Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Sarah Simmons
The stock market crash of 2008 lost many investors a lot of money, and had many other investors bailing out of stocks for the safety of savings and checking accounts, treasury bills and gold. However, it is still possible to invest - and yes, even make money - during the current rocky economy.
The broad decline across financial markets in the past year has persuaded a small but growing number of financial experts and advisers to ditch the traditional buy-and-hold strategy - which promotes long-term investing in a mix of assets - for a new approach that aims to sidestep future market plunges and ease instability.
What does this mean to the common everyday investor? Read on for some investment advice that everyone can use.
Be Informed
First and foremost, the best investment advice you'll ever receive is to take control of your own future. You are the only one who will have your best interests at heart. Even if you do not understand exactly how to invest your money or don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, an investment advice site such as MySMP.com can get you on the right path to getting the right advice and asking the right questions.
Take an Active Approach - Buy and Hold is Out
A common misconception about the stock market is to just "ride it out." Don't sell and eventually your stocks will go back up, right? Wrong! If a financial advisor suggests that you need to take a long term buy and hold approach, you should run. They probably don't understand how to invest the right way and figure that the market will go higher over time. You want to hear answers suggesting that the investment advice you will be receiving is based on a sound understanding of the financial markets; including concepts such as technical analysis and options hedging.
As we learned in 2008, established stocks such as Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns can go at anytime, so do your research and find out which sectors have the most potential 2-3 years out. These are sure to be your best investment.
Diversify Within Different Assets
Don't put all of your money into stocks, true diversification is asset class diversification; including stocks, bonds, commodities, and currencies to name a few.
401k Plan Investment
Here are a few pieces of investment advice when considering a 401k plan. First, contribute the full $15,500, or deduct 15% of your gross pay, to your 401k plan if you can. This is tax free money, and it's a no brainer. If you cannot make the full contribution, be sure to at least contribute in an amount equal to your companies match.
If your company matches 6% and you only contribute 3%, they will only match 3%.
If you are coming near the age of retirement and can't afford to lose any more money in your 401k, get out of stocks funds and move your money to money market. If you are not comfortable investing money into stocks, put it into a money market fund within your 401k; the key is not to stop investing.
If you are going to manage your 401k assets, make sure you diversify between different asset classes, if possible. Unfortunately, you are typically limited to stocks and bonds. If you don't have options such as commodities available to you, go talk to your plan sponsor and push to get some more selection. When you leave your company, be sure to transfer your funds to a rollover IRA; you will be able to trade any asset class here.
In Summary
There is no one size fits all answer to investing and you're probably not interested in becoming a full time money manager. Investment advice is always easy to come by but good advice is very hard to come by. The key is to put people around you who have a good track record and know how to invest with capital preservation in mind at all times. Never get involved with people who promise you the world. Odds are they will do well for a while but their ego will eventually blow up in their face.
About the Author:
Article written by: Sarah Simmons. MYSMP, or My Stock Market Power, was created as a financial educational resource to enhance your trading acumen. First created to offer education on day trading and technical analysis, http://www.MySMP.com has expanded to include articles on stock trading, bonds, options, futures, forex, and investment advice.
Read more of Sarah Simmons's articles.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Need a New Business Name? Try an Extended Metaphor
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Marcia Yudkin
Sometimes a business name functions simply as a name, like Constant Contact, the email service that delivers newsletters. Look at their web site and you won't easily find any images or wordplay that take off from the words "constant" or "contact."
On the other hand, Named At Last, my company, uses the idea of storks bringing clients a new name both in the images of storks flying and in phrases like "Head Stork," my title, and "Storklets," for the company's freelance namers. When images and words work together to develop one concept in several different ways, that's an extended metaphor.
Extended metaphors give readers pleasure, make a company more memorable and have unlimited creative potential to help a company stand head and shoulders above the competition.
To understand just how unlimited that potential can be, consider a tech support company, Geek Squad. On 19 pages scattered through a 44-page supplement glued into the August 2006 issue of Wired magazine, this company brilliantly riffed both verbally and pictorially on the theme of its name. You can get a sense of how they do this also at their web site, GeekSquad.com.
In the Wired supplement, extended metaphor techniques that they used to develop the Geek Squad as a techie version of the 1950s FBI include:
Consistent color scheme (burnt orange, black and white) and retro visual style in fonts, lighting, badges, people's hairdos and uniforms
Explanation of how the logo harks back to the days when "service stations" gave you a lot more than just gas
Terminology like "agents" and "force" instead of "staff" or "associates" and "team"
Sense of humor that's as geeky as the name ("...provide computer support 24/7/365. 366 in leap years.")
Timelines illustrating not only the company's development but also technical milestones in general, always humorously presented
Accessories that fit the image: ramen noodles, breath mints and wristwatches accurate to within 10 seconds
A Latin motto (Latin being a geeky language), "Cura et Celeritas" (roughly, "Care and Speed")
Games, including "official slug-bug rules" and a crossword puzzle with geeky clues like "Comes after zettabyte"
Recipes, like one for "Black Hole Upside-Down Cake," and self-rating questionnaires, like "Are you a smasher?" (Have you attempted to reboot your computer with your wingtips?")
Hobbies of the "agents," such as sci-fi, and an employee motto: "I swear I will always come to your aid even if there's a sci-fi marathon in town and they're playing the episode with the super-creegy alien vampire girl."
Tech tips, like how to retrieve data by putting a hard drive in the freezer for a certain length of time, and therapeutic advice, like how to calm yourself if you experience a computer catastrophe
Case studies, such as how Agent #41 keeps the rock group U2 technically going while on the road
Prices - well, no humor there, although the style and look remain consistent with all the rest
A group of creative aces obviously had a blast generating all these spinoffs of the central metaphor of a squad of geeks. I certainly had great fun consuming their inventiveness, and I don't think I'll soon confuse them with competitor Rent-a-Nerd.
About the Author:
Marcia Yudkin is Head Stork of Named At Last, a company that brainstorms creative business names, product names and tag lines for clients. For a systematic process of coming up with an appealing and effective name or tag line, download a free copy of "19 Steps to the Perfect Company Name, Product Name or Tag Line" at http://www.namedatlast.com/19steps.htm
Read more Articles written by Marcia Yudkin.
Copyright © 2009 Marcia Yudkin
Sometimes a business name functions simply as a name, like Constant Contact, the email service that delivers newsletters. Look at their web site and you won't easily find any images or wordplay that take off from the words "constant" or "contact."
On the other hand, Named At Last, my company, uses the idea of storks bringing clients a new name both in the images of storks flying and in phrases like "Head Stork," my title, and "Storklets," for the company's freelance namers. When images and words work together to develop one concept in several different ways, that's an extended metaphor.
Extended metaphors give readers pleasure, make a company more memorable and have unlimited creative potential to help a company stand head and shoulders above the competition.
To understand just how unlimited that potential can be, consider a tech support company, Geek Squad. On 19 pages scattered through a 44-page supplement glued into the August 2006 issue of Wired magazine, this company brilliantly riffed both verbally and pictorially on the theme of its name. You can get a sense of how they do this also at their web site, GeekSquad.com.
In the Wired supplement, extended metaphor techniques that they used to develop the Geek Squad as a techie version of the 1950s FBI include:
A group of creative aces obviously had a blast generating all these spinoffs of the central metaphor of a squad of geeks. I certainly had great fun consuming their inventiveness, and I don't think I'll soon confuse them with competitor Rent-a-Nerd.
About the Author:
Marcia Yudkin is Head Stork of Named At Last, a company that brainstorms creative business names, product names and tag lines for clients. For a systematic process of coming up with an appealing and effective name or tag line, download a free copy of "19 Steps to the Perfect Company Name, Product Name or Tag Line" at http://www.namedatlast.com/19steps.htm
Read more Articles written by Marcia Yudkin.
Retirement Is the Perfect Time to Fulfill Your Cherished Dream of Writing
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Charles Jacobs
The Gallup Survey Organization says 81% of mature adults long to write a book. You're probably one of them.
In a poll sponsored by the Eons.com web site, 14,000 Seniors and Boomers chose writing as one of their most cherished life dreams.
What's your choice for retirement writing? The novel you've always dreamed of crafting? Perhaps a memoir for loved ones? Maybe you'd prefer to turn out interesting magazine articles on the favorite hobby you've pursued for so many years. Like many others, you may want to maintain contact with your former career by writing articles for trade magazines or possibly a how-to book.
What's holding you back? Are you reluctant because writing seems to be so challenging? Limited to just the chosen few? That's nonsense. Don't let those myths keep you from trying what you've always dreamed of.
Retirement Writing
As a retiree you have great advantages that will help you to fulfill your dream of becoming a published author. You have time...free time at last to pursue the activities you love. You bring years of life experience and professional knowledge to the task.
Can you use those advantages to become a published author? Certainly you can. You'll probably never reach best seller status, although some late starters have accomplished that feat. But with some effort and dedication, you can see your words in print as an article or a book. And they can be distributed over the Internet for millions to see.
It's time to move beyond the starting gate. Set aside those fears of failure. No task can be completed if it isn't begun. No challenge overcome until it is tackled. So it is with writing. Once you start, you'll see your confidence build.
Lawrence Block, a prolific novelist and writing instructor, says, "Writing has this in common with most other skills; we develop it best by practicing it. Whatever writing we do helps us to become better writers."
Before You Face the Computer
The process begins well before you sit down at your computer to write the opening lines of your new gem. A bit of self-searching will put you on track. Think through your answers to several key questions:
Why do I want to write? Is my goal self-fulfillment? Do I have a message I want to deliver to others? Do I want the thrill of seeing my words in print? Am I trying to supplement my income?
What category of writing can best help me attain that goal? What category is most comfortable for me?
Do I want to write just a single piece (a memoir, for example)? Or do I hope to make writing a new career?
How much time am I willing to devote to the task?
Will I be happier writing articles or a book?
Whatever your answers may be, be absolutely certain you are comfortable with them. This is particularly important if you plan to write a full-length book, for you will be married to that task for a substantial length of time.
Making Your Choice
Beginning writers regularly ask, "Where can I find ideas?" The answer, in short, is the world around you. There are no limits to the ideas that astute observers can develop. And writers must be alert spectators.
Ideas abound right in your own home. Coping with a dear one's terminal illness. Issues that caused a divorce. Secrets of a relationship that grows stronger with every year of marriage. An unusual family heritage. Cooking or decorating ideas. Unique holiday celebrations. The list is endless.
Beyond your four walls there is an endless storehouse of ideas. You find them all around you by listening and watching and hearing what friends and relatives talk about. Stories, books and articles are built around events and emotions that people experience.
You can also find them every day in the newspaper. You can choose to follow up a factual report and expand it far beyond what a rushed reporter can do on a tight deadline. Or you can choose to take the idea and fictionalize it, adding your own twists and turns.
A book like Writer's Market, updated annually by Writer's Digest Books is a treasure trove of ideas. It offers hundreds of pages of periodical listings categorized by subject. Freelancers use it as a bible to locate publications that might use their stories. You can use it as a trigger for ideas as you flip through the 50 categories of consumer magazines and 60 categories of trade journals.
Getting Ready
Whether you're about to embark on a novel or nonfiction, an article or a full length book, you're not ready to face that blank computer monitor until you've completed all of your initial homework. That includes evaluating the responses to the question listed above..
Most fiction writers begin by drafting an outline of the plot. As each main character is fully developed-and you as the author must know those key players as well as you know yourself--changes will be necessitated in the outline. You must research the locale(s) and the time period of the book, for nothing can cause a reader to lose interest faster than discovering factual mistakes made by a careless writer.
The essence of nonfiction is fact, and you better know your facts intimately and accurately if you are to achieve success. Whether you are writing an historical piece or a how-to, do your research. Know your subject. Those of you who choose to write on your work specialty better make certain you are up to date on all the latest developments. Always remember that progress didn't end on the day you retired. Change has occurred, and you better be aware of it.
The key word here is research. Getting up to speed. Knowing your subject intimately. Without this, you run the serious risk of suffering from the author's dread disease, Writer's Block. It usually results from facing a stark white computer screen that seems to leer at you, challenging you to make the leap from brain to computer, from thought to the reality of converting those thoughts into words and placing them on the computer. Writers who have done their research well and know their subject will seldom if ever face this problem.
The one last component that you must agree to is discipline. Whether you choose to devote only two or three hours a day to your writing or anticipate making it a full-time job, it cannot be hit-or-miss. You must set a rigid schedule, and follow it. A few hours each morning leaves lots of time for other activities, yet adds a hugely enriching complement to your retirement years.
About the Author:
Do you need a support system to help jump start your writing career? See what's available free on http://www.retirement-writing.com/ - the web site of writing coach and author Charles Jacobs. His latest book "The Writer Within You" is a Best Books of 2007 honoree, a 5-star choice on Amazon, B&N and Borders and a selection of the Writer's Digest Book Club. Find detailed info and order it at a substantial discount by clicking on http://www.retirement-writing.com/the_writer_within_you.aspx
Read more Articles written by Charles Jacobs.
Copyright © 2009 Charles Jacobs
The Gallup Survey Organization says 81% of mature adults long to write a book. You're probably one of them.
In a poll sponsored by the Eons.com web site, 14,000 Seniors and Boomers chose writing as one of their most cherished life dreams.
What's your choice for retirement writing? The novel you've always dreamed of crafting? Perhaps a memoir for loved ones? Maybe you'd prefer to turn out interesting magazine articles on the favorite hobby you've pursued for so many years. Like many others, you may want to maintain contact with your former career by writing articles for trade magazines or possibly a how-to book.
What's holding you back? Are you reluctant because writing seems to be so challenging? Limited to just the chosen few? That's nonsense. Don't let those myths keep you from trying what you've always dreamed of.
Retirement Writing
As a retiree you have great advantages that will help you to fulfill your dream of becoming a published author. You have time...free time at last to pursue the activities you love. You bring years of life experience and professional knowledge to the task.
Can you use those advantages to become a published author? Certainly you can. You'll probably never reach best seller status, although some late starters have accomplished that feat. But with some effort and dedication, you can see your words in print as an article or a book. And they can be distributed over the Internet for millions to see.
It's time to move beyond the starting gate. Set aside those fears of failure. No task can be completed if it isn't begun. No challenge overcome until it is tackled. So it is with writing. Once you start, you'll see your confidence build.
Lawrence Block, a prolific novelist and writing instructor, says, "Writing has this in common with most other skills; we develop it best by practicing it. Whatever writing we do helps us to become better writers."
Before You Face the Computer
The process begins well before you sit down at your computer to write the opening lines of your new gem. A bit of self-searching will put you on track. Think through your answers to several key questions:
Whatever your answers may be, be absolutely certain you are comfortable with them. This is particularly important if you plan to write a full-length book, for you will be married to that task for a substantial length of time.
Making Your Choice
Beginning writers regularly ask, "Where can I find ideas?" The answer, in short, is the world around you. There are no limits to the ideas that astute observers can develop. And writers must be alert spectators.
Ideas abound right in your own home. Coping with a dear one's terminal illness. Issues that caused a divorce. Secrets of a relationship that grows stronger with every year of marriage. An unusual family heritage. Cooking or decorating ideas. Unique holiday celebrations. The list is endless.
Beyond your four walls there is an endless storehouse of ideas. You find them all around you by listening and watching and hearing what friends and relatives talk about. Stories, books and articles are built around events and emotions that people experience.
You can also find them every day in the newspaper. You can choose to follow up a factual report and expand it far beyond what a rushed reporter can do on a tight deadline. Or you can choose to take the idea and fictionalize it, adding your own twists and turns.
A book like Writer's Market, updated annually by Writer's Digest Books is a treasure trove of ideas. It offers hundreds of pages of periodical listings categorized by subject. Freelancers use it as a bible to locate publications that might use their stories. You can use it as a trigger for ideas as you flip through the 50 categories of consumer magazines and 60 categories of trade journals.
Getting Ready
Whether you're about to embark on a novel or nonfiction, an article or a full length book, you're not ready to face that blank computer monitor until you've completed all of your initial homework. That includes evaluating the responses to the question listed above..
Most fiction writers begin by drafting an outline of the plot. As each main character is fully developed-and you as the author must know those key players as well as you know yourself--changes will be necessitated in the outline. You must research the locale(s) and the time period of the book, for nothing can cause a reader to lose interest faster than discovering factual mistakes made by a careless writer.
The essence of nonfiction is fact, and you better know your facts intimately and accurately if you are to achieve success. Whether you are writing an historical piece or a how-to, do your research. Know your subject. Those of you who choose to write on your work specialty better make certain you are up to date on all the latest developments. Always remember that progress didn't end on the day you retired. Change has occurred, and you better be aware of it.
The key word here is research. Getting up to speed. Knowing your subject intimately. Without this, you run the serious risk of suffering from the author's dread disease, Writer's Block. It usually results from facing a stark white computer screen that seems to leer at you, challenging you to make the leap from brain to computer, from thought to the reality of converting those thoughts into words and placing them on the computer. Writers who have done their research well and know their subject will seldom if ever face this problem.
The one last component that you must agree to is discipline. Whether you choose to devote only two or three hours a day to your writing or anticipate making it a full-time job, it cannot be hit-or-miss. You must set a rigid schedule, and follow it. A few hours each morning leaves lots of time for other activities, yet adds a hugely enriching complement to your retirement years.
About the Author:
Do you need a support system to help jump start your writing career? See what's available free on http://www.retirement-writing.com/ - the web site of writing coach and author Charles Jacobs. His latest book "The Writer Within You" is a Best Books of 2007 honoree, a 5-star choice on Amazon, B&N and Borders and a selection of the Writer's Digest Book Club. Find detailed info and order it at a substantial discount by clicking on http://www.retirement-writing.com/the_writer_within_you.aspx
Read more Articles written by Charles Jacobs.
Can I Make Money With Online Gambling?
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Skyler Ace
With the recent surge in popularity of online gambling people are beginning to question its existence. A resurging question is its economic viability. Is it possible to make some money of Online gaming? How lucrative is it and how high are the risks involved?
The answers to those questions are; yes it is possible. It can be very lucrative. And the risk, like most games, depends on a lot of factors.
Is It Possible To Make Some Money Of Online Gaming?
Yes it is possible to make money from online gaming. Doing so will however require, commitment, a bit of study and a lot of mental strength. Take the example of online football betting. If you're a football fan, you must have by now formed some opinion on which team is most likely to win in encounters. From this, it is possible to decide which bets to place and the degree of risk associated with your decision.
Placing a bet that a team like bottom ranked Sunderland will triumph over the World champions Manchester United, whilst possible, is clearly not a safe bet. However, if your hunch does come true the rewards can be worth the risk.
How Lucrative Is It?
The profitability of online gaming will depend a lot on your willingness to be patient. Success will not come overnight despite all that you have read. Like everything in life, it will require diligence, commitment and a steady growth of talent and skill. You will most probably lose a lot in the beginning. But with patience, your results will improve and consequently your prizes. Talking with people who have older and better experience is also a good idea. They will provide tips and ideas which will come in handy. Keeping updates where necessary (i.e. the status of players in your wagered team) will help provide you with a better outlook at the odds going in.
How High Are The Risks Involved?
It can be quite risky. Gambling has always been an art involving high risk. Nothing has really changed in its online version, but it does present with it a few options. The problem of losing face which used to spur people on in the face of glaring defeat is easily fixed behind the anonymity provided by online gaming. Of course this works both ways. It also means that people are more likely to make rash decisions knowing that their identity is protected from the sneering public. The issue of risk will depend a lot on your decision and choice. Betting small at the beginning is usually a good idea. It will prevent you from taking too hard a hit, whilst providing you with better insight into the mechanics of the game.
In the end, patience will be the deciding factor in determining your results. Whilst it is possible to post huge results in just six months it is more probable that it will take at least a year before you register your first success. So, think long and hard before you make a decision to begin online gaming.
There are high risks involved with gambling online. It can wipe you out, of all your savings in a short time, before you know what you're doing. Before you get involved in online gambling, consider the possibility of losing all your money. Though the money that you're using for your online gambling is not visible and tangible, it is very much what you or your family has worked for.
If you wish to make a professional living out of it, be prepared for surprises and let downs. But if you stick at it and avoid making terribly rash decisions, you may well be pleasantly surprised the next time you pay a visit to your bank.
About the Author:
This article was written by gambling pro Skyler Ace. Warning: Do Not Gamble Another Dollar Online Until You Read This. Free Consumer Awareness Guide Reveals The Seven Deadly Mistakes All Gamblers Make: http://www.jobsource20-23.com/casclok.html Also feel free to visit our gambling blog for tons of winning tips: http://onlinegambling23.blogspot.com/
Read more Articles written by Skyler Ace.
Copyright © 2009 Skyler Ace
With the recent surge in popularity of online gambling people are beginning to question its existence. A resurging question is its economic viability. Is it possible to make some money of Online gaming? How lucrative is it and how high are the risks involved?
The answers to those questions are; yes it is possible. It can be very lucrative. And the risk, like most games, depends on a lot of factors.
Is It Possible To Make Some Money Of Online Gaming?
Yes it is possible to make money from online gaming. Doing so will however require, commitment, a bit of study and a lot of mental strength. Take the example of online football betting. If you're a football fan, you must have by now formed some opinion on which team is most likely to win in encounters. From this, it is possible to decide which bets to place and the degree of risk associated with your decision.
Placing a bet that a team like bottom ranked Sunderland will triumph over the World champions Manchester United, whilst possible, is clearly not a safe bet. However, if your hunch does come true the rewards can be worth the risk.
How Lucrative Is It?
The profitability of online gaming will depend a lot on your willingness to be patient. Success will not come overnight despite all that you have read. Like everything in life, it will require diligence, commitment and a steady growth of talent and skill. You will most probably lose a lot in the beginning. But with patience, your results will improve and consequently your prizes. Talking with people who have older and better experience is also a good idea. They will provide tips and ideas which will come in handy. Keeping updates where necessary (i.e. the status of players in your wagered team) will help provide you with a better outlook at the odds going in.
How High Are The Risks Involved?
It can be quite risky. Gambling has always been an art involving high risk. Nothing has really changed in its online version, but it does present with it a few options. The problem of losing face which used to spur people on in the face of glaring defeat is easily fixed behind the anonymity provided by online gaming. Of course this works both ways. It also means that people are more likely to make rash decisions knowing that their identity is protected from the sneering public. The issue of risk will depend a lot on your decision and choice. Betting small at the beginning is usually a good idea. It will prevent you from taking too hard a hit, whilst providing you with better insight into the mechanics of the game.
In the end, patience will be the deciding factor in determining your results. Whilst it is possible to post huge results in just six months it is more probable that it will take at least a year before you register your first success. So, think long and hard before you make a decision to begin online gaming.
There are high risks involved with gambling online. It can wipe you out, of all your savings in a short time, before you know what you're doing. Before you get involved in online gambling, consider the possibility of losing all your money. Though the money that you're using for your online gambling is not visible and tangible, it is very much what you or your family has worked for.
If you wish to make a professional living out of it, be prepared for surprises and let downs. But if you stick at it and avoid making terribly rash decisions, you may well be pleasantly surprised the next time you pay a visit to your bank.
About the Author:
This article was written by gambling pro Skyler Ace. Warning: Do Not Gamble Another Dollar Online Until You Read This. Free Consumer Awareness Guide Reveals The Seven Deadly Mistakes All Gamblers Make: http://www.jobsource20-23.com/casclok.html Also feel free to visit our gambling blog for tons of winning tips: http://onlinegambling23.blogspot.com/
Read more Articles written by Skyler Ace.
How To Say No!
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Carol Chanel
"I meant to say NO." We've all have had the experience where we meant to say no to someone. We knew it was going to be difficult but we were determined this time. Then next thing you know, we're saying yes. How did that happen? Why did that happen?
Do you notice that the very people you mean to say no to, are the ones who seem to draw the life energy out of you?
It reminds me of buying a car. You know how much the car costs, how much you can spend, and the next thing you know the salesman has worn you down and your energy is totally spent and you'll say yes to anything just to get out of the dealership.
I don't mean to pick on car salesmen, there are great ones out there who are very helpful and have your best interests at heart.
There are people who are trained to get their way. They will be persistent and determined to get you to say yes.
I take my car to a local car wash and the man who writes up your ticket is a master at getting people to buy the full works. You know the $35 hand wash, hand wax, air freshner, etc. I actually can't stand going there because I know each time I'll have to be really strong and almost harsh to get him to back down. I just want a regular wash and wax. Do you want the $8, the $4 or the $2 wax? Just put the wax on the car and let me out of here!!!
These people are what I call energy suckers and you're the energy lollipop. What actually goes on?
How Do People Get Your Energy?
People learn, from a young age, how to control other people to get their way. Here are some of the techniques they'll use:
Manipulation
Acting aloof by puling away in an attempt to have you chase them
Money or gifts
Bullying techniques - verbal, emotional or physical
Hostility
Persistence
Crying or drama of some sort
Acting intellectually superior
How Do They Control You?
Whatever they do to control you, there's only one reason why it happens.
You allow it.
You allow it because you tell yourself you need something from these particular people. Like love, validation, acceptance, approval, a job, a home, or something as simple as your car washed.
Or you allow it because you don't want to be seen a certain way - like harsh, uncooperative, unkind, not nice!
Remember, as women we were raised to be good girls, to be sweet and helpful, not to be assertive, not to compete with each other and at all costs not to create conflict.
How To Be Released From Their Control?
So whatever your reason, it will keep you from being firm. So next time you need to say no, look to see what might keep you from no. Then once you understand that reason, instead of trying to get it from an outside source, give yourself the love, validation or acceptance. Or let go of needing to be seen a certain way.
When you give yourself what you need, you take your energy back. Then you will release yourself from their control.
When you connect to an all-loving God (Divine Source) you will be filled with love, light and joy. God is THE energy source.
Everything comes from God (Divine Source.) If you think that your mother, brother, boyfriend, father, boss, teacher, or husband is the source then you can be controlled. If you realize you receive everything you need and want when you connect to God, then you can freely have what you want. No cost. Yes to God, no to human control.
Saying NO to others who want you to do something you don't want to do, is saying YES to yourself.
The Cost of Not Saying No!
The impact of not saying no to others can be costly to your health, relationships and your spirit.
So the next time your boss asks you to stay late when you have dinner plans, choose yourself and go to dinner. The next time a friend wants you to listen to her sob story, for the 10th time, and it's your workout night, choose yourself and go workout. The next time your boyfriend or spouse wants you to stay at home and watch TV when you have plans to go to the movies with your girlfriends, choose yourself and go to the movies.
You'll be training people how to treat you. You'll be taking care of yourself. You'll be maintaining balance in your life. You'll be building strong relationships.
Remember people are not your Source. Of anything. They may look like it, but they're not. If you get fired for not working late, then you'll get another job right away. If your friend gets mad and doesn't want to talk to you, well sounds like you'll be saving yourself from lots of drama. And if your boyfriend doesn't like you going to the movies with your girlfriends, get another boyfriend. There are plenty where he came from. God or Divine Source will send you anything you need. Just ask and be open to receiving it.
Choose to take care of yourself. Choose to be firm. Choose to say NO to others. Choose to say YES to yourself. Choose the basic $15 car wash.
Imagine the possibilities....
(c) Carol C. Chanel
About the Author:
Carol Chanel is a Certified Life Coach who works with people to create new, meaningful and FUN lives. You can learn more about how to create loving and healthy relationships, draw boundaries, not take things personally, be happy to be who you are, and make time for fun by going to her free ezine archive.
http://www.carolchanel.com/rockin_relationships.html
Read more Articles written by Carol Chanel.
Copyright © 2009 Carol Chanel
"I meant to say NO." We've all have had the experience where we meant to say no to someone. We knew it was going to be difficult but we were determined this time. Then next thing you know, we're saying yes. How did that happen? Why did that happen?
Do you notice that the very people you mean to say no to, are the ones who seem to draw the life energy out of you?
It reminds me of buying a car. You know how much the car costs, how much you can spend, and the next thing you know the salesman has worn you down and your energy is totally spent and you'll say yes to anything just to get out of the dealership.
I don't mean to pick on car salesmen, there are great ones out there who are very helpful and have your best interests at heart.
There are people who are trained to get their way. They will be persistent and determined to get you to say yes.
I take my car to a local car wash and the man who writes up your ticket is a master at getting people to buy the full works. You know the $35 hand wash, hand wax, air freshner, etc. I actually can't stand going there because I know each time I'll have to be really strong and almost harsh to get him to back down. I just want a regular wash and wax. Do you want the $8, the $4 or the $2 wax? Just put the wax on the car and let me out of here!!!
These people are what I call energy suckers and you're the energy lollipop. What actually goes on?
How Do People Get Your Energy?
People learn, from a young age, how to control other people to get their way. Here are some of the techniques they'll use:
How Do They Control You?
Whatever they do to control you, there's only one reason why it happens.
You allow it.
You allow it because you tell yourself you need something from these particular people. Like love, validation, acceptance, approval, a job, a home, or something as simple as your car washed.
Or you allow it because you don't want to be seen a certain way - like harsh, uncooperative, unkind, not nice!
Remember, as women we were raised to be good girls, to be sweet and helpful, not to be assertive, not to compete with each other and at all costs not to create conflict.
How To Be Released From Their Control?
So whatever your reason, it will keep you from being firm. So next time you need to say no, look to see what might keep you from no. Then once you understand that reason, instead of trying to get it from an outside source, give yourself the love, validation or acceptance. Or let go of needing to be seen a certain way.
When you give yourself what you need, you take your energy back. Then you will release yourself from their control.
When you connect to an all-loving God (Divine Source) you will be filled with love, light and joy. God is THE energy source.
Everything comes from God (Divine Source.) If you think that your mother, brother, boyfriend, father, boss, teacher, or husband is the source then you can be controlled. If you realize you receive everything you need and want when you connect to God, then you can freely have what you want. No cost. Yes to God, no to human control.
Saying NO to others who want you to do something you don't want to do, is saying YES to yourself.
The Cost of Not Saying No!
The impact of not saying no to others can be costly to your health, relationships and your spirit.
So the next time your boss asks you to stay late when you have dinner plans, choose yourself and go to dinner. The next time a friend wants you to listen to her sob story, for the 10th time, and it's your workout night, choose yourself and go workout. The next time your boyfriend or spouse wants you to stay at home and watch TV when you have plans to go to the movies with your girlfriends, choose yourself and go to the movies.
You'll be training people how to treat you. You'll be taking care of yourself. You'll be maintaining balance in your life. You'll be building strong relationships.
Remember people are not your Source. Of anything. They may look like it, but they're not. If you get fired for not working late, then you'll get another job right away. If your friend gets mad and doesn't want to talk to you, well sounds like you'll be saving yourself from lots of drama. And if your boyfriend doesn't like you going to the movies with your girlfriends, get another boyfriend. There are plenty where he came from. God or Divine Source will send you anything you need. Just ask and be open to receiving it.
Choose to take care of yourself. Choose to be firm. Choose to say NO to others. Choose to say YES to yourself. Choose the basic $15 car wash.
Imagine the possibilities....
(c) Carol C. Chanel
About the Author:
Carol Chanel is a Certified Life Coach who works with people to create new, meaningful and FUN lives. You can learn more about how to create loving and healthy relationships, draw boundaries, not take things personally, be happy to be who you are, and make time for fun by going to her free ezine archive.
http://www.carolchanel.com/rockin_relationships.html
Read more Articles written by Carol Chanel.
The Mystique of Numbers in Company Names
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Marcia Yudkin
While visiting the House of the Seven Gables in Salem, Massachusetts two weeks ago, made famous in the 1851 book by Nathaniel Hawthorne, I mentally tried out other numbers to see if they would sound as spooky and portentous.
To my ear, House of the Five Gables sounds all too ordinary, while House of the Eight Gables lacks anything that would send a chill up someone's spine. Both the sound of "seven" and its properties as both odd and prime give it a reverberating ring.
I would go so far as to say that numbers have personalities that you need to be aware of when using them in company or product names.
Motel 6: Here, "six" comes across as routine and humdrum, very much like the rooms and prices in this chain.
Super 8: If this motel chain was trying to convey higher quality than Motel 6, it works. Note too that with two long and one short vowel sounds to its competitor's one long and two short ones, the name Super 8 commands more attention while taking up no more space.
Heinz 57: Company founder Henry John Heinz engineered the company's address at PO Box 57 in Pittsburgh in addition to using this number in the corporate slogan ("57 Varieties") and in the name of its steak sauce. I doubt it would have lasted since 1896 as Heinz 28 or Heinz 91 or even Heinz 37.
Note that you don't have to provide an explanation of a number you include in a business name. The Heinz company web site says only that the numbers "5" and "7" had a special significance for founder Henry John Heinz and his wife, not what that significance was. Likewise, the bottle of "Formula 3" shampoo that my hairdresser recently sold me says nothing about what the "3" means.
Just be mindful that certain numbers carry heavy baggage to members of some ethnic and religious groups. For instance, "four" is unlucky to many Chinese because in their language it's a homonym for death. And to Christians, the sequence "666" signifies the devil. "Thirteen" is shunned in many cultures for reasons unknown.
Be mindful also that for a local business, people don't know how to look up company names starting with numbers. If you heard the name "18 Candles" for a party products company, should you look it up in the telephone directory under "E" for "eighteen" or in the front of the book, before the A's? When the number comes after a regular word, as with Studio 54, you avoid this problem.
Finally, when it comes to web domains, most people hearing a company name with a number in it will assume it's written with the numeral rather than in words. They'd look up motel6.com rather than motelsix.com. Even so, you'd be smart to reserve both versions. Motel6.com indeed corresponds to the motel chain, but motelsix.com goes to a site for finding a cheap motel room. Likewise, the founder of fivethirtyeight.com, a political web site referring to the number of seats in the U.S. Congress, thought the written-out-words looked more elegant and neglected to reserve the domain 538.com.
About the Author:
Marcia Yudkin is Head Stork of Named At Last, a company that brainstorms creative business names, product names and tag lines for clients. For a systematic process of coming up with an appealing and effective name or tag line, download a free copy of "19 Steps to the Perfect Company Name, Product Name or Tag Line" at http://www.namedatlast.com/19steps.htm
Read more Articles written by Marcia Yudkin.
Copyright © 2009 Marcia Yudkin
While visiting the House of the Seven Gables in Salem, Massachusetts two weeks ago, made famous in the 1851 book by Nathaniel Hawthorne, I mentally tried out other numbers to see if they would sound as spooky and portentous.
To my ear, House of the Five Gables sounds all too ordinary, while House of the Eight Gables lacks anything that would send a chill up someone's spine. Both the sound of "seven" and its properties as both odd and prime give it a reverberating ring.
I would go so far as to say that numbers have personalities that you need to be aware of when using them in company or product names.
Motel 6: Here, "six" comes across as routine and humdrum, very much like the rooms and prices in this chain.
Super 8: If this motel chain was trying to convey higher quality than Motel 6, it works. Note too that with two long and one short vowel sounds to its competitor's one long and two short ones, the name Super 8 commands more attention while taking up no more space.
Heinz 57: Company founder Henry John Heinz engineered the company's address at PO Box 57 in Pittsburgh in addition to using this number in the corporate slogan ("57 Varieties") and in the name of its steak sauce. I doubt it would have lasted since 1896 as Heinz 28 or Heinz 91 or even Heinz 37.
Note that you don't have to provide an explanation of a number you include in a business name. The Heinz company web site says only that the numbers "5" and "7" had a special significance for founder Henry John Heinz and his wife, not what that significance was. Likewise, the bottle of "Formula 3" shampoo that my hairdresser recently sold me says nothing about what the "3" means.
Just be mindful that certain numbers carry heavy baggage to members of some ethnic and religious groups. For instance, "four" is unlucky to many Chinese because in their language it's a homonym for death. And to Christians, the sequence "666" signifies the devil. "Thirteen" is shunned in many cultures for reasons unknown.
Be mindful also that for a local business, people don't know how to look up company names starting with numbers. If you heard the name "18 Candles" for a party products company, should you look it up in the telephone directory under "E" for "eighteen" or in the front of the book, before the A's? When the number comes after a regular word, as with Studio 54, you avoid this problem.
Finally, when it comes to web domains, most people hearing a company name with a number in it will assume it's written with the numeral rather than in words. They'd look up motel6.com rather than motelsix.com. Even so, you'd be smart to reserve both versions. Motel6.com indeed corresponds to the motel chain, but motelsix.com goes to a site for finding a cheap motel room. Likewise, the founder of fivethirtyeight.com, a political web site referring to the number of seats in the U.S. Congress, thought the written-out-words looked more elegant and neglected to reserve the domain 538.com.
About the Author:
Marcia Yudkin is Head Stork of Named At Last, a company that brainstorms creative business names, product names and tag lines for clients. For a systematic process of coming up with an appealing and effective name or tag line, download a free copy of "19 Steps to the Perfect Company Name, Product Name or Tag Line" at http://www.namedatlast.com/19steps.htm
Read more Articles written by Marcia Yudkin.
For Snazzier New Product Names, Use Creative Naming Prompts
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Marcia Yudkin
Participants in my product development seminar recently asked me for a brainstorming session to help them come up with creative names for information product packages - multi-format products and services that might include a manual, CDs, coaching or consulting and other items.
Here are the questions I posed for this group, along with some examples illustrating product names developed from each idea.
1. What is the result your customers want?
Lose Weight Before Bikini Season
Finish Your First Marathon
The Fame and Fortune Program
Double Your Donor Base
2. Who are your customers?
Fun Fundraising for Museums
The Shy Person's Guide to Networking
Wanna Change the World? Social Entrepreneurship 101
3. What is the problem you solve?
Coach Kids' Soccer Even If You Never Played Yourself
Kicking Procrastination Out of Your Life
The "Home Depot's Coming to Town" Survival Guide for Hardware Stores
Home Study Challenges Solved
4. What do happy customers say?
"We Built a House Ourselves!" The 10-Month Action Plan
The "I Used to Be Fat" Course
The People-Recognize-Me-Everywhere Publicity Program
5. What does your product particularly have or not have?
The Lose Weight Eating Chocolate Plan
The Earth-Friendly Lawn Care Guide
The No-Discipline Method of Kicking Procrastination
No-Rules Parenting
6. What's the customer's fondest fantasy?
Getting Through Your Teen's Years Still Sane
The Tonight Show, Here You Come!
Build a Four-Generation Family Business Dynasty
Multi-millionaire by Your Tenth College Reunion
Whatever sort of product you are creating, these questions can help. Take a look at the words and ideas generated from each brainstorming prompt, then combine, recombine and tweak them further, looking for an appealing succession of words that clicks with you and has great potential to do so with customers as well.
About the Author:
Marcia Yudkin is Head Stork of Named At Last, a company that brainstorms creative business names, product names and tag lines for clients. For a systematic process of coming up with an appealing and effective name or tag line, download a free copy of "19 Steps to the Perfect Company Name, Product Name or Tag Line" at http://www.namedatlast.com/19steps.htm
Read more Articles written by Marcia Yudkin.
Copyright © 2009 Marcia Yudkin
Participants in my product development seminar recently asked me for a brainstorming session to help them come up with creative names for information product packages - multi-format products and services that might include a manual, CDs, coaching or consulting and other items.
Here are the questions I posed for this group, along with some examples illustrating product names developed from each idea.
1. What is the result your customers want?
2. Who are your customers?
3. What is the problem you solve?
4. What do happy customers say?
5. What does your product particularly have or not have?
6. What's the customer's fondest fantasy?
Whatever sort of product you are creating, these questions can help. Take a look at the words and ideas generated from each brainstorming prompt, then combine, recombine and tweak them further, looking for an appealing succession of words that clicks with you and has great potential to do so with customers as well.
About the Author:
Marcia Yudkin is Head Stork of Named At Last, a company that brainstorms creative business names, product names and tag lines for clients. For a systematic process of coming up with an appealing and effective name or tag line, download a free copy of "19 Steps to the Perfect Company Name, Product Name or Tag Line" at http://www.namedatlast.com/19steps.htm
Read more Articles written by Marcia Yudkin.
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