Dreamsinabox

How to Reach Millions of Users Online, Quickly and for FREE ?using Google Places

2011-06-02T08:38:00.001-07:00

How to Reach Millions of Users Online, Quickly and for FREE ? There is a Way. I am Not Talking about some Magic Bullet to get Traffic, or some Program to Trick Google. It is a Very Legit Program Created by Google itself.

If you are Serious about Growing your Business, You cannot Afford to Ignore – “Google Places”

If you don’t know already almost 97% of consumers search for local businesses online. Be there when they’re looking for you , with Google Places for business – You Will be Found Online Absolutely FREE !!!

78% of Consumers Search Online to Find a Product/Service or to do Research before Making a Buying Decision.

Google has created these pages for your Business Absolutely FREE.

Google Places Helps You to be Found Online With No Cost for you.

Get More Customers

Helps in Branding Your Business More Effectively through Photos, Listing and adding More Information.

Allows you to Run Promotional Offers.

Allows People to Know What Others Think of You using Reviews Options and a Lot more.

Benefits of Google Places

Reach millions of Google users, quickly and for free, with Google Places

More people search for businesses online than anywhere else, so it’s important to make sure your business listing can be easily found on Google.com and Google Maps. With Google Places, creating a great listing takes just a few minutes and doesn’t cost a thing.

Edit your listing and speak for yourself

Your business probably already shows up on Google, but you should still verify your listing and make sure its details are accurate and thorough. Your improvements will start appearing as soon as you verify them through Google Places. Also, you can add notifications

Practical and easy to manage

Your Google listing is an easy way to maintain an online presence even if you don’t have a website. You can visit Google Places anytime to edit your information or see how many people have seen and clicked on your listing.

Premium options, all for free

Make your listing really shine with photos and videos; custom categories like your service area, brands you sell and how to find parking; and coupons to encourage customers to make a first-time or repeat purchase.

To Learn More and Implement it for your Business Enter Your Name, Email and Phone on Your Right and Download the Google Places Guide Right Away for FREE.

If you Have any Questions in Implementing it Ask Your Questions in the Comment Section Below and I Will Answer it Promptly. OR If You Found this Useful Just Let me know What You Think?

Top 3 things to Look for in an IT Consulting Company?

2011-03-24T14:32:00.000-07:00

Get the Feedback from one the Consultants from Brainware Solutions LLC.

Check out the Video:

Check Video

Brainware Solutions LLC

1111 Howe Avenue, Suite #145

Sacramento, CA 95825

916-273-6652 work

866-451-2070 fax

www.brainwaresolution.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/ssureshkannan

http://www.facebook.com/BrainwareSolutions

The Employer/Employee Disconnect

2011-03-24T14:17:00.000-07:00

The Employer/Employee Disconnect

David Earle

Why do we feel this is important when the U.S. economy appears to be returning to an even keel and unemployment has begun to fall? Because the disconnect we refer to has little to do with unemployment.

It’s about something far more pervasive and consequential – the way employers today go about finding the talent they need versus the way job seekers go about finding the companies they might like to work for.

Education's Impact on mobility

This disconnect affects all job candidates at all levels in all types of job markets, whether they are anxiously looking for work on a daily basis or happily employed and not looking at all.

We have been researching candidate behavior since 2007. At first we accepted the common categorization of workers as either active or passive, with each group having distinctive attitudes and behaviors that required specific and familiar job marketing approaches. But the more data we saw, the less those categories made sense. They seemed to be artifacts from another time when most employment was long-term and most people changed jobs infrequently. But they made no sense at all in a fragmented, turbulent job market where employers increasing sought highly flexible, worldwide workforces and job seekers increasingly held a dozen or more jobs between school and retirement.

Our clients are well aware of the internal changes they have had to make over the past decade to remain competitive in the job market. In the years ahead, those changes will not stop; in fact we see them accelerating. The drivers of marketplace change – globalization, demographics and technology – will continue to rapidly alter the dynamics of the job marketplace. One of the places we see this most clearly is in the attitudes and behaviors of job seekers.

Complexity and Change

Globalization, demographics and technology are interacting in complex ways. For example, demographics create labor imbalances that over time influence mobility. Companies move work to where the most profitable labor pools are located while workers move themselves to where the best opportunities are. Technology has accelerated this trend by exponentially increasing job visibility. From a communications standpoint, the potential labor supply for many jobs is now worldwide, available from any city, town or village with an Internet connection.

But now these interactions are producing secondary effects. For example, in the past most mobility was physical; the worker relocated or the employer set up shop in a new location. Now, increasingly robust communication tools can connect work and workers regardless of where they happen to be physically. Leaving home to go to work is no longer necessary, even if the commute is only half an hour.

But while technology is reducing travel as a condition of work, it is increasing it as an elective option. Mobile phones, text messaging, Skype, email, Flicker, Facebook and Twitter allow friends and family to access one another even when they are half way around the world. And the comfort of maintaining home ties, coupled with the career benefits of a diverse, worldwide CV, and the personal benefits of exposure to different cultures and lifestyles, are all contributing to more mobility rather than less.

Rates of Adaptation

The demand side (employers) and the supply side (job seekers) of the job market have both been powerfully affected by the interactions of globalization, demographics and technology. Many disconnects that we explore in these two reports are caused by the different rates at which the two sides have been able to adapt. Social media is a good example. Having only personal technical systems to modify, job seekers are adapting to new communication technologies very rapidly. Employers, on the other hand, working within the constraints of large, complex systems, cannot. So job seekers are racing ahead to develop new information habits and channels while employers are trying to reach them through messages and channels that have lost relevance.

A second key issue involves transparency. The Internet has made it very hard for corporations to keep secrets, while making job seekers avid and discerning consumers of information. Our research shows that companies that don’t understand or respect this are recruiting at a severe disadvantage to those that do.

A third issue involves process. The increasing mechanization at the top of the corporate recruiting funnel has, if anything, made the application process worse from the candidates’ perspective. The infamous “black hole” is blacker than ever and candidates uniformly hate it. Companies that haven’t used technology to make the internal recruiting process more transparent and user-friendly are slowly committing a form of job branding suicide one mitigated only by the fact that most competitors are guilty of the same anti-consumer behavior.

Source : Staffing.org

The Magic Story (author unknown)

2011-03-17T19:44:00.000-07:00

This is an Amazing Story ..I dont want to say anything about it until you read it for yourself...Here it goes..

An immediate worldwide sensation was created after The Magic Story first made its appearance in 1900 in the original Success Magazine. After dozens of reprints, it is finally available in eBook form so that you may benefit from its powerful message.

It is claimed that many who read or hear this story almost immediately begin to have good fortune so it is worth a few minutes of your time to find out if it works for you.

The book is in two parts. Part 1 reveals the story how The Magic Story was found by a starving artist named Sturtevant. Everyone he told the story to prospered by it. It seemed to change people's lives for the better...like magic.

Part 2 is the actual Magic Story as found by Sturtevant.

I was sitting alone in the cafe and had just reached for the sugar preparatory to putting it into my coffee. Outside, the weather was hideous. Snow and sleet came swirling down, and the wind howled frightfully. Every time the outer door opened, a draft of unwelcome air penetrated the uttermost corners of the room. Still I was comfortable.

The snow and sleet and wind conveyed nothing to me except an abstract thanksgiving that I was where it could not affect me. While I dreamed and sipped my coffee, the door opened and closed, and admitted - Sturtevant. Sturtevant was an undeniable failure, but, withal, an artist of more than ordinary talent. He had, however, fallen into the rut traveled by ne'er-do-wells, and was out at the elbows as well as insolvent.

As I raised my eyes to Sturtevant's I was conscious of mild surprise at the change in his appearance. Yet he was not dressed differently. He wore the same threadbare coat in which he always appeared, and the old brown hat was the same. And yet there was something new and strange in his appearance. As he swished his hat around to relieve it of the burden of snow deposited by the howling nor'wester, there was something new in the gesticulation.

I could not remember when I had invited Sturtevant to dine with me, but involuntarily I beckoned to him. He nodded and presently seated himself opposite to me. I asked him what he would have, and he, after scanning the bill of fare carelessly, ordered from it leisurely, and invited me to join him in coffee for two.

I watched him in stupid wonder, but, as I had invited the obligation, I was prepared to pay for it, although I knew I hadn't sufficient cash to settle the bill. Meanwhile I noticed the brightness of his usual lackluster eyes, and the healthful, hopeful glow upon his cheek, with increasing amazement.

"Have you lost a rich uncle?" I asked. "No," he replied, calmly, "but I have found my mascot." "Brindle, bull or terrier?" I inquired. "Currier," said Sturtevant, at length, pausing with his coffee cup half way to his lips, "I see that I have surprised you. It is not strange, for I am a surprise to myself. I am a new man, a different man, - and the alteration has taken place in the last few hours.

Return to top

You have seen me come into this place 'broke' many a time, when you have turned away, so that I would think you did not see me. I knew why you did that. It was not because you did not want to pay for a dinner, but because you did not have the money to do it. Is that your check? Let me have it. Thank you. I haven't any money with me tonight, but I, - well, this is my treat." He called the waiter to him, and, with an inimitable flourish, signed his name on the backs of the two checks, and waved him away.

After that he was silent for a moment while he looked into my eyes, smiling at the astonishment which I in vain strove to conceal. "Do you know an artist who possess more talent than I?" he asked, presently. "No. Do you happen to know anything in the line of my profession that I could not accomplish, if I applied myself to it? No. You have been a reporter for the dailies for - how many? - seven or eight years. Do you remember when I ever had any credit until tonight? No. Was I refused just now? You have seen for yourself. Tomorrow my new career begins. Within a month I shall have a bank account. Why? Because I have discovered the secret of success."

"Yes," he continued, when I did not reply, "my fortune is made. I have been reading a strange story, and since reading it, I feel that my fortune is assured. It will make your fortune, too. All you have to do is read it. You have no idea what it will do for you. Nothing is impossible after you know that story. It makes everything as plain as A, B, C. The very instant you grasp its true meaning, success is certain. This morning I was a hopeless, aimless bit of garbage in the metropolitan ash can; tonight I wouldn't change places with a millionaire. That sounds foolish, but it is true. The millionaire has spent his enthusiasm; mine is all at hand."

Return to top

"You amaze me," I said, wondering if he had been drinking absinthe.

"Won't you tell me the story? I should like to hear it."

"Certainly. I mean to tell it to the whole world. It is really remarkable that it should have been written and should remain in print so long, with never a soul to appreciate it until now. This morning I was starving. I hadn't any credit, nor a place to get a meal. I was seriously meditating suicide. I had gone to three of the papers for which I had done work, and had been handed back all that I had submitted. I had to choose quickly between death by suicide and death slowly by starvation. Then I found the story and read it. You can hardly imagine the transformation. Why, my dear boy, everything changed at once, - and there you are."

Return to top

"But what is the story, Sturtevant?"

"Wait; let me finish. I took those old drawings to other editors, and every one of them was accepted at once."

"Can the story do for others what it has done for you? For example, would it be of assistance to me?" I asked.

Return to top

"Help you? Why not? Listen and I will tell it to you, although, really, you should read it. Still I will tell it as best I can. It is like this: you see, - - -" The waiter interrupted us at that moment. He informed Sturtevant that he was wanted on the telephone, and with a word of apology, the artist left the table.

Five minutes later I saw him rush out into the sleet and wind and disappear. Within the recollection of the frequenters of that cafe, Sturtevant had never before been called out by telephone. That, of itself, was substantial proof of a change in his circumstances.

One night, on the street, I encountered Avery, a former college chum, then a reporter on one of the evening papers. It was about a month after my memorable interview with Sturtevant, which, by that time, was almost forgotten.

Return to top

"Hello, old chap," he said; "how's the world using you? Still on space?" "Yes," I replied, bitterly, "with prospects of being on the town, shortly. But you look as if things were coming your way. Tell me all about it."

"Things have been coming my way, for a fact, and it is all remarkable, when all is said. You know Sturtevant, don't you? It's all due to him. I was plumb down on my luck, - thinking of the morgue and all that, - looking for you, in fact, with the idea you would lend me enough to pay my room rent, when I met Sturtevant. He told me a story, and, really, old man, it is the most remarkable story you ever heard; it made a new man out of me. Within twenty-four hours I was on my feet and I've hardly known a care or a trouble since." Avery's statement, uttered calmly, and with the air of one who had merely pronounced an axiom, recalled to my mind the conversation with Sturtevant in the cafe that stormy night, nearly a month before. "It must be a remarkable story," I said, incredulously. "Sturtevant mentioned it to me once. I have not seen him since. Where is he now?" "He has been making war sketches in Cuba, at two hundred a week; he's just returned. It is a fact that everybody who has heard the story has done well since. There are Cosgrove and Phillips, - friends of mine, - you don't know them. One's a real estate agent; the other's a broker's clerk, Sturtevant told them the story, and they have experienced the same results that I have; and they are not the only ones.

"Do you know the story?" I asked. "Will you try its effect on me?"

Return to top

"Certainly; with the greatest pleasure in the world. I would like to have it printed in big black type, and posted on the elevated stations throughout New York. It certainly would do a lot of good, and it's as simple as A, B, C: like living on a farm. Excuse me a minute, will you? I see Danforth over there. Back in a minute, old chap." If the truth be told, I was hungry. My pocket at that moment contained exactly five cents; just enough to pay my fare up-town, but insufficient also to stand the expense of filling my stomach.

There was a "night owl" wagon in the neighborhood, where I had frequently "stood up" the purveyor of midnight dainties, and to him I applied. He was leaving the wagon as I was on the point of entering it, and I accosted him. "I'm broke again," I said, with extreme cordiality. "You'll have to trust me once more. Some ham and eggs, I think, will do for the present." He coughed, hesitated a moment, and then re-entered the wagon with me. "Mr. Currier is good for anything he orders'" he said to the man in charge; "one of my old customers. This is Mr. Bryan, Mr. Currier. He will take good care of you, and 'stand for' you, just the same as I would. The fact is, I have sold out. I've just turned over the outfit to Bryan. By the way, isn't Mr. Sturtevant a friend of yours?" I nodded.

I couldn't have spoken if I had tried. "Well," continued the ex-"night owl" man, "he came in here one night, about a month ago, and told me the most wonderful story I ever heard. I've just bought a place in Eighth Avenue, where I am going to run a regular restaurant - near Twenty-third Street. Come and see me." He was out of the wagon and the sliding door had been banged shut before I could stop him; so I ate my ham and eggs in silence, and resolved that I would hear that story before I slept. In fact, I began to regard it with superstition. If it had made so many fortunes, surely it should be capable of making mine. The certainty that the wonderful story - I began to regard it as magic - was in the air, possessed me. As I started to walk homeward, fingering the solitary nickel in my pocket and contemplating the certainty of riding downtown in the morning, I experienced the sensation of something stealthily pursuing me, as if Fate were treading along behind me, yet never overtaking, and I was conscious that I was possessed with or by the story.

Return to top

When I reached Union Square, I examined my address book for the home of Sturtevant. It was not recorded there. Then I remembered the cafe in University Place, and, although the hour was late, it occurred to me that he might be there. He was! In a far corner of the room, surrounded by a group of acquaintances, I saw him. He discovered me at the same instant, and motioned to me to join them at the table. There was no chance for the story, however. There were half a dozen around the table, and I was the furthest removed from Sturtevant. But I kept my eyes upon him, and bided my time, determined that, when he rose to depart, I would go with him.

A silence, suggestive of respectful awe, had fallen upon the party when I took my seat. Everyone had seemed to be thinking, and the attention of all was fixed upon Sturtevant. The cause was apparent. He had been telling the story. I had entered the cafe just too late to hear it. On my right, when I took my seat, was a doctor; on my left a lawyer. Facing me on the other side was a novelist with whom I had some acquaintance. The others were artists and newspapermen.

"It's too bad, Mr. Currier," remarked the doctor; "you should have come a little sooner, Sturtevant has been telling us a story; it is quite wonderful, really. I say, Sturtevant, won't you tell that story again, for the benefit of Mr. Currier?" "Why yes. I believe that Currier has, somehow, failed to hear the magic story, although, as a matter of fact, I think he was the first one to whom I mentioned it at all. It was here, in this cafe, too, -at this very table.

Return to top

Do you remember what a wild night that was, Currier? Wasn't I called to the telephone, or something like that?

To be sure! I remember, now; interrupted just at the point when I was beginning the story. After that I told it to three or four fellows, and it 'braced them up,' as it had me. It seems incredible that a mere story can have such a tonic effect upon the success of so many persons who are engaged in such widely different occupations, but that is what it has done. It is a kind of never-failing remedy, like a cough mixture that is warranted to cure everything, from a cold in the head to galloping consumption. There was Parsons, for example. He is a broker, you know, and had been on the wrong side of the market for a month. He had utterly lost his grip, and was on the verge of failure. I happened to meet him at the time he was feeling the bluest, and before we parted, something brought me around to the subject of the story, and I related it to him. It had the same effect on him as it had on me, and has had on everybody who has heard it, as far as I know.

I think you will all agree with me, that it is not the story itself that performs the surgical operation on the minds of those who are familiar with it; it is the way it is told, -in print, I mean. The author has, somehow, produced a psychological effect which is indescribable. The reader is hypnotized. He receives a mental and moral tonic.

Return to top

Perhaps, doctor, you can give some scientific explanation of the influence exerted by the story. It is a sort of elixir manufactured out of words, eh?" From that the company entered upon a general discussion of theories.

Now and then slight references were made to the story itself, and they were just sufficient to tantalize me, -the only one present who had not heard it.

At length, I left my chair, and passing around the table, seized Sturtevant by one arm, and succeeded in drawing him away from the party. "If you have any consideration for an old friend who is rapidly being driven mad by the existence of that confounded story, which Fate seems determined that I shall never hear, you will relate it to me now," I said, savagely. Sturtevant stared at me in wild surprise. "All right," he said. "The others will excuse me for a few moments, I think. Sit down here, and you shall have it. I found it pasted in an old scrapbook I purchased in Ann Street, for three cents and there isn't a thing about it by which one can get any idea in what publication it originally appeared, or who wrote it. When I discovered it, I began casually to read it, and in a moment I was interested. Before I left it, I had read it through many times, so that I could repeat it almost word for word. It affected me strangely, -as if I had come in contact with some strong personality.

Return to top

There seems to be in the story a personal element that applies to every one who reads it. Well, after I had read it several times, I began to think it over. I couldn't stay in the house, so I seized my coat and hat and went out. I must have walked several miles, buoyantly, without realizing that I was the same man, who, in only a short time before, had been in the depths of despondency. That was the day I met you here, -you remember." We were interrupted at that instant by a uniformed messenger, who handed Sturtevant a telegram. It was from his chief, and demanded his instant attendance at the office. The sender had already been delayed an hour, and there was no help for it; he must go at once. "Too bad!" said Sturtevant, rising and extending his hand.

"Tell you what I'll do, old chap. I'm not likely to be gone any more than an hour or two. You take my key and wait for me in my room. In the escritoire near the window you will find an old scrapbook bound in rawhide. It was manufactured, I have no doubt, by the author of the magic story. Wait for me in my room until I return."

I found the book without difficulty. It was a quaint, homemade affair, covered, as Sturtevant had said, with rawhide, and bound with leather thongs. The pages formed an odd combination of yellow paper, vellum and homemade parchment. I found the story, curiously printed on the last-named material. It was quaint and strange. Evidently, the printer had "set" it under the supervision of the writer. The phraseology was an unusual combination of seventeenth and eighteenth century mannerisms, and the interpolation of italics and capitals could have originated in no other brain than that of its author. In reproducing the following story, the peculiarities of type, etc. are eliminated, but in other respects it remains unchanged.

For more Info:

http://www.psitek.net/pages/PsiTekTMS2.html

you’re already perfect.....Wish you a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year!!!!

2010-12-30T15:22:00.000-08:00

We are at the End of this Eventful Year and as always we started working on our Resolutions, there are so many new applications to help with our Computer addiction. One application on your Computer helps you to take a break from your Current Task, by automatically disconnecting your Internet connection after every 2 Hours.

I Want to Share this Wonderful Post from Zen Habits and Reflect on things with Gratitude and to Live in the “Now” rather than Focusing on the Elusive Maya all the time…and I Wish you a Wonderful and Happy New Year!!!

breathe.

you’re already perfect

‘Be Content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.’ ~Lao Tzu

Post written by Leo Babauta.

A lot of people come to Zen Habits (and read other personal development blogs and books) because they want to improve something about themselves. They’re not satisfied with their lives, they’re unhappy with their bodies, they want to be better people.

I know, because I was one of those people.

This desire to improve myself and my life was one of the things that led to Zen Habits. I’ve been there, and I can say that it leads to a lot of striving, and a lot of dissatisfaction with who you are and what your life is.

A powerful realization that has helped me is simply this: You’re already good enough, you already have more than enough, and you’re already perfect.

Try saying that to yourself, as corny as that might sound, just to see if it sounds true. Does it resonate as something you already believe (in which case, you can probably stop reading now), or does it not feel right? Do you feel like there are things you still need to improve?

The thing I’ve learned, and it’s not some new truth but an old one that took me much too long to learn, is that if you learn to be content with who you are and where you are in life, it changes everything.

Consider what changes:

You no longer feel dissatisfied with yourself or your life.
You no longer spend so much time and energy wanting to change and trying to change.
You no longer compare yourself to other people, and wish you were better.
You can be happy, all the time, no matter what happens in the world around you.
Instead of trying to improve yourself, you can spend your time helping others.
You stop spending so much money on things that will supposedly improve your life.
You can be smug about it, like me.

OK, the last bit was a joke, but the rest is true, in my experience.

And here’s another realization that I’ve written about before: You already have everything you need to be happy, right here and right now.

Do you have eyes that see? You have the ability to appreciate the beauty of the sky, of greenery, of people’s faces, of water. Do you have ears that hear? You have the ability to appreciate music, the sound of rainfall, the laughter of friends. You have the ability to feel rough denim, cool breezes, grass on bare feet … to smell fresh-cut grass, flowers, coffee … to taste a plum, a chili pepper, chocolate.

This is a miracle, and we take it for granted. Instead, we strive for more, when we already have everything. We want nicer clothes, cooler gadgets, bigger muscles, bigger boobies, flatter stomachs, bigger houses, cars with leather seats that talk to you and massage your butt. We’ve kinda gone insane that way.

The sane thing is to realize we don’t need any of that. We don’t need to improve our lives. We don’t need to improve ourselves, because we’re already perfect.

Once you accept this, it frees you.

You’re now free to do things, not because you want to be better, but because you love it. Because you’re passionate about it, and it gives you joy. Because it’s a miracle that you even can do it.

You’re already perfect. Being content with yourself means realizing that striving for perfection is based on someone else’s idea of what “perfect” is … and that that’s all bullshit. Perfect is who you are, not who someone else says you should be.

Also, as corny as it may sound, I love you, completely and unconditionally, and if everyone else in your world betrays and abandons you, you always have me. :)

Now stop reading this blog, and go be happy.

Top 8 Hiring Mistakes Employers Make

2010-11-30T10:41:00.000-08:00

In this Post I have Covered the Most Common Top 8 Mistakes Hiring Managers Make, while trying to Find a Hire to Solve all their Problems. Reality is, most of the times it ends up in a Bad Hire Costing Lot of Money, Time, Frustration, Missing deadlines and Lots and Lots of Stress, rather If we spend some time in Planning and Preparing for the Interview aligned towards the need you have, It can Prove to be Invaluable. Here are the Top 8 Mistakes:

1. Being overly influenced by advanced degrees. Candidates with plenty of letters after their names have certainly worked hard to earn their degrees. But there is no substitute for real-world business experience, and people often make the mistake of overlooking candidates with track records but not degrees. Note: this does not apply, however, to specialized fields that require advanced degrees.

2. Not having a long-range plan. Hiring someone to fill a current need can help you through a busy time. However, unless you're hiring someone on a temporary basis, you need a long-range plan for that employee beyond your immediate need, including how you plan to develop him or her, and how he or she fits in with your company's long-range plans.

3. Making promises you cannot keep. It can be a very costly mistake to make promises that are not well thought out. Know ahead of time what you can and cannot offer a prospective employee.

4. Hiring someone for all the wrong reasons. Unfortunately, this is a common mistake. Whether you're doing your cousin a favor or are impressed by the way someone looks or talks, hiring should not be done for the wrong reasons. Your focus should always be on the best candidate for the job.

5. Not conducting a good interview. Conducting a good hiring interview is a skill that many people do not possess. It's important to ask the right questions to determine whether a candidate is right for the position and fits into your company. For more information.

6. Not looking for a good fit. In most businesses there needs to be a rapport among employees. If you hire someone who does not fit in with the team's chemistry, you may find yourself with unnecessary problems.

7. Not being prepared. You can easily make a hiring mistake when you're not prepared for the interview and hiring process. Know the questions you want to ask and the type of employee you're looking for. Also be ready to explain the position and answer questions about the company.

8. Expecting way too much. A common problem these days is looking for one person to save a sinking ship. An unrealistic, lengthy list of qualifications and background requirements — as frequently seen in employment ads — creates a situation where you settle for someone whom you think can do a little of everything, but does not excel in the key areas. Narrow your focus to the most important aspects of the position.

References from :Human Resources

Who is a Hero ?

2010-11-11T11:53:00.000-08:00

We Hear about the Word Hero Quite a bit?

Some Key Facts to Remember and Reflect on Veteran’s Day

Ø November 11 is Veterans Day. A veteran is a soldier who has served his/her country.

Ø Thirty-five countries fought in World War I. They fought for five years, from 1914 to 1918. The United States fought in the war from 1917 to 1918.

Ø Finally the countries stopped fighting. The leaders signed an armistice. They signed the armistice on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. The armistice meant that the war was over.

Ø Americans were very happy to hear about the armistice. No more soldiers would die in the war. The soldiers could come home.

Ø People went out into the streets and laughed and danced. They blew horns and whistles and rang bells. They sang songs. They thought that there would never be another war.

Ø President Wilson made November 11 a holiday to remember the end of the war. The holiday was called Armistice Day.

Ø At eleven o'clock in the morning, everyone stopped doing whatever they were doing. People were completely silent for one minute. This minute was to remember all the soldiers who have died in wars.

Ø The body of an unknown soldier was brought to America from the cemetery in France. His body was buried in a tomb at Arlington National Cemetery. It was called the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Ø The US was in three more wars: World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The name of the holiday was changed to Veterans Day.

Ø The bodies of three more unknown soldiers were brought to the cemetery. On Veterans Day, there are special services at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

I Salute and I am humbled by the Services of Men and Women who Chose to Protect the Country and Fellow Citizens putting their Life in the Line.

Excerpted from ESL Teacher's Holiday Activities Kit, by Elizabeth Claire.

What is a hero? What action does one take to become a hero? Who are these heroes that you hear everyone talk about, but never see? The word hero is passed around too much these days. A hero is not a football player that scores the game-winning touchdown or the goaltender who saves his team from a loss. A hero is usually an ordinary person that did extraordinary things. A true hero is really never a hero at all; at least not in their own mind.

When one reads Senator John McCain’s novel Why Courage Matters, McCain tells the story of Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez. Sergeant Benavidez went on a rescue mission to save wounded brothers; he was the only man to go. Carrying only a knife and a medic bag, he ran to his wounded buddies, sustaining gunshot wounds to his leg, face and head. A helicopter landed to rescue all of the men that were stranded. Benavidez got them all on board the helicopter only for the pilot to be fatally wounded, causing the chopper to crash.

He rescued all of the men from the crash and fought off the Vietnamese Army for six hours with the help of air strikes, circling gun ships, and his own fortitude. A second chopper landed and he boarded his wounded comrades, then he got on and then collapsed. Everyone thought he was dead, placing him in a body bag. While the doctor was zipping up the bag, Benavidez spat in his face to signal he was alive. They flew him to Saigon for surgery, treating him for seven severe gunshot wounds, twenty-eight shrapnel wounds, and bayonet wounds in both arms.

When he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Ronald Reagan, Benavidez said “I don’t like to be called a hero. The real heroes are the ones who gave their lives for their country.” Such humility and modesty from Sergeant Benavidez is really representative of heroes because they never want the credit.

Read more: http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/what-is-a-hero/#ixzz150MEPlXg

Have a Great Day and We all Should be Proud to be Living in One of the Greatest Nations on Earth!!!

References from Excerpted from ESL Teacher's Holiday Activities Kit, by Elizabeth Claire http://www.teachervision.fen.com/veterans-day/history/3204.html?detoured=1 and

http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/what-is-a-hero/

What does Fun Mean to you?

2010-10-15T16:59:00.000-07:00

What does Fun mean to you? Can Money Buy you Happiness? Yes it Can and If you are buying the experience rather than a tangible Product.

Tangible things might give you happiness for the Moment but will be Forgotten in a Pretty short time.

For e.x. in Get Rich Slowly this passage by Sierra Black explains it better:

More and more people are moving away from conspicuous consumption towards a life of conscious consumption and saving. A recent spate of research is looking at how to squeeze the most happiness from your dollar. What they’re finding won’t surprise many Get Rich Slowly readers:

Spending money on experiences brings you more lasting happiness than spending money on Stuff. For example, a vacation will make your life better, over time, than a new couch.
It’s okay to think small. Spending on several small treats — like a massage, a good book, or dinner at your favorite restaurant — will bring you more happiness than one big-ticket item like a sports car.
Leisure activities like games, sports, hobbies, and entertainment have more happiness value than material goods.

How to Make $1000.00 in 30 days?

2010-09-05T21:12:00.000-07:00

Recently, I ran into to this excellent article by Ramit Sethi, author of I will teach you to be reach. NY's best seller. Almost 8 out of 10 Americans are Stressed because of the Economy and their Personal Finances. This is an Excellent article about Making(Saving) $1000.00 in 30 days.

You’ll notice that I haven’t written a lot about frugality on this site.
That’s because Americans suck at frugality. We spend more than we make. We’re terrible at deferring our immediate wants and investing for the long term. We go into debt. And we blame everyone but ourselves.
Remember, fundamentally, there are two ways to have more money. You can earn more money or cut costs. If you’ve been reading this site for a long time, you’ll notice that I’d much rather focus on increasing your earning potential, whether through investments or entrepreneurship. I hate talking about frugality because, for most people in America, frugality is hopeless.
That all changed a couple weeks ago.
I read this article, which explained that “As many as 80 percent of Americans are stressed about their personal finances and the economy.” I found that astonishing. Although people’s behaviors don’t change overnight, nearly everyone I’ve been talking to has been worrying about their money.
Right now, people don’t care about proper asset allocation or understanding average stock market returns. The people I’ve talked to want to know how to save money right now.
That’s why tomorrow, I’m launching the Save $1,000 in 30 Days Challenge.
How to save $1,000 using the CEO Model
Here’s how it works: Each day in November, I’ll post one suggestion to cut your spending. If you spend time each day working on the day’s post, the vast majority of you will save over $1,000 each month. Even if you don’t, saving $700 is sure better than nothing. I’ll post tips for the first 15 days. For the last 15 days, I’ll turn to I Will Teach You To Be Rich readers to submit your best frugality tips.

We’ll work through some of the tips from this woman, who paid off $14,330 in 20 months. Like I wrote earlier, there are no secrets to getting rich. You can sit here and read every tip and feel good about yourself. But only the people who spend time implementing will save any money.
I promise: No stupid frugality tips
As I mentioned, I hate frugality and all the frugality sites that waste my time focusing on saving money on frozen orange juice and rice cakes so I can save $1 per week. $1? I find that much money in my shoe every day.
I’m not trying to save $1 or even $10 per week, because it’s not worth changing your behavior for that kind of money. Guys, we’re aiming to save $1,000 in 30 days. That’s why this series will not include retarded suggestions like “Start a garden” or “Buy day-old food from bakeries.” I certainly won’t tell you to cut your rent or move to a cheaper place, because NOBODY WILL DO IT! Does anyone ever follow those stupid tips? No, but it sure makes other personal-finance authors feel good about themselves for coming up with a suggestion that theoretically, maybe, somehow could save money for the moron who would do it. Not here.
Only join if you’re serious
But I will ask you to cut back on some things – sometimes radically. For example, if you get your nails done or eat out every day, that’s gone this month. If you were planning to buy a big-screen TV, you can forget about it in November. You can pick it up next month, but I bet you’ll think twice once you save $1,000.
While it’s fun to read stuff like The Money Diaries because you get to laugh at other people’s spending, the 30 Day Challenge is different because it’s intimately personal. It means you have to look at your spending.
This is a 30-Day Challenge. Everything should be able to be accomplished within 30 days, but you have to commit to doing it. In other words, I’ll make most of my advice completely practical and sustainable. Because Americans suck at stopping consumption, we’re all going to have just sack up and stop certain things – which will feel incredibly painful – this month. Some of my tips will simply involve you physically going to a place where you cannot spend money to save yourself from your own spending behavior. It won’t feel good. Have you sat in a library on a Saturday afternoon and read books? Probably not (unless you’re Asian). You will this month.
Would you be willing to cancel your cable? Or pick one habit and drop it cold-turkey? Would you be willing to see how far you can push yourself to save money for 30 days?
Earlier this month, I asked iwillteachyoutoberich readers how much time they’d be willing to spend saving $1,000 in a month.

Good news: If you spend 1 hour per day on the Save $1,000 in 30 Days Challenge, you’ll easily save hundreds, if not the entire $1,000.
Hopefully I will, too. That’s because I will be participating in the Challenge, and I’ll chronicle my savings along with everyone else.

The Introvert’s Guide to Building Relationships

2010-09-02T00:34:00.001-07:00

The Introvert’s Guide to Building Relationships

by Tammy on August 30, 2010

I have a secret to share with you. I’m a natural introvert. I love curling up with a good book, writing, going for long hikes, and doing yoga. I can do a lot of these things by myself. And while I love alone time, I also love connecting with people and believe building relationships is a key component to happiness.
But I’m crazy shy and get really nervous when I meet new folks. I tend to stumble over my words, forget things that should be easy to remember, and laugh in very high pitches.
Now just because I’m a natural introvert, doesn’t mean I hide out in my apartment all the time. I’m constantly looking for ways to challenge myself. For instance, last week I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Guillebeau for coffee. Chris is one of my favorite writers and also inspired me to start living an unconventional life. So to actually meet Chris in-person was a big deal.
As I biked across town to meet-up with Chris, I thought my heart was going to jump out of my body and land on the sidewalk. I kept telling myself:

“Seriously, chill out. Chris is a fellow human. And I don’t think he has any magical superpowers that he is going to smite me with, just because I’m nervous.”

It was awesome talking with Chris about entrepreneurship, his epic book tour, The World Domination Summit, and the launch of Smalltopia. I love working at home and connecting with my online community. However, it’s always fun to connect with people face-to-face. All the positive self talk seemed to help stem my anxiety and I think my chat with Chris went really well.
If you have trouble breaking out of your shell, try some of these strategies:

1. Do what you’re afraid of.

I constantly look for ways to challenge myself by meeting new people and taking on new projects that I’m afraid of. I’ve noticed an interesting pattern when I’m scared of starting say, Project X, that project usually turns out to be crazy successful. I’m not sure why this is the case, but it’s been true for me. I’ve also found that when I’m scared of meeting new people, I end up walking away with a new friend.

2. Met new friends by volunteering.

Volunteering is an amazing way to connect with like minded individuals, break out of your shell, and build community at the same time.

3. Connect with friends for coffee, a bike ride, or a picnic in the park.

For my fellow introverts out there, I think it’s essential to connect and keep reconnecting with acquaintances, friends, and even family. Don’t let yourself get wrapped up in a bubble. Connect with your friends and actively practice using your social skills.

4. Leave your smart phone at home.

Smart phones are handy tools. However, if you’re meeting a new person, volunteering, or meeting up with an old friend, leave your phone at home. If you can’t leave the your phone at home, put it on “silent.”
Phones can be used as a crutch to avoid intense conversations. Checking your smart phone every two minutes is not only rude, but you’ll miss out on good conversations and the chance to make a meaningful connection with a fellow human. Be present 100% or not at all.

5. Ask lots of questions about a person’s history, opinion, and future goals.

Asking a lot of questions is a great way to get to know other people. And it’s an excellent strategy to harness nervous energy. I’ve found that by asking a lot of questions, I get to know people better and the focus is taken off of me.
What if you run out of questions to ask? Relax. The world isn’t going to end. It’s natural for conversations to end at some point. And if you’ve just met a new friend for coffee, you don’t have to talk to each other the whole time. You can just hang out, drink coffee, and do some work.

How Hitting the Gym can boost your Career?

2010-08-01T21:18:00.000-07:00

Image source : Jillian Michaels

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO BY CLICKING THE LINK BELOW:

How Hitting the Gym can help your Career?
We have heard about the popular saying, "Health is Wealth" , Well, now a recent statistics show that People who are conscious about their physical health, tend to excel in their professional career. Take a look at this Video where Jill Schlesinger explains what companies are doing to encourage healthy behavior

How Hitting the Gym can help your Career?

10 Troublemakers to Avoid at Your Company

2010-08-01T20:18:00.000-07:00

Every company in every industry has its stars, its losers, and everything in between. Employees in big companies follow a bell shaped distribution curve, so the mediocre middle dominates. But in startups and relatively small companies, employees at either extreme can really stand out.
Just as one or two geniuses can turn a startup into a successful enterprise, a few problem employees can take it down. To avoid that, you all need to learn to recognize troublemakers to avoid at your company. So here’s the top 10, based in part on a post by venture capitalist Don Rainey.
And while their impact is indeed greatest in a small company, these 10 Troublemakers will plague any company of any size:

Strategy Guy. Capable, driven, and articulate, will meet any need for execution by engaging you in a longwinded discussion on strategy. Actions may speak louder than words; but talking is way easier than doing, right?
Goldilocks. Most people join startups because they love to reach for the stars, take on broad responsibility, and grow. Not Goldilocks. Getting stuff done is “beneath her” and serious responsibility is “beyond her pay grade.” Nothing’s “just right.”
Organization Builder. Regardless of the company’s situation and needs, the measure of success is how big and fast you can grow the organization. It’s all about scale. How about slow, steady growth? Nah, real men build fast.
Perpetual Designer. No matter what the market requirements document says or customers want, this guy just can’t stop designing. Hell, that’s his goal. As for budget and schedule, well, if your goal is to perpetually design, then sky’s the limit, right?
Passive Aggressive Guy. He’ll sit in a meeting, nod his head in agreement at the appropriate times, concur on a plan, then go out and do whatever the hell he wants, even if it contradicts what he just agreed to. And if he has authority over resources, look out.
Overly-Optimistic Forecaster. Every potential deal is huge, 100%, for sure. You see, when he was at Cisco, he made a fortune selling to all the big-name customers. Good luck telling him this isn’t Cisco, or nailing him down on probability or next steps to close.
Peter Pan Founder. Of course, VCs would never admit to this, since founders are their lifeblood. But there comes a time when a company needs to grow up and, sometimes, the founders just can’t pull it off. Still, they hang on, and way longer than they should.
Champion of the People. There’s always a self-proclaimed voice of the people with an inside scoop that the troops are upset because “Paul got that big raise” or “we’re not getting off for President’s Day.” If he only knew, the troops think he’s a self-important jerk.
Angry Support Person. Let’s face it; some people just shouldn’t be in customer service or internal support functions. They’re mean, they’re angry, and it takes tremendous effort to undo the damage they do. So tell me, why are these people always taking support jobs?

Wait a minute, that’s only nine. Hmm … can you come up with number 10?
Trouble Makers

Everyone should READ this, If you are a Lady, You have all the More REASON TO READ this.

2010-07-25T10:29:00.000-07:00

I received an Email forwared from a friend Suga Dev, read the whole email and couldn't resist but Share it on my Blog. Enjoy....

Have Passion!

It was probably the April of 1974. Bangalore was getting warm and gulmohars were blooming at the IISc campus. I was the only girl in my postgraduate department and was staying at the ladies' hostel. Other girls were pursuing research in different departments of Science.

I was looking forward to going abroad to complete a doctorate in computer science. I had been offered scholarships from Universities in the US ... I had not thought of taking up a job in India .

One day, while on the way to my hostel from our lecture-hall complex, I saw an advertisement on the notice board. It was a standard job-requirement notice from the famous automobile company Telco (now Tata Motors)... It stated that the company required young, bright engineers, hardworking and with an excellent academic background, etc.

At the bottom was a small line: 'Lady Candidates need not apply.'

I read it and was very upset. For the first time in my life I was up against gender discrimination.

Though I was not keen on taking up the job, I saw it as a challenge. I had done extremely well in academics, better than most of my male peers...
Little did I know then that in real life academic excellence is not enough to be successful?

After reading the notice I went fuming to my room. I decided to inform the topmost person in Telco's management about the injustice the company was perpetrating. I got a postcard and started to write, but there was a problem: I did not know who headed Telco

I thought it must be one of the Tatas. I knew JRD Tata was the head of the Tata Group; I had seen his pictures in newspapers (actually, Sumant Moolgaokar was the company's chairman then) I took the card, addressed it to JRD and started writing. To this day I remember clearly what I wrote.

'The great Tatas have always been pioneers. They are the people who started the basic infrastructure industries in India , such as iron and steel, chemicals, textiles and locomotives they have cared for higher education in India since 1900 and they were responsible for the establishment of the Indian Institute of Science. Fortunately, I study there. But I am surprised how a company such as Telco is discriminating on the basis of gender.'

I posted the letter and forgot about it. Less than 10 days later, I received a telegram stating that I had to appear for an interview at Telco's Pune facility at the company's expense. I was taken aback by the telegram. My hostel mate told me I should use the opportunity to go to Pune free of cost and buy them the famous Pune saris for cheap! I collected Rs30 each from everyone who wanted a sari when I look back, I feel like laughing at the reasons for my going, but back then they seemed good enough to make the trip.

It was my first visit to Pune and I immediately fell in love with the city.

To this day it remains dear to me. I feel as much at home in Pune as I do in Hubli, my hometown. The place changed my life in so many ways. As directed, I went to Telco's Pimpri office for the interview.

There were six people on the panel and I realized then that this was serious business.

'This is the girl who wrote to JRD,' I heard somebody whisper as soon as I entered the room. By then I knew for sure that I would not get the job. The realization abolished all fear from my mind, so I was rather cool while the interview was being conducted.

Even before the interview started, I reckoned the panel was biased, so I told them, rather impolitely, 'I hope this is only a technical interview.'

They were taken aback by my rudeness, and even today I am ashamed about my attitude.
The panel asked me technical questions and I answered all of them.

Then an elderly gentleman with an affectionate voice told me, 'Do you know why we said lady candidates need not apply? The reason is that we have never employed any ladies on the shop floor. This is not a co-ed college; this is a factory. When it comes to academics, you are a first ranker throughout. We appreciate that, but people like you should work in research laboratories.

I was a young girl from small-town Hubli. My world had been a limited place.

I did not know the ways of large corporate houses and their difficulties, so I answered, 'But you must start somewhere, otherwise no woman will ever be able to work in your factories.'

Finally, after a long interview, I was told I had been successful. So this was what the future had in store for me. Never had I thought I would take up a job in Pune. I met a shy young man from Karnataka there, we became good friends and we got married.

It was only after joining Telco that I realized who JRD was: the uncrowned king of Indian industry. Now I was scared, but I did not get to meet him till I was transferred to Bombay. One day I had to show some reports to Mr Moolgaokar, our chairman, who we all knew as SM.. I was in his office on the first floor of Bombay House (the Tata headquarters) when, suddenly JRD walked in. That was the first time I saw 'appro JRD'. Appro means 'our' in Gujarati. This was the affectionate term by which people at Bombay House called him.

I was feeling very nervous, remembering my postcard episode. SM introduced me nicely, 'Jeh (that's what his close associates called him), this young woman is an engineer and that too a postgraduate.

She is the first woman to work on the Telco shop floor.' JRD looked at me. I was praying he would not ask me any questions about my interview (or the postcard that preceded it).

Thankfully, he didn't. Instead, he remarked. 'It is nice that girls are getting into engineering in our country. By the way, what is your name?'

'When I joined Telco I was Sudha Kulkarni, Sir,' I replied. 'Now I am Sudha Murthy.' He smiled and kindly smile and started a discussion with SM. As for me, I almost ran out of the room.

After that I used to see JRD on and off. He was the Tata Group chairman and I was merely an engineer. There was nothing that we had in common. I was in awe of him.

One day I was waiting for Murthy, my husband, to pick me up after office hours. To my surprise I saw JRD standing next to me. I did not know how to react. Yet again I started worrying about that postcard. Looking back, I realize JRD had forgotten about it. It must have been a small incident for him, but not so for me.

'Young lady, why are you here?' he asked. 'Office time is over.' I said, 'Sir, I'm waiting for my husband to come and pick me up.' JRD said, 'It is getting dark and there's no one in the corridor.

I'll wait with you till your husband comes.'

I was quite used to waiting for Murthy, but having JRD waiting alongside made me extremely uncomfortable.

I was nervous. Out of the corner of my eye I looked at him. He wore a simple white pant and shirt. He was old, yet his face was glowing. There wasn't any air of superiority about him. I was thinking, 'Look at this person. He is a chairman, a well-respected man in our country and he is waiting for the sake of an ordinary employee.'

Then I saw Murthy and I rushed out. JRD called and said, 'Young lady, tell your husband never to make his wife wait again.' In 1982 I had to resign from my job at Telco. I was reluctant to go, but I really did not have a choice. I was coming down the steps of Bombay House after wrapping up my final settlement when I saw JRD coming up. He was absorbed in thought. I wanted to say goodbye to him, so I stopped. He saw me and paused.

Gently, he said, 'So what are you doing, Mrs. Kulkarni?' (That was the way he always addressed me..) 'Sir, I am leaving Telco.'

'Where are you going?' he asked. 'Pune, Sir. My husband is starting a company called Infosys and I'm shifting to Pune.'

'Oh! And what will you do when you are successful.'

'Sir, I don't know whether we will be successful.' 'Never start with diffidence,' he advised me 'Always start with confidence. When you are successful you must give back to society. Society gives us so much; we must reciprocate. Wish you all the best.'

Then JRD continued walking up the stairs. I stood there for what seemed like a millennium. That was the last time I saw him alive.

Many years later I met Ratan Tata in the same Bombay House, occupying the chair JRD once did. I told him of my many sweet memories of working with Telco. Later, he wrote to me, 'It was nice hearing about Jeh from you.
The sad part is that he's not alive to see you today.'

I consider JRD a great man because, despite being an extremely busy person, he valued one postcard written by a young girl seeking justice. He must have received thousands of letters everyday. He could have thrown mine away, but he didn't do that. He respected the intentions of that unknown girl, who had neither influence nor money, and gave her an opportunity in his company. He did not merely give her a job; he changed her life and mindset forever.

Close to 50 per cent of the students in today's engineering colleges are girls. And there are women on the shop floor in many industry segments. I see these changes and I think of JRD. If at all time stops and asks me what I want from life, I would say I wish JRD were alive today to see how the company we started has grown. He would have enjoyed it wholeheartedly.

My love and respect for the House of Tata remains undiminished by the passage of time. I always looked up to JRD. I saw him as a role model for his simplicity, his generosity, his kindness and the care he took of his employees. Those blue eyes always reminded me of the sky; they had the same vastness and magnificence.

(Sudha Murthy is a widely published writer and chairperson of the Infosys Foundation involved in a number of social development initiatives. Infosys chairman Narayana Murthy is her husband.)

Article sourced from: Lasting Legacies (Tata Review- Special Commemorative Issue 2004), brought out by the house of Tatas to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of JRD Tata on July 29, 2004.

How this Girl is Insanely Productive but Still Keeps Smiling?

2010-07-23T13:44:00.000-07:00

This is a Post from Mary Jaksch of Goodlife ZEN. - http://zenhabits.net/

Get things done, calmly.

Do you want to be more productive? Maybe you do, but I’m sure you don’t want to feel stressed, overwhelmed, or unhappy – which happens to many super-productive people. But there is good news:
You can be insanely productive – and still smell the freesias, savor a Pinot Noir, or enjoy a languid hug.
A few weeks ago Leo Babauta said to me, “Mary – you’re one of the most productive people I know. And you still keep smiling and seem so relaxed. How do you do it?”
Most stuff I’ve read about productivity is about doing things differently. Like getting up at 4 a.m. each morning, or drinking eight liters of water a day, or keeping a notebook under the pillow. Sorry, folks – I don’t do any of those things.
High productivity isn’t about doing, it’s about being.
If you want to be highly productive – and still enjoy life – you need to look at how you live, and how you use your mind. Check out the following five suggestions:

Make peace within.
Most people live in a constant state of inner conflict and suffer from a barrage of negative thoughts that sabotage productivity. Here’s a scenario: Imagine that your car has landed in a ditch. A group of helpers gather, attach ropes and start to pull the car out. Unfortunately, they’re not all pulling in the same direction. Some try to pull the car toward the road, whereas others try to pull it deeper into the ditch. It’s absurd.
That’s exactly what happens when we’re divided within: everything is a struggle, nothing much happens, and it’s frustrating. But what if your mind, body, and soul are all aligned?
When our energy is aligned, we are in a state of flow.
When we’re at peace within, and immersed in the task at hand – without negative thoughts sabotaging our productivity – action becomes effortless. We’re able to achieve much more in less time. And with more enjoyment.
Tip: Wear an elastic wristband. Whenever you notice negative thoughts, change your wristband to the other arm. This will help you to create and maintain peace within.
Go to your edge. Regularly.
Most people use only a fraction of their capacity and try to save personal energy. For example, we’re tempted to rest when we feel tired in order to recover our zest for life. Wrong move! The more energy you spend, the more you have. Tiredness can signal many things. If you’re healthy, it may mean that you are bored, frustrated, lack movement, or need more oxygen. Or maybe conflict within has sapped your energy. It’s important to go to your limits regularly. Take up running, martial arts, swimming, or other activities – there are many way to exercise vigorously.
Tip: If you feel exhausted or lethargic, go for a brisk walk in order to rev up your energy and restore your spirit.
Take action.
Most people aren’t productive because they don’t take action. They have dreams and even plans – but they don’t follow through. Negative thoughts can derail action. It may be that you have doubts about your ability, or that you listen to others who doubt you. Tip: Look at what you would like to achieve and ask yourself, “What is the smallest step in the direction of my dreams that I can take right now?” Then take that baby step. Now.
Do what you love.
Think about how you spend your time. Do you enjoy your work, or is it a grind? I’ve changed my life, and what I’m passionate about has now become my work: I teach my Zen students, and also work together with Leo to mentor bloggers in the A-list Blogger Club . A few days ago my partner David knocked at the door of the little cabin in the garden where I work:
“Mary,” he said, “ do you realize it’s 10 o’clock at night – and you’re still working?”
“I’m not working!” I shot back. “I’m enjoying myself!”
Yes, when the boundary between work and play gets blurred, you may actually work more – but it feels like you’re just having fun.
Tip: Follow your dreams – even if it’s only for ten minutes a day.
Love what you do.
We can’t always do what we love. But we are free to love what we do. From a Zen perspective, there is a way to turn even the dullest chore into pleasurable activity through mindfulness.When we pay tender regard to our present experience – letting go of all thoughts and judgments – even the most mundane action can become pleasurable. Mindfulness doesn’t mean watching yourself, it means being fully present, moment by moment. Tip: In order to become mindful, notice sensations of the moment. What sounds can you hear? How are your feet connected with the ground? What does your skin feel like?

Finally, a key question you need to ask …
If you want to be productive and still enjoy life, there is a key question you need to answer: why be productive?
I mean, why not just chill out on the couch, eat potato crisps, and watch TV reruns? That might be fine. But what about the oblong box we’re all going to end up in?
I remind myself every morning that life is short and mine may be over by nightfall. That gives me the the desire to taste and enjoy each moment. It also adds a measure of calm urgency because I want to leave a mark upon the world. Do you?
If so, mindful productivity will help you create a life that offers both pleasure and productivity. You’ll achieve more, and you’ll still keep smiling. That smile will light up not only your own life, but also the lives of those around you.
You don’t have to be a super-hero. Simply make peace within and live each moment fully. That’s all.
Mary Jaksch is a Zen Master and blogger. Head over to Goodlife Zen for more of her articles. And visit the A-List Blogger Club.

Want to Know the Secret to Happiness?

2010-07-20T19:54:00.000-07:00

Happiness 101: Q and A with Tony Hsieh

Tony Hsieh is the CEO of Zappos. He recently published a book called Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose. In this interview, I probe, and he responds, to subjects as diverse as raising kids, business plans, and what Asian moms want their sons to be.

Q: Based on your experience with earthworms, The Gobbler, and buttons, do you think that entrepreneurs are made or born?

A: For the vast majority of people, by the time you’re 12, you either have the entrepreneurial spirit or you don’t.

Q: When you raise kids, will you force them to prepare for SATs, take violin and piano, and aspire to be a doctor?

A: No, I think my approach would be to have them try a ton of different things and then figure out which ones they’re passionate about.

Q: What is the math behind the policy of two-way free and overnight shipping?

A: Our philosophy is to take most of the money we would have spent on paid marketing or paid advertising and instead invest it into the customer experience, and let our customers do the marketing for us through word of mouth. We view the free shipping both ways and surprise upgrades to overnight shipping as our marketing costs.

Q: How should entrepreneurs decide which business they should play at?

A: I would say try a lot of different things in different industries and with different people over your life, and eventually the business that you were meant for will find you.

Q: What’s worse for a startup: too much or too little money?

A: Too much money.

Q: What kind of business planning should entrepreneurs do?

A: Think about where you want to be 10 years from now and think about where you want to be up to one year from now. Anything in between doesn’t really matter because nothing ever turns out the way you planned it.

Q: Is customer service the new marketing?

A: What’s new is that we are all hyperconnected and information travels much, much faster than before (through Twitter, blogs, etc.) So customer service stories, good or bad, tend to spread more quickly and therefore can have a much bigger effect on a company’s brand.

Q: What role does the plain old telephone play in Zappos?

A: We believe the telephone is one of the best branding devices out there. We have the customer’s undivided attention for 5-10 minutes—compare that with a 30-second Super Bowl ad when the viewers are probably not paying full attention. If we get the interaction right, what we’ve found is that customers remember that for a very long time and tell their friends and family about us.

Q: What are the core values of Zappos?

Deliver WOW Through Service
Embrace and Drive Change
Create Fun and a Little Weirdness
Be Adventurous, Creative and Open-Minded
Pursue Growth and Learning
Build Open and Honest Relationships With Communication
Build a Positive Team and Family Spirit
Do More with Less
Be Passionate and Determined
Be Humble

Q: Is a near-death experience good for a company?

A: It can be, if the company learns from it and becomes that much stronger because of it.

Q: Is Amazon changing Zappos or is Zappos changing Amazon?

A: We’re both learning from each other, but true to their word, Amazon has allowed Zappos to remain independent. We continue to make our own decisions and grow our brand and our culture the Zappos way.

Q: What is “happiness” for a person who’s sold companies for $265 million and $1.2 billion?

Perceived control
Perceived progress
Connectedness (number and depth of relationships)
Higher purpose

Q: From your book, it sure sounds like you’re in bars all the time—do your parents know about this?

A: My dad is actually translating the Chinese version of the book.

Q: Are your parents proud of you now or do they still wish you were a doctor?

A: I think my mom still wants me to be a doctor.

For more from Tony, be sure to read his book. I have to admit that I laughed out loud at many places in it. If anyone knows how to deliver happiness, it’s Tony. Click here to buy the book.

How to Create that Work-Life Balance?

2010-07-17T14:05:00.000-07:00

How to Create that WorkLife Balance?

Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Tammy Strobel of Rowdy Kittens.

Our culture celebrates workaholism. We hear stories of people who “burn the mid-night oil” at the office, or about individuals who never take vacations. Working a lot doesn’t mean you deserve a gold star or a raise.

Working too much is likely to decrease your productivity, leave you creatively drained, and negatively effect relationships with friends and family. Don’t get me wrong, pursuing your passion is a beautiful gift and there is nothing wrong with working hard on projects you love. However, it’s essential to take breaks. Whether you’re working from home or in an office environment it’s essential to nourish your creative spirit.

Below are a few creative ways to avoid becoming a workaholic.

1. Set clear boundaries. Make sure your working hours are consistent. For instance, if you work from 8am to 5pm make sure you leave the office by 5. Don’t stay late.

2. Get enough sleep!

“If you encounter someone who’s acting like a fool, there’s a good chance that person is suffering from sleep deprivation.” ~Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, Rework

Staying up late to work on a project and then getting up at 5am to go into the office is not a good strategy. Lack of creativity, diminished morale and irritability are a few traits of people who go without sleep. Work smarter, not harder.

3. Unplug from the internet. Getting work done doesn’t require an internet connection. It’s amazing what can happen when you step out from behind the computer screen or your mobile device. Most of my killer ideas come to me when I’m taking a shower, on a walk, cooking a meal, and “not working.”

Everyone is creative and ideas can come to you at odd moments. Just because you have an idea doesn’t mean you have to implement it right away. Keep a journal with you at all times so that you can capture your idea and enjoy your down time.

4. Spend time in nature. Spending time in nature is a great way reduce stress, disconnect from everyday worries and incoming work messages. Set aside time in your daily life to go outside. For instance, take a half hour walk everyday and be mindful of your surroundings. There is no need to rush. Take your time, try to understand your instinctual feelings and observe the natural beauty in your neighborhood.

5. Make time for friends, family and your partner. If you’re working too much, you’re probably sacrificing time with friends, family and your life partner. Doing work you love is extremely important, but so are the people who love you. Consider how you spend your time and what is truly important in life. When you are with your family, friends and life partner, really be there. Make an effort to be present. For instance, if you’re having a conversation with a friend listen to what they are saying. Be engaged and ask questions.

6. Eat real food. A side effect of working too much is eating out more and not eating real food. Real food includes, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Before you head out to the office, take time the night before or early in the morning to prepare a healthy breakfast and lunch.

Most importantly, don’t eat while you’re working. Savor your food and enjoy every bite. Studies have show that if you eat food quickly, you’re more likely to over eat and gain weight.

7. Find a hobby. Cultivate a hobby; preferably something that doesn’t relate to your day job. Start by brainstorming your interests. For example, you can start running, walking, knitting, reading novels, or writing. A hobby should be something that brings you joy; something you can lose yourself in and find your flow.

8. Listen to your body. If you are working too much you will start feeling tired, cranky and apathetic. All of these symptoms are a sign that you need to slow down. It’s essential to listen to your body. When you listen to your body, you’ll know when your sick or just need some extra rest.

9. Constantly question your goals and life purpose. It’s important to continually reevaluate your goals, life purpose and behaviors. For example if you constantly stay late at the office, sacrifice personal relationships because of work, or check your email obsessively, ask yourself:

Why am I doing this?

What is the end goal?

Are my behaviors healthy?

10. Continue to cultivate healthy habits. Developing healthy habits is not something that happens overnight. By working on one small behavior change everyday, you can make huge changes over the long-term. For example, rather than checking your email every five minutes, start checking it 3 times a day.

Also, consider incorporating small changes to your daily routine, like getting a half hour of exercise everyday, preparing your own food and being present when you spend time with friends and family.

11. Reach out to others with a good work-life balance. If you think you’re a workaholic, reach out to others. Connect with friends, family, and consider therapy as an option. If you think this is negatively impacting your life, do something about the problem. We only get one life. So live it well and take care of yourself.

Tammy Strobel is the author of Simply Car-free: How to Pedal Toward Financial Freedom and a Healthier Life and writes about social change through simple living at RowdyKittens.

Stupid Girl Loses Job Because of Facebook Status (how would you handle situation as the employer?)

2010-07-05T21:13:00.000-07:00

http://www.recruitingblogs.com/profiles/blogs/stupid-girl-loses-job-because

GeneratorSoftware

Want to Learn How a Man went from Million dollars in the Hole to a Billionaire?

2010-07-02T13:18:00.000-07:00

My Guru, "Mr.Bill Bartmann". Bill is the ultimate underdog/survivor/achiever, overcoming personal

circumstances and tragedy to rise to the top enterprise in America. Homeless at age 14, a member of a street gang and a high-school dropout - ...Bill took control of his life by taking the GED exam and putting himself through college and law school. Since then, Bill has created seven successful businesses, including a $3.5 billion company started from his kitchen table with a $13,000 loan. Now, Bill Bartmann is referred to as the “Billionaire Business Coach”. He is the only self-made billionaire who has exclusively devoted his life to teaching others. He travels the country, sharing his story of how he created his success and how he dealt with his challenges. This Saturday's Millionaire Mentor Session with Bill is titled, “Conversations with a Billionaire”. This is a rare opportunity to be mentored by one of America’s most successful businessmen.

If you want to Learn from the Ultimate Master who has seen it all: Checkout the below link:

http://www.BillsOffer.com/Video/A16804

Prince2 Project Management

2010-07-02T11:07:00.000-07:00

How to manage Projects effectively using PRINCE2 Methodology in Less than 4 Minutes?

2010-07-02T11:03:00.000-07:00

You are only Limited by your Imagination - Don't believe it? Check this out

2010-06-16T19:37:00.000-07:00

Pranav Mistry of MIT, is a Genius of Sorts.

Check out this Video:

Do you really believe the Secret to Success is "Giving"?

2010-05-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

Today, I want to write a review about the book, "The Go-Giver" by Bob Burg and John David Mann, which has left quite an Impact on me. I started to believe this after I learn't this from my Mentor and other successful people and I started to see the results myself when I applied it. Well this book, gives a crystal clear explanation in very simplistic language in the form of a story.

Let us jump right into the book, This is the story of an ambitious young sales man named Joe, Joe is a Go-Getter(in the traditional sense), but lately he found that the more he tried and harder he worked, success seemed to elude him. He is nearing his 3rd Quarter and he is going to miss his Sales target. Now, being desperate to Land a big sale, Joe was disappointed and dejected, he hears about this Legendary and Enigmatic Consultant, Pindar who is fondly called as "Chairman" by all his Fans and devotees and decides to meet him for help.

Joe, seeks the help of Pindar, this is where the whole crux of the story unfolds. Bob Burg and John, explains the Laws of Success to Joe through Pindar. It was totally contradictory to Joe's belief system.

Pindar, explained to Joe, "most of us have our focus backwards in business, the primary objective in Business should not be to make Money, and if you follow the 5 Five Immutable Laws of Stratospheric success, money will automatically flow in as a by product. "
Pindar, continued, "you cannot expect the Fire Place to give you warmth first before you feed in the logs, but still we forget this basic Law of Nature and focus our energy in the wrong direction. We cannot go in two directions all at once."

Pindar, explains the 5 Immutable Laws of Success to Joe, through several characters in the book the Go-Givers:

a restaurateur , a CEO,
a financial advisor,
a real estate broker, and the "Connector", who brought them all together.

Joe, started to learn the fact that it is by giving, putting others interests first and by constantly adding value to others is the only proven road to Long lasting Wealth and Success.

The Five Laws of Success.

1. Law of Value

"Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment"

2. Law of Compensation

"Your Income is determined by how many people you serve and how well you serve them"

3. Law of Influence

"Your Influence is determined by
how abundantly you place
other people's interests first"

4. Law of Authenticity

"The most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself"

5. Law of Receptivity
"The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving"
Also, Pindar places a condition, Joe has to apply each Law before the end of the day after he learns it, missing it would stop his access to Pindar immediately.

Joe somehow manages to apply each of these Laws in his own life, and after meeting each character in the story, Joe gets that Self Realization and gradually understands the Power of these Laws of Success.

This is a beautifully and interestingly narrated story with in-valuable content. Every one can benefit from this. This is one of the best books I ever read. I highly recommend this.

Do you need a Title to Lead?

2010-04-29T21:49:00.000-07:00

It is more than a week since I wrote in my Blog. I ran into a Great personality by name Robin Sharma, I was really Impressed by all the work he is doing. I read a few pages of his book, "The Leader who had no Title"; and I listened to his video on his site and I felt I should let all my friends know about this guy and what he is up to. It made total sense.

Robin Sharma is one of the world's leading experts on leadership and personal development. In a ranking of top guru's in the leadership arena that included Jack Welch, John Maxwell and Jim Collins, Robin was voted #2 globally. (source: leadershipgurus.net)

Robin's book The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari a book that has been published in nearly 50 countries, has been translated into 70 languages and has appeared on best-seller lists around the world. Harper Collins has just re-released with The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari 10TH Anniversary Edition, this #1 bestseller continues to inspire and engage business people and the general public to get to "world-class".

Check out his Video:

http://tinyurl.com/27dcant

"I Quilt" A useful lesson from Seth Godin!!!

2010-04-21T21:30:00.000-07:00

When you've had enough, can't tolerate your job any longer and are ready to quit, perhaps you could try one last thing.
Quilt instead.
You've got nothing to lose, right? I mean, you're going to quit anyway, so what's the worst that could happen to you?
So quilt. Spend hours every day integrating the people you work with into a cohesive group. Weave in your customers as well. Take every scrap, even the people you don't like, and sew them together. Spend far less time than you should on the 'real' work and instead focus on creating genuine connections with the people you work with. Including your boss. After all, once you quit, you're never going to see them again anyway, right? Might as well give it a try.
Careful... it might change everything.

Any day we wish; we can discipline ourselves to change it all.

2010-04-20T20:56:00.001-07:00

Jim Rohn who was Great mentor to millions of people, passed away last December. Jim was almost an endless well of wisdom, as witness I would like to share this passage of his:

"What we ponder and what we think about sets the course of our life. Any day we wish; we can discipline ourselves to change it all. Any day we wish, we can open the book that will open our mind to new knowledge. Any day we wish, we can start a new activity. Any day we wish, we can start the process of life change. We can do it immediately, or next week, or next month, or next year.

"We can also do nothing. We can pretend rather than perform. And if the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labor, entertainment over education, delusion over truth, and doubt over confidence. The choices are ours to make. But while we curse the effect, we continue to nourish the cause. As Shakespeare uniquely observed, "The fault is not in the stars, but in ourselves." We created our circumstances by our past choices. We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today."