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8 Easy Tips To Prevent Gnats and Fruit Flies in the Home

Fruit Flies are a very common occurrence during the fall, spring, and summer months. They can multiply easily, and depending on what kind of bugs you have in your kitchen, some of them can reproduce quickly and can carry bacteria into the home. Your kitchen can be spotless, yet you will find fruit flies by the fruit bowl, sugary spots on the table, countertop, thrash can, or recycle bin. Regardless of where you find fruit flies, there are steps to take to stop them from multiplying and becoming a nuisance.

Clean sugar spills on the counter and kitchen table as they occur. Make sure the sugar bowl is firmly closed, and sugary treats are put away in closed lid containers.
Empty the recycle bin and trash can daily and make sure they are clean before bringing them back to the kitchen. All spills from the bottom of the bins have to be clean with soap and water to get rid of the sugary smell and stickiness from the bottom of the containers.
Refrigerate your fruits placed in the fruit bowl. Bananas attract fruit flies to the bowl and can multiply quickly if you keep leaving them there. Once the bananas are yellow, put them in the refrigerator and take them out as needed. The less fruit you have outside the refrigerator the better to keep fruit flies at a minimum.
Pour hot water into the drains. It is not only recommended for the kitchen sinks but bathroom and shower drain as well. A gallon of hot water poured into the kitchen, bathroom, and shower sink should be enough to kill the fruit flies’ eggs and clear any soap build-up. You can add more hot water if you think it is necessary. Also, you can use a solution of 1 cup white vinegar, and 1 cup of baking soda to get rid of any blockage you have in the drains. This will also allow you to have cleaner drains and fewer fruit flies in the kitchen.
Clean your kitchen sink. Make sure your kitchen sink stays clean overnight. Snack dishes or ice cream bowls used after dinner should be rinsed and put in the dishwasher. Dishes with a sugary smell left overnight will most certainly bring ants, fruit flies, and gnats to your kitchen.
Do not store potatoes, onions, or any other root vegetable in bins in warm places where they can rot quickly. Make sure you sort all vegetables and wash them before storing them. Make sure any vegetable with a brown or discolored spot is used quickly before it rots and contaminates all the other vegetables. Do not replenish the bins with new vegetables before taking inventory of the old ones. Do not mix new and old ones.
Gnats can be found in potted plants all year round. Make sure you do not overwater your plants. Potting soil that is too wet is a perfect environment for gnats. Also, make sure roots that are rotting or decaying are put in the trash can outside the home right away.
Dirty glasses or dishes in your child’s bedroom can also be the reason you have flies or fruit flies in the home. Checking your child’s bedroom for wrappers or dirty dishes might be a starting point to get rid of fruit flies.

Every year there is a season when it seems impossible to get rid of the flies, gnats, or fruit flies in the home. By following these 8 easy tips you can have a cleaner and insect-free home all year round.

3 Home Repairs You Must Do Right Away

If you are the proud owner of a home and have been living there for many years, you are probably accustomed to the daily noises that are particular to your home. It is understandable

you are used to those noises and pay no particular attention to them because you hear them every day. But, keep in mind that some noises can be an indication of more serious problems in the home. Therefore, it is important for you to take action to avoid costly repairs. Here are three home repairs you must do right away before they become a serious problem.

Drain pipes

If you notice the kitchen sink is not emptying as quickly as before, or you hear gurgling noises when you use the sink or run the dishwasher, you probably have a clogged kitchen pipe. Any gurgling noises you have in any sink or bathtub means your pipes have a blockage that will eventually stop the drainage in those places. Calling a plumber before you have an emergency it’s the only solution for this problem. Furthermore, in less than an hour, a plumber will unblock any problem you have and will clear the way for the drainage to continue flawlessly. If you wait and let the problem continue, or have an emergency, you will pay extra for any plumber to come and fix the problem. It is better by far to be proactive and get a solution to the problem as soon as you notice there is something wrong.

Clogged Gutters

In the Northeast Ohio area, the fall season is full of chores every homeowner must do to prepare their home for winter. Clean gutters are one of those chores that if you forget to do or choose to ignore to do it, can become expensive later on. After the leaves have fallen and before the cold weather sets in, cleaning the gutters should take precedent over many other chores. Clogged gutters mean the rainfall and melted snow will pool around the foundation of the home and eventually seeped into the basement. If the gutters are clogged, you will hear the puddles forming around the foundation during a heavy storm. The damage might not be evident right away, but the damage is there and can become an expensive fix to do. If and when the gutters are clean, every homeowner should make sure the spouting is firmly in place and they are not damaged. If the spouting is damaged, it can easily be replaced at very little cost.

Leaky Roofs

A leak on the roof might not be too costly to repair if it’s small and it’s done quickly. A roof with a leak that is not fixed quickly is bound to be expensive to fix. If your roof is old and needs to be replaced, it is better to do it right away. As homeowners, we tend to postpone home repairs because we cannot afford them at that particular moment, and it is very unwise to do so. Postponing fixing a leaky roof is financially irresponsible and will be more expensive in the long run. Call at least three companies and ask for a quote and references. You can Google them before you call to find out what customers are saying about the company. Look for good and bad reviews about them, and when calling them, ask a question that is particular to your problem.

There are many home repairs that are very expensive to do if they are ignored. And many homeowners believe they cannot repair them right away unless those repairs are absolutely necessary. On the other hand, fixing roofs, gutters, spouting, and pipes in the home before it is an emergency, can save you money, and many headaches in the future as well. It is imperative you do not postpone any of these repairs for the future. You, without professional advice, can distinguish between a problem you can fix or one that requires professional help.

Mexican Rice Recipe

Anyone who says that my Mexican Rice Recipe is actually Spanish Rice, you are correct. However, this dish is commonly cooked in Mexico and commonly served in Mexican restaurants, and some people might be searching for Mexican Rice Recipe and wondering why they cannot find it. So I decided to post this in a way to help those people out.

This is one of those easy recipes that people always want to learn because it takes a few simple ingredients to turn plain white rice into a tasty side dish for many Latin American meals. Even if you are buying a “taco kit” and phoning in the Mexican meal, you can still benefit from authentic Mexican rice on the side.

This rice is not only excellent on the side, but it can also be part of bowls, like what you get at Chipotle, or added filler for burritos or vegetarian enchiladas. You can also mix in grilled shrimp to make a wonderful seafood and rice dish.

One of the aspects of this that makes it different is that you fry the rice before you boil it. This adds a different, slightly crispier texture to the rice and because you fry it with garlic, onion, and tomato, it absorbs those flavors into the rice kernels and makes the rice pack a bigger flavor punch.

If you have kids who do not love tomatoes, this is also a good way to get them to eat some as it is really cooked into the dish and does not feel like you are eating tomatoes, and the flavor is savory but not specific to the tomatoes. Our kids rarely at tomatoes but were huge fans of this Mexican Fried Rice Recipe.

The Mexican Rice Recipe is a base for many things, and you can put your own spin on it. I promise that when you serve it to guests though, they are going to be impressed with your authentic Mexican cooking skills, even if it is really called Spanish Rice.

This Mexican Rice Recipe can be made with an Instapot as well. In that case, simply use the saute setting and brown the ingredients the same way in the pot of the Instapot. Once they are brown, then add your liquid and seal the Instapot and cook for 4-5 minutes. The rice will be fluffy and nice, and have the same delicious flavors as the more traditional way of cooking it in a pot.

Print Recipe

Mexican Rice Recipe

Just like it is served in many Mexican restaurants, this Mexican rice recipe uses a few ingredients to make a savory and delicious mexican rice to go with many Southwest dishes.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: rice, spanish rice

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 55kcal

Cost: $2.50

Equipment

Ingredients

1 cup White Rice
1 cup Water
2 Roma Tomatoes Cubed
2 cloves Cloves Minced
1/4 cup Onion Minced
2 tbsp Olive Oil
Salt to taste

Instructions

On medium heat, begin to saute garlic in olive oil
After 1 – 2 minutes, as they begin to soften, add Onion
Stir for 1 minute, add rice (uncooked)
Continue to stir regularly until mixture begins to brown and crisp
Add cubed tomatoes and using a potato smasher, smash tomatoes into the rice
Continue to simmer and stir for a minute or two, then add water
Add salt and bring to simmer, cover and continue to simmer for 10+ minutes, until water is absorbed 90% of the way.
Turn heat off or on lowest setting until water is fully absorbed. Be careful bottom rice does not burn.

Notes

This dish can be made with brown rice but cook time will be longer and you may need to add additional water to get it just right.

Save Time With These Food Preparation Tips

One of the main reasons so many people eat out is that they are so busy. If you work 8-10 hours a day and also have a commute, no wonder cooking at home is rare. However, there are a lot of things you can prep at home so that you can whip up a good healthy meal at some in less time.

White rice can be prepared in a pressure cooker or Instapot in a few minutes. The reason to prep this in advance is that cold rice is best to make fried rice of any type. There are a lot of ways to season and saute’ rice and make a nice main dish or side dish with the right things added.

Traditional fried rice
Rice and vegetable stir fry
Cajun beans and rice
Add to lentil soup or black bean soup
Spanish rice can be done with cold white rice as well

The reason prepping a day before is better, is that it is easier to work with if it is cold.

Next, chopped vegetables that you use regularly. If I do not prep, I might chop onions and peppers 2-3 times per day for each meal. If you have vegetables you use very regularly, and they do not turn brown fast, chop enough for a couple of meals and save them.

Black Beans or Pinto Beans – The only good way to prepare these is soaking them overnight. You must then discard the liquid and then cook them in a pressure cooker or Instapot. You can then freeze them in smaller containers after they cool and get them out as you need them. Beans in the refrigerator will only stay good 3-5 days max so you should freeze what you will not eat.

These can then be used as a refried bean side item, added to tacos, burritos, bean quesadillas, tex mex bowls, or things like soups and vegetable medleys.

Wontons for wonton soup are also a great thing to prep. Making the filling and stuffing the wontons are a lot of work, but once done you freeze them and can use a few at a time as needed. Simply heat up chicken broth and add the wontons to the broth until fully cooked and you have a great, healthy soup you can make for one person or ten people. Very handy to have ready to go.

These are just some food prep tips that can save you time and make it easier to decide to cook at home instead of eating out. Enjoy.

How To Prepare Your Garden In The Fall for Next Spring

As the summer months wean, and the fall and winter months approach, it is time for the gardener to prepare for next year’s bountiful and colorful vegetable and flower gardens. While the temperatures are still mild, there are different chores every gardener must do to prepare themselves for next year’s spring gardening. From cleaning, storing, and oiling tools to getting ready the soil, many gardeners view the fall as a preparation time for their spring gardening. Here are 8 gardening tips to follow to have a beautiful garden without the backbreaking chores that come in the spring.

Clean the leaves, dead branches, or plants from your garden. Gardening during the springtime will be less time-consuming and strenuous if you get rid of unwanted plants in the fall.
Trim the bushes and small trees.
Plant bulbs during October for a colorful spring garden. From daffodils, tulips, and crocuses, to Asiatic Lily Blacklist and Dutch Iris Sapphire Beauty, your garden will surely be a beauty to see. Check the planting periods recommended for the bulbs you buy or want to plant.
Do you want lush grass on your lawn next spring? You need to fertilize and aerate your lawn in the fall, and plant grass seed to obtain great results. Buying a lawn aerator to accomplish this task should not be too expensive, or difficult to accomplish.
Getting your flower pots ready for next spring means you need to clean them and stored them for the winter. The terra cotta pots might break if you leave out in cold climates. For that reason, it is better to store them in your shed in crates or stack them carefully on a shelf.
Bring delicate plants inside to keep them from dying during the winter months. Your lemon tree needs to be inside before the first frost to survive. Any other delicate plants need to have a cool temperature to make it through the winter months.
Store your garden tools in the shed. Make sure they do not get wet and are safe from the elements. Your garden hose needs to be stored away as well. Empty your lawnmower from gasoline. You need fresh gasoline next spring for it to start without trouble.
Stored your patio furniture or cover them till spring. A heavy-duty polyester covering can protect your garden furniture from the elements and keep them ready for spring.

Protecting your garden furniture, plants, garden tools, and plants from the winter will make the time you spend gardening more enjoyable in the spring. If you clean your flower beds, leaves, brush, or dead plants from the garden, you will have more time planning the vegetable garden or design the flower garden you always wanted. Because gardening can be a wonderful hobby and an enjoyable activity, preparation is key to having a wonderful time gardening during the spring. Fertilizing your front and back yard during the fall might not seem important, but it is if you want to have a beautiful lush lawn during the year. Your local nursery is always a good source of advice if you have a specific question about a plant, tree, or fertilizer. Moreover, a visit to your local nursery might inspire you to try a new plant or shrub.

7 Massive Changes with Self Driving Cars

Self driving cars are coming, and they are very welcome. Not only will they change ownership and how we get around, they will also change and/or eliminate industries. While some people will resist giving up control to a car that drives itself, the advantages will make it a necessity.

Health Care – Over 18 Billion is spent on medical costs related to accidents each year, with over 1 million Americans hurt in an accident, according to the CDC in 2014. While there will always be some accidents, this number will go down drastically. Drinking and driving will also be eliminated, reducing that very dangerous activity which not only puts the drinker at risk, but everyone on the road.
Insurance – Insurance will go down drastically and ownership of cars will be rare, reducing the need for this industry to a small fraction of what it currently is.
Police – With the reduction of traffic violations and accidents will also come the reduction in need for police.
Crime – With cars recording who is in them and where they pick people up and drop people off, it will be much more difficult to commit a crime, such as a robbery.
Fuel – Systems that manage themselves will be able to keep themselves fueled very efficiently and gas stations will become a thing of the past as they will not need to be visible.
Car Care – With decreased ownership and more standardization, as well as more electric cars, the many car care facilities will become a thing of the past.
Work – Instead of starting work when you get to the office, you will start work on the way. You will be able to arrive and have a lot of thing already done by not needing to drive yourself and because you will get their quicker as self driving cars will travel at the optimum speed and the least congested route to get you to where you are going.

All of these things can seem scary because that is a lot of wealth and a lot of businesses that could become obsolete soon. It is also a lot of savings and a lot of health and life benefits for people. We have to decide which we will prioritize.

8 Big-Ticket Home Items To Do Right Now

Right now it is the perfect time to do those home renovation projects you were unable to do because of the high cost of materials and labor involved. With interest rates at a historic low, now is the perfect time to borrow the cash you need to take care of those big-ticket items in and around the home. If you are thinking about borrowing cash from a bank, there are some banks right now offering rates as low as 2.49% for a personal loan. You know it depends on good credit history, and the amount you want to borrow, but the rates are nothing to frown upon right now.

Investing in your home is smart and the return on investment will be recovered if you plan ahead and invest in the right project. Fixing big home ticket items tends to be postponed because of the investment of time and money required to accomplish them. Now that you can borrow at low rates, the time issue is the only problem for you. Here 8 big-ticket items you must fix or replace right now.

Roofs: The extreme weather conditions in Northeast Ohio, make the life span of roofs between 20-25 years. Leaky or wet roofs cost more to replace, that’s why it is important to do it in a timely manner. Up until recently, there was one option for roofs if you need them replaced. Now, you have options and money savings if you plan ahead.
Basement Waterproofing: The life expectancy is 10+ Years. Like the roofs in homes, the basement waterproofing system in the home does not last forever. The sealant applied during construction can stop working allowing water to seep into the basement of the home and damage the basement flooring and the foundation’s integrity. The time the basement waterproofing lasts depends on the system and the type of sealants and workmanship they used during the construction of the home.
HVAC System: The life expectancy of any system depends on how heavily it is used. For an HVAC system, the life span is about 15-20 years. Some parts will go bad before then, and you need to replace them. Plus, you need to have yearly maintenance to the HVAC system so it can work properly. But, with the increase and dangerous temperatures we are experiencing globally, an HVAC system seems to be a necessity for every homeowner.
Hot Water Heater: Although a water heater is not as expensive as fixing the roof, or the basement waterproofing of the home, it is important as well. A water heater can last up to 12 years or more. You need to make sure it is working properly every year, or you will find a flooded basement when it finally stops working.
Window Replacement: The home’s original windows will not last forever. The life expectancy can be up to 30 years but can be replaced before that if you have issues. If you notice places where heat and cool air are escaping, you might need to replace them right away. You can caulk around the windows if you think that’s the problem, but if the windows are more than 20 years old, replacing them might be the only option you have.
Home appliances: The most reasonable lifespan for many appliances is around 15 years, but it varies considerably. The refrigerator might last less because of the many electronics and other components it has than the stovetop. And, the dishwasher can last you up to 10 years maximum. There are different brand names for washers and dryers that can last you more than 20 years, but that’s the exception right now.
Redoing Your Kitchen: If you are replacing your appliances because they stopped working, you might want to consider updating your kitchen as a whole. A kitchen counter, cabinets, and backsplash can last you more than 30 years. But, the age, wear, and tear can clearly show in an old kitchen and make the home look old and outdated.
Floors: Carpets can have a lifespan of 15 years, but they should be replaced when it shows the wear and tear in any high traffic areas. On the other hand, linoleum, hardwood floors, and laminate flooring can last more than 15 years if that’s your preference. Plus, having hardwood flooring or laminated flooring keeps many allergens from staying on/under the carpet.

Right now, borrowing money with these low rates is a good incentive to fix your home and replace your home appliances. But regardless of such incentive, there are many situations when home projects cannot wait any longer. Roofs, basement waterproofing, and a water heater are examples of home projects you have to do when you need them regardless of the interest rate at that moment. But, you can always plan ahead and replace or fix anything right now that you might need to replace in the next couple of years.

Six Reasons to Play Sports

Sports are tough if you do them right. Practices should be grueling. Injuries? Hopefully minor. Less time to study. Less time to spend with friends. More aches and pains. If you are lucky, a few family members show up to support you unless you. So why do people play sports and why should you?

You may not know this, but large corporations put a high value on hiring people who have played sports at an elite level in the past. The reason is simple. They must have confidence, a great work ethic and they have to be competitive to preform well. They also need to be able to bounce back from a failure because no one wins all the time. Doesn’t this sound like the perfect employee if you are hiring someone?

But is all starts at a young age and there are other benefits early on where kids can benefit from playing sports even if they do not reach an elite level.

Self Esteem – If you are serious about a sport, then you are going to work on your self esteem and improve it. Very simply, your confidence and belief in yourself are primary factors in winning more. The nice thing sports do for self esteem is it gives the player a purpose and focus to work on it. If you only told someone to work on their confidence, with no framework, it is very hard to do. However, when applied to a clear purpose with clear rules and expectations, it is easier to focus and develop a more positive framework for someone. This will then translate to other parts of life over time, improving confidence and self-esteem in all areas.
Sticking Up for Yourself – Some people in sports cheat or are very aggressive. While this may seem like a shocking situation the first time it is encountered, it will teach a player to stand up for themselves as well. Parents with youth athletes should talk with them on how to handle different situations. Over time, this adds a strength to people who simply do not roll over and take whatever comes their way.
Competitive Drive – Not everything in life needs to be a competition. But let’s face it, many things are. Some are friendly competitions and other things are real, meaningful competitive situations, like landing a client or getting a job. Knowing how to compete at a high level is never going to be a skill you regret having in life.
Fitness – This might have been the first thing that came to your mind when you saw the title of this article. Yes, fitness is a big plus. In some cases, wanting to be better at sports will drive a person to be more fit. In other cases, the sport is the fitness that a person who may be less serious gets while playing. Either way, the alternative is probably staring into a screen so playing a sport, even if not at a high level, is good fitness and easier to do than running on a tread mill for an hour.
Becoming a Goal Oriented Person – Initially when you take up a sport, it is normal to dream you are going to be a natural. The hard reality is it takes a lot of work to become competitive at any sport, if you are playing people of the correct level. This means someone dedicated to being a good athlete must develop goals and have an improvement plan. It also means managing other parts of your life more carefully to keep free time to develop your skills as an athlete. All of this leads to a more organized and goal-oriented lifestyle. That rarely is a bad thing in life.
Unplugging – Lastly, it is hard to unplug. To not be attached to your phone or some other screen all the time. Playing a sport may be the longest you go without looking at a screen other than sleep. And the time flies by as you engage in competition and physical activity with a clear goal and requiring great focus and intensity. Sports are one of the few things that truly still engage us in the real world. We should be enhancing sports and getting more people competing, to help people stop their screen addictions.

Now for a word of warning. Sports can be negative for kids as well. The number one reason I see it being negative is parents applying too much pressure and having unrealistic expectations. If you are trying to help your child become an elite athlete, you need to start early and have a ten-year plan. Winning and losing at an early stage means nothing. It is all about skill development and continually challenging those skills in harder situations. This means losing to get better. Winning is easy – just play easier people to beat. That will not develop your long-term skills though.

Striking the right balance and putting real effort into being a good athlete will not always lead to a pro career, but it will usually lead to a person more ready to take on the world and be a happier, more well adjusted and successful person.

Christy Lamagna on Living a Strategic, Fulfilling Life

I met Christy Lamagna through our mutual friend, Phil Gerbyshak. She is so much fun to talk to and really wants to help people. It is apparent as soon as you start talking with her. Below she was kind enough to answer some interview questions for our readers on her experience of using strategy to improve event outcomes and life outcomes.

You are currently working on a book on helping people be more strategic in their lives. What inspired that and what kinds of advice will be in it?

So much of what goes into a successful event applies to living a fulfilling life. The book gives readers an understanding of basic human psychology and behavior to position yourself for success when negotiating, job interviews, talking to a spouse or anyone for that matter. Once I made that connection I started sharing my theory and saw it help transform lives. When I realized what I’d stumbled upon, I couldn’t keep it to myself.

You have been a long time strategist for big events. Over time you have begun applying the same strategic thinking to your life. Give our readers some examples of this cross over.

Events are like life. You have people who show up and actively participate, people who show up and just take space, and some who blow it off. We all know people who fall into each of those categories when it comes to how they live their lives. From the planner’s perspective, an event can be planned focusing on just the logistics which are an endless list of “to-do” items that take up time and tend to the need directly in front of you.

Strategic events start with a well-defined, thought out goal in mind. A plan is created and every detail is specifically designed to support that goal. Most of us go through life crossing things off lists and are too busy to get any work done. Events, when planned without focus are much like life without a goal; lots of time and money are spent but there is nothing substantial or significant to show for it. Applying strategy to life results in goals being achieved, relationships strengthening, financial health improving and an overall sense of purpose and mission.

How do you suggest people stay motivated for continued growth and success?

Success fuels success. By creating a goal and achieving milestones along the way momentum builds and new habits are formed. Once a person realizes how much easier it is to exist in a life that has intention there’s no going back. Don’t let the word “strategic” fool you into thinking the process is difficult. The truth is, a strategic plan eliminating time wasting tasks, removes people who drain energy from your world, creates opportunities and makes it easier to exist. It’s so freeing!

Can you share an example of someone who got more strategic and has a good rags to riches story who you know.

A coaching client was living the epitome of a life mired in logistics. Her employer was content to pile on work beyond what was reasonable, and she kept taking it on. She was resentful and her unhappiness was obvious. Requests for additional staff were denied and she was passed over for promotions due to a bad attitude. She felt helpless. Her boss was tired of listening to her complain and her negative attitude made her unpopular. When we discussed approaching her boss with a way to help him more and offer ways to make his life easier, she balked.

Why take on more work and why reward him for treating her so poorly? We discussed one of the key pillars of strategic planning; knowing what your audience wants and delivering it. When you give people what they want they will give you what you want. Instead of complaining to her boss, she solicited projects. Instead of being unhappy she started dressing for the job she wanted and intentionally spread cheer. She is now being recommended for the promotion, has a new boss who appreciates her, has others commenting on her new attitude and she’s eliminated many of the time-wasting tasks she was burdened with. It took nothing but strategic thinking and a plan. Everything changed and all for the better. Anyone can do this!

What do you suggest is part of someone’s daily routine no matter what their goals are?

You have to remember that if you are not the answer to the question “what’s in it for me?” you aren’t going to get what you need. You also have to remember that people’s actions are not about you. If you internalize other people’s actions and opinions you’re forever their slave. Focus on your goals and how you can work with other people to achieve your goal.

Is there any technology you recommend to help people make meaningful changes?

It depends on the goal. For some having an app that tracks spend is invaluable. Sometimes an app that tallies calories consumed and burned is helpful. Most of the time it’s about declaring your goal, having an accountability partner and a calendar to mark milestone due dates. It doesn’t take a superior mind, huge bank account, fancy technology or a tremendous amount of time. If anything life lived strategically will give you more time, money, and happiness.

Tell our readers how to find out more about you.

Whether you’re an executive trying to create systems and infrastructure or shift corporate culture, someone returning to the professional world after a long hiatus, someone changing careers, vying for a promotion or who has any goals that feel too formidable to be possible, strategic thinking and planning will help. I offer webinars, coaching, corporate consulting and a host of other services to fit every budget. People can find me at christy@lifelivedstrategically.com

About Christy Lamagna, CMP, CMM, CTSM

Christy is an award-winning Master Strategist, author, entrepreneur, speaker, coach, and intellectual philanthropist. For two decades, Christy’s strategic planning process has changed the business trajectory of corporations and the lives of people from all industries and walks of life.

Known for her approachability, teaching skills, sense of humor, vast expertise on achieving business and personal goals, expanding networks and marketing plans, Christy is one of the most sought after strategy experts in business, coaching and speaking circles.

Professional Presence in the Workplace: Christine Zust

Christine Zust is an experienced professional who is an expert on facilitating meetings, getting things done and on helping people present a better professional image. I interviewed Christine about her book and advice on how to help people be more successful and avoid pitfalls, which are becoming more treacherous every day.

Christine, you have written a book about professional presence. Who is the book geared towards? What problems did you see, and how does your book address them?

My book, Everything I Do Positions Me: The Simple Path to Professional Success, was the culmination of what I experienced firsthand throughout my career. It was designed with three distinct primary target markets in mind for the following reasons:

Young professionals who are new to the workplace. They often have no formal understanding of what it means to be a professional or how to act in a professional manner. This book provides a primer on professional presence.
Experienced workers who want to reach that next level in their career. Often people who have been in the workplace for 10, even 20, years, find themselves “stuck” where they are. They may have applied for promotions several times and been turned down or may not have been asked to serve on special sub-committees or task forces. They may be at a point in their career where they need to evaluate themselves. This book helps them do that.
People returning to the workplace after a hiatus. This person could be someone who has been unemployed for several years or who put their career on hold to rear their children, take care of an aging parent, settle a parent’s estate, or resume their life after a challenging life event and are now ready to return to the workplace. This book provides advice and tools to help them ease back into the marketplace.

A strength of this book is that it was written as a resource guide and is very practical and easy to use. It includes simple strategies for success, along with models and ready-made templates.

What kinds of things should college students be doing to improve their positioning all through college?

Since the workplace is much more competitive today, here are a few specific suggestions:

Get to know professors. In addition to the required college courses is a core curriculum within every major. Whatever the field of study, professors know what is happening in the marketplace. They also know companies and organizations that may be looking for interns or part-time employees. Beyond just “showing up” in class, students benefit greatly by building relationships with their professors.
Complete multiple internships. Many college degree programs require students to complete one internship before graduating. The star students, the ones who really stand out, are those who pursue multiple internships. A few years ago, I met a marketing scholarship recipient who, by her senior year, had completed four internships, each one in a different area of marketing. It positioned her, in my mind, as someone who was a hard worker, diligent, and eager to work and learn more about her chosen field.
Get real world experience in one’s chosen field. A typical interview question is “What experience do you have in…” Many students are paying their way through college, often with minimum wage jobs. To stand out in a sea of competitors, students must find paid work in their field of study. For finance majors, for instance, it’s best to find a paid job in an organization that provides them with that experience. By the time they are graduated and enter the workforce, they already will have acquired valuable experience.
Think big. Whether it’s an internship or paid work, students need to think big and broad. Beyond finding work in their hometown, other opportunities may await them with prestigious professional sports teams, national media outlets, or top corporations.
Join professional organizations. Most college majors offer student organizations that are affiliated with professional organizations. By getting involved, students will meet professionals who are already working in their chosen field and who could potentially serve as mentors or even open doors to employment.

In the book, you reference a phrase called “Power Positioning.” What is that?

I define power positioning as “The art of putting yourself in a place that you want to be, which maximizes your talents, skills, and contacts. In other words, it reminds us that we truly control our own destiny, and that we can develop a strategic action plan to position ourselves as the true professionals we desire to become. Professionals often look at the goal of where they want to be without listing the important steps they need to take to get there. I use a simple model to get people thinking about their own positioning by asking three simple questions:

Where are you currently positioned? (Self-assessment)
Where do you want to be positioned? (Your ultimate positioning goal)
What action steps will you need to take to get you to your ultimate goal?

To get from where you are today to where you want to be in the future, you need to do the hard work by defining what specific steps you need to take to achieve your desired results. It looks simple on paper, yet success requires countless hours invested in creating and executing a strategic action plan.

How has the explosion of online and social media affected a potential employer’s process for hiring?

We live in a much more transparent world today, where potential employers can simply look you up on Google to learn more about you. Most likely, they will first review your LinkedIn page, since it is the most recognizable networking site for professionals, to check employment history, job responsibilities, volunteer experience, membership in organizations, articles or posts, and interests. They can also check other forms of social media like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and many others to glimpse an individual’s personal life. Sometimes the best way to get your foot in the door is to strategically position yourself online as a talented, qualified worker.

Remember that current employers also review employees’ social media platforms. How do you remain employed? Don’t talk negatively about your current employer on any social media platform. Individuals who talk poorly about their boss or co-workers may end up in the national news…not in a favorable light, and without a job.

What can professionals do to avoid negative backlash on social media?

This has been and continues to be a hot topic…how to avoid sabotaging your career success through social media. Here is a short “What to do/What to avoid” checklist that professionals of all ages can follow:

What to do:

Think before you post. Choose your words and tone very carefully.
Have something important to say. Useless information clogs social media space. Make what you say count.
Avoid strong opinions on controversial topics. Unless you are a political pundit or social commentator, remain neutral and be careful about sharing strong opinions. You could alienate friends or lose followers.
Post appropriate visual content. Remember, employers and prospective employers view your social media content. (Extra tip: What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, until someone posts it online. If you have friends who love to take group photos and post them online, ask that they check with you first before posting).

What to avoid:

Stop whining online. It positions you as a negative person.
Avoid hard selling. Social media is a platform for sharing, not selling. Cut the hype.
Posts are not intimate conversations. You may think you’re speaking with one person; in reality, you are speaking to potentially thousands of people through your posts.

Can you give us an example of someone who did a major positioning overhaul and got great results?

There are several standout professionals whose careers I have watched over the years. Here are some commonalities these people share:

Set a goal. The goal needs to be a clear one. If you want to lead a department or an organization some day, you first must get experience and work your way up in the organization. If there is no room at the top for you in that organization at that time, then move to another organization that offers you a higher position. Keep moving up until you achieve the goal of leading a department or an organization.
Find one or several mentors. Those people who have had the greatest career success are those who have tapped into the wisdom and sage advice of mentors. Mentors offer a unique perspective, especially when they have achieved the kind of success that you desire. Mentors offer unlimited access to ideas, opinions, advice, and can often assist in furthering your career.
Assume greater responsibilities. Those who stand out are those who, at pivotal points in their careers, decided to take a giant leap to take on a higher level of work. This could include working on larger projects, supervising more people, or expanding to a national or international market. The caveat, of course, is you must do an excellent job!
Become more visible. People who rise to leadership positions are also actively involved in their professional organizations and in the community.
The more people who see the good work you do, the better your chances are of getting someone’s attention…a future employer or a community board, perhaps?
Expand your network of contacts. Technology makes it easy to connect with people and expand your base of contacts. If a potential employer is searching for a dynamic, well-connected vice president of marketing, and reviews your LinkedIn site only to learn that you are connected to only 45 people, you will not get the job. Cast your net wide, and diversify your network.
Remain humble. Sometimes success is accompanied by an inflated ego. Truly successful professionals are people who, amidst their great achievements, honors, and recognitions, have remained humble, willing to help others along the way.

How can people find your book and find out more about you?

The link to my book, Everything I Do Positions Me, The Simple Path to Professional Success can be found only through the Zust & Company website: http://zustco.com/christine_zust_books.html

Through my website, http://www.zustco.com, you can find information about my keynote presentations, training programs, and coaching services. You can also find a link to the archives of my monthly newsletter, Q-Tips: http://zustco.com/christine_zust_Q_tips.html

In addition, here are other important links:

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-zust-6019373/

Twitter: @ChristineZust

Email: Christine@zustco.com

Office phone: (440) 777-8373

GR8TR

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