I had read The Secret and was unemployed the first time in my life. I wanted a piece of jewelry to remind me to be grateful for all the things I had in my life to be grateful for.

Shari Vilchez-Blatt had no idea that getting laid off in the summer of 2002 would be such great opportunity. After several years in the advertising industry (mainly working on children's products), Shari decided to not rush to look for work, but delve into her love of yoga. Eight years later, she's the founder of the wildly successful Karma Kids Yoga studio in Mahnattan with branches all across New York City. How'd she do that? Learn from the master.

Whether you need more confidence at home (discipline, anyone?), at work (difficult boss?) or just on the road of life, there are simple ways to give yourself a gold star, helping boost your mood and also your likelihood of success.

Dr. Jodi Stoner and Lori Weiner, authors of the new book, Good Manners are Contagious, are on a mission to change how kids interact with the rest of the world. Here, Stoner, a clinical psychologist, and Weiner, a highly successful career coach, offer tips on common scenarios to raise a well-rounded, well-grounded and well-mannered child.