How to Organize Research Papers

Research!

I remember those days of frantically writing the last few pages of a research paper, scrambling to reorganize my index cards and ideas. When I was younger, I thought I could pump out a great paper the night before it was due. As I continued on in school, I learned to appreciate teachers who provided opportunities for research planning, peer revising, and self-editing.

Whether you are in high school, college, or graduate school, there are some basic things you can do to make writing research papers a lot easier. You will still probably rush to finish everything at the end, and maybe even wish you had chosen another topic when you are wrangling out page 13, but at least you will have some tools and techniques to help you through it.

Whether you are in high school, college, or graduate school, there are some basic things you can do to make writing research papers a lot easier.

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1. Choose a Topic

The first thing you need to do is figure out what you want to write about. Sometimes this is easier than other times. It is possible that your professor has assigned you the task of writing a research paper on the history of rats or a comparison of Mrs. Dalloway and Twelfth Night in relation to the reaction of the audiences at the times the different texts were written. These assignments give you some freedom, but still provide you with a focused topic to write about. However, another teacher could simply tell you to write a 15 page research paper. The purpose of such an assignment could be to allow you the freedom to write about whatever you want, to provide you with the opportunity of practicing what you have already learned in the course, or just because the teacher is bored with reading about the same topic all the time.

Whether you are given a focused or broad assignment, you still need to do some preliminary research. If you have a focused assignment, come up with a few ideas that you want to write about. If you are given a broad assignment, choose a topic to write about. Then do some research to see if your ideas will pan out. If you find that you can’t find enough information on your topic, or realize that your idea is way off base, you have time to switch your focus because you are still in the beginning stages.

Simple Brainstorming Diagram

In-depth Brainstorming Diagram

2. Brainstorm

I always hated it when teachers told us to brainstorm. I never liked using their different diagrams and methods to brainstorm, but I have to admit it helped. Regardless of the methods your teacher likes, I want you to figure out what works best for you because that is what will help you the most. Whatever you do, don’t start writing without a plan.

Some Brainstorming Ideas:

• Make an outline.
• Make a map or diagram.
• Draw it out.
• Record your ideas, and then listen to them.

Simply do what works for you.

You might like to see things visually or hear your ideas out loud. You might like drawings and symbols or just words. You might like to see a big map of ideas or an organized outline list. Everyone is different. There is no right or wrong way to brainstorm, but you do need to do it because it will help organize all of your ideas.

Brainstorm with Stickies

Head to the Library

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3. Research, baby, research!

Okay, you have come up with ideas, done some preliminary research, and organized your ideas by brainstorming. Now it is time to do some hardcore research. Go to the library, search online, and talk to people. There are tons of books, periodicals, and other media to utilize, but you probably won’t have time to read all of it. This is why you did the brainstorming, to narrow down your ideas. If you don’t already have experience with focused research, ask a librarian to help you—trust me, they are very helpful. You will learn how to find the most relevant books and how to use online research tools more effectively.

Every school has different online research tools available, so another good reason to seek help from a librarian or teacher is to learn about those tools. When I attended my university, I had access to a ton of research material online that I never even knew existed when I was at a community college. Now that I work at that same community college, I have learned that the school has its own research tools, but I never knew about them. So: ASK.

Ask about what is available.

Before you start researching, make a list of all of the materials you have. Depending on the citation style you have to use, write down all of the relevant information you will need to cite the work. By making the list at the beginning, you are cutting out the chances of mis-citing or even forgetting to cite something. Once you have recorded all of the relevant information (title, publisher, etc.), give each piece of work an identifier, like a letter or number.

Now, start skimming the books and materials you have gathered. If you see something relevant to your research, note it down. Put the identifying letter or number, along with a page number if appropriate, next to your note so that you can remember where you found that information. Make different piles of your material: Won’t Use, Will Use Some, Read More In-Depth.

As you skim the materials, you will find some of it simply isn’t relevant to what you are writing about. You can put those back and cross them off of your reference list. You will find some that you can further skim, but others that you will need to read more in depth, so organize them accordingly.

Taking notes while researching is very important. You can use index cards, lined paper, or your computer—whatever works best for you. You are already keeping track of where you are finding the information, so it will be easy to go back for clarification or quotations when you are actually writing the paper.

4. Reorganize & Brainstorm Again

That’s right, you have to do it again. This time, you have ideas and research to organize and brainstorm with. Using your original brainstorming materials, organize all of the research you have done. Where do the different ideas fit together? What supports what?

You will find that some ideas are more developed, while you have to scratch others. Even if you find something very interesting, it might not fit into the purpose of your paper, so leave it out. That is the hardest for me: narrowing my topic. I find so much interesting stuff that I want to write about everything, but it would take up 500 pages instead of 12. Narrow your focus and cut stuff out.

On the other hand, if you find you don’t have enough material, you probably need to go back a few steps to reorganize your ideas.

Organize your research, and write the dang paper!

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5. Write Your Thesis

By now, I’m betting you have already drafted your thesis, either on paper or in your head. Write it out. Stick to it. Eliminate any information that is not related to proving your thesis. (This is why I like using note cards—I can simply toss them out of the mix if the information isn’t relevant.)

6. Create an Outline

If you already created one earlier, while brainstorming, create another one. This time, it will flesh out exactly what you are going to write. By outlining your paper, you won’t go off on tangents when you sit down to write. You will have a plan and stick to it.

7. Write It!

Hey, you have organized and researched and organized again. Now you have to write the paper. As much as I’d love to tell you how to do that...well, I can’t. This is where your brilliance comes in. You have all of the tools you need at your fingertips, so get to work.

When you are finished, make sure you proofread. Let other people proofread. Sometimes revision and editing can be just as important as actually writing it. And, don’t forget to cite your references!

This hub was written in collaboration with the Hub Tennis team. Learn more at http://hubpages.com/hub/Hub-Tennis.

Fall 2008 Top Wedding Trends

There are many trends emerging for today's modern bride. This fall's most popular trends are themed weddings and personalized attendants gifts. To break it down even further, here's an overview of the theme wedding ideas and personalized attendants gifts that everyone's talking about.

Wedding Theme #1 - The Cinderella Wedding: This year the season's most popular wedding theme completes every young girl's fantasy: the Cinderella wedding. For the groom-to-be, this themed wedding is the perfect way to start your lives together by saying that you'll do everything to make all her dreams come true. The colors used to construct this fantasy are: whites, light blues, and light pinks. Common flowers used are white roses, baby's breath, and lilies.

CINDERELLA WEDDING CHECKLIST:
*Colors: The colors used to construct this fantasy are: whites, light blues, and light pinks.
*Flowers: Common flowers used are white roses, baby's breathe, and lilies.
*Castle and Cinderella Coach Cake tops & Figurines: Stand out with gorgeous blown glass cake toppers.
*Glass Slipper on a Mirror: No Cinderella wedding would be complete without a glass slipper. Beautifully crafted glass slipper mounted on a round polished mirror.
*Carriage Ring holder: Cherished pewter box is lined with blue velvet and closes tightly to prevent loss.
*Wedding Ring Pillow: The Cinderella pillow is an elegant silk pillow with a wrap around lace tie. Pillow has a small metal charm with Cinderella's trademark horse and carriage.

Wedding Theme #2 - The Las Vegas Wedding: Fairytale elegance doesn't appeal to everyone; another well-liked theme is Las Vegas. The Las Vegas wedding theme is popular because of its fun celebratory style. Everyone knows that if you want to let loose and have a good time, your best bet is to go to Vegas. Since flying your wedding party out to Vegas is a hassle, why not bring Vegas to you!

LAS VEGAS THEME CHECKLIST:
*Colors: Common colors that spice up your Vegas wedding are: vibrant reds, yellows, and blues. The most popular Vegas themed items are:
*300 Chip Professional Poker Set with Case: Continue the celebration all night. Leave poker cases on each table for your guests to enjoy.
*Las Vegas Wedding Tees: Trendy tees can be given as favors or worn at the reception.
*Blown Glass Dice - "Lucky in Love": Beautifully constructed blown glass plaque that reads, "How did I get so lucky in love?" This plaque is mounted on a glass mirror with a couple of decorative red glass dice.

Other Wedding Theme Ideas: Themed weddings are a huge hit and a great way to make your wedding even more memorable. Fall themed weddings are extremely popular as well. Your cozy fall wonderland can be created with lots of foliage and pine cones. The colors needed are: orange, red, rust, yellow, wine and navy. The best flowers to illustrate this look are: Apricot Lilies, Rust/Burgundy hydrangea, rust Euphorbia, and mixed garden foliage including the Virginia creeper.

Fall Wedding Trend - Personalized Attendants Gifts: Weddings allow friends and family to experience two people uniting together. There's no better way for the bride and groom to show appreciation for their loved ones then with customized wedding favors. Give thanks to your wedding party for all their hard work.

TOP PERSONALIZED ATTENDANTS GIFTS FOR FALL OF 2008:
*Bridesmaid Gift - Heart Charm Rhinestone Toggle Bracelet: Any bridesmaid would be thrilled to receive a sterling silver, rhinestone encrusted bracelet. The heart that hangs daintily off the bracelet is the perfect size for a personalized inscription.
*Groomsmen Gift - Personalized Pub Signs: Personalized pub sign's are made to look identical to authentic pub / bar signs and can be customized to include the groomsman's name, nickname, or slogan of your choosing. Send your groomsmen home with something you know they'll genuinely appreciate.

Themed weddings and personalized favors ensure that all who attend your wedding will never forget your special day!

Top 10 Ways to Spice up Your Home

There's no reason for you to come home to a house full of blank walls and mismatched furniture. Unfortunately, this is exactly what happens when people get caught up in thinking that you need to spend lots of money and buy hundreds of new things to create the look you desire. When trying to spice up your home you just have to remember one thing, a little flavor goes a long way. To help you out, here's a list of the 10 most unique ways to bring some excitement to your home.

1. Sponge paint: the best way to liven up a room is to start with the walls. You don't need to hire a painter, or be an artist to master this trick. Sponge painting your walls adds texture, color, and is simple to do. Start by painting the wall a base color of your choice. Once the paint has dried, grab your sea sponge and start going to work. Decorators recommend sponge painting one accent wall. Accent walls brighten up the room without taking attention away from the rest of your decorations.

2. Tropical Foliage Canvas Prints: these prints are available in any flower of your choice. The vibrant colors in tropical prints will put you in a good mood year round.

3. Photo Boxes: it's important to add depth to your home, especially if it's on the small side. Depth can be created with photo boxes. These boxes can contain items found around your home, for example, peppers. Another option is photo boxes with paintings mounted inside.

4. LCD Under Cabinet T.V.: this item is not only aesthetically pleasing, but makes cooking more enjoyable as well. These televisions are relatively inexpensive ranging from $150 and up. They fit nicely under the cabinet and fold out for decoration and use.

5. Wall Lamps: make a statement with your lighting. There are a lot of different sizes, shapes and styles of lamps. Decorators have become huge fans of accent lighting. The best in terms of price, size and uniqueness are wall lamps. There are a wide variety of wall lamps to choose from take your pick from Victorian to Modern.

6. Metal Cat Birdcage Planter: nothing adds color and life like plants. If you know real plants are not what you're looking for, you can invest in artificial plants and place them in indoor planters. A carefully designed indoor planter will achieve the best results. Decorators have been raving about items like the Metal Cat Birdcage Planter. This planter is perfect for animal lovers; there are two hand-crafted cats on either end of the birdcage. The planter actually is the cage, place real or artificial plants inside and be ready to make a statement.

7. Fire Water Fountain: indoor fountains have become increasingly popular. Not only do they look great, but they have a calming quality too. The gentle stream relaxes and de-stresses the hardest of workers. Fountains come in all sizes; smaller fountains are a favorite among many decorators. The Fire Water fountain has a spot for three tea lights to be lit while the water is streaming.

8. Asian Inspired Tables: accent tables are a great way to showcase your style. Accent tables come in a variety of styles and designs. Asian inspired tables are extremely trendy. These tables are hand painted with designs ranging from dragons to flowers and are a great way to jazz up any room.

9. Wall Shelves: wall shelves are a fantastic way to save on space and attain your desired look. If you're not concerned with saving space, use these shelves to display your favorite decorations.

10. Decorative Pillows: surround yourself with comfort and style. You can find pillows in any shape, color and design-be as creative as you want to be.

Home Repairs, Home Maintenance, Home Services, Home Handyman

Home repairs and home maintenance, along with most other home services including minor repairs or home handyman services are usually performed by contractors that a home owner contracts with for the specific category of work to be done. The work in question is then detailed in a contract at a negotiated price and usually specifies complete homeowner satisfaction for the work in question. As it is a contract between two individuals almost any portion of the agreement may be modified so long as it is specified in writing and both parties agree by affixing their signatures. It is very rare that either party goes into the contract with the idea of not honoring it fully.

Contracts vary greatly in description and quite often there may be a disagreement somewhere along the line due to either the quality of the work, the inexact nature of the way the work was described in the contract, or the rigid demands or unyielding expectations of the homeowner for either perfection in the workmanship, enhancement of materials or other aspects of the job not clearly specified in the agreement document. Most homeowners who have lived in their homes for more than a few years, have horror stories about one or more contractor projects that went awry. Conversely, every contractor can tell you his horror story about a homeowner who simply could never be satisfied.

One of the results of the ongoing discord between contractors and homeowners is the recent rise of middleman organizations which attempt to position themselves between the home repair contractor, for instance and the homeowner for whom he would normally be working directly. This type of organization may sound like just another contractor in their advertising and even by name but they do not actually do the work. They often employ other independent contractors to actually do the work and either supervise the individual who actually does the work or control his pay such that the homeowner must sign off on his work, perhaps even several times, before he gets all of his money. This method seems to satisfy the homeowner and allow for a few less problems in a fairly hard to define arena.

2008 Big Ten Football Preview

The Big Ten had a tough 2007 as the conference dealt with the fallout from 2006's stunning showing during the bowl season where both Ohio State and Michigan lost badly after finishing the regular season both ranked in the top 3 and boasted 23 wins combined. Despite the Big Ten's bowl record of 2-1 against the SEC, it was open season on the conference, especially down south. How did the Big Ten respond? By preseason top five selection Michigan losing to Appalachian State in one of the biggest upsets in history! The Big Ten had a big chance to redeem itself in the Rose Bowl and BCS National Title Game but Illinois and Ohio State lost both of those games as well, furthering the perception that the conference had fallen off. Needless to say, the Big Ten is in need of image rehabilitation after a down year.

Luckily, 2008 is looking up for the Big Ten, which returns a huge number of returning players and features three legitimate top ten caliber teams in Ohio State, Penn State, and Wisconsin. The conference returns 8 teams with 13 or more starters along with eight returning starting quarterbacks. Another major storyline will be the debut of new Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez, who marks a huge departure from traditional Michigan football after using the spread offense to turn West Virginia into a perennially successful team. As always, conference strength ebbs and flows amongst the major powers and this year should be a strong year for the Big Ten and the conference could answer all of its critics with a strong year.

Ohio State (Predicted Conference Record: 8-0)
2007 finished much like 2006 for the Buckeyes, with a loss on college football's biggest stage. The Buckeyes were at least competitive last year before falling to LSU (unlike the previous year's stunning flop against Florida) but they have become one of the country's most hated teams after consecutive title losses. What was overlooked by the nation last year was that Ohio State had to replace their entire offense and wasn't expected to even win the Big Ten, much less make the National Title Game. This year was supposed Ohio State's year and the Buckeyes return 19 starters, including no less than five seniors who turned down a shot at getting picked in the 1st round of the NFL draft, to a team that has played in the last two National Title Games! The Buckeyes might be the most experienced team in the BCS era to challenge for a National Title and expectations are enormous.

Penn State (Predicted Conference Record: 7-1)
Penn State had a solid 2007, finishing 9-4 with a bowl victory. The Nittany Lions have now won three consecutive bowl games and have amassed a 29-9 record the past three years despite fierce criticism towards PSU's aging icon, Joe Paterno. Penn State returns 16 starters this fall and should far exceed what appear to be surprisingly low expectations outside of Happy Valley.

Wisconsin (Predicted Conference Record: 6-2)
Wisconsin was a solid team in 2007, finishing 9-4 in Head Coach Brett Bielema's second season while playing in their fourth consecutive January bowl game. In fact, Wisconsin has won 40 games in the last 4 years and has only lost one home game during that span! Furthermore, the Badgers return 17 starters from last year's team, meaning that Wisconsin could be a very dangerous team this fall.

Michigan State (Predicted Conference Record: 5-3)
2007 may turn out to have been a groundbreaking year at Michigan State in Head Coach Mark Dantonio's first season. Unlike years past, Michigan State responded to adversity during the middle of the year and finished the year strong to make a bowl game instead of falling apart as was traditional under former coach John L. Smith. Dantonio, who was Ohio State's defensive coordinator during their national title season of 2002 and Cincinnati's head coach for three years after that, is a strong recruiter and defensive coach and he returns 13 starters from last year's team in a year where Michigan State may take another step forward to make an impact in the Big Ten race and nationally.

Illinois (Predicted Conference Record: 4-4)
2007 was nothing short of a phenomenal and stunning season for the Fighting Illini, catapulting from a 2-10 mark in 2006 all the way to a 9-4 finish and a Rose Bowl berth! Head Coach Ron Zook's turnaround of a previously moribund program has been founded on his exceptional recruiting and a continued improvement on defense. Illinois suffers a lot of big losses from last year's surprising team (only 13 starters return) so many of Zook's young recruits will be given their first chance to take ownership of their team.

Michigan (Predicted Conference Record: 3-5)
2007 can only be described as a massive disappointment for the Wolverines. First the Wolverines began the year ranked #5 only to lose to Appalachian State, following that up by getting blown out by Oregon the next week. Then after they rebounded to win 8 games in a row, Michigan's senior class failed to beat Ohio State for the 4 th straight year, meaning the graduating seniors never defeated their archrival! Head Coach Lloyd Carr announced his retirement soon thereafter and Michigan sent him out properly with a bowl win over Florida in the Capital One bowl. Michigan's new boss is former West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez. Rodriguez will bring his vaunted spread offense to Ann Arbor, a transition that may cause the Wolverines to struggle on offense this fall. However, after losing their all-time leaders in quarterback starts, passing yards, rushing yards, the #1 pick in the NFL draft, three other starting lineman and both of their starting receivers, Michigan would have struggled anyway. With only two starters back on offense and nine overall, Michigan could see its worst year in a very long time.

Iowa (Predicted Conference Record: (3-5)
Iowa had a very difficult 2007, opening the year sluggishly before fighting their way back into the bowl picture and then inexplicably losing the final game of the season at home against Western Michigan to remove them from bowl consideration. It was a stunning turn of events for a program which finished #8 in the country for three consecutive years from 2002-2004 and has only won a total of 19 games the past three years! Head Coach Kirk Ferentz isn't on the hot seat yet but a disappointing 2008 could put him there. As off-field issues continue to dog the Hawkeyes, Ferentz will have to hope that 13 returning starters can be the foundation of a team which returns to a bowl game and prevents his job security from worsening.

Purdue (Predicted Conference Record: 3-5)
Purdue finished 2007 with a solid 8-5 mark, their best record since 2003. The Boilermakers were led by a solid passing attack en route to a bowl victory in Head Coach Joe Tiller's penultimate season. This fall will be Tiller's 12 th and final season in West Lafayette and offensive line coach Danny Hope is his appointed successor. So, expect the theme of this fall to be to win one for Joe. However, the Boilermakers only return 12 starters so there could be some growing pains, especially on defense.

Northwestern (Predicted Conference Record: 2-6)
Northwestern had a difficult 6-6 season last fall in former star linebacker Pat Fitzgerald's second season at the helm. The Wildcats missed out on a bowl game because of an awful loss to Duke at home and their defense regressed as well. 2008, however, is looking bright in Evanston, as Fitzgerald's stated goal this fall has been to reach a bowl game. With 15 starters returning from last year and a favorable schedule, the Wildcats may well prove him right.

Minnesota (Predicted Conference Record: (2-6)
2007 was a catastrophically bad season for Minnesota, finishing with a 1-11 record in new coach Tim Brewster's first season. After firing former coach Glen Mason for not getting the Gophers over the hump to the top of the conference, Minnesota went 0-8 in Big Ten play and lost in embarrassing fashion to Florida Atlantic, Bowling Green, and D-1AA North Dakota State! However, Brewster has an infectious personality and is proving to be a great recruiter; He brought in one of the nation's 20 best classes this spring. Expect 15 starters and a year of experience for both the players and their head coach to translate into a much stronger season this fall.

Indiana (Predicted Conference Record: (1-7)
2007 was a very successful year for the Indiana Hoosiers, winning 7 games in the regular season and making the program's first bowl in fourteen years! Last season was an emotional one, as the bowl berth was dedicated to recently deceased coach Terry Hoeppner, who had changed the climate around the program during his two years at Indiana. This fall, Hoeppner's successor, Bill Lynch, has been made the permanent coach and he has thirteen starters back as the Hoosiers try to reach a bowl game in back to back years for the first time in nearly two decades.

The Bottom Line for the Big Ten in 2008
The Big Ten had a rough year in 2007 but this fall should be a much better year. Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Iowa, Purdue, Northwestern, and Minnesota should all be better than their 2007 versions and Illinois should still be a strong team in spite of taking a step back. Furthermore, Michigan may struggle this fall, but they remain a dangerous team that could beat many of their conference opponents on any given Saturday. However, this fall will be about four teams in the Big Ten race: Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Michigan State. Expect Michigan State to be a very solid contender this fall and serve notice that they will be a major player for future Big Ten Championships. Meanwhile, Penn State and Wisconsin should prove to be tough competition for Ohio State and both are legitimate top ten caliber teams in their own right. I fully expect the winner of their Oct. 11th matchup to qualify for a BCS at-large bid and both should go into the bowl season with 10 or more wins. Expect 2008's conference theme to be redemption on a national level.

However, when I said that this fall was about four teams in the Big Ten race, well, I lied. The 2008 Big Ten race is all about Ohio State. The Buckeyes are the conference's best team by far and are also one of the country's elite teams. Ohio State simply has far too much talent and experience to lose a game in Big Ten play this fall and I expect them to win their third consecutive outright Big Ten Title. Furthermore, I expect them to defeat a dangerous but retooling USC squad in September. That means, America, Ohio State will end up playing in their third consecutive National Title Bowl Game this January and perhaps the third time will finally be the Buckeyes' charm.

Unique Custom Website Design

Isn't a unique website design automatically a custom website design, and vice-versa? It seems obvious that they would be, but in my experience, just because a website is custom-built doesn't mean it is unique, and the reverse rule also applies. Naturally, we all want our website to be both unique and custom (and affordable doesn't hurt as well), so the key is to analyze what your web designer offers to make sure that you are getting the perfect website for you, a unique custom website that does exactly what your business needs it to do.

A unique website, on its own, is simply a website that isn't just like another site. It needs something that sets it apart from all the other sites on the web. It doesn't need to break new ground in the world of website design, and really, there isn't much new ground that remains to be broken, unless you want to shatter the very ground your website stands on. Fact is that there are certain basics of website design that have been proven to work, and ignoring them just for the sake of standing out is folly for a business website. You don't want your entire site to take up a 250 by 250 pixel square amidst a sea of white. Sure, it's unique, but not in a useful way. A website is a tool, and the best tools are those that can most efficiently accomplish the tasks assigned to them, not the ones that look the strangest. That in mind, if your tool can do things just as well as all the others, or even better, why not also make it stand out from the crowd if doing so won't inhibit its function any? That's the goal of the unique website design; standing out from the crowd without hampering functionality.

A custom website, on the other hand, is designed specifically for you and your business. This doesn't make it unique. A simple black text on white background informational site with buttons across the top and a logo in the upper-left corner isn't by any stretch of the imagination unique, but it might be just fine for your business. The great thing about a custom website design is not only that it does the jobs you need it to do, but that it can actually be more affordable than a less customized but still unique website.

So in the end - what, you need more elaboration on that point? How can custom actually be more affordable than non-custom? Well, look at it this way. A custom website design is best when it springs from a custom web design package. That is, a package designed and priced specifically for the website that is being custom built. On the other hand, a non-custom package is likely to include a lot of features that you don't actually need. It's always better, in my opinion and experience, to work with your website designer to get the package and the price that is perfect for you, rather than having to buy a pre-designed package that requires you pay for three features you don't need to get the one you want.

So in the end, if you're looking to get a website created, I'd advise to begin your efforts searching for a unique, custom website design that also happens to be affordable. Getting what you need for the best possible price, and looking good while you're doing it, is always better than spending extra cash to mimic what's already been done.

Awards and Trophies

Awards and trophies are a symbol of success, a very tangible pat on the back by people with the clout to truly mean it when they say, "good job." A big holiday bonus can just as easily be the generosity of the giver as a mark of superior performance. Utilitarian devices that serve practical purposes might be excellent motivators, but how many people will see their toaster as a mark of prestige in a year's time? In the end, these things are payments, rewards commensurate (or sometimes not) with the effort brought to bear or the practical value of the service provided.

But there's a difference between a reward for your actions and an award for your proficiency. A set of awards and trophies in a glass case is a show of skill, a mark that you have in the past outperformed your peers and are quite ready, willing, and able to do so again. Conversely, filling that space with two toasters, an mp3 player, and the ticket stubs from your Hawaii weekend getaway only proves that you don't like loud music, have a strange fixation with burned bread, and never, ever throw away anything that has been written on paper. And when you are starting up your own business and want to make an immediate impression on any client who walks through your door, which is the picture you would like to paint.

Awards and trophies are the quintessential emblems of victory over a persistent and proficient opposition. Prominently emblazoned with your name and engraved with the specific reason for the award, they stand as irrefutable displays of past accomplishments and strong indicators of future displays of superior ability. Awards and trophies aren't just earned; they're won. It's a simple fact that ours is a competitive world, where people and groups alike strive constantly against each other to prove their prowess and obtain the rewards they deserve for it. As such, as other organizations and individuals seek to claim their share of the resources we have available, they will strive to enlist those most likely to aid them in their efforts. And which is a finer show of such skill? A marble-base acrylic trophy engraved with your name and the competition you won, or a toaster?

So think, perhaps, about the awards and trophies you've earned in the past, and the people you've showed them off to. Agents? Clients? Partners? Or maybe you more humbly kept it to yourself, an enduring symbol of past victories that needs no recognition to inspire your confidence and enhance your drive to succeed. Think maybe about the awards and trophies you've seen from others, and when thinking about those symbols of success and the people who possessed them, consider how those various medals and statues translated into displays of true and remarkable capability in your future dealings. And then, when you are in the position where you want to encourage success and give a lasting reward to the person who comes out on top, think back on these things and decide whether you want to pay for an engraved custom trophy or award...or a toaster.