Students Of Success

Authentic Japanese swords can and usually do cost a small fortune.

In fact many (though not all) sword collectors maintain that to get a half way decent sword you need to be spending around US$1000. And the maximum? Well, the sky is the limit (there are quite a few Japanese made Katana that sell for around the US$25,000 mark).

So what about all those $50 swords being sold on ebay and everywhere else?

Well, at the end of the day, these swords are often junky ornamental “sword like objects”. They can’t be used as a martial arts weapon. Even just swinging them around with moderate force risks the blade snapping off at the handle…

But if you know what to look for, buying authentic Japanese swords at a reasonable price - say for around US$150 to $500 is quite possible. And in some cases, for even less than this amount of money, it’s possible to get a nice sword that is well balanced, sharp, strong and an excellent ‘bang for your buck’ buy.

For start though - let’s take a very quick look at what separated the authentic Japanese swords from the ornamentals:

• Japanese swords are slightly curved, sharp and single edged

• Authentic Japanese swords are light, fast weapons and should weigh no more than 3lbs max. They are also very well balanced

• Real Japanese swords aren’t made from stainless steel - they are made from high carbon steel. They also have what is called a “differentially tempered blade” - meaning that the sharp edge of the sword is harder than the spine, giving the sword flexibility (so it doesn’t shatter on impact) but also extreme cutting power.

• Real Japanese swords also have a tang (the part of the blade that goes into the handle) that is made as part of the blade, not a length of steel welded on afterwards (called a “rat tail” tang).

There are also a few other factors, such as traditional appearance and fittings to consider…

Now in our target price range of US$150 to $500 - there are only a few swords which qualify - and you’d be surprised, it isn’t necessarily the most expensive ones either…

The first is the Generation 2 BWT Katana (around US$329 + shipping)

While I really like Gen2s line of European swords as top quality yet very affordable “beater” swords, their BWT Katana - while a good choice, still has a few major drawbacks. There are two versions of this sword - a more traditional but rather plain looking one and another that uses a lot of brown suede and has an almost surreal “cowboy” quality to it…

Neither are particularly attractive. But the biggest problem is a structural flaw - in that the BWT Katana uses water buffalo horn for the small but critical band under the hand guard (called the fuchi) that has actually been known to occasionally crack on impact…

Moving on…

A lot of people like the Nahuarra of Mexico Katana (RRP around US$200 - but they are almost impossible to actually buy at this price and tend to go for US$400+)

Unfortunately, they are a bit too plain, too heavy (around 3.52lbs), poorly balanced, sharp (but not as sharp as they should be), difficult to find and - well…

Moving on…

Cold Steel make a very durable “Katana” for just a tad over the US$300 mark. These swords are sharp and extremely durable. But they aren’t in any way traditional. They aren’t differentially tempered (they are a mono-steel sword, like a European blade - all of one uniform hardness) and they aren’t balanced properly…

BUT - they aren’t a BAD choice… Only thing is, in my opinion (and in the opinion of many Japanese sword enthusiasts the world over) there is a better and even cheaper alternative.

If you are really looking for an affordable “entry level” Japanese sword - there really is only 1 choice, and that’s the Practical Katana and the Practical Plus Katana by Paul Chen’s Hanwei Forge.

These swords have it all - and for an online price tag of around US$279 for the Practical Plus Katana and US$169 for the plain vanilla model - they offer outstanding value for money.

They are light (under 3lbs) and incredibly well balanced. They are made from top quality high carbon steel. They have a “differentially tempered” blade, a solidly constructed tang and boy - are these babies sharp! I’ve cut everything from cardboard boxes to lengths of rope, water filled plastic bottles (of all shapes and sizes in a row and hanging), bamboo and traditional rolled tatami mats and it’s no exaggeration to say that I have never once actually felt any resistance to my cuts. In fact, many of my friends who aren’t sword nuts are able to effortlessly cut a plastic water bottle filled with water so easily that they swore that they missed (until the water comes gushing out over their feet that is).

I just love these swords! And what’s so cool about them is the price! NOTHING COMES CLOSE!

Now sure, they aren’t the same as swords ten times the price. But I remember seeing on a website when I was first checking them out a side by side comparison of quite a few different “entry level” Katana - and these were the only cheap Japanese swords that even got a look in - and overall, they were just 33% behind swords TEN TIMES THE PRICE!

Anyway - at the end of the day, if you love authentic Japanese swords, and don’t have (or don’t want to spend) a whole lot of money, you should have a serious look at these swords! I guarantee, you’ll join me and a small army of raving fans across the world…

For more information on Authentic Japanese Swords, including test cutting results and heaps more, check out my article by clicking on the link or visit my websites homepage: Sword-Buyers-Guide.com

There are so many options for acne treatment on the market. On one end there are several different types of medication and topical treatments, on the other there are various different natural or organic products. But, do all these products work? Well, most of these products do deliver on their promises. But, the key point being that there is no one size fits all solution in the area of acne treatment. This is understandable because everyone doesn’t have the same skin type either. To address these needs various different laser treatment providers have sprung up all over the place.

A quick recap of how pimples are formed

Our skin has tiny pores connected to oil producing glands underneath the skin. These glands produce oils that moves dead skin cells to the skin surface. The ‘pipe’ that is connecting the pore to the gland clog up due to excess oil production. This results in the formation of pimples. There are different varieties of this problem and each has a different name - blackheads, whiteheads, acne vulgaris, acne rosacea etc. You will definitely want to consult a dermatologist to understand your condition.

Now, coming back to our main discussion. The procedure for the laser treatment is fairly straightforward. A very powerful, high-speed and extremely accurate laser is controlled by the laser technician. So, what does the beam do? The beam destroys the specific excess oil producing glands that are under the skin and destroy any existing bacteria in these areas.

Sounds simple enough. Now, you might be wondering if this is all there is to it. Well of course not. As with any other medical procedure you should be aware of certain drawbacks of laser treatment.

* At times, one treatment isn’t enough. It’s hard to predict whether all the excess oil producing glands and bacteria have been taken care of. So, you might have to go through the procedure a couple of times till you are able to achieve the desired result.

* The other problem is that this treatment is expensive. The cost ranges depending on the experience of the provider, quality of the laser facilities etc. So, bear in mind that this might not be a one-time deal when you are shopping for laser treatment providers.

So, there you have it. Both sides of the story. While it is easy to measure the drawbacks in monetary terms, it is hard to measure how much the self-esteem of the individual is raised once this procedure is completed successfully. That feeling is one word - priceless!

Your web site has been up for a few months and you are making money hand over foot. While surfing sites one evening, you are shocked to find a competitor using your design. You find out your designer sold them the same design. They must be breaking the law, right? It all depends on whether you own the copyright to your web site design. Many site owners are shocked to find out they do not.

What is Copyright?

Copyright is a method of protection for authors of original works such as literature, computer programs, music, artistic pieces and photographic images. The protection provided by copyright arises under Title 17 of the United States Code. A copyright gives the owner the exclusive right to do or authorize others to: reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies, publicly display and generally use the material that carries the copyright in exchange for something, typically a royalty or fee. The copyright owner often grants this use through a license agreement, but can sell it outright.

Who Can Claim Copyright?

Copyright protection is created IMMEDIATELY upon the creation of a fixed form of the material in question and granted to the person that created the material. For instance, I automatically own the copyright to this article upon completing it. I am not required to file for an official copyright with the US Copyright Office to prove that I am the owner of the content. However, if I want to sue a person for using my article without permission, I must first register it.

What If I Hire Someone To Create A Web Site For Me?

If you hire a person or company to handle the design of your site, the complexities of copyright become a major issue for you. Specifically, the issue of “work for hire” is critical in determining whether you own the design.

“Work for hire” refers to the relationship between your business and the person creating your web site. If this person is an employee of your business and creates the material within their scope of employment, then your business owns the copyright. However, what happens when the designer is not an employee? In such a situation, the following must occur for the copyright to automatically transfer to you. The work must be specially ordered or commissioned for use as:

1. A contribution to a collective work,
2. A part of a motion picture or other audiovisual work,
3. A translation,
4. A supplementary work,
5. A compilation,
6. An instructional text,
7. A test,
8. Answer material for a test, or
9. An atlas.

It is my opinion that the design of a web site does not fall into any of the above categories. As a result, you do not own the copyright to the design and can do nothing about the fact that one of your competitors is using the design. Obviously, this is not the answer that most site owners want to hear. So, what can you do to protect your business?

When you hire an outside party to design, alter, amend or improve your site, you must have them sign a written contract. The contract must include a clause clearly establishing that the copyright to the material produced is vested with you, not the designer. You should then file the contract with your important documents as some designers “forget” that assigned the copyright to you. Presenting a copy of the contract and noting that it allows for the recovery of attorney’s fees usually solves the problem.

The issue of copyright ownership of a web site or aspect of a site pops up often. Finding your design being used on another domain is bad enough, but it can get worse. If you sell your business, the attorney for the party purchasing your business will always ask about the copyright of the site as part of the due diligence process. More than a few business deals have fallen apart when the lack of copyright ownership is discovered. Obtaining copyright at the outset of your business effort will avoid serious problems in the future.

Richard Chapo, Esq., is with SanDiegoIncorporate.com. He can be contacted at Richard@sandiegoincorporate.com.

This article is for general education purposes and does not address every facet of the subject matter. Nothing in this article creates an attorney-client relationship.

Holiday feasts can be fabulously festive without being fattening.
With a little creativity and positive intention you can enhance
your holiday meal traditions by serving sumptuous and healthful meals.
As a holiday chef you have the power to be selective, and create a
menu to delight as well as relieve traditional holiday table guilt. Simple
shifts in cooking techniques lighten your favorite fare with professional
ease. This year, create your own holiday traditions by changing
habits and helping recipes evolve, adding your own health-affirming
legacy to the family.

These 5 tips will help you begin… cheers!

• 1. Pick your “must-haves” and make a plan; choose the
  dishes and foods that are most loved, important, and symbolic to you
  and your family. These are the things that are most worth spending
  calories on. Edit out what you can without feeling deprived. Consider if
  another (healthier) option might possibly fit the bill. For example, would
  baked sweet potatoes work in place of candied yams? If the answer is
  no, set your original recipe aside for possible modification (see tip # 3).

• 2. Choose your menus differently and wisely. After your
  “must-haves”, balance and fill out your menu with healthy, whole food
  choices. Avoid more dishes with sauces and gravies. Seek out
  vegetable and whole grain based dishes, lean meats, beans and green
  salads. Consider more fresh fruits, low-fat yogurt and ice cream for
  dessert. Pumpkin or fruit pies have half the calories of pecan pie.
  Overall, think high fiber and low fat.
• 3. Select your ingredients differently. Low-fat (and some
  non-fat) dairy items can be substituted for whole milk products without
  any perceivable change. Evaporated skim milk is the classic dieters
  substitution for cream. Low-sodium salt is a great way to cut down on a
  common holiday culprit. Choose whole grain breads and rolls, brown
  rice and multi-grain pasta (tastes better than whole wheat). Chicken,
  ground turkey (skinless), lean beef and pork are better choices than
  fattier meats like rib roast, T-bone steak, sausage, bacon and ham. Low-
  fat and fat-free mayonnaise works wonders in recipes. Don’t forget the
  nonstick vegetable oil spray for cooking and cutting excess calories and
  fat. To be sure your feast is the most flavorful, nutritious and visually
  enticing that it can be (without caloric excess), use as many fresh, whole
  foods and herbs as possible.
• 4. Simple cooking techniques lighten your menu the same way
  the spa chefs have become famous for. In addition to making
  choices like those described above, spa chefs use techniques like
  braising, roasting and steaming to prepare tender, flavor-rich meat, fish,
  poultry, and vegetables, without added oil and fat. Baking and broiling
  are also considered key low-fat cooking techniques. Always trim visible
  fat and remove poultry skin before cooking. Basting with fat-free broth or
  fruit juice is essential to moist yet low-fat roasting. Steaming is an
  amazing and under-rated technique that can produce quite delicate
  results. Substitute two egg whites or an egg substitute for each egg in
  recipes and applesauce can take the place of up to 1/3 of the oil in
  baking.
• 5. Consider some positive manipulation. Plan gatherings
  where food is not the sole and central focus. Have a soup or salad buffet
  lunch instead of the normal afternoon or evening feasts. Arrange foods
  on tables in decreasing order of importance. Place the high-fiber, low-
  fat, healthy choices at the front of the buffet table and the richer, calorie
  dense items toward the end of the table. Serve dessert only after the
  meal.

Don’t wait… create your own healthy holiday traditions this year. Lighten
up your holiday feast without compromising an iota of enjoyment.
Savor
your meal and appreciate your intelligence in celebrating with mirth
without adding extra girth. Have a toast for the holiday chef!

© 2005 Karen B. Cohen. All Rights Reserved.

Karen B. Cohen C.L.C. RYT500 is a wellness coach and master yoga
instructor, writer and speaker residing in a college town in rural Virginia.
Karen leads people to their own limitless supply of creativity and vitality
so that they can express their talent and abilities fully in the world. A
former chef and caterer she believes that delicious, healthy food is
essential to our happiness and wellbeing. Karen provides seminars,
workshops, individual coaching and training nationally and
internationally. For more information go to KarenCohenYoga.blogspot.com
and RockbridgeCoaching.blogspot.com

Probably the most enigmatic Singer and Guitarist of the twentieth Century is now one of the most revered and respected of all Musicians who make up the Genre of the “Blues “. I speak of course about the wonderful Robert Leroy Johnson. Born in 1911 in Hazelhurst Mississippi, in a Deep South plantation, he, in his pitifully short life has become one of the founding Fathers of the Blues.

He recorded only 36 sides over a period of a couple of months between November 1936 and June 1937 in San Antonio Texas .These remarkable recordings still bring tears to the eyes of Blues aficionados the world over and shaped the face of the music of today.

The post-war Blues of Chicago owe a great debt to Robert Johnson and it is sad to think what might have been had he lived! In just a few short years he matured from a young black guitarist into a superstar of his day .The often repeated legend was perpetuated by his contemporaries that he sold his soul to the Devil in return for his amazing guitar techniques.

His story is one of hardship tinged with great success in his own locality of the Delta and women were said to be rendered helpless as he sang his compositions. His death at the hand of a jealous husband at the age of twenty seven robbed the world of one of Americas finest ever Musicians and Blues artists.

Years after his death in 1938, a photograph was unearthed, one of only two in existence. It shows not only his inimitable style of dress but quite remarkable slender fingers which helped him to achieve his unique mastery of the bottleneck guitar technique. He is pictured in a chalk–stripe suit which would have been somewhat overstated for a man in his position at that time .When I first saw that photograph the one thing above all else, that stood out were his beautiful long fingers that enveloped the guitar fingerboard and obviously caressed it as though it was a Woman helpless in his arms!

What about his subject matter… well nothing much has changed in the passing of time; the age old, painful process of unrequited love; of restless yearnings to move on down the line to pastures new; to unfaithful liaisons; and of course much sexual innuendo .

Robert Johnson’s skill as a poet of the time and place is absolutely unsurpassed in my estimation! For sure he borrowed words, phrases, and guitar licks from his peers, but moulded them into something quite unique that not only stands the test of time but has a relevance to today’s Rock music.

There cannot be any Blues Band on this Planet that has not been influenced by Johnson and his music and this is a testament to the greatness of the man! The list of recordings of Johnson’s songs by modern artists is endless and forms the backbone of the resurgence of the Blues in the early sixties in Britain and continues to this day! Most of the long lasting Bands of the R,n,B revolution of 62, 63, and on into the seventies have recorded several of Roberts songs. Notable amongst these would be The Rolling Stones, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Cream, The Allman Brothers Band, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Elmore James, and many more. Johnson’s songs transcribed particularly well to the new Electric guitar line-ups of the fifties and on into the sixties. Probably one of the most popular of his songs, which I can’t imagine anyone not having heard in a modern format, is of course Crossroad Blues.

This song was recorded live at the Fillmore in San Francisco in 1968 by the great Eric Clapton and his two buddies, Jack Bruce on bass and stickman, Ginger Baker .This song also featured in Cream’s farewell concert at the Albert Hall in London in 1969. I doubt whether Johnson envisaged this treatment of his song when he wrote it or that his poetry would one day be the cornerstone of the Blues Revival of the Sixties.

It is a poignant end to his story that the great impresario John Hammond, who later went onto sign –up a young Bob Dylan in 1962, was just too late when he searched for Robert to appear in the momentous concert at Carnegie Hall in 1938. Robert Johnson was dead but his spirit and his music will live on for ever in the hearts and minds of the lovers of the music we call THE BLUES .

© Robin Piggott 2004 Key to the Highway Publications.

Robin Piggott is the owner of Astral School of Motoring which is based in Limerick, Ireland. He has thirty five years of Driving Experience and has driven Professionally for most of this time, including teaching in – house, before setting up his own Driving School. He would much rather have become a Guitar Slinger but that’s another story!
The aim of the Astral Driving School is to provide the skills that will enable Young Drivers and Visitors to stay safe, first and foremost, and in doing this, help them achieve a standard that they can build on for the future. Skills for Life is the mission and to this end a Blog has been set up to aid and assist all new Drivers and those from overseas.
Visit the Web Site at www.astralmotoring.ie
Visit the Astral Driving School Blog at astralmotoring.blogspot.com

You already know that getting at least 30 minutes of exercise each and every day is good for you, but putting that assertion into actual practice is an entirely different matter, right? Contrary to what you might think, making physical activity an everyday habit isn’t rocket science. There’s no secret code for success waiting to be cracked. In fact, it’s something that can be worked into your usual routine with minimal, sometimes no, interruption or adjustment.

The U.S. Surgeon General, the American Heart Association and many other reputable health organizations all agree that 30 minutes of moderate-intensity workout is optimal on most, if not all, days of the week. The good news is that they also all concur that this recommended prescription doesn’t have to be taken all in one large dose. While the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) once called for continuous exercise of 20 minutes’ duration or longer, new guidelines allow for bouts of physical activity (as few as 10 minutes at a time) intermittently spread throughout the day.

When viewed in this manner, 10 minutes of exercise three times a day becomes a much more manageable goal than 30 uninterrupted minutes. Even the busiest executive and the most stressed-out mom can carve out 360 seconds for the sake of improving his or her physical, mental and emotional well-being. In fact, regular physical activity can even be considered a lifesaving practice. That’s because it’s been proven to extend life by warding off many chronic and deadly conditions like heart attacks, diabetes and strokes.

Now that the logistics are out of the way, the question becomes: What constitutes ‘moderate-intensity’ activity? In concrete terms, the 30-minute recommendation breaks down to two to three miles of walking a day at a rate of 3-4 miles per hour, or to burning 200 calories per day. This aim coincides with the popular 10,000 Steps program, which can easily be reached with the assistance of a RYP Sports pedometer. Simple things like parking your car farther away from your office or taking the stairs instead of the elevator can quickly add up to that target number.

For those who don’t enjoy walking or running, there are many other activities that constitute moderate-intensity exertion, many of which are necessary and/or fun tasks that fit right in with your normal routine. Gardening, raking leaves, mowing the lawn, mall strolling and dancing all fill the bill. In fact, 30 minutes spent playing tag with your kids in the yard burns the equivalent amount of calories as yoga, horseback riding and walking at a pace of four miles per hour on a level surface.

So, before you use the excuse that you’re too busy to schedule exercise into your daily grind, reconsider. Play Frisbee with the kids, take the dog for a jog around the block, even get some much-needed cleaning done around the house. In no time flat you’ll have reached your intended exercise goal, often without even realizing it!

About The Author

Matt Ream

RYP Sports makes it easy for you to incorporate daily activity into your current lifestyle by offering the best in health and fitness products at the best prices. Visit http://www.rypsports.com to get our FREE pedometer e-book.

mream@raiseyourpulse.com

Just like the original Trojan Horse that was built by the Greeks, the Trojan Horse Virus for your computer is actually something that is evil and bad concealed within something that seems good and positive. For anyone that might not know, a quick history lesson, the original Trojan Horse was given as a gift to the City of Troy by the Greeks who were losing the war but within this large wooden horse that was rolled into the gates of Troy was the Greek Army that came out at night when no one was looking and destroyed the city.

The computer virus variety of the Trojan Horse was first discovered in 2002 within sendmail and OpenSSH packages both included the Trojan Horse. It was done by a hijacker that broke into the distribution sites and replaced the software with his own damaged and infected ones. That is one way that your system can be given a Trojan, through software downloads and installation.

However, the most common way that users are infected with a Trojan program is through the spreading of it through emails. The sender will send it to the recipient within an email attachment that might say something like “nudegirls.jpg” or something along those lines that will make you curious and open the file.

Another increasingly popular way that Trojan Horses have been spread to users is through the ever increasing instant messenger programs such as Yahoo Messenger, AIM, ICQ, MSN messenger, and IRC. The one key to remember about Trojans is that they have to be triggered by some mechanism and will not spread themselves. For example, you can have one in your email but you do not open the link then it will not mess with your system.

A Trojan Horse, once on your system can do several things. First, it has the ability to completely take over your system and not give you access to any of your files. Next, it could possibly search your computer and monitor your usernames and passwords to various sites and even has the chances of getting your credit card numbers and sending all this information back to the creator.

The best way to keep your system from receiving any type of Trojan Horse is that of prevention. Never open files sent you by people you do not know because chances are that not only are these messages SPAM email but will contain some sort of link or file that will create a Trojan on your machine. It is fine to run anti-virus program on a daily basis but the fact is that Trojans are created so often that your definitions for viruses might not recognize the newest Trojans that have been created.

Trojans are not the kind of program that you want to speculate with so you should get your computer checked right away and continue to be leery of opening files by users you do not trust.

When not on his soapbox, Andrew Wroblewski is doing battle with the thousands of spyware programs that can affect you via his ant-spyware and spyware removal website: http://spyware.pcwash.com where you can get a free spyware scan of your computer system.

Sometimes we feel hard-pressed,
Our backs against the wall;
Sometimes we feel lightheaded,
As if we are going to fall.

Sometimes we feel fierce anger
At those who misuse guns;
Sometimes we feel ashamed
Of how we treat God’s little ones.

Sometimes we feel excited,
As when a birthday nears;
Sometimes we feel withdrawn
And retreat to inner spheres.

Sometimes we feel so lonely,
Without a friend or foe;
Sometimes we feel confused,
Can’t decide which way to go.

Sometimes we feel too sensitive,
Weep over some small thing;
Sometimes we feel quite infantile
And desire pampering.

Sometimes we feel depressed,
Lost in pity and despair;
Sometimes we feel great serenity,
Strolling the beach somewhere.

Sometimes we feel deep hurt
When treated loathingly;
Sometimes we feel frustration,
When given the third degree.

Sometimes we feel divine,
Spiritually renewed;
Sometimes we feel tranquil,
Relaxed in solitude.

Sometimes we feel loving,
Wanting to kiss and hug;
Sometimes we feel defiant
Must resist an all out tug.

Sometimes we feel deep grief,
When someone we loved has died;
Sometimes we feel outraged,
When our rights have been denied.

Sometimes we feel resentful
For no particular reason at all.
Sometime we feel like fighting
Against injustice and unfair gall.

We experience all kinds of feelings
From the sanguine to the crass;
They’re as changing as the seasons,
And as fragile as fine glass.

A sacred gift, our feelings
God gave to each one of us.
To feel His boundless love;
Feelings, O how glorious!

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, veteran social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach which can be reviewed on her site. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, is expected to be available soon.

You are welcome to visit AMEN Ministries: Your Soul’s Service Station for spiritual refreshing, soul edification, browse our newly expanded mini shopping mall or review our recommended books you may want to add to your personal library.

Blessings to all!

We’ve all done it at some time or other. We put off our exercise routine until tomorrow; we continually delay finishing that project or starting that business.

Procrastination is the mother of all demons and can literally stop you in your tracks from achieving all that you desire.

Sandra Baptist provides you with 5 effective processes you can use to slay this giant.

1. Do it now
Hold your breath and jump right in! Putting things off until the last minute is a bad habit and like all habits is ingrained in our subconscious mind and hard to break. It feels like the normal thing to do and we simply continue along our path. To complete a task immediately may even feel strange or like a forced action.

When your boss gives you a task or when your clients or customers request your expertise, do it right away!

You not only look well-organized to others, the feeling that the job is done, is complete before the deadline, will be one of relief and gratitude.

How would this efficiency look to your customers when you request a referral or to your boss when salary reviews are approaching? I would think, “Great”.

2. Take baby steps
Sometimes we procrastinate because the task may be intimidating to us. Perhaps we have no possible inkling on where to start.

In these cases, it is quite fine to take it one step at a time.

Say you are preparing a business plan and for the 5th time this week, you’ve turn on the PC and looked at the blank screen. Or you’ve just remembered you need to do some more research before you begin…you’re still not ready.

My friend you ARE ready.

You simply need to break down the project into smaller pieces and tackle each bit separately. Make each task an individual project and after completion of each one, celebrate and acknowledge your achievement.

Soon you’ll be finished and have no idea why you were putting it off in the first place!

3. Vision the perfect
Ah! I love this one. I use the Law of Attraction with my clients to have them easily and effortlessly achieve their dreams and desires and in effect, their vision.

Once you are aware that you are in fact procrastinating, creating a vision of you achieving the perfect plan is extremely helpful. When you create a vision you write in the present tense…as if you have already achieved your goal or if you are in the process of completing it.

For example, we go back to the business plan. Your vision may look something like this.

“I am so grateful that I have completed all the research I need for my business plan. I am finding the information easily using the internet. People that have written business plans are offering me advice that allows me to create an exciting plan that I resonate with. As I write, the words come to me effortlessly….”

In creating a vision and focusing on it daily, the universal laws state that things, people, processes will begin to occur in your life that will allow you to attract that vision.

4. Forget it
Why force the issue? If you have been ‘dragging your feet’ on something for a very long time, it may all be for the best.

Something, somewhere is trying to tell you something. That something is your intuition and it is usually right!

Think about something that you have been putting off again and again and again. What are the reasons that you need to complete this task in the first place? Does someone want you to do this? What is THEIR agenda? What are YOUR reasons for this lengthy delay?

I find it amazing that 99% of the time I put off doing something, I am thankful that I did! Disregarding a project after a long period of procrastination is however usually a last resort.

5. Support team
Do you put off tasks because you feel that there are too big and complex for you to handle alone? Or because you need assistance? Be honest with yourself. “No man is an island”.

Ask for help! There are many resources out there that can provide you with all you need to carry out your job.

If you’re a solo-professional and you put off answering emails, then don’t answer them yourself. Hire an assistant, find some college students that want experience, get a family member to help.

Procrastinating on life changing activities could be as a result of fear of the unknown. Get a mastermind group together, find a mentor, join a support group.

You don’t have to do it all by yourself. Just ensure that to kick this habit; you do what feels good to you in whatever method you choose. You’ll surely postpone procrastination for a very long time.

Sandra Baptist is a Prosperity and Law of Attraction coach. She helps independent women take charge of their lives and find balance, effortlessly attract what they want and live an OUTRAGEOUS prosperous life. For more success and greater prosperity, visit:
www.EliteCoachingGroup.com, call 1-800-666-4754 or email Sandra@EliteCoachingGroup.com

Of primary concern to all internet users is their actual connection to the internet.

A user needs to look at all the factors and weigh the benefits and costs

1. Reliability - is the connection available 24/7, or do you get a busy signal?

2. Speed - at what speeds can a user upload and download files?

3. Costs - what are the setup and monthly costs for the internet connection service?

4. Support - is support available 24/7 and is it free or is there a cost associated with it?

5. Availability - is the desired service available at your location?

Available options with good and bad features include:

Local dial up with phone company (local isp) - While this many times is the simplest, often times, they are the most costly and support can be an issue. Speeds are typically the slowest at 26k to 56k connection speeds.

Software file compression- If you only have 26k dialup isp connections available to you or you want to speed up your DSL connections, this is an important option you should take a look at. With this type of software you can increase your internet connection speeds by as much as five times for very little money. Popular software products that accomplish this are ActiveSpeed, PropelAccelerator, Dr. Speed, and SuperSpeeder, Highly recommended solution to increasing your browsing experience.

Local dial up with national firm - This is by far the most popular with companies like AOL, People PC, Juno, EarthLink, and Netzero providing this service to millions of users. These certainly are the most cost effective and provide excellent 24/7 support. With the high speed upgrade options you can approach 112 k speeds. If the company has a local or toll free number available in your area, then this alternative provides the lowest cost isp internet connection.

Cable connection - If cable TV is available in your area, many firms also provide an internet connection for an additional fee. Requires special cable modem. Speeds are anywhere from 512k to 10Mps.

DSL or digital service line - Many local phone companies are providing this service to selected areas. Requires installation of DSL modem on your computer and speeds typically are from 512k to 9Mps. The distance from the local hub also affects your speed. You will pay 2 to 3 times the costs of basic dial up.

Broadband - Is a term loosely thrown around that is applied to a DSL, cable, wireless, or satellite internet connections. Technically broadband is a minimum of 1.5Mbs but is used to market products with bandwidth as low as 512k. When you hear the term broadband used, think like “health food”, an undefined marketing catch word.

Wireless internet connection - This option is available in limited area’s and requires a wireless modem on your computer. Speeds typically are 2Mbps and this is a flexible approach as you do not need to be hardwired or plugged in. Available in many metro area’s.

Satellite internet connection - This is the perfect solution for remote area’s if you require a high speed internet connection. Upload and download speeds are different and in some cases you can only download via satellite and are required to upload via dial up. This is the most expensive alternative, but you can get service basically anywhere in the world. Speeds starting at 500k are available. Contact Directway for dependable and fast satellite internet connections.

About The Author

Ray LaFoy has been providing professional web and software development services since 1999. Living in Montana, he has made a career of excelling in marketing.

http://BroadBandQuick.com

http://www.ExpertHelpNow.com

Copyright 2004 - All rights reserved worldwide