Category Archives: Finance

Education, Entreprenuer, Finance, Health

What is Personal Effectiveness

Leave a comment

“You will be the same person in five years as you are today, except for the people you meet and the books you read.” — Charlie “Tremendous” Jones

In your journey of personal development and self-improvement, a solid foundation in personal effectiveness is key.

You need to start with the right knowledge to build your inner core from the inside out.

For your journey, I’ve curated a selection of timeless and impactful books that serve as cornerstones for personal growth and greatness.

These books encompass character development, habit formation, and emotional intelligence.

They will equip you with the tools and insights you need to navigate life’s challenges, make meaningful changes, and cultivate your personal effectiveness starting with your inner core.

Why Build a Core of Personal Effectiveness

Here are three compelling reasons to build a core of personal effectiveness:

  1. Achieving Your Dreams: Personal effectiveness is the compass that guides you toward your dreams and goals. It empowers you to set clear objectives, manage your time wisely, and make informed decisions. With these skills, you can transform your aspirations into concrete, achievable plans. Imagine the satisfaction of realizing your dreams, whether they involve advancing in your career, nurturing fulfilling relationships, or pursuing personal growth.
  2. Resilience in the Face of Challenges: Life is full of unexpected challenges and setbacks. Personal effectiveness equips you with the resilience and problem-solving abilities needed to navigate these hurdles with grace and determination. It’s about bouncing back from adversity, learning from failures, and emerging stronger and wiser. By developing your personal effectiveness, you can face life’s storms with unwavering courage and emerge victorious.
  3. Empowering Others and Leaving a Legacy: Personal effectiveness is not only about self-improvement but also about inspiring and empowering others. As you enhance your communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills, you become a beacon of guidance and support for those around you. Whether you’re a parent, a mentor, or a leader, your personal effectiveness can shape the lives of others positively. In this way, you leave a lasting legacy of growth, impact, and empowerment.

Arts, Business, Education, Finance, Health, Home, love, Science, Travel

From Daddy…

Leave a comment
Thank You Daddy!

Dear Son,

Remember you have warrior’s blood in your veins

The code that made me as your father is the same code that will make you a man that your children will admire and respect

Put your pain in a box, lock it down, we are men made up of boxes, chambers of loss and triumph, of hurt and hope and love

No one is stronger and more dangerous than a man who can harness his emotions, his past

Use it as fuel, as ammunition, as ink to write the most important letter of your life.

Love Daddy!

Business, Education, Finance, Health, Home, love

The Kipling Poem – What A Man Should Be!

Leave a comment
For Tafadzwa!

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream- -and not make dreams your master;
If you can think- -and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build’em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on! ‘

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings- -nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And- -which is more- -you’ll be a Man, my son!

By Rudyard Kipling

Business, Education, Finance, Health, Travel

Why Worry?

Leave a comment

Worrying too much about what others think about you is a waster of thoughts. Truth is, they rarely do. Think about expanding your potential, strength and confidence and let mistakes become guiding points that guide you towards your destiny. Some of the best decisions are made from your past experiences and lessons obtained from past choices. Mistakes may be painful and costly, but with time, they become a collection of valuable lessons learnt about decision making. Instead of living with regrets, learn and move on. You may not live long enough to make all mistakes in order to get enough life lessons. Take advantage of other people’s mistakes and learn your lessons.

Business, Education, Finance, Health, love

October Golden Nuggets

Leave a comment

Find someone who is real

Find someone who wants to authentically learn who you are as a person

Find someone who lets you know from the very beginning if they have genuine intentions

Find someone who isn’t just a friend but a partner, a mentor, someone who you can come to when life is so hard and you feel like giving up and they are there to pick you back up on your feet

Find someone who respects you and your children

Find someone who shows you the definition of effort

Find someone who takes a day off work when you’re sick to make sure you’re taken care of

Find someone who motivates you to do better in life because relationships are more than just falling in love. It’s about inspiring each other to become better versions of yourselves day in and day out.

Find someone who is patient with you and are guided by morals and reasoning

Find someone not only to love, but someone to grow with, learn from and to share new experience with.

Find someone who’s willing to understand you

Find someone who admits when they are wrong

Find someone who understands it’s not about giving you the world; it’s about making you feel like you’re the only one in it

Take my advice and wait for someone who touches your heart in ways you never thought were imaginable

Business, Education, Entreprenuer, Finance, love

12 Life Lessons To Carry You Through Life

Leave a comment

1. Dr. Ben Carson said, “I struggled academically throughout elementary school yet became the best neurosurgeon in the world in 1987.”

 LESSON: Struggling is a sign that you are on a verge of success. Don’t quit yet.

2. Bill Gates said, “I didn’t even complete my university education but became the world’s richest man.”

 LESSON: School does not make you rich. School is only supposed to polish what will make you rich, not make you rich.

3. Christiano Ronaldo said, “I told my father that we would be very rich but he couldn’t believe me. I made it a reality.”

 LESSON: Your words rule your life. If you mean what you have said, each word will come to pass. You get what you say.

4. Hear Lionel Messi! “I used to serve tea at a shop to support my football training and still became one of the world’s best footballers.”

 LESSON: Believe in your dream. Don’t let your pain tell you how your future will look like.

5. Steve Jobs penned, “I used to sleep on the floor in my friends’ rooms, returning coke bottles for food, money, and getting weekly free meals at a local temple, I later on founded Apple Company.”

 LESSON: That you are small today doesn’t mean you will be small tomorrow. Keep trusting God.

6. Former British PM, Tony Blair said & I quote, “My teachers used to call me a failure, but I became a Prime Minister.”

 LESSON: Don’t let someone else’s opinions of you become your reality.

7. Nelson Mandela said, “I was in prison for 27 years & still became president.”

 LESSON: You can be anything you want to be no matter where you have been or what you have been through.

 8.REECE “I drove a taxi to finance my university education but today I’m a billionaire.”

 LESSON: Don’t let your past decide the kind of future you need to have.

9. Harland Sanders, Founder of KFC said, “I was on the verge of suicide when an idea of opening a restaurant hit me after I retired as a cook in the Navy.”

LESSON: Nothing is ever too late. “Too late” is a language of failures. Your future can begin at any age. Don’t ever let AGE limit you.

10. Aliko Dangote said, “I worked for my uncle since I was a small boy, people looked down on me. I later on took a loan from my uncle to open a tiny shop. I worked hard to make ends meet. Now I am the richest Man in Africa.

 LESSON: Failures or limitations of the past have no control over the greatness in you. To him that believes, all things are possible.

11. Barack Hussein Obama said, I am a son of a black immigrant from Kenya, I graduated from Harvard and later on became a Senator in Chicago. I was also the President of the most powerful nation on Earth.

 LESSON: Never design your life like a garden where anyone can walk in and out. Design it like the sky where everyone aspires to reach!

12. Arnold Swarzzenegger said, I traveled to America in search of financial independence when I was 15yrs old. I became the world’s strongest man 7 times and Mr. Universe. I then got my Economics degree, then I became one of Hollywood’s best actors before I was voted twice as governor of California.”

LESSON: Don’t wait for everybody to believe in your ability and dreams.

Education, Finance, Health, love

Harsh Truths I Know At 40, I Wish I Knew at 20

Leave a comment
  1. Most of your friends aren’t really your friends. They are just along for the ride when it’s fun or convenient. Your real friends are there for you when you have nothing to offer.
  2. You’ll only see your loved ones a few more times. Remember: It’s later that you think.
  3. Most people don’t really care about you. The spotlight Effect says that we overestimate the degree to which other people are observing our actions. This should be liberating.
  4. You don’t need to have an opinion on everything. It’s perfectly reasonable to have no opinion on something that you haven’t researched or don’t understand.
  5. You probably won’t be remembered or have a legacy. In a few thousand years, chances are we will all be forgotten.
  6. You can tell everything you need to know about a person by observing (1)how they treat service workers and (2)whether they put their shopping cart back.
  7. You can get pretty damn far in life by just saying what you’re going to do and then doing it. No fancy hack needed.
  8. Most of us need fewer friends and more intellectual sparring partners. Friends are easy to come by, but intellectual sparring partners question our assumptions and force us to level up.
  9. Being kind to people is the only real life hack. Kindness remains severely underrated.
  10. We should all stop talking about how many books we read last year. It’s much more impressive to ready one book and have it deeply impact you than to read 100 books and not feel a thing.
  11. You should never bet against a person who just keeps showing up.
  12. Most of the people you look up to and admire are remarkably unremarkable. Their success is not due to some intrinsic difference, but some stellar combination of effort and luck.
  13. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is (and you should run away)
  14. You’re probably being held back by your unwillingness to ask. Remember: Closed mouths don’t get fed.
  15. Failure doesn’t always lead to growth. Sometimes failure just leads to pain. Sometimes the growth doesn’t come from the failure, but from simply outlasting the darkness.
  16. Waking up is the easiest way to improve your odds of success. You don’t have to wake up early to be successful, but you rarely find an early riser that isn’t winning.
  17. Hard work is not overrated. That’s ridiculous. 99% of successful people worked very hard.
  18. Showing up early costs very little and pays off handsomely in the long run.
  19. The world is not fair. Bad people win and good people lose – most of the time. The world may never be truly fair, but it will always belong to those who make the most of what they have before them.
Business, Education, Entreprenuer, Finance, Health, love

In Order…

Leave a comment

In order to grow…we have to understand that some things that happened in our lives were beyond our control.

When You look back on the past you may wonder that maybe if you had made different choices in your life things would have turned out differently or maybe if you were at a specific place at a certain time things would not have happened the way they did.

They say everything happens for a reason and that things unfold the way it was meant to but often we find that hard to accept.

Not many will understand how hard you really tried to make peace with it all and how some things will never leave you. It’s as if someone just flipped a switch and your light turned into darkness.

I know…life was not fair to you. You did not deserve to go through what you did and I know that sometimes you can’t help but wonder why you were the chosen one.

But I can tell you…the answers that you have always been searching for will be told someday.

Business, Education, Finance, Home, Travel

When Something Is For You…

Leave a comment

When something is for you, it will bring clarity and alignment to your life, not chaos and confusion.

When something is for you, it will not run or hide or avoid being yours. You do not have to chase after anything or anyone.

When something is for you, you won’t feel the need to beg, convince, or force. Things will feel easeful, grounded and safe.

When something is for you, it will not make you question or second guess your worth. Instead, it will remind you how worthy and loved you truly are.

When something is for you, it will feel healthy and supportive – not toxic and destructive.

When something is for you, it will feel healthy and supportive – not toxic and destructive.

When something is for you, you’ll know it. Stop ignoring the signs. Release what needs to be released to that you can receive what needs to be received.

Business, Education, Entreprenuer, Finance, Health

15 July Golden Nuggets!

Leave a comment
  1. Life doesn’t wait for you to be okay. Get up everyday and keep pushing through.
  2. Never force anyone to choose you. You’ll learn the art to spend time alone
  3. Master your emotions. A calm mind can handle any situation.
  4. To avoid disappointment, you need to take people for who they’re not for what you want them to be.
  5. Everyone will show you who they’re, just give them time
  6. You’re at peace with yourself when you mind your own business.
  7. Ensure you take good care of yourself, if anything happens to you, the world will move on.
  8. Nobody cares, work hard to get better everyday.
  9. If you don’t work to build your own dream, someone will hire you and give you a purpose.
  10. Free yourself from the society’s advice, most of them have no idea of what they’re doing.
  11. 30 years is too long to sit in an office being told what to do.
  12. You shouldn’t frequently take advice from people who’re not where you want to be in life.
  13. Life’s is 100% better when no one know anything about you
  14. You become 10x smarter when you quit the news and put politics out of your topics, unless it is your official occupation or it benefits you positively
  15. You need to be smart enough to create your opportunities, don’t wait for them to come to you.
Business, Education, Finance, Health

ABSOLUTE TRUTHS TO LIVE BY

Leave a comment

The future is Built in the present, legacies of the future are kept values/valuables of the present. The future must look at the past and see you involved creating something that will outlive your own lifetime and positively impact future generations. The next generation must celebrate you, while you live, today, map your path for others to know and follow.

  1. Lasting legacies are founded on clear Identify, cultural values and inspiring passion. The living must know that they will die and leave footprints on the sands of life. While they live it is imperative for them to Understand difference between values and passing fashion, wants and needs. Passions is the fingerprint of your legacy, what are you going to be remembered for? What did you spent your life doing passionately?
  2. The reason for your season , what is your purpose? What do you want to achieve in life, such as creating a business, charity, technology, inventions or community service? This must not depend on anybody or anything but you. You will work for this idea which consumes you from within, and achieve it before you die, that’s what we call purpose.
  3. Plan, prepare a program to follow, Set clear, specific and measurable goals that will help budget, plan, spend to achieve your purpose. There is great satisfaction in living your dreams and following you calling.
  4. Until its done, its not done, plan, do and adjust, take action to achieve your goals and make progress toward your purpose. Everyday do something towards that goal.
  5. Build Friendships, relationships and good networks with people who share the same goals and interests with you and they will assist you to achieve your purpose while they also achieve theirs.
  6. Spend and be spend on others, Inspire others: Inspire and motivate others to participate in your vision and cause. Rivers flow from drops and streams and in unity those drops join to form a formidable movement and force.
  7. Stand in the future and build in the present: Learn and evolve, or fossilize and die: Continuously learn and evolve in your vision and strategy to ensure it remains relevant and effective over time. Build a bridge between the present and the future.

Keep your goal breathing, alive and well, Write it down and put it on a visible place to keep it fresh on your mind and to inform your daily agenda. Do you, break it down to daily small pieces.
Remember ants can take an elephant into a small hole, and big doors hang of small hinges. Have trusted people who will follow up on your progress and hold you accountable to your goals.

Make time to be happy and Celebrate small wins along the way to keep you motivated. Be patient with yourself and stay positive, continue to work towards your goal even when faced with challenges.
HERITAGE and Legacy project requires perseverance, determination and focus.

The Pharaohs of old spend their entire lives building pyramids and today they are in every classroom. What will you spent your life building to be in the next classroom?

From the Watcher of Alkebulan

Business, Education, Finance, love, Society, Travel

Intelligence

Leave a comment

“According to Psychologists, there are four types of Intelligence:

1) Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
2) Emotional Quotient (EQ)
3) Social Quotient (SQ)
4) Adversity Quotient (AQ)

  1. Intelligence Quotient (IQ): this is the measure of your level of comprehension. You need IQ to solve maths, memorize things, and recall lessons.
  2. Emotional Quotient (EQ): this is the measure of your ability to maintain peace with others, keep to time, be responsible, be honest, respect boundaries, be humble, genuine and considerate.
  3. Social Quotient (SQ): this is the measure of your ability to build a network of friends and maintain it over a long period of time.

People that have higher EQ and SQ tend to go further in life than those with a high IQ but low EQ and SQ. Most schools capitalize on improving IQ levels while EQ and SQ are played down.

A man of high IQ can end up being employed by a man of high EQ and SQ even though he has an average IQ.

Your EQ represents your Character, while your SQ represents your Charisma. Give in to habits that will improve these three Qs, especially your EQ and SQ.

Now there is a 4th one, a new paradigm:

  1. The Adversity Quotient (AQ): The measure of your ability to go through a rough patch in life, and come out of it without losing your mind.

When faced with troubles, AQ determines who will give up, who will abandon their family, and who will consider suicide.

Parents please expose your children to other areas of life than just Academics. They should adore manual labor (never use work as a form of punishment), Sports and Arts.

Develop their IQ, as well as their EQ, SQ and AQ. They should become multifaceted human beings able to do things independently of their parents.

Finally, do not prepare the road for your children. Prepare your children for the road.”

Arts, Business, Education, Finance, Health, love

Must Read Quotes From Bruce Lee!

Leave a comment
  • “It doesn’t matter if you were born as a legend, what matters is the legendary end. Think about it”
  • “Patience is not passive, on the contrary it is concentrated strength.”
  • “Sensitivity is not possible if you are afraid.”
  • “A wise man can always be found alone. A weak man can always be found in a crowd.”
  • “Don’t speak negatively about yourself, even as a joke. Your body doesn’t know the difference. Words are energy and they cast spells, that’s why it’s called spelling. Change the way you speak about yourself, and you can change your life.”
  • “What is true stillness? Stillness in movement.”
  • “The less confident we are in ourselves, the less we are in touch with ourselves and the world, the more we want to control.”
  • “Only the self-sufficient stand alone – most people follow the crowd and imitate.”
  • “A fight is not won by one punch or kick. Either learn to endure or hire a bodyguard.”
  • “Those who are unaware they are walking in darkness will never seek the light.”
  • “Don’t fear failure. Not failure but low aim, is the crime. In great attempts it is glorious even to fail.”
  • “In order to taste my cup of water you must first empty your cup.”
  • “If you think a thing is impossible, you’ll only make it impossible.”
  • “Use only that which works, and take it from any place you can find it.”
  • “It’s not what you give, it’s the way you give it.”
  • “Optimism is a faith that leads to success.”
  • “If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
  • “Obey the principles without being bound by them.”
  • “A quick temper will make a fool of you soon enough.”
  • “The possession of anything begins in the mind.”
  • “If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.”
  • “If you love life, don’t waste time, for time is what life is made up of.”
  • “The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering.”
  • “A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.”
  • “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”
  • “Forget about winning and losing; forget about pride and pain.”
  • “Be self aware, rather than a repetitious robot.”
  • “A teacher is never a giver or truth; he is a guide, a pointer to the truth that each student must find for himself.”
  • “Simplicity is the shortest distance between two points.”
  • “Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water.”
  • “I am learning to understand rather that immediately judge or to be judged.”
  • “To know, but to be as though not knowing, is the height of wisdom.”
  • “Never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you. I’ll not willingly offend, nor be easily offended.”
  • “Loneliness is only an opportunity to cut adrift and find yourself. In solitude you are least alone. Make good use of it.”
  • “I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations and you’re not in this world to live up to mine.”
  • “Love and respect. Without respect, love cannot go long.”
  • “Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.”
  • “Never try to copy a successful personality.”
  • “If you don’t want to slip up tomorrow, speak the truth today.”
  • “Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them.”
  • “The medicine for my suffering I had within me from the very beginning but I did not take it. My ailment came from within myself, but I did not observe it, until this moment.”
  • “Life is never stagnation. It is constant movement, un-rhythmic movement, as we as constant change. Things live by moving and gain strength as they go.”
  • “We all have time to either spend or waste and it is our decision what to do with it. But once passed, it is gone forever.”
  • “The moment is freedom. I couldn’t live by a rigid schedule. I try to live freely from moment to moment, letting things happen and adjusting to them.”
  • “I treasure the memory of the past misfortunes. It has added more to my bank of fortitude.”
  • “I am happy, because I am growing daily and I am honestly not knowing where the limit lies.”
  • “You just wait. I’m going to be the biggest Chinese Star in the world.”
  • “All fixed set patterns are incapable of adaptability or pliability. The truth is outside of all fixed patterns.”
  • “If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life.”
  • “A wise man can learn more from a fooling question than a fool can learn from a wise answer.”
  • “Practice makes perfect. After a long time of practicing, our work will become natural, skillfull, swift and steady.”
  • “If you want to swim jump into the water. On dry land no frame of mind is ever going to help you.”
  • “My style? You can call it the art of fighting without fighting.”
  • “The most dangerous person is the one who listens, thinks and observes.”
  • “Education: to discover but not merely to imitate. Learning techniques without inward experiencing can only lead to superficiality.”
  • “Discipline must conform to the nature of things in their suchness.”
  • “Develop the tools, refine the tools, then dissolve the tools.”
  • “Do not correct a fool or he will hate you, correct a wise man and he will appreciate you.”
  • “The unfolding of the bare human soul…that is what interests me.”
  • “Obviously, if your kick does not commence, his punch will land first and your defense is useless.”
  • “Yielding will overcome anything superior to itself; it’s strength is boundless.”
  • “Be happy, but never satisfied.”
  • “Remember no man is defeated unless he is discouraged.”
  • “Do not allow negative thoughts to enter your mind for they are the weeds that strangle confidence.”
  • “Endurance is lost rapidly if one ceases to work at its maximum.”
  • “Preparation for tomorrow is hard work today.”
  • “It’s like a finger pointing away to the moon. Don’t concentrate on the finger or you will miss all the heavenly glory.”
  • “You can never invite the wind but you must leave the window open.”
  • “I am not teaching you anything. I just help you to explore yourself.”
  • “Life is wide, limitless. There is no border, no frontier.”
  • “Fortunately for me, my self-knowledge has transcended that and I’ve come to understand that life is best to be lived – not to be conceptualized. If you have to think, you still do not understand.”
  • “Simplicity is the key to brilliance.”
  • “When one has no form, one can be all forms; when one has no style, he can fit in with any style.”
  • “When one has reached maturity in the art, one will have a formless form. It is like ice dissolving in water.”
  • “Life’s battles don’t always go the the stronger or faster man. But sooner or later the man who wins, is the man who thinks he can.”
  • “The doubters said, ‘ Man cannot fly; the doers said, ‘Maybe, but we’ll try, and finally soared in the morning glow, while non-believers watched from below.”
  • “Relationship is the mirror in which you discover yourself – to be is to be related.”
  • “Self-knowledge involves relationship. To know oneself is to study one self in action with another person.”
  • “For it is easy to criticize and break down the spirit of others, but to know yourself takes a lifetime.”
  • “Defeat is not defeat unless accepted as a reality in your own mind.”
  • “Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own.”
  • “Make at least one definite move daily toward your goal.”
  • “I cannot blindly follow the crowd and accept their approach.”
  • “Take things as they are. Punch when you have to punch. Kick when you have to kick.”
  • “To hell with circumstances; I create opportunities.”
  • “Knowledge will give you power, but character respect.”
  • “The man who is really serious with the urge to find out what truth is, has no style at all. He lives only in what is.”
  • Life is something for which there is no answer; it must be understood from moment to moment.”
  • “A good fight should be like a small play, but played seriously.”
Education, Finance, Health, love, Science, Travel

50 Life Lessons From An 80 Year Old Man

Leave a comment
  1. Have a firm handshake.
  2. Look people in the eye.
  3. Sing in the shower.
  4. Own a great stereo system.
  5. If you are in a fight, hit hard and hit first.
  6. Keep secrets.
  7. Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday.
  8. Always accept an outstretched hand.
  9. Be brave. Even if you are not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.
  10. Whislte.
  11. Avoid sarcastic remarks.
  12. Choose your life mate carefully.
  13. Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out.
  14. Lend only those books you never care about.
  15. Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have.
  16. When playing games with children, let them win.
  17. Give people a second chance, but not a third.
  18. Be romantic.
  19. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
  20. Loosen up, Relax. Except for rare life and death matters, nothing is as important as it first seems.
  21. Don’t allow the phone to interrupt important moments. It’s there for out convenience, not the caller’s.
  22. Be a good loser.
  23. Be a good winner.
  24. Think twice before burdening a friend with a secret.
  25. When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go.
  26. Be modest. A lot was accomplished before you were born.
  27. Keep it simple.
  28. Beware of the person who has nothing to lose.
  29. Don’t burn bridges. You’ll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river.
  30. Live your life so that your obituary could read, No regrets.
  31. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on life, you’ll regret the things you didn’t do more than the ones you did.
  32. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
  33. Remember no one makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who helped you.
  34. Take charge of your attitude. Don’t let someone else choose it for you.
  35. Visit friends and relatives when they are in the hospital; even if it is just for a few minutes.
  36. Begin each day with some of your favorite music.
  37. Once in a while, take the scenic route.
  38. Send a lot of valentine cards. Sign them, “Someone who thins you’re terrific.”
  39. Answer the phone with enthusiasm and energy in your voice.
  40. Keep a notepad and pencil on your bed-side table. Million-dollar ideas sometimes strike at 3 a.m
  41. Show respect for everyone who works for a living, regardless of how trivial their job.
  42. Send your loved ones flowers. Think of a reason later.
  43. Make someone’s day by paying the toll for the person in the car behind you.
  44. Become someone’s hero.
  45. Marry only for love.
  46. Count your blessings.
  47. Compliment the meal when you’re a guest in someone’s home.
  48. Wave at the children on a school bus.
  49. Remember that 80% of the success in any job is based on your ability to deal with people.
  50. Don’t expect life to be fair.
Arts, Business, Education, Fashion, Finance, Health, Science

DON’T BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF

Leave a comment

God can bring good even out of your mistakes. Your finite mind tends to look backward, longing to undo decisions you have come to regret. This is a waste of time and energy, leading only to frustration. Instead of floundering in the past, release your mistakes to God.

Look to God for trust, anticipating that God’s infinite creativity can weave both good choices and bad into a lovely design.

Because we are human, we will continue to make mistakes. Thinking that you should live an error-free life is symptomatic of pride. Your failures can be a source of blessing, humbling you and giving you empathy for other people in their weaknesses.

Best of all, failure highlights your dependence on God. God is able to bring beauty out of the morass of your mistakes.

Trust God and watch to see what He can do.

Business, Education, Finance, Travel

20 PRO English TEST TIPS

Leave a comment

I have compiled the most practical tips that you can use to  assess the four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

How to smash the LISTENING section:

The Listening test consists of 4 sections. Before each section you will hear some instructions and you will have the time to read the questions. Then the section will start.

1. Do not copy the answers in the breaks between sections
After the test you will be given 10 whole minutes to copy all your answers to the Answer Sheet so use the time in between section to read the following section’s questions.

2. Don’t focus on spelling or grammar during the listening!
You can check them at the end of the test when you transfer the answers onto the answer sheet.

3. Read the Instructions and Questions very Carefully
Take the time to understand what you have to do, don’t rush!

4. Write Down Answers on the test Paper First
While you are listening, write down answers on the test paper first without worrying about spelling and grammar. It would be a distraction and you will have another 10 minutes to copy and finish your answer at the end of the listening section.

5. Do Check Spelling and Grammar
Make sure to check spelling and grammar before handing in your answer sheet. Don’t panic and save a few minutes for this very important task.

How to smash the READING section:

The reading skills required (prediction, finding specific information, identifying opinions etc.) are the same for both the Academic and general Training tests, but the type of test will be different. On the Academic paper you will be given three long academic texts that are similar to university readings while on the General Training paper, texts of a much more general nature like documents, newspapers and flyers are given to the candidates.

6. Check the instructions very carefully. Again
Some tasks require you to use words from the text in the answer; in others you should use your own words.

7. Don’t panic if you don’t know the meaning of some words
It is normal. If English is not your first language, you might be unfamiliar with some vocabulary, just move on and get a sense of the sentence.

8. Read. Read and Read
Prior to the test, make sure to read everyday for an hour or more. The more you read the broader your vocabulary will become and the easier the test will be.

9. Use your time very carefully
You will have one hour for the Reading test. Try and get each section finished in 20 minutes making sure you have at least 3-4 minutes at the end of each section to transfer and check your answers.

10. Don’t leave any blanks
Even if you don’t know the answer, attempt every question. There are no penalties for incorrect answers, so have a guess. Luck might be on your side, if not, you’ve got nothing to lose.

How to smash the WRITING section:

Whether you are taking the Academic or the General test, you have to complete two writing tasks and you will have 60 minutes to do so. For the Writing Task 1 of the Academic test, you need to write a summary of at least 150 words in response to a particular graph, table, chart, or process For the the Writing Task 1 of the General test, candidates are asked to write a letter to solve a given problem.
Task 2 of both tests requires you to write at least 250 words in response to a topic that you will be given.

11. Use the appropriate writing style
Use a formal language for essays and informal language for informal letters

12. Answer the question!
There is no right or wrong answer as long as you answer the question. Remember that your language skills are assessed not your ideas.

13. Be concise.
Short, correct sentences are the winners.

14. Practice
Before the test, use the official writing forms to practice and check what 250 words look like in your own handwriting

15. Don’t go off topic
What’s the test about? Make sure you write about that and stick to it for the entire test.

How to smash the SPEAKING section:

And at the end, you will be finally sitting in front of the Examiner and you will have to talk for about 20 minutes.

16. Communicate effectively
Remember that you are not being tested on your general knowledge but on your ability to communicate effectively.

17. Listen before opening your mouth
This should be a general life tip, but especially during the speaking test, you should stay focused and let the examiner ask his questions before you attempt your answer.

18. Keep on talking.
The more you talk, the higher the score. Obviously only if you have something to say, don’t just talk non sense.

19. Don’t go off topic!
If you do, it might seem to the examiner that you didn’t understand the question. So take a deep breath and answer carefully.

20. Talk well
Talk as fluently as possible and use all those words you’ve learnt, try to put them among your well-thought answers, show off your vocabulary.

Extra tip!

An extra tip that’s useful for the test is to avoid becoming a clock slave: don’t panic and avoid looking at the clock every 10 secs – you have time!!!

Will these tricks and tips help you smash the exam? The answer is YES and NO. Or better, you will need to do a lot of work and become very familiar with the exam, these pro tips are useful only if you have studied and prepared for the test and your general knowledge of the English language is at a good level.

And you? Have you passed the English test? What was your score? Let us know in the comments below!

Finance, Health, Home, Recreation, Society, Travel

SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF

Leave a comment
“Well-being is realized by small steps, but is truly no small thing.”

The truth is one we know well; the little things add up. Someone is a good person not because they say they are, but because they take good actions. One does not magically get one’s act together – it is a matter of many individual choices. It’s a matter of getting up at the right time, making your bed, resisting shortcuts, investing in yourself, doing your work. And make no mistake: while the individual action is small, it’s cumulative impact is not.

Think about all the small choices that will roll themselves out in front of you today. Do you know which are the right way and which are the easy way? Choose the right way, and watch as all these little things add up toward transformation.

Business, Education, Finance, Home, Travel

15 Unique Ways to Practice Speaking English

Leave a comment

Let’s be honest. You cannot claim to be fluent in English if you are not a fluent English speaker. Even if you have memorized the English dictionary, it will not matter if you cannot communicate in English. With that being said, we understand that speaking in English for non-native speakers can be intimidating.

Conversational English, especially, is challenging. In addition to the other ways English is confusing when you want to speak like native English speakers, it means you must be familiar with slang, contractions, and cultural idioms.

So, how do you move from the textbook and the computer screen grammar practice to actually speaking English? To put it simply – you speak it! To become a fluent English speaker, you must make every effort to speak English daily and often.

However, many foreign language students find themselves struggling to find opportunities to practice speaking English. That’s where I come in. Below, you will find 15 ways to practice speaking English.

1. Talk to Yourself

First things first, you are going to need to get used to talking to yourself. No, this will not make you crazy! In fact, you will probably find you feel more comfortable trying out new English words and phrases alone before you try them out in conversation with someone else. When you find yourself alone in your home or dorm, talk aloud about what you are doing, such as describing the meal you are cooking.

2. Listen to Yourself

If you do not have anyone to practice English conversations, look for English language apps that have a recording tool. Use the recorder to record yourself speaking English and then listen to it. Do you sound like the English speaker you are repeating? Take note of what sounds and words you are struggling with and practice speaking them aloud into the recorder.

3. Watch Yourself Talk

Another unique way to practice speaking and build your confidence is to use a mirror. Yes – it sounds strange. But, by looking at yourself speak in the mirror, you will be able to see how your mouth moves and forms words, as well as your body language.

4. Read A Blog

Another unique way to practice speaking English is to read blogs that inspire and motivate you to learn more, such as www.jambujoseph.wordpress.com . Reading blogs is one of the most fun and effective ways to help improve your English language skills. Blogs help to expand your vocabulary and expose you to different sentence structures, all while you enjoy some wonderful stories.

5. Read Along with Subtitles

Whenever possible, you should use subtitles. While subtitles also help you learn how to read in English, you can also use the subtitles to practice reading aloud. When you read aloud, you are speaking.

6. Imitate What You Hear on TV

Find some television shows or movies that you enjoy watching. After watching, imitate the way the characters speak English. As you will come to learn, the tone affects the meaning in English conversation. By paying attention to the character’s tone and body language, you will have a better understanding of how to communicate in real life.

7. Use Video Messaging to Practice Speaking

If you have friends or family members who speak English and live abroad, you should take advantage of the many video messaging tools, such as Skype and Facetime, to practice speaking. In situations with friends and family, you will need to explain that you want to speak in English because they may assume you feel more comfortable speaking your native language.

8. Speak in English to a Virtual Assistant

Set up any virtual assistant tools you use (such as Siri, Google, or Amazon Alexa) to speak in English. Not only will the virtual assistant speak in English, but you must also speak English to get a response. Additionally, this is a great way to improve enunciation.

9. Order Food in English

Whenever you have go out to eat, order your food in English. This actually applies to anytime you are speaking with a customer service representative. When you are out in public, make an effort to speak to your waiters or store clerks in English.

10. Narrate Your Day

Whether alone or with a speaking partner, spend time each day narrating your day aloud. By speaking about your day, you will build up your conversational English skills, as two common English questions are “How was your day?” and “What did you do today?”

11. Make Commentaries in English

For those that are passionate about sports, use English to commentate sports games. Listen to English sports announcers and then mimic them. In addition to sports, you can also commentate video games in English and share them online.

12. Use a Messaging App

Another unique way to practice speaking in English is to download and use Whatsapp. Whatsapp is a messaging tool used by more than 1 billion people all over the world. In addition to using the app for video messaging and English conversations, the app is also a great way to connect with other English learners to practice.

13. Sing in English

Look for musicians and bands that sing in English that you enjoy. As you become familiar with their songs, sing them aloud! You can start with karaoke that allows you to read the lyrics while singing along. Singing is a great way to build your vocabulary and learn how to pronounce words.

14. Try Tongue Twisters

Brave souls should try to master popular English tongue twisters. These are funny one-sentence poems that involve rhyming and alliteration. Their similar sounds make them difficult to speak, so it is a fun challenge for English learners.

15. Engage With An English Teacher To Polish-Up Your Speaking.

Of course, the best way to practice speaking English is to Speak more of it everyday and more so with a professional.  In this regard, a teacher’s role is believed to hold great importance. Teachers initiate learners to the whole learning process, and their feedback constitutes the significant step forward that triggers learners towards enunciating a language. Speaking directly to an English teacher either by phone, video call or one on one is a truly immersive experience that can be used to reinforce what has already been learned in the classroom or as a remedial tool to help learners who require additional support.

Business, Education, Fashion, Finance, Shopping, Travel

Learning English Is A Lifestyle and Not An Act

Leave a comment

The phrase “learning English is a lifestyle not an act” emphasizes that learning a language, particularly English, requires a long-term commitment and a daily effort, rather than a one-time or sporadic activity. Here are some detailed meanings and examples of how this phrase can apply in different situations:

  1. Consistency is key: To learn English, one needs to make it a part of their daily routine. This means dedicating time each day to learn new vocabulary, practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English. Consistency is crucial to building language skills over time. For instance, one can listen to English podcasts on their daily commute, read English news articles, and watch English movies in their free time to consistently immerse themselves in the language.
  2. Language learning is a gradual process: Language acquisition is not an event or an act but a continuous process. Learning English requires a long-term commitment to build a solid foundation of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. One needs to set realistic goals and practice regularly to achieve fluency. For example, setting a goal to learn five new English words each day, and using them in sentences can be a way to slowly and steadily build vocabulary.
  3. Learning English is a lifestyle choice: Learning English requires adopting a lifestyle that incorporates the language into everyday activities. It is not just about studying for a test or an exam but rather a continuous effort to improve communication skills. One can attend English-speaking events, join English language groups, and even engage in English conversations with friends and family members. By integrating English into their daily life, learners can achieve fluency in a more meaningful and effective way.
  4. A willingness to make mistakes: Learning a new language can be daunting, but making mistakes is a part of the learning process. Learners need to be willing to make mistakes and learn from them to improve their skills. For instance, speaking English with a native speaker, even if it’s not perfect, can be a valuable learning opportunity.
  5. Learning English as a lifelong journey: Learning English is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey. Even after achieving fluency, one can continue to learn new words, phrases, and nuances of the language. Learning English can be a fulfilling and enjoyable experience that opens doors to new opportunities, experiences, and relationships.

Overall, the phrase “learning English is a lifestyle not an act” emphasizes that language learning requires a long-term commitment, a willingness to make mistakes, and a dedication to integrating the language into everyday life. By making English a part of their lifestyle, learners can achieve fluency and continue to improve their skills throughout their lifetime.

Education, Finance, Home, Science, Travel

When The Student Is Ready The Teacher Will Appear

Leave a comment

The phrase “when the student is ready the teacher will appear” can be interpreted in a variety of ways, but at its core, it emphasizes the importance of timing and readiness in the process of learning and growth. Here are some detailed meanings and examples of how this phrase can apply in different situations:

  1. The importance of being receptive to learning: The phrase suggests that when a person is truly open and receptive to learning, the right teacher or mentor will present themselves at the right time. For example, if a student is struggling with a particular subject in school and feels frustrated and resistant to learning, they may not be ready to receive help or guidance. However, if the student begins to approach the subject with a more open and curious mindset, a teacher or tutor may appear to offer them the support and resources they need to succeed.
  2. Trusting the timing of the learning process: The phrase also implies that the learning process unfolds at its own pace, and that it’s important to trust the timing of when new knowledge or insights will emerge. For example, a person may have a desire to learn a new skill or pursue a new passion, but if they rush into it too quickly without proper preparation or foundation, they may struggle to make progress. However, if they take the time to build a strong foundation and develop their skills gradually, the right opportunities and teachers may present themselves along the way to guide them on their journey.
  3. The role of synchronicity in learning: The phrase also suggests that there may be a deeper sense of synchronicity or serendipity at work in the process of learning and growth. For example, a person may meet a new teacher or mentor in a chance encounter or unexpected circumstance, and feel a strong sense of resonance or connection that inspires them to learn and grow in new ways.

Overall, the phrase “when the student is ready the teacher will appear” emphasizes the importance of readiness, openness, and trust in the process of learning and growth. It suggests that when we approach new challenges and opportunities with an open and receptive mindset, the right teachers and resources will appear to guide us on our path.