• Write them down.

  This is the single most important thing you can do. The act of writing down your ideas means you’re taking them seriously. This is huge, because it tells your subconscious mind that you’re listening to it, and your subconscious will respond by giving you more and more ideas. It’s like turning on a faucet – pretty soon, you’ll have dozens, even hundreds, of new ideas every day. One of the best methods for keeping track of your ideas involves carrying a small notebook in your pocket, so you can have it handy for jotting down ideas as they come to you during the day. A small tape recorder serves the same purpose, and it’s more useful if you’re in the car or someplace where you can’t use your hands easily.

• Don’t edit yourself.

  Underline this one. Don’t ever, under any circumstances, say, “This idea is too silly/impractical/expensive/whatever, so I won’t write it down.” That turns on your internal critic, who is only too happy to shoot down every idea, and before long the flow of ideas will stop completely.

• Encourage outrageous ideas.

  Yes, that’s what I said. You should deliberately try to come up with some completely ridiculous, even comical ideas to whatever problem you’re focusing on. Why? Because that’s where creativity lies. Outrageous ideas can reveal patterns and insights that wouldn’t come to you otherwise. You may not use the craziest ideas you come up with, but they’ll suggest other ideas that will work in unexpected ways.

• Keep going for more ideas.

   When you’re generating ideas, focus on quantity, not quality. Don’t stop after a few entries; keep going till you have hundreds of ideas about a problem. Even though you might have an “Aha!” moment and think you’ve found a solution, keep trying to come up with more ideas. Your brain delivers better ideas the more you encourage it, so the hundredth idea may very well be better than the tenth one.

• Review them regularly, and pick out the good ones.

   This is important, because it shows your subconscious mind that you’re serious about getting good ideas. Take time to look at your idea list, and pick out the good ones, the ones you want to work on further.

• Generate ideas about the good ones.

  When you have a few good ideas, go back to the drawing board and write down ideas to develop them. Let your imagination fly, and come up with more ideas around those nuggets of gold you’ve gleaned from your list.

• Execute.

  Now, take it even further. Take those ideas you’ve developed and make them real. The greatest idea in the world is useless if you don’t act on it. When you feel you’ve developed your ideas far enough, take steps to make them a reality. Test them, probe them, look for ways to make them practical and useful. When you’ve developed some ideas like this and made them come true, you’ve sent a powerful message to your subconscious that you value the ideas it gives you.

And your subconscious will respond by giving you more ideas the next time you ask for them.

I'm a European living in United States and daily I come in contact with people who are interested by the fact that I come from a different country. I am always happy to answer questions and describe the place, but I regularly encounter questions which are quite annoying.

I'm sure that Americans visiting Europe tend to encounter an annoying questions from Europeans also. Therefore I'm not saying this is a one sided issue.

I'm sorry if anything I say make me sound like I'm writing from a high and mighty place above average folk. I do not mean that. I simply want better interactions, because it honestly makes me happy when someone is interested in my culture.

Don't ask “What's your country like?”

That is a really big, open-ended question. But more then that, it has no direction. What do you want to know about? How it looks, how it smells, the people, the landscape?

It does seem like a good way to start a conversation, but trust me, it actually stops it as the person tries to think of a suitable answer.

The question should be much more specific. You don't have to be actually interested in the answer, but ask something just a bit more specific, for example: “what is the weather like in your country”? That little addition makes a lot of difference.

Specify you're talking about your heritage

The most awkward and embarrassing situations which happened after I came to America were ones were people would tell me they're Polish, or Irish, or Italian or half English and half Scottish. I have long since learned that for Americans claiming that is quite normal. They're talking about their heritage and they are proud of it.

But people who are actually from those countries won't understand you're speaking about your heritage. They will think you are actually from Poland or Italy.

America is a big melting pot and your ancestors came from dozens of different countries. But for a lot of Europeans, our ancestors usually stayed in the same country for centuries.

After speaking to people I wondered if there are any Americans at all here. And the awkward situations came when a person would claim to be my national. I would then start speaking to them in a language which they did not understood. I can't count how many times that have happened.

Don't assume I don't know anything about American culture

Yes I am from Europe. Yes we do get American shows. No, they don't come from the 80's. They are very up to date. We also have American fast food restaurants, American clothes, American electronics and plenty more things. United States is a very influential nation and if a person lives in a civilized country it's impossible not to come in contact with American culture.

After I moved here, a lot of my friends would try to explain things to me. Things I already knew about this country since childhood. While living in Europe I have watched Cartoon Network, I played in McDonald's playground and I've seen American movies. Europe and America may be worlds apart when it comes to culture, but when it comes to a lot of things, both places are very much alike. Which brings me to my next point.

Don't assume my country is 50 years behind America

It's probably a worst thing you can do to a foreigner. Any kind of assuming is bad, but this is the worst. It is like people from other countries assuming all Americans are ignorant and fat.

Yes we do have color television, cars, cell phones, computers and many more luxuries that American people enjoy. I had many people ask me if we have those things in my country. Countries in the so called “western world” are very much alike when it comes to technological progress. Not all of them have the economy of USA, which translates to less people being able to afford the latest luxuries, but most people do have them and if not, they usually come in contact with them on the daily basis.

When you are angry, you won't response smartly nor would you be sensitive to the other person's feelings. Here is a list of things you can try to keep your cool.

Leave the Scene

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If you are in a heated situation, walk away! Make sure you tell the party involved that you are too mad to have a discussion, and that you need time to think it through. Giving space to cool off in a heated moment can help both parties to see clearly.

The more you are around each other when you are angry, the more difficult it will be to settle disputes. Before you know it, you will also dig up the past arguments, and throw them out at your partner. Walk away, leave the scene, and cool off!

Find a Role Model

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Quickly think of a role model, and recall how he/she handles the situation. If it is your father that you think of in a difficult scene, how did he react to it? Having a role model serves that purpose when you are angry and can't focus.

Who is your role model in life? A stranger you've seen walking away calmly when he was attacked? Your mom peacefully handled a crazy neighbor? Have at least one role model in your mind to recall to.

Weave in Humor

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Not sarcastic jokes! Say something that is sure to crack a smile or giggle, not something that can be translated into a "put-down". If you really can't come up with something to say, how about singing "I'm sorry, so sorry..." You know the tune!

There is nothing worse than fuming the situation with "Does your hair always look that full?"

Think of an Outlet

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What helps you cool down when you are mad? Think of an outlet to take that frustration out. Pound a punching bag? Hit some golf balls? Weed out your garden vigorously? Rake your yard until there are no leaves left? Whatever it is, have an outlet to blow up some steam.

Women and men have different ways of handling stressful situation, and recognizing this habit in your partner will help you have a better understanding about him/her.

Learn your Trigger

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Know your set off point! What makes you ticked? Who usually gets in your nerve? If you realize that this particular thing or person can upset you, you can easier control it. Pay closer attention to the moment you get angry, and why you get angry will help you learn your trigger.

Keep a journal and record your moods. Writing can be very therapeutic to the soul since you can freely express your feelings without worry than someone might ridicule you. Anger is not good for your health, so find ways that work for you to stay calm.

1. Suggestive Manner

   We often hear a parent say to a child in an attempt to get him or her to do a task; "I suggest you clean your room if you want to go to the movies this weekend." On this line, “suggestion” is your outward symbol of your inward mental state, in which your inner state is the vital source that gives life to your suggestion. The mental force used behind the parent wanting the child to clean his or her room is truly the desired effect of the child completing the task, and not his or her desire to go to the movie this weekend. This former approach is positive, whereby you would maintain your authority as parent and respect from the child, needless to mention love. The child having completed the task stemming from bribery is negative for it establishes future situation of expecting outside rewards for having to complete tasks worthy of intrinsic values. Thus, the suggestive manner you use for a particular outcome requires a mental force that reflects your inner state, which would be projected effectively on your audience.

2. Suggestive Tone

   The degree of your ability to influence or impress others depends largely on the tone of your voice. Practice until you are able to express your meaning with your feeling and visa versa that all would be impressed. Make your feelings flexible, in order to adjust it throughout practice, until you actually feel what you are saying or acting out. Once you feel the part, the tone of your voice would flow naturally.

3. Suggestive Words

   Each word you say has an inner meaning. Each word is a crystallized thought. When and how you plant that word into the mind of another person, the crystal is dissolved, releasing the thought. With this in mind carefully choose the words reflecting your true feelings.

4. Suggestive Eyes

   The eye is one of the most potent and effective instruments of expressing yourself. More than the voice the eye must have more weight. There are varying degrees of expressions other than direct eye contact that is influential. Practice using them in front of the mirror in conjunction with your voice. These eye expressions include: calmness, indifference, strong interest, deep thought, and emotional activity.

In conclusion, using these four methods to express yourself when done earnestly will move others in your direction.

You are Not Alone

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I am a voracious reader of books that focus on successful people and reaching your dreams; each book stresses that everyone, no matter how successful or inexperienced you are, everyone still feels some level of fear every step of their journey.  It is to be expected, anticipated and planned for.  Do not think that just because you are a certain age, have a particular level of education, etc, that fear will somehow not be a part of your life. 

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Fear shows up for a reason, it has a particular, important function.  It keeps you on your toes and increases your levels of awareness so that you do not miss out on anything.  It sharpens your focus so that you take in as much information regarding a new situation as possible.  If you look at fear in a new light, you will see that it appears naturally for your protection and success!  

Challenge comes into play when a person has dealt with "out of the norm" situations that have increased the typical fear response in any given situation.  For example, if you have been robbed, you may suddenly feel more jumpy around unfamiliar noises or events that remind you of the event.  This may take some time to get through to be able to experience "normalcy" in your life again.  If you are currently struggling with such fears, you can overcome them stronger and wiser than ever before.

How Does One Go About Doing This?

The best way to alleviate feeling immobilized by fear is to think about fear in new ways.  For example, when you go to the grocery store, you know that every time you go, you will not have the same experience twice.  You may hit more traffic lights along the way, you might run into a friendlier cashier, and you might come face to face with incredible sales.  But then again, you might accidentally lock your keys in your car, forget your credit card, and run a red light.  You get the picture.  It is the same activity, but there can always be a million different outcomes. 

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This is the Same Way Life Unfolds

And, because this will always be true, in order to overcome your fears it's important to begin with the basics of life; the things you do well already and ask yourself, for example, how do you manage to function effectively in day-to-day tasks such as shopping?  You do so by acquainting yourself with the streets so that you don't have to think twice about where you are going.  You write a grocery list so that shopping is completed with greater ease.  You double check that you have put your keys in your purse or in your pocket before you lock and close your door, and so forth.   

It might have taken a little bit of time to figure out the best route to the grocery store, where all the items and aisles were, etc., but eventually you figured it all out allowing you to have a smooth, satisfying shopping experience.  With all these things figured out, your mind was now freed of its burden and could think freely about other things. 

Now, apply these simple concepts to beginning any new endeavor in your life.  There will be a transition period where everything is entirely new and you will need to keep your attention focused so that you don't get lost and are able to notice things that will help you complete your goal as seamlessly as possible. 

Once you have your routine down, take into account that there will be days that you might forget something, not be at your highest energy levels, etc; choose to see these moments as great learning lessons.  They are a part of your life because they are signs alerting you to invaluable things you still need to learn.  Look at these previously thought "setbacks" as "gifts" and "free" lessons that will only function to improve your life.  Remember getting something for nothing and instant gratification feels great in the moment, but does very little for long term life satisfaction. 

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"Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

Every step counts, whether you are sprinting toward your dreams or taking slow measured steps, as long as you are consistently moving forward, you will be sure to reach and exceed every single one you set!

An ordinary Chinese citizen, Mr. Chen Si has become a hero to the many families he has impacted by turning hundreds of people away jumping off the Nanjing Bridge to their deaths in the Yangtze River. Notice how this man has done this: words of persuasion.

But though it starts with words, it will take more than words to succeed in leading a person away from the brink of self-inflicted death. Here are six simple tips that have proven to work in my experience in working with suicidal individuals.

1. Speak.

   Speak directly to the person. Speak with urgency. If you have to shout at the person to get his/her attention, do not hesitate to do just that. There's a life on the line here. Speak with authority; talk like you have taken over the situation, and you are now in charge. Understand that it does not make sense for the suicidal person to remain in charge of his life at the present moment. However, speak with gentles. Speak out of concern that the person can sense. You may actually need to say, “I'm here for you. Whatever it takes, I'll be here for you, but you will not kill yourself. Don't do that to me! Will you promise me that you won't kill yourself, that you will live?”

2. Listen.

   Give the person your undivided attention. This will communicate compassion and care. One who's considering suicide will have at least one major unanswered question that dominates his thoughts. If you keep listening, the person will ask you that big question. It's probably a question he has asked others several times, but that no one has shown interest in answering. The person wants to live, but not without some kind of answer to that painful question. The important thing is not that you know or have the answer to the question, but that you care enough to listen and hear the question. Often the suicidal person may take your empathy as sufficient reason to defer or drop his demand for an answer.

3. Respond.

   Offer the person something greater than yourself and greater than the person's self interest. If you are a person of religious faith, this is where you would tell the person about your own spiritual experience, and how it has changed your outlook on life and the world. If you are not into religion, you may point the suicidal person to a worthy cause, like the interest of the person's family or community, doing something about the poor, the environment, or whatever you consider a cause worthy of one's passion. Whatever you tell the person, it is important that you require some form of responsible action from the individual; ask him to commit to signing up for that greater cause right now.

4. Connect.

   Befriend the person, then go out of your way to connect the person with other positive people like yourself. Loneliness is a major player in suicide. The remedy to this fatal brand of loneliness is good old human contact. So, if you have some good friends, make it your business to bring the suicidal person into your circle of friends. If you belong to a club, church, or some other group, take the person with you to the next meeting. Keep in mind, though, that you remain the person's lead friend for now.

5. Accept.

   If the person offers to give you something or to do something for you, accept the offer you. Your natural tendency might be to turn down the suicidal person's offer out of sympathy: “How can I take something from someone who needs my help?” But that's exactly what you should do. Why? Because it will probably make the person feel useful again, that he has something to contribute, something to offer, something that someone else needs or wants. That feeling of feeling needed or wanted answers the quest for significance. And it is not likely that one who has rediscovered his own significance will go on to commit suicide. Often the suicidal person feels useless, un-needed, unwanted, like having nothing to add to anything or anyone. So, she asks herself, “What's the use of living, if nobody needs me anymore?”
   
   There is one caution here, though: Sometimes a suicidal person will give away his belongings, and even some money, as part of his preparation to taking his own life. The person may simply be setting his house in order before the final trip from life. So, before you accept any offer from the person, ask her this simple question: “Why are you giving me this?” Or, “Why do you want to do this for me?” Then listen very closely to her response.

6. Literature.

   Read some appropriate material with the person, and give the person something to read once you leave. It should be something brief; a suicidal person will hardly be interested in thumbing through a 200-page book. Instead, a relevant poem, proverb, maxim, or even a pamphlet or booklet will do. If you are into spiritual things, choose a passage from your religious Scriptures. This will motivate the person to seek spiritual answers to her dilemma. If you are a Christian, give the person a Bible verse, like Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Psalm 27:13 is another, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 116:9, “I will walk before the Lord In the land of the living.” Ask the person to read the text out loud as a way to get him to believe it, absorb it, and think it in order for its truth to change his feelings and behavior.

It is possible to intervene in every way you know how and still have the person take his own life. When that happens, just remember that it was the person's decision, not yours. You did what you could, but ultimately that person's life was in his own hands. Forgive yourself, if necessary, and prepare yourself better for the next opportunity to snatch another life from the claws of death, like Mr. Chen Si.

If you don't spend a lot of time in your kitchen, for instance because you're doing some time in some state prison on a regular basis, decorating your kitchen can be a tough job. So don't do it. Especially when you, like me, never liked cooking and have a very busy professional life. In the last two years I prepared maybe twice a meal in this kitchen.

If you hate it when your kitchen appliances seem to have the highest IQ in your household,  don't buy that stuff. Keep it simple. My advice is: "Don't loose your time fixing your kitchen, just fix you a microwave."

Relax when you can

Because of my busy professional life, I have been seated perhaps ten times in the living room, the last few years. But if I'm at home, I enjoy twice as hard. I like cocooning and even a succesful business guy sometimes has to relax. Believe me, you will be a much more pleasant (wo)man, if you could only relax from time to time.

A real guesthouse

With a few simple strategies, you will be a warm host, even to bad houseguests, and without losing control. Your friends may be delightful, but they also may be unfamiliar with the ways of civilized society. They can bring an ill-mannered female friend with them, or a poorly trained associé. First of all, make sure your guests feel comfortable with you. Show them you have nothing to hide, maybe put your real name on a piece of paper if you are using a false name (or just write "welcome!" on that piece of paper). And above all, keep your hands in sight (and upon the table, when eating).

Make an effort to give your guests the stuff you’d be willing to use. Remember, a fine line is like the icing on the cake and who would say "no" if you offered him or her a first quality shot? 

 

This was some advice, nice and free, from Hard Boiled Harry.

You gotta problem? He'll solve it! 

Want to end a small but annoying complaint? Want to increase your income, this month? Want to make some real pro contacts that can be very useful, some day?

Just contact Hard Boiled Harry!

1. Some people live by the expectation of others.
2. Some people do often imitate others rather than being themselves. Have you ever heard of parents saying to their children, "Can't you be like your brother/sister who always get high grades?" This is the exact reason why there are some people, instead of succeeding in their studies, fail to meet the standards because of the pressure they feel.
3. Some people are afraid to break traditionalism.
4. Some people are afraid of the consequences they might get to the point that they don't want to try anything at all.
   
   The businessmen you know in the modern times never succeed by doing exact way some people did it before. They made a difference that is why they were noticed by the consumers. People should never be afraid of doing new things for it might not be recognized readily, I know as time pass by it will soon be.
5. Some people fail to learn spiritual knowledge.
6. Some people are very materialistic. There are many kinds of knowledge, but all of those are senseless unless you gain spiritual knowledge. What now if you get alot of money if God will end up your life tomorrow. We need to honor, if you don't believe in a God, perhaps a higher entity for you to be guided.
7. Some people are often easily distracted.
8. Some people are not focused on what they're doing. These two could be considered to be major contributors to the failure humans get. There are many beautiful and interesting things that surround us that is why there are many people that are distracted from what they're doing. Instead of being focus to a specific work, some people's mind are confused.
9. Some people are afraid to commit mistakes. There are many who do not even bother trying something because they are afraid that they might commit errors but think again, are those successful people never committed mistakes in life? Of course they did. We learn from our mistakes. Most of the things here in this world are made by trial and error, but once you get it right the price is more than right.
10. Some people love to fantasize instead of accepting the reality of this world.
11. Some people are just too lazy to do anything. Even in ancient writings and the bible testify that those who do not work shall never have a better life. How could you even have money if you don't work for it. There are those who even try to be a garbageman for the sake of earning money, but they even worth our salutations because at least they picked a noble profession other that just robbing a bank.
12. Some people are not humble enough to admit that they too have their faults. In anythings we do, we can never prevent accidents from happening but please do also admit sometimes that half of it is also your fault for being clumsy. Just like in any relationship may it be personal or professional, one should be humble enough to lower himself/herself down for the relationship to last long.
13. Some people are not often ready for 2nd options. There are some who are satisfied with mediocrity that they do not anymore consider having a backup ideas to cover their work.
14. They are very confident of themselves that they do not anymore consider asking for any help from others.
15. Some people do not accept criticisms.
16. They fail to maintain positivity. There are many people who always give up to easily when confronted with difficulties in life. People should always think twice that maybe this hardships that they face might be a blessing in disguise.
17. Some people fail to understand the true meaning of their lives.

For us to succeed we should always know first our real  purpose of existence, else everything in us would be senseless. You could do this by self evaluation, reflection, or perhaps by taking a test.

1. In a Breakup

   When you tell your girlfriend to return the key to your apartment, you go home to find her cooking you dinner. You tell her she returned the key, how did she get in? She tells you she had copies made because she just knew you wouldn't want her waiting out in the hallway for you to get home.

2. Your teenage daughter

   You told your 13 year old daughter she couldn't date that 17 year old boy. You are getting home from work and see him dropping her off. Angry that she is being punished, she argues that you said that on Friday, you never said no to Saturday night

3. Your employee

   As an employer, you are often stuck with the unpleasant task of firing employees. But what happens when you tell an employee to turn in their name tag, etc…and they show up everyday the following week under the impression they no longer wore name tags in the company.

4. Grown children

   Your child is no longer a child-but a 30 year old adult and still living at home. You do everything short of throwing him out, but he doesn't seem to be getting the point. You lock him out, he climbs through a window.

5. Grown children

   You pack his suitcases, he asks if you are going on a trip and why you need his luggage.

6. Your disgusting teenage son

   Your 15 year old son has been in the same outfit for a week straight, he even sleeps in it. You give him money, he keeps coming home with new videos games. You lay out new clothes on his bed and he gives them to the good will store.

7. Your disgusting teenage son

    He starts to smell unbearable, so you buy him bottles of soap but he doesn't seem to notice. Just tell him he stinks.

8. Your wife

   Your wife is a bad cook but of course you don't want to tell her that. Her burnt food ends up in the trash, her meatloaf shows up in the cloth napkins after dinner, and most often you come home full because you ate out. She isn't getting it if she keeps cooking you dinner.

9. Houseguest

   Everyone has friends that need a place to stay for the night. But what happens when night turns into a week, week into months? You do everything, you buy less food to make money look tight, you beg his wife to take him back, you bring dates for him but he gets more and more comfortable on your couch.

Can you think of a hilarious 10? Post in comments section, I'd love to hear it because I can't think of any.