I was recently given this beautiful painting with a strong symbolic meaning for my upcoming birthday from my business partner ReZ Sarmadi. This painting is a depiction of a wizard walking through a wall. As i have progressed in my life, one of my personal goals has been to align my intentions with my actions.  I believe by doing this one can break the mental barriers in which we all setup in our own heads and walk through walls and achieve what is on the other side waiting for us, which is usually the goal or dream that you attach to the journey.

I am true believer in the laws of the universe and the law of abundance.

I subconsciously ask for (manifest) things from the world as I have learned to better focus my energy to build my personal inner strength. Lately, I feel I am being rewarded for the path I have taken personally and the things I manifest to come to fruition a lot faster. These inner, emotional, physical and soulful improvements include ridding and optimizing core habits. Habits that otherwise led to inconsistencies and weakness in my core that would then lend to bad behavior and bad decisions.

I believe that in order to reach this higher state of being you must first find the truth within your self.  Some call it the pursuit of happiness. The Buddhist have a word for it, they call it “om”. It’s finding the peace within yourself and understanding and being aware of the negative voices that are in your head and focusing on the positive reinforcement from your loved ones.

While I am on this path, I was asked these five questions that I have been searching for answers for in the past few days. I will share these questions with you.

Being honest with yourself and taking the time to really think what you need in and around you is first. Then  by admitting your weaknesses to yourself, you will begin to see the truth and only then will you start the journey on the path to enlightenment and my friend… you too will start to walk through walls.

Here are the five questions:

1. What do you need to take care of your physical health?

2. What do you need to take care of your mental health?

3. What do you need to take care of your emotional health?

4. What do you need to take care of your financial health?

5. What do you need to take care of your soul?

I appreciate your comments and feedback.

Looking for the best free wordpress themes seems like a simple task, but with the huge amounts of websites dedicated to listing wordpress themes, its hard to distinguish the quality ones from the bland ones. Over the course of this year I have setup 10 wordpress websites (yes, i love wordpress). To save startup time, I spent hours upon hours looking through hundreds of wordpress themes in order to find unique ones that have a sense of style and flair. Even the wordpress theme I am currently using was found at one of these sites. My Wordpress theme credits go out to Blue Grace 1.0 by Vladimir Prelovac

Here are the best free wordpress theme websites I have found. Enjoy!

http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/01/08/100-excellent-free-high-quality-wordpress-themes/

http://www.wpthemespot.com/

If you are an owner of a free wordpress theme site or feel I am missing one, post a comment and I will add it.

Being taught how to use a computer at young age is an extreme advantage this day an age. I have never been a fan of using the mouse of most tasks, as using the keyboard usually yields a faster response, less hand movement, and of course the envy of the people around you. My knack for using computer keyboard tricks astonishes my peers which, for some, inspires them to want to learn keyboard tricks too.

I am often asked “Matt, what is the keyboard shortcut for ….”. I have searched the internet and compiled a great list of keyboard shortcuts for all instances that are relevant to today’s computing.

Getting used to using your keyboard exclusively and leaving your mouse behind will make you much more efficient at performing any task on any Windows system. I use the following keyboard shortcuts every day:

General Keyboard Shortcuts

CTRL+C (Copy)  <— My Favorite
CTRL+X (Cut)
CTRL+V (Paste)
CTRL+Z (Undo)
DELETE (Delete)
SHIFT+DELETE (Delete the selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin)
CTRL while dragging an item (Copy the selected item)
CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item (Create a shortcut to the selected item)
F2 key (Rename the selected item)
CTRL+RIGHT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word)
CTRL+LEFT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word)
CTRL+DOWN ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph)
CTRL+UP ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph)
CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Highlight a block of text)
SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document)
CTRL+A (Select all)
F3 key (Search for a file or a folder)
ALT+ENTER (View the properties for the selected item)
ALT+F4 (Close the active item, or quit the active program)
ALT+ENTER (Display the properties of the selected object)
ALT+SPACEBAR (Open the shortcut menu for the active window)
CTRL+F4 (Close the active document in programs that enable you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
ALT+TAB (Switch between the open items)
ALT+ESC (Cycle through items in the order that they had been opened)
F6 key (Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop)
F4 key (Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
SHIFT+F10 (Display the shortcut menu for the selected item)
ALT+SPACEBAR (Display the System menu for the active window)
CTRL+ESC (Display the Start menu)
ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name (Display the corresponding menu)
Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu (Perform the corresponding command)
F10 key (Activate the menu bar in the active program)
RIGHT ARROW (Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu)
LEFT ARROW (Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu)
F5 key (Update the active window)
BACKSPACE (View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
ESC (Cancel the current task)
SHIFT when you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive (Prevent the CD-ROM from automatically playing)

Printing the Screen (taking a screen capture with windows)

1. Open the window you want to take a screen capture for.
2. Press the PRINT SCREEN (Prt Sc or Prt Scr button)
(hold the Ctrl + Prt Scr button) to only capture the active window.
3. Open Microsoft Word, Paint, Outlook Photoshop or any other program that allows images,
and Press Ctrl + V on your keyboard.
4. Voila, your screen shot is ready for you to take with you.

Dialog Box Keyboard Shortcuts

CTRL+TAB (Move forward through the tabs)
CTRL+SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the tabs)
TAB (Move forward through the options)
SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the options)
ALT+Underlined letter (Perform the corresponding command or select the corresponding option)
ENTER (Perform the command for the active option or button)
SPACEBAR (Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box)
Arrow keys (Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons)
F1 key (Display Help)
F4 key (Display the items in the active list)
BACKSPACE (Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box)

Shortcuts with the Windows Logo Key

Windows Logo (Display or hide the Start menu)
Windows Logo+BREAK (Display the System Properties dialog box)
Windows Logo+D (Display the desktop)
Windows Logo+M (Minimize all of the windows)
Windows Logo+SHIFT+M (Restore the minimized windows)
Windows Logo+E (Open My Computer)
Windows Logo+F (Search for a file or a folder)
CTRL+Windows Logo+F (Search for computers)
Windows Logo+F1 (Display Windows Help)
Windows Logo+ L (Lock the keyboard)
Windows Logo+R (Open the Run dialog box)
Windows Logo+U (Open Utility Manager)

Accessibility Keyboard Shortcuts

Right SHIFT for eight seconds (Switch FilterKeys either on or off)
Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN (Switch High Contrast either on or off)
Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK (Switch the MouseKeys either on or off)
SHIFT five times (Switch the StickyKeys either on or off)
NUM LOCK for five seconds (Switch the ToggleKeys either on or off)
Windows Logo +U (Open Utility Manager)
Windows Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts
END (Display the bottom of the active window)
HOME (Display the top of the active window)
NUM LOCK+Asterisk sign (*) (Display all of the subfolders that are under the selected folder)
NUM LOCK+Plus sign (+) (Display the contents of the selected folder)
NUM LOCK+Minus sign (-) (Collapse the selected folder)
LEFT ARROW (Collapse the current selection if it is expanded, or select the parent folder)
RIGHT ARROW (Display the current selection if it is collapsed, or select the first subfolder)

Remote Desktop Connection Navigation

CTRL+ALT+END (Open the Microsoft Windows NT Security dialog box)
ALT+PAGE UP (Switch between programs from left to right)
ALT+PAGE DOWN (Switch between programs from right to left)
ALT+INSERT (Cycle through the programs in most recently used order)
ALT+HOME (Display the Start menu)
CTRL+ALT+BREAK (Switch the client computer between a window and a full screen)
ALT+DELETE (Display the Windows menu)
CTRL+ALT+Minus sign (-) (Place a snapshot of the active window in the client on the Terminal server
CTRL+ALT+Plus sign (+) (Place a snapshot of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing ALT+PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.)
clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.)

Microsoft Internet Explorer Navigation

CTRL+B (Open the Organize Favorites dialog box)
CTRL+E (Open the Search bar)
CTRL+F (Start the Find utility)
CTRL+H (Open the History bar)
CTRL+I (Open the Favorites bar)
CTRL+L (Open the Open dialog box)
CTRL+N (Start another instance of the browser with the same Web address)
CTRL+O (Open the Open dialog box, the same as CTRL+L)
CTRL+P (Open the Print dialog box)
CTRL+R (Update the current Web page)
CTRL+W (Close the current window)

More Keyboard Shortcuts

[Alt] and [Esc] Switch between running applications

[Alt] and letter Select menu item by underlined letter

[Ctrl] and [Esc] Open Program Menu

[Ctrl] and [F4] Close active document or group windows (does not work with some applications)

[Alt] and [F4] Quit active application or close current window

[Alt] and [-] Open Control menu for active document

Ctrl] Lft., Rt. arrow Move cursor forward or back one word

Ctrl] Up, Down arrow Move cursor forward or back one paragraph

[F1] Open Help for active application

Windows+M Minimize all open windows

Shift+Windows+M Undo minimize all open windows

Windows+F1 Open Windows Help

Windows+Tab Cycle through the Taskbar buttons

Windows+Break Open the System Properties dialog box

Type the following commands in your Run Box (Windows Key + R) or Start Run

devmgmt.msc = Device Manager
msinfo32 = System Information
cleanmgr = Disk Cleanup
ntbackup = Backup or Restore Wizard (Windows Backup Utility)
mmc = Microsoft Management Console
excel = Microsoft Excel (If Installed)
msaccess = Microsoft Access (If Installed)
powerpnt = Microsoft PowerPoint (If Installed)
winword = Microsoft Word (If Installed)
frontpg = Microsoft FrontPage (If Installed)
notepad = Notepad
wordpad = WordPad
calc = Calculator
msmsgs = Windows Messenger
mspaint = Microsoft Paint
wmplayer = Windows Media Player
rstrui = System Restore
netscp6 = Netscape 6.x
netscp = Netscape 7.x
netscape = Netscape 4.x
waol = America Online
control = Opens the Control Panel
control printers = Opens the Printers Dialog
Internet Browser

Type in u’re address “google”, then press [Right CTRL] and [Enter]
add www. and .com to word and go to it

I have been designing websites for over 10 years, and it seems there is a growing epidemic forming in the web design world. This epidemic is called flaky web designers.

When people ask me, do you know a good web designer, I always start with the precursor that you may be able to find a great web designer, and they may be able to sell you on their skills and talent, but the proof is in the pudding. That is, to find a web designer who can be true to their word and stick to the age old saying: “do what you say you are going to do” and create something that is profound that will wow people and make them say, “I want my website to look like this”. This seems harder and harder to find as the demand for web design grows faster than quality web designers to fill the positions.

As I progressed in my career in the last years, it has been an illuminating process to evolve from a web designer, to an internet marketer to an internet business owner. Making this transition is not just changing titles, its upgrading your state of mind.

More than a state of mind, it’s an ability to rise above your own doubts and issues of finding a web designer that is better than you and embracing their skills and talents without having an ego or feeling competitive.

It’s about embracing change and accepting that there are better web designers and better internet marketers then yourself. As evolution will teach us, there will always come along someone who can do it better, faster and for cheaper. The trick is to realize this early on and use the tools out there to locate this talent, procure them and persuade them to join your team in a professional and honest manner.

I call this the awakening. It’s when you can put your ego in the drawer and accept the responsibility and the job duties that come with your new title. It’s when you start to use your experience and empower your new team with your wisdom and skill so they can produce the best work possible while you do what you lead the pack.

In order to do this, you need to learn from your mistakes, become one with your strengths and weaknesses and understand the industry, the culture, and most importantly the plague that diseases the web design industry. I call this “flaky designers” or designers who cannot produce what you are looking for. Either one can of these can kill your business, but most importantly these soul drainers drain your energy and motivation toward the project.

I think many people rely on their relationships or a referral in order to find what they think will be a web designer who can produce what they are looking for. I believe that finding the right web designer for a project is as hard as finding a diamond in the rough.

Rather than asking a web designer, Can you do my website? You should find a web designer who has done work similar to that you are looking for, so you can be sure that the web designer you choose has the skill set and proven track record necessary to execut upon your needs.

The days of being a “yes man” are over. Clients and website owners are evolving and so should you. I offer the following websites as a starting point in order to find the right designer who has already designed something in the realm you are looking for.

I use the following websites in order to find, cultivate and hire new talent. Talent that is usually international (outside the United States) cannot be found by asking a friend. This type of fresh talent can only be found if you know what you are looking for. Before visiting these sites, I recommend you get a sense of what you want, so you are not overwhelmed with the quality and juiciness of these great web designers.

Best Web Gallery - Flash + CSS Gallery
Best Web Gallery is a showcase gallery that features all the best design Flash and CSS websites on the web.
www.bestwebgallery.com

CSSelite.com - CSS Gallery » Showcasing the best in CSS web design …
CSS Showcase : CSSelite.com is an inspirational gallery site that collects a wide range of quality design websites (Flash & CSS).
www.csselite.com

Urban Trash CSS Gallery - Best sites in the world
Showcasing the best in CSS web design and development. Gallery of Css Design Website. Best css website. Submit your site.
www.urbantrash.net/cssgallery

CSS Hereos
CSS Heroes is a gallery of the best standards-compliant web designs, we hand-pick the sites and only accept the highest-quality code and visual design.
www.cssheroes.com/

So take a look at these sites, find what you like and contact the web designer of the website. Do not give up. Right a compelling offer letter that establishes value, purpose and most importantly an opportunity for future work with you. You are building a relationship. If you find a quality web designer for your project and it is a success, it usually means you are in business and will start to build a lasting relationship with a great web designer.

If you feel another website should be listed here, please comment below and I will add it to the list.

My business partner Reza Sarmadi and I, took a quick flight from Los Angeles to Las Vegas this past weekend for the Invent Bay conference at the Sands Convention Center.

After staying up late night on Wednesday night working on a few projects (www.onesunlight.com and www.liveinternetmarketing.com) I was ready to take a few days off, and soke in the vegas sun at the Palms hotel pool.

Reza and I boarded our flight for LAS airport at 8am on Friday, arrived in Vegas at 10am. I usually have very bad luck when I go out of town because a server goes down, a website stops working or the Internet service goes out in my office leaving my staff stranded on the internet superhighway with no gas. I guess the Internet likes to punish us when we want to get away.

Fast forward to Saturday, we hopped in cab and headed toward the convention center. Arriving, it seemed like we arrived at a ghost town, only thing missing a few tumbleweeds. We walked upstairs and entered the expo. We took a big gasp of the fresh vegas air and were prepared for what was ahead of us.

At the expo, we met and interacted with many inventors from around the country. Saturday seemed to be a light day with very few attendees. I could feel the restlessness of the exhibitors as some were attentive to our questions and others seemed to be discouraged at the lack of walk through traffic.

We met some great people and saw some interesting inventions which looked to be weekend garage projects that people were trying to showcase and possibly land an investor.

All in all, i felt the expo lacked substance as many of the booths had name badges but no people to fill them. It needed more people to give it life. It could be that the convention size was too big for the number of exhibitors. The people were great, and I hope invent bay did well so they can host the event again.

If you attended, send a reply and let me know your thoughts

Sometimes as an internet marketer you wonder what possibilities #1 ranking can provide for you beyond just getting clients to purchase your services. On October 08. 2008 I found this out first hand. A reporter named Rich De Muro for the Kcal 9 (CBS company) news station needed an expert’s opinion on Youtube’s new push for a Click to buy feature. Sure enough, he went to trusty google and typed in “internet marketing los angeles.”

Lone and behold, my company, SARBRO Solutions, a full service internet marketing and web design company came up as #1 on the rankings. Rich clicked on the first company he saw, and picked up the phone.

On the other end was me. I was having a terrific day in the office filing paperwork and doing my best to keep a clean desk in an ever growing sea of paperwork that plagues my desk on a daily basis. Feeling really great about my accomplishment to file all the paperwork (very hard work for a web designer) I was looking into the sky and thanking the universe for blessing me with the strength to complete this daunting task that has taken a very long time to complete.

So, as I saw it, i was being rewarded for my accomplishments when i picked up the phone. At first i was a little skeptical. I mean, when is it that a reporter just google’s and calls you and wants to interview you for a story about YouTube?

I touched on a few key points on the deal that struck a good cord with Rich. Within a few hours he was at my office with his camera and crew and we were doing the interview.

The interview was featured on Kcal Channel 9 News (Los Angeles) at 8:00pm.

Here is a direct link to the story:
http://cbs2.com/video/?id=79697@kcbs.dayport.com

Its amazing the way the world works. I am sure Rich was quite pleased he was able to find an expert in a short period of time and on the other end of the spectrum, I felt rewarded and blessed for the opportunity for my 15 seconds of fame.

It goes to show that for an internet marketer and their clients, there are great rewards beyond making the sale when it comes to search engine optimization. So to any internet marketer or skeptical website owner out there, i hope this quick blog will inspire you to promote and pay your dues for some quality SEO rankings, because you never know, it may just land you on TV.