When asked what the purpose of being in business is, what do you think most people would say? I would guess that almost everyone would answer that the purpose of being in business is to make money.

Imagine for a moment that the purpose of being in business was to grow people! What would be different? Everything would be different and you would make more money as well!

Institutions don’t create things, people do. We are the thinkers, the planners and the visionaries, who will shape the future. It is our destiny not only to change the way people communicate, but to change the way people think.

Visionary companies live a culture, a belief system, that is shared by every level of the organization. One of these shared beliefs is that the purpose of being in business is to grow people.

How do you grow people? You do this through coaching, setting an example, and operating a principle based organization. The following are the guiding principles that I believe are necessary for a company or business to be living in integrity.

1. I do what I say I will do.
   This is a fundamental principle. If an individual does not hold this as important, the entire system of core values fall apart.
2. I can't do it by myself.
   I am far better off as a part of a team than I can ever be by myself. Elite performers will never argue with this. They know that they must surround themselves with others. By doing so they create the atmosphere where learning, discovery, clarity, and accountability can occur.
3. Accountability.
   I am the source of all that I experience. The opposite of this principle is blaming. This principle is a source of strength for people. It doesn't allow them to become a victim. This principle embraces the concept that human beings are very powerful at creating results in their own lives.

Try making these principals a part of your business. Make a specific declaration to another person and then set out to execute and live out the guiding principles for the next seven days. Design some type of a reward or punishment with that person and watch how your perception shifts.

Now, because you have this dynamic of accountability in your life, instead of just seeing how busy you are and all of the reasons why you can't do what you said you would do, you will see the opportunities to handle whatever comes your way and still honor what you said you would do. The integrity that you live and work with will increase your sales and draw more to you.

Put one week after another together like this and you will have a thriving business and truely magical life. Good luck!

The Environmentally Friendly Way
A lush green lawn is a must-have for most homeowners, but many believe that the use of pesticide and weed eater is the only way to achieve this goal. The truth is with the proper care, lawns can grow lush and thick without the use of harsh chemicals. To help gardeners achieve a healthy lawn, we have the following tips:

Watering

• Water less often and for longer periods of time.
• Water in the morning when the sun is not as hot.
• Over watering can lead to poor growing conditions and diseases. You need just 1” of water per watering session to create a lush, healthy lawn. To keep track of how much you water, put a container on your lawn and check it after every watering session.

Cutting the Lawn

• Lawn mower blades should be set at 3 inch cut height. Longer grass will develop deeper roots, keeps moisture in the soil longer and help to prevent weed growth.
• Lawn clippings help retain moisture and slowly release nutrients, so leave them on the lawn.
• It's best to mow the lawn in the day so that its dry.
• Sharp mower blades will ensure the grass does not tear and will also prevent burning.

Fertilizing

• Organic fertilizer is available almost everywhere and can improve the thickness and colour of your lawn as well as its overall health. Look for blended organic fertilizers made from biodegradable materials.

Aerating

• Aerating your lawn improves the soil consistency because it improves the flow of water, nutrients and air to plant roots.

Soil

• Lawn or top dressing soils are the best soils for the lawn because of their consistency.

Have a green summer!

Buy plants that multiply - especially perennials. Daffodils, day lillies, yellow daisies (black-eyed Susans), hostas and mums are good bets; for example, daffodils double over time, and one 3" yellow daisy plant can grow to fill a square foot in two seasons. Search out low-cost seeds and cuttings. Find them at church sales, school bazaars, and farmers markets. You can also swap seeds and cuttings with friends and neighbors. Plant flowering fruit or nut trees. Trees such as apple, plum, peach and pecan provide great shade – and bushels of goodies. Create your own compost pile. With table scraps and leftovers to avoid the high cost of prepackaged nutrients.

These are the three most important factors to consider when shopping for a home. The whole subject of location is a personal choice. Establish what location is best for you with our checklist. Proximity to Work: Are you willing to commute? Prior to purchasing do a test commute so that you can accurately judge the amount of time it will take. Proximity to Schools: Are there good schools in the neighborhood? Even if you don't have children this could be important if you decide to sell the home later. Proximity to Other Amenities: Do you golf or use a gym regularly? Do your kids take piano or swimming lessons? Public Transportation: Do you have transportation options? Noise: Are you willing to live near an airport or next door to a busy park? Is there a lot of noise from traffic.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Injury Prevention) estimates that 40% of all unintentional deaths around the home are due to falls. One in five injuries that require a visit to an emergency room is due to a fall. Over 50% of these are falls that happen at home and most of these are falls from stairs and steps.

Railings and guards are designed to keep people from falling and injuring themselves. There is no doubt that properly installed railings and guards could help to improve these statistics.

What's a railing and a guard?
A railing is something to grip onto when you go up and down a staircase. A guard is something that keeps you from falling off a staircase, a deck or balcony. On a staircase, sometimes the railing doubles as a guard.

Common Issues:

Missing Railings:
Sometimes a staircase has no railing at all. Ideally there should be a railing on any staircase that has more than two or three risers. the actual requirement depends on your area and when the home was built.

Missing Guard:
A common scenario is that there is no guard on an open staircase to a basement. Today, many home owners have turned their basement into a recreation area and an open staircase is now a danger. Ideally a railing and guard should be added.

Guard too Low:
In some cases, an old home will have very low guards on staircases or balconies. Ideally, a guard should be 36 inches high, unless it's part of a staircase handrail in which case 34 inches would be ideal. In many areas, if the drop is six feet or more, a guard of 42 inches is required.

Railing or guard has large openings:
Railings and guards may have vertical spindles (called balusters). The hope is that these will keep people from falling through. In some cases, the spacing between the spindles is so wide, a child could fall through. Most authorities believe that a maximum opening of four inches offers the best protection.

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Match your cleaning strategy to your personality for better results!

Clear the Clutter. Clutter is your biggest cleaning problem. Creative types like you often drop things where you are and forget about them. Start by de-cluttering one area first, like your countertop. Your enthusiasm is less likely to lag when you concentrate on smaller tasks. Move from Room to Room! A multitasker with a flair for maintaining order no matter how hectic it becomes, you stay focused and ignore would-be distractions. That’s why cleaning one room completely before tackling another suits your innate desire to stay on top of everything. Tackle the tough stuff first. Perfectionists like you give whatever you do 100%. To keep your energy from being frittered away, focus on bigger tasks – like, reorganizing closets or the garage. Pick the hard stuff first, and you'll feel so good when your done, you'll not only want to keep doing, but the little stuff will be a breeze!

1. Air-dry Dishrags
   Bacteria can't survive without moisture, so let dishrags dry completely between uses.
2. Keep Handbags Off Tabletops
   Most pocketbook bottoms are full of bacteria!
3. Sanitize Countertops
   Use a paper towel dipped in chlorine-based cleaner, then throw it away immediately.
4. Sing ‘Happy Birthday’ While Washings Hands
   It'll take 20 seconds — exactly how long you need to scrub hands to kill germs.
5. Skip the Soaking
   Letting dirty dishes sit in warm water allows bacteria to multiply.
6. Wash Apples, Oranges, and Melons
   Germs on the outside skin can contaminate the pulp when you cut or peel fruit.

Guards that incorporate climbable elements are not ideal. An example is a bench built into guard or horizontal slats between the spindles on the guard. The concern is that children can climb them and fall over. Appropriate lighting for a staircase is a must. A dark stairwell is dangerous. Uneven stairs and stairs with non-uniform riser heights are dangerous. PILLAR TO POST® HOME INFORMATION SERIES

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