Designing Web Success

Have you ever visited the Yahoo game site? If you haven’t you might want to take a look. It is one of the free gaming sites on the web. You will find all types of traditional games such as checkers, canasta, pool, and Black Jack, as well as news about the latest video games, downloads for your laptop or cell phone, and even clubs and multiple player games with tournaments and leagues as well. The kids have their own Yahoo game site called Yahooligans. Take the time to look at this brief description to see if Yahoo game is something that you would be interested in.

Some people like to play online games without any other competition. Other people like to play against multiple players. On Yahoo game you have the choice of being the sole player or playing against others. You can join a club and have set times when you meet to play against the same group of players, or you can join in a game when you come online. You will find listings on Yahoo game of single elimination tournaments for various types of games as well.

For the kids, Yahooligans is a safe environment created by Yahoo game where they can play without fear of sharing personal information. They don’t have to register. There are games which are educational, traditional games, and games which are just for fun. The games on Yahoo game are fairly simple, but you do have to pay for the more popular titles and many require you to download the software which may not appeal to everyone.

If you are a sports fan you can set up a fantasy team and compete against other teams until the ultimate winner is decided.

One of the links on Yahoo Game is to the Yahoo video game site. This site has information about current video game products as well as upcoming new releases (including previews) for all of the major game systems such as PS 2, X-Box 360 and others.

Some of the other features on the Yahoo site that you might find useful include a newsletter, new game alerts, and an All Star Club for registered members which allows you special gaming privileges at no cost to you.

There are many free gaming sites on the web for you to choose from. But not all of them are suitable for every member of your family. Yahoo is one alternative. The games are fairly entertaining and you have a lot to choose from. If you want a site that you can feel safe and comfortable on, you might want to check out the Yahoo site and see if it is right for you.

Eriani Doyel writes articles about entertainment. If you would like more information about yahoo game visit farogame.com.

This Valentine’s Day why not delight the precious person in
your life with a fabulous diamond heart pendant in white gold.
To make it extra specially tempting we’ve reduced the price from
£99.99 to £49.99 and added free diamond earrings to create the
complete diamond look.

From the most precious of diamond
rings to the vast array of special yet affordable gifts,
you’ll find it all at H.Samuel.

If stunning
simplicity is more to your taste, then check out the Kit Heath
silver heart necklace (£34.99), with its ultra smooth heart and
chic pink strap.

For those looking to make the
ultimate statement this Valentine’s, the Forever Diamonds range
of rings and jewellery has to be the only choice. Each diamond
is crafted with 73 facets compared to the standard 58, to really
bring out the beauty and sparkle of the stone, and there’s a
second, secret diamond hidden inside every ring.

For
the man in your life, H.Samuel has a comprehensive range of
cufflinks, gifts and branded watches to suit every style and
occasion.

Visit the HSamuel website for a host
of inspirational Valentines’s gift ideas all available to buy
online, or to locate your nearest store call 0845 609 2000

For more information, please contact Naomi Dodson or Anna Kemmis
at Yellow Door 020 7580 0707 or email
naomidodson@yellow-door.com

Setting goals is one of the most important keys to achieving success. Did you know that less than 3% of people have written goals? Studies have shown that the most successful people are the ones who have specific, written goals.

Setting a goal is not like a New Year’s resolution. That is just a wish. Just wishing and hoping for something isn’t going to make it happen. Setting a goal is having a target to shoot for and a plan to get there.

When planning your goals, choose which categories you would like for your goals. Establish the time frame. They could be lifetime goals, 10 year, 5 year, 1 year, 6 month, 3 month, 1 month or weekly goals. Also you can have ongoing goals, such as exercising 3 - 5 times a week.

Be specific when you write your goals. Don’t just write down “I want to lose weight.” Write “I will weigh 180 pounds by July 2007. Make sure your goal statement is positive. Don’t say, “I don’t want to be fat.” Say “I will be a healthy 130 pounds by May 2007.

The achievement of a worthwhile goal can seem daunting at first. The easiest way to proceed is to break your goal down into smaller steps. Start with the first step then move onto the next. When making your plans, a good way is to start is from the end part and work your way to the present.

Measure your progress. After you complete a step, check it off. Watching steady progress is a good motivator. A simple example could be if your goal was to be able to do 100 continuous pushups, you could mark off the milestones of 25, 50, 75, 80, and finally 100!

Don’t be discouraged by setbacks. All successful people experience setbacks, disappointments, and failure along the way. That’s just part of the process. That’s part of learning. Many times these act as course corrections to get you back on target.

There are several success principles used in goal achievement. One is properly programming your mind. You need to review your goal morning and at night before you go to bed. Have your goal written on a 3 x 5 card so you can review during the day. At night, ask your subconscious mind for solutions to problems, and methods or tools for helping you achieve your goal.

Another important principle is that of persistence. No one has enjoyed great achievement without persistence.

“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up”

Babe Ruth

Do something everyday towards your goal. A day’s action puts you one step closer to your objective. Doing something everyday creates a momentum that is hard to stop.
When it comes to achieving your goals, you need to think of yourself as a huge, monolithic juggernaut! Moving relentlessly toward your objective. Unstoppable!

Richard Kimball is a successful businessman, artist and teacher.
His latest project is sharing the universal principles of success to help others achieve prosperity and the fullfillment of their dreams.

One must always keep in mind that copper is not just a kind of metal, when it comes to medicine and health, copper is actually a trace element mineral that serves a wide variety of purposes for the body, both on its own as well as a cofactor. Although the body requires a comparatively tiny amount of copper per day, even that little bit of copper is proven to be essential to having very good health.

Copper came to be recognized in the 1870’s as a basic part of our blood. This mineral is called an elemental because it is a metal. In terms of concentration, it is the third greatest metal present in our bodies. Copper is present throughout a person’s body and serves many purposes that influence physical and mental health and function. Aside from being able to affect a person’s health even on its own, copper actually works well even with other vitamins and minerals which in turn ensure that a person’s health is very well taken cared of.

Copper works with Vitamin C in the production of collagen and elastin, these are connective tissues that quite literally, hold the body together. In addition to this ability of wound healing, copper also plays a big role in the first step to wound healing, blood clotting. It also helps the body absorb and use iron more efficiently as well as partners with iron in the production of red blood cells, which serves the very important task of bringing in oxygen throughout the body. It also helps make bones stronger by working with calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, Vitamin D and Vitamin C.

Melanin, the substance that gives skin and hair their natural color actually needs copper for its production. Copper has a role in the production of hormones that come from the thyroid and is important to how fast a person’s metabolism is resulting to the regulation of one’s body weight. Staying fit does not only show off a person’s healthy well-being but it also serves as a clear source of pride and confidence.

Copper also has a role in how the nervous system functions as well. It is necessary in the creation of the myelin sheath, which protects nerves and ensures that they’re able to communicate well with each other. The connective tissues and nerves in the brain require copper for both structure and function. Copper also serves as a contributing factor in the production of the body’s important antioxidant enzymes, making a significant contribution to the control of the damaging free radicals.

Copper has a role in each and every part of the body’s major systems and processes. As a trace element the body requires just a tiny bit of copper daily. Adults should have just 1.5mg to 3mg per day. Always remember that too much copper can actually be toxic to the body’s system. The body’s systems only need a basic amount of copper per day and are regulated by chemical reactions. Chemicals in the body that are delicately balanced as a group.

Since it’s quite hard to ensure that we’re taking the right amount of these nutrients that can be found in our food each and every day, it is a practical and wise move to actually start taking in some nutrient supplements that can help regulate the amount of vitamins and minerals that can be found in our bodies. However, it is still very important to be conscious of one’s diet and to continue having regular exercise as these may be the healthier choice when you want to have a renewed, healthier lifestyle.

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Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR’S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.
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About the Author

Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about Vitamins, please go to: http://vitamins.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/

“The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion
and the will to help others.” Albert Schweitzer

To get a fire going. Ahhh! We know that only too well. One poorly-timed word, sideways glance or accusatory question to a teenager…and sparks go flying. Before you know it, voices start running up an octave or two, muscles start tensing and words start spewing forth for the impending, unavoidable flare-up. A veritable bonfire could be in the works before you know it! Ha! No one ever told you this parenting thing would be easy. Call for such stamina, nerves of steel and worn-out knees.

On the flip side, it only takes the spark of one individual, one heroic voice, one visionary or one touched by social injustice, personal tragedy or immeasurable suffering to try to set the world right again.

Such was my experience Saturday morning, when I traded in leisure time on a perfect-postcard New England fall day to attend a mandatory training session for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Having been personally touched by childhood cancer, I wanted to become actively involved in this top-notch organization as a goodwill ambassador. Not only because they would be granting a wish to our family, but because I believe that my testimony could prove encouraging to others facing similar circumstances.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation has the system figured out: rules, regulations, security background checks…and they do an excellent job of acquainting their volunteers with the basics before getting truly started. They also do a wonderful job of reminding you why you signed up in the first place. Video clips of children as they are receiving their wishalong with film of the selfless acts of devoted volunteers in shaping the wish to its fullest potentialbring that lump-to-the-throat experience that could hardly find expression anywhere else. Dressing up in hulas to deliver a wish for a Hawaiian trip, or as Spiderman so that a little boy could be “Beetle Boy” for a day and save the city of Pittsburgh from the evil Green Goblin….all served as powerful reminders of fulfilling Make-A-Wish’s vision of “bringing hope, strength and joy” to children around the world.

The foundation got its start after a family lost their own son to leukemia. The mother, so moved by the local police force which granted a wish to her son just a week before he passed away, inspired her to found a program which would exert that same power over countless other children facing life-threatening illnesses around the world. Her singular joy in watching her son receive his wish sparked the fire which would spread around the globe.

Around the world people are following that still quiet voice which inspires them to jump out of their comfort zone and into the arena of hunger and hurt, poverty and pain, illness and illiteracy. Folks like Roberto Perez, international leader of Alfalit-a literacy group that our family is involved with-who retired from his career as a social worker in order to advance the cause of literacy throughout Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries of the world; or of James and Carolyn Loftin, who felt the pull to meet the spiritual needs of the people of China, and founded the Follow One International organization, leaving family, friends and personal comfort behind. There are thousands of others. All felt tugs on their heartstrings to enlarge their circle of concern and stepped out onto the world stage of need.

Most visionaries have suffered inordinate personal suffering. Not witnessed it secondhand. Not read about it. Or heard about it. But experienced it. It seems to go with the territory. A rose isn’t beautiful without its thorns, after all. It is the suffering, really, which serves most often as the springboard for profound change and energetic movement to goodwill on a massive scale.

Pricked by cultural contradictions-as well as the current intersection of media attention and personal anxiety (ever watched even one episode of Desperate Housewives?)-the time is ripe for the launch of the Rocket Mom Society. In no way comparing it-or my vision-to some of the aforementioned luminaries, the need for an international sisterhood is both real and pervasive. Too many parenting seminars, newsletters and media interviews have found me responding to too many attendees with the deer-in-the-headlights-look too deeply etched onto their faces to understand just how real the need truly is. Young moms, especially, lack role models…not to mention a clearly-detailed instruction manual for each one of their kids. With their own moms living hundreds of miles away, few neighborhood moms showing them the ropes, and pop culture stealing commonly-held notions from the best-intentioned of us; this motherhood experience has left many of us feeling hopeless, hapless and helpless. It’s time to put back some good old-fashioned unapologetic optimism back into the parenting equation.

At the risk of sounding holier-than-thou or like the-know-it-all-you-love-to-hate, I will be launching the Rocket Mom Society on November 17. I welcome your support! As a potentially international sisterhood of like-minded moms, our goal will be to “encourage and equip moms for excellence.” Like others who have come before me with a vision, my heart has been pricked, and I need to move forward. Faced, too, with inordinate personal tragedy in my own life, it will serve as a springboard to helping others. Please email me if you live outside the Fairfield County, Connecticut (Westchester County, New York) area. If you live nearby, you are invited to the launch with a simple email for the asking.

The late arrival of this week’s newsletter into your inbox is a reminder that, when push comes to shove, my own kids and husband come first. A need on my own home front will always supersede a need anywhere else. But hopefully, I’ll be able to serve my own family well, while simultaneously enlarge the circle into which I feel especially drawn. I hope you consider becoming a card-carrying member, too. Details will be forthcoming and are also available by sending me an email. I will continue with my weekly newsletters, but I will also move full throttle developing countless hands-on strategies for those I feel called to help. It only takes a spark, and I hope that you’ll add to my fire.

Carolina Fernandez earned an M.B.A. and worked at IBM and as a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch before coming home to work as a wife and mother of four. She totally re-invented herself along the way. Strong convictions were born about the role of the arts in child development; homeschooling for ten years provided fertile soil for devising creative parenting strategies. These are played out in ROCKET MOM! 7 Strategies To Blast You Into Brilliance. It is available on Amazon.com, in bookstores everywhere, or by calling 888-476-2493. She writes extensively for a variety of parenting resources and teaches other moms via parenting classes and radio and TV interviews. Please visit http://www.rocketmom.com to subscribe to her free ezine and get a weekly shot of inspiration.

Unleash Your Creativity!

Creativity has often been the misunderstood child of the genius family. This misunderstanding has brought along with it a tainted picture of what creativity is, what function it serves, and where it comes from. The creative process remains one of the great mysteries of the human spirit. How do we create the things we do?

Many people have said that creativity is the process by which we connect spiritually, connect with people, and connect with the world. It is safe to say that through creativity, we connect with some energy, some force, some thing. And it is through this connecting process that we have the opportunity to use our creativity to effect change in our lives.

If we choose, we can become more aware of our creativity blocks. Through this process, we can become more creative, more connected, more trusting, more enthusiastic, and more focused on our success.

Here are the five steps to higher creativity as well as five related traps to watch out for. Being a creative individual with a passion for a new project can be exhilarating, and with these five steps and some awareness about who you are, you can climb to place you never thought possible.

Step 1: Completion

In other words, take out the trash! Our homes are filled with goodies, gadgets, and garbage that we don’t need. These items (typically bought for time saving) end up costing us precious space in our consciousness. By ridding ourselves of these items that we do not use, we can free up energy otherwise saved for these items. For example, imagine how much energy is tied up in the books we bought two years ago? If you’re not going to do it, get rid of it. A good rule of thumb is if you haven’t used it in a year, you don’t need it.

Creativity Trap #1: Tolerations A “Toleration” is something you have been “putting up with.” Most likely, it’s on your list of things to, and has been there for months or even years. Sometimes we don’t know something is a toleration because we have been putting up with it for so long and have gotten used to it. Like the pile of stuff on your desk that you don’t really see anymore even when you have to reach over it to get a paper clip. So make sure to take care of the squeaky hinge on the door, the junk drawer in the kitchen, and the dental appointment you meant to make nine months ago!

Step 2: Clarity

Create an clear intention of what it is you would like to create. Perhaps you are an artist with an established medium (painting, acting, writing), or perhaps you are a creative individual who would like to create a new project, a new relationships, or a new career. Whatever your heart’s desire, begin now by narrowing down the specific qualities or attributes of your creative endeavor. Remember, being specific is the key here. If we are to enroll the universe in supporting our new desire, we must make our “recipe” as specific as possible. Make a list of qualities, draw a picture, cut pictures out of magazines - do whatever you can to get as specific a picture as you can. Have I said that enough times yet? Well, here’s one more: Be specific!

Creativity Trap #2: Perfectionism Now this is a popular one! Creative individuals often find themselves narrowing down their vision and getting stuck in the fear of not being able to live up to their vision. “It has to be this way or it’s not going to work!” Keep in mind that all you are doing is coming up with what you want to create and not how you are going to create it. Keep the perfectionism gremlin at bay by understanding at a deep level that you are human and that you will do the best you can with what you have available to you. You don’t have to wait “until the exact right moment.” And besides, any mistake you make (whether large or small) will be a gift.

Step 3: Collaboration

The keyword here is ASK! Asking for support around your creative project can be an intimate and vulnerable experience. Sometimes we are afraid to ask for the time, space, and energy we need to put behind our new project. Other kinds of collaboration can include asking for help to clean out your garage in order to build your new studio, asking friends to come over for a dinner party because you in order to try some new recipes, or asking someone to read Chapter One of your new book. Putting together a support network can mean the difference between getting to the next phase or falling flat because you didn’t have enough support. You don’t have to do it alone!

Creativity Trap #3: Unhealthy Boundaries and Overcommitment. You know who they are. Those friends, family members, neighbors, or other people who drain your energy. In order to have the time, space, and energy you need for your project, learn how to say the word “NO.” Telling someone up front that you only have a specific amount of time to spend with them will be infinitely easier than sitting through another boring lunch with Uncle Herbie. That’s time that you could have spent on your new adventure.

Step 4: Confidence

The number one confidence and trust builder is keeping your agreements. When you keep your agreements (with others as well as yourself), increased confidence is a natural by-product. So take a look at the agreements you are making and whether or not you are keeping them. Take a look at your day planner or calendar. They’re full of agreements you have made. Being on time gives a wonderful feeling. But don’t take my word for it, try it out! Give yourself the test of being everywhere you have agreed to be five minutes early for a whole week and see if you don’t feel more confident. I guarantee it.

Creativity Trap #4: Resentment and Jealousy
Being in the acting trade, I have seen these two things at work quite often. Actor A gets the part and Actor B would like to flatten their tires. This is a natural and very human reaction, and it’s perfectly fine to have these feelings as long as they don’t stick around. If Actor B is still feeling that way three weeks from now, then there’s a problem. Jealousy and Resentment are huge “creativity constipators.” Have you ever tried to create something while feeling resentful? You can’t - it’s an instant roadblock.

Step 5: Connection

As I said in the introduction, creativity is a connection for everyone to some “thing,” and connection to others, to the world, and to ourselves can further this connection, provide inspiration, and expand the “joy of creation.” And if you have done these steps in order, by the time you get to this step, you will be able to feel that connection at a real heart level. There are five universal ways to connect to our heart: nature, children, music, animals, and art. These are places you can always find a heart connection. You may have your own personal way to connect to your heart (and thus, to your creativity). Find a time each day to connect at a heart level, receive joy and inspiration, and you’ll be creating in no time!

Creativity Trap #5: Distractions and Addictions
What’s your favorite distraction? For some it’s television, computer games, or talking on the phone. These are precious time and energy stealers that we use when we don’t want to face the blank page, canvas, or monologue. Addictions like alcohol, cigarettes, and eating also serve the same purpose to “cover” our feelings of inadequacy, imperfection, and general univentiveness. The good news is, I am not asking you to give up your television and solitaire computer game. All you have to do is keep a watchful and not give in to them every time. If you can keep the boundary of creating for yourself from the heart, your distractions and addictions will not hold the same power.

These five steps are designed to help you be more open to your own creativity and the inspiration that the world holds for you. If you work with these steps, you will be able to find a balance of creative synergy while avoiding some of the creativity traps and find yourself in a real heartfelt creative project that you love. Good luck!

Bernie Cardell makes things happen. He has experience in coaching all types of people including gifted and creative people, business owners, executives, teenagers, actors, board members, healthcare practitioners, and just about anyone you can think of. Through his experience in coaching, working for Insight Seminars Worldwide, The Love and Logic Institute, and The New Warrior Project, he has had the opportunity to coach hundreds of people through confusion to large and lasting change.

Bernie is also a successful stage actor and director.

For more information on Bernie and personal coaching, please visit his site My Creative Prosperity at http://www.mycreativeprosperity.com

Also check out Bernie’s great teleclasses to help you achieve your creative dreams- Gettng More of What You Want and Getting Creatively Unstuck find out more at: http://www.mycreativeprosperity.com/jumpstart.html

So you just loved that sweet little puppy that you found in the pet shop. It will keep you company, and give you kisses, and guard your valuables. But what do you need to care for the lovable little thing and ensure it is happy and healthy?

Basic Needs - All puppies will need a water bowl, a food bowl, and a place to sleep. Some pet owners get automatic feeders and water dispensers for the convenience. For sleeping, there are various sized doggie beds and crates. Many people crate train their dogs for sleeping and while the owner is away from home.

Play Time - Pets need exercise. You should walk your dog once a day if possible. You will need a collar, a leash, and some disposable plastic bags to take with you to clean up any unsightly messes. A good leash to use is the retractable type. Also included in play time are toys, toys, and more toys. A good game of fetch is a great way to get exercise.

Health - All new puppies need to be taken to a good vet. They need shots and heartworm medicine.

Training - A good way to train your dog is to get a good book on the subject. Also needed are small treats that you can keep in a pocket while training. Dogs live for treats!

A puppy can be a lot of fun and will give you a tons of love over time. So be sure to have on hand all the things you’ll need for your puppy to be happy healthy, and secure in its surroundings.

Copyright © 2005 Susan Daniel and Debbie Overstreet

About Susan and Debbie: Susan and Debbie are internet marketers. You can review more articles and Web sites on dogs and dog accessories by visiting http://www.adoggiesworld.com

Registering a domain name with malicious intent or in bad faith
is popularly called Cybersquatting in WWW. This is usually done
for monetary reasons whereby one books a domain similar to a
registered trademark or copyright of any known company and then
tries to sell it to the concerned company at an exorbitant
price. For example, if one registers a domain nike.net and then
attempts to sell it back to Nike, it is cybersquatting. It will
be in addition a violation of law if he/she puts up a website on
nike.net describing Nike products and services in bad taste. On
the other hand, if someone own a company trademark like Nike
Foods and host a food website on nike.net, there is no
cybersquatting or violation of law. So, it is the intention and
not just the name which amounts to cybersquatting.
Cybersquatting was made illegal by the passage of a federal law
in 1999 known as the Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection
Act. The law became necessary because numerous large companies
were forced to pay large sums to buy their domain names from
third parties. These companies included such notables as
Panasonic, Fry’s Electronics, Hertz and Avon.

Cybersquatting is quite common specially against the popular
brands but most of the time, the victim company doesn’t know
about it. How do you know if a company is a victim of
cybersquatting? Type in a name that is a trademark or copyright
like Sakshay preceded by “www” and following by “.com”, “.net”
or “.org”. If you get a valid web site which looks like it is
related in some way to the domain name, then there is no
cybersquatting in effect (although this could be a simple
trademark violation). However, if you get one of the following
results, then this could be a cybersquatter.

- Can’t find server

- under construction

- page with no relationship to domain name

Of course there could be a reasonable explanation for each of
these results, so they do not always mean there is
cybersquatting occurring. It’s a good idea to contact the domain
name owner before taking any legal action to find out what’s
going on.

Since there can be many reasons both in favor and against
cybersquatting in any specific case, how can one prove someone
is cybersquatting?

- The domain name registrants intention was to profit from your
domain name in bad faith

- Your trademark was in effect and widely known at the time the
domain name was registered

- The domain name is identical to your trademark

- And you have actually registered the trademark

How do you know there is a bad faith intent? Well, there is
probably no bad faith intent if one of the following is true:

- domain name is the same as the person’s name or nickname or
company providing services or products in different domain.

- They are actually selling or intend on selling something on
their web site - They have registered the domain prior to your
trademark registration and have been using the domain name for
some purpose or other.

- Does the web site owner actually have a legitimate use of the
domain name? This would be, for example, true for a company
named “Nike Foods”. They would have a legitimate reason for
owning the “Nike” domain name.

Some clues that cybersquatting is occurring include:

- The domain name owner has put up a web site which in some way
harms your company. For example, if you had somehow purchased
“TATA.ORG” and created a web site about how inferior are TATA
products, you are cybersquatting.

- If the domain name owner never legitimately used the domain
name and simply offered to sell it to you, he is cybersquatting.
If a person buys up a lot of names and has sold them over and
over, there is a pattern of cybersquatting.

- If the domain name is the same as a very famous trademark,
then it has a greater likelihood of being considered
cybersquatting.

What can happen if someone is found guilty of cybersquatting is
they can be ordered to hand over the domain name. In addition,
if the domain was purchased after 1999, they can be ordered to
pay monetary damages.

Copyright 2005 ABCD Publishing LLC

Remodeling a home can take many months from start to finish.
During the process you will need to decide what you want to
remodel, what you can afford, how to pay for it, and whether to
manage the project yourself or hire a general contractor. The
list of decisions goes on and on. Making these decisions is much
easier if you are organized, so as soon as you decide you may
want to remodel set up a filing system, following the outline
below.

Getting Organized An unbelievable number of decisions need to be
made during a remodeling process. For most people, this is a
daunting task. To make the job easier and to ensure your
percentage of good decisions is as high as possible, you need a
strategy to organize the information. You can use a three-ring
binder or an expandable file folder, whichever you prefer. You
can also buy a remodeling organizer which includes everything
you need. The newly released organizer at
www.remodelingorganizer.com will help most homeowners simplify
the remodeling process.

What ever organizer you choose make sure it is durable and easy
to carry because you will want to take it with you when you are
shopping for materials and whenever you are out, in case you
need to quickly contact someone that is working on your home.
Start with the following sections and customize the folder as
you go. While most of the organization system is optional,
keeping copies of all contracts, change orders, invoices,
receipts, and permits is a must. These will be invaluable if you
have disputes with your contractors and, when tax time comes
around, to calculate your investment in the remodel. Here are
the sections you can start with:

Ideas These are the photos, magazine articles, and notes on the
way you want the finished project to look. Have a section for
each room: bathroom, den, master bedroom, and so on.

Quotes Save the brochures and quotations from candidate
contractor and suppliers. You may also want to create summary
sheets of the quotes you have received for the same items so you
can quickly compare them.

Contact Information Each contractor will have a mailing address
and several phone numbers (cell, home, office, fax, pager) so
keep them handy and in one place. Since most of this information
will be on business cards, invest in a business card holder that
fits your binder or folder. Once you have signed a contract or a
purchase order, you need to keep a copy handy for your
reference. If you have questions about price, delivery, or
warranty, you can quickly review the document again. Change
orders are for changes that you and the contractor agree to make
during the project. Changes happen in all projects, so be
prepared for them and make sure that all the details of the
changes are in writing and signed by both you and the contractor.

Invoices and Receipts Keep records of all your expenses so you
can total them at the end of the project to see if you hit your
budget or not. You can also use this information later to
calculate your cost versus any gains you make on the price of
your home to determine your capital gains tax.

Permits Each permit-issuing authority has rules on how to make
the permit available to inspectors. Follow those rules, and
after the project is done, store your permit in the binder or
file.

Listing What You Want Now that you have a system to organize
your remodel project, start by creating a list of what you
want–a bigger bathroom, new kitchen cabinets, a fourth bedroom,
and so on. Once you have the list, group the items by room type.
Sort them as well by whether they involve remodeling an existing
space or creating a new space.

Once you have this list, try to get a few specific details.
Photos from design magazines, a sketch of the layout of the room
additions, and decisions on the type of materials, fixtures, and
cabinets you want will help you estimate the cost and time
required to complete the project.

Whether you call them unproductive patterns, limiting beliefs, or simply bad habits, for some reason, as a new year approaches, many of us resolve to make some changes. The resolve part is easy. How do we actually execute a successful change campaign?

A few times a year, a hypnotherapist colleague and I conduct self-hypnosis workshops. An integral component is goal-setting. The following recommendations are part of that.

1. Realistic & a Slight Stretch. Be reasonable in what you choose to change. You’re the one who has to implement this plan. Examine your motives for this change. Is it for yourself, or to please others? Make your target just a bit beyond what you think you are capable of.

2. Be Clear. As it says in the book, The Law of Attraction, make a list of what you don’t want as a step in creating your list of you do want. Form a WRITTEN affirmation that is positive. Avoid the use of negative words (don’t, won’t).

3. Be Specific & Flexible. Avoid comparative words (less, better, more). One of the main advantages of establishing goals is that they provide motivation and direction. If you fall short of your stated goal, don’t beat yourself up. Celebrate what you have achieved.

4. Paced & Measurable. One of the reasons many people don’t bother with setting goals is that the process to achieve them often seems daunting. This is easily overcome by chunking goals into smaller units. For instance, monthly or even weekly mini-goals can be more palatable.

5. Announce Your Goals. Find friends or colleagues who will support you in your objectives. Share your plans and timelines. Now, your reputation is on the line.

6. In Your Face. For the most part, the mind processes information visually. In addition to whatever words you use to describe your goals, begin cutting out representative pictures from magazines. Paste them on posters and put them all over your world. That means bedroom, bathroom, car, desk, and anywhere else you can think of. Information that is captured by your peripheral vision is not usually analyzed by the conscious mind. This means that as you walk by your posters, your peripheral vision will convey that data directly to your subconscious mind, thereby reinforcing your goals. In addition, even if you haven’t been trained in self-hypnosis, you can relax with soft music and visualize your goals. Make your visualizations as vivid as possible.

7. Changing Habits.Many people think that it takes 21 to 30 days to form a new habit. Actually you can establish a new habit in only 5 days. What takes up to 30 days is the release of the old habit. Once the new habit is formed, it competes with the old habit for dominance. Every time you exercise the new habit it gets stronger, and the old one becomes weaker. The reverse is also true.

Following these recommendations will improve the odds of succeeding in your resolutions for 2006.
Happy New Year.

International speaker, Dr. Brian E. Walsh, is the bestselling author of Unleashing Your Brilliance. For much of his 30-year corporate career he was involved in human resources, specifically training.

While living in the arctic, Brian studied anthropology and Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), which prepared him for working with other cultures. He was then transferred to China where he served as his company’s GM.

After his return to Canada, he elected early retirement to further his earlier interest in NLP and hypnotherapy. He returned to formal study, and within four years had achieved his Ph.D. His dissertation, which focused on accelerated learning techniques, inspired his passion and his book, “Unleashing Your Brilliance”. Information is available at http://www.UnleashingBook.com

Dr. Walsh regularly conducts workshops on accelerated learning. He is a master practitioner of NLP, an acupuncture detoxification specialist, an EFT practitioner, and a clinical hypnotherapist.

Subscribe to his monthly eZine, “Enriched Learning” at http://www.UnleashingBook.com