Success - 3 Keys to Taking Control of Your Thoughts

Your thoughts are a major part of the success that you have in your life. If you have thoughts that tell you that you can't succeed then you will find it very difficult to succeed at anything. However, if you have thoughts that assist you in your success then you will have much more success. Here are 3 keys to help you take control of your thoughts so you can succeed at whatever you put your hand to.

1. Become aware of what your thoughts are.

Do you know what kind of thoughts you have during the day or do your thoughts just happen without you ever knowing what is going on? If you start paying attention to what you are thinking you will find out that you may not be thinking things that will help you. Start monitoring what you are thinking and rate your thoughts on how much they either help you succeed or hinder you to succeed.

2. Snap your thoughts away.

One of the best ways to change your thought patterns is by snapping them away with a rubber band. I learned this from a book called 'The One Minute Millionaire'. Put a rubber band around your wrist. Every time that you realize you are thinking something that is negative snap the rubber band. You may be a bit sore for a while but before long you will stop thinking limiting thoughts because you don't want to snap that rubber band any more.

3. Replace your thoughts.

The moment you realize that you are thinking about something that will hinder your success, immediately start to think about ways to become successful. You have to train your mind to think the way you want it to. This may take a few weeks but you will begin to see the results of it in your life very soon.

Success - How to Live a Life of Wealth

I have met so many people that want to live a life of wealth but don't actually know what that is. You may think that a life of wealth means to have more money than you know what to do with but that is not a complete answer. A wealthy life is one that encompasses every aspect of life.

You may know someone that is very rich but are totally unhappy. You may find it hard to believe that someone with a lot of money can not be happy. You may think that having money is the answer to happiness but it's not. For you to have true wealth you must be wealthy in all areas of your life.

If you want to be wealthy the first thing that you need to do is define what wealth is to you. This includes your finances, family, health, business, work, and so on. If you are able to reach all the things that you have listed as successes in these areas you will find true wealth. The reason why most people never reach true wealth is because they search after one thing which is usually money. In reality, money is only a part of wealth.

Strive to keep a balance in the areas of your life that you want to be successful in and you will find that wealth is yours. Learn from people that have gone down that path that you are endeavouring to go down. The more advice and wisdom that you can learn from someone who has true wealth that faster you will be able to obtain it in your own life.

Groomsmen Gifts- Top 10 Cool and Unique Groomsmen Gifts

The bride is usually the super shopper during the whole wedding process. She's got a dress, shoes, purse, jewelry, pantyhose and makeup to buy - and that is just her outfit for the big day! Then there's all the details such as the save the date announcements, wedding invitations, wedding favors, flowers, cake, cake topper, serving set, toasting flutes, bridesmaids gifts, etc... just to name a few. Whew! I'm getting tired just thinking about how many countless hours all that will take. If you're the groom, you'll be lucky if she does all this with her mom or girlfriend and not you!

Traditionally, the groom gives out groomsmen gifts to the guys that stand by him in the wedding party. After all, your buddies are taking time out of their lives and busy schedules to be part of your wedding ceremony. They may be a little stressed out about this so it is only fitting that you show you appreciate for their efforts. I mean, really. Most of your pals will be getting into a tux for the first times in their lives. That is a huge deal for a guy. Most guys don't get that dressed up for anyone!

The dads, best man, the groomsmen, ushers, and ringbearer boy are all guys that the groom should definitely not forget. You can also get a modest gift for any special reader, photographer, pastor or priest that is putting forth an extra effort above and beyond their usual scope.

Groomsmen gifts need not be overly complicated or expensive. They should also not be something you drive yourself nuts picking out. Here are 10 suggestions for can't-go-wrong groomsmen gifts. These are the most popular that have stood the test of time and wedding tradition:

1. Liquor flasks. This is a favorite of the younger crowd. If given early enough, the flasks can be used during the bachelor party. Although, most guys will save this one for the wedding reception. Some receptions will have a limited bar or no bar, so sometimes you have to bring your party with you for maximum fun. Get these flasks personalized with names, monograms or initials for a personal touch.

2. Glass mugs. Most glass mugs come in many sizes, with 25 oz and 13 oz. being the most popular. This is a good choice if you have someone in your wedding party that might not use a flask. A glass mug can be used for beer, soda, water, sports drinks, or any beverage at all. The smaller 13 oz. size is good for the ringbearer. You can give the big guys the 25 oz. mug and the smaller 13 oz. version to the little guy. Glass mugs can typically be engraved with names, titles, initials or dates in one or two lines to commemorate your special event and good times.

3. Pocket watches. Pocket watches are cool in an old-school sort of way. They are one of those gifts that no one would ever think to buy themselves, but when someone gets one they think it's a neat gift. A pocket watch is a throw-back to yesteryear. It's an old-fashioned twist on a modern item. Everyone uses a watch or clock. A pocketwatch can be carried daily in your pocket or kept for special occasion use. Engrave initials on these for a traditional look.

4. Money clips. There is a wide price range on money clips. You can get basic silver plated money clips for under $20. Or, you can spend $400+ for a thick 14K solid gold money clip. Whatever your budget, a money clip is a sophisticated gift. Sometimes a wallet is too bulky. If a guy has a money clip, he grabs some cash, his license and maybe one credit card, and he's traveling light and ready to roll. Initials, monogram, name or a short message is all that needs to be engraved for that extra special touch.

5. Baseball bats and balls. Wood baseball bats are practical and special. They typically can be personalized with title (such as Best Man or Groomsman), recipient's name, and bride and groom's name, and wedding date. There is a lot of engraving real estate on a bat so you can fit a lot of information on there. Baseballs are also good for saying a lot in terms of personalization. You can get full size 34" bats for your guys and maybe a mini wood bat or baseball for the ringbearer.

6. Leatherman multitools. Guys love gadgets. Leatherman tools fit the bill perfectly. The Leatherman Micra and Squirt won't break the bank at around $20-$30. The Micra and Squirt are keychain size multitools. Or, go for a full size pliers with the Fuse, Blast or Wave. There are about a dozen models of Leatherman tools available. Pricing ranges from about $20 up to $100. All models can be engraved. This is certainly one of those items that a guy will keep forever. A tool is handy and will be used many times over the years.

7. Zippo Lighters. You don't have a be a smoker to appreciate a Zippo lighter. There are hundreds of designs to choose from. You can pick sports team lighters for sports fans. Or go with basic chrome or brass lighters for everyone. It's up to you. Here's a chance to get really personal and unique, yet everyone gets the same thing: a lighter. You can pick out a special design lighter for each person that holds a special meaning or fits the recipient's personality. Engraving makes this gift choice a winner.

8. Victorinox Swiss Army Knives. Let me say it again. Guys love gadgets. And there is nothing more gadgety than a Swiss Army Knife. Move over MacGyver. We got some groomsmen that need awesome pocket knives. Swiss Army Knives are not just knives. You can get basic models with a few features like a blade, scissors, toothpick and tweezers. You can go all out and get a model with over 50 features. It is all up to you and your budget. Engraving on the handle or blade is possible.

9. Cigar Holders. If you need an excuse to smoke some cigars, then a wedding is the answer. Hand out fine cigars to your buddies. But, make sure these cigars are placed into cigar tubes that have each been personalized with your guy's name or initials. This is the ultimate in class.

10. Pub Signs and Coasters. A personalized bar sign and matching coasters will elicit the "wow" response from any guy. Pick out a sign with a graphics design that matches his personality. Hunting scene, martini glass, beach scene, automobile motif, pool table theme, and more are all available. Matching coasters can be added for a complete bar package. Starting in the low $30's, these are definitely gifts that you can't find at the mall. And, personalized coasters? These are the bomb! Your guys will love hanging these in their dens, kitchens, rooms, anywhere in their house and seeing their own names on them. The signs and coasters are colorful and unique and make for a great gift idea.

You can't go wrong with any choices in the top ten groomsmen gift ideas listed above. Another surefire way to stay the course is to go with the same gift for all the guys on your list. Everyone gets the same gift. This way one person won't get something cheaper or more expensive than the next guy. Each gift can be made unique to the recipient by the engraving and personalization. Be sure to pick up some gift cards, gift bags and tissue paper at the nearest greeting card store to go for maximum presentation power when you get ready to present your gifts.

How To Be Successful Selling Timeshare and Vacation Owner - Get Your Share of the Big Bucks

Timeshare and vacation ownership. what are they about? What is it like to have a career in this industry? What does it take to make a six-figure income and to stay employed in the industry?

I am not writing these articles with the intention of hiring anyone since I'm not a sales recruiter.I do have an MBA in real estate development and management and my pet peeve in business is employee turnover. I just don't like it. Turnover in the vacation ownership/timeshare industry is horrible.

My MBA side of my brain tells me that turnover is expensive and not exciting or positive for anyone involved. You've also probably heard that dissatisfied customers or employees can do more damage to the business in the long run than the happy customers and employees can do to improve your bottom line.

If something frustrates you or gets you mad, the best thing you can do, instead of anger management or psychotherapy, is to take action. So here I am.

Most salespeople hired to sell vacation ownership or timeshare need a real estate or timeshare sales license. If you have the time and the money, the more comprehensive full real estate license will allow you more career options and I highly recommend more education in any field if you want to be successful and stay in the industry.

What happens when a person gets a job selling timeshare or vacation ownership. At this time in the industry, potential guests or prospects are marketed and invited to a sales presentation. The majority of these guest invitations include an incentive or gift for the participant's time. People love gifts, and incentives, and a good deal. We're greedy, bargain hunters. The industry knows this and depends on us to fill the sales centers for presentations.

As a salesperson, the presentations you will make will often range from 90 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the company you work for. With timeshare or vacation ownership sales the unique factor is that the guest or participant you will try to sell has come to see your resort and product with intentions of getting a gift, getting out fast, and most have no intention of buying anything.

Selling people who have not come to buy anything and often who have an agreement not to buy no matter what you have, no matter how good it sounds, and no matter how affordable. This is such a different form of selling than working in a retail store where people have come in specifically to buy something and with intentions of taking it home with them.

The employee turnover in the timeshare and vacation ownership sales industry is huge. It's horrible. Employers spend an amazing amount of money to find salespeople and salespeople get in the business and are shocked by the rejection and how hard it can be to sell people their vacations and they run away. A successful timeshare salesperson must be perceived by the guest as authentic and sincere. Companies should have more comprehensive sales training to help build the employees skills so they will be able to stay on the job.

I attended a financial seminar and they discussed the "Asset Value of Employees ." My question is, " If employees are your greatest asset, how much money and value are you adding to the bottom line of your competitors when they leave you and go to work for your competitors?" If the companies finally calculate these numbers they will have to pay more attention to keeping their employees and not letting them fail and leave.

Dress For A Summer Wedding

Many bride and groom want a wedding on summer. The wedding guests may receive a number of invitations. This leaves the guests to panic on what dress to wear for a summer wedding.

Restrain from wearing too much wedding jewelry. To wear too much glittery wedding jewelry will also compete with the bride. Wear Cubic Zirconia wedding jewelry. It is virtually hard to distinguish between Cubic Zirconia and Diamonds wedding jewelry.

Dress according to the weather. The sun fills the weather with lots of sunshine and warmth during summer. The weather may be hot and humid too. So, a tea length, strapless, or spaghetti-strap tops wedding dress is appropriate for the summer wedding. For Jewish wedding, you may want to avoid baring the shoulders.

The summer weather is perfect to show the marvelous tan skin tone. However, the skin may need to endure long hours of under the sun. A healthy dose of sunscreen will really help. Wear also your sunglasses to protect the eyes from the sun.

With beautiful weather in most days, the summer wedding has the potential for outdoor setting. The wedding can be held on garden, backyard, or beach. So, there is potential to go barefoot. Hence, a strap sandals or shoes may be appropriate for the summer wedding.

It is also important to know the level of formality. The wedding invitation will show the level of formality. If it does not show on wedding invitation, it is good idea to ask the bride or groom. The level of formality may be black tie, formal, semi-formal, beach, informal, or casual.

Avoid the white dress. The white dress will compete with the bride. Let the bride be the star of the day. As long as wedding dress does not look mourning dress, the black wedding dress will look elegant and fabulous on the summer wedding. The wedding guests who like to wear daring colors can wear pink, and red.

Choose wedding flowers as design pattern. The wedding flowers are symbol of summer as the wedding flowers are abundant on summer time. Wedding flowers are basic design pattern, but you can choose a more intricate design pattern. In that way, black wedding dress distances away from the mournful look.

Is Marrying A Russian Woman A Legislative Nightmare?

Many people are afraid that soon after your Russian wedding, you will be inundated with administrative work, and Visa hassles. Although there is some paperwork to file and deal with, it is relatively easy compared to what people think it will be like.

Years after your Russian wedding, you will only remember the day and the excitement of getting married rather than all the hassles you will deal with after. The hardest part of marrying a Russian woman is the questions that you will get from your friends about whether the woman is using you to get her citizenship in your country. They may assume she just wants to leave Russia and will do anything to get out. Only you will know the truth.

There is no question as to why you have married a Russian woman. It could be that you saw her for the first time on vacation or maybe even on a dating website, but either way, you have fallen in love with her and want to marry her. Being in love strongly outweighs any problems you have with the paperwork you have to file after the wedding.

First you should understand what the "Finance Visa" is, also called the K-1. This document allows your sweetheart to stay in the United States for a limited time period, during which the marriage should occur. Usually it is for 3 months, which is enough time for you to get to know here, and make the big step.

This paper is a non-immigrant Visa, and will allow your fiancee to stay with you, but as soon as you legalize your relationship, then you will be required to prove that you live together and are a functional family. In order for you to have the initial K-1 Visa, you, as the future husband, is expected to submit a Petition for Alien Fiancee, from I-129F.

This form is used to petition to bring your fiancee, and any children she may have, to the United States for marriage. For the children, you need to fill out petitions for forms K-3 for your future spouse and K-4 for the children she has. If you have these Visas, then they can enter the United States and complete the processing involved for permanent resident status. Do not be afraid that your new family will not be able to integrate fully into American society, because anyone holding K-3 and K-4 Visas can accept employment in the United States by obtaining an Employment Authorization Document.

It may sound very complicated, but it is actually simple. All you have to do is to follow the guidelines for filling out every document, and there are agencies that can help you out with this if you need them to. There are special attorneys that will look after your Visa processing and will update you regularly on the outcome. Of course they do cost money, but it will save you time when dealing with all the paperwork. In addition, many of them have websites in which you can see updates and the progress that you are making with the Visas.

You should enjoy your marriage, and let others deal with the formalities.

The Wearing of Mantilla Veils

For the modern wedding, a bride may choose from a number of different types of veils. They vary in style, length and by the type and amount of fabric. Veils can be very short or very long and made from materials such as tulle or lace.

A mantilla veil, cascading about your hair and down over your shoulders is a beautiful way to frame your face during your wedding ceremony. These veils are traditionally made of delicate white Chantilly lace and are perched atop an ornate head comb called a peineta. While popular in Spain and Latin America, as well as among persons of Latino descent, a mantilla may be worn by any woman that wants a traditional, semi-formal look.

Historically, mantilla veils were more often of black lace instead of being white. They were originally worn by women of the Andalusia region of Spain. This may be due to some Arab influence in the early years of their use, as Spain had many Arabian visitors.

As can be seen from paintings of Velasquez, a Spanish painter of the 1600's, some women wore these lace or silk head scarves but it was not prevalent. Generally the women of this time period wore mantillas only during special occasions. As Spain explored and brought its cultural ways to South and Central America, so came the mantilla veil to Latin America.

In the mid-1800's Queen Isabel II of Spain encouraged women of her court to wear a black lace mantilla. After her death, the custom subsided except during Holy Week (the week leading to Easter) bullfights and weddings (a black mantilla would be worn by the bride's mother and possibly some other women). Also a black mantilla is traditionally worn when a woman, has an audience with the Pope.

Now, a white mantilla is appropriate for a church wedding but can be worn at other ceremony locations as long as it coordinates with the wedding gown. Available lengths for this type of veil range from shoulder length to below the knee.

The peineta comb gives the mantilla height. It could be made of tortoiseshell, be encrusted with jewels, or be of another simpler yet elegant material. Together with the lace mantilla veil, women adorned in this way appear especially feminine, royal and stately. While very lovely, the mantilla may be removed entirely after the ceremony. Depending on her hairstyle, the bride may keep the peineta or replace both with a tiara.

If the veil is custom made, a second layer of veil can be created to be used as a blusher. The blusher is a short, single layer veil that covers the bride's face during the ceremony and is lifted back at the point in the ceremony when the groom "may kiss the bride".

Wearing a mantilla can bring some old-world charm to the modern wedding.