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Greg Mankiw's Blog: How to Write Well

I think everything has been said, however, thank you for your blog Prof. Mankiw. It helps me in many ways. Thanks also to all bloggers, their contributions are very useful too. These advices were more than useful for me..i will often refer to them.

How To Cut Your Own Hair

For some people, going to the salon or barber shop is an enjoyable experience. For others, it is something that they would rather not do. Whether it is because of the cost or other factors, if you decide to cut your own hair, you should keep a few things in mind.

1. Wet hair is much easier to cut than dry hair. Start with freshly shampooed, tangle-free hair. Keep a bottle of water with a spray nozzle nearby so that you can dampen your hair if it begins to dry while you are working on it.

2. Be sure that your scissors are nice and sharp to avoid pulling your hair. If you plan to cut your hair on a regular basis, it will be worth investing in a good quality pair of scissors designed specifically for use on hair.
3. No matter what style you choose, cut a little at a time, especially if you are a beginner. You can always cut it a little shorter, but once you've gone too short, all you can do is wait for it to grow back!
4. Simple styles are best for home hair cuts. The easiest cut will be one length everywhere. Decide on an overall length (it's a good idea to measure your hair when you have a cut that you find especially flattering) and then grab your ruler. Working in small sections, comb your hair straight out from your scalp and hold a section smoothly between your index and middle fingers. Measure to the desired length and carefully snip off the excess. Continue in this manner until you have cut all of your hair. This method works equally well for both men and women. The length of the chosen cut can vary from quite short to shoulder length and beyond.
5. You may want to start with a professional cut and then just trim about the same amount of hair from all areas of your head every month or two to maintain the style. Be aware that on most people, the hair on one side of their head grows faster than on the other, so if you choose this method, you will need to visit your stylist every now and then as the cut begins to get uneven.
6. Another idea for a simple, yet attractive cut is to lean over and comb all of your wet hair straight forward. Smooth sections of your hair through your fingers and cut all hair in one straight line across. Be sure to work in small sections and continue from one side to the other. Double check to see that the cut feels pretty even and then stand upright. Part your hair in the middle and comb it straight down. Run small sections of your hair between your index and middle fingers to see if there are any long pieces. If you find some, carefully snip off the excess.
7. If you have curly hair, be sure to cut your hair considerably longer than the desired finished length. Curls shrink up quite a bit as they dry, so you must allow for this. If your hair is very thick or coarse, hold very small sections of hair for trimming. Trying to cut too much hair at once, especially for thick hair, can make the hair bend between the blades of the scissors, instead of cutting evenly.
8. For all styles, when you think that you are finished, be sure to check that the cut feels even everywhere. Simply take sections of hair from opposite sides of your head and gently tug them toward your eyes, nose, chin and jaw line to see that the sides are fairly evenly matched. Carefully trim prices that seem a little too long.
9. For bangs, begin with your hair parted in the center. Using your comb, take an equal amount of hair from each side of the part line and comb it forward. Smooth the hair between your index and middle fingers and cut across, being careful to maintain a straight line.
10. Currently, many men are choosing to wear their hair "buzzed" or cut extremely short. This cut can be easily achieved at home by using an electric hair clipper. These lightweight clippers allow you to set the blades to your desired length, ranging from completely bald to several inches of hair. By simply running the clipper across your head repeatedly, you will clip all hair to the desired length. For the easiest men's haircut of all, simply lather up with a thick shaving cream and shave your head smooth. This look is especially favored by athletes.
11. One word of caution--keep it simple. If you are inexperienced at cutting your own hair and looking for a complicated style with many angles or layers, you will probably need to enlist the help of a friend to be sure that your haircut is even in areas that are difficult for you to reach.
12. As you get more comfortable cutting your own hair, you may want to attempt more complicated styles. There are a number of terrific books and videos available that offer step-by-step guidance. A video can be especially helpful since you get to see the procedure in action and can replay it as many times as necessary to help you fine-tune your skills.

How To Ask a Girl Out

One of the toughest things a man can do is attempt to get a date. Many men struggle with this from the moment they enter puberty up until they are married.

If you are a man that has been in the dating arena unsuccessfully for a while, then you may be thinking women are not interested in you because of your social status, insecurities, or looks. The truth is that it does not always matter what you have. It matters who you are and how you portray yourself.

With the right technique, any man can pick up nearly any girl he wants. All you need to do is believe in yourself enough to follow these simple steps.

1. Always leave home well-groomed. While, you do not have to be the best-looking man on the block, it does help if you look like you care about your appearance.

Wear nice, clean clothes and cologne when you go out. Remember that while you are single right now, first impressions mean everything. Dress to impress her, whoever she may be.

If you have been wearing the same pants since 1982, buy some new ones! You want to show her that you are ready for any situation the moment it arises, even if it is just asking her out.

You might be asking yourself if you are just running to the grocery store why you need to wear your best clothes. The answer is simple. You never know when you are going to meet a girl you might be interested in dating.

If you find her in the ten items or less line, and you are holding a 12-pack of beer, some corn nuts, and you have on your patented "plumber" sweatpants, how interested do you think she is going to be?
2. Think about what you are going to say before you say it. No matter what female you approach, you will find there will be one universal truth about them all. All women like to be complimented.

Flattery will get you much further than cynical and rude behavior. You might think girls like bad boys and this may be true. However, if a girl likes a bad boy, that bad boy is still nice to her.

Have a general idea of what you want to say. If you know the girl well, comment on something you know she likes to do or likes about herself and go from there.

If you do not know the girl and you want to get to know her, try making a joke or asking her for help when you are making a decision. For instance, if you are in a grocery store, ask for help in picking out a certain brand or a type of produce. Women love to rescue that adorably helpless man in an everyday situation.

Use things like this to your advantage. No matter what, remember that what you say initially will help to make or break your chances.
3. Never be afraid to ask for what you want. If you want to ask a girl out but you do not feel you know her well enough, test the waters and ask for her phone number.

If she likes your approach, she will give you hers or ask for yours. If she gives you her number, call her. You can almost guarantee if this happens that it will be possible to get a date with her. However, use the phone number to your advantage at least once.

When you call to ask her out be polite and funny. Be charming! Try to have an idea of what you want to say when she picks up the phone. Being prepared will help make the presentation better and her decision to go on a date with you much easier.
4. Have a Plan of Action. If you know the girl, it is best to plan the first date around her interests.

If she is a chef, you might offer to take her out for a gourmet meal that she does not have to cook! If she likes the outdoors, you might suggest a picnic on the beach. Whatever you plan does not really matter as long as you have her interests in mind.

You might want to test the waters by asking her what her dream date would be like. If you can make her dream date happen, consider asking her if she would like to go on that date with you!

Of course, you could always surprise her with the date of a lifetime. By doing so, you are sure to give her one date she will never forget.
5. Only make promises you can keep. The most important thing is that you fulfill any promises you make. Be yourself and have a good time with her.

Women like men who are comfortable with themselves. Just be honest and up-front and you will see how easy asking her out can be. In fact, if you continue this trend, you may even get more than one date out of the deal.

Asking women out is a breeze when following these tips. In fact, women are usually just as nervous in these moments as men are. Go easy, be honest, and have fun and she is sure to return the favor tenfold!

How to Transfer Cassette Tape to Computer


Audio cassettes opened up a world of portability unimaginable in the days when LPs ruled the roost. Now, however, cassette tapes have fallen by the wayside (or, in many cases, have been thrown to the wayside from moving vehicles), and, unlike LPs, they don’t look to make a comeback anytime soon. This poses a problem for those of us who would like to preserve important conversations or good songs that are currently stored on cassettes, not only because audio cassettes eventually deteriorate or get “eaten” by your tape player, but also because cassette players are becoming increasingly rare. Fortunately, you can easily transfer audio from cassettes to your computer, where it can be stored in formats such as WAV and MP3 or can be burned to CDs. In fact, $6 could get you everything you need.

Steps:


1. Get your supplies together. You have several options. See the “Things You’ll Need” section below for a list of these.
2. Rewind or fast-forward your cassette to the desired spot.
3. Connect the red and white RCA plugs to the appropriate, color-coded output jacks (line-out) on your cassette player or stereo receiver. Or connect one end of a double-ended 3.5mm stereo cable into the headphone output of your tape player.
4.
Cable Converter
Enlarge
Cable Converter
Connect the other end of your chosen cable to the “line-in" of your computer sound card. The 3.5mm Stereo plug is just like the plug of an earphone that you use in your Walkman or iPod. Adaptors are also available which allow you to use your computer’s USB port. For more details on the options see the “Things You’ll Need” section.
5. Turn on your computer and cassette player.
6.
MS Sound Recorder
Enlarge
MS Sound Recorder
Open the sound-recording software you want to use. You can use just about any sound recording software. Microsoft Sound Recorder, which is standard in Microsoft Windows, will work for brief snippets, but it can be quite tedious to adjust the amount of time it will record (the default is only 60 seconds; you have to prepare your file beforehand by hitting the Record button each time it reaches the end, until you get a file large enough to hold the audio you'll be recording; then hit Rewind before recording), and it may not serve you well if you need to do extensive editing. If you do want to use Sound Recorder follow these instructions: click “Start” - “Programs” - scroll to and click on “Accessories” – scroll to and click on “Entertainment” – select “Sound Recorder”. You could also use a free sound recording like Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net). If you use this sound recording software, you can touch up the audio (raise volume, clear some static areas) and even export to mp3.
7. Click the record button in your sound recording software. (In Sound Recorder and many other programs, this is the button with the red dot.) Start recording before you hit “play” on your cassette player so you make sure you don’t miss anything at the beginning.
8. Press “play” on your cassette deck. The computer will record the audio coming from your cassette player.
9. Click the “stop” button (typically a black square) when you are finished. If you want to record for a long time (a whole cassette, for example), you don’t have to sit around and wait for the recording to finish. Your recorder will continue recording after the tape stops, and you can just cut the silent portion when you edit the recording. You do, however, want to make sure your recorder will record for long enough to capture all the audio you want. If it doesn’t, simply record each track one at a time.
10. Save the audio file by clicking “File” – “Save”. A new window will open and you can give the file a name and choose a location on your hard drive to save to.
11. Edit your recording. You may not need to do any editing, but if you want to cut out silences, erase some tracks, or change the volume, for example, most sound-recording programs will allow you to do so. When editing, it is a good idea to keep the original file as a backup and change the names of edited files when you save them in case you find you made a mistake. When you’re sure you like the edited file, you can delete the original to save memory space on your computer.
12. Burn audio to CD if desired.


Tips:

* The audio file you created is probably in the WAV (“.wav”) format. You can play it with almost any audio software. These files, however, are quite large, so you will probably want to compress them to MP3 or some other format. Your sound recording software may have this function built in, or you may need to get additional software. Fortunately, you can get such conversion software free online, such as Audio Grabber which will record straight to MP3 (link below).
* MS Sound Recorder has limited functions to control the recording process such as volume and speed. The software also give you limited function to edit the sound files by mixing or inserting. More advanced sound recording and editing software may already come with your sound card, so check that before you buy any additional software. Otherwise, you can find many good freeware programs on the internet for recording, editing, and changing formats of audio files.
* A good, free, open source audio recorder that works on Windows, macs and linux is Audacity. However, to save to an MP3, you will need to download the free LAME plugin.


Warnings:

* The WAV format audio files are cumbersome. One cassette tape may take hundreds of MB, so make sure you have enough space on your hard drive.
* Start with a very low volume on the cassette player or stereo, as your computer's input circuitry can very easily be damaged by high-level input.
* Take care not to violate copyright laws with your recordings. Cassette tapes may be old, but the copyright is usually still enforceable.

How to Start a Conversation With Someone on the Train, Bus or Subway

Have you ever wanted to talk to an attractive person on the bus or train but ended up waiting too long and letting him or her get away? Follow these steps to quickly spark a conversation the next time you're smitten, and never lose the love of your life (or at least the love of the week) again.

Steps

1. Understand the environment. Nobody wants to be on public transportation. Everyone is just trying to get from point A to point B, and they may get off the bus, train, or subway at the next stop. Thus you can't hesitate if you're going to talk to someone. Keep in mind that few people actually want to talk to strangers on their trip, but some will, especially if you seem nice and interesting. Be decisive, but don't be aggressive.

2. Carry a prop. Bring some reading material that you can pretend to read. It will make you feel and appear more comfortable. Don't wear headphones unless you want to appear unapproachable.

3. Scope out the situation. OK, so someone has caught your eye. Before you try to initiate a conversation, make sure they're not with their significant other. If they're with anyone at all, proceed with caution, but remember, their companion may just be a friend or relative, or he or she may be a complete stranger who has the same idea that you do.

4. Position yourself for success. If you see the person while at the bus stop or train station, wait until he or she gets on the bus or train before trying to converse. Follow them in discreetly and sit opposite them if possible. You'll have a good chance to make eye contact this way, and besides, you might appear somewhat invasive if you sit down next to them. If they're standing, stand near enough to them to be able to speak with them, but don't get too close for comfort.

5. # Try to make eye contact. Making brief eye contact can show the person that you're interested and help you gauge whether he or she is interested in you. Glance at the person (don't stare) and try to hold their gaze for just a second or two. Then look away. Try to make eye contact again after about 30 seconds. If the person makes eye contact with you again, they probably find you attractive. Don't be too obvious, but make sure the person can see that you're looking at them. If they can't see you, you can't expect them to make eye contact.

6. Smile when making eye contact the second time. A small, but genuine smile makes you appear interested, friendly, and approachable. If the other person smiles back, you're probably in luck.

7. Use appropriate body language. Don't cross your arms or turn away from the person. Make yourself appear open and comfortable, and exhibit good (but not freakishly good) posture. Don't look at your watch or a clock constantly, as it will give the impression that you are in a hurry and the person might not talk to you, because they don't want to bother you.

8. Read the person's body language. If he or she exhibits open body language toward you, that's a great sign. If the person turns away or buries his or her head in a book, that's not so good.

9. Ask the person a question. A question is a great way to start a conversation, but not just any question will do. Ask an open-ended question that requires more than a "yes" or "no" answer. For example, ask, "How do you get to the Eiffel Tower?" instead of "Does this bus stop at the Eiffel Tower?" What you ask isn't really important, as long as it's not invasive, insulting or inane, e.g. the Eiffel Tower questions might seem dumb in New York.

10. Keep conversing. Listen attentively to the person's response to your question and then just make small talk. If the person is interested in you, the conversation will probably flow fairly naturally (unless he or she is shy) and you may be able to get a phone number or email address. If the person isn't interested, you'll probably be able to tell pretty quickly.


Tips

- If the person makes eye contact and displays positive body language, but you can't get up the nerve to talk to him or her or you have to get off at the next stop, write down your phone number or email address on a piece of paper (a newspaper will work), smile at the person as you get off the bus or train, and hand them the piece of paper. If the person calls or sends you a note, great. If not, no big deal. Keep in mind that this is a very low-percentage approach, so don't expect a call. If you have time, it's best to just muster the courage to talk to the person.

- If the person is sitting and you're standing, position yourself so that your crotch isn't in the person's face.

- It can take some courage to actually talk to a stranger on the bus or train, but remember that this is really an ideal situation. If the person isn't interested, you probably won't see them again, and even if you do, you can just sit far away from them.

- If a person hunches over or turns away from you, or if he or she fails to make good eye contact, they're probably not interested, but not necessarily so. Some people are just shy, and public transportation tends to accentuate this shyness. Don't expect much from a person who shows negative body language toward you, but at the same time don't assume he or she is not interested. If you're particularly brave, take a chance.

- If you get shot down and feel embarrassed, just get off at the next stop and board the next bus or train. Maybe someone else will catch your eye. If so, try again. Even if someone might be interested in you in other situations, they might not feel like talking on their commute, or they might be preoccupied. Don't take rejection personally.

- When making eye contact, keep your facial expression light and friendly, rather than straight and serious.

- Look for a ring. Look to see if your potential paramour is wearing a wedding or (if they're a woman) an engagement ring. If they're wearing a ring (ring finger of left hand) they're off limits. If they wanted you to approach them, they would have left their ring at home on the dresser.


Warnings

* While the eye-contact test is a good way to gauge a person's interest in you, it's easy to misconstrue an innocent glance or, sometimes, a look of disgust for interest. Don't shy away from trying to talk to the person, but don't feel shocked or hurt if they don't seem interested when you do.

* Don't stare at the person. Brief eye contact can show you're interested; staring can show you're creepy.

* If you arrange to meet someone you've met on the bus or train, be safe. Meet in a very public place, and tell a friend or relative where you're going.

How to Pull a Tablecloth from Under a Place Setting



Anybody can yank a tablecloth out from under a table setting.
The only hard part is cleaning up all the broken dishes on the floor. Do you want to amaze your friends, impress the object of your romantic attention, and keep dishes intact? Follow these steps to become the star of your next dinner party.


STEPS

Set up the trick. If you're just practicing, you can set up everything just right, but if you're ready to perform, you'll need to make sure you try this trick in the right situation.

• Make sure the tablecloth is flat on the table and free of wrinkles.
  
• The tablecloth should be flush with the end opposite that from which you will be pulling (the cloth should not overhang the table along that edge).
  
• Let the tablecloth hang well over the edge from which you will be pulling.
  

Arrange dishes on the table. Begin with just one plate or bowl right in the middle of the table. Once you master this, add more dishes and arrange some of them closer to the table's edges until you are prepared to do the trick with a real table setting.

Put something in the dishes. If the dishes are too light, the trick will be hard to perform. This is especially a problem with plastic dishes. Usually, however, dishes have something in or on them at the table, so this isn't a problem. If you're practicing, put some fruit in the dishes, as this minimizes any spillage problem.

Grasp the tablecloth with both hands. Position yourself so that you are at about the midpoint of the edge of the tablecloth you'll be pulling.

Bunch the tablecloth up to the table's edge. If you've laid the tablecloth correctly, you'll have plenty of cloth draped over the edge of the table from which you'll be pulling. Use your hands to bunch this excess cloth up until you reach the edge of the table.

Yank the tablecloth downwards and step back from the table. Very quickly pull the tablecloth straight toward the floor. As you are doing so, smoothly step back from the table, but do not pull the tablecloth outward.

Finish with a flourish to make your performance look even more impressive.



TIPS

This trick is relatively easy to learn, but you'll still need practice to "pull it off" correctly. Practice with plastic dishes so that you won't break them if things don't go quite right the first few times.

A tall object, such as a vase or centerpiece, can be added to make the trick especially impressive. It's best to place such objects near the table edge opposite that from which you will pull, as this minimizes the length of cloth which travels under the difficult object.

If you are using a glass or cup on the table, fill the glass with water. The more mass(heavier) an object has, the more likely it will stay were it is.

Try and find a table cloth without a sewed edge. You can buy material at the fabric store to use as a table cloth, or just cut off the sewed edge on one that you already have.


Things You'll Need

* A smooth table with sharp edges
* A soft, seamless tablecloth
* Plastic dishes (for practice)
* Breakable dishes (for the show)
* Silverware
* A vase or centerpiece

How to Pull a Tablecloth from Under a Place Setting

Anybody can yank a tablecloth out from under a table setting. The only hard part is cleaning up all the broken dishes on the floor. Do you want to amaze your friends, impress the object of your romantic attention, and keep dishes intact? Follow these steps to become the star of your next dinner party.

This article will teach you how to pull a tablecloth out from under dishes, just like this.

How to Be Organized

If disorganization is congesting your life and you're feeling scattered and frustrated as a result, then it's time to get organized. But before you can be organized, you need to make a monumental effort to rearrange your stuff, your priorities, and most importantly, your habits.

Steps

1.Organize your space. Whether it's your home, kitchen, office, computer, closet, desk, or locker, you need to see what's in there, throw away what you don't often use (or put it efficiently in storage) and give everything else a convenient and clearly designated space.

* Clean out your belongings before you think about organizing (organizational tools, furniture, etc.). Don't do it the other way around. You can only really accurately know what space you have when you've cleaned up. If you don't really take a hard look at what you're stuffing in your spaces, you'll waste time and money organizing stuff you don't need anyway.
* Observe how you use your things and work out how to use your space efficiently. If it's inconvenient to get to things (or to put them away), your organization system is more likely to fail. Make it easy to get to and put away the things you need most often.
* Do you have items in your house that just take up space? Be sure to de-clutter regularly. Good questions to ask yourself in deciding: Do I need this? Will I need this in a year? Do I really love it? Is there someone else who could use this more? Do I have more than I could reasonably use in foreseeable future? Will I miss this if I don't have it?
* Know what "organized" looks and feels like. Organized spaces are simple to use. They have enough room for the items there. It makes sense. Every item in your home has a location. Organized spaces also feel calm, open, and welcoming.
* Use timers. Set a timer for how long you think a cleaning organizing task should take then work like crazy to get it done in the allotted time.
* Have a spot for all bills. Open all mail immediately and dispose of the outer envelope with the junk mail. Keep only the bill in a prominent location.
2. Put it back. Right now. Once you establish where everything belongs, you need to get in the habit of putting it back there as soon as you're finished using it. Don't put it on the kitchen table or on the couch and move onto something else, thinking to yourself that you'll put it away later. That's a big no-no.
* Always put your keys in the same place.
* Always put your cell phone in the same place. Have a cell phone charging station set up.
3. Use a calendar. Get a calendar and put it in a place where you see it every day, preferably in the morning. For most people, that's on the refrigerator, on their desk, or even on their desktop. Wherever you put it, make it part of your routine to refer to it every day. For example, you can put it on the inside of the bathroom cabinet where you get your toothpaste. Every morning, while you're brushing your teeth with one hand, touch today's date on the calendar with the other, and look to see what's marked for today and for the upcoming week.
4. Enlarge
Use a planner. A planner is especially useful if you have a lot of appointments and your days are so varied that you have trouble keeping track of your schedule. For example, if you travel a lot or attend classes at various times of day, it's much easier to carry a planner with you to consult frequently--you can't do that with a calendar. You can also usually fit more information in a planner.
5. Combine similar activities. Make all your phone calls at one time. Do all your errands at the same time. Pay all your bills at the same time. Do all shopping in one trip.
6. Write it down! Anything and everything you need to remember should be written down. Even if your memory is great, nobody's perfect and it doesn't hurt to put it on paper, just in case. Record phone numbers, appointments, birthdays, shopping lists, and things to do.
7. Make to-do lists.
* Make a to-do list for your day. Your list should never be more than 5 items long, or else you're taking on too much and setting yourself up for failure. Mark one or two of those items as things you absolutely must get done that day, and pursue those tasks relentlessly until you get them done.
* Make a to-do list for the week. Appropriate items here would be: Grocery shopping, fix air conditioner, etc. Draw from this list to make your daily to-do list. A white board or board with erasable markers can help to remember all one has to do every day, or long term goals.
* Make a to-do list for the month. This list would have more general tasks like: Birthday gift to Jill, get car serviced, dentist appointment. Draw from this list to make your weekly to-do list.
* Make a to-do list for your life. Drastic, yes, but why not use this time to rethink your life and where it's going? Getting organized is all about priorities, and it never hurts to get your ducks in a row.
8. Delegate responsibilities. Make sure the person you appoint to do the task has all the tools necessary to do the task. It's hard to be organized if you insist on doing everything yourself.
9. Multi-task. Organize a drawer while talking on the phone. Fold towels while watching television. Listen to books on tape while driving, etc.
10. Follow through. There's no point in making a to-do list if you don't discipline yourself to complete the tasks you've assigned yourself. There are many ways to stick to your to-do list. Stop procrastinating, remove or ignore distractions, and hop to it!


Tips

* It's a good idea to carry a notepad and pen with you at all times so you can write things down as they come to you (which is usually at the most inconvenient times--that's why it's so promptly forgotten). If you're worried about fitting a notepad in your pants pocket, don't be. Check bookstores like Barnes and Noble to find a notepad slim enough for any pocket. Of course, if your planner is compact enough, it can serve this purpose as well. Another idea would be to have a PDA, Blackberry or palm Pilot. Some cell phones have notification or note-taking menus. If you are using one of those, they may be practical too. As a last resort, call your own phone number and leave yourself a voice mail.
* When running errands, map out the best path so you get the most done and keep chit chat to a minimum. Don’t get side tracked. Target what you need to do. If something else comes to your mind, write it in your notebook to do at a later date.
* Post-it notes are your friend. Put them in nifty spots as reminders. For example, if you know you need to wash your car, then put a post-it note on your steering wheel so that next time you get in your car, you remember to get it done. Other good spots for post-it notes are doorknobs, mirrors, and PC monitors (the borders, not the actual screen).
* Start your phone conversations with "I only have ---- minutes to talk." Then stick with it. When calling for appointments, make sure you have all information you will need and write down any questions in advance.
* If you know that you're not naturally inclined to be organized, you can change that by starting with one small area of your living space and focusing on keeping that small area organized. Keeping a small area organized over time is easier to do, and it will help you build a new habit. After about 2-3 months of keeping one corner organized, you will naturally tend to expand your new-found organizing instincts to other areas.


Warnings

* Don't expect to get organized overnight.
* Don't expect your family and friends to instantly jump on the organization bandwagon. Expect some resistance. But stick with it. In the long run, you will be glad you did.
* Don't worry if you're not "perfectly" organized, as long as your area is safe, sanitary, and reasonably efficient. One person might want her sock drawer sorted by color, while another could care less.

How to Ask for a Pay Raise

Do you feel you deserve a raise but don't know how to ask for one? Here's how to approach your supervisor appropriately and make your case without seeming overly demanding.

Steps

1. Know your company's policies. Are you supposed to have annual performance reviews to determine your salary? Do salaries advance according to a fixed schedule or rank? Who can make the decision (or ask for it to be made)? Read the employee handbook (and company intranet, if you have one), or better yet, talk to someone in Human Resources.
2. Know what you're worth. Find out the usual salary range for those who do what you do in your region or area. If possible, get numbers that take into account:

* Your job description
* Your responsibility, including any management tasks
* Your years of experience
* Your seniority in the company
* Your education
* Your location
3. Prepare a list of your accomplishments. You can memorize the list or present a written copy to your boss for his or her reference. If you choose to present a written copy, have somebody proofread it for you first.
4. Make your case. Pay particular attention to problems you have worked on, and how you helped solve them. Why are you worth more money to your employer? How have business operations and profits improved since and because you've been there?

* Did you complete or help to complete a tough project?
* Did you work extra hours or meet an urgent deadline?
* Did you take initiative?
* Did you go beyond the call of duty?
* Did you save the company time or money?
* Did you improve any systems or processes?
* Did you support or train others?
5. Set time aside. If you just walk up and ask for a raise, you'll seem unprepared, and, well, like you don't deserve one. You don't have to give too much advance notice. Just say when you walk in to work in the morning "Before you leave, I'd like to speak with you." If your boss is really busy or disorganized, you might want to make an appointment.


Tips

* You can negotiate for more than just pay. If appropriate, talk about benefits, titles, and modifications to your responsibilities, management, or assignments.
* Many companies subscribe to industry salary surveys. Ask that your boss consult that information when determining your new compensation, especially if you think your pay has lagged behind that of your peers. It will lend credence to your numbers, if they are well-researched.


Warnings

* Stay positive. Do not use this time to gripe about management, coworkers, conditions, or anything else. If you must raise a concern for some reason, present it politely and come equipped with remedies and suggestions.
* Recognize that your boss has deadlines and budgets to contend with.
* Keep the discussion focused on your work, and your value. DO NOT use personal issues, including financial shortfalls or other problems, as the reason for needing a raise. This is business -- talk in terms of value for service.


Author: Liz

How to Write a Resignation Letter

One of the greatest secrets of success is knowing when to move on. With the right resignation letter, you will do so with satisfaction and leave on good terms with your previous employer.

STEPS

1. Say thank you. Resist the temptation to leave a piece of your mind, unless you want to be remembered as an ungrateful whiner. In fact, do the opposite. Document positive memories of your job. Mention how this job has positively influenced your career.
2. Give proper notice. It is simple courtesy to give your employer a reasonable amount of time to fill your position. If your job is complicated, your employer may need time for you to train your replacement. Give notice of no less than two weeks.
3. Stay professional. Be respectful and courteous. Do not use emotional or controversial language in your letter. You are a professional, so quit like a professional.
4. Use the "sandwich technique" where you soften the blow of the bad news of your departure with positive statements on either side. Begin your letter with a positive paragraph.
5. Place your resignation in the middle of the letter.
6. Close your letter with another positive paragraph.


Sample short Resignation Letter

Dear Mr. Balodoy,

It has been a privilege to work for Orchard Park during the past two years.

I will be leaving your company. This letter will serve as a two-week notice for my resignation.

I will always be grateful for the valuable experience and practical lessons that I gained while working here.

Respectfully,

Borandat


TIPS

* Do not discuss your resignation with co-workers. Do not ask their advice about writing your resignation letter.
* Do not spread distrust before or after your resignation.
* Do not ask your supervisor for a reference in your resignation letter. It is proper to ask for a letter of reference, but better to do it after you appraise the reaction of your boss.
* Keep it simple. Try to be short, concise, and direct in your letter. You don't want to leave the letter up for interpretation.

WARNINGS

* Your letter of resignation is documentation and will likely be added to your personnel file. Be very thoughtful about what you place in that document.
* Keep any emotion out of the letter. Avoid the temptation to tell off your boss or any of your co-workers in this letter. Any put downs will most certainly reflect poorly on you and you may later regret it. Don't burn your bridges.
* Your letter of resignation could be used against you in court if it ever comes to that.
* Check your company termination policy. Many companies require a minimum of 2 weeks notice for resignations. Otherwise their policy may be to never consider you again for a position. In your resignation letter, be sure to note the current day somewhere in the header, as well as your final day in the body of the letter.
* Keep in mind that the minute you submit your resignation letter, you could be told to pack your stuff and leave by the end of the day. Do not rely on your two week notice for job hunting, do it before your resignation.


Author: Liz