Life Delights

After downsizing wiped out her $80K salary, Jane was having trouble finding work. Just released from jail, 22-year old Marie didn’t know how she was going to provide for her four kids. Frustrated and frightened, both women needed “a hand up” to help them take charge of their lives and move forward.

Luckily, for Jane, Marie, and countless others from all walks of life, Taylor Hunt’s dream had come true. She had dreamed of creating a nonprofit organization to bring the power of coaching to low-income women. And when she mentioned she had started A Hand UP Coaching during a teleclass. It sparked the interest of Michelle Payne. “I called Taylor and asked to be part of that dream,” says Payne. “It all started from there.” Started in February of 2001, Michelle jumped on board in April of that same year. A Hand UP Coaching is a non-profit program designed to help women establish and reach their own professional goals.

Gail Nape volunteered to coach for A Hand UP Coaching after hearing about it through her own coach. “I liked the idea of championing women,” she says. “There were times in my life when I couldn’t have afforded a coach, so I know how valuable a gift like this is. It would have eliminated my having to do it the hard way.”

Nape says the challenges of working with participants in the program depend on where they are and what their experiences have been. “The most important point is initially, the clients don’t know what to expect,” she says. “They think I’m just going to give them a set of goals. I try to give us a chance to get to know and trust each other. I get them to trust me so they can learn what coaching is all about.”

It didn’t take long for Claudia McNeil to find that out herself. She was hoping to gain some insight into how to successfully switch jobs, when she signed up for A Hand UP Coaching. It became much more than that. “I was at a crossroad, and Gail asked me for my story,” says McNeil. “I had dated a superior at work, and the relationship didn’t work out. Soon afterwards, I was fired. I had to sell my house, and the only job I could find paid about a third of what I had made before. I began to ask myself a lot of questions about what I would do for the rest of my life.

“Gail showed me how to take responsibility for my own behavior and set boundaries with people. She taught me about envisioning what you want. Instead of just getting career coaching, I ended up learning life skills.”

Nape says the reason they were successful was because McNeil put the ideas they talked about into practice. “It was a joyful experience to support her,” says Nape. “She was willing to do everything we talked about. That made all the difference. We could have come up with all kinds of ideas, but without her follow through, nothing would have happened.”

Commitment like McNeil’s is key, says Payne. A Hand UP Coaching is serious about that personal investment. After potential clients fill out applications, a team of coaches reviews their materials to determine which candidates seem most likely to make that kind of commitment. Any participant who misses two sessions is dropped from the program. A Hand UP Coaching only accepts women who not only sincerely want to change their lives but who are also ready to do the work necessary to make that happen.

According to Payne, more than 80% of those clients who sign up with A Hand UP Coaching complete the program.

But client commitment is not the only reason for A Hand UP Coaching’s success. It is the program’s team of highly qualified and dedicated volunteer coaches that makes it work so well. Those who are interested in becoming volunteer coaches fill out applications and authorize background checks. In order to qualify, coaches must be students or graduates of accredited coaching schools, or they must be members of the International Coach Federation. Qualified coaches are then selected and approved to participate in A Hand UP Coaching’s intensive orientation and training program.

Once they are assigned to a client, coaches stay in close contact with their clients. They conduct three 30-minute phone sessions per month for three months with each client. In addition, they fill out monthly progress reports. “Some of the clients have extreme challenges, and it’s hard to avoid getting pulled into the drama,” says Payne. “Coaches need to watch the boundaries between therapy and coaching. It’s not easy to not get pulled into the drama.”

Gail Nape has experienced those challenges firsthand and knows how important it is to keep the line between therapy and coaching clear. “I coached a woman who had a problem with drug addition, and during our time together she fell off the wagon,” she says. “Our sessions were disrupted, and she started missing appointments. I recognized that she needed professional support for her problem. I told her to contact me if I could help her later, and I detached with love.”

Despite the challenges, Nape says coaching for A Hand UP Coaching is a rewarding experience. “I like the sense that I’m giving something back and helping other women. You can see the results from week to week championing these women.”

McNeil credits Nape with helping her change her attitude towards her job. “When I first started getting coaching, I hated my job. For me, the shift was my gaining a sense of purpose. It became a challenge to see how well I could do the job.” Clearly, she met that challenge. McNeil was instrumental in her department meeting its sales goal for the first time in eighteen months. For her work, she received a great performance review and an excellent raise. “Now, I look forward to going to work, and I enjoy the people I work with,” she says.

But those who run successful programs like A Hand UP Coaching know that it’s impossible to do it all alone. Hunt and Payne work hand-in-hand with other organizations to reach women in need. Dress for Success, an organization that helps low income women buy clothing and accessories for the workplace that have been donated by a variety of organizations and agencies, and its Professional Women’s Group extension, provides educational support.

“We teach women the skills they’ll need in the workforce,” says PWG facilitator Mary Ellen Romano. “That’s where A Hand UP Coaching comes in. It opens doors so that women see what they can do with their lives.” Romano saw for herself the difference that A Hand UP can make. “The profound effect coaching had on their outlook overwhelmed us,” says Romano. “We saw their increased self-esteem and motivation. It was like the Cinderella’s transformation from a kitchen drudge to a princess.”

Payne says that this is what A Hand UP Coaching is all about–providing women with the resources that can make their lives just a little bit better. And when that happens, those women, in turn, make the lives of others better. “If they can each help one person, it’s made a difference.”

We can all get caught up in the drama of our own circumstances when life deals us challenging blows. But, with a helping hand, each and every one of us can pull ourselves up out of the mire and move forward. A Hand UP Coaching offers just that.

For more information about A Hand Up Coaching contact Michelle Payne at: Office: (916) 608-1812 or via email at michelle@ahandupcoaching.org or visit their website at http://www.ahuc.org.

Cardell Phillips is a freelance writer specializing in articles and features about entrepreneurs, success and personal development. His articles have appeared in magazines, newspapers and webzines.

phillips@sounderco.com

Neck pain afflicts many people at some point in their life - two-thirds of American adults report having experienced at least one incidence of neck pain in their lives. You can strain your neck during exercise, at work, or even something as simple as turning over in your sleep. It’s an ailment so common that it has even earned it’s own colloquialism. But while your boss, neighbor, or even children can all be a real “pain in the neck” sometimes, so can the pain in your neck!

So how do you get rid of it? There are many treatments for neck pain relief, ranging from at-home remedies and physical therapy to alternative treatments like chiropractic and acupuncture. Over-the-counter and prescription medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) can alleviate pain, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory aids (NSAIDS) reduce inflammation too. Surgery may be necessary to correct a displaced cervical disc.

Deciding which therapy to undergo depends on factors like pain intensity and duration.
For severe acute neck pain resulting from an accident or injury, doctors recommend bed rest, a neck brace or collar, and cold treatment (such as an ice pack) for neck pain relief. Heat (such as that from a heating pad) and physical therapy are usually recommended for treating chronic neck pain. Physical therapy should address risk factors and preventative care along with providing neck pain relief. This may involve massage, electrical stimulation, stretching, exercise, or other modalities.

A recent European study divided patients into three groups for treatment. The group that received traditional Chinese acupuncture reported the most significant neck pain relief in the short term and over time, compared with those that underwent massage therapy or laser treatment.

Whether you choose massage, acupuncture, or physical therapy, it is important to find a certified professional whose skill you are confident in - any of these performed incorrectly can actually do more harm than good. Don’t be afraid to try new therapies or combine several types of treatment together - your neck is unique, and your treatment can be too.
Pain Relief provides detailed information on arthritis, back, joint, lower back, natural, chronic, neck, sciatica, knee, fibromyalgia, and muscle pain relief. Pain Relief is the sister site of Acid Reflux Web.

Copyright 2005 Wendy Owen

Great news for those wanting to improve their appearance and take years off their face (without surgery)! This will appeal to the guys, I’ll tell you why in a minute.

Have you considered a face lift, S lift or even contour threads but been put off by what people will say or think when you walk back into the office after your “holiday”?

“Wow you’re looking good, have you had a face lift?” Squirm while everyone turns around to stare!

I mean this is embarrassing enough for us ladies! I can’t imagine how you guys must feel. We shouldn’t be embarrassed by these things if we’re confident self assured human beings - but that’s probably a subject for another article…..

The Thermacool (Thermage, Thermalift) Face Lift (the gradual face lift - yes really!)

First let me say that the Thermacool is not for those with heavily wrinkled skin. Those are best treated with laser or chemical peels. However Thermacool can be successfully combined with these and other procedures.

Thermacool is mainly for sagging skin. It is the only completely non-surgical option which has long term effects. How long term is not really known as the procedure is relatively new, but you can expect at least two years and probably up to five, depending on sun exposure and skin care after treatment. Repeat procedures can be done as needed.

The Technicalities

Radio frequency energy is delivered to the deeper skin layers heating the collagen and surrounding tissue. This causes the collagen to shrink and tighten. At the same time, the surface of the skin is cooled to protect it and minimize any discomfort. Thermacool doesn’t require an anaesthetic although a local anaesthetic cream may be used. The sensation while probably not entirely pleasant, is not painful. The process can last from 30 minutes to 1 hour.

The areas that can be treated are cheeks, neck, jowls and eyelids. Other parts of the body are being trialled, but it’s expected the results would be as good.

Downtime is minimal, you can return to work the next day. There is some instant improvement due to the tightened collagen, but the greater effect will develop gradually over 2 - 3 months.

Add to this the low risks - no anaesthetic, no cutting, compatible with any medication and Thermacool becomes a very attractive option for us older guys and girls!
Oh! and did I mention it’s cheaper than a face lift?

The Downside

Thermacool won’t work miracles on seriously sagging skin. A face lift would still be the best option for this. As I’ve already mentioned it’s not a wrinkle treatment, although increased collagen would probably plump out minor wrinkles.

Aussies please note - while Thermacool is now available in Sydney and Melbourne, it is not in Brisbane at the time of writing. A local cosmetic sugeon has told me it’s not far away. Neither is Christmas - sigh!

Those with heart pacemakers should not use Thermacool as the radio frequencies may affect them. Apart from that it seems to be one of the safest anti aging procedures now available!

Like to have better looking skin? http://www.holistic-facial-skin-care.com will give you detailed information on all facets of skin care. The author, Wendy Owen has had a lifetime interest in general and alternative health and skin care. Sign up for our informative newsletter and recieve a free e-book.

The holidays are officially here. And so the season for giving begins. Warm loving intentions, thoughtful giving and stocking stuffing take over.

It’s a wonderful time of year, but with all the activities, excitement and family obligations taking place at the same time, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, stressed and even a tad bit gloomy. Here are 9 simple steps to relax, let go and really enjoy a truly happy holiday!

1. Reflect on what an inspiration you are to others. The time you spend, the love you give and the enthusiasm with which you do it all with is what matters most to people close to you. The beautifully wrapped presents and bows are far less important than your loving friendship. You are appreciated and cherished in the lives of so many people. Love yourself with the same appreciation.

2. Be honest with yourself and don’t stuff your feelings. As you start to feel range of emotions this holiday… whether it is joy or fear… frustration or liberation…Don’t push them away like last season’s Prada bag. Give them a special place. It will be far easier to enjoy the holiday if you are honest with yourself and experience all the good, bad and normal parts of life. Be as accepting and generous with yourself as you are with the people in your life you care about the most.

3. Show empathy and compassion. Our internal perception is reality. Whenever you show kind hearted compassion, you’ll get it back in return.

4. Be grateful for all the wonderful differences, preferences and opinions that you will encounter this holiday. Try to view life from a different perspective. Talk about differences that may come up in a loving way and make a special effort to sit on the same side of the table (literally and figuratively). See if you can find it in your heart to love and appreciate Uncle Joe’s crazy quirk that normally sends you through the roof. The joy and peacefulness of understanding another’s perspective while still honoring your own is a feeling to be savored!

5. Get plenty of sleep and squeeze in a few extra minutes to rest and relax. Sleep may seem like an indulgence this time of year, but it is absolutely essential to good health and a positive holiday outlook. Rest, slow-down and catch plenty of zzz’s. Be decadent and treat yourself to 3 -5 minutes a day without any books, junk mail or return calls. Take time to breathe, relax, reflect and introspect. If you’re feeling really sassy lie on your back and spread out in the middle of the living floor. Is 3 minutes of your day just for one month too much to ask?

6. Try letting go and see what marvels happen! Let go of one small thing that’s really been getting to you. Ask yourself what is the worst that can happen? Just for kicks, reflect back on a particularly stressful holiday situation last year. How bad was it really? Did worry consume you for nothing? I’m guessing that the turnout wasn’t as bad as all the images swimming in your head. And, there may have even been a hidden blessing after all. In the scheme of things, our daily worries are trivial. Try to let them go… and go with the flow!

7. Find opportunities throughout the day to bond and make a human connection. Make a conscious and loving effort to be attentive and live in the present moment. A sure fire quick way to work yourself up is to let your mind run a million miles an hour of things you could, should or would be doing. These random relentless thoughts will just make you anxious and nervous. Take the time to look into peoples’ eyes; listen carefully to what they have to say and pass them a compliment about something you know is important to them. That goes for strangers too! You will enjoy your time together that much more… and so will they.

8. Change up the scenery. Rather than going through your same daily routine, shake it up a bit! Close your eyes at night before you drift off and sleepily anticipate a self indulgent wild and crazy day. Roll out of bed on the opposite side. Light a scented candle in the bathroom and watch the flame flicker in the morning light. Crank up your favorite piece of inspiring music before you do anything else in the morning. Walk backward through the house. Try tea instead of coffee. Call an old friend you haven’t talked to in ages. Talk to strangers! Take the scenic route home. Wave to the stressed out folks who cut you off on the freeway. What else can you think of that could change up your scenery and shake some smiles out of you?

9. Treat yourself as you would treat others. Write yourself a love note. Buy yourself fresh stems of flowers. Soak your feet. Valet park the car. Have your groceries delivered. Send your undies to the cleaners. Snuggle with a blankie. Take a long walk. Sleep in. Watch the sunset. Sing yourself a love song. Do all the things for yourself you wish others would do for you!

Enjoy the most fabulous holiday season of all times!

Julie Hunt is a female icon and founder of SHE, the foremost inspiration and personal development resource for women who want to live brilliant, happy, successful lives. Marketing consultant, sales expert, copywriting guru, improvisational actress, yoga instructor, author and just plain cool chick… she’s an inspiration to hundreds of women.

She is on a mission to scream, skip, advise and acquaint with women around the globe who want live a vivacious life busting at the seams!

shesite.com

julie@shesite.com

Ever notice how some people just seem to be able to be content and bounce back no matter what the circumstances? Research shows that this isn’t a gift or a talent - it’s a skill that they have developed. Surprised? Well, the real surprise is that you too can put to work their techniques and make your life happier too.

1. Happy people cooperate with life.

Each person has a destiny to fulfill. You can fight it or cooperate with it. Does that mean you just lay back and let life happen? No. But you can adopt the attitude that you will play the cards you are dealt the very best you can. When you begin to cooperate with life, you will notice new ways in which you are motivated. Life wants you to realize your destiny. Wouldn’t you rather cooperate than battle with life?

2. Happy people don’t just think positive, they act

positive.

Thinking positive definitely has its place, and you’ll need to change your thoughts to ever be truly happy. But don’t wait on the feelings to come. You have direct control over how you act and what you think (feelings and physiology are indirectly affected). If you want to be a happier person, act happier. If you want to be a more compassionate person, act more compassionate. If you want to be a friendlier person, act friendlier. The feelings will follow.

3. Happy people ask for what they need.

Good things don’t generally just fall out of the sky. Complaining gets you nothing, except to attract you to other complainers. If you believe that “you reap what you sow”, then asking for what you want makes much more sense than sowing complaints. It’s your choice– you can choose to point fingers and assign blame, and still end up with nothing. Or you can simply ask.

4. Happy people are willing to change.

It’s contrary to all laws of nature for things to stand still. If you try to make that happen, you’ll always be disappointed. If you let fear of change stop you, you are in essence *agreeing* to not having what you want. You can believe that change will harm you and resist it. Or you can embrace it and believe that it will help you. It all depends on what you decide to believe.

5. Happy people don’t allow themselves to be

defeated.

A failure or set back does not mean that the goal will never be yours, nor is it evidence that you should quit. It simply means that you need more practice, more experience. Be willing to make mistakes. Don’t give up. Don’t allow one slipup, or setback from the outside, influence you to erase all the progress you’ve made. Feel the joy of the finish line!

6. Happy people live in the present.

If you are alert to the present, and anticipating the future, you are better able to take advantage of opportunities. If you are brooding over the past, you’ll be blinded to present possibilities, and lose the advantage for future prospects. A happy life is the product of living a great present. And a well lived present is a guarantee of a wonderful future. You can only affect your future by what you do today.

7. Happy people plan ahead.

Happy people know that they must exercise mastery in their lives, show control in their life in order to guard against feelings of being helpless and victims. Planning is essential to getting things done. Planning is essential to making sure you are spending time on your priorities, and not just the next thing that gets your attention. Plan for what’s important to you, and choose to spend your limited time, money, energy, and resources on it.

Kathy Gates is a Professional Life Coach in Scottsdale Arizona. What is Life Coaching? I help people become better satisfied with their lives by making some changes, or pursuing a goal. Visit www.reallifecoach.com for information, products and services and sign up for her free newsletter

kathy@reallifecoach.com

Stress is amazingly persistent, even seductive. We get used to feeling tight and tense. Though positive thinking has its place, unless it is backed up by practical wisdom it tends to get overwhelmed and fade away.

Here are seven proven ways you can get a new handle on stress.

1. Control your REACTION with these 7 simple words.

The first step is to remain alert when people try to weigh you down with their nervous comments and attitudes.

The next step is to reply to the attempted attack: “I have nothing to say to that.” This cuts off the contagious effect of the stressful assault. It blocks the tendency to accept and imitate depressing words from others. Your nature does not fall down to the level of the anxious remark, but remains high above it.

Negative people WANT to get you involved with their defeat, and this is a major method they use to do it. Your reply: ‘I have nothing to say to that’ prevents them from drawing you in as their victim.

Inner life author Vernon Howard writes, “An attitude of defeat in another person cannot touch you unless you carelessly accept it as yours. And there is no need at all for you to accept it. A quiet refusal to enter the battlefield is the perfect reply.’

2. Let go of painful grudges by living in the present moment.

Hating someone is like drinking poison yourself and hoping the offender will die from it. We must grant to others the same opportunity for change or we shut the door on our own development. Therefore, it is our responsibility to release those who have caused harm to the providence of a higher power, while simultaneously realizing they will be held accountable for their actions.

The secret to success without stress is to realize your newness in the present moment many times each day. NOW is so alive and energetic, so tangible and real, that painful grudges cannot “live” here. Grudges can only stay around when fueled by unaware and unproductive mental visits to the past.

3. Observe negative thoughts with the aim of understanding them, instead of trying to suppress them.

Self-Observation is a master key to stress-free living. Instead of claiming stressful thoughts and feelings as our own, we can observe and understand them. This understanding sets us free!

Self-observation is practical spirituality at its best. Marcus Aurelius, the ancient Roman Emperor said, “Those who do not observe the movement of their own minds must of necessity be unhappy.” (Marcus Aurelius)

4. Pause often and enjoy a deep breath.

People are often so tense with stressful thinking they barely breathe!

We can do something highly beneficial and intelligent. We can take brief breaks many times a day, even if for only 30 seconds! We can pause, take a deep breathe, look around and relax.

Suppose you feel tempted to give in to someone when you know you should not. Instantly fall into internal relaxation. Breathe away your tensions. Your habitually anxious and resentful attitudes will fall away like leaves from a tree. They will be replaced by a clear mind that reveals what is best for you.

5. Realize you have far better things to think about!

The old way of thinking has its favorite grooves; for example, negative mental film clips that pull you away from the present moment. When you detect yourself involved in one of these internal movies, pause and say to yourself, ‘There are better things to think about.’ This instantly snaps the spell and moves you to higher ground.

You’ll feel much less stress and an abundance of new vitality as you reclaim the energy once consumed by these negative mental film clips. Suddenly wake up and come home to yourself by enthusiastically declaring, “There are better things to think about!”

6. Stay clear of negative zones of influence.

Our society is rampant with negative influences. They come from so many places, like frantic people, advertising and untruthful politics. Never forget: Unaware people want you to vibrate on their stressful level.

It is your duty, your noble mission in life, to live in harmony with your Heart — YOUR AUTHENTIC AND INTELLIGENT SELF. Though physically you may be in a stressful place, once you connect with your Heart you have the spiritual power to stay free inwardly. No law says you must fall under stressful zones of influence.

7. Refuse to make stressful or angry comments.

Stress spills out into the world. It is like a snowball rolling down a hill that starts small then gathers size and momentum. Therefore, we must stop stress in its infancy, and the best place to do so is BEFORE it leaves the mouth.

Here’s a wonderful way to dissolve stress in your life:

This insight exercise is called SELF-SURPRISE.Here’s how it works. You are about to say something angry or hurtful to another person. The statement has left the dock - it is traveling at the speed of light toward the mouth. Your AWARENESS steps in and a higher choice is made; a switch is thrown and you do not say what you were about to say. You say something helpful and cheerful instead!

You’ll instantly feel the trueness of practicing this exercise. Anger or stress did not succeed in dictating your speech. Your power of choice lifted you above its arrows. This is not the practice of phony niceness. It is the expression of true strength and authentic self-command It can only occur when your awareness is active, like the presence of a lighted lodge in the dark forest.

Conclusion:

The one supreme power that guarantees personal happiness is personal right thinking. This “right thinking” is based on practical wisdom. Try these seven methods and you’ll see a huge difference in your life. You’ll have LOTS of energy!

copyright © 2004 by T.H. Russell

Bio: Tom Russell is the author of several eBooks, including ‘The Power of Vertical Thinking’ and ‘7 Secrets to Light Up Your Essence.’ He is the host of http://www.SuperWisdom.com and the editor of the SuperWisdom E-zine, read biweekly by more than 20,000 people in 42 countries. He assists professional salespeople and entrepreneurs to live with greater energy, focus and spiritual insight. He has been interviewed on more than 200 radio and TV talk shows.

Door to Door Chamonix Transfers propose reliable, guaranteed and smart ski holiday transfers from Geneva airport quickly to the in Meribel, Megeve, Chamonix Mont Blanc and the nearby Mont Blanc region.

Our ski transfers from Geneva airport service extends to snowboarding transfers to Les Contamines-Montjoie, Courchevel, Risoul, Le Grand-Bornand, Montgenevre, Samoens and including Val Thorens and Hautacam and we can offer personal snowboarding transfers to popular skiing destinations as booked.

With our latest fully equipped six men buses and Tata, Alfa Romeo, Smart, or Suzuki cars we will happily chauffeur up to sixteen, or twenty plus when your group ask this. Moreover your drivers are very experienced in difficult driving conditions for your groups comfort. For you reassurance the company is completely insured and well trained.

The company also on request organize mountain bike trips in Feb up until Nov and offer mountain resort like the most popular: Le Tour, Montroc, Alpe d’Huez, Les Orres, Chastreix-Sancy, La Rosiere, Les Gets, Les Houches, La Clusaz, La Plagne, Plateau de Beille, Les Grands Montets.

Driving to Chamonix Mont Blanc, Les Trois Vallees or Bessans from Geneva couldn’t be easier. For luxury ski bus transfers from Geneva to your groups catered chalet in Chamonix Mont Blanc ring Ski Bus Transfers now, afterwards sit back and relish in your ski trip.

What a great time of year! It’s a time to be thankful for what we have and enjoy all the festivities that mark a renewal of our hope and faith in the “system” that will carry us toward a bright new year.

Right… So if this is such a wonderful season, how come so many of us wind up in Yucksville? It may have something to do with losing our rational map about the time we made the turn at the Grotto of the Great Pumpkin. Let’s see if there isn’t something we can do to help brighten up this holiday season just a bit.

1. Focus the real reasons we’re celebrating.

It doesn’t make any difference if we’re celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day - there is a special significance attached to every holiday. When things start to get out of hand, just take a perspective break to think about why we’re observing this special event.

2. Plan ahead.

There are only 24 hours in a day and we need to sleep sometime. By doing just a little planning (and in general, sticking with the plan), we won’t be trying to accomplish everything at the last minute. Be sure to include plenty of leisure time just for you and your family or friends so you can step back and enjoy the season together.

3. Budget wisely.

It’s not very relaxing to think about having to spend the next year paying off the debts you’ve accumulated in the spirit of over-zealous giving. Put together a logical budget and stick with it. The basic rule of thumb is “If you ain’t got it, don’t spend it!”

4. Help others.

It’s the season for giving - and the most precious gift we have is ourselves. Find a way to help those less fortunate. Volunteering our services is a great way to take our minds off of the loneliness some of us may experience at this time of year.

5. Don’t over-indulge.

Too much of a good thing - food, beverages, spending, celebrating - may be fun at the time but it can also produce moderate to severe consequences. Use a common sense approach to the festivities this season. Position yourself so you will be able to truly enjoy the weeks and months that follow.

Gene, through NuPathz.com, provides an easy reading self-help blog, articles, quotations, thoughts and links along with affordable books and materials written to help folks find the road to a more enjoyable lifestyle, to pass on some of life’s “secrets for survival” in a chaotic world & offer a few smiles along the way. It’s a down-to-earth, simple approach to discovering a better life. You can visit Gene at http://www.nupathz.com/.

gene@nupathz.com

Copyright 2005 Arina Nikitina

Self-confidence is an all important trait you need to acquire in today’s fast-paced world. For one thing, you must have confidence in yourself first to earn the confidence and respect of others.

The following strategies may be useful to overcome such self-conquering thought habits. Consider these steps as the building blocks for greater confidence in any aspect of your life.

1. Concentrate on your strengths rather than on your weaknesses.

Confidence comes from within. You have to concentrate on the positive things about yourself. Remember the past is over; you can only change the future. Write down ten positive things about yourself.

Concentrate on your potentials. These are the reasons you should love yourself and have high self-confidence in yourself. Give yourself credit for every positive thing you have written about yourself. Remember, you’re somebody special.

2. Remind yourself of past successes.

Confidence builds on past success. Because you had success before, you can (and will) have it once more. We strengthen our confidence in any interest when we remind or review ourselves of past successes.

If you are trying to develop confidence in a new aspect, past success can still be useful in strengthening our confidence. For instance, if you had success in doing something new in the past, recall those experiences when trying something else new - even if it is in a completely different part of your life.

3. Take risks.

Try doing things that you’ve never tried before. It’s always a little bit of a challenge in doing new things and just the act of accepting these challenges, some little and some big, whether we are successful or not, frequently improves our self-confidence.

Approach new experiences as opportunities to learn instead of occasions to win or lose. Doing so brings you new opportunities and can improve your sense of self-acceptance. Not doing so turns every possibility into an opportunity for failure, and inhibits self-growth.

4. Use self-talk.

Use self-talk as an opportunity to contradict destructive beliefs. Then, remind yourself to “stop” and replace more realistic assumptions. For example, if you catch yourself expecting perfection, tell yourself that you can’t do everything perfectly, that it’s only possible to try to do things and to try to do them well. This also allows you to accept yourself while still working to improve.

5. Visualize your future success.

Corporate executives, Olympic athletes, and successful people in all types of undertakings see future success. Confidence will increase when we visualize ourselves succeeding. Think about it. If you know you will succeed, your confidence will soar, right?

Seeing future success does that very thing for us. Our minds cannot distinguish the difference between something real and something vividly imagined. So vividly visualize your success. What will it look like, smell like, taste like, and feel like to have succeeded? Who will be with you, what will you be hearing and where will you be? How will you be feeling at that instant? Placing this much vivid detail into your mind increases the likelihood of success, and supports greater confidence!

Apply these steps in your daily life and your confidence will soar!

Arina Nikitina is the author of “Boost Your Confidence” ebook. To build up courage, improve your relationships, and live the life you want with unshakable confidence visit: http://www.goal-setting-guide.com/confidence/

Your mouth is dry, your palms are sweaty, your heart is beating so fast it feels like it is going to pop out of your chest!

Sound familiar?

For most people, interviews are uncomfortable. The mere thought of them causes anxiety and nervousness… and this is the last impression you want to give a bar manager during an interview!

The competition is fierce in this industry, so why do you always “bomb” during your interviews?

You probably walk out of them and after the fact think of all the things you could of said, how you could of answered certain questions, but this does not matter, its how you perform during the interview that gets you the job.

Theres already enough things out of your control you are competing with, so why work against yourself?

Let me show you how to be in your full power during the interview, so that scoring your dream job and leaving the competition in the dust comes easily and effortlessly to you!

1) Dress The Part

Dress as thought you already work there, give the interviewer a rock solid visual of what youd look like behind the bar… this makes it more probable hed consider you for the job.

Remember also that this is the service industry! Unless you are applying to a five star hotel, theres no reason to show up in a suit and tie for the interview. This is trying too hard. Wear the same type of attire the employees wear.

2) Eye Contact

If you cant bring yourself to make eye contact with the interviewer, you can forget about getting the job.

When asked a question, if your look to the floor or to the side when answering it gives the impression you are not telling the truth for starters, but it also represents a lack of confidence, which is not something you find among good bartenders.

Look the person in the eye when speaking and more importantly, listening. This is easier said then done if you are in a habit of not doing it. But just becoming aware of it is it all takes.

3) Act As If

There is no better remedy out there than “acting as if….” Act is if you are the best bartender this person has ever seen. Walk into the interview with that attitude and youll be surprised at the energy you feel. You will tap into raw genius that you never thought you had! You will answer questions elegantly give the interviewer exactly what they want to hear.

4) Be Direct

Rambling and excessive talking is a sign of nervousness so avoid this at all costs. Be as direct and to-the-point as possible. Not in a rude way, just answer the questions without going overboard. The interviewer will appreciate this.

5) You Ask The Questions

This may sound like a shock to you, but it is not the interviewer that should be asking all the questions during an interview. The way you want to approach an interview from this point on is… you are interviewing them! You may find that they are not the best place to work for after all.

Have your own list of questions to ask the interviewer!!! The one who asks the questions is in control, this is not to say to not let them ask you any questions, but have some of your own to balance things out. This shows professionalism, dedication and preparation.

Jeremy Sherk, a professional bartender who*s been serving drinks before he could legally drink himself, reveals everything bartending schools forget to teach you. He gives you proven methods to drastically increase your tips and get your dream job bartending, guaranteed, at http://www.bartendingsecretsexposed.com