Considering Retrement?

If you are preparing for retirement in the next few months or years, you might want to read this article that first appeared in U.S. News and World Report and was recently republished in the Huffington Post.  I think that it provides had good blueprint for those considering retirement. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/06/retirement-planning-preparation_n_3386365.html?utm_hp_ref=retirement

Negotiation Techniques from Goldman Sachs

Recently, the Huffington Post Small Business section published an article entitled, "7 Negotiation Techniques Every Small Business Owner Should Know", posted by Goldman Sachs. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/30/negotiating-tips-small-business_n_4058588.html?view=print.
The techniques are as follows:
1.Figure out your goals.
2.Do the research.
3. Know what you're willing to give up.
4.Know when you should walk away.
5.Know about your counter party's past performance.
6.Write down the outcomes.
7. Look at your own company's resources to see how you can use them to seal the deal.
I have discussed many of these same points in various posts on this blog and in my ebook, "How to Get the Best Deal Every Time", which is available on Amazon.http://www.amazon.com/How-Best-Deal-Every-Time-ebook/dp/B00BRPVH4U/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1384966607&sr=1-1

They are all good points and are equally applicable to almost any type of negotiation, whether buying a new car or house or trying to get a raise from your boss.

Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.

"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."  The quote is from Abraham Lincoln and it just about sums up the whole philosophy of positive thinking from Norman Vincent Peale's "The Power of Positive Thinking" to the present day "Happiness Project."http://www.happiness-project.com/ If you are looking for a daily dose of happiness information, check out the Huffington Post GPS for the Soul. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gps-for-the-soul/