12 Free Things to Do in Orlando, Florida and Still Have Fun

Orlando, Florida is a top vacation destination for families all across America. There are amazing things to do in Orlando, such as Disney World and Gatorland, but there are also plenty of freethings to do in Orlando that are great ways to spend your vacation time.

Orlando is known for its first class attractions, but there are also plenty of natural attractions for visitors to explore. Directly located in central Florida, Orlando has the great advantage of being immersed in both beautiful natural surroundings as well as fantastic waters on each side. Orlando's great setting provides plenty of Free things to do too!

Lake Eola Park: This downtown Orlando centerpiece offers 43 acres for exploration and recreation, including fountains, a walking path, playgrounds, swans to feed and swan shaped paddle boats and gondolas (for a slight fee.)
Harry P. Leu Gardens: Admission is free on Mondays. Guests can enjoy three miles of walkways, rose gardens, a butterfly garden, ancient oak trees, and more.


Ocala National Forest: A great place to experience natural Florida. The Florida Trail is a popular hike, where you can view hardwood forests, swamps, springs, and prairies. You can also canoe, picnic, hike and more.



Kelly Park: This park offers over 248 acres of outdoor fun and excitement! A crystal clear spring is the focus of this park, with water sports, including tubing, and rock climbing available!



Orlando's rich history also makes its museums a can't miss experience. Plus, they're open Free to the public




Cornell Fine Arts Museum: This museum showcases over 6,000 art pieces ranging from the Renaissance to the Baroque period. Art lovers of all ages will not want to miss one of the oldest collections in all of Florida.

Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art: Home to the most comprehensive collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany. There is also an extensive American Pottery collection, as well as 19th and 20th century paintings collection. Admission is free on Fridays.

Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Central Florida: An informative center dedicated to remembering the millions if people that were lost during the rule of Nazi Germany.

Fort Christmas Historical Museum & Park: Visit the full size replica of Fort Christmas, including seven restored pioneer homes and showing pioneer life from the 1870s through the 1930s. Key themes are homesteading, cattle, citrus, hunting, fishing and trapping.



There are even more free things to do in Orlando, Florida!



Downtown Disney Marketplace: Explore the World of Disney store, which is an experience in and of itself. Also visit the Lego Imagination Center, where your kids can enjoy the free Lego building stations and nearby playground.

Disney's Boardwalk: Stroll along Disney's boardwalk for a charming step back in time, complete with water views and street entertainers.

The Town of Celebration: Visit this Disney-made town where you can adrmire the gorgeous houses, well-groomed yards and magic of Disney living. Depending on when you visit, you may see machine generated snow or falling leaves.

Old Town: On Saturday nights a free rock-n-roll concert and a parade of 300 vintage cars are offered.

A visit to gorgeous Orlando, Florida is the perfect way to get away with your family. Although there are amazing deals like Cheap Disney World Tickets, there are also plenty of FREE things to do in Orlando that are great ways to spend your vacation time. And best of all, many of the great Orlando experiences are fun, free and unforgettable.

Continuar leyendo

Ocultar articulo

Kathin Ceremony

Kathin Ceremony is one of the merit making festivals in Thailand. The ceremony is about offering new robes to the monks who live in the Buddhist temples. The full name of this festival is "Thot Kathin". The meaning of the word "Thot" is to making an offering to a monk and the word "Kathin" means an embroidery frame.

The Kathin Ceremony is held after the end of three month Rains Retreat from July to September. People celebrate an annual presentation ceremony every year soon after the end of rainy season. They distribute clothes, money, kitchen equipment and other tools to monks.

The people of Thailand believe that the Kathin Ceremony is the most significant merit making festival. Everyone in the country actively takes part in this festival. It is said that people look forward this ceremony as an opportunity to sponsor clothes for monks at least once in their lifetime. However, not everyone can sponsor since the ceremony can be pretty expensive. When this happens, people, who cannot afford to be sole sponsors, join together perform what is known as United Kathin. Here different people come together to offer gifts to the monks and share the costs of the gifts.

People travel to many places in order to celebrate this festival. Sometimes they even go to other countries in search of Buddhist temples located in various places to offer gifts to the monks in those temples. The Kathin Ceremony is an opportunity for Buddhists in Thailand to gain merit and it is also looked upon as a holiday since people can escape from their regular lives and spend time with their families.

Check Out More Articles:

Spot Fake Doctors Sick Note,

Pictures Of Genital Herpes,

Find General Hospitals & Medical Center

Continuar leyendo

Ocultar articulo

Everybody Poops - What Your Poop May Be Trying to Tell You

I have to admit up front, this is going to be the crappiest article I've ever written.

You see, as I was walking my dogs Marty and Rosie the other day, it occurred to me that poop plays a huge role in my life. I'm not afraid to admit it. I pick up after my dogs every day, I scoop my cat's litter box every day (OK, not EVERY day, but it certainly feels that way), and I talk with my clients about their bowel movements. In fact, while I was in India this past summer, poop was actually the number one topic of conversation between my colleagues and me, as we compared notes on who had diarrhea and who was still healthy. I even remained on "poop watch," for several weeks after my return to the States, making sure that everything was OK (and thankfully, it was!)

So, if you are a pet owner, parent, health care professional, or world traveler, you probably know what I mean!

But many people don't get to talk about poop as much as I do. I know this because when I ask people about their poop, I often get blank stares and uncomfortable looks. So, I let's talk about all of the questions that people want answered but are usually afraid to ask. After all, your poop is an important indicator of your overall health!

What is Poop?

Have you ever wondered what poop actually is? About 75% of your average poop is water, although this will vary depending on the person. Water is absorbed out of fecal material as it passes through the large intestine, so the longer you take to "go," the drier your poop will be.

The remaining 25% is comprised of dead bacteria that helped us digest our food, living bacteria, protein, undigested food residue (also known as fiber), waste material from food, cellular linings, fats, cholesterol, salts, protein, and substances released from the liver and the intestines (such as mucus).

What Makes a Healthy Poop?

Your feces are a clear indicator of the health of your gastrointestinal tract. Dr. Mehmet Oz says, "At the end of the day you can analyze your body really effectively by looking at what comes out of your body."

So what should you look for? A healthy poop will be:


Golden brown, which is due to pigments formed by the bacteria in the gut and bile from the liver. You want to make sure the color is normal because that tells you a lot about what's going on in your gastrointestinal tract (more on color below).

Formed into one long shape. Dr. Michael Levitt, an Australian colorectal surgeon who has written a book called The Bowel Book, says that the healthy human stool resembles the shape and consistency (although not the same color) of an unripe banana. Dr. Oz says " You don't want [pieces]." Some experts disagree, saying they don't have to be well- formed. Patrick Donovan, N.D., a naturopath in Seattle, WA says "Stools don't have to be well- formed logs. They can disperse in the toilet water; they can break down."

Nearly odorless.

About 1 to 2 inches in diameter and 18 inches long.

What About Other Colors?

Sometimes we don't see that "golden guru," and are faced with something else instead. Here's some insight into what those other colors might mean.


Black: Feces can be black if dried blood is present in it from internal bleeding in the upper digestive tract. See a doctor if this is the case.

Very Dark Brown: Drinking wine the night before may result in dark brown poop. This could also be the result of eating too much salt, or not enough vegetables.

Yellow: One condition that can cause yellow poop is an infection known as giardia, a dangerous infection that can spread to others. Another cause of yellow poop may be a condition known as Gilbert's syndrome. See your doctor if you are consistently seeing yellow poop.

Green: Babies often have green poop when they are given food for the first time. Children may have green or blue poop from certain illnesses or from ingesting food colorings. Adults may also have green poop if they eat large amounts of green, leafy vegetables or if they eat large amounts of foods with green food coloring. Light green poop may indicate excessive sugar in the diet. Green feces can also occur with diarrhea if bile salts pass through the intestine unchanged. Again, see a doctor if you are concerned!

White/pale: Feces can appear white or pale after drinking barium sulfate, which is often given to patients getting an X-ray of the digestive tract. A white or pale stool may also be an indication of problems with the gallbladder or liver.

Red: Bright red in the feces may be indicative of active bleeding, possibly the result of hemorrhoids. A magenta color may result form eating intense red food coloring, or red foods such as beets.

How Often Should I Poop?

Ah - the big question! Experts disagree on how often a person should poop. The National Institute for Diabetes, Kidney, and Digestive Diseases says three times a week is normal and healthy for some people. According to Ayurveda, an ancient Indian healing system, once a day is ideal. Other experts advocate once or twice a day, while still others say a person should have a bowel movement within two to three hours of a major meal- -or two to three times a day. So you can see that it really depends on who you talk to. My personal opinion is that you above all want to be regular in your pooping schedule, and that one poop a day is ideal.

When someone poops four times a day or more and the poop has a liquid consistency, this is referred to as diarrhea. When someone poops less than two or three days a week and the poop is hard, dry, and difficult to pass, this is known as constipation.

What's the Deal with Corn?

It's funny, so it's ok to laugh. But most people I know have experienced it and they ask why it is that when you eat corn, the next time you poop there it is again! There are a couple of reasons for this. One is that most of us do not thoroughly chew our food. Another interesting tidbit I've learned that there is an outer coating on corn that is made up of indigestible cellulose. This outer coating slips off the inner kernel and, since it's indigestible, passes through the gut intact. It then emerges looking like a whole kernel, even though it's just the outer skin. The inside of the kernel is starchy and digestible, and that is the part that we succeed in chewing and digesting.

Well, hopefully you know now a lot more about this important topic. And that's the scoop on poop!

Continuar leyendo

Ocultar articulo

Types of Arrest Warrants - A Look at Felony, Civil and Alias Arrest Warrants

A warrant of arrest is issued by the court ordering law enforcers to detain a person. Basically, arrest warrants are issued if there has been a crime that was committed and there is enough evidence to incriminate a suspect, and if the person named in the warrant committed the crime.

However, there is also warrant of arrests issued if the person in question failed to show up in court. For example, if you have outstanding parking tickets and you fail to pay for it or to show up for court to hear your case, then an arrest warrant may be issued in your name.

There are also search warrants that give the authority to search a person's premises. Although this is not necessarily an arrest warrant, if the authorities found narcotics or other evidence that point to a particular crime, they can automatically arrest you without the warrant of arrest.

Another type of warrant is called the bench warrant. This is basically issued to people who have skipped their next scheduled court appearance. The superior court warrant is also another type of warrant issued by the county court or the Supreme Court. This secures the appearance of the defendant on court who has been indicted.

These are the types of arrest warrants that are commonly used by the law. It is important to remember that having arrest warrants is a serious thing and that you should not try and ignore it. If you do not remember committing any crime, and you have an arrest warrant in your name, then you may want to try getting the arrest warrant reviewed as you may have been a victim of identity theft.

What's a Felony Warrant?

People don't understand that there are different kinds of warrants that can be issued by the court. One of which is called the felony warrant. Basically, if this type of warrant was issued, the person in the warrant can be arrested for felony charges or for crimes that he or she committed.

One example would be the case of Paula Poundstone who was arrested on a felony warrant. The charges were three counts of lewd acts on a 14 year old girl. She was also charged for endangering two unidentified girls and two boys by driving under the influence.

This is an example of a case where felony warrants can be issued. Although the three lewd acts charges were dropped, she underwent a 180 alcohol rehabilitation program.

Felony warrants lasts until the authority arrests the person who was charged with a particular felony act.

Felony warrants are public documents which can be legally and freely viewed by the public and is a serious type of warrant that should not be ignored. It is important that you should try searching for felony warrants in your name in order to make sure that you are free from any felony charges that you may not know about.

You have to consider that fact that people may use your identity and you may be charged with a crime under your name that was committed by another person who used your identity to commit the crime.

This is what felony warrant is all about. Lewd acts or conduct is just one type of crime that felony warrant may be filed against you.

What is a Civil Warrant?

There are a lot of people who fills out a civil warrant or a civil summons form. However, not many people know about it and that they often mistake it for an arrest warrant. So, just what is a civil warrant and where is it used?

Basically, a civil warrant is commonly issued in the small claims court when filing suit. The plaintiff will be requested to fill out a civil warrant or a civil summons form. In this form, it will contain space for the details of the claim. If you are seeking for a money judgment, then you might want to prepare and file a type of civil warrant called the warrant in debt.

Another type of civil warrant that is commonly issued is called the warrant in detinue. This is used by the plaintiff in order to obtain a possession of a specific personal property that he or she considered to be wrongfully possessed or withheld by the defendant. These forms can be filled out by a non-lawyer who is representing him or herself.

The civil warrant is basically commonly used in the small claims court. In order to file it, you will need to give the court clerk the name of the defendant, the amount of your claim, the basis of the claim, the current address of the defendant, and the sufficient funds to pay the fees, such as the filing fee and the sheriff's fees in order to serve the warrant.

As you can see, the civil warrant is basically simple to understand. These warrants are basically used in the civil court and are commonly used by filing small claims.

What is an Alias Warrant?

You'll see that there are quite a lot of types of warrant. If you are studying law or that you have an interest with the law, it is important that you should know about the different types of warrants in order for you to become more informed and more aware about the proceedings of the law. Even if you are a regular person, having knowledge about the different kinds of warrant can help you in case you or someone you know has been issued with a type of warrant.

One type of warrant is called the alias warrant.

Basically, the alias warrant is a type of warrant that is issued by the court when no plea has been entered on the case you are involved in, particularly if you failed to appear in court. This type of warrant can be issued if you also fail to appear on the initial appearance on the citation or you have failed to appear on court on the scheduled court date.

You have to remember that when you receive and sign a citation, this is as good as a promise that you will appear in court. If you fail to appear, you will automatically have two cases instead of one. This additional offense is called Failure to Appear, which is under the Penal Code.

This type of warrant gives the authority to arrest you. You can bond out of jail by cash bond, bail bond, attorney bond, or PR bond.

As you can see, alias warrants should be taken seriously. You need to appear in court in person or by mail on the scheduled court date. Or else, you will be charged with an additional offense and an alias warrant will be issued on your name.

For More Information on Criminal Arrest Warrants, Court Records, Criminal Records and Much More, Visit the Public Records Depot Today at http://publicrecordsdepot.com/

Continuar leyendo

Ocultar articulo

How To Get Big Sponsorship Money for Your Band, Tour, Event or Production

Touring is a bands greatest opportunity for success. But, touring can be very expensive. Getting your tour, band or event sponsored is critical to your success. Sponsorship can off-set production, travel, promotion and virtually any of your expense. The right sponsor can also significantly augment your advertising, publicity and promotions. But, getting sponsorship participation can take a lot of effort and commitment on your part. You will need to prove to potential sponsors that your opportunity will deliver a good return on investment for them.

The following is a step by step procedure we have used at Multimediary Entertainment Marketing to secure hundreds of thousands of sponsorship dollars for numerous tours, events, artists, television programming and feature films. We have done this for several major record labels and both signed and unsigned artists. Now we want to share our knowledge experience so you can do this on your own.

Create an Introduction Letter

The first step in securing sponsorship dollars is to craft a professional introduction letter highlighting the features and benefits of the opportunity you are offering. Some of these features and benefits might include inclusion in advertising, product sampling, banner display and more. After you have given a brief overview of the opportunity close the letter by asking their permission to send them a more detailed presentation. The introduction letter is the most critical part of the sponsorship success equation. If well crafted, it will get your foot in the door.

Demographic Analysis

Understanding your audience is critical. Potential sponsors will want to know who you are reaching. The best way of gathering this information is right at you finger tips. Call radio stations you think should be playing your music. Ask for an account executive and ask this person to fax you their Tapscan, Scarborough or Prism demographic and qualitative information. In all likelihood you will now be armed with a detailed overview of what your audience looks like and can match this up with potential sponsors. You will also have a great hit list of companies to start hitting.

Creating Your Sponsorship Presentation

No that you have your introduction letter and demographic profiles you are ready to begin creating your presentation. The presentation will seal the deal with sponsors only if it contains all the information they will need to make an educated decision on your opportunity. The presentation must contain the following elements:

1. A Two to three paragraph overview of your opportunity

2. A detailed overview of tour routing, markets and venues

3. An overview of what type of public relations and media
support you expect to have and how the sponsor will be included

4. Your audience and demographic profile

5. Tour partnership deliverables or what the sponsor will receive for their investment

6. The total investment you are looking for from your sponsor and the return a sponsor can expect

Now that you have all of the pieces of the puzzle you are ready to go out and shake the trees for sponsorship dollars. With effort and consistency you will land a sponsor. Always deliver on what you promise to retain your sponsors year after year. Under deliver and they will promptly kick you to the curb. Our philosophy is to always under promise and over deliver. With this philosophy you will be assured ongoing solid sponsorship participation for years to come.

Multimediary Entertainment Marketing can get your tour, band or event on the right track by providing you with the following:

o An Introduction letter that garners results

o An accurate Demographic Analysis extrapolated of 5 major markets

o Sponsorship Value Analysis to determine the worth of your opportunity

o Sponsorship presentation in Word and PowerPoint

o Press Release creation announcing sponsorship opportunity

o Press Release distributed to all major markets announcing your opportunity

o We will also include your opportunity in the Multimediary Entertainment Marketing Newsletter which goes out to over 1500 Corporate Brand Managers monthly

o Professional Sponsorship Contract/Agreement you can use to seal the deal

o One-hour Professional Consultation to ensure you're going in the right direction

For details and pricing please visit our website at: [http://www.multimediary.com/sponsorship.html]

Continuar leyendo

Ocultar articulo

What to Expect From Natural Gas Prices in 2011

Natural Gas Powers Texas

The US Dept. of Energy cites Texas as producing and consuming more electricity than any other state. Texas is the largest natural gas producer in the nation, suppying one quarter of that total output; storing and supplying natural gas via pipeline for all regions of the country. Yet while Texas has large reserves of low grade coal, most of what is burned in its coal-fired plants is brought in via train from Wyoming and Montana.

So, it makes sense for Texas electric power generators to rely more on the supply of natural gas in our back yard rather than waiting for the next 10,000 tons of coal to roll in from Wyoming. Over half of Texas' energy comes from natural gas-powered generation plants. It burns cleaner than coal and does not leave behind large amounts of cinder and ash that require proper disposal.

Natural gas and oil have been twin commodities that helped build Texas. Natural gas pipelines stretch in all directions from Texas and it has long been used throughout the US for heat, light, and electrical generation. So, it's little wonder that in this country its price has long been bound to oil, a commodity in a very volatile market where prices are often shaped by world events. For this reason, power generating companies have paid more for natural gas than coal, nuclear, and wind. Because it is the most expensive and so heavily relied upon in Texas, the price of natural gas determines the price of Texas electricity.

Comparing 2009 Natural Gas with 2010

You have probably noticed that the summer of 2010 was warmer than 2009. According to the EIA's The use of natural gas for electric power generation surged this year because of the 23 percent increase in U.S. cooling degree days, resulting in an over 300 Bcf (11 percent) increase in natural gas consumption in the power generation sector over the last 4 months compared with the same period last year.

In spite of hot weather driving electrical demand, large surpluses are still in storage. The August 27th working natural gas inventory was 3,106 billion cubic feet (Bcf). While this is 169 Bcf more than the 2005-2009 average, it was still 208 Bcf less than the record levels of 2009. June, July, and August also witnessed hurricane threats that shut-in 7.9 Bcf and slowed production. The EIA originally predicted 57.4 Bcf produced for this period. New deep-sea gas wells were also shelved as part of the drilling moratorium following the historic BP oil spill in the Gulf on April 20, 2010. An official recommendation about when to end the moratorium might be released by the end of September.

Horizontal drilling for shale gas and liquefied natural gas technologies both came of age when natural gas prices were high. Drilling companies were able to take on lots of debt to bore new wells into vast untapped US shale gas plays. An interesting example is the Kardell Gas Unit 1H which is pumping in the Haynesville Shale in San Augustine County, Texas. Back in October, 2009, this well achieved a continuous 24 hour flow rate of 30.7 million cubic feet (Mcf) with a flow pressure of 6,824 psi. Unfortunately, numbers have surfaced showing that shale gas wells are very short term producers, yielding enormous amounts in their first year but dwindling quickly over the following few years. How this factor will affects the industry in the long term has yet to be clearly addressed.

Unfortunately for the industry, profits seemed to be dwindle from their wells just as quickly. It's prices dropped in in late 2008/early 2009 and remained low throughout 2010. Liquefied natural gas imports (both via pipe and ship) into the US have dropped from 56,410 Million Cubic feet (Mcf) in January 2010 to 32, 521 Mcf in July, 2010. Whether it was to just stay in business or maintain drilling rights to acreages, drilling companies drilled more wells and produced more gas -which drove prices down further. Dave Pursell, managing director and head of macro research for Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. Securities Inc, characterizes the shale gas rush by stating, "This industry is drunk on shale liquor and can't get sober fast enough to avoid a low-commodity-price hangover.".

Over the course of 2012, the EIA predicts natural gas production falling by 1.2 Bcf (1.9 percent) as low commodity prices apply the brakes to drilling rigs. Some of this can be attributed to major US gas producers, Chesapeake Energy and EOG Resources. They announced that they will be reducing their shale gas operations and switching to developing natural gas liquids operations. Natural gas liquids are extracted in conjunction with natural gas at the surface in gas processing or cycling plants and include propane, ethane, butane, pentane and natural gasoline.

Troubled Waters: Fracking

Hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking", uses water, sand, and chemicals at very high pressure to crack shale rock formations and enable the natural gas in the shale deposits to migrate to the well head for collections. While most of this is done at depths most experts have argued are below water tables, there has been evidence in 6 states showing the process is fraught with documented instances of methane contaminating aquifiers and exploding drinking water wells. The issue has been made all the more controversial in the public eye by Josh Fox's film, Gasland.

In answer to public concerns, the US EPA plans on beginning a new study in 2011.

Projections for 2011

The EIA expects near-normal summer weather conditions for 2011. The reason being that the strong El Nino effects of 2009 will have played themselves out. The National Weather Service predicts the winter for December, 2010 through February, 2011 as drier with above normal temps in Texas and the southwestern US with the bulk of country likely to experience "equal chances of normal conditions". The same weather pattern is expected through April and into the summer with higher temperatures moving solidly into the southwest.

As a consequnce, the EIA projects flat consumption through 2011 with the bulk being used by expansion in the electrical generation and industrial sectors - lending some credence to a recovering economy.

2011 Solutions for the Texas Energy Consumer

In May, the EIA reported that the average price of Texas electricity was 11.6 cents/kwh and would rise to 11.9 cents/kwh in 2011. Since May, the real average price has dropped to just over 10 cents/kwh. This is partly a factor of natural gas prices dipping lower during the fall due to moderate temperatures throughout the country.

It is cheap right now but is expected to trend upwards as the winter heating season gets underway. EIA pegs that amount at $4.76/MMbtu. For the Texas electricity consumer, this means it is still a buyer's market for a little while. On Sept. 21, mid-afternoon prices for October delivery at the Henry Hub were $3.82/ MMbtu. Yet it is still an uncertain world. Later in the day, the price rose 9 cents to $3.91 as the National Hurricane Center announced that an Atlantic storm was potentially threatening gas rigs in the Gulf of Mexico.

Even still, it's great time to shop around for a fixed energy plan that can save you money.

If you sign on to a two year plan now, you can lock in the current low fall 2010 rate through fall 2012. Switching now when rates are low could save you hundreds of dollars over the next two years. Why? Because you can take advantage of a long-term fixed-rate energy plan that locks in the current low energy price. While the EIA projects that prices will be flat in 2011, prices are likely to gradually rise towards the end of the year as large gas-producing companies, like Chesapeake Energy (which produces 2 Bcf/day), migrate their attention to more profitable natural gas products. The record surplus natural gas in storage will gradually be used up and not immediately replaced by producers. Another factor influencing the nature gas market will be the EPA's report on fracking which may adversely impact future production costs in shale gas plays.

Consider the September 21 price of $3.91/MMbtu and the EIA prediction of natural gas rising to $4.76/MMbtu in 2011. That's an increase of 21%. Right now, if your energy plan is locked in at 10.4 ¢/kWh for 1500 kWh per month, you're paying about $156/month. But in 2011 given a possible minimum increase of 21% in natural gas, your bill could jump by that much to $188.76/month. That's a difference of $32.76/month or $393.12 for the year.

Don't worry. Now is exactly the right time maximize your savings for these next two years to take advantage of the current low prices.

To find a long term plan that will help you save the most money, go to Bounce Energy. Bounce Energy has recently reduced pricing on many of their energy plans with rates starting as low as 8.7 cents/kwh. Check out their Tremendous 24 plan as well as their other 12 month, 9 month, and 6 month fixed rate plans.

Qualified customers will receive movie tickets, bill credits, companion airline tickets, price reductions and more for paying their bill on-time!

Bounce Energy is a Texas Electric Company based in Houston. Bounce Energy's goal is provide more than low Texas Electric Rates to our customers. With innovative and flexible plans, excellent customer service, and superior customer rewards, Bounce Energy offers a unique approach to Texas electricity.

Continuar leyendo

Ocultar articulo

How to Create a Positive Work Atmosphere

Positive versus Negative Workplaces

We have all worked in places where we grew to dread getting up in the morning, and a few of us have had the pleasure of working for a boss who makes us feel like we can do anything. Let's take a look at the differences between a positive and a negative work environment.

Signs of a Negative Work Environment

• The boss is unfriendly.

• The boss is critical.

• There is high employee turnover.

• There is low employee morale.

• People watch the clock.

• People don't get much performance feedback.

Signs of a Positive Work Environment

• The boss demonstrates interest in the employees.

• The boss has an encouraging attitude.

• Employees like working there.

• There is evidence of company pride and loyalty.

• People know where they stand with their supervisors.

Thousands of books have been written on the subject of managing and motivating people, and as many training seminars are conducted on this subject around the world every day. And yet it's interesting that even with all of this available information, few companies succeed at creating a positive work environment. Let's see what's involved.

Four Key Skills

Creating a positive work environment is based on four key skills. They are:

1. Tell people what you expect of them.

2. Show interest in your team members.

3. Create an encouraging environment.

4. Recognize and reward good performance.

Skill #1: State Your Expectations

Telling people what you expect of them means doing the following:

• Communicating expectations clearly

• Having a specific job description

• Identifying specific performance standards

• Specifying deadlines

• Setting goals

Skill #2: Show Interest in Your Team

What behaviors convey that someone is interested in you?

• Making eye contact

• Calling you by name

• Asking your opinion

• Smiling

• Complimenting your work

• Taking your suggestions

These behaviors convey a lack of interest:

• Ignoring you

• Not knowing your name or not using it

• Not asking your opinion

• Ignoring your suggestions

• Not commenting on your work

• Following your suggestion, but only when heard from someone else

Such signs discourage productivity because they make people feel discouraged, angry, less confident, and stripped of self-esteem.

Skill #3: Create an Encouraging Environment

Most people would agree that an encouraging work environment is one where:

• Your ideas are valued.

• Creativity is encouraged.

• Risks are encouraged.

• Fun and laughter are valued.

• New ideas are rewarded.

• You feel appreciated.

• People thank you for your contributions.

• Flexibility is valued.

• You feel like part of the team.

Creating such an environment results in the following benefits to employees. You:

• Contribute more ideas.

• Feel more committed.

• Look forward to coming to work.

• Are more productive.

• Have increased self-esteem.

Creating such an environment results in the following benefits to managers and business owners:

• Less turnover

• Less sabotage

• Greater loyalty

• Easier to find employees due to good reputation

• Higher productivity

Skill #4: Recognize and Reward Good Performance

A reinforcer is anything that happens, after a behavior, that tends to increase the chances that the behavior will be repeated. Included are such things as:

• Compliments

• Smiles

• Thumbs-up gesture

• Saying "Thank you"

• Public announcement of your achievement

• Positive letter in your personnel file

• Promotion

• Time off

• Special parking space

• First choice on schedule

• Dinner with the boss

• Tickets to an event

• Extra employee discount

• Picture on the bulletin board

• Applause at a meeting

Recognition Guidelines

1. Describe the results you are recognizing. Be specific. It's important to make certain the employee knows what behavior or accomplishment you are referring to.

2. State your personal appreciation. Say, "I appreciate it." Adding your personal appreciation makes the compliment feel more genuine.

3. Encourage the person to continue producing such good work. This increases the chances that the person will repeat the desirable behavior.

Garrett Coan, MSW, LCSW is Founder and Director of the Center for Creative Counseling, a team of expert and licensed therapists and coaches providing phone and internet counseling services to clients throughout the United States and worldwide. To arrange a no-obligation, complimentary consultation, call 1-877-958-4769 or visit them on the Web at http://www.creativecounselors.com

Continuar leyendo

Ocultar articulo