Ten Strategies To Help You Be Assertive

<p>BEING ASSERTIVE <p> Many people find it extremely difficult to be assertive, whether it is in the work place, or in their personal lives. All too often, there is confusion between being assertive and being aggressive. It is my belief that you lose credibility and the moral high ground as soon as you show any signs of aggression. <p> There are some very simple principles to being assertive. <p> EXPECTATION <p> Expect to be listened to, you’ll be amazed at the difference there is when you are mentally prepared. Think about the lion tamer. If he shows fear the animal will know and attack. <p> Set clear expectations of yourselves and others; don’t expect other people to read what is in your mind. Articulate exactly what you expect from them and why. <p> BOUNDARIES <p> Creating positive boundaries is important. We all feel at our most comfortable if we know how far we can go. Take control of the situation and set out your expectations. <p> PHYSICAL PRESENCE <p> How you use body language can make a huge difference to the way others treat us. It is part of the “expect to be listened to.” Hold your head up high, be a force to be reckoned with. If you look intimidated others will be intimidating. Be careful not to intimidate others. <p> If you are on home territory think about how you arrange the room and plan your engagement with others. Where you sit, whether you use a desk or sit on comfortable chairs at equal height all have a bearing on how the interaction with others will work. Be careful not to give mixed messages. <p> If you are about to haul someone over the coals keep the situation formal. <p> USE OF VOICE <p> The tone of voice has a major impact on whether you will be heard, take a deep breath so that your voice is sustained. Think about the message you want to give. Be wary of the following: the shout, nag, whine, Uriah Heap (I’m ever so ‘umble”. You do not need to raise your voice, simply state what you want to say in a matter or fact voice without heat. Try it out in the privacy of your bedroom. <p> Be careful to use a voice which can be heard, is interesting in pitch and delivery. Breathe properly and protect your vocal cords. <p> BE PREPARED <p> If you are prepared you will speak with more authority, be better able to deal with the things that come up. Plan what you want to say, this is particularly important if you are to speaking to a group of people. <p> CREATE RAPPORT <p> During any introduction it is important to connect with the group you work with. Be open, friendly, smile and feel in control. It will have a positive impact on the person or the group. <p> THINK OF THE LANGUAGE YOU USE <p> It can be extremely powerful. If you start with a positive statement it sets the tone. If you constantly ask people to do you a favour they will begin to believe they are doing you a favour rather than it be part of their job. “I would like you to ……” is a better style. <p> REMEMBER TO THANK <p> If people have done what was asked it is really important that you acknowledge their effort. They will be far more inclined to put themselves out again in the future. <p> USE HUMOUR <p> But appropriately. Never at your clients or colleagues expense. <p> IF YOU DO NOT GET WHAT YOU WANT <p> Be calm, be persistent and stay in control. Repeat what you want and why. Ask them to consider the implications of not doing as you request. Don’t threaten, bully or shout. Stick to your guns and if you outline a consequence it is important that you carry it out. <p> Those who find being assertive difficult often assume that everyone else finds it easy. The reality is that most people can feel anxious or wrong footed in some situations. I find it fascinating that when you talk to someone who appears supremely confident the reality is often very different. Acting confident is what makes the difference â€" you can do it too with a little bit of practice. <p> <p> <p></p>

Find Award Winning Tattoos at Online Tattoo Galleries

<p>Finding the right tattoo can be easy if you find the right tattoo gallery. If you do the right search you can find award winning tattoos at various online tattoo galleries. If you want to pick the right tattoo without any pressure to make a hurried decision then the online galleries will be a great choice.</p><p>You can find many galleries on the web. Some of these are free and others charge a fee. With this charge you gain access to many award winning tattoo designs. The designs are usually divided into many different categories and if you don't find the design you want in the navigation panel of the website you can use the database search box and type in the tattoo design that interests you. Some galleries have literally hundreds of designs within each category.</p><p>Searching through the online tattoo gallery is very beneficial as it will allow you to search through your favorite design types at the click the mouse. You can do this search at your leisure and take all the time you need before deciding on your personal award winning tattoo.</p><p>If you can't seem to find the tattoo that is just right for you but have found a design that is very close that is perfect. After all you want this tattoo to express your individuality. Just purchase the design and have your tattoo artist customize the design for you. Discuss the changes that you want to make and then have the artist draw the design out prior to getting tattooed. You want to make sure that you both have the same idea of the design you are going to receive.</p><p>When searching for online tattoo galleries take some time to find the one that is right for you. Many galleries offer
<br>different features so it is best to choose one that will meet your needs. Once your design decision is made and you have found a very talented tattoo artist you will be well on your way to having your very own personalized and possibly the next award winning tattoo.</p><p>To view reputable online tattoo design galleries go to <a target="_new" href="http://sicktattooreviews.com" rel="nofollow">http://sicktattooreviews.com</a> to find which tattoo product design is right for you.</p>

Living the Life of Manufactured Luxury | ArticlesBase.com

<p>Have you decided to head south for the winter on a permanent basis, or just to live the life of a seasonal Snowbird? Investing in a mobile home, now referred to as a manufactured home, is a good choice for financial reasons and offers owners the ability to enjoy a comfortable living space.<br /><br />From a 700 square-foot park model to a 2,200 square-foot luxury option, manufactured homes have come a long way since their inception in the 1940's. These homes are now safer since Congress designated the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to oversee the Federal Manufactured Housing Program in 1974.<br /><br />Like any custom-built residence, manufactured homes can have simple, standard designs or can include numerous upgrades, depending on the owner's budget. One example of the new world of home building includes luxuries such as a gas fireplace, stainless steel appliances, soaker tub, double bathroom sinks, a butler's pantry, recessed lighting, and a spacious kitchen with an island.<br /><br />Today's manufactured homes are pre-fabricated in climate-controlled factories. Cabinetry, flooring and window treatments can all be custom designed to suit any taste. You can even add an indoor pool, depending on the size of your lot. However, for the average park, most people would happily settle for a Jacuzzi.<br /><br />Going GREEN:<br /><br />Many standard construction projects are now following GREEN requirements. Manufactured homes fit naturally into that category with a design and construction process that saves energy and natural resources while protecting the environment. Rebate incentives are often available to owners who decide to invest in an EnergyStarâ„¢ factory-built home, a designation that must meet strict guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the EPA.<br /><br />Landscaping your home:<br /><br />While residents must adhere to specific rules governing their own park, the general process for landscaping a manufactured home is the same as any other residence. Your creativity and green thumb can make your house stand out from your neighbors with an appearance of serenity and comfort.<br /><br />For the exterior, there are several ways that you can give your home great curb appeal, even without the actual curb. Investment in small things will make a big difference, including having plenty of bushes and plants surrounding the home. Section off a few feet in front of the trailer, or the entire length, and line it with gardening timbers. Place bushes and other plants in the area, which gives an inviting look and hides the area where the trailer meets the ground. Don't allow the bushes to grow up past windows, though.<br /><br />Flower gardens can make a big difference for your home. This comes back to your individual tastes and creativity. A birdbath, surrounded by flowers, or a hanging basket or two is a great start. Don't crowd your front yard with too much foliage and shrubbery.</p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br /><p>Learn more about mobile homes and <a href="http://www.palmgardensonline.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Arizona Gated Community</a> living at PalmGardensOnline.com. The site has extensive information for buyers thinking of relocating to an <a href="http://www.palmgardensonline.com/home-sales.php" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Arizona manufactured home community</a>, and details on a variety of great mobile home and RV living options.</p>

At-Home Beauty Treatments Offer Lower Costs, Lower Risks

<p>There has been an increase recently in Americans' obsessions to look and feel better. Reality makeover programs such as "Extreme Makeover" use cosmetic surgery to erase signs of aging or to change the size and shape of specific body parts. However, for some people, invasive procedures are not an option. <p> Many are afraid to undergo surgery because of the risks or the expense that is often associated with these cosmetic procedures. Fortunately, there are now products that can be used in the privacy of your own home for a fraction of the cost, are more convenient and offer great results. <p> For years, those searching to get rid of fine lines and get that healthy glow went to a physician for microdermabrasion, a treatment where dead skin cells are removed with tiny silicon or aluminum-oxide crystals blown against the skin using a hand-held device and then sucked up with a small vacuum. Costing about $1,200 a visit, the procedure was not easy on the wallet. But there's a new generation of at-home alternatives that allows you to get similar results within weeks. Creams and serums that contain Retinol (pure vitamin A) exfoliate the skin, giving a more youthful appearance. Those who want to go a step further can now buy their own high-tech beauty treatment system, a microdermabrasion machine, at a cost of $79.95 (www.sharperimage.com). <p> Some women are unhappy with the size or shape of their bust. They might have always wished they were a cup size larger so that their clothes fit them better, or they may have noticed changes in their shape after childbirth. Regardless of the reason, many of these women are afraid or unwilling to undergo the pain associated with implants. Others are simply not willing to fork over the average $5,000 cost for surgery. Now there is another option available, a system that is clinically proven to grow a woman's own natural breasts about a cup size without surgery, pills or creams. <p> These are just a few of the do-it-yourself at home beauty treatments that are easier on your wallet, provide you with more control of your looks and can be done on your own time. To find out more about these treatments, log on to their Web sites or try the procedures yourself for the ultimate proof. - NU <p> <p></p>

SolidWorks – an Overview

Not so long ago, companies had massive drafting departments. Workers hand created detailed technical drawings that concisely conveyed all the specifications to convert an idea into a physical form. But, about twenty years ago Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software programs debuted on the market. Training a CAD operator could eliminate a handful of drafters.
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<br>As the use of personal computer increased, eventually engineers, designers, and architects began doing their own drafting work. Today anyone involved in any kind of design work from cars, perfume bottles, and even students, use Computer-Aided Design programs. One of the best known packages on the market is SolidWorks.
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<br>Introduced in 1995, SolidWorks is a three dimensional mechanical CAD program that runs on Microsoft Windows. This year SolidWorks sold its one millionth license, making it one of the most popular products in the 3D mechanical CAD market. With its Windows-like user interface and use of standard conventions, such as toolbars, menus, and icon command buttons, SolidWorks feels familiar and is relatively easy to use considering its complex nature.
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<br>Work usually starts with a two dimensional sketch. At first it looks like a geometric sketch consisting of points, lines, and arcs. Then dimensions are applied to define the size and location. Relations are used to define attributes – for example if certain parts are to be parallel or perpendicular. The set dimensions and relations drive the geometry which is why it is known as parametric feature-based approach to creating models.
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<br>Prior to programs like SolidWorks, designs were sketched on paper and then prototypes were created to test ideas in the real world. Things often didn't work out and it was back to the drawing board, literally. SolidWorks allows users to do all the testing and simulating virtually. The virtual prototype behaves as it would in the real world because users input all the characteristic of the real thing.
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<br>This has dramatically changed the way products are designed. Multiple changes can be quickly made and tested. SolidWorks was the first to offer users the ability to roll back through the development of the design to make changes and add additional features. With parametric software changes made to one area are propagated to all other areas of the design automatically. The result is a dramatic reduction to the amount of time devoted to design and testing.
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<br>Solidworks offers another tremendously beneficial feature allowing users to put together components – creating a virtual assembly. Each piece is individually designed and then one can see how parts interact together. Tests can be run to make sure components assembly properly and don't interfere with each other as they move. With this application both pieces and a final product can be designed and tested without even setting foot in the factory.
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<br>When a design has been virtually tested and assembled, SolidWorks offers several different tools that automate the drawing process. Using the information in the three dimensional design, SolidWorks creates drawings that are needed by manufacturers to provide quotes and determine proper manufacturing processes.
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<br>In short, software applications such as SolidWorks have revolutionized the manufacturing industry as well as many other design industries. While mainly used for commercial applications, even the layperson can have fun tinkering with SolidWorks. There are endless applications and many user groups that meet regularly.
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<br>About the Author: Find <a href="http://www.solidworksjobs.net/" rel="nofollow">Solidworks jobs</a> near you at SolidWorksJobs.net.
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Free Food - Massive Coupons and Freebies

<p>If you like saving, you're probably like many collecting coupons and always looking for the free food giveaways. There's actually a ton of resources online that give away free food, free groceries, coupons and more online. However, it can sometimes be difficult finding the sites and knowing what to look for.</p><p>Recently there have been a lot of sites online that are offering rewards programs, where you can actually get free food or free groceries after completing their requirements. In some cases it can be an absolute steal, especially if you were looking for the items in their rewards program anyhow.</p><p>Local charities and groups tend to run food drives and do a lot of giveaways as well. Schools are big on the food drives and collect canned goods, and then deliver these items to local shelters to help out the not so fortunate.</p><p>If you're looking for free food and the best deals when it comes to coupons, we've been very fortunate to find a few really good resources that actually do what they say to do. Just be sure to do your own research and look for the best deals. There are tons of buy one get one free deals and sources on the internet for free food giveaways and groceries coupons. The trick to finding free items online is to visit as many sites as possible and reading just about everything on the site. After doing a lot of research ourselves, these sites do exist and when you do find them, they are absolute goldmines.</p><p>We've found some really good sites when it comes to free food and coupons. Here's our number one recommended. <a target="_new" href="http://www.freegroceries247.com" rel="nofollow">free food</a></p>

The Complexity of Autism and Issues in Diagnosing the Syndrome Part I

<p>Autism has drawn the attention of many medical scientists throughout the course of history. Fascinated by the various levels of impairment determined by this complex neurological disorder - behavioral, emotional, communicational and cognitive, scientists have tried to clarify the notion of autism and its revealing signs. The most exhaustive research conducted upon this type of disorder belongs to Leo Kanner, an Austrian psychiatrist that focused on the study of autism and other related disorders. Kanner was the first scientist to establish an elaborate description of the disorder which he referred to as a syndrome. <p> In the 40’s, Kanner came up with a clear model of diagnosis for autism, based on various experiments and elaborate research. Although Kanner’s model of diagnosis is relevant and complete, nowadays it can also be confusing in the process of diagnosing autism. Therefore, various contemporary medical scientists had focused their careers on improving the model of diagnosis introduced by Leo Kanner, clarifying certain obscure aspects that he presented in the past. <p> It is very important to understand that people with autism don’t follow the same pattern of impairment, and in fact, the development of the syndrome can greatly vary from a person to another. The severity of autism can alternate from mild to very pronounced and the syndrome can affect people on multiple levels. It is very difficult to correctly diagnose people with autism, as the syndrome can generate a multitude of abnormalities that might point to other neurological disorders. For instance, while some people with autism may present a pronounced impairment of their social skills, they may have an average emotional IQ and a high performance IQ. Other people with the syndrome may have a low performance IQ, but they may present higher levels of emotional intelligence and better social skills. <p> When Kanner first established his model of diagnosis, he stated that the disorder is very complex and its margins are very difficult to identify. Hence, he invoked that autism can affect some levels more than others. Kanner’s model of diagnosis presented these following features: <p> - Impairment of social skills, from early childhood to maturity; <p> - Impairment of communication skills, which can vary anywhere from complete inability to develop speech to poor ability of initiating and maintaining a conversation. Kanner also noted echolalia and excessive questioning as autistic features; <p> - Very low responsiveness to external stimuli, exaggerated preoccupation with repetitive activities, stereotype behaviors; <p> - Good cognitive skills and memory; <p> - Good physical skills and muscle coordination. <p> Considering the fact that Kanner didn’t clarify many aspects of the syndrome, contemporary medical scientists have focused upon simplifying his model of diagnosis. Although the features and the patterns of autism described by Kanner have been preserved, modern science attempted to establish clear criteria of diagnosis. Furthermore, in the late 70’s, Rutter developed new controversial theories, claiming that autism shouldn’t be separated by performance intelligence in the process of diagnosing the disorder. <p> <p> <p></p>