Synergy Newsletter

Quick Quotes:
The school is the last expenditure upon which America should be willing to economize."—Franklin D. Roosevelt

"Does college pay? They do if you are a good open-field runner."—Will Rogers

"A wise system of education will at least teach us how little man yet knows, how much he has still to learn."—Sir John Lubbock


	Your Home, Your Office
		5:55 a.m. Oooo. . .the alarm won't go off for another five minutes. Another five minutes of sleep. 5:57 a.m. Sleep, sleep, why can't I sleep! 5:59 a.m. One more minute-one more minute to sleep! 6:00 a.m. BEEP! BEEP! BEE—I hate mornings. Don't you wish you didn't have to get up until five minutes before work? Or, better yet, don't you wish you could wear your pajamas to the office? Some people do.
	No, they don't work in an excessively casual environment; they work at home—and not in a business they own themselves. How do they do it then? They telecommute. Telecommuting is a new trend in business that is beginning to take hold in large as well as small companies. Through the use of computers, modems, fax machines and e-mail, employees are able to lounge in the comfort of their own homes while producing quality work for their employers. It is a situation many embrace wholeheartedly. For employers, the benefits range from higher productivity to decreased physical space costs (plant space, parking). For employees, the benefits include reduced commuting costs and time, flexible hours, and the elimination of at least a portion of day care expenses for dependent loved ones. Yet, this new form of bringing your work home with you is not without its faults. Telecommuting does not permit as much control over the employee as there would be if the employee was in the office. Also, coordinating work can be more challenging. For an employee, telecommuting increases isolation from other employees and can create workaholism. Although this may sound like a dream come true, telecommuting is not an opportunity to be taken lightly. Employees need to realize that benefits can turn into liabilities. For one thing, separating work life from home life is more difficult, and working while taking care of children is not as easy as it sounds. However, for a person who prefers to choose his or her work hours, this setup may allow the best of both worlds. For more information on telecommuting, you may want to talk to your employer. It's your home. It could be your office.

Your Color

You're efficient, together, smart. You know this, but do others? If not, maybe it's your appearance. This doesn't mean that you dress badly or have poor personal hygiene. Evaluate the colors you wear. Color has a vast psychological effect on us and our perceptions. While most of us can distinguish "cool" colors from "warm," we may miss the message that the colors we wear send. For instance, brown may be your favorite color, and one that looks exceptionally good on you. However, if you are being interviewed, asking for a raise, or enforcing rules with your children, you better leave that brown outfit in the closet. Brown is a "friendly" color and gives others the impression that you are not very aggressive, and can be easily swayed.

Take notice of the colors you naturally put on. They probably reflect your mood. Lighter shades—pinks, baby blues, and light yellow—are generally indicators of a less-aggressive attitude, while darker shades show strength. Reds tend to evoke the most emotional response of any color, while violets and blues have a calming effect. In a mix of colors, we tend to pick out yellow first. Remember this if you are auditioning for a part in a play or a band. The colors that you choose say a lot about you. Make sure they are giving the right impression.


		Personal Space How much space do you need? Consider space requirements when you are shopping for a house. Space is something that people require in varying amounts. If you or a family member are claustrophobic, a compact house with smaller rooms and limited hall and walkways may be less suitable than one with open space, super-sized rooms and windows that bare all.
	The latter would be unsuitable to the less secure individual. Pay attention to detail. A free finished basement, free appliances, soundproofed walls, and other similar luxuries may be appealing, but you have to judge whether the house you are looking at will comfortably sustain your family. Is there room for the hobbies you and your family enjoy? Is there space for that plush sectional you always wanted and your parents agreed to buy as a gift for the new house? Will the kids have room to grow, and is there room for company? What about that home computer system you want to buy...where will you put it? Most importantly, is the space in the house appealing to you? Before you sign the dotted line, be sure you are comfortable in making this house your home.


	Basement Gym You can turn your basement into a home-made fitness center by buying exercise equipment the whole family can use. Riding a stationary bicycle a few times a week will work off some of that great lasagna. You don't need a health club membership to burn those calories from that moist, delicious chocolate cake. Put a treadmill in your basement and take a run on the wild side. A basement gym gives you the convenience and privacy you need. Health club membership has its advantages. But you may workout more if you don't have to leave the comfort of your own home.


			Would you like to pre-qualify yourself for a mortgage? Need to check your loan status? Looking for information about your current loan? Are you interested in articles about the different types of loans, adjustable rate mortgages, APR, Mortgage Insurance, and more? Look no farther than www.synergysolutions.net and see how our value works for you!




		Vol.1. No.1 Synergy Solutions, Inc. (888)230-2300 (630) 393-9909 www.synergysolutiohs.net


	Your Color
	You're efficient, together, smart. You know this, but do others? If not, maybe it's your appearance. This doesn't mean that you dress badly or have poor personal hygiene. Evaluate the colors you wear. Color has a vast psychological effect on us and our perceptions. While most of us can distinguish "cool" colors from "warm," we may miss the message that the colors we wear send. For instance, brown may be your favorite color, and one that looks exceptionally good on you. However, if you are being interviewed, asking for a raise, or enforcing rules with your children, you better leave that brown outfit in the closet. Brown is a "friendly" color and gives others the impression that you are not very aggressive, and can be easily swayed. Take notice of the colors you naturally put on. They probably reflect your mood. Lighter shades—pinks, baby blues, and light yellow—are generally indicators of a less-aggressive attitude, while darker shades show strength. Reds tend to evoke the most emotional response of any color, while violets and blues have a calming effect. In a mix of colors, we tend to pick out yellow first. Remember this if you are auditioning for a part in a play or a band. The colors that you choose say a lot about you. Make sure they are giving the right impression.