Journal Walker

Raising a child does not have to be by guess and by gosh and hope you’re doing it right. Parenting is an activity, and like any and every action or activity, it is subject to the principles of quality. When the principles of quality are known and applied, high quality follows. Even more important, since children learn mainly by example, they learn and apply the principles of quality in their own lives, and do very well in all regards.

From infancy, through toddlerhood, into childhood, and from there on out, children do what they see works. If crying gets results, they cry. If anger works, they are angry. They don’t understand until much later, if ever, that what worked with their parents when they were very young might not work in other settings. So they keep on crying, or being angry, since they know it works, and it’s the only thing they know works. Their lives are not very happy.

Enter the principles of quality. What does it mean to be a high quality parent? Exactly the same as being a high quality violinist, telephone repairman, baseball player, or retail clerk. They get good results. High quality doesn’t happen by accident or by making good guesses. High quality is based on the principles of quality. Anyone who is better than average at a particular activity is applying some of these principles, whether they know it or not.

Here is the other side of the coin: anyone who is applying the principles of quality, to any activity, will get good results. In the case of parents, other parents will envy them for having such great kids.

So what are the three Major Principles of quality, the four Applied Principles, and the thirteen Quality Actions? Far more than will fit in one article. But here is the first Major Principle, on which all the rest are based, and without which all the rest will not work very well if at all:

Quality is an attitude.

This is true. Quality is not a skill or a talent or high intelligence or a gift. Quality comes directly from the desire to do something better, get better results, improve something. The most wonderful thing about this principle is that anyone can do it. Starting anytime. That desire is yours if you want it, and no one, absolutely no one, can stop you from having it.

Notice also, that the Quality Attitude is a desire to do something better, to get better results. A person who is improving, even if he is not good yet, is succeeding. Failure is only lack of improvement. A brand new parent might not be a good parent at first. But if he or she wants to get better at it, and does what it takes to get better at it, eventually he or she will be a good parent, a high quality parent, and his or her kids will be great kids.

So how do you get better at something? Once you have this Quality Attitude, what do you do with it? You apply the other principles of quality. They are also freely available for anyone, without special training. They are talked about in other articles by the same author, so look them up.

But only if you want to do something better, get better results, or improve something.

Don Dewsnap has spent years studying quality and its principles and applications. Now he has put his knowledge into a readable, useable book: Anyone Can Improve His or Her Life: The Principles of Quality. Read an excerpt or buy this book in paperback or as an e-book at Principles-of-Quality.com or as a paperback at any major online bookseller.

Do you have a pet bird? If so, you might be considering the possibility of clipping your pet’s wings. Within the world of pet bird owners, the subject of wing clipping is a bit controversial. While many specialists recommend clipping the wings of captive birds, some believe it is the wrong thing to do. Therefore, before you learn how to clip your bird’s wings, it is a good idea to explore the pros and cons of wing clipping.

Benefits of Wing Clipping

One of the obvious benefits to wing clipping is the fact that clipping your bird’s wings makes it difficult for it to fly away. As such, clipping is a good way to keep your pet bird safe from accidentally flying away and being lost forever. Clipping your bird’s wings also helps to keep your pet bird safe, as flying around indoors can be dangerous. It is important to note, however, that a bird with clipped wings is still capable of flying. Basically, clipping slows the bird down and causes it to fly in a clumsier manner. Therefore, clipping should not be considered a foolproof method of preventing flight.

Some bird owners support wing clipping because they feel it helps them bond with their pet. After all, when your bird’s wings are clipped, it becomes more dependent upon its owner to take care of it. There is no true evidence, however, to support this theory.

Drawbacks of Wing Clipping

Although clipping your bird’s wings can prevent it from flying away, some bird lovers are afraid that clipping a bird’s wings causes psychological as well as physical damage to the bird. In addition, after clipping a bird’s wings, the bird is no longer able to get a good workout. Therefore, those that are against wing clipping feel that the lack of exercise is more detrimental to the bird than the potential dangers associated with being able to fly freely. Of course, clipping the wings of a bird can also detract from the pet’s physical beauty because of the feathers it is missing.

Clipping Your Bird’s Wings

When clipping your pet bird’s wings, it is best to wrap the bird in a towel and to have one person hold the bird while another person clips the wings. The scissors used to clip the wings should be nice and sharp in order to create a smooth cut.

The only feathers that need to be cut are the outer six or seven on the bird’s wings, as these are referred to as the “flight feathers.” It is, however, ok to clip back more than just these few feathers.

You should check your bird’s feathers about once per month to see if they need to be trimmed again, as they do grow back rather quickly. Once the bird is able to fly more than a few feet, it is a good sign that the feathers should be clipped again.

Before you clip your bird’s wings for the first time, it is a good idea to have your vet perform the clipping while you watch. This way, you will have a clear idea about how far you should clip the feathers and which feathers need to be clipped and your pet bird can be safe and healthy.

CS Swarens is the president of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065 For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet’s pet resource including pet classifieds at http://www.findapetonline.com. Research over 430 pet breed profiles at http://www.findapetonline.com/breeds.html

Outsourcing of Internet marketing tasks has seen a massive growth in popularity in recent years, as business of all sizes consider the benefits of outsourcing to individuals to complete certain projects. Additionally, with the growth of freelancer websites which bring buyers and sellers together in the same forum, it is one of the largest segments of outsourcing growth.

Freelancers work independently to create a reputation, which subsequently helps generate future work for their cause. A full time (successful) freelancer can expect to earn a salary far greater than the national average wage, and can reap high profit margins with very little overhead. Their reputation online is out there for all to see in the form of buyer feedback.

Feedback Ratings Make for Better Decisions

Sites like RentACoder.com and Elance.com provide feedback ratings for providers which enable buyers to make more informed decisions. It’s very important to check their previous work and ratings to ensure further that you’re likely to achieve the best possible results. A freelancer’s portfolio should be jam packed with previous examples, and this can be an indication that the person you are dealing with has sufficient experience and skill level.

Sometimes you will have to weigh experience against bid price. An inexperienced outsourcer may bid lower in hopes of winning the project and building up positive feedback ratings. While you may get lucky with the talented young freelancer, it may wind up costing you more time and money in the long run to get the job done right. Pay the extra premium for solid experience.

Dealing with freelancers has a good deal to do with individual trust and respect, however, in the offline world, it can be harder to find an independent freelancer you know you can trust. It is imperative that you make a personal connection with the freelancer you are dealing with in order to determine their trustworthiness.

Communication Is the Key

Actually dealing with the freelancer is also important. Initially, it would be wise to consider a real-time conversation, over instant messenger or telephone, to establish exactly what is required. This ensures you can get your message across, and that it’s understood at the other end before work begins. Additionally, you should expect the freelancer to keep in constant communication throughout, checking the project’s progress incrementally to make sure your outsourcer doesn’t get too far off track.

Obviously it is important that you are satisfied with the end result, but care must be taken to ensure the freelancer is kept happy and working under good conditions throughout. By ensuring the freelancer is happy, you can increase the likelihood that the quality of the work you will eventually receive will be high. All it takes is professionalism and understanding, which should bring out the best in your freelancer relationship.

Freelancers usually work well under pressure as a result of their flexibility, so don’t be afraid to set deadlines. In fact, it’s actually better that you do so to ensure your work is completed within a reasonable time. By forcing this accountability from your freelancer, you can find the highest quality of work on a more consistent basis, regardless of the nature of your project.

So the next time you outsource Internet marketing projects, you’ll want to be sure you’re all dancing to the beat of the same drummer, in sync and on task.

Howard Tiano, is the author and creator of the UltimateOutsourceDirectory.com program. Get FREE video on How Much Do I Need to Know To Outsource Internet Marketing? Limited offer!

Are you getting ready to go on vacation with your pet? If so, you aren’t alone. In fact, a growing number of pet owners are deciding to take their pets with them when they travel. In order to your vacation a pleasant experience for both you and your pet, however, there are several things you should keep in mind.

Determine if Your Pet is Really Ready to Travel

Before you begin making vacation plans that included your four-legged friend, you need to make an honest assessment of your pet’s temperament. Is your pet really ready to travel? If your pet has any of these conditions, you should probably send it to a pet sitter or kennel while you are traveling:

• Your pet is very young

• Your pet is very old

• Your pet is ill

• Your pet is pregnant

• Your pet is recovering from surgery

If your pet is extremely hyper, suffers from anxiety, or is otherwise easily upset, taking it on vacation may not be a very good idea.

Get a Clean Bill of Health

Even if your pet seems to be perfectly healthy, you should still take a trip to the veterinarian’s office before you head out on vacation. Discuss your travel plans with your veterinarian and ask about any risks you should be concerned about. In addition, you should discuss what you should do if any of these risks occur, such as if your pet becomes carsick or restless while traveling.

You should also make certain your pet’s vaccinations are up to date and you should obtain a rabies certificate to take with you while on the trip. If you are traveling by air, you will be required to present this certificate. Even if you are not going by plane, having this on hand will help you avoid potential heartache if your pet nips at someone while traveling. You might also want to consider having your veterinarian insert a microchip that will help you locate your pet if you become separated.

Purchasing a Pet Carrier

With your pet properly prepared to travel, you now need to purchase a pet carrier. The carrier needs to be sturdy and secure so your pet cannot escape. It also needs to be well-ventilated and roomy enough for your pet to be able to stand up and turn around. Be sure to allow your pet to spend time in the carrier before the trip. That way, your pet will be used to the carrier and, hopefully, will be comfortable with having to spend time inside of it. The carrier should also have handles on the outside. That way, if someone else needs to handle the carrier, there is no risk of that person getting bitten.

Be certain to print your pet’s name on the outside of the carrier with a permanent marker. You should also write your name, your address and your phone number. In addition to writing your personal address, you should also write your destination so you and your pet can be reunited as quickly as possible if you are separated. After all, the last thing you want is to be worried about your pet when you should be enjoying a memorable vacation together.

CS Swarens is the president of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065 For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet’s pet resource including pet classifieds at http://www.findapetonline.com. Research over 430 pet breed profiles at http://www.findapetonline.com/breeds.html

If you are a cat owner, you are probably fully aware of the fact that most cats absolutely hate water. Nonetheless, there may be times when bathing your cat is necessary. Not only do baths keep your cat clean, they may also be needed to remove fleas from your furry friend. While bathing a cat isn’t always easy, it is possible with most cats if you follow these tips.

Tip #1: Start Young

If you got your cat while it was still a kitten, you should start giving it baths on a regular basis. Ideally, you should bathe your kitten about once per week. By starting when your cat is young, it will be more accustomed to the water. In addition, a younger cat is much easier to handle than an adult. So, by starting young, you can make bath time much simpler after your cat grows and becomes stronger.

Tip #2: Remain Calm

Cats can usually sense when their owners are nervous or anxious. So, remain calm when picking up your cat and throughout the bathing process. The more calm you are, the less anxiety your cat will experience. You can also get your cat relaxed and prep it for its bath by coming through its fur before heading to the bathroom.

Tip #3: Get Items Prepared Ahead of Time

Even if you started getting baths to your cat when it was still a kitten, it still probably will not enjoy taking a bath. Therefore, you should try to get the bath over as quickly as possible. One way to do this is to make certain you have your kitty shampoo, towels, and any other items you will need gathered beforehand. You should also make certain the temperature in the bathroom is at a comfortable level so your feline friend doesn’t get too cold.

Tip #4: Prepare the Cat and The Water

You can keep your kitty more comfortable by applying eye ointment before putting it in the water. This will help keep soap out of its eyes. If your cat is particularly problematic during bath time, you might also want to consider trimming its claws first. This way, you won’t have to worry as much about getting scratched in the process.

You can also expedite the bathing process by adding a non-toxic wetting agent such as Shaklee’s Basic H to the water beforehand. With this agent, the water will soak into the coat more quickly, which means you can work up a lather sooner and complete the bathing process as quickly as possible.

Tip #5: Try Again Later if Necessary

With your cat and the bathroom properly prepared, you can now submerge your cat, get its fur wet, and lather the shampoo. You may need to hold your cat down firmly in order to prevent it from jumping away if this is its first bath. If your cat seems to be extremely upset by the process, however, it is best to stop the bath and try again later. By slowly introducing the bathing process and by speaking in a gentle way throughout the entire process, however, you should ultimately be able to get your cat to accept bath time without much trouble.

CS Swarens is the president of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065 For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet’s pet resource including pet classifieds at http://www.findapetonline.com. Research over 430 pet breed profiles at http://www.findapetonline.com/breeds.html