While my house was not even a fraction of the size of the Mount Vernon estate, cleaning it seemed monumental to me. Yet, this method of cleaning literally cut my spring cleaning tasks down to a manageable size and kept me from feeling pressured or overwhelmed to get everything accomplished in one day.

I now call it the “Divide and Conquer” method of spring cleaning and use this method even today – now 20 years later.

The concept of this method of cleaning is to divide your house into sections – living room, dining room, bathrooms, master bedroom, all other bedrooms, storage, kitchen, garage, attic, etc. You can even subdivide the sections if it seems you will need to focus on one particular area more than others. (For instance, we had a huge bookshelf/cabinet area in our living room at one time, and I considered this to be a section all on its own since it would require a lot of sorting, dusting and rearranging.)

Once you have your house divided into sections, decide how much time you want to devote to spring cleaning. Will you tackle one section a day, three sections a day or one section per week? It’s completely up to you how you want to accomplish this. I decided to divide my home into five sections (combining the living room and kitchen into one section, the 2 bathrooms into another, etc., etc.) and planned to devote 3-4 hours per section each day for 5 consecutive days. I usually start the day before by giving the house a general cleaning so that my regular tasks do not fall behind during the spring cleaning sessions. I limit the time to 3-4 hours per day so that I will be motivated to work quickly but also not get so exhausted that I cannot do anything else the rest of the day.

Now that you have the house divided into sections, choose a section in which to begin. The method is the same for each section, so you will repeat the following instructions as you move from section to section.

Start in one corner of each section and work clockwise around the section – from top to bottom, and starting outward and working inward toward the center of the section or room(s). You will dust, mop, vacuum and wash as you go – including walls and ceilings, if needed. Be sure to look up to include lighting fixtures and ceiling fans. Look down to get baseboards, rugs, carpets and other areas near the floor. In the center of the section or room, you will place three boxes or large bags (more if needed). One box is for trash, another for items to donate or give-away, and a third box for items that can be sold in a yard sale, a consignment store, on E-bay or moved into storage or converted for use in another section of the house.

Be sure to have all your cleaning supplies ready, too. You may want to dry clean or wash curtains, rugs and blankets, so prepare for this in advance. You may also want to use a steam cleaning machine for carpets or hire a professional carpet cleaner. If you can enlist the help of older children or hire a maid for a day or two, this is a good time to do so – your helper can be washing walls, mopping floors, etc., while you sort through items to place in your three discard boxes.

While you are cleaning, keep in mind that the best way to keep things clean is to find a place for everything. Make a list of repairs that you may discover – a hole in the wall that needs patching, a light bulb that needs replacing, etc. These repairs can be made at a future date, and you will have a list to plan for materials to make the repairs.

As the saying goes, you can eat a whole elephant by taking one bite at a time. The Divide and Conquer method of cleaning will help you tackle your spring cleaning tasks in the same manner – one “bite” at a time.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

The Divide and Conquer Method of Spring Cleaning

And as someone who loves the movie (Goldman wrote the screenplay for the movie as well), I’m in awe at how well the movie captured the characters in the book. I can’t imagine a better Wesley or Humperdink (even though Chris Sarandon is more handsome than what Morgenstern conveyed).

So, I’m working on my own fiction projects, and I’ve gotten stuck a few times. And I think, “Is there really such a thing as writer’s block?” I work through it fairly quickly, and so I’m thinking that, really, it doesn’t exist.

Read on and see what you think. Does writer’s block exist? Maybe just in the fire swamp of our brains?

As I worked on my short story earlier this week, I reached a point where I didn’t know where to go next. It was pretty early in my writing day, and I really didn’t want to have to deal with failure this early. I hadn’t even had a cup of Earl Grey yet to smooth things over.

I wasn’t going to let my first foray into writing for the week stop me that quickly. Since I teach writing strategies just for this very situation, I decided to take my own advice. I opened up my mind mapping software and started graphing the various directions I could go with the next scene in the story. I quickly figured out where I did NOT want to go, and then it was pretty clear where I should go.

Off I went to write.

We almost always get to a place where we get a little stuck. We might need to re-group and step back a little. It doesn’t mean that we’re doing something wrong, or (our real fear) that we’re not real writers. We just need to step back.

It’s all part of the process. Writing doesn’t always look like a finished product. Sometimes writing looks like staring out the window or taking pages of notes or writing down question after question that we’re trying to answer in the writing piece. Sometimes writing is about getting clear about what we’re doing, what we’re trying to accomplish, what our message is…

To get back on track, follow these tips:

• Remember your purpose: What are you trying to do?
• Remember your audience: Information will change based on who you’re writing for.
• What does your audience need to know about a particular topic? And what do they WANT to know. These items can be different.
• How does your book, article, eBook, or whatever help your audience? What problem does it solve? What will the audience be able to do after reading what you’ve written?

When you get stuck, go back to the basics. Embrace what you’re trying to do in the first place. Tap into your purpose. More importantly, step into your clarity and let that fill you up.

Look at being stuck a little differently – what if you had fun in the process? You’re creating something near and dear to your heart, whether it’s a book on financial health for couples or a short story. Embrace and honor the playful nature of your creativity. It should be a joyous process. Use programs, strategies, or ideas to jolt your creativity.

Know that when you do embrace the creative process, you are connecting to something deep within you. That will be attractive to your readers or whoever your audience happens to be. That is what we’re all trying to do whether it’s writing fiction, nonfiction, an e book – we all need to connect with our audience. The best way to do that is if we are expressing our inner authentic self.

Play. Create. And forget about stuck. I really don’t think it exists.

————————————————————–

Dawn Goldberg brings life to words and writing – and helps others through their writing and publishing journey. Sign up for Fuel For Your Writing Journey at Write Well U (www.WriteWellU.com) and get the Nifty Guide for Writers checklist free.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

R.O.U.S.’s – I don’t think they exist

Take a few moments to think about your business in general or a specific aspect of your business that you want clarity on today. Read the following questions out loud slowly and notice how you respond to each one emotionally. One or two questions will truly resonate with you in the moment and you will feel within yourself as you read that question that it holds an important answer for you. Don’t force the answers. Simply ask yourself the question or questions that your intuition responded to throughout the day and the answer will reveal itself.

1. Why am I in this business?
2. What is the biggest dream I can dream?
3. Who does and does not support my dreams?
4. How can I attract even more abundance in my life?
5. What is great about me? (and don’t you dare say “nothing”!)
6. What thoughts do I have that empower me?
7. What is going right in my life?
8. How much well-being can I allow into my life? What will that look like?
9. What will make me feel good in this moment?
10. What is the most effortless way to get this done?
11. Who can help me with this project?
12. What choice feels best in this situation?
13. What thought right now will make me feel good about being me today?
14. What are the top 3 things I can let go of in my daily routine that would allow me to focus on income-producing activities instead?
15. What are the 3 biggest things I know I could do to increase my contribution and value?

Use these questions to motivate and empower yourself to live the life of your dreams.

And, of course, have fun with this.
*****

© 2010 Ruth Hegarty

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Ruth Hegarty helps women entrepreneurs create confident and effortless success. As a certified Law of Attraction Coach, Ruth teaches women to unleash their powerful creator so they can work less and earn more. To learn more about Ruth and receive a free copy of her Effortless Success Toolkit for women entrepreneurs, go to Coach Ruth.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Get The Right Answers When You Ask The Right Questions

– “I’m never able to get it all done.”
– “I can’t figure out which “to-do” should be done first.”
– “It only takes 10 minutes.”

One woman entrepreneur is multi-tasking all day long. She felt this was really effective in her quest to “beat the clock.” To quote my client, “it only takes 10 minutes to complete each task.” When we took a look at the “it only takes 10 minutes” tasks and added them up, she was losing over an hour a day on items that could be delegated to someone else. What would you do with an extra hour per day?

We wear many hats and play many roles in our lives. It’s very easy to get caught up in the “to-do” list and the requests of others. In my work with women, my goal is to help them have an 80/20 rule in their lives and businesses. 80% is their “ideal” life that they create and 20% is when “life happens.” You know those days when you get sick, the kids are sick, the car breaks down, etc. For many of you, it’s just the opposite. You’re getting 20% of your time to steer your life the way you’d like and 80% is spent serving others needs and requests. I invite you to think about changing this if you want to live with passion and purpose in your life and business.

I used to be in that 80/20 situation (with 80% being determined by others) until I made a conscious choice to give myself permission to design a life that resembled more of what I wanted on a daily basis. Here’s a few tips and solutions on how you can begin to take better control and win your race against time:

1. What do you want? – This really throws women off base when I ask this question. Why? You believe that your life is not your own. You serve and take care of so many people. How could you possibly have what You really want? Take a look at all the areas of your life – self, spouse/partner, family, work/business, friends and community. How much time would you ideally like to spend in each of these areas? Remember the 80/20 rule.

2. Design Your “Ideal” Day – The women I work with take a blank calendar and begin to play around with the “what-ifs.” They play with different scenarios and come up with what works best for them based on what’s most important.

3. Set up boundaries – It’s essential that you set boundaries around your life. I have a boundary around the 4pm hour during the week. I typically reserve from 4pm on through the evening to be with my family. I also have a boundary around my day between 8:30 and 4pm Monday through Friday. I spend this time serving women and practicing my own self-care.

4. Get some help – A very wise, successful woman once shared with me that “you can do it all but you can’t do it all by yourself.” Well said. This lesson has been one of the most valuable for me along the way. The act of delegation has been a key factor in helping me to have more of what I want in my life and less of what I don’t. Here’s a clue; Make a list of what you’re really good at, enjoy doing and also produces income for you. These are the things that you need to hold on to. Take everything else and delegate it as soon a possible. The first 2 things I delegated in my business were bookkeeping and technology. I don’t enjoy these and it’s not an area of strength for me.

If you are serious about winning your race against time and having more of what you want in your day, I invite you to use these 4 steps I’ve shared with you. I’m going to leave you today with a quote that feels just right at this moment. “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” ~Annie Dillard

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2010 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at Profits With Passion.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Smart Women and the Race Against Time

The Trend of 2010: Learning How to Plan a Wedding on a Budget

Frugal wedding tip #1: Repurpose a used or vintage gown. Sure, some dresses are outdated design and cut-wise. If you’re a modern girl, you want the clean look without fuss; if you’re more on the traditional side, you want that classic look to fit a little better. Solution? Re-purpose a used or vintage dress, which can often be found for $200 or less at secondhand/consignment shops or vintage clothing stores in your area. If you’d rather search in a larger pool, eBay is an excellent option, with new dresses being listed every day. Once you find a dress that will work, take it to your local seamstress or tailor and tell him or her exactly what you have in mind. Since this is your dress, taking it to a professional is a must!

Wedding budget impact: ~ $800 on average

Frugal wedding tip #2: Sew a custom garter. Granted, a garter won’t be a major dent in terms of your wedding budget, but it’s a great way to save a few dollars. And it’s easy!

You’ll need a thin piece of elastic banding, about 1/4-inch, a piece of 7/8-inch lace, and a piece of matching 3 1/4-inch ribbon. Measure the circumference of your thigh, noting the measurement. Cut an appropriate piece of each material, leaving leeway on the ends. Simply center the ribbon on top of the lace and carefully sew the ribbon to the lace, staying as close to the edges as possible. Leave the ends unsown. Now insert the elastic under the ribbon using the open edges and pull through. Stitch the ends of the garter together, leaving a 1/2 inch seam. Trim. Now, press the seam open, and on the outside of the garter, top stitch the pressed seam close to the edge. And you’re done! Decorate to match wedding colors or personal preferences.

Wedding budget impact: ~ $50 on average

Frugal wedding tip #3: Find an intimate venue. All the components that make up a wedding reception can be incredibly expensive. With the average price to rent a wedding venue now at $1,200, the bride on a strict budget could be in a financial bind. Usually, the cheapest places to have your guests mingle are at small restaurants or gathering places outside the city limits as well as at Foreign Legion halls and city, county, and state park sites. The perks? You have more leeway in terms of decorations and food offerings, the settings are often much more intimate, and you get more bang for your buck so to speak.

Wedding budget impact: ~ $1,200 and up

Frugal wedding tip #4: Make affordable centerpieces. Your best friend will soon become the local craft store. Centerpieces often tie your wedding design scheme together, and you can incorporate your colors and/or theme. Candles and/or tea lights are a dramatic statement that can be placed in pretty glass containers (left open of course). You can also find low-cost mini-mirrors or brightly colored baubles to scatter about the reception tables. Inexpensive glass cloches provide the perfect housing for little knick-knacks. Flowers are also a central part of the design scheme – your local florist may be able to accommodate your request for flowers that are a few days old – AND offer them at only half the price.

Wedding budget impact: 10 tables at $30 per centerpiece = $300

Frugal wedding tip #5: Feed an army on a dime. This is the fun part, though planning for X amount of guests can get hairy and expensive. A buffet is a notorious waste of food, so if you’d like to serve dinner, plan a sit-down meal that allots each guest a certain amount of each course. An after-ceremony reception that serves hors d’oeuvres only is also an option. Little plates of fruit, cheeses, crackers, dips, veggies, and sweets are a great way to cut down costs significantly. If you do have to plan a sit-down dinner, consult your venue. Oftentimes, you’re required to use their caterers and nothing else.

Wedding budget impact: 100 guests at $30 a dinner = $3,000

Making a Frugal Wedding Elegant

There are a few things, however, that should not be taken lightly. You’ll not want to skimp on crucial elements such as a photographer/videographer or comfortable shoes. And if any of these five frugal wedding tips are absolutely non-negotiable, there are always other ways to cut back and plan a wedding on a budget. The trick to saving money is keeping a detailed budget and not exceeding it. No matter what. With the average wedding today costing about $20,000, it’s enough to make anyone go into debt.

Using these five simple, yet frugal wedding tips, you could save over $5,350!

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Recession-Chic: Throwing a Fabulous, Yet Frugal Wedding for Next to Nothing

One other topic was the importance of creating a supportive structure around you. Whether you’re trying to lose weight, run a solo business, write a book, or run a half-marathon, you’ll be more successful if you’re following a structured program (even if it’s of your own making), have some way to be held accountable, and are supported.

I know that for years when I tried to lose weight, I thought I needed to do it by myself. I knew what to do, right? Eat better, exercise more. Simple, yes? Well, not so simple, and I struggled for years. Not until I joined Jenny Craig and had a system, accountability, and support, did I successfully lose weight. I had a menu to follow that told me exactly what to eat and when. I had weekly check-in appointments with my counselor. I had online support forums, literature, and motivational recordings to help support me.

And I’m only five pounds away from my goal weight, having lost thirty-five.

Same thing with writing. You just… write. Right? Well, that’s where a writing group or writing seminar or class comes in handy. Even though I teach writing and creativity, I need support, so I’m in a writers’ workshop to work on my fiction projects. And when that’s over, I’m going to look for a local writers’ group.

Because the reality is that these stories aren’t going to write themselves. And with a business to run, kids to connect with, a house to sell, and a new personal journey ahead of me, frankly, I don’t make the time daily to write on my personal projects. Not if it’s left up to me, that is.

It’s hard for me to admit this. I’m supposed to be the writing and creativity professional. Heck, as a writing coach, I hold people accountable and help them create the structure to write. Why can’t I do that for myself?

Well, because one person cannot be a complete support system unto one’s self. In addition, one can’t be completely accountable to one’s self. I say “completely” because we’re always accountable to ourselves to some extent. What I’m talking about here is a system of accountability outside of ourselves.

The three things to help you be successful as a writer are:

• Structure – When do you write? Where? For how long? What are your daily goals (# of words, # of pages, # of minutes/hours you write each day)? What are your monthly goals (# of chapters done, research, pieces of book proposal)? If you have a framework, it’s much easier to settle into.  You don’t have to figure out what to do, when to do it, or how much.  That’s already been established.  Now, you can write within that framework.
• Support – Do you have a writing coach or a writing group? You need feedback on your writing, from style and clarity to the message you’re trying to convey. You also need to know you’re not alone. That the challenges you’re experiencing aren’t just isolated, rare instances that only happen to you. Other people struggle with those very same things. There’s nothing wrong with you. Finally, you need a group who understands your world. Your mother, as supportive as she might be, might not completely get what a big deal it is that you wrapped up Chapter 7 you’d been fighting with for so long.
• Accountability – We may tell ourselves that we’ll write every day, but if it’s left up to us, life gets in the way. Sick kids, sick car, sick dog, sick clients… When it comes down to it, life takes precedence. Unless we have a system of accountability that’s going to help hold our feet to the fire. When we know someone else is going to ask if we reached our goals, we’re going to push a little harder to make it happen.

You don’t have to do it alone. My weight loss isn’t any less significant because I did it with a program. The end result is what’s important. Same thing with writing a book. You’re looking to finish a book. Why not make it easier, better, and faster by finding a way to add structure, support, and accountability to your writing life?

————————————————————–

Dawn Goldberg brings life to words and writing – and helps others through their writing and publishing journey. Sign up for Fuel For Your Writing Journey at Write Well U (www.WriteWellU.com) and get the Nifty Guide for Writers checklist free.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

3 Ingredients to a Finished Book

When you first make the decision to become a business owner, you as an entrepreneur are very “fluid.” After all, you’re probably a solo-entrepreneur trying to do everything yourself! There aren’t any rules about how to do anything. The goal is to get some clients and earn an income—right? After some time passes, you begin to realize that this “fluid” aspect of your business is not working. You are “surviving” and you want to be “thriving.”

It’s time to take a look at where you are in your business now and make a plan for where you want to be in the future. In other words, it’s time for a “solid” foundation to be put in place. Your business needs to have a clear plan of action on what you want to accomplish moving forward and how you will accomplish the plan. You will want to gain clarity around how to best market your products and services, gain visibility and produce profit so that your business can “thrive.”

Here are a few quick examples of “solid” and “fluid” in your business:

Solid – I was working with a smart woman just a few weeks ago who has a great concept for her business. The business is growing but at a much slower pace than she’d like. When I asked her what her action plan was for 2010, she didn’t really have a clear idea. Her reply was something like, “make money.” This was not a “solid” answer. We spent some focused time exploring her vision for the business this year. We then created a plan around her products and services, her marketing strategy and I also shared some time management solutions to make sure she’s getting the “right” things done to stay on course.

Fluid – You need to be open to new ideas and ready to course-correct when necessary. Just yesterday, I was working with a smart woman who’s experiencing a lot of frustration around her marketing efforts with little return in terms of new clients. As we explored her business, she soon realized that she had overlooked 2 other streams of income that could generate profits right now in her business with much less effort while she continues to grow this new area of interest.

Working with a coach or mentor can be especially helpful. It provides a grounding process for the woman entrepreneur. It’s essential that you take the time periodically to sit down and review the “solid” and “fluid” aspect of your business. Is your action plan “solid” for the long-term? Does it have a clear plan of action to gain new clients and produce profit? Do you need to make some changes in your plan? Is it time to course-correct? Many times, we put a plan into action only to find out that we missed a very important piece of information. This is when your thinking needs to become “fluid” or flexible with new ideas.

I walked away from the science center that day with more than I expected. Giving yourself permission to get out of your daily routine can open a whole new way of thinking about your life and your business. I invite you to take a look at the “solid” and “fluid” parts of your business. It will make a big difference in how it unfolds this year.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2010 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 and learn about my exciting new program for coaches and consultants at Smart Women Smart Solutions Coaching .

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Smart Women Entrepreneurs, Solids, and Fluids

De-Cluttering your life is an extremely liberating exercise. There are many types of clutter that can hinder you from having the quality of life you want and deserve. There is clutter that is in your mind as negative self-talk, clutter that physically exists in your home, car and office, such as old newspapers waiting to be recycled, stacks of magazines you will never read, old clothes that are destined for Good Will because they no longer suit your style or size, etc.

There is also another form of clutter, often referred to as “tolerations.” Tolerations are all those nagging little things that drain your energy every time you encounter them. Tolerations include the physical clutter described above that you think about but don’t do anything to change as well as things like that broken toaster that only toasts one side of the bread, the whistling kettle that no longer whistles and those phone calls you’ve been meaning to make for two weeks. This kind of clutter/tolerations fills up time and space in your life by its very existence and drains you of your vital energy. When you begin to reduce, and then eliminate, your clutter/tolerations, they stop draining your energy and you then get to use all of your energy to manifest what you really want in your life.

What would your life be like if you had no tolerations and effortlessly manifested all of your desires?

So, what are you tolerating in your life right now, today, this very minute? What broken down things, messes, eyesores, unsatisfactory conditions and circumstances, and behaviors (yours and those of others) have you been accepting and living with that you could change or eliminate to immediately improve your quality of life? What has been draining your energy unnecessarily under the guise that “that’s just how life is?” All these little annoyances add up to cost you big chunks of your time and energy and are well worth eliminating.

Take some time to de-clutter your life this week. Make a list of your top 10-50 tolerations that you could get started on eliminating today. Imagine if these tolerations were completely gone from your life 30 days from now. How would your life be better then? What could you accomplish with all that extra time and energy? Take action to eliminate all the things you are tolerating in your life. Cross items off your list as you eliminate them. Make a second list of your top 10 big tolerations that may take a while to eliminate and get started! Share your list with your coach or a friend for support and encouragement.

One of the amazing things about getting started with the de-cluttering process is that after you make your list and start whittling away at it, you’ll notice that some of your tolerations seem to eliminate themselves. Acknowledging to yourself that you will no longer settle for less than exactly what you want sends a powerful message to the universe which then pitches in the help you success.

Celebrate your successes and have fun with this process.
*****

© 2010 Ruth Hegarty

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Ruth Hegarty helps women entrepreneurs create confident and effortless success. As a certified Law of Attraction Coach, Ruth teaches women to unleash their powerful creator so they can work less and earn more. To learn more about Ruth and receive a free copy of her Effortless Success Toolkit for women entrepreneurs, go to Coach Ruth.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

De-Clutter Your Life

There are many home based businesses or a “brick and mortar” business that need the products and services of an internet marketing business. Why limit yourself?  What better way of gaining experience and credibility than working with someone locally?  We sometimes don’t see the potential for business right in front of us and have a tendency to make things more difficult than they need to be.  Use some local marketing strategies for your web based businesses.

Step out of your comfort zone and join the local Chamber of Commerce or local business networking groups. There are many ways of reaching these local businesses, whether you run an ad in the newspaper, send out flyers and brochures, do mail out campaigns, put up a notice in a local community center or tell your neighbours. Post an ad on your local Craig’s List section or in your telephone directory. Let your creative juices flow and get started today.  I posted a flyer at my local post office and gained an excellent client that I still have today.  Local businesses need you just as much as the business across the country and you may find it easier since you are close by. 

Local businesses to target are real estate agents, doctors, law firms, financial services providers, insurance agents, retail stores and other small businesses in your area.  Try partnering with another local business whereby you have your marketing material displayed in their office, market your material through Welcome Wagon or as a package with the local realtors.  Offer these clients the same proposals that you do to your online clients but maybe give them a special incentive because they are local.  You will probably have to remind them you work “virtually” and educate them on the process of transmitting work electronically, by fax, mail or courier. Establish guidelines that apply to clients whether they are next door or a thousand miles away.  There should be no difference.

Internet marketing is important to every business and by becoming known in your community as the local expert can only help increase your client base. You may be a home based internet business but the local businesses need you too.  If you don`t go after their business someone else who provides internet marketing services from another part of the world will claim them as their own.  Take advantage of every opportunity – both local and global.

Carol Ann Quibell is a professional Virtual Assistant, freelance writer and social media content marketing specialist with over 25 years of extensive management, writing and administrative experience. She works closely with small businesses and entrepreneurs providing the services needed to assist them in reaching their goals.  http://www.loracvs.com

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Internet marketing businesses ~ don’t forget to target local clients

Then I discovered the Law of Attraction and all of that flew out the window. I had to face the fact that it was ALL my doing AND my responsibility. After the initial shock wore off I realized that being responsible for myself and my results was actually amazingly freeing and empowering. I got to change all of the stuff I didn’t like about my life. I could DO something and BE who I was truly meant to be.

Now, not that many years later, I’m living a life that I truly love and embrace every day and feel an overarching sense of gratitude for every single bit of it. What am I trying to say to you with this story? The secret to creating a prosperity mindset is to simply take responsibility for your life and the results you have already achieved whether you are currently satisfied with them or not. Know that I don’t mean that you should blame yourself for these results. If you aren’t completely happy with your life know that it is within your power to change it and that although you created it you did the best you could at the time and taking even a single second to berate yourself for any negative results that occurred is counterproductive to your prosperity mindset.

Look inward and open your heart and mind to the possibility that you can earn more and that it can feel effortless. Maybe that hasn’t been your experience so far. So what? All it means is that you haven’t found the right inspiration, resources and support systems to make it happen for yourself yet. Once you decide that you can earn more and that it can be a joyful journey, you’ll attract everything you need to help you achieve your dreams.

Take a few minutes to look around at your life and identify some of the people/actions/things that support your prosperity and some of the people/actions/things that don’t. Make a list for each with up to 10 items on each list. Now, go out and have more of what supports your prosperity and weed out what doesn’t. Sound simple? It really is simple once you really “get” on an emotional (versus just an intellectual) level that you really can create the life you dream of living. That can be your life NOW.
*****
© 2010 Ruth Hegarty

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Ruth Hegarty helps women entrepreneurs create confident and effortless success. As a certified Law of Attraction Coach, Ruth teaches women to unleash their powerful creator so they can work less and earn more. To learn more about Ruth and receive a free copy of her Effortless Success Toolkit for women entrepreneurs, go to http://CoachRuth.com

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

The Secret to Creating a Prosperity Mindset

I feel sorry for her that she let one person’s comments keep her from doing something that to this day she regrets. How much do we read and hear that if we’re really passionate about something we should go ahead and do it anyway? How passionate are you about something if one person can stop you cold? In the words of Scott the Nametag Guy: stand up, speak up, or get shut down.

The blog author cited an excerpt from Stephen King’s book, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. In it, King describes a childhood experience in which he wrote a grisly story that horrified his teacher. Now, the teacher was horrified by the gory stuff that was in the story he wrote, not so much by the bad spelling. What she commented on was the gory details. The blog author tried to use this as an example of how teachers and others shouldn’t harp on grammar and spelling and such.

That wasn’t King’s point. His teacher wanted to know why he was wasting his talents writing like this. Her words (quoted by King): “What I don’t understand, Stevie, is why you’d write junk like this in the first place. You’re talented. Why do you want to waste your abilities?” Not a thing in there about how he shouldn’t even attempt writing since he couldn’t spell. The teacher admitted that he had an incredible talent.

King goes on to say that he was ashamed of what he had written. Again, not by the bad spelling and grammar, but by the content. He says he spent the next forty years feeling ashamed about what he wrote.

Now that’s a great example of how we should just keep on and do what we’re meant to do despite what the naysayers say. However, this isn’t a good example of how the “grammar Gestapo” should just leave us be.

The blog author made this plea to writers:

Correct English is the worst way to articulate something. If I tell you that at my last family reunion we ran woefully short of poultry due to an equipment malfunction, you don’t understand the situation as well as if I write, “my second cousin told everybody ‘We don’t got no fried chicken ’cuz daddy done broke mamma’s deep fry tryin’ to boil the tar off his lug nuts.’”

I’m sorry; correct English doesn’t mean stilted, stuffy, and inflated English. Correct English means using words correctly. Would anyone (even I) actually say, “We ran woefully short of poultry due to an equipment malfunction”? I don’t think so.
The final blow for me was “so us writers intentionally ignore the rules and say things like ‘the person with a smile on their face’ (instead of his or her face) knowing that as enough of us add a gender neutral pronoun to the vernacular, it becomes accepted practice.”

We writers do nothing of the kind.

Okay, so let me get this straight. If enough of us say something incorrectly, then the incorrect version becomes correct? Is it just easier to do it incorrectly than to make an effort to do it right? I can think of several ways to avoid the awkwardness of assigning a gender. If you’re trying to describe the person with a smile, then I’m betting you know the gender and can just say “the person with a smile on his face.” If you’re talking in general about a smiling person, then you don’t need to point out a specific person; you could say something like “people with smiles on their faces.” Or just take the plunge and assign a gender: “The person with a smile on her face.” Gasp!!! Can we really do that?

Yes.

We don’t have to be stuck with bad grammar and incorrect pronoun agreement. If you know the correct way to do it, and you do it incorrectly, I think it makes you look lazy. (Now, I’ll say right here and now that one can deviate from “proper” grammar and usage for stylistic reasons. Heck, I do it all the time. However, there are some things that just aren’t right any way you cut it.)
Take the time to do it right.

Epilogue to this story: I ranted about this for several days, and my family absolutely agreed with me about the pronoun agreement. (Smart family.) To explain to my seven-year-old, I used this example: “It’s like saying that if enough people declare that 2 + 2 = 5, then 5 becomes an accepted answer.” You might think that it’s going overboard, but I don’t think so. If you have a singular thing, you need a singular pronoun. If you have a plural thing, you need a plural pronoun. How is that different from basic math facts?

My husband’s favorite metaphor was this: “If enough people start robbing convenience stores, then 7-Eleven will start giving Slurpees away for free.”

Don’t count on 7-Eleven giving away Slurpees for free any time soon.

Final Note: This article was written using about 90% correct grammar and usage. I gave myself 10% leeway for the informal and conversational tone of the article. I’m guessing that you were able to understand my writing and didn’t feel that the good grammar ruined the story.
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Dawn Goldberg brings life to words and writing – and helps others through their writing and publishing journey. Sign up for Fuel For Your Writing Journey at Write Well U (www.WriteWellU.com) and get the Nifty Guide for Writers checklist free.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Writing Well As a Barrier to Creativity?

I’ve been with the same mobile phone company for 9 years. Hard to believe, right? I’m slow to commit but once I do, loyal to the end! So the first place I went was to my current carrier’s store to see what they had to offer. When we entered the store, there were a quite a few people waiting and so we got in line and waited our turn. Not once did anyone say, “Thanks for waiting, I’ll be with you in a moment” or “Sorry for the delay, someone will be right with you.” Nothing. No eye contact. We felt invisible. I had quite a few questions about the new phones and was anxious to get my questions answered. When it was my turn (about 20 minutes later) something happened that was shocking. The person behind the desk looked straight at us and then just turned and walked away! I was stunned and frustrated at this point.

Not a good “experience.”

Greg was pretty frustrated and wanted to speak with the Manager. I had no intention of speaking with anyone there. The mood and tone was set and I no longer wanted to do business with that store. We turned, left the store, and walked a few blocks away to another mobile phone store. Once inside, we were greeted right away by a store manager who had a customer service representative at our side in a matter of seconds. He spent a lot of time with me and never made me feel rushed. I got all of my questions answered and in the end decided to leave a 9 year relationship with my old mobile phone carrier and start anew.

You see, it’s not always about price (the new carrier was more costly than the old one). When I called my former mobile phone company to get my account number and tell them I was leaving, they bent over backwards to get me to stay with lots of “incentives.” I switched carriers partly because I really liked what the new phone could offer me in terms of benefits; however, a bigger reason was that they had given me an “experience” that made me feel special.

How about you? Are you giving your loyal, current clients the same “experience” that your new prospective clients receive? Your current clients have value beyond measure. Here are some tips and solutions that you can review to make sure that your customer service “experience” is polished and ready for 2010:

1. “I’m Listening” – When you are with your clients or prospective client, it’s essential that you make them feel special. Show a genuine interest in what they have to say. Don’t text someone or take phone calls. Focus your attention solely on them.

2. Act Quickly – when a client or prospect makes a request and it’s something that you know you can help them with, make sure you respond quickly.

3. Under – promise and Over-deliver – This is a mantra to live by if you want your clients raving about you and your products and services. It’s one that I aspire to each and every day. If you commit to creating this “experience” in your own business, you are guaranteed lasting success.

As you begin 2010, I invite you to spend some time reviewing the “experience” you are offering to your current and prospective clients. This “experience” will serve as one of the pillars in building your business this year.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2010 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at Smart Women Smart Solutions Coaching.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Smart Women Give Their Clients an Experience

Lately, I’ve found myself advising women who ask me how to improve their business results, to start by focusing on increasing their level of self-love. Confidence, self-love, self-esteem – whatever you want to call the feeling inside of you that says that you are a good and worthwhile person NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS – is the key to success.

If you want your business to prosper, spend time getting to know yourself. What do you like? What is special about you? What are your interests? What makes you feel good? What do you believe about the world, people, the universe, etc.? Get to know you and think about how you can deepen your relationship with yourself. Especially, take action to show yourself (and others) how much you love and respect YOU.

Along with this, accept (and embrace) that you are in charge of yourself, your life and your results. You get to decide the clients you work with, the work you do, what you charge, etc. You are an amazing and powerful creator and anyone who works with you is fortunate. This isn’t about being arrogant or elitist, it’s about simply KNOWING that you (and everyone for that matter) and unique and amazing with tons to offer the world.

As you treat yourself in this way, you will feel the powerful shift in your energy and others will too. That’s when you really get to experience the levels of success you are destined for.

*****
© 2010 Ruth Hegarty

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Ruth Hegarty helps women entrepreneurs create confident and effortless success. As a certified Law of Attraction Coach, Ruth teaches women to unleash their powerful creator so they can work less and earn more. To learn more about Ruth and receive a free copy of her Effortless Success Toolkit for women entrepreneurs, go to Coach Ruth.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

How Increasing Your Self-Esteem Increases Your Bottom Line

Each company has their own customer service duties, but for the most part, you’re job is to help that company’s customers get their questions answered or help them solve a problem.

How is Customer Service performed?

There are three ways that one could perform their customer service duties. The most popular being by the phone. You would have a phone in your home office and when you’re on duty for the company; the calls would be transferred to your home line, where you would take care of the customer.

There are some positions where you could perform your customer service duties using an email program. Typically, you would gain access to the company’s customer service email address account, where you can take the emails of customers and answer their questions that way.

There are also jobs where you can perform your customer service duties by using a special live chat program on a company’s website. It works much like an instant message program that you might use to chat with friends. A customer would come to the site, and use the chat program to converse with you about whatever their needs are.

How much can they make?

This is a tough question to answer, since so many companies do it differently. You would have to look closely at the websites of companies that you’re considering applying to. Here are some ways that you may encounter in your job search:

Hourly pay- This is the most sought after type of position. Most people look for this, but there aren’t too many out there. This type of position is where you would work a set number of hours, say 8-2 and get paid for an hourly rate for the hours you worked. These positions can run from $8-$12 in most cases.

Pay per Call- Some companies will pay a certain amount of money for every call you make or receive. Again, these types of positions aren’t seen too often, but they’re out there.

Pay per Minute Talked- This is the most popular type of position you can find. This is where you will be paid a certain amount per minute that you talk with a customer. For example, you work one hour for a company. In that hour you receive one phone call and you talk with them for 5 minutes. The pay you would receive for that one hour of work is the 5 minutes of actual talk time. Some companies will offer other tasks to perform in between calls, but the other tasks will generally have a different rate of pay.

Do you need a lot of experience to work as a customer service agent?

Typically, you don’t need that much experience. Some companies will ask for at least 6 months of experience, but most are okay with you having none. Generally, you would receive training with them, so you’ll get the knowledge you need to perform your duties.

On occasion, there will be positions where you will have access to some sensitive material, like credit card numbers. Those positions will require you to have a good credit record, so they can trust you to be discreet with their customer’s financial information.

If you have some customer service experience or if you have the ability to work with people in some of the toughest situations without getting riled up too easily, then this is a job you should consider.

Since each company is different, you will want to check out their websites or email your questions to them. Make sure you understand what the position entails or what the pay will be before applying.

Nell Taliercio has been working at home full time since 2004. She’s worked as a telecommuter, virtual assistant and affiliate marketer. In 5 years she’s discovered many secrets to finding legitimate work at home jobs and securing them. You can find work at home job information and tips at: http://www.justonlinejobs.com

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Telecommuting Customer Service Agent

Some aspiring telecommuters aren’t able to take on jobs that are phone-based though. Are there options out there for them? Absolutely. These kinds of jobs are a little harder to find, but they are out there for the taking.
Here are some non-phone based jobs you could find:

Data Entry

This is the most sought after position for telecommuters. It’s completely computer-based. These jobs are harder to find since the legitimate ones are usually jumped on by hundreds of people. The companies that save your applications for the next hiring round will still have a ton of possible candidates to choose from.

Transcription

This is a good opportunity for someone who has good listening skills and can type fairly fast. Transcription is when you type up audio content onto a text document. The general transcription positions are easier to land as they will hire people with no experience, in most cases. Legal transcription and medical transcription will require schooling and experience to get hired on.

Chat Customer Support Agents
There are some jobs where you can perform customer support by using a live chat feature on websites. These are not readily available, but job ads for them do pop up once in awhile. Experience is not often needed, but you should be able to type to keep up with a conversation with a customer.

Site Moderators

This option is completely computer-based. You would be checking through a website forum for any inappropriate posts or enforcing forum rules. Again, these jobs aren’t seen as often, but they do come around once in awhile. Generally, those, who hire for this type of position, look for someone with at least a little bit of experience.

Social Networking Managers

You may have heard of social networking sites, like Facebook or MySpace. Social Networking Managers go through these sites and perform customer rapport building tactics by using the sites on behalf of the company they work for. Their whole job is to keep up with these sites and do the postings for the company. Experience at using these kinds of sites is necessary to get one of these positions.

Writing

Some companies will hire people to write their website content for them. You could be writing articles, reports, eBooks and even blog postings. Since content is important for a website to be indexed by search engines, the site owners will hand over the content writing to someone who will do that job for them.

There are also companies that hire many writers to provide content for other people’s websites. Experience isn’t usually necessary, but they do look for people who have good writing skills.

This list gives you an idea of the types of jobs available that you could apply to without having to deal with the phone. The non-phone based jobs are out there. Just scour the job boards and you will find them.

Nell Taliercio has been working at home full time since 2004. She’s worked as a telecommuter, virtual assistant and affiliate marketer. In 5 years she’s discovered many secrets to finding legitimate work at home jobs and securing them. You can find work at home job information and tips at: http://www.justonlinejobs.com

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Telecommuting: The Non-Phone Work

Telecommuting has come a long way over the years and has become more acceptable to most employers. The problem is, even the companies that have accepted it, are questioning whether or not it will be a success for them.

There are still issues that most of the employers worry about. If you want to be able to keep the job you worked long hours just to find; then make sure you’re doing the best you can at the job you were hired for.

Here are some tips to help you ensure that your new telecommuting job stays around for as long as you’re working for that company:

Always meet deadlines- If your job duties have deadlines attached them; be sure that you always meet them or at the very least contact them right away to let them know why you can’t meet it. If you can’t meet your deadlines, the employer might think that you’re not focusing on your job and using more of your work time to goof off.

Always be the one to answer the phone during work hours- If you have a job where you will be receiving calls from the employer or customers; make sure you’re the one answering the phone during the work hours. Having other people answer it, makes you look unprofessional and employers frown upon that.

Reply to emails asap- If an employer contacts you by email for whatever questions they may have or information they want to send you; respond to them in a timely fashion. It shows that you’re on the job and performing your duties efficiently.

Treat your telecommuting job as if you were at the office- During work hours, you should be focused on your job as if you were in an onsite office. While people listen to music at the office during work hours, they don’t generally watch television. Keep your TV off while you’re working.

Lay down the rules to your family and friends about your work hours- Just because you’re working from your home, doesn’t mean that it’s okay for all friends or family members to stop by and chat anytime they feel like it. If you’re working set hours, like 8-3; then let your friends know that you can visit with them when you’re work day is done. You could also visit them during your lunch hour; provided you get one.

These may seem like little things to you, but they’re huge concerns in an employer’s eyes. Always act like a professional during your work hours and you can instill confidence within your employer. Confidence that says that you are capable of performing your job from your home office.

Otherwise you could be sending the wrong signals to the bosses and your telecommuting job could be at stake. By keeping these things in mind, you’re increasing your chances of having that telecommuting position for a long time to come.

Nell Taliercio has been working at home full time since 2004. She’s worked as a telecommuter, virtual assistant and affiliate marketer. In 5 years she’s discovered many secrets to finding legitimate work at home jobs and securing them. You can find work at home job information and tips at: http://www.justonlinejobs.com

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Tips for Keeping Your Telecommuting Job

Planning a wedding is serious business, especially if you have out-of-town guests to worry about and little children to keep an eye on. Here are ten wedding day tips to keep you upbeat – and stress-free – on your special day!

Avoid Wedding Stress with These Ten Wedding Day Tips

#1 – Have an emergency kit on hand: A bride without her trusty emergency kit is a meltdown waiting to happen. Before the wedding day, put together a little kit of must-haves in case something should go wrong. Ideally, you should have extra make-up, safety pins, breath spray, nail polish for snags, hairspray, a comb, and anything else you deem appropriate to combat wedding stress. If a situation does arise, you’ll be thankful you had these things with you.

#2 – Bring comfortable shoes to change in to: Please don’t maintain the illusion that you can wear those fabulous designer heels all night long. They will begin to hurt your feet and impede your ability to hob-knob with your friends. Pack some cute flats (that you’ve previously broken in) or some simple white sandals so you can keep dancing all night long!

#3 – Put someone in charge of the vendors: Entrust a friend or family member to keep track of vendors, such as the DJ/band, caterers, florists, facility manager, wait staff, and photography team. Let him or her be the point person if the vendor has a question, if something has changed, or there is an issue. Trust me – this will reduce much of the wedding stress that will occur throughout the day.

#4 – Don’t forget to eat before and during the wedding: Number four on this list of wedding day tips is incredibly important. Sounds impossible, but brides do forget to eat with all that’s going on. One of the best wedding day tips I can offer is to start the day out with a healthy breakfast that will keep you going until your afternoon or evening meal is served. The last thing that you want to do is add to your wedding stress and pass out in front of your guests or experience hunger pangs all day. Rely on one of your bridesmaids to fix a plate for you or do it yourself while you converse with guests waiting in line and then actually sit down and eat it. You picked the menu. Don’t you deserve to enjoy it?

#5 – Provide your guests with an accurate map and directions: Everyone will tell you this is one of the best wedding tips you could get! The last thing you want to deal with is guests calling you or your friends asking for directions because yours aren’t quite clear. Talk about wedding stress! Make sure you provide turn-by-turn navigation (especially helpful for those out-of-towners) as well as a detailed map of your venues with each surrounding street clearly listed and identifiable.

#6 – Make sure your bridal party knows to come early: Every photographer’s nightmare – and a major wedding stress inducer – is a scattered, mismanaged bridal party. Make sure to coordinate with your bridesmaids and fiancé’s groomsmen beforehand. If pictures are to be taken before the ceremony, everyone needs to show up with ample time to allow for this. If you are dressing at the church or venue and require the assistance of your bridesmaids, set the time back appropriately.

#7 – Set up something special for your guests in the facilities’ bathrooms: A basket of toiletries is a clever way to show your creativity at your wedding. Usually, the bathrooms get overwhelmed and guests may need something to get them through the rest of the night. One of the most helpful wedding day tips is to stock a basket for your guests – perhaps decorated with ribbons in your wedding colors – with floss, tampons (for the ladies), gum, lotion, sanitizer, mouthwash, and safety pins for each of the men’s and women’s restrooms.

#8 – Keep the kids in mind: Everyone is having a good time, but what are the kids up to? If you choose to have children at your wedding, so be it. They’ll need a little entertainment though if you want to keep wedding stress at bay. One of my favorite wedding day tips is to serve fun finger foods like chicken nuggets, grilled cheese, French fries, and carrot sticks to get them to eat and keep them happy. A great idea is to have all the children at a centrally located children’s table – adorn the table with activity and coloring books, crayons, puzzles, and lots of drawing paper to keep them occupied. If you and your fiancé decide not to have children at your wedding, however, make sure that all parents know this well in advance so that they can find a babysitter.

#9 – Hand the rings off to someone responsible: Have one of the attendants in your bridal party hang on to the rings before the ceremony. Instruct her to wait until right before the party is sent down the aisle to give the ring bearer and flower girl the rings so that they don’t get lost in the day’s hustle and bustle.

#10 – Create a menu for guests to peruse: Number 10 on this list of wedding day tips isn’t hard to do, but gives your guests an idea of what kind of food will be served. For a sit-down dinner, this is imperative, of course, as there will be multiple options to choose from. Even if you’re having a large buffet meal where guests help themselves, place a menu on each table so that anticipation can build. Sometimes, without a menu, your guests might have even overlooked a food station with their favorite dish!

Preparation Fights Wedding Stress

It’s easy to overlook the little things. Planning ahead of time is the only way to keep wedding stress at bay. Don’t let months of planning come undone by not being prepared. Combat potential disasters – and that annoying wedding stress – with these ten essential wedding day tips, and have the time of your life!

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Wedding Day Tips: Top Ten Details to Remember

We all get stuck. The flow stops. And if we don’t have the experience of writing several books under our belts, just the thought of trying to get started overwhelms us. It’s a bit like that saying, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” When we think of an entire, unwritten book ahead of us, we’re almost paralyzed by the idea of starting. “How in the heck can I write an entire book?

One step at a time, or perhaps 10.

1. Do as much research and brainstorming ahead of time that you can. Fill up the pantry, and you’ll find plenty of ingredients to cook a meal with. It does count as writing. It’s gathering details, descriptions, stories, illustrations, statistics – all the things you’ll use to build your book.

2. Honor each part of the writing process. When you’re creating, create; don’t try to edit at the same time. I’ve talked about this before, ad nauseum for some of you, I’m sure. You don’t just sit down and write the whole thing in one sitting. There’s creating, writing, revision, editing, more creating, more writing, more revision. And each of those stages is its own. Respect that.

3. Write on a regular basis (at least 3-4 times a week). You get into a rhythm, and the writing flows. You don’t want to spend time figuring out where you were the last time you sat down and wrote a week (or two, or three) ago. The best thing about this is that you build momentum with regular activity.

4. Just write. Don’t worry about making it perfect. Perfect can come in the editing and revision phase. Right now, you just want to get your ideas down and start putting them in some sort of order and structure. If you try to make it perfect from the get-go, you’ll be frustrated.

5. Along the same lines as #4, tell your inner critic to shut up. He’s never going to be objective, and his main goal is to keep you right where you are—with no book. Find ways to shut him up: tell him to go to Cleveland (as long as you don’t live there), promise him he can come back later, thank him for his thoughts and tell him you’re going in a different direction.

6. There are very few brand-new ideas (even Post-It® notes were based on paper and tape). They’re just presented in a different way. Find out what differentiates your message and what makes it uniquely you. It may be that your target market will get your message when they couldn’t get it from someone else – because of the way you, and only you, have presented it.

7. Find a writing support group. Share with them your work in progress. Get feedback. Even Tiger Woods has a coach. Since you’ll have readers reading your book, get reader feedback throughout the process. They’ll tell you what makes sense, what doesn’t, what sticks out for them in a powerful way, and what lands flat.

8. Know that you’ll be revising and editing. You may eventually write four (or more) drafts of your book. And that’s okay. Once again, you don’t have to be perfect right out the gate.

9. Give yourself time and space between writing and the editing process. Don’t turn around and start editing and revising right after you finish writing. You need fresh eyes. Some writers take at least a month off after they’ve written a draft. That way they can approach the book a little closer to how a new reader would.

10. Take care of yourself. What you’re doing is hard, whether you’re writing a book on the current financial crisis or a fiction novel about a dysfunctional family. Be gentle on yourself. Treat yourself as something precious. Surround yourself with supportive champions, not naysayers. Get lots of sleep. Let the dishes sit dirty in the sink for a day or two. Get out and exercise. A healthy, happy you makes for a better book.

And here’s a bonus tip #11 – Celebrate what you’ve done. Each step along the way. Take some time to look back at how far you’ve come. Give yourself a pat on the back.

Reward yourself.

After a while, that elephant doesn’t look so big because you’re not really looking at the whole elephant. One day, one step, at a time. And you’ll write your book.

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Dawn Goldberg brings life to words and writing – and helps others through their writing and publishing journey. Sign up for Fuel For Your Writing Journey at Write Well U (www.WriteWellU.com) and get the Nifty Guide for Writers checklist free.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

10 (and 1 Extra) Tips for Writing Your Book

One way to help create content on your Christian blog is by using Christian PLR. PLR, which stands for Private Label Rights, are privately branded articles that you can use on your website or blog without having to add an author credit bio box. PLR (Private Label Rights) Articles can be posted to your blog or website as if you had written the articles yourself.

I know what you are thinking, isn’t this lying? Christian are not suppose to lie or mislead others. Using PLR is not lying or misleading if used in the correct way. When using PLR it is important to rewrite it and put the article in your voice. You want the PLR content you have purchased to fit in seamlessly on your blog.

Well if you have to rewrite it, why use PLR? There are many ways you can use PLR to create content on your Christian blog. You can use PLR content as a starting point in your article or blog post. Use the PLR content as a basis for your post and expand on it. Include personal experiences, add a Bible story or scripture, reference other resources. You could use the PLR as a starting point in a free report to giveaway to your blog readers. You can even just use PLR content to brainstorm ideas. Just browsing Christian PLR article topics, can give you ideas on what to blog about.

The point is that Christian PLR can help your Christian blog. It can create inspiration and give you the push you need to start writing. Of course, our Heavenly Father, is our ultimate inspiration but PLR can help make it happen.

Courtney Chowning is a Christian entrepreneur who runs a Christian PLR site and affiliate program. Check out http://christianmomplr.com for tips using PLR as well as a free e-course on how you can use PLR to boost your podcast!

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Using Christian PLR On Your Christian Blog

The unfortunate part of that is that the scammers know this. They use your desire for work at home jobs against you. When they have you hooked; they go in for their target, which is your money.

Simply educating on what to spot in a scam opportunity isn’t always enough. The desire one might have about finding work at home jobs could be stronger than that. So, it’s also important you should know about some of the typical scam opportunities and see how they work.

Here are two of the most popular scamming opportunities out there:

The Data Entry scams

This scam could be found in any position, but its most often found with ads for data entry jobs. Why data entry jobs? Because that is the most sought after telecommuting position there is. There can be hundreds of thousands of people searching for a data entry jobs every year.

Scammers have dollar signs in their eyes over this one. The more people to target; the better. While most of them will not fall for their antics; they know that those who are really desperate to get a job from home probably will.
They lure you in by “offering” you a job in their supposed company. It doesn’t matter if you’ve had any experience or not. Some will even go so far as to “hire” you without seeing a resume or application.

Once you’ve been hired into their company, then you’re asked for money for a kit that will show you how you can make a lot of money doing data entry for them or other companies.

What’s really going on? Once you’ve paid them for the kit or materials they offered, then you probably won’t hear from them again. You will get items that won’t do you any good and you’re out the money you spent for them, because the scammers usually can’t be found again.

419 scam with a Telecommuting twist

The 419 is another name for the Nigerian scam. It can come out of any country, but is most often seen as coming from Nigeria. This is one of the most serious scam opportunities there is. Serious meaning it could land you in jail.

You may have heard of other Nigerian scams with the lottery or with someone from another country dying and leaving you a beneficiary to a huge inheritance. What we’re talking about is the same type of scam that targets those looking for telecommuting work.

They scam you by hiring you for a skilled position with no experience. You will be expected to process payments for them or to send money to their clients. Each scammer seems to have their own way of trying to make their opportunity legit. Usually what happens is that you’ll receive a bogus check to cash and then your job is to wire a portion of the money to them or their “client”.

When the scam comes down, the only person who’s traceable in all this- is you. The scammers are rarely found, so you’re left with having to take responsibility for the crime. It could mean paying back all the money to the banks or, in some cases, jail time.

For these two types of scamming opportunities, it’s best to completely avoid them. Always remember that there is no reason to pay any company for anything except a background check, in some cases. No legit company would ever ask for money for training materials. They’re a part of the job.

And don’t believe any job opportunity that asks you to process payments. No legit company would ever trust anyone to handle any money or have access to any financial account from their home office. Payments like that would be processed by someone at their office, who has the skills and experience necessary to complete them.

Stay on your toes and research any job opportunity from a company you’re not familiar with. You may be adding a lot of work to your job search, but you’re ultimately saving yourself your hard-earned money and possibly criminal charges.

Nell Taliercio has been working at home full time since 2004. She’s worked as a telecommuter, virtual assistant and affiliate marketer. In 5 years she’s discovered many secrets to finding legitimate work at home jobs and securing them. You can find work at home job information and tips at: http://www.justonlinejobs.com

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Getting to Know Your Typical Telecommuting Scams

It’s important to have some kind of organizational system to keep track of what you’ve done so far, because:

• It helps keep you from applying to the same job ad three times
• It helps you avoid the mistake of confusing the hiring manager’s names
• It helps you know when you can send a follow-up email to check on the status of your application

What to use to organize your job searching efforts

There are several things you can use to do this. Everybody has their own preference, but here are some of the more popular choices:

Word processing document- This allows a job searcher to place all they information they want about who they apply to. It can be easily printed off the computer and they can file it or carry it around with them.

Spreadsheet- This allows you to document important information concerning each job ad you applied to in an easy to read format. It can also be printed out or it can be saved on your computer for future reference.

Daily planner or calendar- This helps you quickly see what day you applied to what job ad. Brief notes are jotted down about the ad you applied to and the planner or calendar and it can be carried anywhere. You can also use a computer version of the calendar to keep it saved.

Spiral notebook- This can be used by those who prefer not to use a computer or feel that the planners don’t have enough room to jot everything down. A simple notebook, which you write down all the application details in, can be taken anywhere and stored anywhere.
Once you’ve decided what you’re going to use to store all your information in; then you can start keeping track of your job searching efforts.

Again, everybody has their own preference of what details they want to remember, but here are some of the items you should be including in your organizational document:

• The date you applied or sent your resume
• The company you applied to
• The hiring manager that will receive your application, if known
• The job title you applied for (For example: Customer Service agent)
• Important details from correspondence sent to them or received from them (For example: interview dates)
• Any important job ad details, like how long they’re accepting applications (gives you an idea of how long of wait you might have)

As time goes on you can refer back to your list and make any necessary changes and even cross out the ones that you didn’t land or see which ones you could send follow-up emails to.

Having a list handy, that’s easily referenced, makes your searching much easier. Now, you can avoid struggling to remember who you applied to, when you applied and even whether or not you’ve checked back with them.

By avoiding these mistakes, you appear more professional and more organized in a prospective employer’s eyes. Those who can organize something as daunting as a job search, has the ability to organize details relating to the job they’re applying for. Show your prospective employer that you can do it.

Nell Taliercio has been working at home full time since 2004. She’s worked as a telecommuter, virtual assistant and affiliate marketer. In 5 years she’s discovered many secrets to finding legitimate work at home jobs and securing them. You can find work at home job information and tips at: http://www.justonlinejobs.com

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Keeping Your Telecommuting Job Search Efforts Organized

Just what services can you provide as a VA?

Actually the list of what VA’s can’t provide is much shorter than what they can do for their clients. One very successful VA boasts that she can’t make her clients coffee but can arrange to have it delivered to them every morning. Nothing is impossible. Many take care of their client’s daily administrative needs such as correspondence, email management, answering inbound phone calls, book keeping and client follow-up. The list is endless ~ it just takes a little imagination and creativity. There are VA’s who design web sites, logos, stationery, forms, newsletters and power point presentations. Remember all of this is done from the comfort of their home office. Each has their own unique capabilities and talents and depending upon how they market themselves is how successful they will be.

What does it take to become a Virtual Assistant?

A few of the suggested skills and experience from a potentially unlimited list are:

- Highly skilled in computers
- Secretarial or administrative experience
- Legal or paralegal experience
- Medical background
- Real estate knowledge or experience
- Bookkeeping knowledge and experience
- Insurance background
- A strong work ethic along with excellent customer service skills
- A strong attention to detail
- Strong communication skills
- Organizational skills

It really doesn’t matter what your background. By using your skills and knowledge to assist your clients with their businesses you can develop your own special niche as a Virtual Assistant.

Training and Certification

There are some excellent courses and programs that will assist anyone who is interested in starting their own Virtual Assistant Business. Tawyna Sutherland, founder of Virtual Assistant Networking Association has developed an excellent program entitled Virtual Business Startup System (VBSS) which provides all of the tools and resources needed to start a Virtual Business within 30 days. Another excellent resource for interactive and self guided courses on social media marketing, blogging and event planning is Vaclassroom.

Where to find clients?

The client list is just as long as the list of those who are qualified to become Virtual Assistants. Clients can be found anywhere! A short list of potential VA clients is only limited by the imagination:

- Realtors
- Lawyers
- Authors
- Speakers and coaches
- Small business owners
- Accountants
- Insurance Agents

Use skills and experience to become self employed.

Why work long hours for low pay when you are more than qualified to use those same skills to operate your own successful business. Use your skills and professional experience to start your own business as a successful Virtual Assistant who offers professional expertise to other professionals. By working from home as a private contractor you determine who you take on as clients, your rate of pay, hours of work and type of work you will do. Do not limit yourself to being an employee if its’ self employment you would rather have. Become a successful Virtual Assistant since it is definitely achievable.

Carol Ann Quibell is a Virtual Professional and co-owner of “Lorac Virtual Solutions” ~ providing business tips and professional services to business owners and entrepreneurs world-wide. Visit her at Lorac Virtual Solutions www.loracvs.com

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

How to Start a Home Based Virtual Assistant Business

Today is my 50th birthday! The five decades behind me were all wonderful and as I reflect on each one of them, I can clearly see how each decade blended into the next to bring me to where I am today. I’m very excited about the next 50 years with lots of ideas and plans for living a meaningful and full life. In keeping with my family “tradition,” I’m going to share with you my five “pearls of wisdom” that have been instrumental in my life so far. This is not an easy exercise! Choosing five was a real challenge. We all have beliefs that we carry inside of us. They come from our families, mentors, and life experiences that we have along the way. However, I’m clear now that the five “pearls of wisdom” that you read below are the ones that have shaped my life in the most profound way:

1. Be on Time – Sounds simple doesn’t it? When I was a young girl in my teens, my Dad was forever rallying my sister and me to be on time. (When I was a teenager, the only thing I wanted to do was stay up late and sleep-in the next day!) What I’ve learned is that people who arrive on time (or even a little early) get access to opportunities and decision-makers that late-comers don’t. All (and I mean all) of the successful people I’ve met in my life arrive on time. Thanks Dad.

2. Listen – My favorite line in the movie, “Pulp Fiction” is when Uma Thurman asks John Travolta, “Do you listen or are you always waiting to talk?” Brilliant. Stop for a moment and ask yourself that question. It sounds simple, but have you mastered the skill of “listening?” It is one that I highly recommend that you practice. This one “pearl” alone has made a big difference in the course of my life. My grandfather used to say, “There’s a reason you have two ears and one mouth.” Enough said.

3. Be open to learn from the unexpected – I’ve been to lectures and seminars that have been taught by people who were highly educated and the information was insightful. However, one of my most influential teachers, who ultimately became my mentor, was a high school drop-out who became a multi-millionaire.

4. Follow your instincts – In my work with women, I refer to this as “follow your internal voice.” As I reflect on the last five decades, every single time I didn’t follow my internal voice, I got myself into hot water—very hot water! Your internal voice is always with you (she’s been with you since the day you were born). She knows you better than anyone else and she will never, ever misguide you.

This “pearl of wisdom” leads me to #5 which is…

5. Practice Solitude – I discovered this “pearl of wisdom” in my 40’s. When I was in my 20’s and 30’s, I was so busy running around living a very fast-paced life, that I never, ever appreciated (or was comfortable with) solitude or silence. When it got quiet, I got moving. As I crossed the threshold into my 40’s, I began to crave solitude. It was like breathing. It was necessary for me to live. This “pearl of wisdom” ties right into #4 – “Follow your instincts”. It wasn’t until I learned to practice solitude that I could “hear” what my internal voice was telling me. She speaks very softly and with all of the roles and responsibilities you have as a woman, it can be a challenge to hear her words of wisdom. It is in those precious moments of silence that I hear and visualize the best next steps for me in my life.

These are my “5 Pearls of Wisdom” and as I reflect on each of them, they come together like a single thread weaving their way through the fabric of my life. It is my hope that if you practice even one of them that you will begin to see positive change in your own life. As a mentor once shared with me, “The slightest shift creates the greatest impact.”

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2010 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, 2 FREE Reports and FREE MP3 now at Creating The Spark .

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Smart Women Share Their Pearls….

Five Simple Steps for Newly Engaged Couples!

Step #1 – The Engagement Party: First off, you should celebrate the fact that you’re newly engaged — enlist the help of some friends to throw an engagement party with your loved ones to announce the good news. This fete doesn’t have to be extravagant and expensive. A small house party can create the same intimate scene. You’ll also receive the good wishes of your loved ones, and perhaps acquire a few willing volunteers to help you through the challenges of planning a wedding.

Step #2 – Setting a Date for the Wedding Day: Next on your agenda should be setting a date for the wedding. Here we are, a brand new year ahead of us. Depending on how elaborate you want the wedding to be determines which date you select. Of course, there are highlights of each season. A spring wedding, though lovely, would likely have to occur the following year if chosen. The downside is that both spring and summer weddings are more expensive than those that occur in the autumn or winter. Weddings that fall on holidays are a good option as well since much of the church or venue you settle on will already be decorated for said holiday. Many couples send out a Save the Date card to inform loved ones of their newly engaged status and remind their friends and family of the impending wedding day. Many online companies now offer easy-to-customize templates that can be printed and shipped to you in just a few days time. You can even make your own Save the Date cards with a little ingenuity and basic computer skills.

Step #3 – The Details: Your next perhaps most important action when newly engaged should be a frank chat with your intended about planning the wedding. Lay out what each person wants in the day, either verbally or on paper. Discuss themes, colors, foods, venues, music, and all the various details that make up a wedding and ceremony. You’ll also need to set a realistic budget if you are paying for part or all of it. Today’s weddings are incredibly expensive if all the bells and whistles are pulled out, so you’ll want to identify well in advance what can realistically be afforded.

Step #4 – Research: Being newly engaged, you may want to do some research of your own. Make a point to attend bridal shows in your area to get an idea of possible vendors while planning your wedding. Oftentimes, the vendors are present to hand out vouchers or special deals for attendants. Just make sure to register ahead of time as bridal events usually fill up quickly. You’ll also want to start choosing your bridesmaids and maid or matron of honor to help alleviate the stress of planning your own wedding. The last thing you want to deal with is flaky bridesmaids, so choose wisely.

Step #5 – The Location and Vendors: Wedding venues — for both the ceremony and reception — get booked fast, so you’ll need to fly into action. If you attended a bridal show, you may have learned about venues in your area, or you’ve done a little research about planning a wedding on your own. Bring along your fiancé to look at each of your favorite venues in person, making sure to ask questions such as:

(1) How many people can the venue accommodate?
(2) Is there a catering service on site?
(3) Are there enough restrooms for all of your guests?
(4) What is the payment schedule and, subsequently, the cancellation policy?
(5) Are the facilities wheelchair accessible?
(6) What is the policy on alcohol?
(7) Is there enough parking for X amount of guests?
(8) Are there any limitations on decorations?

Take a tour with the wedding’s coordinator and think it over. Look at all your options before selecting the right one. You’ll also need to consider other vendors when planning a wedding. Do you want a DJ or a live band? If so, you’ll want to book as soon as possible. Caterers get slammed during the high season (spring and summer months) as well, so make contacting them high on your to-do list.

Planning a Wedding While Savoring the Simple Moments

Just remember, planning your wedding day is what you make of it! Getting everything in order can be stressful, but don’t lose your head. Rely on your bridesmaids, mother, friends, and loved ones to help you tackle one thing at a time. If things do begin to be too much, consider what a professional wedding planner can do for you. Oftentimes, they can negotiate better rates since they know reliable vendors around town.

Above all, have fun being newly engaged, planning your wedding, and getting closer to your special loved one!

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Newly Engaged after the Holidays: Start Planning Your Wedding Now!

PLR stands for Private Label Rights and is content that you can purchase and then use as your own. PLR content comes in many different forms including: articles, blog posts, worksheets, software, graphics, and even blog and website templates. PLR is so popular because it allows a person to have a great variety of content without having to create it themselves. Also, purchasing PLR is often times cheaper than hiring a ghostwriter. It is a great time and money saver.

Christian PLR is PLR content with a Christian twist. While the title of article packs found at Christian PLR sites maybe similar to those found at a non-Christian PLR site, the content itself will be different. All Christian PLR content is created from a Christian and Biblical point of view. If you own and operate a site in the Christian niche, using PLR made specifically for the Christian niche can be of great assistance. If you purchase generic PLR you still would have to rewrite the content to add a Christian spin to it. However, if you purchase Christian PLR that is one thing you don’t have to do.

When purchasing PLR content it is important to only purchase content that you will use. You don’t want to waste money by letting PLR just sit on your computer’s hard drive. By purchasing Christian PLR you can rest assure that you are getting the content you need for you Christian site.

Courtney Chowning is a Christian entrepreneur who runs a Christian PLR site and affiliate program. Check out http://christianmomplr.com for tips using PLR as well as a free e-course on how you can use PLR to boost your podcast!

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Christian PLR: What is it?

What can you do this week to let people know about your business?

Here are 11 tips to get you started:

1. Take a look at what you are already dong to market your business. What’s working? What isn’t?
2. Who is in your target market? Make a list of places where you can expose them to your message?
3. Do you have a market plan? If not, you need one!
4. Is your marketing message consistent? Don’t confuse your market with conflicting messages. Keep your language, message frequency, USP (unique selling proposition), etc. consistent
5. Don’t give up too soon. Often it times some time for your message to gain traction. Pick a couple of marketing techniques and stick with them for a while before assessing their success.
6. Are you utilizing social media to your advantage? Are you on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.
7. What steps in your marketing plan can you automate so they happen consistently and save you time and effort.
8. Be honest in all your messages. Don’t make claims you and your business can’t live up to.
9. Stress the benefits of your service more than the features
10. Show your personality and have fun with your marketing.
11. Don’t use marketing techniques you think you should use solely because they work for others. Use the methods that really fit your style and personality to get the best results.

Remember that marketing is meant to be an ongoing process. Even when you have all the business you can handle, you still want to be marketing. It’s OK to have a waiting list of people who want to work with you. In fact, it’s great as you’ll never have to worry where your next client is coming from and there’s never a dull moment.

Pick 3-5 items from the list above to work on this week or come up with your own ideas. The secret to success is consistent results oriented joyful action.

As always, have fun with this process.

*****
© 2010 Ruth Hegarty

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Ruth Hegarty helps women entrepreneurs create confident and effortless success. As a certified Law of Attraction Coach, Ruth teaches women to unleash their powerful creator so they can work less and earn more. To learn more about Ruth and receive a free copy of her Effortless Success Toolkit for women entrepreneurs, go to Coach Ruth.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Marketing 101: Let People Know What You Have to Offer

– First of all, choose the networking events you will attend wisely. Don’t waste time attending events that won’t serve you the way you want or don’t fit your personality. Make a list of your top five networking event choices and put them on your calendar.

– Do some research on the group and event that you plan to attend so you have talking points and an idea of who else will be there and what’s expected of you. Keep notes on each event so you know what works and what doesn’t as you refine your networking process.

– Get organized. Bring your business cards and other helpful materials such as a notebook, pen, etc. with you to each event. Create a networking toolkit that you will have at the ready for every event. What will you include in your networking toolkit?

– Prepare ahead of time so you know what to wear, what to bring and how long it will take to get there. This way there is no last minute rushing to detract from your confident arrival.

– Remember that it’s not a race. Networking is about quality of the people you connect with, not the quantity. Talk to people who appeal to you not just as many people as you can. Always begin a conversation with small talk rather than jumping right in to business topics. It’s more polite and a much better way to build relationships. Be yourself and enjoy the process of connecting with others. When the conversation turns profession, always share the most value you can. What strategies will you use to approach people with whom you would like to become acquainted?

– Debrief your experience of each event. Take a few minutes to write down some notes or comments about how you felt, who you spoke to, if you feel this was an effective venue for your networking, etc. What did you do or say that worked and what didn’t? What are the criteria with which you will assess networking events?

– Follow up with anyone you promised to contact. Make the calls, send the emails and forward along any material in a timely fashion. This is an extremely important step. If you don’t think you will follow through on a promise, don’t make one. Not keeping promises will have a negative impact on your personal and professional reputation. Create a simple process for following up with networking contacts so nothing “falls through the cracks.”

Now, go out their and enjoy your success!

*****
© 2010 Ruth Hegarty

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Ruth Hegarty helps women entrepreneurs create confident and effortless success. As a certified Law of Attraction Coach, Ruth teaches women to unleash their powerful creator so they can work less and earn more. To learn more about Ruth and receive a free copy of her Effortless Success Toolkit for women entrepreneurs, go to Coach Ruth.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

What To Do At Your Next Networking Event

Here are a few more options to consider when doing your telecommuting job search:

Help Desk

Help desk kind of goes along the lines of customer service agent. The main difference is the help desk focuses their help on a certain aspect of the company. For example, one could be helping customers with software issues, computer problems or a particular product problem.

This kind of position would require you to have some experience in whatever part of the job you would be helping with. Knowledge in that area would also be important for this position. There are some companies that will hire someone with little or no experience and train them on what they need to, but they aren’t seen as often.

Web Designer

If you have any on the job experience designing websites or if you have done some well-crafted sites for yourself or friends, then this could be an option for you to look into. Web designing is always needed with someone online.

Everyday websites are going up and the people who own these site domains need a well designed place to put their content. Most of these people know that a high quality site will bring them closer to success than a poorly crafted one, so they will find someone who can help them out.

There are many companies who will hire a team of designers to work on their clients’ sites and there are others that will hire someone to work on their own sites. You will need to have good designing software or tools to be able to get one of these jobs, should you feel you would like to try your hand at it.

Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant who basically performs administrative duties from their home office. They can perform several types of duties, such as data entry, customer service, bookkeeping, web designing, writing, telemarketing, sales and transcription. Not all virtual assistants do the same duties, as each company has different needs.

If you can do some basic administrative duties, you can still get a position as a virtual assistant. You may not be paid as much as those who can do more skilled jobs, but it gives you a chance to hone your skills to gain more experience for the higher paid virtual assistant jobs.

These are some of the more common types of telecommuting jobs available. The list, of course, goes on to include several more. Jobs like, data entry, graphic artist, web developer, accounting, writing, and proofreading.

Before you start to look for a telecommuting position, you should take a look at yourself and see what skills or experiences you do have. When you know which type of position works for your skill set, then you can narrow your job searching down to that type of job, instead of just looking at hundreds of job ads trying to decide what to do.

Nell Taliercio has been working at home full time since 2004. She’s worked as a telecommuter, virtual assistant and affiliate marketer. In 5 years she’s discovered many secrets to finding legitimate work at home jobs and securing them. You can find work at home job information and tips at: http://www.justonlinejobs.com

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Types of Telecommuting Positions: Part Two

As women, we can sometimes carry a heavy load of responsibility. We are nurturers by nature. We tend to say “Yes” more than “No.” Over time, some of the roles and responsibilities you take on no longer serve you well and can become “obstacles”. There have been times in my life that I’ve felt as if I was being held captive to some of the roles and responsibilities in my life. What are possible “obstacles” right now in your life?

*A job or career that no longer challenges or excites you
*A toxic relationship that drains your energy levels and provides no nourishment
*A health concern that’s keeping you from living your life fully

We begin to see these “obstacles” as a normal part of our lives. We develop a belief that we can’t shed these “obstacles” and we carry them around with us day after day. As I lay in that hospital bed, hour after hour, I became focused on one thing: freeing myself from the “obstacles” that were holding me captive. Over the next few days, I slowly shed each of the “obstacles” and began to feel confident that I would take control and be discharged from the hospital.

In order for you to live a life that is full of passion and on purpose, it’s essential that you take charge of your life and make decisions from a place of honesty and authenticity. Give yourself permission to identify what’s holding you back, what “obstacles” are holding you captive in your own life, and take steps to rid yourself of these.

Here are a few tips that I used in the hospital to rid myself of my own “obstacles.” I believe they can support you in your journey to living a life of freedom, passion, and purpose:

1. Identify your “obstacle” – what’s holding you back? Where’s the energy drain in your life right now? It’s important to identify exactly what you want to eliminate.

2. Visualize life without the “obstacle” – what might be possible? How will your life be better or different without this “obstacle” preventing you from having the life you want and desire?

3. Create a plan to make it happen. I made a plan to rid myself of those annoying pieces of equipment in this order: oxygen, catheter, sitting up, standing, walking, the IV. I decided this was the best (and easiest) way for me to reach my full freedom from the hospital. Create a plan that feels right for you – challenging but achievable.

4. Set an intention and share it with a nutritious friend. Tell someone. I told everyone who came to visit what my intention was, and I asked everyone to help me. Was it uncomfortable? You bet. Would I have rather stayed in bed at times? Yes. Would that decision have led me to my goal? No.

When the desire is there, the how-to will come.

On my last morning in the hospital, I was taking a walk and I saw a man being supported by his wife attempting to take his first steps after surgery. I had passed this man’s room before and I would always flash him a smile. He typically looked at me with an expression of “I want to walk, but I’m in too much pain.” I understood completely. I walked over to him and gave him the thumbs up and congratulated him on taking those first steps to shed his “obstacles.” He looked at me and said, “It’s so hard.” My reply? “Yes, it is. But it’s the only way out.” I invite you to think about shedding the “obstacles” in your own life. It truly is the only way to live!

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2010 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, 2 FREE Reports and FREE MP3 now at Creating The Spark.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

What Smart Women Learn in the Recovery Room

The first thing every romantic dinner needs is a location that provides atmosphere. So, stop right here and pull out your imagination. Take a look around your house – inside and out – and begin to imagine what kind of restaurant you can create using any room in your house other than the dining room. Expand your imagination to include all possibilities – a porch, the driveway, hallway, foyer, garage, back yard, den, storage room – some place where your creative imagination can run wild.

Now that you’ve chosen your location, begin to consider what “kind” of restaurant you would like. Will it be an Italian Bistro, a French café or country diner? Begin to plan how you will decorate your restaurant as a reflection of the theme you have chosen and look around for items within your home that can be acquisitioned for decorations, props and accents. Make a list of inexpensive items you might find at a yard sale or dollar store – this doesn’t have to be expensive and $20.00 should be all you would need to spend to buy, borrow or make to use as decorations. Consider hanging a curtain or making some kind of a screen to enclose your restaurant space from view and make it more cozy and intimate.

You will want to consider what things you will use for a table – including the floor for a picnic or Japanese style dinner – and for table settings and table arrangements that coordinate with your theme. Include things like candles, tablecloth, napkins, placemats, baskets, flowers, confetti, balloons, ribbons, potted plants – or whatever else you have handy and whatever your imagination allows. This is the time to pull out your good dishes or fine china – or purchase some inexpensive table ware in colors that lend to your chosen theme.

A little background music would be nice to include during your dinner – and how about taking a spin around the dance floor afterwards? A cozy fire place for a cool climate or tiki torches in a warmer climate are things you can add for ambiance. You may want to retire for a bubble bath or sit in the hot tub together – be sure to have those things prepared in advance including candles, bath bubbles, rose petals, chocolates and beverages. Even sitting quietly on the porch or taking a stroll through the neighborhood are enjoyable after-dinner activities. This is your romantic moment, and you should consider every possibility for using the time to reconnect in your relationship.

Have children? Not a problem. Enlist them as entertainers, waiters and kitchen help. Ask them to serve each course of the dinner without speaking – to maintain the illusion of being in an actual restaurant. Have older children entertain the younger children in a back room or at a friend’s house – or have someone babysit the children for a few hours if they are too young to participate.

With a little love, creativity and imagination, make this Valentine’s a day to remember!

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Valentine’s Rendezvous at Home

Here are some of the options you may find when browsing the job boards:

Customer Service Agent

This is the most popular and easier to find jobs online. There are several companies that hire people to work from home providing customer service for several clients. You could be using the telephone, live chat or even email correspondence to provide the service.

The level of experience you need for this position depends on the company’s requirements, but they can vary from no experience to a couple years of experience. Each website should say what they have for that requirement.

Transcription

Transcription is typing up audio content into a word document. There are three types of transcription positions that you might encounter in your job search. The types are:

General- You would type up materials from focus groups, financial meetings, and presentations. This type of telecommuting position doesn’t require a lot of experience to do. Companies that hire for this position usually look for ability to type fast, ability to listen, and take direction well.

Legal- This is where you would be transcribing legal content for lawyer’s offices. This type of transcription usually requires one to have at least a year experience working in the lawyer’s office, so that they are familiar with the legal terms.

Medical- You would be transcribing Doctor’s notes and files that are sometimes sent to insurance companies. This is the harder type of transcription to land. This type usually requires medical transcription training and some experience working in the field. The companies will not pay for your schooling, so you’ll have to pay your own way.

Scoping

A scopist works with a court reporter. Basically you would receive the rough data from the court reporter and clean it up for them. You would do the research, type up the correct information, change the formatting and look for any questionable items the rough data may contain.

The court reporter would then proofread your work to be sure everything is correctly in place. This kind of job would require you to have a scopist training under your belt and the necessary equipment needed to do your job. This can be costly.

Social Media Manager

Social Media Managers are people whose job is to scour all social networks, communicate with the target audience of a company and respond to any negative comments being published within these networks. Basically, your primary duty is to socialize with other people important to the company you work for.

You would need to have a good understanding of most of the social networks online and continually research the available tools that pop up frequently to make social networking easier for those who participate. Most companies that hire for this position aren’t necessarily looking for on the job experience; they will oftentimes hire based on your knowledge and experience using them in your personal life.

This list is only a portion of what’s available online today for telecommuters. More types of positions will follow in an upcoming article.

Nell Taliercio has been working at home full time since 2004. She’s worked as a telecommuter, virtual assistant and affiliate marketer. In 5 years she’s discovered many secrets to finding legitimate work at home jobs and securing them. You can find work at home job information and tips at: http://www.justonlinejobs.com

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Types of Telecommuting Positions: Part One

Here are some things you should take into consideration for your office:

The computer-This will be your most important piece of equipment in your home office, so you should focus on getting your computer ready for taking on the work at home jobs. The best option would be to have a computer used specifically for business reasons, but not everyone can do that when starting out.

Your personal computer could be used, but there are some things that you need to keep in mind. The computer you use should be in good working order and you should delete any files that aren’t needed or burn them onto CD’s to free up space on your computer. The more disk space you have, the better off you’ll be.

Virus/Spyware programs- Don’t work without these programs. The reason why this is so important is because you’re not only protecting your computer, but you’re also protecting the company you will be working for. Imagine spreading a virus or Trojan on to the company’s computer. They may not take too kindly to it.

Keep your computer protected. There are many free spyware and adware programs out there as well as virus programs. If possible, consider a paid version of a virus program. They usually update their databases automatically to catch any new bugs that are popping up all the time.
And they usually scan your emails for any threats without you having to do anything.

Phone-If you’re the job you’re applying to or planning to apply requires you to have a phone, then seriously consider getting a phone dedicated for your job.

It’s certainly possible to use your personal phone, but keep in mind; you or anyone within your household should not be receiving calls during the time you will working.

The choice of using a landline, wireless or internet phone will depend on the company or position you’re applying for. If you will be using the phone quite often, then a landline would be the best choice. Wireless and internet phones can easily break connections without warning, so stick to the landlines unless you won’t need a phone much.

Working Space- It isn’t necessary to have an actual room dedicated to your office, but you should find a space that you can work without a lot of distractions; especially from noise. You need to be able to work in a comfortable place, so pick out a good chair to sit in; even if you’re only going to be working at the kitchen table.

If you have a budget set up to create an office space for yourself; first consider putting money into your computer, phone and comfort items. Then take what you have left over and use it on any frills you may like to have. It’s fine to decorate your office with the best decorative things you can buy, but those things can wait until everything is ready.

Nell Taliercio has been working at home full time since 2004. She’s worked as a telecommuter, virtual assistant and affiliate marketer. In 5 years she’s discovered many secrets to finding legitimate work at home jobs and securing them. You can find work at home job information and tips at: http://www.justonlinejobs.com

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Preparing your Home Office For Telecommuting

Both types of job boards are beneficial. It’s a matter of doing what’s right for your situation. Let’s talk about what each one can do for you and you can decide what fits your needs the best.

Free

There are plenty of the free online job boards for you to browse through. They have excellent search features for one who is looking for either an online position or an onsite job. They do take some time to go through and find what you want, though.

You can narrow your search options to the specific type of job you’re looking for, like customer service or it can narrow it down to any type of job that can be done by telecommuting.

It’s important to note that you will have to read through each job opportunity, that you’re interested in, to make sure that it’s a telecommuting position. If you put “telecommuting” in the search box, it will pick up on all job ads that contain that word. So, even the ads that say, “no telecommuting offered” will be in your search results.

The biggest drawback to these boards is that they don’t weed through the jobs listed on their sites for scams. Even the most popular job boards contain quite a few scam jobs, so you really have to be careful when checking through the job ads.

Paid

There are a few different types of paid job boards available to you. There are ones that have monthly membership fees, annual membership fees and ones that you pay a one-time fee for life-time access.

These job boards are beneficial to those who don’t have the time to search through the free boards or simply don’t know how to search. The databases on these sites are updated regularly and they’re oftentimes organized, so that you can easily find the type of position you’re interested in applying for.

Paying for a membership to one of these kinds of boards, does not guarantee that all the positions listed on their site is scam-free. You will still have to do your research to make sure they’re legit opportunities, but for the most part, these sites try their best not to let a scam job through.

Either option is fine; it’s just a matter of what you have the time to do or whether you can afford the prices of the paid boards. Keep in mind, however, that the paid boards are simply a way for you to get access to some online jobs that may or may not be in the free boards.

They are not a guarantee that you will find a position right away just because you paid for a service. It will still take you time to find one, but it could simplify your online job search if you should choose to go the paid route.

Even if you decide to try a paid job board, you should also be checking the free boards as time allows, increasing your chances of finding that telecommuting position you’ve been hoping for.

Nell Taliercio has been working at home full time since 2004. She’s worked as a telecommuter, virtual assistant and affiliate marketer. In 5 years she’s discovered many secrets to finding legitimate work at home jobs and securing them. You can find work at home job information and tips at: http://www.justonlinejobs.com

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Job Boards: Free or Paid

Tip 1 – Start With Some Frugal Family Favorites

A great place is to start with a few of your families favorite meals. Make a list of inexpensive dishes that everyone loves. In my house that includes spaghetti, chili and a variety of soups, stews and casseroles.

Tip 2 – Include One Or Two Bean Dishes Per Week

Beans and other legumes are a great way to stretch any budget. They are cheap, yet full of protein and fiber which also makes them a very healthy choice. We like pinto beans and corn bread as well as bean, lentil or split pea soup. You can easily turn beans, cooked rice, tortillas and various leftovers into yummy burritos. If you haven’t cooked much with dry beans, now is a great time to start.

Tip 3 – Skip The Meat Twice A Week

You don’t have to have meat with every dinner (or every meal for that matter). Schedule at least two days a week that are meat less. If you are already doing this, see if you can make it without yet another day. You’ll quickly notice some big savings at the grocery store. Beans and eggs are great protein alternatives to the much more expensive beef, pork or chicken.

Tip 4 – Reduce The Amount Of Meat The Rest Of The Week

On the days that you do serve meat, try to serve less. As a rule of thumb you can cut any meat in a soup or casserole dish in half. Just add some more “filler” by increasing the amount of potatoes, rice or pasta you use. Another option is to add some beans for that extra protein boost.

Tip 5 – Beef Up The Sides

Even when your main entrée is meat (i.e. baked chicken, hamburgers or steaks), you can get away with smaller portions by adding more side dishes. Make up some potato salad or a big batch of mac and cheese to go along with your main meal for a day or two.

Tip 6 – Add A Frugal Dessert

Keep everyone happy despite the changes by serving a simple dessert a few times a week. This could be some fresh homemade cookies, a pie, or something as simple as a cup of cut up fruit or some homemade pudding. None of these things are very expensive or take a lot of time to prepare, but they sure will make your loved ones feel special.

Tip 7 – Hold A Family Meal Plan Meeting

Create your meal plan and try it out for a week or two. Then get everyone in the family together and ask them about their input in the plan. What dishes did they like, what didn’t they like? Is there any meal they really missed that you haven’t made in a while? Tweak your plan to accommodate your family and come up with one that everyone is happy with. That’ll make it easy to stick to it in the long run.

And now I would like to invite you to read a recent interview I did with “The Menu Mom “ that includes quite a few more family meal planning tips. You can find it here: www.hillbillyhousewife.com/family-meal-planning-an-interview-with-christine-steendahl.htm .

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

7 Tips For Creating A Frugal Meal Plan That Works For You And Your Family

1. What are my habits/practices that don’t work for me?
2. What are my habits/practices that do work for me?
3. What do I spend time doing that leaves me frustrated?
4. What am I happy/excited about in my life right now?
5. Is there anyone in my life that doesn’t feel good to be around?
6. Is there anything at home or in my workspace that doesn’t jive with me anymore?
7. What am I proud of about my life?
8. What am I grateful for in my life?
9. What negative judgments do I have about myself? About others?
10. Who do I love and who loves me and what does that love look/feel like?
11. How do I make the world a better place?
12. Do I spend any mental time on thoughts that make me feel cruddy?
13. What are my priorities and values at this time in my life and how to they manifest every day?
14. Is there anything else I can see in my life that doesn’t feel good?
15. What changes can I make moving forward that will dramatically improve my life?

Take all the time you need to answer these questions. Even just reading them through and thinking about them as you go through your day can get you results – although I definitely recommend you write your answers down.

Of course you know to have fun with this!

*****

© 2009 Ruth Hegarty

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Ruth Hegarty helps women entrepreneurs create confident and effortless success. As a certified Law of Attraction Coach, Ruth teaches women to unleash their powerful creator. She hosts the popular “The Art of Joyful Living Radio Show.” Listen every Tuesday by visiting Art of Joyful Living .

To learn more about Ruth’s group or one-on-one coaching programs and to get her free Confidence Building e-book for women, please visit her website at Leap of Confidence.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Self-Contemplation and Success

In other words, if you aren’t on Twitter, Facebook, vigorously updating your blog and commenting on a variety of others’ blogs, you have the potential of quickly getting lost in the shuffle. The trick is to “sell” without “selling” these days. Confused yet?

Don’t be. Banner ads, ezines and newsletters are still an important part of your internet marketing business and at this point, remain lucrative vehicles for you to increase your customer list and revenue stream. However, the new advertising approach through social media and blogging is one that takes some additional thought, practice and for lack of a better word, sneakiness!

That’s right. You want to be sneaky. You want to take the anti-advertising approach when utilizing social media to promote your business so that you can invite people to join in on the conversation about your business and what you are doing, rather than simply advertise your latest offering or best deal.

It’s a delicate balance. For example, a tweet that says, “Go to my website for a great deal on an ebook that will help make you successful!” will turn followers into haters almost instantly. But rework your strategy and you will not only gain followers, but possibly even turn them into customers. Consider something more like “Great ebook on how to gain success. Really enjoyed it!” Be sure to include a link to the product and you have now just informed your followers about the quality of your product by giving a testimonial and “helping” them by sharing it!

You will also have to be complimentary and interactive with your friends and followers. Be sure to show an interest in what they are tweeting about, what they are doing according to their status updates and what they have to say in their blog. As an internet marketer, you can appreciate how busy they are and will want to show them that they are valued as well. This is also a great way to take your anti-advertising internet marketing approach to the next level. Leaving comments or re-tweeting is a great way to gain additional exposure. Just make sure what you are commenting on or sending out is relevant and will reach those who may also be interested in your online business.

It’s a game of give and take. It’s all about taking an approach that is less formal and more about appealing to others’ sense of community as opposed to filling a void they might have by offering your service and or product.

Remember, there is still room for more traditional online advertising of in internet marketing, but social media is a new and exciting way to try a new approach and grow your online business like never before.

Melissa Ingold is a full-time online business owner who thrives on helping others say good-bye to their J-O-Bs forever. For more action-oriented, quick & easy-to-follow Internet marketing guidance to help you create a low-maintenance, high-profit venture go to Internet Marketing Sweetie

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

This Ruins Most Internet Marketers Today

Social media is the newest way to market your business online through building and maintaining relationships. It’s a growing industry, and one that continues to drive business online with every friend request, every connection and every tweet that spans the web. If you are not already utilizing social media as a means to market your online business, you are missing out on a huge, no-cost advertising opportunity that will not only grow your business, but will allow you to build long-lasting relationships that will take you and your profit margins to the next level.

No matter what outlet you use or what social media circles you join, the key to making your efforts a success is consistency. First, you absolutely must be consistent; Consistent in conversation, in posting, in replying to messages and updating your information. While social media may not cost you a penny, it requires a major investment –time. If you think you can get by with a weekly status update or monthly tweet, you are sadly mistaken. You will need to create a conversation as part of your internet marketing efforts. Involve your circle and interact in such a way that let’s others know you want them to hear what you have to say and assure them that you are equally as interested in what they are doing as well.

The bottom line is you get what you put in. Social media can prove to be an extremely lucrative opportunity for your online business and as an internet marketer you need all the help you can get, right? So why not take advantage of this free advertising opportunity to not only grow your business, but help establish yourself as a trustworthy voice in a variety of online circles? It will help you gain credibility, clients and ultimately, cash.

But selling via social media is tricky. You will have to find that delicate balance between an informative and sales-y approach. If you go too far down either path, you will completely alienate your social media community. Be careful not to offer dry, irrelevant information that will not interest others in you or your internet marketing business while at the same time, try not to pitch your product or service so much that you turn people off. Be sensitive to the language you use and pay close attention to what others in your industry are saying. Although they may be the competition, you can learn a lot from them when first starting out in social media.

And finally, remember that you will have to follow others if you want them to follow you. Much like the time commitment, you will only get what you put in. If you follow a lot of people (and by the way, make sure they are relevant to your industry either as peers or potential customers) then they will return the favor.

Now get out there and be social!

Melissa Ingold is a full-time online business owner who thrives on helping others say good-bye to their J-O-Bs forever. For more action-oriented, quick & easy-to-follow Internet marketing guidance to help you create a low-maintenance, high-profit venture go to Internet Marketing Sweetie

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

The Fastest Way to Grow Your Online Business

Facebook is arguably the most popular social media site available today. Started as a way for college students to keep in touch, Facebook now has millions of users who are using it for new and innovative purposes with every single friend request. So what does this have to do with your internet marketing business? Everything. (note: don’t include “Everything” in the summary please.)

A Facebook page for your online business is a great way to gain exposure, build relationships and ultimately, grow your business. In fact, you may want to consider a personal Facebook page as an additional way to promote your online business as well, maximizing your ability to appeal to a larger group of people and increase connections for both personal and professional purposes.

You can get the ball rolling by becoming a fan of your internet marketing business page and sharing it with others as well. This is a great way to inadvertently advertise your business without coming across sales-y or pushy. The last thing you want to do is alienate your Facebook friends or any members of the social media community for that matter. You will find that it is absolutely critical to gain the trust of those you make connections with because if one friend feels you are trying to “sell” to them, you will immediately gain an irreparable reputation on Facebook that will spread like wildfire. However, handle yourself correctly and you will quickly reap the benefits of Facebook’s network of millions, allowing you to promote your internet marketing business without offending or assaulting people with unwanted advertisements, offers or spam.

So how do you handle yourself correctly? It’s easy really. You will want to send and accept as many new friend requests as you can in order to grow your circle. For your Facebook business page, these friends should also become “fans”. In addition, make sure that you update your status consistently, and that doesn’t mean once a week. It means once, possibly even twice or more a day, depending on how much time and effort you are both willing and can realistically put in. And finally, perpetuate conversation. If someone writes on your wall or sends you a message, be sure to write them back in a timely fashion. Unfortunately, timely in the Facebook world is real-time, so you will want to respond as close to immediately as possible. It will be expected. Wait too long (no more than 5 hours) and you may end up with one less friend.

If it sounds demanding, it is. But remember, it is a free service that when managed correctly can prove to be extremely lucrative for your business and ultimately help to establish you as a qualified, trustworthy online business owner who is on the path to even greater success.

Remember, strangers are only friends you haven’t met yet and Facebook is full of friends who are destined to become customers!

Melissa Ingold is a full-time online business owner who thrives on helping others say good-bye to their J-O-Bs forever. For more action-oriented, quick & easy-to-follow Internet marketing guidance to help you create a low-maintenance, high-profit venture go to Internet Marketing Sweetie

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Here is Your Great Free Traffic Resource

In today’s fast-paced, real-time, information-driven world, Twitter offers a breath of fresh air from the often cluttered email inboxes of old and annoying pop-up advertising approaches hated by all. We no longer want to spend time wading through content-laden newsletters. We want up-to-the minute updates, status reports and tips. So what does this mean for your online business? How does it play a role in internet marketing?

It means you have the opportunity to take advantage of an exciting and most importantly, growing community of people who are not only a captive audience, but will appreciate brevity, something I am sure you will find refreshing when trying to manage your business and promote it at the same time! And the best part is, it’s free.

Once you have created your Twitter account, (which, by the way, couldn’t be easier) there are two keys to making Twitter work for you.

1. Be a follower. Now, I know as a business owner this can be a hard concept for you as you most likely consider yourself to be a “leader”. However, in Twitter language, you will want to be a follower in order to have others follow you. The more people and/or businesses you follow, the more they will follow you and hence, the more exposure you will gain. This has the potential to grow your customer list by leaps and bounds!

Since your tweets will have to be short, it will force you to say what you need to say without letting sales-lingo get in the way. Put yourself out there and make it interesting so that others will want to follow you. However, do NOT use Twitter to let people know about your most recent sale or monthly offer. You will quickly turn people off and lose any ground you may have gained by creating a Twitter account in the first place. Remember, Twitter, just as with any social media marketing, is about building relationships and having conversations. It is not the place to “sell”.

2. Be relevant. Stay on top of your tweets. Send out no less than two tweets each day and in addition, respond to other tweets, regardless if they are directed at you or not. You will have to work at managing your Twitter account in order to see any results materialize from your efforts; however, it is a critical part to beginning and growing a successful social media campaign for your online business.

It really is that simple. If you tweet, you will be tweeted! Start the conversation and watch others catch on. You will be addicted before you can even say the word “tweet” and the best part is, you will watch your business grow.

Melissa Ingold is a full-time online business owner who thrives on helping others say good-bye to their J-O-Bs forever. For more action-oriented, quick & easy-to-follow Internet marketing guidance to help you create a low-maintenance, high-profit venture go to Internet Marketing Sweetie

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

2 Things Every Internet Marketer Needs to Know About Twitter

Having a firm foundation is essential for any business to have sustainable growth and long-term success. What do you need in order to create a firm foundation for your Big Idea, Dream, or Goal? You need the same 6 elements that my son Jack used in his book report:

1. Title – What’s the name of your business? Does the logo reflect what your business provides? Does your business card or web site accurately reflect what you do? This is a basic but very important part of your business. Many times, it can be the first contact someone has with you and your business. It needs to be clear when someone picks up your card or visits your web site.

2. Setting – Where will you operate and run your business? Will it be home-based or do you need to rent office or warehouse space? What setting will best serve you in running and operating a successful, profitable business? When I first started my business years ago, I had a small desk in my bedroom that served as an “office.” Today, I have an office that is dedicated to my business needs. It’s light, bright and has a 360-degree window view all around me. Your environment is very important when you are working on your Big Ideas, Dreams, and Goals. The key is to get started in whatever space you have but make it a goal to “create your own space” as soon as possible.

3. Main Characters – Who will support you in your business? Do you have an assistant? Coach? Belong to a Mastermind? When I first started my business, it was just me doing everything. Along the way, I added support as I quickly realized that I could not accomplish my dreams and goals without more help. Today, I have a virtual assistant, a web designer and a project assistant. Support is a key factor in building and sustaining a successful business.

4. Plot – What’s the vision for your business? What does your Big Idea, Dream, or Goal look like? This was the most challenging part for my son Jack. Taking what he read and being able to articulate it in a format that would make sense to anyone who picked up the report but may have never read the book. This, too, is true for your business. You need to be able to articulate your business idea and what it does with real vision and clarity, so that when you meet with your ideal client, they understand that what you have to offer is for them.

5. Problem – What problem does your ideal client have that you can solve when they work with you or use your product? This is key to writing effective marketing materials.

6. Solution – What’s the solution that you provide? For example, are you a small business attorney who helps entrepreneurs keep their businesses legally healthy? Do you provide services to help people grow their businesses? People will always invest in solutions that they believe will clearly solve their problems.
Jack’s book report was on Doctor Doolittle. He enjoyed the book and all of its characters. Taking everything he discovered in the book and putting it on paper was not always easy at times, but it clearly helped him to better understand what he read. He had to get up a few times, walk away, and take a break but in the end, he was really proud of his work.

I invite you to sit down and do a “report” on your business. Whether it’s a new business that you’ve been dreaming about or a business you’ve had for a while, visualizing and clarifying these steps will bring about some positive ideas and new thinking for 2010.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

****
© 2009 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 and be the first to hear about my exciting new program for coaches and consultants at Smart Women Smart Solutions Coaching .

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Smart Women Can Learn a Lot About Business from a 3rd Grader

The first thing you need to do is read through the job ad carefully a couple of times. Does it appear legit by reading the ad alone? Are there things that don’t really ring well with you? For example, maybe the job ad is for an accounting position. If the ad says that you don’t need any experience and you’ll be making $1,000 a week, then discard it. It is a scam.

A legit ad will contain much the same as a regular onsite position would contain. Compare it with an onsite position job ad if you need to. If they come close, then you can move on to the next step. Some positions, like customer service or data entry may not need much experience, but specialized positions, like accounting would.

Who is the company hiring for the position? Is it a company that you have heard of before? If it is, you can move on. If not, then you’ll need to research the company to see if they are legit. Here are some ways that you can do that:

• Visit telecommuting or work from home forums and search for the company name to see if they have been talked about before. Don’t be afraid to join the forum and ask if you need to.

• Use your search engines and type in the name of the company and add the word scam next to it. See what comes up.

• Visit the company website, if they have one. Does the site look professional or does it shout out claims of -Work From Home and give you pictures of sports cars and mansions?

• Check out the Better Business Bureau website and type in the company’s name. If the company is listed on their site, look to see what kind of track record they have.

When you’ve gone through that part, now how do you feel about the job? Are you satisfied with what you’ve found or are you still hesitant? If you’re still hesitant, then you can always try contacting the company and ask them more questions. Legit companies will generally be happy to answer you, but it could take a few days.

If you think the job ad is okay, you can go ahead and apply. Don’t give them your social security number or financial account information until you feel confident to do so. Stay on your toes throughout the application process in case surprises pop up, such as them asking for money for training materials.

The job research process could take up a good chunk of your time, but it could save you from an unfortunate situation. Take your time doing your homework, because most legit jobs take a few days to a few weeks before they make a decision of who to hire.

Nell Taliercio has been working at home full time since 2004. She’s worked as a telecommuter, virtual assistant and affiliate marketer. In 5 years she’s discovered many secrets to finding legitimate work at home jobs and securing them. You can find work at home job information and tips at: http://www.justonlinejobs.com

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Basics on How to Research Telecommuting Jobs

Fried chicken is commonly considered Southern fare; however the crispy appetizer is enjoyed the world-over.  From olive-oil fried “healthy” versions in South Korea to the crunchy ‘Chicken Chipees’ of Australia, fried chicken has made it the world over as a popular finger food.

For truly American fried chicken, there are 7 easy guidelines to follow for the perfect crispy finish.   Spoil your family and guests with juicy chicken fried to golden perfection.

1. Choosing the Chicken

Avoid the common mistake of choosing pieces that are either too large or too small.  Large cuts will result in the outside being over-fried and the inside remaining undercooked.  Cuts that are too small will lose their juice quickly.  Strive for the golden middle and choose medium-sized chicken pieces.  Aside from better taste, these cuts will be easier to handle when eating.

2. The Skillet

For best frying results, a cast iron skillet is the optimal choice for creating an even heating temperature.  Oil warmed in a cast iron skillet will take longer to warm up, so be sure to test the temperature of the oil before starting the first batch.  If you are preparing an extra-large batch, you may want to consider deep-frying the chicken. Oil temperature is easiest to regulate in a deep-fry setting, and you can get more done at once.

3. The Oil Makes a Difference

It is recommended to use fresh oil for each frying session.  A trick of the trade is to add a few pieces of diced celery to the oil.  The celery will enhance the flavor of the chicken and give a beautiful golden color to the fried pieces.  Although it is less healthy than other oils, peanut oil can be used for additional flavor enhancement.

4. The Temperature

Frying at the right oil temperature is critical for good results.  If you choose to use a thermometer, the ideal temperature of the oil should be just around 375 degrees.  Be aware that once chicken pieces are added to the oil, the temperature drops significantly.  It is therefore recommended to fry in smaller batches.  For best results, make sure the temperature of the oil does not drop below the 350 degree mark.

A food thermometer is recommended for a greater precision in temperature control.  If you do not have a thermometer at hand, the temperature can be tested simply by dropping a pinch of flour into the oil.  When the temperature is right, the flour should fry well upon contact without turning black too quickly.

5. Brining

Many cooks will credit the juicy texture of their fried chicken with their brining technique.  Brining requires soaking the chicken pieces in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours prior to preparation. The classic brine mixture contains buttermilk, finely minced garlic, paprika, sugar and salt.

6. The Batter

No matter what recipe you are using, be sure to include baking powder in the batter mixture.  Baking powder will give the fried chicken a crispier, crunchier crust.

7. Cooling Tips

Once the chicken pieces are removed from the oil, place them on a brown paper bag to cool off.  This method will allow extra oil to drain off, while preserving the crispy texture of the chicken.  Cooling on paper towels is not recommended for any fried fare, as this can decrease the crispiness of the food.  Do not cover the chicken while cooling.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

7 Tips for Frying Chicken

Telecommuting jobs are one of their favorite ways to con people into giving them their money or getting personal account numbers and other identifying information to use for other cons. A lot of people looking for telecommuting positions are ones that are anxious to find one right away.

The anxious ones are prime targets, because scammers can focus their pitches to what prospective telecommuters are wanting- to find a job to perform from home. Usually, its mothers who need to save money on daycare or need to bring in extra income for the family.

That shouldn’t stop you from continuing to look for a position that’s right for you. While scammers will probably always be on the prowl, we can at least be educated enough so that we know how to spot some of these scammers before they run away with our personal information or our money.

Here are some things that you should be looking for:

Never pay to get a job

No legit employer will ever ask for money for you to work for them. There are instances where you will be asked to pay for background checks, but other than that, there is no other reason to be handing your money over to a company just to work for them.

Research the company

If you’re not familiar with a company that you’re applying to, be sure to research that company to see if they are legit. Use your search engines to look up any articles, blog posts, etc. on the company. You might find someone else who has worked for them and are sharing their experience.

Check Pay rate

Not all job ads will tell you what the pay rate is, but if they do, research and find out what an average pay rate is for that particular position. Scammers love to post ads that say you can perform data entry from home and make thousands per week. Most legit jobs will only pay you around $7-$10 an hour or so for data entry. Not thousands.

No skills necessary

Another popular way to lure unsuspecting victims is by offering jobs where you don’t need any skills to be employed in their position. There are some legit jobs that will say this, but there is usually some kind of skill needed to get hired with them.

Popular scammer words

There are several words that scammers like to use in their ads that tend to grab the attention of anyone anxious to find a telecommuting position. Some of those are:

• Work from Home!
• 20 (or other stated high number) People Needed!
• Perfect for stay at home Moms
• No more Commuting!
• Say Goodbye to Your 9-5 job!
• You’ll have more time to be with your children

It’s important to note that you might find some of these in legit job ads, but most of the time it’s a scam. If you see phrases like these, then you know to research the company to be sure it’s legit before moving on to apply.

It’s not likely we’ll ever be able to be stomp out scams, but we can at least keep a watchful eye out and spot them before they get to us. The less people they scam, the less money they make and hopefully they’ll give up in the future.

Nell Taliercio has been working at home full time since 2004. She’s worked as a telecommuter, virtual assistant and affiliate marketer. In 5 years she’s discovered many secrets to finding legitimate work at home jobs and securing them. You can find work at home job information and tips at: http://www.justonlinejobs.com

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Telecommuting Scams: How to Spot Them

Here are the top 4 mistakes that cost people the telecommuting jobs they apply for:

1. Don’t follow directions in a job ad

Some people tend to send off their resume without reading a job ad thoroughly first. A lot of job ads will say things like, “don’t send attachments. Place your resume in the body of the email.” or something similar. Then what happens if the person applying doesn’t read through and see that?

They send an attachment and it ultimately gets deleted and the person is no longer considered for the position since they didn’t follow the potential employer’s instructions. Those employers are more impressed with someone who can follow directions, because then they could follow directions on the job.

2. Annoy the Prospective Employer

Believe it or not, this actually happens. Its one thing to be anxious; because you haven’t heard anything, but it’s another to bombard your prospective employer with one or two emails a day inquiring about it.

It’s okay to send an email making sure they received the resume a few days after you send it. It’s even okay to send an email a couple of weeks later to inquire to see how things are coming along, but it’s not okay to send oodles of emails to them on a daily basis. You’ll be seen as an annoyance and they probably won’t want someone like that working for them.

3. Monopolizing the Interviews with Personal Stories

It’s true that most employers want to know a little about you to determine whether you’re a fit or not for their company. However, they don’t need; nor do they want to know about all your personal problems. Say things like, “I like to travel” instead of “I’m desperate to work from home, because I can’t afford daycare anymore.”
Stay focused on the questions they ask.

If they want you to share a few things about yourself, then stick to positive things and leave your personal problems to your friends or family.

4. Lying on your resume

You might think that it increases your chances of getting the position, but in most cases, it increases your chances of losing it. Those who have lied on their résumés tend to slip-up in the interviews or get caught by the employer, because they do a little digging.

Be truthful when filling out applications or creating your resume. If you only have 6 months experience developing software programs or whatever; then say so. It’s better to be truthful with them, then to get caught in a lie.

These mistakes are easy ways to cost you the job you’ve worked hard to try to get. Learn from others and avoid making them yourself. The employers will appreciate your professionalism in the application process and you’ll be pleased too if they decide to hire you for the job.

Nell Taliercio has been working at home full time since 2004. She’s worked as a telecommuter, virtual assistant and affiliate marketer. In 5 years she’s discovered many secrets to finding legitimate work at home jobs and securing them. You can find work at home job information and tips at: http://www.justonlinejobs.com

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

4 Big Mistakes People Make When Applying for Telecommuting Jobs

Inspired action is often the most misunderstood part of the Law of Attraction and the whole deliberate creation process. For some reason, folks have gotten the idea that all you do is focus on what you want, and it magically appears, as if you rubbed a magic lamp and the genie appeared and “poof” your desires are manifested. It doesn’t really work that way (although it does often feel that way once you get the hang of it). However, there is definitely action involved – you must take action to make things happen. The difference is that the action I’m advocating is very different from the kind of action that you may have been taught in the past.

Most of us have been taught the formula “do/have/be” which means that in order to have what you want, you have to Do, do, do, do, do and do some more in order to Have what you want, so you can Be happy. That’s the “do/have/be” method. The problem with this traditional formula is that there’s so much struggle and effort associated with it. By the time you get what you want (IF you get what you want), you are too tired to enjoy it and it never seems as satisfying as you thought it would.

The Law of Attraction formula (and the correct formula in my opinion) is “be/do/have.” In this way, you get to start with Being. Be happy. Be joyful. Be loving. Be appreciative. All of this “being” is what makes you an energetic vibrational match to what you want. Concentrate on who you want to be, then Do what you’re inspired to do (and don’t worry about this part, the inspiration will come as you focus on simply being) and you will Have all that you desire.

As you can see, action is definitely a required component to manifesting. In fact, it’s a very important component, however, there’s a huge difference between struggling and pushing your way to success and enjoying effortless success through taking only inspired action. Inspired action flows naturally out of your contemplation of joy and “beingness.” As you get clear on what you want based on who you are you cease your resistance to “what is,” increase your appreciation of everything that you already have and clear away whatever has been blocking you from your dreams (old beliefs that no longer serve you, painful emotions, unresourceful habits, etc.). In so doing, you will flow into energetic vibrational harmony with your desires, which is an absolute necessity for manifesting your dreams.

How do you get started? Begin today by feeling as if you already have what you want (imagine how it feels), then ask yourself: What am I inspired to do? What is one action that would be joyful and would take me closer to my dreams? And then, of course, do whatever you are inspired to do. Don’t force the inspiration. If it doesn’t come right away, leave the topic for a while to focus more on feeling good and then try again later.

Bonus Tip: Of course, the shortcut in this entire manifestation process is to be joyful. When you are joyful, everything you want can come to you because you are an energetic vibrational match to everything you desire (this is why I called my radio show “The art of joyful living”).

*****
© 2009 Ruth Hegarty

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Ruth Hegarty helps women entrepreneurs create confident and effortless success. As a certified Law of Attraction Coach, Ruth teaches women to unleash their powerful creator. She hosts the popular “The Art of Joyful Living Radio Show.” Listen every Tuesday by visiting Art of Joyful Living .

To learn more about Ruth’s group or one-on-one coaching programs and to get her free Confidence Building e-book for women, please visit her website at Leap of Confidence.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Are You Taking Inspired Action or Just Going Through the Motions?

-          Wooden Spoons – I love wooden spoons, and good ones are hard to come by.   I love the ones that have a good thick, long handle on them so that I can use them in stock pots.

-          Whisk – I have varying sizes of whisks and use them all of the time.  But, there are a lot of days that I wish I had more than 1 of my smaller one.  Those really come in handy when needing to whisk small amounts of something.  Yes, I know you can use a fork, but a whisk is more fun. 

-          Measuring Cups/Spoons – As every good cook knows, you can never have enough measuring utensils.  When I’m giving some as gifts, I like to look for some that I would use, but also look for some that are seasonal.  It makes cooking that much more fun when you’re using fun utensils.

-          Bamboo Utensils – This is another great idea.  Yes, it’s similar to the wooden spoons, but these are actually a lot better and last longer

-          Scraper – I use mine all of the time for things such as scooping up lots of chopped veggies to scraping up bits of dough off of my mat after making breads. 

-          Silicone Spatulas or Spoonulas – This is another item that I know I use all of the time and I’m convinced that you can never have enough of.  When I have a big baking day, I always seem to run out of them, even when I’m washing and reusing them. 

-          Serving Platters – I love to use nice platters when I’m having a get-together.  Even though they are usually casual, it makes it feel more special. 

-          Cookie Cutters – If you know someone who likes to bake cookies, try finding a nice set of cookie cutters.

-          Apron – An apron is a must have for any serious cook/baker.  You can find a plain white or colored apron for just a few dollars, and you can get some fabric paint and dress it up a bit.  Or buy some fabric paint and have the grandkids make grandma/grandpa a personalized apron with their handprints, and you could write their name, date, and age below them. 

-          Pot Holders – These can be found very reasonably priced or, if you sew or quilt, you could even make some! 

-          Dish Towels – My towels have been well loved over the years and are really beginning to show it.  New towels are always welcome in my kitchen, and I’m sure your cook/baker will feel the same way! 

-          Baking Basket – put together a basket of their favorite cooking ingredients such as a box of cake or brownie mix, sprinkles, box of powdered sugar, a spoon or spatula, cupcake liners. 

-          Dinner Basket – Put together an Italian dinner basket.  You could include a box of pasta, sauce, garlic bread, and bagged salad mix, and a bottle of favorite dressing.

Here are just a few ideas to help you find that special cook/baker on your list something nice!   Hope this gives you some great ideas!

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Gifts For Cooks Under $10

- Crochet Hooks – If you know of a certain size that your crocheter uses a lot of or is missing, this is always well received.  I know I have duplicates of certain sizes because I use them the post and almost always have at least 2 projects going at any given time.

- Crochet Hook Organizer Case – These are a must have for any serious crocheter because it helps to keep all your hooks together.  You can never have too many since most of us will have duplicates.  We need to keep up with all of them.

- Comfort Grips for crochet hooks – these are nice.  They help make the small aluminum hooks easier to hold and keep your hands from cramping as bad.

- Crochet Thread – I have found that I love crocheting with thread.  However, each project takes quite a bit of thread, so I know that I would love getting a gift of various colors of thread. Just make sure that you have at least 2 of each color that you choose to give because, most projects will take a minimum of 2 balls, and there is nothing worse than getting most of the way through a project only to find that you don’t have enough thread and the color you are looking for is either hard to find or has been discontinued.

- Skeins of Yarn – If you can find out if there is a particular color that your crocheter is looking for, definitely pick it up for them!  Make sure to take the brand name and the color name with you to the store so that you make sure to pick up the right one.

- Stitch Markers – these really come in handy when you’re changing colors quite a bit or have a design in your work.  If you make jewelry, you can even make a few using a lobster clasp.  These are the ones that I love the most.

- Hot chocolate or flavored teas – when you’re sitting there working away, a nice cup of hot chocolate or tea is always welcome.

- A good bar or bag of chocolate – If your crocheter is a chocoholic like me, then you can’t go wrong with their favorite chocolates.  A couple of my favorites are Lindor Truffles or Ghirardelli Chocolate.   If they have another favorite treat, then those would also be well received.

I hope this helps you find the perfect gift for that special crocheter on your list this year.

Stephanie Martin, a work-at-home-mom of 2 daughters and 1 son, and the owner and publisher of Busy Moms Online, a site with information for busy moms, and My Country Haven, a blog documenting her life living on a farm and their frugal journey of remaining debt free while becoming more self-sufficient.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Gifts For Crocheters Under $10

In my work with women, one of the most essential exercises that we do together is peel back the layers of their lives and take a look at what’s working and what’s not working. It’s important to take a look at each layer and if necessary trim the excess so you can live each day doing what’s most important to you in your life. The challenge for most of us is in the “letting go” of what no longer serves us. Sometimes there’s so much debris in our lives that we are unable to clearly see how even just a slight trim in one area could create a dramatic positive impact.

I, too, have been challenged with this in my life at times. Trimming the excess and making room for new growth is difficult for me as well. I will share with you that the most dramatic positive change occurred in my life once I was able to do this. When I created the space to trim the excess “layers” from my life, real change began to show up for me.

How about you? Are you feeling like there are areas in your life that you would like to shed? Are there areas where you could “trim” away some of your time to create the space for something new? Not sure where to start? Here are some typical areas that you can take a look at in your life. (I invite you to sit in a quiet, peaceful place with your favorite cup of tea or coffee for this process):

1. Self-Care– How much time are you allocating to You? In my work with women, I often find that this essential practice is not anywhere in the layers of a woman’s life. It was a huge shift for me to make some years ago, however when I did this, it made a huge impact.

2. Spouse/Partner – Do you schedule regular date nights with your spouse or significant other? I find this one area can slip under the debris quickly and I have to trim back the layers and make space for it. If you don’t have a spouse/partner and would like that in your life, are you taking some positive steps to bring that love relationship into your life?

3. Family – Are you spending quality time with children, parents, siblings? The key here is quality—really “being” with them. My husband and I schedule “date night” with each of our children and this has created a closer bond for us.

4. Friends – Do you find time to see your girlfriends? Make sure your girlfriends are “nutritious”—they inspire you, champion you and give you those big laughs. I really enjoy taking long power walks with girlfriends and “processing” life along the way.

5. Business/Career – Are you doing work that inspires and motivates you? When you leave your business or work, do you feel energized or drained from the day? This created a dramatic shift for me 8 years ago when I changed the direction of my life and began my work with women.

6. Community – Are you feeling “called” to do volunteer work in your community right now? Is it time to “trim” back the layers of your volunteer efforts and let someone else serve? We are nurturers by nature and tend to say “yes” too quickly. I invite you to take a look at this and see what feels right for you moving forward.

Now is the perfect time to do this exercise. Autumn is the time of year to shed what no longer serves us in order to create space for the new growth and new ideas that will arrive in Spring. I invite you to create some time in your calendar before the holidays to trim back the layers of your life and peel away what no longer serves you. I think you’ll be surprised at how life embraces you when you give it the space to grow.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****

© 2009 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, 2 FREE Reports and FREE MP3 now at Creating The Spark .

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Smart Women Trim the Layers of Their Lives

Some people who want to get into a telecommuting position are afraid of giving up their current onsite positions; as they’re worried that the telecommuting concept will suddenly drop like flies and they will find themselves out of a job.

So, that brings up the question of whether Telecommuting is here to stay or not. Let’s take a look at where telecommuting is at this point in time:

•Telecommuting has been around for many years, even before desktop computers became available in most homes. It started out as only a few select people working from home and slowly grew from there.

•Some telecommuting companies are thriving today. While telecommuting started with employees performing one or two tasks from home; things have progressed to the point where some companies hire only people to work from home. Some of these companies, mainly customer service ones, are bringing in a lot of business.

•The cost of running a business has increased as the prices of everything increases. A lot of small businesses are looking for ways to cut their spending to bring in more profits. One of the best ways they’re finding to save money is by creating telecommuting positions to eliminate some of the bigger cost items.

•Some of the smaller cities are facing a problem with having a lack of skilled workers living locally or ones that will work for the pay the business could afford. A lot of people that have the qualifications needed for some positions are going to the larger cities to get employment that could sustain the lifestyles they need. The smaller businesses sometimes have to resort to finding people to do the job clear across the country.

Based on this information, telecommuting is only growing stronger. That makes it unlikely to be fizzling out anytime in the future. If anything, it only proves that it will continue to grow and become more readily available in many types of positions.

Skeptical minds, however, have to wonder why telecommuting doesn’t have a stronger hold in the employment industry that it should have by now. The reasons for this all have to do with misconceptions of how a telecommuting job would work.

There are still a lot of employers that continue to have the mindset that working from home means a lot of slacking off time due to there not being someone to keep a watchful eye over them. This may be the case sometimes; it’s not the norm for most telecommuters.

Those who work a job from their home office tend to perform their best work because they’re in a comfortable environment, don’t have the stress of getting to and from work and because they don’t have a boss looking over their shoulder.

Once the misconceptions are eliminated then more telecommuting jobs will start popping out of the woodwork. As prices of gas and other items increase, employees will be leaving their onsite positions to save money. The employers will probably come to the point that they would have to allow telecommuting for some positions in order to keep people working for them.

With that said, telecommuting is here to stay, but will continue to grow at a snail’s pace. New technology is always coming out and some of them will be perfect solutions for performing a job from a remote location while keeping data safe and ensuring their workers aren’t slacking off.

Nell Taliercio has been working at home full time since 2004. She’s worked as a telecommuter, virtual assistant and affiliate marketer. In 5 years she’s discovered many secrets to finding legitimate work at home jobs and securing them. You can find work at home job information and tips at: http://www.justonlinejobs.com

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Is Telecommuting Going To Stay?

Sometimes finding the telecommuting position is as close as the job you’re already working. It’s a matter of convincing your current employer that the job could be done from your home.

Prepare a presentation and set up a time with the person that would make that decision to explain how the telecommuting process works and why it would be beneficial to the company you’re working for.

The most successful presentations are ones that contain the following:

A lot of research

The employer will need to know more than just a few statistics. Tell them how much money they could save and other ways they could benefit.

Start Small

Employers may not be too open to making the whole job a telecommuting position. They might be more willing to allow some parts of the job to be done at home. Focus on some of the parts instead of the whole job. Down the line, after you’ve proven yourself, they might be willing to look into making it a complete telecommuting position.

Come with a schedule

It’s much easier for the employer to see how this idea would work if you come with a proposed schedule. You could tell them that on Mondays and Wednesdays you would come into the office and perform whatever tasks. On the rest of the days, you would do xyz projects from home. Let them know it’s a proposed schedule that could be changed, but it’s used as an example to give them a clearer picture.

Here’s what successful presentations Don’t contain:

All about you

While you can tell them that you would perform better by working at home, don’t make the whole presentation about you. They will not be interested in knowing that you want to be with your children, need to have more errand running time or that you’re tired of paying for the gas. They would want to know what they get out of the situation.

Do-it-or Else Attitude

The presentation is meant to show the employer the benefits of you performing your job from home. You’re only proposing the idea to them and trying to sell them on it. It is not a means to say that you’ll quit if they don’t do what you want. The do-it-or else attitude will only get you to the door with no more job to come to.

Not coming prepared

Your presentation will provoke a lot of questions from your employers. If you’ve done your research ahead of time, you will have some convincing answers to the questions they throw at you. By not coming prepared, you won’t be able to answer many of their questions or give them feasible solutions to their proposed problems. More than likely they would see your presentation as a complete waste of time and deny your request for telecommuting.

Some employers have been sold on the idea of making current onsite jobs into telecommuting ones, but it takes a lot of hard work and thought on your part to make it happen.

Go all out and prepare for the presentation as much as possible. Even if you don’t sell them on the idea, you still have shown your ingenuity and willingness to fight for something you believe in. Those are good character traits for moving up the ladder in most companies.

Nell Taliercio has been working at home full time since 2004. She’s worked as a telecommuter, virtual assistant and affiliate marketer. In 5 years she’s discovered many secrets to finding legitimate work at home jobs and securing them. You can find work at home job information and tips at: http://www.justonlinejobs.com

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Presenting the Telecommuting Concept to Your Onsite Employer

But, not everyone is really cut out to be a telecommuter. Some people see working from home as an easy way to make money. That’s a myth and those who believe that will probably find themselves without the job they had worked hard to get. So, here are some questions to ask yourself to see if you qualify to be a successful telecommuter.

Do you have a home office set-up?

Since most jobs will require you to work on a computer or at least send and receive emails; you should have a computer with a high-speed internet connection in your home office. If you’re thinking about applying for a position where you might need to use a phone, then you should also look into a business line.

Someone looking to hire you to work for them will expect you to have at least some of the equipment needed on hand. This would include computer software. Not too many companies will be providing it to you. Research the type of job you’re looking to get into and see what kinds of things you will probably need to have in your office. Those who have what they need upfront have a higher chance of landing the job.

Are you able to work in a quiet area?

This is one of the biggest requirements most employers have. It can easily make or break your chance at the jobs you want to apply for. For positions like customer service, where you’ll be helping them over the phone, a quiet environment is a must.

You would be representing the company you’re working for. If a customer loses trust in you because of the screaming children in the background, then they lose trust in the company. If you’re not prepared to be a good representative for the business you’re working for, then telecommuting is not right for you or look into a position where the phone won’t be needed.

Do you have a flexible enough schedule to work?

Each company will have their own schedules of what hours they need you to work. Some may leave that up to you, but a lot have specific time frames or a specific amount of hours they need you to perform the job.

It could be a straight 8-4 job, or they may want you to work a couple of hours in the morning and a couple of hours later on in the day. While you don’t have to be available the whole day to work, at least have a good enough time frame set aside to where you could be available when they need you.

These are some of the things that are necessary to be a successful telecommuter. As long as you have the right attitude and the drive to perform your job the best way you can, your chances of making a success in the telecommuting industry increases.

Nell Taliercio has been working at home full time since 2004. She’s worked as a telecommuter, virtual assistant and affiliate marketer. In 5 years she’s discovered many secrets to finding legitimate work at home jobs and securing them. You can find work at home job information and tips at: http://www.justonlinejobs.com

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Are You Cut Out For a Telecommuting Position?

I’ve come up with a variety of breakfast recipes that utilize the microwave which significantly speeds up the cooking process without sacrificing flavor.  These quick, microwave breakfasts will also save you money if you don’t have to swing by the local fast-food window on the way to work!

Bacon, Egg and Cheese Sandwich

First, put toast or English muffin into toaster and get that toasting.   Second, get egg, slice of cheese and two slices of pre-cooked bacon out of fridge (you can also substitute those precooked sandwich style sausage patties).  Grab cooking spray and large coffee mug and small bowl to beat egg.  Put the bacon into microwave while you prep the egg (probably takes 30 seconds or so).  Break egg into bowl and beat with a bit of water.  Generously spray inside of mug with cooking spray and pour beaten egg/water into it.  Bacon should be just about done.  Pull the bacon out, put the mug of egg in and cook on high for one minute (might take another 10-30 seconds depending on your microwave).  While the egg cooks, take out the toast/English muffin and place cooked bacon on it, and then the slice of cheese.  When the egg is done, use a fork to slide it out of the mug and out onto the cheese.  You can fan the egg out by slicing it through the middle.  Top with the other slice of toast or English muffin and voila, bacon/egg/cheese sandwich in less than five minutes!

You can also prepare several of these at one time, wrap each in plastic wrap and then refrigerate.  In the morning, you can grab one out of the fridge, remove the wrap and microwave on a plate for about 30-60 seconds for an even quicker breakfast!

Omelets

You’ll be using the same cooking technique for cooking the egg but this allows you to add fillings and still make it quick!  I use a glass bread pan to make my omelets.  First, get 2 eggs and various fillings out for your omelet.  Some ideas for your omelet:
-diced vegetables like broccoli, onions, peppers, spinach (great way to use up small amounts of leftovers)
-diced cooked meats like ham and turkey
-diced up cheese
-fresh or dried herbs
SAVE TIME EACH MORNING-Have a small supply of pre-cut cheese, vegetables and meats in containers for easy morning prep.

Generously spray your bread pan with non-stick cooking spray.  Beat the two eggs with a tablespoon or so of water.  Pour the beaten eggs into the sprayed bread pan.  Place your fillings throughout the egg mixture.  Microwave on high for about two minutes, keeping in mind each microwave varies on cook times.  It will puff up a bit.  CAREFULLY REMOVE FROM MICROWAVE-using oven mitts as the bottom of the pan will be hot!  Fold out the omelet onto a plate and enjoy!

You can experiment with making a larger omelet in a 9” square baking dish using 4 eggs and more fillings.  You’ll need to microwave a bit longer as well.  When you use the bread pan, you can easily fold the omelet out onto slices of toast for an omelet sandwich!

Oatmeal

I love oatmeal.  I love quick oatmeal but not those pricey, little instant bags of oatmeal.  I love old fashioned type oatmeal that is QUICK!  It can be quick if you use the microwave!

I use a rough ratio of 1:2.5 to make my oatmeal.  ¼ cup of old fashioned rolled oats to 2/3 cup of water.  Vary the liquid to your preference to how you like your oatmeal.  I will also add a bit more water when I add dried fruit to my oatmeal.  My basic recipe is:
-1/4 cup of old fashioned rolled oats
-2/3 cup water
-few dashes of cinnamon
-tablespoon or so of brown sugar
-some cut up dried apples (I cut them up ahead of time so I can grab them quickly)
-just a pinch of salt

Give it a gentle stir and then microwave on high for two minutes.  Stir it again, judge if it’s the right consistency and add more liquid if desired (a bit of milk is tasty, too).  It’s hot so dig in carefully.  Mmmmm, cold milk and hot oatmeal on a cold New England morning is so nice!

You can speed up the oatmeal preparation by mixing up the roll oats, the cut up dried fruit and the cinnamon together in a container.  You’ll just have to reach in and scoop out the desired amount of the mix.  I don’t add the sugar and salt because they tend to not cling too much and end up in the bottom of the container.

Let your microwave help you provide great tasting, fast, easy, filling and inexpensive breakfast options for you and your family.  Enjoy!

Tammy Paquin is a work from home mom of 3 boys and the publisher of Frugal-Families.com, an online resource for everyone interested in frugality, budgeting and stretching every dollar. Here is another article with time saving meal tips http://www.frugal-families.com/tips-on-how-to-speed-up-work-week-meals.htm

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Quick Microwave Breakfast Ideas

There are various ways to include the Bible in your blog and one way is by actually using and referencing Bible verses in your blog posts such as writing devotions. Another way is to simply share your testimonial and to make sure you are acting and reacting in a Christian like manner. One of the best ways for someone to see the love of Christ is for them to see it in you. Letting your readers know how God is working in your life can change their life as well.

As we just discussed there are many different ways one can blog the Bible but the most popular and more common ways is to actually include Bible verses in your blog posts. If you are using the Wordpress.org blogging platform, then Wordpress makes this very simple to do by using plugins. By doing a simple search on Google for “wordpress bible plugin” you will get a number of results that will help you in your quest of blogging the Bible. There are plugins that will add a Verse of Day functionality to your blog sidebar, add a list of your favorite verses, and even automatically include links from your posts to a the Bible verses you reference to an online Bible.

By including Bible verses in your blog you can make an impact on your readers by showing them the truth, the Word of God and Wordpress plugins make it easy to do this. Of course in order to use the Wordpress plugins, you must be using the free Wordrpess.org blogging platform. If you use another blogging platform such as Blogger or Typepad, there are other ways to automatically include Bible verses in your blog as well in which you just copy a piece of code.

The important thing to remember when blogging is that as Christians we are God’s ambassadors. We are here on Earth to represent Him in all we do. The Lord is capable of effecting the lives who those who seek Him, even through something as simple as a blog. The Lord can show them that to follow His word and His teachings will change their lives in more ways that they can possibly imagine. All this can be achieved through an online blog if you have faith and believe in the Lord’s blessings.

Courtney Chowning is a Christian blogger who writes about blogging the Bible at her blog CourtneySpeaks.com. You can find out more tips about blogging the Bible by signing up for her newsletter, “Faith, Family, and Business” where you will also find a free report about mixing Christian virtues in your blog.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Using Blogs To Show the Love of Christ

Now, I love taking it easy and I love the holidays and I have spent many years working with the issue of why some people find it so challenging to take it easy. So, as my gift to you today, I’m not only going to ask the question: Why is taking it easy so hard?” I’m also going to give you the answer (just to prove how easy I love to make things).

First, let’s make it clear that the reason so many people find it hard to take it easy isn’t what you think it is. It has nothing to do with not having enough time, having too many responsibilities, other people’s demands or any of the other excuses that are so popular.

The real reason why you find it hard to take it easy is because (drum roll, please) you THINK it MUST be HARD. Seriously, that is the ONLY reason life feels hard. When you choose to believe that life has to be hard because that’s just the way it is, then you are deliberately (even if maybe unconsciously) creating the experience of difficulty in your life. In order to take it easy in your life, you simply need to come from a place where you believe it’s possible. Now, I know it isn’t always comfortable to change which is the main reason we get caught up in staying in situations that don’t feel good. However, I promise you that deliberately creating a love that you love is more than worth the initial discomfort.

There is always – ALWAYS – a way to do something that feels good and doesn’t feel like work. The key to remember is that even actual work doesn’t have to feel like work. That is what ease and effortlessness are all about. It’s a mindset that orients you toward looking for a better way to get things done. These can be anything from hiring someone else to do things for you, finding the simplest and most comfortable strategy for getting things done or deciding that it doesn’t even need to happen (this one is great for anything you think you “should” do.) You can delegate tasks to staff, family, etc. You can also delegate tasks to technology. This is one of the ways I get so much done myself – I take a little time to automate my systems and then they run themselves after that.

Ease can mean different things to different people. It doesn’t mean lazy though it can include lying around. Ease can include lots of activity so long as it feels great to you and feels effortless. All of the behaviors of ease follow naturally after you create the mindset. The ease mindset begins with your intention – your unequivocal decision – to live joyfully and meaningfully no matter what your current situation. Joy and meaning breed ease. The bottom line is that ease is about choosing to adopt a particular perspective on life and them following through with only the actions that support that mindset. To help you get started creating this mindset for yourself, I’ll share something that helped me tremendously when I began my own journey. It’s a quotation from the Dalai Lama:

“I believe that the very purpose of life is to be happy. From the very core of our being, we desire contentment. In my own limited experience I have found that the more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being. Cultivating a close, warmhearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease. It helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we may have and gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is the principal source of success in life. Since we are not solely material creatures, it is a mistake to place all our hopes for happiness on external development alone. The key is to develop inner peace.”

Creating an internal landscape that highlights your desire to live happily, prosperously and with ease is the first step toward manifesting an outer life that includes all of the people, places and things that you desire. Doing the inside work first allows you to effortlessly manifest the business and life of your dreams.

This quotation from Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is one of my personal inspirations for my inner life:

“How we feel about ourselves, the joy we get from living, ultimately depends directly on how the mind filters and interprets everyday experiences. Whether we are happy depends on inner harmony, not on the controls we are able to exert over the great forces of the universe.”

What this means is that your mindset/attitude is what creates the internal landscape that allows you to manifest ease in your life. You absolutely get to choose what mindset you will adopt on any topic and how you view the world. Is your glass half full or half empty? Since I’m on a quotation kick with this article, here’s one of my favorites on choice by the very wise Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft & Wizardry:

“It’s our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

So, where do you begin to create a mindset of ease and joy in your own life? Start with what makes you happy. What makes you smile? What brings on a deep belly laugh? Who, when you think of them, makes you happy? What is your favorite color and do you see it every day? What is your favorite food and when was the last time you ate it? What about your favorite client makes him/her your favorite client? What tasks do you absolutely love to do in your life/business and how much of your day do you get to spend doing that? Are you starting to see a pattern here? You begin to create a mindset of ease and joy by thinking consistently about the people, places and things that feel joyful and effortless to you. Once you get to that amazing feeling place of ease and joy in any area of your life, you can begin to deliberately apply it to any and all of the other areas of your life. Ask yourself what is effortless and joyful about your home, your relationships, your community, your stuff, etc. Spend more time around the joyful and effortless stuff and less (if any) time on everything else.

As you are asking yourself these questions, begin to imagine what your life will look and feel like once you are living with ease. For example, picture yourself in the perfect work situation with a family life full of love and cooperation and lots of free time to relax and play on your own and with loved ones. How will it be when you are experiencing more freedom, fun, financial bounty, energy and recognition in your life? Imagine all the outrageous possibilities for your life!

*****
© 2009 Ruth Hegarty

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Ruth Hegarty helps women entrepreneurs create confident and effortless success. As a certified Law of Attraction Coach, Ruth teaches women to unleash their powerful creator. She hosts the popular “The Art of Joyful Living Radio Show.” Listen every Tuesday by visiting Art of Joyful Living .

To learn more about Ruth’s group or one-on-one coaching programs and to get her free Confidence Building e-book for women, please visit her website at Leap of Confidence.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Why is Taking it Easy so Hard?

Over the last few months, I’ve been going through testing at UCLA Medical Center here in Los Angeles to determine if I might be a possible match to donate one of my kidneys to my husband, Greg. Greg has Polycystic Kidney Disease and one of the affects is possible kidney failure over time. His kidney function has steadily been declining and we’ve known for some time that this day would come. What we didn’t know until now, is that I am, in fact, a match! On Tuesday, December 1, we will go together to UCLA Medical Center where I will undergo a procedure to remove one of my healthy kidneys and Greg will receive that kidney so he can feel healthy, energetic and enjoy life to the fullest once again.

Why do I tell you this story? Because what I’m going through right now holds many similarities for women. Women love. Women give. Women have fears. Some days I want to go jump in my bed, pull the covers over my head, go to sleep and wake up to realize that this has been a bad dream. Do you think I’m scared? You bet. Do I have anxiety? Of course. Will I feel the fear and do it anyway? Absolutely. How do you feel the fear and do it anyway? I’m sure, as you are sitting here reading this, you are thinking about some fears that you have, right? And it’s possible that you haven’t been able to overcome that fear yet.

My definition of Fear is…
Feeling
Emotions
Appearing
Real

Because they are real—right? When you feel your own fear, it seems almost impossible to move through it. And this is what keeps you stuck and trapped.

What do you fear that keeps you from stepping into who you really are? Do you:
~Fear cultivating a loving relationship because of past hurt and emotional pain?
~Fear letting go of a relationship that’s toxic and no longer serves who you are?
~Fear leaving a job or career that you’ve outgrown long ago?
~Fear taking on the idea of starting your own business even though it’s always been a dream?

These are just a few of the “fears” that women may have at different times in their lives. Fear is natural, it’s healthy and it’s never going to go away. The key is to find solutions to “manage” your fear so that you can move through it. Fear is a natural partner to your creativity. Anytime you have a new idea (or in my case, a health crisis that needs to be handled) you have the opportunity to take the pieces of the idea or situation apart and make choices about how to move forward in a way that serves you and will be in your highest good.

Here are some of the ways that I’m “managing” my fear and doing it anyway:

1. Create an air-tight support system – I’m so blessed to have an amazing support system around me. By the way, it’s not by accident. I seek out positive, nutritious people to be a part of my life and my families lives. I’m intentional about decreasing the amount of toxicity and negativity in my life as much as possible.

2. Become “Curious George” – Recently, I had a very Smart Woman explain the difference between “healthy anxiety” and “unhealthy anxiety” to me. “Healthy anxiety” propels you into asking curious questions of people who can help you break down the fear barrier and move toward positive resolution. “Unhealthy anxiety” keeps you stuck and trapped—unable to move at all. Yes, I’m driving the doctors crazy with all of my questions and I’m sure my family is a little crazy with all of the planning I’m doing but it’s what I need to feel clear and calm.

3. Create a Vision of What’s Possible – Instead of focusing on the fear of not being able to do something, focus on what will be possible for you on the other side of the fear, once you conquer it and move through it. Think about how your life will open up to new beginnings once you take that first step.

What’s possible for me once my husband has a new, functioning healthy kidney? Our family can begin a renewed life and fully embrace living whole once again.

What’s possible for you once you feel your fear and do it anyway? Loving relationships, a Renewed life, a new business?

I share this article with you in the hope that you can take my current situation and look at your own life with a critical eye. Explore what’s holding you back in different areas of your life. Every time fear rears her head, use these solutions to help you move beyond your fear. I’m a woman just like you who loves, gives and feels fear…..and I’m doing it anyway. You can too.

Whether you’re donating a healthy organ to a loved one or making a decision to have more of what you want in your life and less of what you don’t, feel the fear and do it anyway. I’m doing it and you can do it too. I believe in You.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2009 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, 2 FREE Reports and FREE MP3 now at Creating The Spark .

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Smart Women Love, Give……and Have Fears

In an onsite job, the interview will be done in a face to face manner. You, as the prospective employee, would dress to impress them and keep your body language in check to make sure you’re presenting yourself in a professional manner. Telecommuting positions have a different process, however.

While some local jobs will require you to come in for a face to face interview; most telecommuting companies choose to perform the interview over the phone. A phone interview doesn’t offer you the chance to present yourself as a professional in the same way as a face to face one does.

But, you can still show yourself as a qualified applicant. Here are some tips that can help you the next time you are set up to have a phone interview:

Have your resume handy- Some of their questions will be based off what they see on your resume. If you have it handy during the interview, then it will help you answer their questions easier, since sometimes one’s nerves can get the best of them.

Go ahead and Dress Up and Smile- Okay, some people might think that this would be pointless since the employer won’t see what you’re wearing over the phone or notice whether you’re smiling or not. Getting dressed up for the interview helps you more than it does them. You will have more confidence and that will show when you talk to the interviewer. Same with smiling. When you smile it helps to relax you and your nerves won’t be quite as bad for you.

Give yourself plenty of time before interview- Have at least 30 min. to yourself, before the phone call, to practice some relaxing techniques and go over some things you may want to ask the interviewer or add during the interview. Have a light snack to ensure a grumbling stomach doesn’t take your attention away from the interview.

Set aside plenty of time for the interview- Most interviews can last around 30 minutes. Some could go longer than that. Set aside at least an hour just in case the interview does go longer than normal. It’s not too professional to cut an interview short because you have to run off for an errand 20 minutes after it started.

Offer brief, but informative answers- Avoid giving short yes/no answers. Offer enough information to answer their questions, but don’t take up too much of their time giving them stories. A sentence or two usually works well.

Even though your job interview will more than likely be done over the phone, there isn’t any reason why you can’t still present yourself in a good way. Most employers who do these kinds of interviews look for things like confidence and ability to answer questions and take directions.

They are aware that any employee, no matter who they are, will have some degree of nervousness. So, there’s no reason to worry about being nervous. Just try and keep yourself relaxed as much as you can and you’ll do just fine.

Nell Taliercio has been working at home full time since 2004. She’s worked as a telecommuter, virtual assistant and affiliate marketer. In 5 years she’s discovered many secrets to finding legitimate work at home jobs and securing them. You can find work at home job information and tips at: http://www.justonlinejobs.com

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Telecommuting Phone Interview Tips

Each year, when October rolls around, we always ask the kids which they would prefer, a movie and a bag of candy (their choice) each, or a costume (and they know there are very few places we can go). Each year, they choose the movie and candy and we plan a family movie day and I fix lots of finger foods for us to munch on, and I throw all of the candy in a big bowl for everyone to enjoy. This year, however, we have purchased a Wii as a family, and they want go to in together and get Mario Cart plus a movie and the candy of their choice.

We really look forward to and enjoy this time together. We have taken our children to local churches who sponsor some fun and games, but most of the time, they choose to stay home and enjoy our family time together.

For more a few more alternative ideas, please check out www.busy-moms-online.com.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Alternative Idea To Dressing Up For Halloween

When it comes to preparing dinner, especially during the holiday season, sometimes there just isn’t a lot of time.  Between school, work, church, sports games and practices, etc., there’s not always a lot of time to run home and fix something for dinner.  This is where your slow cooker comes in.  Just about anything that you can cook on the stove top or in the oven can also be modified to cook in your slow cooker.   I’ve cooked several soups, many different chicken dishes, stews, roasts, BBQ ribs, baked potatoes, etc.

By using your slow cooker, you just have to spend a few minutes in the morning prepping the few ingredients that you will need, place them all in the slow cooker, setting your desired temperature and timer, and then walking away.  You can even prep most of your ingredients the night before if you want, or even cook your meal overnight so that you can have some for lunch and for dinner.

There are even slow cooker liners that are divided so that you can cook two things at once.   I have one that I love cooking a couple of veggies in when I’m cooking a main dish such as BBQ ribs or a whole chicken.

So, if you’ve never tried using a slow cooker, I want to urge you to give it a try.  I can be a life saver during already hectic and stressful times.

For more on this article, please check out: www.busy-moms-online.com and www.mycountryhaven.blogspot.com.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Making Your Slow Cooker Work for You

Plan A Menu:

Since the meal itself is a vital part of your get together, make sure and plan your menu out at least a couple of weeks in advance.  This gives you time to sit down and think without being stressed out due to last minute planning.

Share The Load:

Ask everyone that is planning to attend to bring something.  This could be a food dish, ice, drinks, plates & cups, or even decorations!  This helps everyone to feel like they are really part of the preparations and dinner as well as helps to reduce the amount of work that you do as the host/hostess.

Make a Grocery List:

Sit down with all of the recipes that you will be using and make a list of ALL the ingredients that you will need to prepare all of your dishes, and then double check it.  Once you are sure that you have a list of everything that you will need, go shopping in your pantry first and see what you already have on hand and mark it off your list.  You are now ready to plan your trip to the store, but don’t forget to check the sales ads for really great deals around the holidays.  Stock up a bit for the next one if your budget allows.  Don’t forget to have extra essentials on hand such as coffee, tea, paper towels/napkins, plates, toilet paper, etc.

Prep Ahead:

Some dishes can be made several days or weeks in advance and kept in the freezer until the day before.  Others have to wait and be made the before or even the day of.  Make a list ahead of time starting with the dishes that can be made the farthest in advance, then plan when you will make these dishes.

Have a Plan In Place:

Make sure that you have a plan written down for the day before and the day of so that you don’t forget anything.   As you accomplish one task, mark it of your list and move onto the next.  I have found this to be very helpful in remembering all that needs to be done.  I find that I am much calmer and less stressed by having a plan in place than not having one.

Don’t Forget Your Family:

Don’t forget to include your husband/wife and children in all the preparations and decorating.   The memories that you make will be cherished for a life time, and your children will pass on these same traditions to their children.

Last, but not least, enjoy your time with family and friends!  When it comes down to it, isn’t that what it’s all about?

For more tips for helping make your dinner less stressful, please go to www.busy-moms-online.com or www.mycountryhaven.blogspot.com.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Tips for Making Your Holiday Dinner a Success

So, how do I get everyone’s lunches packed and out the door with them every day? I keep a bunch of plastic containers of different sizes on hand to use as portion control. They also pull double duty because I can use them to prep some things ahead of time. I can portion out fruits and veggies into these containers at the first of the week, and then they are placed in a designated area in the fridge to that I can just “grab-n-go” in the mornings. I also reuse containers as much as possible. If they are taking sandwiches, the containers will be wiped out and reused instead of washing it each and every day. If they took grapes one day and I still have some to divide out, then that container will be refilled and placed back in the fridge at the bottom of the stack. Now, if the containers are all sticky and yucky, yes, they will be washed before being used again.

Even though they normally take cloth napkins, I also keep paper napkins on hand, as well as plastic utensils for the days with soups, pasta, etc. where a utensil(s) is necessary. But, my children (and husband) know to bring them back home to be rewashed. But, mom doesn’t have to worry if they get thrown away, misplaced, or broken because it’s not my silverware, and they don’t have to wait in line to grab utensils in the cafeteria.

This year, I bought them stainless steel thermoses to instead of the generic plastic ones AND I don’t have to worry about grabbing juice pouches either. It’ll save a lot of money all around.

Another thing that I do for my family, especially during the school year, is to prep a bunch of items and place them in the freezer for a quick breakfast/lunch/snack. These items are usually muffins, sweet quick breads, cupcakes (for desserts in lunches), waffles, pancakes, breakfast burritos, burritos, crepes, etc.

These are just some of the things that I do during the school year to make my mornings go much quicker and easier.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

How To Make School Morning & Lunch Preps Less Stressful

• I don’t have time
• I never stick to a menu
• My family’s too picky
• It’s too hard to plan a menu

Those are just a few that I LOVE to hear! Menu planning is not that hard, and it takes very little of your time! I have made plans for 1 week, 2 weeks, and for 1 month. I really like to do the monthly menu plan because I like not having to think about what we’re going to have for dinner for a whole month.  To do this, even for 1 week, you need to know what meals your fixing for your family.  Track your meals on a calendar for a whole month.  See what patterns develop and then plan around that with a few new meals thrown in for variety.

The real key to monthly menu planning can be summed up in one word:  FLEXIBILITY.  If you’re not willing to be flexible, you’re going to become frustrated and give up.  Don’t forget about your slow cooker.  It can really make your meals a lot more manageable and easier to get dinner on the table.  Most meals that you cook in the oven can be adapted to cook in your slow cooker.

Make sure that you cook meals that you know your family will eat.  You’re not going to save any money by fixing meals that you end up throwing out because your family doesn’t like them.  Also, prep ahead.  Chop extra veggies.  It doesn’t take any more time to chop 4 carrots instead of 2, or 2 onions instead of 1.  The extras can be kept in the fridge for a few days, or the freezer for longer term storage.   This helps shave a few minutes off your prep time later in the week when it matters the most.

One more thing to remember is to keep staples on hand.  If you have staples, then all you need to do is pick up the ingredients you need to fill in the gaps with those ingredients you don’t use as often.  Also, if your family likes spaghetti, keep all the ingredients for a quick spaghetti meal on hand for those nights when there’s very little time to get a meal on the table.  You can have spaghetti with sauce, garlic bread, and even salad on the table within 30 minutes.   There are other meals that can be pulled together just as quickly, it just depends on your family’s tastes.

If you’ve never tried menu planning, give it a try.  It’s not that hard, and it will help make a busy schedule a little easier to manage by knowing that dinner is already planned.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Menu Planning, Not As Hard As It Seems

Onsite jobs are different than telecommuting jobs. Not only do you not commute to work for a telecommuting position, but employers are also looking for slightly different things from a person who will work from home.

Since cover letters help sell you to the employer, then the cover letter you send with your telecommuting resume should be much different than the ones you have used in the past for onsite jobs. You need to sell them on those things that hiring managers are looking for in a telecommuting applicant.

So, what do they look for?

Home office setup- What does your home office contain? Do you have what the job position requires you to have? Most employers want to know that you have everything you need or at least the major components, such as computer, high-speed internet etc.

Why are you the right person for the job?- Tell them what makes you be the person that should be hired for the job. Use statements like, “I have 6 years experience as a web designer, so I know…”
Avoid telling them anything that they don’t want to hear- Most people want to work from home to be with their kids or because they’re tired of commuting. You’re not alone there, but employers don’t want to know that. You will just appear desperate for a job and could make them lose their interest in you fast; even if you have 20 years experience doing the job.

Give them what they do want- Most job ads will list requirements that the prospective employee should have before they’ll consider hiring you. Tell them that you have those requirements, listing them in your cover letter. The resumes that get more attention are the ones that have what they’re looking for. The cover letter will get them to want to check out your resume. The ones that don’t may end up getting deleted.

Research the company, if possible- You may find that the company’s motto relates to an achievement you have. For example, let’s say a company has a motto about caring for their customers. If you have an achievement award for best customer service excellence, then the hiring manager should know that. Show them that you fit their mold. It also shows them that you did your homework.

Always keep in mind that any job that will done from home will most likely be a position that hundreds, if not thousands, will also be applying for. You will need to stand out from that crowd to get noticed.

Take your time creating your telecommuting cover letter. Don’t be afraid to sell yourself to grab the employer’s attention. Without an effective cover letter, your resume probably will sit on a computer’s hard drive unread or get deleted.

Nell Taliercio has been working at home full time since 2004. She’s worked as a telecommuter, virtual assistant and affiliate marketer. In 5 years she’s discovered many secrets to finding legitimate work at home jobs and securing them. You can find work at home job information and tips at: http://www.justonlinejobs.com

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Telecommuting Cover Letter Tips

-Curved safety pins are used for holding the three parts of the quilt together during the quilting process.  They’re always lost and you never seem to have enough of these.

-pins for seams-Get pins with the small plastic balls at the end so they can be seen easily and put in and pulled out easily.

-spools of off white, tan or light gray thread for piecing quilt tops together-Make sure it’s for sewing and piecing and NOT quilting thread which is different.

-A package of fine English needles for the quilter who enjoys hand-piecing quilt tops.  Okay, in my opinion, the best needles I have ever found for my hand-piecing have been the English ones.

-Sewers and quilters ALWAYS need new needles for their sewing machines (take the name and model number of the sewing machine to the store with you so they can make sure you buy the right type)

-Archival quality fabric pens so your quilter can properly document their name, the date and who the quilt was made for on the quilt.  In 100 years, you want your great grandchildren to know who made the quilt and why.  In 200 years when it’s in a museum, they’ll want the same information.

-A quilt journal so your quilter can take a picture of any quilts they make and document it in their journal.  Hopefully, the journal last 200 years so it can be used to match up those museum pieces with the maker.

-seam rippers-I notice as mine get older, they don’t work as well.  Oh and don’t you wish life was like a bad seam;  you could just rip it out, start over and know one needs to know you made a mistake.

-fat quarters of fabric-A fat quarter is a quarter yard of fabric but the yard is cut in such a way as to create a fat quarter yard of fabric vs a skinny quarter yard of fabric.
There are whole quilt books dedicated to making quilts just from fat quarters. Fat quarters can add a huge range of colors to a quilter’s stash without taking up lots of room.  She who dies with the biggest stash, wins.

-needle case to hold sewing needles-I need these!  I have mine stuck into the cork board over my quilting area.  That probably isn’t good for those fine English piecing needles I love.

-wrist style pin cushion-I LOVE MINE!  It makes it easy to keep track of pins as you pull them out of a seam at the sewing machine, otherwise they end up in a pile next to the machine where they inevitably fall off onto the floor and you have to find them.  THEN you’ll need the next little gadget.

-magnetic pin collector-We quilters NEVER drop a container of pins all over the floor and then struggle to pick them all up by hand.  Oh no…. never.

-metal needle threaders- NO!  My eyes aren’t getting older; they just keep making the holes in the needles smaller every year!

-Regular table top style pin cushion

-Bars of good quality chocolate-Oh yeah, a quilting necessity.  When you can’t get all of those stupid little points to line up just right and you’re reaching for the seam ripper yet again, you need chocolate therapy.  Trust me on this.

Tammy Paquin is a work-from-home mom of 3 boys and the owner and publisher of  Frugal-Families, an online resource for frugality, finances, budgeting and everything else related to stretching the dollar.  For more gift ideas for quilters, visit Gifts for Quilters

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Gifts for Quilters under $5

So what do you do if you want to target a specific group — and in a hurry? Read on for a very effective way to do just that — successfully.

The key to getting very targeted referral partners quickly is to reach out directly to the people you want to make contact with. Let’s say you want to partner up with professionals in a specific industry, for example with financial planners.

The easiest way to do this is to get an introduction to a financial planner through networking or through your current contacts, either clients or just your contact base. But maybe you don’t have any contacts (or not enough contacts) that would give you that access. So here’s an alternative approach: you could do something called “direct outreach.” If you think this sounds almost like a cold call, you’re right. But it’s not quite as bad…

The first step of direct outreach is to send the people you want to target a letter that expresses who you are and what you’re looking for. Let them know what your track record is and that you depend on word of mouth for referrals. Then you add that you’re hoping to build a relationship with them where you will refer clients to each other.

To make this letter more effective, it will be helpful to send them an article or a special report that would highlight your expertise and your level of professionalism.

Then you follow up with a phone call. Be sure to remember that you’re not selling anything at this point. All you’re trying to do is make an introduction and build a relationship.

Direct outreach does take some pro-activity. But the rewards can be great. You could get access to some very targeted referral partners very quickly.

Interestingly, the referral partners principle generally is about eliminating the need for cold calls. But here you are, trying to call strangers. Still, since you’re writing a letter of introduction first, your initial call probably won’t be quite so cold.

However, it does take more guts to do this than just doing the basic networking and waiting for the relationships to develop. But if you need targeted referral partners in a hurry, direct outreach might be just the ticket.

Ready to get more out of your networking efforts? Get a FREE month in Sue Clement’s new membership program Your Marketing Edge! And get ready to take your business to a whole new level.

And here’s a related article on how to get clients fast.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

How to Get Referral Partners Quickly? The Speedy Approach to Finding Targeted Referral Partners

1. Run a special

Create a special package or two out of your normal offerings that include popular items or services and throw in a very tempting bonus. Then offer it for an irresistible price and send the offer to your current customers and especially to any and all of your prospects.

2. Check in with your ex-clients

Whether they left you or whether you just drifted apart — check in with them and ask them how things have been going. They may be ready to come back! And even if not, they might know others whom they could refer to you.

3. Look at past successes and replicate them

Take a trip down memory lane and jot down how you actually got all of your past clients. You may come across people you could contact and resources you could use again.

4. Offer special bribes for referrals

Referral programs are becoming common even offline. Offer a special reward to anyone who brings you a new customer… or three. Run a contest with a really good price (a weekend at a B&B for example, or a gift certificate for a dinner at a really nice restaurant. Maybe an iPhone or an iPod. Just make sure there’s a minimum number of referrals the winner must have brought in, especially if the price is costly.

5. Go to where your customers are

Where are your ideal customers hanging out? What do they do? Go and join them . And if they have special events or networking, make sure you’re there. If you’re not sure – ask your current customers.

6 . Get the word out

Use social media and press releases to get the word out quickly. Create a tempting “Act now” offer and write articles and press releases to promote it. Use Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn or use http://www.ping.fm to manage them all. Consider placing notices in strategic places, or even placing ads (keep in mind the readers must be narrowly focused to your target prospect) depending on what is appropriate for your business.

7. Make sure you have a client magnet blog

A WordPress blog can be the ultimate tool for client attraction. Be sure to post your offers there, along with highly useful information for your target audience . If you have optimized your blog for your keywords and use articles, social media, and maybe other tools to drive traffic to it, you could get results fast.

And finally, make sure to leverage your contacts and include your referral partners as a foundation to getting the word out and driving more prospects your way.

So let’s recap: there are many ways to get more clients fast. Pick one and take action, and then watch how quickly you’ll get new clients! Discover more client attracting strategies during your FREE first month in Sue Clement’s new membership program Your Marketing Edge! And be prepared to take your business to a whole new level.

And please check out this related article on how to get great testimonials, a key tool to enhance your business success.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

How to Get New Clients – Seven Ways to Get New Clients Fast!

1) Pay Close Attention

Many of us have been brought up to be mildly embarrassed by compliments. So you may find that you wave them off and downplay any that come your way. It’s time to get over that. Deflecting compliments will not make the compliment giver likely to give more in the future.

Instead, always accept compliments graciously. And then, ask if you can use what they’ve said as a testimonial! Take notes. Save compliments and any type of positive comments wherever you find them, and be sure to note the name of the person with such great taste and good manners.

2) Ask for feedback

Fishing for compliments feels tacky. But you have to get the positive comments somehow. They’re the backbone of your business success. So, if someone has something positive to say, always make sure you ask them to put it in writing — or to allow you to put it in writing and run it by them again for approval.

And by the way, if you feel a bit shy about asking for testimonials, why not simply ask for feedback. That feels more neutral. There’ll be much less resistance.

Obviously, you don’t have to include everything they say in the testimonials you’ll eventually create from that feedback. And don’t restrict feedback requests to face-to-face meetings either. You can ask for it through surveys and emails as well, either individual emails you send to your best clients, or an email you send to all of your clients.

3) Automate it

Set up a comments section on your website. And use survey or feedback forms liberally. Include periodic feedback requests in your autoresponder. People love to voice their opinion. Give them the opportunity and they’ll love you for it.

4) Know how to ask

Turn feedback into usable testimonials by listening closely and asking follow-up questions. Let them elaborate what exactly they particularly liked, whom they would recommend you to, and why. Also ask them about the best experience they’ve ever had with you or one of your products. Your clients will love it because you’re really listening to them, so asking open-ended questions like this and paying close attention to the answers will deepen the bond between you and your client.

5) Dig for details

Don’t stop with generic compliments. Dig deeper for the specifics, from how the original buying decision was made to what possible objections might have been. In fact, testimonials that address specific obstacles and how they were overcome can be very powerful client magnets.

Go into as much detail as possible. Find out as many potential obstacles as you can and have them addressed in the testimonials. Whether it’s price or customer service, the range of your offerings, or the ease with which a customer can get answers to questions, they all need to be addressed. And if a customer addresses them in a way that makes you look really good, be sure to use that in your testimonials. The resulting social proof can be a powerful persuasion tool, helping you win over new clients and sell many more of your products and services.

To recap: Don’t be shy about getting great testimonials from your favorite clients. Testimonials are the key to getting more clients fast.

Discover many additional ways to get more clients with less effort in your FREE month in Sue Clement’s new membership program: Your Marketing Edge! And get ready to take your business to a whole new level.

And check out this related article on how to write testimonials for the people who have provided YOU with great goods and services.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Get New Clients and Increase Your Sales, Part 2 – How To Get Great Testimonials From Your Clients

And maybe you’re wondering how you could give thanks in the most appropriate way. Before you run out and buy them a bottle of wine or some knickknacks that will just clutter up their office, I have a much better idea.

How about giving them a testimonial! If they have done great work for you, which presumably is the reason you’re feeling grateful, giving them a great testimonial is one of the most valuable things you can do for them. It will be far more appreciated than almost anything else you may give them, with the possible exception of a huge bonus. That’s because it will help them get that bonus for themselves, since testimonials are a key to attracting more and better-paying clients.

But how do you give a testimonial that will do good things for the recipient? First of all, be sure not to give them just a generic basic testimonial, but make it really good one. It’s not as hard as you may think.

A great testimonial is enthusiastic yet realistic, and it addresses specific things the person has done exceptionally well, as well as specific problems he or she might have solved for you.

Let’s say you want to write a testimonial for “Jill.”

1) How has she helped you?

Start by thinking about just how exactly Jill has helped you. What problem did you have that she helped you solve. In which way did she solve it that made her exceptional and inspired your gratitude?

You don’t have to go into all the gory details when it comes to the problem, but if you originally tried to get other people to help you with it who were not able to solve it, be sure to mention that.

2) Consider the “before” and “after” formula

One easy way to express this in a testimonial is to use the before and after formula. Before you met Jill, you were having such and such a problem. And even though you tried to get help from several people, none of them were able to solve it.

But after you met Jill, you were able to do…

The specifics will vary, of course. If Jill helped you with consulting or counseling, for example, you can talk about the difference it has made in your own life. If she helped you with something more technical, i.e., set up your website or fixed your computer, you can talk about that.

3) What about the way she handled the problem was exceptional?

Then think about what it was about the way Jill handled your problem that made her so effective. Did she pay close attention to what you said? Was she particularly creative? Or was she simply really good at what she did?

You get the idea. As you write up your testimonial, talk about the specific problem and the specific things Jill did to solve it for you. Keep the tone natural, as if you were telling someone who could use Jill’s help, which is in effect what you’ll be doing.

4) What else makes her stand out?

Feel free to can add anything else you like about Jill’s general wonderfulness and professionalism and skill, the more specific the better, to top it off.

5) Add a note of gratitude and an explicit recommendation

Then close it out with a comment about how grateful you are to have found Jill. Don’t forget to add that you recommend her to anyone who may be facing that problem or is looking for someone to provide the type of services she provides.

Then send it to Jill and tell her that she should feel free to use it as a testimonial. You might want to give her permission to edit your comments.

If you’re comfortable to do so, ask her if she wants it on audio or even video, since audio and especially video testimonials are even more powerful. If Jill has the technical capacity to arrange that, she will be thrilled to take you up on it. In the meantime, your written testimonial, especially if accompanied by your photo and of course your name, company name, and website will do the trick.

So now that you know how to give back in a way that will make a real difference to the people who have helped you professionally, take a few minutes to reflect who in your life might deserve a great testimonial. Then go ahead and get writing.

And if you want YOUR clients to write you great testimonials, give them this article. Those perfect testimonials will help you get new clients! Discover more client getting strategies during your FREE first month in Sue Clement’s new membership program Your Marketing Edge! And get ready to take your business to a whole new level.

And here’s a related article on how to help your clients write great testimonials for YOU.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Great Testimonials – The Perfect Thank You Gift For Work Well Done — And How To Write Them

You’ve probably heard that stress weakens your immune system. And encountering a flu virus with such an impairment is making you a sitting duck. Don’t sit still for that. You can lower your stress and increase your immune system’s ability to fight incoming germs.

And even if you do get the swine flu, a strengthened immune system will have many benefits. Especially if you get it. Because it will help you fight off the virus and incapacitate it sooner rather than later. Not only that, but a stronger immune system may prevent opportunistic secondary infections that could take what otherwise might just be a nuisance and make it potentially deadly.

Of course there are many things you can do to strengthen your resistance to illness. You can make sure you’re well rested. You can eat well and exercise. You can lead a happy life.

But you know what? Some of these are difficult to do when you are too stressed. You may find you’re not sleeping well when you worry about things. And your support system can get tired of your worrywart ways and might start to avoid you or become much less supportive.

So dealing with the stress in your life can really be a key part of bolstering your immune system, and in turn, for avoiding the H1N1 swine flu. After all, that way it will be better at fighting off the swine flu — or any other kind of flu for that matter.

So what can you do about your stress? Pick some of your favorite stress management strategies and use them on a daily basis. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Start by doing some deep breathing. Get some exercise on a regular basis. Listen to soothing music. Talk to your friends and family, and get regular hugs. And stop worrying about the swine flu.

And then pick up some information on stress management strategies, select a few things you’re willing to do on a regular basis, and then do them.

And for more tips, download Elisabeth Kuhn’s free stress tips report at FreeStressTipsReport.com, and visit her self-help blog for more resources for Body, Health, Spirit, and Prosperity.

And you might even want to check out this related article on how you can reduce time management stress for even better results.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Stress and Swine Flu – How Reducing Stress Can Help You Avoid H1N1 Swine Flu

The key to more comfortable flying is to be prepared. Especially when you have a long flight ahead of you, good planning can make the difference between a bearable or even enjoyable flight, or utter misery. So here are five steps you can take to make flying much less stressful and more enjoyable:

1) Dress comfortably

Make sure you wear comfortable clothes — and dress in layers. Temperatures are unpredictable, so you want to be able to add or subtract any time you want. A light cardigan is perfect for that purpose. Also wear clothes that breathe.

2) Wear comfortable shoes

Wear shoes that are easy to take off and slip back on (for security purposes). Also, on a long flight, you probably will want to take them off. To replace them, bring warm socks so you can walk around in the aisle in more comfort.

3) Pick your seat carefully

Speaking of walking around — depending on your personality, you should plan ahead where you want to sit. If you sit in an aisle seat, you’ll be able to get up anytime you like. If you sit in a window seat, you can sleep without being disturbed. Decide which one is more important to you and plan accordingly.

4) Carry bottled water

Since we’re no longer allowed to bring bottled water from home, schedule a short stop at a store after you have gone through security to get at least one bottle of water. It’s important to keep a bottle handy because it’s reclosable which means you can take a sip whenever you like. You also won’t have to worry about spilling your water as you would have if you relied on the water provided by the flight attendants. On the other hand, take advantage of any refreshments they provide to save your own supplies.

5) Plan to be entertained

Depending on how stressed you are by having to sit still for extended periods of time, make sure you come prepared with entertainment. If it’s a very long flight, try to pick a plane that has on-demand videos. Also, iPods are perfect for air travel — you can bring your entire library of music and/or spoken word and pick anything you like, any time you like. And when you get stressed, you can even listen to relaxation tapes — or a book on tape that will take your mind off your worries.

Want more stress tips? Get Elisabeth Kuhn’s FREE stress relief strategies report and reclaim your inner calm.

And please visit Elisabeth’s self-help blog for more resources for Body, Health, Spirit, and Prosperity.

And here’s a related article on time management stress.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Air Travel Stress – How to Make Flying Less Stressful and More Comfortable

What do most people do when they try to stop procrastination?

Yep. They beat themselves up over it. It’s the “tough love” principle.

The problem is, it doesn’t work terribly well. And since it feels like it’s the last ditch effort, it can feel doubly frustrating.

I understand how you feel. I’ve been beating myself up for years. So I fully understand what you’re going through. But you know what? Let me tell you a secret:

The problem is that the more you beat yourself up, the worse things get. There’s got to be a better way, and there is.

Gentle love is far more effective when it comes to overcoming procrastination than tough love ever will be.

But how does gentle love work? Well… gentle love starts where the problem is. Think about it. When DO you procrastinate? When you dread the task you have to do, right? Well… now think about the opposite: when can you hardly get through a task fast enough? When you’re excited about it!

And you’re not alone. Almost 90% of people who procrastinate have the exact same pattern.

So this is good news for you and me and all the other procrastinators out there. Help is finally just around the corner.

And here’s the key to procrastination help:

Instead of dreading the task, find a way to make it enjoyable. There are a number of different ways:

You can use NLP, you can use hypnosis, or you can simply start by associating the task with all the benefits you’ll get from completing it.

In fact, the most effective way is to give the task itself positive associations.

So go ahead and practice. Think about something you like. Then think about the task at hand and associate it with the thing or activity you like.

Of course, that’s just one of the ways to stop procrastination. There are others. And you’ll get more effective, the more of them you get a handle on.

If you want to stop procrastination, pay attention: Here’s some real help with overcoming procrastination.

Believe it or not, it really can be easy, once you get the real insider info. Just click here to find out exactly how you can overcome procrastination fast. You won’t know what hit you. Amaze your friends. Amaze your boss! And, best of all, amaze yourself!

P.S.: Here’s a related article on choosing a time management course.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Procrastination Help – Go Easy On Yourself As You Work On Overcoming Procrastination

I’m sure you’ve heard about the 80/20 principle, also known as the Pareto principle. It means that 20% of the things we do bring us 80% of the benefits. It works in sales, and it works just about anywhere else.

How can that help you with your to do list? Here’s how:

Just because an item is on your list doesn’t mean you have to actually do it. Refuse to submit to time management stress. There’s a better way.

Just think about it. If there are more things on that list than you can possibly do, you simply cannot do them. It’s physically impossible.

So what to do? Relax! That’s right. It may seem counterproductive, but it’s actually going to help you get MORE done.

The reason for that is that stress slows your brain down and saps your energy. So you’ll work more slowly and get less done. Once that stress is taken care of, you’ll feel invigorated and able to tackle your tasks.

So eliminating the stress over the impossible to do list is our number one priority.

Here’s what you need to do instead of getting stressed: Go over that list and figure out which of these tasks simply must get done, and get done right away, on that day.

Write those down on a separate list. Consider how long it will take you to do them all and whether you can actually do them in the allotted time. If the answer is no, you need to cut something out.

However, if you believe you can do those and only those that you have written down, that’s going to be your new to do list for the day.

If there’s room to spare, look back over the original list and see if there is another really important task that you can fit in without driving yourself ragged.

If so, add that to your list.

And what about the rest? There’s always another day. Maybe they’re not yours to do in the first place, or maybe whoever wants you to do them will simply have to wait.

So if you refuse to be held hostage by time management stress, and instead follow the 80/20 principle, you will likely get done what really needs to get done. And you’ll be able to do a better job than if you had had a nervous breakdown.

Whether you use the 80/20 principle or some other stress management techniques, you’ve got to do something to help you stay calm under pressure.

For more stress tips, you’re invited to download Elisabeth Kuhn’s FREE stress tips report.

And here’s a related article on reducing time management stress.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Time Management Stress – Using The 80-20 Rule To Stay Calm Under Pressure

Since it grows on a tree (the avocado tree) and is part of the reproductive organ of the plan that also carries the seed, it is technically / biologically a fruit. We do tend to think of it more as a vegetable though because of the way we use it in the kitchen.

Most of the time we use it in savory dishes and salad. And since avocado aren’t naturally sweet, we don’t think of them as fruit. We add it to salads, make cold soups from it or use it as a sandwich spread. Of course then there’s the ever popular guacamole, a simple avocado dip. Here’s my favorite recipe.

Simple Guacamole Recipe

• 2 avocados
• 1- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Cut the avocados in half and remove the pit. Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh and put it in a bowl. Add the lemon juice and use a fork to mash the avocado into a smooth paste. Stir in the salsa and salt. Chill until ready to serve.

In some cultures, the avocado is treated more like a fruit and is used in sweet dessert type dishes. Mostly it is mixed with milk and sugar to make a rich and sweet shake.

The nutritional makeup of the avocado also makes it unique. It is by far the fattiest fruit I am aware of. A medium Avocado contains 276 calories and 27.6 grams of fat. Thankfully those fats are the healthy kind but you should still limit yourself to no more than 1 avocado every other day.

Ready to include more avocado in you meals. One easy way to do this is to buy them when they are on sale and then freeze them. They turn out quite well provided you know how to freeze avocado. You can then use your frozen avocados in dips, sandwich spread, soups etc. It’s time to use this unique fruit in your kitchen on a regular basis.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Is Avocado A Fruit Or Vegetable?

So, in this article, I’m going to guide you through a simple exercise that is going to help you get that clarity. First, take a moment to write out a list of areas in your life that are important to you. Your list might include things like: your physical environment, career, money/finances, health, relationships – friends and family/romantic, fun and recreation, personal growth, spirituality, etc. List the areas that matter to you. Next, rank your satisfaction with each of these areas on a scale of 0 – 10 (where 0 is completely miserable with nothing being the way you want it and 10 is blissful with almost no way for it to be any better).

Now, choose one area where you want to make an improvement in your life. Choose the area to work on based on what is really important to you rather than automatically choosing the area with the lowest satisfaction score. Have it be an area that you know if you made improvement there, it would greatly improve the overall quality of your whole life. Choose the area where making a change is most important to you.

Your next step is to make a list of everything you don’t like about the area that you chose. So for example, if you chose health, your list might look something like:
I am 50 pounds overweight
I have no energy/I’m tired all the time
I’m embarrassed by how I look
I can’t wear the clothes I like because they don’t come in my size
I have pain in my knees from all the extra weight
I feel ugly and like no one could every be attracted to me
etc.

Get it all down, everything you dislike about your current situation. Now, one at a time, turn each of those statements around to create a positive statement of what it is you desire in that area. In the example I just gave, the new list might look like this:
I am at my ideal, healthiest body weight
I’m full of energy
I love the way I look
My wardrobe is amazing, I have all the latest fashions and I look great in them
My body is comfortable and flexible, and I feel great.
I know I look good and I am confident in my appeal.

Don’t worry if these things aren’t true for you yet. You need to see these statements in order to get to where you want to go. Once you have turned all your negative statements into positive statements, take that list transform it into a narrative statement. This becomes your goal for that area of your life. You can either condense the list down into a brief and easy to memorize summary desire/goal statement or you can elaborate on your list and create a longer, more detailed vision statement by creating a script for “a day in the life” of the you who you want to be – what I call a compelling future vision.

Once you have your desire statement or compelling future vision, read it every day at least twice a day – when you wake up in the morning and just before you go to sleep at night. If you created the shorter summary, say it to yourself all throughout your day.

This technique is deceptively simple. Stick with it and you will experience revolutionary scale positive change in your life.

*****

© 2009 Ruth Hegarty

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Ruth Hegarty helps women entrepreneurs create confident and effortless success. As a certified Law of Attraction Coach, Ruth teaches women to unleash their powerful creator. She hosts the popular “The Art of Joyful Living Radio Show.” Listen every Tuesday by visiting Art of Joyful Living .

To learn more about Ruth’s group or one-on-one coaching programs and to get her free Confidence Building e-book for women, please visit her website at Leap of Confidence.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Get Clear On What You Want

So, always take a moment to get into the feeling place of having what you want (i.e. “feel it real”) because your emotions form the basis of the vibrations you emit that attract to you the circumstances, events, people and material objects that make up your life. Remember that your inner mind does not know the difference between what is real and what is vividly imagined (think about your dreams, they seem very real to you, don’t they?). When you find the feeling place of having what you want, when you feel as if you already have it, your inner mind becomes convinced that it is real for you. Since your inner mind is designed to be a goal-seeking mechanism, it will drive you to create in your outer world that which is true in your inner world so that your feelings/thoughts lead to all the actions you take.

Once you get the hang of it, this process is truly magical. You may find it challenging at first to consciously get into the feeling place of having what you want. This is because most of society teaches you to focus on what is rather than what you desire. Simply ease into by starting with a habit of checking in with how you’re feeling throughout the day. If you’re not feeling good, think about the things that will make you feel good. It all follows from there.

*****

© 2009 Ruth Hegarty

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Ruth Hegarty helps women entrepreneurs create confident and effortless success. As a certified Law of Attraction Coach, Ruth teaches women to unleash their powerful creator. She hosts the popular “The Art of Joyful Living Radio Show.” Listen every Tuesday by visiting Art of Joyful Living .

To learn more about Ruth’s group or one-on-one coaching programs and to get her free Confidence Building e-book for women, please visit her website at Leap of Confidence.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

How Do You Feel?

Having a business is one thing; creating a successful plan to attract your ideal client to your business is another. With all of the choices that people have today when searching for products and services, it’s essential that you create that “welcome” feeling or “I have exactly what you need” feeling so that when they arrive at your web site or meet you in person, there’s no question that you and your business are exactly what they need to solve their problem. Marketing is about solving problems for people. You need to quickly and effectively let your ideal client know that you have what they need and want. The people in our neighborhood that went the extra mile to create a true trick or treat “experience” were the ones whose homes were visited the most.

Are you going the extra mile for your ideal client? In my Women’s Success Circles, we spend a lot of time creating marketing plans that will generate more ideal clients for each woman’s business. What “experience” are you creating so they want to return to you again and again for your product or service?

Here are a few tips and solutions on how you can attract more of your ideal client:

1. Dress for Success – When you’re going to attend any function where you might run into your ideal client, dress for success. Hey, I love my comfy sweats and t-shirts just like everyone else, but I wouldn’t wear them to an event where my ideal client might be.

2. Create an “inviting” Web Site and/or Blog – When your ideal client arrives at your web site or blog, you have just a few seconds to create an “experience” that will make them want to stay. Offer something of value to them. Give them a free report, quiz or other material that will get them acquainted with you and your business. Create something that makes them want to visit your web site or blog again and again.

3. Design an effective Business Card – Create a logo that signifies what your business is about. My logo, the nautilus shell, is what I truly believe embodies a woman’s life. Make sure all of the information is current and correct. You will need a phone number, web site address and email address where they can reach you. Avoid making the card too busy. You want the card to convey clarity and success for the reader.

I went out trick or treating with my children to have fun, see all of the creative costumes and create a memory for our family. As usual, I found some useful tips and solutions for Smart Women. It’s everywhere. All you need to do is be open to the possibilities…

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****

© 2009 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at Profits With Passion .

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Smart Women, Halloween and Attracting Your Ideal Client

Some of the benefits of praying for you blog include a stress free blogging life. By praying for your blog you are giving your blog over the Lord for His use. You no longer have to worry or stress over your blog. It is in the hands of the Lord. Now this doesn’t mean you don’t have to work hard on your blog. It just means you don’t sweat the big or little stuff.

Some other benefits include an increase in content creation, readership, and the perceived value of your blog. Matthew 7:7 tells us, “Ask, and it shall be given you …”. If you ask for the Lord to help in content creation or for an increase in readership, it will be given to you if it is in the Lord’s will. You must remember, however, how the Lord answers your prayer may not be the way you want the prayer answered. When this happens do not be discouraged but praise the Lord for answering your prayers. He know what is best for us and for our blogs.

Below are some ways you can pray for your blog:

1. Pray about the content you write and create
2. Pray about how you respond and react to comments left by other readers
3. Pray before accepting advertisements or sponsorships
4. Pray for your blog readers and those who leave comments
5. Pray for other bloggers

Praying for these simple 5 things everyday can make a huge difference in your blogging experience. Not only will you worry less over your blog but you will begin to notice a change in your blog for the better. Prayer can change lives and it can change your blog.

Courtney Chowning is a Christian blogger who writes about blogging the Bible at her blog CourtneySpeaks.com. You can find out more tips about blogging the Bible by signing up for her newsletter, “Faith, Family, and Business” where you will also find a free report about mixing Christian virtues in your blog.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Praying for Your Blog

Ben 10 Alien Force – Kevin Levin’s Action Cruiser

The Ben 10 toy brand is huge and this year won the ‘Boys Range Of The Year’. Not surprisingly then, the top 12 boys toys this Christmas features a Ben 10 toy. The entry is the cool green car, the popular character Kevin Levin drives around in. It can transform into a battle mode vehicle and includes a 10cm Kevin action figure. It also features other fun stuff such as the ability to make planetary powder capsules that can be shot out. The only trouble with this Ben 10 toy is that it is not as durable as some of the other toys as parts do seem to fall off. This will not hinder your child’s enjoyment of this imaginary alien world, although you may be required to fix things back together from time to time.

Gormiti Guardian Creatures

Gormiti is an animated series, accompanying which is a large range of action figures. The series is about four children who discover an alternate dimension called Gorm, where creatures called Gormitis live. These Lords of Nature Return figure and creature sets include one 12cm tribal Lord figure and one creature to protect his Lord. Unlike most other Gormiti toys, both figures are creatures are articulated so can be posed in any number of positions. The creatures also possess an attack feature. There are four different sets to choose from including the three good Lords and the evil Magmion.

Bladez Salvation 3D Helicopter with Flight Stick

For any children out there who are mad on remote controlled vehicles, this innovative helicopter is a top buy. It gives the pilot full control of the helicopter via a joystick type controller called the Flight Stick. The helicopter can be flown indoors or outside and features a vibration control where your Flight Stick will vibrate more, the higher the helicopter flies. Both Flight Stick and Helicopter can be charged by your computer via a USB socket. On each charge it can fly for 8-9 minutes and has a range of 8 metres from the Flight Stick. The helicopter is supposed to be crash proof with its blades that fold up on impact.

So to avoid a gift disaster this Christmas, stick to one of the recommendations from the Toy Retailers Association, particularly one of the three toys detailed above.

About The Author
Chloe Alice Wilson writes about the hottest toys of the moment including more top Christmas toys for boys and the new Bop It game.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Christmas Toys For Boys – 3 Top Choices

Now, I know this sounds easier said than done so I’m going to give you the first step in accepting that any situation “is what it is” (and you’ll probably remember that you’ve heard me say this before). It’s to express gratitude daily. Express gratitude and appreciate all that is the way you want it in your life as well as any aspect of any situation or person that you can even when there are other aspects that you want to be different. Of course, this is important from a Law of Attraction perspective since like attracts like (so feeling grateful will attract more wonderful things for which to feel grateful). It’s also important from a brain chemistry perspective. Recent brain research has shown that when you focus more on what you love about your life, it creates noticeable changes in your brain. These changes can be seen on brain scans that reveal the activity of the brain. When people were asked to focus on what they love about their life, their brains look healthy on the scans. When they were instructed to focus on what they don’t like, their brains scans were comparable to those of someone who is sick. Our emotions (feelings of gratitude) literally change your brain for the better. So, spend time every day focusing on what is great about your life.

*****

© 2009 Ruth Hegarty

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Ruth Hegarty helps women entrepreneurs create confident and effortless success. As a certified Law of Attraction Coach, Ruth teaches women to unleash their powerful creator. She hosts the popular “The Art of Joyful Living Radio Show.” Listen every Tuesday by visiting  Art of Joyful Living .

To learn more about Ruth’s group or one-on-one coaching programs and to get her free Confidence Building e-book for women, please visit her website at Leap of Confidence.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

It is What it Is – And Why That’s OK

Here are one dozen strategies for you. Choose your top three and give them a try.

1. Set your cell phone/watch alarm for every 30, 60 or 90 minutes. When it chimes, stop and check in with yourself. What are you thinking? How do you feel?
2. Post reminder notes EVERYWHERE from your car dashboard to your bathroom mirror. Post-it notes are great for this. You can simply post the questions: “What am I thinking?” and “How do I feel?”
3. Enlist the help of your family/friends to call you on “backsliding” (very sweetly of course) when they hear you speaking in old patterns (this helps with your thought processes as our words come from our thoughts). You can also have them check in with you throughout the day (with a call or email if you’re not together) to ask you how it’s going.
4. Wear a talisman, like a specific bracelet, that you designate as your “behavior changing talisman” or “thought changer” so that every time you glance at it you are reminded of what you are doing.
5. If you’re an avid social networker, always include how you feel in your posts. Every time you Tweet throughout your day, no matter what it’s about, save a few spaces for “I feel _______.” In order to share it, you have to think about it.
6. If you check your email frequently during the day or your computer or phone, register at one of the reminder sites (like the birthday reminder sites) to receive emails/texts throughout the day to remind you to check in with what you think, how you feel, what you are doing, etc.
7. You can’t go wrong with mantras, keywords and affirmations
8. Create a series of daily habits that include processes for working on making this change automatic and authentic.
9. Track your thoughts, feelings and actions in a journal (which can be done throughout the day)
10. Get a buddy who is also working on making a change and keep each other on track (like a work out buddy).
11. Apply a personal reward system. Every time you catch yourself using your new language/habit/belief, you get a treat.
12. Make a game out of improving your life either in your own mind or literally create a card, dice or board game and have fun with the process.

These are just a dozen possible strategies. Use them as is or tweak them to fit you better. These can all be adapted for changing thoughts, beliefs, actions, habits, etc. For me, enacting change is all about making it fun, authentic and holistic so keep that in mind as you journey through whatever changes you are making.

*****

©2009 Ruth Hegarty

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Ruth Hegarty helps women entrepreneurs create confident and effortless success. As a certified Law of Attraction Coach, Ruth teaches women to unleash their powerful creator. She hosts the popular “The Art of Joyful Living Radio Show.” Listen every Tuesday by visiting  Art of Joyful Living .

To learn more about Ruth’s group or one-on-one coaching programs and to get her free Confidence Building e-book for women, please visit her website at Leap of Confidence.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

How to Check In On What You’re Attracting

It is estimated that 346,000,000 (source*) people read blogs. Of course a number of blog readers are Christians. I imagine a large portion of those blog readers are not Christians and have never even heard about the love of Jesus. That is a lot of people we can be witnessing to. You never know who may be reading your blog so it is imperative that you write about your faith and the Bible in a way that even non-Christians will be able to understand and see the love you have for Christ.

Of course incorporating Bible verses in your blog is a great and easy way to show the love of Christ. After all the Word is God according to John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” You could even add a Verse of the Day widget your sidebar. But what if you don’t have a blog in which you can easily add scripture into where the topic is not faith related?

Having a loving attitude towards others is another way we can show the love of Christ on our blogs. Do you help a reader or fellow blogger when the need arises? Jesus is known for helping others. He is the ultimate good Samaritan. Do you live hurtful or hateful comments on other blogs? Leaving rude or hateful comments is not following the commandment given to us in John 13:34, to love one another. How you deal with people goes along way in showing the Jesus’ love for others and this applies in the blogging world too.

Another way to tell you readers about Christ is to use personal examples in your posts. If you are writing about the power of prayer include a story in which you asked for something in prayer and then how you saw the Lord answer your prayer one way or another. Showing how God has worked in your life is a great testimony for others to to see and hear. Maybe even consider creating a video instead of writing a blog post. A lot of times our words can be misunderstood and at times Christian principals can best be explained by speaking. When quoting scripture also consider the Bible version you are using. Some Bible versions explain a verse more clearly than others. Just remember not to choose a Bible version that changes the meaning of the verse.

No matter how you write your posts or interact with your blog readers just remember that you are representing the King of Kings, your Lord and Savior. Pray before you write and always write the truth and you can’t go wrong.

*http://thefuturebuzz.com/2009/01/12/social-media-web-20-internet-numbers-stats/

Courtney Chowning is a Christian blogger who writes about blogging the Bible at her blog CourtneySpeaks.com. You can find out more tips about blogging the Bible by signing up for her newsletter, “Faith, Family, and Business” where you will also find a free report about mixing Christian virtues in your blog.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Are You Blogging the Bible?

As I reflect on my life and dial it forward to now, I’ve been fortunate to travel on many adventures and I have a lot of memories to put in “My Adventure Book.” There are a lot of photos and memories around the “stuff I’m going to do.”

How about you? Do you have an adventure, Big Idea, or goal that you would like to take action on? Do you daydream about doing something different but you aren’t sure how to get started or make it happen? In my work with women, they explore and discover what their next adventure is and we work together to create a plan that is clear and easy for them to follow to make it happen. Maybe they want to start a new business. One woman decided to take a 6-month sabbatical and I’m helping her map out valuable time so she uses it wisely.

Here are a few tips to help you make your next adventure a reality:

1. Get it on paper – The first step to make your adventure a reality is to write it down on paper and place it somewhere where you will see it every day. Take the idea out of your head and write it down. Make sure it’s written in a positive, clearly defined statement: “I’m going to Hawaii, to the island of Maui, on August 20, 2009. I will learn how to body surf while I’m there.” Do you see how powerful that is? Make a clear statement with a deadline attached to it.

2. Create a plan – Grab a pen and a blank sheet of paper. Sit down and write your adventure at the top with the target date. Now begin to make some notes about what you will need to do to make it happen.

3. Tell someone - You have no idea how powerful it is when you actually tell someone else about your planned adventure. Many times, we daydream about ideas and adventures but we never tell anyone. Why? We are afraid–afraid that if it doesn’t happen, people will laugh at us or worse, see it as “failure.” What’s interesting about sharing your adventure or Big Idea with someone else is two things occur: You get more excited about your idea as you share it with someone, which propels you into action. Two, many times the person you share it with may be able to help or offer a resource. Example: Maybe this person knows someone with a condo or time-share in Maui who would like to rent it to you at a great rate.

Just in case you haven’t seen the movie, I won’t tell you how it ends. I will, however, share one thought: Take some quiet time to think about what you really want in your life. Ask yourself, “What is my next Big Adventure? My next Big Idea?” I invite you to use the tips I’ve outlined for you. It really will make a difference in your life. And if you’ve seen the movie, then you will understand, “Cross my heart, I promise.”

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2009 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 and be the first to hear about my exciting new program for coaches and consultants at Smart Women Smart Solutions Coaching.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Smart Women and the Movie Up

When I started my business over 5 years ago, I could see the beginning of the path that I was about to take and that was about it. I had some support at the beginning of my journey; however, I realized pretty quickly that I needed even more support and new ways of thinking as I traveled. I began to learn from women about their wants and needs and how I could help them. I learned what they were passionate about and what they wanted to bring into the world as their special gift. Dorothy started out with Toto and as she made her journey down the Yellow Brick Road, she found some friends who could support her along the way and she was able to support them as well. Dorothy met the Lion who wanted to achieve courage, the Tin Man who had a desire for a heart, and the Scarecrow who longed for wisdom.

How about you? Are you standing at the beginning of a road that leads to something you desire but can’t seem to take that step forward in the journey? I was hesitant at first 5 years ago when I started my journey. I kept asking myself, “What if it doesn’t work?” “What if I fail?” As you may recall, Dorothy was a little scared as well. It’s not easy to take an unfamiliar road —even if you’re pretty sure that at the end you’ll find the answers to get what you want and deserve in life. But here’s what I know for sure: When the desire is there, the how-to will come.

Here are some tips and solutions that I’ve used during my own journey, (Dorothy too!), and I believe they can help you as well:

You’re Not in Kansas Anymore – acknowledge that you are about to begin a new, exciting journey in your life. This is certainly where I am right now. I was standing at the kitchen sink the other day gazing out the window and I realized that my life and business are going to the next level. It’s both exciting and scary at the same time. I know that I need more support and resources now that I’m getting ready to travel into unfamiliar territory.

Find Your Own Good Witch – Seek out someone who’s in your corner. Someone who wants to see you succeed in whatever it is you desire. Having a coach or mentor who can ask you the important questions and help you navigate your journey along the way is essential. Who knows if Dorothy would have ever gotten out of …..if she hadn’t had the Good Witch of the North guiding her along the way.

Pack some Confidence, Courage, and Wisdom for your journey – Confidence and Courage are two key items to have with you at all times. If you’re feeling like you don’t have enough, (I’ve felt this way many times), make sure you invite people to come along on your journey who seem to always bring out these qualities in you. It’s much easier when you are surrounded by people who champion you; people who think you hung the moon. Wisdom is also important. Surround yourself with wise people who can help you navigate troubled waters along the way.

For me, the best part of the story is at the end, when Dorothy and her courageous, heart-felt, and wise friends realize that everything they wanted, deserved, and desired was with them all the time. All they had to do was look within to see they already possessed what they were looking for………and you can too!

*****
© 2009 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 and be the first to hear about my exciting new program for coaches and consultants at Smart Women Smart Solutions Coaching .

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Smart Women, Dorothy, and the Yellow Brick Road

When I was studying to become a Professional Certified Coach, I was required to read lots of books that were essential to my growth as a coach. I found one book in particular, “Finding Flow” by Mihaly Csikszenthihalyi (“chick-Sent-me-high”) to be quite thought-provoking. Csikszenthihalyi believes that many people walk through their lives without ever becoming aware of what energizes them or where they find themselves in the “flow.” Athletes sometimes refer to this as being “in the zone.” “Flow” is the place where you lose yourself and all track of time. You know when you are in the “flow” when you finish a task or project and you feel more energized than when you began. Have you ever done something and forgotten to look at the clock or stopped to take a break for lunch or even go to the bathroom? I personally find my “flow” in my work with women, watching my children play sports and listening to solo piano.

How about you? Have you found your “flow”? And if you have, are you practicing it on a regular basis? In my work with women, I find there are some who know where their “flow” is, and some who have lost touch due to their demanding lives and lack of time for self-care. Even though some women know where their “flow” is, they typically aren’t making the time to practice it as often as they should. One of the ways I support women is to help them find ways to have more “flow” in their lives.

In my Success Circles, I offer some exercises to help women discover their “flow”. Not sure yet what yours might be? Here are a few questions that will support you to finding the “flow” in your life:

1. Where do you lose yourself? What activity are you doing when you lose track of time, forget to eat, etc.?
2. Describe a time in your life when you felt passionate about being alive, inspired, challenged.
3. If you had a day off, and could spend it any way you wanted, what would you do?

Finding “flow” is a lot more essential in life than you might think. It’s the difference between living an energetic, passionate, purposeful life that holds meaning, or living one that feels full of boredom, humdrum, and just going through the motions. I invite you to find a quiet, peaceful place and ponder these questions. Once you have the answers, make the necessary changes to allow more time for you to be in the “flow” of your life.

“The quality of life does not depend on happiness alone, but also on what one does to be happy.” Mihaly Csikszenthihalyi

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2009 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 and be the first to hear about my exciting new program for coaches and consultants at Smart Women Smart Solutions Coaching .

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Smart Women Find Their Flow

Who are the people to consider?
College students, active military personnel away from home, military families home and abroad, prisoners, orphans, missionaries, disaster victims, nursing home residents, hospitalized children, unwed mothers or those in a crisis pregnancy, single parent families, and special friends and relatives who may be living far away.

How do I find mailing addresses for people I don’t know?
Conduct a search on the internet to look for ministries who distribute care packages to the specific people groups you would like to reach, and speak to friends at church or in social clubs to ask for names of people who may like to receive a care package. Find out about the local organizations and ministries and ask about specific people you can help. Speak to the social worker at your school to locate a special family or child to bless.

What kinds of things should I include in the Care Package?
This will depend on who will be the recipient of your package. Here are some suggestions:

For military service men or disaster victims, include things like toothpaste, tooth brushes, hand sanitizer, personal wipes, mints and hard candies (avoid things that can melt), combs, soaps, shampoo, lotions, medicine packs (Tylenol, Advil, etc.), vitamin packs, Band-Aids, disposable razors, ear swabs, nail clippers, magazines, crosswords or word puzzles, travel size games, pens, paper, envelopes, prepaid telephone calling cards, Bible, AA batteries, lighters. Liquid items should be in travel size bottles, and the bottles should be labeled if you are using generic bottles, especially for military personnel.

For college students, consider non-perishable food items such as soup mixes, hot cocoa mix, microwave popcorn, a disposable camera, stationery, school supplies such as mini-staplers, notebook paper, calendar, organizers, calculator, etc. If you personally know the college student, you can include family photos, personal keepsakes and gifts, stuffed animals and gift certificates to their favorite restaurants or local grocery stores.

Many prisons do not allow prisoners to receive packages, and those that do have a list of items that are accepted, for safety concerns. You will want to coordinate with a prison ministry to see what the rules for receiving care packages might be. Many prison ministries have pen-pal programs if you prefer this to sending a package.

Many pro-life ministries accept care packages for unwed mothers or those in crisis pregnancies, and they also accept care packages for children. Things like blankets, diapers, teething rings, layette sets, bottles, diaper ointments and wipes are welcomed.

You may also enjoy hosting a party and asking guests to contribute items to your care package — or to help assemble several care packages, including packaging and addressing them.

Here are some places that will help you locate people for which to send your care packages and will accept your care packages as donations for others:

Operation Blessing for Disaster Victims

Love Packages distributes packages to missionaries on the field

Buckner Orphan Care International distributes care packages to its orphanages
Prison Fellowship arranges correspondences with prisoners

Operation Military Pride for a list of recommended items and mailing instructions for overseas military personnel and to sign-up to be put in contact with deployed service men and women who may enjoy communicating as well as receiving care packages

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

How to Assemble and Where to Send a Care Package

What is the value of PLR? The value of private label rights content differs from person to person. The value of PLR is determined by what a person actually does or does not do with it. With a little creativity PLR content can be of great value to you in generating multiple types of content on your blog, website, or newsletter. The more you are able to use a particular PLR article the more valuable it becomes to you. By re-purposing your PLR content in different ways you are getting your money’s worth out of the content. The reason you purchased PLR to begin with was to create content for your blog or site so use it for that. There are no limits to the ways in which you can use PLR to generate content, as long as you are in compliance with the PLR terms of use, that is.

For a blogger the value of a PLR is beyond measure. With a single PLR article you could create a multi-part series on a certain topic. All you have to do is rewrite or change the PLR article to show a different and unique perspective. For example, if you have a PLR article about 5 tips for generating website traffic, each tip could actually be written into it’s own blog post. From that one article you created 5 different blog posts for your readers. You could also rewrite a PLR article to use for article marketing, as a guest post, on a forum, in your newsletter, or all the above. Taking a little time to rewrite certain passages of an article can really change the whole dynamic of the article.

To make sure you are getting the most value out of your PLR content you need to really consider the PLR content you actually purchase. Most importantly make sure you purchase from a PLR source you trust. In order to get the most out of your purchased PLR, you must purchase quality PLR. There is a lot of junk out there, make sure you don’t waste your time on it. Secondly, only purchase PLR in niche’s you actually use. Just because you get an email about a special sale on PLR, if it isn’t in your niche, it doesn’t do you any good.

Also use the PLR you have before buying more. Make the most of what you have before spending more money. Not only will you get more content, but you will save money. Get creative! You are not limited to using PLR article content in written works only. You can record the article content as an audio or a video. This is an easy way to really make the content your since you are putting yourself in to the content by recording your voice. You can then use the audio or video as a bonus for a information product, to product a product, as a podcast, or you could just give it away to your readers.

Increasing the value of PLR is not hard to do. It is just a matter of a little work and creativity. The more you reuse your purchased private label rights content the higher value it has for you and the more it can help in content creation. That is what PLR is there for – to help you create content.

Courtney Chowning is a provider of PLR at http://ChristianMomPLR.com where she blogs about ways for you to re-purpose and get the most value out of your PLR content.

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Determining the Value of PLR

Under-achievement in teens can be caused by many things:

Emotional discomfort. A teen who has experienced a life changing event (addition to the family, a family loss, divorce…etc) is very likely to go through a period of educational underachievement.

High parental expectations. Many times parents put too much pressure on their teen to make a certain grade, excel in a certain subject or sport or perhaps pick a certain career path and this can have a negative impact on the teen. If the academic pressures on your teen are too strong, your teen may feel the need to rebel.

Undiagnosed learning disabilities – there are time where a mild learning disabilities is missed in lower level schooling or there could be a physical hindrance such as poor eyesight or hearing difficulty.

Peer pressure. Pure and simple, there is good peer pressure and there is negative peer pressure. Many teens feel that the smarter they are, that some of their friends won’t like them. They may feel the need to perform at a certain level to feel accepted into a certain clique of friends.

If you notice your teen becoming an underachiever, first check in with your teen to see if there is something that you can do to help. Communicate with your teen about how he or she is feeling about school overall and ask them if there are any problems.

You can then speak with your child’s teacher at school to see if there are areas where extra help would be beneficial. Many schools offer free tutoring services. There are many times that an underachieving teen has hit a downward spiral because they are disorganized and find it hard to keep up with the schoolwork and other activities they are involved in.

While it may be hard for some parents to digest, not all children are academically inclined. Even if your child isn’t a scholar, that doesn’t mean that they can’t excel in many other area’s. If you tune into your child, you can help them find out exactly what they are good at and passionate about. Letting your child know that doing their best is good enough and if their best IS a C then that is ok will go a long way with your child. It will encourage your child to try their very best and it will alleviate some of the pressures that they feel which may cause your child to rebel or shut down completely.

Many teens that are underachieving will see that it will affect their self esteem in a negative way. If you teen has low self esteem, offering them emotional and comfort will help them greatly. The best way to let your child know that you love them is to shower them with acceptance. Make sure that no matter what grades your child brings home, that doesn’t mean that you love him or her any less.

Help your teen manage his/her schedule better. Make sure that they have everything they need to stay as organized as possible.  Help them to set goals for themselves as it pertains to school (grades, study habits..etc). You can even suggest that your teen start up a study group and offer to host it at your home.

The key here is to try everything that you can and to find out why your teen is not living up to their potential in school. If after working on this and tackling it from many angles, you feel you’re teen isn’t making any process, you may then want to consult a professional to see if there are some other issues causing the problems. You can seek professional support from a school counselor, doctor, therapist or clergy.

As a proactive parent we must seek resources to help our child take an interest in learning, growing and becoming independent. Being an informed parent is one of the 1st steps to ensuring your child has a brighter future.

Struggling To Help Your Teen In High School? Get help now. The Real Life Guidance to Helping Your Teen In High School report is available for easy and instant download to your computer.

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Helping Your Teen Succeed in High School

Your party is likely to be a hit when you use gruesome and ghoulish dish looks, but with a surprisingly delightful taste. Most people enjoy Halloween and the spirit it brings with all matters of age cast aside. All you need to do is to create your own devilish or scary costumes, get the theme right and top it off with incredible Halloween Party Recipes and you will have the party everyone will talk about.

One of the Halloween party recipes is the eerie eyeball d’oeuvres Halloween recipe. This is mainly meant for the adults. It is not too difficult a task to make this kind of recipe. The good news is when frozen the eye balls can be used with alcoholic drinks during chilly holidays or other fall festivals.

When shopping, you ought to choose different colors of the d’oeuvres especially red and green. You then need to peel the red ones and make a hole on top of each then stuff a green olive in and ensure that the red color is well visible and showing.

Other Halloween party recipes include baked worms in apples as a Halloween snack which might make you squeamish and bloody fingers Halloween party recipe oozing with blood. This is the most ghoulish recipe and as always with Halloween, the more scary the better.

Grab this easy Halloween recipe booklet crammed full of 35 fun easy Halloween recipes for you and your family this year. These recipes and bonus party planning tips will be sure to make your Halloween party the spookiest most fun on the block without breaking your family budget.

Even if you’re not having a Halloween party, you can still make great use of the easy Halloween recipes for kids in this booklet to make your night special. Add a ghost story or two and you’re all set for the perfect October 31st with your family.

Spooktacular Dreams!

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Halloween Party Fun Recipes for Adults and Kids Alike

The kids’ party ideas must involve the adults’ supervision especially when there is cooking involved. The food coloring must be involved with the kids’ recipes because everything should resound the spirit of Halloween and that means that recipes as well. The most popular design most adored by the children is the creepy ice cream spider among others.

Everyone loves ice cream and for the Halloween party, the kids will love the spider imitations made from ice cream. When preparing this kind of Halloween recipes for kids, you can use the gallon vanilla, graham cracker tart shells, red M&M candy pieces and black shoestring licorice pieces. All you need to do is to mix the ingredients then sprinkle the crumbles on every scoop of ice cream so as to form a black furry looking spider body and put them in the freezer so the whole mixture can get iced and frozen and thus look even more real.

This is just one of the many Halloween recipes for kids which will bring even more ‘flavor’ to the holiday. But remember as far as these recipes are concerned, the only limitation you have is not a cook book or a recipe book but your imagination. If you can make something and make it look scary but with an outstanding taste then you have yourself a Halloween recipe.

Grab this easy Halloween recipe booklet crammed full of 35 fun easy Halloween recipes for you and your family this year. These recipes and bonus party planning tips will be sure to make your Halloween party the spookiest most fun on the block without breaking your family budget.

Even if you’re not having a Halloween party, you can still make great use of the fun Halloween recipes for kids in this booklet to make your night special. Add a ghost story or two and you’re all set for the perfect October 31st with your family.

Spooktacular Dreams!

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Tasty Halloween Recipes for Kids

Get started by trying out some uplifting affirmations. These will help you shift your thinking from where you are now to a much stronger and more powerful and joyful perspective. I’ve given you some below to get started with. They cover self-love as well as financial independence. Pick and choose 10 from this list to use every day for this whole month and then check back in with where you are and enjoy the shift that you made. It’s best to say the affirmations out loud and with feeling.

Get started with 10 (or more) of the following affirmations:

* I am my own best friend. I love and appreciate myself just as I am.
* I am vibrantly healthy and uniquely brilliant.
* I trust myself.
* I give thanks for my life of health, wealth, happiness and perfect self expression.
* I am the master of my life. Perfect wisdom is in my heart.
* Life is fun and I’m willing to enjoy it.
* I am rich in consciousness and manifestation.
* Everything I want in life is coming to me effortlessly and easily.
* It’s OK for me to have everything I want in life.
* I am relaxed, focused and centered. I have plenty of time for everything.
* I am confident, relaxed and comfortable in all situations.
* I give myself permission to be ‘who’ I want to be.
* I am an unlimited being in spirit and soul and am one with the Universe.
* I am safe and protected and I am divinely guided.
* My power is in my actions and I follow through on my goals, one at a time, every day.
* I now have enough time, energy, wisdom and money to accomplish all my desires.
* Abundance is my natural state of being. I accept it now!
* Everyday I’m growing more financially prosperous. I am a money magnet.
* I’m now earning a high 6 figure income doing what satisfies me.
* Financial success comes to me easily and effortlessly.
* I meet every challenge with grace and ease and surrender to the abundance that is manifesting daily in my life.
* Infinite riches flow freely into my life daily.
* I deserve and accept wealth and abundance.
* Great riches and abundance are heaped on me just because I am me.
* People are clamoring to pay me for my wonderful services and the benefits I provide.
* I am the source of my wealth and abundance.
* I am outstandingly successful every day.
* I now easily and joyfully accept thousands of dollars each week.
* Money is rapidly mounting in my checking and saving accounts. It keeps multiplying daily.
* The money and situations I attract into my life are better than I ever imagined.
* My self worth and net worth build daily.
* I love myself and I naturally attract loving relationships into my life.
* I am now ready to accept a happy, fulfilling, healthy relationship.
* The more I love myself the more love I have to give.

*****
© 2009 Ruth Hegarty

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Ruth Hegarty helps women entrepreneurs create confident and effortless success. As a certified Law of Attraction Coach, Ruth teaches women to unleash their powerful creator. She hosts the popular “The Art of Joyful Living Radio Show.” Listen every Tuesday by visiting Art of Joyful Living .

To learn more about Ruth’s group or one-on-one coaching programs and to get her free Confidence Building e-book for women, please visit her website at Leap of Confidence.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Express Your Independence

What about when we focus on the future? Let me first clarify dreaming about versus living in the future. I absolutely want you to dream about your future and dream BIG. Know where you are going and what you are wanting. Imagine it, feel it, smell it, love it. Those kinds of dreams fuel your imagination and help inspire your actions. Living in the future is when you think along the lines of “when such and such happens, I’ll be wealthy/happy/etc.” When my company takes off, when I lose weight, when I get my tax refund, etc. are all ways of living in a future that is not only not guaranteed but the very activity of focusing on it in this way almost ensures failure. Why? Because when you do this you are focused on lack – on what you don’t have yet – not on what you want or even what you do have. In Law of Attraction there is a huge difference between a focus on how amazing it will be to attain something we desire and a focus on that desire not yet being ours. It seems subtle but it is actually a huge difference in mindset. It’s the difference between complacency and possibility. So, continue to dream big dreams while living in the present.

Aaahhh, the present. This is where the magic happens. Focus on how amazing your life is NOW. Even if you don’t have everything you want (and that is actually a good thing since we always want new things and it’s part of living this life) really get into the feelings of what you do have that is wonderful. What do you love about your life now? Your body? Your work? Your home? Your planet? Everything? Find even one small thing to love about everything you come in contact with in your day. What do you love about your money? In what ways do you already feel prosperous? What do you have an abundance of? From pencils to love to pop-tarts, what do you never run out of? That’s abundance. Feel it in every fiber of your being. Really feel the amazingness of you and your life.

Next step, revisit that huge exciting dream you have for your life. What are some of the key elements? What will exist when you are living this dream? For example, one of my clients recently shared that one element of her big dream is recognition from her peers for her success and the good work she does. There’s no need to wait. I had her brainstorm ways she can have that recognition now so that she experiences the FEELING of her dream now. That’s how we bring that dream to life and create it in the now. She came up with some terrific and fun ideas for feeling recognized in her work including honoring herself. What can you do that will make the amazing good fortune you dream of a part of your day to day reality today. Really, what can you do today, in this current moment, to live your dreams of abundance, wealth, prosperity, love, you name it!?!

P.S. It helps to surround yourself with like-minded people so you are all supporting each other’s dreams and current state of being. Seek out people who want to see you make your dreams come true.

*****

© 2009 Ruth Hegarty

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Ruth Hegarty helps women entrepreneurs create confident and effortless success. As a certified Law of Attraction Coach, Ruth teaches women to unleash their powerful creator. She hosts the popular “The Art of Joyful Living Radio Show.” Listen every Tuesday by visiting Art of Joyful Living .

To learn more about Ruth’s group or one-on-one coaching programs and to get her free Confidence Building e-book for women, please visit her website at Leap of Confidence.

This Article has been posted from: LadyPens, a Free Reprint Article Directory featuring Select Women Authors.

Living Your Wealth in the Here and Now

Think of your talents-Do you scrap book?  Do wood working?  Do you quilt, knit or do other crafts?  Do you make jams, jellies or other preserves?  Are you a car buff?  Do you have an eye for details?  Think of creating presents with your talents!  Truthfully, anyone who puts down a homemade and thoughtful present isn’t worthy of receiving them.
•    Scrapbookers- Giving grandparents a page of scrapbooked pictures set into an inexpensive frame is thoughtful and I can think of many grandparents who always complain of never having updated pictures.  Down the road, you could give them an expandable storage book for their outdated pages.  How about scrapbooking your cherished family recipes for your children?
•    Quilters and/or sewers-Create gifts with those talents!  I found a pattern for quilted checkbook covers.  They were fast, easy and allowed me to personalize them for each recipient (cat fabric for my cat loving friend).  I’m not much of a sewer but even I was able to make flannel pajama bottoms for my boys.
•    Knitters/crocheters- My Great Gram always used to knit mittens for us.  She would also make us hats and scarves.  I still have a pair of double-yarn mittens she made me over 40 years ago.  They’re now stashed safely in my closet but I still think fondly of how warm they were and how much I loved wearing them and loved my