Generation Interim

If you believe you can, you probably can. If you believe you
won’t, you most assuredly won’t. Belief is the ignition switch
that gets you off the launching pad.
-Denis Waitley

Recently, I was watching a women’s professional tennis
match on TV. One of the players, Nadia Petrova, was having
a spectacular tennis season, either winning or playing for the
championship in several tournaments in recent months.

The TV interviewer interviewed Nadia’s new coach and
mentioned that Nadia, who was rated in the top twenty
players in past years, was fast becoming one of the top five
players in the world. The interviewer asked Nadia’s coach
about this, and the coach said, “In the past, Nadia had
people around her that concentrated on what she ‘can’t do.’
So Nadia would concentrate on what she couldn’t do,
especially in challenging situations on the court, and it
would frustrate her. I am concentrating on what she ‘can
do,’ and she is a much better, confident player and is
mentally much happier.”

So I ask you, do you concentrate on the “can’t dos” or the
“can dos?” The following are three secrets to creating a
“can do” attitude that produces positive results and more
success in your life, business, and career:

1. Set Can Do Goals

Set goals that move you toward successful results. People
fail because they don’t know what they want or what they
don’t want. Ask a friend, family member, or associate what
they want in life. In most cases, they will pause and really
think about what they want. Sometimes they can’t come up
with an answer. Sometimes they may come up with a weak
response. However, ask the following question, “What
don’t you want in life?” and, in most situations, you will
receive multiple, clear, and quick answers to your question.
That’s because we concentrate on what we don’t want to
happen instead of what we want to happen. In life, as in
sports, we concentrate on “not losing” instead of
concentrating how to “win.”

Set S-M-A-R-T-E-R (Specific, Measurable, Attainable,
Realistic, Timely, Encouraging, Rewarding) goals that create
a crystal clear roadmap for your success, and work to
achieve these goals everyday.

2. Take Care of Your N-E-T-S

N-E-T-S stands for Network with Everyone Today for
Success. Fill your NETS with positive people that will
support your positive “can do” attitude. These people,
while supporting your goals, will also help you pass
roadblocks to achieve your goals. You will also make your
NETS stronger by supporting their goals to create a mutually
supportive situation.

Joy Fisher-Sykes always says, “Clean your NETS of people
who have a “can’t do,” negative attitude, and who don’t
support your quest to achieve your goals.” The more junk
(negative people) in your NETS, the less room you have for
more treasure (positive people). Take a close look at
“friends,” family and co-workers and ask, “Do they support
me and my “can do” attitude?” If they don’t, remove them
from your NET. Keep your NET strong with positive people.

3. Concentrate on the Positive

Recent research shows that 75-80% of daily communication
is negative. This would include negative self-talk,
conversations with others, or the media (TV, radio, the
internet, etc.).

Take back control of your mind and be responsible for your
“can do” attitude. You can start with the following:

a. Concentrate on self-talk with positive solutions

Start your mornings with meditation. Concentrate on
positive thoughts with positive results. Visualize, involving
as many senses as possible, to intensify the visualization
and make it real for you. Ask, “What does your success feel,
look, sound, and taste like?” Be aware of negative self-talk,
and replace it with positive self-talk.

b. Control the Communication

If it is a conversation, reframe the negative conversation into
a more positive conversation. If someone is complaining
endlessly, say, “Mike, I hear what you are saying. What
solutions to you see to this problem?”

If the media is negative, tune it out or turn it off.

You can always walk away. You have that right.

c. Walk the Talk

Be consistent in your behavior, and act on your “can do”
attitude.

d. Fake It Till You Make It

Act like you are already achieving your goals, and you will
rise to a higher level. Others will also see you as achieving
your goals and interact with you accordingly.

Follow these “can do” techniques and you will also achieve
more success in your life. I know Nadia does. As of this
writing, she has won two additional tournaments, with no
end in sight. She has a “can do” attitude that creates
success, and you can, too.

Some people respond to being yelled at and even sworn at. This brings out that extra bit of effort and they become highly motivated. Others are just angered by the apparent lack of respect shown them and will walk out of whatever training program they are in.

However, if you can accept a kick up the butt in the spirit in which it was intended it can provide useful motivation. When I trained in Shotokan Karate many years ago, the instructor, Graham, believed in kick butt or kick stomach motivation.

He would have us running over each other’s stomachs in the warm up and in one lesson commanded us to kick each other in the stomach as hard as we could. He warned my partner that he must kick me harder or he would kick him. My partner took the hint and I could feel the vomit rising up into my throat. The threat of being kicked hard by the instructor had definitely increased his motivation!

This kind of kick butt motivation does work so long as the students do not leave the class but it is not too healthy. I now have stomach problems which might have had their origins in that one lesson. On the other hand, Graham, who worked in a hospital, once skillfully restored my finger which had been dislocated by a kick from that same partner, Dave.

Balance was restored a little when Dave threw a kick at my ribs in a free sparring session and his instep connected with the point of my elbow. He collapsed in agony on the floor. I felt no guilt or pity; just quiet satisfaction!

Gordon Ramsay is a three star Michelin chef who yells and swears at the people he is training. Some people hate this approach; others admire it.

What motivates Gordon is a quest for perfection. His father prompted him to be the best at what he did and Gordon used his own steely resolve to reach high standards at whatever he was interested in.

He became a soccer player for the top Scottish club, Rangers. The great Rangers manager, Jock Wallace believed in a tough approach and this probably influenced Gordon Ramsay.

Jock Wallace was a fitness fanatic. He made his players run up and down the sand dunes until they dropped. He would punch his players in the stomach as they were walking down the corridor. If they collapsed in pain, he would make them go to the gym and do 200 sit ups to toughen up their stomach muscles. He reminds me of my karate instructor!

Jock became one of the greatest managers that Scotland has ever known. His methods obviously worked. Probably his players shared his ambition for success and were ready to put up with some harsh treatment to reach it.

Often the tough men have a real liking for their protégés but do not want to show their softer side. The players sense their affection and grow to respect and like their managers in return. They also find that the harsh treatment raises their standards to a point where they can see the benefits of hard work for themselves and no longer need to be kicked into working hard.

Gordon eventually had a knee injury and became a chef instead of a footballer. He still gave 100% effort to achieve his goals even though his former friends felt he was taking up a woman’s trade.

He was not prepared to settle for anything except 3 Michelin stars. He would swear and bully his trainee chefs to gain perfection. When criticized for bullying them he would reply:
“We’re on a mission and that mission is perfection.”
Eventually he got his 3 Michelin stars and has become a household name in the UK.

I don’t like his swearing and bullying but can’t help liking his dynamic energy and zeal for perfection. Some one commented that he was like a man with a firework up his backside. He can’t stand still. His swearing is objectionable but it does express energy and force and generates a swift response.

He can also give people confidence and energy and really cares that things should be done properly. Sometimes we all need a kick up the butt to motivate us and need kindly Beelzebubs like Jock Wallace and Gordon Ramsay to provide the kicks.

If they are not around, we may need to give ourselves a good kicking. Kick butt motivation definitely does have its place but needs to be used sparingly and in a way which does not cause permanent physical or psychological damage.

If you would like a great kick butt book to help you give yourself a good kicking, try this one by Larry Winget:

“SHUT UP, STOP WHINING AND GET A LIFE!”

He gives three reasons why you and I are not successful:

1. You are stupid
2. You are lazy
3. You do not give a damn.

He comments: “The common word in each of these reasons is you. You are the reason your life sucks. In other words, if your life sucks it is because you suck. It is not because conditions suck. It is you.”

Great stuff!

About the author

John Watson is an award winning teacher and martial arts instructor. He has recently written two books about achieving your goals and dreams.

They can both be found on his website http://www.motivationtoday.com along with a daily motivational message.

The title of the first book is “36 Laws To Ignite Your Inner Power And Realize Your Dreams Now! – Acronyms, Stories, And Pictures…Easy To Remember And Use Everyday To Grab Your Life And Soar With The Eagles”

The book can be found at this URL: http://www.motivationtoday.com/36_laws.php

The book uses acronyms, stories and pictures to help readers remember 36 laws that can gradually transform your life if you apply them.

You are welcome to publish the article above in your ezine or on your website so long as you do not alter it and keep in the words about the author and the 36 Laws.

All of us have met people who just seem to be happy most of the time. Perhaps you have assumed that these people are just naturally happy, or that they are the lucky people who have an easy life, or they had really loving parents. Most of the time, nothing could be farther from the truth.

Happy people are making specific choices regarding their thinking and behavior. Happy people consciously choose to think and behave in ways that result in happiness. Unhappy people are unconsciously thinking and behaving in ways that create unhappiness.

Following are five of the specific choices that happy people make:

OPTIMISM

Happy people see the glass as half full, while unhappy people choose to be pessimistic – to see the glass as half empty. Optimistic thinking does not just happen – it is a choice regarding how you see life. Optimistic people are optimistic because they CHOOSE to be optimistic. Instead of allowing their ego wounded self to be in charge with all its doom and gloom, happy people put their loving adult self in charge and open to the wonderful possibilities that life has to offer. Happy people realize that their thinking is the beginning of a creative process that leads to manifestation. By thinking in positive ways, they move themselves to act in ways that manifest their dreams.

KINDNESS

Happy people choose to be kind and compassionate toward themselves and others. Happy people have learned that how they treat themselves and others determines much of how they feel. Happy people do not wait to be happy before being kind to themselves and others. They realize that their happiness is the RESULT of their caring behavior, not the CAUSE of it. They are kind, caring and compassionate whether or not they feel like it. They have chosen this way of being, and their happiness is the result.

FORGIVENESS

Happy people do not harbor resentment toward others, even others who have been mean and hurtful toward them. They realize that resentment makes them unhappy, so they choose to allow people their humanness and forgive them their hurtful behavior. Because happy people tend not to take personally others’ uncaring behavior, they don’t get their feelings hurt in the same way that people do who take others’ behavior personally. Happy people recognize that another’s behavior is really about that other person, so they move into compassion toward themselves and others rather than into judgment.

ACCEPTANCE

Happy people realize what they can control and what they can’t. They live by the Serenity Prayer, accepting the things they cannot change and changing the things they can. Unhappy people are constantly trying to change people and circumstances and do not accept their lack of control. As a result, they are constantly frustrated. Happy people realize they cannot control others and outcomes, so they focus on what they can control – their own thinking and behavior. Acceptance of what they can and cannot control leads to happiness and inner peace.

GRATITUDE

Finally, happy people are consistently grateful for what they have, rather than complaining about what they don’t have. They notice the many gifts and blessings that come their way and they frequently express gratitude for the everyday things in their lives – the beauty of nature, the food they eat, the smile on a friend’s face, their ability to see, hear, walk, talk. Even many disabled people who may not have the blessings of eyesight, hearing, speech or legs are often happy people because they focus on what they do have and what they can do, rather than focusing on what they are missing out on.

If you want to be happy, then you need to recognize that happiness is the result of your thinking and behavior, not the cause of it. If you choose to focus on becoming conscious of what thoughts and behavior make you feel happy, you can become a happy person – regardless of your present circumstances. Happiness does not just happen – it takes work!

Margaret Paul, Ph.D. is the best-selling author and co-author of eight books, including “Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By You?” and “Healing Your Aloneness.” She is the co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding® healing process. Learn Inner Bonding now! Visit her web site for a FREE Inner Bonding course: www.innerbonding.com or email her at margaret@innerbonding.com. Phone sessions available.

The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon – understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

The Hero’s Journey:

Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

The Hero’s Journey is also a study of repeating patterns in successful stories and screenplays. It is compelling that screenwriters have a higher probability of producing quality work when they mirror the recurring patterns found in successful screenplays.

Story Structure: Die Hard (1988) Deconstructed

This analysis is best understood by watching the film simultaneously and with a good nuderstanding of the Hero’s Journey…

Introduce the Hero and the Mentor; Mentor gives the Hero a Magical Gift [we meet John McClane on the aircraft; make fists with your toes].

Hero’s Status and Capabilities [he's a cop].

Hero on a Journey [with a teddy bear; to see his kids].

The World of the First Threshold [party at the Nakatomi corporation].

Meet the Romantic Challenge and the Shape Shifter [Holly and Harry]. Shape Shifter challenging the Hero for the affections of the Romantic Challenge [Harry hits on Holly].

Inner Challenge and other Allies [the kids want Daddy home; marital troubles]; Romantic Challenge referenced [good idea to make up the spare bed].

Hero views the World of the First Threshold ["California!"].

Meeting Allies [meeting Argyle].

Develop character of Allies [getting to know Argyle].

Back story of the Romantic Challenge [Argyle elicits John and Holly's back story].

Viewing the Inner Cave [John POV's the Nakatomi tower from outside].

Figure of Authority (Threshold Guardian) explains the rules of this New World [the security guard].

Entering the inner Cave [John enters the party].

Strange and Magical Creatures in the inner Cave [John looks around and meets the corporate suits].

Meeting Allies [John meets Joe Takagi and Harry].

Meeting his Romantic Challenge [Harry meets Holly].

Polarity between Hero and Romantic Challenge established ["show her the watch"].

Develop the relationship between Hero and his Romantic Challenge ["kids would love to have you at the house"].

Intercut: with:

Foreshadow of the Adventure [Karl et al on their way].

Enhance polarization between Hero and Romantic Challenge ["since when did you start using Miss Jeniro; change your idea of what our marriage should be…"].

Meeting the Antagonist [Hans et al arrive and take over the building].

Reminder of the Magical Aid ["fists woith your toes"].

Reminder of the Romantic Challenge [the picture of the kids].

Enhancing the Antagonism [the phone is cut off; John loses touch with Argyle].

Defining the characters of the Antagonist’s Team [Karl and his brother].

Call to Adventure [Hans et al shoot up the building and take hostages; John has to think.].

Meeting and developing the Antagonist [we meet charismatic Hans; nice suit; benefits of a classical education…]

Magnitude of the Outer Challenge developed [Hans kills Takagi].

Refusal of the Call ["this cannot be happening!"; John reacts to Takagi's death].

Near Death Experience. [John battles and kills Karl's brother].

Foreshadow of the future Near Death Experience ["now I have a machine gun"].

Antatgonist’s plan proceeds.

Foreshadow of the Road of Trials [John gets Hans' name].

Antagonist and Lieutenant relationship developed [Hans has to control Karl].

Resistance to the Physical Separation ["this is a restricted channel…"].

Meeting the Mentor [we meet Rod].

Conflict preventing the Physical Separation [John battles Karl on the roof].

John jumps to the other elevator shaft.

Karl almost shoots John in the air conditioning vent.

Meeting the Mentor [Al looks around].

Al shoots some more villains ["next time you want to kill someone.."]

Physical Separation [Al needs backup assistance..]

Meeting the Reporter: Thornburg.

Hero and antagonist confrontation [John and Karl communicate..]

Thorngburg wants the story.

Meeting the Oracle: Hans has lost the detonators.

Meeting the Mentor: John talks to Al.

Mentor’s challenge: Al’s boss turns up.

Antagonist and Romantic Challenge confrontation: Holly meets Hans.

Road of Trials 1: SWAT try to enter the building; RV blown up; John drops the explosives; the building blows.

Back story of the Antagonist.

Trial 2: Deputy Chief of Police confronts John ["I'm not the one who got butt fucked on national TV"]; “you hang in there..”].

Hero Mentor relationship development; reminder of the Inner Challenge: John and Al talk about their kids.

Trial 3: John tries to save Ellis.

Mentor’s challenge developed: Al confronts Dwain.

Journey to the Sword [Hans goes to get the explosives].

Foreshadow / Build up to the Master of two Worlds: the FBI arrive.

Seizing the Sword: John meets and confronts Hans upstairs.

Near Death Experience [John has to run over the glass].

Reward [Thornburg gets Mclane's family details].

Atonement and Apotheosis: Hans toys with the FBI; they’ll turn off the power and open the lock.

Refusal of the Return [resistance to shutting down the power grid].

Inner Challenge overcome [John tells Al he loves Holly].

Rescue from Without: John realizes they’re going to blow the roof; Karl catches John

Magic Flight [Hans runs; Agents Johnson in the helicopter].

Crossing the Return Threshold [FBI shoot John on the roof].

Master of the Two Worlds [Argyle punches out Han's Lieutenant; John confronts and kills Hans; the fall].

Freedom to Live: John meets Al outside. Romantic Challenge conquered [Holly calls herself Mrs McClane].

Final Catharses [John and Al shoot Karl; Holly punches Thornburg].

Learn more…

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and FREE 17 stage sample and other story structure templates can be found at http://managing-creativity.com/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

**********************************

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author’s name and site URL are retained.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://managing-creativity.com/

We’ve all had the unfortunate experience of being convinced by a pushy salesperson to buy something we weren’t sure we wanted. You may have really wanted the product, but after being pushed into buying it, you don’t want it anymore. You either return it or you never patronize the store again.

Since you resent the experience, don’t recreate it for others when you are trying to sell. If you didn’t appreciate being pressured and disrespected, no one else will either. When trying to close a sale, you must always respect the opinions and thoughts of the buyer. If all you care about is your payoff, then you will drive customers away. They will be afraid to buy from you, thinking that you will always try and convince them to buy things they don’t want.

Here are some helpful tips to help you close a sale with class:

1. Be kind and considerate: Don’t try to fool the customer. You will get a lot further if you’re really trying to help them, instead of just helping yourself.

2. Give them a direct request: You can let them know what you want them to do. Don’t be afraid to ask for the order or sale. The customer will know you are being honest if you tell them what you really want them to do.

3. Give them two choices: Explain that, on the one hand, if they buy the product, they will be receiving these benefits. Then explain that if they don’t buy, they will be losing out in certain ways. People like to have the pros and cons laid out for them. It helps them make a decision the smart way.

4. Give them plenty of room to think: Don’t pressure them. As I mentioned above, people resent purchases they were pressured into. Real persuasion doesn’t involve pushiness. The choice belongs to your customers, so let them make it.

We learn at a very early age how to persuade people to do what we want them to. Some of us learn it better than others, but EVERYONE can LEARN to use simple persuasion techniques to make their life better. Often, earning more, finding the perfect mate, being pushed around less, and being happier in life don’t have anything to do with you as a person. It has more to do with knowing a few simple rules of persuasion.

About The Author

Author Jian Wang is a master in the art of persuasion. His ebook, “Hypnotic Persuasion: How to Get Anything You Want,” is a truly inspirational read, filled with the wisdom to help you gain control of your own mind and convince others without resistance. These techniques can be used to improve business, sales, relationships, and your overall well-being.

For more information, visit http://www.mrchange.com Reach Jian at calljian@163.net.

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Idle hands are the devil’s tools” — meaning if you don’t have something to keep you busy, you’re likely to get into trouble. That can be argued of course, since the intent to cause trouble probably has to be present also.

However, the concept itself does hold some truth regarding what we create in our lives. If it’s true that we get back what we put out (into the universe), then it’s easy to see why “idle hands” would be a bad thing for us. Life on this planet is an exercise in creating our own reality. Moment to moment, we are making decisions. Whether we act or don’t act, we are putting forth our intent.

Every action has a consequence, either good or bad. Remember the concept, “like attracts like.” Imagine that every bit of energy you put out is traveling the universe, gathering similar energy, and eventually being returned right back to you. It makes you think more carefully about what type of energy you are putting out every day, doesn’t it? If we do nothing, we get nothing back (or at least nothing very good). Our lives become boring, empty shells. The very act of not moving, not doing, not creating causes stagnation.

Does that mean that as long as we keep busy, we’ll have lots of prosperity and joy? Not necessarily. Remember that we need to focus our intent on what we’re creating. We need to engage in the act of conscious creation every day, putting out positive, purposeful energy. What we get back is more positive energy, more abundance and more joy.

Conscious creation means thinking about what you want to do with your time, moment to moment. There are 24 hours in a day — 1,440 minutes — 86,400 seconds. Some of it has to be put aside for work, sleep, family, errands, housework, and the like. What are you doing with the rest of that time? Are you wasting it on mindless pursuits, or focusing it into purposeful activities? I’m not referring to just hobbies here, either. This is a process that can be applied to every aspect of our lives. Whether we have a lot of time to devote to hobbies or not doesn’t matter. What matters is that we consciously focus our intent on building our circumstances, one minute at a time.

Some of us live our lives on autopilot. It’s not that we don’t want to do anything, we just don’t know what to do. We have no direction, no passion, no purpose to work toward. We get up each morning, go to work, come home and lose ourselves in the television for the rest of the night. In the process, we are creating more of the same stagnant energy. If this describes you, it’s time to shake things up! Develop some passions. Get excited about something. Turn your idle hands into busy hands and create something magical. The very act of moving will put energies into motion and begin pulling more favorable circumstances into your life.

Keep in mind this is a cumulative process and it takes time to fully transform your circumstances. One day of activity and purpose won’t change everything around. Remember that you probably have months or years of stagnant energy built up that has resulted in your life the way it is today. By consistently working at it and keeping that positive energy in motion, it will begin to feed on itself and create even more positivity.

Wendy Betterini is an inspirational writer who strives to motivate, uplift, and inspire you to make your dreams a reality. Visit her website, WingsForTheHeart.com for more positive thoughts to help you on your journey.

Computer accessible gambling sites are currently governed by 3 organisations. These are dubbed OSGA (the Offshore Gaming Association), IGC (Interactive Gaming Council) and finally the Fidelity Trust Gaming Association (the FTGA).

The Offshore Gaming Association is a non-partisan agency that oversees the overseas sports gambling industry in an effort to present betting buffs an easy way to to readily choose worthy internet enterprises to play betting games on, without worry. It aims to maintain the rights of customers, and in addition they charge no joining or annual charges. The Offshore Gaming Association is a proficient not to mention unbiased third party company that reveals impartial information, established around your observations, unprejudiced studies, chats, prompts and also delivers inside communication.

The IGC are a non commercially influenced administration. The organisation was created to provide a forum for involved parties to talk about problems furthermore to encourage progress in the domain of relevant concerns in the international web-based gaming trade, to establish conscientious and also stable industry protocols and procedures that strive to improve end user faith in web based betting products and services, and in addition to assist as the gambling industry’s global policy representative moreover it offers an information clearinghouse.

The IGC have built a reputation for upholding safety, integrity and also plausibility by virtue of its lofty principles, and also its appeal to credible web sites. The Interactive Gaming Council monitors overseas betting by means of utilising a characteristic 10-point general procedure manual and also bills sports gaming websites license fees for using the council’s logo. Dissatisfied gamers can, if they desire to, air any of their grievances to the IGC.

Gulfstream Park Notes – Thursday, January 31

The FTGA was founded in order to construct a standard which will reform the actions of live sports gambling business enterprises. The Interactive Gaming Council suggest that by conducting business with good websites, they are able to make a federation of the most ethical and professional cyberspace gambling companies world-wide. To recapitulate, these are councils who function to govern the dealings exercised by online betting and which should work to ease most of the fears due to the apprehension held by doubters. Internet based sports gambling web sites are absolutely trustworthy, beacuse private details should not be necessary and also the returns and the betting odds are equivalent to a standard Vegas-style Vegas type wager. These internet sites cut back on traveling outlay, but nonetheless preserve of a gambling casino, but nowadays you are in a position to play in the comfort of your own beloved surroundings.

The benefits of journal writing are fairly well established due to the long history of journal writing. From Anne Frank to Di Vinci, journal writing has proven itself.

Journal Writing

When considering the benefits of journal writing, it is important to set a few parameters. First, there is no age limit to using journals. There are distinct benefits for children of all ages, but journal writing is equally valuable to adults. The reason for this is journal writing is an act of personal reflection. Whether it is a teenager reflecting on the social nightmare of high school or an overworked parent taking twenty minutes a night to write is irrelevant. The point is, all age groups benefit from stepping back from their life for a few moments and reflecting on things.

Whether you recognize it or not, journal writing provides you with an anchor in your daily life. In the journal, you are free to write what you want without restrictions, to truly address the issues in your life without fear of criticism. Put another way, one of the benefits of journal writing is it acts as a self-help psychiatrist, but for MUCH cheaper!

As you write in your journal over time, you’ll also start to ascertain a second benefit to doing so. This benefit is one of self-criticism. Inevitably, you’ll read through past entries and review your life. Doing so will lead you to self-reflection as well as thoughts on how you might act differently should certain situations rise again.

Of equal importance, journal writing has health benefits. Before you click away from this article, consider a time in your life when you were extremely frustrated. Hopefully, you spoke to a friend to “get things off your chest.” Didn’t you feel a lot better afterwards? Getting things off your chest helps relieve stress, one of the biggest killers in our modern society. Journal writing acts in much the same way since you are able to write your thoughts without fear of criticism.

There are other benefits to journal writing, but all boil down to one simple fact. Writing in a journal allows you to express yourself without being judged. With the lack of privacy in our modern, digital world, that is hardly a small benefit.

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com – makers of diary and writing journals with cases for the outdoors. Blank journals make great gifts for writers. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com for more articles on journal writing.

You can get thousands of targeted visitors to your site without spending 1 dime on advertising. The method is extremely effective, easy to do and can get visitors to your site almost immediately.

Sounds to good to be true but it isn’t. The best part of this internet marketing method is that your visitors will be targeted and extremely prepared to take action such as making a purchase or clicking an ad.

The internet marketing method is called Article Submission. Using the article submission technique you can get your web site listed on thousands of web sites almost immediately. The best part of all is that you don’t have to pay to put your article on these sites or even provide a reciprocal link. You can write the most targeted ad of your life without limits on the length or the content.

To get the most out of article submission you need to develop a strong signature line. Your signature line will contain the link to your web site. If you write an excellent article your signature line will be read and it will be clicked on.

A signature line can not be a blatant classified ad. Instead it must be a useful reference. Such as the following:

Charity Adams has been an Internet Entrepreneur for more than 8 years. To learn more about Search Engine Optimization and receive a Free Ebook on Search Engine Marketing visit Charity’s site at A url to your target site would go here.

When writing your articles make them keyword specific. The article directories you will be submitting your article to are being actively indexed by the major search engines like Google, MSN, Yahoo and many more. A keyword rich article has a chance of getting ranked in the search engines in turn exposing your web site link to thousands more than just those visiting the article directory.

Writing a good article with re print rights also gives you the opportunity to be published on hundreds of other topic specific sites. The rule for reprint is that if a web site uses your article they must include your signature line.

Make article writing and article submission a daily part of your routine. The more articles you write the more free exposure your web site will get. Internet Marketing is all about getting targeted traffic to your site. Article writing and Article Submission will be a major part of your traffic if you are diligent at writing and submitting quality articles.

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There are many forms of storytelling audience participation from the subtle interaction between teller and listeners to the many out-and-out call and response between teller and audience members.

Why should we as tellers strive for audience participation? When we achieve participation — even if it is only intense listening and hearing — with audience members, we form a bond and a special rapport. Our stories become their stories, and they internalize those stories and take them away with them forever.

What kinds of participation should we foster?

• Subtle participation comes from taking time to let the audience anticipate where we are going. Avoid the use of too many descriptive details, so that listeners can imagine and fill them in for themselves. They picture the characters, the setting, and the scenes through their own eyes, thus enriching the story for them.
• Use humor. Laughter serves as energizing exercise, and when we all laugh together, we immediately form a bond with each other.
• For the very young, I find that if I start with stories where they can take part and use their voices and/or their hands, they will be “with me” for the rest of the telling.
• Movement of any kind is relaxing and removes any apprehension that might be lurking for either the audience or the teller. If I note that the group has been sitting for a length of time and are beginning to wiggle or look uncomfortable, I’ll have them all get up on their feet for a stretch along with a hoop and a holler!

Where and with whom should I use participation techniques? If you feel comfortable, asking for participation from audience members will work in any storytelling situation.

• At a reunion or family gathering, ask other family members or attendees to share a quick story. You will be surprised how quickly others start to volunteer to tell once they see others chiming in.
• When telling to a brand new audience, and those who are unfamiliar with storytelling, it may take a bit of coaxing — you might want to get names ahead of time of some of the outgoing people attending, and ask them for help.
• There will always be those children and adults who just won’t take part, and you don’t want anyone to do anything that makes them uncomfortable. When a teacher is a good sport and participates, most of the children will too.

When and how should I encourage participation? We should always strive for some form of participation. The special part of being a storyteller is the personal interaction we build between audience members and ourselves. We need to give each listener the feeling that we are telling this story especially to and for him or her. One way is through individual eye contact. Look each person in the eye for at least three seconds before moving on to another set of eyes. They will catch your energy and you will catch theirs.

To feel and be successful, use the participation techniques that you enjoy. That is the wonderful part of being a storyteller — there is such a latitude of ways to tell stories. Everyone is free to be unique.

Remember to be prepared with your participation techniques. No matter how subtle or how outlandish you plan to be, it all takes practice, practice, practice. And once you take the risks, you will find it does become easier and definitely more FUN!

Chris King is a professional storyteller, writer, website creator / designer, free agent, and fitness instructor. You will find her storytelling website at http://www.storytellingpower.com and her business website at http://www.creativekeys.biz