The Smartest Thing I Ever Did...™

...as a Brand-New Parent

It doesn't take a village, but brand-new parents sure need a lot of support. Whether you've been a parent for a few months, a few years, or several decades, you're discovering new ways to do things better every day. Brand-new parents awaiting the arrival of their very first bundle of joy, or those who've arrived home with a new blessing and feel helpless, need all the support and advice they can get.

Can you help a new mom with your secret for getting through post-partum depression? Did you find a way to build your husband's confidence as a new father? Have you discovered a way to keep the romance in your marriage despite the demands of a new baby? Do you have a secret for affording all the 'stuff' every baby needs? Or have you figured out how to make going back to work more bearable?

Your tiny tip may seem trivial to you, but could be a priceless golden nugget to another brand-new parent. Share what you've learned!

Be sure to see the Writing a Great Story in the right-hand column and Sample Stories in the left-hand column to help you write a terrific story for The Smartest Thing I Ever Did™...as a Brand-New Parent.

Charity Suggestions

Help us choose a worthy charity to receive the donation from your favorite Smartest Thing™  title. We will be selecting one worthy charity for each title in the series to receive a donation based on the sales of that title. Let us know which non-profit organization you think should receive that donation.

Post or email your suggestion today!

...with/for My Dog

He's Man's Best Friend and loved like every other member of the family. So what have you done for him (or her)? Whether it has to do with improving your dog's health, training issues, a touching adoption story, or just your relationship with Fido, other dog owners want to hear about it.

Share the things you've discovered that have made the relationship with your fur-child a great one!

Be sure to see the Writing a Great Story in the right-hand column and Sample Stories in the left-hand column to help you write a terrific story for The Smartest Thing I Ever Did™...with/for My Dog.

Donations from the sale of this book will be going to
Canine Assistants
(http://www.canineassistants.org/)

and

Greyhound Pets of America
(www.adopt-a-greyhound.org)

...in Sports

Every athlete, no matter what their level, wants to improve their performance. Whether you're involved in sports as a player, a coach, a trainer, a manager, or a parent, you've discovered tricks and solutions that have improved your performance or increased your participation in sports.

Have you discovered a way to balance your family's sports activities with the rest of life? Are practice sessions easier now that you've learned how to motivate yourself? Does your team play together better now that you've solved that communication problem? Have you discovered a diet that gives you more energy or clarity or maybe an exercise that has improved your game?

Be a team player...share what you've learned by posting your stories here!

Be sure to see the Writing a Great Story in the right-hand column and Sample Stories in the left-hand column to help you write a terrific story for The Smartest Thing I Ever Did™...in Sports.

...in Politics

It's a tough game, but one that more and more citizens are playing. What made you decide to pursue civil service through an elected office (or to run for re-election)? How have you balanced your home life and your political duties? What did you do to prepare for your run for office? Which tactics helped you most in raising money or advertising? Did your spouse and/or children play a part in your decision and campaign? How did you handle a move from a corporate career to politics...or re-entering civilian life at the end of your term?

Share your stories and solutions to help the next generation of American civil servants!

Be sure to see the Writing a Great Story in the right-hand column and Sample Stories in the left-hand column to help you write a terrific story for The Smartest Thing I Ever Did™...in Politics.

...for My Health

We could all use a little help improving our health. Let's face it. We're not the healthiest people in the world and our fast-paced, over-committed lifestyle doesn't make it easy to eat or exercise the way we should. Have you discovered a way to break through your natural resistance to dieting? How have you found the time to exercise on a regular basis? Did you find a way to finally quit smoking? What helped you survive cancer?

Share the stories of what you've done in your life to improve your own personal health picture--they may be just what someone else needs to break through to a healthier lifestyle.

Be sure to see the Writing a Great Story in the right-hand column and Sample Stories in the left-hand column to help you write a terrific story for The Smartest Thing I Ever Did™...for My Health.

...for Myself

With today's over-committed lifestyles, the last person we tend to take care of is ourselves. If you've discovered a solution to caring for yourself--whether it's a secret way to decompress at the end of a long day or motivate yourself to accomplish what needs to get done or handle life's most stressful situations—share it so others who are struggling might find the what they need to make it through tomorrow.

Share your stories here and encourage others to take care of themselves and be the best they can be!

Be sure to see the Writing a Great Story in the right-hand column and Sample Stories in the left-hand column to help you write a terrific story for The Smartest Thing I Ever Did™...for Myself.

...for My Marriage

It can be tough to keep a marriage intact these days. Thousands of couples are struggling every day with a problem you have already solved for your own marriage. Share your secrets of making your marriage work, even if in just one small way.

Post your stories here...you might even help save someone else's marriage!

Be sure to see the Writing a Great Story in the right-hand column and Sample Stories in the left-hand column to help you write a terrific story for The Smartest Thing I Ever Did™...for My Marriage.