How To Feel Your True Life Purpose In Your Heart

Try to see without judgement when your heart beats for atrue purpose and the grip of the ego tries to hold you back.Youcan release the hold on yourself when youfeel no purpose in life.The Holy Spirit of God--Who abides psychologically in a more positive-thinking side of the separated mind like an antivirus software installed in the hard drive of your computer--guides us out of separation and all its darkness.Since "He" is in the "right-minded" side, He is who we are. He willundoyour darkened ego-base thought system based on the past if you will allow Him to.A Course in Miraclesstates, "The shadowy figures from the past are precisely what you mustescape."You will find it's okay to let the Holy Spirit reinterpret the world for you instead of relying on the ego's interpretation. Here is where you begin setting your goals, consciously opposite of the ego's goals. It's how you attract your dream, man!Achieving Life PurposeThere are ways to identify with the "right mind" byshining our "spiritual flashlight"--invoking the Light of Truth, or Holy Spirit--on our errors and fears. Let's see through my own experiences the function of the Holy Spirit in His undoing of errorsthat leads to an awakened state and freedom from separate identities.Try to go deeper into finding your purpose and your source of conflict: try to see beyond how theego's belief in separation makes us so fearful of death, veiling the truth of death'sunrealityand interfering with one-mindedness-- which is God. We call this identification with the ego "wrong-mindedness.".Clear DirectionStaying committed to them is an important part ofthe success process when we set goals and startout on a path we chose to reach our dreams. The road you travel may not always be smooth and may have many detours and bumps and other obstacles along the way, but having direction clearly set at the beginning, is part of what makesyour world filled with confidence.The Gifts of the Holy SpiritYou will begin realizing without fear the bridge the Holy Spirit has built for you, a gift if you will, from perception over to knowledge, where you will find that every individual you encounter becomes either a witness for the Christ in you, or for the ego in you.The Gifts of the Holy Spirit offer no middle ground to your dreams and aspirations, it's your true free will that He will help you accomplish.To living your life purpose and dreamshttp://jamesnussbaumer.com/Hi, I'm James Nussbaumer and I'd like to introduce myself through my thought provoking spiritual and inspirational books, which are reflections of A Course in Miracles. I'm also offering you a subscription to my EVERYDAY MIRACLES newsletter, which includes my ongoing webinars, videos, livestreams, and so much more, helping everyday people live life on their own terms. This is for folks who are interested in letting go of the past and attaining Real Abundance, Purpose, and Wellness in their lives.http://self-helplibrary.subscribemenow.comArticle Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/James_Nussbaumer/2379033

The Biggest Mistakes People Make In Growing Their Business

The mistakes I'm talking about here don't necessarily have any spiritual significance, they simply have the capacity to stall or even shut down a business. The following are ones I have personally seen in action; perhaps knowing aboutthem can help you avoid their calamitous consequences.1. Going after the trappings rather than the essence of business.In my one very mistaken attempt at a business partnership, a big source of friction was my partner's delight in meetings that, to me, accomplished little or nothing. She equally couldn't understand why I took no pleasure in sitting around a conference table going down an agenda of to-do's that we'd already discussed."Haven't you always wanted to have a business?" she retorted once when I objected.We spent too much time on unproductive tasks. I've seen others devote so much fuss to their logo, office decor, computer setup or long-range strategy that they don't have energy left over to deal with finding and keeping clients. Concentrate on core business tasks.2. Relying too much on one client.You're asking for trouble if more than 40% of yourbusiness comes from one source. Yes, it's tempting to enjoy the easy pickings of a client who wants to use you more and more and more. However, I've had several clients show up at my door having to rebuild their businesses after theirtoo-big client retrenched, refocused or decided it no longer suited them to use you. Foster your economic security by serving a variety of clients who couldn't all go bust at once.3. Not keeping an eye on the long term.For about a year and a half during the Internet boom, I had a lucrative contract with a dot-com company that tried to hire me full-time, offering tomatch whatever I was making on my own. I refused, because it would have meant ditching the momentum I'd built up on the Internet and elsewhere.I saw business owners give in to the siren call of"money now" and either as employee or entrepreneur place all their bets on a new venturethat imploded within two years. Having sold off orlet go of their previous successes, they had to start again from scratch. Forgoing some quick opportunities now for sustainability in the long run was a smart move, I believe.4. Sticking with low-profit "sure things" for too long.When some activity reliably brings in business, it's difficult to let it go, even when it takes much too much effort for its financial return. From 1988to 2001, one-shot adult education seminars in Cambridge, Boston, Providence and elsewhere were a vital feeder for me, bringing me clients who needed help with their writing projects. But each seminar meant driving through rush hour traffic, parking, getting home late, making less than $10 an hour when considering the total time spent, all to acquire clients who paid me much less than those who needed marketing help.I should have quit doing these seminars several years before I finally did and invested the energy elsewhere. At least once a year, think about what you're doing, and drop activities that are not worth the time or hassle.5. Ignoring collections.A friend who'd worked as a bookkeeper told me about a client of hers who had rarely sent out billsbecause it was boring to do so, compared with the everyday social dealings he enjoyed in his business. No wonder he had a problem with cashflow! Judging from the number of very late bills I receive from solo business owners, this must be a common habit.Understand that you're not simply delaying payment when you neglect to bill in a timely manner and when you don't aggressively and quickly go after non-payers. You're actually jeopardizing your income, because the longer the time goes before someone is asked to pay for a service or product they received, the less likely you are to get that money at all. According to the American Collectors Association, once four months have gone by, you're only about 80 percent likely to get paid. After six months, only 67 percent of collections ever get cleared. Send those bills out on time!6. Getting discouraged.One of the most helpful books I've ever read is"Mastery" by George Leonard, a pioneer in the human potential movement and a teacher of aikido, a martial art. He explains the normal learning curve for any kind of human endeavor, whether learning a language, a musical instrument, a physical skill or the process of building a business.The normal learning curve includes a stage called"plateau," where progress seems to cease and there may even be some backsliding, even though the effort put in stays the same. Yet the plateau stage is often followed by a sudden spurt forward, as long as the person keeps at it. Keeping at it in the absence of visible results does not sound like an important success skill, but often that's the ingredient that separates those who make it from the quitters who give up right before their efforts are about to pay off.Get more information about starting business,internet marketing,online success from our blog.We give you necessary tips to gain success from websites and blogs.http://www.startweblogs.blogspot.comArticle Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jafari_Yusuph/2390460

Foods That Burn Belly Fat Fast

What if I told you thatthere are foods you could eat that could help your body burn fat including that stubborn belly fat, would you believe me? I have put together an awesome list of foods that burn belly fat fast so you can start incorporating these into your diet today!Now this is not to completely take place of a full healthy diet and exercise. In order to really see weight loss remember you're going to have to be at a caloric deficit meaning that you are burning more calories than you are consuming. So if you burn 2,500 calories per day but only eat 2,000 calories, then you are at a caloric deficit. You can go here to calculate how many calories you burn per day.Please keep in mind that burning belly fat is moreabout what you don't eat than what you do eat so to maximize how effective these foods work for you then I suggest not eating refined carbs and sugar, including alcohol which tends to encourage fat storage in the abdominal area. Getting insufficient sleep also encourages fat storage so make sure to get 7-8 hours of sleep per night.On to the list!Foods That Burn Belly Fat Fast:1. GrapefruitGrapefruit is hands down the best food to eat to burn belly fat fast because it isn't only high in fiber but it's also very low in calories and it helps to reduce your insulin resistance preventing your body from storing as much sugar as fat. The benefit of lowering your insulin is that it curbs theappetite resulting in you hitting that caloric deficitmuch much easier.2. Leafy GreensLeafy greens are veggies like kale, spinach and collard greens. They are low in carbs high in water, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber which translates to fat loss and great health. Another benefit is that with these added to any meal you are sure to feel fuller quicker with less caloric intake.3. Sweet PotatoesSweet potatoes are a healthy complex carbohydrate which is great for regulating your blood sugar and keeping it from spiking after you eat. They also contain a high amount of Vitamin C, Folate (the natural form of Folic Acid), Potassium, Beta Carotene (which gets converted into Vitamin A) and Fiber.. making it one of the most nutritious foods you can eat!4. NutsThese are loaded with fiber, healthy fats and protein making them great for weight loss.5. BeansThe soluble fiber in beans actually helps decrease visceral fat, which is the fat that's stored around your organs. Visceral fat is more hazardous to your health than the subcutaneous fat that's stored under the skin, it's one of the causes of that beer belly look. Try to aim for at least 10 grams of soluble fiber per day.6. BananasBananas are an awesome snack for fat loss, they are low in fat but contain enough starch to make you feel full. One banana is 105 calories making ita great snack. Plus it's rich in potassium which aids in muscle function, making it a great post workout snack.7. CinnamonOkay this is a spice not a food, but you could add it to some of these other foods and really amp up the fat burning abilities like oatmeal and blueberries. Cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar, preventing spikes that cause belly fat to accumulate in the first place.8. BlueberriesStudies show that blueberries can reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome, this causes increased belly fat. Since they have such a high level of phytochemicals they can help to reduce and prevent belly fat.9. AvocadoThe key to eliminating belly fat is to consume good fats, which are monounsaturated fats, which is what avocados are rich in. Just half an avocado contains 20 grams of monounsaturated fat, this also helps to control blood sugar spikes that can like I said before, direct fat to store in theabdomen.10. Whole GrainsWhole grains (if you don't have a problem with gluten) are full of insoluble fiber making you feel fuller longer they also help stabilize your blood sugar. Replace refined carbs like white rice and white bread with whole grains like oats, brown rice and quinoa, and you can decrease your belly fat.11. Coconut OilCoconut oil can help you burn fat because it contains medium chain fatty acids which have been shown to increase energy expenditure (burncalories) compared to the same amount of calories from other longer chain fatty acids.12. QuinoaQuinoa is one of the best forms of complex carbs, it's also loaded with fiber, and contains almost twice as much protein as rice and three times as much almost three times as much protein as couscous. It also contains calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins B and E which will reduce cholesterol and prevent disease.13. ApplesApples are packed with nutrients and fiber which easily makes you feel full. So next time you feel hungry grab an apple to snack on instead of chips or ice cream.14. OatmealEating oatmeal for breakfast is a sure way to flatten your belly, it's filled with soluble fiber. It will provide you with tons of energy, fuel your metabolism and help you to feel full longer. Eat steel cut oats if you can stand it because it is the least processed, if you can't opt for whole rolled oats (they have gluten free options) and don't go for the sugary flavored varieties. You can top it with fruits like blueberries, strawberries or goji berries to make it even more nutritious.15. CucumberCucumbers are extremely low in calories and filled with water and extremely refreshing. Since it's so high in water it can help you feel satiated quicker when eating. A full cup of sliced cucumbers contains only 14 calories so even after eating a large amount it will make you feel full without making you gain weight. It also has a cleansing effect on the body which can help to burn fat.16. BerriesBerries are loaded with antioxidants and fiber. Berries help boost your metabolism which accelerates calorie burn and that equals fat burn. The high amount of fiber they contain help aid in feeling full for longer. The best berries for fat burn are black berries, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries.17. Green TeaI know this is a list of foods but these last two drinks were wayyy too efficient at getting rid of belly fat to leave them off the list. Green tea is high in catechins and polyphenols, these are believed to help burn belly fat. In 2010 The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study showing that "subjects who consumed green tea catechins with caffeine saw a greater decrease in waist circumference and also lost more weight overall, than those who only consumed caffeine."18. Apple Cider VinegarApple cider vinegar reduces blood sugar spikes after your meals, if also you only take 1 tbsp with your meals then it will make you feel fuller much sooner reducing the amount of calories you take in at a time. It also pulls out all sorts of toxins that are sitting in your colon adding to the appearance of a big belly.Okayy guys this was a list of 18 foods that burn belly fat fast, again these are to be coupled with ahealthy diet and exercise to maximize the results you get out of this. Since belly fat is stubborn you need to be consistent and you will see results. Have a great day!Come on over to my site to check out this article in full and many more like it.http://www.marascorner.comArticle Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Damara_Boyd/2388567

Coaching The Poor In Your Community!

Have you ever walked downtown and noticed homeless people panhandling or sifting through garbage looking for something to eat? How sad it that! Are they mentally ill, addicts or have they made bad choices? How do you really know? Have you walked in their shoes? Did you say a silent prayer of thanks that you are not where they are now? Have you given any thought to the millions of people who work yet cannot make ends meet? Are you one of them?How can you make an impact and change someone's life living in poverty? Maybe, even your own? Are you concerned that you don't have any time or energy to spare?What if I told you that it only takes a few minutes of your time? If you watched a great movie or haddinner in an excellent restaurant you would share this information, right? Telling people about the benefits of coaching works on the same principle.Let's review some of the benefits of having a coach in the event you have never worked with one before.Coaches help you to:1.Get clarity on what you want in life2.Develop strategies to reach your goals3.Overcome obstacles, low self-esteem and low confidence4.Give you support, motivate and encourage you5.Hold you accountable to what you say you'll do6.Develop greater self-awareness7.Improve skills and behaviorThis sounds wonderful!Do you due diligence and look for organizations that are dedicated to helping the poor. Be part of the solution to help those living in poverty!It's choice - not chance - that determines your destiny.-Jean Nidetchhttp://starsofcourage.org/Kathleen Boucher, CEO of Great Kids and Me, certified professional coach. It is one of my core beliefs that when you find something that helps people than you have a responsibility to share this knowledge. Let's each do our part in helping the poor. Best wishes on your success!Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Kathleen_Boucher/1932365

Reasons Why Your Business May Fail

According to Bloomberg, 8 out of 10 businesses fail within the first 18 months of operation. That's a terrifying statistic if you're a business owner. That simply implies that 80% of those who started blogging or any other online business will fail in it too.Why do businesses fail? What can make your business fail? How can you avoid them?1. Lack of Planning:For many individuals, they desire to be engaged in a business just to make moneyor to be able to brag about it. They have noclear-cut idea where they want the business to go. They only plan to start a business but they do not do real planning on how to achieve it. Your plan is like your aim. Planning involves everything you need to do and put in place to get to your aim. If there is a plan without proper planning, it is only a matter of time before the plan comes crashing. The popular 6P formula states that: Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.2. Lack of Discipline:Having an online business can gift you with plenty of spare time and the liberty to work when you want. This same benefit can be a curse if you do not know where todraw the line. You need discipline to be able to work even when you don't feel like working. You need to sustain your desire to work irrespective of whatever may be limiting you. A disciplined businessman with little capital will always outdo an undisciplined businessman with huge financial capability.3. Lack of differentiation:Many people often attempt to imitate others in their style of business. They thinkthey can create success by imitating the top shots in their niche. It does not work that way. There can only be one Nairaland. There can only be one ImportExpert. There can only be one Linda Ikeji. Rather than copy them, pick the lessons and build yourbrand. If you imitate others, you will only remind your customers of the real thing. Build your brand. Be different. It is what will give you visibility. You can learn from different experts and be yourself.4. Lack of capital:This point can be seen either as lack of capital or refusal to invest capital. If your business would grow, you may need to spend some money. Sometimes, people want everything to come free, especially those in online business. Don't be tight-fisted about your business. It does not justneed your time and attention but your money. This is what will make your investment in the business complete.5. Lack of focus:Focus is a result-multiplier. Online business requires focus. The online world on its own can be very distracting. The thrills of the social media and multiple foracan easily divide your attention. You must always be conscious that even though you enjoy doing what you do, it is beyond fun; itis a business. You must therefore treat it as such. Be grounded in the purpose of thebusiness and constantly choose to ignore every distraction. As jobs has always said: Focus is not just saying yes to what you have to do but focus is the ability to say noto those other thousand things that may come by while trying to do what you must do.6. Lack of valuable content:Content is everything. Content is what will keep people coming back to you. If they realize that there is something that you offer that they probably cannot get anywhere else, they will keep coming to you. Whatever the mode of your business may be, ensure the value is of a high standard. Create strategies to multiply the value that your audience can get from you and watch their loyalty become yours.7. Lack of accurate knowledge:Knowledge is everything in today's world. One piece of knowledge at the right time isenough to take your business to a new height. Your continued relevance in your niche will be dependent on what you know that your competitors don't. Always searchfor new information. Information will save you years of trial and error.No one desires his business to crash at any time. It is wisdom to know what a business needs at the moment for its survival and success. Always be on the lookout for what your business needs at the moment to keep flourishing.Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Sadiq_Ahmad_Bello/2380506

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Message From the Universe: Making Your Illusions a Reality

"It's human nature to unthinkingly project present circumstances, people, and feelings into your future, as if those that surround you today will follow wherever you go.Until you remember, time's just an illusion that allows you to project into space only those thingsyou think about.No more unthinking,The Universe"All these messages from the Universe reverts back to ONE principle: "Thoughts becomes things". At the same time that these thoughts reverts to things, you should also add some action to this equation. Think about the good in your life, think about the people you want to be around with, be and stay positive, work on becoming a better person and the rest will follow.You don't need to be a billionaire to be kind, and nothing depends on outside factors for you to become a generous and thoughtful person. Random act of kindness can be performed by anyone with any status. Keep that in mind.When being surrounded with the right people, youget inspired by their presence and their energy. Each of us have different energy signature which provides us with the capability of determining if we want to be with that person or not. Call it instinct if you wish. We have that inner voice or gut feeling that helps us with that choice to moveforward or not. It may be different when it comes to relationship though. I have seen many cases where relationship may be right at that specific time in life of both parties involved but a few years down the road, energy signatures can change and no longer in sync. Hence, the end result is one individual decides to change and better themselves while the other stays the same.Path have changes for both people involved and no longer share common interests as they did in the past. Result? Separation with imminent divorce (if married couple).No one wishes this to anyone. Divorce is difficult but when you decide to share a life with someone, you should encourage each other to become better people, and do your best to alwayskeep track of how both of you can keep the similar energy signature and change at the same pace, towards the same direction. It might be difficult at first, but constant communication is key to make this happen. Nothing is guaranteed in life when it comes to securing a life long relationship, however, if both put in the effort and energy on it, chances of success are enhanced dramatically and life together can be a fun and exciting journey.Dr Dan Amzallag, PhD, MBA, CLCAuthor/Inspirational Speaker/Life CoachFree Consultation: 301-325-1550Website:http://www.lifecoachdanamzallag.comArticle Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Daniel_A_Amzallag/257690

Think About Your Thinking

Our amazing brains are connected to a vast network called our nervous system. This system carries millions of impulses or neurons that are firing off all at once, and are capable of making an infinite amount of connections. The quality of circuitry in our brain can dwarf even a team of the biggest super computers. Our brain can recognize a face in an instant. No super computer can do that yet. Computers have to go through a certain computational formula to get to the point where itcan complete its facial recognition process; and that takes time beyond an instant.So, if our brains have this unsurpassable level of capabilities that are superior to even super computers, then why can't we get ourselves to dothe little things in life correctly? Why do we have trouble remembering how to do our homework, orsometimes, to even do it? Why can't we always remember to take the garbage out on garbage day? Why can't we stop doing things that we know are not good for us? Well, some of the answer might lay in the fact that we allow our brains to run on autopilot and don't consistently think about our thinking.Socrates believed we should all spend time thinking about what we do and why we do it. So, are we now wondering what creates our own human behavior? Drum roll please... Well, our thinking does, of course! And sometimes our thinking is right on, and sometimes it's misleading. But, how would we ever know if our thinking was right or wrong if we never stopped to examine our thinking and thus did what Socrates believed was the most important thing of all; examine our lives.Now teens, go learn, lead, and lay the way to a better world for all of us. Remember to think about your thinking so that you can live your best life possible, and not blindly fall into some kind ofnonproductive rut that's getting you nowhere fast.And once again, thanks in advance for all that youdo, and all that you will do...Award-winning author, speaker and educator Dan Blanchard wants you to take a little more time to think about your thinking. For more great tips from Dan be sure to visit his website at:http://www.DanBlanchard.net. Thanks.Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Daniel_Blanchard/1785050

Do Students Benefit From Hand-Holding or Strict Discipline?

I expect you to listen during my class lectures.Here, let me help you. I can provide you with the answer.As an educator, are you someone who is tough on students because you believe strict discipline is essential to their growth and development? Or do you believe in an approach that is kinder, much more easy-going and laidback when it comes to helping students - even to the point of being willing to give students the answers they need?A disciplinarian is the traditional educator who upholds policies, processes, and procedures without exceptions. Those instructors are usuallynot counted among the favorites by students; except for those students who are excelling and find that strict discipline is necessary for them to continue to do well.The educator who is more willing to bend the rules on occasion for students, when there is a reason or justification for the long-term benefit ofthe students, is the one viewed as easier to get along with and as a result - this educator is usually included on the list of favorite instructors.This instructor will also provide answers and"make it easier" for students to complete the required tasks, believing this helps students in the long term.This is not to state that teaching students, especially adult students, must be a popularity contest by any means. What this does involve is amatter of perception. Consider how willing a student might be to receive and implement coaching and feedback from a strict instructor in comparison to an instructor who is willing to work with them. In other words, it is not about bending the rules but working with students. It is not about passing students along or giving away grades. It is about providing support and assistance.This goes against the beliefs of many educators as there is a perception in higher education that maintaining anything other than a strict approach to teaching means you believe in handholding and coddling students. I believe there needs to bean instructional balance between the two methods and in my own practice, I have found an approach that provides this type of balance.How Do You Focus Your Attention?I've worked with hundreds of online faculty members over the past ten years in the role of faculty development specialist. I have also been an online educator during this time and understand the lived experience of the faculty members I have observed. What this means is that I can relate to the time it takes to manage a class, especially as an adjunct instructor. I have also worked full time during the day and taught online at night, and I make this point not as an excuse but as a reminder of the reality that many adjunct instructors face. When an instructor is running short on time, not all of the required duties and responsibilities may be met. This can even extend to working with students as they may find it challenging at times to receive assistance when needed.Whether or not an instructor is working full time and teaching as an adjunct, teaching a class takes time - and the more students there are, the more tasks and responsibilities are vying for the instructor's attention. When there are high achieving students in a class, it almost lessens the amount of instructional work required as those students are usually the ones who do not require a lot of time and attention. The students who are under-performing are the ones who require more effort. These are the students who either benefit from receiving additional assistance, or handholding as some educators view it, or a constant reminder that they must comply with strict requirements as stated by the school and other in documents such as the course syllabus.Is One Approach More Effective Than Another?I know that every educator has a distinct view of how students must be addressed or managed, and it is usually based upon personal preferencesand past experiences. When instructors are provided with training, it is usually procedural in nature to begin with and then expands into instructional practices. What I have not seen provided in faculty training are direct instructions that state how an instructor must manage students in the classroom. In other words, instructors are not told they must be lenient or strict. They are provided with policies and processes, and methods of instruction. Sometimes they are taught methods of interacting with students, similar to customer service training methods. The general expectation is that instructors must uphold academic policies and create an environment that is conducive to learning.A question that often comes up is this: Why are there such diverse types of instructors? From my perspective working with faculty, a better question might be: Is one approach more effective than another?Consider first the instructor who is a strict disciplinarian. This is someone who upholds the policies as defined by the school, such as academic writing standards and policies in place for the degree program level. This instructor makes no exceptions to the rules.Consider next the instructor who seems very strict but in a different sense. This is the instructor who has established high personal expectations of students and their performance in class. This instructor expects all students will strive for an "A" grade and they will submit high quality papers.The last instructor to consider is the seemingly easy going instructor who is very popular and hasa flexible approach to school policies. This instructor is more willing to listen and adapt when needed, especially if a student needs a"break" or a second chance. This type of instructoris one who is willing to provide extra time and attention for students. I have worked with a few instructors who go so far as to give their studentsthe answers or information they need, rather than help students find it. This is where the idea of handholding has become associated with an easy going instructor.Finding a Balance Between Discipline and HandholdingAre one of the three methods described above better than the other? I do not put myself in a position to judge others; however, I can speak from my own experience to answer the question. When I began my work as an educator, I was very strict. The most effective method of learning school policies and processes was to follow them as strictly as I could. Over time, I learned what flexibility I had as an instructor and I also gained experience as an educator. From this experience, I learned how to find a balance between these strategies to become effective with upholding disciplinary processes while providing additional care, concern, and assistance.*.Establishing Discipline:What I have learned is that the manner in which discipline is administered matters for my relationship with students. I can uphold every school policy and procedure just as effectively, and perhaps even more so, as someone who demonstrates empathy when compared to someone who demands complete compliance to everything I state. Students already know that there are school policies in place and their instructors areexpected to uphold those policies. As an instructor, my reinforcement of the rules happens whenever there is an occurrence or a request made by a student. That is a time to listen and effectively administer the rules, or implement disciplinary action as required. I should also be familiar with my level of authority or flexibility available, with regards to making any exceptions.*.Establishing Expectations:There is nothing wrong with having expectations of my students,unless I have established something unrealisticof every student. For example, it would be unrealistic for me to expect that every student will submit a well-researched and written paper that demonstrates critical thinking - even at the graduate level. A more realistic expectation might be for students to the best of their capabilities and ask for assistance when needed. The most important expectations I can establish are those concerning student performance. Students experience a great deal of anxiety about grading, especially written assignments. That is when the use of a rubric isvery helpful for establishing uniform expectations with students. It becomes even more effective if I provide a rubric before the assignment due date so that students can utilize it as a guideline when editing and revising their papers. The most important aspect of establishing expectations is that they are realistic and communicated to students.*.Offer Handholding:When students need assistance or extra attention and you provide it, do you consider that to be handholding? I dislike that word itself as I believe it does a disservice to the work of an educator. I understand the general idea of the concept and over time I have tried to help students without giving them information or answers. For example, when students cannot find a particularanswer or resource I will provide instructions onhow to find it without actually giving it to them. In other words, I teach them how to be independent and find it on their own so the next time they remember how to do it. I would never be one to tell them to "go and see the course syllabus" as a pat answer. I will find a way to help, even if it involves providing a different set of instructions that offers clarity and better directions. My roles as an educator is to instructand to teach.I have seen a number of discussions in the field of higher education over the past few months about working with students and more specifically, addressing the idea of coddling college students. From my experience as an online educator and online student I find there is nothing detrimental about having a lot of contact time between an instructor and the students. However, it seems there is a trend now in higher education that finds courses being delivered without instructor to student interaction. I know that MOOCs have been very popular and those students receive very little direct instructor contact. There is also a competency-based onlineuniversity that is gaining traction, one without instructors that allows students to study at their own pace - and one of the primary concerns being raised is that these are correspondence-style courses.My preference is to provide instructor to student interactions. I want to be available and accessiblefor my students. The following is my approach to teaching adult students that seeks a balance between strict discipline and handholding.I will be happy to assist you and I will help you find the answers you need.For courses that have been established in a traditional manner, with instructor to student contact, the nature of that contact is relational. An instructor can uphold academic policies and all appropriate disciplinary procedures, while still maintaining an attitude of care and concern, when an appropriate balance has been found. Students understand that instructors must uphold the rules established by the school. What this means is that a productive working relationship may be more effective than demanding compliance from students at all times. And while it is important to establish a strong working bond with students, that does not mean you need to try to become the most popularinstructor either by being willing to bend the rulesor give away answers. The most important job you have is to teach and the most effective approach you can embrace is one of knowing your level of authority, understanding your responsibilities, and being willing and available toassist your students.Dr. J has been working in the field of higher education and distance learning since 2005, with roles that have included Chief Academic Officer, online instructor, college instructor, and online faculty development specialist. Dr. J has also acquired significant experience with instructionaldesign and curriculum development, having developed hundreds of online courses for bachelors, masters, and doctorate programs.Dr. Bruce A. Johnson is a professional writer, resume writer, learning and development consultant, social media strategist, and career coach. Dr. J founded Afforded Quality Writing in 2003 and has written hundreds of resumes every year in most industries, utilizing a skill set based approach to highlight the best of each person's career.Dr. J writes blog posts and articles to help inform,inspire, and empower readers. To learn more about the resources that are available for career and professional development from Dr. J please visit:http://www.drbruceajohnson.com/Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Dr._Bruce_A._Johnson/834483

How Girls With Guns Get Respect

Most of the time, the gun range is a firearm man cave where woman look really out-of-place. It is not unusual to be the only woman at a shoot match or gun range. Fortunately, that is becoming less and less but when that is the case, it is very possible that you won't be taken seriously. Girls aren't supposed to play with guns. I have discovered a few things that help girls gain a little more respect behind the firing line.

1. Dress for the occasion. You don't have to wear a long-sleeved button up shirt, with baggy jeans, combat boots and baseball cap but you do want to look like your prepared for the activity. You can save the mini skirt and stilettoes for the night club. No one wants to get a shell casing burn on their cleavage either. Having the proper attire insinuates that you are serious about what you came to do which makes people take you more seriously.

2. Have a handgun that fits your frame. It is very important to have the proper fit. Your trigger finger must be able to comfortably reach the trigger without affecting your grip, and you must be able to easily access any other functional buttons or levers on the gun, such as the magazine release and safety. You also want the right caliber. If the handgun is throwing you back 10 feet when you fire it, it is too big.

3. Learn how to handle your handgun. Practice at home. This can payoff big time by making you look and feel much more confident. Know how to load and unload your handgun and magazines, as well as performing basic operations. Locking back slides and using the manual safety shows everyone how self-sufficient you can be and gains a lot of respect even if you may be struggling. Everyone appreciates safe gun handling skills.

4. Don't go in with a chip on your shoulder. Inappropriate jokes and salty language is usually more than most of us would like it to be. Firing back with as good as you've got will probably make you more of "one of the guys," than tears or running to someone to complain. That kind of drama does nothing but show that you are truly a girl. No one is asking you to tolerate illegal or misbehavior but usually by calmly calling someone out face to face gains much more respect from everyone. Most of the time, people make fun of you to take the focus off themselves.

5. Hit the bulls-eye. Put your money where your mouth is. When you can shoot, people tend to shut up. Being a "fantabulous" shooter is not required but there are certain people who are best addressed by showing them that they just got beat by a girl! Use this as your motivation to practice and learn to be the best shooter you can be.

6. Go by yourself. People will see that you are there strictly for yourself. They will see that you are there to better yourself as a shooter and nothing else. You are not there on a date as the helpless girl! You are there because you are a competent gun handler that is going to practice hitting the bulls-eye.

Just because you are a girl doesn't mean you can't have a gun! Gain your respect by knowing how to use your firearm safely and accurately. Get all your handgun accessories at http://www.concealedbusiness.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Angela_Brand/2274206

Optimize Your Business Results by Igniting Motivation and Focusing on Your Mission

There's nothing like a crystallized Mission to clear your vision and help you focus on only the relevant tasks that will make that overriding goal a reality. By first defining a Mission Statement that you can wholeheartedly commit to and identify with, you protect yourself against the Time Bandits like Uncertainty and Busy Work that will leech away your energy and concentration.

Now, many in our business break their Mission down into two statements: one defines their purpose and the other is their personal motivator that gets them up in the morning.

For example:

My Mission is...

To make the buying and selling of real estate as cost-effective as possible, while maintaining the highest level of service. To provide accurate and up-to-date information, skilled analysis and sound real estate advice. To continually explore new ideas and technology, to make the selling and buying of real estate faster, less costly, and easier for the consumer.

My Future Vision is...

To be the leading Real Estate Agent from North to South Richmond, always exceeding my customers' expectations and providing them with a totally positive service experience.

In short: to provide the best service and to be recognized for it.

You'll notice that neither statement mentions money. Do you wonder why?

Money doesn't motivate. What you can do with it might, at least for a while, but ultimately there has to be more to life if you're going to keep enjoying what you do and being rewarded for it.

Enjoying the business is motivating. Learning new things, interacting with positive people, putting together creative deals - now, that's motivating. Not wasting your time on extraneous tasks is motivating. And, if you conquer those goals, you'll be a success and LOVE doing it.

Let's take a look at how you can optimize your time and stay excited in this business:

Define Your Mission to Reflect Your Goals and Values: What do you want your business to achieve? How do want people to think of you? Don't get sidetracked by focusing on how much you can make or how soon you can retire - those ideas won't sustain success. Instead, concentrate on developing your company as a complementary reflection of the best version of yourself. As an agent, you're in the business of helping people come home. You facilitate them in achieving the life they want and, along the way, you reap the rewards within your own life.

Once you are clear about your goals and direction, you will save yourself inordinate amounts of time. From this point forward, when faced with a new decision, you can simply refer back to your Mission and ask yourself, does it fit? You now also have an encapsulation of your business that you can provide to clients if they're unsure about your values.

Get Comfortable Saying "No" to the Time Bandits: Success attracts attention from all manner of sources and, especially if you're a 'people person,' you'll be approached with numerous requests for your time. To stay motivated, effective and efficient, you'll need to say "NO" (politely) more often. It becomes easier with practice although, at first, you'll find yourself frequently referring to your Mission and Purpose for clarity. In the end, you'll discover that your own respect for your time and goals will be reflected by those who come to you. Finally, they will understand what you're about and what you value in life and business.

Learn from Everything and Keep Exploring: Every mistake or disappointment holds a lesson within, if you choose to learn it. And, once you do, you save time by not repeating that negative experience. Often, such analysis will also uncover new ideas and, if you're serious about building your business, you'll want as many of them as possible:

· Identify resources you can trust and draw from them.

· Try new activities and take on learning projects - your brain is a muscle and needs to flex.

· Keep up-to-date with current affairs and local news.

As you accumulate knowledge, keep asking yourself

Exploring The Most Cost Effective Online Marketing Channels

What are the best online marketing channels? There isn't a straightforward answer to this question. Every business is different. But, there are certain channels that tend to be more cost-effective and provide higher conversion rates.

If you are looking for a way to stretch your online marketing budget, then explore the most cost effective online marketing channels.

Here's a quick overview of the online marketing channels that'll be covered:

Email marketing

Pay-per-click advertising

Social media advertising

Blogging

Email Marketing

For some reason, many entrepreneurs believe that email marketing is outdated or ineffective. This is simply not true. Email marketing remains the most cost-effective way to increase conversion rates and boost sales.

Compared to all other online marketing channels, email marketing offers the lowest cost per lead. While social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, have millions of users, everyone has an email address.

As long as you're smart about your email marketing strategy, you will get positive results.

Make sure that your emails encourage your subscribers to take action. This could include visiting your website or purchasing a product or service. You should also create a sense of urgency in your emails.

Also, don't ever purchase an email list. You should always build your own list using opt-in forms and other methods.

PPC Advertising

Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is another marketing channel that is thought of as being past its prime. Again, this isn't true. PPC is affordable and effective. You just need to optimize your PPC campaign.

Before you put together your PPC campaign, you need to perform thorough keyword research. The key to an effective PPC campaign is choosing the right keywords. Use the Google AdWords Keyword Planner to research keywords and find phrases with low competition and medium search volume.

Along with keyword research, you need to have a title and description that grabs attention. You have limited space available. Your title and description used in your PPC advertisement shouldn't be vague. It should be clear and direct.

By having a clear message in your PPC ad, you'll naturally notice higher conversion rates. Focus on a specific demographic and speak directly to the customer.

Social Media Advertising

While email marketing and PPC advertising have been around since the beginning of online marketing, social media marketing is relatively new by comparison. There are two methods of using social media as a part of your online marketing strategy - regular activity and advertising.

First, you should be active on social media. Create a schedule for sending out new posts or tweets. This helps you build your subscriber or follower base.

Along with regular activity, you should include social media advertising in your marketing strategy. This could include Facebook Ads, promoted Tweets on Twitter, and advertisements on LinkedIn.

As with PPC advertising, you'll need to optimize these advertisements to increase conversion rates. Again, use Google AdWords Keyword Planner Tool to find the most effective keywords. Focus on a niche category.

Blogging

Here's one more online marketing channel to include in your overall strategy - blogging. Blogging is extremely cost effective. You likely already have a website. You just need to start adding regular blog posts.

Blog posts can be shared on social media, linked to from advertisements, and are incredibly beneficial from an SEO standpoint. Blog about topics relevant to your products or services.

You should also create a schedule for your blog posts. With a regular schedule, visitors will know when to come back for more posts. This increases repeat traffic and allows you to develop a loyal group of followers while also establishing yourself as a voice of authority in your niche market.

As you start developing and refining your online marketing strategy, consider using the marketing channels described above. Alon

What Is Scoliosis and How Can Scoliosis Surgery Be Avoided?

Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways shifting or misalignment of the spine that can lead to devastating health problems.

Scoliosis usually develops early in a child's life, before the teen years, and it can occur in both girls and boys. Early detection is absolutely necessary and extremely beneficial so treatment can be provided to prevent further progression of the scoliosis.The spine normally is straight when viewing from the front and it has three naturally occurring curves when viewing it from the side. However, there are times we see an 'S' shape or 'C' curvature in the spine when viewing it from the front. This is not normal. This is called a scoliosis.

The spine is made up of 24 movable bones called vertebrae. These spinal bones make up the spinal column. The main function of the spinal column is to protect what's on the inside, the spinal cord. The spinal column protects the spinal cord much like the skull protects the brain. What flows through the spinal cord? It's all the signals to and from the brain. The brain is the master organ that controls all body functions, all healing, and all repair. Therefore, for optimal health and body function, there must be no interference on the spinal cord, the main pipeline that feeds life from brain to body.

A scoliosis is a specific type of spinal misalignment that can exert pressure and tension on the spinal cord thereby minimizing the flow of life from brain to body. Not only can scoliosis lead to pain, muscle spasms, stiffness, back pain, neck pain, and headaches, but once scoliosis progresses, it can cause complications to how other organ systems function. This can lead to fatigue, lack of sleep quality, low energy, and more serious health problems like complications to the heart and lungs.

Scoliosis can be easily detected and assessed for by a qualified practitioner like a chiropractor. Chiropractors are experts in spinal analysis and correction of spinal problems called subluxations (spinal misalignments). If you suspect your child or teen to have scoliosis or if scoliosis runs in your family, consider bringing child to a chiropractor for a scoliosis screening and spinal exam.

The chiropractor will perform a thorough health consultation and spinal examination. The spinal examination will include a posture check up, a range of motion analysis, a spinal check up for vertebral subluxations (spinal misalignments), and spinal x-rays. To absolutely confirm a finding of scoliosis, x-rays are necessary.

The treatment and management of care for scoliosis by a chiropractor is completely different than that of a medical doctor or medical specialist.

The medical approach to managing and treating scoliosis is one of three approaches:

1. Wait and see. I have heard this being recommended by medical specialists when the degree of scoliosis is found to be from 10 to 25 degrees. The danger with the wait see approach is that it can allow the scoliosis to progress while you are "waiting" to "see" what happens. This is a crucial time for management and correction of scoliosis that the "wait and see" approach should be avoided.

2. Bracing. When the scoliosis is over 25 degrees and less than 40 degrees, a brace is usually recommended. A scoliosis brace is required to be worn for 23 out of 24 hours of the day. Although bracing has been know to be effective in reducing the scoliosis curvature and preventing further progression, it can be a burden for the child/teen. Often time, bracing can be avoided when the scoliosis is managed earlier. This is why early detection and management is crucial, instead of "waiting and seeing" what happens. The "wait and see" approach is what can lead to the requirement of using a brace.

3. Surgery. This is the last resort when the scoliosis curve has advanced and progressed that it poses a serious health problem. Spinal surgery is usually recommended when the scoliosis curve is over 40 degrees. Again, another effect of either "waiting and see" or not detecting