Top 6 Luxury Hotels for 2012 Bucket List

By Phoenix Rose

If you are planning to find ideal places of ultimate nature, eco-friendly escapes while still enjoying luxury life, the following luxury hotels are a good recommendation. With breathtaking view of natural surroundings and standard and luxurious lodgings, they deserve to be in 2012 bucket list.

Remota is an ideal place of ultimate nature, eco-friendly escape. It is a green build and a luxury property. Guests can visit the Torres del Paine National Park, sail through the fjords, and drink cocktails in the evening before dinner.

Remota is the latest hotel project from the Chilean green architect Germàn del Sol.

Nestled alongside the original mill-pond in Brantôme, Le Moulin de l'Abbaye is known as the Venice of the Périgord. A picturesque small town Brantôme still retains the feel of small provincial French town. Guests can visit the historic sites, enjoy traditional French cuisine by River Dronne, or take part in sports activities like mountain biking, horsebacking, and kayaking.

Le Moulin de l'Abbaye is known as the Venice of the Périgord.

Château de la Treyne overlooks the Dorgogne River in southwest France, in the Quercy/Périgord region. The romantic castle offers standard to luxurious lodgings. Tourists can taste good food and wine, purchase fois gras and fromage in the bustling market towns of Sarlat and Cahors.

Château de la Treyne, Pouillac, France

L'Albereta is a charming 5-star resort in Franciacorta. This enchanting place is immersed in a large centries-old park. Blessed with mild and temperate climate, the region has many famous sparkling win markers.

L'Albereta, Franciacorta, Italy

Anemi Hotel is nestled on the island of Folengadros that has a distinctive and alluring beauty. The hotel offers breathtaking view of Karavostasi and the Aegean’s infinity blue. The 16-acre area has infinity pool, a restaurant, a pool bar, a fully equipped gym, and tennis courts.

Anemi Hotel has infinity pool, a restaurant, a pool bar, a fully equipped gym, and tennis courts.

The Relais Christine was built on the remains of the Abbey of the Grands-Augustins. The hotel is really delightful and discreetly luxurious. It preserves the intimacy of the private residence. There are a fitness room, an onsite spa, and sauna.

The Relais Christine is a beautiful period townhouse and a tranquil base for experiencing the civilized St-Germain lifestyle.

Seven-star most luxurious hotels in the world

Related links:

Best Luxury Floating Hotels

Emirates Palace Hotel -world’s most luxurious gold-plated hotel

Top Five Luxury Hotels in 2011

About the Author:

My favourite is traveling, especially going abroad. I love to write about beautiful destinations,tourism events, local people, along with the customs.

Articles Source: Top 6 Luxury Hotels for 2012 Bucket List

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Top Ten Beautiful But Deadly Flowers

By Elisa Wasson

Despite the beauty and color, some flowers and plants are extremely poisonous than they are seemingly harmless appearances. The plants contain fatal chemicals that may cause death or serious diseases when it comes in contact with human. Here we provide world’s most attractive but dangerous flowers.

Narcissus

This cheerful yellow flower is considered as a symbol of vanity, wealth and good fortune in many parts of the world. However, narcissus contains alkaloid poison lycorine which is actually mildly toxic if people eat them in large quantities. The initial symptoms are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Narcissus

Angel’s trumpet

Angel’s Trumpet has a variable amount of tropane alkaloids which can kill both humans and animals.

Water hemlock

The water hemlock has a toxic sap containing cicutoxin which causes very quick death with just a little amount of the extract.

Daphne

Daphne, also known as paradise plant or lady laurel, has mezerine and daphnin which can make humans and animals fall into a coma and even die.

Lily of the valley

Despite the beauty and harmless of Lily of the Valley, this plant is entirely poisonous. The toxin may cause cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and heartbeats to slow down.

Bushman’s poison

As the name says, this plant is quite poisonous due to the milky sap inside. The sap is widely used in smearing the tips of the arrows.

English yew

This is the most dangerous and poisonous plant in the world.

Snakeroot

The snakeroot is especially dangerous for cattle and sheep. Besides, it can cause sickness for human.

Moonseed

The seeds of this flower is extremely toxic, harmful and even fatal. It even causes sudden death and paralysis.

About the Author:

Studying materials on education, Eric Giguere prefers reading and writing. In his spare time, Eric often joins literature clubs to share his interest with others.

Articles Source: Top Ten Beautiful But Deadly Flowers

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Universe’s Top Strangest Things

By Elisa Wasson

For some people, universe is nothing but white dots sprinkled across the night sky. For others, stars and galaxies are all they can think of. Universe is a weird and strange place which is full of puzzling and mysterious elements. Here are strangest and unexplainable occurrences of the space.

Life

Life is the result of energy and matter in the universe. However, only a few places have basic ingredients and conditions necessary for living. Until now, the recipe of living from the basic elements such as carbon, oxygen, phosphorus and carbon etc is still a scientific and prevailing mystery.

Life

Black Holes

Black hole is about 10,000 to 18 billion times heavier than the sun. The black hole is believed to gobble stars, dust and gas.

Dark Matter

Scientists say that just about 4 percent of stars, comets, galaxies and asteroids are known. The other 96 percent of them is invisible.

Planets

It may sound strange that the planet in which we are living is still a mysterious unit of the universe. The formation of gas, dust and rocky into planet is unexplainable.

Hypervelocity Stars

Hypervelocity star exists only one in 100 millions stars. In 2005, the first "hypervelocity" star was discovered which traveled at the speed of 530 miles per second.

Neutrinos

Neutrinos originate from both living and exploring stars and the Big Bang.

Dark Energy

Dark energy still confuses not only human beings and scientists as well. The dark energy is said to push the galaxies in space farther away from each other.

The Universe

Universe – the source of energy, living and matter – is a great and ultimate mystery itself.

About the Author:

I am 25 years old, and I study materials on education, likes reading and writing. In free time, I often join literature clubs and share my interest with others.

Articles Source: Universe’s Top Strangest Things

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Top Famed Best-Men Worldwide

By Vanessa Ford

Best man is the person chosen to stand up for the groom at the wedding and serve as a legal witness to the marriage. Thanks to the fundamental duty, best man plays a considerable role in the ceremony. Furthermore, it is double importance and fame when it comes to these famous men worldwide.

Prince Harry and Prince William

On Friday April 29, 2011, the royal wedding between Prince William and Ms. Kate Middleton will be held at Westminster Abbey. The upcoming royal wedding not only plays considerable importance to Britain but cheers up the whole world as well. Recently, Prince William broke the tradition to ask Prince Harry to be his best man at the wedding as everyone expected while Kate's sister Philippa will be maid of honor.

Prince Harry and Prince William

Michael Jackson and David Gest

In the wedding of music producer David Gest and Liza Minnelli in 2002, Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor in turn acted as best man and maid of honor.

Elton John and Arun Nayar

Elton John stood by Indian millionaire Arun Nayar when he tied a knot to actress Elizabeth Hurley.

William Holden and Ronald Reagan

In a private ceremony when Ronald Reagan and Nancy Davis exchanged vows, William Holden served as the best man to the groom.

George Clooney and Richard Kind

George Clooney acts to be the best man of actor Richard Kind in his wedding to Dana Stanley. How about having the “Sexiest Man Alive” in your wedding?

Lorne Michaels and Steve Martin

When host “Saturday Night Live” Steve Martin wedded Anne Stringfield in July 2007, it was SNL creator Lorne Michaels who be his best man.

Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada

These two men have been best friends since 1995. At Posada's wedding, Derek Jeter stood by the Baseball catcher.

Howard Hughes and Cary Grant

When Cary Grant fell for his co-star in “Every Girl Should Be Married” 25-year-old Betsy Drake, billionaire Howard Hughes acted as the best man and later flew the couple back to Los Angeles.

About the Author:
I am the fan of news on society and culture. I am currently the lecturer in social major. In free time, I am fond of reading articles and joining social activities.

Articles Source: Top Famed Best-Men Worldwide

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Top Five Most Sleep Deprived Occupations in U.S (Pictures)

By Groshan Fabiola

Among the most sleep-deprived occupations in US, home health aides rank first.

According to a recent research "The National Heath Interview Survey" conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, home health aides, police officers, physicians are the shortest sleepers in US. Base on analyzing individual sleep habits and job requirements, the survey shows that none of them sleep 8 - hours which we were all taught to be the least for our healthy life.

Home Health Aides (6 hours, 57 minutes)

Not only is home health aid the most sleep - deprived employers, but also among the lowest paid ones in America. Their hands are really full because of overload tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming or cooking to elderly or disabled patients. Therefore, if you would like to apply for this possition, lets question yourself "Am I painstaking enough to take it?"

Home health aide is the most sleep-deprived occupation in the nation

Lawyers (7 hours)

To make rightful judgement, lawyers often bring their uncompleted tasks and stay up late which makes them feel exhausted. This is the reason why they just sleep 7 hours on the average.

Being a lawyer, sleeping at the office is inevitable. Working long hours, lawyers also make the list of sleep-deprived occupations

Police Officers (7 hours, 1 minute)

In order to protect and serve the public all day and night, almost police officers in the United States are facing serious lack of sleep. Many of them even sleep like a log although on duty.

Lots of police officers fall asleep while on duty

Physicians, Paramedics (7 hours, 2 minutes)

Sudden mid-night pain of patients always need physicians and paramedics' timely presence no matter what they are doing. The same to home heath aides, physicians would be quick to dismiss themselves unless they have job devotion as well as skillful knowledge and experience.

Economists (7 hours, 3 minutes)

Lots of economist says that sound sleeps seem to be a big wish to them because they have to research, analyse, counsel economic development plans or monetary policies for state and private enterprises. Besides, forecasting business trends also makes them hard to sleep every night. 

Apart from that, social workers, computer programmes and financial analysts are also among the most sleep-deprived careers respectively.

Related links:

Sleep Deprivation: Eyes Without Dreams

Herbal Sleeping Pills Can Help You Sleep Better

A Good Night Sleep - Easy Tips to Help You Sleep

About the Author:
Chris Jacken used to work as a doctor of a general hospital in February 1998. Currently, Chris is a writer specializing in weight loss related issues. He posts his articles on a number of different directories.

Articles Source: Top Five Most Sleep Deprived Occupations in U.S (Pictures)

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The Top 10 BEST Things About Having a Coach

Obviously, there are many wonderful things about having a personal coach to support and encourage you. Everyone develops their own working relationship with their coach, and each situation is unique. So, with lots of respect for all the many things you may find valuable about having a coach, here are the Top 10 things clients have said to me:
 
1.  You get personal time to focus on YOUR concerns and priorities every month. It is a wonderful thing to have a personal, private, intimate and challenging conversation  focused exclusively on helping you move forward with confidence. How often do you get the support you need to be your BEST?

2.  Having a coach challenges you to play harder. Having a coach focuses your attention, it clarifies your goals and encourages you to aim higher. Your coach is your biggest cheerleader -- and at times the person you love to hate the most!

3.  You become more productive. You become more efficient, more effective, more results-oriented. Many clients work less and accomplish far more in less time, with less effort and with fewer false-starts. 

4.  You become more honest about what you REALLY want. Do you want the promotion, or more time off? Do you want more money, more prestige, or more time to work on your novel, build your boat or be with your family? Telling the truth (to yourself and to your coach) makes life much easier.  

5.  You have fewer frustrations. A coach will challenge you to eliminate the distractions, the frustrations, irritations and  annoyances of life. They waste your time and energy, and they hold you back. Eliminate them!

6.  You'll likely have MORE money when you invest  in a great coach. How? You'll simplify your life, take control of your finances, and live, work and spend smarter. You'll make fewer impulse purchases, have fewer unexpected bills, and stay on your budget -- effortlessly! And, since you're more productive, you may even start earning more!

7.  You'll clarify your values and live with greater integrity. You'll discover what's really important to you, and devise a strategy for having more of it in your life. Caution: This may result in major changes!

8.  Your relationships will improve. You'll speak with greater clarity, more confidence and more power. You'll expect a higher level of intimacy, honesty and respect from those around you. And, you'll set boundaries so that your needs are met, while honoring the needs and boundaries of others.

9.  You'll set much higher, larger and more astonishing goals! You'll simply aim higher and live larger. The daily grind will no longer be enough, and you'll expect and pursue a life that is satisfying, fulfilling and challenging. You'll understand that you CAN have it all -- that in fact, having it all is just the beginning!

10.  Life will be easier and richer. Expect that, with a personal coach, your quality of life will be transformed.   You'll get up earlier, stay up later, work harder, play more, and do it all with a level of relaxed enthusiasm that is rare for adults. Kids know about it, but most adults have forgotten what it means to live and work with PASSION! Your coach will remind you!

 "Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com "

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The Top 10 Steps to Set and Achieve Your Goals - Every Time!

It’s been said that everyone has goals, whether we know it or not. We have goals to keep our current job, or to get a different one. We have goals to save for the future, or to travel, take a vacation, or purchase the things we need and want to make our lives more enjoyable. An important distinction, however, is that top achievers are very intentional and focused on their goals, while many of the rest of us are not.

Top achievers know that the wording, structure, timing and format of a goal can make it’s achievement much easier – or far more difficult. Top achievers understand the basic skills for setting and reaching their goals, every time! They know how to design goals that create success. Here are the 10 most important steps to set and achieve your goals:

1.  Reachable goals are SPECIFIC.  Top achievers know that to reach their goals, the brain must know exactly, precisely, what they are trying to accomplish. Never word a goal with vague terms like “some” or “a little bit”, or “more”. Be specific! If you want to lose 8 pounds and reach a weight of 175, specify those exact numbers. If you want to save $200 this month, be exact. Your brain can help you accomplish almost anything if it knows precisely what you are aiming for.

2.  Reachable goals are SIMPLE. Many people describe their goals in complex terms of retiring on the beach in Hawaii, with nice cars and lots of money, and…. Their list goes on and on. Any ONE of those things is a great goal, but the combination becomes over whelming and the brain gets confused. If you want to retire in Hawaii, just say so! If you want to increase your sales by 10% this month, say so! Keep your goals simple, clear, and focused.

3.  Reachable goals are SIGNIFICANT. No one can muster the enthusiasm, hard work and courage to reach a goal they don’t really care about. A reachable goal is one you really, really, REALLY want! It’s something that will change your life, enhance your health or wealth, and make you proud. It gets your juices flowing, gets you up in the morning, and keeps you going all day long, because it is important! Set goals that are worth achieving!

4.  Reachable goals are STRATEGIC. High achievers know that the best goals accomplish many great outcomes, all at one time. Running a 10K race will almost certainly: 1) feel great! 2) help you lose weight. 3) lower your cholesterol level 4) strengthen your heart 5) lower you risk of heart disease 6) increase your energy and stamina, and 7) improve your outlook. Design your goals to strategically impact as many areas of your life as possible. You’ll have more reasons to reach your goal and more excitement when you do!

5.  Reachable goals are MEASURABLE. A goal without a measurable outcome is just a pipe-dream. You can’t achieve a pound of “happiness” or 6 inches of “self-esteem”, but you CAN get a new job. You CAN run a mile in under 7 minutes, or do 100 sit-ups. Someone has wisely observed that, “What gets measured, gets done.” Define your goals in terms of height, weight, dollars, inches, or hours. Then measure your progress until you achieve your desired outcome.

6.  Reachable goals are RATIONAL. To reach your goal, you will need a plan, a path, and a vehicle for getting there. Your goals must make sense! When you explain them to friends and family, your goals should create excitement, draw support, and encouragement. Your goals should be just out of reach, but not out of sight! You want to stretch to be your best, not strain after impossible dreams. Set goals you CAN and WILL achieve!

7.  Reachable goals are TANGIBLE. Choose goals that you can see, hear, smell or touch. Go for things you will enjoy and that you can clearly visualize. The brain has  hard time going for “financial security”, but it can visualize a bank statement with nice, large numbers on it! Define your goals in terms that excite the senses, then go for it with all your heart!

8.  Reachable goals are WRITTEN. High achievers always know precisely what they want, because they’ve written it down. Often, they write a short description of their goals every single morning, as a personal reminder of their priorities and their objectives. The act of writing your goals down vastly increases your chance of success. Write it down! Then, keep your notes where you can see and read them every day.

9.  Reachable goals are SHARED. We are far more likely to stick to our plan and reach our goals if we know our friends and family support us. Being part of a team increases our determination, our stamina, and our courage.  Caution: Never share your goals with anyone who may ridicule, tease or discourage you!  The world is full of doubters and you have no time for them. But, find a support team, a group of cheerleaders, and a coach who will encourage you every step of the way. High achievers count on and work with other winners!

10.  Reachable goals are CONSISTENT WITH YOUR VALUES. One of the biggest reasons people fail to achieve their goals is that they have conflict between their behavior and their values. However, when your values and your goals are in agreement, there is no stopping you! Clarify your values first, then set simple, specific, measurable, tangible, written goals that are consistent with those values. You will achieve them, every single time!
  


"Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com "

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Top 10 Tools to Reach Your Goals Quickly

We all have dreams and goals. Some of them are simply "wishes", like winning the lottery or sailing to Tahiti. But we also have goals that are vital to our futures and the well-being of our families. And yet many of us make little or no progress toward achieving our most important goals. We wait and hope, but get no closer to our dreams. It doesn't have to be that way! We all know people who soar from one project to another, achieving their goals and living the life they want. How do they do it? 

1.  Clarity of purpose.  For a dream to become a goal, it must be specific. While it's fun to dream about being rich, it takes courage and hard choices to decide exactly how much money you want and how you are going to earn it. Being "thin" is an image; losing 23 pounds by your birthday is a goal. In life, we probably can't have it all. You can lose 23 pounds, or you can have the cake and ice cream. Your choice. Be clear.


2.  Commitment.  There's a story from ancient Greece about a general who landed his troops on the beach, then burned his ships.  He wanted each soldier to know there was no turning back, no retreat, no alternative to victory. Once your goal is clear, emotionally commit to achieving it. There are no alternatives.

3.  Talk about it.  This is called "accountability". Once you've defined your goal and committed yourself to achieve it, start talking about it! If you want to lose weight, don't blame your spouse for buying ice cream if they don't know and understand your goal! Talking about your goals makes them emotionally real and powerful. It allows people to help you reach your goal and support you along the way. Some people will also criticize or undermine you. Don't talk to them.

4.  Write it down.  This is basic, and one of the oldest, simplest and most powerful techniques for achieving any goal. Write it down! Describe precisely what you want, how you will earn it, when you will have it, and the benefits you'll receive from achieving your goal. Write the details. Write the colors, the shapes and the dates.

5.  Write it every day!  Every morning, use a small card or a corner of your appointment book to record a short description of your goal where you will see it all day long. Don't carry the same card day after day! If your goal is worth anything, it's worth a minute of your time to write a simple sentence describing your dream and focusing on your priorities. Do this every morning.

6.  Have a plan.  Create a map for getting there. And put dates on it! A goal to retire at age 40 has no meaning without a savings and investment strategy. A goal to create your own business is just a fantasy without a plan to attract investors, find a location, hire staff and sell your goods or services. The beauty of a plan is that it allows you to…

7.  Take action every day!  "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Any goal that is worthy of you, is worth a few minutes of your time and some of your energy every single day. To one day write a novel, write a chapter this week. To open your own business, read a business magazine today. To create a more loving family, give someone a hug today. To be salesperson of the year, make a phone call right now!

8.  Use constant affirmations.  One of my clients is a PGA golfer. From the moment his ball lands on the green until he sinks the putt, he repeats over and over "I will make this putt!" He repeats that phrase as many 200 times before every putt! Do you think he would be more, or less, successful if he spent those moments thinking, "I just hope I don't miss it."? Tell yourself what you want to hear!

9.  Review, and re-commit, often.  Never be afraid to review your goals, evaluate whether you are still 100% committed to them, and re-commit to achieving them. If your values, or your choices have changed, change your goals accordingly, and be honest about it! And if your goal still fits, run to it with all your heart!

10.  Celebrate each milestone!  Never wait to have a party! Each deposit in your savings account deserves a checkmark on the calendar and a hug from your partner. Each day without a cigarette deserves a smile and congratulations from your loved ones. Every step toward your goal should be documented and celebrated!   When you get discouraged or have doubts, your record of past successes will quickly get you back on track. Not sure about this? Ask any marathon runner whether they count each mile on their run to the finish line! Celebrate each and every milepost on your path to victory!

 "Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com "

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Top 10 Miraculous Benefits of keeping a Personal Journal

In earlier generations it was common to keep a diary or personal journal. Today few people do it, and very few recognize the value and astonishing power of keeping a journal. If you can read and write, you have access to the most amazing source of personal power and magic! Try it for 30 days and watch it transform your life!   Clients periodically tell me they couldn't possibly find the time. I ask them to try it for 30 days. Then clients often tell me they couldn't possibly live without the power of their journals. The following are my list of the top 10 reasons to keep a journal.

1. A journal will clarify your goals.   As you write a few thoughts each day, your ideas about what is important, what is worthy of your life and your time will become much clearer. You'll automatically discover what you really want in life.
   
   
2. A journal will simplify your life.  Spending as little as 10 minutes with pen and paper describing your values, noting your achievements and giving thanks for the joys of life, will make you less tolerant of life's distractions. Things become much simpler when you write them down.
   
   
3. A journal will strengthen your relationships.  It will give you time and the words to express your feelings, it will help you understand and be patient with your loved one's peccadilloes, and it will teach you to love more powerfully.
   
   
4. A journal will make you more attractive.  Socrates said, "Know thyself." Keeping a journal will help you know yourself and express yourself more clearly, and that is amazingly attractive!
   
   
5. A journal will empower you.  Thinking with pen and paper forces you to eliminate fuzzy or confusing images and "laser" in on precisely the right word, the most powerful image to express yourself. Keeping a journal will make you more a better communicator, and that can make you rich!
   
   
6. A journal will eliminate temptation.  Some ideas sounds great in our imagination, but when written on paper they just aren't the same! It's easy to blurt out "I hate my job!", but writing about what it means to quit, change careers and start over will quickly result in one of two things: The temptation will go away, or you'll start generating actual plans to make your life better. Either way, you win!
   
   
7. A journal affirms the reality of your life.  Writing about life adds meaning and power. Journal your child's first steps or first tooth, starting school, her first date and high school graduation adds substance to these things. A friend of mine just became a grandfather for the first time and gave his son, the proud father, a fat 3-ring binder of notes he'd written as he'd watched his baby boy grow 25 years ago. Together they cried and laughed at the reality that life is a sacred, wonderful thing.
   
   
8. A journal helps you be quiet.  Journalizing has been called a form of meditation. It has a similar power to quiet the mind and focus your thoughts. It even has the power to turn off the TV! It can heal anxiety, change your breathing and make you smile. What more could you ask?
   
   
9. A journal helps you speak out.  Many of my articles, letters to the local paper, and letters to friends began as notes in my journal. A journal helps ideas become words, and it provides a nursery for words to grow into sentences and paragraphs, until finally they need a stage on which to express themselves. Sometimes that "stage" is a candle-lit dinner, other times it's a protest sign or a letter to an old friend. Whatever form it takes, many of those messages would never have been born without the safety of a journal in which to grow.
   
   
10. Finally, a journal just feels good!  Using quality paper and a fountain pen or other beautiful instrument with just the right "heft" and feel is a wonderfully sensuous, delightful experience. It will cheer you up, reduce your stress, make you smile and add to your life. Who knows, it may even improve your sex life or make you more patient with the kids! (Well, it might!)

 "Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com "

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The Top 10 Ways to Improve Your Diet, Your Health & Your Life!

Because I believe diet and exercise are so important, I'm often frustrated with the recommendations I receive. Nutrition and natural health ideas are often so negative (don't eat this, watch out for that) or so rigorous (be sure to eat some raw, natural, organically grown vegetable I've never heard of) or so complicated, I end up ignoring them. And yet, I know diet is critical to my health and well-being, so I made up my own rules. My objective was simplicity, so all of you with greater will-power and more discipline, cut me some slack, OK? For the rest of us, I hope you find them useful.

1.  Eat less.  I used to eat until I was full, and then snack as a hobby. And, sometimes I still do. But, more and more, I decide when I've eaten enough, leave room for a treat later, and simply choose to eat a little less. I think it helps.

2.  Drink more water.  I used to try to drink 8 glasses a day, but I usually ended up either losing count…or just going to the bathroom a lot. Now, on my way to the table I stop by the sink and grab a glass of water. I figure that's more water than most people drink, it probably helps me eat less (see Rule #1), and sometimes it reminds me to drink even more. Close enough.

3.  Eat more fruit.  Benjamin Franklin said, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." I just know apples, a banana, some grapes or something "exotic" like a mango or a kiwi tastes good, and it's the fastest, most portable and convenient food I've found. A handful of those little baby carrots beats a sandwich by a good 90 seconds!

4.  Eat your vegetables.  Yeah, still listening to my mother. But on the positive side, they're so easy! No sauces, no mixing or blending or nothing! Raw, steamed or microwaved, they're great for adding color to a meal (greens, yellows, and beans in all sorts of colors). I know fresh and organically grown is best, and sometimes I buy them that way….

5.  Eat more rice and baked potatoes.  I score points with my doctor, my "significant other" and again, it's about the easiest cooking I've figured out.

6.  Stretch when you feel like it.  I used to follow a routine that recommended stretching and yoga for about 30 minutes every morning. Wonderful stuff! Very healthy. And someday I'm going to give it another try! For now, every morning, and several times during the day, I stand up and try to reach the ceiling. I bend, twist, shake my shoulders, breath deep, whatever seems to feel good at the moment. Then I get back to work.

7.  Avoid exercise and elevators.  OK, I believe jogging and sweating and lifting weights are good for me. And I do some of it. But I also find it useful to walk around the block to get the mail (the box is across the street) or take the stairs instead of the elevator. I walk the dog, push the lawnmower and play tennis and golf with my friends. That way I figure I'm exercising and leaving the gyms open for the rest of you.

8.  Spend time with friends.  Talking, sharing dreams, giving and receiving support, solving life's great mysteries and debating politics or religion with a friend does wonders for the soul. And, hugs are good. And if you have a life-partner, I find talking regularly seems to avoid a number of other problems, as well!

9.  Laugh every day.  Tell a joke, wrestle with your dog or play with the kids next door, but have some fun! Life's short.

10.  Plan for dessert!  At the end of the day, I really like something special to top it all off. So, I plan for a bite of chocolate or a cup of low-fat pudding or yogurt or a handful of fresh grapes. It sure seems to beat restlessly searching the cupboards and refrigerator for "something" and ending up with a big bowl of ice cream!

Finally, a few words of experience. It's OK to "slip" once in a while. At least it better be OK...I seem to do it periodically. Just get up again tomorrow, make the rules simpler, more fun or more appropriate for your situation and get right back on! I don't think the objective is perfection -- there's no point in having a heart attack getting all stressed out about the rules! Just go have some fun!

 "Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com "

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The Top 10 Ways to Reduce Violence

I happen to live near the one of the tragic "school shootings" of the recent past, and I've seen how the grief, anger, heartache and turmoil have impacted our community. It has brought home that a general abhorrence of violence is not enough. While I'm sure others will have different, and perhaps wiser, suggestions about how to reduce violence, here are my Top 10 Ways to Reduce Violence. If you can improve them, I welcome your feedback, but I suspect it may be more important and more useful if you write a letter to your local newspaper or school board. Together, we can reduce and perhaps eliminate violence.

1. Disconnect anger from violence. I am convinced that human beings get angry, and that anger at injustice is often justified. There is healthy anger that insists, "There has to be a better way!" I shutter when I hear parents tell children, "You shouldn't be angry." Tell them instead, "You're feelings are OK, you can be angry, but you may not hit or hurt others."
   
   
2. See the connection between the love of violence and violence itself. Fascination with brutality, guns and bombs, war and evil must increase the chances for violent behavior. I can't prove that, it just seems likely to me.
   
   
3. See the connection between all levels of violence. Insults and taunting, humiliation and shaming are forms of violence. When we treat people badly, it should not surprise us when they seek a way to "get even."
   
   
4. Take all violence seriously. Playground bullies and sibling rivalries do not have to be accepted as part of life, at least not when children are getting hurt. Kids squabbling over "my toy" is one thing; hitting or pulling hair or knocking each other down is something else. We do not have to accept it as normal behavior.
   
   
5. Take troubled, angry people seriously. We talk about needing more early intervention with troubled kids, and I agree. But people of all ages get trapped in situations they can't handle, with emotions they don't know how to express. Domestic violence, violence among co-workers and among children should always be treated as a serious matter. Hitting and hurting, and threatening to hurt, are not OK.
   
   
6. Deal with the availability of guns. Knives, cars, and a thousand other things also kill people, but guns have a unique place in the American imagination. Of course, they also have a place in the rich tradition of hunting and target shooting. I don't have all the answers, but hunting seems different than having military-style weapons available in millions of homes across the country. There must be a better system.
   
   
7. Acknowledge the connection between violent images and violent behavior. I abhor censorship, so this is a tough one. But if 30-second images can sell us lipstick and Buicks, and change the way we vote, it seems likely that hours and hours of explosions, shootings, fights and mayhem may also influence behavior. To be blunt, I am particularly troubled by the violence in video games and the number of violent "action adventure" movies we support as a culture. Something strange is going on!
   
   
8. Acknowledge the connection between sports and violent behavior. Again, sports is a sacred icon in American culture, but it seems that sports have been separated from athletics. Instead of every child participating in gym class and competing in intramural sports, we have a culture of super-hero super-stars who are virtually above the law. Hockey, basketball, football and other sports all tolerate behavior that would result in arrest for assault outside the sports arena. Competition and fitness are valuable; organized violence is not acceptable!
   
   
9. Acknowledge the connection between language and violence. Business uses the language of the battlefield, and sports is full of encouragement to "get out there and kill", "massacre them", and "beat their brains out". Our legal system is based on the idea of lawyer's doing battle. While hiring a representative to fight with words instead of clubs was a huge step forward in the middle ages, perhaps our society is ready for an even higher level of conflict resolution.
   
   
10. See the violence in ourselves. Sometimes I find myself so angry I "daydream" about violence, or "really showing them". I hear jokes that use the phrase, "Just shoot the bastards!" I know if "looks could kill" or if cutting statements actually drew blood, I'd be in deep trouble. Violence is not just someone else's problem. I must work for peace, love and improved conflict resolution in my own life. How about you?

 "Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com "

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The Top 10 Secrets to Achieving Any Goal

We all have goals that are important to us. They range from quitting smoking, to creating our own businesses, to raising great kids. Unfortunately, most of us also have the experience of being unable to reach our goals, of having them always seem just out of reach. We can see them. We want to complete them, but we never quite cross that finish line. Here are 10 steps that are almost like magic! They will help you reach your goals, every time!

1. Precisely define the objective.   Exactly what do you want? Measure it, put a number on it.  How many pounds do you want to lose?  How many dollars do you want to earn?  No one can achieve a fuzzy goal.  Be precise.
   
   
2. Align the objective with your values.   You won’t work toward a goal that conflicts with your values or sense of purpose.  Make sure your goals are consistent with your religious and moral beliefs, and with other goals that you have.  Internal conflict will undermine your performance, every time!
   
   
3. Develop appropriate affirmations.   A series of positive, powerful, present-tense statements that describe the benefits of having your goal and how you’ll feel when you’ve reached it are essential.   They should be short, active, exciting, and you will need to write them down and repeat them many times, every day!
   
   
4. Develop powerful reasons to achieve your goals.   "If you have enough why’s, you’ll find a way."  We reach goals that excite us, that stimulate our imaginations.  We reach goals that are vital to our health, our family and our future.  Find lots of reasons!  When it’s important enough, you’ll make it happen.
   
   
5. Write your goals and your reasons down!   Write them on file cards every day!  There is power, magic and mystery in writing your goals down.  Put the cards where you’ll see them through the day.   Put them on your mirror, or on your desk.  Carry them with you and read them, over and over, through the day.
   
   
6. Set a deadline.  Again, have the courage to be exact.  Quit smoking by your birthday, double your income by the end of this year, get out of debt by September 1st.  A goal without a deadline is just a pipe dream!  Give yourself the discipline of a date.
   
   
7. Define intermediate targets.  To lose 40 pounds in 4 months, determine to lose 10 pounds EACH month.  Having smaller goals makes each one easier to achieve, and you can track your progress to your larger goal.  A journey of a thousand miles is just a series of steps, one after another.
   
   
8. Make your goals public.  Tell friends and family what you plan to do, and your target date.  Ask them to hold you accountable and to help you along the way.  Knowing your friends are rooting for you is a powerful motivator.  Set yourself up for success by making a public commitment to reach your goals on time.
   
   
9. Get a partner. High achievers rarely do anything significant by themselves.  Get a running partner, make a friendly bet with your spouse to quit smoking, make it a family project to get out of debt.   Always have at least one person who totally supports you, and make sure they are part of your campaign.  Hire a coach, if appropriate.
   
   
10. Celebrate every intermediate victory!   Give yourself a reward for each day without a cigarette, have a family celebration for each bill that gets paid off.  High achievers find reasons to celebrate every day!  Like that journey of a thousand miles, you must celebrate – really celebrate! – each step along the way.

Remember, "if you can imagine it, you can achieve it."  Any goal that truly fires your imagination and fills your heart with joy, is reachable!  Set targets, develop an adequate support system, break large goals into smaller steps, and go for it!  You can do this!
Here’s to your success!

  "Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com "

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The Top 10 Tools for Effective Listening

Whether it's our spouse, our children, or with a sales prospect or our boss, one of life's great challenges is to listen well. Often, we are tempted to think about our response rather than listen. Or, we believe we already know what the other person is going to say, so we simply interrupt or wait impatiently for our turn. Listening, really listening, with our whole being, is a skill and one of the most important compliments we can give another human being. The following 10 "rules" can help.

1. Stop Talking!  It is difficult to listen and speak at the same time.
   
2. Put the other person at ease.  Give them space and time and "permission" to speak their peace. How we look at them, how we stand or sit, makes a huge difference. Relax, and let them relax as well.
   
3. Show the other person that you want to hear them.  Look at them. Nod when you can agree, ask them to explain further if you don't understand. Listen to understand them and their words, rather than just for your turn.
   
4. Remove distractions.  Good listening means being willing to turn off the TV, close a door, or stop reading your mail. Give the speaker your full attention, and let them know they are getting your full attention.
   
5. Empathize with the other person.   Especially if they are telling you something personal or painful, or something you intensely disagree with, take a moment to stand in their shoes, to look at the situation from their point of view.
   
6. Be patient.  Some people take longer to find the right word, to make a point or clarify an issue. Give the speaker time to get it all out before you jump in with your reply.
   
7. Watch your own emotions.  If what they are saying creates an emotional response in you, be extra careful to listen carefully, with attention to the intent and full meaning of their words. When we are angry, frightened or upset, we often miss critical parts of what is being said to us.
   
8. Be very slow to disagree, criticize or argue.  Even if you disagree, let them have their point of view. If you respond in a way that makes the other person defensive, even if you "win" the argument, you may lose something far more valuable!
   
9. Ask lots of questions.  Ask the speaker to clarify, to say more, give an example, or explain further. It will help them speak more precisely and it will help you hear and understand them more accurately.
   
10. STOP TALKING!  This is both the first and the last point, because all other tools depend on it. Nature gave us two ears and only one tongue, which is a gentle hint that we should listen twice as much as we talk..

"Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com "

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The Top 10 Life Lessons from Golf

Golf is an amazing mirror of life. Yes, other sports provide life lessons as well, but golf happens to be my favorite sport and the one I understand the best. It is an addiction, a mystical experience, a test of character, an escape, a source of rare joy and excruciating pain. No psychological test will tell you as much about a person's character as a round of golf. With the arrival of spring, here are some of my observations about golf and the game of life: 

1. Expectations & Flexibility.  Golf, like life, is not mastered in a season, and it is particularly frustrating if we approach it with stiff and inflexible expectations. Great golf begins with stretching, bending, loosening up, and matching my desired outcomes with the realities of a body grown lazy over the winter. A sense of humor, and a sprinkling of humility go a long way!
   
   
2. Clarity of Purpose.  Many golfers never stop to think about why they play the game. To win? To have fun? For social reasons, or for the challenge? For the exercise? Just as striving to become rich and famous often creates frustration and disappointment, few will ever play professionally, and striving for perfection is a setup for "failure". Know why you play the game and where you find your satisfaction and joy in it.
   
   
3. Equipment.  Most golfers play with clubs that don’t fit them, or that no longer suit their games. Graphite shafts and new club designs have revolutionized golf. Active golfers should have their clubs checked for loft, lie, and length, and have them re-gripped every season. Almost any job is easier with the right tools.
   
   
4. Solid Foundations. Golfers go to extremes. Some take lesson after lesson, trying to fix the tiniest flaw in their quest for the perfect swing. Others, ignore the classic foundations of grip, stance and swing in their eagerness to "do it my way." Success is usually found in a healthy balance of learning from the wisdom and experience of others, while celebrating your unique style and approach to the game.
   
   
5. Profitable Practice.  On the day of a big tournament, I often go to the practice green and watch skilled, dedicated golfers practice missing putts. With a small crowd milling about, they quickly hit putt after putt, destroying their rhythm, timing and confidence. Then, in frustration, they wonder what ever happened to their carefully honed putting stroke! In golf, and in life, practice smart. Practice for success!
   
   
6. Smart Preparation.  Tour players always play practice rounds. Ben Hogan used to walk the course at twilight before a tournament to learn all it’s hidden tricks and traps. Top players rehearse every shot in their imagination before going to the course. They prepare in advance so they are ready when the moment of truth arrives. It pays off.
   
   
7. Show up.  The biggest challenge for many Nike Tour and other young players is to play their best golf without a nickel in their pocket, often lonely and far from home. They have reasons to be distracted. What are your excuses? Ram Das said, "Be here now." In golf, and in life, it’s hard to win if you don’t show up, or only show up for every-other swing!
   
   
8. Warm up.  Every great athlete, the ones in the best physical and mental shape, respect their bodies enough to loosen up, stretch and rehearse before competition. Unfortunately, most amateurs don’t go to all that trouble. We jump out of the car, grab the clubs, and head for the first tee. Before any important event, arrive early, walk around, relax, and warm up to the task at hand.
   
   
9. Focus on Results. Every golf stroke creates a result. Sometimes the ball goes in the hole; sometimes it goes out of bounds. Golfers tend to focus (1) on the result they would have preferred, which is merely wishful thinking, or (2) on beating themselves up for being so "stupid", which is painful. Learn from every swing. Observe the results you actually get. Life never lies!
   
   
10. Review and Adjust.  If you aren’t getting the results you want, find the reason. You can trust the ball; it goes where you hit it. If you want a different outcome, change your setup, routine, or other actions until you get the result you prefer. Someone said, "Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is a mark of insanity." Successful people learn quickly; others learn eventually.

Have a marvelous day and a wonderFULL week, and I'll see you on the links!

 "Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com "

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Top 10 Tools for a Strong Personal Foundation

Coaching is about living great lives. It’s about living lives based on our values, our priorities and our choices.  And, as in building a great building, it takes a very strong foundation. In fact, the more spectacular the visible parts of the building are going to be, the more time and precision has to go into preparing the supporting structures and systems underneath. But one of the most difficult things in life is spending the necessary time on the foundations.
Most of us are eager to build, to start living the life of our dreams, and the temptation is always to neglect the details of a strong personal foundation. Here are my Top 10 Tools for creating the foundation that will support whatever else you want in your life:

1. Get plenty of sleep.  I know, that wasn’t on the list when I was younger either, but as Vince Lombardi noted, "Fatigue makes cowards of us all." Tired people are cranky, they miss opportunities and make careless decisions. And, getting plenty of sleep suggests a fairly regular pattern to your day, some structure and orderliness, and that’s a good thing!
   
   
2. Eat well.  Yeah, I know, another boring one. But the body needs good stuff to keep it sharp and ready to serve you. Some people go a long way on this, carefully nurturing their bodies with organic fruits and vegetables. I don’t have that discipline, but replacing potato chips with carrot sticks, sure does seem to help. Cut down on fat, drink more water and fruit juice, and see what happens!
   
   
3. Exercise.  Even a walk around the block does wonders to clear the head! At least 30 minutes, 3 or 4 times a week, and more if you enjoy it. Work up a sweat, huff and puff a bit. They say you’ll live longer. I know it gets me out of the office, away from the phone and computer for a few minutes, and my dog loves the chance to run! Enjoy it.
   
   
4. Read a lot.  Read magazines and history, read biographies and cheap novels, but read. Follow politics and the economy, keep up with current films and take a moment to follow sports and those funny short stories in Reader’s Digest. It gives you perspective, broadens your point of view, and, like exercise, it gets you away from the phone and computer for a few minutes. It may even make you wiser!
   
   
5. Meditate.  Keep a journal, or pray. Develop your own style and preferences for making peace with your world, and do it every day. Find the time and place that works best for you, sit quietly, settle into your routine, and take time to notice. Stuff will come up. You’ll have ideas, you’ll fall asleep, you’ll remember what’s really important. Whatever happens, be at peace with it.
   
   
6. Eliminate tolerations.  Keep your nest clean! There’s no excuse to be tripping over the same clutter every day. It slows you down, and it wears you out. Some people are "neater" than others, and this isn’t about having a clean desk, unless that’s important to you. This is about eliminating those annoying frustrations that come up every week. Get a housekeeper, a bookkeeper, a gardener, and at least have your car washed! If it annoys you, deal with it.
   
   
7. Keep relationships clean.   It’s not possible to be best friends with everyone, and some relationships do end, but that’s not as expensive as having a strained relationship that drains you every day. If you have "friendships" that need to end, take care of it. If you have an intimate partner with whom you need to spend more time, schedule it tonight. Stay on good terms with those you can, and end those relationships that are never going to support you. Just do it.
   
   
8. Do work you love.  Doing a job you dislike is exhausting. I often talk with folks who are eager to change careers "as soon as…." They usually finish the sentence with something that will happen in a few years. Why wait? Life is too short! I suspect the time lost is a greater risk than making the change right now! Do what you love!
   
   
9. Laugh a lot!  Humor and warm friendships, love and laughter go further to maintain "balance" than all the programs I’ve ever tried. Life is either a wonderful, strange and funny dance…or it’s too scary to think about. Either way, laugh all the way through!
   
   
10. Develop your "Daily 10".   Have a regular pattern of 10 wonderful things you do every day for your own vibrant personal foundation. Find your own little rituals that just make you feel good! Every day, do 10 simple things that remind you how special, powerful, alive and wonderful you are! Delight in them!

Here's to you, and to building a strong, deep and lasting foundation that will support you for many years to come!
  


"Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com "

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