DE - STRESSING - Continued

Here solution #2 and solution #1 (again) of this 8 Part Series ,Enjoy!

One of the top three reasons for running an online business is usually to have more free time -- but it seldom works out that way. Running any business, especially full-time, can be stressful and time-consuming.

Here are a few destressing tips; to help keep
YOUR e-business from consuming you:

Solution #1. Take the Weekends Off

Running a business full-time doesn't mean that you have to (or NEED to) work 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Take off weekends, holidays, AND periodic vacation time to avoid home business burn-out.
Rest your brain.
Just keep a tight focus when you DO work, and automate your business as much as possible to maximize free time.
As a matter of fact, you should be working ONLY as much as you have to. That's why you quit your day job (or plan to), right? Being able to work when you want and play when you want is one of the greatest advantages of running your own business -- and it's also one of the most easily forgotten.

Solution #2. Hire An Assistant When Your Business Picks Up

You can't do everything yourself, and you shouldn't try. When business picks up, the "hired help" can relieve a lot of your stress. I know that a business can get busy before/without producing the profit to hire an assistant, but if you can swing it, definitely do.
Here are a few ways to know when it's time for you to hire a helping hand:
When you can't comfortably handle answering your daily e-mail in less than 48 hours.

Taking a week or more to answer emails, (or not answering it at all), can put you out of business FAST. On the Internet, negative word of mouth can spread like wildfire. Why risk it?

When you can't take a day off without losing a lot of the progress you've made in your business thus far.

Admittedly, there ARE a few things that can't be put off until later. In these cases, your assistant can either help with the task itself, or run the basics of the business while you focus all your energy on meeting that killer deadline.

When you have more than five on-going tasks to maintain at any one time.

By "on-going" projects, I mean things that you need to work on constantly, like publishing an ezine, maintaining a website, updating a membership site, or creating a new product. If you publish three ezines, have two websites, and are writing two new books, here is where your assistant can help out with your day-to-day workload.

8 Simple Solutions For Working Less & Reducing Stress
© 2003 Harmony Major

What Should A Blog Be ?

Here are some thoughts about what a Blog should be. I saw this information on another Blog earlier this month and thought the information may be helpful to anyone starting to Blog!

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Blogging is not about declaring to the world how much you liked your soup at lunch or your innermost feelings on the benefits of the loofah. Blogging is simply an efficient means of sharing information or, as a reader, of discovering valuable information.
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For our purposes when you see the term blogging, replace it with electronic self-publishing -- because that's what blogging really is. The cost to publish to world-wide audience is effectively zero. Talk about control of the means of production!
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Bloggers are amplifiers -- blogs compress the time in which a story becomes part of national or industry discussion.
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Blogging is a form of persuasion and a shortcut to credibility. Blogs cannot effectively be used to say, "We’re great, they suck." (Hat tip Robert Scoble). Instead, quality blogs must give the complete story – or at least as much as is known at the time. Thus, trackbacks, comment fields and linking are as important to blogging as are your brilliant thoughts and witty prose.
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Blogging constitutes a new form of decision-making. Expertise location, i.e., knowledgebase management is antiquated. If you have a problem, you don’t want a database; you want a person or conversation that can help – hence the growth of the blogging medium. Herein, of course, lies the implications for business. People are using blogs to discuss and debate everything from politics to Chapstick.
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Meta tools, such as Technorati and PubSub -- enable us to see what conversations are taking place -- who is linking to who and what they're saying as well as each link’s relative influence in the form of other links. This enables one to effectively manage the overwhelming avalanche of information and to separate insight from dross. We also happen think these tools have tremendous implications for the market research field in particular.
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The customer is in control. An interesting and well-articulated customer experience could become literally millions of brand impressions almost instantaneously. Mike Kaltschnee of Hacking Netflix was in attendance. Visit his site and you'll see that the customer is not “something” to be controlled, but is someone who will pretty much do and say what he or she pleases, so you had better be nice, damn-it.
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More and more, businesses run on events, not data. As a market research guy, I'm not sure I agree with this entirely, but thought it was interesting. And it is obvious that events are playing a larger role in the destinies of companies than they did only a short time ago. The disconcerting thing, of course, is that we cannot control of events -- only our reactions to them.
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We are moving into a third-generation of information gathering (via Salim of PubSub). From sending (e-mail) to searching (Google) and now to watching -- naturally, using PubSub.
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Blogs can prove loyalty and influence -- via links and track backs. This makes them a potentially revolutionary marketing vehicle. (Jill Griffin of Media Contacts, pointed out, however, that the lack of editorial control can be disconcerting to major advertisers.)
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If we make advertisements that people want to see, they will share them willingly (via Scoble). Burger King’s Subservient Chicken was given as an example. Our recent post to Hitachi Rocks is another. Scoble even said that he himself was an ad for Microsoft and the people willingly link to him without an interstitial or other interruptive "sponsored by" event being necessary. Better yet, Bob Garfield reports in Ad Age that people in Poland are actually paying to share bawdy commercials delivered via mobile phones.
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The best way to learn about your product or service in the blogosphere is by thinking like your customer. And, if you want to collect information about your product or service online, realize that your customers may not discuss your product or service specifically by name.
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Have a blog ready to go in the event of any major crisis (Hat tip: Steve Rubel).
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People not only want, but need both sides of the conversation. Blogging succeeds because it is an efficient process of sorting through information that closely mimics how decisions in a less efficient, but reliable off-line world. Good blogging (i.e., linked) is not opinion -- but point and counterpoint -- leaving the reader to efficiently understand what's happening and make a decision on their own.
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All of this has applications for market research reach beyond the obvious benefits associated with access to nearly unlimited amounts of low-cost or free quantitative and qualitative data. For example, there are opportunities great untapped for recruiting and leveraging online thought leaders for applications such as innovation and crisis management. ThoughtCast anyone? Somebody from Cymfony said "the web is a giant online focus group." I agree, but would add one word--never-ending.

Posted by Goodmind on May 9, 2005

He's Got that look on his face cause he asked her to marry him....
she's got that look on her face because she said "YES"
I am extremely HAPPY !!

She is my wonderful daughter Nikki.

The happy day is Sept. 17, 2005.

Way to Go DEVON !!!  

8 Simple Solutions - Part 1

Here is part one of this 8 Part Series ,Enjoy!

8 Simple Solutions For Working Less & Reducing Stress
© 2003 Harmony Major

One of the top three reasons for running an online business is usually to have more free time -- but it seldom works out that way. Running any business, especially full-time, can be stressful and time-consuming.

Here are a few destressing tips; to help keep
YOUR e-business from consuming you:
starting with Solution # 1

1. Take the Weekends Off

Running a business full-time doesn't mean that you have to (or NEED to) work 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Take off weekends, holidays, AND periodic vacation time to avoid home business burn-out.
Rest your brain.

Just keep a tight focus when you DO work, and automate your business as much as possible to maximize free time.

As a matter of fact, you should be working ONLY as much as you have to. That's why you quit your day job (or plan to), right? Being able to work when you want and play when you want is one of the greatest advantages of running your own business -- and it's also one of the most easily forgotten.



Solutuion # 2 .... coming soon ..

.. I'm taking the weekend off !

Check it out right here  

Look how surprised he is ..
he can''t believe my NEW SITE..
EasyMoviesandGames.com is Now Online!! 

Easy Movies and Games . com

IS NOW ONLINE !!

Today June 21, 2005 .. the first day of summer,
longest day of the year ...
and after a lot of time and work I am happy to announce
my newest website is online ...

www.easymoviesandgames.com

The site is a Directory of Online sites and places you can rent movies and games either online and through the mail. Plus interesting articles and news about Movies and Games.

Be sure to check the through the mail FREE Special..
2 week trial with BlockBuster

Convenience is at the click of your mouse.

www.easymoviesandgames.com

L O V E is a warm HUG ! 

What is L O V E ?? ( kids know )

Slow down for three minutes to read this. It is so worth it.
Touching words from the mouth of babes.

What does Love mean?
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8
year-olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were
broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined.
See what you think:

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over
and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her
all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."
Rebecca- age 8

When someone loves you, the way they say your name is
different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."
Billy - age 4

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on
shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other."
Karl - age 5

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of
your French fries without making them give you any of theirs."
Chrissy -age 6

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."
Terri - age 4

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she
takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is
OK."
Danny - age 7

"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired
of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My
Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss"
Emily - age 8

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop
opening presents and listen."
Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with
a friend who you hate,"
Nikka - age 6 (we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he
wears it everyday."
Noelle - age 7

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are
still friends even after they know each other so well."
Tommy - age 6

"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared.
I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and
smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared
anymore."
Cindy - age 8

"My mommy loves me more than anybody . You don't see anyone
else kissing me to sleep at night."
Clare - age 6

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken."
Elaine-age 5

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still
says he is handsomer than Robert Redford."
Chris - age 7

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left
him alone all day."
Mary Ann - age 4

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her
old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones."
Lauren - age 4

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and
little stars come out of you." (what an imagination)
Karen - age 7

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't
think it's gross."
Mark - age 6

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it.
But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."
Jessica - age 8

And the final one -- Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once
talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the
contest was to find the most caring child.

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor
was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon
seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old
gentleman's yard,
climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked
what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I
just helped him cry"

When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out
that God is all you need. Take 60 seconds and give this a shot!
All you do is simply say the following small prayer for the person who
sent you this.

Father, God bless all my friends in whatever it is that You
know they may be needing this day! And may their life be full of
your peace, prosperity and power as he/she seeks to have a closer
relationship with you. Amen.

Old age, I decided, is a gift.

I received this from a "life" friend and wanted to share ...

The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, she was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting question, and I would ponder it, and let her know.

Old age, I decided, is a gift.

I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have
always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over
my body ... the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt.
And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my
mirror, but I don't agonize over those things for long.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving
family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become
more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own
friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not
making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't
need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to overeat,
to be messy, to be extravagant. I have seen too many dear friends leave
this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes
with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 a.m,
and sleep until noon?
I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60's,
and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body,
and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying
glances from the bikini set.

They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful.
But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten ...
and I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when a beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray,
and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could
turn silver. I can say "no", and mean it. I can say "yes", and mean it.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive.
You care less about what other people think.
I don't question myself anymore.
I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old.
It has set me free.
I like the person I have become.
I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here,
I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying
about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day.

Author unknown!

Today, I wish you a day of ordinary miracles.

It's June and time to get in tune !

SIZE MATTERS?

SIZE MATTERS?

Keeping It Small Can Mean Big Business

Everything these days, it seems, have embraced the catch phrase made popular by a movie that featured a gigantic green lizard. Size matters. The sexual connotations of that phrase aside, size does seem to matter in every facet of human existence. The sight of a Big Mac is more appealing than a regular hamburger. Well-known companies want to establish offices in tall skyscrapers. A country’s prominence is determined by the depth of its economy’s pocket. Thick books are more respected than skinny publications.

This inclination to favor what is big has caused a universal desire for expansion. We may start small with an endeavor, but we nurture dreams of eventually making it grander. The fact that the internet provides a gateway to a global market further fuels these dreams into a frenzied state.

Lost in the hoopla of our collective fascination for catering to a larger market are the distinct advantages of keeping the business small. For all the fame and glory associated with a large scale business, the stability and reliability that small businesses enjoy are often missed. It would be prudent to consider the benefits of maintaining a small business before plans of expansion are pursued.

Let’s take a look at some reasons why small businesses are better kept small.

1. Smaller risks. Keeping the business small exposes it to less debilitating dangers. Small businesses don’t have to deal with customer complaints on a large scale, as any problem can easily be isolated. They don’t have to experience the issues that plague big businesses, and there is no need to hire $500 per hour lawyers to fix such headache-inducing tribulations. Keeping it small provides for a simpler setup that is more resistant against unwanted complications. Besides, those who play big lose big, and, assuming the worst, small businesses will only lose in proportion to their size.

2. Potentially higher profit ratio. It’s not the amount of profit that matters, rather, it’s the amount of profit vis-à-vis the costs of investment. Big businesses may rake in a larger amount of income, but they have to offset the equally enormous amount of expenses they have incurred. Small businesses spend less, and successful ones earn a higher profit ratio compared to their more illustrious counterparts.

3. Move faster with less. The owner directly controls the small business, and more often than not, does most of the dirty work. He needs little amount of help since most software make some processes fully automated. Small businesses don’t have to spend a fortune in advertisements, as well, as their client base is usually a dedicated lot, and in most cases, the latter does the marketing for the enterprise. Also, efficiency is better guaranteed as the operations are clearly delineated and centralized. The same thing cannot be said about big companies who often suffer from disordered distribution of roles caused by a cluttered bureaucratic setup.

4. Easier to corner specific markets. Since small businesses operate in a smaller scale, they could easily concentrate on a particular group of people who share an interest that a small business can provide for. In modern internet parlance, this is called nicheing. Getting the most out of a particular niche is a rewarding business strategy because this tactic makes good use of people’s unwavering passion for something which your venture’s products or services provide for. Big companies will have difficulty cornering specific markets because the latter are often overlooked and their concerns are seldom satisfied.

5. Clients relate to the small business in a more personal level. This is probably the best facet of small businesses: their ability to connect with their patrons in a manner that no big business could. Small businesses, given their gift for specialization, develop more intimate relationships with their clients. When answering e-mail queries, for example, small businesses take time to personally reply to each and every one of them whereas big businesses merely use a generic template for theirs. The client would feel more secure with a responsive small business, as he would be reassured that his concerns will be expediently considered.

6. Grow at your own pace. The small business owner does not have to keep up with the demands of his client base, because the latter is kept manageable. Hence, the small business owner can take his time to perfect the intricacies of his trade to be able to offer better service, and eventually grow at his own pace, in a manner of his own choosing.

There is a saying that goes “it is better to be the star player of a Minor League team than a bench warmer for a Major League squad.” If a business is kept small, it will be the king of its niche. Expanding may open up bigger markets, but it will also bring bigger perils and more difficult compromises. Expansion is not bad per se, but are you prepared to possibly be regarded as a peddler at the expense of your lofty throne?