Real Life Solutions

When it comes to starting a home business, one of the most important skills you can develop is time management. It can be difficult to juggle your family life with the demands of a business. Learning a few tips and tricks now will help you avoid problems in the future.

Investing in a planner is a very smart decision. It can be paper or digital – just make sure it is something you like and are comfortable using.

To help keep you on track and working towards your goals, create weekly and daily to do lists and keep track of them in your new planner. Make sure you list all of the things that need to be completed for your own business, as well as any projects you may be taking on for clients or joint venture partners.

People who work from home face a lot of time zappers. Avoid distraction by turning the television off, letting non-important phone calls go to voice mail, and resisting the urge to check your email and surf the net until your work is completed. This can be hard – unplug your modem and disable your wifi if necessary!

Procrastination is a big enemy of people with home based businesses. Fight off this monster by setting small goals and rewarding yourself when you achieve them. Tell other people your goals and ask them to hold you accountable. Find out what motivates you and use it to keep you going, even when you feel like quitting.

To free up parts of your schedule, outsource some tasks to others. The work will still be getting done and you’ll have more time and energy to focus on the parts of your business that you enjoy the most.

If possible, try to group your tasks together. For example, instead of writing one blog post every day, create several of them once per week. Instead of checking your email and answering it throughout the day, set aside an hour in the morning and an hour at night to answer all of your email at once.

This will save you a lot of time in the long run. If you are constantly switching between tasks, your mind can get frustrated and you’ll actually end up wasting time.

By implementing a few time management tricks, you’ll be able to finish more tasks and enjoy more of your day.

I am really enjoying the 1st full week of Spring and I hope you are too. I will be spending the beginning of the week at home with the kids (who are on Spring break) then my husband and I are packing up and headed to New Orleans for a fun extended weekend.

Well, enough about me. I am here with a special offer for you that will remain in place until Monday, March 30, 2009. I understand that you love a good deal and I and value you as a loyal subscriber so; I am offering you a 30% discount on the Real Life Guidance to Understanding Your Teen guide!

http://www.reallifeguidance.com/understand-teen-special.html

This special discounted price is only good for one week. Don’t forget that your purchase is protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s all you need to do to get your discounted rate.

Simply visit the special discount page that I set up for you here http://www.reallifeguidance.com/understand-teen-special.html and place your order. That’s all there is to it.

Immediately after your purchase you will receive the link to download the 21 page guide that will show you how to connect with and understand your teen and you will also receive all 3 of the bonuses that come with the guide.

Go ahead to http://www.reallifeguidance.com/understand-teen-special.html and scoop it up!

P.S. This offer is as risk-free as an offer can come. You’re completely covered by my 30 day money back guarantee, if you’re not satisfied just email me and you’ll get your money back.

P.S.S This special offer can’t be combined with the buy one get one free report special offer that is listed at http://www.reallifeguidance.com

Many people suffer from self-esteem issues.  Teens are often more effected by esteem issues. They are going through changes, both physically and mentally. This can radically effect how they view them selves and their capabilities - and your ability to understand what they’re going through can help a lot.

Self-esteem is more than how a teen views their appearance.  It is how they view themselves as a whole. It could be how they see themselves in academics, sports or performance based activities. Doing well in these areas can build self-esteem, but may not be the case.  Many teens that are outstanding in these fields and are judged good looking by their peers can suffer from self-esteem issues.  It is in how they view themselves and their performance.

Help a teen improve their self-esteem gradually.  Radical highs and lows can result in depression or other problems. Show them that they can feel good about themselves as a whole.

Self-esteem issues may be reflections of how adults around them behave.  Think of your own behaviors. If you are constantly brow beating yourself your teen sees this.  They notice that you only seem to point out your negatives.  They will emulate this learned behavior.  Start by having a healthier self-esteem level yourself.

Show them that body image isn’t the key to everything.  A teen that has low self-esteem due to looks, weight or other physical features may be resistant to these.  The teenage years are one of adjustment.  They are learning to be comfortable in their own skins.  We live in a society that endorses beauty and thinness as the things to be.  Teens, even those that fit this model, struggle with this.  Teach teens that difference is what makes the world a more enjoyable place. Show them we don’t all need to look like we belong on the cover of a magazine to be beautiful.  It comes from within. This is an issue we all need to get comfortable with, not just today’s youth.

Help them to celebrate their success and forgive their shortcomings.  If they do well on a test give them praise. If they don’t do well show them that is ok too, that they can forgive themselves and move on.  Consider all areas, not just academic, sports, clubs and other activities, no matter how small should be included.  Encourage them to try new things as well. Even if they fail, they are better for trying.

Learning to deal with criticism is part of growing up.  Teach your child that constructive criticism is good, but always balance criticism with praise.  A growing youth needs to know they do things well.  This will help balance out the negative they may be getting.

Most of all be there for your teenager.  A teenager with the love and support of family and friends often has higher self-esteem.  If they are secure in this area, they are often more secure in other areas. Knowing that you are unconditionally accepted does a lot for a teenager.

Be aware of the signs of low self-esteem in your teen.  Low self-esteem can lead to depression, eating disorders, alcoholism or other problems.  Making yourself aware will help you know when your teen may need professional help.

Developing a strong sense of self and healthy self-esteem will get a person far in life.  Helping your teen develop this is one of the best things that you can provide.  Lead by example, give plenty of praise and show them they are wonderful worthwhile person are good first steps.

Need More Help?
Teens don’t come with an instruction manual, but you can certainly find the guidance to help you understand your teen. Click here to find out more about the Real Life Guidance to Understanding Your Teen and get instant access to your practical guide.

Are you tired of hearing all the grumbling and complaining around your house?  Do you ever find yourself just feeling down for no reason?  Maybe it’s time the family has a positive attitude adjustment.  It may take some time to get everyone in the swing of things, but before you know it everyone will be enjoying life more.

Growing up, many of us heard “Can’t died in the poor house”; meaning that saying you can’t do something will get you no where.  How can you bring that phrase to life? Simple –put it into practice. Set up a money jug, and every time someone says something negative, they have to contribute a set amount of money, like a nickel, every time.  You could make it a contest, maybe even between the kids and the adults. Whoever wins by being the most positive, having the least amount of money in their jar after a set period of time, gets both jugs of money.

If you don’t want to deal with using change, you could keep a chart.  Figure out what the reward will be for having a better attitude. Instead of penalizing people when they are negative, you could give a point every time someone is “caught being good” or being especially positive. You could even award bonus points if they are positive despite something disappointing happening, like failing a test at school. 

Another idea is having a time set aside to just share what we’re thankful for. Even though most people do this at Thanksgiving, it is a good thing to do year round.  We tend to take the good things for granted. By being thankful more often, it’s hard to be negative.  Just shifting your focus that little bit can make a huge difference.

A praise board is another way to help the family be more positive.  Set up a bulletin board somewhere everyone will see it.  Give each family member a section of it, or maybe even use small, separate ones for each of the kids on their bedroom doors.  Then everyone gets index cards and they have to write something nice about the person and put it on their board.  Tell each other the things you appreciate about them. Give them compliments.  Encourage them if they are down about something.  When the board is full, take the cards down and put them in a file box. Then if they have a bad day, they can either look at their board, or back through the box of cards with encouraging words just for them.

By just making a few changes, it is amazing how quickly the household’s mood can change.  The little things can really mean a lot.  Once your family starts being more positive with each other, take it a step further and share your good mood with your family and friends.

P.S. Grab your copy of Journey To Joy, your step by step guide to help gain the happiness that you deserve and to help you maintain a positivie attitude visit ALSO stop by Real Life Coaching and sign up for a coaching pagage of your choice and receive a 20% off discount between now and Jan. 31st.

P.O. Box 92439
Washington, DC 20017

You would think moms exercise more than anyone else; between taking care of their children, cleaning the house, and running errands.  The truth of the matter is, as a mom, you need specific exercises to remain healthy and fit. Here are four exercises which will not only give you the energy you need, but allow you to face daily challenges head on.

Lunges: To perform the lunge just stands with their feet apart, and step forward, landing with the heel first. The motion is continued until the back knee is nearly touching the ground. Return to the starting position by pushing forward with the front leg, and repeat the exercise by stepping forward with their other leg. This exercise strengthens your leg muscles and hamstrings. You can even perform this work out by dusting your living room coffee table, or cleaning the bottom of your kitchen cabinets.  Make it a fun thing to do!

Lateral Shoulder Raise: Work your shoulders and upper arms by sitting straight in a chair, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Beginning with your hands at your side, raise them both up and out at the same time. Slowly bring your arms down; repeating this move at least ten times.  Now, if you do not have any dumbbells, use a gallon container of laundry detergent.  You may not reach ten, but you are certainly on your way to it. Don’t put the laundry detergent away; you’re not finished with it yet!

Back Exercise:  Again, using the containers of laundry detergent, hold one in each hand… Stand with your legs apart. Bend your knees slightly and bend your body forward at the waist. Let your arms hang down in front of you, but don’t lock your elbows. Keeping your back straight, abdominal muscles in, and knees bent, pull the containers upward towards your chest. Then, slowly lower the weights back to starting position. Now you can put the detergent back in the closet!

Stomach Exercise:  Lay on the floor with your right foot resting on your left knee.  Lift your shoulders and neck as if you are doing a regular crunch. Reach your left hand above and over your right foot. Lower your head to just above the ground. After ten repetitions, repeat the exercise with your left foot and right knee.

All of these exercises are quick and are proven to show results.  So, get started Mom!  Be sure to email me and let me know what exercises you are going to start with.

Take a look at “Get Fit While You Sit” and get 36 Exercises you can do almost anywhere, anytime!

Every family should incorporate money saving ideas into the picture. You have a budget, no matter what their financial status is. A budget tells you exactly how much your have coming in, and how much goes out on a monthly basis for the absolute necessities like housing, food, utilities, insurance, transportation and health care.

But what about the future?  That’s another place where a budget comes in handy. When you’ve allotted a portion of the household’s weekly income to the necessities, what’s left over is your discretionary spending amount. These are the funds available to you for short-term expenses, or long-term investments, like your children’s education, and your own retirement funds.

Every family should incorporate money saving ideas into the picture. You have a budget, no matter what their financial status is. A budget tells you exactly how much your have coming in, and how much goes out on a monthly basis for the absolute necessities like housing, food, utilities, insurance, transportation and health care. But what about the future?That’s another place where a budget comes in handy. When you’ve allotted a portion of the household’s weekly income to the necessities, what’s left over is your discretionary spending amount. These are the funds available to you for short-term expenses, or long-term investments, like your children’s education, and your own retirement funds.When the children are growing and requiring more in the way of expenditures, there might not be a lot left over. But even 5% of your income can be a healthy start on an education fund. Extras like bonuses or perhaps half the amount of a raise, will make those future savings grow. Since they aren’t in the budget to start with, they won’t be missed, and you’ll still have a portion of the unexpected income to add to your regular budget.Consider financial counseling at your banking institution, or from a professional. They are often the best sources for learning how to get the most out of the dollars you have to save, and the most out of the future benefits they are going to earn for you. 

Why not give yourself a much-needed break — cook ahead today so you can relax tomorrow!  Meal planning and bulk cooking are both wonderful techniques you can use and modify to fit your families needs. The idea behind this is simple. The principle is that you cook and or prepare your meals ahead of time and then preserve them by either freezing or fridgerating them. Also, meal planning you can cook one large meal and get 2-3 other meals out of it!
Here are some free meal planning tips for you :)   http://reallifesolutions.net/personal/meal-planning.html

I love to meal plan so if you have any tips for other moms out there - feel free to post them in the comments!

We all know how busy mom’s are and organizing seems like a never-ending task.  Well, if you have just 10 short minutes, here are 5 great organizing tasks you can do in ten minutes or less:

1. Clean out your medicine cabinet. Get rid of old makeup, expired medicine and toiletries you haven’t used in months.

2. Clear off your desk. Take everything off your desk and clear the surface, even if you have to temporarily put everything on the floor in categorized piles (i.e. paper, supplies, electronic media, etc.).  Once you can see your desk, you’ll have a surface on which to begin organizing everything you just removed from it.

3. Delete, delete, delete. For the next 10 minutes, delete as many messages as you can from your email inbox. This includes forwarded jokes, unsolicited messages and email you can simply read and chuck.

4. Organize a drawer. Whether it’s your junk drawer, a drawer in your bedroom dresser or a desk drawer, spend 10 minutes emptying out the junk, and arranging it so that similar items are being stored together.

5. Make a Donation Box. Simply get a large cardboard box and label it ‘Donation Box.’ Every chance you get, place items that are in good condition, but you no longer use, inside the box. When it’s full, call your local charity to come pick it up, or drop it off if they don’t offer a pick-up service.
 
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Related Resources
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Your resource for free tips, ideas and articles to help you get
organized. Learn how to organize your life, home and business and life clutter free! http://reallifesolutions.net/personal/getorganized.html

An amazing collection of 1,300 organizing tips, ideas and techniques to help you organize your home, your office and your life! http://www.reallifesolutions.net/getorganized.HTML

I wanted to share this great online resource with you called My Out of Control Teen: http://www.parentingmyteen.com/Out-of-Control.HTML

Don’t let the title fool you. Your teen doesn’t need to be totally out of control for you to reap the benefits of this great program because it is great for any parent of strong-willed children.

This program is an online parent support (OPS) system that includes the following:

• My Out-Of-Control Teen eBook (which contains 150 proven techniques to use with your strong-willed teen)
• Full access to Bonus eBooks Site
• Live audio recordings you can listen to online
• Power Point Presentations and Videos you can viewonline
• Full access to OPS Website

Best of all, it is at a great low price and comes with a no hassle money-back guarantee. Visit My Out Of Control Teen today and try it free!

Talking to teens takes special skills. It isn’t like it was when parents were teens. That is a classic line that teens use on their parents, unfortunately, it is true. Teens today live in a world surrounded by modern technology, drugs that weren’t even thought of in their parent’s generation and the pressure to accomplish and do everything. Talking to the teen of this generation may be more complicated, but it is a skill well worth learning. 

Realize that there are times when your teen wants to talk to you. Unbelievable, but yes this may happen. If you know your child, you may spot the signs. Teens are all different so there is no one way to spot a teen that is looking for your adult conversation. Pay attention to your teen’s actions moods and listen to their words. Your teen may just need someone to listen. This accomplishes several things.  It helps your teen get whatever it is off their mind. It also helps get things out in the open. Listen to what your teen isn’t saying as well as what they are. Look at their body language. Really looking and listening to them is helpful.

Listening is a big thing to your teen. While it may seem a small part in the communication puzzle, it is a big part of gaining that teen’s trust. If they know you are willing to listen to them, they may be more willing to come to you again in the future. Listening without interrupting or putting in your opinion shows them what they have to say is valuable to you, that they are indeed valuable to them. One of the best ways to communicate with your teen is to start young. Start talking, really talking, to your children when they are young. Establishing a relationship with a child who knows you are there to talk to them, listen to them and share with them, will help the relationship when they are a teen.Though children and their outlook will change when they become teens, if you have established a good relationship with your child the more willing they are going to be to open up to you. It is establishing a habit of talking, instead of talking at them. Many teens struggle with self-esteem issues. Knowing that they can go to you, an adult, and that you will listen to them, will help. Communicate with your teen on an adult level. They are in that between stage. They are not yet an adult, but they are learning how to be. Show them that they can communicate with you and perhaps others on an adult level. Don’t talk to them as you would when they were a child.

Spending time with your teen is a good way to open the lines of communication. Spend time in activities that they enjoy and ones that you enjoy.

Family activities are great for getting a teen involved, but remember that they may need one-on-one time. Time where they can spend with a parent doing something. Non-pressure time. Time spent where they can be just who they are and not be pressured to talk or even think of things that are important or on their mind. Just spending time with your teen, building a bond with them.  Find an activity you both can do together. It could be something as simple as a round of putt putt golf or maybe more of a sport to be learned, such as rock climbing. It could be taking them to a movie they have wanted to see.

Show the teen you value your time with them and that you are willing to learn new skills and enjoy things with them. Sometimes you must impose rules and guidelines for a teen. But if possible work through solutions and options with your teen. Let them come up with ideas for their problems. Talk through the pros and cons. Listen to their thoughts and ideas.

Walk them through the process of coming up with viable solutions to the problems they are coming into contact with. Teaching them responsible ways to communicate and work through issues is a life skill they will need. Helping them through this process, instead of finding solutions for them, gives them the confidence that they need. It also shows them that you
respect their thoughts and ideas. It will open a conversation with them, and hopefully show them you are open in the future to other conversations.

Find out about your child’s activities. Take an interest in what they do. That doesn’t mean you need to go out and be a football coach or listen to grunge music. If you can talk about the latest and greatest with your child this may open another road to communication. Learning to talk about what is relevant to them is like learning to speak their language. Different interest come with their own jargon and terms. These can seem as foreign to adults as speaking Klingon. Learning their interest may give you vital clues to what your child is saying. Different teens respond to different communication styles and activities. If one method doesn’t work, be flexible enough to adjust your approach and try a new tactic. Each teen is different, even in the same family. An approach with your 17 year old, may not work with your 14 year old. Approach each as an individual. They have different interest and styles. They have different friends and vastly different communication styles.However you have to approach your teen, open the lines of communication. Use whatever means that work for you and your teen. Be flexible and tailor your communication to the needs of your teen. That is what it is all about, learning to talk the talk of your teen. 

Brought To You By Understanding Your Teen