My Essay Blog

Writing is a solitary task.

Writing needs concentration and quiet.

Writing requires absolute commitment.

Are all there scary statements true?

What is more, is it possible to balance your writing career and family without turning yourself into a zombie?

Everything is feasible; I am the living example of it.

There is only one secret: TIME PLAN.

This is step one for the aspiring writer’s success. Without it, nothing can be achieved. How can you do it?

Simply make a rough plan of the time allowed to your writing project every day. It is highly important for the writer to know exactly WHEN he /she is going to settle down and write, feeling free of all the other responsibilities that he has.

I have made a simple schedule. You can work out yours according to your family needs.

Every morning just after breakfast, and as soon as the family have gone, I allow myself to work on my PC for one to two hours, depending on the workload of the day. Then I go on with the house chores and all the rest of the family tasks till noon. At 2 o’ clock everybody is back so I serve lunch, but after that I have 2-3 hours free to work on my morning assignment. Thus, there is plenty of time to care for the family , while in the afternoons I still have time to go to my part time job in time , feeling satisfied I have worked at home on my project.

In the evening I sometimes find an hour or so , when the family watch TV . This time I sit with them in the living room , having pre arranged to do the easiest tasks for my writing job, such as note taking or layout planning of new stories or articles. I use pen to paper and I don’t bother if I make mistakes. Next morning, there is plenty of time to revise them and complete them.

If this plan has been working perfectly for me, why not for you as well?

You only have to calculate when and how long you need to write every day. Of course , you must stick to your plan and never give it up , apart from very urgent cases. Remember that your work is also urgent, so never skip it.

If you respect your writing job, the others will do so too. What is more, they won’t feel neglected as you will give them your care and attention at the time they are around. Furthermore, your house chores will be done in time and you won’t feel overworked. Many a times I used to end up with half burned meals and I felt extremely stressed trying to catch up with all the house chores before the family was back home. So, telling yourself ‘I’ll do it later’, it’s not the solution. ‘Later’ will come in no time and you will find yourself in a very difficult situation. Yet, no one will believe your excuses as you have been in the house the whole morning , and you will feel inefficient for no reason at all! “A little every day” is my motto, and, in the long run, everything is done and everybody is happy. Keeping your writing and family under control will make you feel satisfied and everyone, including you, will be happy.

Also, keep in mind that there is nothing odd if you work in unconventional places.

I sometimes find it stimulating to work in the living room with all the family around. Noise does not bother me, on the contrary, it brings me more ideas. This article was outlined last evening while we were all watching a football match. Well, the truth is I did not watch much of it! I was absorbed in my new article, but that’s how this idea sprang out. I can perfectly work in a chatty setting. Have you tried it? You may come up with fresh ideas and great articles.

Finally, who says that writing can turn you into a zombie? Shatter the myth! It’s up to you to enjoy both your family and your writing career. Simply make a time plan!

Ends

711 words

Know what? just this morning, before I popped open my laptop, a heretical thought crossed my head.

It’s this: planning and anticipating your retirement is like insurance policy. Never Ever take it as the sole reward to the years of working. Simply, it is a mere hedge against what we all fear at the end of life: becoming so decrepit,that we can’t physically mow lawns to buy ourselves a Happy Meal.

To my mind, retirement as the final goal of an executive is darn stupid for three critical reasons.

First it’s hinged on the presumption that you abhor what you are doing throughout the most physically productive years of your life. Is this how you want to trudge out to work the next 30 years of your career- feeling that you gotta endure decades of hell before well-earned respite? Millions of shmoes out there are unhappy, depressed and leap buildings when they deem work as much fun as getting a triple bypass.

Second, many folks will never retire and maintain even a greasy-microwave-chicken-for-dinner standards of living. Think about that. Even Five Million is a loose change in a stinking economy where your retirement might last twenty years; and runaway inflation delfates your purchasing power 4% to 11% each year. Doesn’t add up, doesn’t it? Your golden years become Ghetto-class life revisited.

Finally, if you do save up for a comfortable, much-desired retirement, it implies that you’re one ambitious, hardworking son-of-a-gun. So what happens? Three days into lounging at that luxury home for the decrepit, you’ll be flaming bored, you’ll want to kick every senior citizen and her cat out of your way. You’ll start scanning the job market and even start a new corporation- in your flannel pajamas. Hmmm.. quite defeats the purpose of waiting for retirement, huh?

So what’s my point…? I’m not saying don’t plan your retirement. That wouldn’t be wise. What I’m saying is, never mistake retirement for the end goal. That’s really dumb. Instead, look to each day as as source of new inspiration, an opportunity for great things that you can enjoy NOW and instead of at retirement.

Stop and think about that…. Imagine what life will be like if every week was a of mini-retirement? Now that’s heaven!

Smoking refers to the inhalation of smoke from the burning tobacco in a cigar, or pipe commonly known, cigarette. Tobacco contains nicotine, a drug that can promote dependence, which makes it hard for chain smokers to quit. It is a vice. It is an addiction.

People smoke for various reasons at different situations. Reasons for smoking ranges from psychological issues, habits, social status symbol and physical dependence on nicotine.

Smoking has no health benefits. Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,800 chemicals, 69 are contributors to cancer. 90 percent of lung cancer is known to have 80-90 percent chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is a plus factor to coronary heart disease and stroke. It also accounts for 20-30 percent low-birth weights and to an extent infant death.

Smoking not only harms first hand smokers, it also affects those who breathe the smoked cigar, called second hand smoke.

Since 1964, tobacco advertising have been sternly mandated to include health warnings. Most states and communities have raised issues on the restriction of public smoking such as workplaces, restaurants and public utility vehicles. But the tobacco industry and many smokers reacted on the anti smoking campaign as harassment and suppression of ones liberties. Thus, the government neutralized the two extreme forces.

When smokers attempt to quit, the abstinence from nicotine leads to withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal could be physical or mental. Physically, the body responds to the absence of nicotine. Psychologically, the smoker is confronted with a habit which means, a major change in behavior. Both factors must be considered in order for the process of quitting to succeed.

Health concerns are the top most reasons for people to give up smoking. Ex-smokers enjoy a higher life quality with less ailments.

The health benefits of quitting exceeds risks from less than 10 pounds weight increase or any psychological effects that may be the result of quitting.

Smoke quitting effectively reduces cost of vices. A significant difference is observed quickly when one quits. The ex-smoker can taste and smell much better and breath also smells better. Risk of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases is reduced. Quitting prevents damaging effects of tobacco on ones appearance, which includes premature skin wrinkling, strained teeth and yellowish fingernails, diseases of the gums and bad hair and clothes smell.

People who stops smoking not only help themselves but saves the lives of their family, and help preserve the environment.

Have you ever noticed that life frequently serves, usually when we are least prepared, opportunities to make life-altering choices. Do I stay at this dead &ndashend, but secure job, or take a chance with a new risky opportunity? Do I step out into a new relationship, or cling to the comfort of mom and dad’s basement? Do I tenaciously adhere to speaking only truth, even if brutal, or do I take the easy road of a barely off-white but much more socially acceptable lie? Choices, big and small, seem to greet our every step. Often, there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ response, but there certainly are a variety of consequences to consider.

Fortunately, our culture provides us with three exemplary icons that embody the very essence of our most popular choosing and acting styles. I call them the ‘three great captains’ of Western civilization: Captain Kirk, Captain Crunch, and Captain Kangaroo.

If you are prone to be a testosterone-based bull in the china shop, then you follow the way of Captain Kirk. Using this strategy you will employ significantly more ‘leap-age’ than you will ‘look-age’. Crank up the adrenalin, and storm the Klingon stronghold armed with a drained phaser and a keen dramatic presence. The way of Kirk leaves logic (Spock) and emotional sensitivity (McCoy) back on the ship’s control bridge ineffectively squabbling.

If you are more into less thinking and more wishing and hoping, then you are an adherent of the second great captain’s philosophy of action&ndashthat of the good Captain Crunch. Champion of the cereal box, most of Crunch’s battles were staged on the stormy skimmed milk seas of the cereal bowl. One step below the proverbial tempest in the teapot, Capt. Crunch bested bare footed pirates by hoping to violate the common laws of physics and milk absorption. The followers of the Crunchian Way don’t spend much time thinking, rather they have faith that when push and shove finally meet, somehow, some transcendental way, things will just work out. Often you will find them repeating affirmations, praying, or having a second cocktail after lobbying the fates to be gentle with them.

Finally we consider the last of the great Captains of our culture: Captain Kangaroo. This Captain chose his actions by committee. Capt. Kangaroo always consulted his team of stalwart puppets and staff. Only after painstaking analysis by Mr.’s Moose and Greenjeans, Bunny Rabbit, Dancing Bear, and a host of others was Capt. Kangaroo ready to take action. Unfortunately, by then his show was over, and his opportunity missed.

Obviously, depending on the hyperbolic traits of any single one of our great captains, or any single habitual strategy for making choices, is liable to routinely leave us enjoying less than desirable consequences. Some situations might require the ‘charge in phaser’s blazing’ approach of Kirk. Other situations may well benefit from the soggy thinking optimism of Crunch. Of course, the careful analytical approach of Kangaroo has its moments as well. Most situations would benefit from a nice variable combination of the three captain’s choosing methods.

Before you make your next big, or little choice, you might stop for a moment and see if you have been happy with the results from previous similar choices. If you have, then by all means move forwards as usual. If you haven’t always been pleased with the results of your choices, you might consider changing your choosing strategy. Sometimes that’s as easy as simply making up your mind to change. Other times our choosing strategy is completely unconscious, and not easily changed. If you chronically find yourself at the wrong end of bad choices that you don’t even remember making, then it’s time to visit your local hypnotherapist. Hypnosis is the fastest way to unearth unconscious mechanisms, and free you from their grip. A qualified hypnotherapist can help you reprogram faulty decision habits and help you start moving in the direction you want to go. With all due respect to the three great captains, it is your life, and you deserve to sail through it smiling.

This is another helpful mind management tip from Richard Lefever and the brain weavers at Quit! Check us out at .quitsmokingoregon.com

Do you walk in the house after a long day at work and just sigh at your cluttered house? Have you planned to organize one morning but do not know where to start or are just not in the mood? Are you caught in a vicious cycle: as soon as you organize one room another one has turned to chaos? Maybe you just need to prioritize, find motivation, and ask for help. Easier said than done J?

Prioritize As with most goals in life, you want to strive for progress and improvement, not perfection. Most of us do not have time to achieve perfection in everything we do and still live a happy, fulfilling life. When you set goals, make them achievable, attainable. When you make that progress, create a visual way to track it or remind yourself of all you have accomplished (i.e. stickers on a chart, a check list, a flower/penny/or other item to represent each task you have completed). Since we will never have more than 24 hours in a day, we may have to say “no” to some activities and tasks. As you list each goal, task, or activity, ask yourself if it is necessary, if it supports my ultimate goals, or if any other activity or person will be negatively affected if it does not happen. You may see your list shrink before your very eyes J. If you are not sure how to narrow your list, search the internet, ask a friend, or consult a professional organizer (we help with both the tangible and intangible).

Motivate Do you start the day with the best of intentions to declutter the “bathroom” only to loose your drive because it is “just not worth it”? What is worth it to you? What do you value? Why? These questions may not seem to have much to do with organizing, but they can be the key to your motivation. How much time do you spend on activities that relate to your values (i.e. spending time with family, exercising, eating healthy, etc.)? Most of us would probably answer “not enough”. Then why would you ever spend time on an activity not related to you values, such as organizing? The answer: organizing allows you to focus more on your values. Organizing means less time searching for the other shoe, fewer arguments over who last used the scissors and did not put them back, less time cleaning around the clutter . . . With less time wasted, you have more time to be with family, exercise, eat healthy, and pursue those life goals that really matter. The next time you wonder why you would ever make time to organize, remember that organizing can be a means to an end. If you find a task that seems pointless, ask yourself how that task can bring you closer to what means to the most to you. It is amazing how a change in attitude and knowing what is “in it for me” can motivate.

Ask For Help Even if most of your chores and daily tasks are “value added”, they are not always fun and often too much for one person. Solution: spread the responsibility among the whole household. What is boring to one person may be fun for another. One person’s weak spot may be another person’s strength. Some people have time in the morning to help everyone get ready for the day, and others have more time at night to help everyone get ready for bed. When you do ask for help, just remember to be specific or be prepared for “not exactly what you expected”. Letting others pick what they want and find their own way, within reason, may even make them more willing and productive.

If you are not sure how to prioritize, want some ideas to motivate, or are ready to ask for help, contact Organized For You! For your free consultation, questions, comments, speaking and training needs, tips, or gift certificates please contact Jessica at organizedforyoumchsi.com or 319-504-6689. Let me help you make every day like “a day at the beach”.

Do you belong to the 97% of the world population, that is dreaming to make it one day as long as you buy more HOPE ?

Well then it’s best if you keep going. Enjoy the ride and come back once you are ready for the next step.

Or are you part of the 3% of the world population which is destined to live their dreams.

As Albert Einstein said:

“I am neither especially clever nor especially gifted. I am only very, very curious.”Congratulations. You don’t seem to be such a dreamer after all.

The cool thing is that deep inside everyone knows the truth, but unfortunately only a small percentage is conscious about it. It is much more convenient to blame one’s Karma then to do something about it. If you are somehow woken up from your dreams, you will see that the following makes perfect sense.

So let me first list a few of the big problems that stop you from achieving what you want.

1. You do not follow your heart but follow your instincts. (greed, envy, lust)

2. your goal is not clearly defined and too vague.

3. You have no purpose to support your success.

4. Your old habits sabotage the process of change

5. You lack in discipline and persistence in pursuing a chosen path.

6. You can’t stay focused on your goal

7. You do not see the opportunities around you.

Be honest to yourself and admit how many new year resolutions, courses, seminars and programs you have started but not finished successfully and only because of one or many of the points listed above. How many times did you try to loose weight only to gain a few extra kilos, how many self development products do you have in your shelf and have not turned into success. I bet there are quite a few, and in none of the cases was the program the reason for failure. True?

How can MindWatch help you to change that ?

Well lets say it that way. If you buy the watch and leave it in the box you won’t achieve anything else then what you had in the past. If you use it as a cool watch to impress the girls/boys in the pub, you wont experience big success either. At least not the success it’s designed for. But if you turn on your watch and follow the steps in the manual you are guaranteed to achieve whatever you set your mind to, because with MindWatch YOU are in charge of your life.

Let me give you a few examples how MindWatch works.

First of all MindWatch attracts a lot of looks and when asked what you do with your MindWatch you have a perfect chance to earn an affiliate commission by sharing your experience. MindWatch talk is like doggy talk. Always a reason to start a chat.

But now seriously.

Lets assume I was all day with you as your personal coach and would ask you with every thing you do: “Is this the way you want your life to be”. I’ll bet you would start to consider some changes. Quality questions are always replied to with quality answers. If you never ever think of an alternative way, you have no chance to see one, even if the opportunity is direct in front of your nose. Almost everyone using MindWatch had this experience and has changed a lot. It’s like being pointed to see the alternative. Opportunities arise all around you when you are conscious.

When you have set a goal, whether it’s big or small does not matter, you have a natural tendency to forget all about it during the course of a day or week. Latest after one month is’t history. As the new way of doing things is not programmed into your normal behavior you are likely to forget. True? Well we all know this tendency and no one is spared from this painful experience. With MindWatch you are not only reminded to stay on track, you are also asked to record your decision. “Do I follow my plans,or not.” If you keep self sabotaging you might consider a change of goal or you find a whole lot of good reasons (Mind Links are described in your handbook) to get yourself motivated.

I call this part of the journey REPROGRAMMING THE AUTOPILOT. You know perfectly well that poverty mentality is programmed to a course of poverty and very likely to end in poverty. Imagine you turn off the autopilot every 30 or 45 min and reprogram your course during the short conscious phase towards success. You might not get the course redirected all at once but in segments that lead in the end to the destiny of your choice

But the main effect of MindWatch is to keep your thoughts and actions focused towards the achievement of one or many goals. Once you have a definite plan which is worked out with a detailed strategy (see the hand-book) you can not miss your target any more as MindWatch keeps you direct on target until mission is achieved. Its like a missile that is programmed to strike.

During the course of the past years we have had so many success reports from all walks of life that a 200% guarantee is no challenge any more. Try it out and see. There is no risk at all. You will see like all others that CHANGE IS POSSIBLE.

Are you ready to put MindWatch to the test?

There are only 2 reasons you won’t do it.

One is because you are skeptical, and I don’t blame you. There is so much scam and fraud out there that it’s not funny. That’s why we have installed the 200% Money Back Guarantee over a period of 60 Days. No risk and no need to be skeptical. You join and try and if you do not achieve a significant change in the 60 days you just return your watch and keep the rest of the bonus pack. How good is that.

The other reason not to join is because you still hope that there is something that does it for you. The magic pill. I thought I had filtered you out on the first page. But here is the link again. Google. Have fun!

Dreamers are usually quite content in their dreams and it takes quite a while to wake up. No wonder there are so many of them and in a way they are happy to stay where they are. It’s kind of cool to complain and associate with other losers dreaming of the big shot they are going to make ONE DAY. IF they wake up.

OK, so here is a short description of MindWatch.

1. It’s a cool looking stylish watch with a lot of karisma.

2. If you don’t want to show what you do with the watch there is no reason for anyone to see anything else then a stylish watch. Its your perfectly secret personal coach.

3. MindWatch has a built in reminder system that records your progress towards your goals in an easy to read bar graph.

4. The sharp laser display helps you to monitor your progress in a daily, weekly or monthly graph.

5. MindWatch is equipped with all the useful functions like stopwatch, countdown, progress memory, date & calendar.

6. MindWatch has a built in Meditation timer. A handy tool if you are on tour and want to time your timeout.

7. MindWatch is based on the 7 areas of life and allows you to monitor your progress for each area of life individually.

And here is what you get when you order MindWatch NOW.

Well first of all, there is no need to rush. We have plenty of Watches on stock as we plan to stay around for much longer then we already are. No last minute sale because we are not a scam or fraud. Our reputation is built on a long term relationship and we want to enjoy your recommendation also in the future.

Second there is no need to Pay more then what you should. MindWatch is sold for $199 and will not be offered anywhere else for more or less. It’s a high quality Stainless steel watch with a specially designed processor that accommodates the MindWatch reminder functions. The stylish watch comes with a choice of a white or black Napa leather strap.

This Watch is so cool that even without all the special Coaching program and MindWatch functions you are in the league of a Billabong or Puma or Tag Heuer watch, which are sold for over $1000. Not to mention the difference in usage. One is built to waste you money in the skirt of decadence and MindWatch is used to make you money and improve your life.

Third is our 200% 60 day Money Back Guarantee which is described above. There is nothing to add to this.

The NOW makes the difference

Well we have created a bonus pack for you which will change from time to time as we believe in incentives that support and help you. If you make it, we have made it. And therefore we have packed a few Extras into your Shopping bag .

*

The MindWatch

*

The 80 page Hand book “7 Steps From Dream to Reality”

*

A hard Copy of the best selling book “LIFESPARK” by Marcus Freudenmann

*

Full on Email Support with our MindWatch community.

*

Access to the Member Area to learn all about the different ways to use MindWatch for maximum profit.

*

The famous Science of Getting Rich E-Book by Wallace D Wattles. It’s one of my favorites and just worth reading a hundred times. Every single page in this book describes the use of MindWatch in a way, that I can’t do it better. Just follow the book and use your watch accordingly and you will see how fast your life can change.

*

As a Man Thinketh By James Allan. This is a classic you have to read as often as you can. In this book you will find many descriptions leading you to a use of MindWatch like nothing else. Alan describes the universal laws in a way even DREAMERS will understand.

*

I will also include a Goal Card which will help you to stay on track. Use the Card in conjunction with your MindWatch and NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give up.

Learn more by visiting: .mindwatch.com.au

Clinical depression is known to impact the lives of one out of every six people in their lifetime. But the sad reality is that the medical community still does not entirely understand exactly what causes depression to occur in one person and not in another.

Yes, we do know that depression is hereditary.

Depression can often be found to run throughout the generations of the same family invading the DNA molecules which make up a particular family’s genes. This causes the family members to be more susceptible to depression.

However, there is another school of thought that says perhaps the real reason we see depression run in families is that it is also environmental in that it all depends on how the children are raised. If they see the affects of depression encroaching on the lives of their family and they see the results then they will learn to deal with life the very same way.

Even though we are quite clear that depression runs in families, depression is also seen in those without any family history. Stress resulting from a variety of issues, trauma, or even prescription medications or illegal drugs have all been known to cause depression.

Riding the ups and downs of depression can leave you even more exhausted that the last wave of depression you faced. Depression is known to run in cycles. You may feel completely fine one day and the next day you may be completely and utterly unable to get yourself out of the bed and out of your night clothes. The dramatic ranges of emotions are well documented in cases of depression.

Many healthcare providers and scientist alike believe that many suffering with depression manifest a chemical imbalance of Norepinephrine and Serotonin which are the feel good neurotransmitters found in the central nervous system and in the brain.

These neurotransmitters work to help control feelings of happiness and well being. The neurotransmitter Norepinephrine is thought to be a stress hormone; while Serotonin is thought to control hunger, overall moods, sleep and sexual feelings.

When these chemicals get out of whack they are thought to cause depression.

So if you think about it, when these neurotransmitters are out of balance it only makes sense that the roller coaster ride of depression would result. As these levels of these chemical rises and falls thereto go the emotions and feelings associated with them.

The real question is why do some people experience peaks and valleys with their chemical make up while others seem to be more stable. Again, it begs the question is it really the environment in which you were raised or is it truly the ebb and flow of the neurotransmitters that alter feelings causing the dramatic impact of depression.

Do you mirror your family because that is all you know how to do, it is the only way you know to respond or is it that you are genetically and chemically bound to your family and because of that simply have no choice of being impacted by depression.

We need more research and time to study this issue before there is a definitive answer. What we do know is that regardless of the reason why, we do know that depression tends to run in families and if you have a family member that has dealt with the issue then you should be aware of the possibility that you too could be fighting the same battle one day.

Be aware, seek help early and learn what you can do in order to prevent depression before it takes control of your life.

The term “culture shock” originated in the 1950s. Basically it describes the physical and emotional discomforts that occur when someone moves from one cultural environment to another. There are several stages to culture shock which start when you first enter the new environment right through the acculturation process and back to re-adjustment when returning home. Culture shock has no steady line of progression. Each stage you go through can vary in length of time, or occur at clearly defined times.

In the holiday stage, which is the period just before and just after the move everything is new and exciting. One feels very energetic, enthusiastic and hopeful about everything in life. This is followed by the deterioration/ falling apart stage during which there may be great feelings of dissatisfaction. Things are difficult and one’s excitement turns to distress. One goes through communication difficulties, impatience, anger, grief, and a feeling of inexperience. There is more hope during the adjustment stage. This is when you can see some direction, you are able to laugh at yourselves again and life begins to feel a bit more balanced. During the orientation stage there is an increasing feeling confidence and a sense of belonging. One starts to make connections within the new culture, and starts to enjoy many aspects of many of the customs and cultural conventions. It becomes easier to adopt these practices and make them part of your life and daily routine. Lastly, repatriation is when one returns to the “home country”. A “reverse culture-shock” is often experienced. Re-adjusting to the old culture is as hard as, and may be even more difficult than the original move.

So in effect “culture shock’ is a result of carrying out your everyday life in a way that you are not used to. Added to this is the fact that one is removed from familiar places and faces. It is quite natural then to undergo homesickness, stress, fear, and confusion. I have known people who did get on the first plane heading back home. But then there are many who stay. It is important to know that it is OK to experience all the feelings and frustrations one goes through, but also that there are ways to help you handle the challenges that you will face…

These tips may seem easy and oversimplified, but they work and before you know it you will be well on your road to recovery. You will be able to enjoy your new adventure and new aspects of your self-identity that you might not have had the opportunity to previously explore.

* Don’t expect yourself, others or situations to be perfect.

* Have an open mind.

* Be active and participate.

* Speak to support groups and/or individuals.

* Stay in touch with family and friends.

Your time abroad is definitely a unique and special time in your life. It is sure to be something you’ll never forget. If you are aware of the stages that are bound to happen and follow the easy, but effective tips suggested, you’ll be able to handle it successfully and have the time of your life.

Quote of the week

“Culture is the process by which a person becomes all that they were created capable of being.” Thomas Carlyle

Do you need help and support?

Dear Expats, like me you all took that giant leap to move to another country for various reasons. This is a large transition in your life.

Are you are having problems with:

* culture shock

* adjustment

* mental isolation

* acceptance and integration

OR

Do you want to make the most of your expat experience and take a giant leap forward in one or more areas of your life namely:

* love

* career

* another life transition

* financial

* self-confidence

* family

* business

* spirituality

* stress levels

I can help you to produce the stepping-stones needed to make these changes. I take into account your human and environmental factors that stand in the way of you achieving your goals.

If you are interested in finding solutions to any problems you may have or want to upgrade your goals and achievements to magic heights, I as a life coach, would love to help you get there.

Please take advantage of a FREE trial session with me. NO obligations are attached.

Best wishes

KIM

If you are looking to attract positive change and seriously move stale energy out, start with your neglected clutter. Getting rid of all the things you are not using will create space for new energy and movement.

I’m a firm believer that

* if it doesn’t work…

* if you can’t remember when you last used it….or…

* if it doesn’t make you feel good …then…

MOVE IT OUT!

Now, I know… sounds easy doesn’t it? Then why do we all have so much clutter?

Here are some tips and techniques that have worked for me to move unused items from my life.

You see I’ve tested them on my own personal clutter and I know they work. First you will need some bankers boxes (you can get these anywhere you purchase office supplies). Bankers boxes work the best because they have lids and are stackable. And a hand-held recorder (you can get one cheaply at any electronics department).

Here’s what you do to quickly eliminate your clutter:

(1) Label the boxes anyway you like …maybe with a letter (A, B, C etc) or with a color, green, red, orange……

(2) Go around and start putting your dear clutter in the boxes while recording the contents with your recorder. (You can do this little by little whenever you have a spare few minutes).

(3) When the boxes are full, stack them neatly in a closet, garage, attic, etc….anywhere where they are out of sight.

(4) When you have a little time, sit down, play back the recorder and transfer the information to a spreadsheet, word document, index cards or whatever system works best for you. (By indexing you can easily find and retrieve anything you might have mistakenly filed away). Simply look the object up in the index to find the appropriate box and go get it! It’s that easy!

(5) After a time, if you find you really don’t need all the things you have stored, You can donate usable items to your favorite charitable organization. You can have a garage sale and make some cash, or You can make money by starting your own on-line store on eBay And…

You can have fun by giving your clutter a second life!

A good rule of thumb is

“If you have not used it or thought about it in a year then you probably don’t need it and you can let it go”

The great thing about this process is that it overcomes the two main obstacles to clearing clutter. First, you may have thrown something away only to realize later that you really needed it. So now you are reluctant to throw anything away. Secondly, you believe that it can take quite a chunk of time to do a really good job of sorting and eliminating your unwanted stuff. In the past, you may have started to get organized only to abandon the effort for want of time and organization and ended up with a bigger mess on your hands.

The Clutter Queen’s five step process eliminates these obstacles because the sorting can be done extremely quickly without the possibility of discarding valuables.

Doing these small things is your first step in creating space for new, exciting ideas and energy.

Get ready for an abundance of fresh ideas and energy to enhance your living!

Shirley Anderson


Minna Street Creations

I recently received an email from a parent who is desperately frustrated over the struggles her middle-school son is facing. He has been diagnosed with ADHD and bi-polar disorder. School and everyday life, she says, is a real struggle; he looses everything and forgets everything. Like every other student I have met with these same characteristics, he also happens to be brilliant.

But, his mother says, “All I hear is, “I’m stupid! Over and over again…”

Maybe he is.

There are several formal definitions of the word, “stupid,” according to Dictionary.com. In my world, however, “stupid” is the word I use to describe someone who has talents, gifts, and skills, but is choosing not to use them. Let me tell you, I know a lot of stupid people!

But, you don’t have to be one of them. This struggling young man doesn’t have to be, either.

Unfortunately, he is one of many, many students who think they are not smart for a variety of reasons. In his case, he is probably frustrated that he cannot organize and keep track of his papers as well as other classmates. “There must be something wrong with me,” he thinks.

“There IS something wrong with you,” he hears when he visits the doctor and is told that he has ADHD and bi-polar disorder. He can probably solve challenging problems, can think of creative solutions, or can design clever things, but he does not recognize any of these skills as gifts because he can’t do something as simple as keep track of a homework assignment…and now he has a diagnosis to “prove” he’s stupid.

Meanwhile, “I’m stupid!” becomes an easy excuse and a great way to get attention. When he says, “I’m stupid!” people tell him he’s not. They feel sorry for him and give him attention. Eventually, they organize his things for him and do his work for him…It doesn’t take long for “I’m stupid!” to become a crutch he depends on.

This is a very common, well-intentioned situation that has been turned upside down and is back-firing on this student and his family. It is understandable how he ended up here, but the cycle has to stop and he has to be willing to step off and stop being “stupid.”

How does he do that?

**Action Plan**

The best antidote against feeling stupid is to make a *decision* to not be stupid anymore. That may sound overly simple and obvious, but this student HAS to decide that being successful in school is worth his while and &ndashmore importantly- that he is worth the effort. If he can acknowledge that, he will immediately stop being ‘stupid,’ and will have already won more than half of his battle.

The next step is for him to take action. As wonderful as our education system is, mandated curriculum has a way of beating students into a passive, coma-like state. Students quickly feel that “learning” is about sitting, getting, rehearsing, and spewing it all back on homework or a test. However, when a student realizes that he can be strategic… that HE can make some of that dry information just a little more interesting, that he can use a couple of tricks to learn it just a little bit faster, and remember it just a little bit better, he will quickly realize that there is a strategy to learning. Strategy can be fun!

There are millions of study strategies plastered all over the internet. The free Homework Rx