A New Approach to Self-Improvement

Are you frustrated with your business growth? Maybe you are focusing too much energy on improving on your weaknesses and not enough on your strengths. You made a list of your of your strengths and weaknesses. So naturally you focus on the weaknesses because you already have a good foundation from your strengths. You buy books, read articles, make a list of daily actions steps to improve those weaker areas in your business/personal growth. You set a goal and begin your journey down the road of improving on the weak areas of your life. What happens next? You find that improvement is slow or even futile. You don’t enjoy the time you spend working on your weakest links and you quit! Now you are discouraged and less likely to try again.

Let’s try another approach. What do you think would happen if you spent your time and energy focusing on your strengths? Yes, make your strengths even better. Let’s face it, your strengths are not perfect and there is always room for improvement. If you are good in the area of customer service, spend some time evaluating why that particular area is one of your strengths. Look for ways to improve and take action! You will be more motivated to stick with your plan of action and you will enjoy working your plan much more than when you focused on weaknesses. As you take daily action, you will see progress much sooner. Working on your strengths will help you develop healthy new habits, drop some old bad habits, and give you a positive new attitude.
What will be the outcome of this new approach to self improvement? You will be operating within your strengths. You will be happier with what you do, be more motivated to keep moving up and more enthusiastic about what you do. Improving on your strengths is a much more productive activity and it will make you better at what you do much quicker. Who knows you just might become the top income earner in your organization, get that promotion, or have a more successful business of your own.

About The Author

Tammy Pratt has been a stay-at-home mom since 1999 and started her first home based business in 2005. Learn more about her business at http://www.mynewjobathome.com/.

Make Your Relationship New Again

Relationships are generally seen as our main source of support, love, self esteem, enthusiasm and pleasure. Naturally there are differences of degree and type when we look at our relationships with friends, coworkers and acquaintances versus family members or someone we are intimately involved with in a love relationship. Many seek a permanent love relationship which they'd like to last throughout their life. In theory then, we should be exerting every effort in order to nurture and to perfect those relationships.

Do we? Not usually. We may dream of the perfect relationship but actually putting in the time and effort seems beyond us as we struggle with all the details of day to day existence.
Our relationships, then, often become sources of distress, anxiety and feelings of failure when they fail to meet our needs and expectations. Potentially even more damaging, they can become a source of a deep inner rage that can poison one's life. These are some of the dimensions of relationship problems. Certainly having a problem with a relationship isn't going to doom it to failure - every relationship has its problems. We are each individual and our needs and desires vary and are sometimes in conflict.

How we deal with these inevitable problems, the effort we put in to resolve them and to allow space for our differences can determine whether a relationship succeeds or withers in misery and failure.

Would you expect to become a great athlete without work? Learning how to have, nurture and protect a love relationship is work. Unfortunately we were not born knowing how to do it and often our early experiences were less than helpful in shaping our abilities to relate. The statistics on divorce are disheartening.

To succeed in any relationship, we must make an effort to keep things intact. Taking our partner for granted, failing to see our partner as a unique and special individual is the beginning of the end. Merely hoping that things will be good is nonsense. What you do day by day to support, encourage and enrich your partner will help a relationship grow.
Too many people simply go from one "relationship" to another seeking some perfect automatic solution that simply doesn't exist. We all know the excitement of a new love, the craziness and the powerful emotions of falling in love. Some become addicted to that newness and confuse it with being in love. They expect those feelings to endure and when those feelings fade, they seek to recapture them. But the only way to truly do that is in a new relationship.

We do not see clearly, we do not know our partner as we are falling in love, To build a relationship that will last over time, the couple must move beyond falling in love toward being in love. This is a much more conscious process and requires some work and understanding. It requires an ability to share and to recognize the unique value of the other person. It requires building experiences and feelings and activities in common. All of this takes time and as time passes, we have a tendency to start taking our partner and our relationship for granted. Our responses become automatic. We hardly even see the other person any more. We have reduced everything to a dull habit.

And that is a major relationship killer. The same way you can drive a familiar route without even consciously seeing the street, the other cars, or the people on the sidewalks, your relationship turns invisible.

There's no way a short article like this can cover every aspect of building a successful relationship. Nor can it describe every problem. After all, every one of you is a unique person and your relationships all have their own unique qualities. What I want to stress is that letting your relationship turn into a routine, letting it become a habit is one of the very worst things you can do.

Look for opportunities to do new things together, explore each other's ideas and beliefs. Take your partner seriously and pay attention to everything. Force yourself to see, really see, your partner again. Regain a sense of play, fool around with each other again. Flirt and tease. Does it sound absurd? It might, but if you want a love relationship that lasts, you must make the effort. Starting right now.

Copyright 2006 Richard Keir

About The Author

Richard Keir writes from the perspective of both a background in clinical psychology and both good and bad experiences with relationships. Relationships have always been one of his primary interests. Visit Sten's About Dating Online at http://aboutdatingonline.com/ for relationship and online dating information and articles.

-Article City -

The Law of Attraction - More Than Goal Setting and Affirmations Alone

Did you know that every thought that we think creates a vibration? Negative thoughts create negative feelings that lead to low frequency vibrations, whereas positive thoughts create positive feelings that produce high frequency vibrations. According to the universal Law of Attraction, "vibes" attract like "vibes". Have you ever noticed how, when you're feeling down and depressed, you attract situations that are in line with your state of mind? So logically, the key to attracting only the things that you desire into your life, is to vibrate positive energy. Okay, that sounds simple enough...but how do you DO that?

"If you want your life to be more rewarding, you have to change the way you think." - Oprah
We spend far too much time worrying -- about the future, about paying the bills, about upcoming exams, about our health, about getting that promotion. What we're actually doing when we worry about any situation, is concentrating all our energy on something that we don't want. Hate, worry, fear, jealousy, anger, sadness are all emotions that make us vibrate negatively. By focusing on unwanted situations we are actually attracting the exact situations that we want to avoid! We would be doing ourselves a favor by focusing only what we DO want, instead of wasting time and energy on the things that we DON'T want.

Opposites Do Not Attract

Obviously, no one can feel good all day long, every day. The key is to do the things that make you feel good as often as you can. Play uplifting music while you drive to work, avoid the television programs that produce negative feelings, don't read the newspaper if the content affects you negatively, interact only with positive-minded people... just let go and have fun! Learn to monitor your thoughts...if you notice yourself thinking a negative thought, immediately negate its effect by focusing on something that makes you feel good. Remember, there is nothing more important than feeling good! Keep a photo of your kids or pet or favorite actor nearby to help you make that switch. Be grateful for the things that are going well in your life. Do whatever it takes to generate that upbeat feeling, because opposites do not attract...but like certainly will attract like. The Law of Attraction is on the mark each time and it does not make mistakes!

"Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe it can achieve." - Napoleon Hill
In order to get what you desire in life, you have to give those desires regular attention. Fantasize, dream, imagine, focus... for what you create in your mind, you create in reality. If it's a specific car that you want, order a brochure of it and look through it every day. Think about what color you want and which accessories and options your model has. If it's a fantasy vacation in the Maldives or the Caribbean, compile your own colorful screensaver, fantasize about those white beaches and crystal clear waters abundant with tropical fish. Paste pictures of your dream home or that sleek yacht that you desire on a board and look at it often. Be excited about it! Focus wholeheartedly and with certainty on what you want, and do so in this moment. Believe that you have what you desire now, today, in this present moment. Focus on how good that makes you feel, and try to generate that feeling as often as you can.

Don't confuse the Law of Attraction by being inconsistent in your desires. Don't keep changing your mind, otherwise there's no way for what you ask for to find its way to you. Be consistent, be determined...but leave the "how" out of it. If you decide the method and schedule by which your desires will come to you, you're limiting your possibilities to only what you can think of. After all, what if there's something better out there than what you can imagine? Just trust that it is happening now and allow it to come to you. Follow where your intuition leads you. Don't worry about it, don't look for proof, don't start doubting.

Affirmations are a form of advertising

If you do find that doubts and negative self-talk are getting in your way, you can apply positive affirmations. When used consistently, affirmations will do away with your limiting beliefs and replace them with thoughts that will help you achieve what you desire. Does advertising work? Sure it does - there's a multibillion dollar industry that proves it and affirmations are a form of advertising with only you as the target audience. Affirmations must be stated in the "I" form, in the present tense and always positively. They should also invoke a positive emotion. For instance: "I deserve large sums of money that allow me to have more fun with my family", "I choose to effortlessly earn $100,000 per year", "I enjoy working out regularly and maintaining a trim and slim body that turns heads", "I choose to attract only healthy and positive people into my life who help me achieve my goals"; "I choose to create a positive, healthy and joyful lifestyle for myself". You can write them down everyday, or use them as a screensaver, or buy special affirmation or goal setting software that you can use on your computer.

If you're skeptical about how the Law of Attraction can affect you, just try being happy and positive for a month. It will amaze you how easy it is to get things going your way in that short period of time. A lot can be achieved in relatively little time -- why waste any of it by being negative? Get out there and manifest what you want!

Copyright 2006 Chonticha Marijne

About The Author

Chonticha Marijne enjoys working from her home in the historical city of Gouda, the Netherlands. Her blog http://goal--setting.blogspot.com/ offers content on goal setting, affirmations and the Law of Attraction as well as a free "7 Part Affirmation Course". This article is copyright © 2006 by Chonticha Marijne and may be reprinted in its entirety as long as both byline and copyright statement are included.

- Article City -

Trapped By Depression?

If you have a sound sense of purpose for your life, it is more difficult for you to find yourself trapped by depression the hustle and bustle of today's workplace. The way to have this sound sense of purpose is to have an understanding of priorities, set your priorities, and maintain your priorities by setting reasonable life goals.

Depression is a state of unhappiness and hopelessness. With depression, comes feelings of dejection, lack of energy, sleeplessness, and, sometimes, suicidal tendencies. Depression is a trap that can catch you in two different ways. First, it can wear on you when you do not know what your sense of purpose is. Second, when you have a purpose, but, for whatever reason, you have lost focus regarding your purpose in life.

When you do not know what your sense of purpose in life you have no direction for your life. At best this will leave you with feelings of uncertainty and at worst it will leave you with feelings of hopelessness. It is important that you pray about your purpose in life. That you seek out your personal gifts or talents and then develop them. As you both develop your skills and seek God's will, God will point you towards your niche in life. It is also important to set your priorities of God first, then your spouse & family, your job, your personal ministry, etc. This will help to keep you focused as you carry out God's purpose for your life.

When we lose focus in our lives, it is usually because we have, in some way, disregarded our priorities. God needs to be first among our priorities. His word says we are to love God with all of our heart and all of our might.

Our next priority should be our spouse (or if your single, your family). In both words and action, we need to keep them readily aware that they are loved, cherished and important. We most make "quality" time to pour ourselves into our spouse and our children lives.
Next should be our jobs. Many would think that our personal ministry would come next, but that is not so. Our job is our means to support God's house with tithes/offerings and to support our families. We should do our jobs as if we are working for God himself. That means always seeking to personally grow and develop your talents.

Lastly you should find a place in God's house to serve others and give of yourself. When you open yourself to serve others, God will give you direction as to where to serve. You will get more out of it than you ever put into serving others.

There are forces in this world that will affect your thinking. Once this is done, Satan will seek to change your focus. If he can change your focus, he can affect your emotions. No longer are you pursuing your purpose through your priorities. The further and further you move from your purpose, the more it will bring negative emotions to surface. The negative emotions expose you to the abrasive nature of unhappiness and hopelessness. As unhappiness and hopelessness wear away at you, you begin to lose energy and the ability to find peace - to be at rest.

This is the trap of depression and it is something that many of us can slide into. Sometimes it's a slow slide and sometimes it is a rapid slide into depression, but if unchanged it can have a devastating effect upon not only you, but those who are close to you.
So ask God for direction in your life. There is no woman or man, which God has not given a gift or talents to. You need to discover the marvelous talents he has given you. Then develop and grow them with a personal coach or mentor. Then set your priorities and life goals so that you have a positive focus for your life. There is a saying, "...it is hard to stop a good man that keeps on coming." Ladies - men, it is going to be hard to stop you if you maintain your purpose and priorities. If you are feeling lost, then set yourself free by setting priorities and goals for yourself. After doing so, stick with your priorities - your goals and you will find that you have escaped the trap of depression. Maintaining your focus with Godly purposes and priorities will greatly aid you in avoiding the snare of depression.
Copyright 2006 Stan Lewis

About The Author

Stan Lewis is a Christian Leadership & Life Coach. If you liked this article, you should really check out his new “Thinking Style” assessment by Clicking Here - http://www.assessmentgenerator.com/H/cRstanlewis1134788755.html . If you would like a complimentary chat to talk about any issue, goal setting, or problems – Click here - http://realleadership4coachinglife.com/wst_page3.html. Please take advantage of other FREEBIES by at http://www.realcoach.org . Questions about this article or you need assistance, please call me at 214-629-7217.

- Article City -

The 3 Simple, Yet Critical, Steps to a Millionaire Mindset

1. The first step towards gaining a millionaire mindset is realizing that you have the absolute right to be successful. If you think you don’t deserve wealth and money and abundance then you will never have it! You must realize your worth and realize that you are capable of anything that you set your mind to.

If you think of yourself as a victim or think the world owes you something then you will never have anything more than you have now.

Victims always remain victims.

The world will give you anything you want, you just have to go out and get it…victims don’t do this, they are far happier complaining about what they don’t have than actively searching for a solution to their problems.
Just wanting something enough and realizing that you are worth everything you want is the first step to your new wealth attraction mindset.

2. People often assume that if you want money then you are greedy!
They are Wrong!

It means that you have ambition and seek change. If you didn’t have ambition then you would be happy making a pittance in any mind-numbing dead-end job.
Imagine the people you could help if you had enough money. Imagine the charities you could support, or even start! You could help out your parent’s, your siblings, the poor, and the destitute, and the hungry! So really you’re being mighty selfish if you don’t strive to make the most money you can, to be the best person you can be.
When you think these ways you are charging the idea of money with positive energy. You are subconsciously saying ‘I have to make lots of money so I can help my mother, so I can donate to the Red Cross, and the children of Africa.’ Therefore making money and being rich isn’t bad at all, it is vital!

The second step towards your millionaire mindset is to actively change your thinking from ‘negative’ to ‘positive’. Our subconscious mind is one of the most powerful things in the universe and negative thoughts affect the running of this great machine. They clog it up with self doubt, self pity, and guilt, and they ruin any chance of wealth attraction.
Many people often destroy their chances of wealth creation because even before they begin they are subconsciously thinking, ‘It will be too hard’, ‘I could never possibly do that’ and ‘I’m scared of the consequences’.

These secret thoughts ruin any possibility of success. You need to constantly be programming your mind with positive affirmations and thoughts to propel you along the road to sustainable wealth creation. Repeating positive statements will verify in your own mind that you are on a constructive and worthwhile quest for riches.
So thoughts like ‘I will make it, it’s not too difficult, and I am an amazing individual who deserves wealth and abundance in everything I do’ will energize your mind and keep you optimistic and pointing in the right direction.

3. The final step you must take to accumulate wealth and own your millionaire mindset is education!

You must study the strategies of those already rich; they are the ones with the answers. You must understand how to put in place different plans to make the most possible money you can, you must be a smart investor and smart investors invest in their own education before anything else.

Find mentors that will teach you, attend seminars that will encourage you, read books that are suggested and recommended. For 3 FREE wealth creation books that are essential to the development of your millionaire mindset go to http://www.sustainable-wealth-creation.com/free-ebooks.html

You need to start associating with people who have either already gained a millionaire mindset or with those who are on the same road to riches you are on. It may seem mean or harsh but it is crucial to drop any person that does not enrich your life. This doesn’t have to be done in a hasty or spiteful way but it must be done.

It doesn’t matter if they are the life of the party, if you do not benefit from your relationship you must move on from them, otherwise you will grow stagnant and lose sight of the road to wealth.
The further you tread the path to wealth the more you will realize that you only want to hang out with like minded individuals, ones with positive energy and open minds, ones who will take a well thought out chance.

Ones who are not afraid to face up to life and demand what they want. Ones, whom you will continually learn from, and don’t worry about being a user and taking too much from these people, for they in turn will learn from you. As much as you seem to take, you won’t be able to do anything else but give it back.

So these three steps:
• Realisation, • Active positive thinking, and • Education.

Are the crucial steps that you need to start you on your wealth creation way. They are the baby steps that you must take before you can begin striding down, and eventually sprinting down, the road to wealth creation, abundance and a better lifestyle for you and all those you love.

About The Author

Laurence D’Ambrosio is an active seeker of wealth. He graduated from Jamie McIntyre’s Internet Marketing Homestudy program; the tactics he learned from Jamie allowed him to cut down his 9-5 job to 3 days a week.
He is director of an investing company and together with the other two directors, aims to retire within 3 years. He is 23 years old and happy beyond belief.
Check out the strategies he learned at www.sustainable-wealth-creation.com.

- Article City -

Fundamental Reasons for Failure - Part I

Have you ever worked on a project that didn’t end up the way you intended? Maybe it was something as simple as sprucing up the garden. It could have been as ambitious as starting out on a new business venture. Whether a project succeeds or fails can be simplified by how well the following three basic factors were done.

Clear end result Taking corrective action Continuing until the project is successful In Part I of this series of articles I will discuss the concept of having a clear end result in mind. While a clear end result is often thought of as a goal, it is actually a much more precisely defined goal. Some people think of goals as making lots of money by the time they reach a certain age, or some want to be good at golf. The difference between a "clear end result" and what others define as "goals" is specificity. “It has to be around here somewhere…” If you don’t know what the end result is, how can you ever take effective action to get there? For example, if I wanted to make “a lot of money” by the time I was 30, then how do I even begin? Does a lot of money mean $100,000 dollars or $10,000,000? While I have never made $10,000,000, the plans and actions that a person would need to take is much different than a person who wants to make 100,000 a year or 50,000 a year. It’s a cliché -- but true, “If you don’t know where you are going, then any road you take will get you there”. If you never take the time to define your end results, then you will find that you will end up nowhere near where you wanted to end up. From a purely motivational perspective, vagueness has no excitement to it. If I just want to be good at golf, there is not a whole lot there that is going to get me to the driving range or to the golf course. If I want to be better at golf then somebody who irritates me, then I have a very clear bar to measure myself against, and a lot more motivation to reach my goals. Vague, pie in the sky goals have no power to motivate and make any planning towards achieving success impossible. Most people run the projects in their lives with a vague idea of how they want things to turn out. Doing what everyone else does will get you average results. Decide on how you want things to turn out. You may change that decision as you move along, but it is much better to keep things clear from the outset rather than vague. The word "decide" means “To settle conclusively all contention or uncertainty about”. Cut yourself off from all other vague notions of thought and give yourself permission to have a crystal clear focus of your outcome. A clear outcome has a clear indicator of success. If you’re currently working on a project, then do the following steps. Action Steps: On a clean piece of paper answer the following questions: What do I want out of this? What is the project supposed to accomplish? What is the bare minimum that I could be happy with? What is the best possible outcome for this project? These questions are to help clarify your thinking. A lot of books will tell you to dream big, which is a great thing, but if its too huge your mind can shut down on it. Build a stairs to the top of your mountain, you don't need to jump to the top tomorrow. If you are coming up blank or with some uncertainty about defining your goal, then ask yourself the following questions: What is keeping me from defining my end result? Is what is keeping me from defining my end result more important to me then the kind of results I could have? Remember: Your end result can change over time, so get started!

About The Author
Charlie Hung is the founder of Vanguard Coaching, which blends spirituality and modern psychology into a way to live happily and successfully.
vanguardcoaching.com
charlie@vanguardcoaching.com

-Article City -

You CAN Change Your Life - Just Avoid This Common Mistake!

• Living as we do in today's information age - with self help books everywhere - we seem to think that analyzing an issue will enable us to change it. But thinking is not doing.

• You've probably heard this definition of insanity: doing the same thing, over and over again, and expecting different results. If what we're doing is not getting the outcome we want, we must try doing something else. In my coaching I always have my clients agree to do specific tasks to achieve their goals and dreams.
There is a powerful reason for this. Doing the thing you're afraid of (and we're all afraid of something) causes the brain to completely rewire the whole concept of that fear. This removes the feeling of fear, replacing it with relief - and increased self-confidence.

• Now, you're probably thinking, "But it's too scary to do the thing I'm afraid of." I would absolutely agree with this. Change is scary. Unfortunately, most people try to do the thing they are afraid of FULL ON - which just scares them more. It also convinces them that they have once again "failed". Why would they ever try to change this fear again?

• What IS the answer? Well, we need to take tiny steps in the direction of our fear…and I do mean TINY! In NLP (Neurolinguistic Programming) there is a principle that states, "you can do anything, if you break it down into tiny pieces" –and, this is the good part - "you could even eat a tire, if you broke it down to tiny pieces".

• What a coach does first is help a person discover their life's purpose or passion - what the person wants to be known for. The coach then helps them create this by helping them decide which small steps they can take each week to create their desired outcome. Finally, a coach supports them until they have achieved their goals.

• So, back to the title of this article. What is the common mistake to avoid? Trying to attempt too much change at one time. Break it down. And remember, we all need support when making changes. Whether through family or friends, a coach or a therapist, most people find that having support makes the difference between success and failure.
RESOURCES

Susan Quinn, MFT Psychotherapy and Life Coaching. Visit my web site at www.susanquinn.net for my complementary Ezine, Susan Quinn's Power Therapies, or call me at 310-600-3458.

About The Author
Susan Quinn has been practicing as a psychotherapist and hypnotherapist since 1987 in the Los Angeles area. Her training, certifications, and licensure demonstrate a skill level that allow her clients to feel at ease that they are working with a well trained professional. Susan Quinn is a master practitioner, using the latest, most innovative approaches. This enables her to assist her clients in overcoming trauma and to make the life changes that lead to an overall improvement in functioning, behavior and overcoming undesirable habits.

-Article City -

The Biggest Distractions Of Working From Home And How To Avoid Them

Do you ever have days when the little things in life seem to be fighting to keep you from getting any work done? Here are some suggestions to help you alleviate some of the most common distractions people face when working from home.

If you have young children underfoot throughout the day, it is easy to be drawn away from work. Try to get things done during nap times and after the children have gone to bed. You can hire a teen aged mothers helper to come in for a few hours each day, or go all out and hire a Nanny. Even 10 hours a week of quiet, uninterrupted time will help you drive your home business forward.

Repeatedly checking your emails can be another major distraction. Replying, deleting, and managing emails is a drain on your time and produces no real results. I recommend checking your emails no more than 3 times a day, and deleting unwanted emails only once a day, in the evening. You will be surprised how much time this will free up for you to do more important tasks.

Surfing the net can be a serious time waster. If you are looking for specific information, find what you need quickly and then get out . Sign yourself off of messenger services, and by all means stay away from chat rooms, forums and blogs until you have completed your work for the day.

Use a voice mail service to take your phone calls if you don't wish to talk on the phone. Make sure to turn the ringer off so you won't be distracted. Set aside a specific block of time each day to call contacts and leads and follow up. Stick to your plan.

Running errands can be done at specific times during the week, such as on Wednesday between 1 and 3. Going out for just one errand 2 to 4 times a week is a waste of energy, time and gas. Get it all done in one afternoon and don't worry about it for the rest of the week.
Housework is not everyone's favorite activity. If you avoid it, you'll get overwhelmed. If you are spending too much time on it, you have little time for your business and family. It helps if you delegate some of the responsibility to other family members. Break up the chores by doing 15 minutes worth of cleaning several times a day. This has the added benefit of getting you up out of your desk chair and moving. If finances allow, you can hire a cleaning service to assist you with the chores that you really dislike doing.

Putting these suggestions into practice will keep the distractions to a minimum and ensure your home business will run more smoothly.

About The Author
Angie Hewerdine is a successful home business owner with a driving passion for helping others change their lives. She has assisted many in realizing and attaining their personal and financial objectives. Learn more at http://www.TheTimeForChange.com or call 1-800-491-4758.

- Article City -

Communicating With The Visual Language

Most people have no problem saying what is on their mind. Some of us say a little too much sometimes! But there are those who are not blessed with good communication skills. Words fail them. They are forced to find some other way to communicate. They turn to speaking with the “visual language”. When words are not available, visuals of colors, actions, or shapes become the alphabet used to spell out our needs.

Communicating with the Visual Language is an art that is older than any other form of communication. The caveman with the larger, fiercer looking physique was easily read as the one to watch long before he had a verbal language for establishing his orders. Hieroglyphs drew the histories of man long before a written language. And what creatures do not communicate with colors, shapes, and forms of body language? The psychology of color is understood by humans and beasts alike.

The basic alphabet of graphic design that we teach in ArtToDesign.com art classes is the alphabet with which we all first learn to speak long before we say “momma”. No matter what language you verbally speak, you visually show your thoughts in one, universal language of line, shape, and form. If we all learn the art to communicating with the Visual Language, then we all might have an easier time being understood and, in turn, understand.

Learning to read graphics can help us understand how to communicate on a more advanced level. Words can only say so much. A picture speaks volumes. As a story developer for animated films, I know that the important message will be read, not in the words the script speaks, but in the visuals the children watch unfolding before them. If I can turn the volume off on a film and still understand what is going on, then I know I am using my visual language skills properly. When you have a little over one hour to tell the entire life story of several characters and make people care about listening, you do not have enough time to say every detail aloud. Most of the important information is shown through action, colors, and the way shapes move. There is a subliminal language speaking to the viewer’s brain, filling in the information that his ears do not hear. Mastering this silent speech can help you learn to say more than words can say.

I am an artist and filmmaker not a psychologist. But as a storyteller of twenty some odd years, I can tell you how speaking with the Visual Language works. You do not have to be a professional artist to use the rules of design. You probably are designing your life already without even knowing. Ever wear the “power tie”? A dark, crisp suit is sharply contrasted by a bright, red tie. Like an arrow, this tie aggressively points to the executive who wants to stand out in a conference. How many times has your mother told you to sit up straight, comb your hair, and wash your face? She knows that how you look speaks to people about how you are.

Body language is a visual language that can speak out when words fail you. This form of “talking” is the way all of us first communicate long before we can say “momma”. How many times have you asked someone a question and judged the validity of their response through the visual language more than the spoken words? Their response sounds like the truth, but they do not make eye contact and shift from side to side as if looking for a way to hide. Their visual language tells you that their words are lying. If we remember our visual language skills, we can hear more than what is being said and understand a little better. We might not get so caught up in the mess created by bad verbal skills if we can see what is being said.

If you are interested in hearing more about designing your life and improving your communication skills with the visual language, then stop by Sue Nichols’ site at ArtToDesign.com for monthly lectures and advice.

About The Author
Sue C. Nichols has been a teacher and leading story and visual developer for Disney Animation and other studios for over twenty years. Her knowledge of communicating with the visual language is available at ArtToDesign.com in free, online art classes, career advice, and self help pages.

-Article City -

William Shakespeare's Leadership Lesson: Crowns For Convoy

As a leader, you'll inevitably be faced with people wanting to leave your team or organization. Learning how to deal successfully with the challenge is a vital skill that can have a major influence on your career. And one of the best ways of developing the skill comes from Shakespeare's Henry V.

The stirring speech of Shakespeare's Henry before the battle of Agincourt contains many leadership nuggets. But commentators who recount the speech usually overlook a particularly valuable one. They focus on the speech's "band of brothers" aspects but neglect the fact that Henry also said that if any of his soldiers would rather not fight, he'd give them passport and "crowns for convoy" back to England.

Henry was aware that some of his soldiers were reluctant to fight; for he led a rather bedraggled army. History recounts they had marched 260 miles in 17 days. They were short of food. They were drenched by two weeks of continuous rain. Many of them were suffering from dysentery contracted from drinking fetid pond water. And they were facing the flower of French knighthood, knights who were rested, better equipped and eager for battle. So there were probably many soldiers who wanted to avoid battle, get quickly to the coast and board ships for England.

Shakespeare has his Henry respond to these leadership challenges in a telling way. Instead of trying to cajole those who wanted to leave into remaining with him, or on the other hand, punish them, he did something much more effective: He actually offered them passports and money to go.

"Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host, That he which hath no stomach to this fight, Let him depart; his passport shall be made, And crowns for convoy put into his purse; We would not die in that man's company That fears his fellowship to die with us."
Now, apply this lesson to those people who tell you they want out. Their attitude may seem negative; but you have an opportunity to get positive results by reshaping your relationship with them in productive ways and boosting your leadership effectiveness with the people who remain.

Granted, if somebody wants out, your knee-jerk reaction may be to say, "Good riddance! Don't darken my door again." But let's examine this. When somebody wants to leave, two facts apply. One is that, clearly, that person - for whatever reason - is dissatisfied and is looking for satisfaction elsewhere. And two is that you have a relationship with the person. It might be a good relationship. It might be a bad relationship. But here's the point: You don't want to get the two facts mixed up in a bad way. Because that relationship will continue in one way or another even if you don't set eyes on each other again.

A bad relationship with an employee that left your organization can come back to haunt you in many unforeseen ways, such as poisoning your relationships with the people who remain behind.
Whether people want to leave because they want to or because you want them to, do this one thing: offer "crowns for convoy." In other words, give them the tangible means to depart. Put aside any rancor or frustration you may feel and become genuinely interested in and actively involved in solving the problems associated with their leaving.

For instance, let the person take charge of their leaving. Help the person draw up an action plan of their own choosing that will facilitate their departure in the best way possible. Support those actions in precise ways – as long as they are reasonable and won't harm your organization and the people who are remaining in it. Provide milestones and ways that you and the person can evaluate and monitor progress in carrying out the plan.

By having the person take charge, by showing good will, and lending concrete assistance, you'll be creating an opportunity to change your relationship with them. You'll set the stage for your working together in a positive way irrespective of whether you'll ever see again. Thus you'll help mend bad feelings that might have otherwise grown unnecessarily worse.
CROWNS FOR CONVOY is all about giving people control of their leaving in an environment of free choice, action, helpfulness, and good will.

In doing so, you may transform a potentially bad situation into a beneficial one. And who knows? Maybe, like Henry, you may achieve an unexpected surprise.
2006 © The Filson Leadership Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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

I'm Late, I'm Late

FOR A VERY IMPORTANT DATE

How many times have you heard “I am so sorry I’m late, but…….”? How did this make you feel? Like you were way down the list of priorities? It doesn’t feel very good does it? It’s amazing how many people think that being late is a sign of social awareness. IT IS NOT! Being on time is showing the other person courtesy and respect. It’s telling the other person that you like them and want to be respectful their time as well.

In the business world it is imperative that we be on time. When going for an interview, the person interviewing uses this information as a means to evaluate your reliability. Late, not very reliable. On time, a plus. Arriving 5 minutes early is an A Plus.
GOOD REASONS FOR BEING ON TIME

You show the person you’ve come to see that you appreciate his or her professionalism.

You show respect. Conversely, your being late shows disrespect and is annoying to the busy person you’ve come to see

If you’re late, you may have disrupted that individual’s entire day’s schedule. Even worse, that faux pas is likely to be remembered long after your appointment is over.
You waste valuable time and energy if you must apologize for your tardiness. That’s time you should be using to get your point across.

MEETINGS
Arrive at the meeting on time or a little early. Nobody takes a late-comer seriously. Lateness is an affront to those who troubled to arrived on time. And, no, it doesn’t convey the message that you are very busy, only that you are very disorganized. If the phone rings just as you are ready to leave, let it ring. With voicemail today you can get back in touch with that person in a very short time. Your priority right now is to get to the meeting on time.

SOCIAL SITUATIONS
In the social world, punctuality etiquette changes somewhat. Regional customs vary, the type of occasion and the habits of the host and hostess.

At a dinner party:
Regional customs vary here, from being on time to arriving 15 or even 30 minutes late (and it is considered rude to arrive early – you might surprise the hosts and find them in their bathrobes vacuuming.) I remember when we moved to the South. Having spent many years as a military wife, I learned that 6:00 meant 6:00. Not a minute early and not a minute late. I planned a dinner party that was out of this world. Great food, beautiful centerpiece, and interesting people. I planned on cocktails at 6:00, dinner at 6:45, dessert at 7:30. As the clock struck 6:00 I was ready, waiting for the doorbell to ring. It was 6:35 before anyone came. Now I was in a panic, the dinner was ready and wouldn’t keep well. I couldn’t not offer cocktails. This was the time people would get to know each other. We muddled through, ate a very dry roast beef and I learned a very important lesson. Know the customs of the area. In the South being on time means at least 30 minutes late.

At a Cocktail Party or Large Reception
A delay of 10 to 15 minutes (sometimes 30 minutes or even more) is fine for fluid gatherings where people are invited to come and go. Open houses are set up for people to drop in between specified hours. It does not mean you arrive at the appointed time and leave at the ending time. Spending 20 to 30 minutes is adequate to show your respects. Be sure to find your host immediately and thank the host when you leave.

At a restaurant
Even if your lunch or dinner mate is easygoing, it’s disrespectful to arrive more than five minutes late. Many restaurants won’t seat you unless everyone in the party is present. You could cause your table to be given to someone else. You will then have to wait till another is available. Your dinner mates will not be happy with you.
Doctors, Dentists, Hairstylists, etc.
Don’t expect to keep your appointment if you don’t arrive on time. Call ahead and reschedule if you think you’ll be more than five minutes late. Accommodating your tardiness could mean throwing off the doctor’s or hairdresser’s other appointment for the rest of the day.

A Wedding Ceremony
Arrive at least 10 –15 minutes early. No one came to see you – a guest – walk down the aisle. If you arrive after the bride’s and groom’s mothers have been seated, keep a low profile by using a side aisle and sitting in the back. If you’re so late that you fear you’ll be elbowing the bride as she prepares to make her entrance, wait outside until her procession is in place at the altar. Then sit in the back so as not to disturb the ceremony.

By Betty Pichon - Article City

Organize Life & Business~ 5 Simple Steps to Get Organized & Get Energized

Quote - “Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up." A. A. Milne

In personal development growth occurs more easily when we create space to grow. In order to experience living beyond limits in business or personal lives we must rid ourselves of the chaos and clutter that keeps us clogged up. To change life and business begin by getting organized.

1- Know Your Top Priority Zones~ Focus on 3 to 5. Top priority zones are the most valuable areas of your life. Consider the roles you play throughout the day. What means the most to you long-term? Examples are spirituality, self-care, family, business, career, home, education, hobbies, volunteer work, etc. To make the best time management decisions know your priorities. You will be challenged by a new opportunity. Does it honor your priorities? If not, say 'no' for now.

Under each top priority zone list the top 3-5 priorities. For instance, under self-care you could have exercise, take vitamins, eat 5 fruits/ vegetables, read for 30 minutes, and drink 8 glasses of water daily. The more you can simplify and get focused the better.

2- Schedule Blocks of Time~ Blocks of time for your various priority zones give you time and a clear focus on the priorities in each area. Consider how much time you need and how much you can commit to each priority. When is the best time of day to schedule it so that you follow through? Customize your schedule to fit your energy level and personality so your time is used efficiently.

3- Now you can create your "to do" list or "toleration" list- What are you putting up with that needs to be handled. Get it out of your head and into a system such as a list, daytimer, palm pilot, blackberry, computer, etc. Plan to do it, delegate it, or dump it. What can you let go of? Give yourself permission to let go so you can focus on what will make the greatest difference.

4- Systematize- Create systems that save you time and make life easier. If there is an area not working for you chances are it is in need of a simple system. How often are you running to the store and what can you do to make one trip? When you buy something new, get rid of something old so your closets never get packed. How can you spend less time waiting in lines, managing e-mail, and handling paperwork? What marketing system can you put in place so you know exactly what to do each day. Create a home for everything so you know exactly where items go. Instead of items landing where they were left have a designated space for office supplies, a space for hardware, etc. Pick up more ideas at http://startingnowcoaching.com/_wsn/page16.html.

5- Set Yourself Up for Peak Performance- Take regular breaks to rejuvenate. In the book the Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal, the authors Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz suggest taking 10 minute breaks every 90 minutes. Get plenty of sleep and choose healthy energy sources vs. adrenaline for endurance. By the way...I hope you chose self-care as one of your top priorities.
Take a day off, get help, do what it takes to organize your life and business. Save time doing what you don't like and more time doing what gets you pumped. That's when you will bubble over sharing the special gifts you have to offer and we will all be better off. StartingNow!

By Beth A. Tabak - Article City

Getting Started Today Is Crucial To Having Massive Success Tomorrow

Millions each day (if not more) are afflicted with and effected by the habit of procrastination. How many times have we all said, "Oh, I'll do it tomorrow"?
Procrastination will kill your dreams faster than you can even have them.
Here's the simple, straight forward reason why: You can't succeed at something until it exists.
Or, put another way: everything that physically exists (whether it's a painting, a city, a relationship, a career or a friendship) had to have been born first. And all physical things are born out of an action.

So when we procrastinate, we take no action and consequently - nothing is born.

Do you want financial freedom?
- Then you need to take action.

Do you want to own your own home or be your own boss?
- Then you need to take action.

Do you want massive success?
- Then TAKE ACTION!
GET STARTED

Guess what? Tomorrow never comes. It never does.

I used to get like a deer in headlights, frozen in my tracks, when it came to reaching for my dreams. The idea of having my own business seemed so daunting that I didn't know where to start...so I didn't! There was always something “more important” or “necessary” to do and my vision took a backseat... day after day after day.

For years.
Many years.
It was terrible.
I bet you know what I'm talking about too. Make a commitment to pick at least one success principle and DO SOMETHING about it! It doesn't matter how poorly you do it.
Just Do It.

When Laura and I first started Pathways To Power, we had no idea what direction things would go in. You know what? It didn't matter! Who cares! Just get started!
So that's what we did. We just threw up a web page and offered to help people.
Did it look dumb? Yes!

Well guess what? 3 people signed up anyway! I don't even know how they found the web page because we didn't tell anyone it existed! (remember it did exist though. We put a web page together and that gave us at least a chance to be found).

That's a success principle for you.
Did you see the movie "Field of Dreams"? Same idea: If you build it, they will come. So get building and throw something together that will at least give you a chance of succeeding. You can dot your i's and cross your t's later. We want to help you take action TODAY. Here are various reasons why some of you WON'T take action when you're done reading this:

1) I'm too busy right now and don't have enough time (it's a trap and a part of the illusion. You'll NEVER have enough time until you make the time. Get up 30 minutes earlier in the morning!)

2)I don't know what to do (we recommend finding a mentor to help you)

3) I don't have a Masters' degree or PHD so who is going to listen to what I have to say? (50% of millionaire entrepreneurs never finished college.)

4) I'm too old. I missed the boat when I had my chance xx years ago and didn't take it. (replace the xx's with appropriate excuse).

I met a fellow over the internet once who was living in Japan. I'd been researching ways to improve my eyesight when I came across his website. He'd been a business owner for many years and told me he was very excited because he just recently passed the bar exam and opened a new law office. Guess how old he was when he did this? He was in his EIGHTIES!

It takes money to make money - and I don't have any! (I know a man who, right out of college, had very little money. He went and bought a handheld drill and that was his only investment. He then went door to door and offered to drill peepholes in the doors that didn't already have one…for $50! Me? I took my own $50 and turned it into thousands on eBay.)

I'm sure there are other reasons to NOT get started building your dreams today. If you have any that are holding you back, please feel free to write in and add them to our list.
That' all for now but please: make a commitment to getting started today.
This is YOUR year if you decide to go for it.

No more excuses.

Take ACTION.

It's what separates the would be's, runner ups and wish I had's from the abundantly successful.

By Keith Matthew - Article City

Where Are You Going?

Are your goals “moving away from” goals or” moving toward” goals? Check in with yourself on this one because one of these is a source of power for consistent action and the other is a source of continued frustration, procrastination and doubt.

When you have a powerful vision of a future that you are designing and you have a passion for wanting to create a particular outcome then not much can stop you from taking action toward your target of intent.

If, on the other hand, your actions are geared more for avoiding something and escaping a particular scenario in your life then you will be weakened in your resolve to continue taking the actions required to fulfil the outcome. There is no clear outcome that you envisage for yourself. You only see the “what’s not” rather than the “what will be”. This cannot be very inspiring.
You could say that you want to go to Europe because you don’t want to get to the end of your life not having travelled. So you hop on a plane and you start moving around Europe. Once you arrive home you see magazine images of places in Europe that you regret not having seen and you feel the need to repeat the journey because the last trip left you unfulfilled in your true desires.

Simply, you had not got clear about your personal, heartfelt reasons for wanting the trip. Therefore all the places of interest that would have completed the holiday for you, were not visited because you had no plans. The goal was to have travelled to Europe in case you regret it later – a “moving away from” goal.

If your goal was one of “moving towards” the exhilarating experiences of actually standing in front of a Van Gogh painting or skiing down a slope in the Alps then I’d assert that the trip would have been more carefully planned to incorporate those experiences and you would likely have returned home completely satisfied with a trip you can declare a success. Something to celebrate.

As another example, some people see marriage as a way out of a parental home and parental control. They are not looking at the marriage as a long-term partnership of two people creating a lifestyle that empowers both. So when the wedding is over and behind them, the couple are living a situation that feels like a brand new prison, simply another life circumstance from which to seek escape.

Alternatively, if both people step into the marriage with a view to creating a life together that makes a difference to themselves and to those around them then when the wedding feast is behind them, they still have their wonderful plans for that lifestyle and those dreams that they wished to create and work towards, together.

Similarly, if we look to having a certain amount of money as a mechanism for moving away from financial concern or a restricted lifestyle, then when that particular amount of money is generated and “in the bank”, the concern for never living a life of financial hardship is still there. The acquired wealth is not freely enjoyed and life remains restricted because now, we are living in fear - managing ways to hang on to that money and never lose again. Rather than creating projects with freedom in the knowledge that we have continued access to manifesting money whenever it is wanted because we have expanded who we are, in relationship to abundance.
When you are living and taking action on a “moving toward” goal then the questions you ask yourself are very different questions than those you’d be asking yourself if your goal is to avoid something. Our learning and development is all about the questions that we ask and answers we find on that journey.

Revisit your current goals and make sure to ask yourself, am I moving towards something that inspires me or am I pursuing this goal to move away from an undesired situation? One of these two choices brings with it much more power and fun for accomplishing what it is that you’re actually seeking to achieve, from your heart.

As expressed by Abraham-Hicks, "Get so fixated on what you want, that you drown out any vibration or reverberation that has anything to do with what you do not want."

By Thea Westra - Article City

Great Tips To Manage Your Most Important Asset - Time

Some of us pride ourselves on our organizational skills; and that we never waste time and accomplish everything we want to in a day. If you fit this category; congratulations! You are truly in the minority. More common for most people is a level of frustration because we are not able to get everything done in a day that we want to. For those of you who have this problem, here are some great time management tips.

Time management isn’t a new concept; it’s been around for a long time. But it’s a term that’s really not what it seems, because in reality we cannot manage time we can only manage ourselves. So really time management is self management, so start by identifying your time wasters.

There are many things that occur during the day that waste our time. The telephone interrupts us, visitors interrupt, stress, fatigue, procrastination, trying to work without all the necessary information, unclear communication, poor planning, unclear objectives, and disorganization all are time wasters. Delegating tasks; dealing with members of the team; and meetings also waste time. The following strategies will help you better use your time.

1. Learn to prevent the crisis before it happens. That’s called crisis management. If you can put the fire out before it occurs you’ll save valuable time.

2. Control the telephone. Although there is no question that it’s a great tool, it can also be our worst enemy and biggest time waster if we don’t learn to control it.

3. You need to learn to set your priorities. Those who know exactly what they want to accomplish in a day do far better at accomplishing long term goals, because to meet long term goals a person has to meet their daily goals - a fact missed by many people.

4. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. You won’t get it done, and you’ll feel overwhelmed and accomplish even less than you normally would. Know your limits.

5. Try to limit your drop-in visits. Those peers that just need a minute of your time can rob you of hours in a day. You have to develop the skills to deal effectively with these interruptions.

6. Keeping your desk neat is the start to achieving more and you’ll be less likely to suffer from desk stress.

7. Stop procrastinating. The inability to make a decision wastes a great deal of time so start learning to make decisions. Right or wrong, at least you will have made a decision.

8. Just say no. Don’t let people dump their work; their projects; or their problems on your shoulders. You’ve got to learn to say no and not worry about the feelings of those using you.

9. It’s a well known fact that meetings are a big time waster so avoid as many meetings as possible. Did you know the average manager spends 20 hours a week in meetings and another

10 hours planning for those meetings?

11. Analyze your time so you know where you are being the most productive and where you are wasting the most time. That way you’ll be better equipped to make the needed changes.

12. Make sure you know what your goals are. By defining your goals clearly you are much more likely to achieve them and less likely to drift around aimlessly.

13. You should always have a plan that is broke down to yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily goals. Of course there should be some room for flexibility, but it will help you stay focused.
These time management tips should have you managing yourself more effectively, which means you’ll be accomplishing more and feeling far less stressed.

By Gray Rollins - Article City

6 Ways To Overcome Shyness And Gain Confidence

Are you shy? Do you have difficulty coping with people or situations? Then I have good news for you. You do not have to suffer from shyness and you should not feel insecure and fear that you are being judged with every step you take.

Winning the war with shyness takes practice, but is definitely well worth the effort as the result is increasing confidence and self esteem. Wake up feeling good about yourself, able to face the world with confidence and security and the knowing that no feeling of shyness can come in your way of achieving your desires.

There are hundreds of books written on the subject of how beat shyness and gain confidence, but there are a few techniques that anyone can practice. Here are 6 suggestions of techniques on how to overcome your shyness:

1. Every morning, as soon as you get up, get in front of a mirror and say out loud "I feel terrific! I feel terrific! I feel terrific!" Repeat this affirmation with enthusiasm at least ten times everyday until it's ingrained into your subconscious mind. If feel a little self conscious to begin with lock yourself in the bathroom. The results will amaze you.

2. Feel good about yourself. Look your best. Dress up more often. This gives you an extra feeling of confidence and self esteem. On its own just knowing that you look good will boost your confidence and reinforce with others that there are things about you that are worth getting to know.

3. Take a risk at least once a day. It's very invigorating and conquering fears by taking risks helps you grow in confidence and self esteem. Start with small risks and fears and as you overcome them move onto bigger things. There's nothing you cannot do. Be confident in knowing that change can only help you grow, and boost your self confidence.

4. When you are engaged in a one to one conversation, or with a larger group of people, let them know that you're shy. This prevents them from misreading you and they are far more likely to invite you into the conversation rather than leave you just listening and wishing you could contribute. Many people, me included, find following a conversation in a noisy room difficult. If you are having difficulty say so and move so that you can hear. People respect honesty, and vulnerability and you will attract more honest people into your life as a result.

5. Rejection is a fact of life that everyone experiences. It is rarely you that is being rejected. If you are rejected, for example if you ask someone for a date, remember that everyone has different likes and dislikes. You may be attracted to one type of person and not others. The same applies to other people and you are probably just not their type. That does not devalue you in any way. Accept this and know that you will get over it. Never take it personally and keep in mind that if people reject you it is because of their own likes and dislikes and not because of who you are. You are equally entitled to reject others because of your likes and dislikes.

6. Engage in an activities that make you feel excited and good about yourself or start a hobby that gives you a feeling of relaxation. This could be anything from gardening to Tai Chi to Karate. Take some lessons, learn or master a musical instrument or take singing lessons. Do something that excites you and take a risk. Exploring things that make you feel excited is a great antidote for shyness.

By John Edmond - Article City

Resume Writing Tips

This September I spent two days doing Resume Assessment at The National Job Fair and Training Expo in Toronto. 400 Job Seekers received free resume assessments from nine Resume Writers. There was a 2-3 hour wait for this service that was available from 10 am - 8 pm. Since a resume is critical to our employment success, waiting a few hours for professional advice wasn't a big deal to most people.

Although no one gets hired solely on the basis of a resume, many job seekers miss the opportunity of an interview because of an inadequate resume. Your resume can (and should) have a distinct personality to it. It should separate you from all the people applying to land that dream job. Be unique!

A lot of people think a generalized resume describing everything they have ever done is a great way to show their experience and skills. This is not true. You should only include information that is useful to the job you are applying for. If you are applying for a variety of positions, write more than one resume. To make this process easier start with a general resume, and use it as a template by cutting and pasting the most relevant information for the different positions.
Style of Resumes

There are a two basic resume styles: Chronological and Skill Based.

The most popular style for resumes is the Chronological Resume. It provides a job-by-job listing of each position you have held starting with your most recent. Use a Chronological Resume if you have consistent work history, and your job titles are supportive of your objective.
If you are making a career change, and your title and work history don't match your job objective, use a Skill Based Resume. A Skill Based Resume should also be used if you have gaps in employment, a short work history, your skills are transferable, your most recent experience doesn't support your objective, or you have an erratic work history.

Simple Crucial Resume Writing Tips
* Know your audience before you begin writing your resume. Your resume must be consistent with the position you are pursuing.

* Choose your language carefully and proofread. Your resume must be free of spelling, grammar, punctuation, or typographical errors.

* Tailor your resume to your prospective employer's needs - highlight the skills and abilities that will make you're an attractive candidate.

* Your resume should answer the potential employer's questions, "Why should I hire you?" in 20 seconds or less.
* Focus on your expertise, abilities, and accomplishments.

* Use bullets. They make a resume more reader-friendly if used consistently.

* Describe your roles and accomplishment with strong action words and key terms that will grab attention.

* Keep all descriptions short. Descriptions should generally take up no more than three to four lines on the page. Full sentences are not necessary, however, be consistent with punctuation.
Length of a resume

There is no "rule of thumb" for resume length. For an experienced job seeker, a one-page resume may be too short and even look too "entry-level". A properly designed, well-written two-page resume would be far better.

Your resume is your marketing tool. Can you market yourself on a one page resume or will you need two or three pages to include your best skills, accomplishments, and experiences? Note: In every resume, the first 10-15 lines are the most important. They will motivate a recruiter to read on or to stop. Longer resumes need to be carefully designed to "sell" you up front. The real cost of writing a basic or weak resume is valuable time and thousands of dollars in missed opportunities.

by Cecile Peterkin 2006 - Article City

Making Career Decisions

Spring is traditionally a time for new beginnings and as we start to springclean our homes, some of us may be considering springcleaning our careers.Why are so many of us unhappy at work? There are probably as many reasons as there are unhappy people, but there are a few underlying factors which influence many of us. Think back to your school days and the careers advice you were given by teachers, advisors and your parents. Just how useful was it?

My own memories are of a half hour session with a teacher at the age of 14, when I said I wanted to be a nurse, because it was the first thing that came into my head, influenced by my parents’ opinions. When I was 18, I had another half hour session with the same teacher, who expected me still to be planning a career in nursing. What was your experience?Parents often influence their children by trying to live their own dreams through their offspring, especially if their kids have similar talents to their own. This might work if the children share their parents' dreams, but that isn’t always the case.

Another common scenario occurs when parents are concerned for their children’s financial security and encourage them to “do something sensible”, by getting a job in an area where there will always be a demand, or where jobs are still considered "for life". It can be difficult to go against parents’ wishes, especially if they have provided support, either financial or in the form of board and lodging, whilst you were at college.

Some families have strong traditions in a particular field – everyone in our family does medicine or teaching, for example. Did you feel pushed into a career by your family?How can a 14 year old, or an 18 year old for that matter, know what he or she wants to do for the next 50 years? In fact, how can anyone know they want to follow a particular career, if they’ve never tried it? The answer, of course, is that they can’t be sure – at least not one hundred percent sure. So, whether you are just starting out or contemplating a career change, it’s a good idea to try out your new job before committing yourself to years of training.Obviously, it isn’t always possible to try out exactly what you’d be doing.

No-one is going to let you perform surgery or defend an alleged bank robber if you haven’t got the training and experience. So you must do the next best thing. This will vary according to the career in question, but the aim is to find out as much as you possibly can before signing up for an expensive course of study.There are several things you can do: first of all, read everything you can find about the job, including careers leaflets, books and relevant websites. If after this you are still interested, two of the most important steps you can take are: getting as close to the job as possible and talking to people already doing it.

Work experience and work shadowing are usually only offered to students, but that is no reason to reject the possibility if you are older. Contact the HR department of a company which specialises in the area which interests you and explain that you are planning a career change and would like to find out more about the job. Ask if it is possible to spend some time with them gaining experience or shadowing a professional. Alternatively, ask if it would be possible to meet someone doing the job or if the company has open days.In some cases, if you have experience, say in administration or computing, it might be worth considering applying for a temporary job within the organisation to help you reach a decision.

This will at least give you an insider’s view of the career, even if you can’t experience it first hand. In other situations, volunteering would be a good way to find out what a job involves, for example if you want to be a surgeon, working on a hospital ward as a volunteer will give you an insight into medicine and bring you into contact with doctors and medical students. If you are able to volunteer over a reasonable amount of time – it doesn’t have to be a full-time commitment, just a regular one – you will get to know people and, in the example above, you may eventually be able to observe an operation.

No-one can ever guarantee that a career choice will be the right one and you mustn’t forget that your interests will change over time. So be prepared to change careers at some stage. However, if you do your research thoroughly, you will have a much greater chance of finding a job you really enjoy.

Article by Waller Jamison 2006 - Article City

Introduction

Dear Reader(s),

In today’s society, it is exceedingly important that we keep improving ourselves regardless if we are self-employed, business owners or even employees. All trough my career I have met many who are very keen in improving them selves, constantly seeking new means and ways to do so, and of course I have also met individuals who are rather content of where they are.

It is now 2006 and the changes that take place are so vigorous, we can really see that in the computing industry. In this industry, gadgets or even software’s may go obsolete in days, this has occurred. Today, we are so ever dependent on computing, which has revolutionized the entire business arena. This impacts all, students, parents, employees, employers, self employed individuals even the business owners.

This blog is created so I will be able to share all articles that I have read and what I have written for various reasons in regards to self-improvements and motivation. Motivation is such an important factor, but many of us don’t really pay much attention on this super force. Motivation is able to push us to different limits, this may be used in career development coupled with other developments, relationships, exercising and trust me the list can just go on and on.

I had been very fortunate; my father started inhabiting me with the reading habit. This habit has been one of my favorite past times. My favorite reading materials would include inspirational books, motivation books, self-help books, management, training and development books, some books on soft skills and financial literacy books by Robert Kiyosaki.

And this blog also allows me to learn from various other sources, the articles that I have read, and your valuable opinions and positive criticism will help me improve the blog as well as improve my self.

So ultimately the function of this blog is simple, to share my knowledge, my opinions, you may agree or disagree, that’s the beauty of opinions. Do leave some opinions behind for the rest of us to ponder upon.

Thank you

Kindest Regards

Ajitpal Singh