The ubiquitous microwave oven is an appliance used daily, both at work and at home. And yet so few people possess the knowledge and skills necessary to reap the maximum productivity from this modern time-saving device.

Here are several tips for optimal microwave oven usage:

1. Reduce unnecessary key punching.

Are you one of those plebeians who still punches in 1-0-0 to heat an item for a minute or 1-3-0 for a minute and a half? Use 6-0 for 60 seconds and 9-0 for 90 seconds, and save yourself that extra digit. Learn to type two digits for anything up to 99 seconds. You’ll save time and also reduce wear and tear on your keypad.

2. Duplicate the same digit whenever possible.

Tip #1 was for newbies. The next skill to master is digit reuse so as to minimize finger movement over the keypad. Instead of typing 9-0 for 90 seconds, type 8-8. Instead of 6-0, use 5-5. You won’t miss those extra seconds, and you’ll save even more time.

3. If your microwave has a turntable, learn its rotational period.

How many times have you re-nuked your tea only to find that when you opened the microwave door, the teacup handle was oriented towards the rear, forcing you to reach awkwardly around the back to extract your beverage without burning yourself? The time lost in handle-hunting can be an order of magnitude greater than what you save on the keypad, so give top priority to learning the period of rotation of your turntable. When shopping for a new microwave, look for one with a rotational period of 5.5 or 11 seconds, since then your 5-5 and 8-8 nukes will always return the cooked item to its original orientation (i.e. handle facing out). But if you’re stuck with a less functional period of rotation and the handle always ends up facing the rear after your preferred nuke times, then learn to insert the cold mug with the handle facing the rear, so it will be facing outwards post-nuking. Of course, another solution is to buy two-handled mugs or teacups, which is fine if sophistication lacks appeal to you.

4. Multitask with multiple microwaves.

How many times have you had to wait for the microwave to finish one item before you nuke a second or third item, like reheating leftovers and then making a cup of tea? Surely you have better things to do than stand around soaking up radiation for 10 minutes. New microwave ovens can be bought for less than $50. You should have at least three stacked in your kitchen and at least one in every room of your home. Reheat leftovers for the entire family in minutes. Build your own nuke farm, and multi-nuke your way to faster meals for life. Just be sure not to blow a fuse by running too many other appliances at the same time.

By applying these tips, you could save yourself precious seconds per day, which over the course of a lifetime, should be more than enough to recoop the time spent learning them… unless, of course, you’re reading this on your deathbed, in which case you have my sincerest apologies (and my pity).

Next time: Why you should wear a wristwatch on each wrist (what if your non-watch hand happens to be closer to your face???)… PLUS determining optimal coaster placement.

Copyright © Steve Pavlina

Steve Pavlina
Personal Development for Smart People
http://www.stevepavlina.com
http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog (blog)
http://www.stevepavlina.com/articles (articles)

Steve is intensely growth-oriented. He trained in martial arts, ran the L.A. Marathon, and graduated from college in three semesters with two degrees. He can juggle, count cards at blackjack, and make damn good guacamole. Steve is also a polyphasic sleeper, sleeping just 2-3 hours per day and only 20 minutes at a time. So chances are good that he’s awake right now.

Alaska fishing has a way of exceeding your wildest fishing expectations in a most spectacular fashion. Whatever fishing passion you have, be it saltwater, freshwater, ice fishing, or fly fishing, Alaska fishing has the lakes, rivers, and streams to turn your fishing fantasies into measurable reality.

More than 600 fish species populate the waters that has made an Alaska fishing expedition such a sought after experience. One of the most renowned fishing areas to explore is the Kenai river. This is where your main course of a mega-monster King Salmon is waiting for you… For dessert you are presented with a choice of silvers, red salmon, Rainbow Trout, and Dolly Varden.

If the season is right, and you are up to the challenge, Silver Salmon will give you the opportunity to hone your fishing techniques, adding spice to tall fishing tales… From early August to the end of September, Silver Salmon thrills Alaska fishing fans in both the lower and upper sections of the Kenai. Guides in the area are experts in powerboating, backtrolling, casting spinners, and a variety of other techniques. Resurrection Bay is another of the popular Silver Salmon mooching and trolling areas.

Five Ways To First-Rate Alaska Fishing

Halibut From A Houseboat: If you prefer to do your own thing, at your own pace, a houseboat may be just what you need on your Alaska fishing expedition. A variety of options are available, such as mooring in the Prince William Sound bay. The houseboat has all the amenities you need, while you have access to coastal Salmon, Halibut, or Rockfish.

Alternatively opt for a houseboat-based Northern Pike trip on a tributary of the Yukon. The custom built boats don’t skimp on comfort and luxury, while moving with the season to ensure that you have access to impressive Northern Pikes. These Alaska fishing waters offer the perfect conditions for Pike performance, in terms of food, temperature, and water movement.

Dream Catches From A Drift Boat: The Kasilof River, home of King Salmon, Reds, and Silver Salmon, provides the background music while you are floating down river on a drift boat. No outboard motor means no noise pollution - the beauty of Alaska fishing. With wildlife abounding in the area you pass through, you will have enough to occupy your mind while you are waiting for a nibble.

Alaska fishing also offers guided drift boat adventures on the Upper Kenai. Catch and release Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden, or stick with the specified quotas for Salmon. Reputable guides play by the rules, knowing that preservation ensures long term enjoyment of the splendid Alaskan wilds. With the Chugach National Forest keeping watch over the river, you will soon realize that there is no better trophy-trout fishing spot.

Comfortable Charters Are Quite A Catch: Both for day trips, and evening tours, a charter is an Alaska fishing find for families. Salmon, Black Bass, Halibut, and Rockfish can be your quarry from the comfort of a charter boat. A few hours at night, or a lengthy day stint, exhibits Alaska fishing at its best. Some outfits even offer a water-taxi to cater for your family, while you enjoy undisturbed hours of exhilarating fishing fun.

If you are a novice, there are more than enough help on board to get you hooked on fishing for life. You don’t even have to do the cleaning yourself! Additional services offered include arrangements to have your catch vacuum packed and frozen, ready for your trip home.

Bunk Down For Bank Fishing: Make use of the spacious cabins Alaska fishing outfits have available, with easy access to bank fishing. King Salmon, Silvers, and Rainbow Trout are all within reach, depending on the season. As discussed in an article at Fishing-Things.com, the cabins are comfortably furnished, with some even offering satellite television! Once you set eyes on the Alaskan wilderness however, the box is sure to lose much of its attraction… Apart from the Kenai and Kasilof, the Moose and Swanson will test your technique.

Fly In For Fly Fishing: Floatplanes ensure a unique introduction to the magic of Alaska fishing. Fly-outs are organized by many fishing outfits in the area, allowing you to reach remote regions that are otherwise inaccessible.

The breathtaking Alaskan wilderness is a solitude haven, with vast, tranquil mountain lake areas, and streams that are home to Arctic Grayling, Rainbow Trout, and a number of salmon species. During August a popular destination is Cook Inlet’s west side for Dolly Varden and silvers. Most operators will provide spinning gear for use. If Kings give you a kick, the Nushagak river should be one of your stopping points.

Make sure that you are equipped for sudden cold snaps or showers, double check your camera equipment, finalize fishing gear, and head out on your Alaska fishing trip.

Negotiations can seem as complex as physics, and in fact, people go to college to study the science of negotiating just as they would the laws of nature. At the same time, negotiation is like an ancient art form, some sort of Zen mental jujitsu. When neither the Zen nor the science works, though, no one wins.

Just ask any hockey fan out there. The recent lockout and cancellation of the 2004-2005 NHL season is a perfect example of poor negotiating. Both the players’ union and the league owners broke all of the rules when it came to brokering an agreement on player contracts. The result are hockey rinks across North America that are so quiet that you can hear a pin dropunfortunately, not a puck. In dollar terms, professional hockey is missing out on television contracts, advertising fees, and tons of ticket sales.

Of course, you won’t lose billions in revenue if you fail at the latest negotiation at your favorite online classified or auction site. But you could let a treasure slip through your fingers. Success in deal making, on the other hand, could land you that rookie Bobby Orr card, signed Stanley Cup puck, or whatever other fantastic item you’re bidding on.

Plus, proper negotiations and compromise can ensure that you get the item for its fair value, including a good price on shipping and taxes. This increases the profitability of the trade for both you and the seller. The deal gets closed without nasty disputes, blow-ups, or hip checks. And both of you are left to do business again in the future.

To score all of these benefits, and avoid your own mini lockout, follow these simple tips on negotiating that will net results at online classified sites. As you’ll see, victory isn’t so much an exact science or a mystic sixth sense. It’s more about simple know-how and common sense.

Warm up. Don’t jump into a negotiation cold. Before you even face off with your opponent, figure out for yourself what would count as a victory. What do you exactly want out of the tradeand at what price?

Consider a truce. It may not even be worth dropping the puck at all. In other words, negotiations, like hockey games, can end in a loss for the home team, you. So weigh this risk before you start. If the item at hand is a dream buy, you may not want to endanger your purchase with a drawn-out negotiation.

Know when to pass. On the other hand, if the item is far from dreamyand you’re pretty sure something better may come along lateryou could pass on negotiations. Or go for the score. Offer a lowball price. If you win, you won’t be out too much, and if you lose, it won’t leave a mark either. But be certain if you play this game. You could miss this opportunity without a guarantee of future prospects.

Know your enemy. Coaches and players spend hours before games watching films of their impending competition to study their tendencies. You need to take the same approach when it comes to making a deal. Try to read your opponent’s mind. What is his or her goals in the negotiation? Does he or she have any strengths that they can use against you? Are there any weaknesses that you can use against them?

Spot all of your passing lanes. During your research, you may find that this particular vendor isn’t the only one in the game with what you’re looking for. Using these other vendors, and their prices, to your advantage can help you skate circles around your competitor.

Practice before you play. Also, research the item before you make a play on it. This knowledge, such as the going price and quality markers, can work as leverage during the negotiating, too.

Translate thought into action. Your strategy can become more complicated and unpredictableand effectiveonce you’re in the heat of battle. Just remember to think on your feet and remember all that you learned in your “training.” For instance, if you know that the vendor has other items for sale besides your target, agree easily to one of these other purchases. Go for the easy one first. That will lure them into trusting you and giving you an easy pass on future, and more important, deals.

When it comes down to it, negotiation is all about this kind of give and take. It works out best when both parties get what they want out of the deal, without feeling ripped off as if they gave too much for too little.

That brings you to the one “don’t” of negotiating. Don’t fear a standoff. They are part of the art and science of trading, so don’t be tempted to cave in just to break the deadlock. Instead, let your opponent make the first move. They will. They want to close the deal, too, don’t forget. You both will be better off for this in the long run. And you won’t end up like the NHL, the No Hockey League.

Donald Lee is the public relations manager for Buysellcommunity.com. Buysellcommunity provides free classified listing services for individuals and businesses to market their products and services online. For global and localized classifieds, please visit
www.buysellcommunity.com - Free Buy & Sell Classifieds

Are you too busy to put yourself first? If a plane loses
oxygen pressure for any reason, oxygen masks will drop down
from a small overhead compartment. If the oxygen masks come
down in a plane and you have children, you are always
advised to put yours on first before helping your children.

Why? Because you are in a better position to help your
children put their masks on if you are not struggling for
air.

I have noticed that when I am calm and relaxed it is much
easier to deal with anything that life throws at me, and to
become calm I have often needed to put myself first, often
by saying no.

When I am tired or stressed, I am rarely very effective.
Time out is vital as it allows us to recharge our batteries.
It is similar to running a car without regular service and
maintenance - it will inevitably break down one day, usually
at the most inconvenient time. If you are tired or stressed,
you won’t have the patience or the energy to be able to give
much to anyone else.

Taking care of ourselves and putting our priorities first
may feel selfish to you. But if you are running on empty,
what will you have left to give others? If you are burned
out, stressed and overloaded, what will be left of you to
share? You cannot give away what you don’t have. When we put
ourselves first and do what we need to do to stay healthy
and vibrant, we have more to give to other people and tasks.

Make a list of activities you can do daily that will give
your mind and body a break and help to renew your energy. If
you need inspiration, magazines and newspapers have ideas
almost every week. You may have previously ignored them as
you thought you didn’t have time, or you were so busy
looking after everyone else.

Take a break

If you are doing something that is really frustrating you
need to take a break - step away from the situation. The
more stressed you are, the less likely you are to be
effective in solving a problem. In the past I have often
been stuck on something, thinking that I will solve the
problem while I am sitting at my desk. I rarely do.

How long is it since you took a break at work?
The value of stepping away from work is that you come back
more refreshed and see things in a different way. And with a
calmer mind you will find it easier to focus, not on 101
things you haven’t done, but on one thing, which you can
handle. When you return, refocus by asking the question,
What do I need to get done in the next hour?

Get walking

I read so many articles telling me how good exercise is for
my health - I know that and so do you, I am sure. Exercise
is wonderfully distracting; it’s actually very difficult to
think about your problems while exercising! Just 15 minutes is enough to unfreeze
your brain so you gain a different perspective.

About The Author:

Carolyn Matheson is Author of “Yes to Less Stress”

To receive her free weekly newsletter, sign up today: http://www.areustressed.com/newsletter-signup.htm