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2am-confession-stand · 4 years

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An Idiot’s Guide to Among Us

so among us is still pretty popular, the fanbase is growing, and people are getting better at the game the more they play it. But you can always add to your book of tips and tricks on how to play this funky little game. Over probably a couple hundred games and many hours of play time I’ve learned some stuff that could be helpful in getting some wins and kills under your belt or just getting better at the game in general. This is my first game guide so be gentle!

This’ll be updated as i get more information and tricks on how to play

Feel free to throw other tips and tricks or suggestions on how to improve/add to this guide in my ask box!!!

Last Update: 6/7/21 Tip contributors: (additions marked with *) @/missfitz

Lobby and Beginning Game Rules

If you’re new to the game, try out freeplay on different maps to get the hang of the tasks and stuff

Be nice in the lobby! if you demand game rules to be changed you’re putting a target on your on back and you’ll either be kicked/banned or killed off first in the game Host your own game if you want specific rules!

Don't say ‘start’ It isn't your game and its pretty annoying. this can get you kicked from lobbies. The host could be waiting for someone, or afk for a sec.

Refrain from ‘blank’ names. this’ll get you singled out as a hacker more often than not.

Don't leave the game if you don't get imposter!!!! Its super annoying and makes the game unfair and way less fun for other people

DONT HACK!!! there's literally no point in hacking Among Us. theres no gain or rewards for winning. you’re being an asshole and killing the mood for other people who just wanna enjoy a round.

DONT SUS RANDOM PEOPLE!!! this is also annoying and you being an asshole

Don’t push the emergency button for no reason. there’s a 99% chance you’ll be voted off.

Someone standing still isnt sus! People have to check their maps!

If you’re on voice call, dont rat the imposter out, thats cheating.

Talk in the chat, especially after a body is found. Sometimes people get voted because they don��t say anything, especially towards the end.*

Being A Crewmate

Its a bad idea to go off on your own! especially in designated ‘high-kill’ areas!

Watch people do their visuals! and then hang out with them to stay safe!!!

Just because someone's following you doesn't mean they're sus! they could be trying to stay safe from the imposter

Always group your tasks and map out your path! your tasks are download data in Navigation, Fix Shields, Wires in storage, Card swipe in admin go to Nav first and then loop around, hitting your other tasks before going to admin to finish! given you probably have 2 more wires to do but its just an example! (skeld map example)

Save! Those! Visuals!! Never do those first and NEVER do them without someone around! they’re super helpful if someone tries to pin you as Suspicious!

Don't use the ol’ reliable phrase ‘if not them vote me’ unless you’re ABSOLUTELY sure that they're the imposter, because they’ll be voting you off next.

Keep an eye on people doing non-visuals too! if they walk away from the task point and the green bar at the top doesn't go up, they could be sus!

always make sure to check cams and admin! this could help you a lot

always have someone with you when doing downloads since most of them are near or over vents!

Keep track of where you’ve been and where you’re going to in case people question you!

absolutely do NOT vote for the first person people spout out without evidence. Its super annoying and makes the game less fun

Technically, you don’t have to fix the lights when they go out. But it can look sus if you’re not there. *

Your crewmates and friends from last round may not be your crewmates or friend this round. be careful. they may be an imposter.

try not to be the one who reports multiple bodies in a row.

Being an Imposter

Never kill with lots of people around! this will get you voted off.

Be strategic. Don't be the first to sus people directly, and don't be caught venting or near the bodies!

Use vents sparingly and strategically. Vent in but don't vent out is usually what works if you kill near a vent, hop in the vent and don't come out until you know its clear or someone finds the body. You have less of a chance of getting caught.

If your imposter partner is Sus’d, just vote them too. If you don't you’ll out yourself.

sabotage areas where there are less people, the counter might hit zero if no one gets there in time.

stack kills are risky. you still have the dash animation that could out you

don't sus someone who had people watch them do visuals

During voting go with the crowd. Vote for someone the others are voting for, you’ll put less Sus on yourself

self reporting is risky. use this tactic sparingly.

stick with your imposter partner most of the time so you can say you were with someone

defend until you cant and then go with the crowd. you can defend your partner until someone saw something or can speak against your lies

The Skeld

Visual Tasks in the skeld are:

Medbay Scan

Garbage

Shields

Asteroids

Connected vents are:

Lower Reactor vent <> Lower Engine

Upper Reactor vent <> Upper Engine

Medbay <> Security <> Electrical

Cafeteria <> Admin <> Navigation/Shields hallway

Upper Navigation vent <> Weapons

Lower Navigation vent <> Shields

High Kill Areas: (its recommended you stay with one or more others to stay safe at all times but especially when doing tasks in these areas)

Electrical

Admin

Communications

Reactor/Security

Medbay (at times)

Useful Tools:

Cams

Admin map

MIRA HQ

Visual Tasks in MIRA HQ are:

Medbay Scan

Connected vents are: All vents are connected.

High Kill Areas: (its recommended you stay with one or more others to stay safe at all times but especially when doing tasks in these areas)

Decontamination and Reactor

Balcony

Storage

Communications

Useful Tools: Doorlog in communications

TIPS:

go straight to medbay. dont even stop to do launchpad tasks. you can watch everyone scan and narrow down the sus list. its common for imposters to try and stack kill here

Polus

Visual Tasks in Polus are:

Asteroids

Medbay Scan

Connected vents are:

Electrical/Security < > O2 < > outside O2 and Electrical

upper electrical (outside) < > By drill (below right reactor)

Below Communications < > Storage < > Outside Office

Laboratory > Outside > Admin > Outside Admin

High Kill Areas: (its recommended you stay with one or more others to stay safe at all times but especially when doing tasks in these areas)

Communications

Decontamination

Specimen Room

Admin

Dropship, later game

Useful Tools:

Cams

Admin map

Vitals

TIPS:

Due to being an extremely spaced out map, every part of polus is considered a ‘high kill zone’ however most kills happen in the areas listed above

theres no important task to do first, its highly recommended to stay with a buddy on this map, loners can be very easily picked off

#among us #amongus #among us guide #amongus guide #game guide

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demonwriterx · 4 years

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Epithet Erased:A show centered around Kindness (and Barriers!)

*teleports behind you*

Epithet Erased was created by Branden Blaber, a guy known around Youtube by the name of JelloApocolypse He is known for his famous comedy sketch series of “This is basically...” where he takes a certain show, video game or social media and makes them into parodies, now he had created an original series called Epithet Erased, escluviely being premiered on VRV and on Youtube!

The summary of Epithet Erased will make anyone new to the series interested enough to check out the episodes.

Epithet Erased is set in the world of Sweet Jazz City, where a lucky few are born with powers attached to their very souls known as “Epithets”. An Epithet stems from a single word attached to a users soul that can grant them any kind of power. Words like “Fire,” “Coupon” or … “Soup”. A magical artifact known as the “Arsene Amulet” is rumored to be able to steal an epithet away from its user, and they say it’s hidden somewhere in the Sweet Jazz Museum. Thieves burst down the doors in the middle of the night! Inscribed warriors do battle in the dark of the abandoned exhibits! Dinosaur bones come toppling to the floor! And a little girl named Molly is trapped in the middle of it all. Will her epithet, “Dumb” be enough to save her? Or will her epithet be… erased?

I stumbled across Epithet Erased a little late to the party with three of the episodes already released on JelloApocolypse’s channel. Even being a subscriber, I never got around to it until I decided to sit down and watch the first episode. But now, I wished I would have seen it sooner because of how much I love Epithet Erased!

Epithet Erased is centered around the world of Epithets where certain people gain epithets, but only around one word. Many Epithet users have very powerful Epithets that they use for battle, protection, healing or even turning things into gold. But one main character, Molly, descibes her epithet as useless and “dumb” because it literally is her Epithet! Her Epithet is “dumb” which means that she can “dumb” down anything into literally nothing or just to negate attacks or special abilities. Epithets can also give people special passive abilities, one example is from Molly herself which she can make a bubble of silence around herself and others, as long as they are in the bubbles’ radius.

Epithet Erased has a unique narration style and animation. Their animation budget is small as it feels more like a motion comic without the speech bubbles, but don’t let sway your opinion of it as the voice cast, art style and storytelling carries the series into comedic satisfaction. The episodic series go through arcs and the first 4 episodes take place in a museum! Where characters fight over the mysterious arsenic amulet which can steal other people’s epithets and gives it to the user.

Epithet Erased also does a top down narration, where the audience is looking down on the characters as the characters are moving around as profile boxes. If I would describe it, it is similar to a DnD board, which I suspect Epithet Erased was inspired from and also known RPG mechanics as most users of epithets run on stamina and creativity.

Let’s introduce some characters and the face of the series, Molly.

Molly is 12 years old, and works in her family’s toy shop! (sometimes all on her own, because her father is worthless garbage...but let’s not get into that now) Molly has issues with her self-esteem which stems from the fact that she has to be the adult in her family since she cannot count on her father and sister. It all stems from the fact that the family fell apart from the death of her mother five years prior, ever since then, Molly has been the one to keep her family going. Molly wears a bear hoodie at all time because it was created by her mother. But even with problems at home, Molly is genueriely nice (and secretly savage, mostly savage....you’ll see). She cares about others, likes to talk to them, and understands what is going on in their point of view. She is struggling to be more assertive, but she is getting there!

Giovanni (one of my favorite characters so far!) is the leader of the Notorious BONZAI BLASTERS! A group of rapscallion and ruffians trying to make a name of themselves, consider them like team rocket from the Pokemon series. Giovanni is trying to be known in the criminal underworld, he has his devoted minions who follow him and express their undying love for him. Giovanni may act tough and jerky, but he is a secretly a giant softie. He cares about his minions and takes care of them. Giovanni can even knit! and crafted his own suit from scratch!

Sylvie is a 15 year old boy, who recently graduated college with a PHD in Psychology, his epithet is “Drowsy”, which means he can put people to sleep and make their nightmares a reality! He can even put himself to sleep and summon his alter ego! A raging bull with a Scottish accent! He is a bit pompous and thinks he knows more than anyone in a room. But he secretly wants to have friends, luckily Molly is there to be his friend! and he has a lot to learn.

Mera is an interesting character, with her epithet literally turning against her! I won’t say anything else because I don’t want to spoil anything else from the first arc and trust me! It will captivate you!

Indus is a big soft teddy bear and body guard of Mera, who he refers to as “lady Mera” which is very sweet. He does everything Mera tells him too, including cooking and doing laundry but he is kinda soft-headed (pretty dumb) think of him as Kronk and Mera as Ezma from Emperor’s new Groove.

But these two, these two right here, are my absolute favorite pair! (because I found myself shipping them, im not sorry) The guy on the left is Ramsey, who appears in ep 6 and 7. His epithet is Goldbricker, which he can turn anything and himself into solid gold. A con man at heart, constantly on the run from a bounty hunter finally finds relief when he becomes partnered with a law abiding officer, Percy.

Percy (right), is one of the top officers in her field. Her epithet is creating small buildings with magical abilities but her stamina is very low, if she makes too much or fights for too long, she can literally pass out and becomes defenseless. She is very direct, strong, serious and little innocent, (especially around Ramsey and his constant innuendos, which is very funny). She doesn’t really respond to his comments and his sarcastic jokes, one of which he says to her “your cop is showing” and she gets very embarrassed and says “oh, I’m sorry” so she take things very literally. These two remind me of Judy and Nick from Zootopia, and I also love the good cop, and criminal partnership trope.

Epithet Erased is an action-packed, comedic masterpiece centered around great narration, voice acting and wonderful characters. The show constant theme being kindness to others and most characters of the series are very nice people just trying to make it in a cruel world. It is heartwarming and very funny! I highly recommend everyone to give it and chance and check it out on VRV and on youtube, I will provide a link to the first episode below. I really want this show to succeed and gain a following of support as not a lot of people know about this show, and I would hate to see it end early! This type of show does not come around every often, it is like a secret prize hidden away and everyone deserves a prize! Epithet Erased is a masterpiece of animation, storytelling and character that is unlike any other!

Please check it out in the link below!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP4nS6ag1-E6TzlQvaWfiZg

#epithet erased #molly #giovanni #ramsey #goldbricker #percy #indus #jelloapocalypse #shipping #zootopia #nick #judy #review #youtube #show #animation #dnd #mera #sylvie #great show

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introvertguide · 6 years

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Jaws: The Great Movie with the Not so Great Legacy

Although Jaws (1975) was a fantastic film (I just finished it for the 5th time and I still think it is great), the follow up movies it has inspired over the last 40 years have not been that fantastic. I was terrified at the idea of sharks growing up because I have a somewhat irrational fear of dark water that has turned into a fascination with all the creatures that live in these depths. It’s a strange way of sublimating and I should probably get over my fear, I know, but chances are I will never be put into a deep water situation with sharks and I don’t even enjoy swimming or the ocean so I can watch stupid shark movies if I want! Wow. Sorry. I guess I have some deep issues that I am still working out. While I do that, here are some giant shark movies related to Jaws:

Jaws franchise: There were 3 other movies in the Jaws franchise after the original that focused on the fight between humans and a murderous great white shark. The second movie is truly one of the most boring things I have seen because it is like the same movie again minus the two most interesting characters of Hooper and Quint. Pass on that one. The 3rd one, Jaws 3-D, is set in a water park with Lea Thompson and Lou Gossett, Jr. and is hilariously bad. It has Dennis Quaid as the grown son from the first film and he is awful. The number of poor decisions based on nothing is great and the effects are pretty laughable. I personally would sit down and watch this film any time but I would never recommend it. The fourth movie, Jaws: The Revenge, brings back a lot of the actors and characters from the original movie, but none of the leads. Also, the killer shark in this film is somehow related to the sharks from the first two films and now targeting the Brody family for revenge. Pretty sure sharks don’t do that nor could they if they wanted to. Dumbest premise of all the Jaws movies and basically an insult to the first one. Pass for sure.

Animated ocean movies: These movies are the least similar to Jaws, but the sharks in movies like Finding Nemo and A Shark’s Tale are based on the great white shark attack style featured in Jaws. In fact, the great white in Finding Nemo is named Bruce in honor of the name given to the mechanical shark in Jaws. Finding Nemo has little to do with sharks and is an all around great movie while A Shark’s Tale is a ripoff and boring. Watch Nemo and skip the other.

Big budget ripoff movies: There were a lot of summer blockbuster shark movies in the last 40 years that attempted to capture the audience of Jaws, but none of the movies come even close in quality so they can only be judged by how entertainingly bad they were. The scariest is likely Open Water which is the story of a couple that gets left behind by accident during a group dive. An hour and a half of solitary ocean anxiety is way too much for me. HSPs stay far away from this one. On the funny side, some of the most ridiculous movies have been more recent since CG is always improving. 47 Meters Down and Meg fall in this category, although I can’t speak to them since I haven’t seen either (and I don’t plan to). My favorite in this category is the hilarious Deep Blue Sea which features both Samuel L. Jackson and LL Cool J. I don't want to give away the whole movie, but a character is immediately killed by a shark every single time that the group makes progress in escaping an underwater lab. So beautiful. I made my parents watch it and we laughed the whole time. Must see.

Sharknado...: I am not sure how this happened, but this series of low budget movies with D-list actors has become quite popular. There are currently five of these monstrosities and apparently a sixth and final one coming next year. All of them are absolutely terrible and meant to be made fun of. The movies are all self aware of how bad they are and the cast and crew are laughing all the way to the bank. Everyone is acting ironically and it is kind of funny for about 15 minutes but not for six movies. I would pass on the series unless you want something bad to watch with drunk friends (which I never do so total pass for me).

Shark hybrids: A company called The Asylum is known for pushing out horrible rip-offs called “mockbusters.” These films are made in the span of a couple of weeks and given titles similar to big box office movies and released to video/streaming services about a week before the film it is copying. This is an unethical way to trick people into accidentally purchasing or renting the wrong movie. The small amount of money made by accidental viewers pays the microbudget of the movie so the company keeps pumping them out. The public got wise to this scheme and became more careful about their purchases, so The Asylum started creating bad original content in the form of monster movies. This company is behind Sharknado, but there was about a decade when they were trying to cross sharks with other things to make a quick buck. Notables are Dinoshark, Mega Shark vs. Mecha Shark, and the great Sharktopus. My favorite by a long shot is Sharktopus because it features a CG shark with octopus legs that walks around beaches and chomps people. Hilarious.

What I am getting at is that Jaws was truly a great film with great suspense, superb direction, and phenomenal acting. Although some movies that have followed have been cute or funny, nothing has come close to the experience that was Jaws. I am highly introverted and don’t seem to really enjoy groups when screening a movie, especially a movie I want to pay attention to, so these rip-offs offer very little to me. I can see extroverts enjoying some of these bad shark movies as a background for a social gathering and even the basis of a drinking game if that is what you are into. However, if you want to see a shark movie that is legitimately great and worth your full attention, then watch Jaws and except no substitutes.

#Jaws #sharks #shark movies #sharknade #the asylum #jaws franchise #finding nemo #movie ripoffs #mockbuster #introvert #extrovert #social situations #bad movies

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kentonramsey · 4 years

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Turns Out, What You Wear to Work From Home Does Matter - 2 Psychologists Weigh In

I've taken Zoom calls while dressed only from the waist up and worked from home, on some days, without changing out of the pajamas I wore to bed the night before. I've talked to friends and coworkers who've done the same, begging the question that's been on our minds since the pandemic began and social distancing and stay-at-home advisories ensued: why bother getting dressed if we're not going anywhere?

The thing I keep coming back to is my innate love of fashion, but that's not an experience everyone shares. What may be a better indicator that there's something to swapping out our sweatpants is that it can actually impact our mood and productivity. To get some clarity, especially as we approach a fall sheltering-in-place and prolonged periods of living in our loungewear, we enlisted the experts. Ahead clinical psychologist Dr. Jordana Jacobs and Yunetta Smith of Spring Forth Counseling weighed in on how getting dressed really affects us.

How Does What We Wear Really Affect Our Mood?

"We all know that good old adage 'dress for success' . . . it's more than just a cliché. Research supports that the way we dress can in fact impact the way that we feel."

Ever throw on a dress you love when you're having a bad day and feel a shift in the right direction? As it turns out, there's some real evidence that points to dressing as a form of self-care. As Dr. Jacobs explains, "self-care can come in many different forms. It can range from making sure you get eight hours of sleep each night to putting together a cute outfit in the morning for your Zoom calls. Regardless of what form it takes for you, knowing that you are treating yourself well makes all the difference in your level of self-esteem. Self-esteem can be thought of as the bedrock for mood and productivity. When you have confidence, you not only feel better, but you often look better and perform better too."

As Yunetta reminds us, "we all know that good old adage 'dress for success'", but as she elaborated, "it's more than just a cliché. Research supports that the way we dress can in fact impact the way that we feel. The 'Enclothed Cognition Theory', coined by Hajo Adam and Adam D. Galinsky, supports that clothing can have an effect on the way we, think, feel, and function. Specifically influencing our attention, confidence, and ability to think outside of the box."

How Does Wearing the Same Thing Affect Our Mental State Over Time?

As we're approaching nearly half of the year spent largely at home, we have to wonder if not getting dressed for weeks and weeks on end will take its toll. Sure, it's fun for a few days to live in your pajamas, but what happens when we stop getting dressed for the office, events, or even, changing our clothes altogether? When we asked Dr. Jacobs, she referenced the importance of routine for our mental health and how COVID-19 has dramatically impacted that routine for so many of us: "For patients who have experienced the depressive effect of quarantine life, I highly recommend that they start by re-create a morning routine, which could include meditation, working out, showering, getting dressed, putting make up on, eating a healthy breakfast, etc. This type of routine making is part of a larger technique used to treat anxiety and depression called behavioral activation. It is important that we continue engaging in behaviors that increase our sense of achievement and control."

Yunetta echoed the sentiment, acknowledging that "Routine is vital. With so many things outside of our control, it is helpful to identify some things that you can control, such as what you decide to wear, your skincare routine, or what shade of lipstick you decide to apply. Having a routine can help us to create order in our private world and have a sense of normalcy in a very abnormal circumstance. I've found that over the past five months what I wear and how I prepare matters. I have noticed over the months that you are what you eat and you are also what you wear."

Is There Any Evidence That Wearing Certain Colors Has Mood-Boosting Effects?

A "pop of color" is a well-referenced styling trick in the fashion biz, but the appeal of a pretty hue isn't something you have to be a fashion enthusiast to appreciate. As Yunetta notes even her own choice to wear color has a noticeable effect on her clients, "My clients typically respond well to bright colors such as yellow, orange, or green and blue. Sometimes a pop of color found in a pair of earrings, scarf, or tie can do the trick. I think my clients appreciate the fact that I took the time to show up for them."

Dr. Jacobs points to color as another way to connect into what makes you comfortable - again, that notion of dressing as self-care. "Wear, whatever the color, [what] makes you feel most comfortable in your own skin. Perhaps you are someone who feels good in blue because it matches your eyes or black because it highlights the color of your hair. What is most important is dressing in a way that makes you feel even more you."

Could Changing Our Clothes Before and/or After Work Help Us Shift Gears Between Work and Life at Home?

"When we leave work, we metaphorically say we have to 'switch hats,' but when you begin working in the same space you are living, it may be effective to take this suggestion even more literally."

If you've been taking work calls at the kitchen table, where you also eat breakfast and prep dinner, you may be feeling a real lack of work-life separation - and balance. You're not alone. "Since this pandemic hit, our homes have literally become our office, our children's school, our restaurants, our movie theaters, our gyms, and our churches just to name a few." notes Yunetta, "It's no wonder that we are a bit stir crazy." But there is something we can do about it, she says: "Creating boundaries can help provide a sense of separation in your day. As one event ends, we can mentally prepare ourselves for the transition. Be creative in designating spaces for work, rest, and fun. Your body will become accustomed to this over time and it may be easier to shift into work mode, rest mode, and play mode. Changing clothes can aid with this as well. Having lounge clothing on after work or active wear when playing or exercising can help you get in the right frame of mind."

"When we leave work, we metaphorically say we have to 'switch hats,' but when you begin working in the same space you are living, it may be effective to take this suggestion even more literally," Dr. Jacobs suggests. "Switching outfits, turning on different music, changing the scent of your home with candles or incense, can all help create the much needed differentiation between work and life. This process allows us to more readily disengage from work and re-create the work-life balance we may have lost." While it may not come as naturally, the experts will tell you carving out those boundaries and creating change - clothing, or otherwise - to break up the day are going to be important to your well-being.

Turns Out, What You Wear to Work From Home Does Matter - 2 Psychologists Weigh In published first on https://mariakistler.tumblr.com/

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thesimplyluxuriouslife · 4 years

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278: 14 Ways to Create a Happy Home

At the core of a happy home is a home that works for those individuals the four walls surround and keep sheltered and safe. Once the essentials are in place - a roof over our heads, walls to keep us warm/cool, then it is the inhabitants' responsibility to cultivate a sanctuary in which each person feels they belong and loved for being their true selves or having the space to understand who they are as they grow and evolve. Whether you share your home or not, both require clarity and willingness to be honest about the needs to live your best life and if you live with others to enable them to do the same without short-changing yourself or compromising too much.

If these steps sound familiar, you are right. Maslow's Hierarchy of needs builds on top of each of the necessities shared above. First we must have our phyiological needs met, then a feeling of safety before we can find belonging and feel and recognize love. Following the third step, once we have a home to feel free to just be, our stress levels drop, our health improves and strengthens and we find we think more clearly and thus make better decisions which leads to the opportunity to strive and try new things giving a boost to our confidence along our journey which builds the fourth tier - our self-esteem opening the pathway for us to have the choice to become self-actualized, the fifth and final tier.

Interior designer and author Rebecca West's new book Happy Starts at Home, which was just released in the states last month, takes the approach to decor that it is far more than the aesthetics, but rather thoughtful decor decisions that marry function with and supporting each person reach their goals which includes feeling welcomed and at peace in the present.

"The truth is your home can directly improve your well-being and contentment. It can help decreease your stress level and increase your happiness." —Rebecca West

What I was drawn to with West's book is her underlying definition of happiness is contentment which is something we talk about often here on TSLL. Contentment is something that has the capability of being steady day-in and day-out regardless of the events of our days - good, bad or just blah. In fact, when you are content, you rarely have blah days at all and when you do have bad days, you can confidently move through them and the good days are elevated even higher. How awesome is that!

While we must build contentment within ourselves, our homes play a critical part in supporting this contented state of going about our lives. And in even better news, our home decor need not break our budget. Just as it takes time to get to know ourselves, depending upon where we are in our life journey when we begin to cultivate our sanctuary, it will take time to understand how we live well, and what is needed to enable our best life to be enjoyed everyday.

Today I'd like to share with you the takeaways from Rebecca West's book that caught my attention as I am in the middle of customizing my home and making sure it works for me.

1.Understand "who" your home is and who it can be for you

As I mentioned in this post (#3), I have named my home, and I highly recommend you do as well. I think of how Paul and Julia Child named their home in Provence Le Pitchoune (translated The Little One), aka La Peetch. Naming our homes gives them a character, reminds of what our home means to us and signifies our appreciation and perhaps our vow to care for it as we are aware of how it cares for us.

If your home is not reflecting its full potential, not living up to its name so-to-speak, then let such a realization be motivation to give the home the care it needs to be the "who" you know it can be and need it to be as well.

2. Be clear about how your home needs to support your lifestyle

Begin with the more abstract concept such as supportive, strengthening, joyful and then examine how your home can enable you to feel these feelings. If your home is not supporting those feelings, examine closely why it isn't and go about creating the change you need.

3. Understand the priorities of your home

In other words, what lifestyle do you not only sincerely have to live, but also want to live? How can your home facilitate your needs and support you on your journey toward your goals? Do you need your own office space and right now only write on the kitchen table? Do you need more light, less light, lighter fabrics in hue and/or weight? Do you need furniture that is comfortable that asks you to relax and unwind? Is your kitchen organized and functional so you can easily step into it and make what you need easily?

Let's back step just a bit first because our answers to the above questions come after we know who we are and where we want to go and what are priorities are. Once we know the answers to these essential questions, the questions regarding our home, are far easier.

4. Make a habit of editing what comes into your home

As I have shared in previous posts, having a mood board is helpful to clarify and direct your purchases and decor aesthetic decisions. A mood board will also help when it comes to know what you need and what would work best in your home and being able to say no to otherwise beautiful items that would have found their way into your home, but they just are not needed or fit well.

Once you have decorated your home to support your contented life, become ardent about your shopping excursions, gifts that are received and get into a regular habit of letting go, consigning, selling for resale at used books/furniture shops what no longer serves you. You "have a say in what surrounds you", and when you feel as though you are the director of your home and decor, you can feel more confident in your life decisions as well because your home doesn't become overwhelmed and remains true to its purpose.

5. Examine the fear you have when it comes to letting stuff go

West examines the emotional attachment we have with material items well, as it often is a fear that we will not be able to fill the hole it may feel it is leaving. However, she argues that in fact, it is opening up space for something more in alignment with who we are and are becoming.

"When you take a leap and start letting things go from your home, you'll open the door to trust and opportunity."

6. Keep what brings you joy

However, make sure you are not keeping what brings you joy in a box tucked away in the garage. In other words, if you are not honoring it, if you are not letting it bring you joy in your daily life, does it really bring you joy, or are you just afraid to let it go? A self-examination, an honest self-examination, will help you answer this question.

7. Extend gratitude to your home

Whether you rent or own, your house is your dream house or not, extend gratitude to it for the good that it provides - at the very least, shelter and safety. One of the joys and things I am extremely grateful for in my home is that my key turns in the front door without snagging. As well, with an attached garage, my dogs are safer as we can move from the car to the house without having to worry about them seeing something to chase or say hello to. These simple changes are things I am grateful for each day I turn the lock in my door and cross the threshold.

It may sound silly to say thank you to our homes, but the expression of gratitude is a destressor and a good habit of looking for all that is going well in our lives no matter what the day might have brought us.

8. Understand that a well-decorated home that works for you will help you change your life

West cautions that if you have the determination to change your life, but you are not changing your home to support you, that may be an obstacle you are ignoring and should address. Why? From the simple reorganization and editing of your kitchen and pantry to support your new eating habit, your home can sabotage or support the new habits you are trying to welcome into your daily routine. More generally speaking if you get rid of the reminders of the bad habits you do not want, your home will most certainly better support you as it is with you each day.

9. Address the simple daily stressors

From a handle that is loose to a dishwasher that does not run properly or is not large enough for your needs, from small to large, tend to them immediately or as swiftly as your budget allows as you will be amazed how your stress levels will drop when you are not tripping over these items you know you need to tend to but continue to put off again and again.

An example from my own life, the dishwasher that came with my house had two racks and was too small for all of the cooking I do. Often I would have to run it twice to wash all of my dishes (yes, I know I could have hand-washed them, and sometimes I did, which is my point also - I wanted to save time!). So when my dishwasher unexpected broke down on my late last year, I took advantage of the first of the year sales in January to purchase a dishwasher that had the racks I needed and boy, what a significiant difference to my time allotted for washing dishes and daily stress.

10. Edit your bedroom to included nothing that isn't related to sleep or intimacy

Keep only reading materials that help you relax and fall asleep (no work items). Add elements such as softer lighting, candles, and a vase for your weekly flowers. Focus on what calms you down and eliminate anything that rachets you up.

11. Create a home you are proud to call your home

When you wake up in the morning, you should feel a sense of calm as you are expected to be nobody but exactly who you are. When you leave your home, it should give you a confident boost to enjoy the day to the best of the events' abilities. Upon feeling such ease in your home, you will become more confident to invite people over and build the social life you would like to have.

12. Be thoughtful with lighting

Consider where you need lighting and where you want people to relax and feel their best. In other words, nobody wants an overhead light shining down on them in the living room as they conversation casually. Nobody looks great under these lights and it is just too shocking. Keep the kitchen well lit, but use table and floor lamps instead in more relaxed settings. Welcoming in as much natural light as possible as this too will elevate your mood.

13. Find ease with your relationship status, whatever it is

A home that reflects where you are in your life right now is a home that allows you to feel settled and thus more calm.

"Once your home reflects you, you'll start to feel a lot more settled about being on your own."

I share the quote above because I think sometimes we decorate for the life we want, not for the life we have. When we choose to honor where we are, we are being present and enjoying all that life is giving us even if we cannot see all of the awesomeness. As someone who has lived alone most of my life, when I first began doing so, it took time to become comfortable with my own company; however, now, you could not convince me to live any other way. When we embrace we learn what we truly need to live well outside of another person or society's expectations. When we let others who we are living with express what they need and we then express what we need, we get to know each other better on a far more intimate level. But the key is to set aside expectations of something either beyond our control or that we think should be happening next.

14. Let your home customization be the medicine to finding your ease of living

If you have ever felt your life is not where you want it - your job, your relationships, the country, etc., start at home and change what you can to make yourself happier. Take the weekend and paint that room you've been meaning to paint. Vow that you will wallpaper the office so that your work space reflects who you are and you enjoy stepping across that threshold each day even if you do have a home office and do not have to travel that far.

West suggests if you are having trouble changing your thoughts and perhaps feel overwhelmed and not settled with life, start at home and change something aesthetically that makes your home work better for you.

There are times when my mind races and sometimes not in the direction I want it to and one thing I had not been doing four years ago was tending to my decorating as it was a rental. However, after living in my rental for two years, I realized, why aren't you doing something? So I did. I updated the blinds in the office and kitchen, two places I found myself frequently and wanted a beautiful frame to look out and see Mother Nature, I purchased a secondhand pedestal dining table, one I had been putting off until I bought my next house, and I framed photographs I had taken on my travels to France and England and enlarged them to be the artwork in the living room. Once I began making my home reflect who I was, the quality gradually lifted as well and I reveled in being at my home even more. In two short years of doing this, I did eventually find the home I wanted to buy, but even though the blinds cannot come with me, I felt as though I gave that rental some love, and don't regret it for a moment.

I could go on and one about the takeaways in Happy Starts at Home. It is a decor resource but also so much more as readers will come to understand the psychological power of our homes when we recognize it for what it can do to improve the quality of our life.

Currently as I type, it has begun to snow in droves after just an hour ago being a bright sunshine of a day. And I am smiling and saying thank you because I have a home that enables me to see outside far more easily and savor the changing of the weather while relaxing in my armchair while Norman snores away on the ottoman. These are the moments that I wanted to cultivate more of, and you can too. Whatever it is that makes your life sing, examine how you can bring it into your home so that it is part of your everyday. Your contentment will rise as a result.

The changes can be grand, but they need not be, they just need to be intentional and in alignment with what you need to work best for you and the life you want to live.

Enjoy examining your life and how your home is supporting the life you want to live. If it isn't exactly where you'd like it to be, enjoy the journey of figuring out what you need. Because although it will take time, when the right items cross your path or the right ideas cross your path or you all of a sudden discover what would work the best, you will be all the more grateful they made it into your life.

Petit Plaisir:

Le Blanc Linen Wash

~If you live in Bend, Studio Vero sells this line of detergent and the laundry sachets as well.

Ginger and Almond Bars (gluten-free)

~click here for the recipe

~as first enjoyed in Provence at Patricia Wells' cooking school~

Tune in to the latest episode of The Simple Sophisticate podcast

#tsllpodcast thesimplesophisticate

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thedivinefish · 5 years

Text

TGIWednesday and my gift to you plus it's bogo time!

TGIWednesday News

Are you weary of all the advertising already?... Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Local Business Saturday, Giving Tuesday ... well guess what, we're going to top them all with... wait for it ... "The 12 Days of BOGO!" But first... remember during this time of year to make time for you to relax a little bit, maybe a massage or day trip or walk in the park. You MUST take better care of you. As I age, self-care becomes more important. Are you make you a priority? If you’re reading this You are the gift that keeps on giving and being and co-creating. We have chosen to take the road less traveled, often filled with as much wonder as adversity - know that you can be the gift to and for others and by so doing you’re giving yourself a wonderful gift in the process of being loving and kind, grounded and calm and contributing to others.

And that is also what "The 12 Days of BOGO" is here to support - for YOU to get the boost you need to be your best! For the next 12 Days - December 4th-15th, ALL clearing audios in the shop are now "Buy One, Get One" FREE. You simply place 2 audio items in your cart per transaction and you'll get $57 off your order automatically at checkout (no code needed). NOTE: I only do this ONCE PER YEAR so go wild!

SHOP BOGO AUDIOS HERE!

For those who aren't familiar, here's the list of the MyBeliefWorks™ audio library.

Find a topic that addresses your issue(s), click on the link to read more. We had a lot of help downloading & channeling these over the years & they keep getting better. Don't forget... you can share these with you immediate friends and family.

Abundance Abuse Addiction Body Scan: Head to Toe Daily GPS Reset Dark Energies/Fears Decision Making Diet & Exercise Education & Learning Family & Relatives The Gold Coin Healing Physical Body Healing Mental Stress Holiday Stress

Increasing Intuition IRS & Tax Time Love & Romance Money Mindset Moving Forward Pain Relief Pet Healing Sales & Success Improving Sex Improving Sleep Traveling w/Ease Work & Career Weight Loss Youth & Vitality

New Live MySwitchWorks Call Next Wed.

ANOTHER BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! In one week I will be hosting a Live 30-minute Zoom call all about Turning on Your Abundance Switches. If you bought the Special Offer from Darius/You Wealth Revolution go check your inbox from yesterday because you have a special link to access this call for free. And today we are also opening this Live Call up to EVERYONE. Join me Wednesday December 11th at 8pm EST | 5pm PST TURNING ON YOUR ABUNDANCE SWITCHES Register now for only $22 (replay recording included)

Creating your ability to be safe and comfortable with it all

Bringing the ethereal rain of abundance and prosperity

Allowing abundance and prosperity

Being immersed in and fully present with abundance and prosperity

Realizing that abundance and prosperity is our birthright and that things can and will change

Creating a reference point for abundance and prosperity to allow us to expand to that place and if someone else did it, YOU can too

We are going to release past mistakes, stay out of worry about the future and allow for right now to be grounding and moving forward

This call is different from the audio mp3s as they are super-charged live clearings to create the foundation for your ability to allow abundance and prosperity. We'll work on turning On and Off your Switches and creating reference points - it will be fun AND you can send me a BRIEF email with a specific abundance related issue YOU want addressed. This is a paid call including replay JUST $22 Register Here: https://calendly.com/jmh-calls/abundance-switches

TGIWednesday Download

MY GIFT TO YOU!

~ CONNECTING TO HIGHER SELF ~ (Press play to watch and listen as I fish this for you) My higher self switch is turned on. I believe, think, know and feel that my connection to my higher self is switched on now. I am ready, willing and able to pause and in the silence allow spirit to show me the simpler way. I know, when, where, how and why to co-create with my higher self, in balance with my thinking, and heart resonance.I am doing so now with grace and ease in all languages and throughout all time lines and so it is.

From the Fish Box

"Working with Jimmy has resulted in numerous miracles for my family. Together we have saved our family farm after the negative legacy of the GFC threatened us and almost brought me to breakdown personally. We’ve negotiated legal issues, banks, real estates, relationships....you name it.....I feel I’ve been hit with the lot.....but by fishing them together we truly have worked miracles! Even my lawyer cannot believe the outcomes achieved. He said he’s never seen anyone beat the odds the way I have. "For me the real game changer was the decision last year to sign up for the monthly My Daily Prayer service you now offer. It was like fine tuning my connection to Spirit through you. Each month I’ve been able to tackle the most pressing issues in detail, and as we headed for the last hurdle of refinancing the farm with some historical credit issues that once again put the odds against us, the Daily Prayer Service has come through again! "I’m learning to trust that process knowing things will work out with grace and ease....perhaps not the way I expected, but with better results. Life in general has been smoother since starting the MDP service and that’s a fact. Relationships within the family are the best they’ve ever been, and everyone is thriving. I can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel ....... you have no idea how comforting that is after all we have been through! Thank you for the blessings your work has brought to my family." - Erica B./ Australia

Receive 24/7 Prayers from Jimmy

You will send me a list of the members of your immediate household, and yes even pets, and I will add them to my daily prayers. I will arise daily before you are even awake to start my prayers and also run my intelligent computer software 24/7 deleting the negative and increasing the strength of the positive creating a higher probability of outcomes for you and the family. Each comes with a one-time email analysis print out via the intelligent healing software that I use on your behalf. Most clients have had amazing results and outcomes and I get emails of thanks each and every week!

I will dial into you daily in the wee hours and make certain that you are a CLEAR YES, UNCLEAR to NO and RUNNING FORWARD before you start your day.

Choose 7 days @$33 Choose 14 days @$66 Choose 30 days @$99

FREE Weekly LIVE Healings and Messages

EVERY TUESDAY at 9pm EST - JIMMY MACK HEALING SHOW

** NEW CALL NUMBER, NEW LINK ** CALL (206) 806-9965 https://www.freeconferencecall.com/wall/goldylocksproductions

Click Here for Last Week's Show and a full archive of past guests & replays. UPCOMING GUESTS:

Yesterday's Guest Joanne Psychic Leo Numerology, Astrology, Angel Cards and soul readings from the heart https://psychicjoanneleo.com/

December 10th Janet The Psychic https://bluefeather.net/

December 17th - Rev Debbie Dienstbier our resident trans medium specializing in communications with your loved ones in spirit. Visit Facebook page. No show on December 24th or 31st

The Jimmy Mack Healing Show will have a BRAND NEW call in number & online listening link starting on November 5th. Shows will still be LIVE on Tuesday Nights at 9pm EDT w/replays If you want to Listen in only, go to this website: https://www.freeconferencecall.com/wall/goldylocksproductions OR If you want to call in & ask a question CALL (206) 806-9965 No need to press #1, just dial in and you'll be in the queue. If the Call in Number above doesn’t seem to work, please use this back up Call in Number: (425) 535-9149 when prompted, enter 206.806.9965 followed by # International Callers, click the link below for the International call in list for your country. If you're using the Free Conference Call App, it automatically re-routes the best call In number for you. Please unblock your phone number if you wish to speak with Jimmy and or his guest host. Blocked, Restricted and Private Callers are not brought on air.

Sessions at the Tampa Office

SEE ME AT KODAWARI YOGA STUDIOS TAMPA

I'm scheduling 15 and 30 minute appointments at Kodawari Yoga Studios from 10am-2pm EVERY FRIDAY. UPCOMING DATES

December 13th December 20th January 10th Call Kodawari's front desk directly to schedule (813) 773-4017 and pay at the concierge desk... 15 minutes 38$ or 30 minutes 68$. 3965 Henderson Blvd Suite C Tampa (813) 773-4017 http://www.kodawariyoga.com/

**Can't See The Full Email? Click Here to View Online**

Go deep sea "fishing" with Jimmy!

Level 1 is open to ANYONE at anytime! All Mastery Students: Check your email & Login to view all the newly upgraded content including new books and audios!

"Jimmy's My Liquid Fish Change Made Simple program is AMAZING!!! He gives you not only videos so you can see the changes within people, but also the books he's written as well! On top of that he's provided all the links and visuals you need so ANY type of learner can do it!! I appreciated having it to download in a PDF so I can go back to it any time, plus the books and ACTUAL healing sessions so you see, know and understand the whole process even better!!Highly recommend to ANYONE looking to change and make not only their life... but everyone's around them better as well!!" - E.J. / Florida

The Certificate of Mastery Program includes 2 best-selling ebooks and 2 clearing audios plus written & video instructions, AND one-on-one time with Jimmy ALL for about the cost of a single 1-hr session! This online course is for anyone who is familiar with OR new to "fishing" and is ready to dive into the deep end & get results that are beyond the ordinary! It includes The Tackle Box & The Dowser's Handbook ebooks PLUS 2 MP3s "Clearing Dark Energies" & "Increasing Your Intuition" to help clear, strengthen and prepare your energy field for optimal “fishing” results. This is a work-at-your-own-pace curriculum that will TEACH & CLEAR you at the same time! In under 2wks you will be finished with the program and ready to fish on your own with greater results! Level II offers Practitioner Certification for those who qualify.

LEARN MORE HERE

Fish Food

The Daily Bread To Feed The Fish

Tell The Fish: 365 Daily Inspirations & Affirmations

DECEMBER 4th "Today I will prioritize and methodically go through my list making things better. I will dive into what needs to be done today without over worrying about tomorrow. I will persist until I succeed and above all, today I will be thankful for all my many blessings."

TGIFunny

Forward

Jimmy Mack | Appointments Skype: Jimmy.Mack55 Clearwater Florida USA Book a 15 minute session Book a 30 minute session Book a 60 minute session Transformational Healing of Body, Mind & Spirit, People, Places, Pets & Situations! Download the My Liquid Fish® Starter Kit (*Updated May 2019) Audio MP3 Downloads and books to improve your life! Get Certified in My Liquid Fish® Change Made Simple® Watch Free Videos on YouTube Weekly Radio Show Archives Shop for Supplements http://www.jimmymackhealingshop.com www.jimmymackhealing.com Copyright ©1998-2019 All Rights Reserved

-------------------------------------------------- TGIW newsletter managed by: Sandy Bidinger Digital Marketing Specialist at SMBeConnected Solutions www.smbeconnected.com

Stay connected!

Our mailing address is: Clearwater Florida 33756 USA

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divinefishingtips · 5 years

Text

TGIWednesday and my gift to you plus it's bogo time!

TGIWednesday News

SHOP BOGO AUDIOS HERE!

For those who aren't familiar, here's the list of the MyBeliefWorks™ audio library.

New Live MySwitchWorks Call Next Wed.

Creating your ability to be safe and comfortable with it all

Bringing the ethereal rain of abundance and prosperity

Allowing abundance and prosperity

Being immersed in and fully present with abundance and prosperity

Realizing that abundance and prosperity is our birthright and that things can and will change

Creating a reference point for abundance and prosperity to allow us to expand to that place and if someone else did it, YOU can too

We are going to release past mistakes, stay out of worry about the future and allow for right now to be grounding and moving forward

TGIWednesday Download

MY GIFT TO YOU!

From the Fish Box

Receive 24/7 Prayers from Jimmy

I will dial into you daily in the wee hours and make certain that you are a CLEAR YES, UNCLEAR to NO and RUNNING FORWARD before you start your day.

Choose 7 days @$33 Choose 14 days @$66 Choose 30 days @$99

FREE Weekly LIVE Healings and Messages

EVERY TUESDAY at 9pm EST - JIMMY MACK HEALING SHOW

** NEW CALL NUMBER, NEW LINK ** CALL (206) 806-9965 https://www.freeconferencecall.com/wall/goldylocksproductions

Click Here for Last Week's Show and a full archive of past guests & replays. UPCOMING GUESTS:

Yesterday's Guest Joanne Psychic Leo Numerology, Astrology, Angel Cards and soul readings from the heart https://psychicjoanneleo.com/

December 10th Janet The Psychic https://bluefeather.net/

December 17th - Rev Debbie Dienstbier our resident trans medium specializing in communications with your loved ones in spirit. Visit Facebook page. No show on December 24th or 31st

Sessions at the Tampa Office

SEE ME AT KODAWARI YOGA STUDIOS TAMPA

I'm scheduling 15 and 30 minute appointments at Kodawari Yoga Studios from 10am-2pm EVERY FRIDAY. UPCOMING DATES

**Can't See The Full Email? Click Here to View Online**

Go deep sea "fishing" with Jimmy!

Level 1 is open to ANYONE at anytime! All Mastery Students: Check your email & Login to view all the newly upgraded content including new books and audios!

LEARN MORE HERE

Fish Food

The Daily Bread To Feed The Fish

Tell The Fish: 365 Daily Inspirations & Affirmations

TGIFunny

Forward

-------------------------------------------------- TGIW newsletter managed by: Sandy Bidinger Digital Marketing Specialist at SMBeConnected Solutions www.smbeconnected.com

Stay connected!

Our mailing address is: Clearwater Florida 33756 USA

0 notes

365dailyaffirmations · 5 years

Text

TGIWednesday and my gift to you plus it's bogo time!

TGIWednesday News

SHOP BOGO AUDIOS HERE!

For those who aren't familiar, here's the list of the MyBeliefWorks™ audio library.

New Live MySwitchWorks Call Next Wed.

Creating your ability to be safe and comfortable with it all

Bringing the ethereal rain of abundance and prosperity

Allowing abundance and prosperity

Being immersed in and fully present with abundance and prosperity

Realizing that abundance and prosperity is our birthright and that things can and will change

Creating a reference point for abundance and prosperity to allow us to expand to that place and if someone else did it, YOU can too

We are going to release past mistakes, stay out of worry about the future and allow for right now to be grounding and moving forward

TGIWednesday Download

MY GIFT TO YOU!

From the Fish Box

Receive 24/7 Prayers from Jimmy

I will dial into you daily in the wee hours and make certain that you are a CLEAR YES, UNCLEAR to NO and RUNNING FORWARD before you start your day.

Choose 7 days @$33 Choose 14 days @$66 Choose 30 days @$99

FREE Weekly LIVE Healings and Messages

EVERY TUESDAY at 9pm EST - JIMMY MACK HEALING SHOW

** NEW CALL NUMBER, NEW LINK ** CALL (206) 806-9965 https://www.freeconferencecall.com/wall/goldylocksproductions

Click Here for Last Week's Show and a full archive of past guests & replays. UPCOMING GUESTS:

Yesterday's Guest Joanne Psychic Leo Numerology, Astrology, Angel Cards and soul readings from the heart https://psychicjoanneleo.com/

December 10th Janet The Psychic https://bluefeather.net/

December 17th - Rev Debbie Dienstbier our resident trans medium specializing in communications with your loved ones in spirit. Visit Facebook page. No show on December 24th or 31st

Sessions at the Tampa Office

SEE ME AT KODAWARI YOGA STUDIOS TAMPA

I'm scheduling 15 and 30 minute appointments at Kodawari Yoga Studios from 10am-2pm EVERY FRIDAY. UPCOMING DATES

**Can't See The Full Email? Click Here to View Online**

Go deep sea "fishing" with Jimmy!

Level 1 is open to ANYONE at anytime! All Mastery Students: Check your email & Login to view all the newly upgraded content including new books and audios!

LEARN MORE HERE

Fish Food

The Daily Bread To Feed The Fish

Tell The Fish: 365 Daily Inspirations & Affirmations

TGIFunny

Forward

-------------------------------------------------- TGIW newsletter managed by: Sandy Bidinger Digital Marketing Specialist at SMBeConnected Solutions www.smbeconnected.com

Stay connected!

Our mailing address is: Clearwater Florida 33756 USA

0 notes

advancedthetapractitioner · 5 years

Text

TGIWednesday and my gift to you plus it's bogo time!

TGIWednesday News

SHOP BOGO AUDIOS HERE!

For those who aren't familiar, here's the list of the MyBeliefWorks™ audio library.

New Live MySwitchWorks Call Next Wed.

Creating your ability to be safe and comfortable with it all

Bringing the ethereal rain of abundance and prosperity

Allowing abundance and prosperity

Being immersed in and fully present with abundance and prosperity

Realizing that abundance and prosperity is our birthright and that things can and will change

Creating a reference point for abundance and prosperity to allow us to expand to that place and if someone else did it, YOU can too

We are going to release past mistakes, stay out of worry about the future and allow for right now to be grounding and moving forward

TGIWednesday Download

MY GIFT TO YOU!

From the Fish Box

Receive 24/7 Prayers from Jimmy

I will dial into you daily in the wee hours and make certain that you are a CLEAR YES, UNCLEAR to NO and RUNNING FORWARD before you start your day.

Choose 7 days @$33 Choose 14 days @$66 Choose 30 days @$99

FREE Weekly LIVE Healings and Messages

EVERY TUESDAY at 9pm EST - JIMMY MACK HEALING SHOW

** NEW CALL NUMBER, NEW LINK ** CALL (206) 806-9965 https://www.freeconferencecall.com/wall/goldylocksproductions

Click Here for Last Week's Show and a full archive of past guests & replays. UPCOMING GUESTS:

Yesterday's Guest Joanne Psychic Leo Numerology, Astrology, Angel Cards and soul readings from the heart https://psychicjoanneleo.com/

December 10th Janet The Psychic https://bluefeather.net/

December 17th - Rev Debbie Dienstbier our resident trans medium specializing in communications with your loved ones in spirit. Visit Facebook page. No show on December 24th or 31st

Sessions at the Tampa Office

SEE ME AT KODAWARI YOGA STUDIOS TAMPA

I'm scheduling 15 and 30 minute appointments at Kodawari Yoga Studios from 10am-2pm EVERY FRIDAY. UPCOMING DATES

**Can't See The Full Email? Click Here to View Online**

Go deep sea "fishing" with Jimmy!

Level 1 is open to ANYONE at anytime! All Mastery Students: Check your email & Login to view all the newly upgraded content including new books and audios!

LEARN MORE HERE

Fish Food

The Daily Bread To Feed The Fish

Tell The Fish: 365 Daily Inspirations & Affirmations

TGIFunny

Forward

-------------------------------------------------- TGIW newsletter managed by: Sandy Bidinger Digital Marketing Specialist at SMBeConnected Solutions www.smbeconnected.com

Stay connected!

Our mailing address is: Clearwater Florida 33756 USA

0 notes

nganno58-blog · 5 years

Text

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idiopathicsmile · 7 years

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How do you get people to read your fabrics? I've written a few and I get no response. I would assume it's just that my writing sucks, but the stats show I've gotten almost no hits. Any advice?

man, this is a hard question for me to answer, anon, and i’m gonna open by apologizing because i don’t totally know how helpful any of this is gonna be to you.

first, the honest truth is that i don’t entirely know why people read my fics (i assume you meant “fics” and not “fabrics” bc this feels like a classic autocorrect situation and we’ve all been there)

second, i don’t think it’s helpful to automatically equate little response with low quality. i think it’s more helpful to conceptualize hits/likes/kudos as the equivalent of, say, box office earnings for movies. there are some brilliant indie films out there that will never get the same numbers as, like, bee movie 2, because they operate in some very specific niche that the average movie-goer might not be looking for. rarepair fics are a good example of this, i think. there are probably some incredible rarepair fics i will never get around to reading because i’m too busy shipping the super popular thing.

(i do think that part of the reason why my stuff gets read is because i tend to have common tastes. i don’t mean this as an insult to people who like my writing, and i don’t do this in a calculating way; i like what i like. but the stuff that interests me--happy endings, friends who give each other shit but clearly would die for each other, really ridiculous amounts of oblivious mutual pining--tend to be things that interest most people in a fandom.)

third, when we talk about the size of a response to a fic, i think there’s an element of chance, re: which fandoms you’re in and when you’re writing. this is another part of why i don’t really think that kudos/hits are a good measure of success. pretty sure the most-read thing i’ve ever written was a tiny, fluffy captain america: winter soldier fic i wrote in an afternoon but happened to post only a week or two after the movie came out. at the time, there wasn’t that much ca:ws out there, so it was probably easier to get noticed.

that said, i strenuously don’t recommend reworking your fic to be more “box office friendly” or trying to play the stock market game of searching out hot new fandoms to get in on the ground floor. at the end of the day, we’re all doing this for free, and so you’ve got to write whatever brings you joy to write.

it is super frustrating to write in a vacuum, though.

i will say this, in terms of actual, potentially useful advice:

1. do you have a beta? find someone who likes the same characters and the same dynamics, and listen to their feedback. this will make the writing process less lonely, which might let you take some of the pressure off yourself when it comes to your fic’s wider reception. (the added bonus is that this will also make your writing better. it certainly helps me.)

2. writing for holiday exchanges, etc, can also be helpful, because then you know you’ve got a highly invested audience of at least one. i think people are also more generally willing to read someone they’ve never read before if it’s from someone participating in the same exchange. (the first fic i ever published was for a holiday exchange, although this wasn’t any conscious strategy on my part, just complete lack of impulse control.)

3. i would say one thing that can be useful is to pay attention to your titles and your summaries. sometimes i come across a fic summary that ends with like “man idk this might kinda suck but whatever lol” and it always bums me out. you gotta own what you write. you’ve spent time on it, you love the characters or you wouldn’t have written it, so give it the care to come up with a nice title and a good description.

we all doubt our stuff sometimes (god knows i do), but i’d say it’s better to save any self-deprecation for the afterword, once people have already read the whole thing and formed their opinions.

still, like an adult counseling a shy teenager to “just be yourself”, i feel the need to circle back once more to the least-helpful but honestly most important advice i’ve got, which is: you’ve got to write for yourself. write the characters you like, write the tropes you like, polish your style, and keep working it at until you can create something you enjoy. then even if nobody else looks at it, at least you’ve got a fic that you personally can be proud of. (insufferable to hear, i know.)

hope some part of that helps!

#i really am not qualified to advise anyone on this though #i wrote the first like half of world ain't ready convinced the fandom would HATE it #'a HIGH SCHOOL FAKE DATING AU??? HAVE SOME RESPECT' was how i pictured the response #so please understand that i don't actually know what i'm doing #i just woke up one day and decided to make my writing AS SELF-INDULGENT AS POSSIBLE #Anonymous

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projectlabsco · 5 years

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Top 15 Leadership Qualities That Make Good Leaders

Everybody defines leadership differently but I really like the way John C Maxwell defines leadership, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” Irrespective of how you define a leader, he or she can prove to be a difference maker between success and failure. A good leader has a futuristic vision and knows how to turn his ideas into real-world success stories. In this article, we take an in-depth look at some of the important leadership qualities that separate good leaders from a bad one. 15 Leadership Qualities That Make Good Leaders Want to become a great leader? Here are fifteen leadership qualities that can make you a good leader. Honesty and integrity Confidence Inspire Others Commitment and Passion Good Communicator Decision Making Capabilities Accountability Delegation and Empowerment Creativity and Innovation Empathy Resilience Emotional Intelligence Humility Transparency Vision and Purpose 1. Honesty and Integrity The 34th President of United States, Dwight.D.Eisenhower once said, “The supreme quality of leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office.” Honesty and integrity are two important ingredients which make a good leader. How can you expect your followers to be honest when you lack these qualities yourself? Leaders succeed when they stick to their values and core beliefs and without ethics, this will not be possible. 2. Confidence To be an effective leader, you should be confident enough to ensure that other follow your commands. If you are unsure about your own decisions and qualities, then your subordinates will never follow you. As a leader, you have to be oozing with confidence, show some swagger and assertiveness to gain the respect of your subordinates. This does not mean that you should be overconfident, but you should at least reflect the degree of confidence required to ensure that your followers trust you as a leader. 3. Inspire Others Probably the most difficult job for a leader is to persuade others to follow. It can only be possible if you inspire your followers by setting a good example. When the going gets tough, they look up to you and see how you react to the situation. If you handle it well, they will follow you. As a leader, should think positive and this positive approach should be visible through your actions. Stay calm under pressure and keep the motivation level up. As John Quincy Adams puts it, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” If you are successful in inspiring your subordinates, you can easily overcome any current and future challenge easily. 4. Commitment and Passion Your teams look up to you and if you want them to give them their all, you will have to be passionate about it too. When your teammates see you getting your hands dirty, they will also give their best shot. It will also help you to gain the respect of your subordinates and infuse new energy in your team members, which helps them to perform better. If they feel that you are not fully committed or lacks passion, then it would be an uphill task for the leader to motivate your followers to achieve the goal. 5. Good Communicator Until you clearly communicate your vision to your team and tell them the strategy to achieve the goal, it will be very difficult for you to get the results you want. Simply put, if you are unable to communicate your message effectively to your team, you can never be a good leader. A good communicator can be a good leader. Words have the power to motivate people and make them do the unthinkable. If you use them effectively, you can also achieve better results. 6. Decision-Making Capabilities Apart from having a futuristic vision, a leader should have the ability to take the right decision at the right time. Decisions taken by leaders have a profound impact on masses. A leader should think long and hard before taking a decision but once the decision is taken, stand by it. Although, most leaders take decisions on their own, but it is highly recommended that you consult key stakeholders before taking a decision. After all, they are the ones who will benefit or suffer from your decisions. 7. Accountability When it comes to accountability, you need to follow the approach highlighted by Arnold H Glasow when he said, “A good leader takes little more than his share of the blame and little less than his share of the credit.” Make sure that every one of your subordinates is accountable for what they are doing. If they do well, give them a pat on the back but if they struggle, make them realize their mistakes and work together to improve. Holding them accountable for their actions will create a sense of responsibility among your subordinates and they will go about the business more seriously. 8. Delegation and Empowerment You cannot do everything, right. It is important for a leader to focus on key responsibilities while leaving the rest to others. By that, I mean empowering your followers and delegating tasks to them. If you continue to micromanage your subordinates, it will develop a lack of trust and more importantly, you will not be able to focus on important matters, as you should be. Delegate tasks to your subordinates and see how they perform. Provide them with all the resources and support they need to achieve the objective and give them a chance to bear the responsibility. 9. Creativity and Innovation What separates a leader from a follower? Steve Jobs, the greatest visionary of our time answers this question this way, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” In order to get ahead in today’s fast-paced world, a leader must be creative and innovative at the same time. Creative thinking and constant innovation is what makes you and your team stand out from the crowd. Think out of the box to come up with unique ideas and turn those ideas and goals into reality. 10. Empathy Last but certainly not the least, is empathy. Leaders should develop empathy with their followers. Unfortunately, most leaders follow a dictatorial style and neglect empathy altogether. Due to this, they fail to make a closer connection with their followers. Understanding the problems of your followers and feeling their pain is the first step to become an effective leader. Even that is not enough until you work hard and provide your followers with the suitable solution to their problems. Resilience When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. You might have heard this adage many times, but did you know that great leaders also follow this rule. They are resilient and have a positive attitude. Irrespective of how difficult the circumstances might be, you will find them rallying their followers. While most people are busy in complaining about the problems, great leaders always focus on solutions, not the problems. Emotional Intelligence Good leaders always have higher influence but how do they increase their influence on the point where people accept what they say. They do this by connecting with people emotionally. That is where emotional intelligence comes into play. Here are some of the reasons why a leader should be emotionally intelligent. Manage emotions effectively Better social awareness Seamless communications Conflict Resolution With emotional intelligence, leaders can control their emotions, which prevents negative emotions from influencing their decision-making skills. As a result, they are less likely to make hasty decisions. Moreover, emotionally intelligent leaders are great at understanding the emotions and care about the feelings of others. That is not all, leaders who have this leadership quality not only handles conflict in a better way but also play an important role in conflict resolution. Humility “Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real.”—Thomas Merton How would you feel when you are promoted to leadership status? You will feel proud. A good leader is always selfless and always think about his or her followers. That is why the leadership styles most great leaders adopt put lots of emphasis on problem-solving and team dynamics instead of focusing on self-promotion. Transparency One of the best ways to win the trust of your followers is by being transparent. Instead of hiding information, you should openly share it with them. By giving visibility to your followers, they will buy into your vision and support you with conviction in achieving the goal. More importantly, it gives your followers clarity, autonomy and make them feel more empowered while keeping them engaged. Vision and Purpose “Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion.”—Jack Welch Good leaders always have a vision and purpose. They not only visualize the future themselves but also share their vision with their followers. When their followers were able to see the big picture, they can see where they are heading. A great leader goes above and beyond and explain why they are moving in the direction they are moving and shares the strategy and action plan to achieve that goal. Conclusion To join the elite club of good leaders, you must have all these qualities but if you lack some of these qualities, then you might struggle to make the mark in the world of leadership. You will have to set a good example for others to follow. That is where your commitment, passion, empathy, honesty and integrity come into play. Good communication skills and decision-making capabilities also play a vital role in success and failure of a leader. Lastly, innovation and creative thinking, as well as the futuristic vision, are a couple of leadership qualities that make up good leaders. from WordPress https://ift.tt/33SzJsc via IFTTT

#IFTTT #WordPress

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thequirkybooknerd · 5 years

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I’m so excited to officially be a Book of the Month YA affiliate! I’ve been subscribed to the adult BOTM box for around a year and have absolutely loved it, so I’m incredibly happy that I get this chance to help spread the word about the YA boxes!

Every month you get to pick one book from a selection of five newly released YA novels to receive in your box for the month (spoiler alert: their book choices are always fantastic!). You can also add on up to two extra choices from the selections for the current month and any of the previous months. In my time using Book of the Month, I’ve always found it to be a really fun, budget-friendly subscription box. And the deals we get on the add-on books are music to my wallet! ❤

Here’s what you get with your membership:

A book of your choice for $14.99 / month

Add up to two extra books to your shipment for $9.99 each

Skip any month you want, and you won’t be charged

Free shipping, always

This month, get your first book for just $9.99 by using the code GROW.

If you’re interested in signing up (and supporting my blog in the process), check them out by using my affiliate link. I do get a small commission from every new sign-up using this link that will always be put toward further building my blog. So if you do use it, thank you so much! You can also use the regular link to sign up!

Now, let’s get into a bit more of the specifics!

How It Works:

Book of the Month YA gives you one book of your choice (from a selection of five) for $14.99 per month and always with free shipping! You can add up to two extra books to your shipment for only $9.99 each. These extra books can be selected from the current and any of the previous months selections. If there’s a month where none of the selections appeal to you, you can skip any month you want, and you won’t be charged. I wholeheartedly love this subscription box and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

This month they are featuring one of the biggest new YA releases of fall, Frankly in Love! You can get your copy TODAY from BOTM YA (@yasofthemonth) for just $9.99 with code GROW.

Here’s a look at all the selections for this month!

September 2019 Book Selections:

The Girl the Sea Gave Back by Adrienne Young

For as long as she can remember, Tova has lived among the Svell, the people who found her washed ashore as a child and use her for her gift as a Truthtongue. Her own home and clan are long-faded memories, but the sacred symbols and staves inked over every inch of her skin mark her as one who can cast the rune stones and see into the future. She has found a fragile place among those who fear her, but when two clans to the east bury their age-old blood feud and join together as one, her world is dangerously close to collapse.

For the first time in generations, the leaders of the Svell are divided. Should they maintain peace or go to war with the allied clans to protect their newfound power? And when their chieftain looks to Tova to cast the stones, she sets into motion a series of events that will not only change the landscape of the mainland forever but will give her something she believed she could never have again—a home.

Permanent Record by Mary H.K. Choi

After a year of college, Pablo is working at his local twenty-four-hour deli, selling overpriced snacks to brownstone yuppies. He’s dodging calls from the student loan office and he has no idea what his next move is.

Leanna Smart’s life so far has been nothing but success. Age eight: Disney Mouseketeer; Age fifteen: first #1 single on the US pop chart; Age seventeen, *tenth* #1 single; and now, at Age nineteen…life is a queasy blur of private planes, weird hotel rooms, and strangers asking for selfies on the street.

When Leanna and Pab randomly meet at 4:00 a.m. in the middle of a snowstorm in Brooklyn, they both know they can’t be together forever. So, they keep things on the down-low and off Instagram for as long as they can. But it takes about three seconds before the world finds out…

Frankly in Love by David Yoon

High school senior Frank Li is a Limbo–his term for Korean-American kids who find themselves caught between their parents’ traditional expectations and their own Southern California upbringing. His parents have one rule when it comes to romance–“Date Korean”–which proves complicated when Frank falls for Brit Means, who is smart, beautiful–and white. Fellow Limbo Joy Song is in a similar predicament, and so they make a pact: they’ll pretend to date each other in order to gain their freedom. Frank thinks it’s the perfect plan, but in the end, Frank and Joy’s fake-dating maneuver leaves him wondering if he ever really understood love–or himself–at all.

The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus

Told in two distinct and irresistible voices, Junauda Petrus’s bold and lyrical debut is the story of two black girls from very different backgrounds finding love and happiness in a world that seems determined to deny them both.

Trinidad. Sixteen-year-old Audre is despondent, having just found out she’s going to be sent to live in America with her father because her strictly religious mother caught her with her secret girlfriend, the pastor’s daughter. Audre’s grandmother Queenie (a former dancer who drives a white convertible Cadillac and who has a few secrets of her own) tries to reassure her granddaughter that she won’t lose her roots, not even in some place called Minneapolis. “America have dey spirits too, believe me,” she tells Audre.

Minneapolis. Sixteen-year-old Mabel is lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling and trying to figure out why she feels the way she feels–about her ex Terrell, about her girl Jada and that moment they had in the woods, and about the vague feeling of illness that’s plagued her all summer. Mabel’s reverie is cut short when her father announces that his best friend and his just-arrived-from-Trinidad daughter are coming for dinner.

Mabel quickly falls hard for Audre and is determined to take care of her as she tries to navigate an American high school. But their romance takes a turn when test results reveal exactly why Mabel has been feeling low-key sick all summer and suddenly it’s Audre who is caring for Mabel as she faces a deeply uncertain future.

Junauda Petrus’s debut brilliantly captures the distinctly lush and lyrical voices of Mabel and Audre as they conjure a love that is stronger than hatred, prison, and death and as vast as the blackness between the stars.

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow

In the early 1900s, a young woman embarks on a fantastical journey of self-discovery after finding a mysterious book in this captivating and lyrical debut.

In a sprawling mansion filled with peculiar treasures, January Scaller is a curiosity herself. As the ward of the wealthy Mr. Locke, she feels little different from the artifacts that decorate the halls: carefully maintained, largely ignored, and utterly out of place.

Then she finds a strange book. A book that carries the scent of other worlds, and tells a tale of secret doors, of love, adventure and danger. Each page turn reveals impossible truths about the world and January discovers a story increasingly entwined with her own.

Lush and richly imagined, a tale of impossible journeys, unforgettable love, and the enduring power of stories awaits in Alix E. Harrow’s spellbinding debut–step inside and discover its magic.

To give you even more of an idea of what the options typically look like each month, here are the August 2019 selections! And you guys will be finding out my picks for both August and September (as well as my thoughts on them) very soon, so keep an eye out! 😀

If you do sign up or are already a Book of the Month YA member, make sure to let me know what your book choice for September is in the comments!

Follow me: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Book of the Month YA – September 2019 I'm so excited to officially be a Book of the Month YA affiliate! I’ve been subscribed to the adult BOTM box for around a year and have absolutely loved it, so I’m incredibly happy that I get this chance to help spread the word about the YA boxes!

#affiliate #book blog #Book of the Month #Book of the Month YA #BOTM #BOTMYA #subscription box #The Quirky Book Nerd #YA subscription box #yasofthemonth

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theadmiringbog · 6 years

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Check off all the places where you greatly LIKE or DISLIKE spending time with other people—feel free to fill in your own at the bottom. We’ll call these your thrive and survive locations:

____ Bars

____ Nightclubs

____ Restaurants

____ House Parties

____ Cafés

____ Boardrooms

____ The Gym

____ Office Meetings

____ Conferences

____ Coffee Shops

____ Phone Calls

____ E-mail Check-ins

____ Video Chats

____ IMs

____ Nature

____ Pool Parties

____ Dinner Parties

____ Movie Nights

____ Casinos

____ Concerts

____ Black-Tie Events

____ Cocktail Parties

____ Backyard Barbecues

____ Theme Parks

____ Festivals

____ Networking Events

____ Sporting Events

Let’s identify the positions where you thrive and the ones where you merely survive:

Thrive: Look at the first set of places you checked off in the exercise above. Put the top three to five under “My THRIVE Locations” below. These are the places you look forward to going to and where you are your best self.

Neutral: Certain social situations could go either way depending on your mood or who’s there. They aren’t your favorite, but you don’t dread them. Look at the places that you didn’t check off in either exercise and add the ones that you encounter the most under “My NEUTRAL Locations” below.

Survive: Other places or scenarios always make you feel uncomfortable, bored, or unhappy. Take three to five of the places you checked off in the second set and write them under “My SURVIVE Locations” below.

My THRIVE Locations: ________________________

My NEUTRAL Locations: ______________________

My SURVIVE Locations: _______________________

The biggest mistake I see at events is when people hover at the boundary of the Start Zone. It’s a social trap. You’re catching people at a confidence low.

If you are an introvert and don’t like big groups, I highly recommend being what I call a Grazer. Instead of hitting the buffet once for a heaping plate, go up first for appetizers, again for the main course, and then again for seconds or dessert. Why? This is an easy way to take a break from a conversation or move to a new one-on-one.

With a first impression, you are a Triple Threat when you use your hands, your posture, and your eye contact.

When you walk into a room or are waiting to meet someone, keep your hands out of your pockets.

When Westerners and Europeans are in conversation, they tend to hold eye contact for an average of 61 percent of the time. He found that 41 percent occurs while talking and 75 percent while listening. Next time you’re talking to someone, try to objectively evaluate where you tend to fall on the spectrum.

Like any good people hack, Big Talk means skirting conversational norms, challenging chitchat status quo, and shirking social scripts.

I challenge you to try using our top-rated conversation sparkers:*

Instead of . . . Hack . . .

How’s work? Working on any exciting projects recently?

How are you? What was the highlight of your day?

What do you do? Working on any personal passion projects?

How’s the family? Have any vacations coming up?

Where are you from? What’s your story?

How’s it going? What are you up to this weekend?

Been busy? What do you do to unwind?

You mentioned that you volunteer with Big Brothers—have you always done that?

You asked for Argentinian wine—are you a wine aficionado?

I noticed that your purse is handwoven—did you make it?

I was curious about your accent—are you from here?

I was just looking at your bookshelf—you have great taste in reading materials!

Your name is beautiful—is it a family name?

I saw you posted some great pictures of your new dog on Facebook—what made you decide to get a dog?

I send people air plants instead of flowers.

“Great to know you, a friend of John is a friend of mine. He always knows the most interesting people.” “It’s a pleasure! Your name tag says you work at Ken’s Bakery—they are my favorite pizza in town! Have you always been a pizza aficionado?”

Why are raving introductions so powerful? First, you give people positive labels right at the start. Second, you tee up a great conversation and possible discussion topics for the people involved. Third, you get people talking about themselves—what they do and who they are, which produces dopamine. Yes, a raving introduction is ALSO a conversational spark. Boom: win-win-win.

We remember people who make us feel good and who make us want to be the best version of ourselves.

You can optimize an interaction by expecting optimal outcomes. Elevate people by hacking listening, highlighting, and expecting the best in those around you. Being a highlighter helps you be the highlight. Listen with purpose—always search for the good. Be the high point of every interaction by giving people a reason to remember you.

There are three main categories of commonalities that you can pull from at any time:

People: Mutual contacts are the best way to find threads of similarity. You can also liven up the conversation by searching for mutual friends.

Context: Think you don’t have anything in common? Think about the context of your meeting. Maybe you’re both on LinkedIn or both at the same conference. All you have to do is ask about it to get the conversational ball rolling.

Interests: Common interests are the best kind of threads because they introduce a topic you both invariably know a lot about, ripe territory for great stories and interesting conversation.

Here are a few openers and ideas for tapping into each type of commonality:

People

How do you know the host?

You work at ____, do you know ____?

I saw we are mutually connected through ____

You went to school, do you know ____?

I saw you speaking to ____, have you known each other for very long?

Are you a friend of the bride or groom / roommate A or roommate B / an employee or the boss?

Context

How long have you been a part of this group?

Do you usually come to these types of events?

Great venue, right?

Have you ever been to this conference / restaurant / event before? How long have you been living here?

I saw you are also a part of ____ LinkedIn group.

Interests

Love your pen / keychain / bumper sticker / shirt / hat. I am also a fan of ______ How long have you been a ___ fan?

I’m a fellow member of ____; how long have you been a part?

What are you up to this weekend?

I saw you also went to / studied / are a part of ____.

Wasn’t that speaker / presentation / raffle interesting?

You can get a conversation to go much deeper much faster if you use the spirit of the Five Whys. When you find a commonality, don’t let it pass by, ask the other person why it’s important to them.

When he can’t say “Me too,” he says, “Teach me.”

Here are some ways you can make “Teach me?” a thread:

I have never heard of that book—what is it about?

What an interesting career—I have never met anyone in your line of work before.

Tell me about it! I’ve actually never been out of the country, but would love to travel more. Have any insider tips for a beginner?

OCEAN

I stumbled upon something called the five-factor model. This psychological principle posits that all humans have five basic personality traits: openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (easily remembered as OCEAN). And each and every person ranks either high or low for each trait.

Openness:

This trait reflects how you approach new ideas. It also describes how curious you are, your level of creativity, and how much you appreciate variety and originality.

High: Enjoys novelty, change, and adventure.

Low: Savors traditions, routines, and habits.

Conscientiousness:

This trait describes your approach to getting things done. It measures your self-discipline, organization, and reliability.

High: Loves to-do lists, organization, and schedules. Enjoys digging into the details and making things “perfect.”

Low: Typically prefers big ideas and strategy. Might find lists and schedules stifling and overwhelming.

Extroversion:

This trait describes how you approach people. Do you get energy from social situations, or do they drain you? This probably affects your talkativeness and optimism.

High: Gets energy from being with people. Tends to be cheerful and seeks out social time.

Low: Craves alone time and finds being with people draining.

Agreeableness:

This trait describes how you approach cooperation and working with others. It also speaks to how empathetic and quick to forgive you are, and how much attention you pay to the mental states of others.

High: Easy to get along with, very empathetic, and enjoys caring for others.

Low: More analytical, practical, and skeptical—prefers to keep emotions out of decisions.

Neuroticism:

This trait describes how you approach worry. It also explains how emotionally reactive you are to your environment.

High: Tends to be a worrier. Frequently experiences mood swings.

Low: Typically calm, stable, and has very little mood fluctuation.

OCEAN self-assessment

Openness

This trait describes your curiosity and affinity for new ideas. Check off the statements that sound like you:

If you are high in openness you:

___ Are very curious ___ Love to try new things ___ Are adventurous and a bit of a dreamer ___ Can be seen as unrealistic or not focused

If you are low in openness you:

___ Love habits, rituals, and routines ___ Honor and follow traditions ___ Are more pragmatic and data driven ___ Can be seen as closed-minded and inflexible

Based on your answers, where do you think you fall on the openness scale?

Conscientiousness

This trait involves the way you get things done. Check off the statements that sound like you:

If you are high in conscientiousness you:

___ Are very organized and detail-oriented ___ Love to-do lists, plans, and schedules ___ Are a perfectionist ___ Can be seen as controlling and rigid

If you are low in conscientiousness you:

___ Love broad ideas and don’t get bogged down in details ___ Are very flexible ___ Hate being boxed in with a plan or schedule ___ Can be seen as sloppy and unreliable

Based on your answers, where do you think you fall on the conscientiousness scale?

Extroversion

This trait is all about how you relate to people. Check off the statements that sound like you:

If you are high in extroversion you:

___ Are very talkative and tend to initiate conversations ___ Are assertive and expressive with your opinions ___ Feel energized and refreshed being around other people ___ Can be seen as opinionated and attention seeking

If you are low in extroversion you: ___ Are more shy and reserved ___ Enjoy alone time; being with lots of people can feel draining ___ Like your privacy and are more hesitant to share personal information ___ Can be seen as aloof

Based on your answers, where do you think you fall on the extroversion scale?

Agreeableness

This trait taps into your attitudes toward teamwork and decision-making. Check off the statements that sound like you:

If you are high in agreeableness you:

___ Tend to get along with people easily ___ Are trusting of others and love being on teams ___ Default to saying yes when someone asks you to do something ___ Can be seen as a pushover or passive

If you are low in agreeableness you:

___ Have a harder time working in groups ___ Are frequently suspicious of others’ motives ___ Default to saying no when someone asks you to do something ___ Can be seen as competitive or challenging

Based on your answers, where do you think you fall on the agreeableness scale?

Neuroticism

This trait speaks to your emotional stability and tendency to worry. Check off the statements that sound like you:

If you are high in neuroticism you:

___ Are a worrier ___ Tend to be moody ___ Are sensitive ___ Can be seen as too emotional or insecure

If you are low in neuroticism you:

___ Are stable and balanced ___ Are usually calm ___ Have faith that everything always “works out in the end” ___ Can be seen as unemotional or cold

The 5 Love Languages

Words of Affirmation:

People with this love language express their care through spoken or written word—love letters, texts, and verbal expressions of love.

Gifts:

People with this love language express their care through small gifts or tokens of appreciation—jewelry, candy, or flowers.

Physical Touch:

People with this love language express their care through touch—hugs, cuddles, pats on the back, loving embraces.

Acts of Service:

People with this love language express their care by doing things for others—cooking their spouse dinner, running errands, or crafting something for them. (If you couldn’t tell from the story about my dad, this is mine.)

Quality Time:

People with this love language express their care with their time. They want to simply be in the presence of the people they care about.

Another decoding method is to ask about old memories, favorite stories, and recent experiences. These are some of my go-to questions:

What’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?

How do you celebrate your successes?

I really want to do something nice for our colleague who just had a new baby. What do you think we should do for them?

What’s your favorite thing to do on the weekends?

What’s the most interesting gift you have ever received? Given?

What’s your favorite activity to do with your friends?

Growing up, what did your parents do to celebrate your birthdays or your successes?

6 Needs - What We Value

As humans, we need both kinds of resources to survive and thrive. Foa and his research team proposed that each of us have a hierarchy of six needs that originate in our childhood. If these needs are met, we are able to grow up, gain independence, and feel secure in our surroundings and relationships:

1. Love

Affection, acceptance, and likability

2. Service

Support, care, and warmth to provide comfort

3. Status

Responsibility, praise, and titles to evoke pride

4. Money

Coin, currency, or tokens that have been assigned value

5. Goods

Tangible products, objects, or materials

6. Information

Advice, ideas, opinions, and teaching

In the Give column, put a check mark next to the resources you think you give frequently. In the Take column, put a check mark next to the resources you think you take frequently.

Occasionally, especially with the nonphysical resources like Love, Service, and Information, we give what we most want. We might crave Love, so we give it to everyone around us—even if they don’t deserve it. Or we might desire to be in the know, so we gossip in hopes of people telling us more. Does this ring true for you?

Each of us is oriented toward one of the six categories of resources.

Go through the following statements and give each a numerical rating: 0 = This does not describe me at all. 1 = This describes me somewhat. 2 = This describes me well.

Resource Meaning Total

Love

It’s important to me to feel accepted. It’s important to me to be liked by others. It’s important to me to feel like I belong.

Service

It’s important to feel the people in my life support me. It makes me feel special when someone does a favor for me. It’s important to me to feel cared for.

Status

It makes me feel great when someone praises me. I like to be in charge. It’s important for me to feel respected by others.

Money

It is important to me to be financial stable. I do my job mostly for the money. I think you have to have money to be completely happy.

Goods

I like to collect things. I often buy and give gifts. I can think of many objects in my home that have emotional meaning.

Information

I like to be in the know. I like to give advice. I enjoy teaching and learning.

Add up each section and put the totals in the far right-hand side. Which one gets the highest number?

Most people’s choices make sense to them. When they don’t make sense to you, it’s usually because you are being driven by a different primary value.

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