I was out to coffee recently with a colleague I hadn’t seen in quite a while, and he mentioned a seriously attractive job opportunity that he was presented with at his previous employer. He’d been given ‘the heads up’ about this role and was asked to start putting a submission together for it. It was a group management position. He was basically being handed the position. Being a role that was quite sort after, and one that he’d dreamt of for some time, he was naturally excited and very enthusiastic about it all… then things went quiet. You’ll know what happened next. A week after the initial ‘heads up’ he went back to the general manager and sought a progress update. Things had gone quiet for a reason; the group manager position had gone to another candidate external to the company. My colleague was livid.

There aren’t many more de-motivating things than a promise not delivered. The old-fashioned term “Indian-giver”[1] comes to mind. The term describes someone who gives you something only to request it back later. Only a slight deviation from this is someone who promises something only to re-neg later. It’s potentially devastating for the person missing out.

It highlights a point in human behaviour though. When we think about it, we can easily predict how successful our proposals might be by the energy with which they’re received. Get a lukewarm response to anything you’re trying, and you guessed it, best be prepared to be disappointed.

There’s nothing wrong with getting bad news. Job knock-backs, presentations that don’t hit the mark, and products that simply don’t sell… it’s all about being realistic regarding the odds. I’ve mentioned about being ‘pessimistically optimistic’ before. Don’t get your hopes up and remain ’surprizable.’ This way you can remain positive and upbeat in the worst of circumstances and at least when things go quiet.

Hard Starting: This is the most common form of car trouble. It’s usually due to some unperformed maintenance. If the starter cranks the engine, the electrical system is probably okay. The culprit could be a starting sensor (on fuel injected models) or the choke mechanism (on engines with carburetors). Frequently, starting failure can be traced to an electronic component or a computer controlling the ignition system.

Knocking: The noise generally is heard when the engine is under load, such as when accelerating or climbing a hill. While it often may be caused by a thankful of interior gas, ignition knock frequently is a sign your engine needs attention. It also can be caused by a buildup of carbon inside the engine. Lake-model cars are equipped with a knock sensor which ‘hears’ the sound and makes corrective adjustments. But it cannot compensate for a severe malfunction, a condition that can affect engine performance and even damage the engine.

Stalling: This can be caused by incorrect speed adjustments, a malfunctioning sensor or switch, dirty fuel-system parts, worn spark plugs, or other engine deficiencies. Does it stall when hot? Cold? With air conditioning on? To make diagnosis easier, make note of when it happens and advise your technician.

Power Loss: How long since the fuel filter was changed? A dirty filter is a common cause of power loss. As noted under “poor gas mileage”, there can be many causes of this condition, most of which can be located with a diagnostic procedure.

Poor Gas Mileage: By keeping a regular check of gas mileage (miles driven divided by gallons used); you can tell if your engine is losing efficiency. Increased gas consumption may be accompanied by other symptoms listed in this section. Note that poor gas mileage also may be due to: under inflated tires, engine running too cold, transmission malfunction, dragging brakes, misaligned wheels.

Dieseling: This also is known as “after-run”. The engine keeps chugging and coughing for several seconds after the ignition is shut off. Causes can range from inferior gas to excessive idle speed. Carbon in the combustion chamber also may cause dieseling.

Exhaust Odor: The smell of rotten eggs comes from the catalytic converter, part of your car’s emissions-control system. The odor can be due to an engine problem or it can be a sign that your car’s catalytic converter is malfunctioning.

Rough Running: A malfunction in either the fuel or ignition system can cause an engine to run rough. It also can be due to an internal engine condition, such as a bad valve or piston. Does it occur when idling? When accelerating? At all speeds? Your best bet: have a qualified technician perform diagnostic and tune-up services as needed.

We all know the scene, someone’s coming to tea, what shall I give them? – I know, I’ll knock up some scones, they’re quick and easy. But how often does the result turn out to be disappointing? Yet scones are supposed to be very simple to make – it may surprise you to know that even meringues do not have as many pitfalls.

But why is this, after all there are only a few simple ingredients – flour, baking powder, butter, sugar (unless they are savoury) milk and eggs, so what can go wrong? Well watch out for the flour, eggs and amount of milk added. Flour differs in the amount of moisture it absorbs, especially wholemeal flour. If using wholemeal in place of white flour, you will find it absorbs more liquid. A good alternative is to use 50% each of white and wholemeal flour.

The size of the eggs is important. The difference between the amount of liquid in small and large eggs is considerable, so stick to the size stated in the recipe. And even then I tend to be wary, it is easy to overdo the quantity of liquid and end up with a sticky mess! It’s a good idea to hold back a small amount of milk until the dough has formed, then if it is too dry, add extra.

A successful scone recipe is one with self-raising flour (which contains baking powder) and also baking powder. So why is this added? The answer is to give the scones an extra boost. But remember, because of the added baking powder, the scones can go dry if not eaten within a day or two.

When making by hand, remember light handling results in light scones. Scones are easy to make in a food processor. Just whizz the flour, baking powder, sugar and chopped butter until blended. Pour beaten eggs through the funnel, and then gradually add milk until the mixture begins to form a ball. If not too sure, stop the machine to check, and always switch off the moment the ingredients combine.

If the surface of the dough is cracked, cracks will appear on the scones, so give it a gentle kneading until smooth – but try not to handle more than necessary. Before rolling out think about how you roll. I know it seems simple enough, just roll backwards and forwards, but most of us have one arm stronger than the other. This can mean more pressure is put on one side of the dough – resulting in lopsided scones. It’s just something to bear in mind. And keep it gentle!

Scones should be deep, about 2cm (3/4in). If the cutter keeps sticking, dip it into the bag of flour. An alternative method is to cut the dough into equal sized squares.

Now we come to another crucial moment. Yes, I know you are saying ‘not something else to look out for’. Well, not really, but just to be aware of what could happen. To give an added attraction to scones, glaze the tops with egg/wash, in other words, brushing with beaten egg and milk. It is worth taking this little extra trouble as it makes a shiny glaze. But make sure the liquid doesn’t run down the sides, otherwise it may prevent the scones from rising.

And finally, when displaying the scones, leave them whole then everyone can enjoy lavishly piling on the jam and cream. Another idea is halve the scones, place a dollop of whipped cream on top (or if you wish pipe a large rosette) and finish off with a thinly sliced strawberry, arranged in a fan shape.

Q: I’m graduating this year with a degree in business and would like to start my own business rather than get a corporate job. I have a few business ideas, but none of them really gets me excited. Should I just put my business plans on hold and get a job until the right opportunity comes along?
– Carlton M.

A: Congratulations on the impending degree, Carlton. Never having attended a higher institution of learning myself, I have great respect for anyone who can withstand four years of non-mandatory schooling and emerge with sheepskin in hand. I drove by a college once. It looked hard, so I kept going. I do have a pair of sheepskin boots, but I don’t think they ever helped me get a job. They do make me taller, but that’s another story.

Seriously, I envy your position and applaud your efforts. You’re young, you’re educated, you’re ambitious, you’re probably much better looking than me, and soon you’ll leave the comfort and warmth of your tiny dorm room to go out into the big, cold, cruel world to seek your fortune and make your mark. The fun is just about to begin, my friend. I hope you’re ready for the ride. If you think college was tough, just wait until real life sets in.

Now on to your question: should you put your business plans on hold and get a job until the right opportunity comes along. I really can’t make that call for you. That’s a decision you’ll have to make for yourself, based on your situation, your goals, your finances, your responsibilities, your commitments, and all the other factors that make Carlton’s world go around.

I can tell you that as a breed, entrepreneurs are an impatient lot and many jump on the first business bandwagon that comes along just for the sake of being in business. That’s a big mistake that usually comes back to bite them in their entrepreneurial behinds.

You should always have a solid idea and a very clear plan of action before starting a business. It is the failure to plan that leads to the failure of most businesses. You didn’t plan on hating the business you’re in, you didn’t plan on needing so much money to get started; you didn’t plan on growing so fast; you didn’t plan on there being no market for your product; etc. A failure to plan is a plan to fail. Of course you probably learned that in “Old Business Adage 101.”

Starting a business simply because you have a business degree is not a smart thing to do. That would be like deciding to jump out of a plane just because someone handed you a parachute while standing on a street corner. Start your business career only when you get an idea or find a business concept that gets you so excited and so passionate that you can’t sleep at night. That’s when you go into startup mode and not a minute before.

Now on to the soapbox part of our program (you didn’t think you were going to get away without a sermon, did you?). Here’s a word or two about waiting for opportunity to come along.

I know you were just using an old expression, but you pressed one of my hot buttons because many wannabe entrepreneurs do just that: they proclaim themselves as entrepreneurs, then proceed to sit and wait for opportunity to come calling with a business idea and a bagful of money. These misguided folks better have a comfortable chair in which to wait because they are going to be sitting there for a very, very long time.

If just one more of these armchair entrepreneurs call me up and tell me that they are born entrepreneurs and all they need is the chance to prove how smart they are and will I please, please, please give them that opportunity, I think I’ll hurl (in a business-like manner, of course). This ain’t an audition for The Apprentice, folks. Who do I look like: Donald Trump? We both have great hair, but that’s where the similarity ends.

The truth is opportunity does not come along. Opportunity does not knock. Opportunity doesn’t even know where you live. Opportunity doesn’t know your name, your phone number, or your personal situation. Opportunity does not appreciate your talents, your skills, or anything else about you. Opportunity does not care that you are a great person who just needs a chance.

Real entrepreneurs know that opportunity is not delivered like pizza. Real entrepreneurs do not wait for opportunity to come along. Real entrepreneurs seek out opportunity. They get up off the couch or get out of their cubicles, go out the door, and run up and down every street in town knocking on every door they come to. Sometimes opportunity answers the door, sometimes not, but real entrepreneurs keep knocking.

Real entrepreneurs know that you can knock on a thousand doors and never find opportunity waiting on the other side. They also know that opportunity might be waiting just at the next stop, so they keep finding doors and they keep knocking.

When people ask where I went to school I give the old reply: The School of Hard Knocks! But I don’t mean that life has beaten me up on my way to where I am today. I mean that I went up to a lot of doors and knocked as hard as I could and every now and then, opportunity answered.

So get your degree and catch your breath, Carlton. You have your whole life ahead of you. Then, when you’re ready, get off your duff and go knock on some doors.

If opportunity is out there, you’ll find it.

Here’s to your success!

If the preacher got up next Sunday and announced, “Today’s sermon is on Judgment Day, the Day of Reckoning,” would you flinch, or at least slump a little in your pew? We usually think of the “Day of Reckoning” or “Judgment Day” in a negative way.

But if you are a Christian, forgiven of your sins, and dedicated to loving and serving the Lord, why should you have this reaction? For you, and for all others throughout the world who “walk in the light as He is in the light,” the Day of Reckoning will be a bright day, a glorious day, a day of joy, something to anticipate with even more gladness than your high school graduation or your wedding day.

In Luke 12:35-37, Jesus uses a wonderful illustration to describe the Day of Reckoning for believers. He describes servants waiting for their master to come home from a party. They have their lamps burning. They have tucked the ends of their long robes into their belts so they can run quickly. And they are eagerly waiting because they want to open the door for their Lord at His first knock.

They wait and wait. They have to re-trim their lamps. But the Master has not come home, and their beds are calling to them. Yet they stay up, and they keep each other awake when one gets drowsy.

What does this tell you about these servants? Isn’t it enough for them to go to bed as usual and then jump up as soon as they hear noise at the front door? What difference does it make if the Master has to wait a few moments longer? Their self-imposed vigil tells us that they love their Lord. They are thinking about His needs and what would please Him, even give Him as pleasant surprise. So they stay awake, maybe pinching themselves to do so, as the long hours slowly pass.

When they finally hear that knock, they are ready. They fling open the door to find the Master with his fingers still closed into a fist, raised to knock again. With joyful smiles one ushers him in while a second leads the way to the couch by the table as the third brings out the tasty meal they have prepared for Him.

But the Master has His own surprise. Touched by their evident love, He refuses to recline at the table. Instead, He makes them sit down, and the Master becomes their Servant, attending to them as they eat!

What a beautiful picture of the dynamics of love that operate in the relationship between the redeemed and their Redeemer! What a day to look forward to!

How are you trimming your lamp today? What are you doing to anticipate your Master’s return? What can you do to demonstrate to Him the love in your heart? For all of Christ’s servants, the Day of Reckoning is a wonderful coming-home. Are you ready to open the door on His first knock?

How many great opportunities have passed you by? I can tell you that quite a few have. You have had many lucrative opportunities come right up to your front door, and you did not hear the knock and they have walked away. Do you think it is time to install a loud door bell so you can answer when they come next time?

Here are the installation instructions for your new door bell. Guys, this is one time you might want to actually read the instructions and follow them step by step for the thing to work right. Door bells for opportunity sometimes are hard to get working.

Step one: You have to have a destination. Do you know where you are going and what you want? Is your favorite saying, “I just take life one day at a time and take what it throws at me”? I do not like that saying. That may sound macho for some people, but I value every day and use each one to advance myself closer to a long term goal.

There is the key word to installing a loud door bell for opportunity, goal. You will need this tool, it is one of the tools you will need for the proper installation. You will need a whole set of them. Short term goals, mid range goals, long term goals. The local hardware store does not have them. You will find them between your ears. A goal is not a goal until it is hand written down on a piece of paper. The ones kept in your mind, and the typed ones do not work for this installation. They must be hand written. There is a reason for that, but instead of getting into that lengthy explanation I would like for you to just trust me.

Now that you have the hand written list of goals, with the most important one at the very top of the page, put them where you can see them. You need to see them at least twice a day to remind you of what opportunities you are searching for.

Step two: I am going to use the goal of money for an example. This is the most common goal for people, more money, but love, happiness, health, and weight loss are close behind. I will use money though. So now you must set the dial on the door bell so the little arrow points towards money. You will find that little arrow on your head. They are better known as eyes and ears. I don’t mean to make it sound like I am implying that you are an idiot or pointing out something obvious. What I am saying is now with a set of goals, short term being ones that get you closer to mid term goals, and mid term goals get you closer to you long term goals. I can write a whole book on setting goals, but that is a simple explanation. With the set of goals, you can now focus and watch and listen for opportunity to come.

Focus on what it will take to reach your goals. If you are not focused on your goals, or do not have them implanted into your mind, opportunities will come and go each day. If you have your eyes and ears open and know what you want, then as soon as that opportunity is there, you can jump on it.

Now when you turn on your computer and an article for starting a home business on the internet pops up, you might take a look at it when you did not before, a missed opportunity. This is just an example, but do research into ways to make money. Opportunities come in different ways. There are the ones you are looking for and doing research on. There are the ones that you are at the store and you look over at the magazine rack and see an article that relates to what you are looking for. There are the ones that fall into your lap. If you have your doorbell on, or eyes and ears open, then you will not let any of them slip by without taking a good hard look or listen.

Some of them do not give you much time to answer. You have to make a quick decision. Some people are better than others at that. If you know exactly what you are looking for and in what niche, then that will make it easier.

Step three: This is where intuition needs to be installed. You know what you want. You know what your main goal is and the final outcome will be. You have a good idea of how you want to get there, and what niche you would like to be in, and what interests you. Now when that short term opportunity comes to the door, how do you react? Your intuition, and the way it is presented should tell you. Intuition is the how loud the ring is. You know right away if it is exactly what you are looking for or will help you achieve a goal. That will be a loud ring and you will jump up and answer it. Other rings won’t be so loud. The opportunity will have a lot of what you are looking for, but some of it will not be so appealing. Other rings will be soft, and those you should not jump into without thorough research.

I want to finish by saying that I am a firm believer in specialized education. Any opportunity to learn something about your skill or niche is a must have. That skill or niche is your tool or key to your success and reaching your goals. I have purchased many books and only learned one thing after reading a whole book. I have purchased many multi-disk CD packs and have learned just one thing after listening to the set. I have sat through seminars, and have learned only one thing. That one thing that I learned from each is worth every last nickel of the purchase. I put all those one things together, and I achieve my goals. Without each thing that I learn, I don’t know if I could or would be where I am today. Education is always a loud ring.

What do you want your legacy to be? The person who accomplished everything they set out to do, or the person that sometimes remembered to take out the trash.

If you are looking for a different cruise wear and resort wear shopping experience, check out online resort wear catalogs. On-line merchants have just the cruise wear and resort wear you need. Their on-line cruise wear catalogs offer great variety and value.

From essential wear to casual resort wear to designer offerings, you can access all products on-line through the links to the catalog areas. There is sports wear and foot wear available from on-line merchants as well. You can be outfitted for your Alaskan cruise, Caribbean cruise, romantic getaway, or any other cruise or travel vacation!

These on-line catalogs provide you a unique shopping experience with up to the minute special resort wear offers. Everything you would need for your resort or cruise attire is available from these catalogues in the comfort of your own home or office. Purchase a resort wear gift for that special someone from these on-line catalogs.

If your resort wear includes intimate attire for that romantic getaway, on-line merchants’ catalogs can show you the latest fashions and best deals. If you are planning to knock his socks off, check out the catalog offerings of intimate resort wear!

The on-line resort and cruise wear catalogs allow you to view and purchase without leaving your home. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, this is the “power shoppers’” dream! And in some cases, catalog purchases will be shipped to you free of charge!

No more running from shop to shop to shop to…….. well you get the picture. Finding what you want in the on-line resort wear and cruise wear catalogs is quicker and easier and much less stressful!

For more interesting information regarding resort wear, cruise wear, packing tips and more, check out some of the other articles on our Cruise Wear Articles map. Then you can buy your killer resort and cruise wear on-line and get excited!

Talk about ignorance. In 1975 I was excited because I had just scored a job as a truck driver, well so I thought. It was a simple concept, all I had to do was swap the bottles on my truck for the money people in their homes gave me. And I could do it again next week, the week after and every week after that. How good was that? Too easy … All I had to do was drive around in my truck and swap bottles of soft drink for money. And to add to the excitement I could go to any home in my area not on my list and get them to give me money for bottles full of soft drink. Life was so good.

To get other people to give me money for bottles of soft drink all I had to do was go to their front door, ring the bell or knock if their was no bell and say “Hi! I’m the drink man how many bottles would you like, 6 or 12?” Whatever their answer was it didn’t matter. I was so excited that I was a truck driver I came up with all sorts of responses. For example: Oh well here try these 2 bottles and I’ll pick up the empty bottles next week. I was able to give these bottles for people to try because I was given two crates or 24 bottles to take home. The next week people would ask for another two or 6 and they gave me money for it.

To cut a long story short … I soon broke company records. I just did what I enjoyed on a daily basis and learned to get good at it. Not long after I ended up getting my friends to join me and they too could drive their own trucks and do the same as me. 23 friends and trucks later I soon found myself being like the Supervisor that showed me what to do. I was showing others how to drive trucks and swap bottles for money. It took me two years to get to that level and I stayed in the industry for 12 years.

I have door knocked for a living for over 20 years for one company or another. Now having being a professional for so long I still keep to the basic philosophy as I did then.

1. Keep things simple

2. Have fun

3. Listen to people

4. Do what you say you are going to do.

1. To keep things simple I have found it is a lot of fun attending seminars and doing courses as I listen to those who can help me succeed as I improve my skills and knowledge so I can help others succeed.

2. To have fun is a must. A great friend of mine has this motto – If you’re not having fun then you must be doing something wrong. Door knocking is a lot of fun. You meet all kinds of people at different times of the day or days and they could be very receptive, non-receptive, happy, in a bad mood or whatever. The fun part is you are at their home on that day (whatever day it is) and if you are having fun you reflect it in who you are therefore you are better positioned to work better.

3. To listen to people is an active art that can be learned. To do that effectively you must be willing to be patient with people and have an attitude that says … “The number one priority is what’s important for you as opposed to what’s in it for me.”

4. One of the best ways to develop trust with people (it works both ways) is to “do what you say you’re going to do.” Have you ever had someone say to you that they will get back to you and they don’t? Then they come up with some lame excuse. I used to be like that and I soon learned that is does you no good.

Are you still trying to decide what you want to be when you grow up? Well knock it off!

Let’s see, your options are leaching off your parents till you’re 30 and then trying to find a career when you’re way too old and nobody wants to deal with you. That’s stupid! Or, if you like people,and you want to help people then you can find out how to become a Nurse.

Nursing careers are one of the fastest and most IN Demand Careers right now, and it isn’t going to stop anytime soon. Not by a longshot. In fact the demand for nurses and healthcare workers is going to keep going up and up until at least year 2012. In fact it’s going to double.

Right now, since the career is in such high demand, wages have gone up to try to bring people in. That’s nice right? So how much does a nurse make you ask? (I’m assuming you’re asking.)

About $45,000 is the national average. About $20 bucks an hour if you’re an emergency room nurse. Not bad eh? Beats finding change in your couch.

The only way to get there is to go to school. Yeah that part sucks I know, but you can do it from home for alot of it, so hey, you can still leach off your parents for a while, and stay at home. You’ll have a great excuse. Here’s a great place to start if you’re totally lost on how to become a nurse.

It’s really not hard at all, just go to “Associate Degree” on the first menu, and “Health Care” on the next and you’re in. It’s just to receive info and that’s it.

You’re not committed yet. Unless you want to hurry up and get out of your parents friggin house that is.

Bella Miller skillfully navigated her BMW 735i onto the expressway, dodging a semi that was quickly barreling down on her. Darting over to the left lane she eased up on the accelerator just enough to give herself a little bit of extra room between her car and the Blazer she was now following. Traffic was fairly heavy at this hour of the afternoon, but one kilometer down the road Bella would be able to take the left fork and follow the outer beltway for seven kilometers. Within moments she would be out of rush hour traffic and on her way home.

With the fork fast approaching, Bella turned on her left turn signal and eased her car off of the expressway and onto the ramp leading to the outer beltway. Seeing that traffic was now light, she pressed on the accelerator and immediately felt a bit of hesitation followed by two loud knocks. Perplexed, Bella eased up on the accelerator and moved over to the right hand lane, reduced her speed, before pressing down on the accelerator again. This time, her BMW responded but she could still feel some sense of hesitancy, so she decided to lower her speed the rest of the way home.

Upon entering her driveway, Bella stopped her car and turned off the ignition. Immediately, the engine began to shudder, knock, ping, and shudder again, before making a noise that sounded almost like a sigh, followed by silence. Promptly, Bella grabbed her purse and cell phone and exited the car and ran into her house thinking that it might explode.

What Bella was experiencing was an engine that was in distress. Her BMW’s knock sensor, designed to permit her V8 to run efficiently on lower grade 87 octane gasoline, had failed. This, in turn, was causing her engine to vibrate as the lower grade fuel was not enough power for her car.

Before 1990, many cars did not come equipped with knock sensors. Thus, in order to prevent vibrating, high octane gas would always be a necessity in order for a car to run knock free. Eventually, knock sensors were created that allowed cars — including Bella’s 735i — to run on cheaper, low grade gasoline. In addition, the knock sensor had the all important benefit of stopping engine shudder which can ultimately damage a vehicle.

If you are experiencing engine vibration of any type, it could be that your knock sensor has failed. Don’t delay; have your car checked immediately to prevent possible damage. A knock sensor is a fairly cheap to replace part compared to an engine repair which can cost you thousands of dollars.