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Do you ever wonder why single people give flowers, wine, candy or mix CD’s on first dates?

Bingo! Because they want to get lucky!

Just kidding. They bring gifts because they want make a great first impression. And that’s the sixth and last element of this system: giving gifts. But I’m not talking about gifts you eat, drink, listen to or have to water. I’m talking about social gifts. I purposely placed this element last in the system because it helps you put into practice many of the ideas we’ve already covered.

In all of my reading and research on first impressions, the best description of “social gifts” was written in a book called First Impressions by Dr. Ann Demaris and Dr. Valerie White. I’d like to look at their theory of the four types of social gifts, but take it a step further with some specific examples you can use tomorrow to make flawless first impressions.

Social Gift #1: Show Appreciation and Respect
Every person has some handle by which he can be lifted. As such, the two most effective ways to grab hold are with compliments and thank you’s. Since we’ve already covered the former, let’s talk about thank you’s. Whenever you want to show your gratitude for something or someone, always tell people what you’re thanking them for. Remember, it’s the part of the blanket that hangs over the bed that keeps us warm. You will be amazed at how effective a specific thank you is:

“Thanks for your honesty; it means a lot to me.”

“Thanks for the interesting conversation, Randy.
I really learned a lot.”

“Thanks for bringing me that bottle of water. I thought I
was going to choke on that piece of broccoli.”

Social Gift #2: Discover How You’re Alike
Anyone who grew up in the city of St. Louis will tell you St. Louisans are obsessed with one question when they meet someone for the first time:

“Where did you go to high school?”

I don’t know why we’re obsessed with this question. But the answer always discovers the CPI (Common Point of Interest) - whether it’s a person you both know, an old football game or just a memorable teen moment. It’s amazing how easy it is to give a social gift to someone simply by asking this question (And if you’re reading this book and you grew up in St. Louis, my answer to “The Question” is Parkway North).

But that’s a St. Louis thing. Still, the list of open ended questions you can use to find out how you and your conversation partner are alike is endless!

Social Gift #3: Satisfy Curiosity
On a daily basis, anywhere from four to six people ask me, “Scott, I just have to ask - why are you wearing a nametag?”

You may be wondering if, after more than four years, this question ever gets old.

Not at all.

I’ve always enjoyed answering this question not only because it allows me to talk about my passion, my business and the validation for my existence, but also because it empowers me to give a social gift as a result of being approachable. After all, seeing a nametag worn by a person who’s NOT in a meeting or at work is awfully strange. And people just have to ask. People just have to satisfy their curiosity!

But there are many other ways to give social gifts for the sake of someone else’s curiosity. My favorite is through trivia. You know those useless trivia facts found on daily calendars, candy wrappers and emails? They’re not so useless after all.

In the summer of 2004 I read a sidebar in USA Today that said the following:

“Every year on the Fourth of July, Americans consume 150 million hotdogs. If you lined up that amount of hotdogs from end to end, they would stretch from the moon AND BACK seven times.”

When I read this I was amazed. Maybe I was nauseous - I don’t recall. Either way, I learned a piece of trivia that was both relevant AND interesting. So for the next few weeks before, during, and after the Fourth of July, I made it a point to use it at the beginning of every conversation I had.

And as it turned out; people were more interested in wieners than I thought.

We started discussions about holidays, hotdogs, fireworks, baseball games - you name it! And it was all because of a simple piece of trivia.

Another great benefit of trivia is it will positively affect someone’s demeanor. Offer some trivia to someone and watch as she raises her eyebrows, nods her head, smiles, alters her body language and leans forward. Trivia expedites the entire communication process! And it’s all because your not-so-useless social gift will make people comfortable and more willing to communicate. Satisfying curiosity will almost always produce this result.

Social Gift #4: Uplift Them
Do you know someone who is contagious? (Not the flu.) Perhaps their smile, laughter, positive nature or love just spreads to everyone in their presence? Think about Henry the Bellman, Cherise the Waitress and Jeffrey the Salesman from Chapter 3 - all contagious people.

GOOD NEWS: You can be contagious too!

Here’s how: use fun, laughter, jokes and interesting stories in your daily repertoire of giving social gifts.

“But Scott, I can’t remember any of them. I hear a joke or a story and then never think about it again.”

No worries. The best way to organize this content is with a “Laughter Log.” I’ve been using mine for several years as a way to organize my content for books, speeches, articles and learning tools. But it’s also perfect for conversations. Simply get a blank notebook or journal and take a few minutes at the end of each day to write down a few notes.

Ask yourself this question; then scribble down a few notes about the incident. Do this every day and after a week or certainly after a month or year - you’ll have some great material to incorporate into your “first impression lexicon.”

Laughter Logs reminds me of the first time I met my friend Billy. I was a junior in college at Miami University. He and I were walking down the same path but not speaking, so I decided to break the silence.

“Hey man, you wanna hear a great joke?” I asked.

After I told him one of my favorite zingers, Billy introduced himself to me, and immediately we felt like we’d known each other for years! We walked further and realized we even knew some of the same students on campus. After we said goodbye and decided to meet up later in the week, Billy said, “Hey thanks again for the joke - I really needed a good laugh.”

Remember, even if you don’t have a lot of time, these four types of social gifts will help you become UNFORGETTABLE!

© 2005 All Rights Reserved.

Scott Ginsberg is a professional speaker, “The World’s Foremost Expert on Nametags” and the author of HELLO my name is Scott and The Power of Approachability. He helps people MAXIMIZE their approachability and become UNFORGETTABLE communicators - one conversation at a time. For more information contact Front Porch Productions at http://www.hellomynameisscott.com.

TracFone Nationwide Prepaid Wireless offers you everything you want in a cell phone plan and frees you from all the problems you don’t want like deposits, monthly bills, confusing contracts, activation fees, credit checks or hidden costs. One pleasant surprise about TracFone Wireless is that TracFone telephones work everywhere and long distance is included as long as you are to and from U.S. locations and this long distance plan is backed by a 30 day money back guarantee.

One of a very few cell phone companies with any kind of a guarantee, TracFone also provides all customers with an on screen balance display giving the minutes used and the minutes remaining. They even let you know when you need to purchase more minutes. All of this puts you the consumer in control of your minutes. The TracFone user spends only what they want to, paying for the minutes only as they are used. Unlike most cell phone plans TracFone allows users to roll over any unused minutes as long a they maintain active service.

TracFone offers billing options to suit just about everyone’s needs. TracFone users can buy minutes as they go, or a one year service card, or they can enroll in a monthly auto-pay program.

TracFone pay as you go method allows users to buy minutes or “air” cards as they are needed. If you decide to go this route, all that you need to do is buy a card every 60 days. The cards are: 40 minutes for $19.99, 100 minutes for $29.99, 200 minutes for $49.99 and 400 minutes for $79.99.

The full year service only requires the TracFone user to purchase a one year card. This card guarantees that your service will be active for an entire year and you get 150 anytime minutes. Another TracFone option allows you to double your minutes for just $14.99 a month, if you allow the monthly fees to be automatically billed to your credit card or checking account. For a start up fee of $149.99 users get one year of service, 300 minutes, double minutes (600 minutes), making this choice 17% cheaper then auto-pay.

The TracFone can be used anywhere in the U.S. so if you move, you can relocate your number with a single call. Also it is important to know that TracFone has all of the most popular features including free voice mail, free caller ID, and free call waiting on digital phones, free ring tones, and nationwide long distance. Your TracFone package includes the phone, battery, and charger. Nokia, Motorola and others are used by TracFone.

b>About the Author
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of products which includes Cell Phone Carriers His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.

No western attire would be complete without a western belt with an authentic looking belt buckle. It definitely gives a feeling of “the Old West” as seen in the movies. Western design belts go back as far as the beginning of the last century.

Western belts are made in western American influenced designs. They are usually made of the finest leather. Handmade belts are more popular and of course more expensive that the factory created ones. More fancy ones would be studded with rhinestones. Belts made with rhinestones are especially popular among cowgirls. Although the most popular colors for western belts are tan or brown, they are now available in other bolder colors that would be suitable for both men and women. Various designs are also available along with a wide range of western buckles.

Western belt buckles come in unique designs. Many of these designs have been influenced by the old west and few of them have actually completely changed from the original designs. Certain characteristics that need to be available with a cowboy belt or a western belt buckle can only be changed so much. However, whatever the design might be, these belts and buckles certainly tend to make a big impression.

Although leather is still the most popular material being sued to make western belts, manufacturers have ventured into new areas of designs and styles by using snake, crocodile, and alligator skins to make western belts. These have excellent original designs, and tend to look unique. Belts with embossed, printed or stamped designs are also quite popular with cowboys and cowgirls. Western concho belts, and belts that have a basket weave designs are also a popular kind of belts.

Even with the advent of all the mentioned designs and more, leather belts that are embossed in a traditional manner are still the most selling ones due to authentic western look. Belts made of bull hide are also popular models although they are not as fast selling as the leather ones.

Individuals who can afford can get the western belts custom made with basket weaves or imprinted with different designs as preferred. Although these would be fancier and more expensive than the traditional western belts, they are more pronounced all the same. Custom made western belts can be made out of reptile skins viz., alligator, lizard, crocodile, python, karung snake and even from animal hides such as elephant, ostrich, kangaroo skins.

Belts provides detailed information about belts, custom belts, and more. Belts is affiliated with Sexy Bras.

Due to the large number of people offering website design services in Birmingham, there is always a bargain to be found.

Web design companies in Birmingham are in a very competitive market and some offer some great deals at various times of the year.

People who are just starting out in a career building custom design websites will often offer their services at a very reasonable rate, basically to build up a portfolio. Once they have established themselves they then tend to increase the amount they charge.

I have even heard about one person who for a very short period of time was building websites for free! This is an extreme case though.

A friend of mine called Dave was looking to have an internet prescence for his small business a number of years ago. He did not have a huge budget, however was looking for a person or company to create him a professional looking website which would be search engine friendly.

He tried looking in many areas including yellow pages, ebay, bargain pages and also by asking his friends, to see if they knew of anybody.

He also searched in Google for the search term, very cheap website design in Birmingham. There were many different websites listed, after a few phone calls, he managed to find a very good deal.

There are plenty of people offering quality website design services, who do not charge huge fees, just keep looking and you are sure to find them.

Stephen Hill has a number of websites including:

how to quit smoking

reflexology chart

hair loss treatments

It can be fun to build or remodel a home. Picking out the new
fixtures, colors and overall look of the home can be a creative
adventure. Every part of the home is there for molding. Even the
bathroom sinks.

Bathroom sinks are important. When guests use your bathroom,
they will wash up in the bathroom sink. Bathroom sinks can be a
form of self-expression. Dirty sinks, clean sinks or somewhere
in between say a lot about a person. So does whether or not the
sink is in good condition.

When choosing new bathroom sinks, it is important to decide
first the size of the sink. If the bathroom is long enough, two
sinks can be placed in one long counter. This is especially nice
in a master bed/bath, when two partners share a bathroom. There
are also options to choose huge, basin-like sinks. Many of these
huge sinks actually have two sets of faucets, one on each side,
rather than at a central point at the top of the sink.

Looking for materials is also important. The more pricey may put
in marble bathroom sinks. Some celebrities even plate their
bathroom sinks with silver or gold! But most people find that a
good, sturdy Formica top is adequate.

Because Formica is versatile, it can come in many designs and
colors. Many people like to choose bathroom sinks that reflect
some part of their personality. Still others enjoy having themed
rooms in the house. This can easily extend to the washrooms. The
look of the bathroom sinks can easily complement the overall
theme of the room, floor or house.

Though they may not initially seem an important part of the
house, bathroom sinks are, in fact, vital to the overall feel of
a home. Choosing bathroom sinks that reflect personality can
help you feel more at home, even when you use the washroom.

While novels do not usually attempt to convey concepts about the need to protect ourselves, this one does. For Sale By Owners:FSBO. As the author, I have been told that I have broken all of the rules. Crime, Police corruption, Sexual abuse, and Scams are exposed. The Trucking, Real Estate, and even Street~Prostitution industries are laid bare.

This story is dedicated to all those who did not recognize the dangers which lurked behind the friendly faces of evil.

When questioned about my reasoning for choosing this layout, I’ve repeatedly said, “I selected the novel format because it allowed the freedom to develop hypothetical scenarios, involving fictional characters, while forcing awareness of real dangers. I wanted to make a compelling case for right choices, not just in marketing ones home, but in all aspects of life.”

Perhaps it was due in part to some good advice I received when I was attempting to decide what to write. A book I read said that an author should choose a subject that he or she knows something about. Wow, that made sense. For someone who had been involved in several industries, had spent much of his life cleaning up mistakes made on personal levels, and feeling a need to convey ideas to people that might dissuade them from similar dangerous avenues, a novel would be more flexible than a self-help guide of some sort. Especially considering that often those who are most at risk, don’t have any idea that they are.

So how did I do it? Well, as an avid reader, I asked myself, “What type of novels do I enjoy reading?” Space does not permit listing all of the authors I enjoy. But John Grisham, Sidney Sheldon, Danielle Steel, Mary Higgins Clark, and Dean Koontz are at the top of my personal list. Steven King scares me real well.

Realizing that if I worked real hard, and maybe I live to be the age of Methuselah ~ if I hoped I might develop my own craft to one of their levels ~ I had better get busy. Even if the end result were a mediocre novel, it would be a fun thing to complete. Yet more importantly, perhaps I could reach some people who might not otherwise recognize the dangers that they place themselves in.

Poetry in a novel? Yup,~ in the form of a dozen songs ~ it is an intriguing aspect of, what has been called “This unique literary work.”

Mind illusions and abhorrent actions of a Serial Rapist add an eerie element that are in contrast to those actions of a male truck driver and a female real estate agent who become romantically involved.

The best rewards I have received ~ to date ~ are unsolicited e-mails and requests for permission to be linked to other’s websites. From a real estate broker with MS who ordered a copy from Amazon.com:
Hi Russ,

I’ve just finished, in your words, “a very good read”.

The name of the book is “FSBO” which I enjoyed thoroughly.

You covered it all, bureaucracy, politics, sex, crime and day-to-day real
estate activity.

You have a talent that MS can’t touch.

Even though I have a master’s in journalism and communications, and have read a lot, I think you could teach many published writers a thing or two about story telling.

I hope to hear more from you. Keep up the good work.

Very Best Regards!

Frank

Shadowy worlds surrounding the moving business, government housing, drugs, prostitution, real estate, organized crime, and the trucking industry are illuminated. Can a nave pregnant waitress, the young deputy, women abused, or an uneducated thief, fight the foes of darkness to learn the lessons of life? All, so involved in their own twisted lives, must make right choices or suffer the consequences.

To others of you talented Ezine Article Authors who have a desire to test the unchartered book~waters, I would have to say, “Come on in! ~ The water is fine.”

Russ Miles is the author of the novel, For Sale By Owners:FSBO.
Seasoned Real Estate NAR® Broker Disabled by Multiple Sclerosis,
FOR SALE BY OWNERS:FSBO ISBN 0-595-28703-4,in trade paperback,
is available by phone or Internet:1-800-Authors to order direct!
Very HOT-LINK Adobe e-book & hard cover editions also available
FSBO at Amazon.com at Barnes and Noble and other fine booksellers.
Comments: MilesRuss@Gmail.com. Personal referrals to his publisher
You can reach Russ at (360)694-6756. Or by email MilesRuss@Gmail.com

Many who seek to become enlightened or to have a spiritual experience resort to meditation as a vehicle.

Meditation is often used to still the mind and attain the deeper level of awareness that is obfuscated by the ever present flow of thoughts and feelings that are part of the so called ego.

To achieve significant states of spiritual enlightenment via this route however often takes intense practice and unwavering determination. These are barriers that many choose not to overcome.

The question is: “Is there a better, more effective way?”

Well some spiritual teachers might argue that the enlightenment is in the effort made to achieve it and hence the long-term practice is an essential component.

I however don’t accept that.

In fact it is my view that:

a) True enlightenment occurs when you attain enlightenment.

b) There is a more effective and quicker way to achieve it.

c) This path requires simply a desire for it and a desire to remain honest with one’s self through out.

d) The spiritual connection that many are seeking can be attained by “dismantling” and “releasing” what many call the ego or personality from the person’s energy field altogether.

e) Such a release is possible with a modality called the Mind Resonance Process(TM) (MRP).

f) The process is rapid, cumulative and powerful.

g) Enlightenment is experienced as a rapidly unfolding process accompanied with all of the following: feelings of lightness, radiance, buoyancy, inner peace, great confidence, great resilience, inner knowing, enhanced intuitive abilities, energy,
expansiveness, empowerment, connection to one’s own truth, love for self and others, a deep connection with the planet, other species and the universe and more.

To learn or experience MRP kindly visit the web link below.

Dr. Nick Arrizza is trained in Chemical Engineering, Business Management & Leadership, Medicine and Psychiatry. He is an Energy Psychiatrist, Healer, Key Note Speaker,Editor of a New Ezine Called “Spirituality And Science” (which is requesting high quality article submissions) Author of “Esteem for the Self: A Manual for Personal Transformation” (available in ebook format on his web site), Stress Management Coach, Peak Performance Coach & Energy Medicine Researcher, Specializes in Life and Executive Performance Coaching, is the Developer of a powerful new tool called the Mind Resonance Process(TM) that helps build physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being by helping to permanently release negative beliefs, emotions, perceptions and memories. He holds live workshops, international telephone coaching sessions and international teleconference workshops on Physical. Emotional, Mental and Spiritual Well Being.

Business URL #1: http://www.telecoaching4u.com

Personal URL: http://www.telecoaching4u.com/Spirituality_And_Science.htm