Stress Is the Test
January 31, 2007
In times of dismay, when it seems things just aren't going your way, keep perspective. It is extremely important to focus objectively. Remove all doubt through a well-constructed schedule. Don't think about it, just do it. It's just a test of will. A stress test. That's all.
Greg told me today that he was surprised by a post last night because of its brevity. Well, my friends, this one will be equal to it. I'm a little fatigued today, and have lots more to do. No rest for the weary. Besides, as I always say, "I can sleep when I get to heaven." 
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Entrepreneurship: The Super Career of the 21st Century
January 31, 2007
Entrepreneurship is for the strong-willed only. The faint-hearted and less must run away quickly. Du Plessis tells it like it is. We are in a changing economy. It is a global economy and has been for at least 15 years now. What's been significant is the power of our dollar. It has dropped significantly over the last several years. The impact is immense on offshoring jobs, free trade, and the like. If you are ready to look at a business opportunity whose time in video is now, go to my site at www.jerrywfranklin.com and click on Join NOW! JerryWFranklin
By Hannah Du Plessis
Your job no longer comes with a guarantee.
Yes, that is right, you might have been taught that if you work hard, study for a professional occupation, and score high grades, your future is set. Nothing can harm you. You get a job with your beautiful education and a good salary, and after 40 – 50 years of working, you retire happy and do anything you want.
Let us look at the facts: Millions of people are laid off work yearly. Some industries, like the record industry, were completely obsolete overnight. Thousands of skilled senior executives and middle managers are losing their jobs. Some students even find themselves unemployed when they finish their courses.
Income and retirement isn’t looking too good either. Nowadays both husband and wife have to work to maintain a descent lifestyle. Statistics show that 95% of all people at age 65 are either dead, or dead broke, and that it is only 6% of the population that is financially independent … and only 1% of those can be considered wealthy.
In the 90’s people turned to small business as an opportunity to create the best economic return available. Most people who venture into their own business are the so-called “Baby Boomers” - people between the ages of 30 and 50. These Boomers represent a third of the population and they are leading the way to make entrepreneurship the Super Career of the 21st century.
Buying a franchise was also seen as a viable option. A franchise is a safe business structure as it has proven systems in place for generating and keeping business.
Women who are disillusioned with climbing the corporate ladder started a new trend in creating home businesses which they can work around their already busy schedules as mothers.
For these entrepreneurs who are looking to start a small business from home, Network Marketing offers many attractive characteristics, including low capital risk and the ease of operation. Unlike traditional small businesses, Network Marketing requires no expensive legal, financial or accounting services, low maintenance or overheads, no employees, advanced education or start up money.
In most cases the only requirements for success in Network Marketing are: A strong desire, integrity, attitude and action.
Hannah du Plessis is experienced in Internet Marketing and Network Marketing and has her own Traffic Exchange and Article Directory
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Better Blog Marketing: Make Your Blog look Unique
January 31, 2007
If you blog you can relate to this article. I happen to use the wordpress platform. I believe it is outstanding and the best. Recently I found a great tool called Semiologic Pro Package and feel that this is a great product to help you make your blog look unique as well as allow you to effectively monetize it.
Enjoy the article…
Many blogs use the same templates or skins for the design. While the design does not really affect people who read your blog via RSS feed, but it affects any first time blog visitor and everyone who likes to read the blog from the web browser. The more unique a blog design the better it is to build recognition and branding. If a blog looks like 20 others the visitor has seen already, your own blog will not stick out from the crowd and you will lose out on visitors as people tend to forget about you really quick then. "How did his/her blog look like again?" might be the question and how do you answer that? In the past I have been using free Wordpress templates myself. I applied minor modifications, but it never really separated itself from others enough to be unique. My current (well, now my last template) template was almost stock and as I had not see this template before I was hoping to avoid problems being one of many.
Man, was I wrong on this one. While reading some other blogs today I ran into a blog using the exact same template. That really hit me and I felt I had to do something about it immediately. I had to make my blog more unique - now! The most visible piece in a blog is often the header and I decided that this would be a good step to start. As I am personally "graphically challenged" 
it took me a while to come up with something that I liked. I wanted the new header to be like a business card for my blog, too. Why? The header is shown on every page and it provides a first time visitor right away with the information of what my blog is about. The problem with so many blogs is to find out what is their main specialty. What is the main topic a blogger is writing about? Often there is no way to tell what a blog is about - especially if you enter a blog from an older posting through a search engine listing.
The homepage might eventually have a small snippet of text explaining the topic of a blog, but archived articles do not show this normally. Or the blog owner does not even bother at all to tell what his main intent for the blog is. I had a small snippet of text already describing the purpose of my blog, but again it was only seen on the homepage and not on the different archive pages.
By using a new header I have been able to fix the two items described at the same time. First of all it is completely unique and therefore makes my blog stick out more. And second I was able to manage to design it with a small sticky note build in explaining what this blog is all about. The sticky note is completely integrated into the design of the header and in a spot where visitors can easily see it. I showed it to a friend before deciding to make this the new header image and he liked it.
Anyway - the lesson learned is: Make your Blog look unique + make sure your visitors know what your blog is about. Just because they find a (one) posting of your blog that matches their search term, it does not mean that your blog is really of interest to them. But you might be able to catch their interest by pointing out what your blog is really about. If you catch their interest you might gain a new reader that a) comes back to read more from your blog and b) eventually tells others about your great blog.
About the Author: Christoph Puetz is a well respected author and business owner. He has published books on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and also runs a successful small business. Websites of his can be found at the small business blog site as well as at business charter.
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The Advantage to Blogging
January 31, 2007
I am a huge advocate of blogging or setting up your blog in the root directory to function as a website with all of the advantages of the blog.
Read the article, you'll enjoy it!
I've been seeing a lot of people posting in forums asking if it's worth it to start a blog.
I have a bit of a biased opinion on the subject since I have three of my own. But I think 99 times out of 100, it's worth it to start one.
Every day, more and more people are discovering the 'blog life'. Some blogs are used as online journals, some are used as a place to publish stories or novels, some are an extension of a current online business, and others are used only as income generators.
While blogging can be a big commitment, there are many reasons why blogs have an advantage over traditional websites.
Search engines love them - If you choose a search engine friendly blog template and update it regularly, you should have no trouble getting ranked in the search engines. There are also plenty of extensions or plugins to add to your blogging platform that can enhance your search engine optimization (SEO).
They're easy to use and maintain - A blog can be set up in as little as ten minutes, even if you have no coding experience. Once they're set up, creating posts is so simple my grandpa could do it (and all he knows how to do on the computer is play solitaire!)
Great way to interact with your readers - The comments section at the end of each post provides a way for you to create a dialogue with your readers or customers.
You become part of a community - The blogging community is a large one, but a lot more personal than you think. It's a strange bond, but a nice one. You're sharing something in common with people all over the world, which is pretty amazing.
It's affordable - You can set up a blog completely for free if you like. Or you can purchase your own domain and host in on your own server for as little as $10 a month.
These are just a few of the advantages of blogging I could think of off the top of my head. Many people have been seeing success with their blogs, whether they're looking for personal growth, monetary growth, or both. So jump on the bandwagon and start one for yourself!
Cassie Germsheid is the author of http://MamasOnTheWeb.com where she helps moms (and dads) juggle work and family while finding more ways to earn money with their websites. You can learn her Top 5 Traffic Generating Strategies when you sign up for the FREE 5-day mini-course.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cassandra_Germsheid
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Advantage-to-Blogging&id=438208
Important Tags: blogging, advantage to blogging, blogs, web 2.0
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Fake It ‘Til You Make It
January 31, 2007
Does anyone REALLY want to hear about your problems? Ha. First of all, who has the time, unless you're a shrink. Secondly, you must work like you have a million bucks in your pocket. Or, work like you don't have to…… And finally, if you understand 'faking it', then you'll have a smile on your face.
It can be a miserable experience when you work with someone you cannot stand. Once I worked with a guy who did everything but physically assault me. I was doing everything I could to stay out of his way. Working in a bullpen, it was difficult to find any sanity. It was the white-collar challenge of my career to 'fake it 'til I made it.' Fortunately, our team relocated on the floor. Nevertheless, it was humiliating to me just to ask the supervisor to separate us. Regardless, I managed to get out of the situation with a smile on my face and an unblemished police record.
Working for someone is hard enough. You are enslaved to do whatever your job description entails. Even then, in small print at the bottom of the offer letter, it usually reads, "additional duties at supervisor's discretion." That's code for "when I say jump, you ask how high."
Mix the challenges of organized servitude with personal, P&L issues, and you have the privilege of joining 200 million other Americans in the fight for survival. How do you get out of the rat race?
For starters, cut yourself to profitability. Take a break from the coffee bar. The lattes are worth the $5 for pity's sake. Stop overspending on the frivolous items. In fact, focus on only what you need. Then, work from there. Now, I wrote, "need." Many of you have creative definitions for the word, "need." Let's suffice it to a definition like the one of Patrick Henry, "give me liberty (from debt), or give me death."
Next, consider starting a business. Yeah, that means focusing a little harder on your goals. Oh yeah, what about goals? Well, I'm assuming the pain is intense enough that the motivation is easy to muster. Work for yourself rather than taking a second job for someone else, again. C'mon, you can do it. If you are really serious about looking at a business, go to www.fhtmus.com/jerryfranklin. Then, contact me through commenting on this post. We'll go from there.
Furthermore, put a smile on your face because it's the best (& cheapest) gift you can give. To quote my mother again (a shout-out to you, Mom), "they can't kill you and eat you (your creditors)." Remember, no one really wants to hear it. They have their own problems. So, c'mon, rub it in with a smile. Life is a poker game anyway, right? We're all bluffing 'til we get to heaven. 
JerryWFranklin
Content Valuable? Please buy us a Delicious Cold BeerFinding Your Niche
January 30, 2007
One of the best strategies for making money online is identifying a profitable niche and creating a theme website and monetizing it. The doing it again and again.
If you are a newbie, you've probably heard that you need to find your niche. You may be wondering what people mean by that. Finding your niche is kind of like finding your own identity. Like a singer, you want people to recognize the sound of your voice. Succeeding in online business depends upon finding your own niche.
Niche is another word for theme. Your website has to center around a theme in order to reach a targeted audience. This theme can't be a very broad topic like fitness; it has to be narrowed down. A focused niche will allow you to get to know the needs of a small but specific market. The ultimate goal is for you to become an expert in one area.
Your niche needs to be something you are passionately interested in. You will need to be constantly creating content on this topic, so don't pick something that you will lose interest in. Think about the skills that you have. Are you a talented guitar player? Do you grow the largest, most fragrant roses in the neighborhood? Is your hobby bird watching or stamp collecting or even buying and selling items on eBay? A lot of people draw a blank at this point and think they don't have any particular skills or talents. What about things you've always wanted to learn more about? Maybe you have a curiosity about world religions or exotic animals. Don't overlook the obvious. If you have skills at parenting or entertaining, you may have more to share more than you think you do. Experience in accounting or banking or writing or computer programming is all valuable.
Brainstorm your skills and interests. Think about your life experiences, the problems you have overcome. If you are still stuck, ask your friends where they think your talent lies. Most likely, you'll end up with quite a few possibilities of a possible niche.
Before making your final decision, do some online research into supply and demand. Think of a keyword that summarizes your possible niche. How many people are searching for that word? In other words, how much interest is there in this topic? For a general idea of the answer to this question, visit http://inventory.overture.com/d/searchinventory/suggestion (THIS SITE MAY NOT BE ACTIVE.) This site will tell you an estimate of the number of times a particular word was searched on the previous month. In other words, it gives you an idea of the demand for this possible niche.
The next step is to find out what the supply is. How many existing sites are already trying to fill this niche? Do a search through any good search engine. Chances are you will get quite a few matches. Review the top sites that match your potential niche. If you review a site and your reaction is that you can do better than that, you may have found your niche.
Spend time brainstorming and evaluating data in order to choose the right niche for you - but not too much time. Make a decision and get started. The sooner you choose your niche, the sooner you can begin making money.
Valerie Dansereau is the webmaster of http://www.work-at-home-parenting.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Valerie_Dansereau
http://EzineArticles.com/?Finding-Your-Niche&id=433640
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When Your Ego Get’s In Your Way
January 30, 2007
Some may call it ego, others may call it pride…
Whatever you call it, beware. It (ego) can get into a lot of trouble.
People that know me well would probably agree that I have a lot of "A" type characteristics. For me and others with this type of character the "ego" or our "Pride" can be our achilles heel.
Let me explain.
If you look at the traits of the most successful you'll find that many are closely aligned with the "A" type person. However, when someone get's "too big for their britches" they lose sight of what is important, resulting in bad decision or worse yet, no decisions.
I have an example of my ego getting in my way!
This example happened to me this afternoon when I was driving back from the airport. I made a quick trip to visit with a partner yesterday and after I landed today I was in a hurry to get to another meeting I had later this evening.
My example is small (in comparision) but after it happened I knew my ego got the better of me. 
Here's what happened…
I was hauling down the highway…going fast.
Making great time.
Then all of a sudden I was being challenged by another driver. I was in the fast lane (my second mistake), then another driver was pulling up along side of me in the middle lane.
I decided that I was going to go faster and stay in the lead (my third and final mistake.)
We rounded the turn and I was slightly in the lead…when out of nowhere there was one of Dallas' finest.
"oh #*%8", I said to myself.
And in a second, his lights were on and he was in hot pursuit. My goodness, "I hope he is going after the other driver", I thought to myself!
No such luck. He wanted me!
To make a long story short. I was stopped, given two tickets and lost all the time I had made. But honestly I wasn't that mad because after all I was guilty.
So the moral of the story is this…If I didn't let my ego get the best of me, I would have made it to my meeting on time. I wouldn't have two BIG bills to pay and the other driver would have been hit with these tickets.
My Ego got me!
So, if you want to be successful….keep your ego in check.
Important Tags: personal development, success, wealth, wealthy, prosperous, ego
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Entrepreneurial Business Success: How to Know If You Can Succeed at Your Own Business Venture
January 29, 2007
When I take direction, I like to get to the point. Katie Evans does just that in this article. In the Budget section, she discusses the demand of doubling the time you think you'll need to accomplish your goals. She also writes you will need about 20% more capital. My advice: consider doubling the investment capital, as well. JerryWFranklin
By Katie Evans
So you want to own your own business? Been dreaming of all the free time you would have, nobody telling you what to do; becoming the next Bill Gates? Well, there is good news and bad news about being an entrepreneur.
According to the SBA, the Small Business Association, only about 2% of the American population is emotionally and mentally equipped to succeed at owning their own business.
Most people simply don’t know where to start and what to do when they don’t know what to do. Fear and lack of security are large contributing factors in preventing people from striking out on their own.
The good new is the sky is the limit for a motivated, self-starter person who believes in him/herself and their product or service.
Here are a few guidelines to consider when dreaming of owning your
own business.
1. Clear goals
You must know where you are and where you want to be. Write these goals/plans down. Remember, “That which can be measured, can be managed.” Those who write down their goals have a 97% better chance of success than those who don’t!
2. Budget
Know how much you need to live on; estimate how much your business will cost you until it starts paying you back (then double the amount of time you estimated and add 20% to your budget—it always takes longer and costs more than you anticipate!)
3. Plan
Not just a business plan, a daily, weekly, monthly, yearly plan
Again, write it down!
4. Keep your day job
Until your “dream job” begins to pay your budget items.
5. Meditate
Close your eyes, relax and program your subconscious mind to help you create the future in your real world that you create in your inner world. Spend at least 20 minutes a day doing this. It will take months off the time it would normally take to get your business up and profitable! Try it—this may just be the most important step
6. Rent office space vs. home based
Try not to spend too much money before the business begins paying for itself. If you can start out at home, do it. As the business grows, you’ll have to get more space. Do it then.
7. Rent from MD’s or corporate boardrooms.
If your new business involves after hours classes, you can often rent space in the evening from existing businesses. That’s a win-win situation.
8. Get a good Bookkeeper.
This may be your best investment. Have him/her show you how to set up your books (using Quicken or some other good software). You may think this is a frivolous expense, but it will save you many wasted hours and much unnecessary expense in the long run. Find a bookkeeper that specializes in small businesses—until you have to find one that specializes in large businesses!
9. Check out “Business Opportunities” if you don’t know where to start.
They are often much cheaper than franchises and offer you freedom
and guidance.
And, finally, always remember, the first goal of a business is to stay in business; the second goal is to make money!
Katie Evans is the founder and CEO of the Living Lite Weight Loss Program, which shows people HOW to create a healthier lifestyle. When you use hypnosis and the incredible power of your subconscious mind, you will never diet again, you will simply learn how to create a new relationship with food. For those who wish to make a living helping people heal their lives so they can lose weight and keep it off, there are now Living Lite Licenses available.This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to own her own business (we accept men licensees, too!) and still have support and guidance in setting up the systems. Ms. Evans is a published author, lecturer and entrepreneur. She also teaches "The Mental Game of Golf" on cruise ships. Check out this Easy Tax Filing link. The site is listed on the IRS Home Page as well.
You can reach Katie though: http://efile.123easytaxfiling.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Katie_Evans
http://EzineArticles.com/?Entrepreneurial-Business-Success:–How-to-Know-if-You-Can-Succeed-at-Your-Own-Business-Venture&id=431222
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Technorati Tags: Bill Gates, SBA
Just How Important Is Follow-Through?
January 29, 2007
We live in an unpredictable world. The electronic world is moving so fast one hardly has time to breathe. When we get into our modes-of-transportation, we take risks for granted. I call them opportunity risks. We know that we must take certain risks in order to live to the standards we have set for ourselves. At least, we must do what it takes to survive.
Some days, surviving is our best. Mostly though, we do what we say we are going to do, right? When we tell our best friend we are going to show up for lunch, we make it a high priority. We prioritize what is important. My mother often says, “sometimes the urgent takes precedent over the important.” We are trapped by time and space in a robe of flesh. So, it is incredibly important to be discretionary when deciding what to do first.
It is these thought-processes that determine our reputations. What do we have if we don’t have good reputations? We don’t have much, do we?
Then, what kind of reputations do we have? Are we ones who ‘say what we mean’? Or, do we talk just to hear ourselves speak? Regardless, whether we want them or not, we acquire reputations. Like receiving a nickname that sticks, we have no choice in the matter, except be predictable. Reputations are constructed off of what we say and do, or don’t do. So, just how important is follow-through?
Our reputations depend on it.
JerryWFranklin
Content Valuable? Please buy us a Delicious Cold BeerThe Secret To Success…
January 29, 2007
This topic could be debated for years…and has been.
But I've learned how important it is when you do not follow these techniques.
It's not sexy or overly exciting but honestly it is the best way to achieve the success that we all desire.
So what is the key?
Simple answer is having effective people skills.
Have you ever heard of the book by Dale Carnegie called, "How to Win Friends & Influence People
Listen - whatever you do next you have to read this book. It is absolutely awesome and really helps you understand how to achieve success through your people skills.
You'll learn:
- The Six Ways To Make People Like You;
- The 12 Ways To WIn People To Your Way of Thinking
- The 9 Ways To Change People WIthout Arousing Resentment;
This is good stuff. So if you want,
you can go after the job you want…and get it! You can take the job you have…and improve it! You can take any situation you're in…and make it work for you!
I highly recommend you check out this book.
Important Tags: [tagsuccess[/tag], secret of success, how to win friends and influence people, dale carnegie, personal development
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