Archive for the ‘Motivation’ Category
Simple Survival Tips for Accommodating Holiday Houseguests (without losing your senses)
Whether you like it or not, you cannot get rid of household guests especially these coming holidays. Your in-laws, relatives, friends or anyone within your relationship circle can be one.
Although it may not be that very helping especially with today’s current economic situation, you just have to face the fact that these people are part of your life no matter what and you have to treat them as your guests and be at your best for them despite your differences.
These times can be stressful though as it may not be that budget-friendly having extra guests at home and/or when you have certain differences with your in-laws which is something that is hard to console and you’re just doing your part just because you love your better-half and you don’t want to disappoint him.
To make things easier for you even before things get out of control, here are some of the things that could be done to successfully survive your household guest experience without losing your senses.
Set Expectations
If a certain guest gets in with suitcases, let them know that you have some limitations and that you have sets of rules for them to follow like for instance, using your car, consuming water and AC and even watching TV. Give them options as well.
Offer suggestions to break the ice. Sometimes, people get bored with each other so when monotony comes in, chances are, conflicts and differences arise.
Ask for Help
Doing some tasks all by yourself can be hard when you’re in a group of people in the same house especially when the tasks involve cleaning up the mess after a holiday get together. It cannot be wrong at all to ask for help. Whether it is making dinner, shopping for groceries, walking the dog or cutting the lawn, guests would generally appreciate taking part in something because they would want to be useful at some point.
If you happen to feel stressed out because of budget concerns, speaking up would help. It may not be beyond your knowing why your guests intend to stay at your house instead at a hotel. Figure out what you can spend then think of some suggestions that you can give to your guests without giving an impression that you are unwelcoming.
It can be hard to be straightforward however, setting limits on the length of stay or suggesting a hotel is an option rather than saying yes than being a passive-aggressive host.
Be understanding and sensitive of your guests
You may not feel at ease most of the time when there are other people inside your house however, as a host, doing your part of securing your house from fragile items like glasses is your responsibility especially when there are kids staying along with your guests.
Though it’s their parent’s responsibility to watch over them, being a host and as a responsible house-owner, doing them a favor wouldn’t hurt.
Suppose we reverse the situation and you’re the one who’s visiting a relative or a friend, here’s what you’re supposed to act in order to leave a good impression.
1. Showing up unannounced is a big no. People generally would like to know who’s coming over and staying if possible. Planned visits are good but cancellations need to be informed.
2. Don’t make yourself at home despite having told to do so. Be respectful and tacky especially when using household equipments and consuming water, electricity and other household stuff.
3. Do your share. Nobody likes a spoiled and lazy guest. Help whenever your can. Little acts of help matter.
4. Be clean and considerate. Always clean up after yourself.
5. Show gratitude. Before, during and after any visit. Give them a gift or some thank notes to show your appreciation.
Microsoft: Half of mobile searches have a local intent
BizReport : Mobile Marketing : November 15, 2010
by Helen Leggatt
You’re ambling around town when suddenly you crave Chinese dumplings. You whip out your phone and after a couple of local searches you’re well on your way to getting your fix.
A similar scenario plays out day after day as mobile users refer to their devices for local information – information that will help them navigate their immediate environment and solve their real-time needs and wants.
It’s not surprising, then, to read of recent data from Microsoft that shows over half (53%) of mobile searches on Bing have a local intent.
Hence the development of ads that, quite literally, guide consumers from “search to store”. Such ads, including Google’s Expandable Map ads, appear both on the mobile web and in apps and, when clicked, provide the user with directions to a store.
“Mobile user demand for information that can be acted on in the real world, in real-time is, well, very real,” writes Search Engine Land’s Greg Sterling, who uncovered the data in a recent chat with Bing’s Director of Search, Stefan Weitz.
“That’s what this Microsoft stat reflects. If that’s not an argument for mobile advertising in general and mobile search in particular, I don’t know what is.”
Read the rest of the story…
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