How To Achieve Success
What does success really mean to you? To many, the words success invokes the idea of dollar signs glinting before their eyes. Some visualize themselves in huge mansions, driving the latest cars, and filling their homes with the latest gadgets. However, the lives of many people have proves that success is more than just materialism and the quest for wealth. True success lies in reaching your goals, defining who you are by what you choose in life. Contrary to a prevalent attitude, you do not need to trample on others in order to reach out to success. The following steps will help you understand what you would need to do in order to be a successful person. Read on to know how to achieve success.
Tips To Be Successful
• Have goals – long-term goals as well as short-term ones. When you set goals, make sure that these are practical. Trying to aim for the moon will only result in failure. Have a list of short-term goals (for the day or for the week) and work towards achieving them. Build your long term goals upon the short term ones.
• Be committed towards your goals. Viewing your goals as a chore will not lead to success.
• Be focused on your goals. There might be a lot of things that come in the way of reaching your goals, which might make you stray off course. However, be like a horse with blinkers and look straight ahead at your goal, without wavering.
• There will definitely be obstacles in your path to success. Steadfastness is required here in order that you do not give up once obstacles come your way.
• Be positive. When you approach your goals to success, your attitude counts a lot. If you have a negative attitude, you will find that the obstacles become more difficult to surmount. If the road to success gets rough, staying positive will help you be more successful in the end.
• Things may not always work out the way you wanted them to. You might have to change your plans or the way that you wanted to work towards a goal. To this end, you would need to be creative as well as flexible. Flexibility is needed in order to allow you to keep yourself open to changes that come along with changed circumstances. Creativity is needed in order to make the best of the changed circumstances, and to turn them around and use them to create a new path to help you reach your goals.
• Goals and the path to success cannot be trodden upon singlehandedly. Therefore, it is essential to communicate well and effectively. This will help you greatly when dealing with others.
• Look after your physical and emotional health. Ensure that you get proper food, good exercise, and adequate sleep. This might seem to be a strange tip, but taking care of your health will ensure that you are in good shape to pursue success.
English in India
Officially English has a status of assistant language, but in fact it is the most important language of India. After Hindi it is the most commonly spoken language in India and probably the most read and written language in India. Indians who know English will always try to show that they know English. English symbolizes in Indians minds, better education, better culture and higher intellect. Indians who know English often mingle it with Indian languages in their conversations. It is also usual among Indians to abruptly move to speak fluent English in the middle of their conversations. English also serves as the communicator among Indians who speak different language. English is very important in some systems – legal, financial, educational, business – in India. Until the beginning of 1990s, foreign movies in India weren’t translated or dubbed in Indian languages, but were broadcast in English and were meant for English speakers only. The reason Indians give such importance to English is related to the fact that India was a British colony (see Europeans in India).
When the British started ruling India, they searched for Indian mediators who could help them to administer India. The British turned to high caste Indians to work for them. Many high caste Indians, especially the Brahmans worked for them. The British policy was to create an Indian class who should think like the British, or as it was said then in Britain “Indians in blood and color but English in taste, in opinions and morals and intellect”. The British also established in India universities based on British models with emphasis on English. These Indians also got their education in British universities. The English Christian missionaries came to India from 1813 and they also built schools at primary level for Indians in which the language of instruction was local language. Later on the missionaries built high schools with English as the language of instruction which obliged the Indians who wanted to study to have a good knowledge of English. The British rulers began building their universities in India from 1857. English became the first language in Indian education. The ‘modern’ leaders of that era in India also supported English language and claimed it to be the main key towards success. Indians who knew good English were seen as the new elite of India. Many new schools were established in which the language of instruction was English. According to the British laws the language of instruction at university level was English and therefore schools that emphasized English were preferred by ambitious Indians. Even after India’s independence, English remained the main language of India. Officially it was given a status of an assistant language and was supposed to terminate officially after 15 years of India’s independence, but it still remains the important language of India.
Even today schools in India that emphasis English are considered better schools and the same is the case at university levels, even though there is a trend towards Indianization. In the 1970s and 1980s about one third of the Indian schools had English as their first language. For most of these students, English is their first language and it is easier for them to communicate, read and write in English than in Indian languages, including their mother tongues.
Just like the Americans, Australians or even the British who have their unique English words and phrases, the Indians also have their own unique English. The Indians and the Indian English language press uses many words derived from Indian languages, especially from Hindi. Other than that, the Indian accent is sometimes difficult for non-Indians to understand. There are some Indian pronunciations that don’t exist in non Indian languages. The British also had problems with that and they caused some changes in Indian words so that they could pronounce them. Even the Indians started using these changed words and made them part of their English. Two examples of such changed words are currey and sari.
Improve Your English Speaking and English Pronunciation Skills
The first rule of speaking English is to speak clearly, concisely and use simple vocabulary. KISS - keep it short and simple.
Remember you probably won't just speak to native speakers. There are roughly 380 million native speakers, but as many as a billion people speak it as a second language. So it's a good idea to avoid idioms and slang (I always say learn it, but don't use it). It might sound clever to say "You're barking up the wrong tree," but if you misuse it or if the other person doesn't understand you, you'll only look silly when you try to explain what you meant to say, or what it actually means.
There's also a saying in English "Have you swallowed a dictionary?" It is applicable to anyone who uses long, complicated words when a shorter word will do. Short sentences are just as good (if not better) than long explanations. The value in what you have to say is what you say, not how clever you look or sound when you say it.
English speaking tips
Get over any fear you might have of making mistakes. You will make mistakes.
Be patient with yourself. Learning any language can be frustrating, but frustration won't help you, so let it go.
Grasp every opportunity you have to speak with people in English.
Talk to friends who are also learning English. Go out together for coffee and only speak English to each other!
Read short stories out loud and try to see, say and hear the words to reinforce your memory. Record yourself and play it back later, how does it sound?
Improve Your English Grammar
Use self-study grammar books.
Practice forming meaningful sentences. Make positive statements negative, turn statements into questions, make active statements passive. Turn past tense sentences into present tense sentences etc. etc.
Learn the different tenses. Learn by heart a simple example sentence using each tense.
Do online exercises. Keep a note of how you did and go back in a few weeks to see how you have improved.
Improve your Learning Skills
Learning is a skill and it can be improved.
Your path to learning effectively is through knowing
• yourself
• your capacity to learn
• processes you have successfully used in the past
• your interest, and knowledge of what you wish to learn
Motivate yourself
If you are not motivated to learn English you will become frustrated and give up. Ask yourself the following questions, and be honest:-
• Why do you need to learn/improve English?
• Where will you need to use English?
• What skills do you need to learn/improve? (Reading/Writing/Listening/Speaking)
• How soon do you need to see results?
• How much time can you afford to devote to learning English.
• How much money can you afford to devote to learning English.
• Do you have a plan or learning strategy?
Set yourself achievable goals
You know how much time you can dedicate to learning English, but a short time each day will produce better, longer-term results than a full day on the weekend and then nothing for two weeks.
Joining a short intensive course could produce better results than joining a course that takes place once a week for six months.
Here are some goals you could set yourself:-
• Join an English course (and attend regularly).
• Do your homework.
• Read a book a month.
• Learn a new word every day.
• Visit an English speaking forum every day.
• Read a news article on the net every day.
• Do 10 minutes listening practice every day.
• Watch an English film at least once a month.
• Follow a soap, comedy or radio or TV drama.
A good way to meet your goals is to establish a system of rewards and punishments.
Decide on a reward you will give yourself for fulfilling your goals for a month.
• A bottle of your favourite drink
• A meal out / or a nice meal at home
• A new outfit
• A manicure or massage
Understanding how you learn best may also help you.
There are different ways to learn. Find out what kind of learner you are in order to better understand how to learn more effectively..
How to improve your soft skills
There are many different soft skills; these are just a few:
Speaking. Verbal communication is highly valued by all professional organizations. Unfortunately, many people lack strong speaking skills. The good news is that you can easily improve with just a little practice.
A great way to improve your speaking skills is to volunteer to give group presentations. Start small (within your team), then graduate to larger presentations. Another great way to enhance your speaking and presenting skills is to join Toastmasters International, which is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills. They are located worldwide, so you should have an easy time locating a local chapter.
Listening. Often, the most important part of effective communication is listening. It is important to not only hear the message you are given, but to actively listen and understand the entire message. Many mistakes are made because people do not take the time to fully comprehend the message or instructions they were given.
To improve your listening skills, pay attention to the speaker’s words and actions. You can learn a lot from body language. Allow the speaker to finish before responding or judging what they have said. Take notes and review them with the speaker to ensure you received the message as it was intended. Providing feedback allows you to mentally process everything you heard.
Writing. Strong written communication skills are paramount to success. It is important to be able to concisely convey your message in multiple formats including reports, letters, e-mail, online work and more.
To improve your writing skills, take the time to proofread what you have written. Small mistakes can often be corrected with a quick review. Utilize the built in spell check and grammar functions found in many productivity software applications. Other tips to improve your written communication skills include having another person proof read documents, submitting white papers to professional publications, and reviewing grammar rules online. A good place for this is Daily Writing Tips.
Leadership. Good leaders are hard to find. Leaders needs to be aware of more than just their role within a team, but how each member in the group contributes to a common goal and how to steer the group toward that goal.
Some people say leaders are born and and they cannot be taught. I disagree. In fact, I think anyone can learn basic leadership skills, and some people may even grow to become great leaders. All it takes is exposure to leadership principles, the desire to lead, opportunity, and practice.
To improve your leadership skills, begin with reading a few books or online articles about leadership. You can also consider taking a course at a local community college or as part of an MBA program. Once you have some leadership principles ingrained, you need to practice, practice, practice. Observe leaders in your workplace, volunteer to lead small groups and team efforts, and take on additional duties if necessary. Finally, do not confuse leadership with authority. You do not have to be the high man on the totem pole to be a leader.
Teamwork. Just as good leaders are essential to accomplish tasks in the corporate environment, so are solid team members. Even if your daily role is primarily one where your work alone, you need to be aware of how your work affects others.
To improve your value as a team member, consider how your actions affect other people who are working on a related task. Do your actions help them or hinder them? Another great way to become a better team member in the workplace is to participate in group sporting events and other social activities.
There are many more soft skills
The soft skills listed above are some of the soft skills most frequently asked about during interviews. However, there are many more soft skills out there and it benefits you to recognize what they are and how to improve them.
You can further break down soft skills into Personal Qualities and Interpersonal Skills:
Personal Qualities are those which are inherent to the way you act on a day to day basis. These include personal responsibility, self-esteem, self-management, integrity, honesty, self-motivation, self-discipline, decision making, and more.
Interpersonal Skills deal with your interactions with others. Some of these include: teaching and instructing, serving client and customer needs, negotiation, persuasion, cultural awareness, conflict resolution, etiquette, and more.
Think about how you perform in the workplace. Your value to your employer is often driven not only by the degrees and certifications you hold, but how well you work and interact with others. Sharpen your soft skills. Improve your professional prospects.
This article originally appeared as a guest post on BripBlap.com, a personal finance and career journal.
Do You Have Perfectionist Beliefs?
Here are a few statements from a Psychology Today quiz.
“Rate the intensity with which you believe each of these statements, with 100 percent indicating complete agreement and 0 percent indicating that you do not believe it at all.”
____ I must be perfect or I will be rejected.
____ If I make a mistake, it will be horrible.
____ If I do it perfectly, then I will be accepted.
____ I must be perfect or I will be embarrassed.
____ If I make a mistake, I will be humiliated.
____ When I get it right, I will finally accept myself.
____ When I achieve perfection, I will find inner peace.
____ If I do it perfectly, then it will be rewarded.
____ If others do not approve of me, then I am not OK.
____ If I make a mistake, then I am worthless.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN CORPORATE WORLD
Communication Skills Training in Corporate & Sales creates Vitality & Happiness in the Workforce
Are you a concerned supervisor or manager who wants to give the best training to your subordinates? Do you feel your staff need additional communication skills training including corporate and sales training? Does your company value impeccable communication skills of people?
A good corporation should be able to boast of people who have undergone extensive communication skills training and are well-versed in doing corporate training and sales training. Communication skills & Presentation Skills are very important in sending important messages across to large groups of people. It is likewise useful in maintaining a professional decorum in the workplace. Moreover, corporate training and sales training are aspects of corporate life that need utmost focus and concentration. Well-trained staff and personnel reflect a very good impression about the company and its management.
Where to start
The company needs to lay out an effective communication skills training program. An effective communication skills training program encompasses all areas of communication:
• Verbal communication
• Oral communication skills
• Public speaking skills
• Confidence building
• Establishing rapport
• Nonverbal communication
• Body language
• Written communication skills
• Gestures that build audience impact
Training and development
A well trained group of staff begins with accurate training needs analysis (TNA) based on personnel needs and weaknesses. A TNA is the core of corporate training and development. Once training needs are determined, the company can initiate a corporate training program which can include both communication skills training and sales training for all employees of the company.
Communication skills training is a basic course that all employees need to undergo. This is to ensure that the company employs people who can express themselves confidently and effectively in social and corporate situations. The same goes for sales training which is considered to be the core program for marketing and sales staff of the company. Aside from these two basic programs, there are various corporate training programs available for different areas of development:
• Teambuilding workshops
• Personality development programs
• Management and supervisory programs
• Leadership training
• Stress management programs
• Basic accounting and finance
• Training for Trainers
• Human resource functions
People as valuable resource
Companies who value their people do set aside a substantial amount in the company’s budget to cover corporate training and development programs. The premise for this is that employees who are happy and satisfied with their growth and development in the company tend to stay for many years and serve the company well. In turn, this behavior saves the company a lot of money since there is minimal need for re-training because employee turnover tend to be on the low side.
Moreover, people who receive ample training tend to be happier and more energized in doing their jobs and daily tasks. The long term effect of effective corporate training is very promising to the company overall. The ability to provide basic training programs like communication skills training and sales training will result to having highly-effective and ultra-motivated people working in the company.
Choosing your training partner
For corporations whose strength doesn’t lie in providing excellent training programs, the best move is to employ the services of external training providers whose primary objective is to supply the corporate training needs of various companies. There is a wide array of training programs available worldwide which includes communication skills training, sales training and general corporate training. By working hand-in-hand with the company, training providers can customize programs based on the actual training needs of employees.
Employing the services of an external training provider can prove to be a very good move based on the following benefits:
• No need to reinvent the wheel when an expert can provide the necessary training programs needed by the company
• Savings on labor since the company need not employ additional manpower to do the actual training for the staff
• Cost-effective on a per person basis because the company only needs to provide a budget per person instead of worrying about added costs of training materials and trainer time
• No added anxiety or stress on the company side on post training analysis since the external training provider can take care of all post training requirements
Are you a concerned supervisor or manager who wants to give the best training to your subordinates? Do you feel your staff need additional communication skills training including corporate and sales training? Does your company value impeccable communication skills of people?
A good corporation should be able to boast of people who have undergone extensive communication skills training and are well-versed in doing corporate training and sales training. Communication skills & Presentation Skills are very important in sending important messages across to large groups of people. It is likewise useful in maintaining a professional decorum in the workplace. Moreover, corporate training and sales training are aspects of corporate life that need utmost focus and concentration. Well-trained staff and personnel reflect a very good impression about the company and its management.
Where to start
The company needs to lay out an effective communication skills training program. An effective communication skills training program encompasses all areas of communication:
• Verbal communication
• Oral communication skills
• Public speaking skills
• Confidence building
• Establishing rapport
• Nonverbal communication
• Body language
• Written communication skills
• Gestures that build audience impact
Training and development
A well trained group of staff begins with accurate training needs analysis (TNA) based on personnel needs and weaknesses. A TNA is the core of corporate training and development. Once training needs are determined, the company can initiate a corporate training program which can include both communication skills training and sales training for all employees of the company.
Communication skills training is a basic course that all employees need to undergo. This is to ensure that the company employs people who can express themselves confidently and effectively in social and corporate situations. The same goes for sales training which is considered to be the core program for marketing and sales staff of the company. Aside from these two basic programs, there are various corporate training programs available for different areas of development:
• Teambuilding workshops
• Personality development programs
• Management and supervisory programs
• Leadership training
• Stress management programs
• Basic accounting and finance
• Training for Trainers
• Human resource functions
People as valuable resource
Companies who value their people do set aside a substantial amount in the company’s budget to cover corporate training and development programs. The premise for this is that employees who are happy and satisfied with their growth and development in the company tend to stay for many years and serve the company well. In turn, this behavior saves the company a lot of money since there is minimal need for re-training because employee turnover tend to be on the low side.
Moreover, people who receive ample training tend to be happier and more energized in doing their jobs and daily tasks. The long term effect of effective corporate training is very promising to the company overall. The ability to provide basic training programs like communication skills training and sales training will result to having highly-effective and ultra-motivated people working in the company.
Choosing your training partner
For corporations whose strength doesn’t lie in providing excellent training programs, the best move is to employ the services of external training providers whose primary objective is to supply the corporate training needs of various companies. There is a wide array of training programs available worldwide which includes communication skills training, sales training and general corporate training. By working hand-in-hand with the company, training providers can customize programs based on the actual training needs of employees.
Employing the services of an external training provider can prove to be a very good move based on the following benefits:
• No need to reinvent the wheel when an expert can provide the necessary training programs needed by the company
• Savings on labor since the company need not employ additional manpower to do the actual training for the staff
• Cost-effective on a per person basis because the company only needs to provide a budget per person instead of worrying about added costs of training materials and trainer time
• No added anxiety or stress on the company side on post training analysis since the external training provider can take care of all post training requirements
COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN CORPORATE WORLD
COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN CORPORATE WORLD
Communication skills simply do not refer to the way in which we communicate with another person. It includes many other things - the way in which we respond to the person we are speaking, body gestures including the facial ones, pitch and tone of our voice and a lot of other things. And the importance of communication skills is not just limited to the management world, since effective communication skills are now required in each and every aspect of our life.
First, let us concentrate on the importance of communication in business. We can measure the importance of communication skills in the business sector when we take a look at job advertisements. There is little chance that you will come across an advertisement which does not mention that candidates should have good communication skills. Perhaps this is the only criteria which creates a positive impact when a person goes for a job interview. This is because technical qualifications are likely to be more or less the same for the candidates.
Without effective communication skills, a person may find it impossible to climb up the corporate ladder. Promotions come to those who can communicate effectively at all levels, from senior management level to the lowest employee.
As for communication within relationships, it should be remembered that maintaining good relationships is a way to a healthy lifestyle, and a good relationship can only be maintained by maintaining healthy communication with our near and dear ones. They are the ones we stay with on a regular basis. They are also the ones who see us at our best as well as our worst. Good communication skills help the relationships to develop along good lines, and ensure that arguments and disagreements are kept to a minimum. Good communication will avoid arguments and insults.
Another important part of communication in relationships is taking the initiative yourself. Do not wait for your best friend to call you after a long break. Instead take the phone and also take initiative to start the conversation. Often people have this problem while communicating, which comes from fear. They always think a thousand times whether to approach a person or not. But a person with good communication skills is always the first to start a conversation.
Given the importance of communication skills in both the personal and the corporate world, any individual who want to make progress with their life should develop this important skill.
Communication skills simply do not refer to the way in which we communicate with another person. It includes many other things - the way in which we respond to the person we are speaking, body gestures including the facial ones, pitch and tone of our voice and a lot of other things. And the importance of communication skills is not just limited to the management world, since effective communication skills are now required in each and every aspect of our life.
First, let us concentrate on the importance of communication in business. We can measure the importance of communication skills in the business sector when we take a look at job advertisements. There is little chance that you will come across an advertisement which does not mention that candidates should have good communication skills. Perhaps this is the only criteria which creates a positive impact when a person goes for a job interview. This is because technical qualifications are likely to be more or less the same for the candidates.
Without effective communication skills, a person may find it impossible to climb up the corporate ladder. Promotions come to those who can communicate effectively at all levels, from senior management level to the lowest employee.
As for communication within relationships, it should be remembered that maintaining good relationships is a way to a healthy lifestyle, and a good relationship can only be maintained by maintaining healthy communication with our near and dear ones. They are the ones we stay with on a regular basis. They are also the ones who see us at our best as well as our worst. Good communication skills help the relationships to develop along good lines, and ensure that arguments and disagreements are kept to a minimum. Good communication will avoid arguments and insults.
Another important part of communication in relationships is taking the initiative yourself. Do not wait for your best friend to call you after a long break. Instead take the phone and also take initiative to start the conversation. Often people have this problem while communicating, which comes from fear. They always think a thousand times whether to approach a person or not. But a person with good communication skills is always the first to start a conversation.
Given the importance of communication skills in both the personal and the corporate world, any individual who want to make progress with their life should develop this important skill.
TIPS TO LEARN ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Learning any new language takes a lot of dedication, practice and time. But all of that pays off when you are able to express yourself in an exciting new way. Learning English has limitless advantages. Job markets increase, grades go up and new friends are made. You will benefit greatly from learning English simply because so many people speak the English language. New horizons and opportunities will expand before your eyes. Use the following tips to help you in your language learning process.
• Have desire –Want to learn a new language. Learning English requires a lot of study and dedication. Only true desire will keep you motivated.
• Know your motive –Why do you want to learn English? Is it to help you in school, your business or something else? Identify your reason and remember it when you are having a hard time.
• Set goals –Set goals for yourself whether it be learning twenty words a week or giving a presentation in English at work next month. Goals will keep you motivated.
• Study a little each day –Studying formally for at least 30–60 minutes a day will help you retain what you learn. At the beginning of each study session, review what you learned in the lesson before.
• Make a set study schedule –Set aside a specific time for study each day. That way you are less likely to skip your lessons.
• Study out loud –Pronounce the words out loud to yourself as you study. You will remember them more easily and you will be able to practice your pronunciation at the same time.
• Use different learning methods –Language can be learned through different activities such as speaking, reading, writing, and associating pictures with words. Find out which method works best for you and use a variety of other methods for practice.
• Practice speaking –Practice the language you have learned as much as possible.
• Don't be afraid –Never be afraid to try speaking to other people even if you don’t know everything. They will appreciate your efforts.
• Surround Yourself –Surround yourself with English. Read it, listen to it, watch it and speak it with others.
• Listen to native speakers –Pay careful attention to native speakers using English. Observe the way they pronounce the words and how they use them.
• Pronunciation is key –Imitate native English sounds as closely as you can. The more closely you pronounce words like native speakers, the better you will be understood.
• Use good resources –Use dictionaries, workbooks, software and any other resource that will allow you to practice and expand your language.
• Use what you know –Even if you know relatively little English, you should use what you know. You will be surprised at how much you can communicate with a few words or phrases.
• Speed it up –Get used to listening to the language at normal speed. It will seem fast at first, but the more you know, the more it will sound normal.
• Don't get stuck –If you don’t know a certain word, work your way around it. Use different words and actions to explain it, but don’t give up.
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Formula for Success
Written by Chuck Gallozzi
Those who can bear all can dare all
I was recently asked, "What is the formula for success?" Well, there is not one way to scale a mountain; there are many ways. Similarly, there is not one path to success, but many. Choose one, stay on it, and you'll eventually reach your destination. However, since I was asked, I'll give my own formula. Only you can decide whether it's the right one for you. Even if you don't adopt it, one or two of the ideas may lead you to develop and follow your own path. Before I give my formula, I'll give you my definition of success. Success is achieving YOUR goals, whatever they may be. My formula for success can be simply stated as Resolve + Knowledge + Plan + Action + Diligence + Endurance + Prudence = Success. Now, let's look at each of the seven steps.
1. Resolve
The moment we begin to achieve our goal is the moment we make up our mind to do so. Commitment and a resolute mind is like a woman in labor, they will give birth to our dream as long as we follow through with the other six steps. So, begin by making a wholehearted decision. This step is so important that Owen D. Young (1874 ~ 1962) said, "The purpose firm is equal to the deed."
2. Knowledge
Once we are committed to a goal, we need knowledge to help us reach it. Many people try to go into business for themselves without this step. They think all they have to do is rent retail space, open a store, put a few signs in the window, and they'll be in business. They give little or no thought to marketing research. Who and where are their competitors? Who and where are their customers? How much are their customers willing to spend? What are their expectations? What are all the expenses of doing business and what level of sales is necessary to survive? Without a thorough investigation, is it any wonder that so many businesses fail?
Some confuse information with knowledge. Knowledge is based on facts.
Information is merely something that someone says. When you get an e-mail announcing that you can earn $5,000 a month working part-time at home, you are not receiving knowledge. Instead, you are being lured into a scam by false claims. So, to succeed, you also need knowledge of the world. You have to understand that nothing in life is free. In other words, you need some common sense. You will also need the willingness to dig deeply enough to uncover all the facts.
3. Plan
Perhaps you've decided to become an airplane pilot. You've found out where to go, how much it costs, how to enroll, how long it takes to become qualified, what the health requirements are, and when the next sessions start. Now that you have some knowledge to work with, you make a plan. The plan is your road map to success. It shows where you are now and where you want to be. It lists all the steps, and intermediate steps, you must take to achieve your goal. After indicating the starting and completion dates of each step, you will be ready to begin.
4. Action
A map is of no value if you just stand there looking at it. Unless you start your journey, you'll never reach your destination. You've picked a destination, put fuel in your vehicle, and brought your map; it is now time to turn on the ignition. That is, it is time to act. Time to begin. There is magic in action, for whenever you do what you can, you immediately can do more. Each step brings you closer to your goal. That's the secret of reaching it, simply do something each day to bring you closer to its fruition.
5. Diligence
Doing something is not enough. Doing everything as best as we can is what is needed. Just taking action is insufficient; diligent and focused action is what it takes to succeed. As long as you are willing to do whatever it takes for as long as it takes, no one will be able to prevent you from reaching your goal.
Do not underestimate your power. You are not weak. As Thomas Carlyle (1795 ~
1881) wrote, "The weakest living creature, by concentrating his powers on a single object, can accomplish something; the strongest, by dispensing his over many, may fail to accomplish anything. The drop, by continually falling, bores its passage through the hardest rock; but the hasty torrent rushes over it with tremendous uproar, and leaves no mark upon it."
Beware of using weakness as an excuse for inaction, for as John Milton (1608 ~ 1674) wrote, "To excuse our faults on the ground of our weakness is to quiet our fears at the expense of our hopes."
6. Perseverance
As we chase our dream, we will run into obstacles. That's the nature of life. Life is a bumpy road. So, put on your helmet and prepare for the worse, but continue. Perseverance prevails. Endurance is the power that will take you anywhere you wish to go. For as Marquis De Vauvenargues (1715 ~ 1747) wrote, "Those who can bear all can dare all." The power of endurance cannot be overstated. After all, you can't fail unless you quit before succeeding. So, just remember that patience is a prerequisite for success, for the only thing you can get without it is impatient.
Endurance implies faith. You may not know how you will overcome a particular problem, but you know you will. Doubt, or lack of faith, crushes one's potential success. For as the third century Indian philosopher Dandemis taught, ""If you believe a thing impossible, your despondency will make it so; but if you persevere, you will overcome every difficulty."
The roadblocks we face are not the problem. It is the inability to persevere despite them that is the problem. Here's how John Milton (1608 ~ 1674) expressed the same idea, "It is not miserable to be blind; it is miserable to be incapable of enduring blindness."
Be thankful for all obstacles, for they are your practice ground, each new victory prepares you for a greater future victory. In the end, we express our greatness not by the acts we perform, but by the endurance and fortitude that made those acts possible.
7. Prudence
Perseverance or endurance does not mean to proceed blindly, without concern for the consequences. Prudence dictates that we maintain a balanced attitude and a measured response to a changing environment. To remain steadfast at all costs may be more a sign of stubbornness than one of perseverance. Yes, we want to remain on the road, but we must recognize that some roads are dead-ends. Sometimes, the only way to go forward is to retreat and try another route.
If a small business owner is failing because of inadequate preparation and knowledge, persistence in the face of ever-increasing losses is not praiseworthy. What such a person needs is not determination, but knowledge, common sense, and a grip on reality. Don't confuse rash, stubborn, or reckless behaviour with perseverance. Action is not enough to succeed; prudent action is what is called for.
Now that you have reviewed the formula for success, it is time to review your behaviour and actions. Are they aligned with your goals? Are they taking you where you wish to go? These are questions you need to ask yourself regularly. After all, even if you have the gas pedal pressed all the way to the floor, it's not very helpful if you're going in the wrong direction. So, once a week, take a pit stop and monitor your behaviour and progress. If you're headed in the wrong direction or need to take a detour, you'll be able to take corrective action as long as your keep your eyes on the road. Happy driving, and I hope you reach all your destinations.
• Have desire –Want to learn a new language. Learning English requires a lot of study and dedication. Only true desire will keep you motivated.
• Know your motive –Why do you want to learn English? Is it to help you in school, your business or something else? Identify your reason and remember it when you are having a hard time.
• Set goals –Set goals for yourself whether it be learning twenty words a week or giving a presentation in English at work next month. Goals will keep you motivated.
• Study a little each day –Studying formally for at least 30–60 minutes a day will help you retain what you learn. At the beginning of each study session, review what you learned in the lesson before.
• Make a set study schedule –Set aside a specific time for study each day. That way you are less likely to skip your lessons.
• Study out loud –Pronounce the words out loud to yourself as you study. You will remember them more easily and you will be able to practice your pronunciation at the same time.
• Use different learning methods –Language can be learned through different activities such as speaking, reading, writing, and associating pictures with words. Find out which method works best for you and use a variety of other methods for practice.
• Practice speaking –Practice the language you have learned as much as possible.
• Don't be afraid –Never be afraid to try speaking to other people even if you don’t know everything. They will appreciate your efforts.
• Surround Yourself –Surround yourself with English. Read it, listen to it, watch it and speak it with others.
• Listen to native speakers –Pay careful attention to native speakers using English. Observe the way they pronounce the words and how they use them.
• Pronunciation is key –Imitate native English sounds as closely as you can. The more closely you pronounce words like native speakers, the better you will be understood.
• Use good resources –Use dictionaries, workbooks, software and any other resource that will allow you to practice and expand your language.
• Use what you know –Even if you know relatively little English, you should use what you know. You will be surprised at how much you can communicate with a few words or phrases.
• Speed it up –Get used to listening to the language at normal speed. It will seem fast at first, but the more you know, the more it will sound normal.
• Don't get stuck –If you don’t know a certain word, work your way around it. Use different words and actions to explain it, but don’t give up.
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Formula for Success
Written by Chuck Gallozzi
Those who can bear all can dare all
I was recently asked, "What is the formula for success?" Well, there is not one way to scale a mountain; there are many ways. Similarly, there is not one path to success, but many. Choose one, stay on it, and you'll eventually reach your destination. However, since I was asked, I'll give my own formula. Only you can decide whether it's the right one for you. Even if you don't adopt it, one or two of the ideas may lead you to develop and follow your own path. Before I give my formula, I'll give you my definition of success. Success is achieving YOUR goals, whatever they may be. My formula for success can be simply stated as Resolve + Knowledge + Plan + Action + Diligence + Endurance + Prudence = Success. Now, let's look at each of the seven steps.
1. Resolve
The moment we begin to achieve our goal is the moment we make up our mind to do so. Commitment and a resolute mind is like a woman in labor, they will give birth to our dream as long as we follow through with the other six steps. So, begin by making a wholehearted decision. This step is so important that Owen D. Young (1874 ~ 1962) said, "The purpose firm is equal to the deed."
2. Knowledge
Once we are committed to a goal, we need knowledge to help us reach it. Many people try to go into business for themselves without this step. They think all they have to do is rent retail space, open a store, put a few signs in the window, and they'll be in business. They give little or no thought to marketing research. Who and where are their competitors? Who and where are their customers? How much are their customers willing to spend? What are their expectations? What are all the expenses of doing business and what level of sales is necessary to survive? Without a thorough investigation, is it any wonder that so many businesses fail?
Some confuse information with knowledge. Knowledge is based on facts.
Information is merely something that someone says. When you get an e-mail announcing that you can earn $5,000 a month working part-time at home, you are not receiving knowledge. Instead, you are being lured into a scam by false claims. So, to succeed, you also need knowledge of the world. You have to understand that nothing in life is free. In other words, you need some common sense. You will also need the willingness to dig deeply enough to uncover all the facts.
3. Plan
Perhaps you've decided to become an airplane pilot. You've found out where to go, how much it costs, how to enroll, how long it takes to become qualified, what the health requirements are, and when the next sessions start. Now that you have some knowledge to work with, you make a plan. The plan is your road map to success. It shows where you are now and where you want to be. It lists all the steps, and intermediate steps, you must take to achieve your goal. After indicating the starting and completion dates of each step, you will be ready to begin.
4. Action
A map is of no value if you just stand there looking at it. Unless you start your journey, you'll never reach your destination. You've picked a destination, put fuel in your vehicle, and brought your map; it is now time to turn on the ignition. That is, it is time to act. Time to begin. There is magic in action, for whenever you do what you can, you immediately can do more. Each step brings you closer to your goal. That's the secret of reaching it, simply do something each day to bring you closer to its fruition.
5. Diligence
Doing something is not enough. Doing everything as best as we can is what is needed. Just taking action is insufficient; diligent and focused action is what it takes to succeed. As long as you are willing to do whatever it takes for as long as it takes, no one will be able to prevent you from reaching your goal.
Do not underestimate your power. You are not weak. As Thomas Carlyle (1795 ~
1881) wrote, "The weakest living creature, by concentrating his powers on a single object, can accomplish something; the strongest, by dispensing his over many, may fail to accomplish anything. The drop, by continually falling, bores its passage through the hardest rock; but the hasty torrent rushes over it with tremendous uproar, and leaves no mark upon it."
Beware of using weakness as an excuse for inaction, for as John Milton (1608 ~ 1674) wrote, "To excuse our faults on the ground of our weakness is to quiet our fears at the expense of our hopes."
6. Perseverance
As we chase our dream, we will run into obstacles. That's the nature of life. Life is a bumpy road. So, put on your helmet and prepare for the worse, but continue. Perseverance prevails. Endurance is the power that will take you anywhere you wish to go. For as Marquis De Vauvenargues (1715 ~ 1747) wrote, "Those who can bear all can dare all." The power of endurance cannot be overstated. After all, you can't fail unless you quit before succeeding. So, just remember that patience is a prerequisite for success, for the only thing you can get without it is impatient.
Endurance implies faith. You may not know how you will overcome a particular problem, but you know you will. Doubt, or lack of faith, crushes one's potential success. For as the third century Indian philosopher Dandemis taught, ""If you believe a thing impossible, your despondency will make it so; but if you persevere, you will overcome every difficulty."
The roadblocks we face are not the problem. It is the inability to persevere despite them that is the problem. Here's how John Milton (1608 ~ 1674) expressed the same idea, "It is not miserable to be blind; it is miserable to be incapable of enduring blindness."
Be thankful for all obstacles, for they are your practice ground, each new victory prepares you for a greater future victory. In the end, we express our greatness not by the acts we perform, but by the endurance and fortitude that made those acts possible.
7. Prudence
Perseverance or endurance does not mean to proceed blindly, without concern for the consequences. Prudence dictates that we maintain a balanced attitude and a measured response to a changing environment. To remain steadfast at all costs may be more a sign of stubbornness than one of perseverance. Yes, we want to remain on the road, but we must recognize that some roads are dead-ends. Sometimes, the only way to go forward is to retreat and try another route.
If a small business owner is failing because of inadequate preparation and knowledge, persistence in the face of ever-increasing losses is not praiseworthy. What such a person needs is not determination, but knowledge, common sense, and a grip on reality. Don't confuse rash, stubborn, or reckless behaviour with perseverance. Action is not enough to succeed; prudent action is what is called for.
Now that you have reviewed the formula for success, it is time to review your behaviour and actions. Are they aligned with your goals? Are they taking you where you wish to go? These are questions you need to ask yourself regularly. After all, even if you have the gas pedal pressed all the way to the floor, it's not very helpful if you're going in the wrong direction. So, once a week, take a pit stop and monitor your behaviour and progress. If you're headed in the wrong direction or need to take a detour, you'll be able to take corrective action as long as your keep your eyes on the road. Happy driving, and I hope you reach all your destinations.
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