Monthly Archives: March 2023

The Benefits of Article Writing to an Online Business

Posted on by

The benefits of article writing can be considerable for an online business. By writing articles you can benefit in several different ways, particularly if you then submit them for publication to a number of article directories. Here are the major benefits of article marketing to a business based on alternative therapy techniques.

Website Content

First, the article can be used as content on your own alternative therapy website. Article writing on the topic of hypnotherapy, for example, can be used to explain in your own words the benefits of hypnotherapy in general, and also how it can be used to treat specific problems such as phobias and stopping smoking.

You can include an email list registration form on your page or even a link to your sales page and if your writing is compelling enough you might secure a sale just through a visitor reading your article and being impressed by your knowledge of your subject.

In fact, most written web content is nothing more than an article that has been transposed to a website as content. While most write their own content, many people use article ghostwriters to do it for them, and feel that the benefits of article writing more than outweigh the cost because a good article can display you as an expert in your field, and that can be enough to increase sales.

Directory Submission and Back-Links to your Website

By submitting an article to article directories, you will get one back-link to your website for every article published on each directory. The value of that link to your Google PageRank will depend on the PR of the page on which the article is published and the number of other links leaving that page. Although the majority of directories are free, there are paid directories that offer you more valuable links because there are fewer other links on the page or even none.

Google uses the PageRank algorithm as a factor in the listing of your web page for the keyword on which your article has been optimized. Some people also use the article directories for content for their own websites, and article writing can provide you with PageRank points from these other websites also.

Direct Clicks

Many people, use article directories for information, and are liable to click on the link in your resource to find out more about your particular technique or alternative therapy. Each article can offer several hundred or several thousand such clicks, depending on the directory, the topic and how persuasive your article writing has been. This is important to the promotion of your online business.

Not only that, however, but you can also receive clicks from publication of your articles in other websites, as explained above. You not just receive PR points from the back-links, but also direct clicks from those reading the web page.

Search Engine Listings

Not only can these web pages containing your article be listed on search engines, but so too can the article directory pages. Your article is published on a web page in a directory, and that is a web page like any other and can be listed on search engines such as Google just like any other web page. This offers a tremendous advantage to your online business, and article writing that offers this result is of extreme value.

A Page #1 listing on Google can provide you with masses of free traffic, and make a significant difference to the success of your alternative therapy business. Article writing becomes a significant internet marketing tool when such benefits are considered, and is why so many people use it and so many pay others to write for them in a professional and persuasive fashion.

In Conclusion…

The benefits of article writing to an online business, whether or not that business is connected with alternative therapy, are considerable, and commensurate with the quality of the article. It is important that the article is accepted for publication on a number of article directories, and it is acceptable for the same article to be submitted to a large number of other directories.

The Google duplicate content penalty does not exist as such, and it is weeks or even months before there is any visible effect of the less useful pages containing your article being dropped from the listings. That effect can be compensated by writing more articles on a weekly or monthly basis, and by doing that, the results your article writing will increase over time.

So keep writing, and give your online business the best possible chance of attaining a degree of success that you would never have believed possible – and would never have been possible but for your article writing and submission strategy.

Useful Tips and Advice For Potty Training a Dog the Right Way

Posted on by

Relationship with your dog can be made or break with a potty training. How does that happen? Picking a dog from shelters full of sweet and friendly canine faces, we might just have to reconsider that they are not really housebroken yet. Imagine coming home from a long day at work, we do not want to exhaust ourselves more by start cleaning the floor, furniture and in the worst case scenario; have to clean the clothes if you keep a jumper at home.

Reconsidering for a potty training? There are several methods to potty train a dog and is important to choosing the right one. It is not advisable to mix several methods since this will only confuse your dog and slowing down its learning process.

For those living in an apartment, it is important to train your beloved dogs to do their business outside the house as early as a pup. If you’re living on the ground floor, you can consider yourself lucky. But if you’re living on the floors that doesn’t have immediate access to the ground, perhaps it’s better to keep your dog indoor. Do not get me wrong, keeping your dog indoor doesn’t mean you let your dog to get busy on your expensive Persian rug! Well, unless it was a gift from someone you hate. What I meant was, to get your dog an indoor potty training.

Method 1: Outdoor Potty Training

This is probably the easiest yet not always practical method if you’re living in an urban area. Basically, what you do is to take your dog outside as soon as you notice its tell-tale potty signal. We will look further into this later.

Do know that puppies have preference on the surface. Meaning, when you train your dog to do their business on grass, your dog will always do it on the grass rather than going to the dirt or concrete. So, make sure there are plenty of grassy areas for your dog.

It is better if your dog get potty trained for different kind of surfaces to make it an ease for you later.

Method 2: Paper Training

This is the most commonly used dog potty training if you could not get your dog outside in an instant.

First, identify few ideal spots in your house or apartment where you want your puppy to do its? business. Preferably on a cleanable surface or floor but make sure it’s not next to the dogs’ eating or sleeping place.

Then, lay some newspapers in that spot. The moment you notice your puppy need to go, pick him up and place it on the newspaper. Once he’s done, praise him like there’s no tomorrow.

After your puppy knows he’s supposed to go on the paper after a while, try to shrink down the number of spots where your dog has to go to do his business. This process has to be done step by step or else you will experience where your puppy will pee all over the place with just his front paws on the newspapers. Too little place to go, too little time but too much to let go.

Method 3: Indoor Potty Training

Similar to cats litter tray, dogs also can use indoor potty. It can be as basic as a cat litter box and tray, maybe with some decorative artificial grass or fire hydrant. Some of them just fit in with your furniture. Type and range of this indoor potty is up to you, all depends on your choice and budget.

This method is similar to the paper training. Choose a suitable spot, place your puppy on it when he shows the ‘let go’ sign, once done praise like there’s no tomorrow. Just make sure the potty spot is not somewhere close to his sleeping or eating place.

Consistency Is the Key

Consistency is the very essential in any dog training, including potty training. Example: Do not let your dog pee in your house. If it does happen, scold him for it. To make it an ease to the both of you, perhaps you could pick a spot in your house where your dog can get his mind off from the outside. Do not take him anywhere until he has done his business in that spot. Make him familiarize with that spot and let him understand that the spot is his. After a while, he’ll understand that that’s ‘his’ spot. This will save a lot of time and cleaning effort for you in the morning.

Take note that, to ensure a success in potty training you and your dog have to establish a consistent routine. Example: every time you notice a change in you dogs’ way or during break time in the day, immediately bring your dog to his potty place.

There are five keys to a successful dog potty training. They are:

1. Take your dog to his potty place when he wakes up in the morning.

2. Make sure you feed your dog on a fixed regular schedule. Example: twice a day, with the interval of 10 to 12 hours in between servings. After meal, take him to the potty place.

3. After playing, training or exercise, bring him to the potty place.

4. To prevent peeing during night time, withhold your dog from drinking 2 to 4 hours before bed.

5. Prior to bedtime, bring him to the potty place.

Do not forget to take note of your dogs’ age and background as you may need to take into consideration of one variations recommended in the training courses.

A Trebled Year – Recapitulations of High School (1965 – )

Posted on by

Part One

As I look back at this trebled year (and then some) it was as of a long

gray night for me;

It was cold as a witch’s tit in the middle of winter, soaring, hanging in flight;

overall swallowed up by booze, and soon to be swallowed up by the

following decade-

A decade that would draw me around the dark part of the moon, and then

some.

And as the last year of High School proceeded: secure, and impregnable,

it was but an amusement:

I was a young lad, perhaps a little more than that, roaring for life, and life

was not there, not fully-and I was dying, dying tidy and cursed, and

worse: cooed into the conciliatory cages called classrooms-

I was toying with this year, missing sixty-four days: graduating in mist of

haze! But graduating all the same.

I even made it to the prom; it was like going to the moon.

My life had been up to this point, more of a stomping, gutter kicking, and

blood spitting, teeth grinding, cock fighting, booze drinking frenzy; funny I never ended up in a reformatory, or alike: and during this final year I

was simply hopscotching around the school in my midnight-Plymouth!

I made myself diminutive, unseen: the clandestine boy with the crumpled

horns;

Looking for more of the fullness of life: slashed eyed, awaiting, roaring!

I was forevermore, restless: and it wasn’t the High School per se: but

life, waiting for it to start, which was like: wading through an inlet, of

thickly grown weeds, and cobble stoned deep floored.

Had I not graduated, it would have broken my mother’s heart: this I knew

and this I couldn’t do!

All my friends from Como Jr. High were now under that same umbrella,

the roof of Washington High; the shift was made from one school to the

other in ’62-: to this new hornets’ nest!

Now standing on those cemented steps of Washington High, where the

upper tiers were dedicated to my roughhousing friends from Donkeyland, I was tapered into the quenchless pilgrimage of a new

education.

All during this year I was reaching out for other adventures yet

unforeseen: daydreaming, day after day trying to march to the tune, and the colors of the high school, then I’d disappeared, for a day or two,

to some milled dust hideaway to drink and get drunk: it was for no other reason than intoxication, even back then; I lived in the

silent center of a cyclone: halfcocked, colored like a fired red fox;

The next day, somehow I’d find my way back to Washington High!

I was not trying to impress: nor ever and ever to find a way to be hailed,

with the golden fleece nor to jump out of the vale mist as it rises

and to be on every page of the yearbook, yet to be printed; although

that was befitting for whomever dreamed of such dreams-I held no

envy, I was who I was.

I was dreaming of traveling the world and beyond, beyond the emblems of

the Stars and Stripes, to even where the Crucifixion of Christ took place; to war and drunkenness and fights, and whores, and it was all but a

cup of tea for me, trying to rid my life of this year!

A year that held me back, and then some: to whatever I’d end up to be, I

would be, I figured, and that would have to do: that perhaps was my

motto, philosophy (yes it was); I’d learn whatever I had to learn, later

on.

And as for friends, alas, had they come along, would have been but a

handkerchiefs in my back pocket!… wrong or right, coup de grace!

And I won an award, of all things, in art, and was asked to address the

auditorium that year, and all I could think to say was,

“What more can I say but thanks!”

And all applauded, and I was baffled: in goose-skin in an ox scorching

overheated auditorium, with 750-adolecents:

It was like an intermediate stop in my life for me: and my stomach twined

as if ice leaved the strata of my flesh.

What was I missing here?

“Why,” I asked myself, “… all the fuss?”

Did people really notice?

I mean art was just a passion, no more!

I never even knew the art instructor, Mr. Magnuson had put my art into the

citywide contest: the 9th annual “Best 100 Art Show”

I never even said yes or not, all considered, it was a good omen and it

made my mother proud! And that made me happy.

As for me, I didn’t care one way or the other, someone bought it for $25.00

dollars, a collector, and I had a long boozed-up weekend.

And then in that year, two of my poems were published in the High School

newspaper, “Beyond Man,” and “Typing” again, two coincidences;

later on in life they would be put into my first book: “The Other Door!”

These were things that would of course follow me the rest of my life.

Perhaps that made just enough of a pause in my life, to cause me, later

on to take a longer look at this; poetry was my escape from my

neighborhood, as was art: no more, no less!

A way for my soul to have peace and rest, and talks with God.

My first poem being written at twelve, about God, Christ; whom would

remain throughout my life, dominant; and sorry to say, at long intervals

throughout my life: pushed aside, but never did he leave me!

Christ, he was the father I never had! (Who spoke to me when I was ten,

and told me then, what I’ve just told you.)

So there was an undercurrent in my life, that would extend throughout my

lifetime: from High School, to War, to a half dozen colleges, to Peru.

I’d study: art and literature, psychology, sociology, anthropology,

theology, philosophy, trying to figure out I suppose, the unknowable.

And so this was the year of ‘no thanks and no regrets, a trebled year at

best.

Part Two

And these now high school friends, were my old friends, from Como Park

Jr. High: Diane S., whom was seemingly conservative and nice, I’d meet her later on in life, we’d walk and talk some, on her way home to her

apartment near Lexington and Rice; and there was, Dan W., he and I once had a fight, but remained friends, and then sometime down the

road; some years beyond high school, he’d remind me how much a fool I was with the girls, how inflexible-; I guess I didn’t care if I dated or

not, or what I got from them-evidently he did: but how right he was, I was a jerk, but I never pretended to be this or that to get what I wanted from

a girl (like men often do), I was who you saw, no more no less; and there was Jack W.,-distant old pals; and Soderberg who worked on my

devil-black Plymouth in his father’s garage that raced around school as if it was a racetrack: hell on wheels; and Ray; Susan S., whom I dated but

twice, too highbrow for me: whom I’d meet in a bar, in thus, three years thereafter, and she’d reprimand me for being a drunk: perhaps she was

shell-shocked, she surely was right; I was all of that and then some!

But she never answered me, why she was there too!

And there was my old pal Robert R., making his way through High School,

he had changed, and I, well, I didn’t much… ; and Dennis S., not me, the other tough moving metaphor; whom would become a preacher, and wed

his High School sweetheart!

And Kathy K. (a Cheerleader), whom always had a nice smile for me,

wrote in my yearbooks: one, two three; and Mike F., (he and I did some roller-skating back then); Fred, Bradley, Brown, and Laurel B., (who loved her Spanish class), we extended into the ’80s; bosom buddies, if indeed a

woman can be called such.

And there was Linda M., sweet as a daisy, we walked in Como Park

one afternoon, whatever for, perhaps she was in despair, disheartened, I gave her counsel, as if I was wise enough to, she was wiser than I, I do

believe, for she knew one thing, it would take me half a life time to

learn: men do not think like women, nor do women think like men?

And there was the fight I had in the Cafeteria, I almost got expelled for.

And there was the fight I had gotten into with the teacher in woodshop, and

that too nearly got me expelled, so they put me in Algebra, which I wouldn’t do, and then in Journalism, that I loved! And got along well with

Mr. Andvik, I think? Although Algebra, I’d have to do in College, which again didn’t seem all that interesting, until when I studied Geometry, years

later as a machinist, I loved.

And there was Mr. Turner and I, who once or twice didn’t see eye to eye,

who kicked me out of the last dance in school for having beer on my breath, I think I was even dancing with Gayle J., but besides this, we

were okay, he put me in the hallway to keep peace and order, He must

have figured I was Wild Bill Hickok.

And there was Margie M., a dark-haired beauty, always serious

looking, she seemed to be everywhere, knowing everybody, she was a cheerleaders too (I never really got to know her well, but she was there: I think

she liked poetry as well… )

And of course back to Gayle Johnson (a cheerleader also, a year behind

me), who had no equal, and wrote in my yearbook, “I love you” if only I would have known her by name-but the angels kept her name from me: a

puzzle until 2003; and perhaps saved her a lifetime of misery (to be quite honest I didn’t chase her because I thought she deserved someone

better: she did call me up in ’94, and I couldn’t recognize her)-

I didn’t attempt any baseball games, nor attended them, I did other things:

weight lifting, and thereafter got into karate, solo things, etcetera…

I was like driftwood, the rhymer in the short tongued room; like the tigers

and snakes and baboons, at the Como Zoo; like the clawed

hawks, awaiting to ascend, just waiting, and waiting to seize the sky and all

that’s in it-

No: 4533 (8-28-2014)

Deducted to: Mr. John McManus (The author’s art instructor, at Washington High School,

Passed on 2013)

The Basics of Learning to Play the Piano

Posted on by

We live in a world filled with diverse interests and talents. If you are a person that will quite happily sit and listen to piano music then chances are you might like to learn how to play the piano yourself but where do you start?

Maybe you’ve never touched a piano in your life, or maybe you were one of those people that started beginner piano lessons but quickly got bored or frustrated at your slow progress. Either way learning to play the piano is not a distant dream, with just a little help you can quickly learn to play.

There are two distinct ways to play the piano, either by playing the chords or by playing the individual notes. You have the choice as to which of these two methods, if not both, that you would like to use. Playing already written masterpieces will require the ability to play notes from sheet music, whereas writing your own wonders will certainly require some knowledge of chords. An understanding of both notes and chords will serve you very well, however to quickly learn to play the piano it is a good idea to get to grips with chords first to learn how they sound.

One method of learning to play the piano is to find yourself a well qualified piano teacher to give you good lessons. Some teachers will conduct these lessons within a studio setting, while others might invite you to their own home, or come to yours. When receiving lessons from an expert ensure you aren’t feeling too much pressure as this could prevent you from practicing and take enjoyment from the experience. Learning how to play piano for fun probably doesn’t warrant the expense of a one-to-one teacher as there are many less expensive alternatives to enable you to teach yourself to play piano.

If piano lessons with a tutor aren’t for you then you may want to consider the possibility of getting your lessons online. This is a cheaper option and gives you the flexibility to practice where and when you want to, saving you both time and money. Online learning isn’t going to work if you aren’t a motivated person though, you will need to be happy to learn by yourself without someone encouraging you. Some websites offer downloadable piano lesson software to help you to set targets to stick to while still learning at your own pace.

The most important thing when learning to play any instrument is to have fun with it. You don’t want to start a process that won’t excite and enthrall you. Set realistic goals for your piano playing success and start to practice immediately to keep up the momentum. Don’t allow yourself to be discouraged by any problems that you face; keep going through the frustration and it will be worth it in the long run.

With so many methods available to learn how to play the piano there is something to suit everyone so find what works best for you. Maintain a positive attitude in the hours that you spend practicing and keep in mind the final goal of being able to play any music. Stop wasting your time procrastinating, start the learning process now.

Failed a Class? Try the CLEP!

Posted on by

College classes can be difficult, costly, and time consuming. This means that failing a course can cost a student in more than one way. If failing a class is an actual concern, then there is a better alternative for students. Instead of retaking the course and slaving over the material once again, students can take advantage of the College-Level Examination Program. The CLEP, as it is known, gives students a chance to apply their knowledge of a subject to a test and gain college credit for that course.

For students who have learned much in a course but still somehow failed, the CLEP can be a much better option than retaking the course. What is the CLEP all about? The nice thing about the CLEP test is that it gives students a chance to apply all of their skills in a direct, centered format. They can prepare for the CLEP exam in a direct manner, giving them the best opportunity to be successful when the test rolls around. Instead of having to write papers, complete homework assignments, and earn grades based upon arbitrary qualifiers like class participation, students who take CLEP exams earn credit based upon their ability to handle the material. The CLEP test and time management When you fail a class, it can really set you back in a degree program. You can get knocked off of your graduation track and have to extend your time at college by a semester in some instances. Taking CLEP exams instead will give you a chance to stay on track for graduation with your class. You can study for and pass the CLEP while taking your other required classes.

This is important in today’s world, where opportunity cost comes into play. The extra money that you can earn in the working world once you hit graduation is substantial and worth accounting for. Using all of your knowledge on the CLEP One thing that makes the CLEP exam a great choice is that students can apply all of their gained knowledge on a subject. Perhaps they learned a lot about history from reading books on their own or their war discussions with a relative. Maybe they learned about the business world when they worked for a company. On the CLEP, it does not matter where on learns the information. Students can use things that they learned in books and they can apply their own personal knowledge to the CLEP exams to pass the exam. This can be a much more practical approach for students who have struggled in a class. Instead of being tested on whatever things the professor chooses that day, they can take the CLEP and shine. Taking the CLEP can help students save money, time, and frustration associated with traditional college coursework. It can play an important role in keeping students on track or even giving them an advantage in their college studies. Taking these exams will give students the ability to focus more time on the classes that they do take, earning better grades in those classes.

Understanding Government Grants for Distance Learning Educational Programs

Posted on by

If you’re thinking about going back to college through a distance learning program to earn a higher degree but you aren’t sure how to pay for it then you should seriously consider applying for a federal grant. The reason for applying this is simple; grants are essentially free money given out by the government for the express intent of helping serious students pay for their education.

Not only is it free money but there is a lot of it available. Every year the US Department of Education gives out around 67 billion dollars to millions of students in the form of grants, loans, and other types of financial aid. But unlike loans federal grants do not need to be paid back.

The idea behind the grant system is to give people a chance to earn a higher degree when they might not have been able to attend a distance learning college because of financial limitations. The grant system is largely based on financial need but all applicants also need to show that they are serious about obtaining that degree. People who are not serious about their education need not apply.

There are a variety of different grants that a student can apply for. The most well known are the Federal Pell Grants. The amount a student will receive will depend on whether or not they are full-time or part-time students. For 2011-2012 the maximums have been set at $5,550 for full-time and $2,775 for part-time attendance. There are other factors that can determine how much a student gets that may include the cost of tuition and financial need.

There are also campus-based grant programs that are administered by each universities financial aid office. Two such programs are the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) and the Federal Work Study (FWS) programs. Each schools financial aid office is responsible for distributing the funds from these programs to the students they feel deserve grant assistance.

To be eligible for any educational government grant you will need to have at the least either a high school diploma or a GED certificate (General Education Development). You can also take and pass a test that meets certain Department of Education criteria to qualify for these aid assistance programs. You also need to be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen with a valid social security number. U.S. citizens also need to be registered with the Selective Service.

When applying for any federal aid assistance program the first thing a student needs to do is submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid otherwise known as the FAFSA. The FAFSA website will guide you through the application process. You can find it at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Completing this application will help determine what grants, loans, and scholarships a student may be eligible for and how much they can receive. In many cases private grant foundations require a FAFSA be completed before determining grant recipients.

The best place to get help when looking for government grants to help pay for a distance learning program is the financial aid office of the college or university the student will be attending. A good financial aid officer will get the student pointed in the right direction, help them identify grants and financial aid opportunities, and navigate them through the application process.

Chances of receiving some sort of financial aid are good when one considers that nearly half of all college students are receiving some sort of financial aid to pay for their school. It just takes a good plan and attention to the details and you will find the government grant you need.

Tips on Barber Courses

Posted on by

Barber courses will give you the essential skills to become a first class barber. Or will they?

There are many things to consider when searching for a good barber course and it is difficult if you are a novice to know which is best for you.

First of all you must ask yourself what you want to do once you have learned the skills to become a barber. In other words, do you want to work in a barbers shop or are you considering being self employed and have your own barber shop. You may even want to travel and use your skills to work on cruise ships or in employment in another country.

One of the first things to consider in today’s’ market is whether you want a certificate or qualification. This is not always needed with barbering as not all employers ask for one. However, a good barbers course will provide training which is well structured and where you are taught all the relevant skills with a Diploma or a National Vocational Certificate at the end of the course.

There are different types of barber courses; those where you are learning the skills in a college or school and vocational courses where you will be taught within a working barbershop environment. Your chances of gaining employment are much better if you are taught in the latter. Why? Because you will have the experience. And this is paramount when you come to get a job.

The vocational courses will also provide what is termed the ‘x’ factor – the real life situation and not a sterile classroom environment. Here you will train with real live models and in doing so will be well prepared for employment. You will see how a busy salon operates and be part of the happy and fun environment whilst you are learning.

You need to be taught the basic but important skills that a good barber needs. An example here are techniques such as scissors over comb, beard and mustache trimming, consultation skills and above all if you can learn the skills of wet shaving you will be way ahead of your competitors. Not all barbers have the skills of using a cut throat razor and if you have this skill under your belt you will be a most desirable employee.

Another factor to consider is the size of the barber courses. If they are too big your chances of learning all the skills competently are far less than if you are in a small group.

You need personal guidance throughout the course and continual assessment to ensure you are achieving your goals. Smaller groups can provide this with no problems.

The history of barbers can be traced back as long as history itself. Razors have been found as far back as the Bronze Age. The Romans too were very proud of their barbers and held them in high esteem.

In 1308, the worlds oldest barber organisation, still known in London as the “Worshipful Company of Barbers” (in the City of London) was founded.

If you are considering becoming a barber, you will be joining one of the oldest and one of the proudest professions in the world. Your skills will always be needed and above all in today’s climate you will never be without work.

Is Apologia Science Rigorous Enough for the College-Bound?

Posted on by

Are Apologia science textbooks rigorous enough for college-bound students?  Sure, they are popular with homeschoolers, but how GOOD are they as science books?

Apologia is a very rigorous college prep series.  I do not usually recommend specific curriculum, because I know it is all about “fit” more than a textbook.  When it comes to science, though, I had such success with the curriculum we used, that I really do recommend it – even to my clients that are not Christian.

I know it for a fact that Apologia is a great college preparation because Alex (my non-scientist son) was able to pass a CLEP in Biology 3 years after taking Apologia Biology at home.  He earned a 4.0 in Engineering Physics in college after taking Apologia Physics. Remember, he is NOT my science major.  I made him take that engineering physics at community college with his brother, because he was too young to take a class by himself.  So he learned well from the books even though he did not “love” science. Apologia is GREAT stuff.

I know for a fact that Apologia is great college preparation because my son Kevin is an electrical engineering major in college.  He still refers to his Apologia Physics book now and then.  He used Apologia chemistry over the summer, to review for a class he was taking.  He has reviewed his physics book frequently.  It is been one of my “best buys” for curriculum, because they have literally used them for 5 years. Kevin has a fabulous GPA in engineering, and I believe it is in part because he was so well prepared with Apologia Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

If you want to make Apologia even MORE rigorous, it is possible.  You can go through a book in a semester instead of a year, and make it an AP course if you want, but it is not necessary at all, just an option.  I have heard of some “college prep” AP classes, like through Pennsylvania Homeschoolers for example, that actually take a child 5 hours a day to complete.  That would be so frustrating to spend 5 hours a day on one class!  One mother was letting core subjects in reading, writing and math slide, just so her child could get an AP Chemistry credit.  That is a lot of work for not a lot of benefit.  It is easier to keep your subjects at the level of your children when they do it at home with a homeschool curriculum.

Apologia is a self-teaching homeschool curriculum, so kids can learn it on their own, and moms do not have to know what they are doing in order to be successful.  That is a big deal, because I did not have a clue about physics, and barely was able to keep up with the chemistry.

Yes, absolutely Apologia is college prep.  It is not perfect, because no curriculum is perfect.  All textbooks have typos- ALL of them – and I am sure someone could find a flaw in these books like you can find a flaw in every book.  Still it is great preparation, and I recommend it even for my clients that are not Christian.

What is an Organizing Coach?

Posted on by

When I tell people that I’m an organizing coach, I often get a puzzled look. Then I get the questions. What is that? How can you possibly help someone get organized if you aren’t in their home? Well, the truth is that coaching can be an extremely effective. And it’s less expensive than getting organized with a hands-on organizer.

You can learn a lot from reading organizing books, but it’s still not easy to figure out how what you learn actually applies to your life and situation. It’s not easy to see yourself, your stuff and your life objectively. Coaching helps you see your life – and your stuff – in a whole new way. With a caring coach to guide you and ask the questions that help you make decisions, you can get the results you seek much faster than when left to chance. Working with an organizing coach helps you understand and prioritize your organizing needs, stay focused, learn new skills, and change the habits that caused disorganization.

What an Organizing Coach Does

An effective organizing coach is someone who helps you:

  • Understand what is causing your situation
  • Develop a compelling vision of how organizing will change your life
  • Create a master plan, chunk out your organizing projects, and decide where to start
  • Identify create solutions to your needs, and determine how to get the job done so it doesn’t overwhelm you
  • Get over procrastination and stay focused on your vision of a better life
  • Release the negative self-talk that is holding you back
  • Overcome obstacles one by one so you can simplify, organize and energize your life.

Your coach should be someone who is entirely on your side, won’t judge you, and provides a fresh perspective to help you let go of mental, emotional and physical clutter. Using a process that is a combination of deep listening, questioning, guiding, sharing, teaching, problem-solving, celebrating & cheerleading, a good coach will help you stay focused on your vision, build confidence in your yourself, develop skills, and stay motivated to take action so you can achieve your vision.

A Good Coach:

  • Listens – Deep listening allows you to get to the heart of the matter quickly
  • Questions – Asking the right questions helps you honor your inner wisdom
  • Shares – Sharing information and skills helps you feel empowered and confident
  • Celebrates – Celebrating accomplishments energizes and propels you to move forward!

Why do People Seek Out an Organizing Coach? People seek coaching for a variety of reasons. You may have:

  • Changed your life in a big way such as going back to school, changing careers, getting married, having a child, or moving
  • An ongoing problem that has escalated to a level of pain you can no longer tolerate
  • Experienced an unplanned life transition or event that has shaken up your life and caused chaos

Or you may just want to make your life easier, simpler, and better! Some of my coaching clients include people who have:

  • Recently moved and are having difficulty getting unpacked and settled in. The chaos is draining them so badly that they just can’t seem to make progress.
  • Gotten married and need to merge their stuff but their spouse has a different style.
  • Had a child or a second or third that has left them feeling overwhelmed.
  • Kids with special needs they want to help organize.
  • Paper clutter that was bad has gotten worse. They’ve different approaches but they just aren’t working. They need a SIMPLE solution to conquering paper for once and for all!
  • A job they hate or recently lost a job and want to discover their true passion and decide on a meaningful direction for their life.
  • Trouble being on time. Their boss has told them that lateness and disorganization is affecting their performance and they won’t get a raise or be considered for a promotion.
  • A hard time letting go of things and now that they are getting older, the stuff is starting to suffocate them. Their habits of keeping things are so ingrained they get overwhelmed when they try to let go alone.

If your quality of life is going downhill because you have clutter that is distracting you, wasting your time and keeping you from doing the things you love, you need to make room for new and better opportunities. When you are ready to get it together and get organized so you can get what you want out of life, a coach can help you make your goals a reality. Whatever your situation, if you are ready for a change, and willing to take time out to take focused action to make your dreams a reality, coaching may be just what you need.

© 2006 Ariane Benefit

Facing a Career Change

Posted on by

Economic times are difficult today, and many people are facing a career change in order to maintain their standard of living. As scary as that may sound, it gives many people the opportunity to renew the passion they had for their specialty by finding something new that they can really be interested in.

Many people choose what they want to do in high school or their first year in college, and once they realize they have to spend the next 20 + years hammering that anvil, they find out it isn’t what they wanted at all. Here are some tips to prepare yourself for facing that change that will make the transition easier when it comes:

Be Passionate About Your New Career

Have you discovered what your true niche is? Some people realize what they really want to do while working in the career they previously chose, and once the time for change happens, they are able to truly concentrate on what they are passionate about. It is much easier to choose a position that you can commit to after you have gained more experience, began living a certain lifestyle, and are more confident in your abilities to manage a career path than when you are fresh out of high school. Put some time and effort into choosing a new career path that you will really enjoy.

Research New Training and Education

When you are faced with the change, it is important to prepare yourself properly for your next move. Be sure to look into different training programs and schools, determine whether you will only need an additional certification or license, or if a degree will be required. Ensure that the school or training program that you choose is credible by checking its accreditation status and find out what other students experiences have been with that school. Feedback from students who have attended that institution is a great way to determine if that program will be worth your time, so be sure to seek out forums or reviews.

Prepare Your Budget and Finances

Many people do not appropriately prepare their finances and budget for the career change they are facing. When a person changes careers, it is possible that they will not make the same amount of money they made, either in a lower amount or in a higher amount of their previous salary. If your new salary will be lower than the salary you were accustomed to, make a new budget, cut expenses and make the necessary adjustments to ensure that your family will still be able to function.