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One of the biggest influences on the flavour of wine is whether it has been matured, or even just stored, in oak. There are people who are prejudiced against oaked wine and will complain of even the slightest hint of oak, but many experts agree that if a wine has been carefully oaked it does not taste of wood, but more like a wine that has had its flavour subtly enhanced.

Oak aging of wine occurs when the wine has been fermented and/or aged in oak casks so that the flavour of the surrounding wood infuses some of its woodiness into the liquid. The resulting wine will usually taste richer, with creamy vanilla undertones and sometimes a little woody or even sawdusty. The oak is a type of seasoning for wine and getting the optimum level of oaky flavour is vital if a wine is to taste good at the end. Oak aging usually takes place in small oak barrels that hold 225 litres, being replaced every two or three years as newer barrels give the best flavour.
Oak is considered to be the most ideal wood for this aging as it not only has superb watertight qualities but gives the right sort of flavours,aromas and textures to enhance the wine. But there are different types of oak that offer certain distinctive flavourings.

The most commonly used are the highly-prized, tightly-grained French oak which gives a subtle hint of oakiness, whilst American oak gives a more obvious vanilla character to the wine. Consequently wines that are more powerful in flavour tend to be stored in American oak such as Rioja, North and South American and Australian varieties. Other factors that allow oak aging to affect a wine’s taste are the size of the barrels, (larger ones giving less flavour), the age of the wood used, the actual time the wine spends within the cask, and whether the barrels have been toasted (i.e. lightly burned on the inside).

Now the fashion is for lightly oaked wines and winemakers are producing more subtle, elegant flavours. Red wines are often aged in oak, which add the required extra body and richness, with hints of wood-spice, cream and tannin. Soft light reds such as Beaujolais are typically unoaked, but the richer more powerful styles such as fine red Bordeaux or Californian Cabernet Sauvignon are almost always aged in oak. Similarly Rioja is oak aged for a long time to give it a distinct mellow creaminess. Port and Madeira are wood-aged and have an obvious hint of oak, whilst even some Champagnes are aged for a short time in oak barrels, although they never taste very oaky, just a bit more full-bodied. Some premium sweet white wines are also oak aged.

James Pendleton is a lover of the better things in life. For more information on wine visit

Wine Capital

One of the devil’s primary strategies to hinder our momentum is to use distractions to keep us from being focused on the plan that God has for us. Determine what you really want and what God has for you. This will keep you from chasing butterflies and put you to work digging for diamonds.

Pay more attention to the things working positively in your life than to the things giving you trouble. Too many times people devote the majority of their effort, time and attention to those things that are never going to be productive in their lives.

Clear your mind of the things that are out of your control in order to focus on and act upon your goals of the day. You’ll always get lost by trying to find an alternate route for the straight and narrow.

The words of others will be one of the primary distractions that will try to hinder you. Do just once what others say you can’t do and you will never pay attention to their limitations again.

When you let yourself be distracted by the fear and doubt that others want to bring in your life, you will have a quick ear for bad news and large eyes for trouble ahead. You’ll be a great inventor of things that will never happen.

Concentrate on one thing at a time and rule out all influences that don’t have bearing on the task at hand. Within your concentration the rest of the world cannot distract you.

- John L Mason, from the book Let Go of Whatever Makes You Stop. (to find out more about this book, please go to http://www.freshword.com/resources)

About the Author:

John Mason is a national best-selling author, nationally recognized speaker and book coach.
He has authored fourteen books including An Enemy Called Average, You’re Born An Original-Don’t Die A Copy, Let Go of Whatever Makes You Stop, and Know Your Limits-Then Ignore Them which have sold over 1.4 million copies and have been translated into twenty-five languages throughout the world.
“I have posted a special message for you to see on my website http://www.freshword.com In it I talk about right associations and the effect they can have on whether you succeed in life or not. Your best friends should bring out the best in you! If you are an author, or want to be, I have many resources specifically designed for you. Also, make sure to sign up for my “Nugget of the Week - I would love to inspire you.”

In our world today, it is extremely important to release and transform fear! When there is so much fear around us, you may ask yourself what is the importance of this and how to do this?
Transforming Fear

By Shirley Knapp

Anything that is built on fear is like it is built on sand.

In our world today, it is extremely important to release and transform fear! When there is so much fear around us, you may ask yourself what is the importance of this and how to do this? The importance of changing fear into trust changes the way we see our life and how we live it. When we live in fear we react out of fear and everything becomes limited. The shallow, tight feeling of fear affects the way we breathe and even our immune systems. When our immune systems are depleted we invite physical challenges. Our limited thoughts color the way we imagine our lives. For example do you see the glass half empty or half full? Our thoughts draw to us exactly what we are most afraid of so that is why this work is so important. The first step to transforming our fears is to identify them.

Identify one of your fears.

Begin doing this by intuitively checking into your life like you would swing a pendulum. If you swing into a part of your life and you feel resistance, you most likely are making a decision out of fear. If you then again try to swing into the same situation and the swing makes your heart feel open, there is trust. If you find a place where fear is a foundation, you need to let that go, because anything that is built on fear is like it is built on sand. It really won’t stand firm in the newness. Be willing to change the fearfulness into trust and limitlessness.

Embrace your fear.

One way to begin transforming your fear is to sit quietly and visualize that fear and bring it close to you. Whether this is a belief in your relationships, career, or health, remember it is part of you and is like an old friend. A good way to disempower that fear is to sit quietly and imagine yourself by the sea. Bring in either a whale or dolphin to assist you in your relaxation. Let the fearfulness be released using the whales and the dolphins. Use their energy to exchange your fear patterns. This is their greatest gift for you and to you. They will exchange your fear patterns quite joyfully, playfully. You don’t need to give your fear patterns to them, but you can bring the fear patterns to them for exchange: release them into the sea and be filled with their (the dolphins’ and the whales’) joyfulness, their limitlessness, and their fearlessness.

And you will see so clearly how it all works because they have it to give. That is their purpose to give and more and more of you will be drawn to their hearts because you are ready at last to give up what has really never been yours. You have worn old fear from who knows when and how, and it really doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you no longer wear the fear, because it is like old clothes that no longer fit you. If they were never yours, they don’t belong to you and don’t suit you. Let go of things that no longer suit you until you are more and more free and clear to play in the wind and the sand and the sun until you are more and more free inside yourselves to just be who you are. Be not afraid, for those who have filled you with limited fearful thoughts are around you in your everyday lives. As you know, you can always go out and find fear whenever you ask. If you ask around long enough, you will find an answer that is filled with fear, and then you won’t take your next step.

Remember, without fear everything is available to you.

Stay firm in your commitment to joyfulness, and you will see things change around you that have never changed prior to this. You will see as you begin experiencing the end of old beliefs, resolution of old conflicts, the tearing down of old structures where there is any foundation of fear they will be replaced in the essence of the new. As you change within yourself, you will help to change your world. Continue to clear and love yourself, and you will feel the depth of your world shift. When you find yourself with the feeling of ultimate resistance or fear, bless that polarity, for that is given to you so you can work upon something inside yourself that can be changed and shift your outer world. Take that fear, that polarity, those relationships, and place it (them) on a Bridge of Light. You can do this with any part of your life to receive support where there is resolution needed.

We give you this exercise:

Think of someone with whom you’d like to communicate through thought and energy. Now imagine a bridge between you and that person. The bridge becomes a place to meet and communicate through thoughts, images, and feelings. You are, in essence, inviting connection and healing on a higher level. Your time on the bridge can be used to open the heart, to forgive, to release fear, to celebrate, or to connect in many other ways. When you feel complete, thank the other person for their participation and release the image of the bridge.

. What fears/resistances are you holding that you would like to release?

In what other areas of your life might this exercise be helpful?

How has this exercise shifted your relationship to that person?

What newness has come in to replace the old fears that you have chosen to release?

What joy are you experiencing as a result?

You can do this in your meditations and be as effective, and much more effective at times, than on the earth plane when you run into physical resistance. Remember JOY is your choice. CHOOSE IT!

About the Author

Shirley Knapp is an internationally recognized Spiritual teacher, energy healer and author, who travels the globe leading groups in meditation and transformation. In addition, she has been in a holistic private practice, teaching and embracing individuals and groups since 1986. Working with many teachers, her experience is a culmination of extensive training in healing, channeling and the visual arts. This background has provided Shirley with special gifts, offering others a unique healing combination.

Chain link fence (also known as chainlink fence ) is one of the most common styles of fencing for both residential and commercial applications. It comes in a variety of sizes, strengths, and finishes, each which should be selected based on the purpose of the fence.

You may even discover some options you hadn’t considered before. The article presents some issues that should be taken into account when you choose a chain lnk fence.

When choosing a fencing system, always check local zoning regulations and know where your property line is. Also check for underground utilities. Before you begin any excavation you need to call and check for underground utilities.

Wood Panel Fencing is commonly used as a decorative means of providing privacy for homes in neighborhood settings. It’s also a good choice for setting boundaries for small children and pets. You can easily match the fence to your landscape with stain or paint.

If a wood fence doesn’t fit your needs, or taste, you certainly have other choices. From ornamental steel and composite wood products to PVC systems, chain-link and more, there’s sure to be a design and material choice to suit your home. Chain-link fencing is enduring, affordable and adds a practical investment to your home.

Chain link or hurricane fencing is an economical way to enclose an area. Chain link fencing comes in rolls from 25′ to 100′ long and 4′ to 6′ high, with prefabricated gates up to 5′ wide. If you don’t like the silvery look of the bare fence, it’s available with a weather resistant vinyl coating, usually green or brown. Chain link is a good choice for keeping pets in or other creatures out.

Choosing a chain link fence isn’t as easy as it used to be. This traditional, all galvanized steel product now comes in a multitude of colors and weights to meet the needs of any commercial, industrial or residential setting. Vinyl coating, powder-coating, and fuse bonding are all new techniques used to offer chain link in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and strengths. Consequently, the new chain link fence is a more viable option for settings requiring both security and style.
Identifying the purpose of your chain link fence is one of the most important steps you frequently not taken.

Not understanding all of the tasks you want your chain link fence to accomplish can quickly lead to disappointment with its performance. For instance, will the fence encloser a larger pet? Will it be subject to children climbing on it or playing near it? Will it be near to significant vegetation? Will motor vehicle traffic or parking be nearby? Organized sports activities?

Once these issues have been identified, it’s time to look at the four components of a chain link fence: fabric, framework, fittings and gates. Fabrics is the diamond-shaped steel wire that comproses the field” of the fence. Framework consist of the posts and supports for the fabric. Fittings hold the fabric to the framework. Gates are the entrance and exit portals into the space enclosed by the fence.

There are three critera you should use in choosing the fabric: how thick the wire is, the size of the openings in the wire, and how the wire is coated for protection. The thickness of the wire in chain link fence fabric, or gauge, is important in the fence’s strength. Thinner gauges are more often seen in commercial use. Be sure to choose a sufficient gauge of wire for the fabric, or the fence will look worn and tired well before it’s time.

Choosing framework components have similar considerations we saw with the fence fabric: gauge of the support pipe, diameter of the support pipe, and coating. Diameter of the pipe should also be chosen based on how high the fence is going to be.
As you might surmise, the fittings that hold the fabric to the framework should also be of sufficient gauge, and sufficiently protected, to keep the fence looking as new as possible for as long as possible. Here is also where you consider the aesthetics you want your fence to have.

Finally, consider making sure your gate and gate hardware is sufficiently strong to accommodate the anticipated use. Fence gates generally come in three styles: bnt-frame gates, where the frame of the gate is one pipe that has been bent to form the gate; wlded-frame gates, where four pipes are welded at the corners and asembled gates, where four pipes are mechanically attached to each other.

Is a chain link fence the right choice for your home?

Flower bulbs are extremely easy to plant and take care of. Moreover, many of the famous flowers are grown from flower bulbs: so you need to learn the basic rules of thumb to start planting your garden. Flowers such as hyacinths, daffodils, crocuses, tulips are all grown from flower bulbs, and we all know how important they are for a garden’s flower bed. So, the sooner you learn to plant flower bulbs, the faster your garden will become utterly irresistible and full of colors.

Flower bulbs are best to be planted in April- May, or slightly later for warmer areas. Spring flower bulbs can be potted both in garden pots or containers, as well as in natural garden flower beds. You can choose any size of a container to plant and grow the flower bulbs. In the warmer regions of Australia, tulips need about 6-8 week period of refrigeration before they are planted. The artificial weather is needed because they should be fully grown before they are planted. Tulip bulbs are very brittle and sensitive, they need special treatment before planting. You have to make sure you don’t freeze them too much, otherwise they will never recover.

You can plant every kind of flower bulbs using a flower bulb planting tool. Flower bulbs such as Tulips, Daffodils, Jonquils, Hyacinths can be planted easier when you use this planting tool. It is helpful if your hands are not accustomed to planting and you cannot dig the soil manually. Flower bulb planting tool is very useful when planting perennials, too.

Flower bulbs are important to be planted at a certain depth: twice as deep as their real size. A single exception to this rule make the Australian flower bulbs: they should be planted even deeper in the soil, because of the warm weather in Australia. Flower bulbs also need a lot of mulching to help them grow to their full capacity. This includes preparation of the soil, using fertilizers. Prepare the soil several weeks before the planting of the flower bulbs itself. Watering plays also important role: you should water the bulb only ONCE after planting. Don’t be tempted to water it once again: wait until it has shown up on the surface. Only when shoots are springing up should you water the plant, otherwise rotting of the flower bulbs may occur. You should keep the soil moist, because extremely dry soil can cause damage to the plant, and can also stress the bulbs.

Planting flower bulbs can be either in the garden, or in special containers. Garden planting requires using a special fertilizer prior to the planting process. Planting flower bulbs in containers is another point of interest. You should first buy a quality soil, a mix of substantial nutrients, which will evoke faster growing of the flower bulbs. There is a huge variety of potting mixes, which you can find at minimal price. Another thing is to choose the size and shape of your container, so that it fits the type of the flower, and also has enough space for the flower bulb to grow. Larger pots should be used for planting of higher flowers, such as Monet Tulips or Dutch Iris. Flowers such as Anemones and Crocus require smaller containers. Shallow bowls and pots are generally used for planting Hyacinths or miniature Daffodils. Containers should also have moist soil, so that plants can grow easily.

Find Flower Shop - the easiest way to locate a flower shop in your area.
Article by Robbie Darmona - an article writer who writes on a wide variety of subjects.

Simple Changes that explode your response rate

John Reese, Jason Potash, and Joe Vitale are all very well known online marketers that have achieved conversion rates of 10% or more. Now, why does these online marketers have such high conversion rates while the majority of sites on the internet are only obtaining about a 1% conversion rate? It’s simple. They invests lot of time and effort into improving their conversion rate. They know that small changes to a web site can make huge impacts to your bottom line. Here are some simple changes that can make a dramatic difference in your own profits.

Headline

A change in your headline alone can produce a 1,900% increase in your income. This is one of the most crucial parts of your sales page and can pull in 80% of the orders if done correctly. Your headline should concentrate on the biggest benefit of your product. In addition, it should create enough curiosity to compel the reader into the sales copy.

One of the most powerful words in sales copy is the word you. This is also true for headlines. Using the word you or your in your headline and sales copy transfers ownership and makes your writing much more personal.

Color of Your Background

The color of your background is a very simple change that can raise your sales by up to 30%. The most effective color is dark blue, but grey, black, and white also work pretty well. All aspects of your sales letter must be tested because different market segments respond differently

Audio Marketing

Adding audio to your order page could catapult your sales by 437%. Audio makes your message much more personal and adds to your credibility. People also like to associate a face with a voice. Place a small picture above your recording and see how this affects your sales conversions.

Pop-Ups

Pop-ups are a powerful tool for collecting the email addresses of potential customers. It is also a good way to catch your visitors by the tail before they leave your site. You don’t want any of your web site visitors to go to waste. So, before they leave, grab them with a pop-up. With a pop up you can introduce them to your other products, subscribe them to your newsletter, or find out why they didn’t buy your product. It is crucial to know exactly what your visitors are looking for. When you know what your targeted visitors want, you can target your marketing and catapult your conversion rates.

Font Colors

Colors play a big part in online marketing. You can crank up your conversion rate by using red font for your heading and subheadings. Yellow highlighting can also rev up your response rates.

Make sure that your copy is fast and fun. Use yellow highlighting, underling, and bolding for things that you want to emphasize. All readers on the internet are scanners. Your sales letter will not be read word for word. Because of this, you must make sure that your most important points stand out.

Number and Text of Your Order Buttons

Long sales letters have proven to be the best for online sales letters because they limit a visitors navigation choices, they are focused on one product, and they provide potential customers with every bit of information they could want about a product. However, if you only have one order button at the very end of your sales page, you are probably losing out on a number of sales. The key is to place multiple button links that direct the user to the order page.

Place a red border around your order buttons. This has proven to increase conversion rates. However, nothing can take the place of testing.

Another important factor influencing click-through rate is what text you use for your order buttons. Some of the most effective text that have been used on the internet are below.

Click here to order
Click here to grab your copy of _____________

There are so many sites that still do not include a call to action. You must clearly explain to your visitors what you want them to do. Marketers have proven that you will increase your sales by at least 80% simply by asking for the order.

Newsletters / Autoresponders

Unfortunately, not everyone that comes to your site will be ready to buy. Actually, this is usually 90% or more of the visitors that arrive at your site. However, to be successful, you must be able to stay in contact with potential customers. In order to do this you must capture their email address by offering a newsletter or autoresponder. You can do this through a pop-up or subscription form. Some of the best places for a subscription form include the top-left hand of your sales page and the very bottom of your sales copy.

Limited Choices

Limit your visitors to a single choice. Your sales page should have one main goal: to sell one, individual product. You may have a secondary purpose of subscribing visitors to your newsletter, but this is not the main point of the page. The more choices you give people to surf around your site, the more confused they become and many will often just click away to somewhere else. By focusing your potential customers, you can crank up your conversion rates.

Web Site Copy

- Strong testimonials can increase your sales by a phenomenal 250%. Gaining credibility is crucial on the internet where there are no sales reps on hand to talk to personally. When your visitors see that other people have risked doing business with you and have been pleased with the results, you gain trust that cannot be bought. However, when lost, it is nearly impossible to gain back.

For a testimonial to be effective, it must contain the following elements:

- A good testimonial is descriptive! Avoid using one and two word testimonials. People will be much more influenced by longer testimonials that contain solid numbers and facts about the benefits they experienced.

- List the customer’s full name, business name, and URL.

- Do NOT edit your testimonials. This is an unethical practice. However, correcting the spelling would be acceptable

So, how do you go about collecting these powerful testimonials? There are a couple of options. You may ask current customers for testimonials. Many times, you may have many very happy customers who just never really thought about sending in a testimonial. They are very likely to be responsive if you approach them and explain to them how both of you stand to benefit.

Another option is to give a couple of your products away for free in exchange for a testimonial. This has proven to be very effective in some cases.

Nevertheless, be sure to incorporate testimonials into your overall marketing plan. Research has shown that they work best when placed right below the headline.

A strong guarantee helps alleviate any anxiety the customer may be feeling about ordering from you. Your guarantee shows that you have confidence in what you are selling. Did you know that the longer your guarantee is for, the fewer returns you will receive? This is a simple solution that will increase your bottom line and reduce the headache of filing returns. So go ahead and give your customers a one year guarantee. If you want to gain their trust even further and lower your return rate, give them a lifetime guarantee. Remember, your first-time customer is often worth much more than just their initial purchase. Your current customers are the most valuable sources of repeat sales. Always keep this in mind when marketing to a lifetime customer.

No matter what you are selling online, you can increase your conversion rates by using pictures of your products. This is especially true for ebooks.

People are visual. A three-dimensional picture of your product can:

- increase your pageviews by 300%

- increase actions (clickthroughs, downloads, responses, signups, subscriptions, phone calls, emails, and sales!) by 200%.

Increase time spent at your site by 50%. Any time people stay longer at your site, your chances of making the sale are higher.

Another important feature of a good sales page are bonuses. A bonus that is related to your product increases the perceived value of your offering. People are always looking to get more bang for their buck. A bonus can be one of your best sources for closing the sale.

By making the bonus a “limited time offer”, you create a sense of urgency. Anticipation is one of the most powerful tools in online marketing. When used appropriately, it can drastically increase your response rate.

You are now coming near the end of your sales letter. Add some personalization with a handwritten P.S. Some online marketers even use a P.S.S. and a P.S.S.S. Test a combination to see what works best for you.

Now it’s your turn to put these strategies to the test. If you decide not to, you will lose out on thousands of dollars. Think about it….

You make a few changes to your headline: 1,900% increase in income

You use dark blue or black for your background: bump your sales by 30%

You add audio to your order page: Your sales shoot up by 437%

You ask for the order and place multiple links to your order page: boost your sales by 319%

In that short list you’ve already multiplied your profits by over 2,500%.

I dare you to test and track to make it even better.

Alli Ross is the marketing chick at http://www.stickyarticle.com , where you can submit your articles for free exposure.

Plus sized clothes are needed now as much as ever. In the United
States and Canada millions of women, more than half actually,
need plus sized clothes for a proper fit. Finally, designers and
retailers are recognizing this need and it is reflected in the
newest styles and trends in fashion.

Understanding plus sized clothes, for one thing, can be
difficult for many people. Some women don’t even completely
understand it. For one thing, clothing in plus sizes sometimes
need to also be petite. This presents an additional challenge.

One thing is for sure, the days of plus sized clothes meaning
baggy, draping clothes that hide rolls are over and done. Today,
clothing for full figure women have reached a level of design
that allow curvy women to show off their curves with skirts and
pants that actually fit. The trick of plus sized clothes is to
emphasize curves and assets and to deemphasize any problem
areas. It’s not about hiding the woman. It’s about accentuating
and enhancing.

Many women who want to buy plus sized clothes don’t like going
into the stores for them. They still feel the stigma. If that is
the case, though, there is an alternative. There are many stores
on line that cater to voluptuous women. On most sites, a woman
can look at all the styles. Next, there are often sizing charts
that help in getting a perfect fit. Most sites will advise on
how their clothing is cut. This way, if the buyer finds herself
in between sizes, she will know whether it is best to by the
next size up or not.

When buying plus sized clothes, women should be careful to get
the right sizes. A bad fit can mean that outfit can end up
making a woman look bigger. For instance, when shopping for plus
sized clothes and looking at pants, it is important that a woman
get the correct inseam size. Baggy pants will end up making a
woman look bigger and shorter than she actually is.

Undergarment fitting is also important. Plus sized clothes
stores, both on the street and on line, should have lingerie
sections. Remember, even if a woman is shopping for plus sized
clothes that wearing the right under garments can make her them
fit better, make her feel better, and set a good foundation for
her entire look.

Lastly, plus sized apparel shopping really should be enjoyable.
There should be no guilt when looking at plus sized clothes.
Instead of worrying about judgments of others, larger women
should simply enjoy the shopping experience. It is nobody’s
business if a woman wears larger sizes or not. If the experience
of shopping for plus sized clothes is enjoyable, then a woman is
more likely to pick the looks that are best for her. She is more
likely to find the outfits that emphasize her assets and make
her feel good.

The secret to making a plus sized woman look good in her clothes
is the right fit. When plus sized clothes fit a woman properly
she feels better about herself. This in turn gives her
confidence. It’s all about comfort and confidence.

“Who’s the Boss?” 10 ways to start taking control (time management, goal setting, record tracking)

At first glance, it would seem that positive thinking and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) have nothing to do with one another. But many of us with ADD develop negative thinking patterns because we become frustrated by our challenges and frequent feelings of being overwhelmed. This negative outlook then makes it even harder for us to manage those challenges and move forward.

Practicing positive thinking allows people with ADD to focus on our strengths and accomplishments, which increases happiness and motivation. This, in turn, allows us to spend more time making progress, and less time feeling down and stuck. The following tips provide practical suggestions that you can use to help you shift into more positive thinking patterns:

1. Take Good Care of Yourself
It’s much easier to be positive when you are eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest.

2. Remind Yourself of the Things You Are Grateful For
Stresses and challenges don’t seem quite as bad when you are constantly reminding yourself of the things that are right in life. Taking just 60 seconds a day to stop and appreciate the good things will make a huge difference.

3. Look for the Proof Instead of Making Assumptions
A fear of not being liked or accepted sometimes leads us to assume that we know what others are thinking, but our fears are usually not reality. If you have a fear that a friend or family member’s bad mood is due to something you did, or that your co-workers are secretly gossiping about you when you turn your back, speak up and ask them. Don’t waste time worrying that you did something wrong unless you have proof that there is something to worry about.

4. Refrain from Using Absolutes
Have you ever told a partner “You’re ALWAYS late!” or complained to a friend “You NEVER call me!”? Thinking and speaking in absolutes like ‘always’ and ‘never’ makes the situation seem worse than it is, and programs your brain into believing that certain people are incapable of delivering.

5. Detach From Negative Thoughts
Your thoughts can’t hold any power over you if you don’t judge them. If you notice yourself having a negative thought, detach from it, witness it, and don’t follow it.

6. Squash the “ANTs”
In his book “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life,” Dr. Daniel Amen talks about “ANTs” - Automatic Negative Thoughts. These are the bad thoughts that are usually reactionary, like “Those people are laughing, they must be talking about me,” or “The boss wants to see me? It must be bad!” When you notice these thoughts, realize that they are nothing more than ANTs and squash them!

7. Practice Lovin’, Touchin’ & Squeezin’ (Your Friends and Family)
You don’t have to be an expert to know the benefits of a good hug. Positive physical contact with friends, loved ones, and even pets, is an instant pick-me-up. One research study on this subject had a waitress touch some of her customers on the arm as she handed them their checks. She received higher tips from these customers than from the ones she didn’t touch!

8. Increase Your Social Activity
By increasing social activity, you decrease loneliness. Surround yourself with healthy, happy people, and their positive energy will affect you in a positive way!

9. Volunteer for an Organization, or Help another Person
Everyone feels good after helping. You can volunteer your time, your money, or your resources. The more positive energy you put out into the world, the more you will receive in return.

10. Use Pattern Interrupts to Combat Rumination
If you find yourself ruminating, a great way to stop it is to interrupt the pattern and force yourself to do something completely different. Rumination is like hyper-focus on something negative. It’s never productive, because it’s not rational or solution-oriented, it’s just excessive worry. Try changing your physical environment - go for a walk or sit outside. You could also call a friend, pick up a book, or turn on some music.

When it comes to the corporate world, protocol is pretty much the religion. To know the things needed to do are the basics of productivity, but interaction and having a steady mind makes up the entire thing to true productivity. There are those who seem to work well even under pressure, but they’re uncommon ones and we are human and imperfect. To get these little things like stress under our skins won’t solve our problems. Sometimes it takes a bit of courage to admit that we’re turning to be workaholics than tell ourselves that we’re not doing our best.

Author is writter for sites such as Information
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Every business is striving for an advantage over their competitors. A simple and very refreshing one is good manners. Small business can implement this quickly and benefit most from this.

Business for good and bad has become more casual.

Where decades ago every one was call Mr. and Mrs./Ms., today
everyone is known by their first names.

Instead of having a casual day, business are now casual everyday and you MAY only dress up for an important client.

In a time when everyone is being more and more casual, a great small business competitive edge is improving your manners and your dress.

This is an easy way to distinguish yourself from your competitors, make it easy for them to buy from you, and easy for them to work with you.

Here are some things to help you get ahead in today’s environment:

• Do remember that gatekeepers count.

This is one of the most important positions. Always be polite to the person who answers the phone. The gatekeeper is your key to getting to the decision makers. The best idea is to treat them as if they were the decision makers. In many cases, the gatekeeper helps makes the decisions or depending on the product - IS the decision maker.

• Do be respectful of their time.

Everyone leads very busy lives. Make sure you ask how much time the person has for your call or the meeting. Try to limit yourself to this timeframe. When the timeframe is up, you can ask if the person would like to keep going or if they would like to set up another meeting to continue.

If you are running late for a meeting, call and let the person
know. You may have to reschedule. Just don’t show up late and
expect them to change their schedule to accommodate you. In

fact, it is best to come early. You can learn a lot about your
client and the organization by observing things while you wait.

• Do place cell phones, pagers, PDAs and BlackBerries on hold.

Checking messages or taking calls during a meeting makes the client/prospect feel there is someone more important than them. They can also interrupt a critical portion of the meeting - for example if you are negotiating. When you are with a client make sure they feel they are the only one that is important to you. If you are waiting for a critical call, let your client know in advance. When the call comes in, excuse yourself from the room and try to make it as short as possible.

• Do learn proper table manners.

Don’t argue over the check. If you invite someone to dinner, you are paying. If you or your guest wants to pay - one pays this time, one pays next time. Also be mindful of what you are ordering. Try not to order the most expensive or the cheapest.

It is best to mimic the price range of your guest.

Don’t order alcohol unless your guest orders it. Don’t talk with food in your mouth. Try to limit business talk while you are eating. Talk business before the food arrives or at the end. If business is discussed while eating, someone always misses eating their food.

• Do answer emails and voice mail.

This includes, acknowledging receipt of reports and information. If you do not have the time to respond back in full to any questions or with the information requested, send a short note or make a quick phone call letting the other party know you will be responding and when to expect it.

• Do use proper language.

Do not use profanity or tell off color jokes in meetings with prospects or clients. If you do say something that might be taken as offensive, apologize immediately.

Remember the basics - like saying Thank You, Your Welcome
and Please.

Does it pay off?

At a conference recently we had a woman come by and sit by us. She had watched and noticed how nice we were being to those around us. She thought it was refreshing and wanted to learn more about us and what we did. We weren’t even exhibiting.

We were attending just like her.

So yes, it does work!

OTB Strategic Consulting, Inc. is run by successful business people with decades of experience in successful ventures. Our latest ventures include business consulting and financial consulting firms. Members of OTB are business, sales/marketing and financial experts, seminar speakers and authors of the ebook/course, Business Consulting for Small Businesses, and the newsletter, Small Business Authority Newsletter. To get your free subscription and free reports including 10 Major Pitfalls Every Business Must Avoid, visit http://www.otbstrategic.com or http://www.megabusinessconsulting.com.

Letter: “I don’t know why I’m writing this - it’s so unlike me to actually feel ‘hopeless.’ I am a single mom raising two teenaged boys. After my youngest was assaulted on the way to school last year, I quit a decent job in television to start my own marketing/p.r. business out of my home. I had two clients that, at the time, which enabled me to make more than I had working for the tv station. And then in March, one of the clients and I parted ways. We had very different expectations. Ultimately, we each had contrasting views over what my role would be. That cut my income in half.

I have attracted one new client - but at a third of what my former client paid. And now, I’m in debt (deeply). And now, I’m in debt (deeply), my account is overdrawn because my other significant client “got behind” and didn’t put in my automatic payment into my account until yesterday - and it takes 24-72 hours for it to show up (they had told me it was going to be put in last Thursday)! My ex’s child support is late and I don’t even have enough money to pay for groceries until the money shows up. I’m terrified that checks will bounce and I’ll be left with nothing.

I can’t sleep. My stomach is in knots. I almost feel as if my kids would be better off with their dad. He’s very well off and could afford to give them everything I can’t.

I don’t know how to get out of this poverty mentality. I don’t know why I have such feelings of lack when it comes to my finances. Tomorrow I have a meeting with a potential client and I can’t even focus on putting together a presentation for him. It’s as if I already know that he won’t want to work with me, let alone PAY me. I get so up for things, I have such great expectations and then everything falls flat.

In ALL other areas of my life, I’m doing well. My kids are terrific - good hearts, straight-A students, excellent athletes. I don’t have weight issues.
I don’t have problems with my relationships with the opposite sex. It’s just that MONEY seems to be slipping out of my grasp.

Quite honestly, I do believe that money buys a fair amount of happiness. At least for me, knowing what I’ve gone through these past years, it would buy some peace of mind. And that’s what I want. Freedom and peace of mind. To go where I want. To do what I want. To FEEL how I want to feel.

Can you help me get out of this negative spiral?”
A Reader

Rebecca’s reply:

“Dear Reader,

Thanks so much for writing. And I hope you are feeling better. YEP. I’ve been there a few times. I can remember days when all I could do was walk around the house saying, ‘I just want to feel good’ over and over. Eventually, I did start to feel better. Now, feeling good is my dominant feeling.

Actually, you are an excellent ‘attractor’–look at what you are telling your self about money and then notice how you are attracting more of the same.

If I were coaching you, I would ask you to take a piece of paper, and draw a big letter T on it. Then label the left column “I don’t want” and the right hand column, ‘”I do want”.

First make a list of everything you don’t want. Just use the letter you sent to me and write down stuff like:

I don’t want clients paying me late.
I don’t want cheap clients who can’t afford to pay what I’m worth.
I don’t want child support payments to be late.
Get all the negatives OUT of yourself and onto paper.

Then go through each item, and ask your self, “If I don’t want this, what do I want?” and write down what you DO want in the right hand column.

When you’ve written a ‘Do Want’ for each item on the left, FOLD THE PAPER down the middle so you are looking at the ‘Do Want’ list. Keep that list in front of you at all times. Start to imagine what it would feel like having clients who JOYFULLY pay for your services. How wonderful it is when the Child Support checks arrive a day early! Work at keeping your FOCUS on what you DO WANT. If you start to think or talk about something on the ‘Don’t Want’ side, just say, “I’ve dealt with that, AND what I DO want is…”

The T-tool is the BEST Law of Attraction Tool for getting clarity! And once you have clarity, what you want IS on its way to you.

Rebecca Hanson is a Master Law of Attraction Coach. Thousands of people have enjoyed her talks or articles about real-life experiences and how she found the “nugget of truth” in every situation. Now she has such a deep grasp of how faith, beliefs and thinking work that she is able to lift others to a higher level, very quickly. You can contact Rebecca at Rebecca@YouCanHaveItAll.com or on her website at www.youcanhaveitall.com and sign up for her free “Museletter”.

Rebecca has also written a book called, “Law of Attraction for Business: How to create a business or attract a job you LOVE!” To find out more about this book and other information check out www.lawofattractionresources.com/