Lighting Tips for a Beautiful Twilight Garden

By Solomon Kavou

Garden lights, if carefully and tastefully chosen, can add ambience, safety and security to the home. From outdoor barbecues to summer dances or just spending a quiet evening in the garden, outdoor lights add the necessary illumination for being able to see. If you have an outdoor swimming pool then outdoor garden lights can really bring the space to life and looks great in the long summer nights.

Although the added ambience and beauty that outdoor garden lighting can bring is a wonderful aspect it should always be secondary to the importance of adding additional security and safety to your home. Security is obvious, as a well lit exterior can be an immediate deterrent to any potential burgular but well lit pathways also reduce the risk of accidents for yourselves and any visitors.

It does not need to be over stressed that anything you can do to reduce the risk of burgulary should be implimented. Burgulars look for easy targets and a well lit home will instantly rule out your home as a potential target for the majority of burgulars.

Low voltage outdoor lighting sets are becomming more and more popular as they are used for subtle lighting effects that can bring a wondeful soft ambience to your garden. A wide range of designs can be achieved with a combination of low lighting and soft hues and it doesn't need to cost you a fortune.

In a similar way to creating a design in your home you ideally want to accentuate the strong features of your garden. For example, you might have a pool or pond or maybe just a sculpture or even a bird bath that you could focus some subtle lighting on. Be careful with lighting human form statues though as these can look suprisingly disturbing when lit from below.

Your home will not only look beautiful from the outside but the more important aspect of safety and security is improved. Garden lights can make a big difference to your garden for a variety of reasons and great results can be achieved with even a small budget.

About the Author:

For more important advice on designing with garden lights pay us a visit at www.gardenlightstore.com

Garden Lighting Tips and Advice

By Solomon Kavou

If you choose your garden lighting design carefully and with a lot of forthought you can bring your garden to life in the evenings and be the envy of your neighbors and friends. Whether admiring the view from a window in the evening or enjoying the outdoors with friends on a warm summer night, garden lights can really add the wow factor to your home.

Garden lights can transform your garden but the most important aspect to consider is the safety and security of yourself and your property. Think about using rope lights to outline the driveway and keep vehicles on the right path. Assist yourself and your visitors with some subtle, undercover moonlights along the garden path to add a soft glow that won't blind anyone. Lighting that is tastefully placed along the path can be hidden and low in voltage to provide a soft glow.

It does not need to be over stressed that anything you can do to reduce the risk of burgulary should be implimented. Burgulars look for easy targets and a well lit home will instantly rule out your home as a potential target for the majority of burgulars.

The most popular types of garden lights on the market today are solar garden lights and low voltage soft lights or moonlights. Low level lighting is wonderful for creating sublte ambience in your garden and is very cost effective. Beautiful effects can be created for 30 dollars or less.

You might want to, for example, place subtle low voltage moonlights around a pool or Koi pond with a soft blue hue which brings a wondeful tranquil ambience to the area. If you are looking to create a party atmosphere for barbecues for example then soft lights placed around the seating areas with pastel shades can work beautifully.

Work out your budget and no matter how small that is you can add subtle effects to your garden with carefully chosen lighting that will really bring your garden to life in the evenings. And with solar lighting you can experiment easily to find the right design for you.

About the Author:

Find out many more tips on creating designs with garden lights visit us at www.gardenlightstore.com

Who may learn to be a speed reader?

By Dr. Jay Polmar

The world is dominated by life-long learners: people who take the time to learn everything they can about their chosen field and everything they can about corresponding subjects. The 400 most successful businesspeople "the Forbes 400" attribute most of their success to reading at least one non-fiction book a month. But when you have a family and work wants to dominate your time, carving out the time to read all those books can be really difficult. New books on every subject are being published every day. How is one supposed to keep up at work or school, spend time with family and find time to read ten to fifteen extra books a year?

You can't add hours to your day, but you can reduce the time it takes to read those books. Learning to speed read is your answer. Cutting your reading time in half or even more would give you the ability to simply devour the books you always wanted to read, the books you know you should read, and the ones you need to read to get ahead.

You may have looked into 1-day or multiple day speed reading seminars or home courses before, only to be turned off by the price. A single one-day live speed reading seminar can set you back anywhere from $200 to $700 "per person" and the results are far from guaranteed. But, starting at just $69.99 USD, SpeedRead America offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee for anyone with a third grade or higher reading level.

With Speedread Americas course for the family, you can double your reading speed starting with our best-selling Speed Read in Only One Hour, which offers techniques to help you break bad habits learned when you were first learning to read. With our supplements for business professionals "Business Speed Reading Success, which focuses on Business and MBA professionals, and How To Get Things Accomplished In Less Time, which teaches smart time management" you will learn not only how to fly over the pages of corporate reports, you will also learn new techniques for note taking, concentration, recall and, with our Think Right course, you will also learn positive thinking exercises and stress relief to increase your reading speed even more.

The corporate edition of the Speed Read Complete course also includes add-ons useful for generating sales, and includes one of the first-ever courses written on the Law of Attraction. Our proven audio courses teach the busy professional how to sit back and relax.

Aimed at adults, corporate and business employees and MBA professionals, Speed Read Complete Corporate Edition offers not just the ability to speed read. Included in the Corporate Edition is also a time management course and a course to help you achieve your life goals by using the material from our Online Download Library of speed reading and self power improving publications.

The best part is that not only will you be able to double your reading speed after the first one-hour lesson, but we have also had mid-level managers receive promotions as little as three weeks after starting our course!

Written by Dr. Jay Polmar, an expert in the fields of self-improvement, continuing education and self-growth, Speed Read Complete boasts a success rate unheard of in its industry and offers a full money back guarantee that you will be reading significantly faster in just only hours - we guarantee it.

About the Author:

Become the best Become in School and in the Corporate America. Make sure to check out Dr. Jay Polmar's most excellent course: The Complete Speed Reading Program -- there are personal and corporate editions with goal planning The Complete Speed Reading program , and be the best Become in school and business- be powerful!

How To Promote Your Plumbing Business?

By Greg Hamlyn

Expand Your Plumbing Business Prospects

The idea of launching and managing your own plumbing business might be exciting, but it can also be challenging. Even for someone with techniques of plumbing business knowledge can still be complicated. There is an enormous dissimilarity between being the owner of your own business and being in partnership. As an owner you are solely responsible for every planning and promotion of the business.

Additionally, your living is reliant on the achievement of the business. Contrasting to the fact, when you are hired by somebody, and when you supervise a business on your own- you have to confront all the risk factors all by yourself. However, simultaneously launching your own business is not always a failure, if you pursue all the accurate measures and plan your things consequently. There are numerous prospects of success as contrasting to collapse if you plan your business appropriately. From, coaching to time management, to team building, customer service and marking leadership - everything must be taken into your plan of action to generate a smooth cash flow.

The plumbing business is not unique from other ventures and you can imply the similar policies, for instance, you need a remarkable business plan, so as to get hold of funding for your venture. Making business guidelines is like sketching plot to achieve your destination. You're will find it hard to reach your target if you are unaware where you are heading, and what medium will require getting there. You will have to understand your target audience and market demands along with to meet their demands. Peruse the market and do research to know the demand. Market research is basic for the success of any sort of business. It is very important to check that there is an obligation for the service you are enthusiastic to provide.

Business is not a child's play and for those who kill time, rather it succumbs to those who stretch out and enlighten masses with their unfailing services. Regardless of the fact that you are making a debut in the corporate world or expand your business the main factor is to promote your services. You can do the simple marketing by placing some adverts in local newspapers, distributing brochures and display flyers in shopping stores, leisure places and institutions. If you are a novice then you can begin vending your services to the society members. If you provide good services and create a benchmark then they will consider you to social groups. Search and get in touch with the property improvement around your vicinity for business. In addition, also collect information about your competitors so that your can make plans in a better way.

If you are seeking for investment, then mark and classify groups that have deep curiosity in your forte market. This will be one of the important decisions you will ever make for promoting your business

Only provide work to people when it is indispensable to do so. One of the best things, about the plumbing business is that one can begin his own business by selection works that he can manage independently. One can single out jobs, do them and also manage bills on his own when establishing. In case you choose to employ, provide work to individuals, you can deal with in terms of work. Select people who have knowledge and expertise in the trade.

About the Author:

PlumbersCoaching.com is the first online coaching website designed exclusively for Plumbers and trades people. Giving access to the proven business growth formula '10 Keys to a Profitable Business' presented in an easy format in over 45 how to videos, tools and tips.

Get The Best Plumbing Business Plan And Build Your Business

By Greg Hamlyn

How to Excel In One's Newly Established Business Model.

Many a time, when you think of launching your own plumbing business, there seem to be road blocks in form of improper planning. Complex software also does not provide adequate assistance or any better potential. Business plan is based upon various aspects of the plumbing trade, which are tried and tested methods of successful businesses. Business planning should be a vital focus for companies of any dimension. A well-organized plan provides the plumbing business, a road map to accomplishment. It also offers focus to accentuate the decisive few selections that produces the most profitable return on investment.

Putting down a plumbing business plan is one of the most essential steps when lunching a plumbing trade. It is costly to have someone else inscribe your business plan for you. Therefore, you can seek guidance from a prominent web portals, which would be significantly cheaper and faster method. The website provides important tools and guidelines to establish a successful plumbing business. It explicated the importance of time management, team building, marking leadership and premium how to provide customer services. It is a self-motivated coaching book, which should be evaluated on a regular basis, so as to supervise and assess the performance of your company.

A plumbing business plan is actually advantageous in many senses. It definitely helps you develop your business but it also assists you in other areas as well. It helps you to make your mind when your company actually starts working. It organizes all the concepts for you. It simplifies all the work and tells you where the problem is. The most important advantage of planning is that is makes you focus on your ultimate goal and take you closer to it.

The Advantages of Putting Up a Plumbing Business Plan

The Business Plan of plumbing business is essentially meant for the regulated and planned development of your business:

It mentally prepares the people and makes them realize about when the trade will be commercially practicable.

It organizes the concepts of the business and expresses them as a planned layout.

It simplifies the business principles to the person himself and also conveys them to his partner or staff.

It envisages the potential of the business and makes sure that the goals of the company are fulfilled in every condition without any difficulty.

An effective strategy is designed for your business along with its marketing plans.

putting down targets and goals, together with sales and monetary targets, so that you can screen your business' growth.

If a person is a business entrepreneur and he wishes to start a new plumbing business then it is better for him to start his business as a plumbing equipment provider. He can also lend tools to various plumbers in the market and make money out of the profit which he would get by lending the tools to the plumbers.

About the Author:

PlumbersCoaching.com is the first online coaching website designed exclusively for Plumbers and trades people. Giving access to the proven business growth formula '10 Keys to a Profitable Business' presented in an easy format in over 45 how to videos, tools and tips.

Know How To Start A Plumbing Business Now!

By Greg Hamlyn

Ways for Effectively Launching Your Plumbing Trade

If a person wants to step into his own business, this activity can be proved to be very much rewarding for him especially in today's world of Globalization. Most people set up their own business in a field wherein they have polished their skills throughout their lives. Those people, who are highly skilled in plumbing, take on establishing their own business in plumbing only. Before actually entering the plumbing business, it is very important for him to get a proper plumbing coaching.

If you have a past experience in plumbing and are contemplating to begin your own plumbing business, you can take into account some of the tips mentioned below:

Approvals: Getting all the approvals is one of them. Any good businessman knows about the rules and laws about his profession. Hence before picking up any work, make sure to get the necessary license and registrations done.

Growing the Business: If the businessman does not know how to establish and grow his business, perhaps the business would never reach good heights. Advertisements play a vital role for service providers like plumbers. You can also hire people if you think that the work load would be troublesome. Having employees also help in increasing the reputation in the market.

Constructing A Reliable Customer Service - Building up new customers and keeping good relations with them can be a very challenging task and if a person does not have proper knowledge about dealing with different kinds of people, he cannot succeed in this area. Also it is necessary to know about the needs of the customers to whom the person is dealing with.

Time Management -As in the case any fresh business, time is your leading plus point. It takes time and persistence to put up any thriving business.

Reaching The Markets -Plumbers usually publicize themselves through the word of mouth as in the starting of the business, publicity is not given much importance due to low budget. If a plumber gives good service to one of his customer then that particular customer will spread a word about his good work among his circle and like this the plumber would get his publicity

Team Building - If you have successfully put up a team of plumbers, under your supervision, team building comes next. It is important to explain and coach your workers as a team, so as to inculcate the feeling of team building. Training of plumbing work is not sufficient, team playing amongst the plumbers is also equally important to be eligible for taking up bigger projects.

Advertising a Plumbing Business -Conventionally, telephone directory records are significant to expand business for housing repair and fixing business. Marketing through the World Wide Web, principally search marketing, is gaining prominence for service provided by plumbers. You are required to know how to ensure that prospective clientele locate your company's name when they are on a look out for plumber services in your area.

About the Author:

Are you ready to know tools and techniques for growth and greater profits? Then, visit the website http://www.PlumbersCoaching.com which is providing the online coaching program for plumbers and trades people in helping them to reach the success level and fulfill their dreams.

The Reasons House Shutters Are So Popular

By Gus Kopalinski

Even though you can't tell, most shutters on houses are there just for decoration. Many house shutters are what are called decorative shutters that look great but provide no real benefit. They are made to look like the real thing but they really are for aesthetic value only. If you have a chance, take a close look at the shutters on some houses in your neighborhood. you will most likely see that the majority of them are just for decoration.

Real working shutters, on the other hand, can provide protection from the all the elements including wind, rain, and sun. In states where hurricanes are a threat, people install storm shutters in hopes they will protect the window and house when the wind reaches high speeds. Most houses though, have no need for real working shutters and the homeowners just like the shutters look.

There is a large variety of styles and colors to choose from and you can tailor shutters to give a house a vintage look or something more modern. All in all, decorative shutters are a relatively inexpensive way of adding a little flair to the outside of a house. Many people realize that with little cost, they can raise the "curb appeal" of their house.

Exterior shutters made of wood are what most people initially look for to put on their homes. But wood is not the only material that exterior shutters can be made of. In fact, it is one of the least durable. Exterior house shutters can be made of fiberglass, vinyl, composite, and aluminum materials many of which stand up to the elements better than real wood. The fact is that all those materials can be made to look just like wood and in many cases they wont warp and wear like real wood will.

This fact makes other materials often times a better choice for exterior shutters than real wood. Additionally, since most exterior shutters are only for decoration, they are never actually over the windows and are just mounted on the sides of the house. This mounting process is quite easy to do. The only time most people house shutters is from a distance and it is very hard to tell the difference between a real wood shutter and one made of another material.

About the Author:

Do you want to learn about basswood shutters or other kinds of shutters? Please visit my website House Shutters Ideas to find out more.

Lead the Way to Innovation by Getting Out of the Way

By Sander A. Flaum

In our intensely competitive global economy, be it pharmaceuticals, electronics, software or OTC products, the name of the game is innovation. The key to staying on top is getting to the next big idea and turning it into a marketable product or service"and doing it faster than the competition or the private label distributors. How can we lead with innovation as our goal? Everybody knows that the best ideas rarely come from the top; we also know that people usually do not come up with innovations while sitting at the computer checking e-mails, listening to voicemails or sitting in on the production forecast meeting.

The creativity that spawns innovation transcends the daily grind of the workplace and often shows up in unexpected areas. Great ideas come in dreams, from reading magazines you normally wouldn't pick up, seeing a movie, meeting new people, eating at a new restaurant, traveling to a foreign land and scores of other daily human activities that are unattached to the structural demands of traditional office life in corporate America.

The question I put to leaders is this: how can we reengineer office life to serve innovation? For many years, the function of office life was to serve production. Production is orderly, has concrete goals, benchmarks to meet, quotas to produce, etc. But as fast as markets move and shift, building an office environment around production only is no longer appropriate. Such an environment produces the illusion of stability in the marketplace.

Innovations happen when we don't have a specific goal in mind. A powerful innovation leaps over goals and staid thinking to create a new and bold strategy. Today, more than ever, we need creative offices where innovation is encouraged, not orderly offices where status quo thought and performance are repeated day after day.

It is our leaders who are charged with making this happen. Leaders must somehow find a way to tap into their people's imaginations and set them free to roam in uncharted territory. Leaders need to be prepared to put a process in motion and then get out of the way so that the boundless creativity of their people takes over. Much different than the old time autocrats, today's leader must be a creative facilitator - someone who understands how to provide people with a less stressful environment that allows for the playful experimentation that leads to innovation.

I advise my clients to bring together a diverse group of people and meet off-site one morning a month, using a different creative facilitator every time (not the boss!). No phones, no computers and no interruptions. A well-facilitated three hours are all the group needs to go off and dream about the "Big Idea."

During these creative three hours, group members can focus their full attention on what's out there and get clarity on what they've been thinking about for the last month, what they've been reading, seeing, experiencing and hearing about from customers, the sales people, the media, other cultures, popular culture, compatible or incompatible industries, etc. The group then needs to consider the ideas they believe they can all get behind to meet and/or exceed the challenges at hand.

Next, the group drills down to the four or five concepts that best fit the company culture and have the substance to promote what Andy Grove calls a 10x change. It is then - when they think one particular idea makes sense and is executable - that they are charged with making it happen. They present it to the powers that be, or to whomever they report. And the key for the leader here is to get out of the way of the "Big Idea" and let it find its footing in the real world.

Remarkable things happen when upper management communicates that it supports and values these brainstorming sessions - that they are not just some nice activity, but are actually at the heart of a new business model based on innovation. Then people approach these monthly meetings having really done their homework. They are fired up because they know they can potentially come out with a "Big Idea" that will impact the real world of their business. They become aware of how much trust the leadership has in their creative abilities. And in today's knowledge-based creative economy, where workers are after the next big intellectual challenge, such a leadership practice has the incredible side effect of bolstering employee retention.

For the leader who nourishes this kind of forward-looking "Big Idea" thinking within the ranks, it would be foolish not to let some of the best ideas run their course. Allow people to fail. Not every great idea can be a commercial marketable innovation, but some will be - and they make the ultimate difference.

Sometimes we get stuck in our thinking about leadership. I suggest that today's leaders should be charged with allowing some chaos - at least enough to produce that elusive eureka! moment that can transform their company from average to extraordinary.

About the Author:

Looking for professional development Calgary or leadership training in Ottawa? Then check out the many training and development courses offered by Canadian Management Centre, a trusted partner in worldwide professional development with over 40 years of experience.

Boxing Training Programs for Unbeatable Health and Fitness

By Benedict Hunter

Training to box is a high-intensity workout regimen that will make you healthier and much more physically fit. It is one of the most powerful programs out there today to help you achieve the strong, attractive body you desire, become more agile, and boost self-esteem. It is a total body workout that cannot be beaten.

A lot of people have noticed beneficial results from boxing programs. Well for a start, a good boxing program can help you build powerful and well-defined arms and legs. These training programs will also help develop your inner strength, discipline and emotional balance.

Develop a knockout body

Boxing training first became popular as a form of workout routine a few years ago when health and fitness experts realized how beneficial they were to the heart and musculature of those who enrolled in them. Videos leading Tae Bo and Cardio-Box workouts began a tidal wave of workout programs geared toward boxing and martial arts.

New aerobics classes have mastered a blend of intense cardio and boxing moves like power jabs and hooks. As you become more adept, you can master any number of combination moves. This type of routine gives you an excellent overall workout and gets you in shape quickly.

Boxing and martial arts moves are performed on an imaginary adversary instead of a real person. You are probably familiar with shadow boxing, something you often see on exercise videos. Many training facilities and gyms have good heavy bags and speed bags that you can use to give you punches a real target. If you don't mind wearing safety gear, you can also compete with a partner.

Beat the calories

Kickboxing and other similar training exercises aren't just great for improving the way your body looks; these programs burn an enormous amount of calories in a relatively short amount of time-up to 600 per hour. They manage to keep your heart rate up at around 185% of its regular rhythm, which is the proper rate for getting cardiovascular benefits.

The long-term effects of boxing training

Boxing classes improve your endurance, speed and stamina. Agility and flexibility of muscles and joints are also developed. The repetitive motion of the arms and legs during training and sparring sessions develops speed and power behind these limbs.

Martial-arts type exercise programs are also great for the lower body, mainly the legs. They teach better balance and show you how to position your body for the most stability.

Moreover, knowledge gained from boxing and kickboxing classes will enhance your defensive skills and may come in handy in dire situations that require drastic measures. You will feel calm yet confident in knowing that you can defend yourself and your loved ones should the need arise.

A Change in Attitude

Martial arts aren't just about physical fitness. They also focus heavily on disciplining your mind and developing your inner self. In doing this, you will learn to deal constructively with stress and worry.

A growing number of personal trainers are promoting martial arts lessons to their clients. One reason for this is that the workouts are extremely flexible. They provide a way to get fit for people at all levels of fitness. Boxing also allows the fittest and most competitive individuals to push their limits.

Like all fitness programs, boxing training requires discipline and perseverance. Stick to this program for a long time and you will reap the rewards of a strong and healthy body.

About the Author:

Benedict recommends Supplement Centre Bodybuilding Supplements for Maximuscle and Prolab products and Dream Swing Golf Swing Trainer

Basement Pricing Martial Arts

By Noel Hunt

Welcome to the world of martial arts and Karate! You must have made a brave decision to learn martial arts or karate, but you're not quite ready to attend the practice seasons, without the essential apparels & equipments. You can purchase a kit; otherwise you may buy separate items, depending upon your necessities. Ankle weight exercise items are a must, and the Thigh-Mate gives you a good option at optimal cost.

So let's start with a complete package, which comes with a jacket, set of pants, as well as karate belt. In this regard, the Century Cornerman - Martial Arts Training set will give you just what the doctor ordered, and cater to all the basic needs. However, additionally you must purchase the accessories like ankle weight, pads, as well as additional stuff to save your body from injuries during the initial days.

One thing that you must remember though, would be the mere fact that the pants would be the most important part of your outfit, as the comfort factor doesn't really apply to jacket & belt usually. So it's essential that you pick a pair of pants, which will allow you to feel totally comfortable & the 100% hemp pants by Ecolution may turn out to be an ideal option.

It gives you true value for money, and these are recommendable for those, who really love high quality stuff rather than just cheap apparels. Looking at some cool martial arts and karate outfits, 8 inch stuffed animal Karate Shirts, Karate Pants with Tail Slot at the Back, the 8 inch karate outfit that will fit your Webkinz would surely catch your eyes instantly.

The belts usually happen to be the most neglected part of the outfit of the newbies, though they soon become their top attraction within no time. Once you start practising karate or martial arts you'd simply love as many belts as you can get, and keeping them organised may become your next big problem.

Therefore, the belts displays also turn out to be an essential part of your collection. One interesting thing to be noted here is the fact that these belts usually attract your kids & if you're having a hard time sending them to the martial arts academy, you should probably purchase few belts of their favourite colour & design, and then keep them in a belt display to increase the enthusiasm of your ward.

Therefore, finding martial arts equipments, karate clothing, gears, belt racks, supplies and uniform isn't that tough; yeah check out the latest karate kick pads, uniform gi, as well as some arts shoes too. While karate & martial arts head gear provide additional security, the ankle and knee weights keep you in shape.

Pick some nice karate training equipment, and get ready to enter the battle-field & take out your opponents in style. Once you're equipped with all necessary gears, and accessories, chances are high that you'll find learning karate & martial arts to be lot of fun. Take good care to wear the additional head gears and other safety items, to save you from discouraging injuries.

About the Author:

I wrote an article to show you how to find Martial Arts Uniforms also with special sections on martial arts supplies with daily updated pricing on other bargains.

How to Avoid Becoming A Victim of Heart Disease

By Zak Hart

Heart disease and diseases of the circulatory system are responsible for 1 in every 3 deaths in the UK, account for 233,000 fatalities each year. The saddest thing about this is that a huge majority of these deaths are preventable, all that is needed is a small lifestyle change. Although some people will be at a higher risk of heart disease due to genetics, looking after your diet and practicing correct lifestyle patterns can still stack the odds of beating it heavily in your favour. You just need to know what the main risk factors are and what you can do to beat them.

You probably won't be too surprised to know that if you're a man you already have a higher chance of dying young due to heart disease. For women the increase risk usually comes in much later - prominantly once 'the change' has occurred. Nevertheless the point is not whether you are a man or woman - though that does obviously affect your heart disease risks. The issue is more of the increase in heart disease risk in relation the increase in the amount of years you have been alive. The longer you have been around on this planet the shorter your chances of getting heart problems become. This is because many of the other risk factors increase with age - risk that you will need to be aware of.

If you're a smoker then heart disease is just one of many serious illnesses that you increase your risk the chances of getting. The rest of the illnesses and conditions are a subject all on their own so for now we will just focus on heart disease. Want to double your chances of heart disease? Well it's easy - just smoke 20 fags a day. Done. Increase the fag quota and increase the chances even more. Like aging, smoking is a serious health hazard. The difference is you can do something about one of them.

Abnormally high blood pressure is another risk factor for heart disease. The problem is with high blood pressure is that you could have it and not know it. You can be perfectly healthy and still have high blood pressure. This means that the best way to combat high blood pressure is to have a regular check with your GP - this is of particular importance as you get older. It's much better that your GP tell you about a high blood pressure problem than a heart attack.

Another indicator that you do not want to be high is your cholesterol level. Cholesterol is a type of fat that is normally present in the bloodstream, so if you have too much of it is probably down to your diet. If you have a lot of cholesterol in your blood stream you could increase your risk of heart problems by as much as three times. The moral of the story - lay off the dairy products!

As with most health issues the risks can be reduced by a little bit of exercise in the daily routine. It gets you fitter, it gets your heart fitter, and it keeps the weight off. The truth is if you are overweight and/or unfit then the chances of you having higher BP and cholesterol levels increase. It basically means you straight away increase the risk of heart disease. As they say prevention is usually better than cure. A little exercise in your life can go a long way to keep heart disease away.

We all get a little stressed from time to time. It's no big deal right? Wrong. Evidence points to ongoing stress leading to high blood pressure. This means as you get older stress becomes less and less welcome. This doesn't even take into account the risks that stress places on someone who already has heart disease. Stress could literally be the straw that breaks the hearts valve's wall. Admittedly stress is not nearly as big a problem as smoking or having a high cholesterol level. Nevertheless it can make the difference for some unlucky people.

About the Author:

Whether you need remedies for heart health or if you have women's health factors to think about make sure you do what is right for you to reduce your heart disease risk. It's better to sort yourself out now than have your heart sort you later.

Smoking is Like A Smoking Gun For Heart Disease

By Zak Hart

Ignorance is no excuse to suffer from heart disease associated with smoking. For years doctors have tried to preach the dangers of smoking to the public, making the dangers widely known. Some people still choose to not take these warnings seriously. You may think it will never happen to you but is it really worth the risk?

Among the thousands of chemicals in cigarettes at least 60 of them are considered toxic to our bodies. Each time you inhale you are allowing these toxins to flow freely through your blood stream. Over time your body starts to show the affects of the toxins as your arteries begin to harden. Once this has happened your body is open to suffering from heart attacks, heart failure, and instant death.

Your body doesn't care if you've smoked one pack of cigarettes, or three hundred, yet there are people that still ask if I smoke only two cigarettes a day am I still at risk? That's like someone asking if I stand on the train tracks between 1pm and 2 pm am I still at risk of being hit by a speeding train.

Each person's body is different this is why a doctor can't tell you yes you can smoke a pack a day for a year and not have this affect you, because only your body can decide when it has had all it can take. Your family history can't be avoided, especially when adding smoking as another factor you are at higher risk of heart disease than the average person.

Each time you pick up a cigarette and light it around a non smoker you are also putting them at risk, even though they didn't make the same choices you did. This is why it is suggested if you have to smoke you should go to an open outdoor area away from others.

If the cigarette company listed the thousands of chemicals that were in their cigarettes on each pack the risk of heart disease would surely drop, because people would be repulsed at what they were putting in their mouths. These toxins are what contribute to fatty deposits building up in our arteries. For women who smoke and take certain birth control they have even higher chances of suffering from heart disease than the average person.

So the next time you or a loved one lights that cigarette just remember they are one step closer to that speeding train, and the only way to slow it down is to quit smoking. Although it's a tough choice to quit it is the only thing that is keeping you from leading a healthy life.

About the Author:

There are plenty of stop smoking programs out there to help you quit smoking. Get all the help you can and you might just surprise yourself, and any oncoming heart problems.

What is Your Emergency Plan?

By Eric Vanderham

Everyone should have an emergency plan that is developed well in advance of any disaster that might hit their area. Some of us live in zones more prone to certain natural disasters such as tornadoes, active volcanoes, hurricaines, floods,tsunami areas, etc. At school we learn what to do if an earthquake or other disaster strikes, but families and individuals should have a plan in place that will help us cope effectively at home with an emergency.

An ideal list would include the following concerns that you have discussed with your children and partner:

- contact person in and out of town.

- health information and where documents are stored.

- a designated person who you are comfortable picking up the children if you cannot.

- a person designated to pick up your child or family if you are unable to.

- location of water valve, fire extinguisher, electrical box, gas valve, floor drain.

- what to do with pets and their place of priority in the family, i.e. emphasis on people before pets for safety. This is a touchy subject until you have lost a loved one and realize the devastation that is compared to a beloved pet. See more information on this on my site.

Calling 9-1-1 " this needs to be clearly explained. The times to call 911 are for reporting crimes, fires and to save a life.

During an emergency, follow your emergency plan, take your emergency kit which you should have put together ahead of time, keep a listening ear on the radio and television for alert updates and evacuation orders, stay where you are until all is safe or until evacuation is ordered.

One of the biggest mistakes we make is forgetting about another person being designated to pick up family members. A password for children should be assigned, in order for them to know when it is okay to go with another person. This password should be frequently tested in order to ensure it is still in their minds. They need to know they cannot share this password with anyone. Its hilarious providing scenarios and seeing them handle themselves with a password, but in real life, it is not funny if they are vulnerable to leave with someone they shouldnt. Practice scenarios so they know what to do regardless of what the person tells them.

The 72-hour emergency plan has been established worldwide as a time period for people to be completely organized for, i.e. having supplies and a survival plan in the event of a disaster.

Part of an emergency plan is knowing what to do in specific scenarios. If you are outdoors, stay away from trees, walls, power lines and other buildings. If you are driving, stay away from bridges, buildings, power lines, and stay in the car off the side of the road until the tremors have ceased. In the home, identify heavy furniture to drop under and hide, how to cover your head and torso to protect from flying objects and heavy items falling, windows and outer walls to stay away from.

Radio Stations " a shortwave radio with antenna should have 3 - 12 mhz, decent radio should be able to pick up on AM 530 " 1710 khz, FM 88 " 108 mhz.

Television Stations " VHF channels and Weather Alert channels.

About the Author:

Do you have an emergency plan in place for your your family members? Are they aware ofwhat to do at home or away if disaster strikes? Some quick planning can provide assuranceand possibly save their lives. emergency plan This and other unique content '' articles are available with free reprint rights.

The Law of Attraction Can Help You, But Only If You Let It

By Ina Hikmatullah

Whether youve seen the movie the Secret, or youve just been reviewing coaching and mentoring programs recently, chances are that you have already heard of the Law of Attraction. It basically states that if you know exactly what you want, you ask the Universe for it, behave as though it is on the way, and then be open to receiving it, you can get whatever you want.

Okay, so what is the Law of Attraction, again? Its the idea that if you really want something, ask the universe to give it to you, take consistent action to achieve this want, and are open to receiving it when it comes, you will be able to have and accomplish anything that you may desire.

Seriously, many people believe this to be no less true than the Law of Gravity. We are all subject to the Law of Attraction, whether we know it or not. The trick is to learn more about how it works so that we can use it to our advantage.After all, the first step is to know what we want, and then having the confidence that we can indeed make it a possibility. Whether or not you believe that the Law of Attraction is real, most of us can believe that this is an essential part of any successful enterprise.

For example, the first step is to ask the Universe what you want. Its recommended that you are very clear about it. A lot of times, you are also required to write it down in order to increase the chance of it working. Of course, this can just be interpreted as setting tangible goals, which, whether or not you believe in the Law of Attraction, is going to be an essential step in having success in any sort of enterprise. Time and time again, we see that people who first take the time to define what it is that they want from their efforts will be more consistently rewarded.

The other half, behaving as though something is on the way and then, when it presents itself, being open to receiving it, demonstrates nothing more than the power of positive thinking. Positive thinking is so much more effective than negative thinking in every scenario. In fact, Im surprised that so many people are negative by nature. What does it ever help?

Of course, the last step is acceptance. In order for us to reap the benefits of our efforts, we have to be open to taking advantage of the opportunities when they present themselves. A lot of times, we dont get what we want in the form that we had originally imagined. When this happens, we often fail to recognize opportunities for what they really are, and we let them pass us by.

The prophecies that we make for ourselves are self-fulfilling not because of the mysteries of the universe, but because we, ultimately, are the ones that make our own destinies. I can want something to work out for me, but if I dont believe that it will, how can it?

So basically, you can believe that the Law of Attraction is the forces of nature working for you, or you can believe that it is you making everything happen. Either way, you will get results.

About the Author:

How would you like to make lucrative income like Ina Hikmatullah by using Law of Attraction? Check out her thriving Personal Development Business here You are welcome to reprint this article - but get your own unique content version here.

Fat Blasting At Its Best - The Firm Wave

By Carol J Bartram

A new piece of equipment to the exercise market is the Firm Wave which can be used both in the gym and in the comfort of your own home. The design of the Firm Wave is uncomplicated but clever; it is a small unit that can be carried easily and put away practically anywhere. One side of the Wave is stable and the other isn't.

The Firm Wave has gaps in each side where elastic exercise bands can be fixed, giving a fully portable platform for all kinds of exercises, from cardiovascular exercise to train the heart and lungs and burn calories to strength training for toning all the major muscle groups in the body. Furthermore, the Firm Wave can be used for all types of balancing exercises both at floor level and standing - even seated - to work the core muscles and strengthen and lengthen the large muscles of the legs, arms and chest.

The Firm Wave means you no longer have to use half a dozen different machines to get the exercise results you want. No more need for a treadmill for cardio exercise, fixed weight machines to strengthen and tone your muscles and then a stability ball or an ab cradle for core work and stretching. The Wave can do it all, no matter what your age or exercise experience.

The anchored side of the Firm Wave has a curve; step up onto this and you stand on the crest of the Wave. Doing simple step-up and step-down exercises strengthens the major thigh and butt muscles, works the calves, and stabilises all the little muscles of the ankles and feet. Stepping also burns a surprising number of calories and is more energetic than you think - try going to a Step class and you'll see what I mean. As well as simple step up and down, there are also step touches, step lunges, step kicks and knee lifts, and also crossing over the Wave from side to side, which brings the inner and outer thigh muscles into play as well.

And that's just the stable side of the Firm Wave; turn your Wave over and it rocks, giving a whole new meaning to Riding the Wave! To balance while this side rocks you will use lots of muscles deep within your body that you never knew you had. This makes your workout challenging, fun, burns lots more calories and is very good for improving your balance in the everyday world. Whether you are young or old you will notice the difference that the Firm Wave can make for you!

About the Author:

Carol Bartram is a Personal Trainer who often instructs clients and classes using the versatile Firm Wave. Carol feels that The Firm Wave gives a great, fat-burning and toning workout without a client requireing to have lots of different workout items. All Carols clients require is their Wave, an workout band and a couple of handweights to be ready to do a vast range of workouts.

Common Failures of Lap Band

By M Vasquez

Lap Band surgery has been hailed as being one of the easiest ways for a person to lose weight, but truth be told there are definitely some problems with the procedure. While these problems are not exactly endemic or typical of lap band surgeries, they are problems that can cause intense problems for the people that have undergone the surgery and for that reason are failures that people should know about before they actually go ahead and have the surgery done. The two most common failure of lap band would have to be migration errors and erosion errors.

The migration error is an error that takes place when the band that is being used actually ends up moving from one part of the stomach to another. The whole point of the lap band surgery is that when the band is inserted into the body, it can then be used to constrict the stomach and in doing so it can then be used by the person with the band to regulate the amount of food that they take in. However, the band is operating in an area of the body that does not have a large amount of friction and for that reason the natural movements of the human body over time can cause the band to move from one part of the stomach to another or even get dislodged from the stomach entirely in severe cases. This not only completely cancels the effectiveness of the band, but it also means that another operation needs to be scheduled in order for the doctor to go in and replace the band or maybe even remove it entirely if that is what the patient now wants.

The erosion error is an error that has similar results, although for a different reason. Rather than moving out of position or falling off where it is supposed to be, a band that experiences an erosion error actually sees part of the material within the band disappear entirely. This happens because of the friction forces such as they are between the stomach and other parts of the body and the band. When the person moves, the band rubs against these different parts. Over the course of time, the creation of that type of force can create holes in the layering of the band, causing parts of the band to erode away. If the error is particularly bad, these parts can then be absorbed by the body and potentially create some feelings of illness as a result. The erosion error is usually more serious than the migration error because of this possibility.

These are the two main common failures of lap band and of course they are not mutually exclusive events. If a person is particularly unlucky they can experience both errors and be in a very bad state. This is why it is important to know about these errors before you actually agree to have lap band surgery done.

About the Author:

These are the two main common failures of lap band and of course they are not mutually exclusive events. If a person is particularly unlucky they can experience both errors and be in a very bad state. This is why it is important to know about these errors before you actually agree to have lap band surgery done.

A Shiatsu Massage Chair Delivers a Complete Body Massage at Home

By Steve Esquire

Do you come home tired or perhaps a little stressed? Maybe after one of those long days at work? Relaxing would be nice option. Or even better, I could use a massage. Where is my personal masseuse when I need her? Well, that would be a nice option. But wait, there is another option: A shiatsu massage chair. If I had one at home, I would not have to make an appointment. I could just come home, sit down, lean it back, bring my feet up and push start. Oh yes, my worries are melting away.

There are robotic chairs that are capable of massaging your full body. Electronics and mechanical systems are always progressing and combined with a holistic view of massage therapy, makes for one incredible massage chair. Shiatsu massage chairs have come of age. These advanced shiatsu loungers have capabilities to massage your shoulders, back, neck, thighs, buttocks, feet, calves, hands and arms. Beneficial massage therapies such as Shiatsu massage, Swedish massage and a Deep Tissue massage can be found in massage chairs. These premier massage recliners can simulate the movements of experienced massage therapists providing increased relief and wellness.

If you need total relaxation, try the Montage Elite massage chair by Omega Massage, Inc. The Montage delivers a full body massage with its advanced technology. Enjoy the sophisticated luxury of the Montage Elite with its full body heat with individual heat controls for the seat, chair back, and the footrest. Music is a great inducer of relaxation, with the Montage, download your music to USB stick and plug it into its MP3 player and headphones. One can even synchronize the massage movements to the rhythm of your music. On your feet all day and need a foot massage? The Montage Elite delivers a reflexology foot massage in the footrest. How about a massage chair that can stretch out your lower body? The Montage Elite has a lower body traction function that stretches your body from the hips to your feet. You will be a new person after using this shiatsu massage chair.

The massage chair industry and has electronics companies such as Panasonic and Sanyo. Sanyo has the HEC-DR7700K which has lie detector technology which is used to find your stress points in your back. The HEC-DR7700K has a new roller concept introduced by Sanyo called GK roller system. The GK roller system extends out and around your shoulders and neck. It is like they reach out from the chair back. The GK roller system provides an invigorating neck and shoulder massage. The Sanyo shiatsu massage chair certainly delivers a thorough massage therapy.

Panasonic has the EP-3222 with their Swede-Atsu massage which combines aspects of Swedish and Shiatsu therapies. The rollers of the EP-3222 give a very realistic massage by replicating the motions of a master masseuse. This chair also has a full lower body air compression massage system. This Panasonic shiatsu lounger can memorize settings for 3 different users. Nice to have a chair that can learn what you like!

These shiatsu massage chairs gets more realistic with each technology advance to simulating a human masseuse. The best massage chairs have integrated multiple capabilities to satisfy your most demanding needs. These chairs come with advanced remote controls which allow you to manually control almost all aspects of the massage functions. You can concentrate in a given area or let it give you a full body massage.

With all the technology in massage chairs, it is wise to educate yourself. Find out what massage techniques can benefit you the most. There is certainly a tremendous variety of choices. Be careful to choose find a massage chair that provides the type of massage you want. Make sure that the massage recliner is comfortable to sit in. The best way is to try out different massage chairs from different manufacturers. This way, see what fits you comfortably, what features do you value and then make an educated decision. Take a little time upfront to find the right shiatsu massage chair for your needs. It is an investment in your health and well being. That way, the next time you need to relax, just sit back and push the start button and have a massage in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

About the Author:

Why not have a whole body massage whenever you want it? With a massage chair from http://www.massageunlimited.com you can relax whenever you like. We carry the top brands from Sanyo, Panasonic, Human Touch and Omega. Check out our selection at http://www.massageunlimited.com for the best massage chairs.

Get In Shape in 10 Minutes

By Benedict Hunter

Health experts advocate working out for about 30 minutes to 60 minutes a day to benefit from your fitness program. However, if you are the workaholic type, you probably don't have the luxury to spend 30 minutes to a full hour a day exclusively for workouts.

Identify New Opportunities

If your schedule doesn't allow you a big chunk of time in which to work out every day, you will have to make do with several smaller chunks. The good news is that there is always time to get in shape, even if it simply means moving around more in your spare time and on your day off. Use household chores as a chance to exercise and get your home clean at the same time! Gardening and walking the dog around the block are great everyday activities that need to be done anyway. And they all count as exercise.

Every stolen moment counts

You might think that several short forays into an exercise routine throughout the day won't add up to much, but you might be surprised. In a recent clinical study, researchers found that participants who exercised in 10-minute increments throughout the day are more likely to exercise on a regular basis. They also managed to lose more weight than their counterparts who exercised for an hour at a time.

What the Professionals Have to Say

Exercise physiologist Glenn Gaesser's recent study conducted in Virginia involved men and women who exercised for 10 minutes at a time. The startling results showed that these men and women were able to dramatically improve their overall health by conducting 15 of these 10-minute sessions per week for one month. At the end of that time, Gaesser found his subjects as fit as men and women who were 20 years younger.

Split up your normal hour-long routine into more manageable periods in order to feel more confident and motivated, advises time management consultant Harold Taylor. It's easy to give up if you never have time to make it to the gym, but a quick workout, however small, will keep your doubts in check and your motivation strong.

Not a replacement

Breaking up your workout into more manageable blocks is a great idea, but it can't replace a solid, comprehensive exercise routine. For those who find it difficult to make time for a regular trip to the gym, try some of the following to give yourself a more thorough workout. Remember, what's important is that you do it regularly.

* Take a quick walk to the corner and back, about 5 to 10 minutes of your time, first thing in the morning.

* If you're stuck at home to care for a sick child, work on the exercise bike or Stairwalker while your "patient" is asleep.

* Jump rope or do jumping jacks. This burns as much as 90 calories in 10 minutes.

* Do a few sets of upright push-ups while standing at the kitchen counter. This works your arms and shoulders.

* Go outside and shoot some baskets or play tag with your children after dinner.

* Take a hint from exercise instructor Sheila Cluff, who stores dumbbells in her bathroom so she can do a few sets before bedtime. Cluff is a professional fitness expert at The Palms in Palm Springs, CA.

* Walk around the field while your son has a baseball practice.

About the Author:

Benedict recommends Supplement Centre Bodybuilding Supplements for Maximuscle and Prolab products and Dream Swing Golf Swing Trainer

Fitness Strength Training

By Michael Sherrow

Those looking to get in shape will often lift weights as a means of achieving their fitness goals. While this is a great idea, many people that opt to lift weights do not necessarily perform the right workout program for their personal needs.

Many people decide to go with a body building workout that is merely cosmetic. Sure, there are some great benefits to this type of a workout, but many people will do better with another type of option. Strength training to reach fitness goals and health are better for you if you want to accomplish specific goals.

Wondering what strength training is? This is a workout style that works on building up your muscles in order to make physical tasks easier for you to perform. It basically works to enhance your potential for strength and power in your body. You achieve this by taking large amounts of weight and lifting them for a low amount of repetitions. While this may not seem valuable to some, there is actually quite a bit more to this training than just lifting heavy objects.

The physical benefits are some of the first ones you will notice when you start strength training. As you develop bigger muscles, then your metabolism then gets a boost. This will help you to get a better looking physique without all of the body building. The best thing is that your strength will be increased greatly, providing you with a variety of other great benefits as well.

One of the benefits of strength training is that you increase your muscular endurance. That means you can perform physical tasks with less fatigue than you would have prior to entering a strength training program. Such enhanced endurance aids in the ability to fight off depression, lethargy, and reduced immunity.

As you go through the strength training process, you are able to get rid of energy and any anxiety you may have. This will provide you with less stress and a mind that is a whole lot calmer as well. Reducing stress alone can provide you with a variety of excellent benefits to your mind and body.

Injuries can be reduced by proper strength training too. When you train this way, you will work out your ligaments within the body. This makes them more durable as well as much stronger. This keeps them from tearing so easily or getting injured. Avoiding injuries is definitely a great benefit to enjoy.

Not only can you protect yourself from injuries, but when you start strength training, it really will give your metabolism quite a boost. This boost will help you to start burning off more calories as you build more and more muscle. A high metabolism will result in your body starting to burn off the fat you have stored for energy. This will make your physical appearance look slimmer and will provide various health benefits, such as giving your heart a good healthy boost.

Yes, there are many more benefits to strength training than most people assume. That is why strength training is so highly recommended to people that are looking to get in great shape and improve their overall health. And just a couple days a week in the gym may be all it takes.

About the Author:

For helpful fitness strength training advise download Michael Sherrow's free strength training report

Six Sigma Offers Customized Training For Your Staff

By Craig Calvin

Six Sigma is a business process that companies implement to control organization and increase profits while managing production efficiently. The Six Sigma training offers different levels of training for different levels of employee. For example, a manager may be trained to be a Six Sigma Black Belt, while a lower line level employee would achieve his Six Sigma Green Belt certification.

The Six Sigma Black Belt is usually reserved for managers and supervisors. With this certification, they are an integral part of the success of the Six Sigma program within the company. They are responsible for development of key components and for the oversight of problem solving projects which are important to the overall success of the program. They are team leaders.

Green Belts are typically responsible non-manager employees that assist Black Belts with data collection and analysis for their projects. An employee who has participated in Six Sigma Green Belt certification can help oversee a Green Belt project or team in a capacity similar to a pro-tem position. Yellow Belts are mid-ranking employees who participate as project team members by reviewing process improvements and supporting the overall project.

White Belt holders are the lowest tier in the hierarchy. They can work on lower level problem solving teams designed to assist the Black Belt projects, but they are not official members of the Six Sigma team. They have received no official training and have only a basic understanding of the concept and scope of Six Sigma.

The Champions and Executives are the ones who initially establish the direction the project will take. They put forth the company's mission and vision. As they designate goals and identify company resources, they communicate directly to the Black Belts.

About the Author:

If your organization is needing some operational stimulation, then the Six Sigma training may be the answer you are searching for. There are professionals available who can offer you the best Lean Six Sigma training in the industry. Let them help bring some success into your business.

Mumia Abdul Jamal Is Guilty

By Nui Big Kahuna

When I got up this morning, the television was already on in the kitchen. I was already churned up before I could even have a cup of tea. They were discussing an issue on the Today Show about a murderer Mumia Abdul Jamal, who shot and killed on the street of Philadelphia the young 25 year old policeman 25 years ago.

The piece of crap has been a cause for the rich and famous to celebrate for a long time. All kinds of Hollywood types think Mumia deserves a new trial, and he has a worldwide following that was protesting outside NBC studios in New York this morning.

They say Mumia was framed, and the police department in Philadelphia was racist. Every year they have a new piece of evidence to prove their point. This year it's new photos. Last year they had someone who heard Officer Faulkner's last words.

Now let me tell you something. I lived in Philadelphia in the early 1980's. It wasn't a pretty place, and the cops had problems.

But Danny Faulkner was young, new, and he hadn't been around long enough to be one of the most feared old cops in grizzled blue thugs. Yeah that time, cops were respected and feared more than the criminals those days.

But for Mumia Abdul Jamal, all the evidence proves he really was the killer who had slain Officer Danny Faulkner in cold blood. Case closed.

The case continues to drag on for 26 long years, long after Mumia Abdul Jamal could have disappeared. Well the cops aren't always right, there were even in fact some cases where cops are just as bad as the junkies. But not here, Danny Faulkner deserves to rest in peace, deserves justice, let's say a prayer that he can have it. We should not forget what he did. He was young, only 25, yet he was determined to save and protect his country from the mooks, yet he risked his life and died in fulfilling his duty.

Let's remember the real story.

About the Author:

This shows why every person should have a a security surveillance camera.

What Does He/She Really Want?

By Michael Angier

Clarity does lead to power. And knowing what you really want is critical to achieving your highest and best.

But do you truly know what your spouse wants from you? Do you really know what your employee or your boss wants from you? And are you clear about what you want from them?

My wife and I just spent another memorable weekend on Lake Champlain. The weather was great, the food was delicious, and of course, the company was excellent.

One of the things that made it even more special was a deep and intense conversation that resulted from two simple questions about which we decided to dialog.

Dawn and I have a great relationship, and after 11 years together, we feel we know each other very well. And we also believe we can make our relationship better and understand each other better.

Before we left on our overnight trip, we decided to individually list the answers to two questions. 1. What do I want, or want more of, from Michael/Dawn? 2. What I don't want, or want less of, from Michael/Dawn? Then after dinner, in the cozy cockpit of "Attitude," with a beautiful sunset as a backdrop, we began our dialog.

Our plan was to each offer one of our answers from both questions. We then discussed them in detail. It made all the difference in the world to have this discussion when we were both open and receptive, rather than when we were tired, upset or stressed-which, in most relationships, is when these discussions take place.

We had several ahas, some new insights, much greater clarity and the chance to be more loving to one another. I highly recommend this simple process for anyone wanting to create a better relationship. It provides the opportunity to love and care for the other person in the way they would like to be loved and cared for.

Try it and see for yourself. I'm sure you'll discover things you didn't expect and realize assumptions you've made that were erroneous. The end result is greater understanding, more intimacy and more fun

About the Author:

http://SuccessNet.org

You Can't Screw Things Up As Fast As...

By Mike Satterwaitte

I do sometimes worry about the state of restaurant leadership these days I do believe, a substantial number of restaurant managers and employees that take pride in their work, excel at service and believe that they serve the best damn fajitas this side of de Nile. Some do it because they have a great work ethic, some because of their innate sense of competition with each other, and still others, of a desire to just make people happy.

Most restaurant employees exemplify the highest ideals, and elevate their performance because they want to, have to, or its simply how they pay the bills, maintain their friends, customers- and keep their jobs. However what happens in the corporate world, the economy takes a turn for the worse, some bad supplier prices are locked in, prices skyrocket, leadership changes, competition gets tougher. In addition to this the restaurants regional vice president sales are down and his salary is up, meaning he has been in the position for more then 5 years and thus all of a sudden incompetent and terminated. Where is the brilliance of replacing a seasoned top manager with someone less expensive, less experienced and in the need of justifying his/her salary to the chief and board themselves. This scenario then leads to the company deciding to, or are put into a position to, run the prices up pared with cutting corners, and raising additional funds from one area, to funnel into another. When this happens, it usually comes from the biggest operations costs: utilities, food and beverages, and the payroll. These areas affect us - the restaurant managers and employees.

Why mess with our world? Small increases in price or pocket change saved here or there, multiplied times many customers, and again by many units, result in piles of money. Did you really think that the chain restaurant upper management was going to give up their spa memberships? stock options? Tee times at the times in preparation for the fall charity fundraiser especially you need them most? A good sign that youre in this savings vortex is a company-wide, new-found awareness of utility waste. The temperature is warmer/cooler than it used to be, managers are bugging everybody about lighting and equipment turn on schedules, manager bonuses are impacted based upon the increase in rolls of toilet paper used this year to date verses last. Not to worry. These symptoms only last about a month or two at tops.

You may notice menu or portion resizing, garnishes no longer being necessary, (I heard parsley futures will be hit hard this season) changes from linens and glassware to paper products, cleaning and armored car services - even doing away with those mints at the front desk that you swore that youd swear off of this New Years Resolution. A big labor crunch, cutting service levels to the bone and pushing heart-of-the-house crews to the limit, mean theres not much imagination behind this drive for the dollars. Shortcuts in cleaning regimen or training standards show that morals arent such a bargain anymore, and the leadership is willing to sacrifice the future for quick results. All of these measures lead to a lowering of standards once preached by the very same entities that now fear for their own personal money and continued employment. If they visit your locale, be very afraid. Theyre dangerous when its their own club membership on the butchers block.

So, when your guests start to complain, a cook, dishwasher or bartender walks out because of the increased workload, the climate control is whacked out and the boss has eaten all of the good painkillers from the first aid kit, (I recommend pain-aid it is loaded with caffeine) and you are suffering withdrawal symptoms due to an absence of reasonable standards. The companys current fear crisis is deemed more important than its once lofty mission and vision statement (because it is only for a short time until the economy bounces back).

A chain restaurant focused purely on cost cutting measure to please the investors for this quarter (Typically the path of least resistance) causes the restaurant employees and managers to bend, break or reinterpret the rules gradually, over a longer period of time. The companys money crunch then becomes much more rapid, and therefore, much more noticeable. Replacing quality experienced trained staff with cheaper becomes acceptable, accelerating the guests perception and reality of the lowered standards.

About the Author:

Mike Satterwaitte Is the current co-owner of Restaurant Proz an online restaurant management and marketing business helping restaurant managers, owners and employees to work smarter hot harder. Mikes emphasis has been on restaurant management, restaurant trainingrestaurant website design SEO and hospitality internet marketing, SMO,restaurant branding.