Without Search Engine Optimisation Your Website Could Be Lost
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SO WHAT IS SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMISATION (SEO)?
To understand Search Engine Optimisation you must first consider how people actually look for - and eventually find - products and services on the web.
Research shows that more than 80 per cent of the world’s 290 million internet users (10 million of them in Australia) use search engines to find what they’re after.
There are many search engines available to consumers - the better known include Google and Yahoo! - but in general they all work the same way. Typically a person will enter a keyword or phrase into the search engine and immediately receive a list of recommended web pages.
Internet users are impatient, which means they seldom scan though more than a page or two of search results, and generally only access sites listed at the top of the page. If you want to be seen, your site must not only appear on a list of search results, it must rank towards the very top.
Open a search engine and type in a word or phrase someone searching for your company might use - if you fail to appear in a prominent position, chances are your site has not been search engine optimised. Without optimisation, your site is about as effective as an advertisement floating in the middle of the ocean.
HOW DO SEARCH ENGINES RANK INTERNET SITES?
Search engines regularly dispatch ’spiders’ or ‘robots’ (aka bots) to collect information on websites. Using an algorithm - a set of complex formulas or rules - the search engine evaluates each website’s relevance and then ranks it accordingly.
These algorithms are unique to each search engine, they are highly secret and they change all the time. But in general they all obey a basic set of rules. That means it is possible improve your chances of a better ranking by ensuring your website has the most appropriate content, and that the content is structured in a search engine-friendly way - this process is known as Search Engine Optimisation.
Search Engine Optimisation is not an exact science. It requires trial and error, and there is never a guarantee of success. But without Search Engine Optimisation your website is almost guaranteed of not being seen.
Of course there are other ways of reaching potential clients. You could, for example, spend money to advertise on a search engine, and only have your advertisement appear when people search for particular keywords. That is valid way to increase your chances of reaching customers. But studies have shown people using the internet tend to trust and visit the free listings more than paid listings.
HOW DO YOU GET STARTED ON SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMISATION?
First you need to find out if your site is actually being indexed by a search engine.
Open a search engine and type your company name in the search box. If you appear in the results it means that spiders or robots have located your site. They will place the site into a memory bank, and visit it from time to time to update their information.
If your site it not listed you could consider submitting your site to search engines. This will not guarantee that they will list you, but it won’t hurt to try. A word of advice - do not submit your site multiple times as this will only annoy the search engine people, and you need to be on their good side.
Some search engines will not accept submissions - they prefer to find your site themselves. And some simply draw their information from other search engines (a disclaimer should alert you to this practice), which makes it pointless submitting your site to them.
Once you are confident your site is being indexed, you need to identify keywords - these are the terms a potential visitor might enter into a search engine when looking for your product, service or company.
Finding the right keywords is a pivotal component of Search Engine Optimisation. There are applications that allow you to test each word by showing how popular it is and how often it is used - the result might surprise you.
A good way to find keywords is to visit a competitor’s website and see what it has listed. To do this, open their site and click on ‘view source’ - a heap of what looks like gibberish will come up, but find a line which says ‘
Gerald Chait is GM, Sales & Marketing of Software Design Group (SDG): Website Development, Design, Search Engine Optimisation, Network Support, Outsourcing Solutions, Help Desk Support, Application Development, Hardware & Software Sales. Gerald.chait@sdgtechnology.com.au or http://www.sdgtechnology.com.au.
Just What Is Commercial Foreclosure Law?
Sunday, June 29th, 2008The cast of characters. Everyone knows what a bank is. Most of us understand what a lender is - an institution from whom money is borrowed. Adding the word “commercial” to describe a lender simply means that the financial entity deals with businesses as opposed to individuals. Black’s Law Dictionary defines “commercial loans” as: “loans made to businesses as distinguished from personal-consumer credit loans.” Although a lender could make both commercial and consumer loans, this blog is dedicated primarily to commercial matters.
The field of law. To me, commercial foreclosure law refers to the rules and procedures applicable when a business defaults on a loan secured by some kind of collateral. So, if you work for an institution that loaned money to a business, and if the borrower defaulted under the terms of the loan agreement, then commercial foreclosure law provides the judicial framework for the protection of your rights. Typically, those rights involve the ability to collect money owed by the borrower through the sale of the loan collateral.
Collateral. Black’s states that collateral is property pledged as security for the satisfaction of a debt. If a business defaults on a loan, the lender can initiate a foreclosure action to compel the sale of the loan collateral and therefore collect the amounts owed by the borrower through proceeds from the sale. There are all kinds of business-related collateral. Perhaps the most recognizable is real estate - the land a business owns. Some of the most interesting cases, however, deal with personal property collateral, which can be any property imaginable that is owned by a business - a fleet of cars, office furniture or intangibles such as accounts receivable.
Lien. A lien is a description of an encumbrance on property: “a claim . . . on property for payment of some debt.” Black’s. In the context of my blog, a lien arises by written contract between a lender and a borrower - either a real estate mortgage agreement or a personal property security agreement. The lien granted by a borrower to a lender gives a lender the right to foreclose upon the subject property (collateral) for payment of the debt in the event of a default.
Commercial foreclosure. Turning again to Black’s, a foreclosure is defined, in part, as the “enforcement of a lien . . . or mortgage . . ..” Paraphrasing Black’s, foreclosure is the legal process by which real or personal property subject to a lien is sold in satisfaction of a debt. To foreclose means to terminate a borrower’s rights in the subject property. A foreclosure that is commercial merely refers to the termination of a business borrower’s rights in its property.
A form of collection. Commercial foreclosure law is a special kind of collection law. It’s a body of rules governing how banks and financial institutions recover money by asserting rights in, and selling, collateral that a business granted to secure the loan. It’s the set of legal principles applicable to a lender needing to collect money owed by a business, which failed to make its loan payments or otherwise defaulted under the terms of the loan documents. If any of these matters are relevant to what you do for a living, I welcome your visits to my blog and hope that you will e-mail me with your questions or comments.
John D. Waller is a partner at the Indianapolis law firm of Wooden & McLaughlin LLP (http://www.woodmclaw.com). He publishes the blog Indiana Commercial Foreclosure Law at http://commercialforeclosureblog.typepad.com. John’s phone number is 317-639-6151, and his e-mail address is jwaller@woodmclaw.com.
The Dangers Of Highly Leveraged Trading In Forex
Sunday, June 29th, 2008If you are a forex trader considering one of these ‘400-1 leverage’ offers, you should first know:
1. The rules of the game you are about to play.
2. About leverage in Forex and how it works, not for you, but for the broker.
Here is how it works:
Leverage can be beneficial but it can be your worst enemy. 400-1 means that US$1000 can control a $400,000 position say against the Yen. This is great but it also means that even a small move against your position can wipe your account clean. This is obviously very bad news for you but great news for the broker!
Why Is It Great News For Them?
Well, the first thing that traders must realise is that Forex firms make their own markets - they make the bid-offer price to clients. They use the assumption that as most highly leveraged speculators lose then it’s good business to take the opposite position to them.
This is done automatically, so when a client buys Dollars against the Yen, the broker sells short the Dollar. When the client covers the position (either for a profit or loss) the broker is taken out also. If the client wins the broker loses and vice-versa. This is how the leverage game is played.
So, who do you think usually wins in this game? No, not you. It’s the broker. It’s a statistics game and the statistics say highly leveraged speculators lose.
Ok then. If the brokers stand to gain when a client loses, what is the best way to make sure that the clients lose Bigtime?
Easy, let them trade huge positions on a limited amount of capital so that the odds even for the best and most talented traders are pretty much - ZERO.
Why do you think that the ads of ‘400-1 leverage’ are splashed all over the brokers websites? They are selling you the supposed ‘benefit’ when in turn, the reality is that the only ‘benefit’ is to them.
Conclusion:
If you want to play the leverage game in forex, understand how the game works. The game basically works this way: The broker is the shark. The retail trader is shark food. If you are serious in your quest to make money currency trading - educate yourself on the risks involved.
Jovan Vucetic is the Editor of http://www.margin-strategies.info. Margin Strategies provides http://www.margin-strategies.info/free-forex-lesson.html to traders as well as Unbiased Reviews of Trading Systems, Brokers and Forex Courses.
Jump Start Your Career In Real Estate
Saturday, June 28th, 2008Have you ever stayed up late at night hoping to catch the infomercials on how to make it rich in real estate? No money down! Or spent endless hours reading this how to or that real estate success story book, maybe even gone to a boot camp or two? … None of which have helped…
I once read that if you read 7 books on a subject, that doing so, will make you an expert. I am not so sure it will but it does add a considerable amount of confidence to you as you prepare to introduce yourself to your new world.
What I find fascinating is that they all have a slight twist on the same goal.. The goal of buying real estate below market value, for as little money invested as possible, then selling for a profit. The American Dream… Get rich in real estate… We have all heard that the only way to become obnoxiously rich is to invest. In fact, when we are born we are slapped on the ass to breath and told get rich through buying real estate. No wonder why so many of us are choosing real estate as the means to wealth.
Every home type cable channel has their own version of the “How Too” “Flip this”, or “Rehab that”, programming that brags “make more money than you have ever made before, and you don’t even have to know how…
I wish it were that simple.. It is/was for some of you I am sure and I imagine as you reflect on your beginning, as you tried figuring out your tomorrow, doing so was the most frightening battle you faced. But here you are, a success, the one that people will look at now and say, “if he can do it, I can too”.
As the year quickly approaches its end, I sit reflecting what I have accomplished and how to help those new investors who want so badly to create their paradigm shift on riches. What little hint or knowledge can I give to turn the light bulb on? Can you hear the rally yell, “You can buy houses too”?
And you can… My wife, being a third grade teacher tells me all of the time, that the reason most don’t jump in is because they like the security of knowing they have a paycheck coming and that their retirement is being taken care of, or that the health insurance coverage is too costly to give up. And I politely tell her, that in two weeks this month, I will have earned what it will take her all year to earn. I feel bad for those that have the attitude that they cant make the change because of fear. Fear is a great emotion, we can either let it stop us or we can use it to succeed.
Most investors don’t ‘Burn their Boat” when they start… most look at this career as a part time career at best. They keep their day job as a subsidy to their income until that big break. That one investment that will get them to go over the top.. That big deal…
I understand that saying to your wife/husband, girlfriend/boyfriend “honey I quite my job today and we are going to be rich” is not something that easily flows out of ones lips.. I am also not so certain that entering into this career slowly isn’t the best option for most investors.
So here you are ready to make millions. Eager and willing to do something, but what? What is the first step to fulfilling the promise given to us a birth?
This may sound so cliché, but in my opinion you must set your goals first. You will not succeed by determining the amount of money you want to make, but instead what do you want out of this paradigm shift? Decide in the beginning those things that will drive you to success. Sure some are going to be physical possession but I bet some of them will be spiritual and mental.
So if you would, go grab your wife/husband, girlfriend/boyfriend and say these words to them ” Honey would it be okay if we started making more money”? If their answer is yes then get into your car and drive. Stop by a store to buy
1. 24″ x 36 poster board
2. Glue stick.
3. Set of magic markers
4. Scissors
After you’re done buying your supplies drive to the neighborhood that you always wanted to live in, the ones that only those “rich” people can afford. Drive around and look for houses that are listed for sale. When you find them ask yourself if you would like to live there” If the answer is YES then take a flyer out of the flyer box. Don’t let size or price get in your way. BTW call the agent and make an appointment to see the inside…
Then drive to the auto dealership and pick out the car you have always wanted… Take it for a test drive, smell the interior… What color is it? Pick out the accessories, from rims to navigational system. Don’t forget satellite radio either. Find out how much it costs…CASH… get a Broacher on it.
Now drive to the chain bookstore, they’re open late so you wont have any problems getting in.. Walk over to the magazine section and start looking through the vacation magazines for that special vacation you have always wanted.. Don’t tear that page out of the book, just pay the 4 or 5 bucks they want..
Now here is where it gets fun, there is something in that bookstore that you have always wanted. Maybe it is a how to book on loosing weight, maybe a book on the best colleges to send your children, even a book on your faith, what ever it is buy it.
Now find the section on real estate investing and buy the book with best cover… Don’t worry about content.. Maybe it says, “Zero to a Million” or “Get Filthy Rich” but it must say or show something that makes you inspired…
Now walk over to the coffee area and sit down together and cut out the pictures of the vacation, and the other book. Cut the cover off of the investment book, cut the car out of the Broacher. Using the glue stick glue the pictures and cover onto your poster board not in any order just so they flow. I would put the cover of the investment book on top as I would want to focus on it all of the time.
Now on the top portion of the poster board write, “these are my goals and I will achieve them”.
Somewhere on one side write the words “I am a great person and I am worthy of having nice things”
On the other side write ” God loves me and wants me to become wealthy”
On the bottom, each of you sign your name and put the date.
After you get home place your poster somewhere where you can see it everyday, and everyone else who comes over can see it too. Don’t hide your goals from those who know and love you. AND don’t hide them from yourself…
I know this has nothing to do with real estate investing; you wanted some wisdom that would get you going. But I was reminded today as I began my journey to learn to swim a mile, it’s on my poster, as the young swimming instructor told me to cup my hands to hold water so that I could place my face, submerging my nose in the water and blow bubbles that learning starts with a desire.. We can not succeed unless we set a goal and follow a plan, sure there will be times that you will breath water up your nose and want to quit. Today my task to learn was blowing bubbles, tomorrow who knows but I will learn to swim a mile… And you will learn to buy houses too!
Good Luck,
Michael Quarles
Michael Quarles is a successful real estate investor, broker and trainer located in Bakersfield, CA. http://www.REIU.com.
Five Strategies for a Balanced and Joy-filled Holiday
Friday, June 27th, 2008We are on the edge of the holiday seasons. Our excitement stirs as we think about the smells, activities and fun that each event brings. But, just as joy fills our thoughts, stress often fills the body! All of the to do’s, dates, expenses, people and other holiday demands fill our minds. It’s time to make this year different! Here are 5 basic strategies to help you plan a balanced and joyful holiday:
1. Have a VISION. Spend a few moments dreaming about the holidays. Consider what you want your holidays to look like this year. Think about your essential 8 (balance wheel). How do you want to handle work, family, personal and outside obligations? Take a few minutes to picture your vision and then write it down. What is important you that you want to do? What is not included in your vision? What is different this year than you have done in the past?
2. CLEAR Your Mind. Thinking about all the things that you have to do, divide a piece of paper into the 4 major categories that represent where you will be spending most of your time this holiday season. (i.e. work, family, home, church). Jot down everything that must be done and all the things you would like to. What is most important for you to finish by the end of the year (projects, deadlines, etc.)? What commitments are on your plate over the course of the next few weeks? What would you need to do to make your holiday vision a reality? Be sure to consider each area of your life. (See the balance wheel) List everything here, even little things. If you don’t it is like having 20 windows open on your computer and your brain will work slower. You can’t afford forgetfulness or delays at this busy time of the year. WRITE IT DOWN!
3. PRIORITIZE you projects.
a. Deadlines and Time. Note when each project must be done and how much time this will take you. This is just simple reality check. There are only so many hours. Is it realistic you will get this done? Do you need to do it, delegate it, ask for help or trash it? Don’t set yourself up to fail before you’ve even started!
b. Evaluate. Review your list and consider which items are the most important and which are the least important. Highlight the items that are MUST DO’S. Do yourself a favor, and cross off the things that are wishes, but you know you will simply not have time to do.
c. Commit. In order to accomplish your vision and necessities, what will you do and will you NOT do? For example, my vision is to do 3 Christmas activities with my family, so I will commit to putting those on the calendar and I will commit to baking cookies on one day only (will NOT get stuck in the kitchen each Sat.). or my vision is to take Christmas Eve, Day and one day on either side off, so I will arrange to block out my calendar and will commit to NO appointments on those days.
4. STREAMLINE your projects/tasks. Determine what tasks need to be accomplished in order for each item on your list to be completed. So that you’re making minimal shopping stops/errands and spending minutes instead of hours doing research and on-line searches, it’s important to “GROUP” like tasks. Have a clip board with the following sheets on it: Gifts, Errands/Shopping, Office, Home, and Scheduling. As you think about your projects, put the to-do’s on the “GROUP” lists so that you can quickly reference it and accomplish more in less time. For example: Gift Giving. Think through all the people you want to send cards to, give gifts to - from friends, family, business colleagues, neighbors, service professionals (mailman, hairdresser, etc.), the people for whom you purchase gifts each year. Be sure to note budget, likes and details like each person’s birth year and size.
5. PLAN how you will get it done! For each area on your list, ask yourself “How will I stick to this plan?” Create for yourself a system that will ensure that you follow through on the plan that you created. Now that you have your projects, priorities and groups, put what you will do, how will you do it and when you will do it. Planning time for your projects is a sure way to guarantee your success.
a. Use one calendar; put all professional and personal appointments on your calendar.
b. Make sure to block out accurate time to complete the project/tasks.
c. Set up buddies/accountability as needed to make sure you keep the appointment/deadline.
d. Make sure to schedule any “prep” work that needs to be done for projects.
e. Review the next day’s schedule/plan each night before you go to bed.
f. Make sure to schedule time for self-care! To perform at your best emotionally, mentally, and physically, take time each day to take care of yourself: exercise, drink water, take your vitamins, get enough sleep, and relax!
Once you create your plan, stick to it! Do not procrastinate, because your plan is built on deadlines and priorities. So force yourself to get it done. This often works best by doing the “hard” thing, first thing in the day. As you follow your plan, you load will get lighter, the system works and your holidays become balanced and joy filled.
Copyright 2006 Synergy Strategies
Christy Geiger, owner of Synergy Strategies, offers coaching & training programs designed to build solid visions, goals and strategies that increase organizational and employee effectiveness, saving time, energy and money. Christy will work with you to design a program that will maximize your strengths and address your needs so that you and your people operate with passion, purpose and productivity. To get connected with the resources you need to drive, thrive, and play to win, visit Christy online at http://www.synergystrategies.com/ or through email at Christy@synergystrategies.com!
Decorating your home with Tiffany lamps
Monday, June 23rd, 2008Iridescent stained glass…beautiful designs…deep, rich colors…these are some of the ways to describe the ever popular Tiffany lamps that bring unique beauty into our homes. Tiffany lamps have had their very own style through the years. They attractively adorned homes during the seventies and still do the same today. These brightly colored lamps add an unexpected dimension to any décor.
Created and designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, these lamps can be used in any or every room of your home to create a warm and inviting atmosphere to your home. Unlike his father who was in the jewelry business, Louis Comfort Tiffany desired to bring beauty into the home and Tiffany lamps were the stunning result of his creativity. Tiffany loved the rich jewel colors of blood red and blues found in the Byzantium mosaics. He was able to find a way of adding the color to his glass (so it was actually in the glass) instead of having to paint it on at the end. He began by using discarded glass pieces from stained glass panels to create unique designs. The Tiffany lampshades were then created by fitting hand cut glass pieces into copper foil enclosures. Since copper is very strong, Tiffany was able to design unusual and beautiful shades for his lamps.
Tiffany ceiling lights are excellent for lighting up an entire room. Tiffany lamps come in all sizes as well. Lamps for the bedside table, desks, buffets, and even wall sconces are available. There are even styles of Tiffany billiard lights that conveniently hang above your billiard table and look classy at the same time. Tiffany floor lamps are perfect for those spaces that are smaller, but need a good light source. Tiffany chandeliers add instant elegance to any dining area. Wisteria blossoms, lily designs, the sun and moon, dragonflies and peacock feathers are designs often found in Tiffany lamps and can be matched to country décor or a more elegant home design. During the daylight hours, a Tiffany lamp serves as an ornamental piece, but at night it adds warmth and a bit of magic to your home. At night, a Tiffany lamp can reflect diamond shaped or coin shaped designs against your wall, adding a coziness to the room. Reading by a Tiffany lamp is wonderful since they have a bright, yet soft, light. Many Tiffany lamps have stylish lamp bases that are curved like a swan’s neck or remind you of a flower stem. Simpler lamp bases are often made fashioned with a mahogany bronze finish to further compliment the hues of greens, plum violet, merlot, and gold in many of the tiffany lampshades. Wrought iron is another stunning accent to some Tiffany lamps.
Tiffany lamps can be placed in a kitchen, a recreation room, a dining room, a bedroom, a living room or even a bathroom and each area will appear more inviting. Tiffany lamps add a touch of elegance and class to any home’s décor and can match just about any color scheme.
Desmond Smalls is the owner of http://SnSLamps.com.
Discount Luggage and Travel Accessories
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What exactly does it mean to travel in style? It means you deserve to treat yourself well whenever you’re fortunate enough to be traveling for business or personal reasons. Whether it’s a wedding, a long awaited vacation or an essential business trip, it’s imperative to be surrounded with the comforts of travel. That does not inevitably mean a lot of cash has to be spent.
Aside from routine suitcases, there are additional accessories that are made to simplify trip preparations. They’ve been developed to simplify organization with the frequent traveler in mind. A lot of folding cubes will keep clothing unwrinkled and pressed. Garment bags or suit packers will contain a folded man’s suit with no additional creases. A leather tie case can guarantee that your neckties arrive unwrinkled. Remember to pack a travel clock. Although hotels have wakeup calls, they are not always reliable, and you do not want to ruin your trip or vacation by missing a meeting or obligation. A little folding umbrella is another necessary item you’ll want to have in your carry-on or briefcase. Sit back, unwind and check out your atlas - there are many entertaining places to travel. You will have memories that last forever and some exciting stories about other countries and states.
Most discount luggage that’s made of a proper material can care for your belongings well and wear well. A helpful suggestion is to travel with corresponding pieces or a set of luggage so you will be able to single them out quickly. Carry on briefcase and luggage should additionally be the very best quality that you can afford to get. That way you can better rely upon the merchandise not to disappoint during your travels. Also, it makes an excellent initial impression if you surround yourself with handsome suitcases and luggage. From the airport check-in to the hotel bellmen, you’ll be judged by the way you look as well as the look of your luggage.
When you travel in style, you need to be put together and organized. It’s essential that you do not neglect safety when you begin packing bags for your trip or vacation. Luckily, there’s such a large selection of bags and luggage available to promise you relaxation while you travel. A money belt is one way to insure you can retain extra money and passport. There are styles available for everybody in wearable fabrics including nylon, silk or cotton. In addition, travel wallets or passport cases are going to hold each of your travel papers in one convenient location, so that you will not need to stress about misplacing or losing anything. There are a lot of travel wallets that have got a convenient place for a pencil or pen, which is always on hand to note favorite places to eat and visit, gate changes, time changes, and all the mundane issues that may come up on your trip. It’s also a smart idea to lock your belongings. TSA locks are airport approved and designed to secure and lock your luggage and bags while continuing to be accessible to security at the airport. They’re additionally used to lock belongings within the room at your hotel. While there are a lot of marvelous travel jewelry boxes to help you to remain organized while you are gone, you also need to put your valuable belongings in the safe at the hotel. With the adventure of seeing new places and travel, often these simple measures might be overlooked. When you have done some advanced planning, these measures become nearly effortless and simple to abide by.
Due to increased security on airlines and on cruise ships, your bags and luggage can be checked. If your luggage is not neatly packed, or too full, airport security personnel will consider re-packing your suitcases and bags difficult. The most appropriate manner to deal with raised security measures is to be prepared. Packing cubes are designed to hold your clothes in a compact way and to make repacking less difficult. They can keep your garments orderly and neat, and also make unpacking simple. Several versions are created especially for underwear or pajamas. Some packing cubes can hang in the room at the hotel and have a laundry bag on the back. There are leather shave kits used by men to pack their toiletries. For women, there are a wide selection of cosmetic travel accessories to choose from depending on the amount of things they want to take with them while they travel. A lot of of these cases will hang up in the room at the hotel. Others stand on a bathroom counter. Several cases small pockets inside for smaller things or to hold medications or vitamins. There are larger wheeled cosmetic cases for ease in traveling. Investing in the right travel accessories will simplify packing apprehension and can make it easier to get through security measures when the time comes.
Have a great trip and Travel in style.
Isaac Richards is a content writer for http://www.villageluggageandgifts.com who writes about the very best in luggage and travel accessories including luggage sets.
Work/Life Balance Tips for the Business Traveler
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Let me suggest some ways to stay connected with these areas while “on the road”:
Emotional-staying connected with your home base and significant people. If you have children, depending upon their ages, consider the following: Take your child with you in your imagination. Ask them if they would select a SMALL toy of theirs that you could carry with you and so stay connected with them. Tape record a favorite story or a good night ritual which can be played before the child goes to sleep. With the child, track your travels on a map and together talk about some of the places or things of interest about your destination (lobsters in Maine; skyscrapers in NY, the lions at the Chicago Art Museum.) As an added bonus, you will have a new appreciation for the place where you’ll be.
-Send post cards home to each member of the family (make up labels in advance and buy stamps). You only need to write one personal line. Doesn’t matter that you’ll get home before the postcard. You thought of them.
-Leave love notes for your partner (under the pillow/ with the toothpaste/ on the bathroom mirror). My husband leaves a message with the hotel operator to deliver “Bill loves you most!” Operators really get a kick out of delivering this message
-Have a different e-mail address for family members and send home messages
-Take a blank book and fill it with favorite pictures of home, family, friends, pet. Always take the book with you on your travels. (I do!)
-If possible, make separate calls to your spouse and your children. That way, no one has to share “air time”.
Physical-staying connected with your body. Be THERE. Don’t keep two watch times. You’ll be tempted to say “But I can’t go to sleep now it’s only 7pm in CA. or “I can’t get up at 6:00-it’s only 3AM in CA.
-Plan time (it won’t just appear) for exercise of any kind. Bring shoes for running or walking. Bring exercise rubber bands for muscle tone. (Take up no room) Use stairs rather than elevator where possible.
-Bring any item which can easily make you “feel at home”. This can be anything from a pillow case, a teddy bear, a small picture.
-If it’s your style, bring herbal scents for the room; bath salts. One friend carries a device for drowning out sound. She turns it on and selects anything from ocean sounds to raindrops.
-Try a portable vaporizer. Clears sinuses and puts moisture back into the face.
-Bring saline solution nasal spray for the airlines. Also, a small atomizer of water (some kinds are mixed with aloe). Body tissues become very dehydrated on flights. Drink more water than you ever thought possible.
-Always ask for a room away from the elevator and the ice machine.
-Unless you have great stamina, avoid red eye flights. Much better to come in rested to do work than stumble your way through a meeting.
-Find luggage that works for you. Weight, size, length of shoulder strap.
-Lighten the load: if an extended trip, ship home materials or clothes you won’t need. Bring a pre-addressed packing slip. Concierge can help. Whenever possible, check your baggage. Carry only with you the necessities for work and personal hygiene and health. Wear clothes that could suit for your meeting should luggage not make it. There’s far too much carry-on these days.
Mental-staying connected with your psyche. Self- talk is powerful when traveling. Why become angry and upset at weather delays (over which no one can do anything)? Mechanical problems are a fact of life. If at all possible, never book yourself on the last flight to your destination. Always have a later flight. And if you can’t make it, consider that you have been given a gift of time.
-Use time in flight to get caught up on journals, periodicals, etc. For me, a successful trip is when my briefcase gets lighter and the pocket of the seat in front gets heavier.
-See your destination with new eyes. Consider that you are an explorer. Try something new: a restaurant, a neighborhood, a museum, even the note the difference of people.
-Keep a small journal and write observations. This also lets you bring home “more than work” to share with the home front.
-Start the day quiet. Meditate. Deep breathe. Allow enough time to get ready before you leave the hotel.
Lastly, expect the unexpected and let go of the outcome. Do what you can for contingencies. Bring a cell phone, essential numbers and don’t book the last flight out. Then relax into the uncertainty of travel. Stress comes from trying to control the uncontrollable.
Let it go.
Eileen McDargh is a powerful keynote speaker, recognized work/life leadership expert, and award winning author. Discover your organizational and personal resiliency factor with this free online survey http://www.eileenmcdargh.com/res_free_surveys.html Call toll free 877-477-4718
Children and Scrabble: The Perfect Match
Monday, June 16th, 2008Scrabble was a tradition in my family. From the time I could barely see the board from my vantage point at the edge of the table, I witnessed the subtle strategies used by my older brother and sisters at play. I dreamed of the day I was old enough to play-how I’d dazzle them all with my victory! But that day was long in coming. If there’s any game that makes kids feel left out, it’s Scrabble. Because it requires reading, spelling, and vocabulary skills, many parents think Scrabble isn’t for the very young. Think again! Parents these days can easily introduce the game to a child as young as four or five years old. With a little time and effort, they can help children even develop advanced skills that many adults don’t know.
After the Official Scrabble Player’s Dictionary, the best Scrabble tool introduced by Hasbro in recent years is the Scrabble Junior Edition. This by far is the best way to introduce Scrabble to your four year old. Play resembles regular Scrabble, getting children accustomed to the flow of the game. First, children draw seven tiles from the pool. In turns they lay down tiles from their racks to match the letters on the board. Letter by letter they eventually spell out entire words, winning points. By game’s end, they will have used over a hundred tiles to work a variety of different words. Few preschool teachers could match that for reading practice!
Children who have mastered this simplified version can then “graduate” to the next level of play by flipping the game board over to reveal another basic version of the classic Scrabble game. Using this board and modified scoring rules, children progress in difficulty and skill level.
By eight years old, most children will be ready for regular Scrabble. Don’t get caught up in talking rules and strategy at first. Just jump right in and let your child experience the game for him or herself. Even better, you might play an opponent as a team, allowing the child to suggest plays and explaining tactics as the game goes on. Even if it’s not the best play, use your child’s suggestions occasionally so that he or she feels like a valuable member of the team and experiences first-hand the triumph or failure of a move. Having a teammate to share the disappointment will help when moves aren’t successful, or when the child doesn’t win.
Particularly in their early years, allow children to use a dictionary while playing. One rule variation used in my home while growing up was that players were allowed to “browse” the dictionary for word options as long as it wasn’t their turn. This way, young players didn’t get bored waiting for their turns, while they acquired a great learning skill! Dictionaries are a terrific safety net and their use can help children broaden their vocabulary base.
Outside actual play there are a few games you can teach that will help children sharpen their Scrabble skills. Using the Scrabble tiles, have your child spell out his or her name. Add up the score. Then spell out the other names of friends and family members, cities, states, countries, or other favorite words, adding and comparing the scores of each. Play for fun, taking off the competitive edge, and allow the child to explore the value of different word options.
Few skills are more important than anagramming to a Scrabble novice, and this is a skill you may want to explain as your child progresses. Give them a word and a time limit, and challenge them to find five, ten, twenty, or even more words using only the letters given. As they improve, encourage them to find lengthier options, maybe even offering a reward for using all the letters. I’ve used this game frequently in the elementary classroom when my class is waiting in line, and I haven’t yet found a youngster who doesn’t like it. Students especially love comparing their lists. If they’ve found a word nobody else found (or a word I didn’t) it is especially rewarding.
You may be surprised how fast your child picks up on more advanced strategies after introducing Scrabble this way. More importantly, he or she will develop an interest in word play, which is infinitely more valuable than alternative interests in TV and video games. Go ahead, invite your child for a game of Scrabble-it’ll be a perfect match!
Emma Snow works a pragmatic puzzler at the Puzzle Place http://www.puzzle-place.net and Chess Strategies http://www.chess-strategies.net leading puzzle portals.
Natural Weight Loss for Good Health and Well Being
Sunday, June 15th, 2008Weight loss is becoming an unhealthy obsession dealing with body images, but in some cases can improve health and fitness. When weight loss is a result of eating healthy, exercising and/or taking natural weight loss supplements in contrast to synthetic prescription drugs with the risk of harmful side effects, weight loss can be effective, rewarding, and greatly improve overall health.
Extra weight, especially extra fat on a person’s body, applies significantly increased stresses on the heart, joints and back. These stresses can be extremely detrimental to one’s health. Healthy weight loss can reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, arthritis and other health problems, as well as generally extending an otherwise average life span. Recently, the scientific root cause or explanation of obesity has been revealed as being part of one’s physiology. The internal functions of an obese person are different than those of a healthy person, and cause intense hunger pains and food cravings.
Natural weight loss supplements can help counteract this constant hunger and lead to healthy weight loss. Unbalanced hormones are a common cause of weight gain, therefore taking natural hormone balancers and herbal supplements would help to create a healthy weight loss regimen. Restoring your health allows you to lose weight naturally, without excess frustration and effort. It’s all about losing weight from the inside out.
Emotional issues always accompany change, especially changes in our bodies e.g. natural weight loss. Weight loss affects our perception body image, our sense of identity i.e. who am I?, and how we feel about ourselves in general. Weight loss also effects our social relationships in that there may be people in our family or social contacts that are emotionally invested in our remaining the same i.e. overweight with all that it symbolizes e.g. friendliness, non-threatening, protective, jovial, helpful, etc. Beyond our physical health, it can be said that “size matters” cognitively and emotionally to ourselves and others. Eating and food have come to symbolize being accepted, being cared for and comfort. Having the support of others in our efforts to naturally lose weight and regain our health is a huge advantage.
We have been “conditioned” to fear any kind of loss, including weight loss. Especially if what we may lose is something with which we identify i.e. use to tell us who we are.
The emotions of fear, anger, anxiety and depression effect our weight. We often tend to “stuff our feelings” or numb these emotional feelings or stress by overeating. We may even overeat, thinking that will ease the physical discomfort caused by excess weight e.g. physical pain, lack of sleep, and lack of energy caused by moderate depression. To improve our overall health and support us through the process of natural weight loss and the emotional dynamics around it, we can take advantage of natural sleep aids, natural depression relief and natural pain relief health care products.
Our weight and health is greatly dependent upon our having a healthy digestive system or metabolism. Our digestive system converts, on a cellular and muscular level, the foods we eat, eliminates toxins, and uses and stores glucose for energy. Natural enzymes trigger hunger signals and facilitate absorption of nutrition. Good digestion with the help of natural enzymes aids in the conversion of fat to muscle.
Allergy and sensitivity to food, parasites, yeast overgrowth and emotional stress are signals of digestive disruption and inflammation. Natural essential fatty acids work to reduce intestinal inflammation, decrease harmful acids, help the liver process proteins that grow muscle, balance hormones and facilitate the elimination of toxins. Natural essential fatty acids help clear our digestive system of heavy metals, harmful bacteria, pesticides that we are increasingly encountering in our environment. Essential fatty acids along with natural fiber help us clean out the intestinal debris that harm our health and often lead to weight gain. Essential fatty acids also help our brain’s neurotransmitters to function properly in order to deal with stress, emotions, and cravings that can lead to overeating and weight gain.
Natural amino acids are the building blocks that make up proteins. Next to water, protein makes up the greatest part of our body weight. Amino acids help increase metabolism, build muscle, ease moderate depression, and help burn fat. Natural antioxidants help carry more oxygen to cells and muscles to help increase energy, burn fat, build muscle and process the foods we eat.
Hormone balance is essential for natural weight loss. Our metabolism slows as we get older because of the decrease or imbalance of hormones. This contributes to weight gain. Hormone balance also helps us deal with stress that leads to weight gain. Proper hormone balance helps to decrease cravings and binge eating. There are many natural hormone balancing products available, e.g. natural progesterone, promensil, soy isoflavones, essential fatty acids and hormone balancing formulas.
Our metabolism’s primary task is to nourish our brains. We need healthy neurotransmitters to help us curb craving, ease depression, and deal with stress that lead to weight gain. Balancing our natural brain chemistry has a calming effect and allows us to feel a sens of well being and safety. There are many natural health care products to help balance brain chemistry, e.g. essential fatty acids, natural depression relief products, natural products to increase serotonin, and more. When our brain feels well and safe, it is prone to change our metabolism from calorie saving to calorie burning.
Our bodies were designed to move and be active. Movement requires muscle activity. Muscle activity uses the glycogen supply found in our muscles. When this glycogen supply stored in our muscles is used, our body is forced to use stored fat as an energy source. Using this stored fat through movement and exercise, results in natural weight loss. There is no reason for us to become athletes to accomplish natural weight loss. Low impact exercise like swimming, walking, etc, can be done slowly and without strain. In order to lose real weight rather than “water weight”, it is important to drink extra amounts of water when exercising. Drinking more water will also help our digestive system and metabolism to use and eliminate extra weight.
Remember, the first objective, accomplished through natural weight loss, is to improve our physical and emotional health. This involves having a healthy digestive system, a healthy emotional system and a healthy nutritional system. We can build these healthy systems with natural vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants, natural digestive aid, pain relief aid, natural sleep aids, natural emotional and mood aids, essential fatty acids and many more helpful natural health care products. We need to concentrate on improving our general health, feeling good, and living well through natural weight loss, rather than constantly comparing ourselves to someone else’s idea about appearance from some magazine. Physical and emotional health is primary. Appearance may be important to us, but it is secondary. Through natural weight loss, we can live well and live long.
Jennifer Kays has over twenty years experience with all natural health care products.