Add You - Self Improvement

Tax Planning 101
You are paying too much income tax - and it's nobody's fault but your own! You do not have to wait for Congress to pass a tax cut bill. You can enact your own personal tax cut with careful tax planning.Here is some tax planning basics:* The difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion is $10,000 and five years in prison! Tax avoidance is the lawful and ethical use of accepted procedures to reduce your tax liability. Tax evasion is a willful misrepresentation or concealment of information. Despite growing public acceptance of cheating on tax returns, reckless tax evasion is a very dangerous matter. There are many legal ways to reduce your tax liability - too many to risk your future with tax fraud.* There exist many situations where a taxpayer has a choice of accomplishing the same end by more than one method. The smart tax planner approaches each personal and business transaction with a view towards reducing taxes by analyzing how and when to conduct the transaction to get the most tax advantages.* The first criteria for evaluating any transaction, strategy or technique should always be financial. Taxes are second.Many, many years ago, when I was still an "apprentice" tax preparer, one of my mentor's clients came in and proud

questions he asks, the more he will learn.

•Read Periodicals and Magazines Continuous learners subscribe to and read many different magazines every month, on many diverse topics. I highly recommend reading the magazines of your industry, magazines about business and magazines that are about success and motivation. I also would encourage you to read magazines that relate to topics that are hobbies, or you are passionate about. You should be reading about what cutting edge companies are doing and what leading thinkers are thinking about. Reading about other people’s success stories is very uplifting and motivating because when you read about people like you who have accomplished amazing things, it confirms the belief that anything is possible. You will read it and then say to yourself, “If they can do that why can’t I?”

•Watch Videos/CD ROM’s I don’t think there are many topics available that don’t have CD/ROM’s, that can help you learn about a topic or even gain new skills. For example if you want to learn how to type or even how to type faster, there are many computer programs and CD/ROM’s that are on the market. These programs work well because they allow you to practice and even give you feedback. I hear people say at times “well I couldn’t do that I don’t know how to …” well come on wake up world! If you don’t know LEARN NOW. You cannot allow the limitati

Your Next Argument: 10 Points to Consider Before You Try to Score Points Off Each Other
1. It's addictive - Fighting, and the anger that comes with it, kicks off the old fight-or-flight response that prepares us to handle a threat. This produces a kind of energy, or "high." Some people have said that what kept the fighting alive in their relationship was the "juiced" feeling they would get when fighting mad.2. It's not necessary - Conflict in marriage is inevitable. It's also necessary for a relationship because, if you have your own mind, you will sometimes see things differently. Being able to successfully handle the conflict of seeing things differently speaks to the strength of the relationship.While conflict is inevitable and even necessary, fighting is a choice. Once you choose to see your spouse as an adversary to conquer, there is really not much good stuff that can follow.3. Nobody wins - Fights have winners and losers. Even when you win a fight, you do so at the expense of your partner, the relationship, and therefore, your own expense as well.4. It's a lousy model for your kids - Kids almost always know when something is going on, because they have such good antennae and pick up on much more than we would like to admit. From their parents, children can learn that marriage is a battle ground o

Webster’s defines learning as “To gain knowledge comprehension or mastery through experience or study.” I have a question that I would like you to consider. The answer has to be very honest. How many books have you read in the last month? The last three months? The last year? To show you that I practice what I preach - I can tell you that I read four books per month, twelve books a quarter and about 48 to 50 books a year. It may not seem like much but in a twenty-year period that is over 800 books! Here is the point- some of that knowledge has to sink into my brain. Unfortunately, many people in our society once they have graduated from high school or college just quit learning. They say to themselves “no more homework” and “I never have to read another book again!” They are done. Interestingly, commencement doesn’t mean “finished” it means “to start.” At some point these people get stagnant and eventually may lose motivation. Why? They aren’t staying fresh and giving the brain of theirs the old workout.

What is a Learner?

What is a learner? To me a learner is someone who has an incredible thirst for knowledge. I think that learners can be identified by the following activities and characteristics: •They read books As a continuous learner, you must read constantly. I have a rule that I have made for myself. During the year I only read books which are non-fiction, mainly “how to” books and books on motivation and success. When I am on vacation or during time off and holidays, I read fictional novels and enjoy the “mind candy” they provide. As a suggestion, you may want to set up a plan for your reading. Decide on how many books you are going to read every month and mark them in your planner. At the end of each month take out the planner (or P.D.A.) and check your progress. Part of your plan should also be to decide on a reading strategy. Decide what areas you need to improve in and then create a list of books that could possibly help in those areas. If you don’t know of any books on that topic, go to Amazon.com and do a search, or search the computer at your local library by topic.

•They ask others Ask other people that you know and respect about what books they are reading or have read that have had an impact on them. Write down their suggestion and head to your nearest local bookstore.

One of the barriers to reading a large amount of books, is the fact that they are just so darned expensive. There are some creative ways around that: •Budget for it I am sure that you budget for other items- it would be reasonable to budget for your own self improvement.

•Get a library card Most towns have a local library where books can be checked out, for little or no cost. You will then have the ability to check out books by the dozen. •Watch for sales My local “big chain” bookstore has a whole “bargain book area”, where books can be bought for amazingly low prices.

•Find your local used book store Most communities have a local used book store, In my area there are two great used book stores and I can buy 5-6 books for the price of one new hardcover. One other bonus these stores have, character that the big book chain store can’t create.

•Flea Markets and Thrift Shops I have found many great titles for my library at Flea Markets and thrift shops. I have bought many classic books for ridiculously low prices.

•Buying Online There are several great web sites where you can buy books. Sites like Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com are easy to use and the best feature are their search capabilities. You can search for books by subject, title and author. Lastly the prices are fairly competitive and shipping is fairly quick.

We have determined that learners read, but there are other activities that learners embrace on a regular basis:

• They Search the Net You can use the Internet as a source of information and research. By using many of the search engines and meta-search engines, you can locate tons of valuable information on the net. The Net is an amazing mix of websites, research, magazine articles, and commercial services that you can subscribe to for a fee. The only frustration that I have found with the Net, is knowing exactly where to find the information. Because of the overwhelming amount of information, it makes sense to learn how to search the web as efficiently as possible. There are many great books on the market, which teach you Internet search strategies. For example the way a topic is entered on a search engine can change the results. The topic with quotation marks around it can change the results from the search, with no quotation marks. The rules are different with each search engine. Crazy isn’t it? •Ask Questions I want you to think of A.S.K. Ask So you will Know. When a subject comes up and you don’t understand something, ask! I have worked with many people in the world who will not ask a question and will pretend that they know. The only way that you can get smarter is by seeking out information, which you do not understand. Seek out S.M.E.’s (subject matter experts) and tap into their expertise. My uncle, Scott Camp is the consummate “asker.” He is always asking questions. We don’t see each other often, but when we do he wants to know what is going on in my life and work. When I tell him about my work and life, he then asks tons of questions. He is a human sponge who soaks up information at a rapid rate, and he is very smart. Why? Because he is a non-stop continuous learning machine. He understands that the more questions he asks, the more he will learn.

The Diabetes Cinnamon Cholesterol Connection
If you or a loved one has diabetes, or high cholesterol, then the diabetes cinnamon cholesterol link is likely to be of interest.Since early times, cinnamon has been one of the most loved of all spices. In history, a small amount could be sold for a huge fee, due to its scarcity on the open market.Whilst cinnamon I readily available in most grocery stores and health stores today, it still remains a valuable aid to improving healthTraditionally cinnamon was used not only as an ingredient in native dishes, but also as a medicine. In fact, its pedigree as a medicine stretches back hundreds, if not thousands of years.However, lets bring this article back into modern times, with new research that has taken place.In studies cinnamon has shown great potential in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Recently, a study in the Diabetes Care journal indicated that eating just half a teaspoon of cinnamon daily can significantly reduce the level of blood sugar.Also, this same study identified that cinnamon is able to reduce triglycerides, LDL cholesterol (which is the bad cholesterol) and overall cholesterol levels in study participants.Here are some of the other health benefits that come from including cinnamon in a healthy diet:

tion, mainly “how to” books and books on motivation and success. When I am on vacation or during time off and holidays, I read fictional novels and enjoy the “mind candy” they provide. As a suggestion, you may want to set up a plan for your reading. Decide on how many books you are going to read every month and mark them in your planner. At the end of each month take out the planner (or P.D.A.) and check your progress. Part of your plan should also be to decide on a reading strategy. Decide what areas you need to improve in and then create a list of books that could possibly help in those areas. If you don’t know of any books on that topic, go to Amazon.com and do a search, or search the computer at your local library by topic.

•Flea Markets and Thrift Shops I have found many great titles for my library at Flea Markets and thrift shops. I have bought many classic books for ridiculously low prices.

We have determined that learners read, but there are other activities that learners embrace on a regular basis:

Six Ways To Introduce And Build Effective Conflict In Your Writing
I spend time working on the premises and back stories of each of my characters because I believe the key to a good story is conflict. This is how I do it.1. Identify the premise of each characterEach of my characters has a goal within the story, a premise that motivates them throughout. For example, the protagonist’s fate is that he faces up to his conscience and goes public with his company’s unethical activities. The anti-hero is the owner of the company who does all she can to prevent this from happening, as her motivation is to save her company at all costs.2. It's not always black and whiteA stereotyped character does not a good story make. Just because the boss is the anti-hero doesn’t mean she is Lucifer and the whistleblower is Mother Theresa. Interesting characters have strengths and weaknesses; the protagonist becomes a whistleblower because he’s being blackmailed due to his involvement in the company’s activities, not exactly a worthy reason.3. Start with the status quoConflict encourages growth and change in characters, so I begin the story with my protagonist in his comfort zone, perhaps coming into work as his usual overconfident self. This gives my readers an insight into his personality before the conflict begins t

s by the dozen. •Watch for sales My local “big chain” bookstore has a whole “bargain book area”, where books can be bought for amazingly low prices.

•Flea Markets and Thrift Shops I have found many great titles for my library at Flea Markets and thrift shops. I have bought many classic books for ridiculously low prices.

We have determined that learners read, but there are other activities that learners embrace on a regular basis:

Bringing Architects and Their Partners Together: The Power of a Secure Extranet
An extranet is a private network within which document sharing can take place by specific groups of users outside the organization through a network administrator. An organization may allow authorized customers and partner’s access to the system after verifying the usernames and passwords.The extranet: Enhanced document sharing and collaborationArchitectural firms have increasingly been using extranet to send and receive documents in a secure environment. All the relevant information about a particular project can be made available to all the individuals who are part of the project, be it the clients or other partners in the venture. Construction companies can access the CAD drawings and plans immediately, without much waiting. It also enhances the relationship with the clients who can receive the relevant documents and send their approvals accordingly.Outsourcing Extranet ServicesSome firms have not shown interest in implementation of the extranet because of the complexity involved and the high cost of installation and maintenance. It requires purchase of equipment, the necessary hardware and software for its implementation and training to maintain the system. However, there are hosting companies to whom the implementation and maintenance of

nly frustration that I have found with the Net, is knowing exactly where to find the information. Because of the overwhelming amount of information, it makes sense to learn how to search the web as efficiently as possible. There are many great books on the market, which teach you Internet search strategies. For example the way a topic is entered on a search engine can change the results. The topic with quotation marks around it can change the results from the search, with no quotation marks. The rules are different with each search engine. Crazy isn’t it? •Ask Questions I want you to think of A.S.K. Ask So you will Know. When a subject comes up and you don’t understand something, ask! I have worked with many people in the world who will not ask a question and will pretend that they know. The only way that you can get smarter is by seeking out information, which you do not understand. Seek out S.M.E.’s (subject matter experts) and tap into their expertise. My uncle, Scott Camp is the consummate “asker.” He is always asking questions. We don’t see each other often, but when we do he wants to know what is going on in my life and work. When I tell him about my work and life, he then asks tons of questions. He is a human sponge who soaks up information at a rapid rate, and he is very smart. Why? Because he is a non-stop continuous learning machine. He understands that the more questions he asks, the more he will learn.

Abundance is a Feeling
This question and answer interview was done by Kathy Smith, one of Michael's loyal Virtual Assistants. Visit her website.Q: Michael, many times during your teleclasses and seminars, you say "abundance is a feeling." Can you elaborate on that statement - what do you mean it's a feeling?First one of the important things that we've come to learn with the Law of Attraction is that we can duplicate feelings. In other words, just through the words I use I can stimulate somebody or discourage them. In short, we can create feelings within ourselves and within others by what we say and what we think.Abundance is a feeling. Do you ever notice how excited you feel when you know you have a check coming or when you know you're getting an income tax refund? The excitement you're experiencing is the feeling of abundance. We feel abundant knowing that it's coming, even before we put it in the bank. So a question to ask is, "Do I feel abundant knowing that I'm receiving some money or do I feel abundant only when I put it in my bank account?" For most people, they feel abundant knowing that it's coming. It has nothing to do with whether that have it or not.© Michael Losier 2004. You may include this article in your ezine or on your website or distribute it to ot

questions he asks, the more he will learn.

•Listen to tapes Every year in our country, people drive thousands of miles, literally hundreds of hours and they listen to the radio. I have a question. How much will you learn by listening to one hundred hours of your favorite radio “shock jock”? I would say not much. I also think radio won’t help you get motivated, or stay motivated because radio can be the opposite; negative, mean spirited, and depressing. The old garbage in, garbage out, formula applies. As much as your local morning DJ is entertaining, in my opinion you are wasting precious learning time. Decide what topics you want to learn about and find audiotapes on that topic. Some people have referred to their cars as their “rolling classroom.” There are many different types of audiotapes. There are “how to” audios, motivational titles featuring well known speakers and biographies, just to name a few categories. Maximize your time by taking advantage of your driving time.

•Seminars There are many great companies that travel around the country. They conduct one, two, and three day seminars. Keep an eye out for these seminars as they are offered publicly. The seminars are generally high quality and reasonable in price.

•Training Programs Many corporations and organizations offer training programs as part of employee development. If your company offers training, sign up for as many courses as you can. In general these programs are well developed, tested and are conducted by training professionals. Take advantage of these great programs.

•Employee Education Assistance Many corporations also offer educational benefits for employees. These programs often offer reimbursement for educational courses and often will pay for a percentage up to 100%. Find out if your employer offers this benefit.

•Community Schools There are many schools in various communities that offer many non degree classes. They have a great variety of classes in many subjects. Find out what is offered in your town and find out how to enroll. The other advantage of these kinds of programs, is that they are often very inexpensive.

Why You Should Keep Learning

The bottom line is that the world is going through rapid change and you should be willing to reinvent yourself every year. Because the world will not stay the same, you can’t stay the same. Let’s take the example of Warren Sapp, a defensive lineman for the world champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the 2002 season, Warren Sapp was the sharpest that he had ever been and helped take his team to the playoffs. The year before Warren had had a bad season, he was trying to figure out why. He studied tapes in the off season and made a determination, that he had gotten “fat and lazy” (his words) and apathetic. He decided that he had to get better. In the off season he dieted, worked out, lost weight, and was in the best shape of his life. If a Pro Bowl quality level player is willing to reinvent himself each year, shouldn’t you? Every year you have to be a better, faster, smarter version of yourself. Just like new computer software, every year you have to upgrade to a better version of you. You have to be a You 1.0, and then a You 2.0 and then a You 3.0. be willing to upgrade!

Remember if you are not growing you are slowing!

HTTP = HTML link (for blogs, profiles,phorums):
<a href="http://www.addyou.info/article/292771/addyou-Why-You-Should-be-a-Non--Stop-Learning-Machine.html">Why You Should be a Non - Stop Learning Machine</a>

BB link (for phorums):
[url=http://www.addyou.info/article/292771/addyou-Why-You-Should-be-a-Non--Stop-Learning-Machine.html]Why You Should be a Non - Stop Learning Machine[/url]

Even digital purists need money, so various revenue sources have been explored – from running advertisements (clunky old banners and the dynamic AdSense variety), to helping others sell their goods through affiliate programs, to developing their own digital goods, like ebooks, special reports, even programs and web utilities. These paths have already been trailblazed, but you still must to choose the best one for you. So which is it?

What are the best places to advertise your online shop? Rock solid reference sources to freely advertise your product line...

There are few things in life as satisfying as a good night’s sleep. Mothers insist on it to help children grow well, doctors advise it for optimum health, and beauty gurus recommend it to stay younger and feel better. Thus, it is important to get the good night sleep you deserve.

Tags

Links

Add You - Why You Should be a Non - Stop Learning Machine

Related Articles: