Problem: Article: Even a minor leak in a faucet can add up to 3,000 gallons (11,356 L) of wasted water over the course of a year. To prevent this waste and save the water, address a faucet leak as soon as you discover it by fixing it yourself or calling a plumber. While you wait for the leak to be fixed, catch as much dripping water as possible by installing a bucket under the leaking water. You can use this water for cooking, cleaning, and in the garden. New water-friendly faucets are low-flow models, and this means they use less water per minute than conventional faucets. In fact, you can reduce the flow rate of the water coming out of your faucet by over 3 gallons (11 L) per minute by switching to a low-flow faucet. When shopping for a new faucet, look for terms like low-flow, water-efficient, water-smart, and water sense. Motion sensors on the faucet can also help you save water in the kitchen because they automatically shut off when you pull your hands away. Because of this, it’s not possible to leave the water running when you don’t need it!  Automatic faucets are also great for cleaning and sanitation, because you don’t have to use your dirty hands to turn the faucets on. Adding more insulation to water pipes helps prevent heat from getting lost through the pipes. This can help you save water because hot water will get to your taps faster, and you won’t waste as much water waiting for the hot to arrive when you're doing dishes and such. When you do have to let the water run to get to temperature, use a bucket or pitcher to catch the water and use it for cooking, cleaning, or drinking. Garbage disposals may be convenient, but they waste a lot of water. To use your disposal properly, you have to run water before, during, and after each cycle, and this adds up to a lot of water over the year. Instead of using the garbage disposal, try composting your own food, or take advantage of neighborhood green waste programs if possible.
Summary: Fix leaks immediately. Install water-efficient faucets. Install a motion-sensor faucet. Insulate your hot water pipes. Avoid using the garbage disposal.

Problem: Article: Journaling is a great way to express your feelings, encourage yourself, and overcome your fear of success. Writing in your journal on a regular basis can help you identify specific fears as well as the strategies that help you overcome them. It’s also a way to document your successes and progress you are making in achieving them.  Write about your successes, no matter how large or how small. For instance, if you’re elected to speak for your project group, write about it. Take it a step further and write a small statement expressing that you had nothing to fear from the success. For example, you might write, “I aced my test. I was afraid of doing well, but it feels good.” Write about other things going on in your life whether they are good or bad, big or small. Write about how you feel about these things. Try to write in your journal at least every few days or so. One way to improve your self-confidence and remind yourself that you can succeed is to write down all of the good things about yourself. Making a list of your strengths, skills, and talents can help you overcome feelings that you don’t deserve success or can’t achieve it.  Include talents and skills you have such as playing an instrument, sports, cooking, typing, programming, singing, writing, dancing, etc. Put personality traits on the list as well. For instance, you might write, “my sense of humor, curiosity, empathy, loyalty.” Ask your close friends and family for strengths you might have overlooked. You might say, for example, “Will you look over my list of strengths and see if there’s anything I left off?” Part of your fear of success might be because of feelings that you don’t deserve success. You can overcome these feelings and your fear of success by maintaining a positive, encouraging, and confident opinion of yourself.  Each morning tell yourself, “I’m worthy of success. I can succeed and I deserve to succeed.” Make sure to include these positive affirmations in your journaling! Stop yourself when negative self-thoughts creep in. For example, if you find yourself thinking, “I can’t do this. I’m not good enough,” stop yourself and think, “No, I CAN do this and I AM good enough.” If you need to, refer to your list of strengths to find things to tell yourself. You can boost your self-confidence and begin to overcome a fear of success if you congratulate yourself and celebrate your achievements. Practice getting comfortable with success by telling someone about your achievement, however small. Acknowledge small achievements and any time you make an effort to succeed. This will help you become more comfortable with reaching your goals and realize that you have nothing to fear from success.  Treat yourself to a cupcake and frozen yogurt if you finish the manuscript you’ve been working on even if you haven’t submitted it yet, for example. Or, for instance, you might reward yourself with a massage if you send your supervisor an email asking to discuss a promotion.
Summary: Start journaling. List your strengths. Use positive self-talk. Reward yourself.

Problem: Article: These are not required for ultrasound technicians, but you will greatly increase your marketability—and in turn, your paycheck—by successfully completing these exams and becoming a certified ultrasound technician or Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS).  The exams include two parts: a general physics section and a sub-specialty of your choice (ob-gyn, abdominal, etc.). Take as many exams as you want to get extra certifications that will let you specialize in certain fields. You've gone through the training, taken the tests, and now you're officially a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. Look for job openings at hospitals, doctor's offices and health clinics in your area.
Summary: Take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) exams. Apply for jobs.

Problem: Article: Though your needy friend has likely taken a lot of your focus, take some time to reconnect with others. Avoid spending time with those who are needy or attention seeking, but instead with friends who are independent and fun. Spend time with family, as well. Your friend might really be taking a toll on your mental and emotional health. Try not to let their emotional baggage drain you; find someone who you can vent to.  Beware, however, of becoming needy with them. Make time for them to talk to you about their problems, too.  Talk to them a few times about the issue and then try to move on. Avoid speaking badly about your friend to them or sharing their secrets. If the friendship is taking a big toll on your life, consider seeing a therapist to talk through this issue with. The busier you are, the less time you will have to give in to your friend’s neediness. Keep yourself busy with work and school, hang out with friends, and spend time enjoying hobbies like dancing, doing science experiments, playing soccer, or reading. If your friend wants to hang out, simply tell them all of the things that you have to do that day.
Summary:
Spend time with your non-needy friends. Talk to someone you trust. Keep yourself busy.