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Self-improvement is vital for success, personal growth, and self-fulfillment. Oh, and don’t forget bragging rights! Here are eight self-improvement tips everyone should know. Give this a chance. This could be the start of something great:

Self-Improvement is Like a Billiards Break. You need to force things to come apart and scatter. This is exactly how self-improvement tips work. Force yourself to go out of your comfort zone. Try new things. Don’t be afraid to travel, go back to school, learn on the job, etc. Simply put, try everything at least once, within reason of course. It is in this self-exploration that you start to discover your real self.

Overall Improvement. The popular misconception is that self-improvement tips are only concerned with education and emotions. Don’t forget that you want to improve everything about you,including your physical self. Eat right. Get enough exercise. Get plenty of sleep.

Keep a Journal. A journal allows you to keep tabs on yourself. Reading it allows you to go back to what you did a few days, weeks, months, years, ago. How is the reading? Do you need to kick things up a notch and do something for a change!

Base Value. In your journal, add a short description of yourself and your life. Update it on a regular basis i.e. quarter, semi-annually, every year. What has changed? If the answer is nothing; it’s time to do something.

Rest and Relaxation. Do it every day. A couple of minutes are enough. Find a quiet spot, close your eyes, breath in and out at a relaxed pace. Slow your breathing and just let everything go. Stop thinking! This is the basis of meditation. Clear the clutter from your mind to give room for new ideas.

Think Positive. The proper mindset is always necessary for self-improvement. If you stop and think of the expenses, lost opportunities, time spent away from your TV, PC, etc. then you won’t accomplish anything. Instead, think of the potential that you can unleash.

Set Milestones. Write things down in your journal. Set milestones or specific objectives. Make it grand and challenging but reasonable. This way you wake up each day with a sense of purpose. When you do reach those milestones, celebrate. Give yourself a well-deserved break or simply buy yourself a big chocolate bar.

Be Critical. Some experts believe that the best way to be critical of yourself is to teach. If that is to your liking, then go ahead. If not, then you can substitute teaching with other critical thinking exercises. For example, writing pros and cons, elaborating on your shortcomings, and asking for an independent assessment from a mentor.

https://www.SelfRemake.com

The Fireplace

• Never burn gift wrappings, boxes, cartons, or other types of packing. They burn far too rapidly.
• Always use a screen in front of the fireplace to protect against flying sparks.
• Never use gasoline or any other flammable liquids to start a fire.
• Use only seasoned and dried wood.
• Never leave the fire unattended or smouldering.
• Clean the ashes regularly. Place the ashes in a metal container and store outside.

Electrical Outlets

• There is often a tendency to overload outlets during the holiday season. This is unsafe.
• Inspect all cords before using. Look for loose connections or frayed or exposed wire.
• Insert plugs fully into outlets. Poor contact may cause overheating or shock.
• To avoid possible overheating, do not coil or bunch an extension cord or run it under carpets or rugs.

The Kitchen
Grease and fat fires are a leading cause of home fires, so be extra careful when doing this kind of cooking. Here’s what to do if grease in a pot or pan catches fire:

• Smother the flames by covering with a lid.
• Turn off the heat immediately.
• Use baking soda (flour can be explosive) on shallow grease fires.
• Never turn on the overhead fan, as this could spread the fire.
• Never throw water on a grease fire.

Last but not least …
make sure your smoke detectors work!

1. Determine where you would like to position the fireplace, keeping in mind, it’s typically the focal point of a room.

2. Carefully, consider your space and find something to suit the décor. Think of style, scale, color and the type of unit that will be ideal in the space.

3. Look for innovative fireplaces that encompass everything on your checklist and offer a superior flame and warmth.

4. Electric units are simply plug-and-play, but make sure you have an outlet within reach and shop for units that use lower wattage. Some units draw less than a hairdryer!

5. Go shopping.

6. Open the box, plug it in, and enjoy the warmth.

Home is our emotional heartland - a place to restore our balance. You can make your home feel even more like a relaxing haven with:

1. Candle Light. It has a hypnotic, soothing effect for most people.   2. Dimmer Switches. People respond to softer lighting by lowering their voices - an instant stress buster. 3. Plants. They awaken a “back-to-basics” appreciation for life that counteracts the hectic pace of modern living. 4. Sheers. They filter fabric-fading sunlight down to a tension-easing warm glow. 5. Carpeting. Noise is a common stressor, and rugs are great sound absorbers. 6. Soft Music. The right selection can calm instantly. Try Bach, Mozart or your favorite harmony.

Clients often ask Pillar To Post inspectors about the value of upgrading windows. There are many good reasons to upgrade windows, but it is often difficult to decide based solely on dollars and cents.

Save Energy
Replacing old drafty windows with modern windows will save energy, but the cost will not likely justify the energy savings. Break even will only occur after twenty to thirty years. Beware of claims such as 40% savings on your energy bills. Realistically, you may save 10% - 20%. If saving money is your only goal, consider weather stripping and repairing the windows you have. The decision depends on the condition of your current windows and your desire for the benefits discussed below.

Comparing Windows
U-Factor
A standardized rating system called the “U-factor” provides a single number with which to compare windows. The U-factor is a number between 0 and 1: the lower the number, the better. 0.35 is good. In cold climates, the U-factor is the most important factor for selecting a window.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
In climates where air conditioning is more important than heating, the SHGC is the most important factor for choosing a window. The SHGC represents how much heat from the sun penetrates the window. The SHGC is a number between 0 and 1. For air conditioning climates, a number less than 0.4 is good. For heating climates, a larger number, such as 0.6, is better.

Single Pane
A single sheet of glass does not provide sufficient insulation in most climates. If you have single pane windows, consider an upgrade.

Single Pane with Storm Window or Secondary Glazing
A storm window or a second pane of glass inside the home, provides an additional barrier of glass. Mounted over existing windows outside or inside the house, can significantly increase efficiency of the window. Ideal when a home owner wants to keep the existing windows.

Double Glazed
The most common type of glazing used today is double glazed, involving two panes of glass hermetically sealed with a small air gap in between.

Triple Glazed
Three panes of glass hermetically sealed with a small air space in between each. More efficient than double glazed, triple glazing also effectively blocks sound.

Argon Filled
Some manufacturers put argon gas, a better insulator than air, between the panes, resulting in a more efficient window. Most experts agree that the argon does not last forever.

Glass Coatings
Coatings or films can dramatically improve the efficiency of a window. In a heating climate, low-E glass allows short wave solar radiation into the home for a heat gain, and prevents heat loss by reflecting the longer wave heat from inside your house back into the room. In hot climates, the window can be coated or tinted to reduce heat gain from the sun.

Experts believe that with the right mindset, you can invite good luck into your life. To edge your luck along:

1. Know you deserve it. Positive thinking will keep you open to “lucky” experiences. In fact, if you look for it, you’re much more likely to find luck.

2. Use a mantra. Try saying, I’ve been taken care of in the past, and I will be again now. You will open up more good things coming in.

3. Listen to your instincts. Our gut instincts usually lead us to “lucky” outcomes.

4. Break your normal routine. People who try new things - and who are flexible - are more likely to find luck.

5. Imagine being lucky. Visualizing yourself triumphing or getting a lucky surprise, like a promotion, can lead to real-life luck.

Pamper overnight guests with these simple steps to preparing a restful guest bedroom.

1. Put a reading lamp beside the bed. Who wants to get out of a cosy cocoon to turn off the ceiling light?

2. Display books and magazines. Many people love to do a bit of reading when away from home. It’s a great way to unwind.

3. Hang a fresh robe on a hook. It’s too bulky to pack when travelling, so it is a great indulgence to have one waiting for guests.

4. Provide note cards, postcards and stamps. Receiving an actual piece of mail is so special these days.

5. Put out a wonderful candle. Create some ambiance - and don’t forget the striker and the matches.

6. Decorate with a sweet little bouquet. Fresh flowers are always welcoming, even if it is just a small vase with a simple bloom.

1. Modern windows are more energy efficient. Using less fuel preserves our environment.   2. New windows eliminate drafts and cold spots. 3. New windows look better, potentially increasing the value of your house. 4. New windows function better and are often easier to clean. 5. Modern windows block street sounds better.

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The lazy days of summer are over and it’s time to get the kids organized for the school year. Here are some tips to make getting back to the routine a little easier:

1. Create a family communication center. Choose a location in your home that is used regularly by family members, preferably near a phone. Put up a bulletin board to display messages and the family calendar.

2. End ‘what to wear’ battles. A simple 5-compartment sweater organizer for the closet can tame morning madness. Have your child choose his/her wardrobe in advance for the whole week and store each day’s outfit, including socks and underwear, in one of the five cubbies.

3. School snacks made easy. Pre-package daily portions of cookies or snacks in small zippered plastic bags and keep them in a bin on a designated shelf.

4. Routines make life easier. Post a schedule indicating regular times for repetitive tasks, i.e. homework, bath time and bedtime. Keep in mind that it takes about one month for routines to become part of daily life.

5. Say goodbye to morning TV. Watching TV while getting ready for school is a distraction which can slow down the entire family. Consider listening to music in the mornings instead.

6. Use alarms and timers. We can all lose track of time. In the morning or before important appointments, set a timer or an alarm to signal a 10-minute warning so you and the kids can get out the door in time.

7. Why waste time filling out forms? Every time kids go on a field trip, their parents are asked to fill out a permission slip and emergency medical form for each child. Save time by doing it once and photocopying.

8. Is your family over-scheduled? Spending too much time driving your children all over the city for their extracurricular activities? Consider limiting each child to only one after-school activity at a time. Another option is to encourage activities where the teacher will come to your home i.e. piano or guitar lessons.

9. Keep track of school papers easily. Start the school year off right by purchasing a file box for each child to store all the multitude of school papers that would otherwise end up cluttering your kitchen counter. This acts as a temporary home for exams, assignments and notes that will be referred back to throughout the year.

10. Create a homework center. Create a study space conducive to doing homework. Find a location away from the TV. Designate a cupboard or basket for homework supplies and stock it with items your child will require.

Although the first few weeks of a new school year can be challenging for kids and their parents, getting organized can relieve some of the stress and set everyone up for success.

A certified professional organizer®, life coach
https://www.WeOrganizeU.com

Fall is the best time to get a jump start on the most important cleaning chores around your house. Make your home ready for anything before winter comes and hopefully prevent last minute emergencies.

Kitchen Appliances
Fall and winter are some of the busiest times for cooking and entertaining. Ensure all kitchen appliances are working and ready for the parties.

Carpet Cleaners
Prepare for holiday guests by having your carpets professionally cleaned in the fall. Avoid the stress of dealing with overbooked cleaning companies.

Air Conditioning
Rather than waiting to find out if it will turn on next summer, inspect the air conditioning system and vents in the fall. Make any necessary repairs or replacements now, during the off-season.

Heating Systems
Don’t wait until the first freezing night of winter to discover you no longer have a way to heat your home. Repair companies will also be busier during the colder months.

Humidifier
Make sure to check it is properly functioning in the fall, before you wish to use it.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Fall and winter are the peak seasons for candles, fireplaces and cooking with gas. Inspect for repairs and replace the batteries.

Clean Chimney
Dirty or obstructed fireplaces are dangerous, and send smoke and toxic fumes back into your home. Inspect your chimney once a year.

• Pull large kitchen appliances away from the wall and thoroughly clean behind them.
• Scrub the inside of your oven, refrigerator and microwave before they will be needed for large holiday dinners.
• Thoroughly clean carpets and rugs.
• Clean and treat hardwood flooring to prepare it for mud and water throughout winter.
• Vacuum drapes and valences with the hose extension of your vacuum cleaner. Opened doors and windows during summer often let in extra amounts of dust and dirt that have since settled on fabric and furniture around your home.
• Clean blankets, quilts and comforters that will be needed for fall and winter.

Use fall as the perfect time to prepare your home for the coming winter.

Keep your appliances in good condition and avoid costly repairs with basic maintenance. Steps to take include:

Clean the filter and screens in your dishwasher periodically, and check for clogs, broken glass or food at the bottom of the unit. Check washing machine hoses to be sure they are in good condition. Empty pockets of items before putting in the washing machine. Clean lint filter in dryer after every use. Clean dryer vent, hoses and filters periodically. Vacuum the condenser coils on your refrigerator at least twice per year. Don’t use more laundry detergent than recommended in your washer. Keep bushes trimmed back from your outdoor air conditioning condenser. Protect your air conditioner from direct sunlight.

Damp basements are one of the most common problems that plague homes. This includes old houses and new houses. Many damp basements can be improved simply and inexpensively. It is worth investigating a little yourself before calling in a basement expert.

Surface Water
The common cause of damp basements is improper handling of exterior surface water (rain water). Surface water that saturates the soil immediately next to the home can make its way into the basement.

Condensation
Condensation is a common problem in basements. Condensation looks and smells like basement leakage. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between the two. There are a few things you can do to improve the situation. First, try reducing the sources of interior moisture. If there is a shower or bathtub in the basement that is used regularly, make sure there is an exhaust vent and that it gets used. Verify that the clothes dryer vents outside. If the basement is clearly colder than the rest of the house, warm it up. This will reduce the relative humidity and reduce the potential for condensation. One of the most common scenarios is an air conditioned home where the basement is colder than the rest of the house. These basements often smell and feel damp. Reduce the flow of cold air to the basement by closing air registers. Consult with a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning technician to investigate the possibility of adding return air registers to the basement. If you see moisture on the surface of the foundation, you can test if it is water seeping through the foundation or if it is condensation. Tape a piece of clear plastic sheet, about one foot square, tight to the foundation wall. After a few days, see if moisture has formed on top or underneath the plastic. If the moisture is on top, you have a condensation problem.

Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers sure do work to reduce the moisture in the air and thus tend to dry the basement. However, dehumidifiers use a great deal of energy. Try to deal with the source of the moisture first. Pillar To Post® inspectors have reported seeing many homes with clothes dryers venting gallons of moisture into the basement with dehumidifiers running continuously along side. This is a huge waste of energy!

Basement Floor Drain
Basement floor drains should have water in them. This water is a vapor lock that prevents sewer smells from getting into the house. If your basement has a musty smell, check the floor drains. If the drain is dry, pour a bucket of water down the drain. Check it again an hour later to see if the drain keeps its prime. While some problems can be easily solved some dampness problems are more serious. In these situations, an expert will be required.

In today’s world, it is important to keep your confidence leaning on ‘the bright side of life’. Why not try these encouraging ideas?

1. Study shows that 1,000 mg. of vitamin C before delivering a presentation saw stress levels plunge within 15 minutes making you feel more optimistic.

2. Compliment your reflection. If you pass a mirror, acknowledge something positive about yourself, leading to feeling extra confidence.

3. Beat the odds - wear red. It triggers the brain to that make you more assertive.

4. Hang out with self-assured people. Listen to them talk. Observing their energy and inner strength will inspire and empower you.

After using olive oil in the salad dressing or cooking, keep these other good uses in mind.

1. Polish wood furniture with a teaspoon of oil and a soft rag.

2. Lubricate measuring cups and spoons for easy cleanup of sticky ingredients like honey, grain mustards and syrups.

3. Free a stuck zipper by using a cotton swab to apply olive oil to the teeth of the zipper, and then ease the tab down.

4. Remove paint from your skin by applying olive oil to the area. Rub gently to work olive oil into the cracks of your skin. Then scrub with a dry washcloth.

5. Fix a squeaky door by using a rag or cotton swab to apply olive oil to the top of a problematic hinge.

One good way to investigate dampness is by walking around the home during a rain storm. Check the following:   Gutters should be clear and drain properly. Overflowing gutters are a common problem. Downspouts should not flood water next to the house. Add an extension (leader) to discharge the water well away from the home. Downspouts that discharge below grade should be checked very carefully. Make sure water is not leaking into the soil or backing up into the basement through the floor drain. In some cases it is prudent to disconnect downspouts that discharge below grade and redirect the water away from the house instead. Ask a Pillar To Post inspector for advice on this. Land around the house should shed water away from the house for at least six feet.

Spring is a perfect time of year to freshen up your home so you can relax and enjoy the lazy days of summer ahead. But sometimes the thought of organizing the whole house can seem overwhelming. If you feel you don’t have the time to organize every nook and cranny, start with these quick and easy steps:

1. Do the five-things dash.
Walk into each room of your home with a box or garbage bag and choose five things you can throw away or donate. Choose duplicates or items that are worn out, outdated or rarely used.

2. Eliminate the expired.
Use a plastic bin to gather up medications, vitamins, and over-the counter drugs. Look at each item’s expiration date. Have a bag nearby to toss the outdated items. Take them to the drugstore for safe disposal. Keep the current medications in the plastic bin, label it and store it in a cool, dark place out of children’s reach.

3. Toss the toiletries.
Just before you brush your teeth every night or jump in the shower every morning, spend just five minutes getting rid of hair products that don’t work, bath products you never use, and skin care products that haven’t lived up to their promise.

4. Clear the counters.
Remove anything you don’t need and don’t use daily from your kitchen counters. Put out an attractive bowl or basket as a catch-all for items that usually lead to clutter. Once you’ve cleared the counters, you’ll have a more relaxed environment for eating and entertaining. Reward your efforts by displaying a vase of fresh flowers or a pot of spring bulbs.

5. Eliminate under-used utensils.
While waiting for water to boil or the oven to preheat, go through your utensil drawer and eliminate items you don’t use. Go through your kitchen “junk drawer” and see what treasures you’ve forgotten about and what trash you can remove.

6. Get the family in gear.
Make a game out of de-cluttering by getting the whole family involved. Give everyone a box, put on some up-beat music, set a timer, and see who can discard the most items from their room. Take the donations to charity. Then choose a token prize for the winner and a reward for the entire family.

7. Do the season-swap.
Now is the time to put away the winter coats, boots, and wool hats and bring out the sun hats, rain jackets and umbrellas. If you don’t have an extra closet, try storing a rolling garment rack in the basement or spare room, or using under-the-bed storage bins.

8. Cut clothing clutter.
Put aside about half an hour to step into your closet and pull out any winter items you didn’t wear this year, while it’s still fresh in your mind. If you didn’t wear it this winter, you likely won’t wear it next, so let it go now rather than storing it for another year.

These tips will help you clean and organize your home in less time, so you can go out and enjoy the summer sooner - guilt-free.

A Certified Professional Organizer®, life coach, TV Host and owner of We Organize U. visit www.WeOrganizeU.com or e-mail info@WeOrganizeU.com

Planting and tending a garden is often an overlooked way to enrich your health and build a positive outlook. “Gardening is a great way to relieve stress, take time for yourself, and unwind,” says gardening expert Denis Flanagan. It allows you to take part in an activity with an end result that you take pride in.

Here are the top 5 reasons to garden this year:

Gardening is good for your health.
It is a natural stress reliever - as well as a natural form of exercise, and it can help release your artistic side. Planting a vegetable garden is a great way to get all the physical health benefits and enjoy the nutrition of home-grown produce.

Gardening helps instill life lessons.
Especially beneficial to children, it can help instill lessons about nurturing, caring, and sharing with others.

Gardening helps foster relationships with neighbors.
Being out in your garden can help break the ice between you and your neighbors. Why not pick a fresh bouquet for the new neighbors up the street or invite the people on your block to a backyard BBQ and serve fresh-grown veggies?

Gardening increases the value of your real estate.
Every homeowner knows that the more you invest in your home, the more its value increases. Adding an updated landscape theme or a beautiful new garden can also give you an increased sense of pride.

Gardening can help the environment.
It is also great for the animals that live around your home. Adding a bird feeder to your garden will bring an added element of wildlife to your yard, and installing a rain barrel or water-conserving fountain will look great, while reusing water.

Happy gardening!

Step one: Rake.
Rake on a sunny day when the grass is dry. Be gentle because the roots are still fragile. Raking removes winter debris and dead grass, separates blades matted down by winter, and helps control thatch.

Step two: Check for bald spots, moss and compaction.
These problems indicate the soil needs aeration to increase the amount of air, nutrients, and water reaching it. This strengthens roots and helps prevent thatch.

Step three: Top-dress your lawn.
Top-dressing improves the quality of the soil, making it more breathable and nutrient rich. It also helps with drainage, evens out small bumps, and stimulates new roots.

Step four: Consider over-seeding your lawn.
Grass thins and tires after a few years. Over-seeding encourages thick growth and discourages weeds. Water lightly every day until the seeds germinate.

Time spent admiring your garden is enjoyable indeed, but time spent getting it to look good can be much less fun. Follow these tips to make toiling in the soil more pleasant.

Warm up. Gardening is exercise, so do some stretching before you get to work.   Dress right. Wear pale clothing, a hat, gardening gloves, and necessary kneepads. Don’t forget the sunscreen. Use the right tools for you. Choose the right length for your height and the right size for your hands. Take frequent breaks. Gardening requires a lot of bending, so stand up and take a walk around. You can admire the fruits of your labor while stretching your muscles. Drink water to keep hydrated. Vary between tasks. Don’t overwork a set of muscles by doing the same job for extended periods. Working higher than shoulder level is particularly taxing.

Older paint contains lead. Over the years, governments have gradually phased out the use of lead in paint. If your house was built before 1960, the paint used during construction would have contained a great deal of lead.

Reduction started in the 60s, with complete elimination by the 1980s. If your house was built after 1978, the paint likely has no lead in it. What’s wrong with lead based paint? Lead is unhealthy if ingested, and it is surprisingly easy to ingest paint. It has a way of finding its way into our diets, particularly into the diets of toddlers. For instance, painted door-jambs and window sashes create paint dust during use. For toddlers who spend a great deal of time on their hands and knees, and who “test” the world through their mouths, this dust presents a serious health hazard if it contains lead.

Testing:
Knowing if you have lead based paint is half the battle. The paint can be tested on site by a lead-abatement contractor who has specialized testing equipment provides instant results. The alternative is to send a sample to a lab for testing. Contact the lab first to get directions for obtaining and packaging the sample. Contact your local Pillar To Post® home inspector to see if they can test for lead.

Dealing with Lead Based Paint:
Keep it clean. Lead dust is the problem. Wet mop floors weekly and wipe surfaces to remove the lead dust. Some suggest using special detergents and discarding the mop after use. Information on detergents and cleaning protocols are readily available on the Internet.

Encapsulate:
The paint on the walls and ceilings is fairly safe because the surfaces typically do not wear. You can protect these areas by applying newer lead-free paint over the top, in a process that builders call encapsulation.

Replace:
Wear surfaces can be replaced rather than encapsulated. For example, you can remove and replace door-jambs with new wood.

Remove:
Where encapsulation or wood replacement is not practical, you can remove the paint using chemical strippers. This task is time consuming and expensive and should only be done by an expert lead abatement contractor since proper containment is essential.

Are you curious if you are being told the truth? Here are a few clues that should help you out:

Two P’s: If you hear protestations and passive language, you may not be hearing the truth. Look out for phrases like “I swear to tell the truth” and “kind of”.

Body-language barriers: Liars often cross their arms to create physical distance or turn their torsos to one side to make themselves look smaller.

Eye movements: Eyes shift up and to the left when creating a story, and to the right when accessing memories. Also blinking slows when telling an untruth.

Nose rubbing: Pinnocchio may be fictional, but the effect named for him is real. Lying makes your nose itch. The stress of lying unleashes an adrenaline rush that dries out your nose and releases histamine.

A case of cola is a staple in most homes. Rather than drinking it, here are a few other ways to put that can of cola to use.

Clean Battery Terminals. Clean car battery terminals. The acidic properties will eliminate corrosion. Pour some soda over the battery terminals and let it set. Remove the sticky residue with a wet sponge or rag.

Loosen Rusted Nuts and Bolts. Soak a rag in soda and wrap it around a bolt for several minutes.

Make Cut Flowers Last Longer. Pouring about half a cup of cola and water into a vase. The sugar in the soda will make the blossoms last longer.

Clear Out a Slow Drain. Pour a bottle of cola down the drain to help remove a difficult clog.

Lead poisoning does not happen overnight so do not panic. For peace of mind, you can test your children for lead poisoning with a simple blood test done by your family physician. Wash children’s toys often. Toys may collect dust. Wet mop floors and wipe surfaces weekly to minimize the amount of lead dust. Have children wash their hands often, especially before meals. Do not attempt to remove lead based paint yourself as you may create a much bigger problem by spreading lead dust around your house.