Home Improvement Contractor Is He Qualified

I am a general contractor in the state of Michigan. In other words I fix, build, or remodel anything pertaining to residential homes. The purpose of this article is to inform home owners about a growing problem in the construction/remodeling industry. That problem is the increasing numbers of unqualified individuals that are entering the field.

Due to the struggling economy and recent lay offs, many conversations around the kitchen table go something like this: What are we going to do now Jane? Well John, you helped my brother roof his house that one time and you fixed the door on our shed and you like working around the house...why dont you put an ad in the paper as a roofer or a carpenter? Hey Jane, thats a great idea. I can get business by offering a really low price. Yea, that's what Ill do!

Now I feel for a guy that is out of work. I really do. But when an unqualified individual decides "hey I'll be a contractor", all to often this results in nothing but trouble for the customer. What happens if John falls off the roof or drops his hammer on the hood of your brand new car? Is he insured?

What about warranties? If he says I will guarantee this roof wont leak for 5 years, and then it does, will he still be in business? Statistics say no. As a matter of fact, most of the people entering into business today will not be in business 1 year from now, much less 5 years from now.

Of course there is the most important question: does he know what hes doing? Does the fact that John helped his brother roof a house make him a qualified roofer?

There are insurance considerations as well. For example, lets say a home owner hires an individual that is not licensed to install a new furnace in his home. If the furnace starts a fire and burns the house down, some insurance companies will deny the claim. The reason is since there is no record of a permit(which there would not be as an unlicensed individual can not obtain a permit) they assume that the furnace could have been installed incorrectly. Now a home owner is left with a huge loss and all because they wanted to save a few bucks on the installation.

Do yourself a favor and stick with a pro. If you conduct a proper contractor interview, then you know that you are going to get a quality job by a licensed and insured individual who offers a warranty..and honors it. If you are not sure how to conduct a proper contractor interview, you can find information on this and other subjects at my web site.

My name is R. Paul Phillips. I am a co owner of Tanner-Phillips Properties, which is a new construction/remodeling business in Lansing, Mi. I have a free home improvement information website located at http://www.greater-lansing-home-improvement.com While my site is tailored for the Lansing area, the majority of the information is useful to anyone interested in home improvement tips, product reviews, how to screen contractors......etc. I also have a contact page so you can ask questions specific to your project.

5 Ways To Lower Your Homeowners Insurance In Santa Clarita

Santa Clarita homeowner's insurance has varying costs. These costs, or premiums, are dependent upon a number of things. These include the type of coverage you choose to carry, the amount of your deductible, and the kind of home you need to insure. Santa Clarita is located just north of Los Angeles, California, in an area prone to earthquakes and heavy rains at certain times of the year. Here are 5 tips for lowering your homeowner's insurance rates if you live in Santa Clarita.

1. When you are purchasing a home, look closely at the location, building materials and quality of construction of the home you want. Newer homes will cost less to insure for at least the first five to seven years. In an earthquake prone area, such as Santa Clarita, choose a home with wood frame construction. This type of construction will be more likely to withstand this kind of disaster.
2. Every year, look at your possessions. If you have expensive jewelry, furs, silver or fine art work, you are probably paying extra to insure them on a floater policy. You may no longer own these items or you may find that you do not need to insure them for as much as you currently have your homeowners policy set to cover.
3. Purchase your homeowners insurance and automobile insurance policies from the same company. This way you will receive a discount and, also, have only one company to deal with in case of a claim.
4. Maintain a strong credit record. Your insurance company most likely uses credit information to determine the price of your homeowners insurance policy. Check your credit record annually to be sure that the information stated is accurate.
5. Raise your deductible limit. The deductible is the amount that you must pay before your insurance pays when you have a claim. By raising this deductible to $500 or even $1000 on your homeowners insurance you may be able to save up to 25% on your policy.

By checking with your insurance agent you will be able to discuss your individual situation and circumstances to get the best possible rate. Remember that price is not everything; the service and reputation of your agent and insurance company will mean more to you when you have a loss or claim.

To find out more about how to lower your homeowner's insurance rates go to http://www.InsuranceSantaClarita.com

Is a Sauna Right for Your Home?

Stress is quickly becoming a part of today's fast-paced life. All the pressures you encountered at work, in school, and elsewhere, are better off released from your body. And total relaxation coming from a good sauna experience is what you really need.

But then again because of people's busy lifestyle, finding time to go to a sauna salon becomes harder each day. Well, if you can't go to the sauna, why not let the sauna come to you? There are a lot of modern home saunas a16B6vailable today that can be installed conveniently in one of the available rooms of your house.

The benefits of saunas are not only for the body's total relaxation. It has many health benefits as well. Regular sauna sessions are known to improve a person's cardiovascular health and immune system. A lot of skin disorders are treated by a sauna because it helps in flushing out toxic substances from the body through sweating.

But one of the notable benefits of sauna is in the area of weight loss. Several people can attest that sauna had helped them cut off inches and lose some pounds. Sauna works by melting body fats and turning them into sweat. Also, it is known to speed up one's metabolism, which is very important to ensure the normal function of all body processes.

Home sauna kits can be easy to install. And not much space is required. It can be placed somewhere in the bathroom, or even inside the bathroom closet. But if you have an extra room in the house, preferably adjacent the bathroom, you can join the two together for a real spa experience.

Modern home sauna kits are available in a ready-to-assemble package. For those who can afford it, custom-built sauna baths are the way to go. By custom building, you can specifically design the whole room, considering the space you have, and use the equipments of your choice.

The heat source is the most important element of a sauna. And you have different options. Wood fired heaters are the most popular choice among families who prefers a Finnish-style sauna room. Then there are electric heaters too, which can conveniently be plugged to a regular power outlet. Gas heaters are also used.

So if you need to enjoy a warm, relaxing treat anytime you feel like it, install a sauna right inside your homes. And you will be living healthily and calmly from then on.

Thomas Oak writes articles for http://www.hot-sauna.com/ if you are in the market for a new sauna stop and take a look at all of the latest advancements and information on new saunas and sauna kits for your home.

Is Life Keeping You From Getting Anywhere

Are you too busy with what you are doing to change or get ahead?

Are you so distracted with life that you have time to pay attention to what you want in life?

Can you even remember what you want any more?

The routine tasks of daily life can so easily use up all of your time that they become the main part of life.

When was the last time you spent time thinking or contemplating what you want in your life? For most it has been far too long.

Are you aware that your daily activities are your predominate habits? A habit is an automatic thought, routine or behavior. They become so ingrained in you life that you build interpretations, thinking, behavior, and defens5B4es around them, protecting the status quo.

Have you noticed how protective you can be about what you do and think, even if you are not really sure why. How you will defend anything even if it is really not in your best interest. You will actually personalize and protect your habits no matter how negative, debilitating and restrictive they become.

Sometimes, what habits prevent you from doing is far more damaging than the habit itself. Many habitual routines cause you no harm other than sapping your time and energy that could be utilized for your personal growth and development.

We have all heard of how effective use of our time leads to results. Well, there are always results in your life; everything you do has a result. Even when you think you are doing nothing, you are getting the results of the doing 'nothing'. And part of the result is, what you are not doing while doing the 'nothing'.

If you sit and watch TV instead of washing the dishes, the result is - the dishes are not washed, and of course you accomplished TV watching.

This goes on all day, with you getting appropriate results for all of your actions and apparent inaction.

The question becomes, how long are you going to continue to let what you do all day long prevent you from the life you desire? You can't continue to do everything you do now and expect different results. You must make some adjustments.

Change what you are doi5B4ng and what you are doing will change. Your results will change and so will your life. It takes effort on your part. Who said the life you want is easy? I'm not saying it is hard either, not any harder than what you are doing now.

The challenging part is in getting yourself to alter what you are now doing to allow for what you want. You have gradually built your life to what it is today, whether you did so intentionally or not.

You then need to make any adjustments that are needed to support what you want. It will take effort at first, as your ego mind will want to fight to preserve the status quo. It will take determination and self-discipline on your part at first to override the existing habits.

This can only take place when your inner drive is sufficient to back your efforts. Only when you become fed up with what you no longer want and you become deeply desirous of what you do want will you have the needed mental and emotional drive.

You will need to insert into your day, some things that support what you want. You need to be moving in the direction of your dreams, not just once in a while, but each day.

Take a look at what you want in your life - what activities would lead to them becoming reality for you? Put these into your daily schedule and help them become your habits. Even if small, they will begin to have an effect.

If you were in baseball and wanted to be batting over 300, don't yo5B4u think you should be doing a lot of batting practice? Of course, that's obvious right! Then why don't you do any practice for what you want?

You have allowed yourself to be consumed by your habits, you must change that in order to get what you want. And what you have in your life is directly related to how much time and attention you have given it. Give an appropriate percentage of your time with what you do want.

Spending all of your time doing things that are not part of what you want your life to be and then complaining about it changes nothing. All you are doing is accentuating your unhappiness.

Another key part of this is to know what you want unfiltered by the ego. There is a lot deep in your mind that is covered by the activity of the day. Schedule time in your day for contemplation of some sort, as well as the specific activities.

Meditation is good or any quiet undistracted dedicated thinking 20 to 30 minutes at least once a day. Contemplative thinking is something most of us do not do enough of, as we are so busy running around just doing what we are in the habit of doing.

It is so easy to allow ourselves to get in the rut of just wishing of something rather than taking steps towards making it happen.

And very important, you must stick with it, just doing something for a short term or once in a while will not effect change. What job, business or college degree can you be successfu496l in if you only do it once in a while?

If you want it to be a part of your life - make it a part of your life!

Change your efforts and your results will change.

John Halderman writes and speaks with intent on helping you get effective results with your personal growth. For self-improvement tools, tips and resources for living a satisfying life get the "Effective Personal Development Newsletter" and a bonus report http://www.activepersonaldevelopment.com

Colored Marble Tile Flooring For Your Bathroom

All throughout civilization, there has been no doubt of marble's eminence. One of the most popular places in the modern home for marble floor tiles is the bathroom.

Marble has retained its ranking as the supreme building material for vanities. A natural marble vanity or sink stands out as the one and only choice for many discriminating and aesthetically-inclined homeowners.

While marble has the characteristic of being etched and stained by water and chemicals, the use of modern sealants has significantly reduced this major risk.The stone that inspires poetry and has been used to create architectural wonders across the world is in fact a metamorphic rock, which was formed by the alteration of limestone or dolomite.

Marble is used for both interior & exterior flooring applications. Marble is available in many colors like milky white, red, black, mottled and banded, gray, pink and green. Some manufactures offer marble tiles in the form of gree1689n marble tiles, green marble slabs & green marble blocks

New Technologies Have Reintroduced Marble Tiles As Bathroom Vanities

A more recent advance in tile fabrication technology has enabled marble floor tiles to be within the reach of many homeowners. A sink could be a bowl of polished marble which sits atop a vanity. A tall faucet empties water into the vessel. It is a simple, yet supremely artistic way to decorate a bathroom that will make all your houseguests green with jealousy.

Marble tiles on the floor of a bathroom are almost a commonly seen necessity, if a homeowner's target is to create a luxurious bath. These tiles are available polished or honed. Honed tiles generally provide more traction. Polished tiles do provide a more elegant look, however they can be very slippery when wet, so bath mats need to be placed at strategic points in the bath or shower room.

Marble Could Also Be Used As A Shower Wall

Many professional interior decorators know the key to a luxuriously created bathroom is to utilize marble around the walls and the tub. Most Jacuzzi bath tubs and Roman tubs look far more elegant wrapped in stone. Marble is also a popular fixture in shower walls and in steam showers; again however, traction is a factor that need to be seriously taken into consideration.

Marble mosaic tiles are often used on shower floors, and the grout lines provide the necessary footing to prevent slipping.Hand-carved marble trim pieces are also good for use in framing bath mirrors, and a wide variety of marble accents will round off your ultimate dream bath.

Tumbled Marble Also Makes For A Rustic, Old-World Bathroom Feel

The current rise in the popularity of "tumbled marble" has seen an increased use in many homes. These rustic tiles look more like travertine, wherein they have a rough finish, and often have little pits full of crystal, as well as an an uneven edge which is usually rounded at the corners.

These varieties are available in many sizes and are good for backsplashes, showers, and flooring. The hand-carved look of these tiles helps provide an excellent method for counteracting the formal air which marble typically lends to a room.

http://tilenet.net - Tilenet Marble Tiles

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Reach Your Goals with Goal Pooling

Goal-pool with friends or acquaintances

Get together with a group of friends or co-workers and host a logistical brainstorming party where all the invitees lay out the goals theyd li5B4ke help with and make plans to meet them, with the help of the rest of the group. The result might look something like this:

Every Monday the whole crew gets together for a half-hour after work to help Barbara make fund-raising calls for her charity (and in exchange, everyone gets invited to the hoity-toity, networking-heaven Christmas party held to thank the donors and volunteers).

On Wednesdays, Bob hosts a scrap-booking dinner where he provides the food in exchange for mooching supplies, equipment and techniques from his more scrap-savvy cohorts.

On Sundays, June hosts a brunch where everybody eats high on the hog in exchange for honest feedback on her catering recipes and presentation/marketing ideas.

Continue goal-pooling until everyone involved has met their goals unless everyone decides to keep going and move on to the next batch of goals!

(c) Soni Pitts

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Soni Pitts is the Chief Visionary Butt-Kicker of SoniPitts.Com. She specializes in helping others reclaim "soul proprietorship" in their lives and to begin living the life their Creator always intended for them.

She is the author of the free e-book "50 Ways To Reach Your Goals" and ove33Er 100 self-help and inspirational articles, as well as other products and resources designed to facilitate this process of personal growth and spiritual development.

Self-Hypnosis Recordings to Gain Confidence

Self-hypnosis recordings are used to achieve many goals, especially those that are related to self improvement. As a technique to gain confidence, self-hypnosis has remained popular. But how effective are these recordings and how will they work to help people gain confidence?

Self-hypnosis Hypnosis is not considered nor accepted as a pure science, but it is widely practiced as an alternative form of treatment for a variety of psychiatric problems. It is also used to supplement the more traditional form of treatments such as medication and is often used as a way to manage pain, attain relaxation and yes, gain confidence. By using different techniques and when administered properly, self-hypnosis can become a valuable tool in personal growth.

Will self-hypnosis recordings help me gain confidence? Before you put your trust on self-hypnosis, first learn what the nature of this technique is. For one, self-hypnosis is mainly a tool to achieve a set goal. It is not an end in itself and whether or not it works will depend on different factors, all of which contribute to the success of a hypnosis therapy.

Second, self-hypnosis is notoriously dependent on its user. Certain individuals, for example, cannot be hypnotized not because they have some physiological anomaly in their person but because they do not have the tendency to believe or accept suggestions. That is not to say that people who use self-hypnosis are gullible. It's just that they are wired differently and are more willing to accept whatever it is that they so willingly volunteered themselves to do. So if you already prepared yourself to accept suggestions that you will gain confidence, then self-hypnosis will be of great use to you.

How are self-hypnosis recordings used to help people gain confidence? The goal of self-hypnosis is to allow you to attain contact with your own emotional life. Whatever behavior regression or pre-conceived notions you may have such as fear, phobias, anxiety and conflicts are brought out and eliminated or at least minimized, reducing their negative impact on your emotional life. The result, as all hypno-therapists hope, is a better and emotionally more stable you.

Self-hypnosis is a gradual process and beginners often undergo a series of basic techniques before moving forward to the more advanced techniques. Techniques also differ and whichever you use will depend on your own personal preference.

You will, though, encounter the techniques that are commonly used for self-confidence hypnosis sessions. One is the monotonous and repetitive use of verbal commands, another is the controlled breathing technique and still another is one that may use either or both music and imagery. Choose the technique that you are most comfortable in because that has more likelihood of working for you.

Can self-hypnosis recordings change my life for the better? While hypnosis has been practiced for thousands of years, its use is still clouded by plenty of misconception and misinterpretation. Do not cling to the hope that self-hypnosis will change your life. It won't. It's how you react to it and what you will do as a consequence of using it that will determine whether you will gain confidence or not. If you use if effectively, you can definitely benefit from the result of your sessions.

Is there any danger at all in using self-hypnosis recordings? Assuming that the self-hypnosis recordings you use are prepared by a qualified and trained professional, there should be little concern on your part. However, hypnosis has the ability to confuse, often allowing memory to combine with fantasy, producing a totally different and complicated version or persona altogether.

If you want to play it safe, go to a trained professional to ensure your safety and emotional well being. This is especially important if you're the kind of person who has more tendency to be accepting of suggestions. Otherwise, simply choose self-hypnosis recordings that are provided by professionals to help you gain the confidence you so richly deserve.

A caveat: self-hypnosis is not a cure-all and it will not solve all your problems. What it will do is to help you get in touch with yourself to find out how you can best solve a problem or react to a certain situation. As a way to gain confidence, self-hypnosis will only be effective if you yourself allow it to become.

For more complete information on self-hypnosis please go to: http://www.aperfectharmony.com http://www.a-1hypnosis.com/index.htm http://www.drnathaliefiset.com

Enjoy Your Bathroom by Using an Exhaust Fan

There are many different pieces of hardware that are required in order to make your bathroom function correctly. You need to install a toilet, sink, shower and bath tub. The most vital piece of equipment in everyone's bathroom is the extractor fan. Most people forget about the exhaust fan when remodeling their bathroom, however they really are very important. These fans help to circulate the air and remove any unwanted smells, they will also remove the steam from the bathroom before it has chance to condense on the mirrors. They also protect designer shower curtain from mold. Bathroom exhaust fans can also be used to drown out the world so you can relax in comfort.

Public Restrooms

Most public restrooms do not have any form of fan installed. Many large public restrooms have an odor spray which goes off every so often to remove unwanted smells from the room. Smaller restrooms may not have any form of smell control! It all depends on where you are going to the toilet. It also depends on the type of establishment that you are using, if they want you to feel more comfortable then they should have installed an exhaust fan.

Couple Bathrooms

It's very common for a married couple to have separate bathrooms from the rest of the house. When sharing a bathroom with your spouse you should certainly consider installing a bathroom exhaust fan.

Many couples have come up with the idea of installing two toilets in these shared bathrooms, however even if you do this you will still need a bathroom exhaust fan of some kind. Many men are not allowed to go to the toilet in the main bathroom because they are just too smelly! They may be forced to go in the powder room.

Most women spend twice as long in the bathroom as a man, and so it's important that it is perfect for them. Many people are investing in creating separate bathrooms so that the two don't bother each other. It is thought that by having separate bathrooms you can even save marriages! It's amazing how just one tiny thing can do so much and make all the difference in your life.

The copywriter Guy Morris is very excited about problems relating to shower drapes and where to buy fun shower curtains. You can learn about his articles on designer shower curtain and shower drapes at http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com

Make Custom Home-Building Process a Dream with Seven Steps

You probably know someone who has built a custom home. Chances are you heard their stories of construction delays and going over budget. These situations often result from a homeowner not being fully prepared prior to beginning the process. While the thought of the ultimate home with all of your desired features is intriguing, you dont have to let the actual process of building your dream home be overwhelming.

So, go ahead and come out from hiding and remember this wisdom from Anatole France who once said, To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

It is true with a dream home isnt it? It would not be called a dream home unless it was first a dream. But with all dreams, there is reality. And in the case of building a dream home, the reality is having a sound plan in place. Otherwise, you could be faced with a nightmare situation of delays and budget problems.

Follow these seven rules to get past the hurdles and start on the path to successfully build a custom, dream home:

1. Look at Needs vs. Wants: You typically will not get everything that you want in your dream home. Determine your needs first, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, an office, garage, kitchen, and family room. Then evaluate other features that you want in your home but are willing to forego if they cannot work into the overall plan.

2. Evaluate Costs: Look at the costs for the features you want, such as a pool, media room or a wine cellar. Then prioritize the rankings of your wants. Be prepared to nix some from the list.

3. Determine the Style: Deciding on the style of home you want is very crucial in determining the home you want to build, but keep in mind that the style can affect your budget as well as building and supply costs. Round turrets, multiple elevations and complex roof lines can be costly.

4. Look at C.C. & R.s: Make sure your homes style, elevations, exterior finishes, colors and square footage comply with the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC & Rs) for your neighborhood before you finalize your house plans and break ground on your project. Also, be sure to obtain architectural approval if required.

5. Set a Realistic Budget: Accurate budget planning is important to prevent any surprises when it comes time to start building your dream home. Obtain actual quotes with itemized costs and supplies from subcontractors to prepare a detailed budget.

6. Feel Comfortable in Decision-Making Process: Be prepared to make decisions. When building a custom home, you will be picking everything from lighting and plumbing fixtures to appliances and exterior veneer materials, so it is important to feel comfortable in the decision-making process. Do not labor or fret over your decisions. If you like it, go for it and do not second guess yourself after the fact.

7. Get Detailed House Plans: Obtain a set of stock plans or custom design them with a home designer or architect. Make sure the plans provide specific details about the size, specs and dimensions so that you are getting the exact house that you want. Also, be sure to have your plans engineered by a licensed structural engineer.

Rhyne Cannon is owner and President of UBuildIt Matthews, which removes the mystery of managing your own building project with expert construction guidance and a proven system that has worked for thousands of families to realize their dream home. For more information, call 704-849-0025 or visit http://www.ubuildit.com

Sound Proofing A Must For Quite Atmosphere

If you subsist in an earsplitting city or a strident environment, you may be engrossed in sound proofing your home or office. There are many different ways of sound proofing your home or office. One inexpensive method of sound proofing is in the course of the use of sound proof paint. If you would like more information about sound proof paint, make somebody's day read on. A pioneering sound proof paint you may be paying attention in is called acoustic-coat. This sound proofing paint was created from technology developed by NASA. It is latex and water based. It contains within it u114Dnoccupied ceramic micro spheres, resin, and sound absorbing fillers. The amalgamation of ingredients allows this sound proofing paint to reduce noise by 30 percent. We understand that soundproofing problems are limited by accessibility and budget, so we offer a variety of soundproofing solutions to cater for these needs. Our soundproofing product assortment is multitalented enough to be adapted to your accident and guarantee you obtain the solution you need.

Sound Proof A Necessity:

Every now and then it is necessary to keep sounds gathered together. For example, a sound proof room would be superlative for a television or audio recording studio, as well as for an in-home office or corporate building. Professional contractors of land Renovations can build technologically advanced rooms that will allow sounds to stay in or keep voices and external noise out. Don't let highways and transportation barriers interrupt the imperative work you need to accomplish. We understand deadlines and create solutions to ensure you can meet them. Trust in a company that specializes in business and home sound proofing solutions that ensure a quiet environment. Eradicate noise pollution evolving both outside and inside from entering a desired section of your residence. Minimizing transportation activity and indoor hubbub, a sound proof room may be the answer to serenity and stillness. Hide away from unwanted distractions and relish in a jiffy of silence gained. Its proud to construct sound proofing walls that maintain and savor much needed quiet moments. You won't hear a sneak a look!

A soundproofing panel, characterized in that it comprises: at least two substantially plane opposite plates forming there between a closed internal space and an aggregate which comprises at least stout bodies in contact and which completely fills said internal space said stout bodies being able to slip, on the one hand, with respect to one another and, on the other hand, with respect to said plates in such a way as to dissipate part of the vibratory energy circulating around said soundproofing panel

Sound Proofing Kills Noise:

Noise is conceded by vibrations, either through the air or through the structure of the building. Referring to 'sound proofing' is a bit of a misnomer, it would prove very difficult to full sound proof a floor/ceiling, the best that can be reasonably expect is to reduce noise intrusion to an good enough level. To diminish noise, the vibrations must be isolated from the area. With floors/ceilings there are two options; either segregate the structure above the floorboards or below, each has its own advantages and disadvantage. Noise is quite simply uninvited sound. It is irritating and harmful primarily because of its intensity. At increased greatness sound energy becomes noise and physical as well as psychological harm can occur in humans when exposed to noise for periods of time depending upon the intensity. Physical harm to human beings is easily recognized and measured. Psychological harm even though difficult to measure can result in concentrated worker efficiency both in quality and quantity of work produced. Peacemaker is a sound blocker - Reduces sound from transmitting through walls, floors and ceilings. Peacemakers superior resilience will not pack together over time, decreasing results.

You can also find more info on soundproof door can and home soundproof. Homesoundproofinghelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Sound Proofing.

Self-Liquidating Promotions - Or How to Use Solar Power to Help at Least 5 Parties Each Win

It isnt often I run into what we call in the biz, a self-liquidating promotion. By this, we mean that the promotion, activity or showing actually pays for itself. I found one recently when I met Ann and her husband, Tony Fierimonte, of Deerfield Beach, Florida; and their neat product, the Big Belly. The Big Belly is a unique garbage container that is a solar-powered, automatically-compacting receptacle that looks good, takes up a small footprint, and allows an advertiser to mount appropriate and tasteful ads on all four sides of the container. Ann and Tony have the exclusive rights to sell this invention in all of Florida and the Caribbean and non-exclusively elsewhere.

This is a terrific example of taking a major problem and turning it into a positive. Imagine how often you have to empty then haul aw13F9ay the trash in certain situations like: at restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, and other food or hospitality businesses, not to mention on busy downtown streets or along the beach? If they fill up fast, they have to be emptied sometimes four times a day. The 220 gallons of trash is compacted tightly (using up to 1,200 pounds of force) so it only has to be emptied once a day, instead of four.

Naturally this saves labor, fuel, truck and time costs. The garbage trucks (those which are rumored to get the least amount of miles per gallon on diesel fuel, 2.8 mpg) are now less expensive, since they are required for less frequent pickups. Consequently there is less carbon monoxide in the air, resulting in a greener environment. Moreover, since they use free solar power, there is no need to hook them up to the electric grid, dig trenches or string overhead wires to the unit. (However, because they are both attractive and popular, I would strongly suggest chaining them down, so they dont grow legs overnight). Classic marketing occurs when someone searches out a pain or a problem and comes up with a solution that solves the problem or alleviates the pain....at a profit.

This is exactly what the inventors of the Big Belly have done. This is all good; but for an ol greybeard marketer, here comes the very best part of this little green wonder: the darn thing can actually pay for itself! I called, Vince Barauskas, with Merrimac Leasing Corporation in Winchester, MA. He informed me that his firm provides new and used equipment leasing, whereby the buyer of the Big Belly unit has the option of placing advertising on the four sides of the unit. Usually, the income derived from the advertising pays for the monthly lease cost for the unit. After 36 months, you buy the unit for one dollar and its yours. So is the ongoing advertising revenue. Ann Fierimonte has herself a nifty little business here. One thing they have a lot of in Florida and the Caribbean is sunshine.

How would you react if I told you this little beauty also sucks up and stores the juice even when its covered by four inches of snow in Boston? Its true. It does just that, so these machines are capable of working anywhere in North America. Just imagine if a business wanted to generate some positive goodwill and awareness for itself in town. It could buy one or three of these units, donate them to the municipality or township, work together with the city government to charge local businesses to advertise on the units with the funds going to the local business owner who paid for and donated the unit(s) in the first place.

This is a marketing case where everyone wins: the city gets some lovely, cost-saving, green trash receptacles; the advertisers get a great, on-the-spot ad where and when they need it; the public are informed of other local businesses that want their business; the local business owner who donated the unit gets a tax write off (perhaps, Im not an accountant, but it sounds right); plus one of those four available ad panels to let the local passersby know that they were the local firm who donated this unique green contribution to the people of the town. Its not often you come across what we call a self-liquidating opportunity like this. Usually it just involves two parties who win. In this case, I count five different parties who benefit from this unique marketing joint venture: the town/city, the buyer of the units, the advertisers, the local community; plus the Fierimontes who marketed and sold these environmentally-friendly green bins in the first place. Whats it called when you have five parties all benefiting from a marketing promotion: a quintuple whammy?

Copyright, Roy MacNaughton, 2007

Roy MacNaughton is a niche marketer and business writer. Hes a seasoned marketer, with more than 30 years of international marketing and franchising experience, including nine years online. If you want to learn more abut the amazing Big Belly, go to: http://www.solarbins.com/cam Or learn more at Roys blog: http://www.UmarketingU.com

Self-esteem and Self-worth

These concepts derive from each other and can be interchanged. Self-worth refers to man's value, whereas his self-esteem is the expression of this value towards the external world.

What is a person's self-esteem?

Self-esteem is a form of spiritual state, a spiritual infrastructure, on which a person's spiritual forces develop. It is also an attribute, an urge and a unique creative energy, which may be either negative or positive. Positive energy ra5B4ises self-esteem, thereby encouraging positive development. Negative energy, in contrast, lowers self-esteem and in so doing, inhibits or arrests this positive development and encourages a negative one. It will be easier to better understand the meaning of self-esteem if we view it from our own perspective and from God's.

From our perspective, it is the level of self-esteem we perceive ourselves to have, by which we appreciate and present ourselves to the outside world, and by which we also act and react. This is also the level at which we appreciate the other. As this level tends to shift, it should be seen as subjective.

From God's perspective, this is a person's true self-esteem and its level is steady. This level follows from Gods declaration that man was created in His image. It is this level which the Divine attempts to persuade us to accept as proper and to act in accordance with. Our divine purpose, as well as His expectations for its realization and implementation, is also based on this level. This level is always higher, sometimes far higher than our subjective self-esteem. In other words: Our perceived self-worth is significantly lower than the true one.

Abraham Adar, the author of the book "Man and the realization of his purpose", which guides man to realize his purpose through decipheri381ng the Pentateuch's divine wisdom. Some material from the book as well as additional information is presented in his website.

http://www.adar-publishing.com

Things To Know About A Replacement Basement Window

While you are remodeling your basement make sure you got all the important stuff sorted out. One of which is the type of window to use. In the old days, windows in basements are made of metal or wooden frames. This has caused problems because they are prone to rust and rot. Therefore your windows get damaged sooner than expected. If you have this concern, then it's time to get a replacement.

If you want it quick, you can always opt hiring companies that specialize on replacement basement windows. But of course it's also important to know a bit about it before you buy. This article should guide you in what type you should use.

1. Frames made from Vinyl. Windows are the major source of good ventilation and proper air circulation in a closed and buried room such as a basement. Choose a replacement basement window that is made of vinyl. It's rust-free and will not rot from its damp environment. It is also modular so you won't have any trouble installing it.

2. Light. Since you are at it, your basement window must be energy efficient. This attributes to the amount of light that your window can allow to come in to your basement. Use the right frame size and glass thickness. Especially with daylight, the amount of heat could help balance your basement room temperature. Basements are prone to moisture because of its damp surroundings.

3. Function. Other than the things mentioned above, another use of window is for passing objects. Most often, it is difficult to have ladders, boards, or poles to pass through the basement entrance. Doors and stairs are narrow and the latter are steep too. A perfect replacement basement window must include other functions such as good ventilation and accessibility for long objects.

4. Aesthetic Appeal. Of course, this is a must. Windows contribute greatly to the interior motif and concept of your den. Beautiful basement windows must not only look good from the inside but from the outside as well. This can be planned out properly. There are so many innovative basement window types that are available in the market today. Some are designed with sliding panes. Others are double glass panels. Choose the one fit best to your basement's interior design. But don't forget to consider the above mentioned.

When you got all these things listed down and figured out, you're ready to go and look for a supplier. Take your time in choosing the right replacement basement window for you. Look for the one that you think is most reasonable. That means beauty, functionality, durability must be present.

There are so many beautiful window designs to choose from out there. Some may cost more but have really good quality. If you do find the type that is beautiful but expensive, the considerations mentioned above should help you decide which ones to buy.

Discover if a basement remodeling picture can assist you with your replacement basement window

Panic Attack Self Help To Overcome Anxiety

A panic attack embodies an abrupt rush of disconcerting physical symptoms, wedded to thoughts of impending ruin; this may create symptoms such as making a scene, having a heart attack, or not being able to breathe. While your first panic attack may have a distinct trigger, further episodes can be unpredictable in terms of time or space.

A true panic attack includes actual physical distress in the form of fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, a confused state, faintness or lack of concentration. Not all of these symptoms need be present to represent a panic attack. Once someone has had several panic attacks they may become fearful that this will overtake their life.

He or she may hesitaB1Bte to be alone, to venture far from home, or to be in public places. Even when not experiencing an anxiety attack, the person with these attacks often becomes increasingly nervous and apprehensive. He or she attempts to remain physically and psychologically tense in preparation for the next attack.

This Panic Attack Self Help Program will teach you self-help skills you can use to overcome panic attacks. You will learn how to handle your worries about symptoms and how to control the symptoms themselves. Then you will discover how to venture out into the situations that you once avoided.

Part of panic attack self help is to learn about different types of medications available. You need to find out how to work with your doctor and figure out and manage any possible physical causes that are increasing symptoms. If you sometimes think about things that are bothersome or unwanted, or feel as if rigidly following routines are the only way to cope with stress, you could be one of millions who have obsessive-compulsive disorder.

It may be as mild as doubting whether you turned off the iron before leaving the house, or it may be as severe and disabling as washing your hands for hours each day. But whatever its degree, it is upsetting, distressing, uncomfortable, and can disrupt your life or destroy your most important relationships. So learning panic attack self help becomes important. Self help book and anxiety control books can be of good help.

Panic attacks involve both physical and emotional symptoms, including sense of doom, heart attack, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, dizziness, and confusion. The first attack is usually triggered by something specific, but subsequent attacks can occur anytime. Episodes like this can leave a victim feeling helpless, alone, and always anxious. Fortunately, our Panic Attack Self Help Program is there to help. You will learn how to deal with your symptoms and eventually be able to conquer situations that once triggered attacks. Attacks can be decreased or overcome by thoroughly studying our self help book and anxiety will diminish over time.

Remodel Your Closet In One Day

Now that you have got a plan you are ready for action. Solicit some help from a few choice friends you can work well and have a good time. If you know anyone who is project oriented that can be a huge plus. These people know how to get things done. They are used to taking large projects and breaking them into smaller tasks that can be tackled efficiently.

Meet at the hardware or home store as soon as it opens. Usually this is a quieter time for stores. If you wait till mid morning, especially on a Saturday, it can be hectic and you won't be back with your materials till after lunch and may run out of time in the day to finish your project. Take your categorized shopping list and delegate part of it to each person. Stick to your list and don't get side tracked looking at other interesting things. You are there to pick up your closet materials, not to plan a future project. Designate a meeting time at the checkout. Double check the materials to for size and quantity. When organizing your materials at the worksite they should be out of the way, but each item should be easily accessible. Putting everything in one pile can be frustrating when trying to find a specific item. You should now be ready to for the first phase, demolition.

Demolition: Put on your gloves and safety glasses. Be judicious with your use of force. The idea is to deconstruct your closet so that the surrounding walls are left in the best condition possible. Swinging wildly with a sledgehammer is likely to put a hole in a door or send debris flying through the window. Have one person do the demolition and the others form a bucket brigade to pass the wreckage out of the house. Remove all nails and screws that might be sticking out of the wall and thoroughly clean the area before starting to build.

Layout: Referring to your plans detail the closet layout on the closet walls. Measure off the floor where each shelf will go and use your level to scribe a line across the wall. Do this for the entire plan before starting any rebuilding. Draw vertical lines at the edges of each cabinet. At this time you may be able to make limited adjustments with shelving heights if you are unhappy with the layout. Next use the stud finder to locate and mark the center of each stud wherever you have layout lines. Studs will typically be found every 16".

Construct: Start by installing any cabinets you have decided on. Transfer the stud layout to the cabinets and drill one hole towards the top of the box for each stud. While someone holds the cabinet on the layout lines screw it to the wall. Fasten adjacent cabinets together first with clamps then with shorter 1 " screws to avoid blowing through the other side. Shelving may be held up by angle brackets, wood cleats, or plastic hanger clips. Since there will be a lot of weight on shelves and closet poles make sure all fasteners are driven into studs. With brackets in place you can measure up and cut your shelving. Follow the carpenter's mantra, "measure twice, and cut once." Measure up the front and the back of shelves since walls may be out of square.

Spackle up any damaged walls or holes you may have created during construction and pickup some classy matching wooden hangers to finish the project off.

About the Author: Ron Maier is the President of Everything Hangers, a leading online provider of clothes hangers and wooden hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.everythinghangers.com.

Do You Have Trouble Asking for Help? - This is a Skill You Can Learn

Do you resist asking for help--until it's your last resort?

Join the crowd.

Our fierce independence is creating a culture of need--and unprecedented isolation.

Attendance at club meetings is down 58 percent, involvement in church activities has dropped as much as 50 percent, and simply having friends over to the house has decreased 45 percent. Meanwhile, one in four people say they have no one to confide in--and most everyone reports overwhelming levels of stress at home and on the job.

The good news?

You can learn to ask for help. But first, you've got to figure why you don't, why you should, and how you can.

Why we don't ask for help

Asking for help is so frightening that, even when faced with death, some of us will still not ask for that helping hand. To overcome this dread, you've got to debunk some common cultural myths--and face your fears:

Myth: Asking for help makes you look weak or needy.

Reality: There's no shame in turning to others in times of need. In fact, it's a sign of strength.

Myth: Asking for help signals incompetence--especially at work.

Reality: Se21DCeking help at work shows others that you want to do the job right--and to develop and learn.

Myth: Asking for help can harm relationships.

Reality: Healthy relationships are about give-and-take--not just give.

Myth: Asking for help puts others in an awkward position.

Reality: It's human nature to offer help when you see someone in need--and it's no different when others see you in need.

Myth: Asking for help might lead to rejection.

Reality: Even a "no" response offers the opportunity to learn more about yourself--and your relationships.

Myth: Asking for help means the job might not get done right.

Reality: Refusing to ask for fear of losing control maintains the status quo. Let go and give your helpmate a chance to shine.

Myth: Asking for help means you'll have to return the favor.

Reality: Help freely given comes with no strings attached--other than a simple and sincere thank-you.

Myth: Asking for help just isn't the American way.

Reality: Independence and self-sufficiency are admirable qualities that lead to success. Still, all great enterprises--including our nation--were built on mutual support and teamwork.

Why we should ask for help

Mastering the "Mayday" call can ease and enhance your life and career in a variety of ways. Asking for help:

Deepens connections

When someone answers your call for help, it strengthens the bond between you--or creates the potential for a new relationship.

Reduces stress and restores energy

Getting help can save you time and energy, simplify your life, and improve your work-life balance.

Reminds you that you're not alone

Everyone needs help at times. If you're the type who endures hardships with grim determination, you'll discover you don't have to go it alone.

Gives happiness to others

Don't you feel good when you help someone else? Letting others help you gives them that same opportunity.

Leads to personal growth

Taking risks, learning to trust, and finding out that others have got your back are just a few of the lessons you'll learn.

Allows the pleasure of surrender

Being out of control can actually feel great. Once asking for help gets a little easier, you'll relish the experience of letting go.

Reminds you that you're worthy of support

You deserve a hand as much as anyone else. When someone comes to your aid, it reinforces that message.

Lets others shine

Seeking help gives others the opportunity to reach out, contribute, and try something new.

Clarifies relationships

Mayday calls reveal the strengths and limitations of relationships--and provide important "aha" moments.

Solves problems

Don't overlook the original reason for the Mayday call: You're in trouble and need help--help that could potentially change, or even save, your life.

How we can ask for help

Too many of us would rather go it alone when help is right there--just for the asking. Here are ways to reach out with comfort and confidence:

Practice.

Building your Mayday muscles requires regular exercise. Challenge yourself to ask for help three times a day--every day.

Go easy on yourself.

Self-care is the new self-help. Be compassionate with yourself--and remember that you, too, are deserving of help.

Cast a wider net.

Expand your list of helpmates. Look beyond the obvious--family and friends, and co-workers--and add some new names to the list, starting with someone who's been in your shoes.

Plan the time--and place.

Talk to your potential helpmate as soon as possible. Pick a convenient time for him or her, and do it in person--and in private.

Be specific.

Articulate your needs. Clarify what you're looking for--from terms to timelines--though be careful not to micromanage.

Listen differently.

Be attentive to the subtle cues behind a general "yes" or "no" response. Is your potential helpmate willing--or reluctant?

Use the "three thanks" rule.

Don't flub the thanks. Express your gratitude three times--when the agreement is struck, when the need has been met, and when you next see your helpmate. Ask early, ask often

No one is immune from needing help, even in today's go-it-alone culture. So, take a risk and "make the ask"--early and often. It just may change your life!

Sincerely,

Kevin "K-Man" McNabb

Tried Network Marketing before and failed? It's not your fault. Let this rookie "unknown" marketer show you how he embarrassed the "gurus" by placing over 4,120 people in his downline in 14 short months, while pocketing over half-a-million dollars. Now he has honed his SYSTEM into an idiot-proof step-by-step can't fail, never-cold-call-again recruiting machine on steroids! He'll even PAY YOU to check it out.

http://www.global-networking-online.com/Recommends/GetNetMLMProfits.html

Kevin "K-Man" McNabb is the author of "The Responsible Network Marketer" series that can be found at:

http://global-networking-online.com/

Great Spiritual Movies

Mouthwash Dispensers - A Guide to Buying Mouthwash Dispensers

Bad breath is a condition that virtually affects anyone regardless of age and gender. To help get rid or prevent bad breath, make sure to gargle with a good mouthwash at least twice a day to eliminate bacteria that causes bad breath. The next step in finding a good brand of mouthwash is to fight mouth bacteria effectively. Store your good mouthwash in high quality mouthwash dispensers.

What it is

A mouthwash dispenser is used to store mouthwash more effectively than regular bottles can. It comes with a pump and tube opening where you can dispense mouthwash easily and more sanitarily. You can mount the dispenser on your bathroom wall or countertop for easy dispensing of mouthwash. This product usually comes in many types of materials, the most popular of which are porcelain and glass.

A porcelain dispenser is made from high quality porcelain and is more affordable. It also comes with a pump and nozzle for easy dispensing. You can place this in your kitchen or bathroom counter top. The other type of dispenser is the glass type, which is made from glass and more expensive than porcelain. The glass type is usually heavier, has less space for holding mouthwash

When looking for the best mouthwash dispensers, make sure to consider the storage capacity. If a lot of people will be using it (as in the case of a big family), then the bigger it is, the better. Also make sure that the dispenser has a stable base so that it does not slip and break on your countertop. You don't need to spend a lot on mouthwash dispensers of you know where to shop.

More information on Mouthwash Dispensers is available in Picky Guide, one of the fastest growing online magazines giving free consumer reviews and information.

Children Anger Management Tips

Kids with unmanaged anger can grow up to face big problems. That is why it is so important to help your child learn to process negative emotions in appropriate ways from an early age. You can help them by trying helpful children anger management tips. Even toddlers can learn a little bit about self-control, although tantrums to a certain extent are bound to occur. Here are some children anger management tips that may help your family enjoy a more peaceful home environment.

Young Children Anger Management Tips

If you have toddlers or even preschoolers, you know that they are still learning to control their tempers, especially in public. Many parents are looking for young children anger management tips, and will eagerly accept suggestions from their parents, educators, and community leaders. It is important to remain calm during tantrums and outbursts, but also to be firm and consistent in issuing discipline so your child will take you seriously. Young children anger management tips include timeouts and distracting little ones from disgruntled emotions when they threaten to burst into angry behavior.

Teen Children Anger Management Tips

When dealing with teen children anger management tips, you may have to substitute diplomacy and tact for discipline in this age group. Learn how to be a good listener, quietly asking your son or daughter about their day at school, friends, social activities, and concerns or problems. When you see that they are visibly upset about something, calmly explore that area by asking more focused questions or inviting discussion. In addition, you may want to talk about acceptable ways of expressing displeasure or irritation, such as avoiding certain situations, politely asking for substitutions, or suggesting alternative ways of doing something. Let your kids know in clear terms which behaviors will not be tolerated, such as the use of profanity, throwing things, slamming doors, or refusing to cooperate with housework or homework. You can post the rules on the refrigerator and even invite your teen to help write the guidelines, along with suggesting appropriate consequences for infractions.

Teen children anger management tips might include rewards for self-control and appropriate anger processing. Rewards could be extra time on the computer, telephone, or television or reduced household chores for that week. Kids need to see a balance between love coupled with forgiveness and discipline linked to consequences. Let your teens know you are on their side, but that as they mature, they must become responsible for managing emotions, including anger, in adult-like ways that are socially acceptable.

Raising kids is harder than ever these days. Questionable or negative role models, me-centered self-gratification, and dwindling social restrictions encourage children to express unrestrained emotions that can wreak havoc on families and society. If you feel that your children are starting to display signs of uncontrolled rage, visit websites like anger-management-information.com to learn more about anger management training generally, and for s55Epecific examples of children anger management tips. Then talk to your childs teacher or a social services worker for more information about getting your child the help that is needed for anger management.

Steve Hill offers some effective anger management tips for children. Learn how to live without anger in your or your familys life. Read more informative anger management articles and information at:

anger management teen/child resource

anger management info

Steve also has a website at: stuttering therapy.

Teen Spiritual Movies

How to Install Wall Tile

Wall tile is a feature that works for most rooms in the house. It's attractive, plus it protects the walls from dirt. Tile is much easier to clean than most other types of walls! Here are a few suggestions for how to install wall tile.

First, you need to prepare the w1C84all. To do this, first seal the walls with adhesive. Seal the walls first with a thin coat of adhesive. Be sure to strip away all loose will suffice.paint and wallpaper. If the wall has any kind of glossy sheen, be sure to get rid of it by sanding lightly. Finally, use spackle to patch noticeable cracks.

Next, decide what kind of pattern you want for the tile. Much like floor tile, there are a few alternatives. The two most common are the running bond and jack on jack pattern. Running bond just means a pattern with offset grout lines on the rows, whereas the "jack" format has the tiles set up much like the squares on a chess board.

As to how to install the wall tile itself: Begin by attaching a support strip at the bottom of your base horizontal line. This becomes your reference point. It will show you where the tiles should fall. It will also help support the tiles until the adhesive dries. Once this is accomplished, use the trowlel's notched side to spread the adhesive. Spread until you've got what looks like beaded ridges. Spread the adhesive in approximately 2 foot sections, increasing the coverage as you become more accustomed to the process. Remember not to cover your reference lines on the wall.

Find your support strip again. Using a twisting motion, gently push the first several tiles into place above the strip. Remember: twist, don't slide, as this will push the adhesive out of the way... which you don't want.

Between your tiles, you'll want to place plastic spacers in order to keep your lines from running crooked. These should stay in until right before you grout, when you can remove them. Keep going with this process, always being careful to keep the tiles lined with your reference lines. In the event of excess adhesive rising above the tiles, clean it out immediately.

Continue to lay your tile up and across to the edges where trimming is needed. Then you can take down the support strip and install the tiles that go under it. Do the same on the remaining walls. Finally, measure along the edges, cutting your tiles to fit. After you install the edges and then trim the excess, you will have accomplished your goal: successfully-tiled walls!

If you would like to learn more before you start your project so you are totally prepared. And know all of the ends and outs before you start. CLICK HERE to learn what you need to do.

10 Things to Consider When Remodeling Your Bathroom

There are many home improvement projects, but few can provide the benefits of a bathroom remodeling project. Remodeling the bathroom can be a great way to add real value to your home while increasing the enjoyment level of yourself and your family.

There are a number of things to consider before undertaking such a major project, however, such as:

1. Have a detailed inspection of your bathroom done before you start. It is a good idea to have a plumber inspect your current bathroom for leaks and other problems. Remodeling time is a good time to fix any leaks and update the fixtures.

2. Pay attention to energy efficiency. Chances are you will be able to save money in the long run by installing low flow toilets, water saving showerheads and other energy efficient fixtures.

3. Sketch out your proposed bathroom design. It is important to plan carefully for what you will do with the space. If you want a larger bathtub, or even a whirlpool, be sure to sketch it out and make sure you have enough space.

4. Pay attention to storage space. Storage space is at a premium in many modern bathrooms. You may be able to use your bathroom remodel to gain more cabinet and storage space.

5. Prepare a realistic budget for the project. No remodeling project can be succes8CDsful without a realistic budget. Take the time to draw up an honest budget, and try your best to stick to it.

6. Shop around carefully. The prices on the same fixtures can vary quite a bit between stores. Be sure to shop around for what you need in order to get the best price.

7. Find a reliable contractor. For most people, remodeling the bathroom is not a do it yourself project. It is important to find a contractor who has experience with plumbing and remodeling bathrooms.

8. Pay attention to color. A fresh coat of paint can make a huge difference when remodeling the bathroom, but many people fail to take this important and inexpensive step. Painting the bathroom with a fresh coat of paint can make a huge difference.

9. Stay organized. Proper organization is essential to a successful bathroom remodeling project. Use a calendar to keep track of important deadlines, and remain organized as you go forward.

10. Keep your eye on the ball. It is important to see the bathroom remodeling project as a whole project. Even though there are many small hurdles to tackle, it is important to see the project as a whole.

For more information on home improvement and bathroom remodeling, take a look at our comprehensive home improvement guide at http://www.get-home-improvement.com.

Brooke Sikula is a freelance writer based in Ventura, CA and maintains her own website at http://www.brookesikula.com. She is also a regular contributor to http://www.homesfix.com.

Reality-Building 201 - What 3 Actions Can You Take Now to Be Successful?

Have you ever seen someone who constantly struggles? Not just financially, but emotionally, and sometimes physically. Nothing ever goes right in their life. Just ask them; they'll tell you.

If you could look inside this person's head, you'd probably see a mess of self-doubt and vague wishes. They might not even realize that this is the life they created, but if you could go back 6 to 12 months in the past and look at their thoughts, you would see that's exactly what they've done.

As a network marketer, there are many actions you must take to create the reality you choose. Most of these are not easy, but if you can make them into habits, your success as a network marketer is almost guaranteed.

One such action is thinking for yourself. Thinking for yourself means asking questions. Doing things the way you always did means you'll get the same results you've always gotten. Asking questions can signify a departure from old ways that no longer serve their purpose.

Without questioning, you become a robot. You do things just because others tell you to do them. You endure because others say you should. You don't ask yourself, "Is the pain worth the prize?" You never find out if there's a better way to accomplish your goals.

Thinking for yourself also means to always place experience over authority. Nobody, regardless of what they say, can claim to be the ultimate network marketing authority. This is not to say you shouldn't listen to your upline. If you hand out 1,000 flyers, however, and get one call back, don't you think you could spend that time more productively?

When you think for yourself, you must understand people. Your upline might be from a generation where it was OK to approach people in a parking lot to present your business. Maybe they were even successful doing it that way. They're not trying to mislead you, just to teach you the business the way they learned.

Thinking for yourself is not, by any means, the easiest way to do things, but it is always the best. Anyone can follow the crowd and obtain mediocre results. Leaders constantly question their actions, asking themselves if there might be a better way to do things.

We can choose our own thoughts. Regardless of what happens to us on the outside, we control what goes on in our minds. We can choose to be a drone and follow what everyone else is doing, or we can use our minds to break away from the pack and achieve our goals.

As network marketers, we must keep in mind that we are where we are today because of our thoughts. If you find yourself lacking today, go back and examine what your thoughts were yesterday, last month, 6 months ago. Your reality always corresponds with your thoughts.

Because of this, it's vitally important to think constructively. Successful network marketers don't waste time or energy focusing on what might go wrong. They seldom mull over unpleasant encounters, or hold grudges. They constantly ask themselves, "How can I make things better than they are right now?"

If you really want to create you own reality, it's extremely important to know what that reality consists of. What does success mean to you? How will you know when you're there? To know your outcome is one of the most important aspects of creating the life you choose.

This needs to be more than just a vague dream. Just wishing for a big house or a bunch of free time is not enough. A big house to you might not be a big house to Michael Jackson, and people in prison have lots of free time.

This is where goals come into play. Notice I didn't say wishes. Goals imply something needs to be done to achieve an end. Effective goals are specific, never open-ended. You need to have a vivid picture in your mind of where you are going. Without that, how can you get there, and how would you know if you did?

You accomplish goals by working backwards. Say you want $500,000.00 a year in residual income. Breaking that down, ask yourself how much you would need to make in 1 year. What would you need to be doing during that year to achieve that? What would you need to do for the next 6 months? 1 month?

What would you need to do today, right now, to achieve that goal? If you can remember to keep the end in sight, your smaller goals will be easier to accomplish. Never forget why you're prospecting.

The thoughts you think lead you to the actions you take. The actions you take regularly become habits. If you can develop enough constructive habits, no force in the world can stop you from achieving your dreams.

Gregory McGuire is a successful network marketer living in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

"Stop wasting time on old school network marketing techniques--find out why 97% of mlmers never make any real money

Visit http://www.calling-my-own-shots.com/article01.html

Building Self Confidence and Self Esteem

As a hypnotherapist I specialise in helping people to develop confidence and self esteem.

Perhaps surprisingly, the people who ask for my help are not shrinking violets and their reasons for wanting to develop enhanced self confidence are not wholly selfish. Consider a few examples. The names have been changed.

John works for a large corporate. Diligent, startlingly intelligent and very ambitious, he found that his ideas were consistently overlooked. This wasnt enough of a catalyst to bring him to my door, however. He eventually grew frustrated, and then angry, that dominant individuals in his company were able to put their own ideas forward with ease. Worst of all, some of these ideas, he felt, were positively damaging, but he just couldnt make his opposition count. All his intelligence counted for little in his testosterone-fuelled working environment. It had reached the point where he felt that he should resign and start again with a fresh company; he simply didnt feel that he was adding any real value. A man of great integrity, John would rather leave than tacitly support such a wrong-headed and unintelligent approach to business.

John stayed. We worked together to identify his confidence profile, which was very unusual -- represented by less than 1% of the population. Through work on his stage presence and physical presence, we were able to significantly improve Johns effectiveness in being taken seriously, to the extent where he has recently broken through into senior management.

Jenny came to me because she was lonely. A brief marriage hadnt worked out, and she was finding serial dating to be a frustrating activity. Jenny had come to realise that she wasnt moving out of her comfort zone, either socially or at work. She feared becoming enclosed, locked into a safe routine which wouldnt threaten her, but wouldnt take her life forward either.

Jennys confidence profile was almost the inverse of Johns. Where he had masses of peer independence, Jenny had almost none, which meant that she was hugely dependent on the good opinion of others. She needed lots of reassurance, and had very little faith in her own ability or judgement.

The approach with Jenny was to strengthen her peer independence -- her ability to trust in her own judgement, independent of the views of others - and to build up her self esteem. She has now met somebody, changed her job and moved house -- all in the space of a year!

What these case studies illustrate is the complex nature of self confidence. It isnt like height or weight; you cant read off a single value which describes a person. Confidence is complex and to develop, we need to understand our confidence profile. I have subsequently made my confidence profile questionnaire available through the Confidence Club website http://www.confidenceclub.net

This has enabled me to build up an even larger database of confidence profiles, and allows people from all over the world to identify their particular areas for improvement.

Jim Sullivan is a hypnotherapist specialising in confidence and self esteem development. He works with individual clients, with companies looking to de-stress their staff and through his Confidence Club website. http://www.confidenceclub.net

Bathroom Sink Upgrade - Refinish The Fixtures

Does your bathroom need a facelift? Many people are uninspired by their dull boring bathrooms and want ideas on ways to spruce things up without having to break the budget. We have a good suggestion, what about refinishing your bathroom fixtures? It works with bathtubs, toilets and sinks. It's actually a fairly simple process.

In a nutshell, the refinishing process involves these steps:

1. Chemically clean and etch the fixture
2. Apply the finish
3. The finish is cured and then polished

There are two main types of finish you can choose. A polyeurethane enamel will last about 5 years but an epoxy can start changing color in only 6 months. If you choose the epoxy method be sure to check into any warranties. You can purchase the refinishing materials at any local hardware or home improvement store. They will come with instructions. Be sure to follow them carefully and wear protective gloves as some of the chemicals can be rather harsh.

Overall refinishing is a cost effective way to upgrade without having to replace a lot of things. It's also faster than replacing and causes the least disruption to your daily life. You don't need to remove any of the surrounding wall structures such as tile or wallpaper.

There are times when you shouldn't do this refinishing process. The biggest case is when the surrounding structures are damaged. If they're damaged in any way then you'd need to remove the entire fixture to assess the situation before proceeding.

Sometimes you may find that your newly beautified fixtures make your sink or tub look worse. This happens when the shiny fixtures now look new and your sink looks dirty, dingy and stained. You can take the next step to refinish the sink or completely replace it. Whichever option you choose, carefully research all the cost and materials involved as replacing is more expensive and time consuming.

For more information on the options available in the world of bathroom sink faucets we invite you to visit our website and conduct more research.

The Best Option for Above Ground Pool Decks

Once you have your above ground pool installed then the next task in line is to have some decking installed around it. You have the option of having the pool completely wrapped in decking or just having it partially wrapped, so there is room for a few chairs and for people to lay in the sun.

For many people the first thing that comes to mind when they think of decking is redwood. The fact is that redwood doesn't work well in alot of climates and is quite expensive. Secondly, if you have seen pictures in magazines of beautiful redwood decks you have to bear in mind that they were made from super pricey, premium, top grade redwood that is completely free of knot holes and color flaws.

For many people, one great option is to use premium grade Douglas Fir for their decking around their built in pool. Even less then premium grade will do if you want but the one huge benefit of this is substantial cost savings. It is more susceptible to decay then redwood but if it is treated and painted correctly it will easily last for a couple of decades.

Douglas Fir is the type of pine that is used for the framing of a building and it usually ends up covered up by siding and sheetrock on a house and isn't usually recommended for decking due to its vulnerability to warpage and decay.

However; if it is painted well with a high quality oil based primer that has a good dose of penetrating additive added to it and then given a good top coat of high grade exterior paint it will give years of service and because it is painted you can choose the color that matches your pool best.

Written by Chuck Tabla. Find the latest information on Above ground pool decks as well as Above ground pools

Does Yoga Benefit Plastic Surgery Patients

When it comes to yoga and plastic surgery, two very important issues come up. The first issue that comes to mind is that yoga is a direct competition as an alternative to plastic surgery especially when speaking about face lifts. Now, after having plastic surgery, these exercise routines would be able to play an important role into helping to maintain the work that you have had completed. The truth is, while many people speak of various facial exercises associated with yoga helping to tighten the skin, one has to remember that in general, the skin is aging and the exercises can only do so much.

Just like your skin, if you do not take care of it, it will gradually fail and begin to wrinkle just as before. Plastic surgery is like a second chance at590 getting a more youthful look, and just like any second chance, you need to do things differently to make sure it lasts. That is where the yoga can be most beneficial as it will help to maintain the completed surgery for a longer period of time than if you were to just let it look good and buy another procedure later.

So if the question is whether or not yoga will benefit plastic surgery patients, then your answer lies in the fact that yoga will help anyone regardless as to whether they are a plastic surgery patient or not. Yoga is a great way to improve your health and your muscles. It is a way for you to feel more alive and increase your energy by starting the day off right as well as finishing it. Yoga is a way of life.

Many people around the world have turned to yoga in order to help them with many things from cancer recover to reliving stress. It is about a way of simplifying your life by changing your outlook on it. At the same time you are adding energy to your day by ensuring you a waking up in the morning on the good side of the bed regardless as to which side you wake up on.

Dr. Jim Greene would like to provide you with CRITICAL information regarding:

Plastic surgery

316Surgery

Breast implants

The above links will provide you with MUST READ information if you are serious about surgery.

Secrets of Teaching Yoga

What you are about to read applies to teaching, in general. In fact, we are all teachers, to some degree. You teach your friends, co-workers, strangers and family members on a daily basis.

The example you set teaches someone in some way. Whether you are a positive role model, or not, people, and the world, react to you. Sorry to say, you have more responsibility than you thought possible.

Do you realize that when you hurt one person, it will set a chain of events into motion? Even worse is that, most violent acts were stimulated by smaller, seemingly unimportant events.

When you talk to your students, always show mutual respect. Dont take advantage of your position as a Yoga teacher to temporarily feed your ego.

The first thing a Yoga teacher should instill, in his or her students, is self-motivation. The serious Yoga student must be a self starter. This is a person who practices Yoga at home, as well as in class. They dont depend on their friends to come to class, and they show up like clockwork.

How can you make your Yoga students become self motivators?

You must show up to class early, enthused, and energized. Encourage all of your students and sincerely praise their achievements. The truth is, Yoga is like music, you can teach a student the basics, but to be a master teacher, you want to stir the creativity from within.

When your students become creators, you can help them refine their Yoga practice and watch them become self motivators.

A truly great teacher will produce teachers, who surpass him or her; and isnt passing the torch what its all about?

My first taste of Yoga was over 40 years ago, at the age of 7, in a martial arts school setting. I have continued to study martial arts until this day and I have four teaching certificates in four different martial arts. Now I teach both Martial Arts and Yoga. I began to seriously practice Yoga (under Laura Foster) over twenty years ago due to martial arts competition related injuries. Laura was a skilled & knowledgeable teacher of Restorative Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Laya Yoga. After training with her for 3 years, she certified me as a teacher in 1987. I became certified as a Master Teacher (Guru) on September 15, 1995, after teaching over 5,000 hours under her wing. Shortly afterward, Laura retired at age 90.

Since that time, I started organizing Yoga Teacher Training camps. As time went on, we began getting requests from everywhere in the U.S. and Canada for a comprehensive Yoga Teacher Training correspondence course. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Only Cartoon Woodpeckers Are Funny!

To me, the only thing funny about woodpeckers is watching them in cartoons. When woodpeckers choose our homes as drilling sites, all humor is lost to noise and nuisance. They drill for a variety of reasons: to attract mates, to forage insects, or to create storage and nests. Generally, they drill on homes made of wood or with wood siding, especially of redwood or cedar. Typically, holes in homes or buildings are caused by only one or two woodpeckers. Once a woodpecker claims your home as its territory, getting rid of it can be very difficult. While we may find their behavior a nuisance, woodpeckers make many beneficial contributions to nature. Since woodpeckers are non-game birds protected by law, keep in mind that your goal is to move them, not destroy them.

First on your to-do list should be to have your house checked for pests (ex. termites, hornets and bees), which attract woodpeckers. Woodpeckers also eat fruits, berries and nuts. If you have a fruit bearing tree in your yard, make sure it is trimmed away from the house. In the past, I have tried banging on the inside of the wall opposite where the woodpeckers drill without much luck. Here are some other ideas that may help get them to stop:

-place strips of reflective tape or aluminum foil on the guttering
-scare the woodpeckers by hanging a colorful wind sock, scare eye balloon, or aluminum pie pans near the area they are drilling
-purchase a model owl or hawk and place near the area of concern
-hang plastic, metal or nylon mesh sheets over the drilling area
-use a squirt gun or water hose to spray the woodpeckers with water
-attach metal or plastic sheeting over the drilling site
-nail or staple chicken wire or wire mesh over pecked areas
-frighten the woodpeckers away with a toy cap gun
-camouflage metal, plastic or nylon deterrents that youve place by painting them the same color as your house

Most damage from woodpeckers is too extensive to repair with just a patch. Many times, homeowners neglect repairing woodpeckers damage and another creature takes up residence in holes drilled by the woodpecker. Replacing the damaged portions is really the only way to prevent wood rot, deterioration and infestation.

Its important to note that there are over 200 species of woodpeckers in North America, and all are protected by federal law. Shooting or harming them is forbidden, and trapping is discouraged and usually not successful. Try outsmarting your woodpecker, and youll be the one doing all the laughing!

Steam Shower

Showers are considered to be extremely essential features of modern human life and are the commonest devices used by individuals in order to cleanse their body as well as to ensure the prevention against any form of disease or infections. There are various kinds of showers that are used in households for regular usage and there are certain kinds of showers which are used popularly in spas and these are believed to have therapeutic effects on the body and aid in relaxation. Steam baths or sauna baths have been very prevalent practices since early times and steam showers are also quite a popular form of bathing.

Steam shower rooms where the means by which one could experience the effects of steam showers as this shower is usually practiced amidst enclosed spaces. In order to understand the reason behind this, it is necessary for one to have an idea regarding the usage mechanism of steam showers. Steam showers function with the help of steam generators which help in the production of water vapor by the process of humidification. Therefore, if steam showers are set up in bathrooms it is essential to make sure that it is placed in an enclosed area so that the water vapor thus produced does not get the opportunity to escape out in the open. In such cases, the effect of the steam shower will be reduced greatly. Moreover, in such cases, it is also possible that the wallpapers or paints adhering to bathroom wall may be damaged as a result of this excess steam production.

In most cases it is noticed that these steam showers are available in the form of stand-alone showers and here the shower units are located in three different regions, above the head, on the backside or behind the posterior part of the body. Most of the health spas and gymnasiums provide these features and contain separate steam shower enclosures. However, in recent times, it has been noticed that steam shower set ups have become common features in bathrooms as well and the reason behind this is that at present the various technological innovations have greatly lowered its installation and maintenance costs. Moreover, to ensure rapid sale and to increase popularity steam showers are often accompanied by various other features like telephones, CD players or MP3 players, radios and television systems and aromatherapy. Such features have immensely popularized the usage of this product.

To get the best cleansing experience, you must purchase only the best bath and body products, without chemicals which can dry out your skin, make you look older, or even cause cancer!

Take Back Your Self Empowerment

Have you gone through periods of your life when you felt helpless and hopeless about your circumstances and destiny? I believe we all have.

Many of us have experienced the tragedy of physical or emotional abuse, broken relationships or the death of loved ones. The first thing we want to do is blame others or outside influences for our state of mind, financial stresses, relationshiB68p stresses or just life.

It's so easy to blame the abusive person or the person who broke our hearts for destroying our ability to love or trust again. You're placing on others the responsibility of your life, your emotions, your self worth, and happiness. However, blame is the easy way out and is a very disempowering emotion.

When we are thinking of making changes in our lives, we have a tendency to look externally. We think if we change our outsides, then we will be happy. We are waiting for the circumstances to change before we can be happy. However, true happiness comes from inside out; taking control of our own lives, being responsible for our own emotions, making the right choices for us.

The simple choice of taking responsibility for your self and life is the first step towards picking up the pieces of your life and starting over. When you focus your attention on making positive changes in your life, the constraints of the past are removed and you can be, do or have anything you desire. The power of deliberate positive thoughts will literally change your reality.

True empowerment is not just about taking control, fighting injustices or passing new laws that we think society needs to change the world. Empowerment starts within us first. It begins with our willingness and acceptance to be responsible for what is happening in our own lives.

I'm sure at some point in our life; we are all face with challenges and adversity. Some of us want to point the finger at others or outside situations, while others own their responsibility, making necessary changes to grow and learn from those challenges and get on with our lives. The sooner we realize this lesson, the sooner we will find life happier and with less stress. The way we handle our pain and these challenges and let it transform us makes the difference between winning and losing life's battles. The realization of this and the appropriate action makes you the true master of your own destiny. Isn't this what we all desire?

So I say to those who are still playing the blame game, it is time to take back your own empowerment and start living the life you so richly deserve. A life of choice and freedom.

About the Author: Sheri Falcone is a novice author, student of personal growth, and entrepreneur who enjoys helping others become truly empowered and achieve their dreams. She has turned her passion into a lucrative personal development, home business, http://www.setnolimits.info This business system provides all the tools you will need to create greater prosperity and joy in your life. Her enthusiasm is contagious and she believes laughter and appreciation are our emotional healers.

Tips For Care and Maintenance of Contemporary Bathroom Furniture

Easy to Follow Instructions

• To remove dust and dirt, use a clean, soft, lint-free cotton cloth, warm water and a mild detergent or soap and wipe down all interior and exterior surfaces.
• Immediately after washing, dry all surfaces with another clean, lint-free cotton cloth.
• Avoid using a dish rag or sponge that previously was used with harsh detergents.
• Wipe up spills, splatters and water spots as they occur, keeping cabinets and countertop surfaces dry.
• Do not use aerosol sprays containing silicones or paste waxes.
• Avoid ammonia based cleaners and soaps with dye.
• Give special attention to areas near the sink and dishwasher that come in contact with moisture. Make sure that water and detergents do not dry on the cabinet surface.
• Use cleaners and polishes designed for wood cabinetry/furniture and clean all surfaces as needed.

Glass and MirrorFA8 Inserts

• Use a household glass cleaner with a soft, clean cloth.
• Apply the glass cleaner directly to a cloth rather than the glass or mirror to avoid excess liquid running into cabinet joints.

Temperatures & Humidity

All wood, whether finished or not absorbs whatever is in its surroundings. Dryness will shrink the wood and cause it to split from lack of moisture. On the other hand, too much moisture can swell the wood and cause it to crack and split. General Rule: If the temperature and humidity in your home is comfortable for you, then your wood cabinetry/furniture should be fine. Avoid placing wood pieces in front of heating or air conditioning vents. The temperatures that come from the vents are too extreme.

Stone Vessels

One of the most frequent questions asked by many customers is "how do I take care of these sinks?" The answer will depend somewhat on the particular stone and the degree of polishing applied to the surface. For example, limestone is more porous than granite, and a highly polished surface is less porous than a honed surface.

Due to the porous nature of stone, there are certain substances that can stain your sink if not properly protected. The longer a stain remains, the deeper it penetrates and becomes more permanent; therefore, it is important to remove a stain as soon as it occurs. We recommend that you wipe up spills immediately and do not allow surface deposits of water bi-products such as calcium, salt, lime or detergents to build up on your stone sink.

To clean your sink, use a soft cloth, sponge or soapy nylon brush. Be sure to rinse the sink well after cleaning and dry. Cleaning on a regular basis will help prevent the development of hard water deposits. If you develop persistent stains, try a non-abrasive cleaner such as dishwasher soap, Soft Scrub or a professional stone cleaner solution which can be purchased from a local hardware or tile store. DO NOT use any acidic tub and tile cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, ammonia, abrasive or soft paste cleaners, vinegar, alcohol, window cleaners or lemon juice. In addition DO NOT use abrasive cleaning pads such as steel wool, metal brushes or scouring powders.

Most of the stone sinks we sell are not sealed due to varied customer requirements. However, we do recommend sealing your sink to protect it against staining and water absorption. There are two ways to seal your sink; wax or one of the many stone sealing products available in the marketplace. The type of stone sealer you use depends on the type of stone, but most tile or hardware stores carry a variety of stone sealing products to choose from. Stone sealers should typically be applied once a year. If you prefer to wax your sink, you will want to do this at least once a month.

For more information, please check our website http://www.art-bathe.com

Harris Sukhera ~ Managing Director
Johnson & Phillips Canada Ltd.
Canadian Sales & Inquiries:
Office: 905.475.7555
info@art-bathe.com
US OFFICE:
E-mail: info@ikouinc.com
Phone: 1-800-717-0901
http://www.art-bathe.com