Summarize the following:
The first step is to remove any debris from your floors. Grab a broom and sweep your floor clean. You may also want to mop it with warm water and a little bit of a water-based cleaner.  Remove loose surface dirt and dust with a clean, soft cotton cloth in specific areas, like under furniture. Suck up dust or surface dirt with a vacuum cleaner, using the hose and soft brush attachments. Cleaners that have a neutral PH balance won’t disturb the finish of your floor. Cleaners like detergents can remove dust and dirt, but have a higher PH balance. Only use these on older floors. To get a real good cleaning in that lifts the dirt and grime you can’t remove by sweeping you can damp-mop your floors. Use a wood cleaning product that is designed for your hardwood floor. Dilute the product in water according to the instructions on the bottle. Then, dip a sponge or mop into your solution and wring it out until it is close to dry. Scrub your floor.  You want your sponge or mop to be damp and not wet so you don’t leave any standing water on your floor. Floor cleaners like Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner are specifically made to be safe on hardwood floors, and will even get rid of scuff marks and hardened spills. Before you go and start scrubbing at those scratches, marks, and stains, determine which kind of hardwood floor you have. If your stains are surface level, you probably have a hard urethane finish. However, if the stain goes deeper into the wood, you may have a soft oiled finish.  For hard finishes, only use a soft, clean cloth to wipe. Harder brushes, harsh chemicals with a higher PH balance, or steel wool can ruin your coating. For soft finishes, you can use No. 000 steel wool and wood floor wax. If the area doesn’t lighten up, apply vinegar to warm water and soak the area for about an hour. Then rinse with a clean damp cloth. As a general rule for soft finishes, use steel wool and floor wax for tougher marks, and a light cloth with dishwashing detergent and water for lighter, or oil-based stains.

summary: Clean excess dust or dirt from the wood floor. Damp-mop the floor. Remove marks.


Summarize the following:
You’re more likely to be successful if you’re pursuing a goal that is your own rather than one you feel forced on you. Consider your purpose and motivation for accomplishing this goal.  Pursue goals that matter to you, not others. In some cases you might be working toward a goal that isn’t a top priority for you but is still important. For example, your goal might be to excel in a course you find boring and purposeless. When this happens, refocus your efforts by considering how this goal will help you reach your overall goal, such as getting into your desired college. Looking at your goal as a whole can be overwhelming. Instead, create a checklist of the small tasks you need to do to reach your goal. It doesn’t have to be a perfect plan, as you can adjust it along the way.  If your goal is very large, you might create smaller sub-steps for each action you need to take. Be flexible. It’s normal for your plans to change. As you accomplish each step, take a moment to assess your progress. Based on your experience and current outcomes, make changes to your plan, if necessary. If you’re struggling to accomplish a step, consider if you’ve set expectations that are too high. You might be attempting too much at once. Reaching your goals will take good self-discipline, so hold yourself accountable. Letting yourself down can make you feel bad about yourself, but staying true to your word will help you feel confident. You may have days when you can’t keep all of your promises to yourself. As long as you do your best, give yourself credit for trying. Consider why you couldn’t meet your goals that day, then adjust as necessary moving forward. Don’t expect yourself to work constantly, as no one can keep up with this pace. Give yourself permission to rest, relax, and blow off steam. In the long run, you’ll be more productive!  Dedicate one weeknight each week to relaxation. Spend one weekend day engaging in fun or relaxing activities. Take a few vacation days each year. Enjoy your holidays with your favorite traditions.

summary: Make sure your motivation is internal. Break your goal down into small steps. Adjust your plans as necessary. Keep the promises you make to yourself. Take regular breaks.


Summarize the following:
Make sure you connect with your partner emotionally. You shouldn’t have to beg for your future husband’s attention, nor should you feel low on the list of people he wants to spend time with. You should feel like you get the attention you need and connect on an emotional level.  Look for a man you can openly talk to and who makes you feel understood. For example, people in a healthy emotional relationship will turn toward one another during times of hardship and in times of celebration. Talk about his friendships and his relationship with his family. Look for a man who is capable of holding long-term relationships and has life-long friends. Notice how he navigates his relationships: see how he handles conflicts, shows support, and gets involved with the people he loves. If he has lots of conflicts in his relationships or has cut off friends or family members, ask about what led to these actions and why they have happened repeatedly. The person you marry may not be the same person in 5, 10, or 50 years. Both you and he will change, so ready yourself. Both of you will likely make changes in your lives physically, mentally and emotionally. If you become parents or go through other major life changes, make it a goal to change together, not apart. If you’re looking for the right man, see if he can be flexible with changes and turn toward you and not away from you. Notice how he responds to changes in his life and ask yourself how he would do in the long-term.
summary: See if he’s emotionally available. Look at his friendships and family relationships. Be ready to change together.