mantra http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for mantra Copyright 2008 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:08:03 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/mantra Little Known Ways To Be A Positive Person http://www.artwoo.com/article/little-known-ways-to-be-a-positive-person http://www.artwoo.com/article/little-known-ways-to-be-a-positive-person#comments Fri, 07 Sep 2007 22:14:59 +0000 success and failuremantraringtonejukeboxleast three timesbetjudgmentalnegative thoughts http://www.artwoo.com/article/little-known-ways-to-be-a-positive-person
And those who are not positive enough, are likely to get stressed easily and find it hard to solve problems.

Which group would you like to be in?

Iand#8217;d choose the first one, for sure. And I no one prefers the second one.

Here are some little known ways to be a positive person:

and#8226;Throw away all your

Donand#8217;t let a single second of your time is used to think of something negative. If it suddenly cross to your mind, direct your thought to something else. Even if itand#8217;s hard on the first days, later youand#8217;ll get used to it.

and#8226;Focus more on your achievements than your failure

Everyone must have had experienced . Yet, donand#8217;t focus too much on your failure. You can learn from it but donand#8217;t let it turn you down. I bet you also have had lots of success. For example, you might have been the best in class when it came to history papers. Or, you were once the best employee of the month, etc.

and#8226;Get a

Even if youand#8217;re not a magician, you are allowed to have a mantra. It can be and#8216;Iand#8217;m a great writerand#8217; or and#8216;I am very good in web designingand#8217; or and#8216;I am a happy person.and#8217; When you wake up in the morning, spell your mantra at and use your imagination. A simple yet useful trick!

and#8226;Grab energy from successful and positive people around you

Learn from them. You are who your friends are. So, try to be their good friends.

and#8226;Stop being to yourself and others

Yes, donand#8217;t be so hard on yourself and on others. David W Richards has been writing and sharing tips about many subjects to help others deal with stuff. Check out his exciting websites, http://ringtonemovie.info, http:// http://ringtonegratis.info and .info" >http://ringtonejukebox.info. ]]> How To Meditate With A Mantra http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-meditate-with-a-mantra http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-meditate-with-a-mantra#comments Thu, 27 Apr 2006 06:50:02 +0000 mantraauto suggestionstupidmantraspoliticianmeditationpromise http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-meditate-with-a-mantra politician repeats a over and over again commentators say that this promise has become a "" for that politician. For the journalists, the word "mantra" means a meaningless phrase that is repeated endlessly. For yogis however, a mantra is a word or collection of words, which has the power of liberating a human being from all limitations.

How can the repetition of a word or a few words have the capacity to bring about such miraculous results? It is all based on a simple psychological principle, "as you think, so you become."

If you someone tells you "You're ," that's of course a bad insult and will hurt you. However if you start to think "I am stupid," and keep repeating this phrase over and over, then that is far worse. When someone tells you that you are stupid, then this is a negative outer-suggestion. When you start to think about it, then you are giving yourself, a negative auto-suggestion. If you keep thinking in a negative way, then your personal development will be harmed.

have a positive meaning. They remind you that your true nature is something great: pure consciousness and boundless love. If you start to think about the best part of your being, you will begin to have more confidence in yourself and this will become apparent in your actions.

However, many people have read philosophical, spiritual or self-help books explaining these ideas, and yet they never realize these great truths in their everyday reality. It is not enough to just think about a good idea once, and then close the book. You need to think in a concentrated and systematic manner over a period of time in order to get results.

Meditation mantras have a special quality that helps in the task of concentrated, positive thinking: their very vibration has the capacity to concentrate and focus your mind. Some sounds, such as power drill breaking a pavement, can upset you greatly, while other sounds, like soothing music, can transport you to another world.

The syllables and words used in meditation mantras have been chosen according their sonic capacity, and they greatly aid the task of concentration and contemplation, as well as carrying a positive meaning.

In order to get the benefits from mantra meditation, you need to meditate regularly with a mantra that has a positive meaning and the capacity to help you concentrate. You need to do it on a regular basis, sitting silently two times a day for a period of 10 to 30 minutes.

It sounds easy, but the common experience of most people is that as you sit and try to think about one word or one phrase, your mind is quickly filled with many other thoughts; thoughts about work, financial problems, disputes with people and all kinds of other matters. When this happens, and it certainly will, then you have to bring your mind back to the mantra. Meditation is a process where you concentrate on the mantra and its meaning for as long as you can, and when you mind wanders, you bring it back.

Keep doing it, and you will attain an improved capacity to concentrate and deep inner peace.

It may still sound too good to be true, and some intellectuals scoff at the alleged power of a mantra. Once, a renowned Indian yogi came to America and delivered many lectures on this subject. In one of the lectures he was challenged by someone in the audience who said that it was not possible for a single word to deliver the results that the yogi promised. The yogi turned to the man, who was a distinguished professor and said "You fool!"

The professor turned red, and began to shout at the yogi, who calmly watched the professor unwind.

The yogi then addressed the professor and said: "Now can you understand the power of a single word? All I did was utter the word "fool" and your behavior was changed in an instant! Dada Vedaprajinananda has been practicing and teaching yoga and meditation for the past 35 years. He is the webmaster of the http://www.anandamarga.org society's website, and is the author of http://www.start-meditation-stop-smoking.com and http://www.yogaweightlosssecrets.com ]]> The Process Of Guided Meditation http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-process-of-guided-meditation http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-process-of-guided-meditation#comments Fri, 19 May 2006 15:32:04 +0000 guided meditationmeditation programsmeditation sessioncalmmeditative statehelpquiet space http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-process-of-guided-meditation guided meditation. Since each person has a different goal when starting the meditation process, there are several ways to achieve these goals with diverse guided . There are a few steps that the meditating person must go through in order to achieve a complete . Most of these steps in the process focus mainly on relaxation and the clearing of the mind. Since clearing the mind can be a difficult task to achieve, people who find interest in meditation turn to guided meditation to them to center their minds and bodies. The guided meditation process can make meditating seem achievable and can help the user to feel more grounded and in touch with themselves rather than feeling lost while trying to quiet their mind.

There are many different ways to achieve a meditative state but most of these processes start by instructing the person to sit in a comfortable position. It is also very important that the person is in a with no distractions or sounds around that could divert the concentration that is needed. Guided meditation generally instructs the person who is meditating to quiet and stop the mind. This means that the person should release any thoughts from his or her mind and concentrate on nothingness. The meditating person should also make sure that his or her body is completely relaxed and there is no strain on any body part while sitting in the position.

The goal of a guided mediation session is to achieve a completely empty mind and a clear conscious. This moment of complete silence and peacefulness allows the person to experience what a feeling of whole ness is throughout the body. This calm feeling usually makes the stress of everyday life melt away for many people. Once this feeling of calm has been experienced by a meditating person, he or she focuses on achieving this feeling throughout the day and not only during a .

Many guided meditation processes also include a mantra. A mantra is the expression of a sound from the meditating body. This expression of sound can also aid in the calming of the body and mind at once. The most common mantra that is expressed in guided meditation is the "Om". By releasing this sound from the mouth, the person who is meditating finds it less complicated to eliminate excessive thoughts from the mind. Centering the mind and body in a quiet fashion is easily achieved with a mantra that is shown through a guided meditation session.

A meditative state should be achieved by the mediating person for about 15 minutes a day. However, everyone is different and many people will find that a more substantial amount of time is more beneficial for them. Through the use of guided mediation, many users have also found that the advice and process that is shown can be used throughout their day to relive stress and tension or to deal with difficult situations. Karen Kauffman, a well known freelance writer, prepared this article for Meditation CDs http://www.meditations.bz/ ]]> How To Meditate Anywhere You Like http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-meditate-anywhere-you-like http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-meditate-anywhere-you-like#comments Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:25:00 +0000 meditation mantraclassic meditationrush hour trafficdark shadessubway trainsubway stationbreathing rate http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-meditate-anywhere-you-like
Here are some ways you can use to meditate whenever and wherever you choose. Obviously you should only meditate where it is safe to do so. For instance, don't try these techniques whilst you are driving down the outside lane of the freeway.

Start by claiming your own space. This can be as little or as much as you can get away with. So if you're standing on a , it's not likely to be much. But if you're the passenger in a taxi which is crawling its way through , you've likely got more space available.

Then close your eyes. If you're in public and are worried about doing this, wear some . Then people won't know whether your eyes are open or not.

Next, slowly lower your . Take a deep breath in. Hold it for a couple seconds and then gently release it. Repeat this process for a few breaths until you start to feel relaxed.

After this, choose a mantra to help you keep your meditative state. You won't be saying this out loud (unless of course you want to clear a subway carriage!). You'll just be repeating it over and over in your head to yourself. This can be a classic or anything else you choose. It doesn't matter too much - just choose a mantra to repeat, to help you with remembering when to breath in and out.

Then focus on the things you want to leave behind from whatever has stressed you today. It could be someone at work who wound you up, maybe it was a shop assistant who wasn't at their best. Whatever you want to rid yourself of.

Let the object of your stress flow out of your body. It can flow out when you exhale if you want. Or you could tie it tightly to a traffic light or the gates of the . It doesn't matter - just see your stress left behind, helpless and - most importantly - nowhere near you. And also allow it to melt away when you've left your stress stranded, so it doesn't affect anyone else's day. Allow it to unstress itself as well!

If you're performing this meditation on public transport, remember to allow yourself to hear any announcements as to where you are or make counting the stops part of the meditation process. Otherwise you could get so deeply tranced out by your meditation that you miss your stop. Obviously if you're in a taxi, the taxi driver will wake you - after all, they want their fare - so it's less important in this situation.

Enjoy practicing your meditation! Get more ways to learn how to meditate and start to remove the stress and strain from your daily life by practicing meditation at http://www.squidoo.com/learnhowtomeditate ]]> Walking Meditation: A Simple Way To Meditate Almost Any Time http://www.artwoo.com/article/walking-meditation-a-simple-way-to-meditate-almost-any-time http://www.artwoo.com/article/walking-meditation-a-simple-way-to-meditate-almost-any-time#comments Fri, 03 Aug 2007 16:20:00 +0000 walking meditationbreathing meditationmeditation coursepractice meditationaerobic exerciselying downmantra http://www.artwoo.com/article/walking-meditation-a-simple-way-to-meditate-almost-any-time mantra over and over again.

But that is only one of the ways that people can .

Meditating can also be performed standing up, or walking.

Today, we're going to look at . In this situation, the walking itself is the focus of your meditation, rather than a candle or a mantra or your breathing.

Obviously, depending on where the walking is taking place, you may also need to be aware of other external influences as well, such as joggers and cyclists.

In a walking meditation, you should concentrate on the actual experience of walking. Notice the pressure on each foot as it touches the ground and the relief of that pressure as your foot rises again. Take in the experience of the muscles in your legs. Notice when they tense up and when they relax. Feel the changes in your toes as they meet the ground. Recognize what is happening to your ankles as you walk along.

As well as the stress relief that a walking meditation naturally brings, you should also experience a feeling of energy and invigoration. Walking is a more active meditation than some other types (although s can get pretty energetic as well, if you choose to let them). You also benefit from the exercise of walking, which is an in itself. It follows that a walking meditation can be of overall benefit to your health and can even help keep you fit.

If the thought of sitting or lying down to meditate has put you off in the past, then taking the walking could be just the ticket. Give it a try and see how refreshed you feel afterwards! While you're walking, you could also be doing a breathing meditation from http://learnaboutmeditation.com/index.php/2007/06/06/breathing-meditation-e= xplained/

Find out much more about meditating at learn about meditation at http://learnaboutmeditation.com ]]> Preparing For Meditation http://www.artwoo.com/article/preparing-for-meditation http://www.artwoo.com/article/preparing-for-meditation#comments Wed, 22 Oct 2008 06:22:24 +0000 visualization exercisesmeditation exercisesrelaxation exercisesmeditation 4concentration skillsmeditation techniquebreathing exercises http://www.artwoo.com/article/preparing-for-meditation meditation technique, it is necessary to have a calm and quiet mind. It is only when the mind is free that real meditation can be experienced. There are exercises that you can do by yourself to help quieten the mind. You may try one or the other before you start your practice of meditation techniques. There is no one exercise that is known to work best. Each exercise would work differently from one meditator to another.

Although these exercises achieve the same results of a calm and quiet mind, they are different in the ways in which this state of mind is achieved. include among others , , concentration exercises, mantra exercises and .

1. Relaxation exercises drain tension and stress from the body. It involves the sequential "cleansing" of your body from head to feet, with the dirty energies being drained through the feet into the floor. After ridding the body of negative elements, you can imagine a vast sea of peace in the center of your chest bringing a wave of tranquillity.

2. Breathing exercises focuses the mind to the physical act of breathing. You become aware of how you breathe and when you breathe. You become aware of the way your chest rises and falls each time you breathe bringing your consciousness close to the here and now and away from the problems of yesterday and worries of tomorrow.

3. Concentration exercises take you through certain steps to improve your . Often these concentration exercises will let you focus on certain objects and increase your awareness of yourself at the same time. Heightened concentration makes for more effective meditation.

4. Mantra exercises lets you chant a mantra or a word or phrase to help quieten the mind. Chanting mantras are supposed to create a vibration within ourselves to create a personification of the attribute or quality we desire. With mantras, you invite a steady stream of energy with every chant.

5. Visualization exercises use an image to focus your mind on. Through a series of "suggestions," you are made to imagine a thing such as a flower and see it in your mind as if it is real. The whole series of "suggestions" will go on as far as making you hear, feel and smell whatever it is that your mind is focused on. The spiritual heart is said to be gradually opened by this type of meditation exercise.

These meditation exercises have been practiced as part of meditation techniques coming from various religious and spiritual groups. Their effectiveness in clearing the mind into a calm and quite state have been proven for so many years. When done in conjunction with any meditation technique, any one of these meditation exercises can be beneficial not only physically but psychologically and spiritually as well.

Even modern medical practitioners have espoused the use of these meditation exercises to aid in the practice of meditation techniques. Effective meditation using these exercises are known to have health benefits as well.Here's an excellent way to start enjoying the benefits of meditation today. The Deep Zen audios are an easy and highly effective meditation exersise program that can help anyone achieve deeply satisfying levels of meditation. Try your free demo here: http://www.deep-zen.com]]> Meditation Shawls - Experience The Beautiful Aura Of Warmth And Kindness http://www.artwoo.com/article/meditation-shawls-experience-the-beautiful-aura-of-warmth-and-kindness http://www.artwoo.com/article/meditation-shawls-experience-the-beautiful-aura-of-warmth-and-kindness#comments Sat, 19 Jan 2008 13:15:01 +0000 meditation shawlspiritual warmthcashmere wooldeeper sensegreen orangekind of meditationshawls http://www.artwoo.com/article/meditation-shawls-experience-the-beautiful-aura-of-warmth-and-kindness Meditation shawls are good support items for meditation. They can help in achieving a of relaxation. The warmth that they provide has been found to have a magical healing effect while you are meditating. No matter which form of meditation you are practicing, you can use these to speed up the healing process. However, it is very important for you to understand that it is not just the physical warmth that these shawls provide. You are also benefited with a unique sense of because of their specific design. Following are some of the most popular meditation shawls available in the market.

Fabrics:

These types of shawls are specifically designed. They are basically made of fabric. Because of their distinctive design, they are lovely to wear. The great thing about these fabrics is that they are a great reflection of calmness, tranquility, serenity and peace. Some of the best fabrics that are used in the making of these meditation shawls may include jacquard, velvet, satin, cotton, knit, chiffon, crochet, cashmere, wool, pashmina, and silk. The most popular ones are those made of 100% cotton, or 100% silk. However, shawls made of other fabrics are also very popular among those who practice meditation.

Cotton Om Shawl:

The cotton Om shawl is a versatile shawl. As the name suggests, this is made of hundred-percent cotton. These shawls are available in a large variety of colors, which may include turquoise with medium blue, sage green with green, orange with black, lilac with purple, white with black, red with black etc. Since these meditation shawls are made of cotton, they are very soft, which eventually bring a deeper sense of healing effect for you.

Silk Om Shawl:

As the name suggests, these are made of hundred-percent silk. You can wear these shawls in a variety of ways. Some of the best colors for these types of shawls are tangerine, silver gray, lilac, turquoise, gold etc.

Om Mantra Shawl:

The Om mantra shawl is another popular shawl. The Om-mantra pattern is printed all over these shawls. This way, when you meditate by wearing these shawls, it helps you achieve a deeper sense of relaxation and inner peace.

Rayon Shawls:

The rayon shawls also make a great choice. Meditation is a spiritual practice and it is always worth using the supply items, like these shawls in order to achieve the best out of the healing effects of meditation. They are also available in a variety of looks. Some of the most popular colors for rayon shawls are purple, blue, black, and orange.

Overall, there is an endless range of meditation shawls and you can choose the one that best suits your taste. The best among these shawls are those in which the various meditation mantras are printed all over. It is because of the simplicity of the design and pattern of these shawls that they are able to reflect a unique sense of joy, peace, warmth and kindness in you. Meditation shawls are very simple in their approach, but have magical healing effects. To discover how to maximize the benefits from your meditation, be sure to check out: http://www.OnlineMeditationGuru.com/chakra-meditation/ ]]> Taking Back The Workplace: Workplace Stress Relief Tips http://www.artwoo.com/article/taking-back-the-workplace-workplace-stress-relief-tips http://www.artwoo.com/article/taking-back-the-workplace-workplace-stress-relief-tips#comments Thu, 30 Aug 2007 03:25:01 +0000 stress relief tipslevels of stressworkplace stressstress in the workplacestress relievingtension headachesdo not disturb sign http://www.artwoo.com/article/taking-back-the-workplace-workplace-stress-relief-tips
All of this has contributed greatly to the stress that individuals experience in their lives and specifically . It is important to note that stress can be a significant detriment to the well-being of individuals and families. Therefore, it is critical that stress be relieved.

Specifically, there are certain workplace that can be followed. These specific relief tips can be divided into two categories. The first category is through the implementation of practical suggestions and the second category is through a change in attitude.

Practical Suggestions

There are many physical symptoms that are associated with increased . Those symptoms include , muscle ache, upset stomach, etc. At the first sign of these symptoms it is important to put into practice some practical workplace stress relief tips.

One of those practical tips it is to take a mini vacation. First of all, it is important that you are not disturbed. This can be accomplished by hitting the do not disturb button on the phone or turning the phone off. In addition put a on the door leading into your office.

Once this has been accomplished than simply close your eyes and allow your mind to fix on a favorite vacation spot or dream area that compels you. In addition, concentrate on your breathing. Any thoughts that bombard your mind should be acknowledged and quickly let go. Also, take into account your body and how it is feeling. For example, if you realize that your neck or the muscles of the shoulders are tense release that tension through your breathing.

Finally, focus on a mantra. This mantra can be affirmations of being stress free or can be a mantra that simply calls your mind to dwell on higher thoughts.

A workplace stress relief tip for those individuals who do not have offices is to take a walk. If there is a park nearby or garden area take advantage of the stress relieving power of communing with nature. This action will help to reduce stress through this nature communing process and through exercising.

Attitude Change

An additional workplace stress relief tip is through an attitude change. This can be accomplished by thinking about stress situations differently.

Rather than hanging on to the stress of the day, share your stress with others. This can be done in an enjoyable manner in that a group of people will share their stresses of the day, within reason, and try to out do the others. Often this type of session will end up in laughter as people try to embellish their stressful situations.

Also, another workplace stress relief tip is to try to find the good in every situation. For example, if a co-worker is especially annoying think to yourself about one good quality that they may have. If you can identify that quality reward yourself with an enjoyable treat. If you are looking for some great information about Stress please visit SCott's website located at: http://www.wickedstressedout.info ]]> Brother, Can You Spare A Euro? http://www.artwoo.com/article/brother-can-you-spare-a-euro http://www.artwoo.com/article/brother-can-you-spare-a-euro#comments Sun, 18 Nov 2007 20:44:58 +0000 treasury secretaryhenry paulsonstrong dollarmantraamerican presidentgreenbackfrankenstein creation http://www.artwoo.com/article/brother-can-you-spare-a-euro Frankenstein creation that replaced the former currencies of 12 European countries like France, Germany and Italy--- has beaten the socks off the American . Back then, the euro limped out of the gate at a parity with the greenback. It quickly dropped to around 86 cents for every dollar.

That was then. As of November 11, 2007, Veteran's Day here in the U.S., the euro is worth 1.46 American dollars. A single euro now buys 46% more than its American peer.

We've scratched our heads in this column about the decline of the dollar. What's happening now is unprecedented.

The dollar has fallen to a 26-year low against the British pound. It has fallen to a 33-year low against the Canadian dollar.

What has happened to put the dollar in a free fall / Throughout the last century, every and every American has repeated the that "a is American policy". As recently as October 10, two weeks before the G-7 Summit, both the current President and the current Treasury Secretary recited the mantra by heart.

" I feel very strongly that a strong dollar is in our nation's interest," stated Treasury Secretary , formerly Chairman of Goldman Sachs.

What's missing is the "and therefore". In the past, severe drops in dollar values have brought strong corrective actions, a buy back of the dollar in effect to prop up the value. No such cavalry charge is coming in the current climate. In fact, some have suggested that the current U.S. policy is a smug contentment that the decline of the dollar has boosted US exports by about 15%, since our exports are now cheaper for foreigners.

Which leaves all of us to wonder aloud=97what happens if the dollar's free fall continues? Is there any safety net down there?

Don't bet on it. Secretary Paulson ha started adding a caveat to that ol' strong-dollar mantra. "and we believe that currency values should be set in a competitive marketplace based on underlying economic fundamentals."

Those underlying fundamentals are weak now in the U.S. A mortgage market meltdown, coupled with an economy strained by the $576 billion cost of war have all but tapped out the U.S. economy for the time being. We are now in hock. We are the largest debtor nation on earth.

And what happens when we take out some of our retirement in the form of those weakened dollars? A hidden costs of letting the dollar sink is that the buying power of those retirement savings ---once they are converted to dollars =96is getting pretty pitiful. Worsening the situation is that, unlike many citizens of foreign countries, Americans who desire to keep their cash in euros find very few US banks offering that flexibility. Some German banks (Deutsche Bank) and on-line banks (everbank) have begun offering accounts to Americans denominated in other currencies.

Brother, can you spare a euro?

See "The Incredible Shrinking Dollar", www.collectivewizdom.com Steve Greenfield is a Featured Columnist to http://www.collectivewizdom.com, a reader-created online newspaper featuring articles on health, finance and relationships. ]]> Mastering Money http://www.artwoo.com/article/mastering-money http://www.artwoo.com/article/mastering-money#comments Wed, 29 Nov 2006 00:27:03 +0000 household expensescicely tysoncategory structurereceiptswalletmoneyinsurance insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/mastering-money
--



One of the cardinal rules about Mastering is that our income MUST be greater than our outgo. In simple words, spend less than you earn.

The way to initiate is to keep track of every cent that comes into or goes out of our life. There are many ways to do this, and so there is a method that will suit almost everyone:

Personally, I keep of every purchase I make in my . At the end of the day, when I come home, I transfer the receipts into a folder I have created for expenses for that month. For example, 'Expenses Nov 2006'. For those items that I don't get a receipt for, I write down the expense on a small slip of paper and put that in my wallet.

At the end of the month, I add up all expenses in the folder for that month, under the appropriate categories. Now I know exactly where my money is going. If I happen to spend too much money in one area, I will know immediately and can make necessary changes in money allocations for present and future months.

I have been doing this for years and it works incredibly well. It's really useful to get an idea of what my total monthly expenses usually look like, as well.

You can use any that you like for tracking expenses. I like to keep things as simple as possible. I use the 10 category structure that I got from Robert G. Allen:

1. Giving (Charity, Donations, etc.) 2. Self (Savings) 3. Taxes (Income tax, property tax, etc.) 4. House (Mortgage, rent, etc.) 5. Household ( like groceries, etc.) 6. Auto (Auto expenses like gasoline, etc.) 7. Fun and Entertainment (Dining out, buying toys, etc.) 8. Insurance (Insurance premuim expenses) 9. Miscellaneous 10. Business (Business expenses if you own a business)

Once you know how much is going out on a monthly basis, you will have the necessary data to know how much you need to bring in on a monthly basis. It's common sense and a very simple mantra.

If you don't follow this simple mantra, you will not be able to see exactly where your money is going, and where you can curb expenses if you need to.

Warren Buffet has 2 rules about money:

1. Never loose it 2. Never forget rule number 1

There are 2 things that I will continue to do as long as I can live. One is to keep a journal and the other is to always, always, always pay myself first.

How about you, Wanna Master Money? Manohar Chimmani lives in Hyderabad, the fifth largest city in India. Writing and Filmmaking are his passions. Online money-making is his hobby. He loves the creative outlet and freedom his hobbies and passions offer. Here's how he makes money and makes movies: http://www.growrichsmart.com ]]> Always be Closing: The DNA of Copywriting http://www.artwoo.com/article/always-be-closing-the-dna-of-copywriting http://www.artwoo.com/article/always-be-closing-the-dna-of-copywriting#comments Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:08:22 +0000 glengarry glen rosstarget consumerentry in a diarynew housing developmentdavid mametchange of attitudedriven men http://www.artwoo.com/article/always-be-closing-the-dna-of-copywriting driven men who hustle real estate on the borderline of ethics, , (it was both a play and a movie by ) there is a short mantra the men live by: Always be closing.

While the lives of the salesmen are not exactly models for us to emulate, their mantra is.

Always be Closing means you never take your eye off the ball. You never ask a customer how they are and have the question be about how they are. You never gaze out the window while you drive them to that and think about high school. You focus, every moment, on your purpose. When you are in the selling module, every gesture you make, every word you speak, every action you take is an intentioned and necessary part of a sequence that leads to one end and one end only: the customer's name upon the dotted line.

Always be closing is a mantra equally as important to copywriters as it is to purveyors of real estate. In fact it is the DNA of copywriting, because copywriting is not ordinary writing. It is not a casual letter, an , an article in a newspaper or a report to class. Copywriting is a strange and unique form of writing in which every word counts and every syllable counts. Because every word and syllable of an ad, or sales letter, or website, or brochure, or presentation, is charged with a selling function. Each word plays a role of persuasion, and all words lead to an end, which is the ultimate persuasion: A sale, a , or the building of a brand.

I see Always be closing as a consciousness, to use a big word. It is mental force field. When all your senses and all your thoughts are permeated with the urgent necessity of selling, your words will find their right place in the copy, like metal filings lining up in a magnetic field.

When I open the relationship with my in the beginning of my marketing communication, I will draw the reader in so they will continue the journey with me. They must feel intrigued and comfortable, or else they will be gone by the time they get to step 2. We are clear, concise and exact with our word choice, because confusion loses them. Blurred thinking confuses them.

From the opening that sets up the problem, to introduction of the product as solution to the problem, to the support, to the call to action, to the wrap up (readers are invited to view this "Body Copy Formula" in detail in my book Maximum Strength Copywriting) each word is chiseled. There are no unnecessary words. There are no thoughts that don't advance the argument.

Once the argument is made, get out of town. Say good night. Make the sale and give the customer space to reinforce the decision in himself.

There are many rules and secrets to great and effective copywriting. But it begins with an attitude, or, as I said, a consciousness.

Good luck. And always be closing.Paul Wolfe, who has written famous campaigns for dozens of world-class clients like Levi's, Volvo and BMW and was named Writer of the Year twice by Adweek magazine, has just penned the ultimate  copywriting book. Click here MaximumStrengthCopywriting.com and  transform your success and copywriting power instantly.]]> Comprehensive Guide To Worldwide Meditation Techniques http://www.artwoo.com/article/comprehensive-guide-to-worldwide-meditation-techniques http://www.artwoo.com/article/comprehensive-guide-to-worldwide-meditation-techniques#comments Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:19:56 +0000 flavors of ice creaminsight meditationramana maharishizen schoolmeditation techniquesmeditation techniquecontemplation meditation http://www.artwoo.com/article/comprehensive-guide-to-worldwide-meditation-techniques s as there are wonderful . This allow each person to find a flavor that is delicious to them. In this article series I will provide an overview of many of the different meditation techniques that exist and hopefully this will help you find the style that is sweetest to you.

Some meditation styles suit those of an intellectual disposition, while others are more attractive to those who prefer the path of love and surrender. Still others, with an active approach to life, may like the meditation techniques involving movement, while those with a strong mind would enjoy the approach of visualization and concentration. Overall, there are several broad categories under which we can capture most of these various meditation practices and in Part 1 I will explore Techniques and Sound (Mantra) and Intention Meditation Techniques.

1. Insight Meditation Techniques: These are the meditations of choice for the Gyan Yogis or those drawn to the intellectual path. It incorporates the advanced meditation techniques from the of Buddhism, the Advaita Vedanta school of Hinduism, certain schools of Western Religions among others.

A. WHO AM I Meditation Technique: This techniques comes from the school of Advaita Vedanta (Non-Dualism / End of Knowledge). The meditation was popularized by Shri and is based on negation of the false self in order to realize one's True Nature. Here is an example of my experience with WHO AM I Meditation Practice.

B. Koan Meditation Technique: These meditations come from the Zen school of Buddhism and are designed to break down the ordinary pattern of conceptual, dualistic thinking. By breaking down the interference created by the thinking mechanism the practitioner is brought to confront the non-dual reality of "what is" directly and thus Awaken.

C. Technique: These meditations utilize introspection, self-study, reflection, self-dialogue and contemplation to cut through the layers of false conditioning and false understanding that deludes the mind. These meditations have their roots in many Western Religions and are also a part of Eastern philosophies.

D. Silent Mind Meditation Technique: This meditation technique is my contribution to this category and it involves directly perceiving the fact of what is by acute observation of the thinking process. This is the flavor that I enjoy best and I have explained it in detail in the The Silent Mind Meditations, which are part of the Silent Mind Meditation Program. These meditations are an extension of the teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti.

2. Sound (Mantra) and Intention Meditation Techniques: The meditations that fall under this category use the science of sound and thought vibrations (Naad Yoga), along with rhythm and music (Laya Yoga) to purify the heart and mind. These meditations have a wide range of applications, from bestowing Enlightenment, to improving health, wealth, happiness, peace etc...

A. Mantra Japa Meditation Technique: This meditation method uses the repetition of a mantra (a particular sound, word or phrase) verbally or mentally to create the necessary conditions for purification, refinement or expansion to take place. Mantras are essentially keys which allow one to tune into the individual energy field or tune into the Universal Energy field to produce certain desired results. Here is an example of using OM Mantra to activate the Third Eye Chakra.

B. Rhythm Meditation Technique: This form of meditation uses the combination of rhythm, chanting, music and breath to calibrate and perfect the system. The excellent Three Step Rhythmic Breathing (3srb) meditation technique of Sage Pantanjali and many Kundalini Yoga meditations fall under this category, among others.

C. Meditation via Song: Most of the meditations from the path of Devotion (Bhakti Yoga) and Love, designed to dissolve the ego belong in this category. This is a path most dear to those who are emotional in nature and feel a deep love for the divine. Christianity, Gospel, Sufi Meditations, Hare Krishna Meditations, Kirtans and Bhajans are some examples of techniques in this category.

D. Meditation via Prayer and Intention: All religions have meditations involving prayer and worship. The meditations that also use the power of intention to manifest desires fall under this category.

So you can see from above, these is a rich diversity to the Art of Meditation and certainly something for everybody. If one of the styles above does not catch your fancy, not to worry, I will be serving up more tasty flavors in part 2 of this series. Anmol Mehta is a Yoga and Zen Meditation Expert. For Free Online Yoga and Guided Meditation Classes visit http://www.anmolmehta.com/blog/classes-online hosted on http://www.anmolmehta.com. For insightful Self-Realization articles visit http://www.anmolmehta.com/blog. ]]> Success Habits http://www.artwoo.com/article/success-habits http://www.artwoo.com/article/success-habits#comments Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:35:00 +0000 stephen coveysharpening the sawsense of urgencydrinking beercold feetwhat the heckcompetitive advantages http://www.artwoo.com/article/success-habits
If you sit on the couch and watch TV and eating chips, it is obvious what the results are.

It is easier to substitute a habit than to stop one. The best way to stop a habit is to replace it with a better or healthier habit.

It is critical to recognize that we choose our habits, either consciously or unconsciously.

Habit #1

Have clear goals. The clearer you know where you want to go and what your goals are, the more likely you are to get there. Have a vision. Everything happens first in the mind.

Habit #2

Be a constant learner, change and evolve as required. This means attending seminars, reading, and listening to audiobooks. By making learning a habit, this could be one of your .

It is not only the strong that survive; it is the adapters that win.

Habit #3

wins. Do it now; have a propensity for action; make decisions quickly. I have found in business that the successful people are those who have a huge sense of urgency. They always want to get it done sooner and now cultivates the habit of doing it now.

Habit #4

Set a pace that you can maintain forever. Although I am a big believer in the sense of urgency, you need to figure out what gives you strength and energy and focus some time doing 's Seventh Habit that is .

Habit #5

I like to have a number of success mantras; for example, " go for it anyways". I use this mantra whenever I am getting about doing something or need to negotiate something.

Another mantra that I use is, "Successful people do tough things". I repeat this to myself when I am doing something that I consider to be difficult like getting up at 4:30 a.m. to catch a flight.

Habit #6

Be Fit. I am a firm believer that fitness gives energy and energy is what allows us to get things done.

Fitness in itself can involve a number of habits and is a key topic in itself. What are your fitness habits?

Habit #7

Study time management. OK - a plug for my eBook, book and CD.

We all have the same amount of time; it is a matter of how we use it and how much we get done.

Habit #8

Nurture a network. I am constantly adding to my address book, reviewing it, keeping in touch with people and trying to add value to them. The more I nurture this network, the more I get things done.

Habit #9

Fail often, fail fast, fail cheap. In order to move forward, sometimes we have to fail. Don't let failure stand in the way of trying to move forward. You are not a failure if you fail; you are a failure if you don=E2=80=99t try.

Think about and decide what your success habits will be. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Jim Estill is CEO of SYNNEX Canada. He started his business from the trunk of his car and now runs a company with sales over a billion dollars. He is an active blogger at http://www.jimestill.com ]]> The Truth About Dating Site http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-truth-about-dating-site http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-truth-about-dating-site#comments Sun, 30 Dec 2007 05:15:00 +0000 success mantrasocial failuremid ageonline dating sitesdating gamesocial situationlooking for love http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-truth-about-dating-site
What is the mantra for success?

Today, a computer screen has made it possible for every other person to get into the . However, while we see many businesses spring up in the name of love, dating site cannot boast of a . What works for one, might not work for the other. However, there are some truths one would do good to know. A few basics make you touch base with the real reason some dating sites are more popular.

Firstly, it is the mere statistics of the population. It is said that three of every five single people between the age group of 25 to 55, have tried their hand at , , marriage or plain friendship. Yes, the numbers are astounding. This accounts for 60% of every young to mid-age single person on the planet! This is why the online dating sites are blooming and the business of love is making money. This is good news for most singles and the dating business. But while the sites are increasingly popular, most people do not own up to the fact that they use online dating because of the fear of being labeled as desperate or a . They prefer to have their friends know they are not that desperate yet! There is nothing wrong with online dating. Just like a bar or a club, it is just a different venue to meet different people. The sooner you admit that, the more your chances of online dating success.

What comes as a surprise to most is also the fact that only 5 to 10% of the people who are looking for love on a dating site, manage to actually find it there. This is shocking for most. However, if you compare this situation to the real world , you will see it as completely normal. How many people would you be attracted to if you walked into a movie hall? It would have to be just a handful. Not everyone meets your expectations. So it is advised that you be realistic and set your goals accordingly. An online dating site is not your only ticket to love. Do not get disheartened if you do not meet with success immediately! Keep trying!

It is quite true that if you do not have an interesting profile, an engaging introduction and do not have a photo uploaded alongside it, chances of your getting a response from prospects on a dating site, is next to nil! If you are not going to invest time on yourself to make an interesting profile or upload your latest picture, people are not going to invest time in you! When you go out to meet people in a club, don't you dress up and look your best? The same logic works here. People need to be attracted to you to communicate with you on online dating sites. If you give them no reason to be attracted to you, chances are they will pass you over. Welcome to the world of online romance. Yes, you can find your soul-mate among the many singles out there. Visit us now at http://www.online-dating-service-sg.com or http://onlineinternetdatingservice-sg.blogspot.com with a difference. Join our dating world and start your romantic journey with us. ]]> Reiki And The Sacral Chakra http://www.artwoo.com/article/reiki-and-the-sacral-chakra http://www.artwoo.com/article/reiki-and-the-sacral-chakra#comments Wed, 13 Dec 2006 22:27:04 +0000 sacral chakraylang ylang oilout of body experiencesreiki practitioneraromatherapyuniversal energiescreative energies http://www.artwoo.com/article/reiki-and-the-sacral-chakra sacral chakra is body area located between the upper parts of the sacrum. This chakra is important in helping with healing, communicating with and opening up to in Reiki. Because of this, the sacral chakra is used as a way to aid healing. There are various methods used by to open this chakra in order to allow universal energies to move and communicate through the body.

Also known as the cross center, the sacral chakra is thought to hold sexual energy, emotions, sexual energies and creative energy. A person who is strong in this chakra center, will have an easier time with . Because of this, it is vital to make sure that the sacral chakra is not blocked and is able to exchange with universal energies. The sacral chakra's main function is the characteristics of . The creative energies are usually developed between the ages of 7 and 14. Many attribute this chakra with holding the sense of taste as well. Eastern tradition the sacral chakra is known as the six petal lotus, and is connected to the element of earth. If this chakra is blocked, it will affect you mentally, physically, and emotionally.

When a Reiki practitioner is healing this area, they will begin by placing their hands on the sacrum. This may be done from the front or the back of the person. With females, they will unblock the sacral chakra by rotating to the right. In males, they will unblock by rotating to the left. In addition to clearing the area, it is thought to help problems with the reproductive glands or the prostate as well. Some will choose include certain attunements and mantras when doing this. The first mantra that might be used is a vam sound. The mantra is used in the tune of D. Some may also clear this chakra while using . Sandalwood and ylang-ylang oil are the two recommended aromas to use. If you prefer, they can also combine this with the use of a gemstone. The two best types of gemstones to use in this case are carnelian and moonstones.

When the Reiki process is complete, the sacral chakra should open to the universal energies. In its pure state, one may see an orange-colored aura surrounding this chakra. Often after having had this section cleared, a person will sleep for eight to ten hours in a fetal position. They may also see visions of moonlight and clear water during or after the process.

When one opens their sacral chakra, they are open to the universal energies in relation to their emotions and creativity. Eoing this not only helps to heal physical ailments, such as in the reproductive area, but also will help in clearing emotional blockage. Any combination of the previously-mentioned techniques can be used when clearing the sacral chakra. Patricia Smith contributes to several online magazines, including http://lutad.com and http://foxow.com ]]> The Key Is Persistance http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-key-is-persistance http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-key-is-persistance#comments Sun, 10 Feb 2008 01:30:02 +0000 location location locationpersistent effortestate locationoffline businessminimum effortsubstantial businesssuccessful online business http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-key-is-persistance successful online business owners are - Persistence, Duplication and Consistency. Its a bit like the old mantra of Real Estate - Location, Location, Location. Use this mantra and you will have a great chance of becoming successful.

One of the saddest things is to see someone start their own home based business with great excitement, set out into the world of Internet Marketing in the belief that they will strike gold quickly and with . We all know that isn't going to happen, yet when reality hits, they blame everything but themselves for the lack of success. Yet if they had started with the knowledge that just like a conventional , an online business requires planing and , they would have built a in a relatively short period of time. Once again think; persistence, duplication and consistency.

Developing an online, home based business won't give you something for nothing, but will provide great rewards for those who apply simple, basic principles on a persistent basis. Any business takes time and effort to develop. It takes consistency and duplication. You must work consistently, apply the principle of duplication to your business and be persistent. As you persist and keep doing the basics over and over again, you will develop momentum, and the amount of traffic to your site will increase.

Don't just write one article and sit back, don't just submit one advertisement, don't just write one blog post one time and think you are finished. These are all great things to do to promote your business, but on their own won't be enough. You need to do them again and again, testing your ads, improving your article writing skills, developing relationships through forums and blogs. Over time this will increase your search engine rankings and your business will be growing. If there is any sure cure for doubting your business ability, it is rapidly increasing traffic!

Above all, keep your belief in your own abilities. Get guidance from more successful people through the appropriate forums, and feed off their knowledge. No matter how much or how little knowledge you have at the present moment, make it your goal to learn more about your field of business every day. Do this several times and you will be encouraged as you become more of an expert in your niche. Do this persistently, and you will get to love your business with a passion, and it becomes fun. That, combined with your expanding income, will provide you with many unexpected blessings. Enjoy the journey! Alan Thomas is an internet marketer who helps other people build their own home based business. To find the best home based business ideas and opportunities so you can work at home visit: http://www.APTeamBuild.com ]]> Modern Homes With Minimalist Interiors http://www.artwoo.com/article/modern-homes-with-minimalist-interiors http://www.artwoo.com/article/modern-homes-with-minimalist-interiors#comments Sat, 11 Aug 2007 05:15:02 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/article/modern-homes-with-minimalist-interiors A room full of furniture does not make it a home. One cannot be the master of all trades, professional help has to be taken when it comes to decorating your home or you may end up living in a shoebox. The right stuff in the right place is the magic mantra, the day you learn this mantra you can say you have the knowledge of interior designing.

The lack of knowledge about interiors forced people to stay in houses congested with huge furniture, as they were in vogue in the past. With a little help from interior designers or few tips from the net or magazines one can make remarkable changes and create more place with the same space.

The common manand#8217;s ignorance about interior designing has made professional interior designers the most sort after professionals. A common man would never think that factors like light, furniture style, paint and other accessories play such an important role in giving your house the desired effect.

When it comes to interior decorating, Often people are under the impression that designing their homes means stuffing it with the most expensive furniture and fixtures, but if placed well even ordinary items can give stunning results. Secondly no matter how big and well furnished your house is, if it is not neat and tidy it can never look beautiful, this is one golden rule all interior designer follow and advice the same. An interior decorator can only decorate your home but itand#8217;s up to you to maintain that beauty and class.

Laziness can never be an excuse for untidiness. Everything has a particular place in a house, a slight alteration or misplacement disturbs the entire getup. You can follow simple tips and maintain the beauty of your home, say for e.g. you can always use a table with drawers rather than a counter-top, this will help you to maintain tidiness as well as carelessly stuff everything in those drawers.

If you are an intellectual person your home d=E9cor cannot be complete without a bookrack, but books can be can cause a real mess if not managed properly. Interior decorators will always advice you to discard what is old and not required. It is observed that some people tend to collect things that donand#8217;t match their interiors and thus end up occupying space and the worst is that they can never decide what is required and what is not when it comes to discarding things.

Before choosing the furniture for your room the usable space is to be kept in mind, if your room is small you should always prefer furniture that occupies less space and arrange it in a conversational placement i.e. facing each other and not just keep where it fits right. Secondly proper lighting plays a significant role while decorating your home, a properly lit room can enhancing the beauty of the room as well as make it and appear less claustrophobic. So keep in mind that using dark shades and low wattage lights, especially in a room that does not get adequate natural light is very bad idea. Adam Peters is the journalist of consumer websites, who has written more articles on style for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . A website with tips on minimalist interiors, and many related topics: http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/minimalist-style.html ]]> Shall We Dump The "Fake It Till You Make It" Recruiting Routine? http://www.artwoo.com/article/shall-we-dump-the-fake-it-till-you-make-it-recruiting-routine http://www.artwoo.com/article/shall-we-dump-the-fake-it-till-you-make-it-recruiting-routine#comments Wed, 18 Oct 2006 02:27:06 +0000 quotcnbcarmani suitsarmani suitenticeborrowed moneystolen money http://www.artwoo.com/article/shall-we-dump-the-fake-it-till-you-make-it-recruiting-routine
and;Fake it till you make it.andquot;

Over the last 15 years, I've known countless guys who, upon hearing this mantra, have begged, borrowed and to buy their s, shoes and belts (whose expensive buckles they are often seen fondling in front of the room).

Some have bought cars totally outside their budgets so they could be seen arriving in style. And of course, they imply clearly that these wonderful toys were the fruits of the business they were promoting.

Has this mantra gone too far?

It's one thing to do whatever you have to so that YOU feel good (and if buying that Armani suit, shoes or belt does it, well then do it.)

But if it's all that bought it, or if it came from another source, and NOT from the business you are promoting, is it right to pretend these success symbols came from your business? You know, so as to folks to come into the business with you?

Isn't that false pretenses?

In a previous post here, (andquot;Don't Believe the Hype (He Says That's What It Is)andquot; May 28, I reported what a well known entertainment promoter said in his deposition (he was being sued by the people who bought his company based on his misrepresentations).

Mr. Simmons wanted to give a good impression to those who were about to put up their money and time to buy his company, so he wanted the business to andquot;look goodandquot; to them.

andquot;Here's how you develop an image for a company,andquot; he says in the deposition. andquot;You give out false statements to mislead the public so they will then increase in their mind the value of your company.andquot; He explained the difference between his statement on that his company had done $350 million in sales when in fact it had done $14.3 million like this:

The $350 million andquot;accurately reflected my optimism - or my brand position statement - a good brand positioning statement.andquot; And he adds, andquot;I was hoping it would sound good - I was hoping that maybe by that year the gross numbers were there, I don't know.andquot;

Would you buy anything from this man?

Cut back to us in network marketing.

How would you feel about coming in to a business based on seeing such andquot;successandquot; flaunted as what they andquot;gotandquot;, and later find out they hadn't earned a dime - that the andquot;successandquot; they showed you was part of that person's andquot;fake it till you make itandquot; strategy? And you bought in, thinking that it would be easy, too, like it was for our faker?

Do you agree that we should dump the faker philosophy as a recruiting tool?

Perhaps women haven't used it as much as the boys, since they don't tend to brag. But if you do use it, I suggest wiping it from your speaking repertoire. Period.

Evolved males: Dump it.

It's just lying, isn't it? And worse, it's cruel and unusual seduction of some unsuspecting woman (or guy) who needs to believe in something real, and who doesn't have any way of knowing that your story is fake, until it's too late and they've spent their money - and usually more than they can afford.

Would YOU knowingly buy from a faker?

Is that any way to promote goodwill or good word of mouth in our industry?

We can do better, can't we? Kim Klaver is Harvard andamp; Stanford educated. Her 20 years experience in network marketing have resulted in a popular blog, http://KimKlaverBlogs.com, a podcast, http://YourGreatThing.com and a giant resource site, http://BananaMarketing.com ]]> Lawyer Marketing -- How You Create Breakthrough Success http://www.artwoo.com/article/lawyer-marketing-how-you-create-breakthrough-success http://www.artwoo.com/article/lawyer-marketing-how-you-create-breakthrough-success#comments Mon, 21 Aug 2006 20:27:16 +0000 lawyer marketinglegal marketingmarketing managementmantraquality businessreferral basereferral network http://www.artwoo.com/article/lawyer-marketing-how-you-create-breakthrough-success Lawyer marketing and the "manager's " go together. Never heard the manager's mantra? The "manager's mantra" is an important variable in successful . The manager's mantra is "If you can't measure it, you can't manage it." Well, that is nice Henry and how will that help me?

Most attorneys have some sort of (if only a small one) however; attorneys really don't know how to manage their lawyer marketing so that their referral network expands. The first step in this expansion is to know where you are and then you can figure out how to get to where you want to go. Yes, it is important to understand the geographics, demographics and psychographics of your referral sources/clients for sure and you need a lawyer system. By understanding more about how to manage your legal marketing referral sources, you can grow this referral network and boost your attorney marketing efforts with less work on your part.

What Your Expanded Lawyer Marketing Delivers To You

What does having this lawyer marketing management system in place mean for you? If you are working your legal marketing referral sources well, you are building a base that will make a significant impact on your bottom line, as I am sure you know. You will be sent more business and be able to retain more that will in turn send you more quality business. You will have an easier time saying no to mediocre or poor cases and holding out for top dollar cases. You can even pass on work that simply does not appeal to you personally if you know that your lawyer marketing referral base will consistently deliver.

Professional marketers know the process of wooing a referral base involves creating "know, like, trust, relationship, credibility, and top of mind awareness (TOMA)" with your legal marketing referral sources. I think you see the benefits clearly so lets move on to giving you the management tool to make it a reality.

Measuring a Lawyer Marketing Referral Base

Lawyer marketing is not always and exact science and that does not keep us from keeping statistics. The "game" of legal marketing will be improved just like keeping statistics in baseball, football or hockey improves performance. The tool we will use consists of four basic lists to measure your legal marketing referral base as it exists currently and see where your attorney marketing time needs to be focused thus putting your resources into those referral sources with the potential for the most return.

The first list is called the "Top 20" List. If you only have a few lawyer marketing referral sources, obviously, it may only be the Top 10 or even the Top 2 List. But the first objective after listing your top lawyer marketing referral sources is to increase the list to 20 if it is not there already so that is why we call it the Top 20 list. In order to qualify for the Top 20 List, a referral source must have sent you X amount of business in the past year and has hit that level consistently over the last three years. Depending on your practice area, X may be one, two, or three very profitable cases. For example, if you are a PI lawyer you might consider X to equal the referral of at least one case that netted the practice over $25,000 in contingency fees (or set the benchmark higher or lower as you see fit). If you practice residential real estate then X might equal someone who sent you a minimum of 3 closings per month (again you can set this benchmark higher or lower depending on your current situation). Bottom line here is whether for PI, estate planning, family law, or real estate legal marketing, you will know what level is appropriate for your Top 20 level of lawyer marketing attention.

The second list is the "Farm Team" List. Here we are using a baseball metaphor of your Top 20 being the "major leagues" and this second list being the farm team in training for moving up to the big leagues of the Top 20. Your Farm Team List consists of those legal marketing referral sources who are between having at least tried to send you someone up to whatever you have set the threshold of being a Top 20 list member. This trying to send you someone can be as casual as a friend asking if his or her neighbour called you after being given your card by your friend. We all know that lawyer marketing is sometimes this accidental.

The third list is the "Who You Know" List and is similar to any standard networking list. It includes everyone you know, even everyone your spouse knows, as well as those people known by your family and your staff. Take this one out as far as you like. The bigger it gets the better for lawyer marketing.

Finally, there is the lawyer marketing "Categories List". This is a list of professions and occupations in general that would have the capacity to refer business to you. There are no names on this list, only general occupations/professions. For example, a PI lawyer might list nurses, physical therapists, medical technicians, chiropractors, neurologist, plastic surgeons, orthopaedists etc. while a family lawyer might list psychologists, social workers, marriage counselors, CPAs, hairdressers, real estate lawyers, etc.

Working a Lawyer Marketing Referral Base

Now you have measured your lawyer marketing referral network what do you do with that list? Just to be sure I need to say every lawyer has as their best referral source category other lawyers so be sure to list all other practice areas that would have a particular ability to refer to your practice area on your categories list. Also every lawyer marketing system needs to list "current clients" as a category and put those clients on the Top 20 and Farm Team list as they move out of the Who You Know List since clients should be on the Who You Know List. Also some of your clients are in the categories you have listed and they need particular attention first in legal marketing.

The way you use the list in lawyer marketing is to pay particular attention first to building and maintaining relationships with your Top 20 and Farm Team List members. As you deepen and develop those relationships they will send you more clients than ever before since you are building "know, like, trust, relationship, credibility, and top of mind awareness (TOMA)" with these people. Ask the Top 20 and Farm Team members to introduce you to other people they know in the categories that have the ability to refer to you and they will. See if any of the Who You Know List members are in the categories you are seeking and cultivate those members. See if the Who You Know List members can introduce you to people on your categories list. You get the idea here. Over time you will fill your Top 20 and Farm Team lists thus only have time to devote to maintaining and building from them I am sure. Not sure how to do this entire legal marketing building from a communications perspective? Well, that is the subject of future articles, worth a visit to my website for more information or contact me and we can work on that together. You can master lawyer marketing I am certain. Henry has individually coached well over 500 attorneys. You can get more free, in depth and objective information on increasing your revenue while reducing your work hours available now at http://www.law-firm-marketing-coach.com ]]> Benefits of Meditation and Spiritual Awakening http://www.artwoo.com/article/benefits-of-meditation-and-spiritual-awakening http://www.artwoo.com/article/benefits-of-meditation-and-spiritual-awakening#comments Mon, 04 Aug 2008 01:50:16 +0000 meditation calmsbenefits of meditationvibrational qualityguided meditationmainstream culturevibrational levelwalks of life http://www.artwoo.com/article/benefits-of-meditation-and-spiritual-awakening Mainstream culture has recognized the and you will find people of all ages and using this ritual to relieve stress, awaken the spirit, heal the body and unlock the mind to the limitless potential we possess.

the mind and relaxes the body dissolving built up tension and anxiety the body stores. As we become more exposed to the stresses of modern day life it is imperative that we find a way to relieve the pressure. As the long-term benefits of meditation begin to unfold we notice the mind beginning to experience much higher levels of peace and serenity. We will see an increase in happiness, love, and an increase of our inner powers and abilities to connect with the higher powers of our mind. We find ourselves becoming physically healthier as we shed the years of stress related damage we have done to ourselves.

There are different schools of thought when it comes to meditation. There are those that believe you should choose a mantra that you repeat during the whole meditation. It could be a simple mantra such as the word Aum. You can make up you own as long as it has a certain that will allow your thinking mind to quiet down and achieve a silence that will open you up to your true self. You can use a that uses voice to relax your body and get you into a meditative state. This may be the best option when starting out because it helps lay the foundation for getting you to a relaxed state. Once you can recognize that state you can eliminate the guided meditation and use either silence or you can use music depending on the nature of the music. The real key here is to be able to get to that place in your mind where thought doesn't interfere with the experience. We are trying to tune into a higher where thought has no place.

As our powers of concentration increase we learn to control the multitudes of thoughts that flood our minds and halt the growth of awakening our higher levels of consciousness. It is these very thoughts, which separate us from the lower life forms that will keep us from realizing our true potential. Through meditation we can learn to quiet our mind and listen to our inner voice, which is not a voice at all, but a feeling of deep awareness and connectedness to the true vibrations of our higher self. As this awareness increases we will learn that these true vibrations of our higher self are actually not our higher self but the vibrations and realm of an even more basic understanding of universal consciousness.

While weighing the benefits of meditation there can be no argument about the physical benefits you will receive from daily practice. The benefits of a more spiritual and mind expanding consciousness is hard to quantify because of the subjective nature of the person meditating. The benefits gained will be in direct proportion to the level of ones awareness and desire to reach their full potential. As we shed the years of destructive thinking and behavior there can be no doubt that you will begin the process of realizing your true spiritual self. With this realization comes the understanding of how limitless we truly are and the real work of meditation can begin.Begin your journey of discovery and shed the years of destructive self-programming. Meditate To Achieve Your Higher Balance http://www.higherbalance.wordpress.com]]>