Uncovering Your Shadow Beliefs

Oprah.com

A "Shadow Belief" is an unconscious belief that influences our entire lives, tells us what we can and can not do, and drives our behaviors. Life coaches Debbie Ford and Cheryl Richardson have helped thousands of people uncover their shadow beliefs...including Oprah!

Shadow beliefs are what hold you back in life—and you may not even have known they were doing it!

According to Cheryl Richardson, some of your shadow beliefs are preventing you from getting what you want in life. Most people know they have these beliefs, but are taught to hide them because we are ashamed and embarrassed. But you can overcome them and live your best life! There's nobody in the world smarter about you than you! Do you believe any of the following statements?

• There is something wrong with me.
• I cannot trust anyone.
• I'm not lovable.
• I don't deserve to have what I want.
• Love does not last.
• I am worthless.
• I am never going to be successful.

If you've checked off any of the previous statements, you have shadow beliefs that need your attention. Uncover your shadow beliefs!


Three Steps to Uncover Your Shadow Beliefs

Life coach Debbie Ford says that we can all find what is holding us back in life. Start with these three steps and simple exercises. Debbie says, "To go deeper, you have to be radically honest with yourself. All of your emotions are there to guide you."

Step One: Get in touch with your pain and emotions. "You can't heal if you can't feel," says Debbie.

Step Two: Once you're feeling that pain or emotion, try and connect it to your past to uncover where that pattern of pain began.

Step Three: Embark on a healing ritual that will help you surrender that pain and anger once and for all.


Exercises to Uncover Your Shadow Beliefs

Shadow beliefs cause us to make the same mistakes over and over again. Try these simple exercises for uncovering these beliefs.

Exercise One
For one week, whenever you find yourself overreacting to another person's behavior, ask yourself: What traits in that person are you trying to disown in yourself?

Exercise Two
Also, make a list of the advice you give others and ask yourself if the advice is appropriate for your life. Cheryl Richardson often says, "We often teach what we need to learn."

Losing a Loved One

Dr. Robin Smith
Original Air Date: January 29, 2007

Losing someone you love is always difficult. Life can feel groundless, regardless of whether your relationship with that person was rich, warm and loving, or troubled, empty and vacant. "It still leaves such complexity to deal with the death," Dr. Robin says.

Dr. Robin says whether you've lost your father, your mother, your sibling or your child, it's important for you to acknowledge and accept that you're now a member of a club of people who are facing the same thing. Membership in the club offers you the beauty of never being alone in your anguish and the reality that there's no time like the present to embrace the ones you love, Dr. Robin says.

"Take that membership, be gentle with yourself, be gentle with the others who are in that club," Dr. Robin says. "Open your own heart in a new way, in a sensitive way, with a new awareness and a new gentleness about what it means to be thrown into membership you didn't ask for."

Dr. Robin says it's important to take a moment to talk to the people who are still alive today, before it's too late.

"Take advantage of today," she says. "Maybe pick up the phone and call your spouse, your parent, your grandparent or your child and say, 'You know what? Just wanted to tell you that I love you, or I appreciate you.' … Use today wisely."

How Not to Pack a Laptop

James A. Martin
My friend Mary has been known to do some crazy things. Last summer, she won a hat contest by affixing pieces of fried chicken to a straw bonnet and accessorizing it with biscuit earrings.

But before boarding a recent flight, Mary did something particularly crazy: She packed her laptop in her checked bag, a canvas duffel that also contained shoes, clothes, and toiletries.

"What's the big deal?" Mary asked me. Her notebook, an ultraportable Sony Vaio TX, was enclosed in a padded envelope. Wasn't that enough protection?

At this point, I hasten to add that Mary wasn't born yesterday. She's a savvy entrepreneur whose small business has been profiled in The Wall Street Journal. Still, her laptop packing strategy leaves much to be desired.

So why shouldn't you pack your notebook in a checked suitcase when you travel by plane? Here are three excellent reasons.

1. Your Notebook Could Be Damaged


You may have taken the utmost care in packing your notebook. However, what happens to your suitcase and its contents once you check it is out of your control.

"Airlines often load bags on top of one another in the cargo hold of your flight," warns the Transportation Security Administration on its Web site. "Your baggage may be loaded with hundreds of other bags, with possibly several on top of yours. Hundreds of pounds of pressure in conjunction with high altitude and the resulting low temperatures" while the plane is in flight "create an ideal environment for damaged laptops," according to the site. "These conditions crack cases and damage screens among other things. For these reasons, we recommend that you keep your laptop in your carry-on bag when traveling."

2. Your Notebook Could Be Stolen

While I'm sure the vast majority of baggage handlers and airport screeners are honest, all you need is one dishonest opportunist who spots your laptop in an X-ray screening.

For instance, on two different trips, I packed low-cost electronic items in my checked baggage--mainly iPod accessories--and found them missing when I unpacked. (Needless to say, I no longer pack any electronics in my checked suitcase.)

Also, keep in mind some thieves are more interested in a laptop's hard drive data than the computer itself. The drive may include information, such as social security numbers, that can be sold or exploited for identity theft. Do you really want to risk having data like that fall into the wrong hands?

3. Your Notebook Could Get Lost

If you've packed a notebook in your checked bag and the airline loses that bag, you're out of luck. Oh, and do you think the airlines will reimburse you for that laptop? They probably won't.

On U.S. domestic flights, there's a $2800 compensation limit per person total (not per bag) for lost or damaged baggage. And so, in theory, if you've packed a $3000 laptop in your checked bag and the bag goes missing in action, you're out at least $200. For international trips, airline liability is capped at $1500 per passenger.

However, many airlines specifically exclude computer equipment from their liability--meaning they don't have to pay you anything if your laptop is lost, stolen, or broken during a flight.

For example, go to Delta's Declaring Baggage Value page and you'll read this policy: "Delta is not responsible or liable for cash, camera equipment, commercial effects, computer software and equipment, electronic equipment, fragile articles, jewelry, lifesaving medication, negotiable papers, irreplaceable business documents, works of art or other similar valuable items contained in checked or unchecked baggage."

Other airlines have similar policies, including American Airlines, Continental Airlines, United, and US Airways.

What Are Your Options?

If you must pack your notebook in a checked suitcase--as some travelers were forced to do last summer, following an alleged terrorist threat--then you'll need to take precautions.

• Back up your data before you begin your trip, and make sure it's password protected at a minimum. Consider removing your laptop's hard drive and packing it (carefully) in your carry-on bag.
• Pack the notebook in a shock-resistant case, such as an Otterbox, or buy a ruggedized notebook. Put a TSA-approved lock on your checked bag to reduce the chances that an unscrupulous baggage handler will steal your laptop.
• Look into buying insurance for your notebook from the likes of Safeware.
• Consider using a service that tracks, locates, and recovers stolen laptops, such as LoJack for Laptops ($50 a year).

For more advice, plus info on ruggedized notebooks, read "Protecting Your Laptop, Part 1" and "Protecting Your Laptop, Part 2."

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

5 Sure-Fire Ways to Spark Her Interest

By David Wygant
Special to Yahoo! Personals

Most men think that they need a clever line to approach a woman. But through all my years of coaching men and women, I have found that it is not what you say that's important, but how you approach.

Most women put more importance on visual clues to assess a man's character. They don't care what you say, as long as you say it without hesitation and with authority. Unfortunately, most men don't know this, so they walk over to a woman like a wounded animal expecting to be rejected. When you approach like a wounded animal, you will be rejected every single time -- no matter how clever a remark you may have.

With 80 percent of human interaction based on nonverbal body language, what is a man to do? The key to impressing her right off the bat is to be different from all the other men who are approaching her that evening.

Here a few sure-fire ways to make your approach more powerful and convincing, even if you are not sure what you are going to say:

1. Walk with confidence. When you see a woman that you are attracted to, walk right over. Stand up straight and walk over slowly but with confidence. Make sure your chest is puffed out and your posture is looking strong and not slumped over. Keep eye contact as you approach. Do not hesitate. Most men linger in the background before they approach, then, when you finally do approach, she is quick to turn her back on you. The reason is that you did not exude confidence. Most women notice who is observing them. When you do not approach within seconds of spotting her, you might as well go home.
2. Lose the male pack. When out on the town, avoid being seen with the drunken testosterone pack of males. One of the biggest turn-offs for women is the "male pack" -- you with five of your buddies high-fiving each other, drinking and checking out other women. When you approach a woman with your buddies waiting on the sideline, she will impulsively reject you in front of the pack to avoid being scrutinized later. Break away from the male pack and find one other guy to go out on the town with. Save the male bonding for a sports bar.
3. Dress for a strong appearance. Make sure you're not sabotaging your efforts with your attire. If you look like a slob, it will not matter what your body language says, because you will look like every other man who put no thought into what he was going to wear that night to attract women. Buy clothing that makes you stand out from the rest of the men. Find a cool pair of jeans and some great shirts that give you an edge, so when you walk in with the right body language, women will see you. Keep in mind that shoes are really important too, so find a few pairs that look great on you.
4. Create a spark within her. Most men's conversation will center on being agreeable and non-confrontational in the hopes that she likes you. In the mind of a woman, playing it safe equals boring! You need to spark her interest by being a bit disagreeable. For example, you get into a conversation about summer movies and she says that "Spiderman III" was her favorite Spidey movie so far. Instead of being agreeable, look her right in the eye with confidence and tell her that she is so wrong -- the first Spiderman was superior. Then proceed to tell her why you think so. This will create a fun, friendly, flirtatious verbal sparring, which will create a spark in her brain. She will realize that you are not a pushover like most men and attraction will start to form in her head.
5. Maintain some tension.Flirting with women is all about gathering information
   Flirting with women is all about gathering informationFlirting with women is all about gathering information, so the better listener you are, the better your chances. When you call her, you will have more things to talk about. Before calling a woman, I think about everything she said and then I pick the most juicy topic or opinion and challenge her with it. For example, going back to the example of "Spiderman III," I would text her the next day: "I was thinking U & I need 2 re-watch Spiderman. U R so wrong. Name the time & place & I'll bring the DVD."

She will immediately respond to the challenge and text you back. You have just learned the secret of re-creating the tension that you shared with her. Plus, you are being totally unlike every other guy who waits three days to call her and schedule a predictable dinner date.

How to find free stuff

Monday September 24, 2:09 pm
ET By Gerri Willis, CNN

Everybody likes free stuff. So put your wallet away and get out those pencils. We went out to find the best deals out there for the taking.

1. Free Samples
   Let's face it...free stuff is the best stuff. You have to be careful of free-product programs...your inbox may be flooded with ads or there may be hidden fees. So read the fine print carefully.
   Here's one Web site that connects manufacturers with consumers who test products. That's www.startsampling.com. You'll also want to check out company Web sites directly like tide.com and olay.com to sign up for discount coupons and new-product samples.
2. Free Phone Aid
   We've all been charged for dialing 4-1-1, but now there's free directory assistance. That number is 800-FREE-411. You will have to listen to a few seconds of advertising. But you'll get your number at no charge.
   And here's another handy phone tool...If you really want to get out of a meeting...or a date, you can "receive" a fake call. Check out popularitydialer.com. Set the time you need to receive the call and which excuse you want to use...(like the "return to the office" call), and voila! you'll receive a "fake" call with a recorded message that demands you leave whatever you're doing and go back to work.
3. Free Memory
   If Post-its just aren't cutting it as your scheduling tool, there are some free tools on the Web that can help. Check out memotome.com. You'll never have to say a happy belated birthday again. Just put in your e-mail, and program in the events and dates you need to be reminded of. There's also birthdayalarm.com. Membership is free and you'll even get free invites and party planning tools.
4. Free Books
   If you're an avid reader, you may really love paperbackswap.com. All you have to do is choose a book you'd like to read from a list and you'll receive it in the mail.
   At the same time, you list the books you want to get rid of. When someone requests to read it, all you have to do is pop it in the mail. You will have to pay for postage, but it's usually around $2.13.
5. Financial Planning
   Before you invest in a financial planner, check out some of these online tools. To figure out how much you'll need in retirement, check out this calculator. All you have to do is punch in some basic info about your income and savings. If you want to take a peek inside your portfolio to see how your funds are doing, Morningstar.com has a great tool on its Web site called Instant X-ray.
   

6 Diets to Avoid

Posted by Joy Bauer, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.
on Thu, Sep 27, 2007, 10:01 pm PDT

When it comes to losing weight, everyone's in search of a magic bullet. But don't fall for the hype. Unfortunately, there's no short-term fix for long lasting weight loss.
So learn to identify these six red flags:

1. Diets that promote or promise drastic weight loss.When you start a diet, you can potentially drop a lot of weight during the first two weeks (some of which will be water weight). However, if you lose more than two pounds per week in the weeks that follow, you run the risk of losing "muscle mass," and your metabolism will slow down in response. That's why true health experts advocate losing weight slowly and gradually - so you melt away fat while sparing precious muscle.
2. Diets that claim to work because of special supplements, creams, or potions - no diet or exercise required!Or diets that make you buy mega supplements in order to follow the program. If it sounds too good to be true, it is!
3. Diets that differ entirely from the way you currently eat (or like to eat).If a plan is incompatible with your lifestyle, chances are slim you'll stick with it.
4. Diets that are less than 1,000 calories.Too difficult to sustain and can often leave you cranky, irritable, and with a bad headache. Not to mention hungry and lethargic.
5. Diets that claim they are effortless.There's no such animal. Losing weight takes focus and effort. Period.
6. Diets that cut out entire food groups, or focus on only a few foods.Not realistic for the long haul; the sign of a plan you're soon to go off.

7 Reasons Why She Didn't Write Back

Sure-fire ways to boost the number of email responses in your inbox
By Caroline Presno, Ed.D., P.C.C.
Special to Yahoo! Personals
How frustrating is it when you reach out to a woman online and she doesn't contact you back?
Here are the most common reasons why you didn't hear from her, and ways to work around them so you can boost the number of email responses in your inbox.

1. She's getting a lot of attention online. A key thing to remember is that women's inboxes tend to get crowded with potential suitors. Make sure that you stand out from the competition by commenting about something specific she said in her profile, such as, "You mentioned you really like movies. What are some of your favorites?" Don't send her the same email you sent to 20 other women. It doesn't make her feel special.

2. You contacted her just because she looks hot. How many times have you skimmed a profile quickly and then contacted her right away because she is cute-looking in her photo? And then she doesn't respond. If you go back and reread her profile in depth, there will be things you missed which give you the clues as to why she didn't contact you. Maybe you missed that she has three dogs and your profile says you don't like pets.

3. You posted the wrong photo. Guys, you need to start paying more attention to the photos you are choosing for your profiles. Don't even think about posting a photo until you show it to a few women (a coworker, sister or friend you trust) and get their reactions. What you think is a fine-looking picture may look like a menacing mug shot to us. Also, a pet peeve for women is a photo where you've got your arm around some other woman who was obviously cut out of the picture. Last, but not least, choose pictures where you can see your face clearly.

4. She may think your email was too forward. Make sure you are not asking her for a lot of personal information the first time you contact her. You don't want to make her shy away from you even though you are just trying to get to know her. Avoid asking things like her place of work, specifics about where she lives or details about her children. Also, don't suggest meeting in person in the first email.

5. You focus on past breakups in your profile. When women read your profile, they want to learn about you, not your exes. If you are including too much detail about bad past relationships in your profile, you may end up sounding bitter and jaded, which is a turnoff. As you get to know a woman online over time, then you can get into both of your relationship histories. It's not something for your profile.

6. You aren't her type. Even though you think your profile and her profile could walk off into a romantic sunset together, she may feel that you are not her type. I know it's hard to do, but gentlemen, try not to take this personally. The process of online dating is sorting through a variety of profiles to find the ones that are best suited to you. If she doesn't think you will be a good fit, then you probably won't be and she's saving you a lot of time and effort.

7. She doesn't get what a catch you are! You want someone who understands all the things you have to offer and is excited to respond to you. Instead of focusing on all the women who aren't contacting you back, pay attention to the thousands of women with profiles online who are just waiting to hear from you!

5 Ways to Get Into a Man's Head

To get into his heart, start by getting into his head

By Caroline Presno, Ed.D., P.C.C.
Special to Yahoo! Personals

How many times have you wondered, "What is this guy thinking!" If you want to get into a man's heart, you have to start by getting into his head. The problem is many men have a hard time being open about their thoughts and feelings.

Armed with the following five techniques, a man will feel more comfortable opening up to you, so you can develop better communication with him and, ultimately, enjoy a better relationship.

1. Let him know you care about what he is saying. A man won't open up to you unless he knows you care. One of the best ways to convey this to him is through your body language. To show your interest, unfold your arms, lean into him and allow your eyes to meet his in a natural way. Let him know that you get what he is saying with a nod of the head or a raise of your brow.

Also, try "mirroring," which means that you absorb his body movement and convey it back to him. So if he looks stressed telling a story, you look stressed as well. It's like saying, "I feel what you are feeling. I'm putting myself in your shoes."

2. Be nonjudgmental. No man is going to let you into his real thoughts if he senses he is going to be criticized or put down. Leave out comments like "How could you do something like that?" or "That's not something I would do."

Give him the freedom to express himself openly and honestly without judgment and you'll be surprised at all that comes out. You don't have to condone or agree with everything he says. You're simply creating an environment where he has the freedom to say it.

3. Don't use the word "why." When psychotherapists are in training, they are often taught to erase the word "why" from their vocabulary, because "why" questions frequently sound negative and critical.
When you ask a man, "Why did you do it that way?" it can come across as "Are you stupid, why on earth would you choose to do it that way?" Now he's on the defensive before you even finish the sentence. Practice using substitutes such as "Tell me more about it" instead of "Why did you do it?"

4. Never say, "We need to talk." Nothing makes a man want to talk less than hearing "We need to talk." It conveys the message that he's done something wrong, he's in trouble for it, and you are going to let him have it. He will shut down before the conversation starts.

The best way to bring up an important topic is to ease into it. Choose a time when you are both doing a small task together such as light cleaning or cooking, which takes the harsh focus away from "the talk" and will make him more comfortable. Remember not to approach him while he is involved in something important to him like Monday night football. (Heare are some other ideas about dealing with a football fan.)

5. Learn how to really listen. Chances are you always listen to him but you don't always hear him. How many times have you had something else on your mind as he is talking to you? Or maybe you are thinking about what you're going to say next instead of paying full attention.

It's important to stay in the "hear" and now with him, rather than letting your own thoughts or the outside world intrude. A man can sense when you really want to hear what he has to say -- true listening is the best way to get him talking true to you.

10 Fatal Online Dating Errors

Mistakes that men make By David Wygant

Some men have absolutely NO sense of etiquette when they're trying to contact women online. During all my years of coaching, women have told me some amazing things men have written to them in emails.

Many men feel they can just say anything in an email when they are trying to get a woman to go out with them. If they said those same things to a woman in a bar or on the street, they might get arrested, or at least slapped. But when they're hiding behind the secrecy of their computer, too many men get abrasive and crude.

Here's my list of 10 things NEVER to do when you're online trying to get a woman to go out with you. Some of these are obvious; some you'll swear I'm making up! But all of them are things men actually do.Top 10 email turnoffs for women

1. Don't ask her how much she weighs or what her measurements are. You might as well just tell her you only want to sleep with her and you have no interest in getting to know her, because that's what she's going to think if you ask her this.
2. Don't email her seven times asking her why she hasn't responded to your first email. Women get far more email than men do, so you need to be patient. Instead of harassing her, relax and be confident that she's going to respond to you.
3. Don't ask her how many other dates she's been on from Yahoo! Personals. How many other dates someone has been on is not important. What is important is finding out whether the two of you click when you hang out.
4. Don't send her a nasty email if she hasn't responded to you after several emails. It's her prerogative whether or not she desires to be in contact with you. If she doesn't want to meet you, why get angry and nasty? There are plenty of other women out there who you can contact.
5. Don't ask her if she wants to have sex with you on the second email exchange, and don't send her dirty pictures of you. Women are all about connecting with their minds. Just because you're looking for a quick fling, that doesn't mean she's going to respond.
6. If she gives you her phone number, don't wait a week to call her. By extension, if you do wait a week to call her and she doesn't call you back, don't be shocked. Women have many options online. If she gives you her phone number, I suggest calling her that day. It keeps the momentum going.
7. When asking for more pictures, do so without any references to "Can you please send me a picture so I can see your body?"
   Ask her if she'd like to exchange more pictures, which means you send some and she sends some. Several women have complained to me that men ask them to send pictures of themselves in bikinis or other such things, so that men can see their body. Men, don't do this!
8. Don't get offended if she doesn't want to talk to you on the phone right away and/or wants to talk to you via email first to get to know you. You need to be flexible and open to her suggestions. Sometimes you may need to email back and forth for a week, and sometimes she'll give you her phone number right away. Either way, don't be rude.
9. Do not email-stalk her. Many of my women clients have complained to me about men who will email them several times a day for three weeks, until they are forced to block emails from those men. Men, she got your email the very first time. She just may have chosen not to open it. By sending emails several times a day, not only are you turning her off, you're freaking her out! You've become an online stalker. That's a guarantee she'll never go out with you.
10. Don't send cut-and-paste emails. When connecting with her for the very first time, don't cut and paste an email message in July that you've been sending out for six months with a tagline that says, "I love the holidays." By doing that, she knows you didn't read her profile - and that you're really, really lazy!
    Want to find out what works, check my Daily Dating Blog. If you need any more online dating tips, email me. I have another batch in my blog waiting for you to devour. I always enjoy hearing your comments.

Top Five Careers for the Extrovert

By Clare Kaufman

Extroverts are the life of the party--social, assertive, and full of energy. The ultimate team players, they come alive in the company of others. In short, extroverts have the social intelligence and drive to make things happen. Here's a look at five hot careers that call for the extrovert's charisma.

1. Financial Advisor - Median Salary: $66,800
Financial advisors develop an intimate understanding of their clients' life goals and plan their financial management strategies accordingly. Communication is as important as financial savvy, as an advisor adapts investment strategies to fit each client's unique profile. The extrovert's risk-taking nature may play well with a younger investor looking to ramp up quickly with high-stakes investments. But clients nearing retirement may prefer to protect their nest egg with a more conservative financial plan. A good advisor tailors the strategy to the client.
Education Requirements
Financial advisors typically enter the field with a bachelor's degree in a business with an emphasis in finance. Online financial planning courses offer applied training in investments, tax policy, and estate planning. These classroom hours may also count toward a Certified Financial Planners (CFP) credential, which is available with at least three years' work experience.

2. Human Resources Specialist - Median Salary: $44,430 to $79,918
Human resources specialists are in the business of keeping employees happy and productive. Their social intelligence helps them place employees in the right job, develop morale-boosting initiatives and programs, and create a pleasant work environment. HR specialists may also be called upon to mediate conflicts or negotiate labor contracts. Communication, cultural sensitivity, and diplomacy are crucial job skills. Aside from the interpersonal dimension of the job, human resources specialists collect and analyze HR data and present recommendations to management.
Education Requirements
A bachelor's degree in human resources prepares extroverts to focus their social sensibility in a business context. HR coursework covers compensation, recruitment, training, performance appraisal, as well as general topics such as business management and organizational psychology.

3. Purchasing Agent - Median Salary: $64,195 to $80,046
Purchasing agents are professional shoppers. They acquire materials for manufacturers or build inventory for retail stores. Extroverts excel at this social career that requires them to maintain long-term relationships with suppliers and network with peers in order to keep a finger on the pulse of the market. Purchasing agents may be found chatting up potential suppliers at trade shows and negotiating favorable pricing. In a volatile industry such as fashion, purchasing agents also keep time with industry A-listers in order to anticipate coming trends.
Education Requirements
A bachelor's degree in marketing offers the right business perspective for a purchasing agent career. Coursework should cover quantitative market research, financial analysis and budgets, merchandising strategy, and negotiation.

4. Mediator - Median Salary: $54,760
Extroverts are great diplomats, capable of grasping conflicting vantage points and bridging the gap between them. This social intelligence finds a natural outlet in the legal mediator role. With rising litigation costs, more and more people are trading their day in court in favor of an amicable resolution behind the scenes. Mediators are neutral third parties who resolve conflict by clarifying the underlying problem and developing a compromise sensitive to both parties. Consistent with their empathetic natures, mediators are more likely to focus on their clients' motivations rather than an abstract ideal of justice.
Education Requirements
A bachelor's degree in social sciences or business offers a solid foundation for a mediator role. Most mediators go on to complete a J.D. as well, honing their diplomacy and negotiation skills in three years of law school.

5. Physical Therapist / Assistant - Median Salary: $61,334 to $70,463 / $37,890
Physical therapists help patients afflicted by injury and illness regain their functioning or adapt to their new condition. They develop exercises to regenerate strength and mobility, teach patients to use adaptive devices, and track progress. Therapist assistants help physical therapists, and they also perform treatments.
Extroverted physical therapists and assistants have a strong advantage because of their communication and interpersonal skills. As Julie, a physical therapist in Chicago, points out: "Being an extrovert, my interactions with patients come freely and naturally." This interaction ensures the compassion and empathy so crucial to the patient-therapist relationship. It's this trust that helps patients discover the inner resources for overcoming physical adversity.
Education Requirements
Physical therapists qualify for licensure by earning a master degree from an accredited physical therapy program, though a doctorate will command a higher salary. Besides basic science courses, they take specialized courses in biomechanics, neuroanatomy, and therapeutic procedures. Therapist assistants, poised for a 44% growth in their profession, can get into the profession with a two-year associate's degree or completion of an equivalent medical assistant training program.

Extroverts possess a perfect profile for business, healthcare, and advisory roles. They are capable of reaching out to others and building strong relationships. They lead and take risks, but without losing touch with the human motivations underlying any venture. Extroverts understand that the bottom line in any occupation is not the bottom line--it's the people. With an innate ability to navigate the complicated terrain of human nature and an online degree in hand, extroverts have what it takes to make it in nearly any walk of life.

4 (Harmless) Ways to Make a Man Jealous

by David Zinczenko

The jealousy card. You know it well, and chances are you've played it on more than one occasion.
It does wonders, doesn't it? Make a guy jealous, and he's back in the palm of your hands, treating you better, paying more attention to your ups and downs, and cleaning the bathrooms twice a week (with rubber gloves). Genius.

Or is it? As with politics and winter skies, there are various shades of gray here, too. While you may have something to gain by pushing his buttons, you also have an awful lot to lose if you hit the wrong one.

At the risk of being labeled a traitor to my gender - but as a favor to my female friends - here are some surefire ways to safely and compassionately poke your partner with the jealousy stick without risking more serious issues.

Stay Up Later Than He Does

And make sure you're logged in. When he says he's going to bed, tell him you'll be in later, that you just have a few things to look up on the computer. Not that he doesn't trust you and not that you're going to check up on an ex or two, but he doesn't know that.
And his wandering mind may just think you're up to something. And the thought that you might be means that you'll soon be getting more attention than David Beckham in the Los Angeles airport.

Have Drinks with Friends

He knows you talk. He knows you talk more when you're with friends, especially when you add drinks to the mix. And he cares deeply about how he's portrayed in your version of the media - that is, your social network - and how he stacks up against other men. Go out and compare notes with the girls, and selectively report back on the findings of the kangaroo court. He may be less likely to give you damning evidence to report.

Click on ESPN.com

Read up on the latest sports happenings, and bring them up later to your man. When he asks how the heck you knew Padraig Harrington won the British Open, tell him that a couple guys from work were talking about it.

The thought of you playing Erin Andrews (sports reporter for ESPN since 2004 ... C'mon, stay with me here!) around the coffee machine will make him steam without totally burning. (Note: Anything you do with male colleagues that's potentially frisky will infuriate him - and can potentially backfire on you.)

Whoop Him

Challenge him in something physical - whether it's in an upcoming 5K or in your regular yoga class. It's hard for even the least competitive men not to feel antsy when his woman is stronger, faster, or more flexible than he is.

He'll say it doesn't bother him when you cross the finish line first or scratch your ears with your toes. Plus, research shows that even a little healthy competition can ignite your sex life. Don't push the Venus Williams act too hard, though, or he'll wonder if his losing streak will send you in search of a man who's faster, stronger, and better.

Have your own ideas about how to get a partner's attention and get him or her to care more? Share them with others here.

How to clean a LCD monitor

1. Turn off the computer or display.

2. Dampen a clean, soft, lint-free cloth or paper with water only.

3. Wipe the screen. Do not spray liquid directly on the screen.

----------------------------------

I've been wondered... how could I clean my LCD monitor? Then I found this http://lifehacker.com/software/lcd/how-to-clean-an-lcd-monitor-179659.php

I tried it, and... It works... Clean & Shinny

Health Tip: Why Can't I Sleep?

(HealthDay News) -- Plenty of sleep is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle. But most people have sleep problems at some point in their lives.

Here are common causes of insomnia, courtesy of the National Sleep Foundation:
Stress, depression or problems in work or personal life.

• Drinking alcohol or caffeine late in the day.
• Exercising too close to bedtime.
• A distracting sleep environment -- one that's too bright, loud, or caused by sleeping near another person.
• Physical conditions, such as arthritis, backache or pregnancy.
• Certain medications, including steroids, decongestants, blood pressure drugs, asthma drugs and antidepressants.
  

10 Classic Online Dating Mistakes That Women Make

Avoid these and you'll boost your success rate considerably

By Evan Marc Katz
Special to Yahoo! Personals

For every valuable tip out there on how to date online, there are probably two mistakes to avoid. Keep away from the 10 listed here and you'll boost your success rate considerably.

Mistake #10: Thinking That Your Great Date Actually Meant Something

Have you ever had a man say how much he likes you, how sexy you are, and how he's serious about finding a long-term relationship? Ever have an amazing date where the chemistry was great, the conversation flowed, and you hooked up with him afterwards?

Have you ever had a man do all of these things and then NOT call?

No, you're not crazy or delusional. Your mistake is thinking that what a man says on a date actually means something. Your mistake is thinking that what a man says on a date actually means something. It doesn't. It means he's being in the moment. So don't put too much weight on a great date. The only way you can tell how a man REALLY feels about you is by how quickly he follows up for another date.

Mistake #9: Ignoring Your Own Intuition

How many times have you been across a table from some guy, wishing that you'd rather be anywhere else on earth? How many times have you felt deceived, angered, manipulated, or just plain turned off by the man in front of you?

Now, how many times have you considered that it was actually your fault that he was sitting there?

I'm not blaming you. I've been there myself. But the common denominator in all your bad dates is not the awful men themselves, but YOU. If you find yourself losing hope that there are any great guys out there, do yourself a favor and only go out with men who truly interest you. Instead of meeting total strangers, filter out men by email and phone. This strategy will prevent most bad dates before they happen.

Mistake #8: Waiting for Men to Write You First
Have you ever sat in front of your computer, reading emails from losers, and asked yourself why the winners never write to you? You look at your favorites list and wish you could say hi to them, but you know better. It's tradition: men approach women. And you wouldn't want to come across as desperate. After all, what guy wants a woman who's so needy that she has to write to him first?

Actually, all men do. We love it. If you have a good photo, an original profile and you write a confident email, most guys will drop everything they're doing to talk to you. If you have a good photo, an original profile and you write a confident email, most guys will drop everything they're doing to talk to you.

Mistake #7: Expecting Him to Tell the Truth in His Profile

You don't like to be lied to. Nobody does. And once you've gone out with a man who claimed to be 5'9" but is really 5'5", it's hard to keep dating. But haven't you ever done the same thing? The typical woman exaggerates her height by one inch and lowers her weight by 20 pounds. And it's not just a coincidence that the most popular ages for women on dating sites are 29, 39, 44 and 49.

You want to be given a chance. You don't want to be judged before you meet. And you're insecure that telling the truth won't get you in the door against younger, thinner women. So if there are good reasons why an honest woman might be tempted to misrepresent herself, wouldn't it make sense that an honest man might be tempted to do the same thing?

Mistake #6: Thinking You're Now Dating the Man You've Met Online

Have you ever gone on an amazing date and saw that he was online right afterwards? Have you ever emailed a man who seemed interested then suddenly disappeared? Have you ever gotten intimate with a man who never called again?

You're not alone. All of these things are common in the world of online dating. So instead of taking it as a personal rejection each time a man comes and goes, take a step back. Think of all the guys who have written to you that you weren't interested in. Imagine all of them taking it personally. It's ridiculous.

It's easy to forget how many choices men have. It's easy to forget how many other women they're contacting. And if you think that you're exclusive with every new guy that gets you excited, you're in for a lot of disappointment.

Mistake #5: Meeting for a Coffee Date to Save Time

Have you ever spent a month getting to know someone online and discovered on the date that they were a real-life dud? I have. I remember vowing not to waste that kind of time on a stranger ever again. You probably did, too. You probably started meeting guys right away to make sure that you had that "in-person chemistry." And at some point, on your tenth (or twentieth) bad date, you probably asked yourself, "Why do I even bother?"

Online dating is NOT about meeting men as quickly as possible. Moving quickly means there is no screening. There is no getting-to-know-you process. You might as well have cute men at a bar pick a number to meet you. The ONLY way to enjoy online dating is by going out with fewer men. It's far better to go on one comfortable date on a Friday night than five blind coffee dates during the week.

Mistake#4: Expecting That You'll Succeed Online Because You're a Catch

sweet. You're fun. You're attractive. You have no trouble meeting men in real life. You figure that with all your good qualities, online dating should be a piece of cake. Except that's not how it's worked out. The only guys contacting you look like they've been let out of jail or a retirement home. There have to be better men out there. Then how come they aren't writing?

Simple. Any man who you think is a great catch has hundreds of options. And when a guy has that many choices, he's often going to search for younger women. Why? Because he can. So forget these guys and their unrealistic Playboy fantasies. Mr. Right is the man who wants YOU. Focus your attentions on the men who are searching for you, instead of the ones who aren't, and you'll have far greater success.

Mistake #3: Trying to Stop the "Wrong" Men From Writing to You

Have you ever had a profile that just seemed to attract all the wrong men? You want a man who is attractive, successful and honest, and all you get are ugly unemployed guys who lie about their height. So, to stop them from wasting your time, you decide to spell it out in your profile: "If you're over the age of 50, live in another state, or have a substance abuse problem, don't even bother writing". And yet they STILL keep on contacting you! What can you possibly do to stop these annoying men who can't read?

Nothing. Ignore them. But don't try to stop them. After all, if you have any standards, most of your emails are going to be from the "wrong" guys. That's okay. They're allowed to write to you. And you're allowed to delete their email. As a quality woman, you're going to get all sorts of men who are interested in you. Your job isn't to scare away the bad guys, it's to attract the good ones. And profiles with negative warnings to the "wrong" men only make YOU sound bad.

Mistake #2: Signing Up for a One-Month Subscription

Even though you know how difficult it is to find a soul mate, you signed up for a one-month subscription on a dating site. One month! You're going to fall in love before you get your next phone bill! Clearly, you've created an unrealistic timetable. So while you may not want to date online forever, you're shortchanging yourself if you act as if you have only 30 days to find a husband.

Remind yourself why you started dating online -- it's hard to meet people in real life.And quitting is not an option.

Mistake #1: Searching for the Right Dating Site

If a girlfriend told you that her biggest problem in losing weight was that she couldn't find the right gym, you'd probably shake your head. You know that it's not the gym but your friend's dedication to using the gym that makes all the difference. Yet you may think that you can cure your dating blues just by choosing the right website. Newsflash: ANY website with lots of single men can be the right website; your success is ultimately determined by how you use that site.

You can use Yahoo! to search all day long to find a place that is populated with tall, honest, successful men. But at the end of the day, it's not the site that will determine your fate. It's you. The question is how committed you are to turning yourself into a success story.

Tip for Drawing

Resource: my son

Never stop being childish

The Five Things You Need to Succeed

Caroline Levchuck, Yahoo! HotJobs

Whether starting a career or moving into senior management, everyone defines success differently. Whatever definition you use, there are five assets that can help you realize it on a professional level.

1. A Thick Skin

As you climb the corporate ladder or chase your dreams, you'll likely encounter criticism and rejection. Learn how to accept both graciously sooner rather than later. Constructive criticism can help you refine your plans. Rejection becomes less scary after you experience it a couple of times, which will help you become a more bold business person.

2. A Rainy Day Fund

Pursuing professional success often involves risk-taking -- leaving a longtime job for a new opportunity, moving to another state or country, or opening your own business. It's easier to take such risks if you have even a modest financial cushion. Work now to create a nest egg big enough to cover six months of living expenses. This will give you the freedom and flexibility to answer when new opportunity knocks.

3. Confidence

Pursuing your passion -- whatever it may be -- requires courage. You need to be able to ask for a promotion, ask for business, ask for financing. This can be intimidating, but, not unlike rejection, practice makes perfect. Start asking for what you want; you may not always get it, but you'll become more comfortable (and confident) doing so.

4. A Goal

If you want to move forward in your professional life, you need a goal to move toward. If you don't have a goal, get one -- or your career could stagnate.
Once you've identified your long-term goal, begin assembling a list of short-term objectives that will act as stepping stones to achieving your dream.
If you find that you don't know what you want to do with your life, try meeting with a career coach or counselor who can work with you to identify your passions and how you can pursue them professionally.

5. A Role Model

Chasing success is never easy, but it can be easier if you follow in someone else's footsteps. Focus on an individual whose rise to professional power has inspired you and model some of your actions after hers. Your role model doesn't have to work in the same field as you. What's important is to zero in on the habits and work ethic that may help you in your career. Look at how she handled adversity or how much determination it took to keep doggedly pursuing a goal and let that inspire and motivate you to follow suit.

Grilling Safety 101

Posted by Christine McKinney, M.S., R.D., C.D.E.
on Fri, Aug 03, 2007, 4:44 pm PDT

One of the first signs of summer is the smell of foods grilling on the barbeque. But with all the food-safety issues going around nowadays, make sure you are practicing food safety at home.

You can avoid foodborne illnesses with these tips from the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

• Use raw ground meat and poultry within one to two days, or else freeze them. Other raw meats should be used or frozen within four to five days.
• Before cooking frozen meats, thaw them completely in the refrigerator or in sealed packages set in cold water. If you choose to defrost meats in the microwave, the food must be grilled immediately upon thawing.
• Always marinate meats in the refrigerator, not at room temperature. And if you want to use the marinade as a sauce for other cooked foods, set aside a portion of it before it comes in contact with any uncooked meat.
• When grilling, always use a food thermometer so you can be sure that meat is fully cooked. Beef, veal, lamb, and seafood need to reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit to be completely safe. Ground beef hamburgers and all cuts of pork should be cooked to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. All types of poultry should be cooked to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Once the meat is cooked, it shouldn't be left out for more than one hour in warm weather (90 degrees Fahrenheit or more). Throw out food that has sat out for more than two hours.
• When warming up leftovers, heat them to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Grilling is a tasty cooking method, so enjoy grilled foods this summer by keeping them safe!

Five Hot Jobs for Working Mothers

By Caroline M. Levchuck

Flexibility. It's what working moms want in a career. But they also want opportunity and a competitive salary. This may sound like a tall order, but there are lots of jobs that fit the bill. Here's a look at five of today's hottest occupations for working moms.

1. Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

There's no question that pharmaceutical sales representatives work hard. But if you work for a company like GlaxoSmithKline, you'll enjoy the company's official Flexible Working Policy, which includes including home working, part-time working, annualized hours and term-time working (which allows working parents to take unpaid leaves of absence during school holidays) - while still having a prestigious career.

Also, GSK knows how to reward valued employees with work-life balance perks, including on- or near-site child care and pay-for-performance incentives (for which there's no cap).
Find a position with GlaxoSmithKline near you.

2. Teacher

Those who can do also teach. And many of those folks have children. Teaching is a notoriously family-friendly vocation; some professionals even work in the same district in which they reside, meaning their kids are nearby (or even down the hall) every day.

Teaching professionals, from elementary school teachers to college instructors, enjoy child-friendly working schedules, generous vacation time (including having your summers off) and opportunities to earn extra income through tutoring or by teaching additional classes and coaching.

Like nursing, a teacher shortage looms large with some folks speculating a need for two million more teachers in the next nine years.
Find a teaching job near you.

3. Freelance Writer

Do you have the write stuff? If so, a career as writer may be right for you.
Writing can allow working mothers a great deal of flexibility in your schedule. Also, working from home is often a given.

Some very famous working mothers are writers, including Jacquelyn G. Mitchard, author of The Deep End of the Ocean (and mother to seven children!), and Harry Potter's "mom," J.K. Rowling.

Most professional writers will have some kind of help with childcare during working hours, but since you may be able to set those hours yourself, your spouse may be all the help you need.
Find a writing job near you.

4. Registered Nurse

No one is more popular, professionally speaking, than registered nurses. In high demand from hospitals and teaching institutions alike, RNs are now attracting impressive salaries, signing bonuses ranging from $500 to upwards of $15,000 and opportunities to earn overtime.
But most importantly, today's nurses are enjoying newfound flexibility in scheduling as hospitals try to attract top talent. And many hospitals offer on-site childcare and generous benefits plans.
These caring professionals can also enjoy unprecedented flexibility as home care, per diem or travel nurses.
Find a nursing job near you.

5. Part-Time or Temporary Professional

Parenting is a full-time job in and of itself so many moms are interested in working outside the home on a part-time or temporary basis.

Accountemps, Adecco, OfficeTeam and Robert Half each offer an array of professional-level temporary assignments that allow a mom to keep her skills fresh and her resume current without the commitment of a full-time position.

For those mothers interested in a more permanent-yet-part-time opportunity, AFLAC, the number one provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance in the U.S., is a fabulous fit. As an AFLAC agent, you're given proven training in a classroom and in the field. You make your own schedule. You don't ever have to travel or work nights or weekends. You can work from your home office. And you can earn six figures or more. Still not sold? AFLAC also offers competitive commissions, awards, incentives, and contests (win a trip to Hawaii as well as opportunities to advance into management.

Six Common Job-Interview Questions

Try These Sample Questions to Help Get Ready
By Tom Musbach -Yahoo!! hotjobs

One of the easiest ways to build confidence before a job interview is to prepare answers to questions you might be asked. Whether you're applying for a position as a web programmer, accountant, or legal secretary, interviewers often use some general questions to assess candidates, so you'll increase your chances for success if you prepare for them in advance.

Six common questions are listed below, along with insights from several recruitment professionals about how to answer. As part of your interview preparation, take the time to formulate answers to each question, focusing on specific tasks and accomplishments.

"What are your strengths and weaknesses?"

This is one of the most well-known interview questions, and interviewers often ask it indirectly, as in, "What did your most recent boss suggest as areas for improvement in your last performance review?"

Lindsay Olson, founder of Paradigm Staffing Solutions, a firm specializing in hiring public relations professionals, suggests tailoring your "strengths" answer to skills that will benefit the prospective employer. Though you may have a knack for building gingerbread houses, it might be of little value for the job at hand.

When it comes to weaknesses, or areas of growth, Olson recommends building on your answer to include "how you have improved, and specifics on what you have done to improve yourself in those areas."

"Why did you leave your last position?"

"Interviewers will always want to know your reasoning behind leaving a company ? particularly short stints," says Olson. "Be prepared to tell the truth, without speaking negatively about past employment."

"Can you describe a previous work situation in which you ... ?"

This question comes in many forms, but what the interviewer is looking for is your behavior on the job. Your answer could focus on resolving a crisis, overcoming a negotiation deadlock, handling a problem coworker, or juggling multiple tasks on a project.

The theory behind this type of question is that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior, according to Yves Lermusi, CEO of Checkster, a company that offers career and talent checkup tools. "The key to responding well is preparing real job examples, describing your behavior in specific situations that demonstrate important skills that the job requires."

"What is your ideal work environment?"

This question is not about whether you prefer a cubicle or an office, so think broadly to include ideas about supervision, management styles, and your workday routine.

Bob Hancock, senior recruiter for video game publisher Electronic Arts, says that he uses this question with candidates because it can give "a sense of their work habits, how flexible they are with their schedules, and how creative they are."

"How do you handle mistakes?"

The best strategy for this general question is to focus on one or two specific examples in the past and, if possible, highlight resolutions or actions that might have relevance to the job you're interviewing for.

"Employers want to know they're hiring someone with the maturity to accept responsibility and the wherewithal to remedy their own mistakes," says Debra Davenport, a master professional mentor and columnist for the Business Journal in Phoenix.

"What is your most notable accomplishment?"

Paradigm Staffing's Olson suggests that candidates think of three or four accomplishments and quantify what their actions meant in terms of increasing revenues, saving resources, or improving resources.

"Being able to quantify your achievements in your career will launch you ahead of the rest," she says, "and demonstrate your ability to do the same as a future employee."

How to Get Answers to 5 Key Questions Before Taking a Job

By Margaret Steen - Yahoo! hotjobs

When you're considering taking a new job, it's important to find out how a potential employer treats employees. But getting the answer to that question, along with others that will help you determine if you'll be happy at the company, may take some sleuthing. Here are five questions that will help you decide if the company is a fit - and some unconventional ways to find the answers:

What makes employees join this company and stay here? You can always ask your potential manager this question in an interview. But if you ask the employees you see while walking around the premises, as Griffen did, you'll get a wider variety of answers - and possibly more honest ones.
How are people treated here? You may not even need to ask anyone this - just observe carefully from the time you set foot in the building. When you arrive for your interview, are you kept waiting with no explanation? Does the interviewer interrupt your conversation to take phone calls? "Try to come at different times if you have multiple interviews," advises Gail Ginder, a leadership coach with the Claros Group in Healdsburg, Calif. That way you'll see if the mood around the building changes with the time of day.
What are the unspoken rules? For this and other questions that are best asked of employees, you have two options. One is to use your network to find employees who work at the company but aren't involved in hiring you. The other is to ask your interviewer - but only when it's clear that the interviewer has decided you're the best candidate and is trying to get you to sign on. "When they've decided you're the one, you can ask pretty much anything as long as you ask it well," Ginder says.

What happens when people make mistakes? The answer to this will give you insight into the company's management and culture. You can ask it of an interviewer late in the interview process, or ask employees who aren't involved in hiring. The key is to pose the question without sounding like someone who is planning to make a lot of mistakes. Use humor, Ginder advises. "Say, 'If I were lucky enough to be offered this job, I would never want to make a mistake. But what happens here when people make a mistake?'"

What is a typical week like? The answer to this question can give insight into everything from how long the workdays are to how many after-hours phone calls you can expect. Vic Snyder, senior career counselor at the University of Washington's Center for Career Services in Seattle, suggests that in informal conversations with employees, you pair this question with one about how often employees take their full vacations.

Words Every Resume Should Include

By Caroline Levchuck
Source: Yahoo! hotjobs

Every word on your resume counts in today's competitive job market. But some words count more than others -- especially those that refer to soft skills.

Soft skills are increasingly important in the workplace. In fact, 86 percent of employers considered soft skills to be among their most important hiring criteria in a recent survey by two University of Massachusetts economists.

'Teamwork'

Teamwork is more important than ever in the workplace.
The ability to work well with others to accomplish a common goal is vital for a harmonious workplace.

Employees are often organized into teams to manage projects. And many employers believe collaboration increases the quality of work and improves productivity.
A team player is an attentive listener, a cooperative colleague and is willing to help others.

'Flexibility'

Employers value workers who are flexible and able to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. In other words, it's sometimes just as important to be a jack-of-all-trades as a master of one.

You can show that you're flexible by demonstrating a willingness to take on new and varied projects and an ability to handle changing priorities and deadlines.

Ultimately, being flexible doesn't only increase the odds that you'll get a job -- it also improves your chances of keeping it should layoffs occur.

'Detail-Oriented'

Employers want to know that they can trust workers to handle a project down to the last detail.
Being "detail-oriented" means being organized and meticulous about your work. It also implies that you can work without constant supervision and act independently.

'Self-Motivated'

Employers value employees who are self-starters. These workers can generate their own ideas and follow them through to fruition.

A self-motivated worker goes the extra mile. She regularly takes on tasks that may not be part
of her job description. She's inspired to work hard not just to reap rewards but also for personal satisfaction.

Arm Yourself With a First-Rate Resume

By Jeannie Kim
Source: Yahoo! hotjobs
Your resume has only a few seconds to impress - or to end up in the trash.

A strong resume needs a solid foundation, and no amount of trickery can mask poor organization. Start with these basics.

Contact Information: List your contact information at the top of the resume. Include your full name, mailing address, phone number and e-mail address. If you have a personal Web site, include the URL only if the site shows off your skills or applies to your career goals.

Objective: The objectives section gives recruiters an immediate sense of who you are and what you're looking for, without forcing them to wade through the entire resume. If you decide to include an objective, stress what you'll add to the company, not what you're looking to take away.

Experience: List your experience chronologically, with your most recent job first. If your latest experience wasn't the most impressive, arrange your list by importance. Include the company name, location, your title and dates of employment. Also, give a brief description of your accomplishments.

Remember these tips:

• Emphasize your most important responsibilities even if they weren't your primary duties.
• Use active voice. Strong sentences are those in which a subject performs an action (active voice) as opposed to an action being performed on the subject (passive voice). "I planned an event," creates a stronger impression than "An event was planned by me."
• Impress employers with cause-effect relationships and tangible results. Quantify your achievements with percentages and numbers like "increased enrollment 20 percent" and "supervised three-person staff."
• Use descriptions to highlight your sense of initiative. Paint yourself as a "go-getter" with strong verbs like "proposed," "launched" and "managed."

Skills/Interests: Today's workers are more tech-savvy than ever, so make sure you mention your technical and computer skills. List programming languages, software programs and operating systems you've used as well as certifications you have. Don't forget "soft skills" like foreign languages and public speaking.

Always include memberships in professional organizations, because it shows you're serious about your career. Mentioning your interests is optional. Listing activities and hobbies can portray you as a well- rounded person, but it can raise eyebrows, too. Be careful what you list. (You should probably keep your passion for professional wrestling to yourself.)

Education: List your most recent education first and work backward. State your degree, major, minor, dates of attendance and the school's name and location. You may also want to add your GPA (if 3.0 or higher).

References: Don't waste valuable space on references. Employers assume you'll provide them upon request.

Finishing Touches

• Create several versions of your resume, each tailored to the type of position you're applying for. Writing multiple resumes can be time-consuming, but it's a small price to pay for the job you want.
• If you're applying for a specific job, research the position and company. Pay attention to the job requirements, and highlight your qualifications as they reflect the hiring company's needs.
• Be concise. Stick to one page. Make sure every word is meaningful.
  Choose fonts that are easy-to-read, clean and consistent. Don't use non-traditional or overly creative fonts.
• Read, edit and re-read your resume to make sure it's well written, clear and typo-free. Do it again. Then, ask your friends and family to do the same.
• If you use an online resume, consider saving a text (".txt") version that will look good on any computer. Send your resume as an attached file and also paste the text into the body of the e-mail just to be safe. Online resumes should also include plenty of keywords, since they may be searched.

With some self-evaluation, careful organization and savvy choice of words, your resume will rise to the top of the pile on any recruiter's desktop.

How to Write a Resume That Gets Interviews

By Wayne Rainey
Source: Yahoo! hotjobs

A resume isn't a list of exaggerations. It's not a hodgepodge of cut and pasted job descriptions printed out on nice paper. Nor is it a forum to advertise that you're 6 feet 2 inches tall, single, a non-smoker and willing to relocate.
Simply put, a resume is an advertisement that makes the reader act. And if your resume is well-written, the reader should want to interview you.
Get advice on how to create resumes that get interviews -- right from a recruiter himself.
Keep It Simple
Recruiters want resumes that are simple to understand, especially when it comes to the skills needed to perform the job and employment history.
Be sure your resume clearly communicates that you possess the knowledge and experience needed to perform the job in question. Use the job description to tailor your resume to the position. Try to avoid industry jargon and Dilbert-esque words such as "facilitated" or "value-added" when describing your skills and experiences.
Your resume should also include your dates of employment. The absence of dates makes recruiters scrutinize your employment history even more closely.
Features Versus Benefits
Your resume should show how you can benefit an employer -- not just list your features and skills.
Past performance is often an indicator of future performance. Explain how you made a past employer money, saved them money or improved a process or product.
Think about instances where you went above and beyond the call of duty. Look at past performance reviews to refresh your memory. Employers want the best employees, and your resume should reflect your value.
Truth in Advertising
People say that it's the sizzle that sells the steak. That may be true but, when it comes to job searching, you have to have done what you claim on your resume.
Many employers today take steps to ensure that you have the background you claim. They have a wide variety of background checking tools at their disposal.
Background checks can include:

• reference checks,
• credit checks,
• criminal background checks,
• past employment verification,
• education verification and
• social security number traces to verify identity.

If you're dishonest in the hiring process, odds are that you'll be caught. Rather than waste the recruiter's time -- and your time -- be truthful on your resume. It's not only the right thing to do, but the smart thing.
It Takes Two
You can't create a strong resume alone. Everyone needs help.

Don't rely on automatic spelling and grammar checking programs. You need to find an editor you trust. If no one in your immediate circle of family or friends can help, try other resources.
Writing an effective resume requires practice and feedback. But once you get the basics down, interviews are sure to follow.
Yahoo! HotJobs offers valuable resume tips and advice.
Staff at your state's employment development office may be available to review your resume.
Staffing agency recruiters may also volunteer to help you. And finally, you can even take advantage of a professional resume writing service.

Five Tips for Switching Career Paths

Jennifer Merritt, Carolyn Bigda and Donna Rosato, MONEY Magazine
Source: Yahoo! hotjobs

To make your case to a hiring manager, follow these tips.
1. Show your commitment.
"Employers are seeing high turnover," says Kimberly Bishop, a senior client partner at recruiter Korn/Ferry International. "They want to make sure you will be the right fit."
You'll be more convincing if you take classes, join industry organizations or moonlight (even on a volunteer basis) within the field you're exploring before you try to go full time -- and you'll also have a much better idea if this really is the right move for you.
2. Quantify your skills.
It may not be obvious how what you know translates into what they do. So focus on your transferable skills -- not your experience -- in interviews and on your resume.
Quantify your accomplishments: Show that you increased sales X percent or managed Y number of people. "It helps provide the scope and breadth of your accomplishments," says Bishop, "and it shows you very clearly understand what you've done."
Also highlight areas in your background that give you an advantage. When interviewing for an IT position, Randy Jensen, 36, of Riverton, Utah, pointed out that after 15 years in radio, he has good communication skills. "I can string two sentences together," he says. "I'm not going to be a hermit in a cubicle."
3. Talk the talk.
Learning industry lingo is critical. "If you want to be a brand manager, you need to talk like one," says Ricki Frankel, a career coach who specializes in transitions. Read trade publications and job postings. And start networking.
To make the switch from sales engineer to marketing, Todd Cox, 39, of Atlanta, has been reading books and seeking out mentors. "It may be someone I read about or hear speak," he says. "I tell them what I'm trying to do and ask if they'll coach me along. It doesn't always work, but everyone gives me little tidbits."
4. Take a two-step approach.
"Every career is composed of two main factors, a job title and a particular industry," says Dick Bolles, author of "What Color Is Your Parachute?" "An easier way to transition is to change just one of those factors at a time."
So if you're a lawyer itching to become a travel writer, work as a writer for a legal publication first (new title) and then eventually move into travel writing (new industry).
Or do legal work for a travel publication and contribute pieces until you're able to pick up a writing position.
5. Give yourself enough time.
Quitting on a whim often results in a frantic scramble for a paycheck. Plus, you need to think through logistics. If you have to take a salary cut, how will you cover it? Are you willing to relocate?
It took Susan Rubin, 48, of Armonk, New York, four years to give up her legal practice and become a yoga instructor.
"I was hesitant to make the jump," she says, "but in the meantime, I was training and saving money. It was very hard for me to close the doors of my practice. But once I did, I never looked back."

Five Stress Reducing Driving Strategies

Posted by Patrick Moore
on Mon, Jun 18, 2007, 8:48 am PDT

MEDITATE
No, I don't recommend closing your eyes and chanting while on the road. However, you can create a meditative atmosphere in your car by selecting calming music and quietly repeating a phrase. Sometimes, when stuck in traffic, I simply breathe deeply and count down from 10. Rock and dance music have their place in the car but they are simply not helpful on a freeway that has come to a standstill.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
I admit to using my cell phone in the car. (It is still legal here in LA, by the way.) But why do I become so annoyed when I see someone else driving erratically while talking on the phone? If I don't act as I would like others to act, I have no business criticizing them. Responsibility on the road starts with me.

HELP OTHERS
Rather than seeing other drivers as adversaries, it really does help my mood to be generous on the road. When I let cars in front of me and give a polite wave when other drivers allow me in, I am simply in a better mood. Each car trip, I make a commitment to doing something nice rather than competitive.

GET OVER YOURSELF
Are you really so busy that an additional five minutes on the road are going to make a difference? If I am a few minutes late to my meeting, will the company come to a standstill? I find that putting the frustration of traffic into a larger context keeps me from becoming frantic, self-obsessed, and self-important.

WALK
Most of us who live in dense cities could walk more and use our cars less. Not only does this help the environment, it reconnects us to nature, gives us some exercise and, most importantly, lowers the stress of urban living.

27 Unique Ideas for Dates

By Jeff Cohen Special to Yahoo! Personals

Planning a great date will score you major relationship points. The key is to understand your personal style and preferences as well as those of your date. Here are some unique date ideas to cover a wide range of hobbies, activities, and interests.

For Homebodies

• Cook a meal together.
• Play a board game and rediscover your childhood.
• watch a full season of your favorite show on DVD for a TV marathon night.

For True Romantics

• Create love coupons
• Create love coupons for foot rubs and back massages and cash them in.
• Go all out with a traditional candlelight dinner.
• Reserve a B&B getaway.

For Adventure Seekers

• Spelunking (not the best idea for those afraid of heights).
• Whitewater rafting.
• Racecar driving school.

For Artistic Types

• Take a pottery class.
• Paint ceramics together.
• Attend an art show.

For Those Who Love to Learn

• Take a cooking class and expand your cooking repertoire expand your cooking repertoire as a couple.
• Audit a class on your favorite subject from history to art to marketing.
• Attend a poetry or book reading.

For Charity Givers

• Help with bingo night at the local senior citizens' home.
• Volunteer at the hospital.
• Take an underprivileged kid to a ballgame or the circus.

For Sports Lovers

• Watch a minor league game.
• Join a pickup game in the park, from softball to volleyball to ultimate Frisbee.
• Take scuba diving or golf lessons.

For Travel Buffs

• Go for a weekend getaway.
• Plan a vacation together.
• Get in the car and drive.

For Family Lovers

• Double date with the folks.
• Play charades.
• Plan and cook a big family dinner

7 Steps to the Perfect Pouty Lips

Posted by Leslie Baumann, M.D.
on Thu, Jun 28, 2007, 4:44 pm PDT

Have you ever carefully applied your favorite lipstick ... only to look in a mirror an hour later and discover that it's bleeding through the edges of your lips?

There are ways to slow the signs of lip aging! Time and time again, I've encountered patients and friends who invest tons of time and money in skin care - only to virtually ignore their lips. Don't make that mistake.

1. If you smoke, stop! The repeated action of pursing your lips around a cigarette creates "wrinkles in motion," that is, wrinkles caused by repeatedly moving your skin a certain way. Eventually, those wrinkles will remain even when your lips are at rest.
2. For that same reason, limit your use of drinking straws and anything else that causes you to repeatedly purse your lips.
3. When you're slathering SPF on the rest of your body, it can be easy to forget your lips. If your signature shade of lipstick isn't sun-friendly, always start with a base of SPF lip balm.
4. In fact, the lips are a very common site for skin cancer because they don't naturally secrete vitamin E-rich sebum - the oil that helps protect your skin. Pick up a bottle of vitamin E oil or lip balm with vitamin E. Not only will it help protect your pout against skin cancer, it will also prevent the signs of aging.
5. If your lips feel flaky, it's perfectly fine to exfoliate them, although there's no need to exfoliate on a regular basis. Use a fine scrub (nothing too abrasive), and be sure to follow it with a hydrating product. In addition to vitamin E, I love glycerin-based balms, which will help lips hold on to water.
6. Curious about "lip plumping" glosses? In general, they do work - by irritating the delicate skin on the lips and causing them to swell slightly. (They're not dangerous, but a word of warning: When I tried one, my lips burned for an hour, even though I'd washed it off immediately!)
7. If you're really interested in plumper lips, consider dermal fillers. Contrary to common fears, the latest dermal fillers (like Restylane, Juvederm, Hylaform, and the newly approved Perlane) can look very natural when a skilled doctor performs the procedure. Ask him or her to go easy on you - a little goes a very long way when it comes to lips.
   Wishing you great skin!