Steps for Achieving a Lifetime of Financial Goals: Achieving Financial Success One Step at a Time

The old adage, 'a penny saved is a penny earned' is still true today. Achieving a lifetime of financial goals is possible with good financial planning. It begins with a penny and that penny is important.

Consider the following steps.

Begin to set financial goals for yourself and your family early.

Even little children can learn to achieve their own short and long-term financial goals. For example, a four year old can begin to save pennies in a piggy bank, from his or her allocated allowance and use it for something that he or she needs or wants. If he or she does not spend it or all of it, the amount saved will grow. After a while, it will overflow from his or her piggy bank. At that time, parents can open a savings account for the child. In the bank, the money will continually generate interest. The child, shown how the money is growing, will learn to take pride in his or her savings account.

Develop a budget focused on needs rather than wants.

A child can learn to budget by being taught how to differentiate between needs and wants. For example, every child needs to have lunch at school and may want extra snack food, too. Carrying or purchasing a lunch that meets his or her needs. allows the child an opportunity to decide whether to spend or save his or her allowance, as well as any extra money he or she has earned on what he or she wants. It is usually a good idea to put extra money a child has saved into his or her savings account, as interest will accumulate. A child can understand what a bank statement means and watch his or her savings grow. 

Encourage good spending habits in teenagers.

Teenagers develop good spending habits when taught how to spend their allowance money or other money that they earn, on only what is worthwhile. For example, a teenager will learn to purchase a good jacket rather than spend all of his or her money on hamburgers and pop. He or she can learn how to shop for quality items that are on sale, like running shoes and boots. He or she can work to earn extra dollars for special purchases, including electronics or sports equipment.

Practice saving money for emergencies and for the future.

Young adults can allocate part of their money for emergencies and practice saving money for the future. There is an easy way to do it, namely, pay your self first. Before any of his or her income is spent, he or she can deposit some money for emergencies and savings into a special bank account. He or she will learn to save money for a new car or home, as well as for a wedding and a honeymoon.

Start an educational fund for your children.

Young parents can establish a savings account for their children’s education. By the time the children are ready to go to college or university, there will be a sizable savings with accumulated interest.

Invest your money wisely.

Investing money carefully, on a regular basis, will help to secure a lifetime of financial goals. Inquire into retirement savings programs, as well as stocks and bonds, making certain that the investment you choose will be secure. At times, the best investment can be property.

Avoid the use of credit cards.

Avoiding the use of credit cards prevents overspending, as well as the necessity of repayment with high interest rates. Parents may give their teenagers credit cards, not knowing where they will use them or how much money they will spend with them. Everyone needs to learn how to use credit cards wisely. Insist on receipts for purchases, keep accurate records and develop responsible repayment practices. Set a good example with your own use of credit cards.

Keep accurate records of your income, investments, savings and spending.

Know how much income you have coming in and how much is going out as fixed income, as well as variables. Do not overspend. In other words, do not waste money that you do not have or cannot afford to spend. Maintaining accurate records on a regular basis, will help you reach your lifetime financial goal and achieve financial success.

Note that because of the ongoing global, economic status, it is always wise to plan for major purchases. As you plan ahead, be aware of the value of a dollar. Sometimes it is not how much you have, but how much you save, rather than spend that determines your success in achieving a lifetime of financial goals.

How Are People Communicating Differently Now Than They Were a Decade Ago? Communication is Always Changing

With the introduction of the Apple smart phone with Internet and multimedia capabilities, the i-Phone and its innovative technology appears to be on the verge of phasing out in favor of other, more recent modes of communication like the Blackberry. It becomes increasingly obvious that people everywhere are communicating differently now, than they were a decade ago.

Change in communication is inevitable in any era, as people turn to innovative, new and more convenient modes of communication. The other kinds of communication are not ineffective, non-functioning or obsolete, as that is not necessarily the case. They are simply phased out when their time is up and they no longer meet the needs of the masses.

   

What never changes is people’s preference for the innovative, new modes of communication that are more challenging and exciting. People demand modes of communication that work or work better than the previous ones that have proven to be imperfect, at best.

“Right now, much of what enterprise IT values in BlackBerry is missing from the iPhone” the Blackberry vs.iPhone - the business smartphone faceoff…”

Addressing technological change entails technological education and expertise, creating a challenge in terms of ongoing research. 

“In the past decade, BlackBerry has set the standard for enterprise-grade, reliable and secure mobility,” Brian Reed suggests.

Time will tell whether the i-Phone proves to be preferable to the Blackberry, in terms of actual business and consumer usage. Not everyone wants or needs a business-oriented mode of communication, so wherein does the real market lie?

The i-Phone has only recently entered the global market, but will it stand up to its claims and meet the growing needs of people on a global basis? Only time will tell.

“Meet the needs of the enterprise IT organization; meet the needs of the enterprise user; be easy to do business with,” appear to be the basic criterion for technological change, at least as far as IT business is concerned at this time.

Reality is such that technological change is inevitable. Addressing the needs of business, leads to technological change. Address the needs of the masses globally, may prove to be the primary factor in terms of technological communication successor or failure.  

Other modes of communication in the past decade have served their purpose, like house phones and land lines that have transitioned to cordless phones. With changes in the economy and more people working, the need for house phones and cordless phones has diminished. Cell phones have been replacing cordless phones to meet consumer needs. Cell phones are being phased out with the advent of smart phones that have Internet communication capabilities.

Marketing strategies change each era, as do the economic platforms of affordability. In other words, cost effectiveness coupled with technological advances are two of the factors that have helped to determine how people have communicated in the past, are communicating now and will be communicating in the future. The quest for perfect modes of communication will not end; nor should it.

Tips for Setting Short-term Financial Goals: How to Save One Thousand Dollars

Setting and meeting short-term financial goals often presents a challenge and is not always easy, but it is possible with common sense and ingenuity.

The following tips on how to reach a short-term financial goal of a thousand dollars may prove to be beneficial to you.

Distinguish between your short and long-term financial goals.

Recognize that there is a difference between short and long-term goals.

For example, you want to save a thousand dollars for the down payment on a new car. Initially, you may be asking yourself if you can take that money out of a previously established, retirement fund.

Is it a wise thing to do? There is an old saying, “Do not rob Peter to pay Paul.”

In other words, your new financial goal of saving one thousand dollars is a short-term goal and your previously established retirement fund is a long-term goal. Do not take money out of your retirement fund to meet the needs of a new, short-term goal.

Determine exactly how much money you need for your new, short-term goal.

You may consider doing research into car purchases because what you think may be sufficient for the down payment on a new car may not be what you need. Note that you may need more than a thousand dollars. Take into consideration other possible expenses and find out exactly how much more you need to save. Set that as your new, short-term financial goal.   

Determine approximately how much time you are allotting to yourself for saving the money.

Time is important in terms of being realistic about saving money. You may need to extend your proposed time. Trying to save too much money, too fast, can be frustrating. Allowing too much time can deter saving money and increase the likelihood that you will spend the money you save somewhere else.  

Establish a budget.

Being aware that you should not use your long-term savings, you may be asking yourself where you will find the extra thousand dollars to put a down payment on a car.

If you have not already done so, set up a budget that includes your actual income, weighed against your fixed and variable expenses. Begin to look seriously at your current variables or financial needs, as opposed to your wants and desires.

Make certain that you always have enough money to cover your fixed expenses first, on a monthly basis. Be aware that you can adjust your variable expenses in such a way that you are saving money. Keep a record of everything that comes in and goes out, as well as how much you are saving.

Set up a savings account.

If you have not already done so, set up a savings account for the money that you are saving. Determine approximately how much income you are saving every month by adjusting your variable expenses. Meet your financial needs rather than your wants. Saving this money consistently instead of spending it, is an important step towards reaching your new, short-term financial goal of one thousand dollars.

Include emergency expenses in your savings account.

When you are setting up your savings account, make certain that you are allowing enough money to cover a six-month period in case your source of income is lost or compromised, in some way. You may need money to make car payments later. In other words, save for a rainy day. 

Consider taking on other employment.

When you are not able to make your budgeting goals meet in a way that you can reach your financial goal within a reasonable length of time, you might consider taking on other employment to meet your short-term financial goal.

Consider other possible options.

If you are aware that your financial needs are in excess of your actual income, you might consider selling some of your previously accumulated assets, things that you no longer need or want. In other words, weigh your assets against your liabilities. Selling some assets can raise extra money that you can then save towards your short-term financial goal. 

You might also consider taking out a loan. Remember loans accumulate interest that has to be paid, too. At times, interest rates can be relatively high.     

If you are into more serious saving, consider consulting a financial manger to assist you in investing wisely.

Pros and Cons of Savings Accounts: The Art of Saving Money

Everyone should have a savings account, even though there are a number of pros and cons with respect to setting up a saving account and maintaining it on a regular basis.

Consider the following pros and cons:

Early education in finances:

Every parent should teach a child the art of saving money as soon as possible, beginning with pennies, nickels and dimes saved in a piggy bank. When the piggy bank is full, if his or her parents take the time to open a saving account for their child and continue to deposit money in that saving account on a regular basis, the amount of money will continue to grow and accumulate interest. This is to everyone’s advantage.

Establishing a financial, learning curve:

Even a relatively young child can learn how to save money. It is important for him or her to establish a financial, learning curve early, as his or her future may depend upon how he or she handles his or her money over time. He or she has the joy of watching a bank account grow. His or her parents can explain why saving money is important and offer further guidance in terms of an ongoing financial learning curve for their child.

Establishing an education fund:

Many parents feel that setting up a savings account is a time consuming inconvenience for them, but looking ahead to the future with the child’s best interest at heart, the money that is saved can be designated as part of an education fund for college or university ensuring higher education for their child.

Meeting unexpected financial needs:

Parents that have established a saving account for their child, may find that their own financial needs are such that it is necessary to take the money out of the child’s savings account to meet their own unexpected needs or the unanticipated needs of the child. The savings account serves as a nest egg but depleting the savings account may defeat its original purpose.

Understanding bank charges and interest rates:

It does not take a lot of money to open a savings account, but when opening one it is important to look at ongoing bank charges and interest rates. What is the monthly maintenance on the saving account? Is the account a high interest savings account? Is the interest rate relatively low?

It may be worth the time it takes to talk to a financial adviser when setting up a savings account, whether it is for a child, teenager or adult. In other words, initially setting up a savings account may be feasible financially, but later, there may be other ways of re-investing that same money with respect to receiving higher financial returns.

Saving money in a saving account is always a good idea for anyone, regardless of age.

Because the options for investing and accumulating interest on savings are increasing, at the same time as the interest rates on saving accounts are dropping, being aware of one’s financial options at all times, becomes vital.

Saving money and earning interest on it is an art.

How to Succeed With a Recruiting Business

Succeeding at a recruiting business can be exciting, fun and a challenge for you to consider, especially if you love talking to and working with other people. Establishing and setting up a recruiting business requires a motivated, ambitious person with a sound knowledge of professional, business principles. Ideally, this is a people-person with excellent, interpersonal relationship and communication skills. Does that sound like you? Setting up a recruitment business might be the ideal occupation for you.

Consider the following tips.

Design a business plan:

Initially, it is important to determine where the actual need for recruiting lies in your local area or field of expertise. In other words, where are the current demands for recruitment? Make serious inquiries locally.

Consider doing some research about the area where you plan to set up your business. Do Internet research and learn about your competition, as well.

Recruitingbusiness.com suggests that there are needs in the following areas: recruitment for professional and non-professional healthcare workers, recruitment for colleges and university students and recruitment for native employment

You might also consider recruitment for childcare workers or businesses that do marketing or surveys. There is the possibility of seasonal workers recruitment for Christmas, other holidays or summer employment. Be aware that recruitment for teenagers may benefit your community.

Register your business:

Registering your business under an appropriate, business name immediately establishes your credibility as a legitimate business owner. You should receive guidelines about entrepreneurship and home-based businesses.

Set up your recruitment office:

A business office setting for a recruiting business should have appropriate office equipment including a computer, printer, scanner, telephone and fax machine. This kind of a business can be set up as a home-based business, but wherever the office it is located, it should have its own entrance and parking area.

Ideally, there should be a private office for you as the business owner, as well as an area for meeting and greeting potential, recruitment candidates. Ask yourself where you plan to interview your recruitment candidates.         

Set up your business records:

Set up your business records, so that everything you need will be immediately available when you are ready to start.

Bookkeeping and accounting:

You may be able to do some of your own bookkeeping and accounting, but if not, for income tax purposes, consider hiring a part time or full time, professional bookkeeper or an accountant to assist you.

Consider hiring other staff members:

You may choose to work alone at first, but as your business grows and the demands increase, you may find that it is to your advantage to hire other staff members. Perhaps you need a secretary to screen your calls and set up potential recruitment candidate appointments for you, while you are contacting possible employers.

Begin to advertise:

Professional advertising is important in terms of your business success. Decide how and where you will advertise. You may be able to set up your own web site for the purposes of advertising, as well as submit advertisements to local newspapers and journals.

If you are knowledgeable about computer graphics, create your own recruiting business flyer or if not, have a professional, graphic artist design one for you. Create you own business cards, if you have not already done so. Make certain that they have your recruitment office contact information. You may want to create a resume or employment form for potential recruitment candidates to take to employers. Creating a recruitment contract may be a good idea, too. Remember that word of mouth is an effective way to advertise.

Determine your plan of action:

Initially, you have the option of contacting potential, recruitment candidates on a one-to-one basis, which can be a lot of work for you, or setting up recruitment sessions for groups. If you have a designated area in your office for small or large groups, this works well. Make certain that those who visit your office will feel welcome and comfortable.

You may also consider finding other possible locations for recruitment like businesses where you can hold job fairs, high schools, colleges or universities. Consider hiring motivational speakers or employment counselors.

Determine your income:

A recruitment agency receives payment for the number of recruitment candidates that it is able to place. Establish your criterion for payment so that your income level is appropriate and your expenses, as well as your recruitment office expenses, are covered. Will you receive a portion of what your candidates earn? Perhaps your business will receive payment for seminars that open the door for potential recruitment candidates. Will you receive a bonus if your candidates succeed? Factor that into your recruitment contract with employers.

Attitude and atmosphere:

When planning for success in any business and more specifically, a recruitment business, establishing and maintaining a personal attitude of success is vital. Be positive and constructive with respect to everything you say or do, as you are setting an example for your potential recruitment candidates. Setting a happy, healthy atmosphere will encourage them to succeed. Be a motivational person and your candidates will be motivated towards success, as well.

What is the Future of Desktop Publishing?

Will desktop publishing continue to grow? With an eye to the future, the horizons of desktop publishing appear to be expanding more rapidly than ever. There are numerous reasons for this including the reality that desktop publishing has become increasingly feasible for the majority of Internet users.

Knowledge continues to grow in many, different directions and will continue to do so. Human beings have an innate desire to share their knowledge with others and always will seek to do this. Desktop publishing allows this possibility.

The availability of desktop publishing as a publishing option, in conjunction with the reality of almost anyone being able to attain desktop publishing skills during our era, makes this increasingly feasible. Many young, potential publishers are seriously interested in pursuing this direction in terms of publishing their own work, particularly with respect to creating and building their own web pages, web sites or blogs. So are baby boomers and retiring seniors.

“Desktop publishing: A case study” suggests increased growth of desktop publishing in the academic field.

In other words, desktop publishing is no longer something that is only possible for certain individuals, groups or organizations. Globally, desktop publishing is a growing option for the increasing majority of people who desire to communicate regularly with others, on a global basis. Remember that the population of the world continues to grow also and will increase the demand for desktop publication.   

There are a number of factors in the equation of the future of desktop publishing. With respect to predictions with respect to the future, these include the following:

Affordability:

Publishing on the Internet remains relatively affordable at this time, but one might ask whether it will continue indefinitely. No one can deny the reality that there are those who seek to acquire Internet monopolies that may limit desktop publishing affordability over time. As long as publishing on the Internet remains relatively affordable, it will continue to expand.    

Marketing:

The Internet presents an opportunity for a potential market and as such, is likely to continue to grow in the future. Whatever people anywhere can create, they will attempt to market and sell to others. Desktop publishing opens a potential, global marketing horizon for them. As long as there is a viable marketing platform, more and more people will seek to use it.      

Knowledge base:

The Internet presents a potential platform for the expression of almost any kind of knowledge, with the exception of the publication of inappropriate content. There is a growing awareness that increased regulation with respect to desktop publishing content would be beneficial. If knowledge becomes limited in terms of its definition, this horizon may decrease. The definition of knowledge should be continually expanding, not shrinking.

Credibility:

The Internet remains a credible and viable tool for almost anyone seeking to publish appropriate content. It also offers a potential, publishing platform for anyone willing and able to acquire the necessary skills to use Internet tools. No longer does one have to be an academic or computer geek to use a computer for desktop publishing. Various desktop publishing platforms, designed in such a way that almost anyone can use them, are increasingly available on the Internet. As long as these kinds of publishing platforms are available to the public, people in growing numbers will attempt to access and use them.       

Technology

With the continuation of technological advances, including the Blackberry and recent introduction of i-Phones, it becomes apparent that desktop publishing will continue to increase in terms of its demand. Note the use of e-books and e-readers and the demand for content for them.   

The future of desktop publishing may undergo some major technological transitions in the future, but more than likely, in terms of the expansion of its horizons, desktop publishing will continue to grow indefinitely.   

How Media Affects Teenage Behavior

How will the Blackberry and i-phone influence your teenager’s behavior?

In an era where the Blackberry and i-phone are immediately available to teenagers globally, it becomes apparent that the media will bear an increasingly strong influence on teenage behavior, unlike other media of the past, monitored at home by parents. The media can and will affect teenage behavior in a positive, as a well as negative way.

The article “Media's Influence on the Teenage Brain” by Dr. Meg Meeker suggests that the influence of the media on teenager’s behavior can be frightening.

Consider the possible ways media affects teenage behavior.

Communication and awareness:

Increased communication via the Blackberry and i-phone will help to increase your teenager’s awareness of his or her own community and country, as well as global awareness. Developing increased communication and awareness are appropriate for teenagers, unless what the media presents or communicates to them is adverse, negative or potentially destructive patterns of behavior that they may mimic.

Teenagers tend to follow the example of other teenagers, regardless of the previous teaching and example set by their parents and teachers. For example, a group of teenagers can learn about and participate in global, philanthropic projects that set a good example for others. On the other hand, they may choose to follow protests and riots without parental awareness and guidance in respect to their actual involvement via a Blackberry or i-phone. This kind of a scenario can become potentially violent.

Knowledge and understanding:

Access to the Internet on a Blackberry or i-phone allows teenagers increased knowledge and understanding about personal, family, community, country and global issues or concerns. This is a good thing, as it teaches them how to cope with life more effectively.

When the knowledge communicated to teenagers becomes negative, destructive and potentially harmful to them and others emotionally, mentally, physically or spiritually, the benefits of the Blackberry or i-phone mode of communication for teenagers may become questionable.

One must ask whether the teenagers are old enough to deal with all of the social concerns that can influence their behavior in an adverse manner. Perhaps it becomes more important than ever for increased regulation of content on the Internet, because of the increased number of teenagers with access.

Social media

Social media platforms allow teenagers to communicate with other teenagers on a far higher level than in any previous era. With smart phones, teenagers choose what they wish to communicate socially and regulation becomes increasingly difficult and problematic.

Understanding the reality of continuing technological advances and development in terms of media platforms and communication, as well as the rate of changes or transitions in the media, is important for parents as it will affect teenage behavior everywhere.

Parents and teachers represent a major influence with respect to the behavior of teenagers, but at some point in time, they relinquish control and can only trust that what they have taught their teenagers will prevail. Many teenagers will experiment, as well as learn by trial and error that negative, adverse, behavior patterns lead to potential problems.

Like any other tool, media tools used in a positive and constructive way, can influence teenage behavior in a good direction. Parental guidance is always important, but there are times when teenagers become independent and have to make their own choices.

Are teenagers growing up too fast in our era? Do they know too much? Is the media influencing their behavior? To this, one can only suggest that there is a balance between the good and the not-good influences of the media, particularly via the Blackberry and i-phone.  

How to Measure the Effectiveness of Social Media Platforms

Is it possible to measure the effectiveness of social media? Social media and its effectiveness is something that may not be easy to measure, but the possibility of measuring it, does exist. 

When we use the term social media and discuss the possibility of its measurement, we are talking about the usage of Internet or mobile technological advances, like a Blackberry or an i-phone, that make it possible to have interactive dialogue between individuals. It also includes specific interactive web sites, like Facebook and Twitter.

People have always been social beings seeking to interact with other people and always will be. Social media platforms on the Internet and on smart phones make this more possible than in any previous era. At this time, social media platforms are growing in leaps and bounds, revealing a high level of communication effectiveness on a global basis. 

How to measure the effectiveness of social media is of interest to those who are attempting to construct a social media platform. 

“Social media strategy 101: 7 tools you need to get started", offers some suggestions.

One of the most accurate measurements for the effectiveness of any social media platform becomes evident in how people respond to using it. It is measurable in terms of their degree of happiness or contentment with the social media platform under scrutiny. They can depict their happiness or unhappiness in various ways. At times, how they respond to using it may be positive or negative in terms of their verbal or graphic expression in relation to it.

Perhaps measurement of the effectiveness of social media in a more abstract manner, lies in the philosophical interpretation of the meaning of human happiness or contentment. When people are happy with respect to a particular type of social media, they will use it. When they are not content, its usage drops off.

Satisfaction or dissatisfaction is evident in terms of verbal or other messages to the owner of the social media website or to others who are interacting on it. It is possible for the owners of social media platforms to document, chart or graph levels of satisfaction, positive or negative, as expressed by others. They can alter the social media platform technologically, in accordance to their findings. This may be with respect to particular aspects of the social media platform or the entire platform itself. 

Because the social media platforms are continually changing technologically, nothing is static in terms of its actual measurement of effectiveness.

Social media platforms that require payment will probably never exceed free ones, although they might be easier to measure in terms of actual volume or usage. This may occur in terms of increased regulation or the tracking of global marketing. The effectiveness of smart phones is measurable to some degree in terms of actual sales.

In conclusion, one must suggest that the number of active users on a social media platform on a regular basis, is probably the best measurement and indicator of the effectiveness of any particular social media.     

Christmas: How to Have an Extended Family Holiday Season

Is it possible to have a happy, extended family, holiday season celebration?

“Joy to the world”, one part of the extended family may be singing, while the other mourns for broken or lost relationships of the past, during the holiday season. There is often a combination of joy and sorrow in extended families at Christmas.

“Managing extended family issues” has some excellent suggestions for extended family situations. These are applicable to any holiday season celebration.     

Extended family holiday season celebrations can be wonderful, but at the same time, when marriages break up and re-marriages take place with the birth or acquisition of additional children and grandchildren, the relationships between extended family members can present numerous tensions and unnecessary stress. Tensions in any family can run high and in extended families, may be even worse. Extended families relationships are complex, to say the least. Each family situation will be different and unique.

Consider the following suggestions with respect to an extended family holiday season celebration.

Organization and communication:

Organizing an extended family, holiday season celebration carefully, is important as family members, young and old may have inter-personal relationship issues that could create potential problems. Good organization and effective communication can prevent a lot of stress, as well as avoid anger and frustration among extended family members of all ages.  

Timeliness:

Timeliness can be an important issue in an extended family celebration during the holiday season, as not every extended family member will always be available all of the time. Trying to get everyone together at the same time may be possible, but if not, consider possible alternatives so that everyone is included as part of the holiday season celebration.

Careful planning:

Careful planning for an extended family, holiday season celebration may involve different belief systems, Christian and non-Christian. While it may not be possible to respect everyone’s wishes and desires, at the same time, mutual respect for each family member is vital. With careful planning, each person will know and understand that he or she is a loved and important part of the extended family, regardless of his or her religious beliefs, culture or background.  

Functional versus dysfunctional families:

Every family, including extended families, can have dysfunctional family situations. A holiday season celebration is not the time to attempt to resolve dysfunctional family scenarios in an extended family; nor is it the time to resolve family disputes, although that can happen if there is a mutual attitude of love, joy and peace among everyone. Taking sides and passing judgment on one another will only intensify an adverse extended family situation, while allowing room for peaceful resolution that includes forgiveness at some time in the future, is a good idea.

Understanding one another:

When family members begin to understand each other, many hurts or grievances of the past can be resolved. Sometimes simply talking to one another in terms of concern, caring and compassion can bring healing, health and wholeness to an extended family.

Remember that the holiday season is a time for the celebration of the birth of the Christ-child, whose role was and still is that of ‘Peacemaker’. Choosing to be a peacemaker exemplifies the love of God and one another in an extended family situation and sets a good example for others. This can make a huge difference in the New Year, as well as in later years, when the family will probably extend even further.        

Christmas: Identifying Anxiety Symptoms During the Holiday Season

Are you or those you love, experiencing exaggerated anxiety symptoms? Even though it seems that the holiday season should be a carefree, happy time as a whole, it is not necessarily easy for everyone.  

Introduction to generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) on the medicine.net web site introduces this topic suggesting that there are three factors involved with anxiety including a possible genetic predisposition, brain chemistry and environmental factors.

In simple terms, “Daily life becomes a constant state of worry, fear, and dread.” This state may become worse or intensified during the holiday season. Identifying anxiety symptoms early can help any senior, adult, teenager, child or baby to cope with the anxieties, frustrations and concerns related to the holiday season.

Seniors, anxious about Christmas and New Years, often become grumpy, argumentative and critical of others, as well as everything about the holiday season, instead of going about their lives as they normally would or making preparations for the holidays. Many times, fear is an underlying factor, as they worry about their families, who may not show up for them during the holiday season. Many of them will tend to become ill around that time. Sometimes, this appears to be an attention-getting device directed towards family and friends.

Adults in general, may appear to be anxious and frustrated about the state of the nation, economy and the rising cost of the holiday season for their families. Tempers may flare, as everyone appears to be in a rush with a marked lack of patience for others. No one seems to have time for anyone else. Travel often presents a lot of tensions and additional anxiety.

Teenagers may demonstrate anger and tend toward violent, abusive behavior towards others, because of what they think the holiday season should represent, but does not appear to offer them. Many teenagers have become disillusioned about Christmas and New Years and tend toward abuse of alcohol, nicotine and other substances, at this time.

Children, even small children, can become frightened about the holiday season celebrations and the role that they are required to play. Naughty or nice can imply punishment or presents. Children may become afraid of Santa Claus, as well as other family members and do not see this as a happy time and act out because of it.

Babies often sense the unexpressed or expressed anxiety of their parents and others who are taking care of them. Disruption of routines because of holiday season activities can make them cranky or anxious.

While at times, there are no easy answers, there are positive, constructive things that you and others can do to help alleviate the anxiety of others during the holiday season.

Be aware that dysfunctional families do not necessarily become non-dysfunctional families just because it is Christmas. That would be wonderful and can happen at any time, not just during the holiday season. Focusing on love, joy and peace can resolve many family-related concerns that lead to anxiety. An honest expression of forgiveness can go a long way in terms of relieving the anxiety of others. So can expressions of kindness, caring and compassion.

While perfection is the ideal to strive towards during the holiday season, there is the stark reality of imperfection that is a part of everyone’s life. Learn to laugh at yourself and others regarding imperfections that are not that important to anyone once the holiday season is over. Perhaps these kinds of instances will become humorous stories passed along from generation to generation.

Remember that stress and its associated tensions are highly contagious and that many of the things that occur during the holiday season have to do with people attempting to interact with other people appropriately or trying to get things done in time for Christmas and New Years.

Keeping family, as well as other relationships in a healthy balance is always important. Everyone can participate in a healthy, happy, holiday season celebration. Christmas and New Years are not the time to express old grievances, real or imagined.

Being aware that there are new anxiety symptoms that may surface at this time, alerts seniors, other adults, teenagers and children to the reality that the holiday season can be a stressful time, but it does not have to be. Everyone can be part of making the holiday season one where the true meaning of Christmas becomes foremost in the lives of everyone.

Focusing on the needs of others, rather than on oneself, during the holiday season, can help to eliminate many unspoken anxieties. Everyone can help someone, somewhere. Remember that whatever your needs and desires are for the holiday season, there are many others in areas where there is war, famine and natural disasters, who lack their basic needs.

Being able to celebrate the holiday season is a blessing, as there are those who cannot celebrate Christmas and New Years for various reasons. You can pray for them. Regardless of your plans during the holiday season, remember that there are also those around the world who have no one and many others who are anxious about different things for various reasons. Be there for them regardless of where you are.

Be a peacemaker and speak 'Peace' as that is what the holiday season, particularly Christmas and the message of the Christ-child is all about. Start your New Year with a clean platter, free from needless and unfounded anxiety.

Success is Hard Work Plus Forward Thinking: A Eye To the Future

The statement “success is hard work plus forward thinking” sounds like an equation. “Success = hard work + forward thinking.”

In many ways, this is true because success seldom just appears, if one does not work hard to achieve it. Working hard with an eye to the future is important in terms of achieving any measure of success.

Are you successful? That may depend upon how you interpret the word success.

What is success?  

Success is “the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors” as well as the “the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like”, according to dictionary.com.

Success is a rather abstract concept, something measurable in accordance with a sense of achievement, an understanding of worth or a distinct set of values. One’s perception plays a large role in evaluating success or failure.

Success and rewards go hand in hand. That is only common sense, as there is no reason to reward failure.

It does not really matter what one attempts to do, but putting forth proactive, positive and constructive effort consistently, usually brings about some degree of success. Most of what one attempts to do in life is success oriented, whether one realizes it or not. A person usually works at achieving success, even though failure is a possibility. How hard one works helps to determine the degree of success achieved. Not working leads to failure.

Forward thinking demonstrates positive leadership, as that kind of a thought process leads others forward into the future. Not everyone is a natural born leader, nor has to be, as there must be followers for there to be leaders. Many people do not have foresight into the future. Some have only limited foresight. They may be locked into the past or the present and they seldom, if ever succeed, because they cannot get past that time frame in their thought processes.

There always seems to be an element of mystery in success, especially when it comes to seeing who succeeds in life or life’s tasks and who fails. Those who are successful are consistently successful and those who fail tend to leave a trail of failures behind them. With failure, there can be discouragement and thus, they have no incentive to try to succeed.

Success is its own best reward, in other words knowing, realizing or recognizing the reality of one’s success. Success also offers further incentive, encouraging one to continue onward and succeed again.      

Where does one start in order to become successful?

Depending upon a person’s interests it is always wise to start at the beginning. In other words, success is invariably rooted and grounded in something, for example, a set or moral codes, ethical values, as well as an understanding of correctness in terms of what is right or legal.

Steps leading towards one’s success, achieved one at a time, are much like building blocks set upon a solid foundation.

Knowledge is often the key to success. Coupled with hard work, for example, the accumulation of more knowledge reveals imminent success on the horizon. Seeing the possibility of success in the future is a trigger that leads one to work even harder.

Is success hard work? Definitely, as without working towards success, there is no goal orientation. Goal orientation entails looking towards the future and then actualizing it.

Dynamics of Short Story Writing: Four Critical Elements in a Short Story

Short story writing is a literary art that many freelance writers struggle to master. Not every writer succeeds in mastering the dynamics of short story writing, but it is possible.

“The Crafty Writer’s Creative Writing Course” offers suggestions that may help you to “release your creativity” in short story writing.

There are a number of secrets to short story writing that include how to get and keep the reader’s attention. 

Consider first, the four basic, critical elements in a short story, which include the title, introduction, body and conclusion. Each one serves its own purpose. 

The title:

An intriguing, dynamic title should attract a reader’s interest, immediately. Does it entice the potential reader? It should awaken, excite or challenge him or her to read beyond the title. It should also be appropriate for the proposed short story content.

The introduction:

The introduction to a short story is important, as it is what captures the attention of its reader with thoughts, words and visual imagery. If it does not accomplish that in the first couple of lines, as it should, the rest of the short story may be lost forever. If the introduction to the short story veers off in an unexpected direction, the potential reader may not be able to follow its story line. Its readership may be lost immediately. Proactive dialogue is often a good way to introduce a short story, as it brings characters to life and instill reality in the picture.

The body:

The content in the body of the short story has a number of different elements that include things like clarity of thought, sequence of events, timeliness, excitement, drama and adventure. If what you write does not have clarity of thought, your reader may not be able to comprehend it. Be aware that few readers will continue to read something that is not clear to them.

The sequence of events is vital in the body of your short story. Without a correct sequence of events, the story line will likely become confusing to the reader. Is it chronologically correct, in such a way that the events are clear?

Timeliness can be everything. The era or timing of a short story is a major factor with respect to its success. Is it pertinent for its era? Will others be able to relate to its time frame? Does it need to taken further? Is it appropriate for the designated reader?

The element of excitement in a story line entices the reader further and causes him or her to become and to stay interested. You should be able to sense the heart of the reader beating faster and faster, as he or she reads on.

Adventure in a story appears difficult to write at times, but it brings life into the short story. This kind of writing genre does not allow many words, or much time to elaborate details. It does challenge the reader and holds his or her interest.

Drama intrigues the reader’s imagination, as it brings the short story to life. At times, the drama in a short story can cause the reader to relate to it on a more personal level, as it is full of emotion.

The conclusion:

Perhaps it is the conclusion or ending of the story that makes a short story worth reading. Ask yourself whether your reader will remember your short story and why.  

Does the conclusion contain an element of mystery or surprise? Does it tie all of the loose ends together, or did you leave that task for your reader? Is he or she refreshed, astounded, amazed, excited and thus, enthused about reading more of your other short stories?

How you write your short story determines a great deal of its success. Writing short stories is an art, one that you can master with practice.

Futuristic Business Thinking: Mental Wellness

Are you a futuristic business thinker who understands the concept of mental wellness? Perhaps you wonder how futuristic business thinking contributes to your state of mental wellness and vice versa. True futuristic business thinkers understand the importance of mental wellness, while those who are not true futuristic business thinkers may not.

Negatively oriented, pseudo-thinkers or non-futuristic thinkers may not be able to comprehend the reality of mental wellness as an important part of business thinking for the future. They may perceive future business thinking only in terms of the past or present, often from a gloom and doom perspective and relegate futuristic thinkers to the realm of the mentally ill, although they are actually in the realm of mental wellness.

What is mental wellness?

Contrast mental illness with a state of mental wellness. Mental illness signifies the instability of one’s mental status, while mental wellness suggests the stability of one’s mental health. Someone who is mentally well is emotionally and psychologically stable.

Mental wellness is “a state of emotional and psychological well-being in which an individual is able to use his or her cognitive and emotional capabilities, function in society, and meet the ordinary demands of everyday life.”

In terms of futuristic business thinking, mental wellness and stability are of the utmost importance with respect to progress into the future.

From a medical perspective, mental wellness is “a branch of medicine that deals with the achievement and maintenance of psychological well-being.”

Contemporary, progressive thought, as well as futuristic thinking in business, always has an element of risk, or the need for risk taking that others might perceive in terms of mental instability. Ongoing progress in business into the future demands risk and risk taking.

While there appears to be a relative degree of safety and security in non-futuristic business thinking, in reality that might be true if there was such a thing as permanency, but nothing is permanent, so that business safety net is gone. This reality appears frightening for those confronted with unexpected non-permanency in business. Everything in business is subject to change and a degree of instability.

Planning in a futuristic business direction is one way to deal with inevitable and constant change in a mentally healthy way, as in a state of mental wellness. Forward, futuristic thinking in business exceeds thought that is restricted to the present or the past.

Business thought, practices and principles continually change, exactly as they should. Either business thinkers are futuristic in terms of their thought processes, or they are doomed to collide with inevitable change that will take place regardless of what or how they think. The crashing of business thought processes often results in instability that depicts mental illness. 

Throughout the centuries, true thinkers have always been ahead of their times. Part of the struggle that futuristic business thinkers have to contend with is the reality that new and progressive, futuristic business thought is often misunderstood.

Futuristic business thinkers are not mentally unstable or mentally ill. In fact, mentally they are more stable than those non-futuristic thinkers who criticize them or their business practices. Futuristic business thinkers often face confrontation, even though they are in a state of mental wellness. How does one explain this? Remember that no one can comprehend what a visionary can see, until it becomes a reality.