By Jeff Herring

I’m about to give you step by step instructions on how to create one of your most compelling traffic and profit pulling pieces of content. But first come back with me to 1995. I had been writing a weekly syndicated relationship column for the newspapers for about a year.

One day I noticed that many of my clients would report feeling anxious about the coming work week as Sunday afternoon turned into Sunday evening. Happens to all of us from time to time, right?

So I coined the term “Sunday Night Syndrome” and wrote an article about it. Thus was born the “3 Stages Article Template” that I use often as a relationship coach and even more often as an Online Mentor teaching since 2005.

How you can use it

Here’s a few tips on creating your own “3 Stages” articles to pull in the traffic and the profits:

1) Identify a specific problem in your niche. The more specific the better. Prospects respond to a specific topic by thinking “Hey, they are talking about me! I better pay attention.”

2) Divide the problem into 3 stages: Mild, Moderate and Severe. With a little creativity you can take just about any problem or challenge and divide it into three stages. Remember, this does not have to be deeply researched and come down from the mountain, you are making it up based on your expertise.

3) Explain how each stage develops and include some signs and symptoms. Make sure you include common symptoms so your prospect can relate to what you are saying and you can connect with them. You want them to see themselves in your words and feel understood by you. Do this well and you have set the stage for…

4) Once you have identified the signs and symptoms of each stage, you are ready to reveal the most important part – what to do about each stage. This will set you far above your competition and make your prospect love you because most folks identify and focus on the problem with out giving any solutions.

Just give 3 or so bullets for what to do about each stage, how to get out of it and maybe even how to prevent it in the future.

The rest of the story

About a week after I sent my first 3 stages article into the newspapers, I began to get calls and letters (remember, this was before email was popular) asking where I had done my research on Sunday Night Syndrome and had I written a book about it.

And that is the power of the 3 Stages Article Template – put it to work for you, along with 2 more Article Templates:

And now I would like to invite you to claim your FREE Instant Access to 2 more of my Instant Article Creation Templates when you visit http://www.TheArticleGuyBonus.com

You’ll get get two “plug-n-play” article templates – just plug in your info! And you will also get a 30 minute Audio Replay of a teleseminar about writing more articles in less time than you ever thought possible. Click here to get started right away.

From Jeff Herring – The Article Marketing Guy and The Great Article Marketing Network.

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Document Recovery – Restoring Water Damaged Books

By Ben Anton

Museums, libraries, and schools across the United States are continually researching new and effective ways to prevent water damage to ensure the longevity of rare and precious books and documents. Rare book rooms are commonplace in many major libraries and some museums and organizations are home to the most valuable, important pieces of literary history. Places like the American Bible Society’s Rare Book and the Rare Book & Special Collections division of the Library of Congress house some of the most highly-valued first-edition books from throughout American history. It is vital for future generations that these collections are protected against water or mold damage.

Just as these rare books are important to posterity, each homeowner also keeps items they consider precious for their future family members. Things like family photo albums, family bibles and other books and documents could fall prey to water or mold damage if not properly stored or cleaned. There are things to consider when assessing the ability to salvage water damaged books as well as various methods for doing so.

The Extent of Water Damage

Water or mold damage, unfortunately can strike even the most prepared institutions. Broken plumbing pipes, natural disasters or broken ventilation systems can all lead to damaged books. Museums, libraries and schools try to understand the different types of drying techniques and how they affect certain composite materials in order to best save water damaged books when these problems happen. Water absorption depends on the age, condition, and material of the paper that has been damaged. Books published before 1840 will generally absorb much more water than currently printed books, therefore running a much higher risk of experiencing swelling or mold damage. Leather bound books of the 15 through 17 centuries can usually be restored using extremely controlled procedures. However, modern books typically use badly processed leather which makes water damage restoration nearly impossible.

Professional recovery service providers are the best at determining the precise extent of water damage your books have sustained and what drying technique is most appropriate. You can reduce the risk of permanent damage to a book collection, however, by taking a few steps immediately after the damage has been found.

Humidity

Humidity is one of the main sources of book mold or water damage. It is important to keep your archives in a very cool, dry place to reduce the likelihood of mold outbreaks. If damage has already set in, open windows and doors and set up as many fans in the affected area as possible. This creates air flow in the area and reduces the amount of humidity. De-humidifiers are also a good option. Never open water-damaged books or separate individual sheets of paper as this may cause further damage that can be irreparable.

Consider Restoration Professionals

For most books, especially those of extreme importance, the salvaging and drying process should be done using a professional service. Book restoration specialists use technologies and drying techniques that are much more effective and far less damaging than basic do-it-yourself techniques. Two techniques are widely used and very effective. The desiccant air dry distribution systems lowers humidity in the drying area, allowing more of the water trapped in the book or document to evaporate. The vacuum-freeze drying system distribute pressure evenly around the drying book, reducing warp, maintaining the original look and feel of the books or documents, and ensuring that future damage does not set in.

Most attempts by individuals to dry damaged books themselves will result in warped or ruined products. By employing book restoration experts, books can be better handled and more closely be returned in nearly new conditions.

Water and mold damage can affect both prepared and unprepared institutions and home owners. Taking the time to understand how the damage has effected important materials, especially precious books, and incorporating the aid of professionals will ensure these items will be restored for future generations.

~Ben Anton, 2008

Quick book restoration is essential when water or mold damage has been discovered. Contact Rapid Refile immediately to find out about their approach to document recovery service.

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What to Do About Water Damage

By Benjamin Moulton

There are many reasons basements get flooded. The majority of water damage comes from frozen pipes and broken sub pumps. Will your insurance company cover this? The answer is yes but, it depends on how the claim is reported to the insurance company.

I work with thousands of customers every year helping them overcome the damage caused by heavy rain and cold winters. Each situation is different but, there is one thing all these customers have in common. The home owners’ insurance policy, when shopping for homeowners insurance people need to make sure they are covered 100%.

What do I mean by 100%?

Insurance companies are not up-front about coverage for your home when it comes to water damage and mold damage. For example: If it rains really hard and your basement sub-pump cannot keep up with the amount of water that is coming in the basement it is considered a flood and if you do not have flood insurance you will not be covered.

If your sub-pump stops working and you need to purchase a new one you will not be covered unless you have flood insurance. If water comes into your basement from cracks it is considered seepage and will not be covered by flood insurance.

Flood insurance will not cover mold damage caused by water damage even if the mold damage is from the original water damage. This is called secondary damage. The insurance companies will not pay to have secondary damage repaired because the homeowner is responsible due to lake of proper mitigation.

Mitigation is work preformed by first response companies. This work is done to stop secondary damage from occurring. Mold will only grow if the relative humidity is above 60% for more then 48-hours. To stop secondary damage (mold growth) the mitigation company will extract water from the carpet, set up dehumidifiers, and air movers. The extraction process is the most important part because there are only two ways to remove water, 1-extract water using an “Extreme Extractor”, 2-dehumidacation.

The extraction process is fast and most effective in removing water. Dehumidifiers remove water from the air and create a thrust thus water is transformed from vapor to solid. The air movers create evaporation so the water is transferred from solid form to vapor so the dehumidifiers can transform the water again from vapor to solid and drain the water out of the basement and into the drain or bath-tub.

It normally takes 3 to 4 days to remove all the water using dehumidifiers only after the extraction process is done. After the basement is dry it is a good idea to have all the effected areas deep cleaned by an IICRC certified company.

Not all water damage is the same. There are 3-catagories of water and in each category there are 4-classes. Following is a listing and description of categories:

Category 1 Water – That which is clean at the releasing source and does not pose a hazard if consumed by humans. Category 1 water may become progressively contaminated as it mixes with soils on or within floor coverings or building assemblies (walls, decking, subflooring). Time and temperature, which promote the growth and amplification of microorganisms in water can cause Category 1 water to degrade. Examples: burst water pipes, failed supply lines on appliances, vertically falling rainwater.

Category 2 Water – That which begins with some degree of contamination and could cause sickness or discomfort if consumed by humans. As with Category 1 water, time and temperature can cause Category 2 water to become progressively more contaminated.

Category 3 Water – That which is highly contaminated and could cause death or serious illness if consumed by humans. Examples: sewage, rising flood water from rivers and streams, ground surface water flowing horizontally into homes. There are two ways in which water enters a building as a result of wind storm damage:

The first involves falling or windblown rainwater that enters as a result of damage to roof components or wall assemblies. The second involves horizontally traveling ground surface water (Category 3) containing silt and soil contaminants that infiltrate into structures, generally through doors or around foundation walls. This ground surface water (storm surge) may accumulate to a depth of several inches or several feet. When structures are partially submerged or remain substantially flooded for weeks, far more elaborate procedures usually are required.

Take time to visit our website [http://www.eddiezinhomecleaners.com/RestorationServices.html] for service with water damage in Milwaukee or Chicago.

Benjamin Moulton

[http://www.eddiezinhomecleaners.com/RestorationServices.html]

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Water Damaged Indoor Environments

By Jason Yost

It seems as though, as with the subject of mold, that water damages have become controversial and complicated. Maybe one person heard this and another that; this company is saying do this, while another says do that; or some people feel they’ve gotten sick during a water damage, while others don’t. Either way, most people have either experienced a water damage or known someone who has, but few understand its affects on the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and their health. I hope that this page might help you understand a little more about the indoor environment of a water damage.

Wikipedia Encyclopedia defines water damage as, “a large number of possible losses caused by water intruding where it will enable attack of a material or system by destructive processes such as rotting of wood, growth, rusting of steel, de-laminating of materials such as plywood , and many, many others.

“The damage may be imperceptibly slow and minor such as water spots that could eventually mar a surface, or it may be instantaneous and catastrophic such as flooding. However fast it occurs, water damage is a very major contributor to loss of property.”

Water damage can be caused by a number of sources, such as leaking plumbing, sewage back-ups, vandalism, hail damage, clogged guttering, natural disasters, hydrostatic pressure, leaking or congested crawl spaces and attics, and many others. Whatever the cause, prompt, thorough attention should be given to the situation in order to protect everyone’s health, the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), and the building components from compromising degradation. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) in its Standard & Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration (hereafter referred to as the S500), states several times how “it is important to begin mitigation procedures as soon as safely possible following the initial loss, as the quality of the water is likely to deteriorate over time.As the quality of water deteriorates, the greater damage to the structure and contents, along with increased environmental hazards, are likely to develop.”

The IICRC S500 goes on to say, “If increased water activity and/or ERH (Equilibrium Relative Humidity) (from high relative humidity, leaks or floods) is allowed to exist for more than 24 hours, the high moisture condition changes the normal stable ecology of either a part of the indoor environment (a micro-environment such as carpet or wallboard) or of the entire building.”

So, “What are some of the changes taking place in a water damaged environment?”

1. chemical and microbiological off-gasing

2. mold and bacteria amplification

3. in some cases, virus transmission

4. parasitic infestations

5. and much more

“Where do these things come from?” Indoor and outdoor environments naturally harbor, in varying degrees, microscopic life forms, termed “microbes”. Microbes is a term used in short for microorganisms. Microbes are tiny, one-celled organisms, bacteria, fungi (such as mold), and viruses. Being found in all living things, they are ubiquitous, that is to say they are existing or being able to be found anywhere, especially at the same time. When exposed to excessive moisture for a prolonged period of time microbes will begin to flourish into a population, or ecology, that is not natural and may cause harm.

The off-gasing that takes place comes from the microbes, cleaning agents and the building components, such as pesticides and other biocides used on water damages, plastic, paints, synthetic fibers, and many more. This off-gasing and chemical distribution has been contributed to a number of health effects in sensitized people. Some examples of these health effects include, but are not necessarily limited to migraine headaches, excessive fatigue, neuro-cognitive symptoms (“brain fog” or memory loss), muscle pain (fibromyalgia), joint paint (rheumatoid arthritis), burning, tingling or numbness in peripheral nerves (parasthesias), and even gastrointestinal symptoms.

Because of the seriousness associated with health effects and water damage, the IICRC felt it necessary to categorize water damages based on the cleanliness of the water, to help remediators, restorers, home owners, and all other materially interested parties make decisions on what action would be appropriate to first provide for the health and safety of everyone involved, and, secondly, how to restore the home to its pre-loss condition. The three categories of a water damage are:

1. Category 1, refers to “water originating from a source that does not pose substantial harm to humans. Also referred to as ‘clean water’.”;

2. Category 2, refers to “water containing a significant degree of chemical, biological and/or physical contamination and having the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if consumed by or exposed to humans. Also referred to as ‘gray water’.”; and,

3. Category 3, refers to “grossly unsanitary water, containing pathogenic agents, arising from sewage or other contaminated water sources and having the likelihood of causing discomfort or sickness if consumed by or exposed to humans. This category includes all forms of seawater, ground surface water and rising water from rivers or streams. Also referred to as ‘black water’.”

I had someone ask me once, “I had a water damage company come to my home and tell me that I had a Category 3 water damage. Does that mean they found hidden mold?” Remember that the Category of water is referring to the cleanliness of the water not the presence or absence of mold. The S500 states that when “suspect or visible mold growth is present” whomever is inspecting the home to determine the scope of work, or protocol, should refer to the IICRC S520, Standard & Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation. This is termed a “Specialty Situation” rather than a Category.

“Well, then how do I know what the Category of water is, and whether or not I really need to get all of this demolition and reconstruction done that my contractor is telling me I need?” An inspection, testing and consultation from a Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC) can provide you some laboratory work and description of the conditions in your home or office. SOLUTIONS Indoor Environmental Consulting can perform tests such as the PCR – Environmental EPA Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI), as well as Endotoxin testing, sewage contamination in buildings testing, and microbial Volatile Organic Compound (mVOC) screening, along with thermography and moisture content measurements of building materials (such as drywall, plaster, wood, etc.), and psychrometric measurements (such as temperature, relative and specific humidities, dew point, and thirst) all to help diagnose the condition of your water damaged environment and provide you with a recommendation of care, or protocol.

The good news is that you can do things to help avoid water damage in your home or office with routine maintenance. Here area few suggestions:

1. Routinely check and secure water supply lines, such as those under sinks, around toilets, tubs and showers, the dishwasher, washing machine, water heater, and refrigerator.

2. Make sure to test your sump pump before the start of each wet season to make sure that it is functioning properly.

3. Battery-operated back-up sump pumps and/or a generator can also be used to protect against power failure or failure of the primary pump.

4. Check your water heater for signs of rust or moisture.

5. Have your HVAC system serviced by a qualified contractor, making sure they include in their inspection and cleaning the condensation pan drain line (keep it free of obstruction).

6. Make sure that your Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) system’s filter stays clean and use a filter with a MERV 6 rating or greater. This helps to cut down on the particulates flowing through your HVAC system; thereby reducing the likelihood that this system will be a source of poor indoor air quality.

7. Consider installing a water alarm. These systems can be set up as individual appliance systems or whole house systems. Some systems can be set up to sound an alarm when moisture is sensed, others can shut off the water to the building when leak is detected.

But if you have the unfortunate experience of having a water damage in your home or office, make sure to process the damage quickly and completely. Water damaged environments can be impacted by mold and other microbes (like bacteria), in some cases, as quickly as 24 – 72 hours. That doesn’t necessarily mean you will see mold growth that soon, but the IAQ could be compromised by mold or bacterial activity, so can the cleanliness of the water.

The S500 says of Category 1 and 2 water damages that “water contact with structural surfaces and content materials may deteriorate in cleanliness as it dissolves or mixes with soils and other contaminants, and as time elapses.”

“How do you find a qualified Water-damage Restoration Technician (WRT)?” I am familiar with two organizations that can help you find WRT as they certify them. The first is the Restoration Industry Association (RIA). You can search by certificant or member on their website. The second is the Institution of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC). They list firms that are certified through their training and certification programs. You will also find references to other professionals that they certify such as fire restoration technicians and carpet cleaners.

There are times and places where you may find yourself in a position where there isn’t a WRT available to help you remedy, or re-mediate, the water damage problem in your home or office. SOLUTIONS Indoor Environmental Consulting offers moisture mapping, monitoring, and project management services to help those in need of a WRT on remediation/restoration projects. We do not re-mediate or restore the building, but we can work with your contractor on-site and manage the remediation/restoration process with you. If you feel like there is no one close enough to your area to manage the re-mediators on your water damage contact us and we’ll be happy to assist you.

The founder of SOLUTIONS Indoor Environmental Consulting, Jason Yost, has been in the cleaning, restoration, remediation, and indoor air quality industries for over sixteen years, doing everything from carpet cleaning, installation and repairs; water and fire damage inspection, consultation, and restoration; microbial inspection, consultation, and remediation; crime scene remediation and restoration; as well as been an educator to private and public groups through various business network groups, classrooms, seminars, and news programs.

Jason currently holds four of the most prestigious board-awards in the industry, awarded by the American Indoor Air Quality Council:

Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant

Council-certified Indoor Environmentalist

Council-certified Microbial Remediation Supervisor

Council-certified Microbial Re-mediator

Additionally, Jason holds a certification as a Water-damage Restoration Technician from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).

Jason volunteers his time as a member of the American Indoor Air Quality Council’s certification board, and is an Individual Member of the Indoor Air Quality Association. For more information you can review Jason’s IAQA PRO.FILE at http://www.iaqa.org/profile.asp?id=223 or visit his website at [http://www.SolutionsIEC.com]

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Cleaning Tips – How to Repair Water Damage and Handle Water Emergencies

By Marco Ferlini

As a homeowner, you should always be concerned about how to clean up water damage, even if it has not yet happened to you. In truth, this is every homeowner’s worst nightmare scenario, and it makes no difference whether the damage is caused by a faucet that was not turned off, a burst pipe, a bad rainstorm, or a flash flood. The fact is that water can cause massive amounts of damage in a very short time, and you should know what to do if you should ever have to go through a cleanup.

It is quite evident that the first thing you need to do is to find the source of the water and begin from there. If your bathtub or toilet overflowed, or if rain got into your basement or crawlspaces, that is very easy to see. On the other hand, if water is seeping through cracks in the ceiling, or if it is staining your walls, it may be very difficult to get to the source.

If you have a leaky roof, then you need to fix your roof immediately so that you can stop any further damage. If you have a leaky pipe or a burst pipe, you need to shut off your water supply until you find the damaged pipe.

Before getting started on your cleanup, you need to determine just how badly things are damaged in your home. You may have a limited amount of damage to your drywall, floors, ceilings, and so on, or you might even have damage to the home’s structural integrity, including the foundation. It depends on how long you have had the leak, and on how long the water has had to cause damage to your home.

This article will proceed on the assumption that you have the time and equipment to handle the cleanup on your own, so the very first thing that you need to do is to get fresh air moving through the area that is water damaged. You need to open your windows, your doors, turn on your fans, bring in box fans, etc. What you are trying to accomplish is to completely dry out the area, and this will help to reduce bad smells later on.

The next thing you are going to need is a dehumidifier, and you need to get it going as quickly as you can. The dehumidifier will take that moisture out of the air, which will really help in your water damage cleanup and perhaps even ameliorate the effects of the water damage.

When you have plenty of air going and the dehumidifiers running, you need to pick up books, magazines, photographs, cardboard, and any other paper products. You need to throw them away if they are not valuable and if they are heavily damaged.

You should be able to make copies of most of your paperwork, but then make sure you throw the damaged paper away. If you have valuables that have been damaged considerably, put them in a frost-free freezer, and find a water damage restoration professional as quickly as possible to see whether they can be restored and saved.

The next step in the process would be to get hold of a wet and dry vacuum and clean up all the water that you can. You will find that the vacuum will be especially helpful with carpeting, upholstered furniture, wooden and tiled floors. You have to continue using the vacuum until you have cleaned up the bulk of the water and to prevent any further water damage to your home.

You need to be especially careful with wooden surfaces that were water damaged, so get the fans and dehumidifiers going around your wooden surfaces as quickly as possible so they can dry out. While you have the machinery going, you may want to try using fresh, clean water and mild detergent to clean treated wood. However, you should know that if the wood was not effectively treated, you will end up with permanent damage unless you work very quickly and effectively.

You can also clean other surfaces with mild detergent and fresh, clean water, and you may even want to scrub them with a small brush if needed. You may want to repeat the process if there are areas that were badly water damaged or if they were greatly affected by your water emergency.

Drywall and ceiling damage will probably occur as a result of your water emergency, so you are going to have to carefully inspect your walls and ceilings to try to spot the damage. In general, drywalls and ceilings can probably be dried out as long as they have not swelled or buckled and the seams are still intact. Swelling, buckling and seam separation are signs of greater damage, and that means that you will have to replace the entire damaged area. Even if you manage to dry things out thoroughly, you will probably have to prime and paint the places that water affected the most.

You need to continue ventilating and dehumidifying, and this may take some time until everything is completely dried out. If you want to avoid giving mold and mildew a chance to get a foothold in your home, make sure everything is completely dry.

In the end, you have to consider the time that it is going to take for you to go through the entire water damage cleanup process, as well as the cost of buying or renting the necessary machinery. You will also have to decide what needs to be thrown out, and what needs to be saved, and you may end up throwing things out that could have been saved, and that will add to your cost.

When you have taken all of these things into consideration, it may be more cost effective for you to call the professionals at Orange Restoration to handle the water damage cleanup. It may just be that will end up saving money by calling the best water damage restoration professionals in the San Diego area.

When you have taken all of these things into consideration, it may be more cost effective for you to call the professionals at Orange Restoration for your water damage cleanup. It may just be that will end up saving money by calling the best water damage restoration professionals in the San Diego area.

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Water Damage Detection – No Time is Too Early to Do This

By Valerie Caulin

Water is known to be an essential factor in human’s life, and to all living things. It is known to be in liquid form but water has solid form and gas form as well. It is a chemical substance that has one molecule of oxygen combined with two hydrogen atoms. Water has much usage and it is the most important chemical substance in our everyday lives. Water has no odor, transparent and no taste.

Mainly, water is important in all aspects of life. Nature needs water, animals need water, and humans as well. It is being used in agriculture, as a dissolving agent, used in heat transfer process, recreation, industrial applications, food processing, and fire extinguisher. As population grows, need for water goes high as well. That is why sometimes, water is being abuse by many of us and we never thought that water supply will never be enough if we don’t take care of it.

Water is very useful but can be damaging as well. In nature, it is life-threatening. This is one of the reasons why most people claim their home insurance. We have to be ready when water pipes burst and the basement gets flooded. Some appliances may be leaky, or when disaster strikes. There is no such ‘too early’ to be ready. We need to be sensitive and ready all the time when the event arise. If others can be ready, why shouldn’t we? There are few tips to consider being ready in the event that water damage arises. Let us collate some information on how to easily detect water damage.

Water damage can destroy even the most solid built and well- maintain houses. If you’re house or building has water pipes installation, be aware that water burst happens in some unexpected times. Maintaining your water system properly will help minimize the possibility of damage. Always think that your house or building is designed to protect you against any form of water and moisture, and you need to have a regular, routinely inspection of your house. If in case water damage emergency arises, you can expect minimal damage or none at all. Home maintenance is number one aspect in preparing for water damage. It gives you and the whole family a peace of mind, security and safety. You don’t just protect it, you also simply increasing its value.

If in case you were already a victim of any natural disaster such as hurricane, typhoon, floods that results you to leaky pipes, damages or leaky roof, and totally destroyed house, here are some basic tips on what to do. First of all, if you were a victim of hurricane or tornado, make sure that you check your house first if it is still safe to live in. If you are certain, just look for a temporary place like lodge for you and your family to live in. If in case a typhoon arises, make sure that your gas supply lines are off, same as your water supply. If you have feelings that there will be a power outage, make sure to turn off the main switch or circuit breaker panel. If there were waters inside the house, make sure you sweep waters and dried it all up. After the event, check for damage water pipes or plumbing connections. Check your electrical and power wirings as well. Be careful upon checking, and make sure that you always watching out your steps. If there were exposed installation with hazardous chemicals or components, make sure that you fix it first of all. Cover it with safe, plastic sheets or tarps to avoid leakage. Remove wet carpets and rugs immediately and have it dried first. If there are parts of the house that has been damaged or broken, make sure that you clean off the debris and keep your children away on it. Consider safety, always. If you have to do the above checking or procedures, you can bring your family on the safe place first together with your valuable belongings and keep them safe. Write down all your observations and create a checklist of your inspection. After that, you can call your insurance company or any person whose expert in each type of damage. Arrange some basic agreement and always keep important tracking or invoice number.

Since you’ve already aware of safety and precautions, we have to give you an idea on how to check if you have water damage and teach you how to detect water damages. In cases like typhoon or hurricane, you should always check your roof. Check if there is missing or bent flashing, if there’s any damage gutter and chimney. Check your walls as well. Is there any damage bricks? Cracked on stucco? Wet and stained stucco or bricks means there is possible water damage that needs to be checked and fixed right away. Check also for warped or loose siding boards. Check for water intrusions through the windows and basement.

In your attic, check for any wet and damaged insulation. Check missing parts, vents, rotting or warping. In your basement, check for wetness. Your floor above basement should be free of wet and stains. Your ductwork should be dry and intact and free of wetness and stains. Don’t forget to see your furnace. Check if it is still operating or damaged. Your water heater should be disconnected if it is damaged.

Valerie is a freelance article writer. You can check more articles of Valerie in her site, http://www.valcaulin.com

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Water Damage Hazards – How to Protect Yourself

By Valerie Caulin

A flood is a natural phenomenon that can occur anywhere that have harmful effects on people and the environment, it brings too much water damage in a certain place. There are many reasons or causes of flood, it can be developed and may happen very quickly over a short period of time due to heavy rain that cause river and/or seas to over flow their banks that may happen anytime, anywhere even without warning or signs.

It is very dangerous, it may bring tragedies, and it can damage your home and may bring property loss. Before a flood could happen make sure that you are ready. Make sure that you do not have valuable items and appliances in your basement. Get a flood insurance, it will help you restore everything after a flood happens. And also, make sure your fuse box or the main breaker and utility meters are raised above the flood level in your home because water and electricity cause electrical spark that can cause fireand to avoid electrical shock. It is better to check your local building officials or city engineers, if you are not sure what your flood level is.

Water damage is any damage done by water like the flood and could also happen inside your home like a leak on your sink. This water damage causes wetness or dampness that helps the growth of moisture-related mold and mildew that are toxics, and bring reactions such as immune disorders, pathogenic disease and cancer, and also causes an allergic reactions like headaches, disorientation and dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, chronic asthma, open sores, rashes and chronic fatigue.

Water damage can cause molds, it can be found everywhere; they are microscopic organisms that produce enzymes that digest organic matter to reproduce spores. They are part of the fungi family; it also includes yeast and mildews. In nature, mold plays a key role in the decomposition of leaves, wood and other plant debris because without mold, we wouldn’t have great foods and medicines, such as cheese and penicillin. A problem starts when mold starting to digest organic materials like our homes.

Once the mold has settled in your home due to water damage, they need moisture to begin growing. They can grow on wood, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, paints, carpet, sheet rock, and insulation. To control mold, we need to control moisture in our house.

There are many reasons for water damage and are requiring an adequate care to avoid the water damage that can occur in your residence or place like checking and fixing regularly any drips.

Providing attention to the roof is also very important. A leaking roof can do more damage due to rain than a leaking faucet. With a leaking roof, it is possible to have damage that the water might turn into mold.

To avoid this, here are some helpful things that you should do to prevent water damage in your bathroom and kitchen:

- Check if there is hidden water leaks in your home; it is easy and is possible that you have one in your house.

- Turn all appliances off that use water, and then check your water meter.

- After an hour of leaving your appliances off, check again the water meter to see if the reading has changed. If the water meter reading changed then it is possible that there’s a leak.

- Check underneath your dishwasher to see if the water pipes are or not leaking. If there’s water near the base of the dishwasher, you have leak and may water damage.

- Then, check your refrigerator; it is one of the usual reasons of water damage.

- Then check your sink area under and on top of the counter.

- Also check your bathroom, soft spots in the floors near the tub or shower, and discoloration, means that it has leaks.

- And also check your toilet bowl; the overflow of toilets is also an obvious cause of water damage.

When it comes to water damage, what you don’t know can hurt you! Water damage can result increased of insurance rates, decreased value of home and property resale, and even health issues, if not properly repaired.

To protect yourself and your family from water damage and related issues, here are some tips:

- When water damage takes place it is imperative to contact a water damage and extraction company as soon as possible. Do not wait until the next day.

- After all the water is extracted and the humidity levels returned to normal, it is necessary to remove furniture and other items from the area even if they aren’t in direct contact with the water. A high humidity and a general unsanitary condition may contaminate other materials in your home. It is better to contact and work with a reputable water damage repair company that provides relocation and storage assistance for your belongings.

- An extensive water related damages sometimes requires the financial support of insurance. Do not risk the health and security of your family, better to contact a reputable water damage and restoration company that works with your insurance to help you begin the process of restoring your property.

- If the water damage is due to sewage overflow, it is necessary to eliminate contaminated items or materials. A qualified water damage restoration expert can assist and provide valuable information whether or not your belongings are safe to keep and capable of being cleaned.

- Water damage can cause and ruin air quality, drywall, upholstery and even hardwood flooring in your house. It is better to deal with a company that is capable of providing a full service. In contacting a Water damage restoration and Water damage extraction company, make sure that they have a full service like carpet and wood floor restoration, air vent cleaning and upholstery cleaning.

Here are some tips if you prefer to do water damage restoration all by yourself:

- Eliminate the source of water if possible; remove the water by mopping and blotting or sweeping it off.

- Wet furniture cushions and then dry them by wiping it off and under furniture legs place a small wood blocks or an aluminum foil.

- Make sure that you wiped all the furniture dry.

- Keep the draperies off the wet carpet, loop the bottom through a coat hanger, and place the hanger on the drapery rod.

- Open all furniture drawers, closet doors, and luggage for better air flow.

- Move all your photos, paintings, and art objects to a safe and dry place.

- Remove wet area rugs or other floor coverings.

- Remove all wet fabrics and dry them.

- Remove damp books from shelves and spread out to dry to avoid mold and mildew.

- Do not ever use an ordinary household vacuum to remove water.

- Do not use electrical appliances while on wet carpet or wet floors.

- Do not go into rooms with standing water if the electricity is still on.

- Do not lift carpet without professional help because lifting the carpet incorrectly could bring shrinkage.

Water damage may also be caused by a clogged in your sink or bathroom. Most clogged drains can be easily cleared off by using things that you can found in your house.

Clearing a blocked drain isn’t fun. It is much better to prevent a clog from happening to avoid water damage. Here are some tips on how you can keep your bathtub and sink drains clog-free:

- You can use strainers in your bathroom drains to stop hair from going down the drain. It’s easier to clear out a strainer than unclogging a drain.

- Do not drop soap down the drain assuming they will dissolve and wash away, it can cause clogs in a drain. Pour a kettle full of boiling water down the drain will also help you. This will melt any grease and will wash it away before it can build up any clogging but don’t do this in a toilet, it could break the porcelain. Once in a while, pour a half cup of baking soda in the drain and then slowly add half cup of vinegar. Leave the mixtures sit in the drain for a few minutes and then rinse it away by hot water down the drain.

Here are simple checks to keep your home safe from water damage and the mold infestations:

- Check your window frames and exterior door frames for any sign stains, and apply caulk or molding as needed because stains on your drywall are the most obvious sign of interior water damage.

- Keep an eye for any buckling or warping of your wooden floors. Even if your home doesn’t have hardwood floors, vinyl and carpets are often installed on top of a wooden board layer that can swell when exposed to water.

- Check your attic regularly for stains and other signs of water infiltration. Always pay special attention to the roof and also check the flashing where the roof meets the wall. Also check your roof outside for damaged and cracked or curled shingles.

- Check how your home’s gutters handle a heavy rain. If it overflows then your gutters need to be cleaned regularly to keep them free of leaves. Installing a screen in your gutter keeps the leaves out.

Water Damage Hazards- How to Protect Yourself

A flood is a natural phenomenon that can occur anywhere that have harmful effects on people and the environment, it brings too much water damage in a certain place. There are many reasons or causes of flood, it can be developed and may happen very quickly over a short period of time due to heavy rain that cause river and/or seas to over flow their banks that may happen anytime, anywhere even without warning or signs.

It is very dangerous, it may bring tragedies, and it can damage your home and may bring property loss. Before a flood could happen make sure that you are ready. Make sure that you do not have valuable items and appliances in your basement. Get a flood insurance, it will help you restore everything after a flood happens. And also, make sure your fuse box or the main breaker and utility meters are raised above the flood level in your home because water and electricity cause electrical spark that can cause fireand to avoid electrical shock. It is better to check your local building officials or city engineers, if you are not sure what your flood level is.

Water damage is any damage done by water like the flood and could also happen inside your home like a leak on your sink. This water damage causes wetness or dampness that helps the growth of moisture-related mold and mildew that are toxics, and bring reactions such as immune disorders, pathogenic disease and cancer, and also causes an allergic reactions like headaches, disorientation and dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, chronic asthma, open sores, rashes and chronic fatigue.

Water damage can cause molds, it can be found everywhere; they are microscopic organisms that produce enzymes that digest organic matter to reproduce spores. They are part of the fungi family; it also includes yeast and mildews. In nature, mold plays a key role in the decomposition of leaves, wood and other plant debris because without mold, we wouldn’t have great foods and medicines, such as cheese and penicillin. A problem starts when mold starting to digest organic materials like our homes.

Once the mold has settled in your home due to water damage, they need moisture to begin growing. They can grow on wood, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, paints, carpet, sheet rock, and insulation. To control mold, we need to control moisture in our house.

There are many reasons for water damage and are requiring an adequate care to avoid the water damage that can occur in your residence or place like checking and fixing regularly any drips.

Providing attention to the roof is also very important. A leaking roof can do more damage due to rain than a leaking faucet. With a leaking roof, it is possible to have damage that the water might turn into mold.

To avoid this, here are some helpful things that you should do to prevent water damage in your bathroom and kitchen:

- Check if there is hidden water leaks in your home; it is easy and is possible that you have one in your house.

- Turn all appliances off that use water, and then check your water meter.

- After an hour of leaving your appliances off, check again the water meter to see if the reading has changed. If the water meter reading changed then it is possible that there’s a leak.

- Check underneath your dishwasher to see if the water pipes are or not leaking. If there’s water near the base of the dishwasher, you have leak and may water damage.

- Then, check your refrigerator; it is one of the usual reasons of water damage.

- Then check your sink area under and on top of the counter.

- Also check your bathroom, soft spots in the floors near the tub or shower, and discoloration, means that it has leaks.

- And also check your toilet bowl; the overflow of toilets is also an obvious cause of water damage.

When it comes to water damage, what you don’t know can hurt you! Water damage can result increased of insurance rates, decreased value of home and property resale, and even health issues, if not properly repaired.

To protect yourself and your family from water damage and related issues, here are some tips:

- When water damage takes place it is imperative to contact a water damage and extraction company as soon as possible. Do not wait until the next day.

- After all the water is extracted and the humidity levels returned to normal, it is necessary to remove furniture and other items from the area even if they aren’t in direct contact with the water. A high humidity and a general unsanitary condition may contaminate other materials in your home. It is better to contact and work with a reputable water damage repair company that provides relocation and storage assistance for your belongings.

- An extensive water related damages sometimes requires the financial support of insurance. Do not risk the health and security of your family, better to contact a reputable water damage and restoration company that works with your insurance to help you begin the process of restoring your property.

- If the water damage is due to sewage overflow, it is necessary to eliminate contaminated items or materials. A qualified water damage restoration expert can assist and provide valuable information whether or not your belongings are safe to keep and capable of being cleaned.

- Water damage can cause and ruin air quality, drywall, upholstery and even hardwood flooring in your house. It is better to deal with a company that is capable of providing a full service. In contacting a Water damage restoration and Water damage extraction company, make sure that they have a full service like carpet and wood floor restoration, air vent cleaning and upholstery cleaning.

Here are some tips if you prefer to do water damage restoration all by yourself:

- Eliminate the source of water if possible; remove the water by mopping and blotting or sweeping it off.

- Wet furniture cushions and then dry them by wiping it off and under furniture legs place a small wood blocks or an aluminum foil.

- Make sure that you wiped all the furniture dry.

- Keep the draperies off the wet carpet, loop the bottom through a coat hanger, and place the hanger on the drapery rod.

- Open all furniture drawers, closet doors, and luggage for better air flow.

- Move all your photos, paintings, and art objects to a safe and dry place.

- Remove wet area rugs or other floor coverings.

- Remove all wet fabrics and dry them.

- Remove damp books from shelves and spread out to dry to avoid mold and mildew.

- Do not ever use an ordinary household vacuum to remove water.

- Do not use electrical appliances while on wet carpet or wet floors.

- Do not go into rooms with standing water if the electricity is still on.

- Do not lift carpet without professional help because lifting the carpet incorrectly could bring shrinkage.

Water damage may also be caused by a clogged in your sink or bathroom. Most clogged drains can be easily cleared off by using things that you can found in your house.

Clearing a blocked drain isn’t fun. It is much better to prevent a clog from happening to avoid water damage. Here are some tips on how you can keep your bathtub and sink drains clog-free:

- You can use strainers in your bathroom drains to stop hair from going down the drain. It’s easier to clear out a strainer than unclogging a drain.

- Do not drop soap down the drain assuming they will dissolve and wash away, it can cause clogs in a drain. Pour a kettle full of boiling water down the drain will also help you. This will melt any grease and will wash it away before it can build up any clogging but don’t do this in a toilet, it could break the porcelain. Once in a while, pour a half cup of baking soda in the drain and then slowly add half cup of vinegar. Leave the mixtures sit in the drain for a few minutes and then rinse it away by hot water down the drain.

Here are simple checks to keep your home safe from water damage and the mold infestations:

- Check your window frames and exterior door frames for any sign stains, and apply caulk or molding as needed because stains on your drywall are the most obvious sign of interior water damage.

- Keep an eye for any buckling or warping of your wooden floors. Even if your home doesn’t have hardwood floors, vinyl and carpets are often installed on top of a wooden board layer that can swell when exposed to water.

- Check your attic regularly for stains and other signs of water infiltration. Always pay special attention to the roof and also check the flashing where the roof meets the wall. Also check your roof outside for damaged and cracked or curled shingles.

- Check how your home’s gutters handle a heavy rain. If it overflows then your gutters need to be cleaned regularly to keep them free of leaves. Installing a screen in your gutter keeps the leaves out.

Valerie is a freelance article writer. You can check more articles of Valerie in her site, http://www.valcaulin.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Valerie_Caulin
http://EzineArticles.com/?Water-Damage-Hazards—How-to-Protect-Yourself&id=1470233

By Rick Gettle

What Do You Want To Accomplish In The Next 12 Months?

What Are Your Health Goals?
Physical Goals?
Family Goals?
Business Goals?
Career Goals?
Financial Goals?
Security Goals?
Emotional Goals?
Mental Goals?
Educational Goals?
Gaining More Wisdom Goals?
Social Goals?
Spiritual Goals?
Recreational Goals?
Self Image And Self Esteem Goals? Personality Building Goals? Peace Of Mind Goals? Character Building Goals? Problem Solving Goals? Goals To Become A Better Person? Goals To Be More Cautious And Wise In All Your Dealings?
Time Ownership And Management Goals?
To Make It A Better, Happier, Friendlier, And Safer World. To Create Greater Harmony And Teamwork In The World

F A C T:

20% OF THE PEOPLE IN THE USA PRODUCE 80% OF THE WEALTH

10% OF THE PEOPLE HAVE WELL-DEFINED GOALS

5% OF THE 10% HAVE WRITTEN GOALS

RESULT: THOSE WITH WRITTEN GOALS OUT-PERFORM THOSE THAT KEEP THEIR GOALS IN THEIR HEAD — 100 TO 1

FAILURE IS ONE’S INABILITY TO REACH THEIR GOALS IN LIFE.

Many men and women fail in life, not for lack of ability, or brains, or even courage, but simply because they never organized their energies around a central goal.

The Only Difference Between Those Who Have Failed And Those Who Have Succeeded Lies In The Difference Of Their Habits.

There is power in determination when it is followed by action. A determination to do something about your life must be implemented with planning, and planning must lead to action. Dynamic planning springs from goals and purposes that sparks the imagination. We are not here just to occupy a few cubic feet of space or recline in a contour chair or sleep on a posture?right mattress.

We are here to express a purpose of grandeur and stature. We are here to fulfill what our fathers willed for us. Let’s plan our life with this magnificent heritage in mind. Let’s let our imaginations soar with the possibilities open to us, and use our imagination creatively to envision the goals we want to achieve.

GOOD HABITS ARE THE KEY TO SUCCESS – BAD HABITS ARE THE UNLOCKED DOORS TO FAILURE

“I Will Form The Habit Of Goal Setting And Become A Slave To That Habit”

If You Keep Doing What You Are Doing Now, Will You Be Where You Want To Be In 5 Years Or Less?

Where Are You Going With Your Life?

Where Should You Be By The End Of Your 5th Year?

Where Should You Be By The End Of Your 4th Year?

Where Should You Be By The End Your 3rd Year?

Where Should You Be By The End Of Your 2nd Year?

Where Should You Be By The End Of Your 1st Year?

Where Should You Be In 6 Months?

If You Don’t Know Where You Are Going In Life, Any Road Will Take You There.

YOUR GREATEST POTENTIAL

(Pushing Upon One’s Limitations Is What Makes Life Become Larger)

Are you all that you can be in your life, or is there still room for growth, improvement and greater achievements? How do you know your true range in life unless you keep reaching, stretching, learning, growing and pushing beyond your limitations? Pushing beyond your limitations — trying to achieve more difficult and more meaningful goals – is what makes your life become larger.

Every person is really – two people; the person we are today and that more dynamic, more developed, more organized and focused and more successful and happier person we could still become – tomorrow.

The greatest tragedy in life is that millions of people come into this world and leave this world and never ever realize or develop their full powers and potential. They bargained in life for a penny and life would pay no more, not realizing that any wage they would have asked of life – life would have gladly paid. Some of those people never even tried, they just settled for mediocrity. Others, got a dream, an idea, a desire or goal and decided to go for it, but then dropped out when the going got tough. There are many starters in life, but very few finish. Too many people give up on their dreams too soon in life.

No matter what the level of our ability, we have more potential than we can ever develop in a lifetime. Deep within every man and woman dwells those slumbering powers; powers that would astonish them, which they never dreamed of possessing; forces that would revolutionize their life if aroused and put into action.

Potential Means: Undeveloped — And – Unrealized Powers, Possibilities, And Capabilities — That Can – But Have Not Yet Come Into Being.

In other words, the best is yet to come! You have powers and talent you have not developed or used yet. You also have dreams and fantasies you have not realized yet. Maybe you will some day — maybe you never will — maybe you have given up on them — it is up to you! If you still want to achieve them, then you have to keep on keeping on. Your unlimited possibilities are still alive, just waiting for you to give them power.

There are no limits to our possibilities. At any moment, we have more possibilities that we can ever act upon. There is far more opportunity than there is ability. You can do things you never thought you could do.

There are no limitations in what you can do except the limitations of your own mind. Our thoughts and our imaginations are the only real limits to our possibilities. We know what we are, but we know not what we may be.

First, we have to understand the potential that we have. Second, we have to learn how to develop and harness these powers; third, we must then continuously use these powers at all times. Just like a muscle – we either use it or we lose it.

Self-improvement – means: improving of one’s condition, mind and abilities – through one’s own efforts. To become better than you already are.

It is even possible for you to do something in the next couple of years that could make you rich and famous. There is nothing you cannot do, or learn how to do. You didn’t know how to walk or talk when you came into this world, but you eventually learned how. With time, practice and proper instructions, you could learn anything.

There is nothing more pitiful or ludicrous than a person who thinks that he or she already knows enough.

Maximizing your potential to the fullest – to be all that you can be – will guarantee you greater happiness, freedom, security and peace of mind in your life. It will also keep you young and filled with vitality.

We are happy when we are using our potential – striving against difficulties and overcoming them – reaching for achievement and finding it – this is happiness. True happiness involves the full use of one’s powers and talents.

Planning Your Work – And Working Your Plan!

Creating Plans That Are “Faultless” To Achieve Your Goals.

A “Plan” Is A Method For Accomplishing Something.

A Blue Print — A Design — A Game Plan — A Strategy.

Develop Yours!

Planning Is Like A Road Map. It Shows Us The Right Direction And Keeps Us “On Course.”

Your “Project” Is To Bridge The Gap That Exists Between Where You Are Now — And The Goal You Intend On Reaching.

Developing The Plan Is Actually Laying Out The “Sequence Of Events” That Have To Occur For You To Achieve Your Goals.

Create A “Project Binder.” In Your Binder, Plan Your Work – And Then – Work Your Plan!

List All Of Your Lifetime, Long-Range, Short-Range, Tangible, And Intangible Goals On Separate Sheets Of Paper.

Put Them In Your Project Binder.

Continuously Re-Arrange Them In The Order Of Importance Or Urgency. (Calling For Immediate Attention)

Carry Your Project Binder With You — Review Your Goals Daily.

Reflect Back At The End Of The Day On What Happened.

Reflect Back On What Didn’t Happen That Should Have Happened.

Re-Evaluate – Revise – Re-Think – Renew – Rebuild.

Repeat What Works — Remove What Doesn’t Work.

Repair What Needs To Be Repaired.

Resolve What Needs To Be Resolved.

Reduce Waste (Time – Money – Energy).

Recharge Your Energy.

Regain Your Enthusiasm.

Revitalize Your Mind With Motivation Books, Seminars, And Tapes.

Create A “Treasure Map.” Put Pictures Of The Things You Want In Your Project Binder. Look At Them Often. This Will Inspire You To Achieve Your Goals.

The Project Binder Becomes Your “Log Book.” As The Captain Of Your Ship — You Must Log Everything That Happens:

A. Chart Your Course.

B. Stay On Course “Steady As You Go.”

C. Don’t Deviate From The Course, Or You Might Go Aground!

D. If You Get Off Course, Get Back On Course As Fast As You Can.

ACTIONS I WILL TAKE STARTING TODAY: Delay – Is the Worst Form of Denial.

I will write down, right now, what it is that I want more than anything else in life.

I will write out a clear, concise statement of my definite major purpose. (You can use as many words as you want to describe your Definite Major Purpose. After you do, keep rewriting it with less and less words each time until it is crystal clear.)

I will sign my statement and make it a binding document. Signed By________________________________________________________

I will read my statement of my DMP aloud to myself every morning and night until I have memorized it.

I will call it to mind as many times as I can.

I will practice seeing, feeling, and believing myself already in possession of my DMP.

I will emotionalize and visualize the benefits I will receive by pursuing and achieving my DMP.

I will develop well-defined step-by-step – foolproof goals that will get me there.

I will build and maintain a burning desire to persist with bulldog determination that will eventually mow down all opposition that comes my way.

Your definite major purpose is like a blueprint you are drawing of your entire future life.

Your definite major purpose should consist of that which can be attained only by a series of day-to-day and month-to-month steps. It should harmonize with your present occupation, business or profession, so as to capitalize on your experience and background, and so that each day’s work will enable you to come one day nearer the attainment of it.

Once you have achieved your goals, a new expanded and widened purpose should be adopted.

A test of whether the purpose you now have in mind is worthy of being a major purpose is this: Ask yourself these questions: Are you willing to spend most of your lifetime making it come true? Will it be worth the price you may pay for it?

Your definite major purpose should include: The job or career of your choice, the income you want – to live the life style of your choice, your retirement money, time to enjoy your life, family, hobbies and interest, the information and knowledge you want to acquire and know, the person you want to be, personal growth, family goals, spiritual enlightenment, and social responsibility.

THINK ABOUT YOUR BIGGEST GOAL AND THEN ASK YOURSELF

THESE QUESTIONS AND WRITE DOWN YOUR ANSWERS:

Can It Be Achieved?______________Can It Be Achieved By You?__

What Will Be Some Of The Sacrifices You Will Have To Make In Order To Achieve This Goal?

Will It Be Worth The Effort And Sacrifice?

Are You Going To Finish What You Start? ________ (Many Start But Few Finish.)

Are You Ready — Or Is This A Bad Time?

Are There Too Many Problems In Your Life At This Time That Might Get You Off Course?

When The Student Is Ready The Master Appears. (What Does That Mean To You?)

When You Are Ready — You Will Attract That Which You Need – That’s “The Law Of Harmonious Attraction.”

How Will You Reward Yourself When You Achieve This Goal?

How Will You Stay Motivated And Keep Your Desire Intensified?

Why Are You Going To Achieve This Goal? Make A Why List – Your Why’s Are More Important Than Your How – The How Will Come

Getting The Most Out Of Your Most Priceless Possession Your Time!

Accomplishing More In Life – While Doing Less – Effectiveness Verses Efficiency

Working Smart Instead Of Hard

Time Is Our Most Priceless Gift – Each Second Is A Precious And Valuable Diamond.

We Can’t Buy More. We Can’t Borrow More. We Can’t Steal It. We Can’t Save It Or Store It.

We Guard Our Money, But Not Our Time. We Don’t Know How Much Time We Have Left.

Use It Wisely Or Lose It!

HERE IS AN ORGANIZED WAY TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS – ONE-AT-A-TIME

1 – Buy a binder, 20 dividers, and a ream of three-hole paper – Title this your “GOALS BINDER”

2 – Title your first divider: My Dream List – In this section of your binder you write down a list of everything you ever wanted to accomplish, to have, to do, to achieve, to be, places you want to go to, things you want to own, things you want to learn, etc. Keep adding to your list everyday for a week. Don’t think of reasons why it can’t be done or any negative thoughts at all. There is an unlimited source of power available to you to achieve whatever it is you want in life as long as you don’t infringe on others in any way.

3 – The next binder titles will be listed as follows: – Financial, Career, Health, Recreation, Personality, Family, Self-Image, Spiritual, Social, Mental, Character And Physical.

4 – Put several sheets of paper in each section. Then, take each item listed on your dream list – one-at-a-time, and copy it in the proper section. Ex: Go to Europe (Under Recreation), Go to church (Spiritual), Save $100 per month (Financial), Have family gatherings often (Family) Build my discipline (Character), Take a 30 minute walk after dinner three nights per week (Physical) Drink 8 glasses of water a day (Health) Read more self improvement books (Mental), Learn more about my job (Career), Do some volunteer work (Social), Become a better listener (Personality) Dress better and dress up more often (Self-Image)

5 – Next, go through each section and redo each list in the order of ease of accomplishment (Put the easiest goals to accomplish first and the hardest goals to achieve last on your individual lists)

6 – Now, from each category section, pick the easiest goal you can find and list them all on one sheet of paper to look at everyday.

Don’t Forget To Make The Goals So Easy It Is Impossible To Fail – Or Make Excuses Because You Failed.

At the end of each week, you want to be able to say I achieved twelve goals.

Very gradually, you can make the goals a little harder, like the man who lifted a baby cow everyday until it was full grown. He worked his way up to it.

7 – The next binder divider title should be My Treasure Map – In this section, put all of the pictures you can find that remind you of your goals – One picture is worth a thousand words. (Also, you can get a poster board to hang on a wall and paste your pictures on it so that you can see them easily and be reminded, and fantasize on what it would be like to have them now.

Examples: If you want a motor home some day – get a picture of one to paste in this section – or a picture of a cruise ship you would like to go on someday – or a picture of yourself when you were younger and had a healthier looking body – if you want to live in a beautiful house overlooking the ocean, get a picture of a beautiful house overlooking the ocean – get a picture of a piano if you want one – a mate – romance, a picture of a couple walking on the beach holding hands – a beautiful wardrobe – a picture of the college you would like your kids to go to someday – A home office that you would like to have or home library.

Start Looking Through Magazines And Sales Brochures For Pictures To Cut Out

And Paste In Your Treasure Map Section Of Your Goals Binder

Treasure Mapping – One Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words.

For those of you who are not familiar with treasure mapping, let me explain:

Many high achievers throughout the world have a treasure map they look at often to keep reminding them of their goals and dreams in life. Usually they hang up a large poster board on the wall and paste pictures of their goals on it: Pictures of the new car they want, pictures of the beautiful house they want overlooking the ocean, pictures of their young children standing in front of the college they want them to go to when they grow up, the motor home they would like to own, the cruise ships they want to be on, the piano they want to own, pictures of a couple having a candlelight dinner, or walking on the beach holding hands in the moonlight. Pictures of someone that has the kind of healthy body they would like to have. Pictures of a pile of money they would like to have someday.

They select pictures they find in magazines and sales brochures and see on the internet that represent the things they want to have and the things they would like to do.

As they look at the pictures on their treasure map, they imagine what it would be like to actually live that life. They emotionalize it and they keep intensifying their desire to find the ways to make it all happen.

Start Creating Your Treasure Map

8 – Title your next binder divider, “WINS.” In this section keep a list of all of the goals you have accomplished so far. Every now and then, look over your list to remind yourself how good you are doing. This will inspire you to keep setting more goals.

9 – The next binder divider is titled, “REWARDS.” Make a list of rewards you are going to treat yourself and your family to after accomplishing each of your major goals.

Examples:

When I lose twenty pounds I am going to reward myself with a new sports outfit.

When I get my next commission check I’m going to spend the weekend in Carmel.

When I finish the first chapter of my book I’m going to celebrate by going to a book store and buy the best book I can find on self-publishing

10 – Title the next binder divider, “AFFIRMATIONS.” Fill this section with affirmations to repeat daily.

Examples:

I Am Very Successful At Achieving My Goals In Life.

I Always Set Realistic Goals That I Believe I Can Achieve.

I Review My Goals Binder Every Day And Keep Upgrading My Records.

I Am Always Enthusiastic About Adding More Goals That I Achieved To My WINS Section.

I Enjoy Giving Myself A Reward After Achieving Difficult Goals. It Motivates Me To Do More.

Rick Gettle – Success Achievement Consultant, Writer, Teacher, Coach, Since 1970

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From The University Of Hard Knocks.

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“Successercising” – The Science of Success Achievement Course”

The Equivalent Of A PhD In Success From The University Of Hard Knocks

Copyright 2005-20006, all rights reserved worldwide by Rick Gettle

Success Achievement Consultant, Teacher, Writer, Coach Since 1970

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Getting Creative With Garage Shelving

By MJ Marks

Garage shelving may not be something you equate with creativity. But if you think about it, home owners all over the world bring a wide range of ideas to how to best manage their storage needs with the help of shelving. There is a huge range of options that you could go with. It can be as simple as basic wooden shelves, or as complex and deluxe as you can imagine. Products are available that will serve nearly any conceivable storage need. Use creativity for how to best use your space.

In America, garage shelving ideas range the gamut from super basic to fairly complex. On the simple end of the spectrum, it is common to see shelving that usually consists of some arrangement of dimensional lumber and some plywood. Though, ask any college or university student about shelves and they will promptly teach you about the diversity and portability of cinderblocks and simple pine boards. This is fine for dorm rooms, but in the garage it needs to be just a bit more. So, back to the lumber and ply. It is the rare individual that isn’t capable of putting something functional together with these materials. If you can measure, cut, and fasten you can make shelving in your garage from these things.

On the fancier, more complex side of things, people will tend their garage shelving toward nicer materials like finished melamine or even hardwoods. Once the decision is made to move away from the purely functional, the sky is the limit. Personally speaking, I find that shelves hidden behind lockable doors are really desirable. Being able to secure your belongings, hide them from prying eyes, and still keep things up and out of the way, is a big step in the right direction.

One thing some people can do to supplement their garage shelving needs is to use old cabinets. When we remodeled our kitchen a few years ago we found use for some of the old cabinets out in the garage. Chances are, most people don’t happen to find themselves with extra kitchen cabinets on hand, so just keep it in mind if you happen to be one of those who may be remodeling soon.

Usually, storage needs in the garage are best met with garage shelving that is heavy duty, designed to look good and last for many years. Fortunately, many manufacturers today make some really nice quality shelving products. These usually include features like secure welds, powder coated finishes, full adjustability, and heavy duty steel construction. Of course, there are lighter versions made out of composites and other metals that are not meant to store super heavy items. Overhead storage is another option that, while not typically seen as shelving, is, in fact, exactly that, a shelf that attaches to hang from the ceiling. Being able to put things up out of the way overhead is a great way to go.

Garage shelving, of all types, is meant to serve a purpose. The point is that it doesn’t really matter whether you decide that something simple is best for you, or that you really need something a little more polished and deluxe. What matters is that you have a place to solve the problem of clutter and random mystery piles of stuff. Get creative and find garage shelving that best helps you organize your space for you!

MJ is a freelance writer for ClickShops Inc, where you can find a great selection of garage shelving for your garage at garagecabinetsonline.com.

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Built-In Bookshelves Are For Great For Storage – Might Not Add Value

By Joel D McDonald

If you are thinking about adding built-in bookshelves to your home, you should consider them for your personal convenience, but don’t expect to recoup the cost when it comes time to sell your home. They can be an attractive feature that helps to sell your home, if they are built properly, but not everybody likes the same interior features or confinement that built-in bookshelves can represent.

They are quite attractive on each side of a fireplace that seems lonely on a wall that doesn’t leave much room for any other furniture and they can help anchor the room. When it comes time to re-sell your home, it can add additional storage, if the bookshelves contain lower drawers or cabinets for storage space. On the other hand, it is important that they aren’t just a bunch of shelves that attract clutter or they can detract from your home’s attractiveness, when it comes time to sell.

Built-in bookshelves have to be considered closely, because many people don’t have books in the traditional sense, like they used to. Now you can get eBooks that don’t require storage, so bookshelves are more of a decorating feature, when done correctly. If you decide to devote an entire wall to built-in bookshelves because you need places to store the children’s toys, you have to keep in mind that some people might not like the look or have other plans for the room, when you are ready to sell the home.

Any money you put into built-in bookshelves might not be recouped, since you can’t take them with you to your new home. Consider a resale possibility when you are making any home improvements or you might find that they might not add any value, but could be viewed as something that will need to be removed. Make sure that they are attractively designed with trim that is appropriate to the rest of the room or home and serve function instead of additional shelving to be dusted, de-cluttered or just wasted space.

The best rule of thumb on built-in bookshelves is that they belong on walls that contain a fireplace or an end wall that will contain an entertainment center. They should be part of a focal part of the room and contain an opening large enough for today’s larger big screen televisions, if they are going to be an entertainment center wall. Usually the furthest, smaller wall is a good place for built-in bookshelves, although some people will put them in bedrooms, along with built in chest of drawers to make more space in the room.

While they might not add that much value, they will be a feature that competitive homes for sale won’t have. They should be professionally built and trimmed, so you will need to hire a professional carpenter, unless you are one yourself. Just keep in mind that you might not recoup the money spent on them when it comes time to sell your home and you can’t take them with you, so make sure they add the storage and comfort you need, without detracting from the value of your home, when building built-in bookshelves.

Be sure to check out Automated Homefinder – your real estate expert in: Longmont Colorado.

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