This Year, Keep the Resolutions You Make.

Whether you make formal New Year Resolutions or not, everyone makes promises to themselves to improve their lives in some way. Next time you resolve to make a change, follow these suggestions and you may find that success comes easier...(More)

Planning a Home Improvement? Do It Like a Pro.

Whether you want to paint a room or completely renovate a kitchen, you can help make sure the results of every home improvement project match your expectations by approaching it like a professional right from the start...(More)

Coping with Difficult People at Work...and in Life.

If only everyone was as easy to get along with as you are! Unfortunately, that’s not the case. However, there are techniques you can use to reduce friction in your relationships – no matter where you are...(More)

Don't Let Static Electricity Shock You
Winter weather brings with it an increase in those nasty little surprise shocks caused by static electricity. However, there are actually things you can do to decrease the chance of static shocks in your home and business...(More)

This Year, Keep the Resolutions You Make.

Whether it’s losing weight or improving your time management skills, almost everyone finds it hard to keep resolutions to change. As the saying goes, “old habits are hard to break.” If that’s what you’ve experienced in the past, don’t despair; certain techniques can help you to reach your goal this time.

According to “Dilbert” creator Scott Adams, he actually “resolved” to become a syndicated cartoonist; certainly no easy task. He then put a process he calls affirmation to work – every day he put his goal in writing for 15 days. While this might sound like magic, it’s actually just a way of constantly reminding yourself of your goal. With these constant reminders, you’re much more likely to start making decisions that will help you achieve your goal.

Another way to provide affirmative motivation is to create a list of the benefits your resolution could make in your life and then read your goal aloud along with these benefits right when you get up and before you go to sleep.

For any goal worth achieving, there should be more than a dozen benefits you can put on your list. For example, if your goal is to lose 20 pounds:

• I will have a sense of accomplishment.
• I will look better in my clothes.
• I will have more energy.
• I will enjoy life more.
• Etc.

Again, by frequently reminding yourself of your goal and the benefits it can bring, you are more likely to make decisions that will move you in the right direction.

Other tips to making your next resolutions work include:

• Create a plan of action. Don’t simply think, “I’m going to do better.” Figure out logical actions to take to achieve your goal, then write them down and refer to them frequently.

• Don’t go full throttle. Make small changes that eventually add up. For example, if you resolve to lose weight, make gradual changes in your diet and stay away from the scales except for once every two weeks.

• Accept slip-ups; you’re only human. However, try to understand what caused the slip-up and determine ways to avoid them in the future.

• Don’t be rigid. Life throws you changes, so you might need to revise your resolution in some way to fit changing situations. After all, a partial success is not a failure.

After all, if an engineer can achieve the resolution to become a syndicated cartoonist, virtually anything is possible.

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Investigate before you begin.

Online research is an easy way to begin. Use a search engine like GoogleTM to find websites and information that describe your project. You can also check out the website of manufacturers whose products you may use in your project. Continue your search with a trip to the library, bookstore, or your local hardware store – all three will have helpful books and guides.

Put it on paper.

If your project calls for any construction, draw it to scale on graph paper. Be as accurate as possible and make notes of any electric, ventilation or plumbing connections that can impact your plan. Whether your project requires a draw plan or not, draw your plan from three different angles – front, top and side – so you have all the details worked out. Also make a complete list of everything you need for the project, including quantities. Your list should include the tools you need in addition to supplies and construction materials.

Create a budget.

It’s common for most home improvement projects to cost more than originally anticipated. Creating a budget in advance can help you control costs and give you a more realistic picture of what a project will cost. Take your plan and supply list with you to price materials and tools for greater accuracy.

Get permission.

Make sure you get all the necessary permits and inspections for your community. Take your plan with you so the inspector can tell you if your designs meet current building codes. If your project requires digging any holes, have your utility company mark all the buried cables and lines; it doesn’t cost anything, and could prevent a very expensive mistake.

Use the right tools.

It’s better to rent professional quality tools than to purchase inferior ones. Of course, you’ll want a set of good basic hand tools to have on hand for repeat use. If you’re not sure what you need even after all your research, show your plans to knowledgeable people at lumberyards or hardware stores and ask for their assistance. Just be sure the person you’re consulting knows more than you do!

Get everything you need in advance.

Not only will you cut down on trips to the home center, you could eliminate time delays due to out of stock items. Double check all your measurements before purchasing and allow time for any custom materials – like doors or special-order tiles – to be delivered before starting work on your project.

Create an action plan.

Write down each step of the project in order. By breaking it down, you’ll feel more like you’re accomplishing something all throughout the process. Also, having a project timeline can reduce personal inconvenience. Proper planning can help you reduce the time your kitchen doesn’t function or water has to be cut off to the house.

Don’t shortcut the details.

Applying trim and other detail work can be tedious, but careful attention to detail will make your project look more professional. Measure everything twice because even 1/16 of an inch can make a big difference on the final look.

Celebrate your accomplishment.

The bigger the project, the more you have to be proud. You enhanced your home and added to its value. You saved money by doing the work yourself…and you learned new skills. Congratulations!

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Everyone encounters people in life that are untrustworthy, disruptive, or just plain unlikable. The important thing is not to let people with difficult traits keep you from accomplishing the things you need to do.

When you have to work with a person you consider difficult, take time to try to understand them. This doesn’t mean delving into their life history; just observe what actions make them happier and what seems to frustrate them. There are basically four general types of people, and once you begin to understand their traits – as well as your own – you may find them easier to deal with.

Most people like things to stay the same. They resist change and don’t like to rock the boat. If you upset their habits, they may resent you. If you must make changes, do so gradually.

Some people thrive on change. They like to take bold moves and want to feel in control. If you don’t give them some free rein, they could be disruptive.

Others may be very detailed-oriented, wanting long explanations or asking many questions. If they can’t get the level of information they need, they can get very uncomfortable.

There are also people who thrive on interpersonal relationships. Whether you like them or not may be more important to them than the task at hand.

Remember, you also belong in one of these basic groups. Knowing yourself as well as others can help you to provide the type of interactions that will make you both happier.

If you regularly have to deal with someone who is generating unwelcome friction, consider talking to him or her about it. It’s often better to talk about problems rather than let them continue to fester, so make sure to address the problem calmly and rationally, avoiding accusations or personal attacks. Address the problem almost as if it were separate from the person. Be sure to listen carefully to any response you receive so you can work to a resolution of the problem, and offer positive suggestions for change that can benefit you both.

On the unfortunate occasion you have to deal with someone you suspect is untrustworthy, try to minimize contact and avoid any conversation that is not directly related to what you are trying to accomplish. Make sure you have commitments in writing and if at all possible, save all emails and keep your own copy of any important information.

Whenever you have difficulty working or communicating with other people, it’s usually smarter to keep the problem between the two of you because talking to associates or co-workers could actually make the problem worse.

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Don't Let Static Electricity Shock You

When two objects with an unequal charge come close together, static electricity creates a spark that gives an unpleasant charge – if you happen to be one of the objects. Lightening is a form of static electricity, so no wonder those shocks hurt.

While kids may get a charge out of shuffling their feet on carpet and then touching an unsuspecting person, most of us would rather avoid these tiny lightening bolts. Fortunately, there are things you can do to reduce the occurrence of static shocks – they mainly revolve around increasing air humidity, grounding yourself before touching things, and altering material surfaces.

Dry air creates more static electricity. That is why static electricity seems more of a problem during winter. Not only are winters usually dryer, but heating systems further reduce the humidity in the air. Installing a humidifier, opening a window, or even having lots of houseplants can all help to increase the humidity. You can even take advantage of the water vapor from showers by opening doors to let it flow through the house.

Since a lot of static shocks come from touching things, add some moisture to your hands, too. Moisturizers and lotions can help particularly when applied frequently to your hands.

Static cling is just another form of static electricity, and some clothing materials cause more than others. Materials rubbing against your skin, bed sheets, furniture, and car seats can all create static. The same sheets you put into a clothes dryer to reduce static cling can also be of help in other ways. Put one in your pocket and touch it frequently to help reduce static build up in your body. You might also want to use anti-static sprays on carpets, car seats or other areas where you notice static builds. Just be sure the sprays won’t damage fabrics before using.

If you suspect you have built up a charge in your body, touch a grounded metal object, like a water faucet; that will eliminate the charge. If a grounded metal object isn’t handy, touch things with your entire hand instead of a finger tip, as this will diffuse the impact point of the charge so it won’t hurt. Even touching things with a knuckle instead of a fingertip can reduce the shock.

Try wearing different shoes to reduce static build up. Different soles produce more or less friction. If you find one day to be particularly “shocking,” note what type of shoes you are wearing and try to avoid that type of sole when walking on carpets.

Hopefully, with these hints, this winter won’t be quite so shocking a season.

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