Article directories really are a dime a dozen. With the hundreds that are out there how do you know which ones are most effective? Here’s a list of the top 10 most popular article directories and submission sites on the net.

1. EzineArticles- The big daddy of article directories.  If you had to choose only one place to submit your articles to, this would be the one.
2. Suite101- Become an author and write articles and / or register and search for recommended articles you might be looking for.
3. Buzzle- Check out the latest trending topics, articles, and news that’s happening around the globe. Sign up to become an author and have your articles read too.
4. Helium- Get published and get paid by becoming an author on Helium.
5. GoArticles- ‘The webs largest free content article directory’
6. Article Dashboard- Search through the database of posted material or become a member and post content for yourself.
7. Submit Your Article- ‘The World’s Leading Article Submission Service To Submit Articles To Hundreds Of Publishers and Websites On Autopilot’
8. iSnare- Distribute your articles to thousands of article sites for only $2 and below
9. Article City- Your one-stop shop for free articles
10. Search Warp- Read. Write. And Discuss.

Every Monday at VAsolutionsNOW we’re going to share an inspirational quote to help kick off the week. Analyze this quote and really try and think about how it might apply to your life. Feel free to retweet and share it with your friends and family and mastermind with your peers on what each quote might mean to you.

This week’s quote is:

“The life and love we create is the life and love we live.” -Leo Buscaglia

Question to ask yourself: Am I creating the life that I want to live in? If not, what can I do differently?

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Winning an argument with daughter is just about as difficult as teaching a new born algebra. A few weeks ago she was caught pointing at Tigger from Winnie the Pooh and shouting “Tigger is being stupid” and when she was confronted she argued that it was okay to say that word because SpongeBob Square Pants says it. She could have said far worse things but a 4 year old calling things stupid is unacceptable. Of course I never thought this was true because nine times out of ten my angel will pull reasons out of the sky to avoid any consequence. For example she feels that she cannot finish her dinner because someone else’s back is hurting, so hers is in too much pain to finish her veggies.

I’ll admit that the excuses are adorable, and quite hilarious but of course we as parents have to refrain ourselves from laughing at moments like this. It wasn’t until this morning when my daughter and I were watching tv with her that I actually heard SpongeBob say “Im stuuuupid” in a episode where Patrick Starfish’s parents were coming to visit him. At that very moment my daughter and I looked at one another in shock and our looks confirmed we both heard the very same thing. We knew exactly what was about to come out of my daughters mouth and not even two seconds.. “See Mommy, I told you he says it”. Try explaining why it’s okay for a children’s program to say something you don’t want the viewer to say.

What monkey sees is what monkey does. Are you displaying proper behavior around you peers? Think about it, if my 4 year old daughter is clever enough to pick up that “it’s okay to do _____, because so and so does it” anyone can. When you are with company, at work, or anywhere for that matter make sure you take a look at your actions before you are so quick to judge why other people are doing something. Perhaps they are picking up some bad habits from you. It’s easier to have the mentality “Don’t do as I do, do as I say” rather than step up to the plate and take responsibilities for your own actions.

Every Monday at VAsolutionsNOW we’re going to share an inspirational quote to help kick off the week. Analyze this quote and really try and think about how it might apply to your life. Feel free to retweet and share it with your friends and family and mastermind with your peers on what each quote might mean to you.

This week’s quote is:

“Take the time today to tell your friends the difference they have made in your life.” ~Catherine Pulsifer

Question to ask yourself: Who needs to be reminded what a great person they are and how they’ve impacted my life?

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Before I go into the reasoning behind this blog let me give you a little history about myself. I was born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale for 19 years and moved up to NH because I felt that I wanted to become something bigger and being in my natural surroundings it would make it more difficult for me to take the necessary steps to changing the things I didn’t like about myself.

Now it’s been proven that you have the character traits of the 5 people you hang around the most, so if you’re friends are negative – you are more likely to become negative, if your friends are positive and successful- you are more likely to feed off their energy and take it to the top with them, so on and so forth.

I am so grateful to have the things that I’ve earned since my move to NH in November 04 and I honestly don’t think I would have achieved the things I did if I were to be back at “home”.  Recently I visit some friends from 5 years ago and for one reason or another they are EXACTLY in the same place as they were when I left. Some of course have better jobs, but they are still very content with the things that they have and have no motivation to reach for things that are on their wish list for example: a house, a better car, a plasma tv, etc. While down there whenever my friends and I went shopping or out somewhere they kept saying they would love to possess _____ one day and I asked what’s holding them back from getting it today they responded with a negative comment.

I remember being that very same person when I lived down south.

It’s amazing how much a person can really change themselves, their habits, their thinking, and basically flip their entire life around once they step out of their natural surroundings and make the effort to alter their life. I’ve been blessed at a young age to be able to accomplish my dreams because I’ve realized the power of influence.

“As long as you have strong will and a pulse, it’s never too late to change the things you don’t like about yourself and be the person you always dreamt of becoming” –Sica Martin

In no way shape or form am I trying to gloat or make myself out to be the “from rags to riches” kind of girl. The moral of the story is: Don’t ever let your friends dictate which direction that you want to go in. I’m not recommending everyone to make such a drastic decision to move or anything like that, but take notice at the things that you want and the crowd that you hang around with. Are your friends motivating you or holding you back? Are you doing what it takes to become your own personal hero and mentor? Think about that for awhile, and if you don’t like the answer that you seek always know that it’s never too late to change and be that person that you want to be.

You dictate your own future. You have control of waking up and making your dreams a reality. Only you can depend on yourself. The sooner everyone realizes this, the sooner we all can accomplish everything we’ve ever wanted to possess.

Every Monday at VAsolutionsNOW we’re going to share an inspirational quote to help kick off the week. Analyze this quote and really try and think about how it might apply to your life. Feel free to retweet and share it with your friends and family and mastermind with your peers on what each quote might mean to you.

This week’s quote is:

“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” ~ George Bernard Shaw

Question to ask yourself: Who and where do I want to be? How can I get there

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Have you ever shaken someone’s hand and instantly felt every bone in your fingers break to pieces? Or, even worse, felt as if you were shaking the hand of a dead fish?

True: Handshakes have been around since the birth of civilization.
False: Everyone knows how to shake a hand.

Firm handshake – this means you too ladies! Obviously the goal here isn’t to break the person’s hand, but by having a firm handshake it show that you are confident, mean business, and excludes a professional demeanor and attitude. A handshake can tell a lot about a person and believe it or not there is a right and wrong way of something so simple.

When you go to shake someone’s hand, take notice where your hand is being placed. If your hand is positioned on top this means either you or the person shaking your hand thinks that you are better than them. If you are positioned on the bottom, it means you or the person feels that you are the lesser of the two. Make sure your hands are parallel; this shows that you both are equal.

Next step, allow them to grip your hand first, if someone shakes your hand softly, this means you should speak to him or her softly, if it is firm, speak to him or her with more authority.

Communication through a handshake is very powerful and it is one of the key elements in getting to know who it is you are speaking with and it is YOUR first point of identifying with
this person and making yourself known!

And one more element to your first met and greet. When introducing yourself, make sure you look at your partner directly in their eyes and have constant eye contact. Wandering eyes is a dead giveaway of lack of confidence or respect.

Starting today, every Monday at VAsolutionsNOW we’re going to share an inspirational quote to help kick off the week. Analyze this quote and really try and think about how it might apply to your life. Feel free to retweet and share it with your friends and family and mastermind with your peers on what each quote might mean to you.

This week’s quote is:

“A good laugh and a full nights rest are the best cures in the doctors book” -Irish Proverb

Question to ask yourself: Is your my work getting in the way of my happiness?

If you haven’t already it’s time to crawl out of your comfort zone and start introducing yourself! If you are attending an upcoming meet up event, seminar, or anywhere where there will be a room full of business executives you will have to learn how to network successfully. Here are the basic do’s and don’ts on how to effectively network using yourself and your business.

DO reach out and stay connected. The key to networking is communication, engaging, and connecting. Never assume that you are important enough to never have to approach people, even if you’re already a celebrity. Stay connected with people by picking up the phone every now and then; send them a tweet, an email, anything to keep you engaged with your peers.

DON’T presume or make distinctions while meeting people, never ever judge ANYBODY. You never know who you might be talking to. Remember: It’s not always about who you know.. it’s about who THEY might know. Draw your conclusions after you have spoken to them, if necessary.

DO circulate when you meet people in a group setting. Don’t confine yourself to one crowd and not talk to anyone else, this is not high school. Get around the room and introduce yourself and express interest in what others are doing in their line of business, who knows maybe they’ll reciprocate and ask you about your business.

DON’T ramble or go off track when describing your work, mission, or who you are. Work on your “elevator speech”. It is said that you should always be prepared to tell an individual what you do in the time it would take you to get 5 floors down in an elevator (usually 30 seconds). Stay focused and on track. Keep it simple and to the point, if they have questions they will ask. No one likes a person that throws up a world of knowledge within the first 5 minutes of introducing themselves.

DO look you best when going to a meeting or seminar. Look friendly, approachable, and likeable rather than stiff, uncomfortable, and overly flattering. Stand with self confidence. Hold your head up high, but not too high. And of course.. Always remember to smile.

DON’T come off as a sales person. The objective of networking is to meet people not scare them away with high pressure sales tactics. Believe me when I say if they are interested they will inquire. If the person you are talking to is interested in your services, schedule another time with them to meet and discuss the details outside of the networking event.

DO listen. Listen, listen, listen! Counter questions, inquire details, and offer suggestions when asked for them. Listening goes a long way.