* "A Better You" Your 7 days program to self-improvement By Titus Maduwa

 I seem to lost count on how many times I've read and heard of celebrity marriages failing almost left and right. Not that I care (and personally I don't), it seems strange that we often see movie and TV stars as flawless people, living the fairy tale life of riches and glamour. I suppose we all have to stop sticking our heads in the clouds and face reality.

There are many ways to lose your sense of self-esteem despite of how trivial it could get. But whatever happens, we should all try not to lose our own sense of self.

So what does it take to be a cut above the rest? Here are some of the things you can think and improve on that should be enough for a week.

1. Know your purpose 

Are you wandering through life with little direction - hoping that you'll find happiness, health and prosperity? Identify your life purpose or mission statement and you will have your own unique compass that will lead you to your truth north every time.

This may seem tricky at first when you see yourself to be in a tight or even dead end. But there's always that little loophole to turn things around and you can make a big difference to yourself.

2. Know your values 

What do you value most? Make a list of your top 5 values. Some examples are security, freedom, family, spiritual development, learning. As you set your goals for 2005 - check your goals against your values. If the goal doesn't align with any of your top five values - you may want to reconsider it or revise it.

The number shouldn't discourage you, instead it should motivate you to do more than you can ever dreamed of.

3. Know your needs 

Unmet needs can keep you from living authentically. Take care of yourself. Do you have a need to be acknowledged, to be right, to be in control, to be loved? There are so many people who lived their lives without realizing their dreams and most of them end up being stressed or even depressed for that matter. List your top four needs and get them met before it's too late!

4. Know your passions 

You know who you are and what you truly enjoy in life. Obstacles like doubt and lack of enthusiasm will only hinder you, but will not derail your chance to become the person you ought to be. Express yourself and honor the people who has inspired you to become the very person you wanted to be.

5. Live from the inside out 

Increase your awareness of your inner wisdom by regularly reflecting in silence. Commune with nature. Breathe deeply to quiet your distracted mind. For most of us city slickers it's hard to even find the peace and quiet we want even in our own home. In my case I often just sit in a dimly lit room and play some classical music. There's sound, yes, but music does soothe the savage beast.

6. Honor your strengths 

What are your positive traits? What special talents do you have? List three - if you get stuck, ask those closest to you to help identify these. Are you imaginative, witty, good with your hands? Find ways to express your authentic self through your strengths. You can increase your self-confidence when you can share what you know to others.

7. Serve others 

When you live authentically, you may find that you develop an interconnected sense of being. When you are true to who you are, living your purpose and giving of your talents to the world around you, you give back in service what you came to share with others -your spirit - your essence. The rewards for sharing your gift with those close to you is indeed rewarding, much more if it were to be the eyes of a stranger who can appreciate what you have done to them.

Self-improvement is indeed one type of work that is worth it. It shouldn't always be within the confines of an office building, or maybe in the four corners of your own room. The difference lies within ourselves and how much we want to change for the better.

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# 1 International Author Titus Maduwa

*Six Petrol/Gas Saving Tips by Titus Maduwa

The price of gasoline is on the rise. This is truly a great concern if you are following a tight budget. So how can you save some money on gas? Read these tips.

1.The carpool system

This is a great idea for employees and students alike. Since all of you will have the same destination, there is no need to bring extra vehicles if you can all fit in one car or van. If you are with your co-workers, it is a good idea to bring your cars alternately or on rotation. If you have children that you bring to school or social events, exchange driving responsibilities with your friends.

2.Commute to work

You can always take the public transportation system when going to the office. This is also a good way to relax since you are not driving. You can even take a short nap while on your way.

3. Look at the prices of different gas stations

Take time to drive around and check the pump prices of the gas stations near your neighborhood. Keep in mind that a few cents difference can add up to a lot if you continually have your car re-filled in the same gas station all the time.

4.Shed some sweat

A good way to save money on gas and keep yourself healthy at the same time is by walking or riding a bike to your destination. It saves time since you do not have to look for parking and also makes you healthier from the exercise. Utilizing these alternatives will also keep you from getting stuck in traffic which will surely waste a lot of your time and gas. 

5. Keep your car in very good condition

It is necessary to keep your car's engine in good running condition so that it will not consume a lot of fuel. When driving around on errands, plan out your route before you even get out of the house. This will minimize your trips going back and forth. It is also ideal to use the aircon as minimal as possible since it drastically increases the car's fuel consumption.

6. Check your car's tire pressure

Keep it a habit to check your car's tires so each one has the right amount of pressure. Having unequal pressure can greatly affect the car's fuel economy. It is also advised for you to refrain from accelerating too fast since this means burning a lot more fuel.

These are some of the things that you can do to save on gas. Gasoline is not a renewable resource, therefore using it wisely is very important to conserve this valuable commodity.

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 #1 International Author Titus Maduwa

#1. Cutting your Kids' Schooling Costs by Titus Maduwa

Whenever the school season is just around the corner, there's only one thing that parents are thinking about - the impending costs. Education is a primary right and a pertinent need of every child but it can become very costly. Availing of scholarships and education grants for your children is the best way to get them through schooling. But of course, only a small percentage of children can be given these privileges. 

There are simple and effective measures that parents can employ in cutting the costs of their children's schooling, especially during the back-to-school season. Most often, these measures are often taken for granted, but don't miss out!

Organize and Save

Keep an inventory of your children's school supplies and keep it organized. If you are not organized, you will be spending more money on replenishing your supplies. Small things like pencils and crayons may not cost too much, but if you replenish your supplies unnecessarily, you are losing valuable money.

You should also try involving the kids when making the inventory. This will give them a sense of ownership for their things and would know where to take and put their things.

Tax Holidays

Tax holidays are often offered by many states during the back-to-school season.  Price ceilings will be put on different school gears. You might want to do a little research and ask about the schedule and the details of the tax holidays in your area.

Bulk Buying

It's a basic economic principle - "the more you buy, the more you save". Well, this is applicable if you are buying a specific item which you will really need in the near future. In buying pencils, for example, you might want to buy a box rather than buying one for each of your kids. Face it, you will be needing to replenish these after some time, so might as well avail of the lower price by buying in bulk.

Transportation

You might want to consider buying your child a bicycle for him to bring to school. This, of course, is not always feasible. Finding a cheap and safe way to bring your children to school daily is an important thing. Car pools and school transportation services are options that you can look at.

Snacks

Whenever you have the time and energy to prepare food for your children, do so. You will not only be saving on the pocket money that you will give to them but you are also secured that your children are eating healthy and safe meals.

Getting your children through school is a hard task and a costly one. Saving money through practical and simple means can assist you in this endeavor. The benefits will eventually add up to bring a brighter future to your children.

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# 1 International Author Titus Maduwa

The Gift of Today

When you wake up in the morning of a new day, which is, in fact, today how do you usually feel? Are you intimidated to face the challenges of today or are you super excited to begin your day right away, open to all the opportunities of the new day? Which version of you would you prefer to be? Read on for insights.

Challenges help us grow. And self-growth is a vital part of life. The more your mind gets stretched, the better. You also need to be physically stable. An aching or dysfunctional body will cause discomfort or inconveniences to carry on with your day. Always remember, health is wealth. So take care of yourself and nourish yourself properly.
So you need to be emotionally and physically stable to make your day today.
Once you have both, jot down on a piece of paper the interesting things you would like to do today. It can start from your visit to the dentist and end up with a fun conversation with your best friend on the phone in the evening. In fact, it can be any way you like but here's a tip: The most difficult and inconvenient task at hand should be dealt with at first and foremost, so that you are free to enjoy the rest of the day relaxedly and happily.

How can you make today, and all todays to come, interesting? Socialize simply. It can be from the comfort of your home using Skype, Facebook or Messenger on your laptop. Or, you actually can go out and hang out with friends you like.
What about work in the office? How can you make it enthralling? You still need a to-do list. Which work will you address at first?

 What if the workload is huge? Find a beginning point and break it down to modules, one module to work on per day over the span of the next few days. This is the best way you can simplify your work and make it achievable, gaining smugness, satisfaction and a boosted level of confidence. So how can you work on the modules in an interesting way?

Ask for help if you have questions. Then try the gigantic source of internet to gather more information. All kinds of tutorials and YouTube videos are already there on the web. Tap into them and give yourself enough time to go through them mindfully. It will get better and better; you will know the next few steps automatically and you will be highly inspired the minute you complete a module for today.

Go home and relax. Do not think about work and work only. Know that it will get done in the office hours. Now is the time to spend with your family and kids. Have some occasion preplanned for today's evening. You can cook together, have fun and eat together or go on a ride to a restaurant and have a scrumptious dinner.
After you come back, you will obviously go in separate ways. Take this little time before retiring to sleep to mull over the events of the day and note them down in your journal book and think again how you can make the next day even more interesting, which in fact, will be today again after a night's restful sleep.

Make it a point to make all your todays interesting. And that means making yourself interesting because that way you are full of vigor and spirit and it is yourself you will be spending time with most of the time. Ponder and brood for a few minutes everyday and ask yourself, "How can I make myself more interesting today than I was yesterday?' You intuition will tell you everything. All you need is to tap into it. With the best intentions and highest purpose in mind, the better the chances are that you will make your day today gracefully.

Rosina S Khan has authored this article, showing you how making your day today is equivalent to making yourself more and more interesting every day. She hopes, after reading this article, you will be inspired to take on the gift of a new day that is, in fact, today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Rosina_S_Khan/2054435
 

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