Archive for July, 2007

by Matthew Roberts.
Do you always find yourself doing numerous tasks at the last minute? Does the sight of voluminous paperwork make you feel swamped, eventually leading you to put them off for “just a few more minutes”? Does the word deadline unfailingly give you panic attacks?

If you answered in the affirmative to any of the questions mentioned above, then you are undeniably guilty of wasting a precious resource— time. Like most people, you may get a rush out of beating the clock and submitting your work, although sloppily done, on time. This chronic battle waged during crunch time invariably leads to the ubiquitous raccoon eyes and zits popping uncontrollably all over your face. And as you continue to cope with the nervewracking pressure of accomplishing so much in so little time, your once gentle personality mutates into a hideous monster.

While there may be no getting around job orders, here are some essential tips of managing your time efficiently:

1. Write a to-do list.Keep a record of all your tasks such as school assignments, job presentations and household chores. There is something about the written word that makes it harder to ignore. This list is also an easy way for you to keep track of what needs to be done and when the due dates are

2. Prioritize.Once all the tasks are listed already, prioritize them according to their sense of urgency. Arrange the tasks whether they are due in the next few days, weeks or months. It only makes sense that a presentation due tomorrow will be given more importance than one that is due a month from now.

3. Act. Do not procrastinate.

All your dreams, plans and goals are worthless if you don’t act on them. Your ideals, no matter how lofty, will not come to fruition if you remain rooted to where you are. While it is true that you have a tendency, like the rest of nature, to follow the line of least resistance in surviving this challenging world, you can evolve and turn out to be way stronger than you once were. Say goodbye to stalls. Stop making alibis. Kick those enumerable excuses that hinders you from becoming a better person. Act now.

4. Tackle the toughest assignments first.

When you have two or more projects to finish, try to accomplish the more difficult one first before proceeding to the next. In that way, your mind will be clearer and you will get through it more quickly.

5. Remove distractions.In order to maximize your time, you should remain focused on your tasks. This means that you have to minimize, if not totally remove, all the distractions surrounding you. Turn off the television, lower down the volume of the beat blaring from the radio, tell your little siblings to stop screaming at each other and keep your mobile phone outside your reach. Do not try sneaking at your incoming text messages and tell your parents that you won’t be receiving any calls for a few hours.

6. Use rewards to mark your progress.A tireless 24/7 machine you are most definitely not, so don’t forget to indulge in life’s little pleasures. You can set a contract with yourself that after finishing a certain work, you can pamper yourself with a manicure or a short stroll around your neighborhood. For harder tasks, you can always treat yourself to a whole body massage or foot reflexology.

Always remember that every project ticked off that list brings you one step closer to a more manageable schedule

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Matthew Roberts (the author of this article) has set you up with a special gift on his website.

In an exclusive personal interview he uncovered the secret success strategies of multi-millionaire John Di Lemme. For your FREE 18 minute extract of this interview, head on over to www.InspirationToAchieve.com

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by Kale Jones
Have you ever wanted to scan the newspaper faster or finish a trilogy without it becoming a drag on time? In order to accomplish these types of goals, enhancing the speed at which you read materials is highly recommended.

Today, there are many different approaches to consider and when you are interested in using a speed reading program, there are also a handful of tips to make your journey into speed reading a success. Below you will find a few suggestions to take into consideration in order to enhance your overall progress:

1) Practicing with books that display a larger font is better when starting a speed reading program because text with small letters makes it easier for an individual to skip lines by mistake.

2) To exercise your new speed reading techniques, it is suggested to practice reading a book or other piece of literature that you have already read. This helps a person get used to keeping a smoother flow of reading where skipping words does not hurt your intake of text.

3) When using your finger or hand to lead your eyes, it is suggested to start out with a slow pace, but still challenge your capabilities. Pushing yourself also means trying to keep up with your hand for a page or two to see how well you have improved with your comprehension skills. Over time, you will be able to move your hand and read at the speed of its motion.

4) When following a speed reading program, it is suggested to take frequent breaks to allow your comprehension and focus time to rest and refresh. For every hour or half-hour, you should take a simple five-minute break. This will also help keep your eyes healthy and avoid the development of eye strain.

5) Learn how to turn on and off your speed reading, as it may hinder some types of publications you regularly enjoy. For example, reading poetry, mysteries, and science fiction pieces become more entertaining or heartfelt when one takes the time to acknowledge the craft and emotion of a writer.

6) Instead of using your finger to train in speed reading — try an index card or bookmark, which may aid an individual by creating obscurity regarding surrounding text, as a card prevents the eyes from wandering.

7) Gauge your progress and learn the limitations of speed reading that tend to lessen the enjoyment of reading altogether. Sometimes, extremely fast reading can actually decrease comprehension in the long run.

The goal is to find a medium where comprehension improves and the reader becomes more active and focused. Some speed readers have a tendency to miss important details when they allow their rapid speed of reading to get in the way.

8) When thinking of purchasing a speed reading program, it is important to do research on a product before buying into claims. A good way to get a clearer picture on a speed reading program is to read testimonials of previous buyers who have shared their experiences either on the main website or throughout a forum or discussion board.

9) Getting a good night’s sleep is important when entering a speed reading program because in order to enhance your understanding of the text, your body and mind should be well-rested.

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by Kale Jones
The allure of finishing a best-selling novel in record time or skimming a newsletter is enough to send an avid reader looking for ways to improve their reading speed and comprehension. A popular method of increasing skills as a reader is to invest in a speed reading program. In order to further enhance your abilities as a reader, there are various preparation measures you may follow to get the most out of a speed reading program. Below you will find a few things that makes the overall process easier:

1) Eye-Check

Some people who possess slow reading habits actually suffer from an undiagnosed problem with their vision. Having your eyes checked before starting a speed reading program helps you get the most out of associated exercises.

2) Current Reading Speed

Before you start a speed reading program, you probably want to know where you currently stand; therefore timing your reading speed allows you to track your progress. Throughout the program, you will want to monitor your improvement in reading, which also serves as a great motivating tool. A good way to track your reading speed is to choose a book (with stopwatch in hand) and time how long it takes to read a certain number of words on a page or test how many words on a page you can read within a specific amount of time.

3) Online Speed Test

On the Internet, there is a variety of online reading speed tests, where some of the same sites also provide reading comprehension tests. It is not only important to increase the rate at which you read a page, but also that you fully understand what you are reading.

4) Eliminate Distractions

Some people claim they are able to better read when they have music playing in the background or when they are seated at the local doughnut shop with many passersby. By eliminating outside distractions, many have seen an overall improvement in speedy reading. This approach also helps an individual to increase the absorption of the material regarding a speed reading program. When first starting out with a program, you should settle in an empty room, turn off the television, radio, and cell phone. Comprehension is also enhanced when one is able to fully focus on the material in front of them.

5) Get Ready for Practice

Even though you may seen an improvement in the speed of reading after using a program for a couple of times, it is still important to follow through, as it takes a lot of practice to get your level of reading and comprehension where you want it to be.

6) Regular Timing and Setting Goals

While you have probably timed yourself before the start of a speed reading program, it is important to continue timing your progress. After a week of practice, you should time yourself in the same manner you used before beginning a program (when applicable). Regular timing thereafter is also required, which is essential for keeping track of your future improvements. It also doesn’t hurt to set goals and plan small rewards for each accomplishment, such as purchasing a new book.

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by Kale Jones
Speed reading is a skill that elevates the level of comprehension, understanding, absorption of material, and overall ease of scanning information that can affect a wide range of life factors. The skill of reading is one that encourages higher school marks, fosters a better-prepared employee, and catapults some into international fame. Each year, contestants gather for the World Championship Speed Reading Competition, which assesses comprehension as a vital part in the speed reading contest. Those who place rather high in the competition can scan about 1,000 to 2,000 words per minute, claiming around 50% comprehension.

There is often intrigue and interest associated with the world of speed reading, as it is quite exciting to meet someone who can read a great amount of books in one day or sift through a pile of papers in minutes. When people in positions of power or well-known candidates of success possess the gift of speed reading, the interest regarding the subject becomes an increasingly popular skill to acquire.

The Overall Benefits of Speed Reading

The techniques associated with speed reading are often used to bring about an array of various benefits that are used to the advantage of the learner. For some, the desire to browse large volumes of information with increased ease and speed is one of the main benefits one may seek. Some people are interested in learning how to read faster so they can absorb more knowledge into their short-term memory bank. Speed reading also allows the overall meaning and structure of information to become much easier to digest and view.

Additionally, when people engage in reading for longer periods of time, one increases their chances of becoming tired. With speed reading, eyes do less work, meaning the rate and amount of material an individual is able to absorb significantly increases.

Whether you wish to follow in the footsteps of real-life speed reading experts or desire to carve your own personal triumphs using a newly found skill, there are many different approaches to consider. Today, a wide-range of speed reading coaches and software titles on the market aim to improve overall reading skills through the techniques of easy-to-follow speed reading. Below you will find a few people who have used speed reading to their advantage when completing both everyday and career-related activities:

John F. Kennedy: The former President of the United States backed the tactics of speed reading and encouraged his staff to receive lessons.

Jimmy Carter: Another President of the United States, Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, both avidly read and enrolled in a speed-reading course while at the White House. Several other staff members also partook in the learning.

Howard Stephen Berg: With a claim to the title of fastest reader in the world, Berg is said to possess a reading rate of 25,000 words per minute. He exclaims to have read War and Peace in 15 minutes, meaning with each minute, he was able to devour 90 pages. This claim is slated as unsupported in official records. His controversy skills also bring up the issue that he may enter a trance-like state when reading.

Jacques Bergier: With a history of chemical engineering, journalism, writing, and espionage, Bergier wrote books on fantastic realism and accomplished many things in his life. As a natural speed reader, Bergier was known to read up to ten books in one day.

While your speed reading skills may not capture critical acclaim with the public, the talent is one that affects the overall efficiency of reading and comprehension that aids school, pleasure, and work endeavors.

Forget Those Boring Speed Reading Courses - Now You Can DOUBLE Your Reading Speed In Just 16 Minutes Flat. Discover The Fastest Audio Speed-Reading Program On The Internet —> Visit http://www.nitrospeedreading.com

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by Kale Jones
Speed reading has two facets, one of which is very apparent while the other may be more obscure. Of course, one of these facets is the ability to read faster, to get through text in a shorter period of time. The other facet, however, may not be that apparent. It involves actually comprehending what is read. Both facets of speed reading must be achieved in order for the act of speed reading to be accomplished. Speed reading is completely ineffective if the material is not comprehended and absorbed. It does no good to skim through material at lightening speed if you have no idea what you have read.

There are five basic methods of speed reading. You may be surprised to learn that there is no great mystery or special skills required to be able to do this, but you do need to be able to read well. If you already have problems with reading, comprehension or vocabulary, you may even find that you have even more trouble if you attempt speed reading. Speed reading is nothing more than a few techniques that, when combined, will help you focus your attention more effectively. The five methods explained here are some of the more popular techniques. Try each of them to find the one that works best for you.

The Hand

With this method you put your hand on the page that you are reading. If you are right handed, use your right hand, if you are left handed, use your left hand. Now draw your “reading hand” slowly down the page. Do not go from side to side, move your hand straight down while you read. Your eyes may not be on the exact same section as your hand, but by doing this you will read faster. Keep all the movements, your hand and your reading, as one smooth motion. Do not stop and start, make it all one continuous motion and run your hand down each page only once before moving on to the next page.

The Card

This technique may seem a little familiar, but instead of using the card or folded piece of paper below the text, place it above the line of print so that you are unable to see the words after you have read them. Move the card down the page in a slow and even motion while trying to read the words before you cover them. This will help you break the habit of reading a passage several times because you are covering the words with the card. This means that you are forced to pay attention to the words the first time that you read them. Try moving the card down faster than you think that you can read and do this only once per page. When your card reaches the bottom of the page, turn it and move on.

The Sweep

When using this method you use your hand to lead your eyes across the page. Cup your right hand slightly and use a smooth, light motion to sweep your fingers across the page, from left to right. In other words, your fingers will underline the words as you read them. Use your entire arm to move your hand across the page. Use a sweeping motion as if dusting something off of the page. Let your hand lead your eyes across the words as you sweep and read. Move quickly and train your eyes to keep up.

The Hop

This method is much like The Sweep, but instead of sweeping your hand across the page, you “hop” it, meaning that you actually life your fingers from the page and advance it by “hopping” across the page. Cup your hand as you do with The Sweep and place your fingers under the passage that you are reading. Bounce your hand twice across the page on each line using your arm as the catalyst for motion. Do not move your wrist, this motion requires the use of the entire arm. The reasoning behind this is to make a fixation on sets of words, not just one word at a time. This also helps you keep your pace steady because it has a rhythmic motion.

The Zig-Zag or Loop

This method is not recommended for material that requires careful reading or is very involved, but it is a good method for easy reading material. It will help you get the general idea of lighter text. The way to do this method is to use your hand and instead of tracing it along each line, move it in a diagonal motion about three lines, then back to the next line, creating a zig-zag motion with your hand. The basic idea of this method is to scan the text, not see each word, which is why it is not advisable for text where in depth reading is required.

These methods can help you read faster, but like anything else you must practice your chosen method or methods. Try each method and find the one that works best for you, then practice until you can do it effortlessly. If you are good reader, you will be able to read not only faster, but better and with better comprehension.

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by Ken McCauley..
Perhaps you have noticed: the educational world is in a state of great change. Decades ago, the accepted approach was for a student to graduate from high school and then enter the ranks of college and university students, stay in school until graduation, and then head out into the job market, degree firmly in hand.

All that has changed today. Often people will pursue military service. Perhaps they will fall in love at a young age and start a family. Perhaps they just did not feel ready for college when they were a high school graduate.

Then something happens - the light finally goes on, and they say, “I need more educational training!” But, at that time of life, responsibilities and commitments may make it difficult, if not impossible, to devote 3 to 4 (or more) years to higher educational pursuits. Did you know that the average age of the university graduate is steadily climbing? That means that, more than ever, people are returning to school later in life.

Some years ago, the University of Phoenix recognized the landscape of the traditional educational environment was changing fast, and they decided to do something about it. They redesigned their educational offerings to allow people with busy lives and commitments to pursue degree coursework online. The folks at the University of Phoenix realize that most adults do not have the time to devote to extensive on-campus class attendance, so they have leveraged the power of the Internet to bring their classes to you.

What types of courses and degree programs are currently offered through the University of Phoenix? Well, you can choose programs in Criminal Justice, Marketing, Management, Accounting, Business, E-Commerce, Health Care, IT (Information Technology), Nursing, Education - and new programs are being added all the time. All of their instructors hold Masters or Doctorate degrees.

And the payoff? By taking classes through the University of Phoenix, you can complete most degree programs in 2-3 years! Imagine - an accredited degree in less time than traditional schools, even while maintaining full-time jobs and family responsibilities! Both non-degree, Bachelors and Masters programs are available. And with your weekday schedule in mind, they offer classes on nights and weekends, and major assignments can be completed during the weekends.

One of the very best things about working with the University of Phoenix is that when you contact them with more information, they will assign a real, live human being as your contact resource person. This person will answer any questions that you might have about the program, will help you to arrange payments for courses, and work with you to enroll in your first courses. They serve as a kind of “academic advisor” to help you get your educational pursuits into high gear.

One thing remains. You have the information - what will you do about it? Are you just going to ‘think about it’ - or do it? You have the interest. Do you have the drive? The thirst to know more, to succeed, to better yourself? If you do, the University of Phoenix is ready to help you attain those educational goals!

Author: Ken McCauley talks about Online Education and University of Phoenix. Read about obtaining your college degree at http://www.university-phoenix.com
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So many people are jumping on the band wagon of having their own home bases business. Working from home is just about everybody’s dream job. You get to set your own hours and work in your pajamas. You can be home with the kids and save money on daycare services. You do not have to answer to anyone but yourself. This all sounds great right? What most don’t realize is that this can be a difficult job to do if you are not disciplined enough to use work at home time management to make sure that you are actually doing your job and not watching TV or trying to do your chores.

You may find it hard at times to work from home while caring for the children and doing household chores if you do not manage my time well. You may think you are doing well by doing things little by little with your personal things but in reality, you are taking away from the time that you can be working. With proper time management, you can manage all of the things that you want to do all while being able to work from home.

Here are some work at home time management tips to help you keep on track and stay focused on what you need to be doing.

•If you find that you are being pulled to do things with the kids more than you are getting to work then it may be time to look into hiring a playmate for the kids for a few hours a day. This is really inexpensive and the amount of stuff you can accomplish n the time they are occupied will be well worth the $20 you give the sitter to sit and play with them. It is cheaper then having someone watch the kids while you are out as you are still there they are merely there to play with the kids.

•Have set times that you do things. Make a certain time that you check email as apposed to checking it many times a day. Block off an hour to work on household things and stick with it. Remember that if you were at a job away from home you would be doing nothing but that so look at your home job as it is just as important.

•Make a timer your best friend as you can really stay on task if you allow only a certain amount of time for each task.

•Get set with a routine. Do things at the same time each day and you will find that you are much better organized.

•Be sure to keep the limits that you set and set aside a special place such as a home office that you do all of your business in. It can make it very difficult if you try to work where ever in the house. Let family and friends know that when you are in the office you are at work and schedule certain breaks that you can be available for the family.

With the right work at home time management strategies, you will be well on your way to making the best out of your home business in no time. You will be able to enjoy the benefits of working from home with ease.

Yoshi Kundagawa is a freelance journalist. He writes about entrepreneurs and working from home. You can read his articles about work at home time management at his blog.

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by Cheryl A. Clausen
This time management strategy is for those of you who procrastinate because you’re stargazers. As a stargazer you’d rather think about doing something than actually just doing it. The problem is that nothing ever happens until you take action, so the longer you stargaze about what could be the more you prolong not getting the possible.

There isn’t anything wrong with stargazing, in fact it can help you to formulate great thoughts. A time management strategy that will allow you to have the joy of stargazing plus help you to get things done is to establish a clear objective. What is the ultimate result you want? The more clearly you know the desired output the easier it will be for you to move to action.

There’s a time and place for everything. Do your stargazing or day dreaming during your leisure time rather than during your productive time. Use your leisure time to really gain in depth clarity about the exact output you want from completing a specific project or goal.

As with any time management strategy you need to set a deadline for action. Notice I didn’t say a deadline for completion, but rather a deadline for action. Once you’ve gotten complete clarity on the output you’ll want to break it down into all the necessary action steps. Then set your deadline for when you will start and commit to consistently working through each action item until the whole project is finished.

The fact that you are a stargazer makes you better prepared to think big picture than many others. You know from previous experience and time management strategies that the devil is in the details. That’s why it’s so important for you to get the full picture and then work out all the necessary details, so when it’s time for action you’ll be ready to steam roll right through each and every step.

Now you understand how this time management strategy will help you to turn what you may have thought was a weakness into a strength. One of the best and quickest ways to succeed at anything is to build on your strengths rather than focusing on your weaknesses. Allow yourself to think big with your stargazing and then bring your thoughts down into the details and you will enjoy both the pleasure of your dreaming and the satisfaction of getting things done.

Would you like to learn more about your time behaviors? Try this Time Management Analysis and find out where your opportunities for improvement are. When you absolutely must have measurable results to consistently and predictably get where you want to go for Superior Success…visit CoachingMegaAgents to start on your journey for superior success.

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by Cheryl A. Clausen
You are a perfectionist and you can’t help it, but it’s causing you a lot of grief. You just can’t let go of a project and call it done because there is always just one more thing you could do to make it perfect. The problem is almost no one else wants, expects, or appreciates the level of perfection that you demand. You’re expending all your energy on the apex of perfection when everyone else around you just wants ok. Let’s look at some time management strategies to help you get things done.

Set your standards before you start. Identify what things need to meet your standards and what you’re overdoing. Going over and above just puts you farther and farther behind, and few people appreciate your efforts. A good time management strategy for you is to clarify the required quality while in the planning stages before you start anything.

When the final product or service will be used by others you need to make sure you don’t exceed their needs. You may think that everyone wants perfection just like you, but in reality the end user often won’t notice the difference between perfection and good enough, and they certainly won’t value the difference enough to be willing to pay for it. Whether they are paying for it in terms of time, talents, or treasures they want their needs met, but they won’t be willing to pay for things over and above their needs.

You can do most things much better than most people, but there are a few things you don’t know how to do. A really good time management strategy that may be hard for you at first is to delegate and outsource the parts of any project that are outside your skill set or beyond your resources. When you are able to do this you can get the quality you expect without the unnecessary stress.

A final time management strategy tip is recognizing when something is better than nothing. Evaluate when it’s better to just have something than it is to have nothing. Many times when you have nothing because you just won’t let go of a project there are serious negative consequences. A prime example of this is the sales person who can’t hold appointments with clients until they have a perfect presentation. All the while you are striving for perfection you aren’t making any sales which means you have no income. Perfection in this case is a really bad and completely misguided expectation because the best sales people know that you don’t need a “presentation” you need to hold appointments with people and ask questions and listen.

When high quality standards are important you are the go to person. Make sure you clearly understand the requirements and have the resources to carry everything out. Recognize that having something is better than nothing, and before you know it you will find the best way to use this time management strategy to meet everyone’s needs.

Would you like to learn more about your time behaviors? Try this Time Management Analysis and find out where your opportunities for improvement are. When you absolutely must have measurable results to consistently and predictably get where you want to go for Superior Success…visit CoachingMegaAgents to start on your journey for superior success.

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Stop and think! Everyday is a new day. Some people can get up on their own , where others need an alarm clock to awaken them. You get up. You shower or bathe. You fix your morning coffee and a bite to eat. You leave for work. You work. Then you leave your job and go back home. What do you do next? Perhaps you watch television or surf the web on your computer. Are you using your time wisely to benefit yourself or are you wasting your time.

Life can become very monotony. Your mind becomes weary , almost to the state of making you effortless. Don’t allow this to happen to you. It is important to maintain some spice in your life. You deserve happiness and good health in your life.

It is very difficult to stay motivated. Very often you may find that promises that you have made yourself and others just seem to be indefinitely. Perhaps in a week or two , you may be able to accomplish your initial intentions. This is similar to making a new years resolution. Often they are broken.

Do you know what it takes to keep yourself motivated or inspired? You need to know this in order to continue your journey to success. You may have already given up on yourself by now. Don’t let the pressures of life and work make you hit rock bottom. Learn how to use self management to keep yourself motivated.

Master your to-do list.

Take control of your life.

Make time for the important things in your life.

Don’t take on more than you can handle.

Make yourself a weekly plan of what you need to accomplish.

Clear your desk of piles of unknown. Start with a fresh beginning.

Avoid wasting time. Make every minute count.

It is about time that you learn to take control of your time and get the best results you can out of your everyday life. No one can handle your life. This is a task that only you can handle. Everyone has to face this challenge daily. Don’t try to place blame on anyone else for your lack of achieving your goals. Time is in your hands. The way you handle your time will better benefit you in managing yourself. Life is full of tricks. You must learn how to treat each situation in order to meet your personal and working goals.

James Brown writes about Franklin Covey online coupons, Central Desktop online coupons and Latest Deals

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