Friday, March 24, 2006

Saying Thank You Has Its Own Rewards

Several weeks ago I wrote a thank you letter to an organization that had performed a variety of services for me. This wasn't an Internet Marketing testimonial letter as we all think about so frequently, but an actual letter that was sent to a private sector community organization. My experience with this fine group of people was so impressive that I felt it would be wrong not to share my satisfation with the director of the organization. So I proceeded to compose a letter detailing not only the individual staff members that I had direct contact with, but I also referenced several other people that I knew to be an integral part of their organization. I underscored how much I knew their jobs were sometimes thankless ones and that I really wanted to make it a point to let them hear praise where it was due. My guess is like so many professions, the only time they hear from someone is when there is a problem and that complaints are louder than compliments. I pretty much figured that the director would share it with her immediate staff and the two main individuals I mentioned by name, and that would be the extent of it. I was completely satisfied in knowing that it brightened the day of a few people when it arrived, and once it had been sent, I didn't give it a second thought. Yesterday, however, I got a wonderful phone call. One of the people I mentioned in the letter called to thank me, but in doing so, she also put a whole new twist on what I viewed as a simple, well-deserved "thank you." My letter it seems was circulated a bit further than I had anticipated. Not only did the director share it with the entire local organization, it was also sent to the regional and state offices. Excepts were posted in their statewide newsletter and it has become part of a funding request that will allow many people to benefit in untold ways from this point forward. The impact of the letter was such that while the staff occasionally gets thank you notes and the like, it is rare for the entire organization to be singled out with such direct praise. And in several ways, this praise is being used to support future funding and an opportunity to have far reaching effects on others. The bonus for me? I have a great deal of satisfaction in knowing that a simple, heartfelt "Thank You" will touch so many lives and the results that one letter will yeild. It took only a negligible fraction of my day to put my praise into words and in return I have the gratification of know what a difference those few minutes made! Is there someone in your life that deserves thanks? Take time now to let them know, the rewards will be plentiful I assure you.

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Go Sit In A Corner - Self Imposed "Time Outs"

When I want to "get away from it all," I have a corner that I go sit in. My corner is not the "nose to the wall, don't look around or talk to anyone" kind of place -- although symbolically it could amount to that. And it is certainly not a punishment. To the contrary, it is my space that I've created to step back and take a break. I have decorated my space with things that are particularly meaningful to me. There are candles (my passion) and there is a photo of my family, some magazines and books for me to browse, and a few other things that pamper me while I am sitting in my corner taking my "time out." Up until a few months ago, when I'd take a break I might end up just about anywhere in the house that was quiet at the moment. Maybe the back porch, a den, the living room, even the bathroom for that matter LOL! But then it occured to me that because I moved from one place to another when I needed a break, that these spots were really not all that special and they certainly weren't Mine and mine alone. So I set about creating my special spot. At first, I didn't even think there was room anywhere to designate such a spot, but with a little creativity, I was able to come up with the perfect solution. Once created, it was explained to the other members of the family that this was my retreat and when I was in my "spot" I was not to be interrupted. And in my case, I also explained to my children that this was not to be filled with coloring books, sticky fingers, and the like. And aside from getting a few strange stares, no one has violated my "space" and it has remained to be the shrine I intended. The benefits of all this have been numerous. It is a treat to go to my corner, it forces me to clear my mind, it gives me an opportunity to focus and collect my thoughts in the middle of hectic days filled with typical distractions, and it enables me to enjoy my candles and catch up on reading without interruption. I might spend 15 minutes there or an hour; but the amount of time is far less important that the rejuvenation that I feel afterward. It is very easy to become so caught up in our day to day lives and never take a break or schedule time for ourselves. And ultimately, even though everyone's threshold is different, sooner or later it will spell Burnout with a capital "B." So start thinking about it and look around. Find the spot that will work for you and think about what decor would suit your taste. Then lay the ground rules with any friends or family and begin your regimine of putting yourself in a Time Out! If you have such a space, or when you create such a space; please feel free to return here and share the details with us, so we can all learn and prosper! Take a break today, Stephanie

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Dealing With Difficult People - Less Is More

I am a big proponent of talking things out and candid communication. In fact, in most instances this is the best approach to any aspect of our lives. However, there are some instances where I find the less said the better. And often this can be even more productive in the long run. You might know the type of person I'm speaking of... The one you can never win with. Too often, this type of person is in their own little world, they hear nothing that's said anyway and even if they "hear" it, they don't think its applicable to them. These are the instances wherein I say to myself, "words are going to be wasted here, bide your time and pick your battles." Otherwise, I am spinning my wheels and simply frustrating myself because any attempt at communication goes unrewarded. Now, understand, if you have one of these types of people in your life I am not suggesting that you never confront them. I am simply wanting you to take note, that the times and methods of confrontation should be carefully chosen and well constructed. Simply because these types of people require "special communication" methods. Often they are controlling and manipulative and their actions are decidedly crafted to gain the upper hand; other times, they are just simply in a world of their own. In either instance, in order for you to be effective, you have to give some thought to your approach and that is usually better accomplished on at least one night's sleep. So take a deep breath, be the bigger person and file it away for a later date. Then, spend some time thinking about the best approach and resume your mission when well armed. You will be much happier with the results! If you have a specific example of a "tough" person you are dealing with, feel free to leave your comments and I will give you practical tips for dealing with your unique situation. Remember - no names please! Have a great day! Stephanie

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Marketing, Adsense and Website Design Material Available

Exciting New Changes are underway!! (i.e., more succes, more profits, more resources!) My http://www.90PercentAttitude.com website is in the process of undergoing some major revisions! It's already got a new look, but in addition to that, I have posted some new articles that will enhance your online Internet Marketing efforts whether you are a newbie or an experienced adsense, affiliate, SEO, or other expert marketer. The first is on Website Design Basics and it details ways to boost your image and increase your click throughs. Another one is a thought provoking article on Focus which gives you practical, no-nonsense advice on how to grow your Internet Marketing empire! There are also several more, so go check it out! The smattering of articles is not the only change underfoot though. I've got two more things up my sleeve: 1.) I am compiling a huge assortment of inspirational and marketing material that will soon be available through the website; and 2.) I am in the process of designing and testing several new programs that combine for killer adsense fortunes and as soon as testing is complete, I will be revealing what I believe is the hottest process for adsense income that I've seen in quite a while. You won't want to miss this one! Succeed and Prosper, Stephanie

Practical "Think Positive" Exercise

Here is a practical exercise that I often suggest which will start putting you in a mode to apply the priciples of Positive Thinking in your daily lives: No matter how hard we try, negative thoughts will always creep into our minds at any given time throughout the day, sometimes even before we know it. It may be an “Oh, great, that’s just what I needed, more work” when you accidentally knock over a cup of coffee or it might be more significant like losing a customer when you least expect it. The difference lies within how you react to each event and how effective you are at turning it around. In today’s exercise, you will make a point of stopping negative thoughts in their tracks. For the next several hours, stay aware of any negative energy that comes your way and if it does, stop yourself and insist upon finding something positive in it. For example, let’s say you lose a client and your first reaction is fear, worry, anger, etc. Stop yourself and say: This might be the best thing that could have happened, because now I can devote some extra time to pursuing a larger project that will make me even more money! And instead of crying over your “spilled coffee,” while you are wiping it up, look around the room and use the towel to clean a spot that you’ve been meaning to cleanup for awhile, but never get around to. Get the idea? Now, I challenge you to make sure that each and every little thing that happens over the next several hours, you will find SOMETHING good in it. Be it large or small, find one positive outcome. Tomorrow, try the same thing. When the alarm goes off, don’t groan and roll back over. Be excited that you had a restful night’s sleep and now have the opportunity to accomplish something today! Once you start readjusting your mind to the way you react to things it will become second nature. It will take some practice, and you may have to come back to this blog post as a reminder, but before you know it, your negative thoughts will be replaced by positive ones and you will notice a world of difference in the energy you have. Rest assured, in a few days, I will be checking back in as a virtual reminder to see if you are still doing your homework! Afterall, that's what a positive support system of friends is all about!

The Power of Positive Thinking in My Life

Overall, I really haven't had a difficult life - no major tragedy or devastating illnesses to conquer - but I have had my share of challenges. I've had financial obstacles, marital discord, family dysfunction, and the like; and yet, I am where I am today is due in large part to how I handled each of these events in my life. While in the midst of these various annoyances (which is as much credit as I will give them) many outsiders commented that they didn't know how I managed to stay so upbeat and positive when for all intents and purposes, the world as I knew it was crumbling around me - at least from their perspective! Me, on the other hand, I have just always seen these things as opportunities... times to begin anew, moments to seize as a lesson to be learned, events that opened new doors. And I have always been of the belief that nothing in life happens to us without a reason. So if I have to endure a particular experience, I might as well turn it into a positive, instead of getting bogged down in the negative. Afterall, when I'm smack in the middle of something that isn't all that desirable, moaning and complaining certainly isn't going to change it. In fact, it will only make it worse because that is what I have chosen to dwell on. Instead, I take a deep breath and repeat to myself, "This too shall pass..." And you know what? It always does! And once I have moved through the "crisis du jour," I always discover that I have come out further ahead - either from a new experience, a new idea, or a new opportunity that wasn't present before the upheaval. This retrospect is great, but it is the period of time that we are experiencing the turmoil which is the tricky part. I know that, and I acknowledge to you that if you are in the middle of something challenging right now as you read this, that what I am suggesting you do is asking a lot. If you were just laid off and don't know where your next meal is coming from, my cheerful admonishing to "think positive" doesn't do much to inspire you - let alone quell the hungar. In fact, it may make you want to gag! But life is full of solutions and if you focus on how bad things are, you won't ever see the opportunity that is right in front of you. Your negativity will cloud the picture and obscure brighter paths that will let you rise above your current situation. My next post will be an exercise that will start helping you to put these concepts into play in your own life and in real time. ... All you have to do is want it!

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