You don't have to be heartbroken to get it.

Welcome to your first installment of The Target Rich Report for 2008. This year, the TRR will be a monthly feature in hopes of offering you great suggestions for where to meet and mingle with fellow savvy singles.

Click the Play button to hear my audio commentary! (NEW FEATURE)

With Super Tuesday just around the corner (get out the vote!), it seems fitting to tie in politics with this installment of the TRR. Before you head out to the polls tomorrow, be sure to shower, put on something you feel fantastic in, put on makeup (for girls), or shave (for guys). With record voter turnout expected, you may have to stand in line at the polls. Instead of the grumbling about the wait, take advantage of what could be a target rich environment. Keep your eyes peeled for cute fellow voters without rings on their left hand. Make small talk with people around you. Just have fun! And throughout the day, if you happen to pass by a cutie with an I Voted sticker on, point to yours and wink, smile, or say something clever. Sure, it’s kinda dorky but it’s a non-intimidating approach that will open the door for a shy politico to make his move! Plus, it’s yet another chance to strike up a conversation with somebody you might have something in common with.

While you could watch the returns from the comfort of your own home, why not do a little research to find out where supporters of your candidate are gathering to watch the returns in a public place? Gather your g.f.’s and head out together. You never know who you’ll meet! Plus, time with friends is always fun.

And at the end of the day, regardless of whether your candidate wins or you meet anybody particularly interesting, you’re still ahead of the game. You voted, you got yourself in a target rich environment, and you did your best. Keep up the great work!

Plus, if Super Tuesday inspires you, look into volunteering for a political organization that’s important to you like MoveOn.org. Not only will you be getting politically active, you’ll be meeting like-minded individuals. That’s always a win-win for the savvy single!

Good luck and happy voting!

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Lisa Steadman, a.k.a. The Relationship Journalist™ is the creator and editor of BreakupChronicles.com. She's also the author of "It's a Breakup, Not a Breakdown."

Ladies, listen up.  Because I happen to love my lattes, I frequent random coffee houses around the city.  In the last couple weeks I’ve noticed a trend.  The coffee house clientele is predominantly male. That’s not to say women don’t frequent coffee houses (after all, I’m there), but perhaps women get their caffeine fix to go.  The men on the other hand, bring their laptops, iPods, books, etc. and park themselves at the coffee house.

Ladies, the men have the right idea!  They know that their odds of meeting someone greatly increase the more time they spend in a target-rich environment.  They’re doing their part by showering, throwing on a casual but attractive outfit, going to their local coffee house and spending a few hours there.  Now it’s time for you to do your part, i.e. put on your most bootylicious jeans, mascara, and lipgloss and bring your favorite reading material, laptop, or iPod to your local coffee house. 

The following are a few tips to make the most out of your trip: 

Don’t get your caffeine to go

Don’t gather a posse of girls (crowds intimidate) 

Do make this a solo endeavor

Do find a comfortable spot to sit, sip, and stay awhile

Do glance around from time to time (if you make eye contact with a cutie, share a smile)

If all you share is a smile, great.  You’ve done your job by putting yourself out there.  Or you could be brave and bold and take it to the next level by saying hi.  All you’re looking to do is initiate conversation.  At this point, you’re just practicing.  Have fun with it!  Flirt a little if you like.  This isn’t rocket science, I promise.

If the eye contact leads to shared smiles leads to shared conversation leads to exchanging numbers, fantastic!  But if it goes nowhere, don’t feel like a failure.  Pat yourself on the back for making the effort.  You’ve done your single gal job for the day, i.e. putting yourself in a target-rich environment. Yay you!

The more you put yourself in target-rich environments, the easier it gets.  Remember, practice makes perfect.  Dating is a numbers game, and you’ve got to be in it to win it.  Besides, the worst that can happen is you get nothing more than a good caffeine buzz.  And who doesn’t love that?

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Lisa Steadman, a.k.a. The Relationship Journalist™ is the creator and editor of BreakupChronicles.com. She's also the author of "It's a Breakup, Not a Breakdown."

At long last, I’m taking a much-needed vacay. I will be off email and away from my cell phone for the next week. Keep the emails and breakup stories coming. I’ll answer them when I return.

But before I sign off, I’ve got a target-rich tip for you. If you love the outdoors and you’re single, then by all means take a trip to the outdoor paradise of choice. I happen to love Montana and everytime I visit, I not only enjoy the beautiful outdoors, but the singles in the area are everywhere! Now, I’m happily hooked up with Mr. XY so I’m off the market but ladies, if you ever want to find single, handsome, and healthy single men, come to Montana! I hear Alaska is filled with men, too…

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Lisa Steadman, a.k.a. The Relationship Journalist™ is the creator and editor of BreakupChronicles.com. She's also the author of "It's a Breakup, Not a Breakdown."

Mr. XY and I recently moved to a new neighborhood that we both absolutely adore.  One of the things we really like about it is that it’s so pedestrian friendly, which is unusual in Los Angeles.  We walk to the grocery store, the bank, post office, our favorite coffee place, etc.  And not only do we walk, but plenty of other people do, too.  Young, old, single, families, and everyone in between.  Which got me thinking…

Oftentimes after we’ve healed from a breakup and are ready to move on, we don’t exactly know how to get back out there.  While we’d like to date again, we may be stumped for where to go to meet potential love interests.  Sure, the internet’s a good tool.  But it shouldn’t be your only resource.  I’m a big believer in the in-person approach, i.e. striking up a conversation with a cute stranger in a comfortable environment.  To increase the odds of meeting someone you’re compatible with, I encourage my coaching clients to identify the type of person they’re looking to attract, and then put themselves in target-rich environments on a regular basis.

TARGET-RICH ENVIRONMENT: Any location where single and ready to mingle individuals can find a decent selection of potential single and ready to mingle candidates of their desired caliber.  For example, a dive bar may be target-rich, but is that the target you’re aiming for?  If not, adjust your sites accordingly.  Think charity fundraiser.  Evening activities at your local museum.  Volunteering for a good cause.

Introducing The Target-Rich Report, a new blog feature where I’ll regularly share a potential target-rich environment.  I encourage you to share any you discover as well.  Without further ado, here’s the first installment…

Your Local Coffee Shop

When I was single, I enjoyed numerous flirtations with gentlemen I met while standing in the latte line.  Better yet, stop by your favorite local coffee shop on a Saturday morning looking casual and cute.  Instead of ordering your cup of Joe to go, stay awhile.  Read a magazine, flip through the paper, and be sure to smile at any cuties you make eye contact with.  If nothing else, it’s great practice!

Outdoor Festivals

This past weekend, my neighborhood was taken over by a two day music festival.  Everywhere you looked, there were interesting and attractive people, all with a common interest - Indie music.  Why not seek out an outdoor festival that caters to your interests and then recruit some friends to join you for a weekend of fun in a target-rich environment?

Bookstores

Ladies, take note.  Well-read single guys tend to frequent bookstores, and you should, too.  Spend some quality time in a section you enjoy, like travel or cooking or at the magazine rack.  Casually keep your eye out for any cuties, and if they meet your gaze offer them a friendly smile.  Can’t hurt!

Stay tuned for the next installment of The Target-Rich Report.  And in the meantime, share your own target-rich environments!

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Lisa Steadman, a.k.a. The Relationship Journalist™ is the creator and editor of BreakupChronicles.com. She's also the author of "It's a Breakup, Not a Breakdown."