Many people are feeling overwhelmed by the need to achieve, the complexity of competition, and a fear of failure or rejection. As a result their self-confidence is like the mystical unicorn — elusive and seldom, if ever, seen. You will probably never catch a unicorn, but here are five steps to help you capture your self-confidence.

1. Focus on what’s right, not what’s wrong. Know your shortcomings and weaknesses, but it’s ineffective to constantly focus on them and what could go wrong. That thinking can nullify your strengths and kill your self-confidence.

Complete and constantly say the following phrases to build confidence:
1. I have a good chance of succeeding because…
2. Everything will work out because…
3. Today is going to be an extraordinary day because…
4. I’m great for this position or opportunity because…

2. Visualize Your Victory. Your unconscious mind makes no distinction between imagination and reality. If you imagine having confidence then you will actually experience being confident.

Take time to visualize victory. Daily, imagine what you will see, hear, feel, taste, and smell during your victory. Envision yourself successfully achieving your desired outcome. The more detailed your visualization, the more powerful your confidence will be.

3. Thoroughly prepare and be authentic. It’s difficult to be confident when you’re not prepared and pretending to be something that you’re not. Thoroughly prepare and keep it real. Be authentic. As you prepare, focus on what’s right, visualize your victory, and…

4. Avoid Disaster Dan and the Taverns of Turmoil. A Disaster Dan (someone that never has anything good to say) can mess with your mind. You talk about how things will be great and they tell you how everything is going to fall apart. You should tell people like that absolutely nothing.

Don’t tell them about your dreams, aspirations, or goals. Don’t even tell them your name, email address, or where you live. These kinds of people dwell in Taverns of Turmoil - negative environments - which should be avoided at all costs.

5. Set bite-sized goals and celebrate success. When a task, goal, or obstacle appears to be insurmountable your self-confidence can begin to wane. The good news, however, is that small, successful experiences can produce more confidence. As your confidence grows, celebrate and set another small goal. Celebrate again. This technique is a tremendous confidence booster.

Self-confidence is a priceless asset that will frequently tip the odds in your favor. Keep your self-confidence from being like the unicorn – elusive and seldom, if ever seen. Harness the power of self-confidence because with it you’ve already won.

“Proceed with [con] faith [fidence] in yourself.”

Renovations are not just about updating the design and comfort of your home. They can also be a great way to incorporate better approaches and sustainable technologies, they cost little but lead to big savings in dollars and also helping the environment.

1. When filling un-insulated spaces make them more energy efficient by considering rock wool or cellulose insulation. They contain recycled content and may reduce monthly heating cost.

2. The refrigerator in an average gas-heated home is the biggest single energy user. Consider recycling your old fridge and buying Energy Star rated appliances. Choosing a smaller size will also reduce the monthly energy cost.

3. Reducing water use and hot water bills when renovating your bathroom is easy. Install a low flow or low flow dual-flush toilet to reduce your water use by up to 25 per cent.

4. Showers use about 40% of the hot water in your home. Install a right flow shower head, especially one that is 1.75 gallons per minute (GPM) or less and you can save up to 30% energy.

5. Replace or install new windows with new Energy Star rated argon filled replacements for zone C or D. Also consider installing casement windows, which tend to be less drafty as they age when compared to slider or double hung windows.

• Romantic - Light wall colors, sumptuous textures, gold tones, gauzy window treatments, towel warmers, bubble bath, fresh cut flowers and potpourri set the scene.
• Retro - Remember the small bathroom tiles popular in the 1950s, and the bold floral and geometric designs of the 1960s? They epitomize retro style.
• Cape Cod - A natural association with water. Blue and white are classic colors for a Cape Cod bath but rustic reds, beiges and dark browns work too.
• Modern - Reflective surfaces, glass block, tile, stainless steel, mirror, enamel coupled with a minimalist approach and open space create modern.
• Country - Think organic. Stone, woven grasses, wood, plants and earth tones give a pastoral feel. Add charm with a claw footed bathtub.
• Rustic - It is a weathered mountain utilitarian vibe with handmade pine, wrought iron and woven mats on textured stone or wide plank wood floors.
• French - Refined and opulent, it makes use of gold color, pattern, architecture and wallpaper for a casual elegance that’s Old World.

These fast fixes may turn your home into a stress-free retreat.

Drape a cozy throw over the sofa or across your bed; reach for it whenever you need warmth and reassurance. It will act as a serenity blanket, recreating comfort and safety that you enjoyed as a child. Display cherished objects. A treasured possession of a favorite work of art is a symbol of safety and protection, producing a calm effect during times of stress. Fill a corner with a comfy chair and use it exclusively for quiet contemplation. The chair will soon become a serenity signal, cueing your body and mind to relax. Paint your bathroom blue. It is the most restorative space in your home - and painting it blue (or adding blue accents) will boost its therapeutic properties. Pale watery colors like blues and blue-greens are naturally soothing.

Imagine a touch-screen pad next to your tub. Enter a desired temperature and the tub fills with water at exactly that temperature. Imagine never running out of hot water again. Welcome to hot water on demand energy saving water heaters.

How It Works
A hot water on demand system heats water as you need it using gas or electricity. When you turn on a hot water tap:
1. Cold water flows into the system triggering the flow sensor
2. Powerful burners ignite and heat the water as it flows through the heat exchanger
3. Water comes out at the required temperature.
There is no tank or reservoir of water to heat up. For this reason, a hot water on demand system is commonly called a “tankless water heater”.

Saving Energy
A hot water on demand system is energy efficient because there is no reservoir of water to keep hot. The operating efficiency is not a good measure when comparing a standard system and a tankless system because it does not account for the standby losses. A better point of comparison is the energy factor. The energy factor is an estimate of the total energy cost for hot water. For example, the energy factor for a typical tank style hot water heater is about 0.55. This means that on average, for every dollar you spend on gas you get about 55 cents worth of hot water. A modern gas fired tankless system has an energy factor of about 0.84.

Saving Money
You can save money with a hot water on demand system Most product literature is misleading. A 20% energy saving is a realistic comparison of a modern tank system and a modern tankless system. Depending on your energy cost and the amount of hot water you use in a year, the payback may be 4 to 9 years. This is not bad when you consider that these systems last about 20 years compared to about 10 years for a standard tank hot water heater.

Skilled Technician
Thinking of installing a hot water on demand system? A skilled and experience technician is a must! A hot water on demand system requires a powerful burner to heat the water as it flows past the flame. The burner has to be powerful enough to heat the water even if several hot water taps are running at the same time. A skilled technician will know how to size the unit to supply the needs of the home. A skilled installer will be able to anticipate problems such as an inadequate gas line. The burner in a tankless water heater is so powerful it needs a large gas flow rate. If the existing gas line is not large enough, a new line will have to be installed.

Journal writing is proven to reduce stress. Your pen may also help you write your way to a happier healthier you.

1. Lower your blood pressure by free-writing. Write about everything that comes into your head. Induce a stream of consciousness called “flow”. It’s proven to reduce tension, even in your arteries.

2. Erase aches and pains. Write about serene nature scenes, from rhythmic ocean waves to picturesque fall foliage. Channel soothing natural imagery to lower stress hormones that ignite inflammation.

3. Erase the blues. Simply writing “happy words” such as “joy” and “happy” can make your mood follow suit. Using hopeful language makes you almost twice as likely to follow up with positive changes.

Here are some clever and cost-saving tips.

• Sinks. For non-abrasive scrubbing, sprinkle on baking soda; wipe away dirt with a sponge.
• Countertops. Fill a spray bottle with one part distilled white vinegar and one part water; use it to clean surfaces, no rinsing necessary.
• Tub, tile and shower. Clean hard-to-reach nooks and crannies - and say goodbye to back strain - with a Clorox bath wand or similar extendable tool.

When your hot water heater gets old should you replace it with another standard system or should you install a hot water on demand system?   There are three key benefits of a hot water on demand system: All the hot water you want. More energy efficient because there are no standby heat losses. Standard systems use energy to maintain the water temperature. A hot water on demand system is a small box mounted on the wall. Find some extra floor space by removing your old hot water tank.