Stop Sitting On The Fence!

Dithering about decisions wastes time, darin energy and add stress. Imagine how great you'd feel if you just did it now. Learn how to make up your-fast.

PRACTISE making small decisions. Making a choice that will have a big impact on your life is bound to be hard, because change involves an element of uncertainty and takes you out of your comfort zone.

“If you’re not a natural risk-taker, then taking that leap will be very unsettling,” says Pam Richardson, author of Life Coach: Become The Person You’ve Always Wanted To Be. “Also, once you make it final, your other options are out of reach.”

If you’re faced with something that’s just too big for STOP sitting on the fence! Dithering about decisions wastes time, drains energy and adds stress. Imagine how great you’d feel if you just did it now. Learn how to make up your mind – fast! you to tackle without having a minor nervous breakdown, then take the scenic route by splitting up that big decision into a series of smaller ones. “Choose the option that’s going to get you one step closer to your goal, and take action,” she advises.

Stay safe online

Keep logging on but keep savvy because the internet is a great hiding place for people who could be out to take advantage of you.

Controlling your image on social networks
The internet is a public space, and anyone can see the pictures or info you put up about yourself on your site. While it's great to be creative and individual, a good rule to remember is you should be just as happy for your mates to see your online name or profile picture as for your mum, maths teacher or the creepy guy who lives down the street to see it. If you're on MySpace, click the "no pic forwarding" option on your settings, or people can send images of you wherever they like without your consent. If you put up a sexy pic of yourself, some people out there might think you're up for some sexy chat, and that's when things can get dangerous!

Don't make it easy for weirdos
No one needs to see your email address or phone number online, so don't put it out there. Mates will have your number already and if they don't, they can send you a private message and you can respond personally. Any information about where you go to school, or pictures of you or your mates in uniform, will make it easy for someone to find you for a face-to-face meeting, invited or not, so be careful not to post pictures or info that can identify where you live. Using your last name can make you findable too, and even mentioning when or where you might be going to a party or gig can be an accidental invite. If your mates need directions, get them to call you or at least message you privately.

Trust your instincts
Don't be persuaded to give out information or send pictures to anyone online you don't know in ‘real life'. The second you feel weird about someone who's online with you or your friends, talk to the site administrator and go offline. If you're worried about someone online, talk to an adult you trust. If it seems serious and you're worried about your safety or a friend's safety, report it online at thinkuknow.net. If you're really scared and think someone knows where you are and is out to physically find you, go offline and call the police on 999.

Keep thinking
Go to www.thinkuknow.net for loads more tips on staying in control and keeping social networking and gaming fun. As well as how to make sure you get what you intend when downloading music files or podcasts, the site even shows you how to keep your computer safe form viruses.

Top Smile Savers and Spoilers

Somewhere in America right now, a student's science fair project is demonstrating cola's ability to eat through tooth enamel. It's not pretty. But soda isn't the only food that does a number on your grin. Here are some of your smile's worst enemies -- and best friends.

THE ENEMIES LIST
Soda, fruit juice, and sports drinks

Not only are they sugary, they're acidic, and that creates a perfect home for the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease -- especially if you tend to sip on one or another of these drinks all day (who, us?). Acid-neutralizing saliva just can't keep up. The realistic fix Nobody's saying go cold turkey but for all-day swigging, choose water. Reserve these pick-me-ups for once-a-day use. And buy some straws -- sipping through them (try this trick) shrinks teeth-exposure time.

Sticky stuff

We're not just talking gooey caramels or fruit rollups. Bread, crackers, chips, sweet rolls, and other refined carbohydrates are nearly as likely to cling to teeth as a Tootsie Roll -- and they hang on for at least 20 minutes. Not good.

The realistic fix

Try to say no to sticky sweets and carbs when you can't brush afterward. Alternatively, slosh some water around in your mouth or chew a stick of sugarless gum that's sweetened with xylitol. The gum helps remove sticky food particles from your teeth, and xylitol curbs cavity causers and increases healthy saliva.

YOUR SMILE'S BEST FRIENDS

Cheese, please

Eating a bit of cheddar (or whatever) at the end of a meal helps protect teeth. It stimulates the production of cleansing saliva, plus the calcium in cheese helps harden teeth.

Crunchy things

Crisp apples, celery and carrots are nature's little toothbrush alternatives. Not only do they help rid your mouth of food particles but their rough, fibrous texture actually scrubs away as you chew, slightly brightening your smile.

Have a cuppa

Drinking tea after eating can help destroy the germs that cause cavities, gum disease, and phewy breath. That goes for both green and black teas.

Shiitake mushrooms

These delicate, delicious flavor-boosters contain lenitan, a plant substance that's anything but a lightweight: It fights both tooth plaque and the bacteria that live in it.

7 Secrets for Success

Business expert Lynne Franks tells how to come out on top
By Abby Ellin

1. Use the Internet

The Web is an invaluable research tool, especially for job seekers and entrepreneurs. Visit monster.com, where more than 50,000 available jobs are listed and you can elicit career advice from experts. Go to kforce.com for tips about resume writing, interviewing and asking for a raise. If you're an entrepreneur, check out inc.com to learn about writing a business plan and finding financing.

2. Assess Your Attributes

Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses. Then ask people who know you well -- and who will be honest -- to modify it. Finally, think about how you can use each attribute for your benefit. For example, if you are always restless, consider finding a job that includes travel.

3. Overcome Your Fears

To reach your potential, it's critical that you conquer any fears you might have. Start by forcing yourself to tackle something unrelated to work, something that you've never dared to do. For example, I used to fear going to the movies by myself, but one day I just did it. After accomplishing this challenge, your old phobia will seem silly, like mine did, and you'll have more self-confidence. Use this to face your fears at the office, such as public speaking, one by one.

4. Declutter Your Life

Getting organized will let you free up your mind and gain clarity. In addition to clearing out your desk and files, clean your computer desktop by trashing old emails and documents. To eliminate paper pileup, use an electric organizer. Also organize personal things, like your wallet, makeup bag and clothing closet.

5. Protect Your Sanity

Being stress-free is key for warding off burnout. Try doing at least one physical activity a day. Also, create a quiet space in your home where you can relax; go there for at least five minutes each day.

6. Don't Trust Blindly

Not everyone you work with is necessarily on your side. Be careful whom you rely upon and whom you confide in.

7. Be True to Your Values

Ask yourself: How do I want to live my life? Then think about whether your company allows you to do this. If it doesn't, consider a job change.

Lynne Franks is a seasoned PR pro and the author of The Seed Handbook (Putnam; 2000). Log on to http://www.lynnefranks.com/ for more career advice.

Superman: Kryptonite

Scientists unearth Superman's "kryptonite"

LONDON (Reuters) - Kryptonite, which robbed Superman of his powers, is no longer the stuff of comic books and films.

A mineral found by geologists in Serbia shares virtually the same chemical composition as the fictional kryptonite from outer space, used by the superhero's nemesis Lex Luther to weaken him in the film "Superman Returns."

"We will have to be careful with it -- we wouldn't want to deprive Earth of its most famous superhero!," said Dr Chris Stanley, a mineralogist at London's Natural History Museum.

Stanley, who revealed the identity of the mysterious new mineral, discovered the match after searching the Internet for its chemical formula - sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide.

"I was amazed to discover that same scientific name written on a case of rock containing kryptonite stolen by Lex Luther from a museum in the film Superman Returns," he said.

The substance has been confirmed as a new mineral after tests by scientists at the Natural History Museum in London and the National Research Council in Canada

But instead of the large green crystals in Superman comics, the real thing is a white, powdery substance which contains no fluorine and is non-radioactive.

The mineral, to be named Jadarite, will go on show at the London's Natural History Museum at certain times of the day on Wednesday, April 25, and Sunday, May 13.

Sleepless Male Professional

According to sleep experts, the hectic work and social lives of male professionals, including managers, executives and businessmen, are responsible for their lack of sleep. In the long run, sleep deprivation can result in low productivity, mood swings, anxiety attacks, reduced immunity and even fatal accidents. So, make sure that your man gets his beauty sleep, too!