[EzineArticles] How to Make Writing a Priority Over the Holidays

How to Make Writing a Priority Over the Holidays Manage Holiday Stress, Get Writing Done, and Feel Great About It! For those of us in the U.S., the holiday season kicks off with Thanksgiving this Thursday. Whether you look at the approaching holidays with a twinkle of excitement in your eye or would prefer to skip the hustle and bustle of the season, we all can admit it's easy to become overwhelmed. Between events, parties, shopping, baking, cooking, and so much more, we can easily slip into overdrive (or overkill). So many people give way to a frenzied "seasonal" spirit that they lose focus on their priorities and shelve their writing goals. Use these tips to keep on the right track with your writing efforts and enjoy the holidays! Write Before You Do Anything Else Let writing be the first major task you tackle by setting aside as much time as you can allow and doing it: write first thing every single day. This may be a major shift in your routine, so remember this: "Where there's a will, there's a way." Ultimately, if you really, truly want to make writing a priority, you'll find a way. Consider it as a promise to yourself and your readers. Assign Writing Deadlines It's easy to say, "It can wait another day - I just need to get XYZ out of the way first." You'll always find a replacement "XYZ" to put off writing if you get into the habit. Even if you are your own editor-in-chief, assign yourself a deadline: "I need to get this to my editor by [insert time] on [insert date]." This will help you hold yourself accountable and push yourself to meet your own writing deadlines to ensure you write, publish, and engage your audience. Set Reminders As you try to squeeze even more out of your packed day, your calendar may become nearly unintelligible with notes, errands, and more. So much so, you may need to hire a cryptographer to decipher the code you call your calendar. To keep honest and ensure you can touch each task for a reasonable amount of time (and not a minute more), set a reminder or alarm to alert yourself when it's time to wrap up or bookmark your current task and then start your next task. Say No and Feel Good About It Whether you're uncomfortable saying no because you're a people pleaser or you get a thrill out of the challenge, learn to say "no." I covered this briefly in last Friday's post (#12), but I'd like to expand upon it here. Here are 5 "no" replies that you can start using now: No, this doesn't align with my current priorities. No, there isn't time for it. No, this will only happen if you make [insert impossible scenario here] happen. No, not now, but maybe next time. No, it won't happen, ever. Manage Holiday Stress The largest hurdle to overcome is holiday stress, which attributes a societal spike in anger issues, anxiety, depression, and yes, even writer's block. Use the following tips to manage your stress: Keep things in perspective by focusing on your priorities. Be honest with your limitations and set realistic goals. Let your family and friends know about your commitments. Keep it simple to avoid over-doing it with elaborate plans. Don't over-schedule yourself with engagements, visits, etc. Take care of yourself by getting enough exercise and quality sleep. Allow yourself "me time" and do the things that you enjoy. Make plans to visit friends and family after the holidays. Connect and reconnect with positive people who add value to your life. Take time to stop and enjoy the fruits of your labors. Use the above tips to work in more hassle-free writing time over the holidays. What tips do you have to enjoy the holidays while making writing a priority? Let us know - we'd love to hear from you! Looking for more tips? Squeeze more time out of your day: 30 Time-Saving Tips To Your Article Writing Success & Passion! Penny, Managing Editor http://Blog.EzineArticles.com/ http://EzineArticles.com/ PS: We're only one week away from Cyber Monday! This year we'll be offering incredible discounts on Article Template packages and Premium Membership. Stay tuned! EzineArticles Member Endorsement "I have grown my monthly newsletter to over 14,000 subscribers." I started article writing when I started my newsletter in late 2006. At that time, I had about 25 subscribers - mostly friends and family. Since then I have grown my monthly newsletter to over 14,000 subscribers. Lee Binz TheHomeScholar.com EzineArticles Newsletter Information Join EzineArticles | Manage Your Subscription | EzineArticles RSS Feed | List Support Create Free Membership Account | Login For Members Only To Leave The EzineArticles Newsletter: leave-9454212-5233187.e085d87993250aab11f3e0c15f1c2785@lists.permissionbasedemail.com ISSN: 1525-7126 - Library Of Congress, Washington D.C. Postal address: EzineArticles.com, PO Box 12740 Green Bay WI 54307 USA © Copyright 1999-2013 EzineArticles.com. All Rights Reserved.

Warning: 5 Harmful Exercises (9/10 people do these.)

BREAKING NEWS and related Health Resources:

Dear thomas,

At the link below, my buddy and colleague Dr. K exposes
five VERY popular exercises (that you're probably doing)
that could actually be harming your body and results.

==> The 5 WORST exercises NEVER to do

Out of the last 10 people I showed this link to, every single
one was doing at least one of these exercises on a daily basis.
Make sure you're not one of them:

==> The 5 WORST exercises NEVER to do

*********************************************

10 POUNDS in 14 Days -- (15 minutes or less per day)

10 pounds in 14 days sounds like a BIG goal, but it's not unrealistic.
I encourage you to set the bar high, but ensure that you're following
any rapid fat loss plan with a sustainable and healthy living habit to
avoid rebound weight gain.

10 POUNDS in 14 Days -- Read this article to find out how in 15 min or LESS per Day

There are 5 exercises, that when combined in a specific order, target
muscles that improve your metabolism and increase the contractile
strength of almost every muscle in your body. When you combine these
five exercises with a rapid fat loss diet protocol that starves your body
from the #1 source of fat deposit in most people (sugar), you compound 
the fat loss effect. Yet, there's still a missing piece to this puzzle, and
without this single factor, your chances of long-term success are very low.
Read this article to find out the 3 essential steps to successfully lose weight
rapidly and keep it off:

10 POUNDS in 14 Days -- It only takes 15 min or LESS per Day 

Enjoy!

David Riklan
Editor - Self Improvement Newsletter
Founder - SelfGrowth.com

Additional Health Resources:

1. DRINK this to Lose Fat -- 8oz. Every Day.

2. Which "Health Food" Causes The Most Weight Gain?

3. Do 'Almost' Nothing & Get A Flat Stomach -- MUST READ.

4. ONE POUND of Bodyfat per Week (average) -- [18 Week Plan F.REE]

5. 3 Exercises that HARM your Knees -- ARTICLE

 

 

 

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Email: editors@selfgrowth.com

The surprising truth about Holiday Weight Gain...

Dear thomas,

Fact - You'll gain more weight in the 6 week period around Christmas and New Year than you will the rest of the year.

Which is why you may want to REPLACE holiday season junk food with the healthy snacks and desserts found in this FREE recipe book:

Click here for "20 Healthy Raw Snacks And Treats"

It's hard to believe the incredibly delicious-looking treats on that page are actually health foods!

The GOOD news about holiday weight gain is that the average person will gain only about 1 pound over the holidays.

Or maybe 2-3 pounds if you are already overweight.

But not the 5-10 pounds that is often blamed on holiday eating.

The BAD news is that you will likely keep that 1-3 pounds for the rest of the year.

And then you'll repeat the process again next year...

This is how we get fatter.

Just a little bit at a time...

So to help you break the cycle by REMOVING the junk food temptations that the holiday season is famous for - try these healthy snack and dessert alternatives:

Click here for "20 Healthy Raw Snacks And Treats"

You'll find 20 free recipes in "20 Healthy Raw Snacks And Treats".

No sugar, no flour, no baking.

And no stressing about that incremental weight gain that would otherwise have you pledging New Year's weight loss resolutions that you know you will never be able to keep!

Regards,

David Riklan
Editor - Natural Health Newsletter
Founder - NaturalHealthWeb.com and SelfGrowth.com







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[EzineArticles] 30 Time-Saving Tips to Free Up More Time to Write

30 Time-Saving Tips to Free Up More Time to Write Dedicate More Time to Your Writing With These Tips Don't take the "bull in a china shop" approach by aggressively overhauling your lifestyle. You may not be able to implement all of these tips, but over time (and even with a little tweaking) you may find a strategy that works for you. Pick a few strategies until you've mastered them or you're comfortable moving on to the next strategy. Take it one step at a time to gain more time! Focus on the Important Things Do less. I'm reminded by one of my favorite Bruce Lee quotes: "It's not the daily increase but daily decrease. Hack away at the inessential." As they say, "Less is more." Get rid of clutter: junk and nonessential tasks. Stop playing games and surfing social media. Focus on what's important. Remove the Clutter Much of our "visual noise" is caused by stuff. Practice a three-part clutter rating system that will help you prevent and remove clutter: It's important now. Use it and then put it in its home (where it's supposed to be). It will be important. Put it in its home (where it's supposed to be). It's not important. Get rid of it: Toss it or if possible, consider donating it. Get Organized and Stay That Way Pick an organizational system, execute it, and stick to it. Your new system may feel foreign at first, but it will eventually form into a habit. If you slip or feel like you're ready to give up, recall the benefits of being organized and pick up where you left off. When necessary, make adjustments, but avoid switching to new organizational systems or you'll lose the benefits. Keep a One-Stop Weekly Calendar Whether it's a pocket calendar, wall calendar, smartphone app, etc. - keep ONE calendar. First, keep track of the usual calendar suspects: events, birthdays, and appointments. Second, use your weekly calendar to keep track of bills, plan menus, make appointments with yourself to write, etc. This will help prevent the scenario of sifting through bills, notes, and multiple calendars. Get Ready the Night Before Get it out of your head. Plan out your next day by listing quick notes about what you need to do and even lay out your clothes, pack your lunch, etc. to prevent those early morning rushes. Set Daily Goals and Rewards In the morning, take 5-10 minutes to look at the day ahead (reviewing and revising the list you prepared the night before, right?) and set goals. For each goal achieved, set a reward equal to the goal. Finished that 30-day project? Treat yourself by scheduling a 30-minute massage. Cleaned your email inbox? Indulge in 5 minutes of social media or the latest puzzle app. Do the Important Stuff First This is the ultimate "Procrastination Be Gone" formula: Pick 2-3 things you want to accomplish today and do them first. No "ifs," "ands," or "buts" - do it. Focus on What's in Front of You Of course, not all tasks require 100% focus, but for tasks like writing, never multitask. If you refocus your attention on another task, it can take more time to refocus on your original task. Don't do it. Stay focused. I Mean It: Stay Focused Turn off your phone and disconnect from the Internet during tasks, like writing, to focus. Don't drop what you're currently doing to address something you just thought of or remembered. If you think of something completely unrelated to what you're working on, jot down a few quick notes (a word or two to jog your memory will suffice). Keep up momentum: FOCUS. Execute Decisions Faster If you find yourself hemming and hawing over a decision, make a decision then and there. If the task has a lot hanging on the outcome, seek/ask for more information if you need it, but the key is: make a decision now. Delegate and Learn to Love It We can be greedy with our workloads. Drop the "if you want things done right, you have to do it yourself" mentality. If it can be done by someone else (more effectively) and it's not an important task, then delegate it. Just Say "No" Stop agreeing to take on things for which you don't have time. If you don't have time for it or it will take your focus away from other priorities, say no. HELP Is not a Dirty 4-Letter Word Ask for help (nicely). Sometimes a fresh set of eyes is all you need to get back on track, but be sure your plea is directed at the right person and is respectful of their own priorities. Time Activities We all can get swept away by television, social media, Internet browsing, repinning, article reading, and games. Allot yourself an amount of time for online activities and playing games. Set an alarm. When the time is up, stop the activity. Time Your Conversations and Meetings I'm not recommending that you "don't socialize" or be rude. I'm recommending that you don't allow conversations or meetings to completely disrupt your day. Allot yourself time. For "water cooler" talks, give yourself 5 minutes and keep them infrequent. For meetings, estimate how much time you'll need to address the needs of those involved, come prepared, and if there isn't already an agenda, propose talking points to squeeze more value out of the meeting. Call, Don't Text Text messaging is supposed to be quick and to the point - not long, drawn out conversations. For anything beyond a quick yes or no question, call. For example, call for emergencies and all of those "how are you" and "what 'cha doin'" questions. If it goes to voicemail, don't worry. Most people have access to visual voicemail anyway, so it will be like a text. Either way, trust that they will get the message. Turn Aimless Browsing Into Growth Opportunities Create an ongoing list of questions, curiosities, or things you've always wanted to find out more about. When you sit down to browse the Internet, start looking for answers. You might surprise yourself with what you find. Do Your Errands at the Same Time Schedule time to do errands and plan a route ahead of time to ensure you're not wasting time bouncing back and forth across town. Filter Your Email How much time do you waste in your inbox? Filter your email: Create rules for recurring emails that don't require an action to be archived in a particular folder. Set rigorous anti-spam settings to block unwanted email from reaching your inbox. Form a habit of touching an email once: If you open it, you have to address it (e.g., respond and file). On a related note: When you're at a checkout counter of a shop you don't frequent often and the clerk asks for your email address, politely decline. You can always like their Facebook page, follow their Twitter account, etc. to stay up-to-date with their announcements and promotions. Automate Responses If you find yourself replying with the same or nearly identical responses for clients, keep a template to quickly copy/paste the response and tweak it as necessary to personalize the message. Automate Bill Payments For any recurring bills that you have: AUTOMATE. Not only will this save you time, it may even save you money and raise your credit score if you're the forgetful type. Sort the Mail in Your Hand When you get your mail, don't let it sit in a moldering pile. Sort out the junk right away and then prioritize other items respectively (see weekly calendar). If possible, go green by electing not to receive the hard copy. Avoid Rush Hour Do you commute to work? Negotiate a work schedule to travel during non-traffic delayed times. You can easily turn a 30-minute, traffic-jammed commute into 15 minutes by getting ahead of the traffic or waiting it out. Keep a Running Shopping List Create a policy that for whoever squeezes the last bit of toothpaste out of the tube, kills the mustard bottle, etc., they are responsible to write it down on the shopping list (failure to adhere to this rule results in a penalty: additional chores or tasks on demand). In doing so, this will save time from taking inventory as well as keep your shopping trip quick - get into the store, grab what you need, and go (rather than meandering down aisles). Cook for Tomorrow Double the amount of what your cooking and refrigerate/freeze the leftovers. It may take you a small amount of time to double what you're already making, but it will save you much more time making your next meal by not having to start from scratch. Wash Dishes While You Cook Rather than letting it all stack up on the kitchen counter or in the sink (this personally grosses me out on levels I cannot describe), wash your dishes and utensils you have finished using while you're cooking. This turns that huge cleanup event at the end into a more manageable task. It also prevents food from drying and obnoxiously sticking to dishes. Spend Less Time on Laundry Presort laundry. This way, you don't have to dump all of your clothes on your bedroom or laundry room floor so you can pick out the whites, the delicate garments, etc. Once that particular presorted load of laundry is full, then you're ready to wash, dry, fold, and put it away. If you have kids old enough to participate, let them fold their stuff and put it away. Learn While You Workout Listen to news, podcasts, and audiobooks rather than music to keep up with trends in your niche, current events, books, and learning at large. Exercise More Effectively Exchange moderation for higher intensity. You can have a more effective and efficient workout by putting more effort into a 30-minute high-intensity workout than 90 minutes of low-to-medium effort. Check with your doctor for information on your target heart rate and what exercises may be right for you. Combine Activities Need to catch up with a friend, but you need to bake cookies for the kiddos' bake sale? Invite your friend over and you may find they have a great love for cookie decorating! Need to run, but you also have to take the dog for a walk? Run with the dog - he/she will love it. This will save you tons of time and can be fun in the process! Looking at this list, I realize that's a lot more time-saving tips than I set out to write (I initially was going to run a "Top 7" post) and there's so much more to share! What is your time-saving tip? Click here to let us know - we'd love to hear from you! To Your Article Writing Success & Passion! Penny, Managing Editor http://Blog.EzineArticles.com/ http://EzineArticles.com/ PS: If you're looking to dedicate even more time to your article writing, consider bringing in the ultimate time-saver: EzineArticles Article Templates! These easy-to-use PDFs will give you not only the ideas you need, but also the recommended structure for each article. Coupled together, these powerful tools will make your article writing quicker, easier, and better than ever before. Find out more! EzineArticles Member Endorsement "... the positive effects of passive income and name recognition is well worth the effort." Thanks so much for the great publicity. I was amazed at how many articles I already had written when I started digging out all my old notes and speeches. It just took a little reformatting, bringing up to date and filling in here and there to have them ready to send off to you. Even though we are swamped with projects, the positive effects of passive income and name recognition is well worth the effort. Keep up the good work. Judy H. Wright ArtichokePress.com EzineArticles Newsletter Information Join EzineArticles | Manage Your Subscription | EzineArticles RSS Feed | List Support Create Free Membership Account | Login For Members Only To Leave The EzineArticles Newsletter: leave-9444706-5233187.e085d87993250aab11f3e0c15f1c2785@lists.permissionbasedemail.com ISSN: 1525-7126 - Library Of Congress, Washington D.C. Postal address: EzineArticles.com, PO Box 12740 Green Bay WI 54307 USA © Copyright 1999-2013 EzineArticles.com. All Rights Reserved.

How to Find an Internet Marketing Mentor

Dear thomas,

How long have you been trying to make money on the Internet?

Are you satisfied with the results you're getting?

If you answered "Too long" and "Not enough" then you need to pay
close attention, because I just found the help that you need
for your business...

You can start making real profits with your own
Personal Internet Marketing Mentor.

Go to http://www.selfgrowth.com/solos/mentor.html

I'm not talking about some hyped up method, ineffective system,
or some silly eBook that promises the world, and leaves you
with nothing...

This is actually something that is proven to work for years now... and
if you run with it, I'm confident you'll finally make money online.

Click here now... Go...Go...Go!
http://www.selfgrowth.com/solos/mentor.html

Enjoy!

David Riklan
Editor - Self Improvement Newsletter
Founder - SelfGrowth.com

 

 

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Natural Health News: Your Secret Weapon Against Holiday Weight Gain

Natural Health Newsletter Your Guide to Health and Wellness   11/21/13 issue:   Your Secret Weapon Against Holiday Weight Gain Email for: killdragonhero@gmail.com Natural Health and Alternative Medicine Newsletter Issue #751, November 21-22, 2013 Publisher: David Riklan - http://www.naturalhealthweb.com ------------------------------------------------------------- *** Natural Health Tip of the Week *** ------------------------------------------------------------- For a healthier holiday, use canned applesauce or plum puree in your holiday cookie, cake and pie recipes as a healthier alternative to replace butter and oils.   ------------------------------------------------------------- *** Article of the Week: Your Secret Weapon to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain - By Lorraine Matthews-Antosiewicz *** ------------------------------------------------------------- I read an article in the NY Times recently about the number of calories people consume at their Thanksgiving meal. One source suggested 4,500! Can you imagine? I'm not so sure it's that much, but I am certain that people do overeat. I've heard many post-Thanksgiving confessions over the years. Still feeling stuffed, sluggish and guilty, my clients come in after Thanksgiving with their stories of overeating and weight gain; and thoughts of a New Year's resolution. With the New Year still weeks away, don't wait to take control of your eating and weight. I have a secret weapon to get you through the rest of the holiday season without another day of feeling stuffed and fat... ** To read the full article, go here.   ------------------------------------------------------------- *** Healthy Recipe: Spicy Cranberry Turkey Wrap *** ------------------------------------------------------------- Spice up your Thanksgiving leftovers by trying this deliciously healthy wrap. ** To read the full recipe, go here.

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[EzineArticles] NEW: Pin Your Articles on Pinterest

NEW: Pin Your Articles on Pinterest Exciting Update! You Can Now Pin Your Articles on Pinterest More Easily Than Ever Before You and your readers may have noticed a new addition to the social media sharing section of your articles: A brand new share this article on Pinterest button! When one of Pinterest's 70-million+ users selects this button, a fresh image that's unique to the top-level category of your niche is shared with their followers and the entire Pinterest social sphere at large. To see the variety of fresh images assigned to the 30 top-level EzineArticles categories, check out our Browse EzineArticles.com Board on Pinterest. Why Did We Make This Update? First and foremost, whether you're on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or LinkedIn, we want your articles to soar. On Pinterest, users do judge a book by its cover (the pinned image) and this presents a challenge for Expert Authors whose articles are text based. The share this article on Pinterest button helps your articles become more pin and repin worthy. The new image helps your "cover" become more appealing by achieving the following: The size of the image takes up more real estate on Pinterest than most Expert Author photos and Category images that were previously shared so your pin is more easily seen. The image is more relatable and engaging than the static EzineArticles' category image. You save time and money from having to create or purchase your own images to manually upload. It increases the likelihood of sharing because the image is more visually stimulating than most author photos (it was reported that brand images without faces receive 23% more repins than images with faces). Please note, these great benefits do not apply to the Pin on Pinterest button for browsers. In the first week since we first launched this button, we've seen an increase of +97.69% Pins (based on the daily average of pins from EzineArticles.com) and an increase of +165.48% Pinners (based on the daily average number of people who pinned from EzineArticles.com). These numbers continue to climb. Why Pinterest? Pinterest is a web-based "pinboard" that allows its users to browse and share interesting information via images and video. You can use Pinterest as a point-of-entry for your current audience and new users by pinning your articles published on EzineArticles.com to build trust and increase your exposure. It's important to remember that Pinterest is only 3 years old. Compared to Facebook, the current social media traffic referral leader that has 13 years on Pinterest, there's a lot of opportunity for growth in the growing Pinterest audience. According to Mashable.com, Pinterest has reportedly referred more traffic per user than Twitter, LinkedIn, and Reddit combined. This update will only help you as far as catching the attention of the user on Pinterest. It's up to you to maintain their attention once they have clicked-through to your link by providing quality, original content that's transparent, informative, and valuable to the user. So what are you waiting for? Let your audience know they can start pinning their favorite author's articles on Pinterest today! Questions? Comments? Click here to let us know - we'd love to hear from you! To Your Article Writing Success & Passion! Penny, Managing Editor http://Blog.EzineArticles.com/ http://EzineArticles.com/ PS: Need inspiration? Pick a card - any card! Get a fresh new idea for your next article, in fact at least 52 fresh ideas, with the EzineArticles Deck of Cards. Discover more at http://Shop.EzineArticles.com/DeckOfCards/ EzineArticles Member Endorsement "EzineArticles surely has worked for me." I really have supported my business with my ezine articles ... This has been a tremendous boost to branding of my name, my website, and my various projects. I am looked upon as an expert on aging, someone that writes about their subject. People get an idea of what you think, as well as what you can give to their organization or on an individual basis. EzineArticles surely has worked for me. Patricia Weaver PatriciaWeaver.net EzineArticles Newsletter Information Join EzineArticles | Manage Your Subscription | EzineArticles RSS Feed | List Support Create Free Membership Account | Login For Members Only To Leave The EzineArticles Newsletter: leave-9440105-5233187.e085d87993250aab11f3e0c15f1c2785@lists.permissionbasedemail.com ISSN: 1525-7126 - Library Of Congress, Washington D.C. Postal address: EzineArticles.com, PO Box 12740 Green Bay WI 54307 USA © Copyright 1999-2013 EzineArticles.com. All Rights Reserved.