By Kelly Quigley, REALTOR® Magazine
Organize Your Garage in No Time by Barry Izsak (Que, 2005)
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Garages come in many shapes and sizes, but most have one thing in common: clutter. Faced with a mountain of old sports equipment, broken lawnmowers, and little-used tools, some home owners have a hard time finding room in the garage for their car. But when it comes time to sell a house, disorganization in this all-important area is a turnoff to potential buyers, who’ll be unable to imagine their own stuff in the space. This book—filled with checklists, photos, and practical tips—will help sellers turn their garage into an asset. The guide also benefits buyers who want to make the most of their new garage. Home owners will learn how to analyze their storage needs, decide what to throw away, and eliminate safety hazards. Money-saving tips and creative storage solutions also make this book worth the read.
Tips From the Book:
- Empty the garage. If you plan to tackle a garage organization project in one day, it’s most effective to remove everything from the garage, or from large sections of it, and haul it to the driveway. There, you can sort through it easier and group similar items together. Just be sure that you don’t drag out more than you can deal with during the time you have allotted to the project. Otherwise, you’ll end up dragging it all back in.
- Keep, donate, or throw away. Separate your items into one of these three categories. When deciding which category to place each item, ask yourself some important questions: When was the last time you used it, if ever? Is the item in good working condition and safe to keep? It is something that’s still useful and relevant? Do you have a place to keep it? What is the worst thing that would happen if you got rid of it?
- Use what you already have. Before you decide to buy new organizing systems for the garage, look around the house and ask yourself if you have any furniture that you’re no longer using or have considered replacing. That old dresser, buffet, bookcase, TV card, or filing cabinet can make attractive, original, and economical garage storage systems.
By Kelly Quigley, REALTOR® Magazine
The How of Wow: A Guide to Giving a Speech That Will Positively Blow ’Em Away by Tony Carlson (AMACOM, 2005)
Buy this book from Amazon.com
Giving a speech is a prime opportunity to build your personal brand and connect with prospects. But for many people, public speaking is a source of anxiety—something that’s avoided at all costs. Rather than pass up a chance to get your name out and reinforce your expertise, learn how to give a confident speech that will resonate with listeners. This book will guide you through every step—from deciding whether to accept a speaking engagement to crafting a memorable message that captures the audience’s attention. Each chapter is written concisely and concludes with “key points” to remember. You’ll walk away knowing the traps to avoid and the extra touches that make a speech successful.
Tips From the Book:
- You don’t have to say yes. Public speaking is a wonderful opportunity, but there are instances in which it’s best to take a pass. To decide whether or not to accept an offer to speak, first consider who the audience will be and whether speaking to them will help you meet your goals. Ask yourself if you’re comfortable speaking on the designated topic, and find out if there will be other speakers.
- Observe many and emulate the best. Some of the best speakers of our time have borrowed tricks and techniques from other speakers they admire. You can do the same. Watch as many speaking engagements as you can—either live or on TV—and jot down the styles that resonate with you. Also, note the styles that you really don’t like so you can avoid falling into the same traps.
- Keep a “good stuff” file. When surfing the Web, browsing magazines, or reading the daily newspaper, clip the interesting articles or factoids that could spice up your speech. Surprising statistics, witty jokes, and fun historical trivia will capture the audience’s attention and make your speech more memorable.
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