Baggett has identified seven personality traits and the corresponding handwriting strokes commonly found in the handwriting of successful people:

• High Goals and Ambition (t-bars crossed on the top of the stem)
• Strong self-esteem (Large signature and high crossed t-bars)
• Determination (heavy downstrokes below the baseline)
• Persistence (not picking up your pen when you cross the letter t or A)
• Strong Physical Drives (large and heavy y and g loops)
• Long Lasting, Enduring Emotions (pressing very hard on the paper)
• Enthusiasm (extra long strokes to make the crossing of your t)

Handwriting Analysis has seen a rise in popularity in the last few years, thanks in part to Mr. Baggett's frequent media appearances and his internet website, www.handwritinguniversity.com, which offers online training, discussion boards, free reports, books, CDs, and video courses that make what used to be complicated, simple. Baggett evens promotes one website which offers visitors a free written handwriting analysis e-mailed to them. (www.handwritingwizard.com)

One title, called "How You Can Analyze Handwriting in Ten Minutes or Less" is designed to walk a total novice through the basic steps to get an accurate, although not in-depth, analysis from a sample of writing, using a deck of Handwriting Flash Cards called The Grapho-Deck. Baggett's programs have become so popular, he now has programs available to install on the the Pocket PC and Palm Pilot for instant access to the Grapho-Deck Handwriting Trait Cards and their definitions, as well as an online Handwriting Analysis basic course, with audio elements that can be downloaded onto your MP3 player, or played on your computer.

"The trick to helping the average person get value from handwriting analysis is the ability to make this 'psychological profiling method' easy to understand and entertaining to learn," said Baggett. The science is what the stroke indicates based on research. The art is being able to communicate that personality trait to the person and describe the corresponding behavior accurately.

Handwriting isn't just an American trend. This topic of personality profiling and self-improvement even has an audience halfway around the world in India, where Baggett delivered his new seminar "Handwriting Success Secrets" live to thousands of enthusiastic Indians in Bombay, New Delhi, and Bangalore. Currently, his home study course and Grapho-Deck have been translated into Chinese and are being distributed throughout Asia.

"When I explain the many benefits of the science of handwriting analysis, people line up to learn it. Anyone interested in self-improvement, psychology, or improving their relationships will naturally find the concept intriguing," Baggett said. Baggett went on to say, "Of all the ways to understand yourself, this one is the most personal. You can't help but wonder what your handwriting reveals."

Boosting Children's Confidence and Grades

Baggett believes handwriting analysis can be especially beneficial to children through the use of a technique called "grapho-therapy." According to Baggett, changing a child's handwriting can improve their grades, their behavior, and their self-esteem. "I changed my handwriting at the age of 14, and it changed my life," said Baggett, who published his first book on the subject when he was only 23 years old. Change Your Handwriting, Change Your Life in 30 Days Workbook. (Empresse Publishing)

Biography Magazine and Family Life Magazine recently ran articles featuring Baggett and explaining how kids are changing their own handwriting to improve not only their legibility, but to actually influence their personality. "Sure, Ryan's handwriting is a bit easier to read, but what really impressed us was his increased level of confidence and grades," said Craig Waton, Plantation Florida, father of 12-year-old Ryan Waton, who completed Bart Baggett's Handwriting Analysis Workbook for Kids. A number of teachers have reported noticeable improvements in attitude, concentration and confidence in students instructed using Baggett's methods.

In celebration of National Handwriting Week, Baggett is encouraging everyone to put down their pens and take a second look at the trail of ink they leave behind on paper. He suggests taking a few minutes to learn a few of the key handwriting traits to understand what your handwriting is unconsciously revealing, and to even consider incorporating some of the success traits into your own handwriting.