Problem: Article: Mix bronze powder with a quick-drying spar varnish according to the package directions in a plastic or glass bowl. Stir the liquid bronze thoroughly to prevent particles from settling in the bottom of the bowl. You can purchase liquid bronze at a hardware store or print supply company. Hold the shoe by the wire loop with your non-dominant hand. Then use your dominant hand to apply a thin coat of liquid bronze to each shoe with a camel hair brush. Start on the top of each shoe and work your way down the sides toward the sole. Make sure you paint all of the shoe’s surface area, including any part of the shoe’s inside that is visible. After applying liquid bronze to the shoes, allow them to dry. Hold the shoe by the wire loop you inserted, and then hang the wire loop on a hook or nail. You should let them dry for at least ten minutes, or longer, in between coats. Once the shoes dry from the initial coat of liquid bronze, look to see if there are dull spots on the shoes. This is an indication that the bronze has soaked through the shoes and you will need to apply at least one more coat of bronze. You will likely need to apply several coats of liquid bronze to each shoe until both shoes are shiny and completely covered in bronze.
Summary: Prepare the liquid bronze in a bowl. Apply a coat of liquid bronze to each shoe. Hang the shoes to dry. Apply additional coats as needed.

Problem: Article: The reason questions are a successful sales tactic is that they allow the customer to do most of the talking. This gives you a better idea of what their needs are and how you can sell your product to them. But this only works if you actually give your customer time to talk. In other words, don't drown them in product description and technical information. Instead, save this information for later, when you've identified the problem and already sold them on the fact that you can provide a solution. After all, if they just wanted information, odds are they could get it on your website. You need to figure out exactly what you could bring to your prospect and how what you bring can further their overall goals. You already have the first part from your discussions of the customer's problem. However, for the second part you will need an idea of what the customer wants to achieve overall. Try coming at this directly with something like, "What are you looking to accomplish in the next few years?" or "What is the primary long-term goal of your business?". From here, you can tailor the language and content of your product or service offering to how you can help them along the path to achieving their goals. You can also draw out customer desires by asking them to imagine the future of their business or life. You can either ask about how their life or business will be in the future or how they hope your business relationship will develop. For example, try asking, "Where do you see yourself/your company in five years? Ten years?" or, "How do you see your business developing if we go through with this deal?". You can gather even more information by asking other hypothetical questions like, "If you had no monetary constraints, what changes would you make?". Listen to these responses and think about the solutions you could provide. At regular intervals, especially if you are explaining something complex, stop to ask your customer if they have any questions. This not only keeps them engaged, but can keep you from having to go back and explain something you've already moved past. In any case, try to maintain an air of helpfulness and take the time to explain anything the customer doesn't understand, as well as to understand their concerns as deeply as possible. And when your customer is thinking about their answers or questions, wait patiently and quietly.
Summary: Let the customer talk. Inquire about their overall goals. Ask about the future. Find out if they have any questions.

Problem: Article: Remind yourself those relationships occurred in the past and they didn't work for a reason. Try and focus instead on the present. Utilizing mindfulness techniques will help you to train your brain to stay in the moment. It will also help you to refocus when your thoughts drift to the past.  Try a sense activity. Begin by naming things in the present moment that you can see, feel, hear, touch, taste, or smell.  Repeat affirmations to refocus yourself on the present. Try “I am happy in my relationship now. I won't listen to my jealous thoughts.”  Engage in mindful appreciation. Notice 5 positive things about your relationship that usually go unnoticed or unappreciated. Reframing is a way to change how you view and think about things. Lately, you have been focusing on her past, but you are her present. Recognize that you, or the two of you together, have something she never had in her past relationship. She is choosing you over her ex by being with you. Choose her as well.  Ask her what she values about your relationship. Notice if she is talking about a future with you. If so, then you know she is invested in your future together! Each time a thought about a past relationship or an ex comes up, try and replace it with a positive thought. There are things you love about her and your relationship. Whether you like it or not, her past comes along with that. Consider the fact that everything that has happened in her past has contributed to the person she is today. Accept her as a package deal, and try some thought replacement practices to help you get there. Think of a positive image you have about her, a great memory of something you have done together, or a feeling you have about your relationship together. Put your energy into making new memories with your girlfriend. As you work on moving on from both of your pasts, build your future together with new activities, photographs, and memories. This will help you focus more on your present and your future together than her past.  Go on a vacation together. Plan a day trip somewhere you have both been meaning to go. Pretend to be tourists in your own town. Learn something new together.
Summary: Live in the moment! Reframe the way you are viewing your present. Try thought replacement exercises. Focus on making new memories together.

Problem: Article: Examine your own treatment of your classmates. Is there anyone you may be bullying, even unintentionally? If you ever pick on someone, even if you wouldn't consider it bullying, you should stop. Try to be nice to everyone, even if they're not your friend.  Be careful teasing someone unless you're good enough friends with them to know that they won't take it personally. You should also avoid spreading rumors or gossiping about people. Avoid talking about people online or sharing pictures of them without their permission. If you see someone getting bullied in your school, stand up to the bullies. Not participating isn't going far enough. Make sure that you are actively taking a stand to prevent the victim from getting harmed further. You can interfere by speaking with the bully if you feel safe doing so, or telling a school administrator what you saw.  If your friends start gossiping about someone, make it clear that you don't participate in that kind of thing. Try saying something like, “I don’t like gossip. Can we talk about something else?” If you're part of a group that's intentionally leaving someone else out, tell the group you want to include everyone, because it's the right thing to do. Try saying something like, “I think we should be nicer to Catherine. It must be hard to be the new girl in school.” If you see someone getting picked on and fear for that person's safety, tell a teacher or school administrator right away. Try saying something like, “I am worried about David. I have noticed that some of the older boys harass him when he is walking home from school.” Many schools have anti-bullying campaigns led by students who want to keep their schools safe and friendly. Join a group or start one at your school to spread awareness about the problem of bullying and figure out ways to solve it.   Try starting a conversation with your friends about bullying. You might say something like, “Did you know that bullying is still happening at our school? I think it is terrible and I would like to do something to stop it.” Talk with your teacher or school counselor about ways you can help. For example, you might be invited to give a presentation on bullying in your class or you might be able to help organize an event to raise awareness about bullying.
Summary:
Make sure you aren't participating in bullying behavior at school. Stand up for people if they're being bullied. Spread the word that bullying has to stop.