The Mortgage Loans Market Blog

Learning a few good problem solving techniques can improve your bottom line and your life.

Do you ever run out of good ideas, or go around in circles trying to come up with a solution for a persistent problem? Maybe you just need to learn some simple problem solving techniques, and then start applying them. Choose one or two of the methods below, and get in the habit of using them in your personal life and your business.

Let your unconscious mind do your problem solving. Outline a problem in your mind before going to sleep, and tell your brain to go to work. Einstein had good luck with this technique, sometimes getting the “ah-ha” insight while shaving the next morning.

Next, instruct your mind to keep working on the problem while you do other things. There is more than we know going on inside our heads. An answer may come to you when you least expect it.

Try working on problems when you are in a drowsy state. This can result in more creative solutions.

Challenge assumptions. For example, if you are assuming you need a better or higher-paying job, ask “do I really need a better job?” Maybe you can get a raise, or somehow make the job you have better. A business on the side might be an option. Don’t let your assumptions limit the possible solutions.

Break it down. Buying a house is a big move that is really a bunch of small steps. This is true of many problems. Start by addressing all of the components of a problem individually, and it may not seem so overwhelming. This makes it easier to motivate yourself.

Ask others for advice. They may or may not have good ideas, but in any case this helps you be sure that you are not overlooking anything obvious.

Write it down. Then find another way to express the problem and write that down. Continue with all solutions and ideas that come to mind. Write down everything. Later you can pick the diamonds out of the dirt.

Change your perspective. Imagine you are rich, poor, a child, a visitor from another planet. How would you see the problem from this new perspective? Einstein imagined riding on a beam of light, which lead to his theory of relativity, so this technique has been known to work.

Randomly pick an object, and ask what it can teach you about your problem. If you’re looking for a way to fire a bad employee, for example, a mailbox might make you think of writing him a letter (and a billboard might make you laugh). A tree might give you no ideas, but then a frail roadworker might make you think, “maybe he is just in the wrong position, and he can do a good job elsewhere in the company.”

Using this problem solving technique, you’ll have many silly ideas pop into your head. Don’t be too dismissive of them, as they will sometimes trigger a thought that is more useful. You can use this creative technique anywhere, and it’s great for putting driving time to good use.

One way to solve problems is to ask how you can cause them. This is good technique for personal problems. Too much stress? Think of ways to cause more stress. Hmm…promise too much, don’t sleep enough, allow constant interruptions, leave many decisions hanging there unresolved, and so on. Each of these ways to cause stress can show you something. If you make fewer promises, sleep more, don’t allow too many interruptions, make decisions now (to get them off your mind), you might be more relaxed.

Need customers? How can you scare them away? The point is that if you only look at the problem from the perspective of “How do I solve it?” you tend to see only solutions based on your hidden assumptions. If, for example, you are assuming that your stress is simply due to having too many things to do, you may miss many solutions. So looking at how to cause a problem will show you more ways to solve it.

Try “assuming the absurd.” Putting stores in the homes of consumers was an absurd idea at one time, but isn’t that what television shopping networks and internet stores do? What at first seems crazy may lead to ideas that are useful. Backpackers get tired of carrying heavy packs, so one pursued the “crazy” idea, “What if backpacks had wheels?” It’s for sale now (the “Wheelpacker”), and it can handle most rough trails with its modified bicycle wheel.

Pick a few absurd solutions or ideas related to the problem at hand, and work with them for a few minutes to see what comes to mind. If “assuming the absurd” is difficult for you, start by “assuming the opposite.” Need to lower expenses? What if you raise them instead? Find a way to make sense of that, and you are on your way to creative problem solving.

Steve Gillman has been studying brain improvement, creative problem solving and related topics for years. Some of what he has discovered can be found on his website: http://www.IncreaseBrainPower.com

The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters:

The Hero’s Journey:

• Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

• Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

• Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

The Hero’s Journey is also a study of repeating patterns in successful stories and screenplays. It is compelling that screenwriters have a higher probability of producing quality work when they mirror the recurring patterns found in successful screenplays.

The Hero’s Journey is also a study of conventions. Before screenwriters can decide whether to accept or reject the conventions, they must appreciate their purpose and value.

Consider this:

• Titanic (1997) grossed over $600,000,000 – uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.

• Star Wars (1977) grossed over $460,000,000 – uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.

• Shrek 2 (2004) grossed over $436,000,000 – uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.

• ET (1982) grossed over $434,000,000 – uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.

• Spiderman (2002) grossed over $432,000,000 – uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.

• Out of Africa (1985), Terms of Endearment (1983), Dances with Wolves (1990), Gladiator (2000) – All Academy Award Winners Best Film are based on the Hero’s Journey.

• Anti-hero stories (Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990) etc) are all based on the Hero’s Journey.

• Heroine’s Journey stories (Million Dollar Baby (2004), Out of Africa (1980) etc) are all based on the Hero’s Journey.

Best Screenwriting uses the Hero’s Journey

The best screenwriting effectively utilises the hero’s Journey.

All of the Academy Award Winners of recent years have used it.

As an example, Million Dollar Baby (Academy Award Winner Best Film, 2004) is deconstucted below (a summary):

Call to Adventure: Maggie asks Frankie to coach her.

Refusal of the Call: Frankie refuses on the basis that this is not an adventure for a girl of her age.

First Threshold: Maggie is persistent in the gym. There is no going back for her, with or without Frankie.

Physical Separation (Belly of the Whale): Willie leaves Frankie, who is made redundant and drifts into teaching Maggie.

Transformation (Road of Trials) x3: Maggie transforms into a boxer and moves up a league; she makes the right choice in not leaving Frankie; she beats the British Champ; the completion of the transformation is signified by the receiving of a new name (Macushla).

Seizing the Sword: Maggie buys her family a house; Frankie warms to the role of father (the gaining of a new daughter);

Rebirth Through Death: Eddie saves Danger from the gym bully.

Atonement with the Father: Maggie takes on the Blue Bear.

Apotheosis: Maggie should have heeded the lesson – always protect yourself.

Ultimate Boon: Maggie gets a father and Frankie gets a daughter; they each get a new family.

Refusal of the Return: Frankie refuses to go back to the gym.

Magic Flight: Frankie searches for the best doctors and takes her away from the hospital in the desert.

Rescue from Without: Maggie’s family arrive and pull her back toward the old challenges.

Crossing the Return Threshold: Maggie loses her legs; she asks Frankie to kill her.

Master of the Two Worlds: Frankie consults with the priest and makes a decision to kill Maggie; Maggie wants to die remembering who she was.

Freedom to Live: Frankie doesn’t return to the gym.

Learn more…

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and FREE 17 stage sample and other story structure templates can be found at http://managing-creativity.com/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author’s name and site URL are retained.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://managing-creativity.com/

Our Image-Driven Society

We live in a new image-driven society. It can be hard on writers unless they learn to connect with today’s readers. Writing that connects is easy when you keep a few basic writing principles in mind. Let’s face it, as a writer, you are competing with the greatest influence in our image-driven society, the film and television industry. So, let’s take three well-known words in film making as cues for effective writing. Ready? Lights! Camera! Action!

Lights!

Catch the reader’s attention. You catch your reader’s attention when you know who they are and what holds their interest. Yes, write what you know but also write for who you know. For example, avoid using abstract words and concepts when writing for children. Kids won’t understand and you won’t grab their attention.

The effective writer writes about what interests the reader using words the reader relates to and understands. When you write fiction or even creative non-fiction; develop catchy titles, contemporary themes, strong heroes, good plots, intense conflict, and create interesting characters. When you do, lights go on for your reader.

Camera!

Describe, describe, describe! Use specific, concrete, and concise words. Write to describe but avoid using too many adjectives. Mark Twain said: “When you catch an adjective, kill it.” Strong words from Mr. Twain but when you cut out adjectives and use descriptive nouns, your writing comes to life. Instead of writing “big, beautiful house,” try writing “mansion,” “villa,” “castle,” “palace,” or “chateau.” Use a thesaurus and find image-driven nouns to replace superfluous adjectives. Sorry, I couldn’t find a noun to replace “superfluous adjectives.” But you get the idea.

The contemporary writing advice, “show don’t tell,” echoes in the ears of most writers. And for good reasons. The writer must “show” readers rather than “tell” to grab their image-driven attention. For example, use vivid detail instead of vague generalizations when describing emotions. Write, “sweat dripped from his forehead,” not “he was nervous.” Let the images come alive in your story.

Action!

Use action verbs, avoid “to be” verbs. Put your reader in the middle of the action in your story. Describe the action with the senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and feel by using action verbs. Use moving images and carry your reader along, don’t let your story become a study in still-life. Don’t sprinkle your story on your readers; dunk ‘em in over their heads! Go ahead, get ‘em soaking wet with the action in your story. They will love you for it.

Lights! Camera! Action! will connect your story with your readers. Go ahead, give ‘em pictures they’ll never forget!

Copyright 2002 © Glenn White

Glenn White is a freelance writer, editor and content manager at his web site for Inspirational and Christian writers at: http://www.WriteToInspire.com

editor@writetoinspire.com

A lot of gamblers have asked “Why would I commit to this poker rakeback? I just play on the web if there is a bonus to play.” What happens if you decide to be a career poker gambler? There are numerous card players in the online poker world that kick themselves for not using poker rakeback but nowadays the majority of them have now opted in for every last leading poker site and skins.

Do not turn into one of them. If you are a gambler that stakes below one or two dollars and then just bets when you are using bonus payments, you could be obtaining in most cases around a hundred percent rakeback for the bonus payment on the bet. One well known room have lately removed gamblers that logged into the gaming site entirely to bet this way. Who knows whether this might begin a trend. If it take place then at once a Full Tilt Poker rake back is going to be imperative.

Soon you may find your greatest game and discover you are very lucky, that is if it has not occurred already. I was hurt by an accident then internet poker came along when I was off and never regretted it. That happened a couple of years back now and I haven’t had to work in those couple of years thanks to internet gambling and naturally rakeback. It is brilliant plan to look ahead. Look at it as an investment in the future, even if you don’t think poker rake back is beneficial for you today it for sure could end up being a brilliant investment shortly, there’s no way you can lose. Should you be considering checking out a different rooms you absolutely should sign up for rake back offers. Rakeback Offers The Rakeback Professionals website is delighted to offer so many ethical partners all in one place.

Savoring the advantage can be as effortless as surfing to a The online poker players’ advice association Rakeback Professionals affiliate website or even as accessible as sending an e-mail. Any partner has the ability to get everybody started without delay. You can play right away. Sign up with a partner thru Rakeback Professionals you can always be confident as every partner will have been screened and in addition agrees to authorise The online poker players’ help organization Rakeback Professionals to sort out any disagreement you may experience. Because we screen our partners, concerns have been few and futhermore we will always move at once to straighten out every concern to protect all card players.

Understanding ASP.NET Validation Controls

After you create a web form, you should make sure that mandatory fields of the form elements such as login name and password are not left blank; data inserted is correct and is within the specified range. Validation is the method of scrutinizing that the user has entered the correct values in input fields. In HTML you can perform validation either by checking the values at client-side or after submitting the form at the server-side. But these methods in HTML take lots of time to create and maintain the code. Moreover, if the user has disabled JavaScript then he or she may not receive the message regarding the error.

Therefore, in ASP.NET you can use ASP.NET Validation Controls while creating the form and specify what ASP.NET Validation Controls you want to use and to which server control you want bind this. ASP.NET Validation Controls are derived from a common base class and share a common set of properties and methods. You just have to drag and drop the ASP.NET Validation Control in the web form and write one line of code to describe its functionality.

This reduces the developer time from writing JavaScript for each type of validation. Moreover, through ASP.NET Validation Controls if any invalid data is entered the browser itself detects the error on the client side and displays the error without requesting the server. This is another advantage because it reduces the server load.

The five types of ASP.NET Validation Controls in ASP.NET Framework include:

• RequiredField Validation control: prompts message if any input field is left blank. This validation control can also be used to prompt message to the user if he or she has left any input field with its default value.

• Range Validation control: Prompts message to the user, if the data entered in the input field is not within the range of the values specified by the Maximum and Minimum properties of the validation control.

• Comparison Validation control: Allows the user to compare two values and check for comparisons such as equality, greater-than, less-than etc. In addition you can check whether the data entered in the input field is of the data type as specified by you.

• RegularExpression Validation control: Allows you to validate if the format of a certain input field is correct or not. You can check the validation of the commonly performed formats such as social security numbers, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, and postal code.

• Custom Validation control: Allows you to define your own condition for validating the data in the input fields. Two validation functions can be performed using Custom Validation control: first on the server-side and second on the client-side. These functions contain logic defined by you to validate the input fields. These functions returns the True value and False value, if the condition you specified is correct or not respectively.

If the control’s value does not validate to what you have specified in the validation control tag, the web form displays an error message. Moreover, you can customize the format of the error message by using the control properties such as BackColor, BorderStyle, and BorderWidth. In addition, you can use Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) to format an error message.

To access online version of the above article, please go to http://www.dotnet-guide.com/validation.html

About the Author

Visit http://www.dotnet-guide.com for a
complete introduction to .NET framework.
Learn about ASP.NET, VB.NET, C# and other related technologies.

Ok you’re searching for a novel means to enjoy skiing? Are you run down by the the routine, the skiing chair lift and then snowboard quickly down the mountain which everybody is snowboarding? One should embark on heli-skiing. One will find untouched ski fields which few other boarders get an opportunity to snowboard and you can do it so close from Geneva Chamonix.

But what is heli skiing? Heli-skiing is snowboarding, only instead of jumping on a chair lift to ascend to the crest of the piste, you fly up in helicopter. Heliboarding provides unique untouched areas for your skiing pleasure.

Typically heli-skiing jaunts necessitate a small band of skiers led by a practized snowboard guide who has first hand experience of the terrain. Punters are ferried to the peak of the slope to be snowboarded jump off the helicopter and ski to the finish of the slope. On reaching the finish you are met by the chopper to take a different run. They might make numerous descents in a day. It is an enjoyable and thrilling experience where you view panoramas and undergo excitements other people can just dream of.

Heli-boarding is not without dangers. As you’re skiing off standard snowboarding slopes there can always be unknown dangers. You’ll also encounter a larger likelihood of avalanches. Fortuitously many of these risks can be decreased when one goes heli skiing with a knowledgeable guide who recognizes the area intimately.

According to our inbox this morning we will be happy when we:

• buy the “most powerful sales tool in the world”

• ” make a small step to success and get more information about our management system now”

• follow the “how to get exactly what I want from my hosting provider”

• “to impress” her by buying viagra or whatever

• “what if you could install a new ability into your mind by just sitting back and taking a deep breath”

Obviously, what stops us from being happy is our inability to buy a number of services that will generate either a vast amount of money or improve my sexuality.

The general message appears to be that happiness comes with…………..the freedom to do what I want, when I want. Happiness is the ability to buy a large house, a large car, a yacht and have the system to constantly generate money etc etc etc.

But our meditation teacher tells us this is not true. She says, the biggest hurdle- the one thing- that stops us from achieving happiness is OUR DESIRES.
She says; the more you want, the more unhappy you will become, the less satisfied you will be.

Let’s just think about this for a moment.

You sit and generate a goal. Then you don’t reach the goal in the time frame you set. Then, if you are like us, you get so upset and angry.

Have you ever thought about this? Really thought about it?

To our meditation teacher the search for happiness through material things is illusionary. We are kidding ourselves even trying this route. We are on a hiding to nothing. There is no way we can get what we want using this method. The very fact that we have material desires and we spend our lives trying to achieve them can only result in misery and unhappiness. Wealth Yes but happiness ????

Happiness is achieved by being successful.

• Being a successful human being rather than a successful human doing.

• Being someone who is driven by their needs rather than wants

By actually looking inside yourself and finding out who you really are, instead of what you want to become.

Learning to love yourself and therefore being able to love others. Being tolerant of yourself and therefore being tolerant of others. Co-operating with yourself and then naturally co-operating with others.

What is it about us that we are driven by wants rather than needs?

What would happen if we changed the scenario? Instead of being driven by wants we allowed ourselves to be driven by needs?

• What do you need to make you happy?

• What do you need to live a comfortable life? Not what do you want. What do you need?

• How much do you need to feed your family?

• How much do you need to pay for a place to live that will house your family? Not what do you want?

This philosophy is best described by Evelyn Rodriguez in her blog Crossroads Despatches dated 26th December when she returns to Maprao resort a year after the Tsunami. She meets up again with the “manager” of the resort, Tan, who saved everyone in the resort through his actions.

“What will be, will be,” says Tan when we first begin chatting.
“You must keep your mind strong. If you cannot control yourself, you cannot help others.”
“Paradise is inside,” he pats his chest, “in the heart.”
And patting his crown, “And hell is in the mind.”

In a nutshell. It’s the opposite of what we are taught. If we go out there in pursuit of happiness it all ends in tears but if we understand ourselves and become stable within ourselves then happiness automatically follows us like a shadow.

As we sit at the bamboo table, Tan says,

“If you do good, you have good.” “If you do bad, you get bad.”

Good Luck

Graham and Julie

www.desktop-meditation.com

To improve your intuition, initiative and energy levels please go to:
http://www.desktop-meditation.com It’s free.

Enough already! Get on with it! For goodness sake, even Pandora is turning green with envy!

Amid rumors that just won’t die, the eternal vigil or wait for the Google Box rages on. Google protests it is not building a Google Box. If you believe them, your next question should be – why the hell not?

Recent fury about a Google Box was again unleashed at the latest CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas this year when a rumor spread that Google would be unveiling a Google Box. Causing its stock price to rise and Google watchers’ hearts to drop when there proved to be no substance to the rumor.

For now Google seems content to ‘piggy-back’ on other systems. It has announced it will be partnering with Motorola to place the Google icon and search on certain Motorola cell phones. So close, yet so far.

Google still insists it is not building a Google Box. But does it really matter what Google wants… Internet users want their Google Box and they will get it in one form or another. It might not even come from Google. Their lost!

If you haven’t been following the Google Juggernaut, you may be wondering what’s all the buzz about a Google Box? Simply put: it’s a rumor/hope/dream that just won’t die.

What are consumers, customers, Internet users (everyone on the planet) all clamoring for?

They are clamoring for a newly minted integrated ‘all-in-one’ portable handheld device – with a Google OS (operating system) and an RSS powered Google Browser (via the Firefox model) that’s an Internet/Phone/Laptop/XM Radio/Ipod Video/TV/GPS/ and last but not least a Search Engine.

If such a device is built it would finally bring the Internet (screaming and kicking) into our future wireless universe. It would be our dream technotopia device. One that would meet all our electronic/communication needs and place them firmly in the palm of our hand.

It would place all the World’s Information, Videos, TV shows, Music, a Billion Web Sites, and Aunt Sally neatly in the palm of your hand. It would deliver all this with the Google Brand Name – quite frankly who else would you trust with your Aunt Sally?

Not only should Google Build it – they should give it away for Free or next to Free – make it affordable to the lowest income demographic on the planet. It would simply be good business. It would simply be a better return on its shareholder’s money.

Technically such a device or Google Box could be built right now. The resources and expertise are available, just might take a hefty down payment to give birth to this baby.

Is such a venture realistically feasible for Google to undertake?

As we see from their offer of providing free broadband Wi-Fi services to the lucky residents of Mountain View, in the heart of Silicon Valley, it is not that far-fetched. It is not such a leap of faith that someone at Google may be musing at the possibility of a world-wide wireless system delivered on a Google Box.

Advertising is Google’s Bread and Butter. Consider the Google Box as just a virtual version of your morning newspaper. It would be the perfect vehicle to carry all that Google delivered advertising. Delivered to everyone anywhere in the world. Advertisers would be lining up around the world for a piece of that action.

Actually, if you really examine the implications of such a delivery system. Google must build that Google Box or lose out to others who will build such a delivery device… it just won’t have the Google name.

How far are we from such a delivery system? How long will we have to wait for the eternal Google Box? Don’t hold your breath but have you heard any good rumors lately?

Live gambling internet sites are governed through three governing bodies. These are the OSGA (the Offshore Gaming Association), IGC (Interactive Gaming Council) and finally the Fidelity Trust Gaming Association (the FTGA). After wreck, Hunter leads Angels to win

The Offshore Gaming Association is an independent “watchdog” agency which regulates the overseas gambling trade in an attempt to also present gaming afficionados a reliable way to to swiftly discover acclaimed web based organizations to play betting games with. The Offshore Gaming Association strives to champion the legal rights of consumers, and also they do not impose any particaption dues. The Offshore Gaming Association is a well-qualified not to mention unprejudiced third party agency who convey objective info, indicated by your responses, independent analysis, telephone conversations, prompts not to mention to supply inside intelligence.

The IGC is a not-for-profit agency. The organization has been created to allow a platform for interested participants to discuss points and also to move forward applicable matters in the international interactive sports gaming industry, in an effort to establish reputable not to mention reliable industry standard procedures and forms that aim to heighten end user faith in internet based gaming merchandise and functions, also to work as the overseas gambling trade’s extensive policy advocate and the IGC also offers an info base.

The IGC have made a name for trustworthiness, integrity and in addition credibility via the lofty moral code it exhibits, and its allure for legitimate gaming sites. The IGC influences overseas sports betting via advocating an original 10-step code of practise and in addition charges sports gaming business concerns license fees for publishing the council’s logo. Vexed betters may also disclose any of their challenges to the IGC.

The Fidelity Trust Gaming Association was founded in a venture to compose a benchmark which will upgrade the procedures of computer accessible sports gaming internet sites. The council suggest that carrying on business entirely with reputable enterprises, they can set up an alliance of the most sportsmanlike and most proficient online betting operations worldwide. These are councils which control the practises of internet based sports gaming and which should with time help to relieve most if not all of the uneasiness felt by a lot of gamblers. Internet sports betting sites are at present absolutely free from pitfalls, since individual data shouldn’t be submitted also the remuneration not to mention the odds are mostly equivalent to your usual Vegas-type Vegas style sports-bet. These websites diminish travel, but nonetheless retain the essence of a Vegas betting web site, but today you may bet in the comfort of your home.

PROJECT PURPOSE: To write and publish articles about people and institutions whose lives and missions are dedicated to a bold and inspired purpose or vision.

I created Project Purpose in the spring of 1995 after realizing, that in ten-plus years of writing for national publications, the articles I most enjoyed writing, from start to finish, were about people making a difference in the world, especially those of the “unsung hero” category. At the time, I’d only worked on a handful of these articles, but they were the ones I remembered most fondly. Before Project Purpose, editors knew me as a former small animal veterinarian turned freelance writer who specialized in writing about animals, health and related topics. Today, most of my editors know me as a writer of profiles, interviews and essays about people who are changing the world.

IS WRITING ABOUT SOCIAL CHANGE FOR YOU?

Although one of the most often quoted rules of writing is, “write about what you know,” I think it’s much more important to write about what interests you, what you’re passionate about, what you find fascinating and worthwhile. While this may include topics you know a lot about, there are many subjects I’ve written about that I was far from an expert on, but which piqued my curiosity. So, if social issues quicken your pulse, write about the ones that interest you.

Within a couple months of starting Project Purpose, I received my first assignment from New Age Journal to write a feature profile on Bo Lozoff, founder and director of The Human Kindness Foundation in my home state of North Carolina. I knew I had stumbled upon my niche when I enjoyed researching the piece as much as writing it and even the revision process was relatively painless. When the check arrived, twice as much as I’d ever received before, it was like a delicious cherry sitting atop an already scrumptious sundae. I knew I’d found my specialty.

WHY WRITE ABOUT SOCIAL ISSUES?

There’s an old saying, “the more things change, the more they stay the same,” which is one of the best reasons to write about social change. Since things are changing all the time, you always have new topics to pitch to a wide assortment of magazines. If you’re interested in women’s issues, such as the glass ceiling of the corporate world, pitch your ideas to the women’s magazines. If you’re more interested in male issues, focus your attention on men’s magazines. Perhaps your interests lie in specialized areas like healthcare or spirituality. There’s a wide assortment of magazines that would be interested.

One of the best reasons to write about social change is the opportunity for your words to make a difference with other people, often in large numbers. I’ve written numerous articles on “voluntary simplicity,” a cultural trend my family has participated in for 15 years. When one of these articles appeared as the cover story for Yoga Journal, I received over a hundred letters and phone calls asking for more information on how to get started on a path to a simpler life.

BREAKING IN

One of the key steps to becoming known as a writer who specializes in social issues is market research, which is a fancy name for finding and studying the types of magazines that publish articles about social issues. Although there are a number of good resource books that give a good overview of magazines, such as Writer’s Marketplace, these are only starting points. It’s important to study at least 2-3 back issues of the magazines for which you want to write. Whenever I’m in a new city, even if it’s only a quick layover in the airport, I make it a point to drop into a bookstore or newsstand to look over their magazine selection. If I find a new magazine with the types of stories I write, I’ll invest a few bucks in the latest issue, or at least jot down the name of the magazine, the editor’s name and address or email. I’ll then request additional information from them including a copy of their writer’s guidelines and an editorial calendar.

TYPES OF ARTICLES ON SOCIAL CHANGE

Articles on social change can take several different forms. Since I’m particularly interested in focusing on the people who are changing the world, many of my articles are either profiles or question and answer interviews. Since most magazine articles run in the 1500 to 3000 word range, a profile may give a short overview or summary of a person’s life, but must then take a tight focus. The same is true of a Q and A interview. While it’s not unusual for me to spend a couple hours interviewing a subject for a Q and A, which could result in as much as a 20,000 word transcription, the final piece will need to be condensed to 1500 to 5000 words, depending on the assignment.

Other forms that articles on social issues may take include essays, roundups, straight journalism pieces or some combination. For example, the simple living piece that appeared in Yoga Journal was a combination of essay about my family’s experiences as we simplified our life and straight journalism as I interviewed other voluntary simplicity experts. An example of a round-up piece would be an article highlighting 3-5 different people working on a similar social issue, but with their own perspective on the problem.

THE PEN IS STILL MIGHTY

Even today, with our wide assortment of media, the written word still has the power to stop people in their tracks, to provoke their thinking, to awaken them to new ideas and new possibilities. There’s something special about knowing that thousands, perhaps millions of people will read one of my Project Purpose profiles and that it might touch and inspire them. There’s nothing like getting a letter or phone call from someone that’s read one of my articles thanking me for the piece or asking for more information. I feel I’m changing the world for the better, word by word.

Brad Swift is the founder and chief visionary officer of Life On Purpose Institute, and has written hundreds of articles for such publications as Utne, Hope, Yoga Journal, Body & Soul and others. He can be reached at
brad@lifeonpurpose.com

©2005 Brad Swift of Life On Purpose Institute, Inc.
This article can be reprinted freely online, as long as the entire article and this resource box are included.

Dr. Brad Swift founded Life On Purpose Institute in 1996 with the vision of creating a World On Purpose by assisting people like yourself to clarify their life purpose & live true to it. Determine how on or off purpose your life is with the fun & insightful Self Test at:
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