republican doctor, Dr. Barasso, would also be in the group. I am not aware of any Democratic medical doctors in their group.

Obama makes it difficult to trust him. You wonder if this is just another theatrical act on his part. However, the Republicans are aware of his tactics and are prepared to present their health care proposal clearly and forcefully if necessary.

True negotiations takes place around a table where everyone is on an equal basis and starting from a clean slate.

Health Care Reform Now - Take a Second Look

2010-02-11T22:40:00.000-08:00

Although the Republicans are not in power, it is important to take a second look at health care reform from another perspective.

By the way, contrary to what Obama and the Democrats are saying, the Republicans are not the party of no. We owe it to ourselves and to our family to become informed on what both sides are proposing regarding health care reform, then make a decision, and let our voices be heard.

Some of the reforms the the Republicans would like to enact into law include:

Allow insurers to sell policies across state lines
Create new state high-risk pools or reinsurance programs to provide people access to health insurance
Allow small businesses to pool together in associations to purchase health insurance thus making it more affordable
Discourage "junk" lawsuits by changing medical liability laws to limit non-economic damages
Crack down on waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid
Beef up incentives for employer-sponsored "wellness programs" so that workers who participate could get bigger breaks on insurance premiums

Check the The Republicans' Plan for more information.

How to Save Money on your Medicare Choices

2010-01-16T11:47:00.000-08:00

If you have Medicare Part A and Part B during this Open Enrollment Period, (January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2010), you can take certain steps to improve your health care and save money.

a. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plans/prescription drug plan(MA/PD), you can change to an MA/PD plan.

b. If you have original Medicare and a stand-alone prescription drug plan, you can change to a MA/PD plan.

c. Or, if you just have Original Medicare, you can change to a MA plan without a prescription drug plan.

The change would benefit you if you can get a lower premium for the MA/PD plan or PD plan.

Also, you need to consider whether the drugs you use are included in the plan's formulary.

Email me at www.yourconsultantsite.com if you need help in making the right choice.

Get Your Medicare Benefits – Key Choices for Seniors

2009-11-20T20:55:00.000-08:00

For seniors, it is time again to make important choices concerning your health care benefits.

If you are a Medicare beneficiary you must become well informed to get and manage the benefits you are entitled to.

Original Medicare is the federal health care program for almost all Americans age 65 and older and for many adults with permanent disabilities. You are eligible for Medicare if you are:

a US citizen and eligible to receive Social Security;
or you are under 65, permanently disabled and have received Social Security disability insurance payments for at least two years;
or you have a permanent kidney failure or need a kidney transplant; or you have Lou Gehrig's disease.

You have options of not paying the deductible and coinsurance that are part of Original Medicare by joining a Medicare Advantage Plan (MAP). However, if you don’t join a MAP, beginning January 1, 2010, under Original Medicare, the deductible for inpatient hospital care per each benefit period is $1,100 for days 1-60, not per day; then $275 per day for days 61-90; and $550 for days 91-150. For doctor visits, it is a 20% coinsurance after the $155 deductible.

Opportunity to Switch Plans
However during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) from November 15, until December 31th of each year you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan, or switch Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Part D Prescription Plans if you choose to do so. From January 1st until March 31st of each year, called the Open Enrollment Period, you can still join or switch MAPs or leave your plan and return to Original Medicare as long as you don’t add or drop drug coverage.

The IEP (Initial Enrollment Period) is still available for those who are just turning 65 and thus are aging in. If you have dual eligibility, that is, if you are entitled to Medicare Part A and Part B and are eligible for some form of Medicaid benefit, you are under the SEP (Special Election Period) which allows beneficiaries to make an enrollment change outside the regular enrollment periods. As a Dual Eligible, you can change from one Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug Plan to another or from Original Medicare and a Prescription Drug Plan to a Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug Plan anytime during the course of the year.

Retirement Considerations
If you are retiring, and in an employer-sponsored plan, before joining a Medicare private plan, talk to your employer or former employer to be sure you won't lose valuable retiree health benefits if you sign up with a private plan. Many employers offer retiree health coverage as a supplement to traditional Medicare. Some also offer coverage through a Medicare HMO and other private options.

Some private plans also offer a Special Needs Plan (SNP) designed to address the identified chronic needs - hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes of a targeted population. If you have at least one of these conditions, you are eligible to enroll in this plan during the SEP.

Contact me for a free consultation, (773)614-3201, wwillbar@gmail.com

4

Learn How to Enjoy Your Retirement.

2009-11-14T01:35:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Retirement should never be boring.

It should be just the opposite. It should be enjoyed. An eight hour job where the tasks are repetitive and demanding are boring, not a life of retirement where you can get up each day and make it interesting, challenging, or just plain fun.

Not only that, but in retirement, you can also decide to work for pay, such as working from home or doing independent consulting work, or do volunteer work. Either way, the key to it is that you are not doing it out of necessity, but because you want to and its rewarding.

Also, it is a time when you can plan a trip to some exotic place, learn a new skill, write a book, explore your city, go to a new restaurant, or just hang out with your friends more often. Begin on Sunday afternoon when you are relaxing and plan out your week, but always be open to the pleasantly unexpected.

If you live in the part of the country, as I do, where you have four distinct seasons, the seasons themselves help shape some of the things you can do for enjoyment. In the summer, the outside activities such as going to fairs, festivals, and parades beckons. In the winter, the indoor activities such as going to concerts, movies, and plays beckons. The spring and autumn allows for even greater choices. Just use your imagination and enjoy life.

How to Take Control of Your Retirement

2009-11-03T20:37:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

During these economic times when you think of your retirement, two considerations should be uppermost in mind, preservation of principal and a guaranteed return.

However, there's a political issue that must be included along with your retirement strategy. You can not allow the politicians to continue taking your money knowing that the Social Security system is currently hemorrhaging and will be completely bankrupt by 2012 if not sooner.

At the same time, the politicians have guaranteed themselves a fabulous retirement at our expense. The politicians are our representatives, not our leaders. They are no better than we are and should not be allowed to have any more privileges than any other citizen of this country. It is our tax money that they are using to guarantee their fabulous retirement. We can not continue to be this dumb.

While so much energy has been spent in attempting to stop the outrageously expensive and rights destroying health care plan coming out of the Congress, the pathetic Social Security system can not be overlooked. Congress must be required to have the same type of retirement plan available to all of us.

We must also put a end to the different types of retirement plans that teachers, federal employees,and other public employees have. And, by the way, their retirement benefits are subsidized and guaranteed by our tax money. All these plans, therefore, are far better than the Social Security plan that the average citizen have. This inequality must end.

So, while you are planning for your retirement and restructuring your finances to conform to the considerations of preservation of principal, and a guaranteed return, you must not leave out the political component.

The Secret to Stop Paying Medicare Part B Premiums

2009-10-24T22:26:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

Recently, I heard a guy who called in to a radio program and during the conversation mentioned that he was receiving $690 per month from Social Security and was paying $96.40 per month in Part B premiums. The host didn’t have a response to that statement, but I started to yell at the radio.

He should not be paying the $96.40 per month at all. He falls in the category of a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary which means that he is eligible for the Medicare Savings Program. Because his income is less than $932 per month, this program will pay all his deductibles, coinsurance and the Part B premiums. Social Security will not tell this to him or anyone else. You have to seek this information out for yourself. I have personally helped many Social Security recipients to stop paying the Part B premiums and both the coinsurance and deductibles.

Contact me right away if you need help, willbar@yourconsultantsite.com.

Keep Control of Your Health Care

2009-10-17T17:33:00.000-07:00

The Congress wants to take control of your health just like it already has control of your retirement. If you only have Social Security to look forward to in your retirement, you are in a precarious position. You do not own your Social Security plan, the Congress does. Similarly, if you allow the Congress to own your health care plan, you will be in an equally bad situation.

Whoever owns your plan can make whatever changes whenever they choose. As with Social Security, the Congress changed the retirement age to 67 a few years ago and now threatens to move it even higher because the Social Security system is now hemorrhaging and soon will be bankrupt. The Congress can also change the amount of your benefits whenever it chooses. Even though you paid into the system while you were working, your benefits are not guaranteed. You must not now allow the Congress to control your health care in the same way.

Study the plans that are being proposed and if this requirement is being ignored, let your Senators and Representatives know immediately. More on this next time.

Insuring Children - Considerations for Parents and Grandparents

2009-09-11T22:06:00.000-07:00

Insuring children lives are often overlooked. Parents and grandparents must consider insuring the life of children in their care. While the parents and grandparents must make sure that their lives are insured first and foremost, if funds are available to insure the children, the children lives need to be insured.

The insurance premiums for life insurance for children tend to be very reasonable because of their long life expectancy. However, tragedies and accidents can and do occur everyday. And, no one wants to have to take up a collection or draw down savings to bury a child. Therefore, what amounts to less that dollar a day, you can have a whole life policy on your child that build up cash value and one that the child can maintain at a low premium once he becomes self-reliant.

One other matter to consider is that if the child become uninsurable and the existing policy is in force, it can not be cancelled by the company.

Medicare and Medicaid Are Not Government Controlled Health Care

2009-09-08T10:35:00.000-07:00

Medicare and Medicaid are not government controlled health care. For people to talk sensibly to each other there must an agreement on what the terms in question mean. The term government controlled health care means that government can dictate the type and quality of care you can receive.

Under Medicare and Medicare, the government does not dictate the type and quality of health care you receive. Rather, the government merely pays the provider (doctors, hospitals, home health care agencies, etc. ) for the type and quality of health care you receive. You choose the provider you want to take care of your health care needs. Its up to the provider to decide whether they want to participate in Medicare and Medicaid. Fortunately, in most locales there are enough providers.

The politicians who try to make this argument are just trying to be deceptive and misleading. They know better. And, if they don't, they are just as pathetic and the ones who are just trying to fool you. The seniors who have seen through this are right in telling their representatives and senators what their concerns are.

The seniors as of now still have the option to choose a Medicare Advantage Plan which provides all of their health care benefits in additional to other significant benefits designed for prevention.
This is being threatened by the current Administration and the Congressional majority. The Medicare Advantage Plans must remain an option for seniors. The Annual Enrollment period for Medicare Advantage Plans are coming soon. As of November 15th, seniors can begin enrolling in these plans to get their health care and prescriptions taken care of.

Let me know what your questions and comments are.

The Unemployment Solution - Build Small Businesses

2009-08-12T18:55:00.000-07:00

The solution to the unemployment situation here in America is for small businesses to be built and expanded. The government can not build nor expand small businesses. This can only be done by those of us who are willing to take the risk. The government can best assist by establishing the proper environment. This includes:

reducing onerous regulations,
simplifying the tax system,
and letting the American people unleash their creativity.

Even faced with the shortcomings of the regulations and taxes, you still have to follow your good and positive dreams and get started on the road to independence and self-reliance.

Let People Know About Your Business

2009-08-10T21:33:00.000-07:00

I often drive by a fairly new restaurant in my neighborhood and I get concerned because I don't see many customers dining. That generally means that the owner is not letting people know about their business. As a small businessman myself and one who provide consultation for those who want to start and grow their business (as well as non-profit organizations), I'm always interested in seeing small businesses thrive.

On the other hand there are other restaurants in my neighborhood, most of whom are take-outs, that are thriving. There is one simple marketing strategy that these restaurant use that separate them from the fairly new one. But, before I mention that, I'm going to give you my definition of marketing. Marketing includes all the strategies used to letting your potential customers know about your business.

When I help a business to develop a marketing strategy, I have to first analyze the business to determine what mix of activities would best get the word out for that particular business. Then I work with the owner to develop an individualized strategy. A marketing strategy can include a mix of activities such as press releases, print advertisements with coupons, radio and tv ads. collecting e-mail addresses and offering specials, etc.

Now getting back to the one strategy the others are using that the fairly new one is not, it is distributing flyers weekly door to door in the neighborhood. And, that flyer is simply their menu. I'm not aware of any other marketing that they do other than serving good food and letting their customers continue to tell others.

Its better to have a mix of strategies, but one strategy is better than no strategy at all.

Your Health Care Choices

2009-07-25T03:26:00.000-07:00

The President seems to be trying to force his version of health care down our throats. Because of we must accept the personal responsibility to be vigilant and clear as to what a new health care bill should focus upon. Here are the key points:

There should be tax deductions for self-reliant individuals who purchase their own health care plan.
There should be national competition among health care companies for our health care premiums just as the property and casualty companies compete.
There should be coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions through an insurance pool and a reinsurance network with the same rates as standard insurance.
And, the public option should be eliminated - the politicians will not accept it for themselves and their families and neither should we.

Let your Representatives and Senators know what you think.

Man's Best Friend - Human or Animal?

2009-07-16T19:10:00.000-07:00

I have been recently thinking about the significance of animals in our lives and the relationship of animals within their own species and how one species relates to another. Four notions occurred to me: often one specie of animals view another specie of animals as food; another specie of animals may not view another specie of animals as food at all; some animals are trainable by humans and can become loyal as well as a great source of fun and security; and still another specie of animal are hardly trainable at all and can be a great source of danger.

Although many animals have the capacity to be trained by humans to a certain extent, they all function on the basis of instinct and can not make any moral choices. Human beings, however, have the capacity to make moral choices and can choose all their behaviors and therefore can provide the type of relationship to another human being that no animal can provide. Moreover, depending upon our needs the quality of relationships we have with other human beings can have a direct effect on our mental health.

Personally, I don't eat animals nor do I keep any type of animals as pets, although I accept the fact that certain animals can be great companions. I just prefer human companionship and believe that another human is man's best friend.

More on this later.

A Meatless Diet, More Money in Your Pocket

2009-07-13T21:05:00.000-07:00

Being the curious person that I am, I often ask my friends and acquaintances what their food bills are each month and then I become amazed. Being a vegetarian leaves me with a very low food bill each month. Meat happens to be the most expensive item in most everyone's shopping cart. If what you are putting in your cart are fruits (in season), vegetables, brown rice, whole wheat bread, cheese, whole wheat spaghetti, juice, eggs, macaroni, and legumes, you'll have healthy foods and foods that will give a variety to your diet and last a while. Once meat is eliminated from your diet, you achieve two outcomes: more discretionary money and better health.

You can then use the discretionary money to invest in yourself as you continue your quest for success. If you are already a success, congratulations. If you are still on the path to success, here is a step to incorporate in your plans

A Key Housing Program

2009-07-12T04:18:00.000-07:00

The $8,000 Home Buyers Tax Credit is only available to qualified taxpayers who have not owned a house during the previous three years, and who close by Nov. 30th, among other requirements. Buyers can amend their 2008 returns to claim the credit or claim it on returns for 2009.

However, efforts are being made in various states to find ways to provide the money upfront to buyers who need money for down payments and not next year after they file their federal returns and get refunds. Check with your state housing finance commission or a similar agency.

Now is the Time to Buy Real Estate

2009-06-01T13:22:00.002-07:00

Home Ownership versus Renting

There is no better time to buy real estate. The mortgage interest rates are fantastically low. You can choose either a 15 year or a 30 year mortgage and still save money over what you would pay in rent for an apartment in a good area. Houses are selling for at least 15% to 20% less than last year. Moreover, you build equity in homeownership never in renting.

If you choose 15 year mortgage, you will actually own your home at the end of that time. Consider where you will be at the end of renting for 15 years.

Two Choices for Financially Troubled Homeowners

2009-05-19T22:32:00.000-07:00

Loan Modification or Refinance - Reduce the Burden on Yourself

There are now two choices available for homeowners who are feeling the financial pinch and want to adjust their mortgage payments.

The loan modification requires very minimum qualifications and can give you an opportunity to reduce your monthly payments but allows you almost no cash out. You will keep your same mortgage company. Whereas refinancing requires qualifying and will both allow you reduce your mortgage payment and get cash out subject to the loan to value and how much cash you want. In refinancing, you may choose to have a new mortgage company altogether.

More details on this later.

2009-03-23T17:51:00.000-07:00

Five Ways to Protect Your and Your Family’s Financial Independence as You Grow Older

1. Purchase long-term care insurance.
2. Maintain appropriate levels of life, auto, home, and health insurance.
3. Evaluate the need for an umbrella liability policy to help protect you from lawsuits.
4. Make sure your estate planning is up to date.
5. Work closely with a qualified financial consultant.

Medicare - Three Key Enrollment Periods

2009-03-11T18:52:00.000-07:00

Medicare Three Key Enrollment Periods

While I thought that the article provided both timely and useful information, the issue of the enrollment period needs to be expanded upon. The Center for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS) has established three enrollment periods in which Medicare recipients with both Part A and Part B can enroll in a prescription drug plan (PDP). There are the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) from November 15th to December 31st , the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) from January 1st to March 31st and the Special Election Period from April1st to November 15th . During the AEP beneficiaries may change prescription drug plans, change Medicare Advantage Plans, return to Original Medicare, or enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan (MA) for the first time.

During the OEP, the beneficiary can change from a MA-PD to a different MA-PD, from a MA-PD to Original Medicare and a PDP, from Original Medicare and a PDP to an MA-PD among other choices. Finally, during the SEP those who have special needs, specifically diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, can also choose a plan to cover their prescription drugs. This choice under the SEP is also available to those who move into, reside in, or move out of a nursing home. Those who are Dual Eligible (qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid) can change to any type of plan at any time during the year with no limit to the number of changes.

http://ezinearticles.com/featured/images/e6.gif

2009-03-04T09:10:00.000-08:00

Last Chance for Senior Citizens Who Never Signed Up for Medicare Part B

If you are eligible for Medicare Part B medical insurance, but you didn’t sign up for it when you first became eligible for Medicare, you will have another opportunity to apply. Open Enrollment for Medicare Part B runs from January 1 until March 31, 2009.

Medicare Part B covers some medical expenses not covered by Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), such as doctors’ fees, outpatient hospital visits, and other medical services and supplies. (See more about the different parts of Medicare below.)

When you first become eligible for hospital insurance (Part A), you have an initial enrollment period of seven-months in which to sign up for medical insurance (Part B). After that, you have to pay a higher premium — unless the reason you declined Part B was because you were covered through an employer's group health plan or a group health plan based on a spouse's employment. You are given another opportunity to enroll in Part B during the open enrollment period, from January 1 to March 31 of each year.

But each 12-month period that you are eligible for Medicare Part B and do not sign up, the amount of your monthly premium increases by 10 percent. The Part B coverage also does not become effective until July 1 of the year you are signing up late.

Different parts of Medicare

Medicare is made up of four parts.
1. Hospital insurance (Part A) that helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (following a hospital stay), some home health care and hospice care.
2. Medical insurance (Part B) that helps pay for doctors’ services and many other medical services and supplies that are not covered by hospital insurance.
3. Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are available in many areas. People with Medicare Parts A and B can choose to receive all of their health care services through one of these provider organizations under Part C.
4. Lastly, there is Prescription drug coverage (Part D) that helps pay for prescription medications.