How to Find Your Niche

by Carol Slinker

OK – picture this – here you are, totally motivated to finally knuckle down and write that article or ebook. You've actually found a few hours to really get something done and then Wham! a brick wall – you're not able to write a single word – about anything! Been there?

You tell yourself, "The time is now! I've been reading everything I can find about article and ebook writing, and can't wait to get started!" You've followed all the gurus' advice to "just do it – NOW" and here you are – at the keyboard – nothing to distract you – and you are staring at the white screen. You tap your fingers on the keys – still staring. Then you realize – hey, what do I write about, anyway? You mind is spinning with all the things you could write about – after all, the gurus have given you great ideas for niche articles and ebooks, but just what is your niche?

What do you write about? "Oh, yeah", you tell yourself, "I remember, I have to have a passion." The gurus say your niche should be about your passion, but how do you figure out what your passion is?

Just like you, I wondered the same thing. Here I am, slaving away 9-5, grabbing a few hours here and there to try to get an online business started. I don't have time to "figure out" what my passion is – I just need to find a niche and go with it. OK, fine. Nevertheless, there you are, still sitting there tapping the keys trying to figure out what to write about.

That's when I started thinking about what I really enjoyed doing. What am I really good at? Is there something I can really do better than anyone else?

Here are the steps that led me to my passion. Try following these steps to release your "inner passion".

Step 1: What did you enjoy doing as a kid? I mean REALLY enjoyed, that you wanted to do all the time, for a long time, before you worried about getting laughed at because of it.

I loved to play teacher with my dog, cat & dolls as my students and I read everything I could get my hands on so I could "learn everything in the world" (I actually remember telling my parents that.) I still remember crying the first day I went to first grade because they wouldn't teach me "everything in the world" on my first day. I am sure I was a delight to my parents. Especially as I had to explain in detail to them each new thing I learned.

Step 2: Now you should be tapping out all sorts of little ditties on the keyboard about what you like to do. Just type them all out, and then type some more until you begin to see a pattern. Don't get off track with old memories, just keep typing about what you like to do. You're trying to find your niche.

For me, I could see that what I really enjoyed was helping people, with information. Yes, I did become a teacher, but that wasn't really as satisfying as I had dreamed it would be, and after several years I went into research, which has been the most satisfying work I could ever imagine. Plain and simple, I just love looking things up and telling people what I found. Now I get paid to do just that.

Step 3: Found your niche, yet? No? Then answer this question. My friends are always asking me how to _______________ (fill in the blank), or I know more about ________________ than most people I know.

Do you plan the best parties? Can you build a skate board ramp in your back yard? Are you the expert on how to balance the pH in the backyard pool? Do you have the greenest thumb in your part of the world? Do you always play bartender at parties because you have all the cool drinks memorized? or DJ because you mix the best songs? Start your article with How to ______.

Remember, we don't invent our passions or our niches, they are there, all the time, waiting for us to find them. Just like gold.

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Super Nanny - A User's Guide to Watching Super Nanny

By Michael Grose

There are many things to like about the television show Super Nanny that has captured the public interest in recent weeks.

First, the nanny character is very likeable, if a little scary at times. She has that old-fashioned school-teacher demeanour that says, ‘Listen up. I know best and I am in charge here.’ Many of the families featured need someone who takes charge.

Second, if you are a parent, how can you not get involved in a show that gets you into the challenges of child rearing in such a nitty gritty, warts nÂ’all way that doesnÂ’t involve you? Okay, it is voyeuristic but it is doesnÂ’t relate to you, does it???!!! Importantly, this program has got people talking about raising kids, which is fantastic.

Third, while I donÂ’t agree with every technique presented the program gives good, solid advice and strategies about some common challenges many parents face.

Importantly, it helps parenting become a happy experience again for many people as it is the little challenges that we face that can make the job so difficult.

Following is a userÂ’s guide for watching Super Nanny to help you be discerning about what you see and to encourage you think about some of the principles that may be behind (or should be behind) the strategies presented.

1. Who owns the problem?

A crucial principle that the Super Nanny ignores is that of problem ownership. Problems in families are owned by either by parents, children or the family as a whole. Too often parents take on responsibilities that should belong to parents so issues escalate into power disputes. A simple question to ask when you see a misbehaviour presented is: Who owns this problem?

LetÂ’s give it a try:

a) Who owns the problem when a child comes into his parentsÂ’ bedroom at 3.00am? Answer: Parents, so they need to come up with a strategy to deal with it.

b) Who owns the problem when a child refuses to eat at mealtime or is fussy at mealtime? Answer: The child, so he or she needs to worry about eating, not his parents.

c) Who owns the problem when the family room is left in a mess? Answer: The family, so everyone needs to address family room tidiness.

When watching this program make sure that the owner of the problem takes responsibility and parents stay out of problems such as eating and dressing that should belong to children.

2. What is the purpose of the behaviour?

When children are less than perfect, look for the parentsÂ’ place in their behaviour. Look specifically for what the parents do to contribute to the continuing misbehaviour. The point being is that children donÂ’t misbehave in a vacuum. Misbehaviour generally has the purpose of getting attention, defeating someone else or retaliation. Children throw tantrums because they are a great way to get control back. Eating refusal is a great way to get some attention or prove a childÂ’s power over a parent. Secondary, bed-wetting is a great form of retaliation.

Ask yourself, if the parent didnÂ’t respond to the misbehaviour as they routinely do would it continue? If not, then it gives a clue to the purpose of the behaviour.

3. How does the household routine contribute to the problem?

Make no mistake, even families with no obvious routine have a routine. It is just all over the place. Kids love an orderly routine as it gives life predictability. A large percentage of challenges can be prevented by having sensible child-friendly routines; particularly around mornings, around dinnertime and at bed-time, which are the three manic times in most families. A daily routine that gives time for childrenÂ’s activities and that separates work and family is an essential in many families.

4. Do parents talk too much when children are less than perfect?

Parents often spend a great deal of their time telling children what they already know. Anyone ever said something like, “How many times do I have tell you to put your toys away before dinner?” Kids know what they are meant to do yet we remind them. It is better to put an action in place – i.e. don’t put dinner on the table until toys are packed away – so kids know you mean what you say.

5. Does the misbehaviour intensify before it is eliminated if a change strategy is used?

Notice how childrenÂ’s misbehaviour will often get worse before it is eliminated. A child who usually cries out successfully for his parents when he is put to bed will turn up the volume if his parents change their behaviour and ignore his cries for one more drink or another story. He will probably add tears and say some pretty hurtful things as a way of pressing the old guilt buttons. It may take a while but he will test his parentsÂ’ new found will and work out if they have a backbone or not.

6. Do parents have some time for them?

Many family challenges stem from the fact that parents are tired and stressed. Parents with two or more children close in age or those with children under five generally have a difficult time of it. Parents need some time each day (very hard) and each week just for them. If not, then they generally become overwhelmed and lose perspective. They say they want strategies to deal with kids, when all they need is a break.

7. Do parents work together or does lack of teamwork contribute to the problems?

A big challenge for many parents is working together and getting on the same wavelength rather than working at odds with each other. Bedtime is a typical time when parents can inadvertently work against each other. For instance, one can settle the kids down while the other is busy amping them up with a game or two.

8. How will fixing one problem impact on the family?

It is amazing how resolving one parenting issue has a snowball effect on other problems. For instance, many parents who finally solve the battle of bedtimes find it is amazing whiningr childrenÂ’s whinging disappears. Yes, it is easier to cope with children when we have plenty of sleep under our belts but often the resolve we gain from overcoming something so draining gives us energy and the will to deal with lesser issues. And kids suddenly realise that mum and dad are suddenly different.
Keep an open mind if you do catch an episode of Super Nanny and look for principles behind the strategies so that you can adapt some of the ideas presented to suit your own family.

Michael Grose, a popular parenting expert, shows you practical ways to raise happy, confident, well-behaved kids and resilient teenagers. Improve childrenÂ’s confidence and behaviour now and get Michael's free ebook,
"25 ways to speak so children will listen"
at http://www.parentingideas.com.au/ . While you are there subscribe to Happy Kids newsletter and get regular updates to build your 21st Century parenting manual.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Grose

Dog Doors Can Solve Many Problems For You and Your Indoor/Outdoor Pet

By Mike Long

Dog doors are beneficial for both dogs and the owners. When a dog is given the freedom to come and go as he pleases, he gains a new sense of security! He won’t have to ‘hold it’ while he waits for his owner to either come home or hang up the phone. He can play outside when the weather is nice and come in when it isn’t.

Dog doors have also allowed dog owners a new sense of freedom. They don’t have to leave a party early anymore because they feel guilty knowing their dog is about to pop. In addition to new freedom, they put an end to accidents, incessant door scratching, and three a.m. wake up calls from your dog. Pet doors are the best kept secret, but why?!

Many people refuse to consider pet doors because they are afraid intruders will use them to enter the house. Although a legitimate fear, there are ways around this. Possibly the best way around this is an electronic pet door. This door opens automatically from a censor device placed on the dog’s collar; preventing anything not wearing the collar from coming into the house.

Putting one on the backside of the house where intruders are less likely to be is another possibility. For the truly frightened person, a doghouse can be installed into a wall instead of a door. If you want to hide it, a dog house with a door cut in the back can be pushed against the wall covering up the pet door; no one will ever know it’s there, except of course, the dog.

I'd like dog doors in my house, but I'm a renter! Do I have any options?

Many renters are hesitant about installing pet doors in for fear of upsetting the home owners. Now a day there is even a solution for that; sliding glass pet doors! These doors are cut in an actual sliding glass door. You simply remove the existing door from its hinges and hang the one with the pet door in its place. When it is no longer needed the original door can be replaced.

Some people are very picky about their homes and don’t want to compromise the aesthetics with ugly dog doors. These people have a great alternative in wall installation. The home owner can install it into the wall of a room with very little traffic. If the idea of the door being visible from the outside bothers them, the door can be hidden by the doghouse.

There are so many new innovative products on the market these days consumers can just about make anything possible. Pet doors are an amazing product that people with inside/outside dogs don’t want to ignore! Check them out; your dog will thank you.

Mike Long runs a dog training website that focuses on educating people about the different ways of training your dog or puppy. If you would like to learn more, including additional articles, and training tips, tricks, and ideas, check out his site at http://dogtraininginfo.wordpress.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Long