Become A Possibility Thinker

“Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” – Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich

When you consider new ideas or change, do you feel an immediate response of resistance or fear?

Do you have the negative habit of looking at all the reasons why something might be too difficult or impossible to achieve so you can say no?

When we look at life through the narrow viewpoint of fear, we can miss seeing possibilities when we are focused on problems and obstacles.

Instead become a possibility thinker.

Consider something in your life that you want that seems out of reach or impossible. Notice all the reasons and excuses for why you believe something can’t happen. Have you collected evidence to back up that conclusion? In other words, are you looking at the past with the expectation that past experiences ALWAYS repeat? So, why bother dreaming, right?

What if what you desire as impossible were really possible? Perhaps some part of what you desire is currently out of reach and there are some things within your grasp that you might be dismissing because you are negating the whole picture. Ask yourself, “What about this is possible?”

Create a list of all the things that might make having what you want…. possible. Add everything and anything you can think of even if it seems far out. Here’s your opportunity to dream and open your mind to imagine the best possible options and solutions coming to you. In that way, you shift from constricted and limited thinking into a more expansive viewpoint where there is more room thing to flow into your life.

Tune into your inner wisdom, intuition, and instincts to follow those inner nudges that you become aware of that might be showing you the way to bring solutions and opportunities to have more of what you want and less of what you don’t want.

I have found that taking the first step opens the door to the next. Continuing forward one step at a time will move you closer to your dreams and desires. Remember to invite the Universe to work out the “how” and continue to show up by taking action.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Are You A Dreamer Or A Schemer?

The world needs entrepreneurs more than at any other time in the last century and an online business guru has come up with a way for would-be business owners to test whether they are likely to be a success or failure.

Guy Kingston, a serial entrepreneur who successfully started one of the first private enterprise businesses in post-communist Russia, says the motivation behind starting a business is often the key to success.

Mr Kingston, whose Mind Your Own Business podcast provides free help and advice to business owners said: “Every entrepreneur is driven by their dream of what they want to achieve through business. By asking themselves a few simple questions they can work out what their motivation is and from that you can pretty well work out whether they are likely to be a success or not.

“Many people are really dreamers, who like the idea of running a business but can’t cope with reality. The ones who will succeed are schemers, who will do everything they can to ensure success.”

Mr Kingston, whose website www.myobpod.com features free written, audio and video advice for entrepreneurs with no sponsors attached, sets out the following check-list for would-be entrepreneurs to test out whether they are a dreamer or a schemer.

See which statement applies to your thoughts then see whether this is a dream or a scheme.

“I want to build a business so that I can employ lots of people and be a big boss.”

Guy’s verdict: Dreamer: “if empire building is your main motivation you will probably fail.Costs need to be kept tight in a growing business and the regulatory environment surrounding employing people makes them very expensive. Operate with as few people as possible and the empire will grow.”

“I’m really confident in my idea and my ability to make it work, but there’s more to it than that.”

Guy’s verdict. Schemer: “Positive thinking alone is not enough. Whereas you won’t succeed without it, it is not sufficient alone.”

“Running my own business will mean I will be able to have greater flexibility and time for myself and my family”

Guy’s verdict: Dreamer: “You have more time if you are employed by someone else. Of course you have to get the balance right but don’t see being an entrepreneur as a passport to more spare time.”

“I know I have skills that my employer doesn’t appreciate and I want to sell them direct to people”

Guy’s verdict: Schemer “Often the core of a good business comes from an individual’s talents. Just make sure that it is more than your nearest and dearest who think you are good.”

“I have certain abilities but if my business is really going to take off I’ll need to pick quite a few other people’s brains to bridge the gap.”

Guy’s verdict: Schemer: “The best entrepreneurs beg, steal and borrow ideas from everyone and then adjust them to their own situation. They also recognise early on that they aren’t good at everything.”

“I have inherited some money and I think the best way to use it is to buy a business that I can run.”

Guy’s verdict: dreamer “Buying a business is about a lot more than just having the money. Many successful businesses have disappeared very quickly once under new ownership.”

“My partner / best friend and I get on so well that we would be awesome in business together and we are going to come up with something between us that we can do together”

Guy’s verdict: dreamer “Running a business together puts a great strain on any relationship. Although it works well for many people there has to be more to substantiate going into business together than the fact you are great buddies or soul mates!”

“I want a mentor who’s been round the block a few times.”

Guy’s verdict. Schemer: “Just as you wouldn’t want a brain surgeon who’s never done brain surgery before, you don’t want a business advisor who hasn’t run a business of their own. Experience trumps qualifications and theories any day.”

“Everyone likes the items I produce as part of my hobby so I am going to pack in my job and do it commercially.”

Guy’s verdict. Dreamer: “Hobbies rarely turn into good viable businesses. Before making the leap it is important to check out every aspect of the business model.”

“Business is fairly simple. You just buy things in and then sell them at a cheaper price. That is the basis of my plan for trading”

Guy’s verdict. Dreamer: “This is someone who needs to do a lot more planning on things like stock levels and what the market will stand before venturing into being an entrepreneur.”

Popularity: 5% [?]

How to Avoid Business Failure & Increase Sales in a Lagging Economy

When you’re a small business owner there’s no “Golden Parachute”, no Massive Severance Package or Stock Options to cash in on and there are definitely no bailouts. The success or failure of your small business is all on your shoulders!

Here’s Are 5 Things to Do If You Want Your Business to Fail During a Recession

1. Don’t Do Anything
2. Don’t Do Enough
3. Don’t Encourage Referrals From Other Clients
4. Don’t Create a “WOW” Experience
5. Don’t Take Massive Action Now

Now, if you want to build your small business, there’s good news.

You don’t have to sit back and become a victim of the times. Right now there are businesses and market segments that are making record profits. US Steel just posted record profits for the second quarter after losing huge orders from the auto industry.

Here’s How US Steel Achieved Record Making Profits – And So Can You:

- They found new markets at higher prices
- They were open to new opportunities
- They were pro-active

Here Are 10 Quick and Easy Strategies to Increase Sales and Profits During a Recession

1. Implement systems that measure and track the results of ALL of your marketing, advertising and publicity efforts

2. Look for new ways to re-position products or services you provide to attract a new market segment. Example: Re-position Yoga as “Fall Prevention Strategies for Seniors

3. Find new distribution channels for your products whether it’s through the Internet or other retailers who are selling complimentary products or services.

4. Create Joint Venture Arrangements with other complimentary, not competing Businesses. For example an accounting firm could go to their legal firm and offer to hold a seminar on “Tax Reduction Strategies” for the their (legal firms) clients as a special bonus. The accounting company may get new clients and the only cost is their time. One stipulation, the accounting firm must offer a special seminar to their clients on “How To Structure Tax Shelters for Estate Management”. Both companies benefit.

5. Have a “Rewards Referral Program ” for your existing customers and let them experience how it will work.

6. Know the numbers in your business. Find out what products and services make the most profits and which ones make the least. Start promoting or up-selling those first. Do you know the average transaction value which is the average amount each consumer pays you at the point of purchase? Go find that out now and then ask yourself the question “How can I increase that amount by 10% by adding or bundling in extra value?

7. Position yourself as the “Knowledgeable Expert” in Your Field and write articles for the newspaper, or trade journals and radio interviews. You can even write and submit articles online using www.IWantMoreProspects.com. The print and online media is always hungry for information to provide their readership. They are always on the lookout for new information that solves people’s problems or helps them save them time or money.

8. Differentiate yourself from the competition and give the consumer the “Reason Why” they should do Business with you versus your competitors.

9. Join a Mastermind Group or Coaching Program to improve your skills as a Marketer. Tiger Woods has a golf coach to help him. Professional baseball teams have hitting and pitching coaches. And you should have a business and marketing coach to stop the downhill slide before it becomes uncontrollable.

10. Build a stronger relationship with your customer base through frequent contact, special offers, and newsletters. Survey your existing customers to see what they want and then sell it to them.

This is just a short list on the many things that are possible. Now the question is, do you want to recession proof your business and achieve massive results or do you want to lay down and play dead and hope things get better? It’s your choice!

Popularity: 4% [?]

Trim 100 Calories a Day

A Plateful of Pasta
The recommended serving size on the box for pasta is 2 ounces, which is 1/2 cup cooked. The typical restaurant portion is easily four times this size. Leave just one cup on the plate (or take home leftovers).

Note: One cup cooked pasta is about the size of a tennis ball.

Resize Your Cereal
The amount of cereal eaten by adults is often twice the serving size listed on the box. Check the amount you’re pouring in relation to the serving size noted on the box.

Less Bread
Use only one slice on your sandwich. Replace the top layer of bread with lettuce.

Less Spread
Reduce the amount of butter you use by one tablespoon (and don’t replace it with the latest restaurant trend: dipping bread in olive oil).

The YoChee Way
In dips and toppings, replace 1/4 cup sour cream or whipped cream with YoChee. YoChee is a creamy, nonfat food that substitutes for butter, mayonnaise and sour cream. You make YoChee yourself by draining nonfat yogurt in a simple straining device.

Twofers

* Replace two glasses of orange juice (8 ounces each) with two oranges.
* Replace two slices of bread with two rice cakes.
* Replace two fried chicken breasts with two broiled chicken breasts.
* Replace two cups of cooked carrots with two cups of cooked cauliflower.

Dress It, Don’t Drown It
Reduce the amount of dressing on salads by about two tablespoons — use just enough to coat the salad. When dining out, request the dressing on the side.

Modify the Mayo
For every two tablespoons of mayonnaise, replace one with a tablespoon of YoChee.

The Perilous Peanut
Cut back two tablespoons of peanuts or a tablespoonful of peanut butter.

Control Popcorn Portions
Popcorn can be a great diet snack — but not if you eat the whole bag. Depending on the way it’s popped and topped, a cup can vary from 30 to 100 calories. So measure your choice accordingly. One cup of popcorn is about equal in size to a baseball.

Skip the Samples
Skip just a couple of crackers with cheese to save 100 calories.

Count Your Cookies
A single medium-sized cookie can easily have about 100 calories. Instead, try spreading a crisp cracker with a thin coat of jam instead.

The Chocolate Cheat
If chocolate is your downfall, make it go further by mixing a spoonful of chocolate chips into a bowl of mini-shredded wheat, Rice Krispies or puffed cereal. You’ll probably save 100 calories over a real chocolate indulgence.

Downsize
If you’ve been drinking a supersize 20-ounce container of soda, switch to the 12-ounce size.

Rethink Your Drink
Replace an 8-ounce glass of soda with seltzer (flavored with fruit essence if you like) or unsweetened iced tea.

Not So Sweet and Light
If you take your coffee (or tea) with sugar (16 calories per teaspoon) and cream (40 calories per two tablespoons), cut one cup of coffee to be halfway to your 100-calorie goal.

Heed the Limit
If you drink alcohol, limit your daily consumption to one drink for women and two drinks for men. A typical 5-ounce glass of wine has 100 calories; a 12-ounce serving of beer has 150 calories; and 1 1/2 ounces of distilled spirits contains 100 calories.

Lasting Last Bite(s)
Do you waste it or “waist” it?

Bite No. 1: One tablespoon of raisins left in the box — 27 calories
Bite No. 2: Two spoonfuls of flavored (nonfat) yogurt left in the container — 20 calories
Bite No. 3: Three mini rice cakes left in the bag — 25 calories
Bite No. 4: One-fourth cup of apple juice left in the jar — 30 calories

Only four little “tastes” will net you more than 100 extra calories.

Popularity: 2% [?]

London, October 27, 2008: Canonical Ltd. announced the upcoming availability of Ubuntu® 8.10 Desktop Edition for free download on 30 October. In related news, Canonical also announced the simultaneous release of Ubuntu 8.10 Server Edition.

Ubuntu 8.10 Desktop Edition is designed for the pervasively connected digital lifestyle. With new 3G network support, users can move smoothly from wired and WiFi networks onto 3G cellphone networks while traveling. Ubuntu 8.10 is also built to be shared – users can start a quick “guest session” on the fly and let someone use their computer to surf the web or check email, while maintaining the security and integrity of their own data. And if that person really enjoys their brief session as an Ubuntu guest, they can put Ubuntu on any USB key and take it home to install on their own computer rather than having to burn a CD.

As a bonus, all Ubuntu 8.10 users will be able to enjoy programming from the BBC, with high quality streamed content available through the default media players in Ubuntu 8.10. Canonical has worked with the BBC to make sure that much of the material is available to users in all locations.

“Ubuntu 8.10 sees us lay the groundwork for a radically different, more mobile, desktop computing environment over the next two years,” says Jane Silber, COO of Canonical and head of Online Services for Canonical. “Our rapid release cycle means we can deliver the elements to support this future faster, more fully realised, and more attractively packaged than the traditional OS vendors. Ubuntu 8.10 has many features that sign-post how Linux will provide the drive and innovation in desktop computing.”

“Working with open source technologies like GNOME, Ubuntu 8.10 provides exciting new features for users like creating an always-on system that seamlessly connects wireless and cellular networks,” said Stormy Peters, executive director at the GNOME Foundation. “Users no longer need to worry about finding a network – their computer is always connected. This is a great step for both mobile and desktop computing.”

Features

3G Support

For constant connectivity public WiFi has limitations. Improvements to the network manager in Ubuntu 8.10 makes it simple to detect and connect to 3G networks and manage connectivity. This connectivity is delivered through an inbuilt 3G modem, through ‘dongle’ support, through a mobile phone or through Bluetooth. It is a complex environment that Ubuntu 8.10 simplifies through a single interface and the auto-detection of many of the most popular devices.

Write Ubuntu to and Install from a USB Drive

Ubuntu has been made available to users as an image for CDs and DVDs to date. But CDs and DVDs are slower, less portable and less convenient than USB sticks. Now, a simple application in Ubuntu will allow users to write Ubuntu to a USB drive, even a modified version of Ubuntu with their data on it, so it can be carried everywhere to plug in and use on any machine.

Guest Sessions

In a world of ‘always on’ pervasive computing it is more likely that users lend their computers to colleagues or friends at conferences, cafes or at parties so they can check email, etc. Guest sessions allow users to lock down a session easily so a guest can use the full system without interference with programs or data.

BBC Content

Starting the media players within Ubuntu (Totem Movie Player and Rhythmbox) launches a menu of selected content from the broadcaster that is free to air. This is a mixture of video, radio and podcasts and available in high quality, much of it playable using non-proprietary codecs. Content is constantly updated via the corporation’s stream and will vary dependent on location, though some content will be available for every user.

Latest Gnome 2.24 Desktop Environment*

The GNOME desktop environment project releases its latest version which is incorporated into Ubuntu 8.10. New features include a new instant messaging client, a built-in time tracker, improved file management and toolbars plus better support for multiple monitor use with the ability to set screen resolution by monitor.

Pricing, Availability and Technical Information

• Additional information and a feature tour is available at www.ubuntu.com.
• Ubuntu 8.10 Desktop Edition is free of charge and available on Thursday 30 October from http://www.ubuntu.com/download.
• The Server press release can be found at http://www.ubuntu.com/news/ubuntu-8.10-server.

About Canonical Ltd

Canonical Ltd, the commercial sponsor of Ubuntu, is a global organisation headquartered in Europe committed to the development, distribution and support of open source software products and communities. World-class 24×7 commercial support for Ubuntu is available through Canonical’s global support team and partners. Since its launch in October 2004 Ubuntu has become one of the most highly regarded Linux distributions with millions of users around the world.

Ubuntu will always be free to download, free to use and free to distribute to others. With these goals in mind, Ubuntu aims to be the most widely used Linux system, and is the centre of a global open source software ecosystem. For more information visit www.canonical.com or www.ubuntu.com.

*The original press release stated that Ubuntu 8.10 contained Ekiga 3.0 video and audio conferencing tool. This was an error and this application will not ship in Ubuntu 8.10.

Popularity: 6% [?]