Over years, however, I have developed that "possibilities" outlook. A lot of what I do is writing, and I have learned to see "article" in almost every situation. I had to teach myself to do it, but once I got knack of it, it's amazing what I see that others don't even notice.

To grow your business and to keep it from getting stagnant, learn to see possibilities around you.

First, keep a pad of paper with you wherever you go. You never know when spirit of inspiration will hit. And believe me, you WON'T remember that brilliant idea later. It will be gone. So get in habit of writing down your ideas moment you get them. And don't forget to put in some details when you write your note. I've looked at cryptic messages I've left for myself, fully understanding what I was doing at time, but not making heads or tails of it later.

Second, pay attention to details around you. Look at what's actually going on. Study people (study, don't stare!) sitting on bus with you. Listen to children as they play. Watch how others conduct their business and deal with customers. Look at sign posts along road. Some of them are quite funny.

Third, learn to look at what you are seeing with new eyes. Ask yourself, "What is lesson to be learned here?" or "Can I use that in my business?" or "Is there an article in there somewhere?" Learn from other's mistakes so you don't make them yourself. Learn from other's successes and see how you can adapt idea (not steal and plagiarize) for your own business.

When you develop a "possibilities" outlook, new ideas will begin to race through your mind. Your creativity will begin to flow. You'll feel a new energy about growth of your business. And that's when things get really exciting!

Avoidance of eye contact implies fear and subservience. Combine that with a weak handshake and a disheveled demeanor and you have someone that you should not trust. In fact, you have a person whom you should not allow anywhere near you.

Some good rules to follow for "eyeball etiquette" are listed below. Be able to look people in eye or face as they are speaking, but don't get into a staring contest. Occasionally looking around at other people, say in a meeting, helps maintain a good sense of balance in conversation.

Keep your face friendly as you speak. If you have a hostile appearance and you are looking people in eye, then you are implicitly challenging them. Unless you are leader of a gang, this is probably something that you want to avoid.

Men, it's bad manners to glance at a lady's chest (or other sexual body parts) as you converse. Don't think women notice? They do, and it lowers their opinion of you. Treat any women in your office as you would like to be treated - with respect.

In meetings, keep your attention on speaker. You are in meeting to gain and give information or direction. Keeping your eyes on person who is speaking implies that you are paying attention. It's also a good idea to occasionally look down at your pad of paper (you should always bring pen and paper to meetings) and write a few notes. This screams out, "you just said something important so I am writing it down". It's also an opportunity to avoid implicit challenge that could arise from a constant, fixed stare.

In meetings, you should also occasionally look around. There are other people in a meeting (usually), and if so you should be sure to look at them once in a while to get their reactions, and to also invite comment and discussion. At very least, it's a way to shake yourself awake if speaker is boring or monotonous.

When your boss is speaking, keep focused on him or her. Your boss is telling you something, man, look at him! This person has authority over you and presumably has power over your raises, reviews and progress up corporate ladder. Listen to him, and show you are listening by looking at him.

There is nothing interesting on floor. Have you ever noticed that as most people walk they are looking at ground? What in heck is so interesting about floor or pavement that it commands all of their attention? Sometimes I just have to glance down and see if perhaps some artist came by and painting something wonderful on floor while I was out! People, there is an entire world out there - look around and see what's there.