Life is hard, it gets easy then, it gets hard again, but then it gets easy again—it’s a cycle.
As I reflect on the time when I was young, with an open heart and boundless dreams – I write to you this letter to remind you of the value of time, the importance of patience and the wisdom found in mistakes.
These will be moments when I feel lost, fearful of the future and unsure of myself. But know this, all of it is part of my growth. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. I might fail, but each failure is a lesson. What I feel today does not define who I will become tomorrow.
Always remember to stay true to yourself. Don’t bend over backward to please others at the cost of forgetting who you are. Be kind to yourself and never compare your journey to someone else’s. Everyone has their own timing, their own tests and their own unique path.
Please keep dreaming, reading, learning and surrounding yourself with good people. Don’t be discouraged by obstacles – they are temporary and you are stronger than you think. Time will pass and you will grow beautifully into someone who finally understands herself.
Whatever lies ahead, you will overcome it with honesty, faith and consistent effort. You are worthy of love, success and every beautiful thing coming your way.
“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else – means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.”
1. Know your enemy and know yourself. This is the most important lesson in The Art of War. If you know your enemy and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles.
2. Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak. This is a lesson about deception. By appearing weak when you are strong, you can trick your enemy into underestimating you.
3. Attack where the enemy is unprepared. This is a lesson about surprise. By attacking where the enemy is unprepared, you can gain an advantage.
4. Make use of spies. Spies can provide you with valuable information about your enemy.
5. Use terrain to your advantage. The terrain can be a powerful tool in battle. By understanding the terrain, you can use it to your advantage.
6. Be flexible. The situation on the battlefield is constantly changing. You need to be flexible in order to adapt to these changes.
7. Concentrate your forces. Don’t spread your forces too thin. Instead, concentrate your forces on a single point of attack.
8. Strike at the enemy’s heart. The heart of the enemy is their will to fight. If you can break the enemy’s will to fight, you will win the battle.
9. Use deception. Deception is a powerful tool in war. By deceiving your enemy, you can gain an advantage.
10. Know when to retreat. Sometimes, the best course of action is to retreat. By retreating, you can preserve your forces for future battles.
These are just a few of the many lessons that can be learned from The Art of War. This book is a classic for a reason. It is full of wisdom that can be applied to all aspects of life, not just war.
Speech for University Culture Day Asalamu Aleikum Waramtulla Wabarakatu.. Esteemed Rector, respected faculty, honored guests, and my dear students, Good morning! Today is a special day as we get to celebrate the Somali culture. The Importance… Culture is very important in every society, in the Somali setting – culture not only means stories, poems, games,songs but so much more. Imagine hearing fun and exciting stories from our grandparents about our brave ancestors and all the amazing adventures they had, or spending a night at a traditional homestead during a wedding celebration with the unique beat of the drums filling the air and beautiful songs being sung that make you want to get up and dance. The poetry as well is not just mere words but they tell of the rich Somali history and share nuggets of wisdom that has been passed down from generation to generation. The games too add a sense of belonging as they seek to bring both the young and old together to enjoy sports and have fun in the various ancient leisure activities.
Somali culture therefore teaches us values such as respect, community, and resilience. This way of life makes us become better people and the lessons we learn from them stay with us forever no matter where we go.
I want to touch briefly on – the Role of English in Nurturing Somali Culture: English helps Somali people share their culture with the world. Imagine a Somali poet sharing their poem online and getting fans in countries from all over the world. This educates the masses who are ignorant regarding other cultures. In addition, a Somali student can write a blog in English about the delicious Somali cuisine, and people all over the world can learn to not only cook but appreciate mouthwatering dishes like oodka, ambulo and injera. English also helps Somali people find new opportunities, like studying overseas or working for an international organization abroad. The list of advantages are endless, basically learning English is like having and enjoying the best of both worlds.
A common misconception about the English language is that learning English means forgetting the Somali language or culture . But I am here to tell you that’s not the case and here’s an example… you can talk to your grandparents in Somali and learn about your family history, and then write an essay in English about what you learned. Or you can help translate important information, like traditional medicinal herbs, so that everyone in the modern community not only understands but also benefits from the past healing methods that our forefathers used for preventing and curing diseases. Thus learning English links the old and the new and bridges the gap between the young and old generation or narrows the gap between the modern and ancient Somali customs.
In Closing… In our ever-changing world, it’s vital to preserve our Somali culture. As we connect with people from different backgrounds, our traditions keep us grounded. They remind us of our identity and our roots. Sharing Somali culture through English helps others understand and appreciate it, whether it’s through poetry, stories, games or music, we must keep these traditions alive for future generations.
So… Let’s honor the Somali heritage by finding ways of using the English language to share and spread this beautiful culture and tradition to the entire world. By preserving the wonderful Somali culture, we enrich not only our local community here in Mogadishu but the entire world. Thank you, and enjoy the rest of the day! Asaalam Aleikum.
Do tasks that take less than 2 minutes immediately
2. Don’t touch it twice
Once you start a task you should complete it and not leave it half way. Starting and stopping a task can increase completion time by 5 times.
3. The 72-hour rule
Never make a decision when hungry, angry, tired, or lonely. Wait at least 72hrs. this rule will prevent a lot of unnecessary stress.
4. The 5-second rule
This is a simple technique to help avoid procrastination. The moment you feel the urge to do something productive like getting out of bedCount backward from 5 to 1. Once you reach one – you take action.
5. Daily highlight rule
Setting a daily highlight means choosing one main task for each for each day that you prioritize. And commit to completing no matter what. Ask yourself what is the one thing I want to accomplish today what will make this day feel successful or fulfilling.
6. If it’s not a Ohh Yes! Then it’s a Ohh No! rule.
This rule says that if you are not really excited about something then you shouldn’t do it, e.g if someone invites your somewhere or shows you something and your first reaction is not a Ohh Yes! Then it’s a Ohh No and you shouldn’t do it.
7. Ask who, not how rule
When we have a task or new idea, we automatically ask ourselves how can we do it, and then start working on it. This is wrong, instead ask yourself – who can do this for me? Asking who instead of how saves time, taps into other people’s expertise and let’s you focus on what you are best at.
8. Procrastination is wisdom rule
Pay attention to the tasks you procrastinate the most. Procrastination is wisdom it’s an internal signal telling you that you need help. It’s signal telling you that you should delegate the task, ask yourself who can do this for me.
9. The 90-90-1 rule
For the next 90 days spend the first 90 minutes of your day on one task that will help you achieve your goals. This rule forces you to be consistent and focused on your most important goal during your peak productive hours.
10. The 12-week year rule
According to this rule, people waste so much time by setting annual goals. Instead, it suggests aiming to achieve your 12-month goals in 12 weeks. This creates urgency and improves execution. Even if you fail in the first 12weeks, you still have three more attempts by the end of the year.
11. Biological prime time rule
Biological prime time refers to Identifying the time of day when you are most energized & productive AND doing your most important task during that time.
12. The 80% rule
You can get 80% of the project done quickly. From 0 to 80% is usually easy, from 80% to 90% is very difficult, from 90% to 100% is extremely hard. So, what does that mean for you? It means you should get feedback at 80% instead of trying to make it perfect before you send it for feedback. This can prevent you from working on things that aren’t even needed.
13. Eat the frog first rule
Eat the from first is a method where you tackle the most significant and challenging task first thing in the morning. It’s based on the idea that completing the most significant task gives you the momentum and energy to accomplish more throughout the day.
14. Parkinson’s law rule
This rule states that work expands to fill the time available for its completion. If you give yourself 4 hours to complete a task, it’ll take 4 hours, if you give yourself a full day, Set shorter deadlines to increase productivity.
15. The 80/20 rule
This rules states that 80% of your results come from 20% of your activities. If you have 10 tasks right now on your to-do list, two of them will bring your more results than the remaining eight tasks combined. Identify those two tasks and focus on them.
16. The ABCDE method rule
This method is a priority setting technique that involves listing your tasks and them ranking them from A (most important) to E (least important) and tackling them in that order.
17. Time auditing rule
Time auditing involves keeping a detailed record of your daily activities. This method helps you understand how you spend your time and identify and identify areas where you can improve efficiency.
18. Don’t break the chain rule
This method involves choosing a task or habit you want to build and then marking it on the calendar each day you complete it. After a while, each marked day on the calendar will create a chain. The goal is never to break that chain.
19. Energy management rule
Energy management is more important that time management. If you read a book for 10 minutes but remembered nothing at the end – then you know what I mean. Keep your energy high by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and taking time off work.
20. The Zeigarnik effect rule
This rule is based on the principle that states uncompleted tasks stay in our minds until it is completed. To utilize this, start a task then take a break, while you are doing something else your subconscious mind will continue working on it and present a creative solution out of nowhere. Avoid leaving little administrative tasks unfinished – they will waste so much brain energy
21. The Pomodoro technique rule
This rule states that we lose focus on average after 25 minutes. That’s why you should work on one task for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break to recharge. Repeat this cycle for four times and then take a 30-minute-long break and then repeat the cycle again – 25 minutes work, 5 minutes rest.
22. Batch processing rule
Batch processing means grouping similar tasks and doing them together. Every task has a startup time, the period it takes to get everything ready and find your focus. When you batch similar tasks together, you only have to go through this process once.
23. The salami slice method rule
This method involves breaking down overwhelming tasks into smaller slices and then committing to work on only one slice. Once you complete one slice, you will often be motivated to do more. This technique is especially great for tasks that you procrastinate on.
24. Outcome visualization rule
Spending time visualizing the desired outcome of your goals. This technique helps in maintaining motivation and clarity about what you are working towards.
25. The Warren Buffett strategy rule
This is also often referred to as 25/5 rule. Write down your top 25 career goals, then circle the top 5 and focus only on them. Avoid the remaining 20 at all costs until the top 5 are accomplished. This method insures focus on your most critical goals.
26. The Feynman technique rule
Enhance your understanding of concepts by studying as if you have to teach them to somebody else. Explaining complex ideas in simple terms ensures deep understanding and clarity.
27. The five whys technique rule
Whenever a problem arises, ask why five times to get to the root cause. Understanding the core issues can prevent recurring problems and save time in the long run.
28. The habit stacking method rule
Develop new habits by stacking them onto existing habits, for example after brushing your teeth (existing habit), immediately do a new habit you want to form. This makes it easier to build new routines
29. Rest and sleep rule.
Sleep is the single most productive thing you can do in a day. Adequate rest can significantly improve your brain function and productivity.
30. Quality time over quantity rule
This applies to family and relationships, especially when it comes to spending time with your kids. It’s not about the total numbers of hours spent together, but the quality of those hours.
31. Say no often rule
Every yes to one thing is a no to another thing, you can’t be everywhere and you can’t be doing everything. Saying yes to a friend’s invitation means saying no to your child.
32. Working blocks rule
Manage your day by dividing it into three parts:
Block number 1 – strategic block – spend at least 3 hours on the most important tasks without interruptions.
Block number 2 – buffer block – for small tasks like emails or calls
Block number 3 – breakout block – to rest and for recovery.
33. Theme your days rule
Theming your days simply means focusing on one activity each day and nothing else. For example – doing all administrative tasks on Mondays or meeting only clients on Fridays.
34. Decision fatigue rule
Minimize the number of decisions you need to make each day, like what to wear or what to eat. This saves you mental energy for more important decisions and tasks.
35. The power of routine rule
Establish a daily routine for all aspects of your life. Have you ever dieted and exercised the whole week but ended up ruining it during the weekend. This happened because we usually don’t have a fixed routine for the weekends. A consistent routing can help to build good habits and reduce the need for willpower.
36. Digital detox rule
Periodically disconnect from digital devices to reduce distractions and mental clutter. This can help you recharge and focus better when you return to work.
37. Respect your future self-rule
Make choices that your future self will thank you for, before making a decision ask if it will help your future self or not. If not don’t do it.
38. The spotlight effect rule
Understand that people are not noticing or judging your every move, just relax and do your thing. This realization can reduce anxiety and free you up to focus more on your tasks and less on other people’s opinions.
39. The Ulysses pact rule
Make a choice in the present that forces you to perform a certain action in the future. Like deleting tik-tok from your phone or setting up an automatic savings system that deducts money from your main account every month and puts it into a savings account.
40. Plan your weeks rule
Before the week begins, plan how you will use your 168 hours. Ensure that your plans align with your long-term goals and priorities.
41.Always carry a notebook with you rule
Your subconscious mind is always working in the background to find a solution to your problems. You never know when the solution will present itself. Solutions that come from the subconscious are the best solutions and they come in the least expected moments. Carry a notebook to capture them.
Bonus Rule: Do your very best to find books, blogs or journals that were written before the advent of ChatGPT as they have more of a real/human approach to topics/issues which means when you read the same you can easily connect and identify the story/article… to whatever you envisioned your life to be or should be. The simple reason is that the articles therein where written by actual humans who (chances are) went through the same life lessons/ dreams/ aspirations/ failures/wins… that you or any normal person goes through. The (author) then decided to transfer the knowledge from ‘mind to paper’ so as to share the wisdom. This blog https://jambujoseph.com/ which was started nearly 15 years ago is such a place – and I encourage you to call it your ‘home of reading’.
Rich people put most of their spending power into buying assets (stuff that makes them money over time) instead of liabilities (stuff that costs them money over time).
Instead of buying, for example, a flashy Lamborghini that loses a third of its value as soon as you drive off the lot, a truly rich person will take that same chunk of change and buy a two-family duplex and rent it out.
They don’t care what you think of them or whether you’re impressed. They’re happy to just cash your rent checks and let you pay their mortgage.
2. Have an abundance mindset
So many people have a scarcity mindset — a constant feeling that we’re never going to have enough money, that we’re one slip-up away from disaster and we have to hoard every last cent.
The problem with this mindset is that it can make people very competitive with other folks in similar financial situations. So you have people at the bottom of the pyramid spending all their time and energy fighting each other for resources, instead of trying to overthrow those at the top.
Rich people have an abundance mindset. Since they know they’re going to be able to take care of their bills, they’re not worried. This gives them the freedom to decide what they want to do with their time, rather than only focusing on what they need to do to survive.
3. Think long-term
Rich people understand that sometimes, things take time, and they’re happy to wait. They’re kings and queens of delayed gratification.
A rich person has no problem, for example, socking away money in a retirement account. Yes, the $6,000 they invested in their IRA account this year is off-limits until they’re 59-and-a-half.
But they know that just because they can’t spend that money now, it’s not like it has disappeared. It’s actually the opposite: the longer they wait, the more money they get later on.
4. Share, swap and scratch each other’s backs
Rich people love being known as the smartest person in their friend group: the one with the best taste, who is on top of all the trends. You’ll often hear them say things like:
“I have this great tax person — you should work with them.”
“I found the best cocktail bar — you have to try the martini.”
“I joined the best country club — and I’ll sponsor you to join, too.”
They recognize that when they’re open about their knowledge, other people will be more inclined to share what they know. It is another valuable form of currency, and it’s the same reason rich people love nothing more than putting their besties in positions of power.
Their thought process is: “I’m not qualified for this job, but my friend is, and once he gets it, he’ll owe me a solid. Then, as soon as he’s in a leadership position, I’m automatically tapped into that whole network.”
Yes, it’s because they like to see their friends succeed, but it’s also because they’re thinking strategically — and towards the future.
When I speak about knowing my worth, it’s not coming from a place of ego or arrogance. I stand by my positive attributes with conviction, but the difference is I’m conscious of my shortfalls and work on them everyday. When somebody holds a space in my heart, there is nothing I wouldn’t do for them. Generosity, patience, and loyalty are traits of mine cherished dearly by those who know me. But I won’t pretend other emotions don’t consume me. Because they do. However, it is my unwavering devotion to give the positivity inside me a stronger voice – one which overrides all. When I say I know my worth, it’s because I’ve done the work to get here. It’s because I continue doing so, I Know what I have to offer. And I stand strong in that fact alone.
Editors Note: IntroducingDr. Anesu: A Distinguished Academic;
“DON’T SET yourself on FIRE TO keep OTHERS WARM.”
We are honored to welcome Dr. Anesu, an accomplished academic with a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Dr. Anesu has earned recognition for her outstanding contributions to academia, showcasing a passion for research and a commitment to advancing knowledge in her field.
In this article, titled “New Year and New You?,” Dr. Anesu explores the profound implications of embracing change and personal growth as we embark on a new year. Drawing from her extensive academic background, she skillfully intertwines research findings with practical insights, offering readers a thought-provoking perspective on the potential for transformation in the coming year.
Dr. Anesu’s engaging writing style and ability to convey complex ideas in an accessible manner make her work not only informative but also inspiring. As we delve into the article, we anticipate gaining valuable insights that will empower us to approach the new year with renewed vigor and a commitment to personal development.
Join us in exploring Dr. Anesu’s enlightening take on ushering in the new year as an opportunity for self-discovery and positive change. We are confident that her expertise will provide our readers with a captivating and intellectually enriching experience.
Dr. Anesu here…
Year after year, we usher in the new year with resolutions. These often encompass tasks and ‘to-dos’ that will make us and our lives better. New year’s resolutions can come in a myriad of forms and can be written lists or vision boards. These lists range from the practical to the aspirational, the easily attainable, to downright likely impossible. Likely impossible? Well, never say never, right? However, many of us fail to meet these resolutions, and for those whose birthdays are not on the first of January, we even push resolutions to our birthdays. After all, it’s another new year and a fresh start.
But do new year resolutions have any relevance? Are they worth making and trying to stick to? Well, it depends. I personally believe in goal setting and view resolutions as such. Rather than saying for example, ‘I resolve to go to the gym’, or ‘my resolution this year is to buy a car’, say instead, ‘my goal is to go to the gym’. And when viewed like that, goal setting methods can be applied. I have been pondering what makes people fail to meet their resolutions and three reasons spring to mind as follows:
The type of resolution.
Lack of steps to achieve your resolution.
Difficulty cultivating habits to meet your resolutions.
Now let me unpack how I understand the above reasons.
I have seen various types of goals, ranging from buying a vehicle, going to the gym, finding a new job or starting one’s own business etc. Depending on the state of your finances, the first might actually be aspirational, and not easily attainable without a significant shift in the existing state of things.
The second, getting to the gym is possible with time and a small financial commitment. Additionally, if one cannot afford the gym fees, there are numerous ways of getting exercise, ranging from online classes (think Zumba, aerobics), to running and jogging.
For the last two, which I have seen people mention, time commitment and tenacity are important since it takes a lot of time to tailor a CV to each new job. One also needs emotional strength to accept rejections since many have to send hundreds of CVs to secure an interview, much less the job! The same applies to starting a business. It has its ups and downs. Of course, there are many other resolutions people make and some are quite fun!
The general idea is that you must be practical to meet your goals. Rather than just setting goals, consider how you might go about achieving those goals before setting them. That way, you have a higher chance of success.
Now let us move on to the matter of pathways to achieving your goals. Whatever goals you have set for yourself, you have put in place practical steps to attain them. For instance, if the goal is to make a big purchase or travel, you have to put money aside and start saving. If you must adjust your monthly spending to save, you need the discipline to follow through. I will talk more about discipline further on.
For many people, I imagine, resolutions involve a change in lifestyle, and this might not be obvious at first, or it might be quite daunting when you start. I know people who resolved to drink at least 2 litres of water per day. And while that might seem simple, for those who have not cultivated a habit, it is easy to ply oneself with water at the end of the day, after forgetting to pace oneself through the day. Basically, you have to plan. After all, as they say, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
Now let’s talk about cultivating habits and staying the course or should I say discipline, discipline, discipline! To meet your resolutions, you must put in the work. A study showed that it takes on average 66 days to form a new habit (not 21 days or 30 days see https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-it-take-to-form-a-habit). However, depending on the habit, it can take between 18 and 254 days.
Taking the average of 66 days, it means that from the 1st of January, your new habit will likely become automatic in March! Yes, 3 months into the year. Some resolutions are hard, whether these involve taking up a new positive habit or dropping a bad one.
In terms of cultivating habits, taking things one step at a time, setting small attainable goals, and celebrating yourself when you achieve a milestone is a good way to go. If you do this, in no time, you will meet your resolutions and be on your way to being the new you as you planned at the start of the year.
Do you make new year’s resolutions? If you do, you can share your resolutions in the comments. Let others know what worked and what did not work. Better still, on December 31, 2024, let us know if you followed through with the resolutions you made. Keep us posted in the comments…
When we talk about checking how good someone is at speaking, we look at lots of different things. Let me tell you more about each one:
Pronunciation: This is about saying words correctly so others can understand you easily. Like, if you say “th” as “s” or “z” instead of “th”, it might be tricky for people to understand. For example, saying “thanks” as “sanks” might make it a bit hard for others to know what you mean.
Fluency: This is about how smoothly you talk without stopping too much or getting stuck on words. It’s like when you’re telling a story to your friend and you talk without pausing a lot, keeping the conversation going smoothly.
Vocabulary: This is about using different words and knowing what they mean. For instance, instead of always saying “happy,” you might say “joyful,” “cheerful,” or “delighted” to show different kinds of happiness.
Grammar and Syntax: This is about using the right rules for making sentences. Like saying “I am going to the park” instead of “I is going to park.” It’s important to get the words in the right order and use the right verb forms.
Content and Relevance: This is about talking about the right stuff and making sure it all makes sense. If you’re talking about pets and suddenly start talking about outer space, that might not make sense. So, sticking to the topic is super important.
Interaction and Engagement: This is about talking with others and being part of the conversation. For example, when someone asks you a question, it’s good to answer and ask them something back. It makes the conversation more interesting.
Non-verbal Communication: This is about using your face, hands, and body to help with what you’re saying. Like when you smile to show you’re happy or nod your head to say “yes.”
Cultural Awareness: This means knowing about different cultures and how to act or talk respectfully. For instance, some things that are okay to say in one place might not be okay in another place. So, being aware and respectful of those differences is really important.
Remember, practicing speaking helps get better at all these things! Whether it’s talking with friends, reading aloud, or joining activities that involve speaking, practicing regularly can make a big difference in becoming a good speaker.
Learning English is a skill that opens doors to countless opportunities, from personal growth to career advancement. While traditional language learning methods have their place, competency-based curriculum stands out as a highly effective approach. Here are seven key benefits of choosing a competency-based curriculum when learning English:
Personalized Learning Path: Competency-based curriculum recognizes that learners have unique starting points and goals. It allows students to progress at their own pace, ensuring they receive the support they need precisely when they need it. This personalized approach enhances the learning experience and leads to more significant language acquisition.
Mastery over Memorization: In competency-based learning, the emphasis is on mastering specific language skills rather than memorizing grammar rules or vocabulary lists. Students are encouraged to use English in practical contexts, leading to a deeper understanding of the language and better communication skills.
Clear Learning Objectives: Competency-based programs often outline clear learning objectives and outcomes for each level or module. This transparency helps students understand what is expected of them and provides a sense of achievement as they meet each competency.
Continuous Assessment: Competency-based learning involves continuous assessment and feedback. Students receive regular evaluations of their progress, allowing them to identify areas that need improvement and make necessary adjustments. This ongoing feedback accelerates the learning process.
Flexibility and Adaptability: Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, competency-based curriculum adapts to your needs. You can spend more time on challenging concepts and move quickly through familiar territory. This flexibility accommodates diverse learning styles and backgrounds.
Real-World Relevance: Competency-based English courses prioritize practical language skills that are directly applicable in real-world situations. This approach ensures that learners can confidently and effectively communicate in professional and social contexts, enhancing their language proficiency’s real-world relevance.
Increased Motivation: Competency-based learning tends to boost motivation and engagement. As students see their progress in tangible ways, their confidence grows, leading to increased motivation to continue learning and improving their English skills.
In conclusion, a competency-based curriculum offers numerous advantages when learning English. Its personalized approach, focus on mastery, clear objectives, continuous assessment, flexibility, real-world relevance, and motivational benefits make it a powerful tool for language learners. Whether you are a beginner or looking to refine your English skills, consider exploring a competency-based curriculum to unlock your full potential in mastering the English language.
Intelligence Quotient (IQ): this is the measure of your level of comprehension. You need IQ to solve maths, memorize things, and recall lessons.
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.
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:
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.”
“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.
One of the greatest benefits of learning any second language is cognitive flexibility or, in other words, how stretchy your brain is.
People who speak two languages must learn to identify which language they need to speak and when they should speak it. They must be able to easily switch between the two languages.
In adults, cognitive flexibility shows itself when we try to describe objects.
When you learn a language, you are learning more words and making more associations between words. This is helpful when communicating in English, but it can also be helpful for communicating in your native language.
In his paper on cognitive flexibility and language, author Gedeon explains that for adult learners, flexibility displays itself in the associations we make with words. Understanding a joke or choosing a descriptive word can both be signs of cognitive flexibility.
So, pick up your textbook or open those English-learning apps and get studying.
Not only will you learn English but you will also improve your brain’s flexibility in other areas.
2. Cultural Awareness and Traveling the World
Learning a second language can also teach you about a second culture, as language is a key aspect of culture.
When you begin learning English, you will immerse yourself in the culture of English-speaking countries.
In order to learn English, you may start to watch movies or shows made in America, England and other countries. Or, you may practice English by speaking to a native speaker, which will help you begin to understand their culture.
You may also learn about other cultures through travel.
Learning English allows you to travel to countries across the globe and interact with the people and the cultures there. As you do, you will also learn more about what makes your culture unique.
The more you travel and the more you learn, the more unique your perspective will be.
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience new cultures around the world!
3. Confidence, Life Improvement and Long-term Learning
Language learning boosts confidence.
The beginning stages of learning English may be challenging, but they will help you improve your confidence.
When you learn a language, you need to accept that you will make mistakes. It’s important to practice anyway and take risks until you see improvement.
Be proud of yourself for trying even when you do make mistakes! You’ll build confidence in your English-speaking abilities but also in yourself.
Learning a language can also lead to improved learning in other areas.
You’ll create patterns of learning that can be applied to the rest of your life. A research report from the University of London entitled “Learning, Continuity and Change in Adult Life” showed that continued learning (such as language learning) through adult life leads to a happier lifestyle.
4. Creativity and English Entertainment
Learning a second language can help you think more creatively.
As we mentioned before, learning English can help your brain become more flexible. This flexibility can lead to increased creativity in problem-solving and in the way you interact with the world around you.
You can also practice creativity by engaging in more art. Because English is spoken by so many people around the world, it’s one of the primary languages of entertainment.
Many movies, television shows, songs and books were originally created in English.
By learning the language, you can experience art and entertainment in its native language. Engaging with creative media will help make you more creative.
5. Connection: Building Relationships Through English Learning
One of the great things about learning English is that it connects you to people around the world. English is a social language, and learning is a social skill.
As you begin studying English, you may practice by having one-on-one conversations with English speakers or other students learning English. You may join study groups or find a pen pal. You will meet English speakers in classes and in your travels.
The Universiti Sains Malaysia conducted a study to ask students if they felt they could learn English through Facebook. The results showed that students did consider Facebook to be an essential learning tool.
Other social media sites can also be a great place to practice English and make connections with people around the world who are also learning English.
6. Success in Business and Education
Finally, learning English can lead to greater success.
English is often the primary language used in academia. This means that studying English can open up a world of possibilities for your future.
You can attend a prestigious (good/impressive) school taught in English, you can take classes on almost any subject imaginable and your own academic pursuits can be obtained.
The business industry also relies heavily on the English language.
Many jobs require English fluency. In fact, the demand for employees who can speak more than one language has doubled in recent years, according to the New American Economy, a research organization.
Even when English isn’t required, it’s a valuable skill that puts you ahead of the competition.
Knowing English can lead to promotions at work and better opportunities. This can lead to more money and a better job.
By learning English, you will expand your world and your opportunities.
You’ll benefit from personal success, knowing that you accomplished your goal and changed your life for the better. There are so many reasons to study English. What’s your motivation?
‘Love What You Teach, But Love Who You Teach More’
I love to share my observation that elementary teachers love their students, high school teachers love their subject, and college instructors love themselves. Oh, and middle school teachers love chaos and wine! This gets a nice chuckle when I say this, mainly because middle school teachers can relate to the chaos of middle students. However, the reality is to be effective teacher, you should enjoy what you teach, but always love who you teach the most.
Now, this doesn’t mean you will like every student. In fact, you will have some students who will get on your last nerve and drive you crazy, but that doesn’t mean you don’t love them as a human or want the best for them.
In fact, those are the ones who need love the most. In my 15 years in education, I found that students who I didn’t connect with usually were the ones who acted out or tried to get attention in unhealthy ways, like disrupting class. Therefore, I learned early on that I needed to focus on connections before I focused on content.
Throughout the years, this helped alleviate many behavioral issues in class. When you develop that rapport with students, there really isn’t a better job in the world. When I think about my years teaching, I did enjoy teaching English, but I loved the kids, and the kids are the one thing that I miss most about teaching in that setting.
When you think of the long hours, the planning, the weekends spent making lessons and the list goes on and on… you do need a genuine affection for kids in general or you will never survive a career as a teacher.
Distractions like social media, texting or even just the notification sound are proven to be the number 1 cause for low productivity at work.
Decide on a specific period of time you’re going to work to and turn off your phone, or turn on the airplane mode so you don’t have any distractions while working.
Only practising this daily takes your focus and productivity to a new level.
2. Use Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management system that encourages people to work with the time they have—rather than against it. Using this method, you break your workday into 25-minute chunks separated by five-minute breaks. These intervals are referred to as pomodoros.
Step 1: Pick a task
Step 2: Set a 25 – minute timer
Step 3: Work on your task until the time is up
Step 4: Take a 5 – minute break
Step 5: Every 4 Pomodoros, take a longer 15-30 minutes break
3. Outsource
Find your strengths and focus on them.
Find your weak areas, and find the right person whose strength is your weakness.
For example, if you’re really good at copy writing for your business, but design is your weakness. Focus your time writing more copy and find the right person to take that copy and make designs out of it.
This will help you achieve more in less time, and maintain the highest quality.
4. The 6 Goals Rule
Aiming to finish 20 tasks in one day will probably get you to procrastinate most of your work without focusing on quality. Every single day, aim to finish no more than 6 things.
Work until finishing these for the day. Tasks that you didn’t finish will always move to the next day. So, if you finished 4 tasks, you can only add 2 for that day, keeping you list clean with 6 tasks at a time.
