INPUT ARTICLE: Article: . Many people don't go for things they want because they doubt their abilities. Identify and question your doubts, and make sure they don't stand in your way. Many things people want, including new purchases, skills, or even a new job, can cost money. Figure out the costs associated with what you are trying to do, and look at your expenses. If you are considering a big purchase, or looking to do something else expensive, putting aside just a little bit of money every month, or every paycheck, can get you there. Doing that regularly can also help you get better saving/spending habits. Don't just look at the cost of what you want. Take a look at things you are already spending money on. If there are things you can cut out that are getting in the way of your goals, go ahead and do that. . When you've decided what you want, figure out the steps you will need to take to see it through. Identify any potential roadblocks or trouble spots, and make sure your plan looks for ways to get around them. This is where you confront those doubts that you couldn't to explain away. These roadblocks could be related to money, time, your abilities, or help from others. Create manageable milestones for getting what you want. This can keep you on track by accomplishing smaller tasks in a reasonable time, rather than trying to get through one big one all at once. If your goal is to lose weight, for example, set a goal to lose five pounds in two weeks to get yourself started. This is better than crash dieting, and trying to lose twenty pounds in that same amount of time. Set clear deadlines in your plan. A specific date or time frame to accomplish what you want can keep you motivated and focused. This will also help you stay on track to the end result. Follow your plan. Many people fail because they give up too soon. Setbacks can be a normal part of success, so stick to your plan and push all the way through, even if things don't always go right. Sometimes you won't always get what you are looking for. Instead of seeing that as a reason to stop, think of it as an opportunity for something different, and possibly greater. For example, if you are saving for a big purchase, the item you want may not be available by the time you save the money. That's okay, perhaps there is something different or better you can purchase. Alternatively, it may be best to wait until a better item comes along.

SUMMARY: Get past your doubts Save money. Create a plan Learn to accept failure.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Short fingernails make it more difficult to scratch. If you prefer to your nails long, wear gloves to avoid scratching, especially at night. The gate control theory of pain suggests that applying pressure and stimulation to another area can distract you from the itch and actually alleviate some of the pain. Snap a rubber band on your wrist when you feel the urge to scratch. Some people press an X into their skin near an itchy spot such as a mosquito bite. These are both examples of the gate control theory of pain at work to stop you from scratching. Compounds in the peel are known to decrease the itch. A melting ice cube on an itchy patch of skin can provide cooling relief. A cold, damp washcloth can also sooth the site. Take a clean washcloth and wet it in cold water. Wring out most of the water, leaving the cloth damp but not dripping. Gently apply the cloth to your itchy spot and allow it to rest there as it provides some relief. Applying a slice of cucumber or a cotton ball soaked in apple cider vinegar also has the same cooling effect. Getting your mind off the itch is sometimes all you need. Mothers of children with eczema well know the benefit of having toys, video games, TV, physical activity, and even tickling as a way to keep their kids from scratching. Squeeze a stress ball instead. If you like working with your fingers, try knitting or crocheting when you feel the urge to scratch. Keeping your hands busy is a good way to prevent scratching. Use a soft clean cloth to gently caress the itchy skin without irritating the site. You can also cover the area with a nonstick bandage instead of a soft cloth.

SUMMARY: Keep your fingernails trimmed short. Scratch or press around the area that is irritated but not on it. Rub the inside of a banana peel on an itchy surface. Use an ice cube or a cool, wet compress. Find a distraction. Pull a very soft cloth gently over the site.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Now that you've gotten the hang of the basic strum patters reggae, you can start working on getting the right sound out of your strings. This requires the right amount of pressure on the strings on the fretboard with your left hand. To get a feel for the effect your left hand pressure has on the sound of your guitar, play chords in reggae rhythm and adjust the pressure in your left hand as you play. Try playing chords with while using extremely light pressure, moderate pressure, heavy pressure with your left hand on the strings. Your left hand affects the sound of the strum of your chords not just by pressure on the strings but also duration. While using different levels of pressure, experiment with pressure duration. For example, you might use moderate pressure at the onset followed by the release of your left hand. Staccato is a musical term that means notes are played in a clipped, detached fashion from other notes. This quality can be produced by applying quick pressure to the strings with your left hand followed immediately by a sudden release. In reggae, the stuck line is the guitar part that follows along with the bass guitar. This part is generally muted to give a mellow tone to the acoustic accompaniment of the bass. Use moderate pressure with your left hand on your fretboard when playing the stuck line. Finger pick the notes of the stuck line to create a distinct sound in the notes.

SUMMARY: Adjust the pressure while strumming. Make your notes staccato. Mute the stuck line when playing in an ensemble.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: You'll need a pair of dumbbells in a weight that you can lift 8 - 10 times before feeling muscle fatigue. Doing this exercise 2 times weekly will build up strength in your biceps and eventually help you get better at pull-ups. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and the dumbbells at your sides. Curl the dumbbells up to chest height, bending your elbows. Lower the dumbbells back to your sides. Repeat for 3 sets of 10 curls. This exercise simulates a pullup, but it's a lot easier to do because most of your weight is on the ground. It's an excellent way to start building up enough strength to do a pullup. You'll need either a dip bar or a sturdy mop or broom positioned across two chairs. Here's how to do it: Lie down with your neck positioned under the bar or broom. Bend your legs and keep your feet against the floor. Grip the bar with your palms facing out. Lift your chest toward the bar as far as possible. Lower back down to the ground and repeat. You'll need a pulldown machine to do this. It's another effective way to strengthen your upper body and make you better at pull-ups. Stand in front of a pulldown machine and grip the bar. Sit down and pull the bar down to your collar bones. Keep your shoulder blades down and back and lean backward while you do this. Repeat. This is like a pullup, but instead of gripping the bar with your palms facing out, they should face toward you. This position is generally easier and exercises the biceps and upper back. This position is a great compound bicep exercise, and a good exercise to do when you're training to become better at pull-ups. Grip the bar with your hands facing you. Pull your bodyweight off of the ground, crossing your feet beneath you. Keep lifting until your chin reaches the bar. Lower yourself back down.

SUMMARY:
Do biceps curls. Do reverse pushups. Do pulldowns. Try chin-ups.