Summer good time to act on our dreams

Dear Readers: The slower pace of summer allows us time to reflect on what we’ve achieved so far this year, and what GOALS we can still set.

One way to look ahead is to create a dream or vision board. This is a collection of clippings from magazines and newspapers of motivating pictures and words and phrases, along with tangible samples (your friend’s subway ticket from New York City, or a concert ticket, postcard, keychain or refrigerator magnet, for example), which are adhered to a poster board that is typically displayed in your office or bedroom.

Visualizing your goals can help you focus on them. A fun way to get started? Host a party; get some magazines together, several pairs of scissors, some poster board and rubber cement. Add delicious cheese and wine, set some GOALS and then make them happen.— Heloise

P.S. Don’t focus on one subject, like travel; cast a wider net: career, family and personal achievement.

An Easier Way Dear Heloise: Possibly the greatest cellphone and tablet accessory ever: The gooseneck phone or tablet holder. This thing is incredible.

It clamps on to a wooden armrest or bookshelf, and it has an adjustable, flexible gooseneck that grabs and holds on to your device.

You can sit on the couch or bed and adjust the holder to exactly where you want it to be, and watch a video or comfortably chat on the phone, hands-free.

I love it! And they are cheap (less than $20). No more cellphone elbow or text neck!—Johnny T. in Ohio