The Luxury of a Bahama Vacation Villa

Bahamas vacation villas are the way to go if you are going all out for your vacation. Taking their places as some of the most exclusive private homes in the world, some villas sport up to six bedrooms on a fully-staffed estate. Many of the more upscale homes have been designed to evoke the style of Bahamian Great Houses from the colonial period, and f that first time visitors will not easily forget their striking architecture.

Some of these gorgeous homes start out around $425 per night, such as the Island Breeze home on the Grand Bahama island, which features three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, and a private pool. For anyone looking to spend more than four digits per night, there are villas such as the Tilloo Pond in Abaco. This five bedroom, five bathroom beachfront home has spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean. It is also very private, sitting on 11 acres of Tilloo Cay, a private island. Further, the villa has three small private beaches, and a larger beach can be found less than 10 minutes away.

As the price continues to go up, so do the features. At more than $10,000 per night, the Albany House in New Providence offers seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a private pool, and a prime beachfront location. Built in the spirit of the Great Houses, the estate includes tons of sporting activities, including tennis, gymnastics, volleyball, bicycling, and a wide variety of water sports. The main house features a plantation-style reception room that opens on to an inner courtyard garden, a 1500-square-foot living room, a dining room for 14, and a 2800-square-foot master bedroom. While Bahamas vacations villas are exclusively for those travelers willing to pay a little extra, these beautiful pieces of architecture do come in a range of prices.

Bahamas Vacations Info provides detailed information on Bahamas vacation packages, rentals, family vacations, resorts, villas, ranging from cheap vacations to upscale retreats. Bahamas Vacations Info is the sister site of Lake Havasu Web.

Dream As Big As God!

Sounds like a tall order doesn't it? But I think you'll see that it's what we're expected to do. But you might say, "I've tried that and it didn't work. I'm still sitting in the same place I was. Maybe it's not God's will for me to dream big."

God formed man, the crown of His creation, to dream God-sized dreams. If we are in His image (Genesis 1:26), then we have His dreams inside of us. Let's walk through some suggestions to move you to that exhilarating place of anticipating God's best.

Identify What's Blocking You

Start by taking stock of what might be blocking your way.

First, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, identify any areas that might be holding you back. God wants us to receive all that He has for us, so He will be faithful to identify these areas for us -- once we are quite clear in ourselves that we really want to know.

Next, ask for the necessary change in the areas you've identified. (James 4:2)

Then, either make the changes the Holy Spirit indicates, or submit yourself to the change that He Himself will make in you. This will become clear as you spend time in the Word and in prayer. Consider daily communion and perhaps a period of fasting and prayer.

Finally, receive the manifestation of change.

Change Your Perspective

Now you're ready to stop thinking from inside the situation. Move your thinking outside of your circumstances and into your dream. That's one of the attributes that sets man apart from the rest of God's creation, not only the gift of dreaming, but the ability to step into the dream, causing it to become vision.

Don't confuse this with setting goals. A goal is a stepping stone, a position to be attained along the way, while a vision is a point of reference from which you're actually able to operate before you get there -- a gift God has given to man enabling him to see with heavenly perspective. Your perspective must not only be from within the specific vision, but must be even bigger. Adopt a godly perspective; after all, you are seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).

What's Your Expectation?

Now, you must expect from God, and you must expect BIG! Know Who it is you're petitioning and expect accordingly. And don't ask until you're ready to expect! Anything less is an insult to God. Sound harsh? Reread our study called El Shaddai ? Giving, Asking & Receiving. When what you are asking is for His glory, according to His will as outlined in His word, He will not fail you. It's really quite simple ? He's either God or He's not.

How is this possible? How do you get to the place of this kind of expectation? By receiving a revelation of God's love for you personally. Once you get hold of this, along with an understanding of covenant (see our study entitled Whose Battle Is It?), you are ready for expectation to do it's job and make room for the expected blessing.

A couple of months ago I was blessed with a new bedroom set, a huge sleigh bed, a dresser and a nightstand. I arranged with the furniture store for a delivery date, but of course I had to move the old furniture out of the room first. How silly would it have been for me to wait and see if they would actually deliver the furniture before taking steps to make a space for it? I expected them to make good on their word, and even if something delayed delivery a day or so, I knew it was coming. I even painted the bedroom while I was waiting! If I can trust a furniture company with that level of expectation, how much more the God Who stepped off His throne and saved and delivered me and assured me of eternity in His presence?

We know what it looks like, this kind if expectation. It is the very atmosphere of receiving, and true expecting is solid faith, the kind in Hebrews 11:1, and it always makes room for the dream to become a reality.

Expectation builds an ark, even when no one has ever seen rain and the neighbors are taunting (Genesis 6:11-7:13). Expectation bubbles over with joy into laughter at a baby in the arms of a nonagenarian (Genesis 21:6). Expectation lovingly names every animal on the face of the earth while anticipating at any moment the perfect helpmate to appear (Genesis 2:18-23). Expectation boldly speaks the Gospel of the risen Lord to a crowd of thousands who would like to think you're drunk on wine at 9:00 in the morning (Acts 2:13-41). Expectation takes the hand of a crippled beggar at the gate Beautiful and boldly instructs him to stand for the first time since birth (Acts 3:6,7).

Expectation takes God at His word, and not only holds Him to His word, but holds to that word of promise, regardless of the circumstances. Expectation is the atmosphere for miracles; it opens the door of the supernatural into the natural. Be like Paul in Philippians 1:20, and "eagerly expect and hope" that God is a god of His Word and if He said it, He is also able to perform it beyond your wildest dreams (see Ephesians 3:20) ? don't slam the door on your manifestation. Dream and then expect as big as God!

?2005 Karin S. Syren ? All rights reserved

Karin Syren is the owner of So-lu'shunz Management Services and a certified coach specializing in executive mastermind coaching as well as issues faced by those in leadership positions. Using the unique EffectivenessCoachingTM model developed by Ms. Syren, she offers guidance in discovering mission, creating vision and designing goals for life and business. She has a particular desire to help people better identify the issues facing them, and to coach them through the steps in gaining, regaining, and maintaining control of their circumstances. Please see her website for details at http://www.solushunz.com

3-Levels Of Successful Selling

Any selling approach that lacks a proven strategy, a practiced proficiency for its application and most significantly, a full understanding of its psychological, human behavioral import ? is at best, a wishful endeavor. ?Paul Shearstone 2003

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No one ever questions the fact there are born athletes who, when compared to others, make what they do look effortless. For these athletes, instinct seems to guide them like a good road map. That is their gift.

Exceptional though they may be, even athletes like Wayne Gretzky or Michael Jordan, would never rise to their true potential without one integral ingredient - Coaching.

Although I've written many articles on Coaching, this isn't one of them. I mention it only to point out that the aspect of coaching, is Mental. That is to say, gifted athletes already possess the physical skills necessary to excel. Nevertheless, it is only one aspect of their sporting expertise.

Who among us hasn't heard a professional coach say things like: "I only want players with a good head on their shoulders" or, "I only want players with Heart!"

What are they saying? They [Coaches] are saying there is more than one key discipline for success in sports and that what's in the heart and head is more important than most all other attributes. The right knowledge and the right attitude, compensates for, often usurps, things like natural talent.

Can the same thing be said for Natural Born Sales People and the Discipline of Selling? Bet on it!

The Rule:

Renowned sales guru, Dale Carnegie, is known to be the architect of the 'Five Steps to a Sale' selling process. Over the years, his successful program has stood the test of time and spawned many other successful interpretations upon his theme. "Up Your Income! Solution Selling for Profitability" by Paul Shearstone [available at all fine book stores and on the Net], is just one of them. :-)

The reason for the success of Carnegie's strategy is largely due to its simplicity. In short, five clearly defined, easy to understand Laws or Rules that apply to almost all products or services. For example:

Step #1: "Talk to your customer Briefly regarding something that interests Them".

Easy to say but what does it mean? Simply put, when salespeople meet customers for the first time, they must say or do things to help with the initial Get-Ta-Know-Ya bonding process. Dale said, in your opening meeting with customers, the best way to get them to like you is to engage them in brief conversations about things they find most interesting. I could go on to elaborate further but the fact is, it works.

The real lesson here is, now knowing this Rule, those without natural born sales abilities can integrate it into their selling approach and be guaranteed better results in the introduction stage of the sale. Incorporating the four remaining steps can unquestionably level the playing field with other competitive seasoned selling professionals ? but only if the steps are applied Correctly!

The Application:

Home Depot may have every tool we could imagine but if you don't know how to use them, what good are they? In professional selling, RULES are TOOLS. Use them right and they work.

One need only look at the home libraries of most mediocre salespeople to find plenty of books and tapes filled with time-tested and proven rules designed to garner more sales, profit and success. The courses have been taken and the rules have been learned but sadly, NEVER PRACTICED!

Tiger Woods / Michael Jordan / Wayne Gretzky ? pick any one you like. At the top of their game, they still practice/d the basics [the Rules]. Name any professional discipline; would a surgeon be allowed operate on someone without first having benefit of exhaustive practice? I sure hope not!

The irony is, selling is the only professional discipline that allows someone to start with no experience and learn on the job. Even a professional laborer has to apprentice first.

The point? Knowing what to say is only part of the success-formula in selling. Much like any Academy Award-Winning actor, his or her part is honed and made convincing [award-winning] only through rehearsal and practice.

In Sales: To the degree a sales-pitch appears natural and spontaneous, is in direct proportion to the practice put in it! ?Paul Shearstone 2000 [from the book Up Your Income!]

The Psychological Import:

Independent, confident personalities may make great leaders ? not always great believers. My policy in life has always been to be guarded in what information I'll take in or believe. I am not a skeptic but since: [According to Albert Einstein] "We become what we believe", and, [According to Abraham Mazlow] "Most people live lives of quiet desperation", my reluctance to accept the reality-interpretations of others has served me well. It hasn't, however, stopped me from asking the question, "Why?"

Anyone looking for the one defining ingredient that separates top sellers from the rest can find it here. Much like the runner who wins gold by 1/100th of a second, the difference is subtle ? but dramatic.

In selling, knowing the Rule and learning to deliver the Rule, still pales in comparison to the importance of knowing WHY the Rule is so integrally important to the success of the process.

How much more successful, more convincing could one be if they knew the answers to: "Why is it so vital the Rule be done at this time, this way and not another? What is the psychological, human-behavioral importance of such a rule and why are my chances of success predictably diminished should the rule be overlooked or poorly articulated? How does this Rule psychologically embolden my interaction with the customer resulting in mutual respect, rapport and better communication?" ? and so on.

At the risk of diluting this point, consider this. The worlds best Landscape Architects concentrate their designs more on the artistic value or utilitarian purposes of the open spaces ? where nothing is ? giving lesser importance and an academic expectation to the fact, the flora and fauna appeal is a given.

Comparing that to elite salespeople, their methodology is focused at a higher level, gravitating more toward the natural laws of human interaction and psychology ? the esoteric ? the essence for which the Rules of Selling were written and in which they find credibility. Their delivery appears effortless albeit transparently deliberate. What they do and the success they achieve is not by accident!

The Bottom Line:

The discipline of the Professional Sell is both an art and a science. As such and in keeping with all other disciplines, mastery finds bedrock in the academic understanding of its Laws, its Applications and its Rationales.

About The Author

Paul Shearstone aka The 'Pragmatic Persuasionist' is one of North America's foremost experts on Sales and Persuasion. An International Keynote Speaker, Author, Writer, Motivation, Corporate Ethics, / Time & Stress Management Specialist, Paul enlightens and challenges audiences as he informs, motivates and entertains. To comment on this article or to book the Pragmatic Persuasionist for your next successful event we invite to contact Paul Shearstone directly @ 416-728-5556 or 1-866-855-4590.

www.success150.com or paul@success150.com.

4th Quarter 2003 Publicity = 1st Quarter 2004 Prosperity

As the year starts to wind down, many businesses and entrepreneurs are making plans and budgets for the year 2004. Those plans could include anything from setting up goals for new products to preparing marketing, sales and PR/publicity campaigns. When it comes to your publicity plan, WHEN you launch your campaign can be just as important to what and how you launch.

HOLIDAY PUBLICITY OPPORTUNITIES

If your product/business lends itself to increased holiday sales, the next few weeks are a perfect time to get a publicity campaign launched - given the right media targets. Many holiday issues are already been laid out for magazines, and many other media outlets are feverishly seeking information/pitches on innovative stories for the holidays. Some media outlets even reorganize or beef up staff around the holidays to allow for an increase in stories on products. Have your publicist help you take advantage of this increased media opportunity. PLANTING

PUBLICITY SEEDS NOW FOR 1ST QUARTER RESULTS

Some business owners may be of the mindset: "I think we'll wait to launch a publicity campaign until after January 1st." The problem is -- if you wait to launch your publicity campaign until the first of the year hoping for a quick media interest blast in January, you may be in for a quiet month. Keep in mind most media outlets have editorial lead-times of a few weeks to 6 months. Also what some entrepreneurs don't realize is this. Because of the increasing number of publicity pitches media outlets receive, anything you send out is subjected to what I call the "media digestion period" - simply put - that is a period of time (sometimes weeks, sometimes months) that it takes media outlets to:

see/understand your release and decide if they are interested;

find space/time in their editorial calendar to place the article/news story/show segment.

The potential placement is also directly dependent upon how quickly and efficiently your publicist or PR agency can help the media secure the placement. Media relations is crucial. Your publicist's job is to make the reporter/editor/producer's job as easy and as effortless as possible - which will lead to quicker and more numerous placements for your business.

When it comes to publicity pitches, the facts are: placement is totally up to the discretion of the particular media outlet; and very few media responses are immediate. I have in fact had media outlets respond even before the media release seemed to settle in the fax machine tray. Conversely, I also had one media outlet that responded 17 months after a pitch. (I had to ask the reporter what the YEAR was on the release!) NO placement is guaranteed, but you can definitely increase the odds. Even if your product/business if a dead-on perfect match for a media outlet's editorial profile, you are not guaranteed placement without some hard work and media relations. That's why timing of your publicity pitch is so critical.

Have your publicist get your pitch to the media, allow the editorial staff to digest it a bit, and strategically and professionally "rattle the cage" over the next several weeks to generate as many placements as possible.

What we are trying to do is plant seeds in media outlets' editorial garden so they will bear fruit -- in the form of articles/show placements -- continuously over the next several weeks and months. Like the plant that comes from a seed, publicity placements can also grow roots and lead to other arterial media placements in other media outlets. Given the right tending, the publicity seeds you plant over the next few weeks/months will indeed germinate and you'll reap a wonderful harvest for your business well past the first quarter of next year.

About The Author

Todd Brabender is the President of Spread The News Public Relations, Inc. His business specializes in generating media exposure and publicity for innovative products, businesses, experts and inventions. http://www.spreadthenewspr.com / todd@spreadrthenewspr.com / (785) 842-8909

10 Secrets To Know You?re A Good Working Parent To Your Kids!

How are parents to know they are doing the right thing for their children when they are working parents? Many parents feel guilty for the amount of time they are spending at work versus the amount of time they spend with their children. If you are questioning yourself, trust that you do need to take a closer look at what you are doing.

We all want to feel and know we are loved. Children are no exception. I believe that when we parents let our children know they are safe, secure, valued and loved, then they have the most precious thing we can give them.

As a working parent, here are ten ways to help you to know whether you are spending enough time with your children. If you don't recognize many of these or don't know what I'm talking about, you're in trouble!

1. You work to feed your family, not your ego.

2. Your own self-development has led you to be willing to devote your time to the development of your children.

3. You know that lots of money will never replace lots of love.

4. Lots of "stuff" doesn't ever replace lots of attention.

5. Lots of classes by the best teachers will not replace what you teach by your own design and actions.

6. Knowing and teaching your personal ethics and values to your children takes priority over teachers' or caretakers' ideas of the same.

7. The most valuable title you hold is that of "Mom" or "Dad."

8. Keeping and creating family traditions has renewed importance and appreciation.

9. Your child's laughter is the most precious music to your ears.

10. "Time out" is you taking some extra time to spend with your kids.

Copyright 2005 Eln Albert

An expert in Interpersonal Communications, Eln Albert works with those that want to be at their best when influencing others. A Professional Speaker and Author, these tips have been excerpted from her new booklet, 89 Magical Secrets To Know You're Doing Right By Your Kids. How To Get More Hugs And Kisses From Your Kids Than You Can Handle!

For more information on how to be the best influencer as a parent or a boss go to http://www.ElnAlbert.com. Check out other articles by Ms. Albert and subscribe to get her free "The Magic of Influence" e-newsletter.

How to Find the Best Long Distance Rates

These days the best long distance rates are not found with your home carrier. There's too much competition in the marketplace and many people are discovering that a prepaid card can actually save them money. A coalition of long-distance phone companies has developed a package of reforms that will be implemented as soon as the Federal Communications Commission approves them.

Ultimately, these changes will increase competition in the telephone marketplace, which will cut costs even further.

Although technology has allowed phone companies to trim personnel even as call volume surged, reductions in access rates have made the most difference.

In looking for the best long distance rates most people realize that there aren't massive savings when switching from long-distance provider to long-distance provider, but the prepaid market has definitely cut long distance costs.

There's never been a better time to make long-distance calls.

Many carriers are offering competitive long-distance service, and rates have fallen by some 85 percent in the past 15 years. Nonetheless, it pays to shop around; the more cautious you are as a consumer, the better the choice you'll finally make.

About The Author

Mike Yeager, Publisher

http://www.a1-longdistance-4u.com/

mjy610@hotmail.com

The Ins and Outs of Loans for Military

Under the microscope loans for military really are different from civilian loans. Some things are the same such as your application must be approved, you still pay the loan back in an allotted amount of time, and you still have a set interest rate. Conversely when comparing the two different loans some things really do stand out.

When looking for a military loan if you decided to look via the internet the first thing you will notice is the vast amount of loans for military, there are literally hundreds of lenders. Most of these lenders deal solely with military personnel, which makes their business's very competitive. There is a wide variety of appealing offers out there so do your shopping around before settling down on a lender.

Most of the loans for military have some similar benefits through out all the companies. For starters almost all lenders allow you to do your application online 24 hrs a day 7 days a week. You have the option of getting your money by mail, western union, and direct deposit. Some lenders don't even do a credit check! And most loans for military can be paid back in allotments set up through DFAS! The length of time you have to pay the loan back varies from payment in full with your next paycheck or payments that are evenly distributed through out a few different paychecks. And last but not least ,most lenders will lend to parties with power of attorney which is a god send for military personnel on overseas duty that have spouses back in the states in need of some quick cash.

All in all thier loans for military are fast, efficient and set up for the convenience of military personnel and their families. Choosing a lender is as easy as going grocery shopping, you will have numerous lenders to choose from with all types of offers.

Timothy Gorman is a successful webmaster and publisher of Military-Loans-Online.com. He provides more military auto loans, home loans, payday loans and military motorcycle loans that you can research in your pajamas on his website.