The Navigator

Three Easy Tips to Supercharge Your Affirmations For Dramatic Success

2009-03-21T11:00:00.001-07:00

By George Hutton
Affirmations can be the quickest and easiest to apply method to powerfully transform not only what you think is possible about your capabilities, but about the world that you live in. All of us have unconscious thoughts and messages that we pick up from teachers, coaches, adults in authority, or even from ourselves that play over and over again. Whether you know it or not, you use affirmations on a daily basis. Unfortunately, messages give to us by adults to keep us safe, can also keep us from achieving the goals we desire later in life. Messages of guidance can easily transform into messages of limitation.

There is a way to change these messages to give yourself incredible confidence, self esteem, and personal power. When you finish reading this article, you'll easily be able to create simple affirmations that you can use to propel yourself to automatic success. There are three simple rules to learn, so that your affirmations will have a maximum effect.

Rule Number One: State Them in the Positive.
You want to focus on what you want, rather than you don't want. Instead of focusing on losing five pounds, focus on being your ideal weight. Instead of focusing on quitting smoking, focus on breathing fresh, healthy air with every breath. Instead of focusing on quitting eating ice cream for breakfast, focus on eating healthy foods that support a healthy body.

Rule Number Two: State Things in the Present Tense.
Instead of saying "I want to weigh 150," pounds, say "I weigh 150 pounds." Instead of saying "I want to cut back on the number of sweets," say "I only eat healthy food." Instead of saying "I will quit smoking next week," say "I only breath fresh clean air with every breath."

Rule Number Three: Avoid "Be" verbs and use Powerful Action Verbs
Instead of saying "I am confident," say "I behave confidently in every situation." Instead of saying "I weigh 150 pounds," say "My behavior easily supports a healthy weight of 150 pounds." Instead of saying "I am a non smoker," say "I treat my lungs and body with respect and always inhale clean, fresh air."

If you can, try this now. Choose something that you want to create in life, and apply these three rules. Say it out loud. How does that feel? The more empowered you feel, right now, as you say your affirmation is an indication of how you will take it as your truth. When you say something that causes you to feel a strong emotion, your brain will be much more likely to accept it.

The best time to say these is as you fall asleep at night. This can be a golden opportunity to powerfully program your subconscious for automatic success generation. Ideally, you want to live your life so that you can naturally and easily get what you want without a lot of effort. For more articles to easily help you achieve greater success like this, you can join many others like you, and read more on my blog.

George Hutton is a widely read author and blogger who writes inspirational and life changing articles. You can join many others who read daily at http://www.georgehutton.net/wordpress
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Hutton

Are You Facing an Energy Crisis?

2009-03-21T10:58:00.000-07:00

By Jerry Ryan
In order to perform all the functions of life, our physical bodies use a variety of energy forms. The most common energy used is derived from the food that we eat each day. The variety of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that make up our daily diet are processed by our digestive system and converted into energy that can be used at the cellular level. The metabolic energy contained in foods varies from food type to food type. Some foods contain components necessary for repairing the cells. Some foods contain ingredients that are needed for regenerating replacement cells for those that are dying. But the majority of our food is converted to chemical energy that is used by our body to perform its day-to-day activities.

The second form of energy that is used by our physical bodies is electrical energy. Action within the human body is caused by a transfer of information from one location to another. The line of transmission that is used is primarily our nervous system. The transmission itself is achieved by firing of electrical impulses from nerve to nerve. Although there are thousands of electrical impulses being fired at any given point in the day, there is a method of prioritization by the brain in order that it may address the most critical body needs prior to those that are less urgent. The more rapidly in nerve fires its signal, the higher the intensity that is perceived by the brain. If the firing rate of a nerve is slower, the brain interprets that signal as less serious. Research has shown that cells are similar to integrated circuits that are found in computers and other electronic devices. There is now a field of medical research known as bioelectronics that is studying the cellular information transmission systems.

Light is the third form of energy that our body uses to communicate information. Each of the cells in our body puts out a small pulsation of light. Although it is extremely weak, these pulses of light are measurable in the ultraviolet range. Researchers have found that the small bursts of light emitted by living cells increases when a poison has been introduced to the cell culture. An experiment performed by Russian scientists almost fifty years ago demonstrated how the ultraviolet light pulsations transmit information across a distance. Cell cultures were placed in separate quartz Petri dishes placed side by side and a toxic substance was added to one of the Petri dishes. Both cultures died. When an identical set of cultures were placed in glass Petri dishes and the experiment was repeated, all in the culture that contained the poisonous substance died. Because ultraviolet light passes through quartz but not glass, these results suggested the transfer of information between the two cell cultures that resulted in cellular death for both was transmitted by ultraviolet light emitted from the cells.

To get the best performance possible from your body, it is important to take care of all the energy needs. Proper nutrition, exercise, and exposure to the sun are necessary to recharge your batteries that are drained by the daily stresses of life. If your energy level is down and you feel like your batteries are drained, try recharging your diet, your workout plan, and your time in the sun.

Jerry Ryan, Ph.D. is a Natural Health Coach who teaches individuals and group classes on the scientifically documented benefits of natural health techniques. He is also an internationally published author and has been a guest speaker at such places as NIKE World Headquarters. For more information, his website is http://www.JerryRyanPhD.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jerry_Ryan

Expert Tips on Dealing With Your Child's Aggressive Behaviour

2009-03-21T10:55:00.001-07:00

By Gareth A Williams
I've always found it strange how children born of the same parents and raised in the same household environment can have such differing personalities.

My two boys are a prime example. One has always been a more vocal, more aggressive personality; the other more mellow and laid-back. And I don't believe it was the result of how they've been raised.

Even now, as teenagers, their differing personality traits are still evident. But it was definitely a challenge to handle and parent the more aggressive of my two boys when he was young. So, I thought I'd share some of what I found out about parenting such children.

First, it's important to understand why children might display aggression or anger. It has to do with language skills, or lack thereof, in young children. Aggression, via actions and temperament, can result because young children do not have well-developed language skills. They may understand what's being said, but they don't have the ability to then express themselves verbally with the same degree of competence. That leads to feelings of helplessness, since the child's feelings cannot be adequately expressed through language. As a result, they "act out" those feelings of frustration, helplessness and anger.

What can you do about it? First of all, you should make sure your child's language skills are at a normal stage of development, as opposed to being hindered by some sort of disability (hearing, learning, etc.). Even though linguistic skills in children tend to develop at different rates, if you suspect your child's aggression might be the result of a physical and/or learning disability, consider a visit to a speech pathologist or neurologist to rule out such possibilities.

When talking to your child about aggression, it's important to use age-appropriate language the child can understand. Begin by first exploring the child's feelings, and using the words he/she does know to express those feelings, rather than expressing them physically (hitting, biting, etc.). You may even try some role-playing with the child to demonstrate how you would like the child to behave when expressing negative feelings.

Also, be aware of two very important role models that may be working to instill the wrong behavior in children: your family, including any older children in the household; and, of course, the TV. There's a great deal of conflict and violence on television, and it can often translate into emulated behavior in children. Similarly, the way you and your spouse express emotions and settle disputes can also have a big influence on your children, so keep that in mind. Even changes to a parent's normal routine (a work schedule, for example) can trigger aggressive behavior in a child, so take this into account as well should you see a sudden change in your child.

Lastly, understand that, like adults, children need to feel they have some control in their lives. Aggression is often the normal approach a young child uses to gain or regain control, so instilling a sense of self-control in children, and consistently reinforcing this over time:

through your conversations, expectations, occasional interventions, role modeling and discipline

will help your young children limit or eliminate any aggressive behaviors.

Gareth Williams has written a complimentary 5 day course that will help solve your main parenting concerns quickly and permanently. For instant access please visit- http://www.instantparentsuccess.com/complimentarycourse.htm
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gareth_A_Williams

Your Online Resume - Why No One May Ever Get to See It!

2009-03-21T10:46:00.000-07:00

By Dennis Whitlock
You're looking for a new job; you've put together an outstanding resume and now it's time to post online. You've highlighted your career experience and educational background and you're just certain that when this puppy goes up there's going to be a digital lineup of employers offering you your next dream job. WRONG! The purpose of a resume is not to get you a job, rather, to get you an interview.

But here's the rub; you may have overlooked the most crucial point of the entire exercise and you're not even aware of it! This is seldom taught or even mentioned in most business courses. There is a huge chance that a human, initially, won't even look at your resume!

In this time of economic downturn, most positions garner hundreds of applicants. That's hundreds of resumes coming in for each open slot. If you think that all these resumes are being viewed by human beings you're in for a real shock. Gone are the days when an assistant scours through stacks of resumes to find that perfect applicant for the boss to call in for an interview. In this day and age most resumes are scanned looking for target keywords. Your resume needs to be optimized so that it can be seen by these scanners. Without doing so, you will likely remain as invisible as if you hadn't submitted in the first place.

Employers scan resumes to transfer them from a paper format to an electronic format for easy storage and review. Unfortunately, scanning software is not perfect and is easily confused. This means that you need to produce electronic versions of your resume and any "hard copies" that may be scanned in a recognizable form.

Digital resumes and paper resumes differ in three crucial ways.
1) Font/Typesets
2) Format
3) Keywords

Remember these rules when composing your resume.
Font/Typesets

No tabs

Use 10 to 12 point fonts

Avoid two-column formats

No parentheses or brackets

Place your name and contact phone number or email on each page

Acceptable font types - Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, and Courier

Avoid italics, underlining, and shading

Opinions on Bolding and using UPPERCASE characters are split. If in doubt, don't use them.

Format

Left justified. Don't center or indent lines.

Avoid using vertical and horizontal lines

Avoid using graphics, or boxes

Keywords
Keywords are specific words or phrases that employers look for to identify the candidates they want to interview. Software programs that most companies use scan based on keywords - in much the same way you use keywords to search for information online.

If you don't have the right keywords in your resume, employers won't be able to find you. But how do you know which keywords to include? Here are three places to look:

The specific description or ad for the job you're applying for

Recent online or newspaper ads for similar jobs

Ask other job seekers and people currently employed in your field

Rick Gillis, in his book Really Useful Job Search Tactics provides 11 excellent ideas for identifying and embedding keywords in your Scanable Electronic Resume. I recommend reading this book and employing his tactics.

Well, that's it, the most important thing that most people overlook. If you're going to spend the effort to assemble a first-class resume, make sure that you don't miss this crucial step.

Good luck on that next job!

Dennis Whitlock has been a business owner for nearly 20 years. In the process of offering employment to literally hundreds of individuals, he has witnessed, firsthand, the key elements of successful job searches. If the economy has you uncertain as to your career future, you may wish to consider a radically new and proven approach to finding a job (http://jobsearchadviceonline.com/).
In addition, post your ideas and questions about what works and what doesn't in your search for career opportunities (http://jobsearchhelpblog.com/).
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dennis_Whitlock

Small Businesses - 7 Effective Steps For Reconstructing During the Recession

2009-03-21T10:44:00.000-07:00

By Kym Gordon Moore
What type of letter grade can you give your overall business operations right now? An A, B, C, D, or F? Is this grade the same that you gave your business a year or two ago? At this point, everyone is practically worn out from discussing the perils of our current recession. It doesn't matter who you are, every sector of our local, national and global communities have been adversely affected by the aftermath, since this recession was initially announced. Your head is in such a massive tailspin that you find it increasingly difficult to regain control in any attempt of being levelheaded soon. So, enough already! It's hard finding a solution when you are constantly picking the scab off of the problem.

We are realistic about the impact this recession has had on everyone, but we're not going to continue wallowing in a pit of recession misery. The good thing about the recession is that it definitely pushed everyone out of their comfort zone. Sometimes our human characteristics tend to resist the need to change because we become so self-absorbed in operating and functioning habitually. Does the fear of anything unfamiliar create anxiety for you? Do you feel comfortable operating your small business the same way you did when you started? What types of changes have you made or are making to revive your business?

When there is a systematic organizational change, start small. The following reconstructive steps will help you to rethink where your business is and in what direction you want your business to go. To avoid becoming discouraged and frustrated, divide these steps into bite-sized pieces.

1. Reevaluate
Get reacquainted by reintroducing yourself to your business. Review what's working and reevaluate the changes that's needed. Do you need to do more networking? Do you need to readjust your prices? Do you need to renegotiate with vendors? You know your business better than anyone else does, so who better to answer these vital questions to detect and change those inadequacies than you?

2. Refocus
Are you keeping up with the changing needs of your customers? Are you keeping up with new technologies to help you to succeed in this new century? Do you need to update your marketing plan? Refocus on your mission, purpose and customer.

3. Reeducate
Update your organization on any new industry changes that will affect the way you conduct business now and the future, compared to the past. Go back to school or take classes that will give you the certification or degree needed to validate and empower your business.

4. Renew
Take care of your body, mind and spirit by indulging in mini sabbaticals. This is a good way to energize your body and usher in peace within the corridors of your mind. Quite often, you will have a different perspective on evaluating your business and the energy needed to adapt a more positive attitude about current conditions, when you seek peace in the midst of a chaotic situation.

5. Regurgitate
Expel your daily intake of widespread depressing news. Sometimes we get so absorbed in the latest developments that paint such a dismal portrait of the overall economy, the ongoing decline in the housing market, the credit crisis, crime, the bail outs, Ponzi schemes...you name it, it's out there! It's not just coming from television, but the radio, internet, mobile communications, daily conversations, newspapers and any other communication devices. Make it a point to relieve yourself from as much stress and distractions as possible.

6. Rebuild
Revamp - Rework - Recreate - Readjust - Reconstruct. Reinvent yourself and your business to get desired results. You cannot continue doing the same thing and expect a different result. By recommitting yourself to reinventing your business, it can become a winning strategy in the long run, as the economy begins to bounce back.

7. Reciprocate
Give back. Volunteer to do something in the community. Think of some type of reward system to show your customers how much you appreciate their patronage. Let them know you understand the challenges that so many people are going through right now, but encourage them to hang in there and that these challenging times won't last forever.

When you step outside of the maze of chaos and confusion, your perspective is liberated and refreshed. You are re-energized to discover new solutions to those recession challenges, by seizing the moment to turn a negative into a positive. Now is not the time to resist change. It's time to welcome and embrace it.

Kym Gordon Moore is a Creative Marketing Strategist and Public Relations Administrator for Moore 2 It Productions, a firm dedicated to coordinating creative marketing packages for new businesses and new authors. http://www.moore2itproductions.com She is a member of the American Marketing Association, American Authors Association, North Carolina Writer's Network, and authored hundreds of articles, essays, poems, won awards for several writing competitions and completed works on her soon to be released book, "Diversities of Gifts: Same Spirit". http://www.kymgmoore.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kym_Gordon_Moore

Why doesn't an igloo melt inside?

2009-03-21T10:37:00.000-07:00

By Copyright © http://www.coolquiz.com
The igloo, a temporary winter hunting shelter to the Alaskan Eskimo does, in fact, melt inside, but not to a great extent.

The snowflakes falling outside of the igloo, in the harsh Alaskan winter, quickly melt when they land on its roof, and provide a replacement layer of insulation for the igloo. The ongoing freezing and re-freezing of the igloo, hardens it, and transforms the blocks of snow the Eskimos used in the construction process into a solid, icy, domed refuge. The igloo can now withstand the weight of a massive polar bear, should one happen along and have the urge to play "king of the mountain."

The initial freezing and re-freezing of the igloo takes place at end of the igloo's construction. First, the men must dig a trench into a fresh snow- drift, and, using their knives, cut blocks of snow from it that are specifically shaped to face inward when fully laid out. They then lay the blocks on their edges to form a circle, cutting them to size as they go, so that the end result will be a narrowing spiral. They cap the igloo by dropping a keystone, or block with edges cut wider above than below, into the remaining gap in the roof, and "grout" the gaps between blocks of snow with additional snow.

The men then call in the resident expert, the Eskimo woman, to put the finishing touches on the igloo. Armed with her whale blubber lamp, she enters the structure, lights her lamp to the highest possible setting, beats a hasty retreat, and seals the entrance with a block of ice. Inside the igloo, the snow on the roof begins to melt but, because of its domed design, the water melts down the sides of the igloo, and soaks the blocks of snow. When the blocks are almost completely saturated with water, the Eskimo woman returns, douses her blubber lamp, and allows the frigid outside air to rush in, transforming the fragile snow structure into one of hard, solid ice.

The igloo is now prepared for its temporary tenants, whose body heat, combined with the warmth of one to two blubber lamps, maintain its interior at approximately 55°F. Not until the winter ends, and the exterior temperature rises, does the igloo begin to melt. Hopefully, the Eskimos will be long gone by then, as the igloo will collapse…dome-first!

Secrets of Successful Relationships

2009-02-24T12:43:00.000-08:00

By Emma-Louise Smith
Everybody wants to have a successful relationship. Who doesn't? Some people envy other people's seemingly perfect relationship. You might be asking yourself, what's their secret?

If you want to find out some secrets of successful relationships, read the following sentences.

Love. This is a no-brainer. No relationship will survive if there is no love. One-sided love is also not good, maybe even worse. This does not only mean that you have to love your boyfriend or girlfriend, it also means you have to love yourself.

Trust. Another foundation of a successful relationship is trust. A relationship with love but without trust will not work. it is very difficult to stay in a relationship if one person is always jealous while the other is untrustworthy.

Communication. This is somewhat related to trust. Open communication is very important. Couples shouldn't hide anything from each other. This can destroy trust. Communication how you feel about certain issues in your relationship is a good idea instead of harbouring bad feelings to your partner.

Time. Despite busy schedules, couples should still make it a point to spend a few hours each day doing together. It need not be an all-out romantic date. It could be as simple as cuddling while watching TV at home.

Touch. It has been said that a man will not be able to live if no human being will touch him. Touching each other is a way to show affection. Even as simple as touching your partner's cheek or caressing his or her lower back can say so much.

http://www.answerstolove.com/Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emma-Louise_Smith

Don’t Starve Yourself!

2009-02-24T12:39:00.001-08:00

By Dave Ryan
Note: As you read through this, consider that it may be time to update your food program and review what really works.

If your body doesn’t get all the nutrients it needs, both macro- and micronutrients, it can easily perceive that as the start of a famine. Once the body perceives the possibility of a famine, it produces chemicals that are not present in a well-fed body. The job of these new chemicals is to convert food into fat to prepare for the famine.

How does any of this apply to you, or anyone else that you know? Since close to 80% of adult Americans are overweight, and since the ‘famine zone response’ is the primary cause of fat, it applies to a whole lot of folks!!

America starving?!?! Almost sounds ludicrous since the consensus is that most Americans are overfed. But overfed with what? Nutritious, health-building foods that are as close to nature as possible? Not on your life, and that’s the saddest part of all this – it is your life, and the quality of your life, that’s at stake!

Why does the body turn food into fat? The prevailing theory is ‘because heavy people eat too much.’ And at the same time they say that, scientists are discovering ‘new’ (weren’t they always there?) chemicals that affect how much food is converted into fat. They tell us that if one chemical is present, more of the food is made into fat. If another chemical is absent, more of the food is made into fat. And if there is another chemical present, there is actually fat loss; all while the same amount of food is being eaten in the different trial groups. Doesn’t that tell us right there that it’s not a matter of how much we eat, but the chemistry of the body that determines whether food is used for energy and to build health, or whether it’s stored as fat. If the ‘calorie-in, calorie-out’ theory is true, why can’t we just eat 1200 calories of anything we want, like Twinkies and Twizzlers?!?!? We all know that won’t work!

Then consider this. Each of the macronutrients, carbs, protein and fats, are assigned a caloric value. Every packaged product has the calories listed no matter what’s in the food. A calorie is a measurement of energy released when a substance is burned, even things like paper and coal. (Now those are calories to avoid!) The key here is that it has to be burned, and protein, even though it can be burned and used as energy, is not supposed to be burned. It’s supposed to be used to rebuild the body. Protein is to our body what wood is to building a home. If you burn the wood for heat, you don’t have anything to build the house with. If we burn protein as energy, we don’t have anything to build the body with! So protein eaten and used to rebuild the body does not release calories, which means it has zero calories! So one 500-calorie meal of chocolate cake and another 500-calorie meal of chicken over salad are not the same! The calorie theory is bogus! It’s the body’s chemistry that determines whether food is turned into fat or not.

So why in the world would the body make fat on purpose? It’s easy to understand. It wasn’t that long ago that getting enough food was hard to do. (And we have to remember, even if we’re only talking about a hundred or two hundred years ago, the vast majority of ‘food’ was natural, organic, and unprocessed.) The primary use of fat in the body is to keep us alive. Every cell of the body has to use fuel to maintain life, just like your car engine idling at a light. It’s not going anywhere, but it’s using fuel. Of course, in a car, the engine can be turned off so it uses no fuel. The only time the body uses no fuel is when it’s dead! And 70% of the fuel used at rest, to keep us alive, is fat!

So, the body has this tremendous ability to convert food into fat so there is always enough to at least survive. This is controlled by one of the most powerful genetic programs we have – the genetic program that made it possible for the human species to survive times when food was scarce – the perception of the possibility of a famine.

But how can this apply to our modern day when food is so plentiful? Easily! If even the quality of the food is poor and doesn’t give the body what it needs, this can be perceived as the ‘famine zone!’ If you skip meals or eat too infrequently, that can trigger the famine zone. And frankly, so much of what is called food today is so over-processed and lacking in value that it can’t give the body what it needs. Proof? Again, near 80% of adult Americans is overweight!

“But I have friends that lost weight restricting calories. Doesn’t that prove it works?”

Sometimes, if they ate natural foods in a quantity that met their body’s needs, but the vast majority of those losing weight from dieting are losing both fat and lean body mass. The loss of lean triggers the famine zone, which leads to the cravings so many have to battle, and even the slightest deviation, let alone going back to ‘the American way of eating,’ will cause fat gain, because they are in a chemical fat making mode – the famine zone.

So what’s the answer? Feed the body everything it needs. Convince it that there is no reason to carry lots of fat because there is no famine. If the body isn’t in a chemical fat making mode, you can eat anything you want on occasion, and it won’t make a large amount of fat.

That’s what Living Lean and Healthy is all about. We make every effort to accurately calculate how much food it takes to pull you out of the famine zone and convince the body to release the fat. That part is easy. Understanding how the body works and how much food you need is the easy part. It may be time to call and make an appointment to update your food program and review all this, and that will help.

Understanding all of what it takes is easy; implementing it consistently enough may not be simple. We tend to do what we have always done, and we tend to do what others are doing. The vast majority of the information we have about food has come from advertising and from the diet industry. We have been brain washed to reach for certain things based on criteria, thoughts, which have nothing to do with health and feeding the body properly. Our response to hunger and other stimulus is controlled by the thoughts and images implanted in our brains by decades of advertising and observing what everyone else is doing.

To make it easy, we need to replace those ‘hard-wired’ patterns with new responses that make it easier to choose wisely and lean. That’s where Directed Mental Dynamics comes in. You can learn how to beat those impulses and change the way you react. An individualized CD can be made using guided imagery and relaxation response training, similar to hypnosis, to gently retrain how you respond to food stimuli.

Living Lean and Healthy, 19355 SW Teton Ave, Tualatin, OR 97062
Dave Ryan (503) 516-5590

Communication With Your Teenage Daughter

2009-02-24T12:37:00.000-08:00

By Dr. Cheryl Guy
It is a fact that parent communication and teenage communication can be vastly different. When it seems as if neither party understands the other during the parent child communication process, especially between a mother and teenage daughter, I term this communication as momglish and teenglish.

The truth is, no one can better understand the plight of mothers as other mothers. Teenage girls feel the same comradery and security within their own friendship circles too. As mothers of teenage daughters, we have to be able to connect with our daughters on a more intimate-heartfelt level if we are going to maintain open communication.

If you are a mother and have been unable to tap into that intimate-heartfelt level with your teenage daughter and you find yourself questioning your sanity, intelligence, intestinal fortitude, and patience while attempting to communicate with her, you are not alone!

The parent child communication process reminds me of the dummy blocking sleds my husband's football players used during football practice while coaching them. To teach the concept of effective blocking, the players would run up to the sled and push against it with all of their might in attempt to push the dummy backwards.

We as mothers sometimes feel that during our attempts of communicating with our daughters, we are the football dummy's being pushed backwards, but on the same hand, we also have the ability to make our daughters feel the same way.

In the early stages of trying to reconnect with your daughter, choose a visual such as the football dummy blocking sleds or some other object. Not only is it important to form that mental picture in your mind, but print an actual visual picture of that object. Post it at your desk, beside your bedside table, in your vehicle or other locations where you will be sure to be reminded that you do not want to continue the same mode of parent child communication with your daughter.

The second way to improving communication is to actually talk with your daughter and explain how you have felt and how you intend to work towards a healthier way of communicating with her. Allow her to express her feelings as well. Give her a mental picture and visual pictures of your reminders and encourage her to either use yours or to come up with her own. Have her print her own pictures out for her use as reminders. You won't believe how this concept can begin to move your relationship into a healthier place.

Don't stop there though. There is no silver bullet or quick fix to sustaining change between a mother and her teenage daughter. The same can be said of the relationship between a husband and wife. It takes work and the payoff for your efforts will come in the form of life-long relationship changes between you and the one you love.

Dr. Cheryl Guy is author of "The Secrets to Having the Teenage Daughter You Actually Like" & Creator of the Relationship Renewal ProgramsTM. To learn more about her, her programs, services or to receive her FREE award winning "Parenting the Teenage Daughter" newsletter, visit her site at http://www.TheTeenageDaughter.com .
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Cheryl_Guy

Creating a More Supportive Work Environment

2009-02-24T12:34:00.000-08:00

By Carol Flagg
In our most recent workshops and training seminars we've been incorporating a video clip of a little girl who falters singing the national anthem at a NBA playoff game. As she's standing there unsure of what to do, Maurice Cheeks, one of the team coaches, comes over and begins to sing with her. We use the video as a metaphor for how people may be feeling in the workplace - scared, uncertain of what to do, under pressure to perform, not wanting to make mistakes, etc. It's also a metaphor for the possibilities that occur when a supportive presence is at hand. In today's economic climate where everyone has to do a lot more with a lot less, creating a more supportive work environment has never been more important to prop up morale and keep work teams going forward. I've provided a link to this video in the resource box at the end of this article.

3 ways to create a more supportive work environment Creating a more supportive work environment means leader-managers model the following: 1) Show respect for each person's strengths throughout the organization. 2) Acknowledge the contributions people make. 3) Be more ego-less so you're free to step back and ask if there is a better way something can be done.

Respect. A respectful work environment is one where people truly know where they fit in and how they individually support the organization, no matter what their position. Each person in the organization needs to be seen as a link in a circular chain. If a link breaks, the chain falls apart. Creating a more respectful work environment begins by leader-managers putting the focus on each person's strengths vs. their liabilities and progress achieved vs. mistakes made. Mutual respect among individuals, teams and departments starts with an awareness and an understanding on everyone's part of what people bring to the table and their unique value to the organization.

Acknowledgement. Acknowledging a person is recognition of their role or contribution and thanking the person for the impact. "The work you put into this project this week was tremendous. Thanks for helping make it a success." Building an acknowledgement-culture means spending a few seconds every day acknowledging people. It's something that takes very little effort yet has huge impact. That being said, it doesn't come naturally to everyone so the key is to think of acknowledging as a skill that, with practice, becomes ingrained, much like muscle memory for athletes. Practice builds the acknowledgement muscle. Just make sure you never follow an acknowledgement with the word "but" or "however" - it negates the acknowledgement you just gave. Let the acknowledgement stand on its own and find opportunities to give acknowledgements every day.

Being ego-less. Any supportive work environment requires that leader-managers work on putting ego aside. If a leader or manager is uncomfortable asking the question "is there a better way to get this done?" or "how would you approach this?" then their ego is getting in the way of creating an environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing new ideas or questioning existing paradigms and protocols. The ego could be tied to either the leader-manager's need to be right or a fear of being perceived as a leader-manager without all the answers. In either case, both create an environment where people do what they're told without questioning the outcomes or willing to bring new ideas to the table. An ego-less culture means letting go of the idea that as leader-managers we have to have all the answers and relies instead on the creative thought process and input from others around us.

If you watch the video then no doubt you'll notice that Coach Cheeks (our leader-manager in our metaphor) drew both players and audience into the fold. The picture is now complete - a supportive work environment needs to encompass everyone in the organization.
YouTube video of Maurce Cheeks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em9wR9e5emY
Carol Flagg

Conversations - When to Hold 'Em, When to Fold 'Em

2009-02-24T12:33:00.001-08:00

By Joan Curtis
How many of us have walked into a room full of people and wanted to turn around and leave? When I think about networking events, my heart freezes. Didn't our mothers teach us not to speak to strangers? Yet, in this article we're going to examine how to talk to strangers. The first thing you need to know is we all hate going to networking events. Why? It's hard to thrust yourself on someone else, no matter how "outgoing" you may be. Knowing that we are all miserable makes these things a tiny bit easier.

Second, your job at a networking event is to meet people. Your job is to learn as much as you can about as many people as you can. Your job is not to sell yourself. You can sell yourself in the process, but that is secondary and must be done with caution. The great Dale Carnegie said: "You can make more friends in two months by becoming really interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you." What Dale Carnegie meant is that whether you are attending a networking event or your family reunion picnic, the rules are the same. Listen to the other person. Question the other person. Learn about the other person. When you do these things, suddenly, you will discover that you have a new friend, a potential associate or a possible client. How do you start? Let's go back to that evening when you walked into the room full of people and looked around. This is what you saw.

Two people talking. Their heads bowed slightly toward one another as if to hear above the crowd. A group of people laughing and talking casually by the food. Another group talking casually by the bar. One person standing by the door, alone.

Which one of these three "groups" do you approach? If you answered the one person standing alone, you win the gold star. If you answered the group of people laughing and talking near the bar or food, you win the silver star. If you answered the two people talking with their heads bowed, you get the booby prize.

The main reason you go up to the person who is alone is that is a person who is looking for someone to talk to. They, like you, are feeling out of place. That person wants to talk to you. That person will be forever grateful that you approached them.

When to Hold 'Em.

As soon as you walk into the room and spot a person, go introduce yourself. You do not need to wait for someone to introduce you.

Once you've introduced yourself begin questioning the person. Ask what they do. Give them a chance to tell you all about their business. Ask what brought them to this event. Search for things you have in common.

Do not ask personal questions, such as: Are you married? Do you have children?

If someone walks up, introduce yourself and your new friend. Tell the new person a little about the two of you and what you were talking about. Bring that new person into the conversation.

As you begin to draw the conversation to a close, if the other person has not asked for your card, ask for theirs. That may stimulate them to ask for yours. Do not give someone your card unless they have asked for it.

When to Fold 'Em. After no more than 10 minutes and preferably 5 minutes leave the conversation.

If you notice the person you're talking to saying less or their eyes darting around the room, excuse yourself gracefully, even if you have not been talking 5 minutes. Do not leave the person standing alone. Instead, offer to take them with you to join another group.

Thank the person for giving you their card and for talking with you.

If you approach someone, who clearly does not want to talk to you, then gracefully thank them for their time and move on. Do not waste your time with people who are truly uninterested. You can note their interest level by the way they respond to you, namely, they answer your open questions with one word responses. Their eyes dart around the room, looking for someone "better" to talk to. They do not look at you while they talk. They do not ask you any questions.

Networking, like everything else we do, takes practice. Try these tips and see if it's a bit easier for you the next time you enter that proverbial crowded room.

Dr. Joan Curtis is a nationally known communications coach. She has over 20 years experience as a trainer and educator. She has taught communication skills and presentation skills to leadership groups throughout the country. With a doctorate in Adult Education and a Master's in Journalism, she has a strong knowledge of what it takes to communicate successfully.
Her website is http://www.TotalCommunicationsCoach.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joan_Curtis

How did coins get their names?

2009-02-24T12:29:00.000-08:00

By Copyright © http://www.coolquiz.com
One can bank on the fact that most coins derive from Latin words, and are named after people, places, or things.

Even the word coin, translates from the Latin "cuneus," meaning wedge, and was thusly named because early coins ressembled the wedges the dies used to coin coins. Our cent, from the Latin "centum," meaning one hundred, our dime, from the Latin "decimus," meaning tenth, and the French franc, from the Latin "Franconium Rex," meaning King of the Franks, are all examples of the naming of money, the root of all evil, which translates from the Latin word "mona," meaning to warn!

On to a more weighty manner in which people named coins, that being physical weight. The English pound, translates from the Latin "pondo," meaning pound, or, to get more heavily into detail, from the Latin "libra pondo," meaning a pound of weight. This method of naming coins weighed heavily in naming of the Spanish peso and of the Italian lira.

A sense of fairness dictates that some coins bear the names of the metals of which they are composed. Thus, our nickel is made of nickel. Location, not Latin, sometimes figures prominently into the naming of sum (oops!), some coins. Our very own dollar, not always in paper form, originally hailed from the silver mines of Bohemia, where Bohemians extracted silver for the coins, and minted them in the town of Joachimsthal. Realizing that the coin they termed the Joachimsthaler, short of lacking in creativity, was rather lengthy, our Bohemian friends lost the head of the name, and kept the tail, with the end result being the thaler. The thaler eventually lost its lisp, and became our dollar.

Many countries used their word for crown, for example, crown, sovereign, krone, krun, krone, corona (not the beer), to demonstrate that some crown authority initially granted permission to mint them. Other countries named coins in honor of their heros, such as the Panamanian balboa, after the explorer Balboa, the Venezuelan bolivar, after one of it's national heros, and the Peruvian sol, also not a beer, but the Spanish word for sun, after this ancient Incan object of worship.

Good Habits Are Easy to Create

2009-02-04T13:53:00.001-08:00

By Robert H Davis
Habits - we are all too familiar with bad habits and the difficulty involved in trying to break them. For an action to become a habit, the action requires repetition. Thus, everyday life becomes a habit. Life becomes routine and unexciting. And, the stress that infiltrates all of our lives because of the current economic situation only makes matters worse. From the oldest family member to the youngest, everyone feels the crunch.

But, take heart. These difficult economic times are an opportunity to be creative, try new things, and create new habits.

Here are 5 simple suggestions to help you and your soul mate(s) weather the storm:

Say "I love you" to your soul mate(s) at least twice a day
Say I love you once in the morning to start the day, and once in the evening before going to bed. Hint: "I love you" can be used throughout the day, too: apply generously.

If your children are no longer at home, follow this same prescription. Get into the habit of contacting them twice a day either by phone or e-mail.

Make homemade pizza
Break the monotony with an inexpensive and fun meal that the entire family can help make. There are several pre-made pizza crusts available, but try the pizza crust mix. The simple mix allows you to be creative and make the pizza into any shape you can imagine. Try making a butterfly or a heart shaped pizza. Crust mix, spaghetti or pizza sauce, parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, pepperoni or your favorite toppings make a delicious, fun and inexpensive pizza your family will love.

Plan a weekly 'at home' family night
Rent a movie the entire family will enjoy or, better yet, dig a game out of the closet. Hint: the sillier the game, the more popular it will be. Recent discoveries that we have enjoyed are "Candyland", "Don't Break the Ice", and "SORRY".

Limit phone time
We are becoming increasingly mobile and the communications technology available today encourages us to spend more and more time in idle conversation. This creates distance between family members and wastes opportunities for bonding. We can set aside specific times for phoning friends that will not interfere with the time we spend with our soul mate(s).

Encourage creativity in your home
We all have a creative interest or talent. Make exploring these interests and talents the past time of choice when boredom sets in. Is there a budding actor, actress, or artist in the family? Here are a few suggestions for entertaining and creative activities that will cost little or nothing:

Produce a play.

Write a story or poem.

Sculpt a clay figurine.

Paint a watercolor picture.

Create a crayon, chalk or pastel drawing.

Activities that inspire creativity or provide opportunities for quality time with our soul mate(s) can ease tensions and strengthen relationships. Try these ideas or think of other ways to disrupt the routine of everyday life. Remember, you can turn these ideas into good habits by repeating them often.

https://www.mcmsm.comMy Child My Soul MateArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_H_Davis

For more information and support for creating what’s important to you, visit http://www.GalileoLS.com/consult.html for a free coaching consultation.

Can Feeling Better Actually Thwart Your Progress Towards Recovery?

2009-02-04T13:50:00.000-08:00

By Olwen Anderson
Seems odd, doesn't it. Why would anyone abandon their recovery from illness or their weight loss program just because they're making progress? But I see it happen again and again in my clinic.

Its All About Pain
If you have made a health resolution this year, or visited a health professional, I'm almost 100% certain that you did it because the degree of pain you were in (physical or mental) was bad enough to make you take action. We all possess a certain level of tolerance that will overcome any desire for change. For example, if you're slightly overweight you might feel a little down when you are forced to buy clothes in the next size up, but then don't do anything about it because there are so many other things clamouring for your attention.

Sometimes it's only when you see yourself in a photo (particularly from the side or behind!) that you realise just how out of shape you've become. "That's just not me!" So you decide to go on a diet, join the gym - and for a few weeks you're making good progress.

Then a funny thing happens
You've lost a little weight, you're feeling more toned and energetic than you have in a long time. And all of a sudden, that weight loss goal doesn't seem as important. Or the pain of that chronic injury you're having treated reduces. You find that you're "treating yourself" more and more often; skipping treatment sessions. There's a reason, and it's all to do with your comfort zone. When you've made some progress, the pain isn't so bad, it's easy to think "I don't have to work so hard now." Or "I can live with this level of pain."

We are all programmed to live within our comfort zone; where we're not challenged, we don't have to take risks, and our relationships with those around us are well defined. Move outside that comfort zone to become a new person and you can expect your subconscious to start ringing warning bells, prompting you to take action that pulls you back into your comfort zone.

But that's not where you want to be - you want to actually achieve.

So how can you stay on track?
1. Line up support mechanisms when you start working towards your goal, and check in with them regularly. For example, if your goals are around fitness, it makes sense to have an introductory session with your trainer to work out a training plan; then regularly meet up with him/her again to ensure you're on track. A well chosen support person will hold you accountable for your actions and help you stay motivated.
2. Review your goals regularly, especially the reasons you set them in the first place. (For example, " I will lose 5kg this year so that I can fit into a smaller, sassier size of clothes")
3. Don't drive looking in the rear view mirror! Your inner critic may appear at this stage of change, reciting negative input such as "You've tried this before and it didn't work....its not going to work this time either. You're doomed." Recognise your inner critic for what it is - just the rear view mirror - and then continue to move ahead with your gaze firmly in the future.
4. If you're feeling uncomfortable with the speed of your positive change, start taking baby steps forward rather than big leaps in small timeframes. But keep moving forward!

Support and accountability are your keys to making it all the way to the goal posts. Olwen Anderson is a nutritionist-naturopath who combines the best of traditional natural therapies and modern scientific nutritional therapy so you feel more energetic and full of beans than you have in years!

Visit her web site to download free health information, buy books that help you feel better sooner, or arrange a personal consultation. http://www.olwenanderson.com.au

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Olwen_Anderson

For more information and support for creating habits, accountability, and support systems, visit http://www.GalileoLS.com/consult.html for a free coaching consultation.

Provide Routine and Structure For Your Children With a Daily Home Schedule

2009-02-04T13:44:00.000-08:00

By Janet Nusbaum
Devoting time to establish consistency and structure is often one of the biggest challenges that parents face when trying to teach responsibility to their children. Life skills are best learned by example and repetition, meaning that consistency is of utmost importance in building the skills that your children will need in the future in order to survive successfully in today's society.

While imposing a daily home schedule may seem restrictive, the opposite is actually true. Children need to be able to depend on the adults in their lives and they feel safe and secure when they have a structure and routine to count on. Children do not yet have the maturity level to know how to structure their time on their own. They learn these skills from institutions like school and from the adults in their lives. For the parents, establishing a family schedule provides consistency and routine in a busy household. Consider our society in general, and you will find time schedules regulating most everything we do. Companies have standard hours, schools offer classes with a defined beginning and end, and mass transportation runs on a tight, proven schedule that is dependable to all who use it.

By establishing and posting a daily schedule in your home that includes chores and times that tasks are expected to be performed and completed, you are providing the structure and consistency that your children need in order to grow and mature. Schedules at home help regulate your children's lives so that they have a model to learn from that they can take into their adult lives.

Start with a morning routine that includes daily tasks required to get ready for a new day. Have a set time to be out of bed and a list of preparatory activities, including getting dressed, brushing teeth, and combing hair. Give a reasonable time frame to complete these activities, and require the children to be at the breakfast table by a certain time.

After breakfast, allow time for checking that all school supplies and homework are properly stored in backpacks and any accessories - gloves, jackets, etc - can be donned in time to either get in the car or meet the school bus. Once you have set a morning regime, it is time to work out the evening plans, outlining homework time, mealtime, showers, chores, and any other activities that are involved in daily life, while still maintaining a consistent bedtime. We are a sleep deprived culture. Make efforts not to pass this way of life on to the next generation.

Establishing a visible daily schedule for your children to follow provides consistency and a foundation from which they can build on. It will also help you with organizing your own day because you will now have a structure and schedule to manage your time effectively and efficiently as well. With a daily schedule in place for the adults, prevents you from having to reinvent the wheel every day. All family members know the routine and in that they learn and can trust. Providing these routines and structure for your children while they are young not only provides them with a model of how to manage a home and how to perform routine home tasks, but it also helps them develop critical time management life skills that are essential to later life success.

Copyright (c) 2009 Simplified Spaces
Janet Nusbaum (AKA the Organizing Genie), WAHM of two, is an Organizing Consultant, Speaker & Author of 'Mom, Can I Help Around the House? A Simple Step-by-step System for Teaching your Children Life-long Skills for Pitching in & Picking up'. Grab a FREE chapter of her book & household chore system by visiting http://www.KidsandChores.net. Get even more organizing & family management help by visting her blog: http://www.TheOrganizingGenie.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Nusbaum

For more information and support for creating what’s important to you, visit http://www.GalileoLS.com/consult.html for a free coaching consultation.

Print Chore Charts Free - It's never been more important to teach your kids to be responsible. www.handipoints.com

The Need For Team Building to Help Survive the Recession

2009-02-04T13:41:00.000-08:00

By Steve Larkins
WHEN THE GOING
GETS TOUGH....SHOULD WE NOT BE MOTIVATING OUR STAFF?

Does it not seem a bit bizarre that just when staff, departments and teams need morale boosting and team building the most - then that is just the time when company bosses and senior managers decide that is the time to stop doing just that!

There is no question that over the last 10 years team building as a concept and tool for developing and building teams has worked very well and is an accepted part of any overall company morale policy and indeed in many cases part of Mission Statements and Values.

With redundancies and the general economic situation causing great disruption to work forces, this must surely be the time to motivate those lucky enough to still be in their jobs. Nothing is more unsettling than seeing fellow workmates lose their jobs. It sets an air of fear, concern and worry and this is the time for management to step up to the plate, spend some money and reassure those still working for them.

There are many messages than need to be effectively put across by management in these turbulent times and a simple company or departmental meeting with some fun element to it will certainly help the cause no end.

Why should values built up over so many years and respected by those that work for such companies go out of the window now? We all know it's tough but business must go on and those still employed must work even harder in a tough situation. The moment cries out for motivation, morale building and team building.

Paint a picture, build a chariot, do a treasure trail, whatever suits your people. It really does not matter what, but just do it! It's a buyer's market even in the events industry and there are plenty of deals to be had from events companies with empty order books so why not capitalise on that and inject some fun into a bleak moment?

Kaleidoscope Event's offer a range of fun team building activities in the United Kingdom, specialising in corporate fun days, themed parties, meeting icebreakers and team building events. Kaleidoscope have an expanding client base including companies in the public and private sector including finance, NHS, DIY and local government to name but a few.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Larkins

For more information and support for creating team building activities, call toll free 866-846-9228 or email us at mail@GPS-4Life.com.

Marketing Your Small Business Online Or Offline - Why Marketing Should Become Part of Your Routine

2009-02-04T13:37:00.000-08:00

By Connie Ragen Green
Marketing will become the area that will make the difference between success and mediocrity, no matter what field you are in. The definition of marketing is simply the process of telling other people what you do so that they have an opportunity to do business with you.

It used to be that you only marketed for your business when times were slow. Small businesses, both online and off, would wait until they had very little business and then employ marketing techniques to attract more prospects and clients.

Those days are long gone. Now it is best to make this a part of your daily work schedule and to learn as much as possible about online techniques and methods.

There are so many ways to let people know who you are and what you do. Article marketing is one of the best, but it takes some time to start working. You write a three hundred word article that discusses an aspect of your business. Submit that article to the free directories and it will circulate all over the internet.

Internet radio is another good way to use online marketing. Have someone interview you for thirty minutes to give you a chance to tell the world about your business. That recording can then be sent out as a podcast or given out as a link on your blog or website. This is a completely free service.

Blogging is probably one of the very best ways that you can market yourself and your business. Every time you make a post to your blog you give people another opportunity to find out more about you and what you do. Blogging also allows clients and prospects to make comments, bringing them in and involving them in the conversation.

Think of marketing as part of your daily routine and you will have as much business as you want, without having to think about it.

Download a free teleseminar on building your online business by visiting http://www.EbookWritingandMarketingSecrets.com to learn how to write articles, blog, become involved in social networking and learn the technology needed to build a profitable online business.

Connie Ragen Green has been online since 2005 and teaches people how to build their own online business in record time, offering free teleseminars weekly, as well as online courses in a workshop environment with webinars.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_Ragen_Green

For more information and support for business development, marketing, and networking, visit http://www.GalileoLS.com/consult.html for a free coaching consultation.

If nothing sticks to Teflon - how does Teflon stick to the pan?

2009-02-04T13:36:00.001-08:00

Teflon, the non-stick coating used on pots and pans, holds the title in the Guiness Book of World Records as being the slipperiest substance on earth.

Scientifically speaking, Teflon will not chemically bond to anything, but can be forced mechanically into small nooks and crannies. This slippery substance adheres to their surfaces once manufacturers sandblast them to roughen them, apply a primer, and embed the Teflon into the primer.

DuPont scientist, Dr. Roy Plunkett, accidentally created the recipe for Teflon in 1938, while attempting to produce a better coolant gas than the one currently on the market. In doing so, he toyed with different combinations of gases and, either accidentally or intentionally, left one batch of gasses in a container overnight. Upon arrival at work the following morning, he found that the gasses in the container had "vaporized," and in their stead, found a slippery, waxy solid, which remained intact when exposed to corrosive chemicals which normally eat through things with which they come into contact.

The substance Dr. Plunkett discovered in the container that day was tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a solid version of fluorocarbons, or freon. For pronunciation's sake, the doctor shortened the name for the substance to Teflon, but even the abbreviated name failed to nudge DuPont into production of the product.

In fact, DuPont waited until 1948, ten years after Teflon's discovery, before beginning its production for commercial applications.

As DuPont dragged its heels in launching Teflon, a Parisian named Marc Gregoire learned of it, and successfully applied it to his fishing tackle to prevent the line from tangling. At his wife's urging, he managed to apply Teflon to her pots and pans, and within several years, this entrepreneur sold in excess of one million Tefal (his name for Teflon) coated pots and pans.

The concept of Teflon coated pots and pans did not stick in America. When UPI reporter Thomas Hardie encountered one of these coated pans, when visiting a friend who had just returned from Paris, he saw a niche in the American market for the slick pots and pans, and immediately contacted Marc Gregoire in Paris. Hardie pitched these pots and pans to every major U.S. manufacturer of cooking utensils to no avail. His next move in his quest for a buyer was to import 3,000 of the pots and pans, with the goal of selling them to all major department stores. Once again, he hit a roadblock until, finally, he convinced a buyer at Macy's Herald Square to take 200 pans off of his hands. All sold within two days, despite a major snowstorm.

Hardie had finally arrived, and could not keep up with the demand for his product. While building a manufacturing plant to produce the product, other manufacturers of pots and pans took advantage of Hardie's moment of silence on the scene, seized the opportunity, and manufactured their own coated pots and pans.

Today, the use of Teflon coating is firmly embedded in America, and extends beyond pots and pans to include bakeware and other kitchen utensils. Hardie's initiative and staying power paid off handsomely.

Copyright © http://www.coolquiz.com.

Communication - How to Listen With Curiosity

2008-10-31T05:23:00.000-07:00

By Melinda Elliott

I'll be honest - until a few years ago I thought I was right most of the time. And not just about my life, but about what was best for others. I was humbled when I finally I stepped back and really listened to other people's ideas - I realized that while my conclusions and solutions might be right for me, they often weren't right for them.

In my first coaching class we were taught to "stay in curiosity"; to simply ask questions without drawing conclusions or trying to guide others to "see it our way". This was a rude awakening for many of the students in the class - we'd come to coaching because we felt we had wisdom to share. What I learned was that people's thoughts, perceptions and conclusions often had no resemblance to my own, and what I thought was right for them was often flat out wrong.

Staying in curiosity isn't just for coaches. Staying in curiosity will help you be a better partner, parent, boss, co-worker or team member. Learning to stay open with others is powerful for both you and them - you have the benefit of learning about others, and they have the treat of being really listened to with respect and openness.

Try these 5 tips for staying in curiosity:
1. Don't assume that you know what the other person is thinking or feeling.
It's true that when you've known someone a long time you might have a good idea about what's going on with them. But what's key here is that you might not. You might have been making incorrect assumptions about them for years! And we all change, what was true about someone yesterday might not be true today.

2. Listen
So often when someone is talking to us we are mentally crafting our replies, evaluating what they are saying, or, sometimes, we might even be off composing our grocery list.

To really listen:

Keep your mind clear of opinions, answers and conclusions. Seek to discover what information the speaker is providing.

Stay neutral, don't shift your focus to your emotional response or start trying to figure out solutions.

Let the other person finish, don't interrupt or jump in with your thoughts.

3. Don't provide solutions or give advice
Ouch! We all love to provide our insights to others, especially when we think we can help. And we may even be right some of the time! However, the fact is that all of us are much more inspired by solutions we design ourselves than those provided by others. There's a great deal of value to be gained by going through the process of figuring out what to do; we learn more about ourselves, the situation we are in, and how to succeed when we seek our own solutions.

4. Avoid soothing
It can be uncomfortable to listen to other's hurts and problems; we want to make their sorrow go away. Sometimes we try to sooth others with statements like "Everything will be ok." Or we inadvertently invalidate other's feelings with comments like "I know you're sad your best friend moved away, but you'll find other friends." As hard as it is, it's a wonderful gift to someone to just be there for them when they're in pain, and listen to them work though it without trying to fix things or make the hurt go away.

5. Stay curious
As people talk to you, get curious about what they are experiencing. The best curious questions are short and simple and are directed at the speaker's current experience and feelings. Some examples of curious questions - "How do you feel about what she said?", "What's the most stressful aspect of this situation?" or "What's your biggest concern?" Notice that none of the questions attempt to lead the speaker to a solution, they just allow space for them to process their experience.

Staying open when listening to others isn't easy. I still find myself dishing out unasked for advice, or cutting people off when I think I know what they are going to say. But really being curious is a lovely gift to give to others, and you'll be surprised what you can learn when you aren't stuck in your own preconceptions.

Test your knowledge of curious questions below. Identify whether each question or comment is:
A) Disguised advice B) Curious C) Soothing
1. Are you sure you don't want to do it this way?
2. I know it was bad, but it will be better tomorrow!
3. How did you react when he said that to you?
4. Oh don't say that - you know it isn't true!
5. What is important about this?
6. Do you think you should tell your manager?

Answers: 1 A, 2 C, 3 B, 4 C, 5 B, 6 A

© Melinda Elliott 2008
Melinda Elliott is a certified Life Coach who works with people to achieve the life they want. Through coaching, Melinda can help you leverage your strengths, smash your roadblocks, and create the life you're dreaming of. For more information or to request a free Sample Session, visit http://www.melindaelliottcoaching.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melinda_Elliott

For more information and support for creating the life and career you want visit http://www.GalileoLS.com/consult.html for a free coaching consultation.

Effective Communication - A Two Way Street

2008-10-31T05:22:00.001-07:00

By Michael Jeffreys

Effective communication involves several different aspects. Although verbal communication is the most common way that people correspond, there are many other specific characteristics involved in the interaction. Let's take listening, for instance. If someone is talking to another person, but the other person is distracted and isn't really 'hearing' what the speaker is saying, then communication is ineffective. Many people think that listening is simple, but it actually takes skill and practice in order to perfect it. No one is a born listener. A listener has to search for specific clues from a speaker. Verbal communication is often accentuated by body language, eye contact and paraphrasing and good listeners have to recognize when a speaker is using these characteristics to get their point across.

Sometimes body language says a lot more than words do when it comes to verbal communication. A person may claim to be listening to what someone is saying to them, but if the listener is bored or distracted while the other person is talking to them, then it will be quite obvious. The listener may appear to stare into space, not comment at appropriate times or may not even comment at all. However, being a good listener does not always involve commenting on what the speaker is saying. Sometimes it's not necessary for an individual to utter a single word in order to be considered an avid listener. In certain situations during verbal communication, the person speaking may be satisfied with the eye contact, head shakes, murmurs or the facial expressions of the listener. Body language is an essential part of communication and often determines the effectiveness of the verbal interaction.

Another extremely important aspect of verbal communication is eye contact. Eye contact is the perfect way to get someone's attention without using verbal communication. It's subtle yet effective. It doesn't matter if the people involved in the conversation are complete strangers, if the communication is to be effective; eye contact is a necessary part of the conversation. Without eye contact, two people can't connect on an emotional level, which makes the interaction useless. For example, how would a psychiatric patient feel if the psychiatrist never looked at them?

Paraphrasing is also essential during verbal communication. Paraphrasing is repeating what a person has just stated, although using a summarized version. The use of paraphrasing allows the speaker to accentuate specific and highly important portions of a conversation. It is often used to clarify direction or confirm agreement among all of the parties communicating. Paraphrasing is very useful to a listener, as well, because it allows the listener to key into specifically what the speaker believes are the most important portions of the topic they are discussing.

Communicating one's feelings is as much a learned skill as being a good listener. Some people have a difficult time properly expressing their feelings, which could adversely affect the verbal communication process by creating miscommunication and misunderstanding. No one is a mind reader. If a person only offers a listener partial information then there will undoubtedly be trouble at the end of the communication road.

There are two critical aspects to effective communication; properly expressing one's feeling to avoid misunderstandings and effective listening. If either of these keys to successful communication is missing, then the interaction won't go smoothly and there will be problems. Make sure that you are both a good listener and a good communicator.

Michael Jeffreys is the president of Seminars on DVD, a premiere provider of video based training for businesses and individuals, featuring renowned experts and speakers. Learn more at: http://www.SeminarsOnDVD.com
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Why Argue? Keeping the Lines of Communication Open

2008-10-31T05:20:00.000-07:00

By Dr. Jackie Black

A minor disagreement can get out of hand very quickly or a simple conversation can suddenly turn into a shouting match.

Why?
Because your fear of being abandoned, or disappointing your partner makes itself the primary consideration in the conversation.

Hearing another person's opinion or point of view can trigger the feeling of being invalidated, and for many people, it's a signal that ridicule, criticism or judgment is on the way!

Good communication is telling your truth about YOU to others and being congruent -- within yourself.
Being congruent is a process in which you value yourself; you take ownership of your thoughts and feelings, and your resources and choices; honor and express your deepest knowing about yourself and be sure that what you say and how you say it match what you are feeling.
vThere are three major reasons that men and women don't communicate effectively.

First and foremost, most people do not identify their feelings accurately.

Secondly, it is very difficult for most people to find the right words to express how they feel.

Lastly, if they do know how they feel and if they have a few words to accurately express how they feel, most lack the courage to let anybody know.

Does this sound like you or others you know? Identifying your feelings, finding the right words to express your feelings and mustering the courage to actually express your feelings to another person really isn't so complicated.

Don't avoid saying what is in your heart or on your mind to say.
Don't hide your worries because you don't want your partner to know that you are not in control.

Don't hide your hopes and dreams because you are afraid no one will share your excitement.

When you stay emotionally intelligent and emotionally available the lines of communication stay open. Create a safe and supportive place to tell each other the truth mindfully, responsibly and respectfully and always remember that the foundation of your relationship is built on good will and good intention.

Remember, only You can make it happen!

Copyright Dr. Jackie Black 2008
This article may be re-published with appropriate attribution to the author including name, web site, and email address.
If you like this article and would like to take advantage of more sage relationship advice, please click on the author link above where you can read Dr. Jackie's Extended Author Bio.
Dr. Jackie is the author of Meeting Your Match (http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail~bookid~39827.aspx) - Cracking the Code to Successful Relationships written to support men and women who are committed to learning and practicing essential relationship success skills.
Dr. Jackie Black:http://www.drjackieblack.com/
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Virtual-Team Management

2008-10-31T05:16:00.000-07:00

By Richard Mclaughlin

Workplace Communication
As the example above should show, you have to contact every member of your team regularly. How often is regular? Often enough that they feel comfortable with you. Communication can be email, telephone, a face-to-face visit, or a text message on a cell phone. It can also be a hand written message delivered through office mail. I used to ask people in my company that were going to the country where my team members were to deliver something. Anything. A baseball cap with the company logo and something written in French, accompanied by a signed note.

Invent opportunities to get your team together.
This works best when it is the entire team, but if you can only do parts, make sure that the people that don't attend the first meeting do get to attend the second. I had 3 of a 5 person team traveling one seek and they were all passing through Munich. One of my team members worked in Munich. I sent the 4th person, from the UK, to Munich and had everyone stay for a one-day meeting that I could not attend. I was there by phone and videoconference, but was not able to be there in person. The team found this to be one of the most productive meetings, I suppose because they could easily mute me and talk "behind my back" before coming up with a collective answer. This also did wonders for the team building trust in each other.

At any meeting, encourage team members to share difficulties and successes. I always brought up that I am and American in France, I have language issues like they do. I told of operations that I had. I have physical problems like some did. Try very hard to make sure your team knows that you are not a faultless person, part of the trust that you gain will come from honest and open communication.

Keep everyone up to date and aware of what is expected of him or her. Don't let any of them feel they are 'remote'. An essential element of your communication plan is...

Regular conference calls
I hate conference calls. But they are important for the team. If you have a team spread across countries, keep up to date on the working hours and holidays in the different countries. In France, calling a meeting after 7 in the evening is bad. In Holland, calling a meeting after 5 is considered bad.

National holidays differ. Use Microsoft Outlook, they have a feature that lets you choose to list different country and religious holidays. Take extra care when dealing with religious holidays.

Learn when your team has their weekend. There are some countries that don't have the Saturday and Sunday weekend. I was part of a team that called a meeting every Friday afternoon. Certain people on that call (who attended every call) were on their weekend. When I was asked to host the call for a month I set it for Sunday afternoon. There were a lot of people that didn't want to attend the weekend call, but after that odd month we never had a Friday call again.

Publish a schedule of calls, make them at the same time and day so that your team can build a schedule around them. Conference calls need to be run like any other meetings but with stronger control. Have an agenda and stick to it. Don't let the conversation drift, be careful about people that are native language speakers and tend to talk a lot. Repeat in appropriate terms any comment that may be confusing to people who don't speak the main language of the call.

Use video conferencing when you can. There are new products that focus on the speaker; very useful. At the beginning and end of a video call make sure to go around the virtual table and ask everyone to speak. This gives everyone at least 2 chances to speak up.

Cultural Differences
Be very aware of cultural differences. Some cultures don't say no, or find it hard to say no. Different cultures have different expectations of the managers. Even when you have a common language, some things are understood differently in different parts of the world.

Conclusion
Building trust is the most important aspect of managing a virtual or remote team. Cultural differences will possibly bring up the greatest trust issues and you really have to work on these.

Make sure that you have developed a sense of rapport with each member of your team before a group meeting, if possible. I have twice been made manager of groups, and no one except me was aware of the change until we were in a group meeting. If this happens, make sure you are as short and to the point as you can be, and use that first meeting to schedule time with each person on your team before the meeting has ended.

Visit Richard McLaughlin (http://richardmclaughlin.biz/)
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The Vietnam Veterans Memorial

2008-10-31T05:07:00.000-07:00

Congress authorized the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to be constructed in the Constitution Gardens of Washington, D.C., on July 1, 1980.

That fall a contest, open to United States citizens over eighteen, was announced to find a design for the memorial. A jury of eight anonymous artists voted on the 1,421 entries submitted. The winner was, then twenty-one year old college student, Maya Ying Lin of Ohio.

Ground was formally broken on March 26, 1982, with the life-sized sculpture of the servicemen, designed by Frederick Hart, being installed in the fall of 1984. Once it had been completed, President Ronald Regan formally accepted the memorial on behalf of the nation on November 11, 1984.

In 1979, when the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Inc. decided to petition for a memorial, they set out four criteria: the monument had to be reflective and contemplative, it had to blend with its surrounding, it had to contain the names of all those who died or were missing, and finally it could make no political statement about the war.

The design Maya Ying Lin came up with did all those things. On the polished black granite of the monument are the 58,209 names of those who died during the war, listed in order from the first casualty to the last. Included in this number are the names of the 1,150 people who were not confirmed dead and were listed as missing and unaccounted for at the end of the war.

Those confirmed dead have a diamond placed by their name on the wall. Those who were reported missing bear a cross next to their name. If they return alive, a circle is placed around the cross to symbolize life. If their remains are returned or their death is confirmed, a diamond is placed around the cross.

Visitors leave thousands of mementos and flowers at the memorial each year as a remembrance to those who are gone or missing. Every night members of the National Park Service collect the mementos left and deliver them to the Smithsonian Museum who displays them on a rotating basis in the National History Museum.

Did you know?

Every Sunday morning the monument is cleaned by a different group of veterans.

The letters are 0.53 inches high, and were grit blasted in 0.038 inches.

The walls, bearing the names, are 246.75 feet long.

The granite used in the monument came from Bangalore, India, and was cut and fabricated in Barre, Vermont.

The Simple Life - How to Live It

2008-09-13T17:31:00.000-07:00

By Justin Lukasavige

Often times I meet with people who claim they are too busy to maintain their finances, search for a better career or even clean their own home. While I agree that paying a cleaning service $60 per month is a great idea if you could better use that time with family or make more money during that hour, you really do need to carve out the time to take charge of your life.

Take balancing your checkbook for example. In its simplest form, balancing a checkbook consumes minutes each day. If you use Quicken or Money it may take even less. The problem usually lies in the amount of time required to initially set up any system. So how do you find the time?

That just happens to be an easy answer; you don't find the time. You cannot make the time either. We all have the exact same 168 hours available each week. Making more time is impossible. The answer to this question lies in prioritizing.

Is it more important to watch a movie or TV when you come home from work, or to take a walk with your family or even develop your household budget for the first time? What about getting out of the rut you have been in for the past seven years and find a career you are passionate about? It all comes down to prioritizing.

Make a list of everything you want to do during your week. Make sure to include not only work on your finances, resume, job searches, cleaning, working, eating and driving, but also family time, exercise and personal development.

At the top of the list put the most important thing in your life and begin to work backwards. No time left at the end of the day for TV? You either have to reprioritize and put TV higher (hopefully not at the cost of something more important) or you don't get to watch TV.

It has literally been months since I have seen even thirty seconds worth of TV. I cannot tell you what is happening on the latest reality TV show, but I can tell you that I am passionate about what I do for a living. I also know exactly where every dollar of my family's income goes. Set your priorities straight and the rest will follow.

Justin Lukasavige is a Life Coach, and owner of Lukas Coaching. You can view more free articles, download free books, and become a member of the Reader's Group at no cost by visiting http://www.lukascoaching.com Career & Life Coaching

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Top Tips For Living a Happy Life

2008-09-13T17:30:00.000-07:00

By Paul Mcindoe

We all want to be happy in life but the daily grind, everyday worries and even the weather can get you down and cause you to lose track of what it's all about. However there are many things you can do to brighten up your days.

Here are some tips on how to make the most out of life.

Make more time for your friends and family:
Spending time with the people you care about can make you feel great and help you put things into perspective. Reminiscing about great times in the past or discussing future plans can really give you a boost.

Seize the Day:
The general feeling in the UK is that we work too hard and don't spend enough time doing other things. If you've always wanted to do a particular thing like write a novel or join your local theatre company then now is the time.

Look After Your Health:
Eat well, exercise and take care of your mind and body. There's nothing wrong with letting your hair down every once in a while and you'll enjoy these times even more if they are the exception rather than the rule.

Don't Get Stuck in a Rut:
It's easy to get bogged down and caught in a cycle of working, watching TV and sleeping, for example, but you don't have to settle for anything you don't want to.

Travel:
Seeing new places, experiencing new things and meeting new people can really help to broaden your horizons and give you a new happier perspective on life.

Set Yourself Goals:
No matter how difficult or unachievable you think they are, setting yourself targets in life and reaching them can give you an enormous confidence boost and also improve your overall happiness.

Think About Others:
Donating money to those less fortunate than you or spending time with them can be an incredibly positive experience that helps you really appreciate everything you have in your own life.

Concentrate on the Present:
It may sound corny but living for today is one of the best ways to reduce worry and anxiety from your life and can make you happier as a result. Worrying about what may happen is wasted energy as none of us can predict the future.

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone:
Every once in a while you might want to do something that would normally terrify you. Why? This can build up your self confidence and prove to yourself that you can do anything you want if you put your mind to it.

Don't Be Too Hard on Yourself:
Everyone makes mistakes; some more frequently than others. But punishing yourself for being human is not the way to go. View every mistake as a learning experience and look forward with a positive attitude.

Peace of mind can be just as important as happiness for many people and having savings in the bank or arranging a home insurance quote to ensure you're protected against unexpected events can give you less to worry about.

Paul McIndoe writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Mcindoe

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