excelle

Oprah Ending Show After 25 Years

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:37:38 -0800

Sign Up for Excelle's Weekly Newsletter

Excelle Editor — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:53:00 -0800

Wanna hear from us?

Every week, Excelle sends out a recap of the best and most popular content from our site.

It also showcases new and under-the-radar features you might have never know were there! Want in on the action? Follow these steps to be sure you know what's up from the top networking site for career women on the web...

To receive the newsletter:

1) In your profile, there are tabs at the top to set your site preferences. Here, you can go into your Account Settings.

2) Scroll down to the third section labeled "Subscriptions."

3) Under "Subscriptions" there are multiple check boxes. The second check box is marked "Newsletters."

4) By checking this box, Excelle newsletters will be sent to your primary email address.

5) Add updates@m.excelle.monster.com to your email contact list so that they skip the SPAM and go straight to your Inbox.

What if this box is checked but I haven't received any newsletters?

This is probably because your email client filters Excelle's community updates as SPAM. Oh no! Resolve the issue with the following steps:

1) Search your SPAM mail to see if there are any old Excelle newsletters stored in it.

2) If so, move one of them to your Inbox or better yet, mark it "Not Spam" (or whatever language your email client uses to mark things as Inbox-worthy.)

3) Add updates@m.excelle.monster.com to your email contact list, so that this terrible situation doesn't happen again.

Check out a sample newsletter.

Note: Some content might be altered or changed from when originally sent in this newsletter.

Confidence is Your Birthright

Margaret Prusan — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:03:29 -0800

Remember when you were a kid and thought you could do anything? You knew no boundaries, had no fears and felt you could conquer the world? Self confidence was your birthright and you knew how to use it to get what you wanted.

Then you grew up and that self confidence was eroded by life experiences, perceived or real limitations, negative relationships and, well, life.

The Role of Confidence in Business

As your business' CEO, your role is to grow your business, be the face of your business and develop new products or services.

That means imparting your knowledge to your team so they can handle the day-to-day of your business without you. This is particularly hard as an entrepreneur since your business is "your baby". Remember, parents need to let go of their babies so they can grow. So, too, must you for your business to grow. That means giving your team the information they need to keep your business running smoothly whether or not you are there.

How Do We Get Confidence?

Step Back

First, take the time to step back and look at where you may be lacking self confidence. Understanding the origin of low or diminishing self confidence can help identify the appropriate course of action.

Take Action

It's no secret that taking action regularly keeps you inspired, motivated and feeling like a player. Take action every week, every day if possible, towards your goals.

Push the Envelope

Get out of your comfort zone...often. There is evidence that pushing the envelop (doing something challenging, scary or exciting) actually has a positive hormonal impact on your body.

Stop Comparing

Remember, you were put on this earth to accomplish your purpose, not someone else's. Every time you compare yourself to others, you strip away self confidence.

Set Goals

Set goals that are in service of your Purpose here on earth. Achieving just to achieve can still leave you lacking in self confidence. As you achieve them, your soul will be fed and so, too, your confidence.

Surround Yourself with Achievers

Move away from downers. Nothing zaps your energy, confidence and focus more than being with naysayers or people who accept their unsatisfying or crummy status quo. If you're intimidated, fake the confidence until you start to feel the confidence. Odds are there are other people in the room doing the same thing.

Honor Your Word

Whenever we don't live up to a commitment to ourselves, a loved one, a friend or client, our self-confidence erodes. Staying true to your word reinforces that you work with intention and integrity and that's good for confidence.

Honor Yourself

Above all, honor and respect yourself. Trust your intuition, dress with respect, exercise and take time out to refuel yourself. Be clear on, and respect, your own boundaries and needs so that others respect them. This reinforces to yourself, and others, that "I'm worth it."

© 2009 Illumin LLC

You are welcome to "reprint" this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered, includes the contact information at the end, and you send me a copy of or link to your reprint at Margaret@Illumin.biz.

Margaret Prusan, also known as "The Illuminator", helps executives and entrepreneurs clarify their purpose and own their expertise to earn what they're worth in their business or career. To sign up for her FREE newsletters and e-book offering business strategies and resources that will transform the way you think about your business--and yourself--go to http://www.Illumin.biz.

When Serving Wine On a Dime, Think Outside the Box

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:36:54 -0800

Importance of Self Storage Units for Personal Use

Charles Kaser — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:04:47 -0800

Nowadays, space itself requires cost. When it comes to storing personal and corporate belongings, self storage units are optional and cost-efficient facilities. Charge for space has been reaching sky rocket prices, thus renting a warehouse or a garage space can be very expensive specifically for personal use only. An alternative solution for these pricey rentals would be a self storage unit. Now why are these units useful?

In terms of personal use, self storage units are much cheaper instead of renting an apartment or a garage just to store your personal belongings. Such units are more economical than having a moving or forwarding company store your goods in their warehouse which will cost you more. Sometimes these companies charge the space you’re renting per square meter.

For instance, you got a new job. However you need to leave San Diego for New York and you must find a place to live in soon. You also need to bring your personal stuff and some of your furniture and appliances with you. The best option left is renting out a New York Self Storage facility.

In case you’re wondering, these units vary in size. Your money’s worth depends on the capacity that each unit can hold. Talking about safety measures, you don’t have to worry about storing your possessions. Self storage units come with locks to secure every piece of belonging. Plus, you get to choose a specialized unit for certain materials such as appliances, furniture, and even vehicles.

Such storage facilities have evolved over time in terms of usability and flexibility. The idea of a do-it-yourself project in saving your important belongings can provide you with a more personalized approach. Plus the rental fee depends on the amount of things you need to store. For such self storage units, there’s absolutely no cost for a flat rate charge on a rented space or extra manpower cost for fixing and packing your possessions.

About the Author:

Charles Kaser owns a carpentry and hardware shop based in Houston and Los Angeles. Originally from New York, Charles wanted to experience a more laidback atmosphere in the East Coast. If he’s not a business owner, he would probably be a journalist right now. To have his creative juice flowing, he writes diverse topics from travel destinations, to business facilities such as self storage units, and even gadgets. His next venture would be a surf apparel and accessories shop at Miami.

Does Your Relationship Need a Mission Statement?

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:30:35 -0800

Baby girls less celebrated than boys?

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:41:31 -0800

5 Qualities of Good Female Friends

Kelly Rudolph | Excelle — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:42:00 -0800

Why are you a good, empowering friend to other women? What do you bring to the table?

We all have our specific qualities and in a friendship, we must to have something that benefits the other person if we are to be of value. What is it that you provide? Dependability? An ear to listen? Good advice? Positive feedback?

Or do you commiserate with your female friends? Do you jump into the gossip rut or complaining trap or do you empower and boost women and cheer them on?

If you find you're not a positive influence on your friends, you can easily develop some skills to be more so. Keep in mind, if you have negative friends and you become more positive, they may take a while to catch on to the new, more positive you or may choose to leave the friendship.

Women who gain attention by always complaining are unlikely to warm up to a positive-minded person. After all, being positive means taking responsibility for your choices, situation and life and this is completely opposite of what negative people do.

Five great qualities to bring to the friendship table:

• Dependability - Dependability is underrated. If you are a dependable friend with personal boundaries, you are priceless. Without personal boundaries, many dependable friends get taken advantage of.

• Respect - Respect is earned, not aged into. If you respect your friends and what they stand for and it is mutual, your bonds will be stronger and more long lasting than others.

• Positive Feedback - A realistic positive outlook and encouragement are two of the most powerful things you can give a friend in crisis.

• Alternate Perspective - Looking at a situation from a different perspective is crucial to making good decisions. Helping a friend to do this is admirable.

• Honesty - Honesty is not synonymous with agreement. Tough love is sometimes necessary in friendships and is appreciated by true friends.

Think about your women friends and determine how many of them possess the above skills. You may be a catalyst to empower them all or feel the need to seek out new friends who are more inclined to match your friendship skill set.

To be more positive, empowered, successful, and have greater peace of mind, I invite you to visit PositiveWomenRock where you will receive audio and pdf versions of "Why Positive Women Excel at Everything They Do" and invitations to TeleWomenars - empowering conversations for women.

Liked This Article? Check Out:

How Do You Break Up With a Friend?

5 Tips for Making Office Friendships Work

5 Reasons You Need Your Girlfriends

8 Money Saving Tips from the Great Depression

Alice Handley | Excelle — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:34:00 -0800

The economy is sour and we have yet to see signs of the recovery in our own lives, but there’s no need to hoard every penny you’ve got and live in fear. Why? We’ve been through bad times before. And we didn't just survive — we emerged even stronger and smarter than before. When? The Great Depression of the 1930s, for example!

Even with unemployment hitting 25% (imagine a fourth of your friends and family out of work!), people in the 30s managed to stay afloat, pay their bills, and even have some fun. Sounds impossible? It's not. We just need to re-remember what we forgot. Here are eight ways — big and small — your grandparents kept things together that you can use too!

Learn how to love used stuff

Instead of buying a brand-new sofa, TV, or car, check out online resources like Craigslist or Ebay for nearly-new big-ticket items. We know you’d rather buy new, but just think about how much money you can save if you buy something that’s just a year old. By putting up with a tiny bit of wear and tear you can save up to thousands of dollars. After all, cars lose a huge amount of their value the second they’re driven off the lot. And do you need the absolute latest TV model? Let some other sucker pay a premium for the most cutting-edge toy and put that money into a savings account instead!

Stay realistic

We hate to say it, but it could be that things just aren’t going to get better any time soon. While an optimistic attitude is key, put that can-do spirit towards making do with things as they are, not how you hope they’ll be. If you make penny-pinching a habit, it becomes second nature, leaving you to enjoy life to the fullest without worrying about the next disaster. By approaching your finances with a realistic attitude, you’ll be able to weather changes with grace and style.

Next: Get Your Hands Dirty →

[page]

Turn down the thermostat

Ever have your grandmother tell you to put a sweater on? That’s because the lady really knew what she was talking about. Give up the idea that your house is always going to be toasty-warm in the winter and refreshingly chill in the summer. By learning to live with a more moderate amount of artificial temperature regulation, you’ll be saving lots of money in the long run and be doing a great deed for the planet. Don’t forget to put this into practice in the car, too! Running the air conditioning at full blast noticeably lowers your mileage.

Get back to gardening

From Depression-era kitchen gardens to WWII Victory gardens, Americans have always gotten through tough times with green thumbs. By growing certain fruits and vegetables yourself you can save yourself a bundle at the grocery store and provide your family with super-tasty and ultra-fresh produce. Don’t have a lot of space? Don’t worry! You can grow a little herb garden in a window box, a planter, or even just a pot in your home. And gardening can help you with another money-saving tip you really should be using — eating out as rarely as possible. Even take-out can add up! Cooking for yourself is tasty and fun.

Don’t buy things you just want

Yeah, yeah, this one sounds like a bit of a no-brainer, but it’s time to start evaluating which things you really need and which ones you just want. We’ve been conditioned by decades of wall-to-wall, 24/7 advertising to believe we require the newest, the fanciest, and the shiniest anything you can think of. How many of these must-have toys are just collecting dust right now? Try to imagine a world without ads telling you what you need. Listen to your common sense and see if you notice a change. You’ll probably find you can make do with what you already have or buy smaller amounts of cheaper things. Do you think that on your deathbed you’ll wish you’d bought more designer clothing or faster cars? No, we didn’t think so either.

Be open to relocating

We're not talking about riding the rails like a Depression-era hobo, of course. We’re just saying that job growth tends to be concentrated in certain areas, and if you’re serious about getting a new or better job you may want to consider moving to an area with more opportunities. Like a modern-day Joad family, only not as depressing. People that stay mobile are more able to pick up jobs where they’re growing fastest rather than having to scramble for scarce jobs in a depressed part of the country. With a little research, you might find a region that’s booming and attractive to you and your family. And who knows — it could be an adventure!

Next: Do It Yourself! →

[page]

Do it yourself!

People in the Depression learned this one quickly: don’t pay somebody else to do what you can do yourself. Your time is valuable, but in rough times so is your paycheck. And we’re not just talking about obvious services like gardeners or maids. How many of you pay someone else to change your oil? Or to roast your chicken for you? Or deliver your groceries? Sit down with your family and see how much of your lives you can take over for yourselves. And, don’t forget, children can be a helpful work force with the right rewards and motivations!

Find lots of ways to make money

To follow up on our “Do it yourself” tip, don’t think of your day job as the only way you’ve got to make money. Putting your talents to work part-time is a smart way to make money, and possibly a stepping stone to a lucrative entrepreneurial career. Great cook? Try selling your delicious cakes and cookies to family and friends. Got some extra time on your hands? Run errands for cash. You’d be surprised what you can do. Just make sure you’re not running afoul of any local laws (particularly if you’re selling food) and the sky’s the limit!

Got some money-saving tips of your own? Share what you’ve learned!

The Color Code: Why Pink for Girls and Blue for Boys?

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:28:00 -0800

By Annie Tucker Morgan | Divine Caroline

If you’ve gone shopping for a baby outfit anytime in the past sixty years, you know it’s virtually impossible to enter a children’s-clothing store without getting lost in a divided sea of pinks and blues.

For girls, there are flowing pink dresses, fluffy pink sweaters, and floppy pink hats, all adorned with flowers, butterflies, rhinestones, and cutesy sayings. (“Precious” and “Little Princess” spring to mind.) For boys, there are blue shirts, sweat suits, jackets, and jeans featuring ruff-and-tuff images of trucks, airplanes, and jungle animals.

Moms and dads who delight in color-coding their babies’ clothes (and nurseries) by gender often perceive the retail industry for kids as one big playground, but for parents seeking more neutral options, finding a happy medium can seem almost prohibitively elusive. The next time you find yourself navigating rack after rack of pink and blue clothes and accessories, take a moment to consider how this whole scenario came to be.

Hues in the News

Given the prevalence and rigidity of the “pink is for girls, blue is for boys” school of thought today, it’s difficult to imagine things being any other way. However, some evidence suggests that these color lines actually weren’t drawn until the middle of the twentieth century. In the 1800s, almost all babies wore white—in fact, parents back then were so unconcerned about distinguishing between the sexes that they outfitted their infant sons and daughters in dresses across the board. And even when babies started sporting colorful clothing in the mid-nineteenth century, specific hues were not identified as “male” and “female”; rather, an 1855 New York Times account of a P.T. Barnum–sponsored “baby show” described both sexes as wearing a wide and arbitrary array of colors.

In the early twentieth century, however, male and female children’s clothes began to differ stylistically—boys started wearing pants, while girls remained in dresses—and with those changes came more consistent color/gender associations. At first, though, pink was ascribed most often to boys, and blue to girls. In 1918, an article in the Ladies’ Home Journal declared, “There has been a great diversity of opinion on the subject, but the generally accepted rule is pink for the boy and blue for the girl. The reason is that pink being a more decided and stronger colour is more suitable for the boy, while blue, which is more delicate and dainty, is prettier for the girl.” Another theory holds that blue, associated frequently with the Virgin Mary, was believed to reflect little girls’ purity and goodness, while pink, a derivative of red, was seen as a better match for male children’s “fiery” temperament. But by the 1940s, the tables had turned, and society’s equating of pink with femininity and blue with masculinity has remained intact since then.

Continue Reading on Next Page

[page]

Baby’s Got His Blue Genes On

Despite these apparent connections between culture and color, one groundbreaking study—conducted by neuroscientists Anya Hurlbert and Yazhu Ling, of Newcastle University in the U.K.—suggests that females may actually have an innate biological preference for pink hues. The doctors surveyed a group of 208 men and women between ages twenty and twenty-six; thirty-seven of the subjects were native Chinese, and the others were British and Caucasian. In a battery of tests in which each participant had to choose his or her favorite shade from a series of colored rectangles on a computer screen, the overall preferred color was blue, but the female participants—regardless of their cultural or ethnic background—demonstrated a clear affinity for reddish tones. Hurlbert reported in the August 2007 issue of the journal Current Biology that “females have a preference for the red end of the red-green axis, and this shifts their colour preference slightly away from blue towards red, which tends to make pinks and lilacs the most preferred colours in comparison with others.” She also noted, “Although we expected to find sex differences, we were surprised at how robust they were, given the simplicity of the test.”

Hurlbert and Ling speculate that this biological divide is long-standing and rooted in evolution. Men’s and women’s shared inclination for the color blue, the doctors suggest, could be related to humankind’s beginnings on the plains of Africa, where vast blue skies indicated good weather. The female-specific predilection for shades of pink may have something to do with early civilizations’ division of labor, in which men hunted while women gathered fruits and berries, which are often red. In addition, early women may have cultivated an ability to quickly identify red on the color spectrum, because that skill would have rendered them more alert to the flushed faces of their sick children.

Nature or Nurture?

As diverse and intriguing as these theories are, the fact remains that the pink-and-blue phenomenon has no single point of origin. And no matter how the color designations for male and female children have evolved through the ages, the current incarnations appear to be here for the long haul. What’s more, the clothing retailers couldn’t care less about how all this came about. As long as baby-shower guests and excited new parents keep snatching up pink sleep sacks for baby girls and blue onesies for infant boys, the manufacturers will make more and the stores will keep their aisles segregated. If you’re satisfied with the status quo, the work’s been done for you—go forth and shop. And if you just can’t stomach the thought of restricting your child to a monochromatic wardrobe, it might be time to invest in a sewing machine.

Eat a Rainbow

Nora Lisman — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:03:09 -0800

I don't know if you can make it out fully (this picture was taken with my phone), but there is a rainbow up there.

The other day I found myself with some extra time on my hands. I decided to walk to my afternoon meeting rather than take the subway. Walking meant that I got to cross one of my favorite bridges in Brooklyn, the Carroll St. Bridge.

It's not the Golden Gate, I know. The river it spans is not the Rio Grande. It crosses the Gowanus Canal, which is an industrial waterway made infamous a while back by housing a lost whale Brooklynites nicknamed Murky.

To us New Yorkers, though, the Carroll St. Bridge is quaint and pretty. It's made of wooden slats. Real wood! And the canal is lined with trees and dirt. Real dirt! We even love the oil spills in the water. They reflect, you guessed it: rainbows.

When I walk over the bridge I am transported. I imagine that I am in a small Vermont town, on my way to the market to pick up fresh vegetables, waving hello to my neighbors who drive by in their trucks. Life feels simpler. I feel like I can breathe easier and that there is just a little bit more room around me.

On this particular day, I was treated to a rainbow. It was a special moment for me. I have been so busy lately and not planning enough down time for myself. The experience rejuvenated me and reminded me that we don't need to escape the city to find inspiration in nature. Beauty is everywhere, you just have to look for it and be willing to make believe just a little.

Lately I have been trying to come up with little sayings that guide people to make healthy choices, but that are easy to remember. One I really like is, "If you are not hungry enough to eat an apple, you're not hungry".

"Eat a rainbow" is the one I want to talk about today. I loved painting rainbows as a kid, and this is a way I get to do it as an adult, only now the canvas is my plate, and my food choices are my medium.

Color is a great guide to choosing nutrient dense food. We are talking "whole" foods here. My boyfriend was quite disappointed to learn that even though CheeseWiz was orange it was not, in fact, a healthy choice. He is also now obsessed with finding more options in the elusive "blue" category.

Here are some examples of how color can help you eat wholesome and healthy:

Red fruits and veggies contain the plant pigment lycopene which is a powerful anti-oxidant and helps the body fight against cancer, cell damage, and promotes a healthy heart.

Tomatoes

Cherries

Cranberries

Strawberries

Radishes

Etc.

Orange

frutis and veggies contain carotenoids, vitamin A, and beta-carotene all of which help the body with eye and heart health and immune function.

Butternut squash

Carrots

Apricots

Oranges

Etc.

Green

fruit and veggies contain chlorophyll. Leafy greens (like spinach and kale) contain lutein. These greens can help with eye health, cancer prevention and much more. Cruciferous greens (think broccoli and brussel sprouts) contain folate which can help prevent birth defects.

Kale

Collard greens

Apples

Lettuce

Peas

Etc.

Blue/Purple

fruits and veggies contain the pigment anthocyanins, also powerful anti-oxiants. Studies also show that eating blueberries can lead to increased mental function. I think I need some of those right now.

Blackberries

Egglplant

Figs

Plums

Etc.

White fruits and veggetables contain anthoxanthins which may help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of stomach cancer.

Bananas

Cauliflower

Parsnips

Ginger

Garlic

Etc.

Above adapted from What Color is Your Food by Julie Garden-Robinson

Taking it

IN:

See how colorful you can make your meals this week. Can you design a meal with every color represented?

Contest alert! Send

a picture of your most colorful creation for a chance to win

The Kripalu Cookbook.

To get the inspiration flowing, here is a salad that I made tonight. I think I am only missing the Blue/Purple group:

Salad: baby arugula, shredded carrots and beets, avocado, topped with fried tofu and sunflower seeds.

For the tofu: heal olive oil in a skillet, cut tofu into medium sized slices, douse with spices of your choosing (I go with whatever I grab off the shelf - tonight it was garlic, oregano and paprika), flip and coat the other side, flip again until both sides are slightly browned.

Dress lightly with olive oil and rice vinegar, salt & pepper.

5 Reasons You Need Your Girlfriends

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:20:00 -0800

I know this is a loaded statement, but here goes: I have always said that I don’t trust women who don’t have female friends.

You know the type — the girl who spends her time exclusively with men. She thinks women are catty (women other than her, of course). For some inexplicable reason, other women just don’t like her. And she can’t, for the life of her, figure out why (unless it’s that they’re just jealous or something). But I’m guessing you have a pretty good idea.

Women need other women. Female friends enrich our lives and make us better people. Even when you've got a boyfriend, a fiance, a husband, children or — if you're lucky — a gay best friend, your friendships with other women are crucial. They're important emotionally, physically, spiritually ... even professionally (ahem, Excelle!). And in case you need a reminder, here's why:

1. Women get you.

Sure, you have things in common with both genders — we’re all human, after all. But with other women, you share experiences that are exclusively female. Menstrual cramps, childbirth, and an X chromosome, to name some of the most basic. What about boy trouble, tricky mother-daughter relationships, gender discrimination, or a childhood obsession with glitter (or was that just me)? Of course, every woman will have unique life experiences, but it's hard to dismiss the fact that there are certain themes that unite us. Your girlfriends will get it when you just need a good cry. They'll understand the delicate balancing act of being a working mother. They'll appreciate your excitement at finding the perfect pair of jeans. And that's priceless.

2. They make better best friends

Okay, maybe not better. But possibly deeper. More meaningful. Longer lasting. Studies have shown that men are more fickle and calculating about who they stay friends with, whereas women tend to stick together through the good and bad. Women also work harder to maintain friendships. A Manchester University survey concluded that 47% of women contact their best friend on a daily basis, compared to 36% of men. The study also showed that men were more likely to base their friendships on activities (like drinking!) whereas women tended to base their friendships more on face-to-face interaction.

Continue Reading on Next Page →

[page]

3. Women are funny

I've heard men say it, I've seen it pontificated in the media, and I've watched countless female comedians work a little too hard to combat it: the notion that women aren't funny. And nothing could be further from the truth. What about Sarah Silverman, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler? They seem to be doing pretty well as famous comedians. Some of the most hilarious friends I've had have been female. How could they not be? We've got so much to laugh at, what with men at our disposal.

4. They fill the gaps

No matter how much you love your boyfriend or spouse, you just can't get everything you need from one person. Your girlfriends offer another outlet, a uniquely female perspective on your struggles ... a type of emotional botox (or is that too much?). Besides, who else are you going to talk to about your man? Women who have more close friendships with other women are said to be happier, sleep better, stress less, and live longer than those who don't. And it makes sense. They're able to satisfy more of their emotional needs than someone who puts all their eggs in one testosterone-fueled basket.

5. If you're single, women are your greatest dating asset.

What's better than a wingman? A wingwoman! Your girlfriends are important regardless of your relationship status (of course). But when you're single, their companionship is a force to be reckoned with. Ever been out on the prowl with a guy friend? Most other men will steer clear, assuming your drinking buddy is your boyfriend (or at the very least, that he wants to be). Take your best girlfriend and it's a whole different story. Nightlife aside, a good girlfriend will always be your biggest evangelist. If she's already coupled up, she'll keep an eye out for any of her man's friends who she thinks would be a good match (even if she sometimes gets it horribly wrong!).

Nurture your friendships with other women. Don't let them go to the wayside because of mounting work stress, a new romance or even living hundreds of miles from one another.

Don't get me wrong – men make fantastic friends too. But your best guy pal is no substitute for a true-blue girl who'll stick by you in the best of times, the worst of times and – let's face it – even the most boy crazy of times.

Liked This Article? Check Out:

How Do You Break Up With a Friend?

5 Tips for Making Office Friendships Work

10 Simple Things Women Want

The Strength to Walk Away from Confrontation

Kelly Rudolph | Excelle — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:43:00 -0800

Most people view walking away from a confrontation or challenge as weak, but positive women know walking away is a sign of strength. Whether you are — already or about to — be involved in a bad situation, argument, or other confrontation, it's important to know you have options that maintain your integrity and come from strength rather than weakness.

The ego is a terrible thing to be ruled by. Our egos often keep us in situations we should steer clear of. It forces us to stand our ground and prove our point. Obviously, standing our ground is important when it comes to respect and personal boundaries. And proving our point can be positive and often necessary. But staying when it is best to walk away is weak and all about ego

How you execute the "walk away" depends on the situation. Here are some examples:
You can tell your angry teen you are willing to discuss the rules in an hour after you both have had some time to cool off and quietly walk away but you may want to avoid saying the same to your boss.

• If someone you are in a relationship with is speaking to you disrespectfully, you may simply hold your hand up like a stop sign and turn and quietly walk away. However, if a person is very angry and attempting to engage you in an argument, you need to walk away while keeping an eye on them because they may get angrier when you refuse to play their game.

• Maybe you are at a party and the drinking gets out of hand. It would be great to influence those involved to be responsible and more careful but in their current state, quietly hiding their keys and exiting may be a better plan.

• If your supervisor is speaking disrespectfully to or about you, walking away may mean quietly protecting yourself emotionally until you can find someone better to work for.

• If you are belittling or criticizing yourself, it is your responsibility to walk away from those thoughts immediately and practice gratitude instead.

• The reason it takes a strong woman to walk away is the same reason most don't - ego, pride and concern about what other people will think or say. Once you realize the power game that arguing, belittling and confrontation is, you immediately possess the power to win and just knowing you have that power reduces the need to use it. There is no honor in winning an unnecessary fight.

Stand your ground and prove your point when necessary and learn to recognize when to walk away. You will be more positive and powerful with each good choice.

To be more positive, empowered, successful, and have greater peace of mind, I invite you to visit http://PositiveWomenRock.com/gift where you will receive audio and pdf versions of "3 Reasons Positive Women Excel at Everything" and invitations to TeleWomenars - empowering conversations for women.

Liked This Article? Check Out:

10 Things I'd Love to Tell My Younger Self

Dump Your Toxic Friends and Radioactive Relationships

6 Ways to Boost Your Self Confidence

One in Four Businesses Calls the Owner ‘Ma’am’

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:29:54 -0800

Teleseminar: Happy Holidays and How to Have 'Em

Michelle Pfennighaus — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:28:00 -0800

Well, looks like the cold weather is here to stay. As we move into the winter months, wouldn’t it be awesome to spend more time frolicking in snowy wonderlands and less time worrying about gaining fruitcake pounds and catching the swine? Sometimes I feel that as adults we dread the holidays more than we look forward to them. After all, we remember what happened last year. And the year before.

But the question is, how do you want to spend the holidays THIS year?

That is why I am partnering with Excelle to bring you this teleseminar:

Happy Holidays & How To Have ‘em
Sunday, November 15, 2009
8pm Eastern Time
Register here.
Registrants will receive the call-in number and passcode via email.

In this seminar you will learn to:
- Set your intention for this winter season
-Boost your immune system with whole foods
-Use ancient techniques to clear pathogens from your body
-Manage holiday stress with breathing exercises
-Create healthy, delicious menu items
-Give the gift of health to yourself and loved ones
-Enjoy, not dread, the holidays
You’ll also receive a FREE recording of the call to keep and listen to next year!

Imagine how much happier your 2010 will be when you start off on a good foot.

3 Key Traits of Successful Jobseekers

Roxanne Ravenel — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:34:00 -0800

The current job market is challenging for everyone. Job hunters are finding themselves in a long, grueling job hunt - despite years of experience and impressive degrees. Yet, many job hunters are finding success. There is no single formula for job search success. However, Daniel Johnson, Jr., host of How I Got My Job, has noticed that successful job hunters do have some characteristics in common.

Daniel has interviewed more than 40 successful job hunters on his podcast. During a recent episode of the Savvy Jobseeker Podcast, Daniel shared five outstanding characteristics shared by several of them. Here are three:

Adaptability

Successful job hunters adapt to meet employers' needs. Their adaptability makes them stand out. Bill Green got his job as an administrative assistant with a non-profit organization by demonstrating his adaptability through volunteering. Bill looked for things that needed to be done in the organization and he did them. When his stint as a volunteer was over the organization offered him a position. Bill calls his job 'Silly Putty'. He says, "I fill in the cracks where ever I'm needed."

Audacity

Successful job hunters possess moxie, boldness. They are willing to put themselves out there to a certain degree. Ann Ronan, who landed her dream job as a health educator did just that. She wanted to be a health educator. She found the company she wanted to work for, went into their office and announced, "I really want to work here." They found a volunteer opportunity for her. Later she transitioned to a paid position.

Authenticity

Authenticity starts with knowing your own strengths and skills and being able to effectively communicate them in interviewing and networking situations. Prepare for interviews by knowing yourself, learning about the job, and understanding how you fit. Social media offers additional opportunities to demonstrate authenticity and establish your credibility. Andre Blackman got noticed for his current position by writing a blog with a specific angle. This established him as a thought leader in his industry, boosted his credibility, and caught the attention of his current employer.

Securing Your Homes

Myke Castaneda — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:36:37 -0800

The home is supposed to be a castle. It is usually presumed to be the place where one feels safest. Unfortunately, this is not the case for everyone. Perhaps spurred on by the recession and other downfalls in the economy, the crimes that are happening in one’s own home have been on the rise.

It doesn’t matter what walk of life you come from, everyone can be victimized by crimes in their own homes. There are celebrities, athletes, and regular people who have been victimized by crimes on their own homes. This just underscores the importance of security in the homes. Perhaps it’s time to reconsider using cheap locks and bolts, and instead secure your homes through more high end manners such as professional locksmiths and security experts.

Law officers say that crimes that happen in people’s personal properties are usually done because criminals often see an opportunity. It is very rare that the attack is planned. That’s why you should be steadfast in being able to secure your homes.

3 Ways to Secure Your Homes

1. Hire professional locksmiths.

An easy, but often overlooked, way to do this is through improving the locks on your doors. Instead of simply purchasing run of the mill locks that could be broken into by a man with a coat hanger, it may be a good idea to purchase one that could only be broken into by the best of locksmiths. Hire a locksmith to make sure that the locks you purchase are quality and secure locks and let them install security locks to make sure they are fixed to your doors properly.

Of course, locks should not only be for doors. As much as possible, try to restrict all areas where intruders can pass through, these include windows, gates and other doors. For a more secure measure, one could also try electronic/digital locks that are difficult for even the best manual locksmith.

2. Try anti-burglar devices.

Another option would be to purchase things that would deter burglars by making it appear that there is someone inside the house, the house is protected by security devices or that there are guard dogs in the house. One way to do this is to get lights with automatic timers and set them to light up at specific (or even random) times. This would give the appearance that the house is always occupied.

3. Install electronic devices such as security cameras.

Another way would be to add security cameras throughout the perimeter of the house. The cameras would deter burglars as they know that the house is being monitored. Dogs are also great because they could work two fold. One is that they could be guard dogs, who could attack burglars on sight. The other would be that they could create a disturbance through their incessant barking. This noise could help in bringing attention to the house and the crime that is about to be committed.

As with everything, preparation is the key. If you would be able to secure your homes through the methods mentioned above, as well as through tips from law enforcement officers, professional locksmiths, and security experts, then perhaps there would be a lower risk of your home being the next scene of a crime.

Article Source: New York Locksmith Ezine Article

Internet Music

Myke Castaneda — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:34:16 -0800

It can’t be helped, people are really into music. From the student who is reading up for his book reports, to the office worker slaving away at his desk job, they would want to have that background tunes to listen to accompany whatever they are doing. However, sometimes they do not have a copy of the CD of their favorite tune and have no way to listen to the songs that they want. This is where online music streaming can come in.

Online music streaming can be likened to the usual radio. However, instead of transmitting music through radio waves, the music is passed through by using an internet connection. There are various websites that offer online music streaming. This ensures that music lovers of any kind of genre, from hip hop, R&B, alternative, to pop, would always have a way to listen to their favorite beats.

Online music streaming works by having a website that offers to stream a certain music collection through the internet. True to the traditional radio format, these websites that provide music streaming could even have DJs and advertisements during their broadcasts. You could listen to these music through your computers, your portable music devices, or even dedicated gadgets for online music streaming as long as it has an internet connection.

There are many advantages when people use online music streaming. For starters it would help you avoid downloading pirated music. The collections of tunes that are sent through the streams are usually legal and are licensed by their parent companies. This is because music streaming services offer listening without the listener actually owning the source file. Think about it, instead of purchasing individual songs through a music selling website or service, you could now listen to your song fix free of charge through the internet.

Online music streaming is also a boost for people who don’t have large hard drives. This is because instead of having to download and store their songs, the music comes to them in real time. Lastly, online music streaming is helpful for people who don’t have good reception for radio waves, such as those who are in the confines of their offices. Now, they wouldn’t have to worry about setting up their antennas because they could just use their internet connections for their tunes.

With this kind of service available, people would not have to slog through music free environments. Through their internet connected device, they have the option of transforming their boring workplace or even home, through a place filled with groovy music.

Article source: Pandora Music Ezine Article

Expanding features of the Laptop

Myke Castaneda — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:30:22 -0800

Nowadays, computing has entered the portable world. Nearly everyone has an access to a laptop or a netbook. Of course, more often than not, that portability comes at a cost of lesser features than their desktop counterparts. One way to make up for this is through the purchase and use of the various laptop accessories that are available all over.

A laptop accessory seeks to augment the features of the laptop. They may come at a variety of kinds and uses; some are there to protect the case through sleeves and cases, some are used to prolong battery life and increase usability, while others are more for design or vanity. All in all however, a laptop accessory can make using a laptop easier, more complete, more beautiful and even more fun!

For functionality, a popular laptop accessory is a laptop adapter. Travelling to various places increase the chances that the power adapter that you are using is not compatible with the sockets for the power supply in that place. They could also purchase extra power adapters so that wherever they go, they would always have a power supply handy for their laptops. Another functionality accessory that laptop users commonly have is an extra set batteries or batteries with longer life spans. The extended batteries help in ensuring that your laptop stays powered even if there are no power supplies available in the place that you are working in. Lastly, there are also optical drives, external DVD Roms and Writers. These enable users to still read data from their CDs and DVDs even if they don’t have built in CD rom drives.

Aside from functionality, some other laptop accessories are used to make the laptop more secure. As portability comes with the risk of damage from travelling and going to places, manufacturers have made protective cases that would ensure that your laptop can make it to its destination. A quick trip to a laptop accessory shop and you would see various kinds of protective covering for your mobile computers. There are neoprene sleeves, silicon cases and even leather bags just to be able to protect the expensive laptops. There are also a variety of wipes and cleaners to ensure the cleanliness of the computer.

Of course, people could also get laptop accessories to make their computing more fun and improve the design of their laptops. There are various USB connected devices such as fans, animals, coffee makers, and even telephones that truly push the limit as to what a laptop can do. On the design side, there are kits, stickers, skins and other designs to make your laptop spiffier.

With a variety of choices of accessories for your laptops, the mobile computer has surely become a more complete computing solution for anyone on the go!

Article Source: PA-10 Ezine Article

The Rising Cost of Long Term Care

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:03:27 -0800

excelle

Oprah Ending Show After 25 Years

Sign Up for Excelle's Weekly Newsletter

Confidence is Your Birthright

When Serving Wine On a Dime, Think Outside the Box

Importance of Self Storage Units for Personal Use

Does Your Relationship Need a Mission Statement?

Baby girls less celebrated than boys?

5 Qualities of Good Female Friends

Liked This Article? Check Out: How Do You Break Up With a Friend? 5 Tips for Making Office Friendships Work 5 Reasons You Need Your Girlfriends

8 Money Saving Tips from the Great Depression

Learn how to love used stuff

Stay realistic

Next: Get Your Hands Dirty →

Turn down the thermostat

Get back to gardening

Don’t buy things you just want

Be open to relocating

Next: Do It Yourself! →

Do it yourself!

Find lots of ways to make money

Got some money-saving tips of your own? Share what you’ve learned!

Related Reads: 20 Ways to Perk Up Your Home on a Budget 10 Things Every Woman Should Know About Money How to Be the Family CEO: 4 Simple Steps

The Color Code: Why Pink for Girls and Blue for Boys?

Continue Reading on Next Page

Eat a Rainbow

5 Reasons You Need Your Girlfriends

Continue Reading on Next Page →

Liked This Article? Check Out: How Do You Break Up With a Friend? 5 Tips for Making Office Friendships Work 10 Simple Things Women Want

The Strength to Walk Away from Confrontation

Liked This Article? Check Out: 10 Things I'd Love to Tell My Younger Self Dump Your Toxic Friends and Radioactive Relationships 6 Ways to Boost Your Self Confidence

One in Four Businesses Calls the Owner ‘Ma’am’

Teleseminar: Happy Holidays and How to Have 'Em

3 Key Traits of Successful Jobseekers

Securing Your Homes

Internet Music

Expanding features of the Laptop

The Rising Cost of Long Term Care

Liked This Article? Check Out:

How Do You Break Up With a Friend?

5 Tips for Making Office Friendships Work

5 Reasons You Need Your Girlfriends

Related Reads:

20 Ways to Perk Up Your Home on a Budget

10 Things Every Woman Should Know About Money

How to Be the Family CEO: 4 Simple Steps

Liked This Article? Check Out:

How Do You Break Up With a Friend?

5 Tips for Making Office Friendships Work

10 Simple Things Women Want

Liked This Article? Check Out:

10 Things I'd Love to Tell My Younger Self

Dump Your Toxic Friends and Radioactive Relationships

6 Ways to Boost Your Self Confidence