. People who use their determination do not use the term "failure." Obstacles will appear on your path no matter how prepared you are. In most cases, obstacles and "failures" are actually opportunities. Re-frame the problem by considering the "why?" For example, if you're asked to build a bridge across a river and you ask why you need to build a bridge, questioning why a bridge can help open up further possibilities (why do you need to cross the river? what kind of materials are available, etc.). Asking these questions will open up a realm of possibilities. Another method is to ask yourself what you've learned from a supposed "failure." What would you do differently next time? What factors combined to cause the "failure" to happen? Was failing really as bad as you feared? Thinking outside the box will greatly help you stay on track and accomplish your goals. This is especially important when you do hit an obstacle, because creative solutions can often provide you with an avenue that you might not otherwise have considered. Daydreaming is actually an incredibly useful tool. When you're confronted with a problem, take some time to daydream and let your mind free to consider the problem without restrictions. A good time to practice a little daydreaming is right before you go to bed at night, but you can do it any time. Ask yourself some questions to open up your creative problem-solving: if you have any resources in the world, how would you approach the problem? If there were no possibility of failure, what would you try? If you didn't have to worry about budget, what resources would you use? If you could ask anyone for help, who would you ask? Although it sounds a bit weird, visualization is actually a really powerful technique for boosting your determination. Practice visualizing yourself accomplishing the goals that you are working towards. The more clearly you visualize your goals (with images, sounds, smells, and specific details) the more likely you are to actually accomplish them. For instance, to visualize a promotion on your job, you might imagine seeing a larger office space, hearing "congratulations" from your co-workers and supervisors, and having more money to take your family on vacation. A vision board is a tangible way to envision your goals. By assembling a variety of images and knick-knacks that bring life to your goals, you can look at them regularly and regain determination to keep moving forward. Look through magazines, newspapers, and the internet to find images, words, and inspirational items that speak to you. Make sure you include items that represent goals from different areas of your life, such as health, relationships, and career. After assembling your board, place it somewhere you can see it regularly. Looking through the items you place on your board is like a mini visualization session! Celebrate your progress by periodically rewarding yourself. Rewards don't have to be big or ostentatiousunless you want them to! The point is to take time to pat yourself on the back for steadily moving towards your goals. For example, each time you complete a smaller step towards a big goal, you might treat yourself to a movie night or lunch at your favorite restaurant. Rewarding yourself keeps you on the desired path and sustains your determination to reach your goals. However, your reward shouldn't set you back on goal progress. If you're trying to lose weight, you probably shouldn't reward yourself with food. If you're saving money, you probably shouldn't reward yourself by spending a large portion of your savings (unless the purchase is a part of the goal). Keep track of the progress you are making as you work towards your goals as well. This may help you to stay motivated. Sometimes you may notice yourself losing the determination you once had to reach your goals. If this happens, don't trash your goals, just take a break! Taking a break doesn't mean that you are no longer determined, it simply means that you're giving yourself the chance to rest and return with more energy to work hard towards your goals. A break can be big or small, depending on your current state of mind. If working towards your goals has caused a great deal of frustration or stress, it may be nice to take a weekend off to relax or even plan a mini getaway. For a smaller, shorter break, take an afternoon off to hang out with a friend or pursue a favorite hobby.

Summary: Learn from obstacles Find creative solutions. Use visualization. Create a vision board. Reward yourself. Take breaks to re-energize.

You'll need some fake flowers from the craft store, green floral tape, wire cutters, and a pen (or however many you're looking to make!). If you're looking to make a bouquet or give a variety to different people, it's best to buy a bulk pack of cheap pens are your local dollar store. If your fake flower has a wire in it, use a wire cutter to clip it or it may be brittle enough to just wiggle back and forth and break. If there are leaves attached to the stem of your fake flower, you can cut them off with scissors or keep some for your desired effect. Leaves can easily be pulled off the main stem or cut off but be sure to leave a bit of stem at the end of the leaves if you plan on wrapping them back up into a bouquet. Before cutting the ink cartridge, measure how deep you want to place your flower stem and leaves. Using your wire cutters or sharp scissors, cut off about 1 inch from the ink cartridge (long enough for the flower stem to fit after it in the pen). Using green floral tape, make sure you wrap any leaves with your fake flower stem as tightly as possible to ensure that they will fit down the shaft of the pen. If you want to include a lot of leaves or the shaft of the pen is too small to fit the wrapped flower stem, you can also use the green floral tape to tape the flower stems outside the shaft of the pen. The green floral tape will be wrapped along the entire shaft regardless where you place the flower stems. Use scissors or the wire cutter to adjust the length of either the ink cartridge or flower stem. You may also place the tape flush against the pen as you wrap tape to bind them together. Hold the bottom of the pen to make sure your wrap is as snug as possible. Tape slowly and make sure to tape over the drop of the stem to create the illusion of a single stem. Keep a consistent wrap pattern as you make your way downward. Also, be sure to keep your wrap as tight as possible as you cover any sign of the pen shaft. If you have the time and skill, you may also attempt a pattern with your stem wrap. For example, you can create a zig zag or layers of parallel lines. Use double sided tape if you find that your floral tape is not sticky enough. You may leave space for your grip if you intend to use the pen for writing rather than display.

Summary: Gather your materials. Cut the flower stems to 1.5 inches. Take out the ink cartridge. Wrap any extra leaves with the stem of your fake flower. Put the ink cartridge back and stick the flower stem in after it. Starting at the top, near the flower, wrap the green tape around until you hit the tip of the pen.

Raw beet greens have a strong flavor, so they're best paired with other powerful ingredients. Mix with feta, Romano cheese, goat cheese, or anchovies. Make Tahini, strawberry vinaigrette, or another strong or acidic dressing to complement this salad well. Beet greens become more bitter and toughen as they age. When serving raw, it's best to stick with the young greens sold in late spring or early summer. Saute with other aromatic ingredients, then mix it into the soup for the last couple minutes of simmering. This works well in thick soups made from lentils, beans or a cream base. These chips are a little thicker and taste a bit "plantier" than other leaf, green vegetables. But if you've converted to the beet green fans and want them on the go, this is a great recipe: Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Cut off stems, wash and pat dry the leaves in a kitchen towel. Toss leaves with a light coating of olive oil. Add salt and pepper if desired (taste first; beet greens are already salty). Bake on parchment paper-lined pans for 15 minutes, turn, and bake for 10 more minutes.
Summary: Serve raw beet greens in salad. Add sauteed greens to soup. Bake leaves into crisp chips.