P.S. Charge your membership to your credit card in four equal payments for no additional cost -- and receive a full-color desk calendar if you respond by November 10.

In conjunction with offer, include an explicit call to action. Tell your reader exactly what action or actions you want him or her to take after reading letter. For example:

Please look over enclosed materials and return our self-addressed, postage-paid postcard to set up an appointment to discuss your next important building project.

How long should your sales letter be? As long as it takes to arouse interest, lay out whole offer, address possible objections and ask reader to take action. Sometimes this takes one page, sometimes four.

Professional copywriters say that two-page letters generally outpull one-pagers, and that even eight pages may not be too long. Those who are not interested won't read even one page, and those who are will read eight. So don't feel you have to cram your whole sales message into one page to get action.

By way, these principles work for crafting email letters, too, although there you must move very, very carefully to avoid being taken for a dreaded "spammer." An attention-getting headline, a specific offer, a call to action and a P.S. get you results, whatever your delivery mechanism.

7. Candles around flammable objects, scented things. Safety and health risks, as some people are allergic to or sensitive to scents.

8. Preoccupation with money, holidays, shopping, in-laws, family gatherings. etc. Thi, combined with fatigue, will be of particular concern for employees in dangerous occupations.

9. Christmas carols on computer or singing in office.

10. Increased arguments and tempers because of worries over money, family issues, extra work, less sleep, more partying.

And any of these may apply to you.