Advice To Help You Achieve Personal Development Goals

Focus on your strengths rather than trying to do 

things that you aren't capable of or aren't good at. 

Celebrate your own diversity and remember that 

although you may not be able to do certain things as 

well as you'd like, there are things you can do that 

others can't do nearly as well. Never focus on the 

skills that you haven't mastered. It is far more 

productive to look for new opportunities to develop

the skills that you naturally possess.

 
A great organizational system can help you track your progress. You may find it easier to achieve your goals

if you break them down into smaller components. Use a daily planner to track your

progress, or write down your goals and successes in a journal or diary.

 
Maintaining benevolent wishes for others can lead to an increase in the good 

things you bring into your own life. In this sense, you should only wish the best

for other people. Thinking positively can decrease the burden of negativity.
 
If failings don't respond to efforts at improvement, it may be wise to consult a therapist. An in-the-flesh therapist can provide much more insight than a 

clinical self-help book can. Sometimes, talk therapy can help you discover a 

breakthrough. Books can't interact with people the way a trained psychiatrist is able to.
 
Make others feel good by offering them compliments. If you are kind to other 

people, you will be kind to yourself.
 
Your personal goals should be concrete and specific. Realistic and specific goals

allow you to create a better plan to achieve those goals. You'll more easily 

handle difficult things that come your way, and help you successfully reach your goals faster.
 
The principles you believe in need to be put into practice. Each person has his 

or her center of beliefs. When your core beliefs are well-founded, your self 

esteem improves. This also helps to make you a consistent person. This is an 

essential character trait.
 
You need to know what your beliefs are in order to make a self improvement plan. It is not smart to focus on things that do not line up with your values and 

morals. So instead, you should spend your efforts on things in your life that 

match up with your values. By spending your time in these specific areas, you can

make the changes in the areas that matter and have these changes stick with you.
 
Learn to recognize which obstacles are keeping you away from your goals. This is a difficult task for many people. Even so, identifying personal weak points is a critical initial step in order for them to be dealt with. When you take each area

and take action to improve it, the path to a better future is much smoother.
 
Many people are unaware that diet can affect feelings of depression, as an 

increase in consumption of complex carbohydrates can help. If you are not getting

enough carbs, you might have a low serotonin level. Eat more fresh fruit, raw 

vegetables, whole grains, beans, brown rice and nuts to improve your complex 

carbohydrate intake.
 
Life is unpredictable and taking a few calculated risks is necessary. Many do not

want to risk feeling like a failure, or feeling rejected, so they are often stick

in comfort zone that leaves them feeling unfulfilled. Being capable of 

undertaking risks may ultimately be a contributing factor in one's overall 

happiness.
 
Learn to deal with stressful situations without reacting in an emotional way. 

Stay graceful under fire, and you will gain confidence that helps in your day to day life. Take time each day to just breathe.
 
To be successful in your life, you will need to have a good coach to help you 

through the process. Every champion has a great coach; the advice of a 

knowledgeable mentor is priceless. There are many people that are more than 

willing to help others. In the absence of mentors, it would be difficult for 

individuals to reach their full potential. Everyone needs a great coach or 

teacher in their life.
 
Try to always make every day better than the one before. It is important to make sure you keep pushing yourself every day to keep improving. Whatever you did 

yesterday, do it that much better today.
 
Ask successful people around you about their habits and consider adopting them 

too. Transform your lifestyle one small step at a time by selecting just a couple

of things to work on at once. Experts suggest that it takes three weeks to form anew habit, so persevere and you will change your ways.
 
Every champion needs a coach, so get someone to help you. A would-be champion 

needs the support of a coach or mentor. Helpful experience is meant to be shared with those who need it. This is the way knowledge is passed down, and human 

progress happens. Everyone who is a great success had a great coach.
 
When you are working toward personal development, an important thing to keep in 

mind is that you are entitled to the best. Believe that you should do the best 

for yourself. At the end of the day, you can feel satisfied that you have given 

it your all, and you will have nothing to regret.
 
Find people you can relate to. This will create a reinforcing environment for 

meeting your goals and also help you avoid people who will bring you down with 

constant criticism.
 
It may become discouraging to begin developing better personal habits and 

lifestyles, but once you start noticing your life developing towards a better 

future, you will never want to stop. You can always develop better ways to do 

things and it's important to always try hard towards any personal development 

goals you have.
 

Feel Sexy About Yourself

Are you tensed because of the excess weight on your legs? If yes, then we have the solution for your problem. We are writing this article specifically, for helping customers like you, by providing the tips, which are ideal in the process of weight loss from legs.

Increase the Walk

Do not lose any opportunity of walking and try to quit car, bus or train as much as possible. Try to walk at an increased speed, as it can enhance the heartbeat rate. Uphill walking is more preferable, because it targets the specific muscles for the fat reduction.

Mini Trampoline

Try to jump on the mini trampoline to reduce the weight, especially from the legs area. In the initial stages the time duration can be 2 minutes and after a while, it can be extended up till 20 minutes, as more time on the trampoline, makes the weight loss process a complete cakewalk.

Inclusion of Regular Cycling

Here is what you would get when you include cycling into your regime.Inclusion of regular cycling is a must to get effective results, within a short span of time.Stationary bike and standing cycle, can give very good solution, as it targets specific leg muscles. Ordinary cycling must be given more time because it is not a specialist in the weight loss from legs.In the slimming of legs, uphill cycling can play a key role.

Swim Daily

Want to reduce weight from the legs, then why don't you swim. Reducing the weight was never so easy, but after a recent research it has come to light, that swimming is an excellent art of shedding those extra pounds from the legs.

Do not Neglect Calf Raises

Follow the process of raising the calves and this can fetch you remarkable effects on the legs. Three sets of 10 each is an appropriate way of doing the act.

Large Quantity of Water

Increase the quantity of water as this can improve skin color and cellulite effect. Eradicating the toxins can be successfully done by water. Fat burning process is done, by prevention of dehydration and removing the fats from the legs.

Have a Balanced Diet

Try to follow a balanced diet filled with fruits, vegetables, cereals etc. By eating a combination of these substances, the body metabolism can be enhanced to a greater extent, which can result in an excellent digestive system.These simple exercises can certainly help you with getting your desired results.

Your Success Development: Financial Goal Setting Is Essential

One of the barriers to success development is the 

inability to handle money. Money is a necessary 

commodity and if we do not learn to control it, it 

will control us. Even if you do not have a goal to be 

wealthy, you do need to learn basic financial goal 

setting to achieve your other goals. You will not be 

free to pursue what you really want if you are 

constantly dogged by financial worries.

 
Basic Financial Plan
 
Your first financial goal should be to draw up a basic financial plan. This is as

simple as organizing your money to make sure you are not constantly running 

short. It is as basic as making sure your outgoings do not exceed your income. As

basic and common sense as this is, most people who get into financial 

difficulties do so because they do not follow this simple rule. 
 
Do A Basic Budget
 
The best way to organize your money is to draw up a simple budget so you know how

much money you need to run your life. If you have not already done so, make a 

list of all the fixed costs you have to meet on a regular basis. By fixed costs, I mean the regular outgoings you have to make to cover such items as rent or 

mortgage; credit card or other loan payments; utilities; travel costs - to and 

from work. These are the costs you have to meet just to live and if you cannot 

meet them, you cannot run your life. 
 
Emergency Money
 
Build an emergency fund, as this will give you security. The simplest way to do 

this is to set aside a percentage of your pay into a separate bank account. You 

should do this first. You have probably heard the saying, "pay yourself first", 

and so you should. If you do not do this you will be trying to save from what is left rather than putting aside the money first and living on what is left. Set 

this up to happen automatically so the first money to come out of your pay is the

emergency fund money. If your pay goes into a bank account you can set up a 

direct debit to have the 10 or 20 percent paid into a separate account.
 
Aim to have 3-6 months income in that account. That way, if lose your job or if 

you are off work without pay, you will not fall behind and be forced to spend 

time catching up.
 
Keep It Simple
 
As you can see, this is not about complicated financial goal setting. It is about

giving you the freedom to focus on your success development rather than having to

stop and deal with financial problems. If you are forced to do this you will use energy you should be directing towards achieving your main goals. That's why your

minimum financial goal should be to control your money so you can control life 

and concentrate on your long-term success.
 
 

Looking To Change: Women Gaining Self Confidence

Many women suffer from self-esteem issues, and the stress of life can put a huge burden on them. Most people realize that they want to change themselves, but these women either don't know how or don't believe that they can. For those who are looking to change, the following tips should help with women gaining self confidence.

Map Out Goals

The first step for women gaining self confidence is for them to realize they need to change and that their low self-esteem is hurting them. Most women have already taken this first step. The second step is for women to map out their goals. They need to determine what they want to do, how they want to change, and how they can overcome their insecurities. By coming to terms with all of these and deciding how they're going to get where they want to be, women can better motivate themselves to improve their lives, ultimately boosting their confidence.

Join a Support Group

For women with serious self-confidence issues, joining a support group can be one of the best options. These support groups can help women realize their strengths and help them eliminate some of their weaknesses. By joining together with other people, women can better motivate themselves, they can relate to others who are in the same situation, and they can boost their self-esteem without even realizing it.

Try to Eliminate Some Stress

One of the hardest things in life is the pressure that stress puts on women, which causes them to lose time for themselves and erodes their self-confidence. Instead of trying to be super-woman, women should evaluate what stresses them out and try to eliminate some of them from their life. While there may be several things that aren't an option to eliminate, there is always something that a woman can get rid of that may leave her feeling a little more stress-free.

Take Control of Physical Health

No matter how low a woman's confidence is, whether she is breaking down or she just needs a little boost to get back on track, one of the best ways to boost a woman's self-confidence is if she takes control of her physical health. It is important to eat right and exercise often to keep the body healthy, but it also helps to reduce stress, improve mood, and stay motivated in all aspects of life. As a woman tries to keep her body healthy, she will also see changes in her appearance, making her feel more confident in her body.

Seek Encouragement

Another important part of improving self-confidence is for women to seek encouragement from loved ones, a support group, or a therapist. If a woman simply lets someone know that she needs help, she may be able to get back on track with her self-esteem improved. Not only does the encouragement from other people help, but she will also feel a little better if she's not hiding anything, such as her insecurities. A woman should talk to loved ones often and let them help her improve her life.

What Are the Diamonds in Your Life?

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have." -Fredrick Koeing

They say, "Diamonds last forever." And, that statement is true. Their brilliance and shine and value never diminish or go away. But, what typically doesn't last forever is our appreciation of these little gems.

In a way, their brilliance, shine and value are equal to the first day they came into your world. But for some reason the excitement and happiness you felt when they first became yours fades with time and the bling factor becomes just another thing factor.

STUFF AND THINGS

Think about how you felt when you got your new car. Were you excited? Did you love that new-car smell? Did it feel great riding around in it? Now how do you feel when you get in your car? Do you feel the same way?

What about when you bought your new home or some piece of furniture in your new home? Or, what about those new shoes, or that new sports equipment or new clothes?

Or the collectible thing-a-ma-jiggers you love? Or your vacation home or your boyfriend/girlfriend now husband/wife, the day your kids were born and all of the other diamonds that have come into your life with anticipation and excitement.

Think about how you felt then and how you feel now about those very same things. Do they hold the same value to you, or have you lost your appreciation of their value? It's more commonly known as taking things for granted.

Why does that happen? And, how do you get back those feelings of excitement when those feelings are buried along with the treasures that are right in front of you?

GRATITUDE

It's called appreciating the little things in your life. I think of it as re-looking at all the good that surrounds you.

All of those people and things that once made you so happy and excited when first receiving them can still make you feel that way if you stop for a second and REALLY look at them instead of glossing over them as they fade in the distance or they become a non-thing in your peripheral vision.

It only takes a millisecond to remember. It only takes a second to say, "Thank You" to the Universe, God or you Higher Consciousness.

Start every day by taking a minute to look around you and be thankful for all of the little treasures you've accumulated that make your home a home. Close your eyes and whisper, "Thank You" and send out a blessing to all of the people you love.

Look at the world through new eyes and begin to be happy and excited again because most of those diamonds are still there shining their brilliance into your life. But, all you have to do is take a second and REALLY see them so they can sparkle.

So, take a minute to stop and savor your blessings. Show your love and appreciation to someone you love and those are the diamonds that will shine in them long after you're gone. Those are the diamonds that last forever!

Developing The Willpower And Discipline To Establish Good Habits

Achieving success in any worthwhile but difficult endeavor requires willpower, discipline and good habits. These are intrinsic factors that can help overcome difficult situations. Without these factors, dreams are likely to remain as unfulfilled aspirations. Talent and opportunity rarely converge without the individuals inner impetus to succeed. These concepts are similar and interconnected.

Interdependency

Willpower refers to the psychological factor of being highly committed and focused in doing a task or pursuing a goal. On the other hand, discipline involves the actual investment of effort, time and resources, requiring self-control. It is often associated with delayed gratification or the ability to avoid distractions. Habit may refer to regular any task or behavior that has become part of the routines of an individual.

Willpower is necessary to enforce self-discipline and sustained discipline is necessary to form good habits such as taking regular exercise and eating healthy food. Evidently, not all habits can be considered as positive or productive. Some habits such as vices and procrastinations need to be eliminated. Eliminating these bad habits will require willpower and discipline.

Routines

Just like bad habits, good habits can be developed through repetitions. By incorporating tasks, behaviors and attitudes in the regular routines, they usually become habits. More often than not, habits do not take too much effort or thought. They become natural and virtually effortless that they are almost instinctive.

Bad habits are oftentimes much easier to develop because they are pleasurable and sometimes addictive. They are also difficult to eliminate. For example, smoking is a bad and unhealthy habit that is hard to eliminate because of the addictive nicotine content. Any addictive habit creates physiological and psychological dependency that can interfere with normal cognitive functions.

If willpower and discipline are needed to develop good habits, they are also needed to eliminate bad habits. Unfortunately, bad habits are usually the result of external circumstances such as social pressure or culture. Case in point is the unhealthy eating habits of people in highly industrialized countries. Fast food restaurants are almost ubiquitous in these countries, serving high-calorie and fat-saturated food.

Motivation

Developing willpower and discipline is only possible if there is enough motivation to do so. Motivation can be extrinsic or intrinsic. It may come in the form of incentive or threat. For example, the main incentive for eliminating smoking habit is better health either through disease prevention or recovery from already existing diseases such as emphysema and lung cancer.

Willpower and discipline will allow individuals to be fully responsible for their actions. These help in achieving success despite of difficulties. Hence, success truly become meritorious and worth savoring when accomplished.

Top Tips on getting Scholarships

 

Scholarships are free money awarded to students that demonstrate outstanding academic, athletic or artistic ability. They are offered by colleges, universities, private corporations and other organizations. Competition for this free money is high.

Students must have the highest grades and excellent ACT or SAT scores, they must also convince the benefactors why they deserve a scholarship. In other words, they demonstrate what differentiate themselves from other candidates.

Here are some helpful tips on how to search for the right scholarship for you student, how to get through the application process, how to increase your chances of being selected, and what mistakes to avoid along the way.

Plan Ahead

1.   Planning ahead is an important key to your scholarship search. Searching and applying for scholarships takes time. Don't wait until the last minute.

2.   Prepare for deadlines. There are deadlines on applications. In addition, there are often stipulations on required courses or other activities that must be completed in order to apply.

When to Begin

3.   Don't wait until your senior year - this is a sure way to lose out.

4.   The best time to begin thinking and planning ahead is the sophomore or junior year in high school.

Where to Begin

5.   Know what kind of scholarship you're looking for - this will narrow the search.

6.   Scholarships are academic, athletic or artistic - know which one is right for you.

7.   General scholarships - the competition will be keener on scholarships open to all students.

8.   Subject specific scholarships - scholarships for specific fields of study like accounting, math,  

    medicine and law will narrow the playing field and should be included in your search.

High School Resources

9.   Advisors are excellent sources of information on where to to begin looking for scholarships.

10.   Guidance offices receive information regularly from colleges offering scholarships.

11.   High school career counselors are familiar with the application process and other requirements

      and can guide you through this seemingly overwhelming task .

12.   Your high school can also put you in touch with other scholarship resources. They know where

       to look.

Local Resources

13.   Look for local corporations and other organizations that are well known for giving away free

       scholarships.

14.   Begin with the companies where your parents work. Many companies offer scholarships for

       children of employees.

15.   Check out local chapters of national organizations such as American Legion, Boy Scouts of

      America, Police and Firefighters Association, National Guard, NAACP, Knights of Columbus,  

      Jaycees, Rotary, Lions, VFW and Elks, and contact them for more information.

Federal Government Resources

16.   The Pell Grant currently awards up to $5,550 depending on financial need, cost of college, and

       student's ability to contribute. Like scholarships, the Pell Grant does not need to be repaid.

17.   Students who are in exceptional financial need can not only receive the Pell Grant but also the

       Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) which can pay an additional

       $100 - $4,000 per year and also does not require repayment. More information is available at

www.studentaid.ed.gov.

State Government Resources

18.   Look at state government web sites. States often give financial assistance in the form of grants as

       well as scholarships.

19.   Merit scholarships are often available from states for students who have attained a high academic

       status.

20.   Most states offer scholarships for minorities.

21.   State governments often give scholarships to students enrolling in workforce shortage fields such

       as teaching, nursing, technology, math or science.

22.   Each state has its own criteria for offering financial assistance. Determine what you may be

       eligible for and search the state government web site for more information.

23.  A complete list of scholarships by state can be found at www.ed.gov.

Local Government Resources

24.   Resources for college scholarships at the local government level are very limited.

25.   Search your city government's web site for scholarship information or call the mayor's office or 

       local chamber of commerce.

Corporate Resources

26.   Large Fortune 500 companies are excellent sources of scholarship money. They have deep

      pockets to help students pay for college.

27.   The top ten list includes Wal-Mart, AT&T, Ford, General Motors, United Health, State Farm,

       Microsoft, Dell, Lowe's and Best Buy.

28.   Also check out soft drink companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi, pharmaceutical companies like

       Pfizer, banks such as Chase, and even food chains like KFC.

29.   Search by state or by type at www.collegescholarships.org.

30.   Make a list of smaller local companies who might also have a reputation of offering scholarships

       to local citizens.

Internet Resources

31.   The Internet has made scholarship research much easier and quicker. Key word searches will

       result in a wealth of information. Search by state or by subject.

32.   Look at free online databases such as College Board's Scholarship Search, Fastweb, 

      collegenet.com and Peterson's College Search where you can search for literally hundreds of

      scholarships.

33.   Don't forget to use social resources like Facebook and Twitter to ask others for scholarship

       advice.

Scholarship Books

34.   Scholarship Handbook, available to order on College Board's web site, is one of most popular

       books on available scholarships. It contains more than 2000 scholarships, loans and internship

       programs.

35.   Amazon lists several books on scholarships that can be ordered for just $10 to $20. They include

      Get Free Cash for College, College Financial Aid for Dummies, and The College Scholarship

 Handbook.

36.   Check your local library or high school guidance office for these and other books that are

       available.

37.   The number of eBooks has also increased and represents an easy way for students to do their

       research at home. It also ensures that students are receiving the latest information.

Other Resources

38.   National resources for scholarships should also be investigated. These types of scholarships are

       usually designed to encourage students entering specific fields of study.

39.   The National Health Service Corps scholarship (NHCS) is awarded to students entering the

      health care field.

40.   The National Merit Scholarship program is open to all students. Students taking the Pre-SAT

       (PSAT) test in high school will be nominated based on their scores to become Semifinalists and

       then advance to Finalists. They are free to choose any college or career path.

Prepare a Resource List

41.  Create a spreadsheet and list scholarships by category. Include names, addresses, telephone

       numbers and web site links. At this point, the objective is to create a list of possibilities that

       should total 50-100 potential resources.

42. You want to have plenty of resources to work with initially. Once you begin to examine and

      compare requirements, the list may be purged to best fit your needs.

Keep Track of Scholarship Information and Deadlines

43.  Missing deadlines is simply not an option when it comes to applying for scholarships. Stay  

      organized by noting important deadlines on your spreadsheet, such as when the application needs

      to be there.

44.   Include details on application requirements, scholarship amount, how and where to apply.

45.   Keeping this information in a spreadsheet will allow you to select a search criteria, such as by 

       deadline date, and help you stay organized and on time.

Understand Application Requirements

46.   Be prepared to include an essay, ACT or SAT scores, high school transcript, class rank and

       G.P.A., and up to three or more letters of recommendation.

47.   Some requirements may include a resume, written exam to test your skills, a project to complete 

       to evaluate your competence, financial information and proof of U.S. citizenship.

48.   Read instructions and follow them carefully. Failure to supply the correct information or missing

       the deadline will disqualify you and end your chances for a scholarship.

Cover Letter

49.   Unless the requirements specifically say no, plan to include a cover letter with the application.

50.   Address the letter to the Scholarship Committee and begin with Dear Committee Members.

51.   Briefly state how the scholarship will help you.

52.   Thank them for considering you for the scholarship.

Resume

53.   Your resume should look professional and list information related to the purpose of the

       scholarship.

54.   Open with a brief statement about your college major and career goals.

55.   List honors and awards you have earned.

56.   Include high school and community activities and work experience. Be specific.

57.   Add personal interests at the bottom, especially those related to the scholarship.

Application Processes

58.   Read and follow instructions. It is definitely not one size fits all when it comes to applications.

59.   Pay attention to how to submit (mail or electronic), what materials must be included, and what

      the deadline is.

60.   If mail submission is indicated, send your materials by certified mail to ensure it arrives on time.

61.   If electronic submission is noted, make sure of the limitation on number of files allows and file

       sizes, as well as format, such as Word, PDF, or text documents.

Completing the Scholarship Application

62.   The most important thing to remember is to read the application thoroughly and follow all

       instructions.

63.  Pay close attention to essay questions and answer them completely and thoroughly. Don't miss

      any questions or your application may be denied.

64.   Find out how many letters of recommendation you will need. Is a cover letter required? Do you

       need a resume?

65.   Don't rush the application process and choose a quiet place where there are no distractions. This

       will ensure your thoughts are clear and focused. Be prepared to write a convincing explanation as

       to why you are an excellent candidate for the scholarship.

66.   Allow plenty of time for proofreading. There is no room for error.

Mistakes to Avoid in Completing an Application

67.  Some of the most common mistakes in completing a scholarship application include: submitting

       past the deadline, not following instructions, omitting necessary documents, missing a question,

       and spelling and grammar errors. Think of the application process like applying for a job. You

       want to put your best foot forward. Pay attention to every detail in order to present yourself as

       the best candidate.

How to Write a Scholarship Essay

68.   Review the purpose of the scholarship. Understand the background of the college or organization

       offering the scholarship. Your essay should coincide with their purpose and goals.

69.   Select one or two examples of your accomplishments and provide details that will give them a

        clear picture of who you are. For example, if you're applying for a scholarship in social services,

        tell them about your experience volunteering to build homes for Habitat for Humanity. Other

        experiences and accomplishments can be listed on your resume, but select your key

        accomplishments to tell a compelling story.

Mistakes to Avoid in Writing a Scholarship Essay

70.   Collect your thoughts and don't wander or talk in circles. Choose a theme that matches the

      purpose of the scholarship. Make an outline first, listing important facts you want to include.

71.   Don't rush the essay. Take the time to write an attention-grabbing introduction, interesting        content, and a solid conclusion that includes what you learned from this experience and how it

       will help your career.

72.   Choose a good title that does justice to your story but also aligns with the purpose of the  

       scholarship.

73.   It is extremely important that the essay sound professional, so good grammar, spelling,

      punctuation and sentence structure are a must. Avoid slang. Call things as they truly are in the

      interest of clear communication to your audience.

Ask Others to Critique Your Essay

74.   Proofread, proofread, proofread everything before you send it. This means not only using spell

       check but also giving your draft to teachers, counselors and friends to proofread for grammar,

      punctuation, flow and how well it answers essay questions.

75.   Do as many drafts as necessary to produce your best work. The essay should clearly articulate

      what you have accomplished and in what ways you are an excellent recipient for the scholarship.

     There is no room for errors and you only get one shot at it, so take the time to do it well. Your

     efforts will be noticed.

Letters of Recommendation

76.   Letters of recommendation are meant to support your application by reinforcing your

      capabilities. They are powerful tools because they provide a testimonial from someone who has
      had personal experience and first-hand interaction with you.

77.   Letters of recommendation should come from people who know you on a professional level. This

      could include teachers who know what kind of student you are, counselors who have worked with

      you on outlining your career path, current or past job supervisors and people with whom you did

      volunteer work.

78.   Don't ask relatives. It is impossible for family members to be objective, and these sources will

       not be taken seriously.

79.   Use company letterhead. It not only looks professional but gives the scholarship committee

       important contact information if they have questions.

80.   Ask a wide cross section of writers to help. Counselors, professors and former supervisors will

      highlight various capabilities and provide the scholarship committee a wider perspective on you.

81.   Encourage the writers to be specific. They need to describe exactly what you did, what strengths

      were demonstrated and how this makes you a strong candidate for the scholarship.

82.   Give the writers plenty of time. Plan on four weeks or more if necessary and make sure they

       know what the deadline is.

83.   Send each writer a nice thank you note to show your appreciation. Offer to keep them informed

       on your progress.

A Competitive Approach to Scholarship Searching

84.   Use a strategy that includes searching for broad scholarships available for all students as well as

       subject specific scholarships, and scholarships for minorities.

85.   Don't just go for the big bucks. The larger the scholarship, the more competition there will be and

       the tougher it will be to win. Many smaller scholarships can add up to more money for school, so

      don't overlook them.

Follow Up After Applying

86.   It is always a good idea to follow up after sending your application materials to confirm they

       were received. Things can go wrong with the mail, and electronic submission also has its

       glitches. So certainly call or email to make sure it arrived.

87.   Plan to send application materials far enough in advance to allow for a second submission, if

       necessary, to avoid missing the deadline. When calling, you may also ask when they plan to

       announce the winners.

Send a Thank You Note After Receiving a Scholarship Award

88.   After receiving notification of a scholarship award, a thank you letter should be sent immediately

       to the benefactor. No emails or phone calls. This should be done in a handwritten note on nice

       stationery.

89.   Proofread several times and check for accuracy on spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Use the

       same attention to detail as when you were applying for the scholarship.

90.   The letter should be addressed to the president or highest ranking person such as the executive

       director. Explain what the scholarship means to you personally and how it will benefit you. Then

       thank them again.

How to Get Scholarships Renewed

91.   Read the renewal clauses of each scholarship being considered before applying to ensure you are

       able to meet the requirements. If you don't see a clause or don't understand it, call the college

      financial aid office and ask them for help.

92.   Academic scholarships will require students to maintain a specific G.P.A. If they fall below, they

      may lose out on the scholarship.

93.   Some scholarships will automatically renew if all qualifications are met, and others may require

       students to re-apply.

94.    Scholarships that are subject specific will not allow students to change majors or they will forfeit

       scholarship money. Scholarships from a particular college or university would require that a

       student remain at that institution in order to get the scholarship money.

95.   Athletic scholarships require playing the sport. Be sure you understand the consequences for not

       playing due to injury or poor academic performance.

Watch Out for Scholarship Scams

96.  Real scholarships will never ask for money, credit card information or guarantee a scholarship.

       Also beware of companies who charge for their databases and offer to complete your application,

      essays and letters of recommendation for a fee.

97.  If a company contacts you and says you've won a scholarship for which you never applied, its a

       hoax. If the company does not have a web site or phone number to contact them, it is probably a

       scam. Legitimate organizations will most likely have a history of giving and press releases on

       their web site relating to past scholarships awarded.

What does scholarship money cover?

98.   Most scholarships pay for tuition and fees. A full scholarship will cover most all expenses,

       including tuition, room and board, books and some even offer a living stipend as well.

99.  Other scholarship expenses that can be covered include lab fees, course supplies, and waivers on

      the application fee. Be sure to read scholarship information carefully to understand what is

      included before you apply.

How Many Scholarships are Allowed?

100.  Scholarship money is one part of a financial aid package which could also include grants. As

         long as the scholarship money does not exceed the total cost of college expenses, there is no

         limit on how many you can receive.

Take the Money Saving Challenges

New Challenge for Larger Savings! How to save $5000 for Disney Trip or Business Venture whatever you may want to use it for. This challenge is to save 3x the amount then the other challenge below!

Are you making New Year Resolutions? Well make a resolution to save more than you spend, here are three saving challenges that you can implement.

Here are the three Challenges for you in 2017! Try one, both or combine the according to the money you have available that week! (I am doing them all!)

Discipline: The first challenge we can undertake together is to hold on to our $1.00, $5.00 bills and change. Here is how it works (note you must use CASH, not debit on a daily basis in order for it to be successful): save all your $1, $5 dollar bills and your change, get a jar and place every $1, $5 dollar bill that goes through your hands in it.

DO NOT USE THEM! Don't count them, just put them away for
the rest of the year. Let's start this, December 30th 2016-December 30th 2017


Organize our $'s for our own gain and no one else!

Please share this challenge with your friends and family start a group of at least 10 people and keep me posted on your results.

Or try the savings challenge on the chart!

 

or make monthly installments like shown on the chart below:

 

 SAVE $1.00, $5.00 BILLS and Coins CHALLENGE

Continue to put away your$ 1, $5 bills, get a group of ten people who are willing to take the challenge, make sure the 10 people in your group are doing the same challenge. POOL together and start a business, a program or school in your community. This is how you build community, add trust and 10 people willing to cooperate to help improve your collective situations.

Please share this challenge with your friends and family and keep me posted on your results.

TAKE THE CHALLENGES!!!! WHOSE WITH ME!!!!