tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35733649100827833142024-03-13T14:25:51.316-07:00wanderlustheidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.comBlogger320125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-62469166786610538952017-03-05T18:19:00.000-08:002017-03-05T18:19:17.796-08:00Supplements for all ages- excerpt from MY DomaineIn Your 20s<br />
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<strong>Multivitamin </strong><br />
"With your fast-paced life, you're probably not eating enough of the right foods, which is why a <a href="https://www.lifesabundance.com/Category/Products/People/Multi-Vitamin.aspx?realname=20209392&cat=4&hdr=&Ath=True&Category=Multivitamin_v11(People_Base)" target="_blank">multivitamin</a> is so vital. But you're not alone. Four out of five people don't get the recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals through food alone. Taking this once a day will cover all your bases."<br />
<strong>Omega-3s</strong><br />
"<a href="https://www.lifesabundance.com/People/Omega3Research.aspx?realname=&cat=0&hdr=&Ath=False" target="_blank">Research shows</a> that omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish oil can significantly improve heart health and thus reduce the risk of heart disease. Their anti-inflammatory properties also enhance cognitive performance, which is what you'll need during those college years. The earlier you start taking this, the better."<br />
<strong>Plant Protein</strong><br />
"Since you're still growing, you'll need protein to keep up your energy. A plant protein is a great option if you need a boost, and it's low-touch, perfect for those years when you're still learning to cook."</div>
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In Your 30s</div>
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<strong>Vitamin C</strong><br />
"Now is the time you need to boost immune system with vitamin C from citrus foods or supplements. They act as antioxidants to fight disease-causing free radicals that cause aging."<br />
<strong>Probiotics</strong><br />
"They are the healthy bacteria in your gut. <a href="https://www.lifesabundance.com/Category/Products/People/Probiotic.aspx?realname=20209392&cat=4&hdr=&Ath=True&Category=Probiotic_v11(People_Base)" target="_blank">Probiotics</a> help your immune system as well as overall your health."<br />
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In Your 40s<br />
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<strong>Omega-3s</strong><br />
"Up the omega-3s from <a href="https://www.lifesabundance.com/Category/Products/People/FishOil/FishOilCapsules.aspx?realname=&cat=4&hdr=&Ath=True&Category=FishOilCapsules_v11(People_Base)" target="_blank">fish oils</a>, walnuts, and flaxseeds. These will help fight inflammation of the skin and continue to help fight wrinkles."<br />
<strong>Vitamin C </strong><br />
"Just like in your 30s, vitamin C (whether it's from citrus fruits or supplements) will help increase collagen in your skin to increase elasticity and fight disease."</div>
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In Your 50s</div>
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<strong>Choline</strong><br />
"You need brain food to keep your brain sharp and <a href="http://amzn.to/2lx4gri" target="_blank">choline</a>, found in the yolk of eggs, is much-needed to help with cell communication in the brain. It has also been shown to help people with Alzheimer's."<br />
<strong>Fish Oil</strong><br />
"DHA found in fish oil makes up the largest part of the gray matter in the brain, which helps with cell communication. It has also been shown to reduce the chance of dementia."<br />
<strong>Antioxidants</strong><br />
"These essential help to <a href="http://amzn.to/2lH7xGq" target="_blank">fight free radicals</a> that damage our brain cells and support a healthy immune system."</div>
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heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-47866529857171515752015-06-24T16:37:00.000-07:002015-06-24T16:38:09.482-07:00MONEY Tip- When Money *Can* Bring You Happiness: 3 Cutting-Edge Researchers Share Their Secretsby Molly Triffin<br />
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You’ve heard the refrain countless times: Money can’t buy happiness.</div>
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Or love, Or class for that matter.</div>
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But a wave of new research suggests that cash can indeed increase your pleasure—if you manage it the right way.</div>
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n fact, the influence of money on well-being is such a hot topic that experts around the country have devoted their studies to it.</div>
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Want a peek at what some of them have discovered?</div>
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We asked three researchers who spend their days delving into the ties between money and satisfaction to divulge their most intriguing revelations—and explain how you can leverage their insights to get happier.</div>
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Professor Michael Norton Says … Spend on Others to Be Happy</h2>
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A professor of business administration at Harvard Business School, Norton has an interest in the intersection between finance and personal satisfaction that stems from his diverse academic experience.</div>
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After earning a Ph.D. in psychology, Norton received a fellowship to study business at the MIT Media Lab and the Sloan School of Management.</div>
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“Considering how much time people spend thinking about how to increase money and happiness, [I wanted] to figure out the relationship between the two,” the co-author of “Happy Money” explains. “[I wanted to know], when it comes to how we spend, are we getting it right?”</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">His Key Findings</strong> Initially, Norton, 40, uncovered that people spend most of their money on themselves.</div>
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“But my fellow researchers and I thought maybe this wasn’t the best way—that an outsized focus on the self might be part of the reason why having more money doesn’t necessarily make us happier,” Norton says.</div>
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To test his hypothesis, Norton designed a study in 2008 in which participants rated their happiness before being handed an envelope containing cash. Half were instructed to spend the money on a personal expense or gift for themselves; the rest</div>
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were told to donate it or buy a gift for someone else.</div>
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The results? Those who gave the money away reported higher levels of satisfaction, whereas those who spent on themselves weren’t any happier.</div>
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Curious to understand the implications, Norton conducted a few more experiments.</div>
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In one, Belgian salespeople received 15 euros to spend either on themselves or on a co-worker. In another, recreational dodgeball players were asked to use $20 for their own purposes or for a teammate’s.</div>
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Time and again, people who gave money away reported increased happiness compared with the control group.</div>
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Not only that, but their <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">performance</em> improved. For every $10 a salesperson spent on herself, the employer reaped $3 in sales—but every $10 employees spent on <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">co-workers</em> translated to $52 in sales.</div>
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Likewise, charitable dodgeball teams scored more goals. Every $10 spent selfishly led to a 2% decrease in wins, but $10 spent on teammates increased them by 11%.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How to Boost Your Own Bliss</strong> While any degree of generosity will up your joy, some kinds of giving are more powerful than others. “The closer you are to the recipient, the happier you’ll be,” Norton says.</div>
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So buying flowers for your mom has a greater effect than, say, contributing to a stranger’s Kickstarter campaign.</div>
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And while the amount you spend doesn’t influence your happiness, Norton says, the<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">impact</em> of your contribution does.</div>
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For example, when it comes to charitable giving, you’ll get the most bliss for your buck if you donate to organizations that create a personal link between the giver and the recipient, such as Kiva or Adopt a Child.</div>
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But regardless of who you give to, try to make it a habit. “The happiness surge you feel from a one-time gift eventually wears off, but people who chronically give are happier overall,” Norton says.</div>
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Professor Cassie Mogilner Says … Shell Out for Experiences to Be Happy</h2>
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In 2004, when Mogilner was working her tail off as a marketing Ph.D. candidate at Stanford, she perpetually found herself strapped for cash <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and</em> time.</div>
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“In business school, there’s so much attention focused on the bottom line,” says Mogilner, an associate professor of marketing at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. “But I realized that, for me, time felt like a much more precious resource than money.”</div>
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Intrigued, she began to channel her research efforts toward investigating the association between time, money and happiness.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Her Key Findings</strong> Over the past 10 years, Mogilner, 35, has found that time is a significant happiness predictor because, more so than your possessions, how you spend your spare hours reveals your interests and unique “you-ness.”</div>
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Just look at social media: People share photos of weddings, vacations and delicious dinners—but you don’t see many posts about trips to the mall.</div>
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To that point, Mogilner has also investigated how long we enjoy the mental boost that comes from temporal experiences versus material goods. “We get used to a new pair of shoes very quickly—it’s a phenomenon known as hedonic adaptation"</div>
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So while you might be psyched about your new boots at first, before long, they’re relegated to the back of the closet. Instead of being a source of joy, they now serve a purely functional purpose.</div>
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“In contrast, we adapt more slowly to experiences,” Mogilner says. “The way we spend time becomes a part of our memories—our personal narrative.”</div>
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People also tend to feel less regret after shelling out for a good time, adds Mogilner.</div>
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“After you spend $100 on a dress, you can see the other dresses you didn’t buy right there in the store,” she explains. “But if you spend $100 at a restaurant, you’re less likely to second-guess your decision because you can’t see the alternative meals you passed up.”</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How to Boost Your Own Bliss </strong>Mogilner’s latest research focuses on the concept of buying more positive time—such as renting an apartment closer to work as opposed to buying a luxury car in which to commute.</div>
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“Our lives are the sum of our experiences, so we should be supremely deliberate in spending our time in the best and happiest ways possible,” she says.</div>
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Her preliminary findings? People are more satisfied when they outsource a chore anyone can do, like cleaning the house or picking up dry-cleaning.</div>
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And when it comes to deciding how to use the time you’ve just freed up, Mogilner says you can maximize your happiness by keeping a few points in mind.</div>
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“Activities with a social aspect have the strongest effect,” she says, pointing to things like a family picnic, a concert with friends or a date night with your spouse. “Social activities increase happiness because they cultivate relationships with others—and having strong, stable connections with others is the most important ingredient for well-being.”</div>
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Another satisfaction inducer, she says, is experiencing out-of-the-ordinary events—such as taking a vacation somewhere new and exciting—which will have a greater impact on happiness than everyday pleasures.</div>
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Speaking of vacations, you can get even more happiness bang for your buck if you book your trip well in advance.</div>
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Research published in the journal Applied Research in Quality of Life found that just anticipating a getaway is as enjoyable as the trip itself. So start planning your winter break—now!</div>
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Professor Jeffrey Dew Says … Get on the Same Financial Page With Your Partner to Be Happy</h2>
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Fifteen years ago, Dew and his wife were colleagues in the mental health field, but partway into his career, Dew had a change of heart and decided to enroll at Penn State for a dual Ph.D. in human development and family studies.</div>
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His transition back to student life had major consequences: He and his wife lost their benefits <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and</em> half their income.</div>
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“I wondered how the change in our financial situation might impact us as a couple,” says the 38-year-old Dew, who’s now an associate professor in the department of family, consumer and human development at Utah State University. “I looked at the scientific literature, and found that not many researchers had asked this question.”</div>
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So he decided to explore it himself—ultimately uncovering a major connection between money and marital happiness.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">His Key Findings</strong> In 2012, Dew and his colleagues analyzed data after following married couples over the course of five years. In an initial survey, the spouses were asked how often they fought about various topics, including money, chores, intimacy and time spent together.</div>
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Dew was particularly curious to see if any of those arguments correlated to divorce rates, and found a striking trend: For men, money fights were the only conflict that predicted a split. For women, money and intimacy were equally loaded—but financial disputes were a much stronger divorce determinant.</div>
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In fact, couples who argued about money several times per week were 37% more likely to divorce than those who only had financial spats once a month.</div>
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Why are finances such a fraught subject? Dew has a few guesses.</div>
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“Money fights are frequently a stand-in for bigger relationship issues,” he explains. “On the surface, an argument might appear to be about overspending, but underneath, it’s a struggle over trust or power.”</div>
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Plus, if you’re under financial duress, there’s likely an added layer of stress to a relationship—and that can take a serious toll.</div>
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So Dew and his team did a follow-up study in 2013 with 450 married and cohabiting couples, with the goal of determining how happy couples combat financial pressures.</div>
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“We looked at the frequency of their financial management behaviors, such as creating a joint budget and putting money aside for retirement,” he says. “[And what we found is that] the more often couples engaged in sound financial practices together, the more likely they were to be happy.”</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How to Boost Your Own Bliss</strong> The secret to happiness, according to Dew, is to get on the same financial page with your partner by opening the lines of communication as soon as possible.</div>
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That’s not to say you have to agree on <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">everything</em>. “Most issues can be worked through, although it will take compromise from both sides,” Dew says.</div>
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Dew’s suggestion: Commit to regular money dates—be it monthly or quarterly.</div>
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“And try sandwiching these financial discussions between two enjoyable activities, so that they’re less stressful,” Dew says. Consider opening a bottle of wine while you go over the numbers, and then head to dinner or a movie afterward.</div>
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One thing to focus on during your money date nights? A financial goal that’s meaningful to both of you, such as saving for a dream trip to Hawaii two years from now or paying off your house by 2020.</div>
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“It’s so easy for money to drive people apart,” Dew says. “But by having a shared objective, you can instead use it to bring you closer together.”</div>
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heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-51246407305829213932015-06-07T13:57:00.000-07:002015-06-07T13:57:12.103-07:00RELATIONSHIP Tip- 7 Traditional Dating Rules You Can Actually Use Today by Gabi Conti<br />
photo by 3dwallpaperviews.blogspot<br />
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"Do this." "Don't do that." It seems like every time you log in to Facebook, flip through a magazine, gossip with your friends, or text your mom, there it is: dating advice you didn't ask for. <br />
So you doubt yourself. Are you doing this whole dating thing right? After all, you're still single. Maybe Wednesday's date never called because you were playing too hard to get?<br />
With a plethora of advice out there, how do we decide which advice to do and which to ditch? Well, that's up to you. Only you can really decide what works and what doesn't. Rules of dating are hard to define because every relationship is different. Just like how the things your ex liked are probably not the same as the things your current lover adores. <br />
But we can always learn from our past. So let's take a glance at the traditional rules of dating and uncover what we should do and what we should ditch. <br />
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Wait Three Days</h2>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">The Rule:</span></b> You meet someone, you like that person, you wait three days before you make contact in hopes of not appearing "too desperate." <br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Do</span></b>: Maintain some space. You just met this person. And even if you convince yourself this is your new soul mate that you can say anything to, you don't want to scare him or her away by appearing too needy or desperate. Show interest, but keep some air of mystery. Watch your blue-to-gray ratio with your texts. You want to have something to talk about on your first date!<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Ditch</span></b>: Taking this rule too literally. If he or she also gave you their number, they want to hear from you. We are a generation who loves nothing more than instant gratification. Sure, we remember what it was like waiting for dial-up, but now that we can get everything instantly, we never want to wait again. If you like someone, reach out. Make a plan. Life is too short. With Tinder and other dating apps, options are at our fingertips, literally.<br />
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Play Hard to Get</h2>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">The Rule:</span></b> Everyone likes a challenge. <br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Do</span></b>: Have a little bit of a chase. I'm not saying you need to go out of your way to be unavailable to this person, but not always being at their beck and call proves you have a life outside of them, which will make you more attractive. After all, you're not looking for your other half. That's codependency. You're a whole person, and you should be looking for another whole that you mutually complement, challenge, and bring out the best in. <br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Ditch</span></b>: Being mean. Have a sense of humor but not always at your date's expense. Playing hard to get shouldn't mean hurting the other person. If they ask you out, and you want to hang out with them, don't say no for the sole purpose of "playing the game." Again, there are other options out there. And if your partner is attracted to meanness, well, that's a whole other issue. <br />
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It's Not a Date Unless They Go All-Out</h2>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">The Rule:</span></b> Wine and dine at the best restaurant in town, cause you're worth it. <br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Do</span></b>: Make an effort in planning a date. There's nothing worse than picking up a planned date and then not having a plan. Not only is it annoying for both parties (especially if you're hungry), it reads that you're not respectful of your date's time. If you ask someone out, you should have a plan. <br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Ditch</span></b>: Dating out of your means. You don't have to break the bank to impress your date. You want the date and your location to be a reflection of you, a place where you feel comfortable and your date will be at ease too. It doesn't have to be the hottest or most expensive restaurant in town. That's like two dozen long-stem roses on Valentine's Day — it's cliché and unimaginative. With social media, you have the resources to find out your date's interests before the big night. If you can cater your evening to something you'll both enjoy, you'll have a great time. <br />
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Always Get Your Friends' Approval</h2>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">The Rule:</span></b> Always ask for your friends' advice before you have any contact with your date. <br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Do</span></b>: Get your friends' advice. If this date turns into something long-term, of course it's important for your significant other to get along with your friends. After all, your friends are a reflection of you and have probably known you much longer than the person you're dating. <br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Ditch</span></b>: Assuming that your friends' advice is the be-all and end-all. Pretty sure your date asked you and not your five closest friends out. So trust your gut, say what you need to say, BE YOU. Take what your friends say with a grain of salt, especially if they're also single. <br />
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Never Accept a Last-Minute Date</h2>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">The Rule:</span></b> You don't want to be too available. <br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Do</span></b>: Respect yourself and your time. If your date asks you out on a last-minute date and you have plans with your friends or something work-related, don't drop everything and run to your date. I've done this before, and most of the time you end up regretting it. <br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Ditch</span></b>: Being totally against spontaneity. If your schedule is clear, sometimes last-minute dates can be the best. There's no anticipation. No stressing out about the perfect outfit. You just go. And if that date is terrible, well, it beats not doing anything. <br />
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Always Be Together</h2>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">The Rule:</span></b> The more time you spend together, the closer you'll become. <br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Do</span></b>: Be more open-minded with dating. It's more important to be with someone that you really enjoy spending time with rather than someone who is just simply your type. The relationships that tend to flourish are the ones where the line between significant other and best friend is blurred. Dating should be fun. After all, it's called love, not hate.<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Ditch</span></b>: The mentality that dating someone means you must be attached at the hip. You should have a life and interests outside of your significant other, or else you will drive each other insane and then ultimately apart. <br />
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Have High Standards</h2>
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">The Rule:</span></b> If you see a red flag, RUN! <br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Do</span></b>: Be able to identify toxic behavior and real red flags. For example: your date doesn't respect you, is rude, and doesn't treat others well. <br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Ditch</span></b>: Being overly picky and negative about your date. Have an open mind. The "I only date over 6 foot" mind-set is only hurting you. Let your material standards slip and see your date for who that person really is. <br />
The bottom line is technology has really changed the dating field. You can learn something from all of these traditional dating rules. But at the end of the day, it's you and your date. You decide when to call, you decide what to text back, and you decide if there will be a second date. Every relationship is different, but you're the same. Do what makes you happy. Be true to yourself. No dating article is going to have all the answers; rather, they have clues to help you figure it out on your own. Learn what you can from "rules," break them, and make your own. The right person will like you for you. <br />
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heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-27728478084147049282015-06-04T15:27:00.002-07:002015-06-04T15:28:51.928-07:00MONEY Tip-9 Money Habits That Can Help You Build Wealth<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: proxima-nova, Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0.25em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
by Marissa Torrieri</div>
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While a six-figure inheritance or high-paying job can land you in the top 1% of earners, it’s the little things—your money habits—that often make the difference between a life of prosperity and one of constant financial stress.</div>
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Just ask Learnvest Planning Services CFP® David Blaylock, who doesn’t simply advise his clients on the merits of good money habits—he practices what he preaches.</div>
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For example, “I do a periodic review of all the subscriptions I have—the ones that hit my credit cards each month,” says Blaylock. “You’d be surprised at how many subscriptions we all have and how many go unused. You could create some significant savings each month just by looking at those things.”</div>
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Taking inventory of your recurring subscriptions and services is just one habit that can get you on the road to better fortune.</div>
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“If you look at the average amount of money you will earn over your lifetime, and figure out how many years you are working—most people earn more than a million dollars over their working life but very few people become millionaires,” says Nancy Butler, a Certified Financial Planner™. “How they manage what goes through their fingers usually makes the difference.”</div>
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So what are these easy changes that can help move you further along the road to prosperity? We asked two financial planners for their favorites.</div>
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1. Reverse Your Thinking</h2>
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We know: After taxes are taken out and the bills are paid, your paycheck can seem a little anemic—which can make the idea of having to save for retirement too seem like a real stretch. But to build wealth, a change in mindset is required. Namely, instead of spending the rest of your take-home pay, you'd actually take another cut of your paycheck and put it toward your biggest financial goals.</div>
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“Most people spend some money, pay their bills and save what’s left," says Butler. "And that’s backwards: You should be saving for your financial goals first, paying your bills and and then consider spending the money you have leftover.” Another trap is putting your good money habits off till "later," when life will get easier. The thing is, somehow the minute your income increases, the demands on your money seem to as well.</div>
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Now, keep in mind, we're not suggesting you sock all of your money away and live on rice cakes. As Blaylock puts it: “I’m not asking you to put $1,000 away a month, I’m asking you to put away $50, or a small amount that you can afford. We really can’t underestimate the power of starting small, because most of the time that momentum builds, and once we see progress, we tend to repeat behaviors.”</div>
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<a href="https://www.learnvest.com/s/get-started/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #00ace9; cursor: pointer; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a></div>
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2. Look Where You Want to Go</h2>
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Just as performance athletes imagine themselves making the shot over and over again—check out this study for how goal setting improves motivation in athletes—knowing what you want your money to do for you gives your goals a better chance of being reached.</div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">To get going on saving for the future, financial experts often suggest having a five-year plan, where you create specific money goals you’d like to achieve in five years and what you need to achieve those goals. (That is the goal of </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.learnvest.com/personal-financial-planning-program/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">LearnVest's 5-Year Planner</a>.</span><span style="color: #666666;">) For example, saving six months of income for an emergency fund, or saving for a big event, like a down payment on a house.</span></div>
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“Anytime we have a specific goal in mind, that helps us to save,” says Blaylock. “Whether that goal is emergency savings, or saving for a trip, or saving for college, it doesn’t matter.”</div>
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3. Adopt Your Own Private Mind Tricks</h2>
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What if not spending $1,000 on a designer purse or new must-have gadget were as easy as following a rule that dictates you can’t spend more than $300 on something that isn’t essential to your life? The good news is you can create financial rules just like that for yourself; in fact, doing so can be a great habit to get into.</div>
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Also known as “heuristics,” these rule-of-thumb strategies we create for ourselves—such as not spending more than $15 on an item of baby clothing, or more than $50 on a pair of shoes—can help simplify the many choices we make in a day. Behavioral economists believe that adopting good heuristics can help one develop good money habits (see this piece for more on how and why they work).</div>
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If creating a great heuristic seems like an overwhelming task, Blaylock suggests starting with something simple, such as eating out only twice a week, or “not getting a cart at Target,” a heuristic that helped one of his colleagues save money.</div>
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4. Live Like a "Secret" Rich Person</h2>
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For some, the image of a millionaire conjures visions of sprawling mansions and shiny Bentleys. But most millionaires don’t live large like that—rather, they tend to live well below their “means” and do more saving than spending. In other words, they’re not flashing their money, according to Dr. Thomas J. Stanley, co-author of "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Next-Thomas-Stanley-Ph-D-ebook/dp/B00CLT31D6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399493423&sr=1-1&keywords=the+millionare+nextdoor" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #00ace9; cursor: pointer; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy</a>." Stanley’s book, which details more than two decades worth of surveys and personal interviews with millionaires, reveals that much of the wealth in America is more often the result of hard work, diligent savings, and living below your means.</div>
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Las Vegas–based David Sapper, who owns a successful used car business and his real-estate broker wife make a combined income of $500,000 per year. Yet they live like “secret” rich people, only spending $2,500 per month on all bills and extracurricular expenses like eating out, unlike many of their peers. By putting 90% of his income into savings and investments, Sapper says he’ll be able to retire early.</div>
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"David Sapper, who owns a successful used car business, and his real-estate broker wife make a combined income of $500,000 per year. Yet they live like 'secret' rich people."</div>
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His advice? “Find the point that you get what you need and you’re happy and comfortable, and just stay there," says Sapper. “I had an ‘aha!’ moment when I was watching MTV, and LL Cool J was saying, ‘I lease a Honda Accord for $399 a month,’ while other rappers are going broke.”</div>
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5. Tackle Retirement Now</h2>
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If you’re in your twenties or thirties, retirement can seem eons away—and saving for it might not seem like a priority. It’s easy to understand: In between paying to attend weddings (which average something like $600 per guest), saving for a down payment on a home, and using anything leftover to put toward “necessities” like vacation, how are you supposed to save anything for retirement?</div>
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Unfortunately the later you start saving, the more you’ll have to save. But the sooner you sock money away, the more time it has to compound and grow.</div>
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If, for example, you’re 30 and putting $50 a month into a retirement account with a 7% rate of return, that $50 a month would turn into $56,000 in 30 years, says Blaylock. Should you wait to age 40, you would need to contribute $110 per month to get to that same goal. This is because your money has less time to grow which minimizes the impact of compound interest.<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong>(For more on compound interest and why losing time on retirement can hurt you, check out “The Secret of Retirement Savings: You Cant make up for Lost Time"</div>
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6. Know What's Coming in, and What's Going Out</h2>
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Most of us have good intentions when it comes to saving money. But if you don’t know what’s coming into your bank account and what’s going out, chances are you don’t know how much you can devote to your goals. And most people generally don’t track their income and spending, says Blaylock. “It really is shocking to me that clients I work with don’t always review their pay stub,” he says.</div>
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You can track your expenses for free with an app like Learnvest's that helps you budget, set goals and save. Remember: Knowledge is the first step to lasting change.</div>
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“If I don’t know how much you spend on eating out, how can I expect you to change that?” says Blaylock. “You kind of have to become the chief financial officer of your household.”</div>
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7. Getting Out of Debt</h2>
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Everyone has debt at some point in their life. But if you have bad debt—not student loans and mortgages, but credit card debt, where you’re paying high monthly interest rates—nixing it and getting out of the habit of being a debtor—should be priority number one. “I want somebody to develop a plan to have them out of that debt in 36 months or less,” says Blaylock. “It’s hindering you from making progress on your other goals.”</div>
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At the same time, emergencies happen—and a $600 car repair can hit anytime. That’s why Blaylock advises putting half the money you could put into paying down debt into an emergency savings account. So, for example, instead of paying $600 toward credit card debt, consider putting $300 toward emergency savings and $300 toward credit card payments. While this means it will take longer to get out of credit card debt, you’ll have money stored up for an emergency.</div>
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“Credit card debt is a result of the ‘uh-oh’ moments,” says Blaylock. “We still don’t have any savings built up because we put it all toward our credit card. So while you’re also working to pay your credit card down, you should consider putting an equal amount to an emergency savings account. I often tell clients that their emergency savings are their insurance policy against falling into credit card debt ever again."</div>
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After you get out of debt, Butler suggests only having one credit card, and come to an agreement with yourself (or your significant other) that it will only be used during an emergency. “Let’s say the car broke down and you can’t fix it—that’s an emergency,” says Butler. “Something’s on sale, and I know I’m going to need it in six months—that’s not an emergency.”</div>
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8. Increasing Your Earnings</h2>
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There are two ways to increase your net worth: Spend less or save more money. "And spending less is only part of it – you have to save, and when appropriate invest, the rest," says Natalie Taylor, a CFP® with LearnVest Planning Services<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">. </strong>"Earning more often doesn’t lead to higher net worth because lifestyle expenses grow along with it."<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></div>
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But if you grow your income, and set some of those earnings aside, you can grow your bottom line. Aside from getting the raise or winning the lottery, there are a few ways to get more money flowing in.</div>
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One suggestion: Diversify your income streams by working a second, part-time job doing something you love. As far as earning more, there are a few things one can do. “For those who cannot cut their expenses enough, I love the idea of working part-time,” says Blaylock. “I have a great friend who is an attorney. She has a big travel habit that she is unwilling to pull back on. So, she works at a flower shop on Saturdays during wedding season. It's a win for everyone: The flower shop has a dependable employee, and my friend loves flowers so she does not think of it as work.”</div>
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Another idea: Look for investment opportunities—perhaps with the help of a financial planner—or other ways to get income to come to you. “I think retirement income should come from multiple sources such as rental income, part-time income and retirement assets,” says Blaylock.</div>
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9. Consider Consulting an Expert</h2>
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There are times in life when consulting an expert pays you back in spades. Even if you’re doing everything you can to start good money habits, using a qualified financial planner can help keep you on track—and help you see the big picture.</div>
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“Often times most of us are too emotionally involved in our finances to make really good decisions,” says Blaylock. “So what you’re looking for when you’re getting a professional is accountability and an outside view of what you’re doing. I look at your finances very objectively, where you can’t because you’re that person.”</div>
heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-50235946828316062392015-03-15T14:22:00.003-07:002015-03-15T17:32:49.469-07:00RELATIONSHIP Tips- 9 Habits of Emotionally Intelligent People<h2 data-element="title">
by: <span class="author" content="Lynette Arceneaux" data-dmc="article-author" itemprop="author">Lynette Arceneaux</span></h2>
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Overview</h2>
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For many, emotions are
bewildering -- they can be misread, affect judgment, trigger unexpected
and perplexing behavior and sometimes completely overwhelm you.
Emotionally intelligent people, however, are less challenged by
feelings. Those with high emotional intelligence are able to recognize
and express emotion, incorporate it into intellect and manage emotions
in themselves and in others. In short, emotional intelligence is the
ability to read feelings and respond in an appropriate way, says Tina B.
Tessina, psychotherapist and author of “It Ends With You: Grow Up and
Out of Dysfunction.” So how can you spot those with high emotional
intelligence? The following are nine habits of emotionally intelligent
people that help them excel in various aspects of their lives. So follow
their lead and see where it takes you.</div>
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<img alt="1. They Are Self-Aware" class="slideshow_img" data-action="slideshow_next" data-element="next_slide_button" src="http://photos2.demandstudios.com/DM-Resize/photos.demandstudios.com%2Fgetty%2Farticle%2F154%2F169%2F200378144-001.jpg?w=520&h=345&crop_min=1&keep_ratio=1" />
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1. They Are Self-Aware</h2>
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People with high emotional intelligence (EI)
know the difference between emotions and intellect, says psychotherapist
Tina B. Tessina. They use their critical-thinking skills to moderate
their feelings without ignoring them or quashing them. Those with high
EI are able to look at themselves honestly and see themselves
realistically, Tessina says. “They know their strengths and weaknesses.
They have realistic positive self-regard, which means they have
reasonable standards for their own good behavior,” she says. “This
self-awareness is an essential foundation of EI.” On his website, Daniel
Goleman, author of New York Times best-seller “Emotional Intelligence,”
suggests mindfulness as a way to build self-awareness, noting that it
teaches a person to detect subtle yet important signals and recognize
thoughts and feelings as they arise instead of being overwhelmed by
them.</div>
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<img alt="2. They Practice Self-Regulation" class="slideshow_img" data-action="slideshow_next" data-element="next_slide_button" src="http://photos2.demandstudios.com/DM-Resize/photos.demandstudios.com%2Fgetty%2Farticle%2F189%2F185%2F80404833.jpg?w=520&h=345&crop_min=1&keep_ratio=1" />
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2. They Practice Self-Regulation</h2>
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“Also known as self-control and impulse
control, self-regulation is the ability to control emotions and
impulses,” explains psychotherapist Tina B. Tessina. Those who
self-regulate generally don’t allow themselves to become overly
emotional. “They don’t have temper tantrums or hysterical outbursts, and
they don’t make impulsive, careless decisions,” Tessina says. “They
think before they act or react.” Some characteristics of self-regulation
are thoughtfulness, comfort with change, integrity and the ability to
say no. Those who know how to self-regulate “are good at delayed gratification<a href="http://www.livestrong.com/slideshow/1011291-9-habits-can-adopt-emotionally-intelligent-people/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=0315_2nd_f#" id="_GPLITA_0" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent ! important; border: medium none ! important; display: inline-block ! important; float: none ! important; font-weight: bold ! important; height: auto ! important; margin: 0px ! important; min-height: 0px ! important; min-width: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important; text-indent: 0px ! important; text-transform: uppercase ! important; vertical-align: baseline ! important; width: auto ! important;" title="Click to Continue > by UniDeals"><img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent ! important; border: medium none ! important; display: inline-block ! important; float: none ! important; font-weight: bold ! important; height: 10px ! important; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px ! important; min-height: 0px ! important; min-width: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important; text-indent: 0px ! important; text-transform: uppercase ! important; vertical-align: super ! important; width: 10px ! important;" /></a>,
understanding that waiting for what they want may bring better
results,” Tessina says. The self-regulation skills emotionally
intelligent people possess can benefit them in both business and social
situations, allowing them to remain calm, keep a clear head and focus on
the issues at hand.</div>
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3. They Are Externally Aware</h2>
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Those with emotional intelligence are keenly
aware of those around them. “When high-EI people are working or talking
with someone, they’re not just thinking about themselves,” says Cara
Day, educational and behavioral therapist and the CEO of Daychild.org.
They recognize and understand the feelings of others. Emotionally
intelligent people typically know when to allow someone a bit of space
and when to <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/slideshow/1011291-9-habits-can-adopt-emotionally-intelligent-people/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=0315_2nd_f#" id="_GPLITA_1" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent ! important; border: medium none ! important; display: inline-block ! important; float: none ! important; font-weight: bold ! important; height: auto ! important; margin: 0px ! important; min-height: 0px ! important; min-width: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important; text-indent: 0px ! important; text-transform: uppercase ! important; vertical-align: baseline ! important; width: auto ! important;" title="Click to Continue > by UniDeals">offer<img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent ! important; border: medium none ! important; display: inline-block ! important; float: none ! important; font-weight: bold ! important; height: 10px ! important; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px ! important; min-height: 0px ! important; min-width: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important; text-indent: 0px ! important; text-transform: uppercase ! important; vertical-align: super ! important; width: 10px ! important;" /></a>
support and sympathy. They are able to use the information they’ve
gathered to “connect and succeed in a myriad of situations, especially
those involving high emotions or risk,” Day says.</div>
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4. They Practice Empathy</h2>
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“Empathy is the ability to identify with and
understand the wants, needs and viewpoints of those around you,”
explains psychotherapist Tina B. Tessina. “People with empathy are good
at recognizing the feelings of others, even when those feelings may not
be obvious.” Consequently, those with empathy typically understand and
relate well to others. “They avoid stereotyping and judging too quickly,
and they live their lives in a very open,
honest way,” Tessina says. When people are aware of the feelings of
those around them, they tend to also understand how their own actions
affect others. As such, they are more likely to “exhibit generosity and
benevolence and a positive attitude towards others,” Tessina adds.</div>
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5. They Are Curious</h2>
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Emotionally intelligent people are curious.
They ask respectful questions to glean information that can assist them
and others in their needs, says Janet Zinn, psychotherapist and
consultant in private practice. “For instance, at work they may find out
what’s most important to their bosses so they can make sure to
accomplish that first.” Also because they are curious, those with high
emotional intelligence tend to listen to those around them. “And they
want to listen,” adds Ramani Durvasula, licensed clinical psychologist
and professor of psychology at California State University, Los Angeles.
They are perpetual students, always learning from others, she says,
“from the plumber who comes to their house to a philosopher at a
cocktail party. And this can go a long way to building stronger
connections -- and alliances -- with others in both personal and
professional arenas.”</div>
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6. They Are Motivated and Motivate</h2>
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Because they recognize and understand emotions
so well, emotionally intelligent people can often encourage and
intensify feelings -- such as <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/slideshow/1011291-9-habits-can-adopt-emotionally-intelligent-people/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=0315_2nd_f#" id="_GPLITA_3" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent ! important; border: medium none ! important; display: inline-block ! important; float: none ! important; font-weight: bold ! important; height: auto ! important; margin: 0px ! important; min-height: 0px ! important; min-width: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important; text-indent: 0px ! important; text-transform: uppercase ! important; vertical-align: baseline ! important; width: auto ! important;" title="Click to Continue > by UniDeals">interest<img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent ! important; border: medium none ! important; display: inline-block ! important; float: none ! important; font-weight: bold ! important; height: 10px ! important; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px ! important; min-height: 0px ! important; min-width: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important; text-indent: 0px ! important; text-transform: uppercase ! important; vertical-align: super ! important; width: 10px ! important;" /></a>,
enthusiasm, optimism and loyalty -- in themselves and others. “People
with a high degree of EI are usually motivated,” says psychotherapist
Tina B. Tessina. “They’re willing to defer immediate results for
long-term success.” They tend to be very productive, they love a
challenge and they are usually very effective in whatever they do, she
adds. “They understand that motivation comes from celebration and
appreciation and are willing to motivate themselves and others when
appropriate.”</div>
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7. They Maintain Boundaries</h2>
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Emotionally intelligent people know how to set
boundaries, which creates a healthy, happy and well-balanced work life
and social life, says Shaelyn Pham, licensed psychologist and
bestselling author of “The Joy of Me.” People with high emotional
intelligence can read a situation and determine how to react in an
appropriate manner, says clinical psychologist Ramani Durvasula. “As a
result, they’re less prone to inappropriate contact with co-workers,
clients or others in their circle,” she says. With strong boundaries,
those with high EI know “how close to get and honor the appropriate
rules of engagement in a given situation,” she says.</div>
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8. They Allow for Difficult Emotions</h2>
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Emotionally intelligent people are familiar
with emotions -- including the difficult ones. They “recognize when they
are anxious or exhausted and put off important decisions until they are
calmer and better rested,” says Dave Popple, psychologist and president
of Psynet Group. Those with high EI know to allow for difficult
emotions and accept them as a part of life. “Allowing negative feelings
to surface fully into awareness, with acceptance and non-judgment,
supports self-knowledge and an enhanced sense of purpose,” says Tina
Gilbertson, psychotherapist and author of “Constructive Wallowing: How
to Beat Bad Feelings by Letting Yourself Have Them.” Moreover, the
emotionally intelligent person allows for and accepts negative emotions
in others as well.</div>
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9. They Manage Their Emotions</h2>
Because those with high EI recognize and
understand their emotions, they’re more capable of handling them. “Most
of the bad behavior we engage in is because we don’t know how to handle
our feelings,” says clinical psychologist Ramani Durvasula. As a result,
we might turn to harmful methods of dealing with them: food, risky sex
or activities, drugs or alcohol. The ability to manage emotions -- their
own emotions as well as those of others -- is why emotionally
intelligent people tend to not lose ground or harm others when they are
experiencing difficult emotions, leading to an overall better quality of
life at work and at home, Durvasula says. Those who are capable of
managing emotions competently may also be less likely to suffer from
difficult ones manifesting as physical issues, such as headaches or heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-6894921883634865532015-02-22T13:59:00.002-08:002015-02-22T13:59:36.321-08:00HEALTH Tip- 10 Pain-Fighting Foodsby Adam Bornstein<strong> </strong><br />
<br />
<span style="line-height: 1.5;">Your body is under attack -- but you probably don't even realize it.<br />
</span><br />
You have no symptoms. You feel fine. Everything seems to be operating normally. So what's the problem?<br />
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<br />Inflammation. It's a normal process that is designed to help your
body recover, which causes the occasional ache or pain. In small doses,
this is fine. But if you're constantly putting your body under stress
--whether from work, illness, or even exercise -- your body flips into
protection mode. The inflammation that's meant to protect you instead
causes your body to fight against itself. The system breaks down, and
you become more vulnerable to injury or even disease.<br />
But the process of healing your body can be improved with several
small, simple changes. For example, many foods contain anti-inflammatory
compounds that can alleviate pain and swelling, and help protect your
body. We asked Amanda Carlson-Phillips, the vice president of Nutrition
and Research at Athelete's Performance, which foods provided the most powerful boost to your body's ability to regulate and reduce inflammation. Here are her top 10:<br />
<strong>Cinnamon</strong><br />
Once considered more precious than gold, cinnamon is one of the world's
oldest and most coveted spices. Research has shown that cinnamon not
only reduces inflammation but also fights bacteria, assists with blood sugar control, and enhances brain function. Sprinkle cinnamon over yogurt, cereal, or oatmeal or add it to a smoothie or a glass of low-fat milk.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pceZ5IDwnOzPOldpotYXseFcpc8sW3T6QGub_lt70bdzWMH7LV9DJ_DhawFjMU2YBKcPjROMR0AZ0-78-2HxW0DHeV-yxwkXvHU2jqlGwSaDn20w9IwX1OVxoJwhQhEjvH447pQsx0EZ/s1600/cinnamon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pceZ5IDwnOzPOldpotYXseFcpc8sW3T6QGub_lt70bdzWMH7LV9DJ_DhawFjMU2YBKcPjROMR0AZ0-78-2HxW0DHeV-yxwkXvHU2jqlGwSaDn20w9IwX1OVxoJwhQhEjvH447pQsx0EZ/s1600/cinnamon.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>Ginger</strong><br />
This flavorful root is available all year and used in everything from
soda to stir-fries. Ginger contains several anti-inflammatory compounds
called gingerols, which may relieve joint pain, prevent free radical
damage, protect against colorectal cancer, and increase immunity. Ginger
is also a natural anti-emetic, often used to alleviate motion sickness
and morning sickness. Steep a couple of slices of ginger in hot water
for ginger tea or blend it with soy sauce to top a stir-fried dish.<br />
<strong>Onions</strong><br />
Onions are packed with sulfur-containing containing compounds, which are
responsible for their pungent odor and associated with improved health.
These widely-used and versatile vegetables are believed to inhibit
inflammation and linked to everything from cholesterol reduction to cancer prevention. Try using onions as a base for soups, sauces and stir-fries. Other
foods with the same benefits include garlic, leeks, and chives.<br />
<strong>Tart Cherries</strong><br />
One of the richest known sources of antioxidants ,,
tart cherries are an anti-inflammatory powerhouse. New research
suggests that tart cherries offer pain relief from gout and arthritis,
reduce exercise-induced joint and muscle pain, lower cholesterol, and
improve inflammatory markers. Drink a glass of tart cherry juice in the
morning with breakfast or combine dried tart cherries with nuts for a
snack.<br />
<br />
<strong>Walnuts</strong><br />
Walnuts are one of the healthiest nuts you can eat. They're loaded with anti-inflammatory, heart healthy omega 3 fatty acids and provide more antioxidants than Brazil nuts, pistachios, pecans,
peanuts, almonds, macadamias, cashews, and hazelnuts. Walnuts are also a
great source of protein and fiber. Top yogurt or salad with a handful
of walnuts or eat raw walnuts as a snack.<br />
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<strong>Turmeric</strong><br />
A mustard-yellow spice from Asia, turmeric is a spice often used in
yellow curry. It gets its coloring from a compound called curcumin. The
University of Maryland Medical Center found that curcumin can help to
improve chronic pain by suppressing inflammatory chemicals in the body.
Make a homemade curry with turmeric or mix it into other recipes once or
twice a week.<br />
<strong>Pineapple</strong><br />
This tropical yellow fruit contains the enzyme bromelain, which is
helpful in treating muscle injuries like sprains and strains. According
to a study in the journal Inflammatory Bowel Disease, this enzyme may
also help to improve digestion along
with aches and pains associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Add
pineapple to a smoothie or salad to help improve your body's tweaks and
twinges.<br />
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<strong>Flaxseed</strong><br />
Flaxseed is packed with omega-3 fatty acids which can help to reduce
inflammation in the body. The Harvard School of Public Health reports
that omega-3 found in flaxseed may help in blocking pro-inflammatory
agents. Grind flaxseed to release the oils, and then add a spoonful of
it to your salad, oatmeal, or yogurt. For more omega-3-rich foods with
anti-inflammatory benefits, eat soybeans, extra-virgin olive oil, and
fatty fish like salmon and tuna.<br />
<strong>Carrots</strong><br />
Colorful orange carrots are rich in carotenoids, a group of phytochemicals <a href="http://www.coreperformance.com/knowledge/nutrition/phytochemicals.html"> </a>known
to help protect cells from free radicals and boost immunity. They also
help regulate inflammation, according to the University of Rochester
Medical Center. Add carrots to your salad or cook them as a side dish
for any meal. Other carotenoid-rich foods include apricots, tomatoes,
sweet potatoes, squash, and pumpkin.<br />
<strong>Dark, Leafy Greens</strong><br />
Dark, leafy greens like spinach and kale are packed with flavanoids,
a phytonutrient that boost heart health and may help ward off cancer.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, flavonoid-rich foods may also
reduce inflammation in the brain, possibly slowing the progression of
Alzheimer's disease. Eat a spinach salad a few days a week for a
powerful punch of flavonoids. Other good sources are kale, soybeans,
berries, tea, or even a glass of wine.<br />
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heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-26851891897168396572015-02-05T12:35:00.000-08:002015-02-05T12:38:52.169-08:00Happiness Tip -6 Things All Happy People Do<br />
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<span class="entry-author">by Anna Marie Ludovici</span></div>
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We all want one simple thing: to<i> be happy.</i><br />
If you ask people what they want out of life, most would reply that they truly desire to be happy and healthy.<br />
We also express wishes for happiness to friends and loved ones with
greetings such as “happy birthday,” “happy anniversary,” “happy new
year,” and so on.<br />
So the question is: if most of us wish for happiness, then why do so many of us report being unhappy?<br />
<br />
<br />
Short answer: because <i>life</i> happens. Many situations and events
occur throughout our life that may be out of our control (i.e. death of
a loved one). Many of these events go hand-in-hand with the grieving
process.<br />
Although some life events can derail our plans for full happiness during certain periods of time, you can—and <i>should—</i>take action to maintain some degree of happiness.<br />
In order to be truly maintain happiness throughout your life, you need to practice certain habits consistently, <i>especially</i> through the most challenging life events.<br />
Here are six habits of happy people, backed by scientific evidence and expanded upon in my book.<br />
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<br />
<br />
<h3>
What Happy People Do</h3>
<h5>
<b>1.</b> Feel positively…</h5>
Research has found that happy people work at creating and
experiencing greater positive feelings and emotions than unhappy people.
Positive emotions have also been shown to improve resilience, one’s ability to bounce back from setbacks, and overall life satisfaction.<br />
<i><br /></i>
Experiences that create positive feelings and emotions don’t have to
take a lot of time. For instance, taking focused time out to linger in a
garden, petting animals, listening to music, or watching a sunset may
not take much time, but can result in positive emotions.<br />
Longer bouts of positive experiences that create positive feelings
and emotions, like taking an extended vacation with your family, taking a
day off to go to a spa, or meeting friends for a day of leisure and
laughter can certainly re-charge your well-being and improve happiness.<br />
<h5>
<b>2.</b> <b>…and <i>think</i> positively</b></h5>
One of the most essential habits of happy people is to monitor and,
if necessary, restructure thoughts to improve happiness and overall
well-being. Happy people generally experience more positive thoughts
than unhappy people.<br />
<br />
<br />
We all have automatic thoughts when we are facing a situation or
event. To improve happiness, it is important to monitor your automatic
thoughts and re-structure them if necessary.<br />
For example, when you wake up in the morning, if your automatic
thought is “Today is going to be a stressful day at work, I just know
it,” you may want to restructure that thought to improve your happiness.<br />
Re-structure your thought to something like, “It’s a beautiful day
today, it’s good to be alive, and I will see today’s challenges as
opportunities; all is good.” It’s a proven academic theory that happier
people work at creating happier and positive thoughts.<br />
<h5>
<b>3.</b> <b>Engage in life</b>!</h5>
Being completely present in life has been shown to improve happiness.
Happy people work at focusing on each and every moment, engaging their
senses, and are more mindful.<br />
<br />
<br />
For example, when eating dinner with your family, ensure you are
completely engaged in the moment. Try to clear your mind, flush the
day’s events from your thoughts, and focus on who you are with and where
you are <i>now</i>.<br />
Engage all your senses, taste the food, listen to the tone and
inflection in your children’s voices, smell the food, feel the texture
of the bread, and look in the eyes of your loved ones.<br />
If you practice being more mindful, present, and engaged in life, you will be happier!<br />
<h5>
<b>4. Make your relationships positive</b></h5>
One of the founders of Positive Psychology, Christopher Peterson,once stated that “positive psychology, which includes the study of happiness, is simply about other people.”<br />
<br />
we think back on all our experiences related to positive emotions,
relationships, meaning and accomplishment, they most likely include
other people.
<br />
To continue your “happiness journey”, think about how you can plan
more positive experiences with your friends and family, or perhaps how
you can cultivate new friends and deeper positive relationships.<br />
<h5>
<b>5.</b> Strive for a meaningful life</h5>
Dr. martin Seligman a researcher who studies happiness and well-being, describes “meaning”
as “belonging to and serving something bigger than the self.”<br />
Meaning can be expressed in practice of spiritual or religious
beliefs, or through pursuit in an active cause that you believe in that
can benefit others and or the greater good.
Dr. Seligman, along with other researchers who study the construct of
“happiness”, found that happy people strive to live more meaningful
lives.<br />
<br />
<h5>
<b>6. </b>Work towards accomplishments</h5>
Accomplishments that provide meaning and purpose improve happiness
and well-being. Accomplishments are most valuable when they are pursued
for intrinsic (internal motivations) verses extrinsic motivation
(financial benefit).<br />
The happiest people strive for accomplishment, not for money or fame,
but because they believed in what they were striving for, a “cause,”
passion, or belief, and <i>that</i> is what motivated them to succeed or even excel.<br />
<i><br /></i>
Research reports that people who are happier achieve better life outcomes. These
outcomes can include financial success, meaningful relationships,
emotional health, effective copying abilities, physical health, and
longevity.<br />
<h3>
The Takeaway</h3>
The evidence is clear on ways to achieve true happiness. Practicing
the above six habits of happy people is a great start. Finally…don’t
worry, just be <i>happy</i>!<br />
<br />heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-49447728492183625722015-01-09T13:00:00.002-08:002015-01-09T13:00:26.812-08:00WORK Tip- Career Confidence: 6 Ways to Artfully Self-Promote at Workby Jane Bianchi<br />
<br />
Wallflowers are so last year.
<br />
In 2015 you’ve decided that standing out is the strategy you’ll use to accomplish your big life goals.<br />
And you’re already well on your way.<br />
So far, you’ve overhauled your dating profile to catch more eyes, and
you’ve signed up to sit in the front row of your spin class for added
motivation to get in top shape.<br />
<br />
<br />
Now it’s time to map out how the “Look at me!” strategy can catapult you to career success—and not just annoy your coworkers.<br />
Whether you’re angling for a job change, promotion, or just a pat on
the back from your boss, learning how to promote yourself at work can
give you the edge you need.<br />
Just ask Lauren Bowling, a content strategist in Atlanta. In 2012 the
27-year-old was applying for an administrative assistant position, but
inadvertently landed herself a job she was more passionate about because
she spoke so enthusiastically about her off-time interests, blogging
and social media.<br />
The hiring manager was impressed by the fact that Bowling had over
1,000 Twitter followers—more than the company had—and that she sought
out webinars to learn more about how to market herself.<br />
“I didn’t get the administrative assistant job, but three weeks
later, they called and said they were looking for someone to run their
social media,” she says. “They thought I’d be a good fit.”<br />
The lesson learned? “If I don’t promote myself, no one else will,” Bowling says. “<em>I’m</em> the expert on me and my story.”<br />
To master the art of tooting your own horn like Bowling, check out
these six techniques geared toward helping you build a personal brand
that projects confidence—not arrogance—and will make others pay
attention.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Technique #1: Keep Tabs on Achievements</h2>
Before you can talk<em></em> about your accomplishments, you have to pinpoint what they are.<br />
Think back: When was the last time that you updated your résumé? If
it’s been a while, chances are there are awards you’ve won, speaking
engagements you’ve rocked, and successful projects you’ve managed.<br />
So keep a running list—whether it’s in a Word doc or the Notes app on
your phone—and review it weekly, monthly or quarterly. Be sure to
include impressive, quantifiable facts, such as saving the company money
by bringing an outsourced project in-house, or increasing sales by 10%
last quarter.<br />
This way, when you’re ready to start self-promoting—more on that
later!—you’ll know exactly what to highlight, says Leonard Lang, Ph.D., a
career coach at Beard Avenue Coaching in Minneapolis, and the author of
“<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Lifework-Integrity-Four-Part-Fulfillment/dp/1932133119" target="_blank">Guide to Lifework</a>.”<br />
This can be especially helpful when you’re preparing for a
performance review, Lang says, since that’s a time when you know your
contributions will be evaluated. Plus, it’s an opportunity to position
yourself for the promotion or raise you’re after.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Technique #2: Flex Your Storytelling Muscles</h2>
Of course, reading off that list isn’t the most palatable way to draw
attention to your accomplishments—which is why Lang recommends refining
your storytelling skills.<br />
If your boss or another coworker asks you a general question—”How’s
that big project going?”—instead of blurting out a fact—“Amazing! I’m
singlehandedly increasing departmental revenue!”—take the opportunity to
frame your success in narrative form, with a beginning, middle and end.<br />
Add in moments of drama, such as problems that you had to overcome
along the way, to keep it interesting and sustain the listener’s
attention.<br />
By doing this, you’re relaying a triumphant story that people will remember—and possibly even retell. The best part: <em>You</em> are the heroic protagonist.<br />
Just don’t let that get to your head, and overuse the word “I.”
Sprinkle in the term “we” and the names of other key players, to keep
from sounding like a braggart.<br />
<h2>
Technique #3: Lend a Helping Hand</h2>
It may seem counterintuitive, but the Golden Rule—treating others as
you’d like to be treated—works surprisingly well when it comes to
getting ahead at work.<br />
Helping someone else could be as simple as trouble-shooting with your
coworker when she’s at a crossroads on an important project, or
offering to make a strategic connection for someone you just met at a
networking event.<br />
When you go out of your way to be generous, Lang says, it builds your
reputation as a kind and resourceful professional—and that sticks with
people.<br />
“Plus, that person you helped will inevitably try to help you in return,” Lang says.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Technique #4: Power Up Your Social Media Presence</h2>
Now that you have the skills to wow a live audience with tales of
your success, it’s important to also keep your online followers updated.<br />
A good place to start is your LinkedIn profile. “Add examples of projects that you’ve done, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_PxbsfBKu0" target="_blank">PowerPoints</a>
or charts, and images that showcase work you’ve completed—anything to
make it stand out,” says Donna Schilder, an executive and career coach
based in Long Beach, Calif.<br />
Not only will this beefed-up profile garner attention from recruiters
and other influencers in your industry, but it’s also likely to catch
the eye of your boss if you’re connected on LinkedIn.<br />
As an extra step, post regular status updates that hint at what
you’re doing well at work, like a link to the academic paper you
published, or a photo from a recent conference. And it’s especially
advantageous to offer a tip every once in a while, so your connections
can take away some value from your posts.<br />
When one of Schilder’s clients was reading a leadership book her boss
recommended, she posted nuggets of wisdom she gained from it. This move
showed her boss that she paid attention to the request, Schilder says,
and lent her credibility as a blossoming leader within the company.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Technique #5: Strengthen Cross-Functional Relationships</h2>
If your job description includes collaborating with employees in
other departments, it’s crucial to nurture those relationships—it will
give you a glimpse of your company from a different perspective, plus
make you a more knowledgeable employee.<br />
So set up regular one-on-one check-ins with your cross-functional
partners to make sure the projects you’re working on are running
smoothly, as well as brainstorm ways to work together more effectively
in the future.<br />
<br />
<br />
“Come with a set of intelligent questions, listen to what the person
says, and then ask, ‘What are your challenges?’ ” Schilder says.<br />
Once you’re equipped with this information, you can then segue into a
discussion about how you can fix any issues that have arisen since your
last meeting.<br />
After all, the more value you can provide to people in different
departments, the more valuable you’ll be to the company as a whole. And
that’s exactly the kind of personal brand that can help you get to the
next level.<br />
<h2>
Technique #6: Celebrate!</h2>
Did you break a sales record? Hire the employee of the year? Improve a
business process that’s leading to more efficiency in the office?<br />
Whenever you want to draw attention to something great you’ve done,
Schilder and Lang both recommend asking your manager if you can point it
out by recognizing everyone who helped you achieve that goal.<br />
Maybe it’s a group dinner for the team of people who helped you
develop a successful advertising campaign, or cookies in the conference
room for the people who helped you boost customer satisfaction on a
specific product upgrade.<br />
Regardless, this move can give your colleagues a morale boost, endear
them to you for helping promote their successes—and make them more
likely to return the favor.<br />
Remember: What you’re doing at your company isn’t as important as what others <em>perceive </em>you’re doing, so be proactive in spreading good news through celebrations.heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-41484198391645202822015-01-09T12:54:00.000-08:002015-01-09T12:55:16.076-08:00MONEY Tip- Your 2015 Money Values Road Map: 6 Ways to Budget for What Matters to You Mostby marianne hayes<br />
<br />
It’s only the first week of 2015, but you’ve already got big plans.
<br />
You’ve resolved to eat healthier, boost your earnings power—and
finally plan that dream vacation as a reward for all your hard work.<br />
Now to figure out how to manipulate your budget to be able to afford these things!<br />
<br />
While it may seem that striving to accomplish such big to-dos would
be at odds with the idea of a budget, experts insist it’s actually quite
the opposite.<br />
“Your values should really drive your budget,” says financial psychology expert Kathleen Guerney Ph.D., author of “Your Money Personality.” “Because if they don’t,
you’ll never feel like you’re making the best use of your money.”<br />
So what exactly does a values-led financial plan look like?<br />
To answer that question, we’re highlighting six values that commonly
top people’s lists—be it wanting to invest in family or allocating
resources to experiencing the world through travel—and ways <i>anyone</i> can factor them into a fulfilling spending plan for 2015.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
If You Want to Spend on Your Family …</h2>
For many of us, nothing feels better than bringing joy to those we
love. So what better way to use your money than to invest in the
enrichment of your children?<br />
Maybe you want them to experience the summer camp that shaped your
own childhood, or the semester abroad that’ll expose them to new
cultures.<br />
“Specifically for younger kids, a lot of expenses come in the summer,
in terms of activities,” says Brian Frederick, a CFP® with Stillwater
Financial Partners in Scottsdale, Ariz. “The other big time is
back-to-school [when kids need books, computers and new clothes].”<br />
When it comes to making sure you can afford these expenses, success
comes down to proper advance planning. So at the beginning of the
calendar year, map out when deposits are due for expected expenses, like
camp or school trips, and open a high-yield online bank account
earmarked for such savings. “Sock away a little each paycheck—say $50 to
$100—so you don’t have to scramble later,” Frederick says.<br />
Bonus tip: Instead of feeling like your kids need to do it all, opt for the most satisfying activities with positive impact.<br />
<br />
<br />
“If a traveling soccer team is costing you $10,000, and your kid
isn’t loving it, reconsider that expense,” says Katherine Collins,
founder of socially responsible investing firm Honeybee Capital.
“Sometimes we get caught up in what other families are doing, or
whatever feels like the right thing to do, without considering whether
it’s best for us personally.”<br />
So ask yourself throughout the year: Do my expenses support my desire
to bring joy to my family through meaningful experiences? If not,
strike them from your budget—and replace it with something that does.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
If You Want to Spend on Health and Wellness …</h2>
If you’re dealing with a medical issue, health costs will naturally
top your 2015 list of expenses. But even people who approach their
health more proactively are likely to factor in health-related spending
this year. After all, as Frederick says, “it’s much cheaper to stay
healthy than it is to cure a chronic condition.”<br />
So what are the best ways to invest in preventive health? For many,
it’s paying for gym memberships and eating high-quality, nutritious
foods at home. The catch: These things can be pretty pricey.<br />
Fortunately, you can scout discounts and promotions at gyms and
fitness studios this time of year, when New Year’s resolution-ers are
signing up in droves. Frederick says you can also save by looking into
whether your insurance offers reimbursements for healthy behaviors, such
as visiting the gym a certain number of times each year.<br />
And although healthy eating has gotten a bad rap for being an
expensive endeavor, Collins insists it doesn’t have to be. Nor is it
necessary, she says, to buy every item you eat from a high-priced,
organic supermarket.<br />
<div style="line-height: 18px;">
“Maybe you grow some of your own carrots
this summer,” Collins says, adding that a packet of organic carrot seeds
costs just $2—and can yield up to 20 pounds of produce.</div>
Or break up your grocery list into two sections: What you want to buy
organic, and what you can pick up in the regular produce section of the
supermarket. Certain foods with thick skins- avocado,pineapple and mango for example—are less likely to have significant pesticide residue, so you can skip going organic with them.<br />
Another healthy-food money saver: investing in a local CSA>
Collins says the standard model gives subscribers a weekly box of
in-season produce at a double-digit discount—by encouraging local
consumption, you cut down on the high shipping costs required to move
food across the country.<br />
If you’re looking to lower your burden on traditional medical
expenses, consider allocating pre-tax dollars to a flex spending account
(FSA) or, if you have a high-deductible insurance plan, a health savings account (HSA).<br />
Both are designed to cover qualified medical expenses that aren’t
picked up by your insurance, such as glasses and certain copays. <i></i>Just remember: If you have an FSA, you’re at risk to lose funds you haven’t spent at the end of the year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
If You Want to Give to Charity …</h2>
<div style="font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px;">
If
your personal core values involve helping others and making a
difference, prioritizing charitable giving in 2015 is a great way to
align your spending with what’s most important to you.</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px;">
If
you don’t have a specific cause in mind, Collins says the best place to
start looking is your own community. “What organizations do you
appreciate? Maybe they’ve helped you directly, or you’ve just seen them
doing good work,” she says.</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px;">
Once
you’ve identified the organization(s) you’d like to support, devise
your giving strategy—whether it’s diverting a portion of each paycheck
to a non-monthly savings account to spend sporadically, tithing weekly, or simply pinpointing a stock to gift whenever you rebalance your portfolio.</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
Frederick also recommends looking into specific tax benefits offered by your state. For example, Arizona gives tax breaks for
donations made to charities that support the state’s most needy
residents. “That would be a way that you could magnify gifts on a
limited budget,” he says.<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px;">
Along
the same lines, donating your time and talents can be just as valuable
as cash. You can sign up to pack boxes in your favorite charity’s
warehouse, or offer your services—like web design, bookkeeping, or
social media skills—free of charge.</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px;">
“These different layers of charitable giving can be a lot more rewarding than just writing a check,” Collins says.</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<h2>
If You Want to Do Good for the Planet …</h2>
Looking to incorporate environmental causes into your 2015 financial
plan? Well, you’re in luck because you don’t necessarily have to spend <i>more</i> in order to deliver on this value.<br />
Case in point: If you’re already saving for retirement, why not
invest in companies making a positive change in the world? It’s actually
a trend known as socially responsible investing (SRI), and it’s been
picking up some serious steam: Over$6.5 trillion in assets under management were dedicated to SRI in 2013—a 76% increase over 2012.<br />
So how do you go about allocating SRI into your own portfolio?
Whether it’s your 401(k) or your brokerage account, Collins says most
major platforms have user-friendly search functions that allow you to
filter for socially responsible options. Most even enable you to search
for more specific interests, like renewable energy funds.<br />
“If you’re going all solar on your home and driving a Prius, you
might not want to have half your retirement plan invested in traditional
petroleum companies,” Collins says. “There’s just a little bit of a
disconnect there.”<br />
Speaking of “going solar” at home, Frederick also recommends doing
some energy-efficient upgrades to your home, like installing low-flow
fixtures and programmable thermostats—especially if you’ve factored a
reno into your budget for the year.<br />
If you’re interested in bigger-ticket environmental upgrades, you can
look into whether your plans are eligible for personal tax credits. For
example, eligible taxpayers tackling certain projects, like installing a
solar energy system or a geothermal heat pump, can claim a 30% rebate
by taking advantage of the Residual Renewable Energy Credit<br />
In addition to enjoying the new addition to your home, you may even
get a financial bonus in the form of lower utility bills. “Plus, you get
a <i>third</i> return, which is the appreciation in the asset value of your house,” Collins says.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
If You Want to Spend on Education …</h2>
“It’s been shown time and time again that higher education can be one
of the most important catalysts, both economically and personally, in
terms of development,” <span style="line-height: 18px;">Collins says</span>.<br />
In fact, between 2012 and 2013, nearly a quarter of jobs required or preferred a master’s degree—giving this value serious potential for long-term ROI.<br />
<br />
But before you start adding spare change to the “higher education”
jar, Frederick says there’s some homework you should do. “Coordinate
your education plans with what your employee benefits are,” he suggests,
adding that some companies offer reimbursement perks. “And look for
programs that will accommodate what you get back from your employer.”<br />
For example, is your company one that requires a master’s before
you’re eligible for a big promotion? Then make sure the program you
enroll in is a good fit.<br />
Start budgeting for this value by funneling windfall cash throughout
the year—like tax refunds or bonus checks—into a “career improvement”
savings account, says Frederick.<br />
When you’re ready, you can tap the money for tuition, or even a
professional résumé makeover to highlight new skills you’ve acquired
through your studies.<br />
And be on the lookout for special benefits offered specifically to
adult students that will help decrease your financial burden. The American Opportunity for Tax Credit for example, could cover up to $2,500 for tuition, fees and course materials.<br />
On the other hand, maybe your desire to spend on education this year
isn’t for yourself but your kids. One smart strategy is to start
contributing to a 529 Plan that grows over time. (And, for the record, you can open one of these accounts for yourself too.)<br />
The first step is to calculate how much your child will need for college, based on factors like age
and what percentage of funds you’d like to have saved before freshman
year. Once you have a savings target, you can forge ahead full-steam—or
start small and ratchet up your contributions incrementally.<br />
<br />
<br />
Even if you don’t have much wiggle room in your budget right now—or
you’re still working on prioritizing your own retirement contributions
before your child’s college fund—you still have options.<br />
Collins suggests scaling back on other kid-related expenses and
funneling that money toward education. So instead of buying three
birthday presents, get just one. “The other present could be a gift to
their college fund,” Collins says. “Your kid’s not going to remember the
thing they got for their second birthday, but they are going to benefit
from what you saved for them early on.”<br />
<div style="line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<h2>
If You Want to Travel …</h2>
When plotting out your values-led financial plan for the year, you
may notice a fair amount of overlap. Travel, in particular, is one value
that can satisfy multiple “wants” at once.<br />
“There are a lot of ways now to incorporate service and connection to
the local community wherever you’re traveling,” Collins says. “It’s
charity, it’s education, it’s family—it’s all of the above.”<br />
If all of these dimensions are equally important to you, Collins recommends a volunteer trip through a reputable company like Habitat for Humanity, Me to We, Global Initiative and remember to double-check if certain aspects of your charity
trip—like transportation and meal costs—can be deducted to help lower your tax bill.<br />
But whether that kind of trip appeals to you—or you’d rather stick to
leisure-only getaways this year—Frederick advises contributing to a
travel fund throughout the year to avoid putting any of your vacation
expenses on credit.<br />
If there’s not much excess cash to divert to this account, brainstorm creative ways to up your contributions. Pick up a fun weekend gig, seek freelancing opportunities, or scale back on other splurges—like
your standing Friday-night babysitter or season tickets to the sports
arena.<br />
And if you have a big vacation in mind—like two blissful weeks in Hawaii—you can take advantage of other savings opportunities to make that dream a reality.<br />
For instance, seek an affordable apartment rental instead of shelling
out for a fancy hotel. Scout discounted activity rates for kids. And
research whether it’s possible to fly into a cheaper, alternative city
airport and rent a car to drive to your final destination.<br />
Bottom line: If travel—or any other value—is important to you, Frederick says, you’ll find a way to make it a priority to save.heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-90121506471679703792015-01-03T13:41:00.000-08:002015-01-03T13:41:36.519-08:00LIFE Tip -Resolved to be healthier & wealthier? 4 habits you need to succeedby Gerri Detweiler, Credit.com<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4z6af0iIu3jcAhQ9HMsVeW6vBq6bhpj6oVVcjuEE-z7BFlRxrNZMzxvnRQvZW0GnuWq3SNBBED27PuWt5UtkDiGzfjoPi3LhfZYZ-P8c9IUyCyWPg3J30Ws6pnAao7wB9kQOq5qe-mhW7/s1600/weight.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4z6af0iIu3jcAhQ9HMsVeW6vBq6bhpj6oVVcjuEE-z7BFlRxrNZMzxvnRQvZW0GnuWq3SNBBED27PuWt5UtkDiGzfjoPi3LhfZYZ-P8c9IUyCyWPg3J30Ws6pnAao7wB9kQOq5qe-mhW7/s1600/weight.jpeg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="first" id="yui_3_9_1_1_1420320626129_1654">
Depending on which
study or urban myth you believe, the typical American gains two to 10
pounds during the period between Thanksgiving and New Year's. And there
is no question that December is the spendiest month of the year. Credit
card issuers can document it, and retailers count on it.</div>
And January? That's when we resolve to lose weight and save money.
Can we attack them together? Or does it make more sense to do one, then
the other? While many people will make an effort (good intentions but no
specific plan) and others will look for the quickest fixes
(deprivation), some of us will find that the changes hoped for in
January feel like a normal part of life by June. If you need motivation
for making financial changes, check out justjust how much your debt is costing you over a lifetime. And know, too, that people who exercise and pay attention to what they eat tend to be healthier and feel better.<br />
Ellie Kay, co-author of "Lean Body, Fat Wallet," said it might be
easier to do both at the same time since the same four habits are
required for each endeavor. So success in one area helps reinforce the
habits you need for the other.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>1. A Sense of Entitlement Can Be Your Friend</b><br />
The first habit is to monitor your thoughts and redirect them. If
you've been stopping for milkshakes on the way home from soccer because
it's been a long, tiring day and you are entitled to a treat, change
that. You are entitled to a life free of financial worry, and you are
entitled to inhabit a body that is as healthy as you can make it. You
deserve those things. You are worthy of them. And so taking a walk is
what you do because you are entitled to it; you are worth taking care
of. Got that? No? That is why it bears repeating. Over and over until
you believe it.<br />
Athletes visualize success because it's a tool that works. See
yourself succeed (and watch those reruns). Because it will take some
time to override those old thoughts of, "I always start well, but…" and
"I just can't get control of my sweet tooth." Every year, some people
succeed. Tell yourself that in 2015, you will be one of them.<br />
<b>2. Have a Plan for Temptations</b><br />
The second habit is what the authors call the 3-D habit, and it's a
way to keep bad habits from getting the better of you. The D's are for
determine, distract and delay. <b>Determine</b> your goal (and remind yourself of it). In the face of temptation, find a way to <b>distract</b>
yourself so that you can perhaps interest or immerse yourself in an
activity that does not run counter to your goals. And finally, <b>delay</b>.
Feel like you must have the carrot cake or the 75%-off Christmas
decorations? Can you see if the need is just as urgent in an hour? Do
you have a buddy you can call for support?<br />
<b>3. Keep Up With the Numbers</b><br />
The third habit is knowing and keeping up with your numbers. It
essentially means recognizing that the intake and outgo are, one way or
another, going to balance out.<br />
With weight, it means if you are taking in more calories (intake)
than our body uses in a day (outgo), that unused energy will be banked
in the form of fat. With money, it's making sure that every dollar that
comes in has a destination and actually goes there (you <i>want</i> a fatter bank account). For both, the secret is tracking. You are essentially balancing a checkbook in real time.<br />
It is only human to underestimate how long we exercised or how much
we spent (overestimating the size of our bills or how many steps we took
in a day is much less common). Knowing numbers also lets you measure
progress. While you may be measuring steps walked or shrinking balances,
your persistence may also be paying off in more global measures, like
weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, net worth or credit scores.
Monitoring your progress can help you keep track of how far you've come.<br />
<b>4. Are You Counting the Minutes Until it's Over?</b><br />
The last habit is sustainability, meaning you could live this way and
still enjoy your life. A couple of months back, Credit.com staffers
went on a "spending freeze" with varying degrees of success. While a freeze can — and did — help
shine a spotlight on areas where we could most easily cut back, it also
showed us where it was extremely difficult to do so. And if you feel
deprived, your efforts are doomed. Make sure you are not being so
restrictive that you just can't wait for this to be over.<br />
These four habits are the ones that, practiced consistently, can give
you what you want. Here's how it might look in practice. Kay says
improving both physical and fiscal fitness requires some tracking, but
the tracking isn't difficult. In fact, you can do most of it on your
smartphone while waiting in line, while on hold on the phone, etc. If
you received a fitness tracker as a gift, use it. There are plenty of
financial and fitness-tracking apps that can help you get control.<br />
And although she concedes a healthier lifestyle may have some initial
startup costs (let's say you spend 10% more on groceries and avoid the
pesticide-laden "dirty dozen" and replace some cheap, processed food
with fresh fruits and vegetables), she says that over time, the cost of
continuing to be unhealthy will outweigh any savings that come from
eating cheaper, less nutritious food. So buy those athletic shoes with
good support, but be sure you're getting a good price. Also check with
your health insurance, Kay says. Sometimes you can get a discount for
enrolling in a fitness program or sharing fitness data that verifies you
are getting a certain amount of exercise.<br />
<b>Get the Family on Board</b><br />
She also recommends enlisting your family's help — and making it fun.
(Yes, fun.) There has to be room for fun. If you are able to eat a meal
out, consider giving each child a spending allowance and allow them to
keep what they do not spend. You won't have to deny them $3 soft drinks;
most will decide they would rather have money and drink water, and that
lesson is important.<br />
Decide on a family reward for paying off a certain amount of debt. (A camping trip can be fun, Kay notes, and plan modest splurges.) While
it's good to tell kids that you're saving money or trying to pay off debt, Kay cautions about telling children the amounts; that is not something
they should worry about. You can share the small sacrifices you've
decided to make to help save money, and ask what they can do. Talk to
them about making money (that's the other way to help save more), and
encourage budding entrepreneurs. Tell them the family is working toward
financial peace and security. Tell them that you — and they — deserve
it.<br />
<b>Recognize Enemies of Success</b><br />
Among the threats to your success are rationalizing — and we all do
it sometimes. Try hard to recognize it and get back on track. Also be
careful about judging yourself too harshly. You won't be perfect, and
you won't meet every single goal every single day. But if you are
meeting weekly goals, you're on your way to succeeding. (That means
if if it's 10 p.m. and you've walked only 5,000 steps and your goal was
10,000 that you need not lace up your shoes. Just walk more tomorrow.)
Kay recommends being "diligent without being legalistic."<br />
Give your goals a reality check, too. Goals that are too ambitious
set you up for failure — as do goals that are too vague. It's reasonable
to commit to doing aerobic exercise four times a week; it's not
reasonable to go to your 25th high school reunion looking just like you
did when you graduated. It's not reasonable to decide in January that by
June you will have paid off $30,000 in debt if you have an average
income. As motivating as it might be to dream that those things are
going to happen, it is a recipe for failure.<br />
<div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1420320626129_1687">
Finally, don't let
procrastination keep you from being successful. It won't be easier to
start in February… or March. Trust us on this. Accept that you will
screw up some days and fail to do what you hoped. And that you will
succeed if you start again now instead of deciding that you blew it, and
what's the use of trying? A small setback doesn't have to become a
roadblock if you let that first habit — believing you are entitled to
succeed — help you get back on track.</div>
heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-80856125038072282882014-12-13T11:25:00.001-08:002014-12-13T11:25:58.717-08:00LIFE TIP -5 Regrets From People On Their Deathbeds, Revealed By A Nurse <span class="meta"><span class="info">by Siobhan Harmer<a class="tracker-binded" href="http://www.lifehack.org/articles/author/siobhan-harmer" rel="author" title="Posts by Siobhan Harmer"> </a></span></span><br />
It is grim and frightening, but death is also inevitable. All we can
hope for is that we are at peace with ourselves and with the way we have
spent our time. In this wonderful piece written by Bronnie Ware via The
Unbounded Spirit, we discover the true regrets that those about to end
their journey have.<br />
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PHOTO by virtualphotos.com<br />
<h2>
<b> </b></h2>
<h2>
<b>Nurse Reveals Top 5 Regrets People Make On Their Deathbeds</b></h2>
For many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those
who had gone home to die. Some incredibly special times were shared. I
was with them for the last three to twelve weeks of their lives.<br />
People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality. I
learnt never to underestimate someone’s capacity for growth. Some
changes were phenomenal. Each experienced a variety of emotions, as
expected, denial, fear, anger, remorse, more denial and eventually
acceptance. Every single patient found their peace before they departed
though, every one of them.<br />
When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do
differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most
common five:<br />
<h2>
<b>1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.</b></h2>
This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that
their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see
how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honoured
even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to
choices they had made, or not made.<br />
It is very important to try and honour at least some of your dreams
along the way. From the moment that you lose your health, it is too
late. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer
have it.<br />
<h2>
<b>2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.</b></h2>
This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their
children’s youth and their partner’s companionship. Women also spoke of
this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the
female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed
deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a
work existence.<br />
By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the
way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by
creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to
new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle.<br />
<h2>
<b>3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.</b></h2>
Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with
others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never
became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses
relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.<br />
We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people
may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking
honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and
healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship
from your life. Either way, you win.<br />
<h2>
<b>4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.</b></h2>
Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends
until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them
down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let
golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets
about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved.
Everyone misses their friends when they are dying.<br />
It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip.
But when you are faced with your approaching death, the physical details
of life fall away. People do want to get their financial affairs in
order if possible. But it is not money or status that holds the true
importance for them. They want to get things in order more for the
benefit of those they love. Usually though, they are too ill and weary
to ever manage this task. It is all comes down to love and relationships
in the end. That is all that remains in the final weeks, love and
relationships.<br />
<h2>
<b>5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.</b></h2>
This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end
that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and
habits. The so-called ‘comfort’ of familiarity overflowed into their
emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them
pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When
deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their
life again.<br />
When you are on your deathbed, what others think of you is a long way
from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and smile again,
long before you are dying.<br />
Life is a choice. It is YOUR life. Choose consciously, choose wisely, choose honestly. Choose happiness.<br />
<b>About The Author:</b><br />
Bronnie Ware is the author of the best-selling memoir, <i>The Top Five Regrets of the Dying – A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing</i>,
released worldwide, with translations in 27 languages. She also runs an
online personal growth and song writing course, has released two albums
of original songs, and writes a well-loved blog. Bronnie’s newest
book, <i>Your Year for Change</i>, was released in October, 2014.<br />
She is now an author, personal growth facilitator, and speaker. Bronnie lives in NSW, Australia.heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-389974937060064442014-12-12T19:24:00.001-08:002015-02-05T12:35:13.600-08:00INVESTMENT Tip- Investing 101<div align="center" style="text-align: left;">
by Alden Wicker </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: left;">
If there’s one thing that all wealthy people have in common it’s this: They invest.</div>
That’s because investing money is the smartest and most reliable way
to grow it over the long term, after you have first built up your
emergency savings (which <i>never</i> gets invested) Let’s say you have $1,000 to invest and you won’t need it until ten
years from now. If you put it in a savings account, you might earn about
1% per year. Over ten years, that interest adds up to $105. Or you can
put it in a diversified investment account. While short-term dips
happen, we can assume over ten years an investment account will grow by
an average 7% per year. Given this, you could earn $967. That could mean
actually doubling your money, which is a huge difference. Yup, those
wealthy people are on to something.<br />
Even knowing what your money could be worth, you might still be
nervous about investing, which is very normal. It’s true, investing
poorly could lead to that $1,000 disappearing forever and there is no
such thing as a guaranteed investment. But investing is a necessary part
of building wealth, and yet even when you include employer-sponsored
retirement accounts like 401(k)s, an April 2011 Gallup study found that only 54% of Americans hold investments like stocks and
mutual funds. And the recession has only scared people even more: That’s
the lowest percentage since Gallup started tracking this statistic in
1999.<br />
But you don’t need to be a financial analyst to make smart investing
decisions. You just need to know some ground rules about how to protect
your money while letting it grow.<br />
<h2>
Investing in a Nutshell</h2>
Investing is putting your money in a financial vehicle that might
enable it to grow more quickly than it would in a savings account.<br />
While most of us think of “earning” as putting in hours of work and
getting paid for that, investing essentially puts our money into a
marketplace where companies and governments and other entities can use
it to create a profit that will be returned to us. (At least that’s the
hope—some investments do go bust, taking our money with them.)<br />
Most commonly, people invest by buying financial assets like stocks,
bonds, mutual funds and ETFs (and if you don’t know exactly what these
are, don’t worry, we’ll describe them later). When we sell them, we
hopefully make a profit by selling at a price higher than what we bought
them for. If you have a 401(k) or IRA, you are likely already
investing. By the time you retire, that money will likely have grown
significantly.<br />
What investing is not: gambling or a get-rich-quick scheme. While you
always hear about how much you would have made if you had invested in
Google X years ago, that’s a rarity. Could you name the next Google
today? Not likely. But if done prudently and with an eye to long-term
gains, investing is an intelligent financial strategy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Why Investing Is Important</h2>
The biggest benefit to investing is that it helps your money grow
faster than inflation. Inflation is the force that slowly erodes the
purchasing power of your dollar, making everything from bread to cars a
little more expensive every passing year. That’s why people used to be
able to pay 50 cents for a movie and now get charged $15.<br />
To understand this better, let’s say your parents had $1,000 in 1982.
Let’s consider two things they could have done with it: saved it or
spent it.<br />
<ul>
<li class="first-child"><b>If they had kept it in a savings account …</b>
Let’s say it had been earning 1% per year in interest. That account
would now be worth $1,740. Sounds great, right? Except for the fact that
inflation over the last 30 years was 3.43% <i>per year</i>.</li>
<li class="last-child"><b>If they had spent it … </b>Back then, that $1,000 would have bought them goods that, in today’s dollars, would be worth $2,940. <i>So, inflation in the price of goods outpaced the 1% interest rate in the savings account. </i></li>
</ul>
But saving and spending aren’t the only two things your parents could
have done with their money. Their third option would have been to
invest it.<br />
Investing helps you beat inflation by a lot, which makes it a crucial
part of saving for retirement. For instance, if your parents had
invested the same amount of money in a diversified basket of mutual
funds, they would have grown their money 15 times over, to have $14,740
in 2012.* You can see why if you want to grow your money over a long
period of time, investing is the way to go.<br />
<br />
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<h2>
Why Investing Is Important for Women</h2>
Before we dive into why investing is important for women, let’s take a
step back for a second and think about one of the main purposes of
investing: to be able to retire.<br />
When it comes to retirement,
women need to save more—much more—than
men. First, because they live longer (on average), and second, because
during retirement they tend to have higher health costs than men.But
despite these two big reasons for women to save more than men, in
reality, they save less. On average, women today retire with two-thirds
less in assets than men. If there’s anyone for whom investing is
important, it’s women.<br />
Unfortunately, women tend to be much less confident than men when it
comes to investing. While 88% of men say they are very knowledgeable
when it comes to financial planning, only 57% of women say the same.
That lack of confidence often leads women to hand over management of
their money to the men in their lives.<br />
That’s a bad move, because women tend to make better investors than men. They are <a href="http://www.bankrate.com/financing/wealth/do-women-invest-better/" target="_blank">more likely to buy and hold investments</a>,
a characteristic especially important in financial crises, such as the
one in 2008. That tendency to stay calm instead of panicking translates
to better returns over time.<br />
In short: You can totally do this.<br />
<br />
<h2>
How Investing Works</h2>
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to invest, you should
understand a few fundamental principles underlying all investing:<br />
<h3>
Risk Tolerance</h3>
The first step to investing is to determine for yourself how much
risk you are willing to take on. When it comes to investing, risk is the
possibility that your investments will perform worse than you were
hoping or expected. As a general rule, the younger you are, the more
risks you can take, because if something goes wrong at age 30, you have
time to start building up your money again. Plus you can ride out dips
in the market and be confident it will eventually go back up. But as you
get closer to retirement, you’ll be more cautious with your money. <br />
<h3>
Return</h3>
So why would people want to invest in anything high risk at all? It
has to do with your return, or the profit you hope to make. As a general
rule, the higher the risk, the higher the potential return. So
investing in a tiny startup is very risky, but if that startup succeeds,
it could grow ten times. (On the flip side, it could disappear and take
your money with it.) Investing in Coca-Cola is much less risky, but it
will probably only grow a fraction of that each year. And bonds are the
safest, but you pay for that safety by making less money than you would
in stocks during boom times.<br />
<h3>
Diversification</h3>
So, how do you avoid undue risk? Diversification, which means putting
your money in more than one type of investment so that bad performance
in some of them will be offset by good performance in others. Investing
all your money in one company is never a good idea because if it goes
south, so does all your money. You want to spread your investments out
across a wide variety of companies, industries and even countries. This
doesn’t only distribute risk; it also means you have a variety of
growth opportunities that you might not have if everything is in one
stock.<br />
<h3>
Common Investments</h3>
<b>Stocks<br />
</b>When you buy a stock for $10, you are actually buying a tiny
piece of a company and becoming a type of owner, called a shareholder.
The company will use your money to expand—by hiring more employees or
opening new locations, for example—and increase profits. As the company
grows, it becomes more valuable, and your little piece of it becomes
more valuable too. If all goes well, you can eventually sell that little
piece for $12, $20, or $50, depending on the circumstances. Of course,
it’s also possible that the company will lose value or go out of
business, and then your little piece isn’t worth much or anything at
all. That’s the risk you take.<br />
<b>Bonds<br />
</b>You can also invest in bonds. When you buy a bond, you are
essentially loaning the government or a company money in order to
finance their business. For example, when you buy a U.S. Treasury bond,
you are loaning the federal government $1,000 for a certain time
period—say, 10 years. They will pay you back the interest every year,
and then at the end of the 10 years, you’ll also get your $1,000 back.
Bonds are the safest type of investment, since it is safe to assume the
U.S. government will pay you back. (If it can’t, we all have much larger
worries.)<br />
<b>Mutual Funds and ETFs<br />
</b>We talked above about the importance of diversification. Mutual
funds and ETFs do a lot of the work of diversification for you. They are
collections
of stocks, bonds and other types of investment vehicles. Some hold a
variety of stocks from a certain country or region. Some hold stock from
a certain industry. Some just mimic the makeup of indexes like the Dow
Jones or Nasdaq<br />
The difference between ETFs and mutual funds lie in how they are
managed and how often they are traded. ETFs can be traded like a stock,
while mutual funds can only be sold and bought in certain intervals.
Mutual funds are also often managed by a person and have different fee
structures as well. But both can serve almost the same purpose in your
portfolio.<br />
<h2>
What to Keep in Mind When You Invest</h2>
Before you jump into investing, you’ll want to keep some general principles in mind:<br />
<h3>
1. Remember that there are ups and downs, not just ups.</h3>
Historically, over the long term, the stock market has tended to go
up, but it will have days, months and even years where it will go down.
The key to dealing with the inevitable swings in the stock market is to
keep a cool head and think about the long term. Don’t follow day-to-day
market news or try to “play” the market. Instead, check in just a few
times a year and rebalance according to your needs.<br />
<h3>
2. Choose a strategy and stick with it.</h3>
From time to time, you might hear about a hot new investment strategy or tip. An IPO everyone is buzzing about (Netscape),
a fabulous investment firm run by a friend of a friend (Heard of him?
His name is Madoff) or a complicated investment vehicle that is giving
unheard of returns (collateralized debt obligations backed by subprime
mortgages!). It’s best to not get caught up in a bubble or hype, and
instead stick to your original strategy.<br />
<h3>
3. A down market isn’t the time to pull out, it’s the time to buy.</h3>
People normally feel confident enough to invest when the market is
going up, and then they get scared and pull out when the market goes
down. Unfortunately, this is the exact opposite of what they should be
doing–not only because they’ve forgotten that there are natural ups and
downs (point #1), but because they are then buying investments at their
most expensive and selling them at the moment they are least likely to
get much for them. You should do the opposite and view a down market as
an opportunity to buy at a discount. Like a sale at Kate Spade, the
temporary dips in the market help you get your hands on investment
shares you want for the future at a better price.<br />
<h2>
Remember …</h2>
Investing over the long term is the best way to grow your money and
outpace inflation. And you don’t have to be a business school graduate
to do it well. You just need to know the basics and keep your eye on the
prize: a comfortable retirement that includes lots of travel and a
beach house.heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-10381976722271311482014-12-06T17:08:00.001-08:002014-12-13T11:26:09.361-08:00LIFE Tip- How Can We Stay Healthy and Live Longer? The Answer is Enlightening<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
by MSN health</div>
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Sometimes, when it comes to our health, we have to think beyond what science can measure. Stress, for instance, is not wholly quantifiable—yet it can be worse for our bodies and longevity than smoking a pack a day or maintaining a candy-and-cookies diet.</div>
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Sometimes, the best preventative medicine doesn’t come in a screening or a pill. It’s just embracing a sense of purpose in your life.</div>
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<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/11/live-on-purpose/382252/" target="_blank"> New analysis in <i>The Atlantic</i></a> takes a look at all the ways science is proving that living on purpose is an essential component to staying healthy. A new study published in the journal <i>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</i> showed that people who have purpose in their lives were more likely to partake in preventative healthcare like mammograms and flu shots. </div>
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That’s not all. There are many more examples of purposeful living’s impact. The program Experience Corps has paired struggling early elementary kids with an adult age 55 or older for tutoring. Not only did the students’ attitudes and test scores increase over time, but the adults felt a renewed sense of purpose in their lives. Their depression rates fell, their cognition improved, their physical mobility, stamina, and flexibility all received a bump.</div>
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Nobel Prize-winner and biochemistry professor Elizabeth Blackburn has noted the link between stress and bodily aging: the caps on the ends of our chromosomes, called telomeres, shorten with psychological pressure. Shorter telomeres expose our chromosomes to damage, they fray, and we’re more likely to get sick and die—but the enzyme telomerase can slow down this aging process. With that in mind, Blackburn put stressed-out subjects into a three-month meditation program during one of her studies, and found they had longer telomeres and higher telomerase activity compared to those who did not meditate.</div>
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“It was the purpose, not the meditation itself,” explains Victor Strecher, professor of health behavior and health education at University of Michigan School of Public Health—a fact that is largely ignored by the medical sciences. But, he explains, "If things like purpose in life are rejected simply because they are philosophical ideas [not generally associated with the science of medicine], that's a problem... What if doctors had a prescription pad that just helped people develop greater purpose in life? I think we need something like this right now.”</div>
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Positive thinking and finding purpose are both mechanisms you can develop. Have you ever noticed that your troubles seem to melt when you think of others? Strecher says we need to look outside ourselves to improve our wellness. Volunteering is a huge lesson in perspective. Meditation and mindfulness can also help you learn what you are on this earth to do and the people you impact everyday—but you can’t get any of this in a shot from the doctor’s office. It’s on you. So, if you want one of the best ways to improve your health and wellbeing, think: <i>I will live with purpose</i> . </div>
heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-74305941784098899612014-11-26T15:03:00.001-08:002014-11-26T15:04:26.794-08:00REAL ESTATE Tip- Features of a Profitable Rental Property<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><b>Investors Starting Fresh: Features of a Profitable Rental Propert</b></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><b>y</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If
you’ve recently started your search as an investor looking for a
profitable rental property, you might have started to wonder: without
having the ability to rely on historical and proven information about
the worthiness of a home as a rental income property, how might one
decide on where to place their investment? If a home has never been
rented out before, how can I know whether it will make for a good rental
income property?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well,
luckily there is additional research you can put into action – when
doing so, consider these universal features of a profitable rental
property. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><b>An ‘Up and Coming’ Neighbourhood</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Purchasing
in the right neighbourhood at the right time can be one of the best
scenarios when it comes to making an investment in real estate, and is
surely every investor’s dream. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Accomplishing
this is all about conducting your research and being able to spot
trends in the market before they become overly obvious to the general
public. Which areas are changing? Which neighbourhoods seem to be
becoming more popular and intriguing to the public? Have your realtor
provide you with the details, and then take it upon yourself to explore
the neighbourhoods that are on your radar.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><b>Zoning and Future Developments</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Often
pinpointing an ‘up and coming’ neighbourhood is accomplished by
considering the zoning of the area as well as any changes to such that
might be taking place. If zoning changes have been proposed by
developers, and are either approved or pending, this can be a major hint
towards future development and overall change in the area. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
is often a key piece of the puzzle when trying to envision the
neighbourhood in its short-term and long-term future. Ensure to utilize
your foresight and have conversations with your realtor about how the
future developments can positively affect the neighbourhood or
negatively affect the particular property. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><b>Property Taxes and Rental Income</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally,
make sure you don’t leave out factors like property taxes when trying
to ascertain which areas make for the most lucrative rental incomes.
Check out the property taxes and deduct them from the average annual
rental incomes for similar homes. How beneficial is one area over the
next when looking at the cold, hard bottom-line figures? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Looking at a home that has a history as a rental income property? Here’s what you need to avoid getting burned. </span></span></div>
heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-7926793053036493102014-10-23T12:37:00.000-07:002014-10-23T12:37:37.161-07:00LIFE Tip -6 Subtle Things Highly Productive People Do Every Day BY Eric Barker<br />
Ever feel like you’re just not getting enough done?<br />
<strong>Know how many days a week you’re actually productive?</strong><br />
<strong><a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2011/11/how-many-days-per-week-are-you-actually-produ/" target="_blank"></a>ABOUT THREE </strong><br />
People work an average of 45 hours a week; they consider about 17 of
those hours to be unproductive (U.S.: 45 hours a week; 16 hours are
considered unproductive).<br />
We could all be accomplishing a lot more — but then again, none of us wants to be a workaholic, either.<br />
<strong>It’d be great to get tons done <em>and</em> have work-life balance. But how do we do that? I decided to get some answers.</strong><br />
<strong>And who better to ask than Tim Ferriss, author of the international bestseller The 4 hour workweek.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
(Tim’s blog is <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://fourhourworkweek.com/blog/" target="_blank">here</a> and his podcast is <a href="http://fourhourworkweek.com/2014/04/22/tim-ferriss-podcast/" target="_blank">here</a>.)</span><br />
<strong>Below are six tips Tim offered, the science behind why they work, and insights from the most productive people around.</strong><br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
1. Manage Your Mood</h2>
Most productivity systems act like we’re robots – they forget the enormous power of <em>feelings</em>.<br />
<strong>If you start the day calm it’s easy to get the right things done and focus.</strong><br />
But when we wake up and the fray is already upon us — phone ringing,
emails coming in, fire alarms going off — you spend the whole day <em>reacting</em>.<br />
This means you’re not in the driver’s seat working on your
priorities; you’re responding to what gets thrown at you, important or
not.<br />
Here’s Tim:<br />
I try to have the first 80 to 90 minutes of my day vary as little as
possible. I think that a routine is necessary to feel in control and
nonreactive, which reduces anxiety. It therefore makes you more
productive.<br />
Research shows how you start the day has an<span style="color: black;"> enormous effect on productivity and you procrastinate more when you're in a bad mood.</span><br />
<strong>Studies demonstrate happiness increased productivity and makes you feel more successful.</strong><br />
As <span style="color: black;">Shawn Anchor describes in his book The Happiness Advantage:</span><br />
Doctors put in a positive mood before making a diagnosis show almost
three times more intelligence and creativity than doctors in a neutral
state, and they make accurate diagnoses 19% faster. Optimistic
salespeople outsell their pessimistic counterparts by 56%. Students
primed to feel happy before taking math achievement tests far outperform
their neutral peers. It turns out that our brains are literally
hardwired to perform at their best not when they are negative or even
neutral, but when they are positive.<br />
So think a little less about managing the work and a little more about managing your moods.<br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
So what’s the first step to managing your mood after you wake up?<br />
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<strong>2. Don’t Check Email In The Morning</strong></h2>
To some people this is utter heresy. Many can’t imagine not waking up and immediately checking email or social-media feeds.<br />
<strong>I’ve interviewed a number of highly productive people and nobody said, “Spend more time with email.”</strong><br />
<strong>Why is checking email in the morning a cardinal sin?You’re setting yourself up to <em>react</em>.</strong><br />
<strong>An email comes in and suddenly you’re giving your best hours to someone else’s goals, not yours.</strong><br />
You’re not planning your day and prioritizing; you’re letting your
objectives be hijacked by whoever randomly decides to enter your inbox.<br />
Here’s Tim:<br />
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Whenever possible,
do not check email for the first hour or two of the day. It’s difficult
for some people to imagine. “How can I do that? I need to check email
to get the information I need to work on my most important one or two
to-dos?”</span><br />
You would be surprised how often that is not the case. You might need
to get into your email to finish 100% of your most important to-dos.
But can you get 90% done before you go into Gmail and have your rat
brain explode with freak-out, dopamine excitement and cortisol panic?
Yes.<br />
Research shows email:<br />
<ol>
<li>
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/05/is-email-killing-us/" target="_blank"></a>Stresses you out.</span></li>
<li>Can turn you into a jerk<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/04/does-email-turn-you-into-an-asshole/" target="_blank"> </a></span></li>
<li>Can be more addictive than tobacco or alcohol<span style="color: black;"></span></li>
<li>And checking email frequently is the equivalent of <span style="color: black;"> dropping your IQ by 10 points.</span></li>
</ol>
Is this really how you want to start your day?<br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
Great, so you know what <em>not</em> to do. But a bigger question looms: <em>What should you be doing?</em><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> </span><br />
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3. Before You Try To Do It Faster, Ask Whether It Should Be Done At All</h2>
<strong>Everyone asks, “Why is it so impossible to get everything done?” But the answer is stunningly easy:</strong><br />
<strong>You’re doing too many things.</strong><br />
Want to be more productive? <strong>Don’t ask how to make something more efficient until after you’ve asked “DO I need to do this at all?"</strong><br />
Here’s Tim:<br />
Doing something well does not make it important. I think this is one
of the most common problems with a lot of time-management or
productivity advice; they focus on how to do things quickly. The vast
majority of things that people do quickly should not be done at all.<br />
It’s funny that we complain we have so little time and then we prioritize like time is endless. Instead, <strong>do what is important … and not much else.</strong><br />
But is this true in the real world?<br />
Research shows CEOs don’t get more done by blindly working more hours, they get more done<span style="color: black;"> when they follow careful plans</span><br />
Preliminary analysis from CEOs in India found that a firm’s sales
increased as the CEO worked more hours. But more intriguingly, the
correlation between CEO time use and output was driven entirely by hours
spent in planned activities. Planning doesn’t have to mean that the
hours are spent in meetings, though meetings with employees were
correlated with higher sales; it’s just that CEO time is a limited and
valuable resource, and planning how it should be allocated increases the
chances that it’s spent in productive ways.<br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
OK, you’ve cleared the decks. Your head is serene, you’ve gotten the
email monkey off your back and you know what you need to do.<br />
Now we have to face one of the biggest problems of the modern era: How do you sit still and focus?<br />
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4. Focus Is Nothing More Than Eliminating Distractions</h2>
Ed Hallowell, former professor at Harvard Medical School and bestselling author of <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005GFII62/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005GFII62&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20" target="_blank">Driven to Distraction,</a> says we have <a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/04/busy/" target="_blank">“culturally generated ADD.”</a></span><br />
Has modern life permanently damaged our attention spans?<br />
No. What you do have is more tantalizing, easily accessible, shiny
things available to you 24/7 than any human being has ever had.<br />
<strong>The answer is to lock yourself somewhere to make all the flashing, buzzing distractions go away.</strong><br />
Here’s Tim:<br />
Focus is a function, first and foremost, of limiting the number of options you give yourself for <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/07/chronic-procrastination/" target="_blank">procrastinating</a>… I
think that focus is thought of as this magical ability. It’s not a
magical ability. It’s put yourself in a padded room, with the problem
that you need to work on, and shut the door. That’s it. The degree to
which you can replicate that, and systematize it, is the extent to which
you will have focus.</span><br />
<strong>What’s the best way to sum up the research? How about this: <a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/10/productivity-ninja/" target="_blank">Distractions make you stupid</a>.</strong><br />
And a flood of studies shows that the easiest and most powerful way to change your behavior <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/04/whats-the-most-effective-way-to-change-you-be/" target="_blank">is to change your environment.</a></span><br />
<strong>Top CEOs are interrupted every 20 minutes. How do they get anything done?</strong><br />
<strong>By working from home in the morning for 90 minutes <a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/05/spend-time-wisely/" target="_blank">where no one can bother them</a>:</strong><br />
They found that not one of the twelve executives was ever able to
work uninterruptedly more than twenty minutes at a time—at least not in
the office. Only at home was there some chance of concentration. And the
only one of the twelve who did not make important, long-range decisions
“off the cuff,” and sandwiched in between unimportant but long
telephone calls and “crisis” problems, was the executive who worked at
home every morning for an hour and a half before coming to the office.<br />
(For more on how to stop procrastinating go <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/07/chronic-procrastination/" target="_blank">here</a>.)</span><br />
I know what some of you are thinking: <em>I have other responsibilities. Meetings. My boss needs me. My spouse calls. I can’t just hide.</em><br />
This is why you need a system.<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<strong>5. Have A Personal System</strong></h2>
I’ve spoken to a lot of insanely productive people. You know what none of them said?<br />
“I don’t know how I get stuff done. I just wing it and hope for the best.”<br />
Not one. Your routines can be formal and scientific or personal and idiosyncratic — but either way, <strong>productive people have a routine.</strong><br />
Here’s Tim:<br />
Defining routines and systems is more effective than relying on self-discipline. I think self-discipline is overrated.<br />
Allowing yourself the option to do what you have not decided to do is
disempowering and asking for failure. I encourage people to develop
routines so that their decision-making is only applied to the most
creative aspects of their work, or wherever their unique talent happens
to lie.<br />
<strong>Great systems work because they <a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2011/05/how-to-get-more-done/" target="_blank">make things automatic</a>, and don’t tax <a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/07/increase-self-control/" target="_blank">your very limited supply of willpower</a>.</strong><br />
What do we see when we systematically study the great geniuses of all time? Almost all had <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/05/genius-work-habits/" target="_blank">personal routines that worked for them</a>.</span><br />
(“<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0670026557/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0670026557&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20&linkId=53U2SSX2DUH2QGDF" target="_blank">Give and Take</a>” author <a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/04/interview-wharton-business-school-professor-teaches-approach-give/" target="_blank">Adam Grant</a> consistently writes in the mornings while Tim always writes at night.)</span><br />
How do you start to develop your own personal system? Apply some <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/03/work-life-balance/" target="_blank">80-20</a> thinking:</span><br />
<ol>
<li><strong>What handful of activities are responsible for the disproportionate number of your successes?</strong></li>
<li><strong>What handful of activities absolutely crater your productivity?</strong></li>
<li><strong>Rearrange your schedule to do more of No. 1 and to eliminate No. 2 as much as possible.</strong></li>
</ol>
(For more on the routines geniuses use to be productive click <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/05/genius-work-habits/" target="_blank">here</a>.)</span><br />
So you’re all set to wake up tomorrow with a system and not be
reactive. How do you make sure you follow through on this tomorrow? It’s
simple.<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<strong>6. Define Your Goals The Night Before</strong></h2>
Wake up knowing what is important before the day’s pseudo-emergencies
come barging into your life and your inbox screams new commands.<br />
Here’s Tim:<br />
<strong>Define your one or two most important to-dos before dinner, the day before.</strong><br />
Best-selling author <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/01/interview-nyt-bestselling-author-dan-pink-explains-secrets-influence/" target="_blank">Dan Pink</a> gives <a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/08/work-smarter-not-harder/" target="_blank">similar advice</a>:</span><br />
Establish a closing ritual. Know when to stop working. Try to end
each workday the same way, too. Straighten up your desk. Back up your
computer. Make a list of what you need to do tomorrow.<br />
<strong>Research says you’re more likely to follow through if <a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2011/06/how-can-you-stop-procrastinating-and-make-pla/" target="_blank">you’re specific</a> and if you <a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2011/05/what-little-thing-can-increase-the-chance-peo/" target="_blank">write your goals down</a>.</strong><br />
Studies show this has a secondary benefit: writing down what you need to do tomorrow <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2011/10/how-can-you-stop-worrying-about-projects-at-w/" target="_blank">relieves anxiety and helps you enjoy your evening</a>.</span><br />
(For more information on setting and achieving goals click <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/05/the-last-damn-thing-youll-ever-need-to-read-a/" target="_blank">here</a>.)</span><br />
So how does this all come together?<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Summing Up</h2>
Here are Tim’s 6 tips:<br />
<ol>
<li><strong>Manage Your Mood</strong></li>
<li><strong>Don’t Check Email in The Morning</strong></li>
<li><strong>Before You Try To Do It Faster, Ask Whether It Should Be Done At All</strong></li>
<li><strong>Focus Is Nothing More Than Eliminating Distractions</strong></li>
<li><strong>Have A Personal System</strong></li>
<li><strong>Define Your Goals The Night Before</strong></li>
</ol>
The word “productivity” sounds like we’re talking about machines. But
the funny thing is that much of being truly good with time is about <em>feelings</em>.<br />
<strong>How should you strive to feel when working? <a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/02/busy-happiness/" target="_blank">Busy, but not rushed</a>. Research shows this is when people are happiest.</strong><br />
I couldn’t have written this without the help of Tim Ferriss and Adam Grant. Both volunteered their very valuable time.<br />
Was that a waste on their part? They definitely won’t get those minutes back.<br />
<strong>Helping others takes time but research shows it <a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/09/two-things-that-can-increase-the-hours-in-you/" target="_blank">makes us <em>feel</em> like we have more time</a>. And it makes us <a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/04/helping-happier/" target="_blank">happier</a>. </strong><br />
Once you are more productive, you’ll have a lot more hours to fill. So why not use them to make others and yourself <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/08/here-are-the-things-that-are-proven-to-make-y/" target="_blank">happier</a>?</span><br />
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<br />Read more: <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/06/most-productive-people#ixzz3Gzu2yaEk">http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/06/most-productive-people#ixzz3Gzu2yaEk</a></span></div>
heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-6096774732079563872014-10-10T13:35:00.002-07:002014-10-10T13:35:36.604-07:00MONEY Tip- The Millionaire Mindset: 6 Mistakes the Rich Never Makeby Molly Triffin<br />
<br />
Unless you’ve been living under a rock lately—or you avoid network
news like the plague—you’re probably pretty familiar with these terms …
and the implication that true wealth in America is too exclusive for
most of us to ever attain.<br />
Well, the truth is you don’t have to launch a blockbuster tech
company, sport the last name Buffett—or pursue the kind of career that
could be featured in a Michael Lewis book (Although let’s be real—those things don’t hurt.)<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjNKR-msfLuXthWpCIVewJb5dmPUF4z5qK_Pb7zcZCxB3tJs6a0nswe27mIjuxm5rc7vmYpNkNR7gbnMy-KffXUe5WaF0CzJ87E1yTLcxnFtjdhCI2QMV5hXlV5-bQ62cibdRYCQvhhY1/s1600/money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjNKR-msfLuXthWpCIVewJb5dmPUF4z5qK_Pb7zcZCxB3tJs6a0nswe27mIjuxm5rc7vmYpNkNR7gbnMy-KffXUe5WaF0CzJ87E1yTLcxnFtjdhCI2QMV5hXlV5-bQ62cibdRYCQvhhY1/s1600/money.jpg" /></a></div>
What you <em>do</em> have to have? The right money mind-set, as well as the financially savvy habits that go with it.<br />
“The primary difference between the wealthy and the rest of us is
that they’re in control of their money—they don’t let money control
them,” says Jaime Tardy, a business coach and author of "The Eventual Millionaire" who has interviewed more than 150 millionaires on how they accumulated their wealth.<br />
<br />
<br />
“They have taken the time to learn how to work successfully with
money, and as a result, they are the captain of their ship,” she says.
“On the other hand, if you approach your finances from a place of fear
or ignorance, you’ll be like a boat floating around the ocean without a
motor.”<br />
And that type of aimless attitude is what can lead you to make
serious dollar-sucking mistakes—unless you learn to adopt some key good
money habits of the wealthy.<br />
So with that goal in mind, we rounded up the biggest financial
blunders many people make—but prosperous folks avoid at all costs—so you
can start to put their strategies into action to boost your own net
worth.<br />
<br />
<br />
If you’re not a numbers person, it can be tempting to mentally cut
yourself off from your finances, whether it’s neglecting to stay on top
of your investments or blatantly ignoring your bank statements. But
that’s a huge no-no—and those with sky-high bank accounts certainly
don’t amass big bucks by being blind to their balance sheets.<br />
“If you don’t have the facts about your financial situation, money
will stream through your hands like water,” Tardy says. The consequence?
You could land in debt, make poor investments—or end up flat-broke when
you retire.<br />
<strong>The Get-Rich Fix</strong> “Some people assume that you have
to be an investment banker to understand money, but the wealthy weren’t
born with some secret know-how—it’s a gradual learning process,” Tardy
says. “If you’re procrastinating about facing money because you’re
scared of what you’ll find, you have to dive in. Even if it’s not what
you wanted to see, the truth will allow you to make decisions and move
forward.”<br />
<br />
If you’re starting from scratch, the first step is to gather some
basic information from your bank account, like how much you earn and
what you spend, so you can figure out what you’re netting each month—and
gauge whether your fiscal position is improving or getting worse. Once
you have all the facts, you can start making thoughtful decisions about
what you need to do in order to start growing your money.<br />
On the other hand, if investing is your money blind spot, facing the
facts might mean building up your knowledge base by listening to
podcasts, signing up for a seminar or hiring a financial adviser. “Just
make sure it’s a trusted source,” Tardy says. “Learn from people who are
already where you want to be.”<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Money Mistake #2: You Overspend</h2>
When you think about the type of lifestyles the rich can afford, you
probably picture luxuries like a ski chateau in Chamonix or a closet
full of Manolos. But wealthy people are more down-to-earth than you
might imagine.<br />
“Millionaires aren’t out there buying Lamborghinis,” Tardy says.
“They make purchasing decisions based on their current financial status
and their goals. They’re rich because they’re good at <em>keeping</em> money—not spending it.”<br />
<strong>The Get-Rich Fix </strong>Have your eyes started to glaze
over from having the importance of proper budgeting hammered into you
repeatedly? We get it. Despite their best budgeting attempts, some
people still find it difficult to keep tabs on their spending.<br />
Unfortunately, we can’t give you a free pass to throw this crucial
money to-do out the window—but Tardy does have a solution for making it a
bit more bearable.<br />
“Make budgeting a game by giving yourself an interesting new
challenge every week,” she says. “See how little you can spend on
groceries, or even skip food shopping one week and invent meals using
what you already have in the cupboards.”<br />
The key is to identify the system (or mind trick) that you’re most likely to stick with—and then do it.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<h2>
Money Mistake #3: You Neglect to Adjust Your Finances Following a Big Life Event</h2>
When you get married or a parent passes away, your bank account is
probably one of the last things on your mind. But if you postpone adding
your spouse to your will, canceling your joint account after a divorce
or signing on to your new company’s 401(k), your bottom line <em>will</em> take a hit.<br />
“Successful people understand that every transition you go through
has a financial implication—and they make sure to build a plan for those
turning points,” says Pete Bush, a CFP® with Horizon Wealth Management
in Baton Rouge, La.<br />
<br />
<strong>The Get-Rich Fix</strong> Whenever your life takes a turn in a
new direction, find time to sit down, look at your finances and adjust
them accordingly. “Think about it like football,” Bush says. “The
coaches have a game plan heading in. But let’s say the quarterback,
running back and linebacker get hurt in the first quarter and are out of
commission. Their original intention is now irrelevant, and they have
to come up with a new blueprint.”<br />
Money-savvy folks understand that even when you’re in the midst of a
big event—like sleep-training your 6-month-old—it’s still important to
consider your balance sheet … and open that 529 college savings plan
that will help you save up thousands of dollars for the big financial
burden coming in 18 years.<br />
“Life transitions have many different components to them: logistical,
emotional, spiritual, familial and, yes, financial,” Bush says. “Count
the financial piece among the others and give it equal weighting. It may
not be the most urgent, but at least if you recognize up-front that
it’s in the mix, you can make a plan to deal with it.”<br />
<br />
<br />
“Rich people will rarely be caught paying bills late, bouncing checks or
carrying a high-interest card because they hate to waste money.”<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Money Mistake #4: You Waste Cash on Fees</h2>
It’s one thing to burn through $100 on a fantastic meal at your
favorite restaurant. Hey, at least you enjoyed yourself! But it’s
entirely another to trash 100 big ones on overdraft fees or missed
payments.<br />
“The difference between wealthy people and everyone else is that the
rich watch where their money is going, and they protect their wealth by
making sure none of it slips through their fingers,” says David Bach,
vice chairman of Edelman Financial Services and author of "Smart Woman Finish Rich " “Rich
people will rarely be caught paying their bills late, bouncing checks
or carrying a high-interest credit card because they hate to waste
money.”<br />
<strong>The Get-Rich Fix</strong> Automate, automate, automate. We’re
only human, after all, and we’re bound to miss a payment or overlook a
bill at some point. So put safeguards in place that will lower the risk
of those inevitable blunders.<br />
“Set up auto-pay features to take care of your key bills—mortgage,
car payment, insurance, credit cards,” Bach says. “Late fees can add up
to a fortune.”<br />
Of course, that also doesn’t give you license to simply coast. “Rich
people read their statements, checking regularly for mistakes,” Bach
adds. “They know that if they catch errors on their bills, they can call
their provider and get them fixed ASAP.”<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Money Mistake #5: You Focus on Saving More—but Not Earning More</h2>
If you’ve decided that you need to scale back on your spending, and
your first inclination is to sacrifice your daily Starbucks fix or
unplug every electronic item in your house when you’re not using
them—stop right there.<br />
Millionaires aren’t in the business of wasting money, but they also
recognize the greater importance of earning additional income as a way
to attain financial goals faster. “[Wealthy people] understand that
while there is a limit on how much you can save, there is no limit to
how much you can make,” Tardy says.<br />
In other words, even though slashing your expenses by $50 or even
$100 a month will boost your bottom line a little bit—raking in
thousands more from a salary bump will have a much greater effect.<br />
<strong>The Get-Rich Fix</strong> If you’re feeling a pinch, invest
your time more wisely by seeking out ways to earn more. An obvious place
to start is by examining your current salary. If you haven’t asked for a
raise recently, and know you’re delivering value to your company,
schedule a meeting with your boss to make your case for earning more.<br />
<br />
Another strategy? Use the hour you would have spent researching the
cheapest online purveyor of dish detergent to brainstorm ways to bring
in a side income.<br />
“The key is figuring out what skills you have that can be of value to
others and then determining how to charge for that value, whether it is
a side venture, helping a friend with a project, or some other way of
plugging into an opportunity of trading your value for [someone else's]
money,” Bush says.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Money Mistake #6: You Obsess Over Price—and Sacrifice Value</h2>
Sometimes our frugal intentions end up sabotaging us: You buy cheapie
$50 shoes instead of a good-quality $200 pair that will last longer. Or
you make repeated repairs to your gas-guzzling, circa 1992 Volvo
station wagon rather than spring for a new model.<br />
But rich people know better.<br />
“Wealthy people understand that the cheapest route isn’t always the
most valuable,” Bush says. “They are able to take the long view and
consider how what they pay today compares with the worth over time.”<br />
<strong>The Get-Rich Fix</strong> Part of the solution is changing your mind-set from “find the rock-bottom price” to “find the best value.” Then do the math.<br />
“Take the ‘bargain’ and ‘value’ options of whatever you’re looking
at—a mortgage, car loan, etc.—and run the cost out over a reasonable
time for that transaction,” suggests Bush. “Compare them both ways,
taking into consideration your cash flow, and see which works best for
your situation.”<br />
So let’s say a car dealership offers a low rate or 0% interest if you
finance a vehicle over three years versus a higher rate for five years.
If you plan on keeping the car for seven to ten years, what is the
total price of owning it over that time frame? The longer you finance
something, the lower the monthly payments—but the more it costs over
time. So it’s not as much short-term pain, but it gives you less to
build savings with over the long term.<br />
Also, remember that enlightening experiences are inherently more
valuable than material goods. “Once you have an abundance of stuff, you
quickly realize that you don’t need more of it,” Tardy says.
“Millionaires understand that valuing the experiences that change you as
a person—be it travel or skydiving—will do more for you than just
getting the iPhone 6, when the iPhone 5 worked just as well.” (By the
way, Tardy knows several millionaires who still have the iPhone <em>4</em>!)<br />
So start paying attention to what you are doing when you feel
happiest and most alive—and put your financial efforts into creating
more of those moments.<br />
<br />
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photo from slideshare.netheidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-81699905184840431352014-10-08T17:09:00.001-07:002014-10-08T17:09:32.099-07:00LIFE Tip- If You Truly Value Yourself, Then You Need To Stop Saying These 4 Thingsby Carol Morgan <br />
<br />
Do you value yourself enough?
<br />
Well, up until recently, I sure wasn’t.<br />
A couple of weeks ago, I had someone tell me that I was not charging enough for my keynote speeches.<br />
My first reaction was confusion, plus a little bit of self-deprecating humor.<br />
I thought, “Why don’t you think I’m charging enough? Am I completely
out of the loop for the going rate for someone like me to speak at
corporate events? Or, on the positive side, I’m just really that awesome
and I could be the next Oprah?”<br />
<br />
Anyway, a conversation about it ensued, and then I came to the
conclusion that she was right: I’m not charging enough for my keynotes.
<br />
But I refused to think that I was out of the loop that much. So I had to turn to other possibilities.<br />
If I’m undercharging, does that mean that I don’t value my message,
or my work, or even myself? I didn’t think so. But I had to dig deep and
think about it.<br />
What were my subconscious thoughts that were blocking me from
thinking I that I should charge more? I had a few answers…such as my
older sisters saying things like, “You’re a doctor?!” or “People
actually listen to you? Bahahaha!”<br />
Keep in mind, my sisters are only teasing me. They are actually very
supportive. But in the back of my head, I am just their little sister.<br />
Could that be holding me back? (Actually, I have a whole other article to write on that topic sometime. That will be fun.)<br />
I regularly speak and write about the subconscious beliefs we all
have that are holding us back. But it wasn’t until a couple of weeks ago
that I had to analyze my own hidden beliefs.<br />
In the past, I’ve written about what to do (or think)
when other people don’t value you. But what if you are the one who is
not valuing yourself enough?<br />
Here are four things that may be going through your mind without you even knowing it.<br />
And, of course, all of them are holding you back. Do any of them sound like you?<br />
<h3>
Self-Destructive Things You Need To Stop Saying</h3>
<h5>
1. “I’m just helping people. I don’t need money for it.”</h5>
Helping people is great. We should all be helping people.<br />
<br />
money for a service is called an energy exchange. If you do nice things
for a friend and you never get thanked (or maybe they never do anything
nice in return for you), well, you’re kind of getting used.<br />
The same thing applies to getting paid for services. Money is an
energy exchange – a symbolic “thank you.” And it’s a vitally important
one too. Without it, you have the potential of being used.<br />
<h5>
2. “I feel bad taking money from people.”</h5>
Do you feel bad collecting your paycheck? No.<br />
Do you think that McDonald’s feels bad for accepting money for your Quarter Pounder with Cheese? No.<br />
<em><br /></em>
Do you think that a movie star has a problem accepting money from their blockbuster? Of course not!<br />
It all sounds kind of silly when you re-frame it like that, doesn’t
it? So why would you ever feel bad for accepting money from people? As I
said in #1, it’s simply an energy exchange. Think of it as doing the
person a favor by allowing them to be a giver.<br />
<h5>
3. “They can’t afford it, so I’ll take whatever they can give me.”</h5>
If they can’t afford you, then maybe they should find someone else. And I don’t mean that in a condescending way.<br />
But there is always someone who will do the job cheaper than you…at
least, there should be. You see, if you are the one at the bottom of the
barrel who is accepting everyone’s sloppy seconds, then you don’t value
yourself enough.<br />
<em><br /></em>
<h5>
4. “I’m humble. I’m just lil’ ol’ me.” </h5>
Ah….being humble is a great characteristic, isn’t it? Well, not when it comes to money!<br />
To be humble is to not value yourself and your talents. Now, I’m not
telling you to become conceited and stuck up. But you need to know that
being proud of yourself and your accomplishments is not conceit.<br />
<em><br /></em>
We are all valuable and accomplished in our own ways. Have someone
read your resume out loud to you. Trust me, it will give you a whole new
perspective, and you’ll finally realize how awesome you are.<br />
<h3>
The Takeaway</h3>
If you heard your own voice in these four statements above, I
challenge you to re-program your subconscious and get rid of these
self-defeating ideas. They are hogwash! They are only true if you think
they are true. Otherwise, they are just unproductive lies you are
telling yourself and they are holding you back. To value yourself, you
need to rid yourself of them. Start cheering yourself on today.<br />
Cheers! To your success!heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-68913376467506317092014-09-08T05:46:00.000-07:002014-09-08T05:46:25.002-07:00REAL ESTATE Tip- What you need to know about renting out your place<div class="first" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; padding: 0px;">
by Rica de Ramos</div>
<div class="first" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; padding: 0px;">
Thinking of renting out your space? You already know the basics: advertise, do a background check on your tenant, and make sure all your documents are in order.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
Real estate broker Mitor Alipio shares essential tips beyond the usual advice for renting out your house, apartment, townhouse or condominium unit.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
<strong>1. Choose the right broker for you</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
You need to find one that fits just like any relationship. There are several kinds of brokers: lease, sale, commercial, residential. Find someone who specializes in the type of space you own.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
You will need trust and a good working relationship with your broker, so chose wisely. Ask for referrals from friends and family first before looking anywhere else. First-hand information and someone vouching for the broker is always best.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
A broker is more than a person who finds your renter. This person can facilitate the necessary paperwork and can help furnish the property. Try to find a broker willing to manage your unit as well. Tasks include paying dues and aiding in repairs.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
This is a service that is not done by all brokers. There are a lot who disappear once the sale pushes through so it’s best to get a broker with excellent after-sales service. This gives you the luxury of convenience.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
<strong>2. Do you need an SPA (Special Power of Attorney) to lease your property?</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
An SPA or Special Power of Attorney is a document giving a person the authority to execute decisions and sign documents in your behalf. If you travel often or are extremely busy, it is recommended that you get one.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
The SPA is especially beneficial for landlords who are not based in the Philippines. It can be as simple as being unable to attend a meeting between you and your occupant. The transaction can go on smoothly if your representative is present.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
According to Mitor, “The SPA document should be complete. I had a client who showed me their SPA document but it did not have details of the condominium unit; thus it was deemed invalid. We had to redo the SPA.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
Do make sure that you give the SPA to someone who can represent you properly and is trustworthy. Lawyers and notaries have the format of the SPA document.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
<strong>3. Know the difference between a semi-furnished and fully furnished space</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
There are still a lot of people who confuse the two. It is imperative to distinguish them to taper expectations. Rental rates for these two types of space vary significantly.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
Do not expect fully-furnished rental rates when your space is semi-furnished. Mitor explains the difference: “Basically a fully furnished unit is complete, all you need to bring is your luggage. Even the cutlery is included.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
He adds, “A unit is regarded as semi-furnished when it has major appliances like a refrigerator, gas burner, microwave, washer and dryer, TV and an air-conditioning unit. The renter will have to bring in his own furniture.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
<strong>4. Be thorough about turnover</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
Always have an inventory checklist when you turnover the space to the occupant and when it is returned to you. Make sure that the inventory checklist is dated and signed by both parties.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
Mitor shares, “It is better to have photos with your inventory checklist. If the lease is for a year, you may forget some of the details of your space. If anything is damaged during the occupant’s stay, it is easy to determine if the damage was incurred after turnover. The photos and inventory checklist track accountability. They help minimize conflicts and problems.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
<strong>5. Have the right provisions in your contract to protect you</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
The deposit, advance and repairs are standard protocol of contracts. There are other factors to include in your contract like the number of occupants. You don’t want your two-bedroom condominium unit turned into a dorm for 10 people or your unit being subleased without your consent.</div>
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“It is important to specify the use of the property. If the contract states that the unit is to be used for residential purposes but the tenant uses it for something else, you can terminate the contract,” says Mitor.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
You wouldn’t want to get the shock of your life when you see your unit being used for something illegal and, worse, is raided on national television. </div>
heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-63349440271219595482014-09-03T08:54:00.002-07:002014-09-03T08:54:55.248-07:00RETIREMENT TIP- TOP Places to affordably Retire<div class="first" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.464000701904297px; padding: 0px;">
by ANC</div>
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Dumaguete, the capital of Negros Oriental in Central Visayas, has been identified as one of the most ideal places to retire around the world in the 2014 Retire Overseas Index released by the The Overseas Retirement Letter, a publication dedicated to the concerns of retirees.</div>
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The study showed that Dumaguete was chosen due to its cheap cost of living.</div>
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Based on expenses such as rent, gas, electricity, water, cable, groceries, Internet, and entertainment, retirees living in Dumaguete will only need a monthly budget of US$910 or about P40,000.</div>
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Dumaguete is also among the best places for retirees and among most expat-friendly destinations because of its beautiful beaches and its large English-speaking community.</div>
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The 2014 Retire Overseas Index chose the locations based on 12 factors, namely climate, existing expat community, cost of living, health care, crime, infrastructure, English spoken, real estate, entertainment, residency options, environmental conditions and taxes.</div>
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Aside from Dumaguete in the Philippines, rounding out the list of 21 best places to retire overseas are the following (in no particular order):</div>
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<li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Algarve, Portugal</li>
<li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ambergris Caye, Belize</li>
<li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">La Serena, Chile</li>
<li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Buenos Aires, Argentina</li>
<li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Medellin, Colombia</li>
<li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Cayo, Belize</li>
<li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mendoza, Argentina</li>
<li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">City Beaches, Panama</li>
<li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Puerto Vallarta, Mexico</li>
<li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Cuenca, Ecuador</li>
<li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Samana, Dominican Republic</li>
<li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Granada, Nicaragua</li>
<li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Abruzzo, Italy</li>
<li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Istria, Croatia</li>
<li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pau, France</li>
<li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Barcelona, Spain</li>
<li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Chiang Mai, Thailand</li>
<li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Istanbul, Turkey</li>
<li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Nha Trang, Vietnam</li>
<li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">George Town, Malaysia</li>
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heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-14677805582935520732014-08-29T10:25:00.001-07:002014-08-29T10:31:30.896-07:00INVESTMENT Tip- 5 investments you can make with P20,000 or less<h1 style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">by iMoney</span></h1>
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Posted at 08/24/2014 9:13 AM | Updated as of 08/26/2014 9:44 AM</div>
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<em>(Editor's note: This article was written by iMoney as part of a content partnership arrangement with ABS-CBNnews.com.)</em><br />
MANILA, Philippines - Let’s say you've been saving P2,000 every month from your paycheck, and now you have P20,000. Or you got that amount as a performance bonus from work. Or a particularly generous relative gave it to you for your birthday.<br />
<strong>What would you do with it?</strong><br />
You might be thinking that it’s too little an amount to invest in anything long-term, enough that you're tempted to just go shopping with it.<br />
But if you look around for wiser options, you can find ways to make that money work for you. Below, we’ve put together a list of investments you can make with P20,000 that are financially better for you than going on a shopping spree.<br />
<strong>Unit Trust Investment Fund</strong><br />
You can easily dive into the world of investment with P20,000. For example, <a href="https://www.securitybank.com/personal/investments/unit-investment-trust-funds/" style="color: #006699; text-decoration: none;"><strong>Security Bank</strong></a>offers a number of unit investment trust funds (UITF) which require an initial amount of only P10,000. But what’s a UITF?<br />
Unit Trust Investment Funds “pool the funds of investors to create a large fund which, under the watchful eyes of professional fund managers, can productively harness these funds, taking advantage of economies of scale,” according to <a href="https://www.bdo.com.ph/personal/trust-and-investments/unit-investment-trust-funds" style="color: #006699; text-decoration: none;"><strong>Banco de Oro</strong></a>. Thus, even individuals can access investments usually just available to big investors. UITFs are also heavily regulated by not only the banks offering the fund, but also by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, protecting investors.<br />
UITFs are medium- to long-term investments that have historically better earning options over a long horizon than traditional deposit options, so if you can afford to leave your money in a UITF without having to withdraw from it for a long time, it can be a good option for you in the long run.<br />
For example, if you had invested in Security Bank’s Peso Asset Variety Fund on January 1, 2014, these are the kind of returns you could be expecting (disclaimer: values from Security Bank’s UITF calculator. The investment value is only indicative of the value of investment as of a certain date. However, for redemption, please note that the net asset value per unit (NAVpu) will be not be known until the end of a certain business date.)<br />
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That’s an ROI of 13.42% over six months, which you can’t get with your regular savings accounts. Again, this is just an example, so please consult with your bank first to determine which fund is right for you.<br />
East West Bank also offers the <a href="http://www.eastwestbanker.com/info/pi_pesotrustmx.asp" style="color: #006699; text-decoration: none;"><strong>Infinity Peso Intermediate Term Bond Fund</strong></a>, another UITF which requires an initial deposit of P10,000. It’s a low-risk venture, because the money will be invested primarily in government securities and investment-grade corporate bonds. This is ideal for investors with a long-term investment horizon.<br />
<strong>Health</strong><br />
For under P20,000 annually, you can avail of Maxicare’s MyMaxicare Silver Plan, so if you don’t have health insurance, you could easily get it.<br />
For example, according to Maxicare’s <a href="http://www2.maxicare.com.ph/Pages/QuickPlanComputation.aspx" style="color: #006699; text-decoration: none;"><strong>Quick Plan Computation</strong></a>, a 30-year-old applying for the Silver Plan, with dental coverage included, would pay P17,083.00 annually. You can check the Quick Plan Computation for the fees you would have to pay at your age (and whether you want dental coverage or not), which you can set annually, semi-annually or quarterly according to your needs.<br />
Benefits include emergency care, annual check-up and preventive care benefits. The Silver tier allows for semi-private room and board for hospitals, with a maximum benefit limit of P60,000 per illness per year.<br />
<a href="http://www.medicardphils.com/individual-and-family-program/" style="color: #006699; text-decoration: none;"><strong>Medicare’s Plan 2500</strong></a> is another healthcare option, with a P15,876 annual fee. Hospitals include Asian Hospital and Medical Center, St. Luke’s Medical Center-Quezon City, The Medical City and Cardinal Santos Medical Center.<br />
<strong>Business</strong><br />
For as low as P15,000, you can own a siomai business. <a href="http://www.shanghaisiomai.com/" style="color: #006699; text-decoration: none;"><strong>Shanghai Siomai</strong></a> has dealership packages that start with a one-time P10,000 dealer registration fee and a minimum order of P5,000 worth of siomai ingredients. Consult their website for details.<br />
P20,000 can also get you started in owning your own rice business. <a href="http://www.bigasanko.com/" style="color: #006699; text-decoration: none;"><strong>Bigasanko.com</strong></a>, a rice distributor, wholesaler, and retailer, requires that amount as an application fee, which can be deducted from the down payment.<br />
Before investing in a business, make sure you’ve done your research and have a plan for profitability.<br />
<strong>Education</strong><br />
If you want to build up your management skills, the Advanced Managers’ Course at the <a href="http://entrepreneurship.org.ph/" style="color: #006699; text-decoration: none;"><strong>UP Institute for Small-Scale Industries</strong></a> can help you.<br />
The 10-day course, which you can take over 10 Saturdays and costs P18,000, focuses on leadership, innovation, technology, environment, people management, strategic management, risk management and customer relations management. Ideally, you should already have attended other management courses or been in a managerial position, though this is not required. Check the <a href="http://www.issi.upd.edu.ph/training_schedule_2014.pdf" style="color: #006699; text-decoration: none;"><strong>schedule </strong></a>to see if you can enroll.<br />
Or maybe you’re looking for a raise and want to improve your negotiation skills before you go to your boss. For P10,800, Ateneo’s Center for Continuing Education offers <a href="http://www.cce.ateneo.edu/course/negotiation-skills-deal-or-deadlock" style="color: #006699; text-decoration: none;"><strong>Negotiation Skills</strong></a>: Deal or Deadlock, which will teach you when to negotiate, how to implement your negotiation plan and counter others’ tactics, and develop the core skills of a good negotiator.<br />
<strong>Self-investment</strong><br />
What better way to invest your P20,000 than in yourself? Taking lessons and learning a new craft is a good way for you to grow your skillset and expand your career options, or just make your life better.<br />
So if you want to start your own bakery, for example, or want to level up your skills in making pastries and desserts, take a look at the <a href="http://www.enderunextension.com/class/5-day-pastry-boot-camp-september-2014/" style="color: #006699; text-decoration: none;"><strong>5-Day Pastry Boot Camp</strong></a> at Enderun Colleges. This intensive 30-hour class will teach you how to make sponge cakes, choux pastry, chantilly cream, and more bakery staples. When you’re done with the course, you can use your new skills and techniques to start your artisanal bakery, or bring new desserts to family gatherings.<br />
You could also beautify your home or workspace by learning more about interior design. The Interior Styling workshop at the<a href="https://sofa.edu.ph/index.php/page/index/interior-design-workshops" style="color: #006699; text-decoration: none;"><strong> School of Fashion and Art (SoFA) Design Institute</strong></a>, for P10,000, is an 8-week course which helps you develop an understanding and appreciation of color, pattern and furnishing, and how these can improve interior spaces, whether they be residential, commercial, or institutional.<br />
Do you have any ideas for what else to do with P20,000?</div>
heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-22914811516496314192014-08-28T02:41:00.000-07:002014-08-28T02:43:52.194-07:00BUSINESS Tip- 4 Fast Ideas to Rapidly Grow Your Revenue<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.464000701904297px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
by Entrepreneur</div>
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There exists only one unbreakable rule for entrepreneurial growth: <em>Get revenue!</em></div>
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That’s it. There are a thousand tasks that compete for your attention every day, but raising revenue must always remain at the top of your list.</div>
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You cannot fund your business on hard work alone. You cannot pay your bills with optimism. You either raise revenue or your business dies.</div>
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So how does the average entrepreneur continue feeding the revenue beast? Here are four fast ideas for rapid revenue growth that I’ve identified inside my own company for the upcoming quarter:</div>
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<strong>1. Leverage your existing fan base. </strong>Your best and most reliable source of revenue comes from your fan base. They <em>already</em> love and trust you. Now is the time to add new value for them to raise new revenue.</div>
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Start by asking the question, “What would add so much value so quickly that our existing customers would pay well to receive it?”</div>
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Is it a new service that supports something you have sold before? Is it an improved version of a previous product or service? Maybe it is an entirely new line that you can rush to market.</div>
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The key is to leverage existing buyer relationships. In doing so, you gain a shorter buying cycle, a higher conversion rate and more rapid revenue growth.</div>
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<strong>2. Host a seminar. </strong>Are you truly leveraging your expertise, or do you hold it back for a select few clients? Now, is this “hold back” increasing your revenue? Maybe … maybe not.</div>
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I know this is out of the box for many people, but if you have expertise that people can immediately benefit from, consider an open invitation, half-day educational seminar. There are countless resources online (and in bookstores) that describe how to create, promote and deliver seminars (or webinars).</div>
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Do the math: Find 200 people willing to pay $100 each and you just grew revenue by $20,000. Layer in product sales, consulting contracts and sponsorships, and pretty soon that rapid revenue growth begins looking quite impressive.</div>
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The key is coming up with a killer idea that appeals to the broadest audience possible. What is your specialty? How do you define the power of your message? What do you have to say to the world?</div>
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Figure it out and hold on for the ride!</div>
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(Author’s credibility note: I’m doing 11 such events in the fourth quarter this year.)</div>
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<strong>3. Cross-promote to new audiences. </strong>Are you promoting exclusively to your own audience? Big mistake! Go find someone (or many “someones”) with a larger audience and offer your product to the people in their database. (You will have to share the revenue, of course).</div>
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If you ever receive an email from a prominent expert endorsing the product or service of “my very good friend,” you are likely reading a cross-promotional sales opportunity.</div>
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The good news is that you can reach an entirely new audience. And when you sell to them once, you increase your chances of selling to them again in the future. Recurring revenue at it’s finest!</div>
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<strong>4. Repurpose an existing product. </strong>Do you blog? Assemble your very best blog posts into an ebook and sell it online. Do you have inventory lying around? Repackage it and combine it with something else so that you can promote it as something new. Consider expanding a service you offer or launching a unique sales promotion to clear out stale inventory.</div>
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The key is looking at your products and services in an entirely new way. Find a new perspective on an existing product and ask how it can generate revenue right now. As long as your product adds value to the customer, you can keep selling it over and over again.</div>
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So, are you working with a revenue-first mindset right now?</div>
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Trust me, the growth of your business depends on it. And, by the way -- it’s fun!</div>
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That’s why we’re entrepreneurs in the first place.</div>
heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-21587765593320299722014-08-23T06:02:00.002-07:002014-08-23T06:02:28.031-07:00WORK Tip -10 Things Great Talent Always Does<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.464000701904297px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
by Entrepreneur </div>
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Finding amazing talent is a tricky process. Making<a data-rapid_p="1" href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/topic/talent-management" rel="nofollow" style="color: #990033; text-decoration: none;"> talent </a>recruitment a top priority can multiply the success of an organization.</div>
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To recognize great talent, hiring managers can look for the following signs instead of paying attention only to resumes and cover letters.</div>
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Here are 10 things people possessing great talent always do:</div>
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1. They talk about their long-term goals.</h2>
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Talented candidates aren’t afraid of their future. In fact, they’re excited about their career and what’s in store.</div>
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Ask candidates about their long-term goals during a job interview. Those with great talent will talk about their prospective future with the company and what they plan to accomplish if hired.</div>
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2. They’re resourceful and prepared for anything.</h2>
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Great talent is prepared for any situation. The ability to think and act on the spot is a quality few people have.</div>
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People with top-notch talent know their resume inside and out, have their portfolio ready and can answer interview questions without stumbling over their thoughts.</div>
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3. They display confidence in any situation.</h2>
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There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance when identifying top talent. Confident individuals, however, can handle any situation and accept the reality that it’s OK to be wrong.</div>
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During the interview, ask candidates about their weaknesses. Look for a candidate who can confidently speak about weaknesses and explain the lessons they have learned.</div>
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4. They market their versatility.</h2>
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Individuals who are truly talented possess a wide range of skills and can transfer them to different roles and succeed.</div>
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Ask candidates about a time when they had to try something new or apply their skills in an unusual situation. A good candidate will be able to share an experience or two.</div>
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5. They prioritize results.</h2>
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Talented people care about results. They have a burning passion to accomplish their goals, both in their personal life or career.</div>
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Those who possess top talent will talk about what they want to accomplish once hired without the interviewer having to ask.</div>
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6. They ask smart questions.</h2>
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Bright individuals are curious people. Because of this, they’ll ask questions to learn more about an organization and how it functions.</div>
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During the interview, a talented candidate will ask questions about what he or she is expected to accomplish if hired. They will inquire about the attributes of the top performers at the company and about what it takes to drive results.</div>
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7. They’re extremely flexible.</h2>
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Many organizations continuously update their goals and implement new strategies. Top talent can adjust to such changes without becoming derailed from success.</div>
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Ask candidates about a time when they had to quickly adapt to a new situation and what happened.</div>
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8. They’re comfortable with taking risks.</h2>
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Risk taking is involved at any business. Talented people aren’t afraid of pushing the envelope to discover new ideas.</div>
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Ask candidates about a time where they had to take a risk. Their response should provide enough insight about whether they can take big enough risks.</div>
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9. They bring passion to the position and organization.</h2>
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This might seem like a cliché, but passion is a quality that sets apart those with great talent from lackluster candidates.</div>
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When a talented person is passionate about what he or she does, that individual is not afraid to tell a prospective employer. In fact, when someone is truly passionate, a hiring manager can see it in the individual's personality and previous experience.</div>
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10. They communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders.</h2>
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Strong communicators have the ability to take organizations to the next level.</div>
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When speaking to candidates over the phone or in person or exchanging emails, pay close attention to how they communicate. This gives employers a better indication of their communication skills.</div>
heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-78389620965010405262014-08-12T07:12:00.002-07:002014-08-12T07:12:42.307-07:00MONEY Tip- !0 Financial Mistakes that can Make You Poor<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
by Lifespan</div>
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Many people around the world find themselves struggling with debt on a daily basis. The recession has shed light on how poorly many people manage their finances. Debt, decreased savings and increased expenditures are some of the pitfalls that can seriously derail your finances. Avoiding these mistakes can make a huge difference in terms of financial security. It’s true that, when it comes to money, we all make mistakes. Our personal finance lessons are often learned through experience. However, it is important to realize the mistake and prevent it from happening again. Here we have gathered 10 of the most common mistakes made in personal finances; avoiding these errors can help you build financial security.</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">1. Spending More Than You Earn</strong></div>
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This is the cornerstone of personal finance, regardless of your income or net worth. It doesn’t matter how much you earn, but if you live within your means, you can save money in long term. It is simple math: <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">income < expenses = debt</em>, while <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">income > expenses = surplus</em>. Although buying a couple of things here and there might not seem to have much significance, it can make a huge impact over time. Frivolous expense such as ordering out for lunch or dinner or going to movies at peak time can add up and drain your bank account. Ideally, you should save and invest a percentage of each paycheck or income source you have.</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">2. Not Setting a Budget</strong></div>
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One of the main reasons behind frivolous spending is not having set a budget. A monthly financial budget helps you calculate how much you are supposed to spend in the entire month. It is calculated by considering your total income, your fixed monthly expenses, debts and any other liabilities. Your monthly budget should also take into consideration the amount you should be saving for retirement or a rainy day. Once the monthly budget is set, you can spend accordingly.</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">3. Ignoring the Need to Save for Retirement</strong></div>
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Most young people think that retirement is simply too far away, so they can think of retirement savings later on. Actually, people grossly underestimate the true cost of retirement, and when and how much they should start saving.</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">4. Not Understanding the Importance of Your Credit Score and Report</strong></div>
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Most of us often ignore our credit score. The credit score and credit report are essentially a record of how you have handled your finances over time. These two records actually determine whether or not you will be eligible for thousands in savings when you make bigger purchases. To improve your credit report and credit score, make sure you always pay your credit card bill on time, and dispute any mistakes on your report.</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">5. Having Too Much Debt</strong></div>
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To put it simply, having debt stinks. If you owe money, then you are just reducing your cash flow to make the payments. Clear off your debts as early as possible to help increase your savings. If you do acquire new debt, do it cautiously and only after researching the best loan options.</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">6. Investing Too Much in a House</strong></div>
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For most of us, buying a home is our biggest investment. Many people end up investing all of their savings and other funds to buy a dream home that is way beyond their budget. Living your dreams is great, but jeopardizing your financial situation in the process is not smart. Big or expensive houses also come with unnecessary added expenses, such as higher utility bills, maintenance costs and taxes, beyond the initial house price.</div>
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heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-66189853379984537062014-08-04T09:12:00.002-07:002014-08-04T09:12:23.970-07:00LIFE Tip -5 Surefire Ways to Maximize Your Life, Starting This Morning<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.464000701904297px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;">
By Entrepreneur magazine</div>
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Many of us have heard the adage, “How you spend your day, is how you spend your life.” I believe it’s even more micro than that. How you spend the first two hours of your day will determine how you live your life and how productive that life will be.</div>
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Giving yourself time in the morning to put yourself in an optimal physical and mental state is equivalent to putting your oxygen mask on first. You can’t help others or thrive until your needs are met first. Here are five easy-but-can't-fail steps for the best start to the rest of your life, every day.</div>
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<strong>1. Choose not to “snooze.”</strong> Anytime you snooze, it’s a negative reaction. You’re losing out on your first commitment to yourself and that sets a bad tone for the rest of your day.</div>
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Place your alarm on the other side of the room and start your day off with a victory lap by waking-up when you promised yourself you would. While this may seem small, beginning your day with a victory rather than a loss will have a profound impact on the following 16 hours.</div>
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<strong>2. Read your affirmations. </strong>Affirmations are positive, powerful statements you make to put yourself in the right frame of mind. An example of an affirmation to you can use is: “I am reborn today – yesterday does not matter. I am as good as what I learn, what I create, who I influence and what I inspire today.”</div>
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Or, you can take an example from<a data-rapid_p="2" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg" rel="nofollow" style="color: #990033; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> then 4-year-old Jessica whose morning affirmations went viral</a>. We have between 45,000 and 51,000 thoughts a day. Choose to have your first thoughts, every morning, put you into the best frame of mind for a rewarding life.</div>
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<strong>3. Open your mind by opening a book.</strong> Reading in the morning is the most important step you can take to keep your mind open, observant and ready to learn.</div>
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As an individual, and especially as an entrepreneur, nothing is more important than learning and getting better, so don't wait until nighttime to focus on your most important objective.</div>
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Try a book that’s geared to helping you solve a personal or professional challenge. That will acclimate your mind to thinking through problems, which is a powerfully beneficial habit to form. It is especially useful right before you start your day (which will invariably have its share of challenges).</div>
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<strong>4. Exercise to thrive. </strong>It’s simply not true that exercise is the key to weight loss. Instead of relegating exercise to a means (for weight loss), think of it as the destination.</div>
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There are three key reasons regular exercise is a smart business strategy.</div>
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First, exercise brings oxygen to your brain, even if you exercise for only 20 minutes. Second, research shows that moderate aerobic exercise can improve your mood for up to 12 hours. Third, exercise is another great opportunity to learn. Listen to an enriching podcast or an educational audiotape while you’re working out.</div>
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<strong>5. Refuel to feel optimal. </strong>What you put into your body to start the day is integral to how you’re going to feel the rest of the day. While opting for a bagel or donut on occasion is something we’re all prone to do, you’ll be amazed how you feel when you switch it up for something that has a well-rounded mix of healthy fats, plant-based protein and complex carbohydrates.</div>
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Blending together a smoothie only takes about as much time toasting a slice of bread and slathering it with butter. Consider starting your day with a tablespoon of virgin coconut oil (brain booster) and, after your workout, try a smoothie or breakfast bowl. Need a recommendation? My favorite is red quinoa, almonds, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds and ground flax seeds in a breakfast bowl.</div>
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For a smoothie, add brown rice protein powder, cinnamon, almond milk and fresh blueberries to Magic Bullet, Ninja, Vitamix (or whatever blender you have on hand). Mmmm, for the taste buds and the brain.</div>
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Try these strategies, or even just one at a time to begin. Jot down how they make you feel and affect the rest of your day. Implementing these strategies will benefit so much more than just your morning.</div>
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I believe self-care is social activism! It’s putting that oxygen mask on, first, so you can effect positive change within your workplace, with your family and throughout your community.</div>
heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573364910082783314.post-64099029481764450702014-07-18T04:57:00.000-07:002014-07-18T04:57:03.863-07:00LIFE Tip- It's Your Life You Get to Choose: 7 Tools to Help You Get What You Want<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; direction: ltr; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">
by Marilyn Tam</div>
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Huffpost</div>
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Waiting for something or someone to give you what you want in your life is abdication of your free will and choice. Yet we've all had occasions when we thought: "If only I had __X___ then I'll be _____," fill in the blank with one or more of the following: happy, rich, famous, good-looking, self-assured... Wishing and hoping that some outside force will show up and do for us what we actually can do for ourselves.</div>
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"I have not always chosen the safest path. I've made my mistakes, plenty of them. I sometimes jump too soon and fail to appreciate the consequences. But I've learned something important along the way: I've learned to heed the call of my heart. I've learned that the safest path is not always the best path and I've learned that the voice of fear is not always to be trusted. -- Steve Goodier</div>
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What are the secrets of successful people who keep moving forward instead of falling into wishful thinking, fear, or despair? Having overcome daunting odds to success and happiness, and interviewing many accomplished people on how they achieved their dreams on <a href="http://www.fmgradio.com/marilyntam/" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6aa3b1; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_hplink">my radio show</a>, The Happiness Choice, let me share with you common traits to living one's dreams. These tools are available for you to use right now:</div>
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<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; list-style: none outside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Acknowledge your fears. Pause when you feel scared and or hesitant about making a decision or moving forward. Review why you are feeling tentative. Run the scenario through in your mind; outline the various possible outcomes. What are the probabilities of them happening? You'll find that the most frightful ones probably won't happen, and you have solutions and/or can accept the others. Adjust your strategy and actions steps based on your new perspective.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; list-style: none outside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Look at failure and rejections as temporary. Setbacks? Everybody encounters them; learn from them and treat them as something that will help you succeed by knowing what doesn't work. And you will find what will.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; list-style: none outside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Seek advice and insights from mentors, people with experience, and research. What you are embarking on may have been done before in a different format, industry or situation; you can learn from them.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; list-style: none outside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Allow your true passion and mission to guide you. Weigh the information from evaluation and research, and then make your decisions based on what your inner guide prompts you to do. Choices made according to your true purpose will motivate you to fully dedicate yourself to what you have resolved to do.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; list-style: none outside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Smile and move your body. The weight and confusion dissipates when you take charge of your circumstances and remember that you can only change what is here now. Drop regrets for things past, and release anxiety about the future. Smiling and physical movement will bring you into the present; they disrupt the whirring thoughts in your brain.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; list-style: none outside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Believe that you are worthwhile. Most everyone harbor thoughts that they may not be good enough, and that perhaps they don't deserve to achieve their dreams. Recognize that this is a common apprehension and affirm that indeed you are fine just as you are, and that you deserve to attain your dreams. Repeat this to yourself regularly and especially when you feel fear. Yes, you are good enough!</li>
<li class="last" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; list-style: none outside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Gather support for your mission. Enlist encouragement and assistance on all levels, professionally, physically, personally, energetically and spiritually: business associates, vendors, friends, family, spiritual teachers and your global community network can help. Remember you are surrounded by advocates in many ways. You don't have to do it all on your own.</li>
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Living the life that you dreamed about is not only possible, in fact that is why you were born - to fully express your gifts, to grow and flourish and to have a happy and thriving life! It's your life you get to choose.</div>
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<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Be careful what you water your dreams with. Water them with worry and fear and you will produce weeds that choke the life from your dreams. Water them with optimism and solutions and you will cultivate success. Always be on the lookout for ways to nurture your dreams. -- Lao Tzu</em></div>
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heidi nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09128332603936355720noreply@blogger.com0