Patriot And 10,000 M “olympic Dragon” Dance Summit Of The Great Wall

7 13 Beijing’s successful Olympic bid seven anniversary of full participation by the support Huaqi Patriot ” Olympics Dragon “Earth Art Exhibition concluded successfully in Juyongguan, with the IOC Executive Committee, the Beijing Olympic Committee and other leading consultants Zhenliang opened the” Olympic Dragon “leader, a length of more than 10,000 meters of the” Olympic Dragon “huge picture “fly” the Great Wall in Beijing, to show global support for the Chinese for the Beijing Games.

Patriot and 10,000 m “Olympic Dragon”

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“Olympic Dragon” works of the Chinese dragon as the main body length of 13,112 meters, with the five Olympic rings colors for the color produced in the Beijing Olympic Games by the 205 countries and regions, flags, and more than 200 kinds of characters blessing Beijing Olympic Games, the patterns of world peace and blessings composition. “Olympic Dragon” leading up to 6.6 meters, cast bronze, is the world’s highest leader.

Over 13,112 meters of the dragon living in the full expression of nearly 70 million overseas Chinese in hope of good wishes to the motherland’s prosperity. 13 behalf of the 1.3 billion Chinese people, “112″ symbol of the modern Olympic Games began 112 years later to China. Of the body apart from the Beijing Olympics in all countries and regions of the national flag, flag, flag, as the representative of China’s national high-tech companies, as the five Olympic partners, the Patriot’s LOGO also with these national and regional flags, flag in the mix, together form a take-off in Hua Julong of the body, displayed in majestic stretch of the wall, a symbol of all Chinese people passionate patriotism, showing the unity of the Chinese nation, the desire harmony, blessings Beijing Olympic Games, wish for world peace.

It is understood that the “Olympic Dragon” Surrounding led by the Chinese American artists produced. July 13 morning, with the rhythm of the drum sounded strong, holding the hands of 800 volunteers over 10 003 more than 1000 meters of the “Olympic Dragon”, along the walls of the Great Wall started slowly. After more than an hour’s work, “Dragon” finally complete show on the Great Wall to form the world’s longest, largest of the earth works of art. In the national and regional flags, flag, between the Patriots and the Patriot printed LOGO ideal flying the flag for that bridge, Land Art and China together the high-tech elements, stretches over the Great Wall in Beijing, to people with extremely strong visual impact.

Zhenliang word in the opening ceremony, said the Chinese Great Wall, said our global support for the Olympics, speaks for itself we are confident and able to run the Games. Attended the event Patriot Feng Jun, president also could not suppress his excitement, as China’s national high-tech brand, service the Olympic Games in support of the Olympic Games, is duty-bound. At the same time, he believed more and more national brands with the Olympics will be a platform for innovation in the entire nation to a good environment for the domestic base, relying on independent innovation, relying on their own brands in the post-Olympic era to the international, make people proud to create a large number of international brands, Chinese brands gain worldwide respect for consumers, like the Olympics, like the dragon, the real China to create to take off!

Activities in the hole is too well-known music written and sung by “Olympic Dragon” theme song in the end. “Olympic Dragon flies,” “fly brilliant” … … sonorous voice and the Great Wall winding dragon dancing echoes form a magnificent picture. “Olympic Dragon” activities as the official Olympic Games held in Beijing before the series of cultural activities, highlights one of the activities will also be in Beijing to create a peaceful atmosphere to hold more good Olympic Games with full enthusiasm to add new content.

Technorati Tags: 10000, Dance, dragon, Great, olympic, Patriot, summit, Wall

This is not Nascar

This is NOT NASCAR™

By Jan Luparell

If you think of these numbers who do you think of? #9, #20 or “God Bless #3”? If you’re thinking Casey Kahne, Tony Stewart or Dale Earnhardt then not only are you at the wrong race but you’re also about to get a lesson in fast paced excitement and what “fan-friendly” really means.

#9 belongs to Jay Springsteen, Rookie of the Year in 1975. Just one year later he earned the title of Grand National Champion and kept that title from 1976-1978, not an easy task in one year let alone three. The two traits he shares with Kahne are a quick smile and a fierce determination.

#20 is Johnny Murphree, Rookie of the Year in 1997. Not a bad start for the nineteen year-old Californian. While he is a fierce competitor like Stewart, he’s never had an anger issue.

“God Bless #3” is Ricky Graham. Like Earnhardt this multi-time champion had a quick mind and a deeply rooted love for racing–Flat Track Motorcycle Racing.

Flat Track Motorcycle Racing is one of the oldest forms of motorized racing in the world. It is the birth mother of road racing, at one time being part of the series, somewhat like a road course is part of NASCAR. Like the car races, Flat Track raced on the sands at Daytona and still starts the Series there each March.

Still thinking about stock cars? Okay, take away the HANS device. That shouldn’t be hard since it’s only been mandatory for a few years. Take away the custom-fitted seat, the roll bar; remove the body of the car. Now take away two wheels and the replace the steering system with handle bars.

Still with me? Replace the fire suit with leathers. Take away the driving booties; replace with heavy boots and add a steel shoe to the left foot. Got the picture? The speed stays up; by the way, did I mention Flat Trackers do it on dirt? Now you have the right idea!

Arguably, one of the NASCAR’s premier races is Talladega. So what? Flat Track Racing has the Springfield Mile!

The Springfield Mile is the fastest dirt track in the world; people come from around the world to watch these athletes give their all in an attempt to win the coveted trophy. Imagine going into a corner at over 100 miles-per hour on two wheels! The perfectly groomed black dirt and clay gumbo make that a reality. Suzukis, Harley-Davidsons, Hondas, Aprillas—make the laps in 36 seconds or less.

Lap after incredible lap at speeds so dangerous it makes you weak in the knees. One lap to go then the checkered flag is flying—who won? Photo finishes are the standard–almost. While the photos are being reviewed fans flood the track and the infield ready to celebrate with the winner or seek out their favorite racer.

No helicopters come to whisk them away so finding that racer doesn’t take long and that racer is ready to share a few handshakes, a picture here and an autograph there—many racers have pictures they’ll autograph and give out. Chances are very good, that you may have shared the same hotel with the racers, seen them in the restaurants, and you might even go to a party where they are at. Flat Track is very fan friendly.

So, if you start playing number games in racing, better clarify which race discipline. All discussions go much better if everyone is on the same page. See you at the track!

                                     ______________________________

Jan Luparell is editor of the Illinois Motorcycle Dealers Association’s newsletter.

This article may be reprinted freely as long as all links remain active. More information is available at their website: www.illinoismda.com or email info@illinoismda.com

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Technorati Tags: nascar, This

Ever since I started this job it has been confusing as hell. I was lied to in the interview about my duties and now I am stuck. I am a PA/Receptionist/Admin Assistant. But my duties mainly consist of making coffee,being a door mat and bringing in the garbage cans. None of my 13 years of experience are being used. My boss is a jerk who does stupid things all day long, but the minute you make one mistake you hear it forever. She and the Office/HR manager are also ploting things behind my back. They have pulled similar scams with 3 other girls before me. They only plan to keep you for a year then build up things against you so when the "let you go" you can’t get unemployment. I want to leave but because I am new I don’t have anytime to do an interview. I feel stressed and stuck. I can’t walk off because I have a family to consider. What would you do in my situation?
The biggest thing that I notice is that I am the only African American in the company. I know the first thing people will say is " oh she is pulling the race card" but it is constantly brought to my attention any racial or ethic things that go on in the "black neighborhoods" Like one day she says to me "why are your people killing each other?" I just ignore it and chalk it up to ignorance.

The type of mistake I was talking about was one day I sent her an email and mistakenly left the "e" out of management. I hear about it everyday and I’m told " I can’t trust you with big things because im afraid that you will make mistakes like with the email….blah blah. She will purposly do things to try to catch me up. She doesn’t know that I know all about what she has done to the girls before me. I just can’t get the proof because it is in confidential records. I could get into alot of trouble even if I use it as evidence to any lawyers. I’m afraid for myself.

I have time in june to look.

Technorati Tags: 13 years, alot, blah blah, boss, coffee, confidential records, door mat, email, ethic, garbage cans, hr manager, jerk, lawyers, office hr, proof, quot, Receptionist, Scams, stupid things, unemployment

Kovalainen Wins First Hungarian Grand Prix

It was another great race weekend for the McLaren team in Hungary. Lewis Hamilton maintained his lead for the championship title and Heikki Kovalainen took the checkered flag. The McLaren drivers dominated the track during practice and qualifying. Hamilton captured the pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix, and his teammate was beside him in the front row to help lead the pack. Hamilton’s pole setting lap was 1:20.899 with Kovalainen close behind at 1:21.140.

After top qualifying positions, Hamilton said, ‘I can definitely say that right now I’m at my best.’ Before the race, Hamilton told reporters, ‘This is as comfortable as I have ever been, knowing where the car is and with things going on in my life.’ He said he knows he has room to improve and is confident that he will continue improving.

He had several tire problems throughout the Hungarian Grand Prix and eventually lost his lead to finish in fifth position. ‘I salvaged the best of the worst. What can you do when you get a puncture?’ he said. Massa’s near miss allowed Hamilton to maintain a five-point lead in the Formula One championship standings.

After winning his first Grand Prix, Kovalainen said, ‘It’s fantastic. A great moment, something I’ve been targeting for many years – hopefully this is the first of many.’ Kovalainen is 26 years old and has been in 28 races. The win in Hungary makes him the 100th Grand Prix winner in Formula One racing history. He said, ‘At the end I tried to put pressure on Massa and hoped something would happen, and it worked out that way.’ Later he commented, ‘There have been various incidents this season that have happened when I’ve been in a position to fight for a victory, so I’m very glad to get this first win.’

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa took the lead and was prepared to pop the champagne cork. After poor performance from his Ferrari in Germany, he expected more for the Hungarian Grand Prix. To his dismay, his car experienced serious engine problems and came to a halt with only three laps to go. He said, ‘It was a near-perfect race, one of my best – but it’s one of the most frustrating races in my career.’

Before Sunday’s race, Massa said, ‘It would be easy to say that McLaren are now the favorites because they have won the last two races and they are suddenly the kings. But before those two races they were not the kings and were being strongly criticized.’

Before the race, Hamilton predicted that the McLaren team and the Ferrari drivers would be fighting hard for position. He said, ‘Ferrari still have a fantastic car and two very quick drivers. Every time you come to a race you are looking out for them and all your rivals – the BMWs, the Renaults are quick and the Red Bulls too. You have to focus on your job but bear in mind that they will be very quick and hunt you down.’ That point was well-made fact when Kimi Raikkonen took the fastest lap of the race at 1:21.195 on lap 61. Raikkonen finished the race in third position.

Rounding out the top five winning positions were: McLaren’s Haikki Kovalainen in first position, Toyota’s Timo Glock in second, Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen in third, Renault driver Fernando Alonso in fourth and McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton in fifth. The Ferrari and McLaren-Mercedes drivers have dominated several of this year’s Formula One races. The next race, the European Grand Prix, takes place in Valencia at the end of August.

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Technorati Tags: First, Grand, Hungarian, Kovalainen, Prix, Wins

Freelance Writing on the Internet

So, you’ve decided to take up a career in freelance writing. You’ve hooked up the computer, installed the printer, and learnt the nitty-gritty of your word processor. You’ve maybe even been published a couple of times. You’re all set to conquer the world of publishing. But wait. Do you know all the options available to you?

We’ve compiled a list of all the jobs a freelance writer can find on the Internet to keep the cash inflow steady:

Magazines

Most of the freelance writing industry focuses on magazines, so let’s start there. You’ll find magazines on every topic imaginable. From teen issues to running, you’ll find at least one magazine to fit your interests. But while magazine publishing is huge and widespread, don’t try to get published everywhere at once. Find a few niche topics and start your way up from there. As your expertise and interests grow, branch out to other magazines as well. Topics most writers start out with include health and nutrition, computers, parenting, teens, relationships, disability, travel, etc.

Fillers in Magazines and Newspapers

Not all writers make it to the cover pages of magazines. At least not at first. In the beginning, you might just have to make do with fillers. And they pay as much as they’re fun to do. Jokes, opinion pieces, short lists, news items and other short pieces are termed fillers. Editors are always on the lookout for good fillers, so you stand a good chance of breaking through.

Greeting Cards

With e-cards, paper greeting cards seem to have taken a backseat. Nevertheless, the sale of paper cards is still ongoing and they are still preferred when it comes to special occasions. Despite popular myths, greeting card markets are not as easy to break into as they seem, can take a long time to respond and an even longer time to get your card into print. The upside is that greeting card markets pay extremely well for short writing. What’s more, though limited, opportunities exist for e-card writers too. So when you need to take a break from the regular work, dip your fingers into the greeting card pool

Doormats, Magnets, Bumper Stickers, T-shirts, etc

If you’ve wondered how those words made it to t-shirts, stickers, doormats and magnets, think no more. Freelance writers are often required to write the slogans for such material and are paid quite well for it. If you have the ability to coin a catchy or humorous one-liner, this could be your shot to riches. You won’t get a byline, and certainly no fame, but you could be earning as much as per word!

Posters

They’re up in your room, you’ve seen them in your friend’s office, and you often find a funny one at the fast-food place down the street. Someone must have written them. Why not you? A lot of companies sell posters and generate handsome sales from them. In fact, writers of posters are usually paid in royalties, that is, a percentage of each poster sold. So, instead of being paid one-time, you’ll be paid over and over again for something you wrote years ago.

Resumes

Practically every one needs a resume (yes, even us freelance writers). Some people write them up themselves, some prefer to take the help of professionals. Write up a resume for a friend or two at work (even if she doesn’t need one!) as samples and respond to advertisements and calls for resume writers. Keep in mind though that resume writing isn’t your regular every day writing. You’re not supposed to decorate the page with flowery prose or funny anecdotes. You need to be professional, crisp and attention-grabbing. Practice with a few fake ones, and you’ll soon be on your way.

Advertising

Advertisers need writers, commonly known as copywriters. They’re the flesh and blood of the campaign. Getting into advertising can be a tricky business, but with a few credentials and a polished resume, you’ll have no trouble at all showcasing your talent to the world. If you are indeed good at what you do, advertisers will line up to get you to work for them. If you prefer not to work for someone, you could set up your own copywriting business and promote it to get clients.

Website Copy

With the Internet revolution finally having realized in its full form, small and big companies alike are looking for writers to write content for their websites. Not only do these companies pay well, but they also give the writer a much-desired break. If you’ve written website copy, you’ll have no trouble finding more assignments of the same kind. Simply guide the prospective client to the website and he’ll know what kind of work he can expect from you. Aim for start-up companies at first. They’ll usually hand over the whole work to you and you can make a great portfolio.

E-books

E-books are not here to replace print books. They’re here to provide an alternative resource for distribution. However, as opposed to print books, e-books are short, contain lots of web links and usually provide answers to a customer’s immediate needs. They can be downloaded off the Internet in seconds, and you can profit from a single e-book long after you’ve written it. Don’t get fooled though– writing e-books takes just as much time and dedication as writing print ones. It’s only the mode of delivery that’s different.

E-zines

Online newsletters, or e-zines as they are frequently called, are becoming the rage of the publishing industry. Many of these e-zines are paying markets and run regular features and columns. Many of them have associated websites too. While the pay in this market is less, you’ll be writing shorter articles in much less time.

Newspapers

Generally, when we think of newspapers, we think news. But newspapers hold a lot more information than that. With regular columns, reviews and updates, latest findings, and point-of-view articles, newspapers are the writer’s best bet. And if you’ve gained entry into one section of the newspaper, the other sections of writing open up to you automatically. Though slow on the income, getting published in your local daily is still a major ego-booster!

Newsletters

There are many households and small companies that publish newsletters. And all the more are springing up each day. These newsletters are a great way to break into freelancing and gather clips. Their requirements are not as tough to meet as those of magazines and most editors are quite quick in their response times. To add to that, some newsletters also pay quite well, sometimes almost as much as small magazines.

Ghostwriting

If it’s the fame you’re after, you won’t get it here. But you can earn a decent amount of money ghostwriting memoirs, books or even articles for people who don’t want to or can’t write themselves. Ghostwriters are quite in demand today with more and more people trying to preserve their family history by getting memoirs or biographies written. However, apart from the money, there’s nothing else. You don’t get the credit, the fame or sometimes, even the byline.

The prospects for writers today are immense provided you’re ready to experiment in different areas. The Internet has made it easier than ever to find writing assignments not only in your own country, but around the world. A simple e-mail is all it takes to apply for a job and send in the assignment.

It’s easy for a freelance writer to get stuck doing the same old thing over and over. It’s not only fun, but sometimes necessary to introduce a little spice into your writing routine. If you’ve been writing articles all your life, try doing some greeting card writing instead. If the money is slow, and you could really use some extra money, apply for a resume writer job. If the book manuscripts are lying unsold, try selling short stories for a change.

With a little variation now and then, you’ll not only find your income shooting up, but also your inspiration. So next time you find yourself waiting for word on that manuscript, send out a few short pieces instead. It’ll definitely be worth the effort.

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Technorati Tags: Freelance, internet, Writing

The Benefits Of Leaflet Distribution When Building Brand Recognition

In these recent times of increasing concern over reduced consumer spending, many companies are now looking for a cost effective way to grab a fast evaporating market share. Leaflet distribution is increasingly being seen as the best way to get ones message directly into homes and business, without the expense involved in Television and Radio commercials and yet more exclusive than Newspaper advertising.

Once seen as the ‘poor mans promotion’, of all the below the line methods of advertisement, leaflet distribution is fast becoming mainstream. This owes mainly to the cost effective nature of the medium. Many distribution companies will charge a fixed rate per thousand flyers distributed, meaning that one can often reach every property in a medium sized town for between four and five hundred pounds. With an average return on investment rate of around 1%, for a relatively small outlay, a well managed, targeted door drop campaign can produce excellent results.

When planning the intricacies of a leaflet distribution campaign, one will have to choose between ‘solus’ or shared distribution. ‘Solus’ simply means that the flyer is distributed on its own – no other material from any other company (conflicting or not) will go through the letterbox with your leaflet. This is widely regarded as the preferable option, owing to the far superior return rates that one can expect from this method.

Shared distribution is of course, the direct opposite, and involves, as the name suggests, sharing your door drop with a number of other companies. Naturally, this will reduce the costs involved, but return rates are difficult to ascertain, and lower doorstep recognition may also hamper your own back checking and verification process. The biggest risk is that that if your distribution is shared with other material, your leaflet may not be read at all. Often when a pile of ‘junk mail’ arrives on the doormat of your potential client, their temptation is to pick up the whole lot, and throw your professionally designed, carefully worded leaflet straight into the bin.

Leaflet distribution can be a fantastic way to build up brand recognition over a period of time. The key thing to remember is that on the first occasion your leaflet hits a doormat, your potential customers may not have any need for your services. The likelihood is that they may not require your product the second time either, and they won’t take advantage of your special offer the third time you shove a leaflet through their door. The point is that eventually, when they happen to need blinds fitted, lawns mowed, or even debts consolidated, because your material has landed consistently in their homes every week, the company that they use will be yours.

No form of advertising produces instant response, and doing one door drop will not make you millions. Building brand recognition is hard work, and can take months, even years to achieve. It’s easy to fall at the first hurdle and get disheartened when the enquiries don’t come flooding in from the very first drop. Conducting a targeted leaflet distribution campaign over a period of time, dropping to the same houses each week is certainly not the easy way out, and will never be regarded as a quick fix. It is however, a sustainable way to ensure steady growth of ones business in an increasingly tough market place.

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Technorati Tags: Benefits, Brand, Building, Distribution, Leaflet, Recognition

How long does it take to approve a bad credit car loan?

If you have recently submitted your credit application for a car loan, and you haven’t heard back from the dealership, don’t panic! The credit application approval process is based on your credit score, many banks or lenders today are offering an automated system much like a secured web portal. Your business manager or the person you signed the financial contract with will submit your credit application via web. If your return credit score is high enough you will be automatically approved by the system itself. This automated system runs 24 hours a day, and the decision time can be as little as 20 minutes. But if your credit score is less than ideal this process can be considerably longer.

For one, if the system didn’t automatically approve your car loan, your file will be flagged for further review by a human on the next business day. For example if your credit application was submitted at 7 pm, it will most likely not be touched until noon on the next business day. When a loan officer at the bank looks at your credit application, he or she may need to do further research on your case depending on your debt ratio and type. If you have recently purchased a sofa from John’s Furniture store and you haven’t made the payment on time, your lender may attempt to contact John’s Furniture to verify the story.

Don’t panic if you don’t get an approval back instantly like the dealer promises. Think about your situation logically. Your selling dealer will be working hard on your case, because it will not make any money if your credit application is rejected from the bank. The dealership is on your side, just wait patiently if you have troubled credit past. Whatever you do, don’t apply to another dealership with your credit application again! When multiple applications are submitted for the same individual, you will be flagged as a “credit seeker”.  The system will red flag your file, and you are only digging the hole deeper for yourself. So the next time you don’t hear an answer back instantly, don’t worry just to be patient and everything should work out fine in the end.

Author Rick Tao Li, for other useful articles like this one please visit me online at http://www.usedcarsscarborough.com

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Technorati Tags: approve, Credit, Loan, Long, Take

I was in my parents cleaning under the stairs. The stairs are in the part of the house from 1862. I found a brass metal that was so dusty that is was gray.
________________________________________
Front: A roman tunic with a spear in the middle. On the left there is a big cannon with 3 cannonballs on the ground and an American flag above the cannon. There is also an arrow between the flag and spear.
On the right side there is a smaller cannon on a stand with jugs below it. The flags has 2 crossing flags on it. Between the flag and the spear is a sword.
There is a banner on the top. It’s not touching anything and it says "THIS WE LL DEFEND"
On the bottom it has "1775" not touching anything in clear numbers.

Back: has " FOR MILITARY ACHIEVEMENT" in clear letters. Below the words there are 2 olive branches. The branches have 3 leaves and 3 olives on them.
The metal is an octagon and its made of brass .
This might not help but the metal was found in a house from 1862 in southern Louisiana.
________________________________________
What is the metal?

Any idea on where its from?

How much would it be worth?

Technorati Tags: american flag, arrow, brass metal, cannon, cannonballs, Flags, jugs, leaves, octagon, olives, parents, roman tunic, southern louisiana, spear, stairs, sword

How to Make Him Fall in Love by Stealing His Heart

How to make a man fall in love? It’s a question that many women have been pondering for some time. However, if you have ever found yourself wondering how some very average woman ended up with some amazing guys, it’s because they learned the important tips about how to make a man fall in love. There are a variety of things that you can easily do to steal his heard and win his love, and the following are just a few that you may want to give a try. No doubt you’ll love the results in the end.

Always Be Yourself

One of the most important things to remember when you want to know how to make a man fall in love with you is to make sure that you always be yourself. Just letting him see the real you is so important if you really want to have his love. After all, no one wants to be around someone that is stuck up or uncomfortable with themselves. Also, if you act like someone else, more than likely he is going to find out at some point in time, so just go ahead and be yourself so you can win his love without pretending to be someone else.

Enjoy Laughing

Another tip is to enjoy laughing. There is nothing as beautiful as a woman who is laughing and enjoying herself and men love women who love to laugh and have fun. Even if it is something that is a bit hard for you, you are going to want to work really hard to find the humor in things. Avoid showing anger or yelling, but go with a nice laugh instead, which is sure to help you steal his heart.

Show Your Pearly Whites

Showing your pearly whites can be a big help too when you want to know how to make a man fall in love. Smiling is a great way to win his heart, and when you smile, you are showing that you love having a good time and you are an optimistic person as well. So, tune up that smile and use it on him to gain his love.

Don’t Be a Doormat

Being a doormat is definitely not something that you want to be if you want a man to fall in love with you. This allows him to take advantage of you and it will only bring you pain and lose his respect as well. Show that you can stand up for yourself and make sure you stand up for the things that you really believe in. He’ll like seeing that you like to stand up for yourself and that you have your own opinion as well.

Let Him Make You Feel Happy

Allow him to work on making you feel happy. Men who are falling in love want to make their girl feel happy, and you need to let him do this if you want him to fall in love with you. So, when he makes you happy, show it so he can see it. This will definitely drawn him closer to you and help you to win his love and his heart.

Human skateboard journey Haley on camera Luke as Skateboard Lizzy as rider
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Technorati Tags: Fall, heart, love, Stealing

Goals – How Problems at Work Can Actually Help You Find Inspiration

There are two extreme attitudes to work – ‘firebrand’ and ‘doormat’. Both are the result of seeing work as a series of problems to be tackled. The firebrand is the fighter, constantly chaffing and battling against the odds. The doormat is the victim who has given up the struggle. Most of us are somewhere in between and can recognise elements of both.

When I first started work, I thought my employer was lucky to have me there. I knew that if things took a turn I didn’t like, I would simply go elsewhere – I would fire my boss!

As I gained more experience and became ‘sensible’, I began to be more tolerant and to take account of how things would appear on my CV. Even then there were times I got to a point of resignation – on occasions it was accepted and other times not.

My strategy to cope with significant problems was to resign. Of course, the word resign really has two meanings. The first is to leave, get out. Clearly I did this. The second meaning is to put up with the situation, to give up. Like many people, sometimes I did this too.

At work we are well aware of problems when they occur. We may recall the clich?there are no such things as problems, only opportunities’ but, hey, they still look like problems.

We may think that there is some deficiency on our part and the solution lies in working harder. I remember one of my coaching clients who, after months of committed work and excessive overtime, continued working all hours in the vain hope for the recognition that was conspicuously absent. We are all prey to what Benjamin Franklin called the ‘insanity of doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results’.

Problems represent what we want to get away from. They do not tell us what we want to move towards and, without knowing that, we are unable to decide how to get there. It is time to ask that most radical of questions: what do you really want?

If you already know, that’s great. If you’re not clear, you are in good company. We are often acutely aware of what we don’t want but unclear on what we do want – what really matters to us. Let’s use the problems we face as a clue.

On a piece of paper, draw two columns. In one column write out each problem, that is each thing you want to get away from. Now in the other column, for each problem, note down what this problem stops you from doing or achieving. Be honest with yourself – sometimes a single problem stops you reaching more than one thing.

When you have finished, you will have a list (in the second column) of what you really want. As you read through, add anything you think is missing. Now you have a way forward. By clearly communicating what you really want, first to yourself, then as appropriate to others, you step outside the limitations of the problems themselves.

You might like to borrow an idea from the film ‘The Secret’. Create a Vision Board where you can pin, paste or post suitable reminders of what you really want. Choose your own preference of pictures, words and textures and keep it where you can see it from time to time.

As you become clear about what really matters, you will feel much more alive. The inspiration that you experience will generate increased energy and motivation to take action towards your goals. The likelihood of success takes a quantum leap forward.

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Technorati Tags: Actually, Find, Goals, Help, inspiration, Problems, Work