Ah, the never-ending debate over professional and non-professional hair-care products. In the past, this debate was resolved easily with a famous quote, “You get what you pay for.” But today, the line between professional and non-professional products has become blurry due to the emergence of inexpensive professional products and expensive non-professional products.

You see, it used to be that you almost always paid $10 for a bottle of shampoo from the salon. Non-professional shampoos, on the other hand, only cost a couple of dollars. Today, however, you can spend as much or more on a bottle of shampoo from your local department store as you can for a bottle from the salon. The reason that this is so is because most professional product lines have not raised their prices in years, while new shampoos and conditioners being introduced to the non-professional market have been given packaging and price tags to mirror their in-salon competition.

So, now the only thing that separates the non-professional from the professional is the quality standard by which each product line is produced. Just think about it this way: All products made to be used in salons by professionals can only be retailed in salons. That means that the products must be of the highest quality. If they weren’t, beauticians simply wouldn’t use them. Never will you find a professional product that causes build up or leaves the hair feeling dry and brittle. Professional shampoos will also not strip hair of color or vital moisture. If you could get these products or products of similar quality in any department store, why wouldn’t your beautician use them?

While not all non-professional products are bad, you do run the risk of choosing a product that could cause problems like build up, dryness, breakage, color fading, lifelessness, frizziness and a host of other problems. That means that if you choose to use a non-professional product, you should monitor your hair closely to look for any adverse affects.

Also, keep in mind how much you are spending. While it makes perfect sense to choose a non-professional product at huge savings over a professional one, it doesn’t make much sense to spend as much on a non-professional product as you would for a guaranteed, professional product.

In the end, the choice to use professional products or not to use them is yours. Just remember to watch your wallet and most importantly watch your hair. Choose products that are kind to both.

Jenny is a hair expert, and the author of an incredible free minicourse, that explains how to find your unique style, how long or short you should have your hair, how to find the right hair color for you, how to find the right salon, and a lot more. Go to www.hairstylevillage.com/ now and get this amazing hair minicourse - absolutely free

Research shows that up to two thirds of women experience hair loss at some stage in their life and this can often be a very stressful time for women and is an integral part of their self image.

The most common causes of hair loss in women is not related to inherited genes but usually associated with other factors such as pregnancy, stress, chemotherapy, certain diets, thyroid hormone deficiency, some drugs or infections. Unlike men the hair loss in this case is usually temporary and healthy re-growth can occur over time.

Unlike men, women rarely go bald but may experience significant thinning and reduction of the hair shaft diameter around the forehead and crown of the scalp as they age.

If you are one of the millions of women who suffer from hair loss the most important factor is to understand why you are losing your hair before you seek out a remedy or solution.

Causes of hair loss:

1. Genetics: The most common cause of hair loss is rooted in your genes also known as androgenetic alopecia, hereditary hair loss can begin any time after puberty, but usually sets in before the age of forty and may accelerate around the time you reach menopause.

2. Pregnancy: A large amount of oestrogen is produced during pregnancy causing the hair follicles to go into their growth phase. Once the birth is over the hormonal balance is restored and the opposite happens with the hair follicles going into a hair loss phase.

3. Alopecia areata: The reasons for this are relatively unknown but research has shown that the cause is thought to be an auto immune disorder where the body mistakenly attacks the hair follicles. What follows is an inflammation of the follicles and surrounding hair structures. This causes the hair follicles to retreat into the deeper layers of skin shutting off an important nutrient supply, the follicles starve and the hair starts shedding followed by a dormant period.

4. Stress: Another common reason for hair loss in women is stress as known as Telogen Effluvium. What happens is that the growing healthy hairs enter the resting (telogen) phase of hair growth. The hairs matrix appears to stop dividing causing the hair to begin falling out. Women in their 40’s to 60’s will be affected by this kind of hair loss.

5. Drugs or Supplements: The most common drug treatment that causes hair loss is Chemotherapy. This kind of medication attacks the hair cells of the matrix causing 90% hair loss from the scalp. Prescription drugs are also known to thin hair out. These can be Blood thinners, high blood pressure and cholesterol drugs. Some dieting supplements can also be causes of hair loss.

6. Hair pulling: Also known as trichotillomania. Unlike other types or hair loss this is not a medical but more a psychological disorder. There are literally millions of people around the worlds that suffer from this condition. These are mostly adult women that suffer from low self esteem, anxiety, depression or are dissatisfied with their bodies. This condition can be treated with counselling.

Grant Marwick is a freelance writer and owner of http://www.no-gray-hair.com that provides solutions and advice on the treatment of gray hair and Female Hair loss

This article answers a few of the most common questions about laser hair removal, including who it is suitable for, how much it will cost, which areas of the body it is most suitable for, and how permanent the results are.

Who is laser hair removal suitable for?

It is not suitable for everyone. The general rule is that the hair in question must be a darker color than the skin surrounding it. If the skin is a very dark pigmentation, it you may absorb too much of the laser energy, and so the treatment is not advisable. Those who are tanned with light hair are also unsuitable. Those who are tanned with dark hair should not have the treatment until their tan has faded.

Generally speaking, it is easier to perform the treatment on someone with light hair, as opposed to someone with dark hair.

How much does it cost?

The average session costs in the region of $500. Four or more sessions are usually recommended. Large areas (such as the back) will obviously result in a larger bill, and smaller areas (such as the upper lip) won’t cost as much. Private consultations are recommended to assess the cost, as the number of sessions needed varies from person to person.

What areas of the body can hair be removed from using laser hair treatment?

Anywhere where there is excess hair. The only real exception is around the eyes. The most common areas are legs, back, bikini line and underarms.

Is it permanent?

Unlike shaving and waxing, laser hair removal is considered to be a more permanent form of hair removal, but the results differ according to the patient in question. As with all beauty treatments, do not choose the practice which offers the lowest price, as the treatment may not be of the best quality.

Written by Kelly Jensen for LaserRemoval.net, an extensive information site regarding laser hair removal, cosmetic procedures, and skin beauty tips. For answers to other general questions you may want to review this Laser Hair Treatmet article.

There are many reasons for unwanted hair growth that may include hirsutism, hypertrichosis or you just simply have hair growing in places you wished you didn’t. Many women pluck their eyebrows, shave their underarms and legs, and will also trim or remove pubic hair just to accommodate today’s fashions. For the most part they will treat hair removal as part of their cosmetic routine.

Most men shave their facial hair unless they are purposely growing a moustache, goatee or beard. There are also men who shave their body hair for various cosmetic reasons. Athletes such as body builders and swimmers will also use hair removal methods in order to enhance their appearance, or performance. There are also medical reasons for getting rid of unwanted hair as well as the reason of personal preference.

If you are considering removing unwanted hair then the good news is that there are a number of hair removal options that are available today. Essentially there are basically two categories of hair removal procedures: Permanent Hair Removal Techniques, and Temporary Hair Removal Techniques.

Permanent Hair Removal

Permanent hair removal procedures seek to eliminate unwanted hair in such a way that it never returns. At times they may be successful but there are instances where this technique turns out to be semi-permanent and they may have to be repeated again over time. Individuals who seek out permanent hair removal methods will mostly likely receive treatment from a hair removal specialist or a licensed Esthetician. Examples of common permanent hair removal techniques include:

• Hair Removal Laser Treatments - this procedure is a relatively painless method for hair removal. This treatment has been approved by the FDA and should only be performed by a trained and licensed professional. The hair follicles are destroyed using a small laser beam and results work best on individuals with light colored skin and dark hair. It is not recommended on deeply tanned people. The overall costs to remove facial hair with lasers can run you around $1,000, while removal of hair from pubic areas or legs can costs anywhere from $2,000 - $3,000.

• Photo Pulsed/Epilation Laser - this method is similar to laser treatment and is also an FDA approved procedure. It uses a pulsed light beam to eliminate the hair follicles. There are no restrictions in regards to tanning, skin or hair color. It is commonly used to remove hair from the bikini areas as well as underarms. General costs can range between $500 and $2,000 and depend largely on the body area being treated.

• Electrolysis - is another relatively painless process which can result in minor side effects that may include infection and scaring. This method will treat every hair follicle on an individual basis. During this procedure a needle is injected directly into the hair follicle and then it is exposed to an electric charge. This process can take months and is largely dependent upon the size of the area that is undergoing the treatment. If you are considering this type of treatment then costs may run you as high as $1,000 - $3,000, for pubic or leg areas.

Temporary Hair Removal

Temporary hair removal techniques are more inclined to work for short periods of time and are subject to the body’s normal hair growth cycle. There are a number of home treatment methods available on the market and some of these techniques can also be performed by a certified Esthetician as well.

The temporary hair removal methods include a number of shaving, plucking, and waxing procedures, as well as hair removal creams and other various exotic procedures.

As you can see the options for removing unwanted body hair are large. The bottom line on choosing a method that is right for you can come down to your budget as well as lifestyle. If you are interested in removing unwanted body hair for sports-related competitions, or cosmetic reasons one should consider laser therapy if they can afford it. These methods are the best for eliminating large areas of body hair.

About the Author

Susan Richards is a professional freelance writer who has conducted extensive research on hair removal methods and treatments. You can find information on a number of topics that include: best hair removal methods, laser hair removal and hair removal products.

Most times, hair loss is explained in the context of genetics and a change in the hormonal balance of one’s body. However, hair loss can also be a symptom of an underlying disease or a result from a surgery.

Skin diseases that affect the scalp form one disorder that can result in hair loss. The nutrients, minerals and supplements are lost rapidly in the hair and scalp. With any of these skin diseases, it will usually cause hair loss either because of the effects from the immune system or because of the lack of nutrients that are not available from the disease.

Cancer, lupus or diabetes are other conditions that can cause your hair to fall out. Because the nutrients are not balanced in the body from these diseases, it may cause side effects or problems with hair loss. This is known as a side effect of an underlying problem that is more severe.

When you are losing hair from a surgery, it is usually either a side effect of the disease, or from excess stress that occurs from the surgery. This is especially known to be a problem if the surgery is major. In other instances, the hair loss may be a result of part of the surgical procedure, such as chemotherapy, which will cause temporary hair loss.

Knowing how your disease or the aftermath of a surgery can result in hair loss is important as it can mean that your falling hair may just be a temporary situation as you recover from a weakened immune system and body.

Once your body hormones begin to balance again and your organs are working optimally, hair will begin to grow back at a normal rate. Don’t worry excessively if your hair takes some time to grow. It takes time for the proteins and nutrients to take effect on your scalp and hair. In fact, a period of between four to six months is usually the case before you have a good amount of hair back on your head again.

If you are losing your hair because of a disease, then you can expect that the hair will grow back. In order to make sure that your hair grows back, you will need to take proper specific steps in order to remove toxins from your body and rebalance the hormones internally. In effect, your scalp and hair area will gain more nutrients and will have the ability to become healthy again. Over time, your hair loss will diminish and will grow back, despite the effects from any type of disease that has affected your body.

Products - Here are some of the more popular products on the market to help with the prevention and spreading of acne:

Benzoyl Peroxide: Helps destroy the bacteria that cause acne.

Proactiv® Solution: A dermatologist formulated 3-Step acne management system - combining prescription- grade ingredients that work together to heal and prevent acne or combination therapy / acne management system.

Salicylic Acid: Helps to unclog pores and renew skin.

Retinoids: Synthetic derivatives of Vitamin A that unclog pores and aid in sloughing.

Antibiotics: They help destroy bacteria and decrease inflammation.

Oral Contraceptives: Help with hormone level management.

Anti-Androgens: These help with the reduction of sebum production and comedone formation, i.e. they inhibit the body’s production of acne-causing hormones.

Isotretinoin (Accutane): an effective acne control medication especially for the treatment of severe cystic or nodular acne.

Acne — Hormones And Hygiene

Hormones - Hormones or lack of, during later years and especially for women, can play a role in acne flare-ups and prevention. One recent study showed that about 50 percent of women have acne, referred to as hormonal acne, problems during the week before their menstruation. Treatment options can include topical retinoids, oral antibiotics and Benzoyl Peroxide for teen years. On into adult years, some acne aids include oral contraceptives or hormonal birth control pills and hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) for women, combined with systemic or topical treatments, prescription or over-the-counter products and medications, and antibiotics for both sexes.

Hygiene - A healthy skin regimen should include no harsh scrubbing or over-washing, because this can cause possible skin irritation or possible over production of oil to replace what’s washed off, clogging pores in the process. Products with gentle exfoliation ingredients are OK to use; i.e. not scratchy nut or fruit shell pieces that can tear skin. And skip alcohol products when possible; these can take off the top layer of your skin and cause your glands to product more oil, clogging pores in the process.

If you do spot acne-troubled areas, do NOT mess with them. Remember that these are already weeks in the making, and squeezing or picking blemishes can force the infected area to regress back inside, further troubling the region and possibly leave a scar. If necessary, seek help from a dermatologist for alternative treatments.

Susanne Britley is the proprietor of http://www.acne-scar-treatments.com where you will find many solutions, great articles and lots of interesting resources. Take a look now!

Why is it so important to take care of your skin?

Most of us are all too willing to pamper our hair, have our nails professionally manicured, spend hours searching for the perfect shoes, yet our face is the first thing that others will see and often the only thing they will remember.

You know the saying…”I can’t place the name, but I recognize her face…”

By learning how to properly care for your skin, you not only improve your physical appearance and overall well-being, but you are able to make a lasting and positive first impression. Introducing the Newest Service Only

Available to
Mary Kay Clients…The very latest in our services is a truly innovative Computerized Personal Beauty Profile that is prepared exclusively for you. The software was designed exclusively for Mary Kay Clients, to ensure that the skin care and color selections will perfectly suit your skin type and skin tone.

Your Personalized Beauty Profile Consists of:

• A print out, complete with color and skin care

recommendations of the products that will perfectly

suit you.

• A recommendation sheet of other skin care supplements.

• A printed version of your Beauty Routine for you to

reference whenever you need it.

• Specific instructions on how to create various eye

looks that will take you from every day to Holiday

Formal.

Simply complete this short quiz and email your responses to: ShopOnline@MaryKay.com. Independent Beauty Consultant, Dawn Hull, will contact you with your personal recommendations. Dawn Hull offers free Beauty Profile Consultations in which you will learn:

• The perfect skin care program and color selections that

will suit your skin type and skin tone and fit your

individual lifestyle.

• How to properly apply your own makeup

• The secret tricks used by fashion industry makeup

artists; and most importantly

• How to create the “allusion” technique, which you can

use to achieve the most difficult makeover of

all: “The Natural Look.”

Those who live in Northern New Jersey can meet with Dawn individually. Others may receive free telephone consultations or may take the recommendations to another local Mary Kay Consultant for in-person instruction. After completing Your Personal Beauty Makeover…You will radiate self esteem.

Just think…How often are you offered any Professional Services for FREE?

The traditional (non-Mary Kay) Day Spa Salon begins at $35 for a 1/2 hour facial, a full hour, $65 or more. Make-up artists can charge anywhere from $80 and up for a one day application! But, these ‘pampering’ sessions usually include no take home retail products. To receive the full experience, customers are spending up to $300 and more for a one time personal spa or make-up application session.

Just look at the industry trends in personal Day Spa appointments. There have always been exclusive ‘Spas’ for the rich and famous, but there is a major shift in personal ‘needs’ services. Day Spas, catering to the average, two-income family are a ‘hot’ new industry trend. Just like hair and nail studios before them, the attention to the skin, face, and the entire body has created a whole, new craze.

Day Spa Salons offer ‘personalized’ pampering sessions,
as well as, a complete line of skin care products. Doesn’t that sound familiar?

This is what the Mary Kay Consultant has offered her clients
for over forty years!

With all that you do for others - Your family, your job and all your other obligations - Don’t let precious time go by
without doing a little something for yourself!
After all…Aren’t YOU Worth It!

Simply complete your Client Information Form. E-mail your responses to Independent Beauty Consultant, Dawn Hull at ShopOnline@MaryKay.com.

Client Information

Name:_________________________________________________

Address:_______________________________________________

City:______________________State:__________Zip:__________

Phone (day):___________________(evening):_________________

E-mail:________________________________________________

My Current Skin Care Routine Consists of the following products:
__________________________________________
__________________________________________

My Natural Hair Color Is:
(check one) Blond_____ Brown_____ Red/Auburn_____ Dark Brown_____ Black_____ Gray_____ Silver/White_____

My Natural Eye Color Is:
(check one) Blue_____ Brown_____ Green_____ Hazel_____ Dark Brown_____

My Skin Tone Is:(check one)
Warm_____(golden undertones, very little pink)
Cool_____(pink, red undertones)

For My Dominant Ethnic Heritage, My Skin Color Is:
(check one) Very Fair_____ Fair_____ Medium_____ Dark_____ Very Dark_____

My Dominant Ethnic Heritage Is:
(check one) Caucasian (Anglo)_____ Hispanic_____ African-American_____ Asian_____ Native American_____

I Would Describe My Skin Type As:
(check one) Normal_____ Dry_____ Oily_____ Combination_____ Sensitive_____ Blemish-Prone_____

My Age Is:
(check one) 14-18_____ 18-25_____ 25-35_____
35-45_____ 45-55_____ 55-65_____ 65-Over_____

This Statement Most Closely Resembles My Lifestyle: (check one)
_____I enjoy the OUTDOORS. I lead a very ACTIVE lifestyle. Time is precious and I make the most of it. I want beauty products that are STREAMLINED, effective and simple to use.

_____I enjoy spending TIME on me. I do what it takes to keep myself looking my best. I would like to follow a TRADITIONAL skin care routine. I want the best STEP-BY-STEP routine for my skin.

_____I just can’t resist the LATEST in skin care and beauty products. I admit my cosmetic drawer looks like the DEMO counter at the department store. I am IMPULSIVE and I love to try new things.

_____I plan to keep it SIMPLE. I live my life with the LESS is best attitude. I want to use as few products as possible. I want a carefree, MINIMAL skin care and beauty routine.

_____I have a CAREER, a family and I volunteer. I share MODERN views. I like to make my own decisions and want EFFECTIVE skin care and beauty products that take me where I need to go.

I am most interested in: (check all that apply)
_____Achieving & maintaining healthy, younger-looking skin.

_____Discovering a new color look.

_____Learning more about a career in Beauty/Skin Care Consulting.

Dawn Hull
Professional Skin Care Consultant
http://www.MaryKay.com/ShopOnline

Sign up to receive a FREE monthly beauty newsletter: Beaut-e-News - Discover what’s new, what’s now what’s changing the face of makeup and skin care! You’ll find beauty secrets revealed and tips and techniques that will help you look your beautiful best. Click here to register: http://www.marykay.com/PWS/MyMK/Login.aspx?Moniker=SHOPONLINE

Cosmetic eyelid surgery is right for many people, but it is not right for everyone. How does one know if blepharoplasty is right for them? A good candidate for blepharoplasty wants to restore a more youthful and rested appearance to their eyes. Droopy or baggy eyes communicate to others a sense of fatigue, disinterest, and senescence. Many people simply don’t want their face to express to others these qualities when they feel quite the opposite about themselves. The best candidate for cosmetic eyelid surgery wants their appearance to better communicate their feelings of youth, energy, and vitality.

Many people who are interested in cosmetic eyelid surgery tell Dr. Ebroon that they are interested in blepharoplasty but that they truly are not “vain.” They’re right! Most people are not looking at cosmetic eyelid surgery as a way to just look better. They realize that although cosmetic eyelid surgery does make the eyes look more beautiful, the appearance of the eyes conveys a deeper quality. The eyes express to those we know and meet something deeper about ourselves before we have a chance to communicate in other ways.

Once it is understood what makes a good candidate for cosmetic eyelid surgery, then it is easy to see who is not a good candidate. A poor candidate for cosmetic eyelid surgery is one who doesn’t truly feel energetic, vital, or interested and is hoping that the surgery will make them so. In other words, those who are hoping the eyelids can be brought into better harmony with who they are on the inside do very well with cosmetic eyelid surgery. However, those who hope the surgery will change who they are on the inside are not as good candidates.

Dr. Daniel Ebroon is an Ophthalmic Plastic Surgeon which means he specializes in plastic surgery of the eyelids. Cosmetic eyelid surgery (also called blepharoplasty) is cosmetic surgery that rejuvinates tired looking eyes. In addition to cosmetic eyelid surgery, Dr. Ebroon also performs reconstructive surgery of the eyelids, eye socket, and tear ducts for those patients suffering from diseases related to these areas. This includes patients with droopy eyelids, eyelid cancer, broken bones around the eyes, tearing disorders, thyroid eye disease (Grave’s disease), and other eyelid disorders.

To Learn more about Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery, please visit Dr. Ebroon’s websites at: http://www.ebroon.com and http://www.cosmetic-eyelid-surgery.com

Does the routine of daily living feel recently more like a torture than a familiar ritual? Do you find yourself going through the motions day in and day out as you go to work, come home, have dinner with your family and go to sleep before you wake up to the same thing all over again? Do you feel like Phil Conors in “Groundhog Day”, faced with the same old thing every morning, day after day after day? The same spouse, the same job, the same look, the same…whatever? Do you sometimes feel like you are in a coma like Lester Burnham in “American Beauty”? Or perhaps, are you so bored with your marriage that you speak to the walls, like Shirley in “Shirley Valentine”? Does your work feel so unmotivating that you daydream about having a wild adventure with a celebrity, like Justine Last in “The Good Girl”?

If you answer yes to any of the above questions, then you are in a rut. In other words, you’ve fallen into a life pattern that no longer gives you meaning, purpose or fulfillment. Day in and day out, you repeat a routine out of habit, again and again and again, secretly wishing it would change and hoping that it would magically disappear or go away.

The truth is that it’s not the rut that is in your life. It’s you who is in the rut. So, instead of wishing that the rut will go away, it’s time you got out of the rut. If you need inspiration, watch the movies I recommend here. Watch how the central characters transformed their lives and follow their examples. You have only one life to live. Make sure you live it fully.

How to Get out of “The Marriage Rut”

Watch: “Shirley Valentine” and “Shall We Dance?” and put to practice these lessons:

1. Stop expecting your spouse to change at your ratetake responsibility for your own change.

2. Find a healthy interest and pursue it. It will make you feel 100% better.

3. Don’t blame yourself–or your spouse–if he/she doesn’t want to follow your path of change. Love him/her anyway. Remember what you have accomplished together all these years.

4. Pursuing a healthy interest will give you joy and self-confidence. Your mate will notice and feel attracted to you all over again.

How to Get out of “The Work Rut”

Watch: “Working Girl”, “Office Space”, “Educating Rita”, “9 to 5″, “Norma Ray”, “Beauty Shop”, and put to practice these lessons:

1. Stop expecting your work to give you meaning and become exciting for you–it’s your responsibility to create meaning in your job.

2. Find a new work-related interest and educate yourself on it: take a class, learn a new skill, study something that will improve your chances for a promotion.

3. Become an expert in something: write a book, create a training manual, design a course, come up with an idea for a new project.

4. Start a part-time business that interests you.

5. Take a night course.

6. Network with people who love their jobs and ask one to be your mentor.

7. Volunteer for a worthy cause.

How to Get out of “The Family Rut”

Watch: “American Beauty”, “A Good Girl”, “The Secret Lives of Dentists”, “The Ice Storm”, “Life as A House”. Notice the main characters’ efforts to break out of a family ruttheir mistakes can teach you valuable lessons. For inspiration, watch “Mrs. Doubtfire”–learn how a desperate dad saves his relationship with his kids after his divorce from their mother.

Put to practice these lessons:

1. If you want your family life to stop being monotonous, you have to model change to your family.

2. Find a new, healthy hobby.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Maria Grace, Ph.D., is an expert at teaching people how to learn lessons from popular movies to find the job, home, relationship, and healthy body and mind they want. She is a Fulbright scholar, licensed psychotherapist, sought-after public speaker and coach, and the author of “Reel Fulfillment: A 12-Step Plan for Transforming Your Life through Movies” (McGraw-Hill, 2005). “Reel Fulfillment” was praised by Publisher’s Weekly as one of the top “self help books out of the self-help box” for 2005-2006.

For more information visit http://www.mariagrace.com and http://www.reelfulfillment.com

In one of the classic personal finance books, “The Richest Man In Babylon,” we are told that the way to wealth is to “pay yourself first.” That a portion of all you earn is yours to keep. Great words, and just as applicable to your life itself. In other words, out of every sixteen-hours of wakefulness in a day, one hour should be yours, and yours alone. Not your job, not your husband or wife, not your kids or your parents. One hour. Sixty minutes. Thirty-six hundred seconds. Yours.

The question you should ask yourself is: if you only had one hour a day that belonged to you, what should you do with it? What CAN you do with it? Television watching patterns suggest that the average American watches over four hours a dayso we can’t claim the time isn’t there.

Lifewriting, the high-performance system for writers and readers maintains that with only one hour a day you can completely take your life back from the world, build to the career you desire, reach inner peace, get in the best shape of your life, and engage in continuing educationall at the same time!

The first trick is to learn to calm your mind, to center yourself so that you have a “clean stage” on which to perform. Twenty minutes three times a week is a great start, and once you are in the habit, you’ll start finding other times during the day for contemplation. Either focusing on your heartbeat, or counting deep belly breaths to ten over and over again are great stress-busters.

Next, you’ll need energy to transform your dreams into reality. Diet, rest and focus are important for energy, but one way you can catapult your physical energy into new levels is proper exercise. There are several forms of whole-body exercise that are far more efficient than most fitness routines. We’re talking exercises that simultaneously work all muscles, produce high levels of aerobic fitness, and actually produce a healthy stretchall in less than 20 minutes a day! Check out the “clubbell” system at www.rmax.tv, the “kettlebell” techniques at www.dragondoor.com, or the “Combat Conditioning” system sold at www.mattfurey.com. These three are fabulous, real, hyper-efficient means of producing fitness. Three twenty-minute sessions a week will probably double your energy.

Now you get to be clever. While total concentration on your exercise is best, this is not a perfect world, and we must make compromises. Listening to instructional CD’s or audiobooks during exercise time is a great choice. Possibly the best source of such material is the wonderful Great Courses series available at www.teachco.com. The Teaching Company finds the best college professors in the world, and records their finest lectures on 30 and 45 minute tapes. The prices are reasonable (everything goes on sale at least once a year) and the breadth of knowledge staggering. The quality of the instructors is absolutely top-notch.

Ten minutes every day clarifying your goals is also a good idea.

Now, depending on how you’ve juggled your time (ten minutes goals, twenty minutes exercise or meditation) you should have about thirty minutes left. You can use this for making plans to move your career into a desired direction. Let’s be specific, and talk about my own career, writing. What can I do with this time?

Well, after a half hour of planning, exercising, meditation, and focus, you should be raring to go. In thirty minutes, you can produce 300-1000 words of text, IF you don’t worry about the quality of the draft. This is absolutely key to producing the volume that will lead to quality. Say, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, you produce new text. These are “flow” days, where you simply make a picture in your head, or let your fingers tingle (or however else you move into creative flow) and then type.

Then, on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, you edit. This is when you tear your work apart, polish, plan and dig in. DO NOT CONFUSE THESE TWO STATES. Editing and Flow are completely different parts of the mind, sort of Left Brain/Right Brain. Writer’s block is merely the mixing of the two, “editing” when you should be “flowing.” Separate them deliberately, and you unleash a creative avalanche.

Of course, if you aren’t a writer, these ideas can easily be modified. The most important points are:

1) One hour of every day belongs to you. Take it!

2) Clear your mind.

3) Plan your day

4) Raise your physical energy.

5) Take steps toward your dream goal.

If you will take these five steps, then you are on the path to the life of your dreamsone hour at a time!

NY Times bestselling author Steven Barnes has lectured on creativity and human consciousness from UCLA to the Smithsonian Institute. Learn more at http://www.lifewrite.com and http://www.lifewriting.biz