Dr. Honey

The elements of a proposal

2011-04-03T12:55:00.008+08:00

THE ELEMENTS OF A PROPOSAL
by Frank Pajares, Emory University

I. Introduction and Theoretical Framework

A. "The introduction is the part of the paper that provides readers with the background information for the research reported in the paper. Its purpose is to establish a framework for the research, so that readers can understand how it is related to other research” (Wilkinson, 1991, p. 96).

B. In an introduction, the writer should

1. create reader interest in the topic,

2. lay the broad foundation for the problem that leads to the study,

3. place the study within the larger context of the scholarly literature, and

4. reach out to a specific audience. (Creswell, 1994, p. 42)

C. If a researcher is working within a particular theoretical framework/line of inquiry, the theory or line of inquiry should be introduced and discussed early, preferably in the introduction or literature review. Remember that the theory/line of inquiry selected will inform the statement of the problem, rationale for the study, questions and hypotheses, selection of instruments, and choice of methods. Ultimately, findings will be discussed in terms of how they relate to the theory/line of inquiry that undergirds the study.

D. Theories, theoretical frameworks, and lines of inquiry may be differently handled in quantitative and qualitative endeavors.

1. “In quantitative studies, one uses theory deductively and places it toward the beginning of the plan for a study. The objective is to test or verify theory. One thus begins the study advancing a theory, collects data to test it, and reflects on whether the theory was confirmed or disconfirmed by the results in the study. The theory becomes a framework for the entire study, an organizing model for the research questions or hypotheses for the data collection procedure” (Creswell, 1994, pp. 87-88).

2. In qualitative inquiry, the use of theory and of a line of inquiry depends on the nature of the investigation. In studies aiming at “grounded theory,” for example, theory and theoretical tenets emerge from findings. Much qualitative inquiry, however, also aims to test or verify theory, hence in these cases the theoretical framework, as in quantitative efforts, should be identified and discussed early on.

II. Statement of the Problem

A. “The problem statement describes the context for the study and it also identifies the general analysis approach” (Wiersma, 1995, p. 404).

B. “A problem might be defined as the issue that exists in the literature, theory, or practice that leads to a need for the study” (Creswell, 1994, p. 50).

C. It is important in a proposal that the problem stand out—that the reader can easily recognize it. Sometimes, obscure and poorly formulated problems are masked in an extended discussion. In such cases, reviewers and/or committee members will have difficulty recognizing the problem.

D. A problem statement should be presented within a context, and that context should be provided and briefly explained, including a discussion of the conceptual or theoretical framework in which it is embedded. Clearly and succinctly identify and explain the problem within the framework of the theory or line of inquiry that undergirds the study. This is of major importance in nearly all proposals and requires careful attention. It is a key element that associations such as AERA and APA look for in proposals. It is essential in all quantitative research and much qualitative research.

E. State the problem in terms intelligible to someone who is generally sophisticated but who is relatively uninformed in the area of your investigation.

F. Effective problem statements answer the question “Why does this research need to be conducted.” If a researcher is unable to answer this question clearly and succinctly, and without resorting to hyperspeaking (i.e., focusing on problems of macro or global proportions that certainly will not be informed or alleviated by the study), then the statement of the problem will come off as ambiguous and diffuse.

G. For conference proposals, the statement of the problem is generally incorporated into the introduction; academic proposals for theses or dissertations should have this as a separate section.

III. Purpose of the Study

A. “The purpose statement should provide a specific and accurate synopsis of the overall purpose of the study” (Locke, Spirduso, & Silverman, 1987, p. 5). If the purpose is not clear to the writer, it cannot be clear to the reader.

B. Briefly define and delimit the specific area of the research. You will revisit this in greater detail in a later section.

C. Foreshadow the hypotheses to be tested or the questions to be raised, as well as the significance of the study. These will require specific elaboration in subsequent sections.

D. The purpose statement can also incorporate the rationale for the study. Some committees prefer that the purpose and rationale be provided in separate sections, however.

E. Key points to keep in mind when preparing a purpose statement.

1. Try to incorporate a sentence that begins with “The purpose of this study is . . .” This will clarify your own mind as to the purpose and it will inform the reader directly and explicitly.

2. Clearly identify and define the central concepts or ideas of the study. Some committee Chairs prefer a separate section to this end. When defining terms, make a judicious choice between using descriptive or operational definitions.

3. Identify the specific method of inquiry to be used.

4. Identify the unit of analysis in the study.

IV. Review of the Literature

A. “The review of the literature provides the background and context for the research problem. It should establish the need for the research and indicate that the writer is knowledgeable about the area” (Wiersma, 1995, p. 406).

B. The literature review accomplishes several important things.

1. It shares with the reader the results of other studies that are closely related to the study being reported (Fraenkel & Wallen, 1990).

2. It relates a study to the larger, ongoing dialogue in the literature about a topic, filling in gaps and extending prior studies (Marshall & Rossman, 1989).

3. It provides a framework for establishing the importance of the study, as well as a benchmark for comparing the results of a study with other findings.

4. It “frames” the problem earlier identified.

C. Demonstrate to the reader that you have a comprehensive grasp of the field and are aware of important recent substantive and methodological developments.

D. Delineate the “jumping-off place” for your study. How will your study refine, revise, or extend what is now known?

E. Avoid statements that imply that little has been done in the area or that what has been done is too extensive to permit easy summary. Statements of this sort are usually taken as indications that the writer is not really familiar with the literature.

F. In a proposal, the literature review is generally brief and to the point. Be judicious in your choice of exemplars—the literature selected should be pertinent and relevant (APA, 2001). Select and reference only the more appropriate citations. Make key points clearly and succinctly.

G. Committees may want a section outlining your search strategy—the procedures you used and sources you investigated (e.g., databases, journals, test banks, experts in the field) to compile your literature review. Check with your Chair.

V. Questions and/or Hypotheses

A. Questions are relevant to normative or census type research (How many of them are there? Is there a relationship between them?). They are most often used in qualitative inquiry, although their use in quantitative inquiry is becoming more prominent. Hypotheses are relevant to theoretical research and are typically used only in quantitative inquiry. When a writer states hypotheses, the reader is entitled to have an exposition of the theory that lead to them (and of the assumptions underlying the theory). Just as conclusions must be grounded in the data, hypotheses must be grounded in the theoretical framework.

B. A research question poses a relationship between two or more variables but phrases the relationship as a question; a hypothesis represents a declarative statement of the relations between two or more variables (Kerlinger, 1979; Krathwohl, 1988).

C. Deciding whether to use questions or hypotheses depends on factors such as the purpose of the study, the nature of the design and methodology, and the audience of the research (at times even the taste and preference of committee members, particularly the Chair).

D. The practice of using hypotheses was derived from using the scientific method in social science inquiry. They have philosophical advantages in statistical testing, as researchers should be and tend to be conservative and cautious in their statements of conclusions (Armstrong, 1974).

E. Hypotheses can be couched in four kinds of statements.

1. Literary null—a “no difference” form in terms of theoretical constructs. For example, “There is no relationship between support services and academic persistence of nontraditional-aged college women.” Or, “There is no difference in school achievement for high and low self-regulated students.”

2. Operational null—a “no difference” form in terms of the operation required to test the hypothesis. For example, “There is no relationship between the number of hours nontraditional-aged college women use the student union and their persistence at the college after their freshman year.” Or, “There is no difference between the mean grade point averages achieved by students in the upper and lower quartiles of the distribution of the Self-regulated Inventory.” The operational null is generally the preferred form of hypothesis-writing.

3. Literary alternative—a form that states the hypothesis you will accept if the null hypothesis is rejected, stated in terms of theoretical constructs. In other words, this is usually what you hope the results will show. For example, “The more that nontraditional-aged women use support services, the more they will persist academically.” Or, “High self-regulated students will achieve more in their classes than low self-regulated students.”

4. Operational alternative—Similar to the literary alternative except that the operations are specified. For example, “The more that nontraditional-aged college women use the student union, the more they will persist at the college after their freshman year.” Or, “Students in the upper quartile of the Self-regulated Inventory distribution achieve significantly higher grade point averages than do students in the lower quartile.”

F. In general, the null hypothesis is used if theory/literature does not suggest a hypothesized relationship between the variables under investigation; the alternative is generally reserved for situations in which theory/research suggests a relationship or directional interplay.

G. Be prepared to interpret any possible outcomes with respect to the questions or hypotheses. It will be helpful if you visualize in your mind=s eye the tables (or other summary devices) that you expect to result from your research (Guba, 1961).

H. Questions and hypotheses are testable propositions deduced and directly derived from theory (except in grounded theory studies and similar types of qualitative inquiry).

I. Make a clear and careful distinction between the dependent and independent variables and be certain they are clear to the reader. Be excruciatingly consistent in your use of terms. If appropriate, use the same pattern of wording and word order in all hypotheses.

VI. The Design--Methods and Procedures

A. “The methods or procedures section is really the heart of the research proposal. The activities should be described with as much detail as possible, and the continuity between them should be apparent” (Wiersma, 1995, p. 409).

B. Indicate the methodological steps you will take to answer every question or to test every hypothesis illustrated in the Questions/Hypotheses section.

C. All research is plagued by the presence of confounding variables (the noise that covers up the information you would like to have). Confounding variables should be minimized by various kinds of controls or be estimated and taken into account by randomization processes (Guba, 1961). In the design section, indicate

1. the variables you propose to control and how you propose to control them, experimentally or statistically, and

2. the variables you propose to randomize, and the nature of the randomizing unit (students, grades, schools, etc.).

D. Be aware of possible sources of error to which your design exposes you. You will not produce a perfect, error free design (no one can). However, you should anticipate possible sources of error and attempt to overcome them or take them into account in your analysis. Moreover, you should disclose to the reader the sources you have identified and what efforts you have made to account for them.

E. Sampling

1. The key reason for being concerned with sampling is that of validity—the extent to which the interpretations of the results of the study follow from the study itself and the extent to which results may be generalized to other situations with other people (Shavelson, 1988).

2. Sampling is critical to external validity—the extent to which findings of a study can be generalized to people or situations other than those observed in the study. To generalize validly the findings from a sample to some defined population requires that the sample has been drawn from that population according to one of several probability sampling plans. By a probability sample is meant that the probability of inclusion in the sample of any element in the population must be given a priori. All probability samples involve the idea of random sampling at some stage (Shavelson, 1988). In experimentation, two distinct steps are involved.

Random selection—participants to be included in the sample have been chosen at random from the same population. Define the population and indicate the sampling plan in detail.

Random assignment—participants for the sample have been assigned at random to one of the experimental conditions.

3. Another reason for being concerned with sampling is that of internal validity—the extent to which the outcomes of a study result from the variables that were manipulated, measured, or selected rather than from other variables not systematically treated. Without probability sampling, error estimates cannot be constructed (Shavelson, 1988).

4. Perhaps the key word in sampling is representative. One must ask oneself, “How representative is the sample of the survey population (the group from which the sample is selected) and how representative is the survey population of the target population (the larger group to which we wish to generalize)?”

5. When a sample is drawn out of convenience (a nonprobability sample), rationale and limitations must be clearly provided.

6. If available, outline the characteristics of the sample (by gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or other relevant group membership).

7. Detail procedures to follow to obtain informed consent and ensure anonymity and/or confidentiality.

F Instrumentation

1. Outline the instruments you propose to use (surveys, scales, interview protocols, observation grids). If instruments have previously been used, identify previous studies and findings related to reliability and validity. If instruments have not previously been used, outline procedures you will follow to develop and test their reliability and validity. In the latter case, a pilot study is nearly essential.

2. Because selection of instruments in most cases provides the operational definition of constructs, this is a crucial step in the proposal. For example, it is at this step that a literary conception such as “self-efficacy is related to school achievement” becomes “scores on the Mathematics Self-Efficacy Scale are related to Grade Point Average.” Strictly speaking, results of your study will be directly relevant only to the instrumental or operational statements (Guba, 1961).

3. Include an appendix with a copy of the instruments to be used or the interview protocol to be followed. Also include sample items in the description of the instrument.

4. For a mailed survey, identify steps to be taken in administering and following up the survey to obtain a high response rate.

G. Data Collection

1. Outline the general plan for collecting the data. This may include survey administration procedures, interview or observation procedures. Include an explicit statement covering the field controls to be employed. If appropriate, discuss how you obtained entré.

2. Provide a general outline of the time schedule you expect to follow.

H. Data Analysis

1. Specify the procedures you will use, and label them accurately (e.g., ANOVA, MANCOVA, HLM, ethnography, case study, grounded theory). If coding procedures are to be used, describe in reasonable detail. If you triangulated, carefully explain how you went about it. Communicate your precise intentions and reasons for these intentions to the reader. This helps you and the reader evaluate the choices you made and procedures you followed.

2. Indicate briefly any analytic tools you will have available and expect to use (e.g., Ethnograph, NUDIST, AQUAD, SAS, SPSS, SYSTAT).

3. Provide a well thought-out rationale for your decision to use the design, methodology, and analyses you have selected.

VII. Limitations and Delimitations

A. A limitation identifies potential weaknesses of the study. Think about your analysis, the nature of self-report, your instruments, the sample. Think about threats to internal validity that may have been impossible to avoid or minimize—explain.

B. A delimitation addresses how a study will be narrowed in scope, that is, how it is bounded. This is the place to explain the things that you are not doing and why you have chosen not to do them—the literature you will not review (and why not), the population you are not studying (and why not), the methodological procedures you will not use (and why you will not use them). Limit your delimitations to the things that a reader might reasonably expect you to do but that you, for clearly explained reasons, have decided not to do.

VIII. Significance of the Study

A. Indicate how your research will refine, revise, or extend existing knowledge in the area under investigation. Note that such refinements, revisions, or extensions may have either substantive, theoretical, or methodological significance. Think pragmatically (i.e., cash value).

B. Most studies have two potential audiences: practitioners and professional peers. Statements relating the research to both groups are in order.

C. This can be a difficult section to write. Think about implications—how results of the study may affect scholarly research, theory, practice, educational interventions, curricula, counseling, policy.

D. When thinking about the significance of your study, ask yourself the following questions.

1. What will results mean to the theoretical framework that framed the study?

2. What suggestions for subsequent research arise from the findings?

3. What will the results mean to the practicing educator?

4. Will results influence programs, methods, and/or interventions?

5. Will results contribute to the solution of educational problems?

6. Will results influence educational policy decisions?

7. What will be improved or changed as a result of the proposed research?

8. How will results of the study be implemented, and what innovations will come about?

IX. References

A. Follow APA (2001) guidelines regarding use of references in text and in the reference list. Of course, your committee or discipline may require Chicago or MLA.

B. Only references cited in the text are included in the reference list; however, exceptions can be found to this rule. For example, committees may require evidence that you are familiar with a broader spectrum of literature than that immediately relevant to your research. In such instances, the reference list may be called a bibliography.

C. Some committees require that reference lists and/or bibliographies be “annotated,” which is to say that each entry be accompanied by a brief description, or an abstract. Check with your committee Chair before the fact.

Appendixes

The need for complete documentation generally dictates the inclusion of appropriate appendixes in proposals (although this is generally not the case as regards conference proposals).

The following materials are appropriate for an appendix. Consult with your committee Chair.

Verbatim instructions to participants.

Original scales or questionnaires. If an instrument is copyrighted, permission in writing to reproduce the instrument from the copyright holder or proof of purchase of the instrument.

Interview protocols.

Sample of informed consent forms.

Cover letters sent to appropriate stakeholders.

Official letters of permission to conduct research.

References

American Psychological Association (APA). (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (Fourth edition). Washington, DC: Author.

Armstrong, R. L. (1974). Hypotheses: Why? When? How? Phi Delta Kappan, 54, 213-214.

Creswell, J. W. (1994). Research design: Qualitative & quantitative approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Guba, E. G. (1961, April). Elements of a proposal. Paper presented at the UCEA meeting, Chapel Hill, NC.

Fraenkel, J. R. & Wallen, N. E. (1990). How to design and evaluate research in education. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Kerlinger, F. N. (1979). Behavioral research: A conceptual approach. New York: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston.

Krathwohl, D. R. (1988). How to prepare a research proposal: Guidelines for funding and dissertations in the social and behavioral sciences. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press.

Locke, L. F., Spirduso, W. W., & Silverman, S. J. (1987). Proposals that work: A guide for planning dissertations and grant proposals (2nd ed.). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (1989). Designing qualitative research: Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

Shavelson, R. J. (1988). Statistical reasoning for the behavioral sciences (second edition). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Wiersma, W. (1995). Research methods in education: An introduction (Sixth edition). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Wilkinson, A. M. (1991). The scientist’s handbook for writing papers and dissertations. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

How to cite this web page:

Pajares, F. (2007). Elements of a proposal. Available from the author.

Source : http://des.emory.edu/mfp/proposal.html

How to Get Organized for Life

2010-12-15T09:19:00.007+08:00

Getting organized can be very difficult for most people. Appointments, grocery lists, dance classes, work, school, gym, visits, parties and of course cleaning the house, can all get piled up until you just don’t know how you are going to handle it all. Making a few adjustments in your attitude and your daily habits can have you staying organized for life.

1) First, you have to declutter. Choose an area and work on it until it is completely done. This could be something small, like a kitchen counter, or something more substantial, like a closet. There is no skipping this step. You will never get organized if you don’t get rid of the junk. If you tend to save things, you need to set limits for yourself. Don’t keep things longer than a set length of time. If you don’t use it within that time, say six months to a year, then get rid of it.

2) Inevitably, you will want to keep your child’s precious art, or the ticket stubs from your anniversary date. There will be things that come into the house that are special to you. Prepare for that eventuality by designating a “year box” for yourself. Keep it under the bed, in the garage, in a closet, or where ever it can go. Label the box with the year that it is, and keep your mementos there. Force yourself to be choosy and don’t keep things that won’t fit in the box.

3) Have a place for everything that comes into the house. Do your keys have a place? Does your laptop have a special storage space? Do you have an inbox for mail? Simply having a designated spot for mail can cut down on a lot of clutter. When the mail comes in, stand by the trash or shredder and go through it. Take bills out of their envelopes and throw the envelope away. Put bills that need to be paid in your inbox. Throw away everything that you don’t need and go through the inbox monthly to clear out old or outdated information.

4) Force yourself to follow small rules. You can’t expect to change completely overnight, but you can sort of brainwash yourself into behaving. When you are about to put something down, say aloud what you are doing. “I am putting the mail on the kitchen counter.” By implementing this little strategy, you will be conscious of the fact that you are making your home disorganized. When you put something where it goes, say aloud, “I am putting the mail in the inbox. Good for me!” These silly little positive reinforcements will have your brain trained to do the right thing in no time.

5) Laundry is a huge problem for even organized people. Time yourself when you fold laundry. If you fold it right out of the dryer, it usually takes between five and ten minutes. If you are a competitive person, keep a dry erase board by the dryer. Compete for folding/hanging time with your spouse, kids or just with yourself. Get that positive reinforcement by using wood hangers, like shirt hangers, skirt hangers and dress hangers. Wooden hangers keep clothes spaced nicely and the organized look is a subtle reward for your brain. You will trick yourself into wanting to hang up clothes!

Controlling your small everyday habits will save you so much time that you won’t believe that you didn’t do it before. Make it fun or silly and you will have your habits under control for life.

http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/how-to-get-organized-for-life-1301569.html

The Motivation for Doctoral Study

2010-12-13T20:25:00.012+08:00

The Motivation for Doctoral Study
Understanding Why You Want to Do a Ph.D.
Jul 22, 2007 Alistair McCulloch

Doing a PhD is a huge undertaking. Understanding your motivation will help you succeed and also help your supervisor support you. Five motivations are discussed here.

The Importance of Motivation

‘Doing a PhD is unlike anything else you will ever do. You must be sure you want to do one to succeed.’ That’s the advice any admissions tutor worth their salt will give an applicant for a doctoral degree. In your application form and during an interview, they will want to explore an applicant’s motivation for wanting to ‘do a PhD’.

A PhD student’s motivation can stem from a variety of different sources. Understanding your own motivation for doctoral study is important because it will dictate, in part at least, the type of research degree you study for and your likelihood of success. Understanding your motivation will also help your institution (through your supervisor) support and encourage you in the best way.

There are five main sources of motivation for the research student.

If you are doing a PhD which includes a project related to improving your employing organisation’s performance, then it is probable that you will have at least part of your fees paid and that you may be given time in which to study. The motivation here will be to complete a qualification where failure to deliver could have a potentially negative impact on your career because the qualification is tied so closely into your current occupation. Your project will be highly applied and, once started, and unless you change employer half-way through, you will have a very high chance of successful completion.

Skills-Enhancement

A research student whose motivation falls into this category is interested in doctoral study as a way of enhancing their employability. If this is you, you are likely to be as interested in the general skills and broad knowledge that you can pick up along the way as you are in the final qualification and the specific skills you need to complete the doctorate. You want these additional elements that the doctorate can provide as you believe they will make you more attractive to future employers. There is a high chance that you will choose to pursue a professional doctorate.

Career Change

There are a few careers where possession of a doctorate is a pre-requisite. These include university teaching and research scientist. If this is what motivates you, you will want to concentrate on completion of the qualification as quickly as possible and are likely to want to complete a UK-style ‘big-book’ type of thesis. Additional skills training will be valued only as far as it contributes to your planned career path.

Read on

* Improving PhD Completion Rates
* Choosing a Topic for a PhD Thesis
* Where Should I Do a PhD?

Hobby

A student who pursues a PhD in a topic in which they are already interested and about which they want to know more, is likely to be highly focused on that topic, and will specifically seek the skills they need to complete it. If this is you, you may well be relatively indifferent to the requirements of prescribed generic skills programmes, although you may be motivated to attend for the ‘social’ benefits of meeting with other students. This will be particularly true if you have retired from employment.

Self-development

If you are taking a PhD primarily as a means of self-development, then you are likely to be what has been trermed a ‘lifelong learner’. The very act of studying is its own motivator and, given the fact that you have studied successfully at the full range of levels prior to commencing doctoral study, you are likely to complete your PhD. However, given your emphasis on the process as much as the qualification, you must be careful not to run out of time.

Concluding Comment

It is true that studying for a PhD is unlike anything else you will ever do. Anything you can do to enhance your likelihood of success should be welcomed. Understanding your motivation will help you do this and also help you to choose your doctoral subject and the type of PhD for which you study.

Note: This article draws on a Guide to Postgraduate Supervision to be published later in the year by the Society for Research in Higher Education. The Guide focuses on Part-time Students and is written by Alistair McCulloch and Peter Stokes.

Read more at Suite101: The Motivation for Doctoral Study: Understanding Why You Want to Do a Ph.D. http://www.suite101.com/content/the-motivation-for-doctoral-study-a26840#ixzz17zgciX1C

The Body Language of Love

2010-12-13T12:34:00.007+08:00

Do you find it hard to determine a man's body language and love? Is his body language giving signs that he is into you? How will you determine if it is already love? Body language and love is a game that is not easy to play. However, to play this game better, there are ways of knowing of a guy really likes you.

Body language and love should not be taken lightly. Most men are shy and don't know how to express their true feelings, leaving a girl like you confused and uncertain. There are times when men say one thing, but their actions say otherwise. There is a way of knowing if a guy is really in to you even if he doesn't say it up front to you. However, body language and love are still two different things. Just read his body language and you will know if he feels something more than just friendship. Here are some of them;

• Lifted shoulders - signifies that the guy finds you attractive and has taken on a more compliant side because he has found someone very exciting. This is like cooing over the latest model of sports car or motorbike. In the dating scene, this body language means that the guy is interested in you and wants to know you better.

• Pigeon toes - this toe in body movement means that the person is very much interested in you and is intimated by this feeling. By trying to make the body smaller, the person is showing that he is not threatening and is very harmless in fact.

• Palm up - when a person who is interested in you faces and talks to you, most likely that person will be talking with his palms up. This shows vulnerability and signifies his willingness to be open to you.

• Forehead bow - a person is very in to you when he uses the forehead bow. This gesture is tilting the head a little forward and looks at you under the eyebrows. The tilting head and the bedroom eyes is an old flirt move used by men ever since.

• Genuine Smile - if a person smiles at you with his eyes, then that smile is genuine and only means that he is very interested in you. Chances are, he will hold your glance a little longer, and sending signals that he wants to know you better.

• Eye Contact - if a person looks at you in the eye, look away and then make glances at you again means that he is trying to catch your attention and is very much interested in you.

• Speak very low - men talking to someone they are interested usually talks in lower tone of voice. This is a way of making their love interest to come closer so that she can hear what he is saying.

• Smoothens his hair and clothes - a person is interested in you if he talks to you and he is smoothing his hair or his clothes. This signifies that he wants to look the best in front of you.

Body language and love is somehow interconnected. However, never rush things, slow it down and make sure that what his body language means is love.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tina_L._Jones

How to Survive Our PhD

2010-10-11T21:55:00.006+08:00

10% of a PhD is down to brains, 10% luck and 80% is stubbornness and perseverance. Unless you really, really want it, you’re going to have a tricky time.

1. The first thing, and this is really vital, is to make sure you understand the project. You need to be able to explain every single experiment to your mum/10 year old cousin and have them understand you. “Because my supervisor told me to” is not a valid answer in the viva! A great tip for getting to grips with your project is to give regular talks, plus you could try entering writing competitions aimed at PhD students, even if your writing isn’t that great.

2. Read the literature. Don’t leave that massive pile of papers till the week before your viva, as you’ll probably find out that someone else has already done the same thing as you back in 1978. And it will probably have been your examiner who did it. You have to be the world’s expert on your project, even if it is just an obscure earthworm protein that only 3 people have ever heard of.

3. Read around the literature. Keep some perspective on your project and keep in mind why it is important in the big scheme of things. A malaria vaccine is great, but if you don’t know the name of the little buzzy thing that transmits the parasite, then you’ll fail the viva! If you have an opinion on the latest news in your field, you’ll impress your examiners by showing that you care about your subject area outside of the test tube.

4. Have your own ideas. Your boss won’t think of everything and if you’re not correcting/arguing with them by the end of your 3/4 years, you might have problems when your examiners start asking difficult questions. If you read enough papers, you’ll come up with great suggestions for developing your project.

5. Be focused. Your thesis should tell a story – have clear goals in your mind and stick to them. All the proper controls and repeats are far more important than having tried to cure HIV, TB and the common cold all at once. But don’t put all your eggs in one basket – try to use different methods to confirm results and be aware of all the strengths and shortcomings of different techniques.

6. Be critical. If something goes wrong, chances are it was something you did. I demonstrated for an undergraduate cloning practical where the students believed they were cloning a gene into a vector, when in actual fact we had given them uncut plasmid and water in all the reagent tubes. Yet 20% still got no colonies on their transformation plates and blamed it on the ligase. Be 100% sure it wasn’t your fault before you claim to have disproved DNA and always look for alternative explanations.

7.Talk to others. Force your boss have regular meetings to discuss the overall direction of your work but rely on other lab members and fellow PhD students for day to day support. Not only does this mean there is always someone to sit with you in the disabled toilet while you while you cry over another failed Northern blot, but they might also be able to help with a new technique or come up with some vital control that you’ve missed.

8. Be organised. Write to-do lists and tick them off as you go along. Always write up your lab book every night (not at the end of the week), whether your experiments have worked or not. If you one day decide to sell your soul to industry, you will be forced to keep lab books in such excruciating detail that you will horrified if you haven’t got into the habit of recording everything. When you begin, start a freezer stock, primer and clone recording system and stick to it. Treat every gel as if it is a world-changing result and take its photo. Because if things don’t work out to plan, you’re going to end up writing up using those failed gels to illustrate your thesis.

9. Know when to stop. You’re boss will probably let you slog away for an extra year with no money if you give him the chance. You don’t have to do everything – one of the aims of a PhD is to turn you into an independent researcher, so have a look at the work of post-docs in your lab and use them as a gauge of how well you are doing. Remember to bear in mind that most people run over 3 years and you will have to be pretty lucky to have done enough within the scheduled time. A rough estimate is that you’ll need to work twice as hard as the post-docs in your lab for at least 3 years to be able to breeze through that viva!

10. Don’t expect too much. Everyone says this, and every PhD student refuses to believe them, but you really don’t need amazing results to pass (at least not in the UK were you can get through the viva without any positive results at all)! There isn’t any magic secret that you’re told at the end of your viva that makes every experiment from then on work perfectly. Examiners will understand that sometimes proteins just really want to turn themselves into an insoluble mess and refuse to be refolded. So long as you have done everything in a logical order and thoroughly explored each failed experiment, then you’ll be fine.

Source: http://sciencemole.wordpress.com/

Staying Positive in Trying Times

2010-10-09T20:51:00.009+08:00

ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE....by Adrianne Morris

How to maintain a positive attitude in troubled times.

The fact that these are depressing times does not mean that we have to feel depressed. This is important, as maintaining a positive attitude is a fundamental part of protecting personal relationships which are never more at risk than during difficult times. It's an old saying but true that when money goes out of the door, love goes out the window. Translate that in work terms to when the cash flow is in short supply, everyone and everything gets looked at with a magnifying glass.

What steps can we take to protect those all-important relationships, both at home and at work?

1.Recognise that times have changed and that we have to adapt to new circumstances and values. It may be that things will NEVER be the same again.

2. 20-20 hindsight is easy; forecasting the future correctly is not. Don't blame and beat up on yourself for getting things wrong: be forgiving of yourself, and, of course, your significant others, and accept that you (and they) have almost certainly done the best you can under the circumstances.

3. Instead of looking for what is wrong with others, look at what is right: it is so easy to find fault, but so much more rewarding and motivating to recognize and appreciate the good things other do, and equally important, to complement them for it. Everyone needs the following three things in their life: appreciation, affection and attention. Give those to your nearest and dearest and reap the results.

4. One negative individual can poison an entire family or team. Change the current from negative to positive: the smallest gestures can begin to defrost a cold, resentful relationship. Guru Max Kirsten says: "we have been conditioned into appreciating only the grand expensive gesture, but small acts of kindness can mean more." Practic random acts of kindness - it makes you feel so good about yourself, let alone what it does for the recipient.

5. Appreciate what you have rather than thinking about what you cannot get, if only at this time. This includes not only tangible things like money, a house, jewellery and other possessions, but intangibles such as health, family, friendships and respect. Accept that it is no disgrace to downgrade, if only as a temporary measure. It is better to be resilient and adaptable than to try to maintain an untenable status quo. Since everyone is doing it, it is far less painful and totally acceptable right now: frugality is the new buzzword.

6. Accept responsibility for what is wrong in your life rather than blaming others: list the resentments that you carry around in that suitcase which goes wherever you go - and then think of what you have contributed to each of them. Then let them go - empty the suitcase and pack it away. You will feel so much lighter when you're not carrying that burden on your back.

7. Move out of the "I" mode and into "We". Instead of focusing on what you do for others, appreciate what others contribute to your life, and then see how, together, you are greater than the sum of your parts. Share your worries, dreams and plans - again it releases the pressure valve in you when you hear your thoughts in words and often they seem so much less dramatic than when they run around in your head.

8. You don't have to accept everything your partner/boss/employee says, but try accept their right to say it and to understand his/her experience. Again be less judgmental with people and aware that we are all flawed individuals. Once you accept this, your expectations will be lowered and you will be disappointed less often when people don't come up with what you were hoping for.

9. Stop comparing yourself or family members/co-workers with others: nothing hurts more than feeling or being told that someone else "does it better." That "someone else" is probably being told the same thing about you! Comparing is absolutely the worst thing you can ever do for your self-esteem. You are unique and special and different from everyone else.

10. What you think and what you feel matter, but what you do is what really counts. So perform positive, generous acts. Project enthusiasm, not pessimism: In fact, research has shown that maintaining a smile on one's face can actually make those around us feel happier. The converse is even more true: it is so easy to bring others down and make them soak up your anxiety and negativity. Nowhere is this more evident than in today's media - yes there is doom and gloom but spreading it doesn't help anyone.

So, why not think about what is good in your life; the job you still have, the family who love you, the co-workers who respect you, the friends who admire you, the good health that you enjoy, the beauty of nature, and the fact that spring follows winter as surely as day follows night.

For more help with seeing the sunny side of life contact Adrianne Morris, Success Coach on 07956 514714 To see Adrianne Morris's blog go to http://www.alplifecoach.com

http://ezinearticles.com/?Positive-Mental-Attitude---10-Top-Tips-For-Staying-Positive-in--Trying-Times&id=2519500

Keep Laziness Away

2010-06-26T21:54:00.009+08:00

How to Keep Laziness Away?

Our behavior is a puppet of our brain. No doubt the brain is rightly located at the topmost position in our body. Psychology of the mind elevates any illness more than its actual clinical indications. Laziness is also an illness of mind and needs to be tackled with strong will power.

By Jamila Joshi message icon | Friday, May 14, 2010

"Any man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little, falls into lazy habits of thinking" - Albert Einstein

Lack of mind control for laziness can destroy your dreams of achieving your goals. To get rid of laziness is not an easy job but at the same time not impossible as well. There are ways wherein one can program the mind in such a way that there is no space left for laziness.

1. Avoiding addiction
Get addicted to better and constructive habits than laziness. Once you swallow the bait, you have to pay for it. Be prepared to act immediately when you get a slight sensation of laziness.

2. Think of the outcome than the difficulties
Achieving a given task is not is not a cake-walk. The bug of laziness further makes it tougher. Think of the moment when your task will be achieved, applauds and appreciations that would follow then. This dream is achievable only if you overcome laziness. So think of the final outcome rather than the problems, because focusing on the problems would stimulate laziness.

3. Too much load at a time will take you nowhere
Organize your daily routine to get rid of laziness. Set your daily tasks from morning to evening in splits to keep your brain active and keep a time span for some relaxation as well. Focused work will pay more than running after too many things at a time.

4. Develop a positive attitude
If you add too many negative thoughts, laziness will be your guest. So avoid words like 'I can't', 'I won't', 'I don't' etc.

5. Make your tasks more interesting than monotonous
Repetitive tasks lead to boredom and we tend to lazy around to avoid completing the assigned jobs. Here is where creativity comes into picture. Doing things differently every time is the solution. Example: Cooking if done monotonously can get boring and can be an invitation to laziness. If you feel lazy to cook, think how you could make it interesting. One way is to create a restaurant kind ambience in the dining room, by scattering some flower petals or lighting candles on the table and picking up a different menu to cook as a change from the routine.

6. Look around for something interesting
After long hours of work, a break is essential. There are many things around us which can refresh our mind in no time. What we need is the vision to identify these things. Pick up the newspaper and glance through the pages, solve a puzzle which can be refreshing to your mind and motivate you to switch back to your work without feeling lazy.

7. Quality sleep is a must
A sound sleep evacuates unwanted thoughts from the mind. Mental tiredness can lead to laziness. So it is essential to refresh ownself with a good quality sleep.

8. Exercise, a source of fresh air
Exercising early morning, preferably in open air would not leave any space for laziness. Exercise replenishes the lost energy and freshness of mind.

9. Look forward to meet successful personalities, not failures
Success cannot be achieved in an easy way. This fact would sound convincing only when you hear the experiences of successful personalities. Laziness is the root cause of failures, so don't keep failures in your vicinity.

The above tips to avoid laziness can be successfully accomplished only on regularly carrying out the activities and maintaining positive attitude towards the tasks assigned. Once you are into the habit of overcoming laziness then it just cannot come in your way.

Source : http://www.articleswave.com/fitness-articles/how-to-get-rid-of-laziness.html

Charming People With Your Charisma

2010-06-24T13:41:00.012+08:00

Charisma is essentially intangible. In spite of this, you will always know when you are in the presence of a charismatic person, because they have the ability to engage your attention in a way that someone without that personality trait would struggle to do. Charisma, like charm, is indefinable but you know when you've experienced it in action: you come away from an encounter knowing you've been with someone extraordinary and special. In essence, they make you feel that you're the most important person in the room. Compare and contrast that with so many people you meet who seem to be looking over your shoulder to see if they're missing something on the other side of the room or if there's someone more important to talk to.

I want to quote from an article in respect of the actor Will Smith which I came across while on a recent trip to the USA:

"Spend seven seconds sitting across from Will Smith, and you'll discover why he is a superstar. He's charming and attentive, observant and clever - without ever seeming to try. When he talks, he makes eye contact; when he laughs, it takes over his entire body. Though he seems happy-go-lucky, he didn't end up where he is by accident - Smith is consistently in charge, on point and thinking ahead."

Not everyone is fortunate enough to be born charismatic, but with a bit of effort, you can develop it to a significant degree. Here are 10 tips to help you do so.

1. The overwhelmingly large part of communication is non-verbal. Often your body language says more than your words. Research has shown that only 7% of understanding comes from the listening part of a conversation. It is therefore absolutely essential to show positive body language. Your posture is so important - individuals who slouch or hunch their shoulders convey negative messages. Smile and look people in the eye when communicating. Nod frequently to show that you are listening and try to allow them time to finish their sentences before jumping in with what you want to say.

2. Develop your communication skills - speak and write with flair. Speaking confidently is not a gift possessed by all but can be developed by all. Tone, cadence, use of pauses, speed of speech; emphasizing certain words - sometimes repeating key words; lack of 'uhs' and 'ums' and 'you know' and avoidance of jargon; varying the number of words in successive sentences; and, not least, vocabulary - all these contribute to your style of speech, and many to your particular style of writing. Think about Barack Obama compared to John McCain. A neat handwriting can be achieved by practice and says so much about you as a person. Challenge yourself to download dictionary.com and learn a new word every day and try to use it.

3. Develop an individual style of 'being' - in what you wear, how you conduct yourself etc. This helps to establish your 'presence factor, the impact you make on people you meet, the first impression you create. It requires being particular about everything you do, whether its ordering a particular type of tea (say Assam or Earl Grey) or coffee (double espresso macchiato rather than instant with milk), your favourite tipple (Balvenie double wood single malt rather than 'whisky'.) It means you dress with flair and style, not necessarily flash but always neat, shoes polished, hair styled, nails cleaned. For women wearing striking costume jewellery, for men an eye-catching tie, will have people remembering you.

4. Charismatic people convey the message that they are 'authentic' - authentic people are more likely to be trusted. Authentic people have the courage of their convictions. To be authentic, always follow through on your promises/actions - walk the talk, don't just talk the talk. Follow-up contacts, if promised, the very next day and think of who you know who might be a useful contact for people you've just met. Always deliver more than you promise - never disappoint. Believe in your cause - believe in yourself.

5. Make everyone you meet feel important. Be generous with praise without being sycophantic. Be warm but be genuine. Engage with people, find a point of rapport with each and every person - make people feel good about themselves and good about you. Pick up on an accent or notice a piece of jewellery and ask a question about it - it will break the ice when you're both a little inhibited or nervous.

6. Sense of humour is key - but never at anyone else's expense. Convey an image of loving life, of being fun to be with, of being playful. Above all don't take yourself or life too seriously - life may be depressing, but it doesn't mean you have to be depressed! Don't tell jokes unless you feel very confident about your delivery and remember the punchline!

7. Be master of your domain: prepare your subject thoroughly - develop your expertise, skills and knowledge. Work to eliminate areas of weakness. Leave nothing to chance. If possible, before a meeting or event, try to find out the guestlist, see if there's anyone you know or would like to know. Find out a little about them and impress the hell out of them when you meet them and ask about one of their favourite interests or recent achievements.

8. Passion: being passionate requires that you be enthusiastic, spontaneous, challenging and energetic. It is what excites you and gets your adrenalin flowing. One thing that draws a crowd and makes someone the centre of attention is a person who exhibits that kind of passion.

9. Persistence: charismatic people do not take no for an answer. Like the legendary Pacman, if they cannot get round an obstacle, they go over, under or even through it. Giving up is not an option. Finding the 'tipping point' is: looking for the often small 'tweak' that will take you across the threshold. Being persistent will impress the person who is being difficult or evasive.

10. Most of all, have the courage of your convictions: be prepared to take intelligent and considered risks (within reason) to get where you want to be. Be prepared sometimes to step into the unknown - feel the fear about finding the extended you, but do it anyway. Changing your life can be so much fun, and can be so exhilarating and worthwhile!

Challenge yourself to significantly raise your charisma chart!

Adrianne Morris, is a Success Coach helping individuals and small business grow exponentially. For more articles by Adrianne see the website: http://alplifecoach.com or call Adrianne for a "coffee" over the phone to see how she can help you to being a charming, charismatic character: 07956 514714

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adrianne_Morris

Stop feeling guilty

2010-04-08T12:21:00.007+08:00

Guilt is just a destructive emotion that is all about suffering and feeling bad. We all make mistakes. There isn't a person alive that hasn't hurt someone, whether intentionally or not. We all make mistakes and our mistakes affect others. Feeling guilty forever for those mistakes does not help them or us. If you need to right a wrong to let go of the guilt, do it.

How to Stop Feeling Guilty:

1) If you actually did something wrong (according to your own belief system, right the wrong and then let it go. When you feel guilty, you can clean up your mistake by saying: "I feel terrible about what I've done to you. I really didn't mean to hurt you. I am sorry I hurt you. The reason I did what I did is __________. What can I do to make it up to you and earn your trust again?" If the other person won't cooperate, ask them what you need to do, and if they won't accept anything, let it go.

2) Realize that no one is perfect and ask others about their issues and listen to their answers and imperfections.

3) If you made a mistake, learn your lesson and move on. If there really is no lesson to be learned, realize that and talk yourself out of the guilt by reminding yourself to forget the "shoulds" because you would probably do it the same way if you had it to do over again.

4) Ask yourself where the guilt is coming from. Then ask yourself if that is a person you want to be like (because you are following their values). Then ask yourself if that person is perfect? Of course the answer is no, so make a list of all of their imperfections. Then decide he or she does not have a right to judge you and let it go. If this person insists on making you feel guilty, use some of the points on the list to remind that person that he is a hypocrite.

5) Don't "should" on yourself. If the guilt is coming from you, then you have unrealistic expectations of yourself. But most unrealistic expectations come from our parents and other authorities who remind us that we are imperfect. Don't take on their bad view of you or their belief system about the world. Evaluate yourself by your own standards, and stop using the word "should."

6) Don't get sucked in when someone tries to guilt-trip you. "I know I'm not that important to you." "Should you have another drink?" "Isn't that too expensive for you?" "Don't you think you should go home now?" Don't answer the question or you are becoming sucked in.

Instead, state a firm boundary like, "Mother, like I said, I can't talk now, but I'll call you when I get home from work." Or, "I'll decide: when to go home, whether to have another drink, what is and isn't too expensive." Then don't keep talking or they know they got you.

7) Don't make guilt-ridden negative statements to yourself, i.e. "How could I be so stupid?!" "If only I would have been smart enough to(whatever)." "I sure screwed that one up!" "I can't believe I did that!" Instead, say positive statements to yourself. "That may have been a mistake, but I learned my lesson." "It's surprising that I misinterpreted that because I'm usually right on target."

If needed, quietly remind yourself of all of your other good traits and how great you are in other areas.

We have to demand that others accept us as we are. We can't let anyone lay his or her value judgments on us. We can't let others play God with us. And in return, we can't play God with them. Stop asking yourself, "What will people think?" Those "shoulds" keep you from enjoying your life. Those "shoulds" cause resentment, create guilt, and put responsibility where it doesn't belong. What have the "shoulds" done to you?

When we were small children, we trusted our thoughts and feelings. We knew when we felt angry or sad, and we expressed these feelings naturally without thinking about whether we should or shouldn't. Then we were told by our parents and others in society, "You shouldn't feel that way," "What do you mean you don't love your mother?," "Don't you talk to your brother like that!"

We learned to trust our parents' moral dictates: you should respect authority, you should obey your husband, you should always be polite to others. We often trust theirs more than our own.

Stop living your life the way others' want you to. Stop feeling guilty because you're not perfect, when neither are they. Live your life according to your own values and beliefs and no one else's.

About the Author

Carolyn Bushong, a Denver therapist, helps couples & singles: in her office, on-line, by phone. Author of: Loving Him Without Losing You, Bring Back the Man You Fell in Love With, The 7 Dumbest Relationship Mistakes. Has appeared on Oprah. 303-333-1888 http://www.carolynsays.com.

Our 44th Convocation Ceremony

2010-03-28T18:36:00.028+08:00

Graduation is the awarding of a degree or certificate following the satisfactory completion of a student's program of studies while convocation is the ceremony at which the degree or certificate is publicly presented. The word "Convocation" arises from the Latin "con" meaning "together" and "vocare" meaning "to call."

This morning, I've celebrated this joyous ceremony again, with my beloved Post Graduates, who have finally succeeded in their pursuit of knowledge for a better future. They have sacrificed their heart and soul to realize their dreams and truly follow their heart. As adult learners, their hard work and determination are admirably amazing and have certainly paid off..

“A man can be as great as he wants to be. If you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the dedication, the competitive drive and if you are willing to sacrifice the little things in life and pay the price for the things that are worthwhile, it can be done.” ~ Vince Lombardi

My heartiest congratulations to all FPPSM Post Graduates :

Doctor of Philosophy

Roland Yeow Theng Nam
Wan Maseri Wan Mohd

Master of Science (Human Resource Development)

Adeline Mayintana Anak Jaret, Ahmad Hisham Ab Wahab, Akmalia @ Balkhis Ali, Azeyan Awee, Daliyana Mohd. Dali, Farhana M. Razin, Farhana Hanim Mohsin, Hastuti Tarawe, Intan Shahnaz Zulkifli, Loo Chuk Li, Mapijan Sapari, Mona Ghafourian, Ng Mui Noi, Nor Intan Hasalimah Hashim, Nor Zuhailah Che Hussin, Noramira Mohamad, Nur'ain Achim, Sabarudin Ahmad Sabadin, Shah Aruzaman Ismail, Shah Iskandar Fahmie Ramlee, Siew Cheng Cheng, Siti Hasmak Muhamad, Siti Masitah Ashar, Siti Salwa Norazlan, Tan Chiew Ting and Xie Yongui

Master in Technology (Management)

Anwar Y.M Ragab, Bita Seyfi, Chong Hwa Jie, Connie Ting, Ishamuddin Mustapha, Kalam Azad Abu Bakar, Mohamad Hal-Amin Abas, Noorihan Mahtar @ Mokhtar, Norhasni Jamlie, Nur Syazwani Mohd Rozi, Nurul Huda Che Ali, Siti Hajar Abdul Rauf, Suhaili Khidzir, Tan Owee Kowang, Thoo Ai Chin, Wan Maisara Wan Mohamad and Yee Shuh Fieu.

A special message dedicated to my Post Graduates....

Today is your day. It is an important and memorable event in your lives. You have achieved distinction and made your family proud. Remember this moment... The degree you have obtained is a recognition of success. Apply the things you have learned as much as you could. Your degree represents an advantage in today's marketplace. Be proud of what you have accomplished. Build on it for the future. Spark up your creative minds to innovativeness that would reinforce your knowledge and other capabilities that are vital in this challenging globalisation era.

From :

Effective PowerPoint Presentations

2010-03-21T22:42:00.013+08:00

TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS

FONTS

1. Select sans-serif fonts such as Arial or Helvetica. Avoid serif fonts such as Times New Roman or Palatino as they are sometimes more difficult to read.

2. Clearly label each screen. Use a larger font (35-45 points) or different color for the title.

3. Use a single sans-serif font for most of the presentation. Use different colors, sizes and styles (bold, underline) for impact.

4. Avoid italicized fonts as they are difficult to read quickly.

5. No more than 6-8 words per line.

6. For bullet points, use the 6 x 6 Rule. One thought per line with no more than 6 words per line and no more than 6 lines per slide

7. Use dark text on light background or light text on dark background. However, dark backgrounds sometimes make it difficult for some people to read the text.

8. Do not use all caps except for titles.

To test the font, stand back six feet from the monitor and see if you can read the slide.

GRAPHICS AND DESIGN

1. Keep the background consistent and subtle.

2. Use only enough text when using charts or graphs to explain clearly label the graphic.

3. Keep the design clean and uncluttered. Leave empty space around the text and graphics.

4. Use quality clipart and

5. Try to use the same style graphics throughout the presentation (e.g. cartoon, photographs)

6. Limit the number of graphics on each slide.

7. Check all graphics on a projection screen before the actual presentation.

8. Avoid flashy graphics and noisy animation effects unless they relate directly to the slide.

9. Limit the number of transitions used. It is often better to use only one so the audience knows what to expect.

COLOR

1. Limit the number of colors on a single screen.

2. Bright colors make small objects and thin lines stand out. However, some vibrant colors are difficult to read when projected.

3. Use no more than four colors on one chart.

4. Check all colors on a projection screen before the actual presentation. They may project differently than what appears on the monitor.

GENERAL PRESENTATION

1. Check the spelling and grammar.

2. Do not read the presentation. Practice the presentation so you can speak from bullet points. The text should be a cue for the presenter rather than a message for the viewer.

3. Give a brief overview at the start. Then present the information. Finally review important points.

4. It is often more effective to have bulleted points appear one at a time so the audience listens to the presenter rather than reading the screen.

5. Use a wireless mouse or pick up the wired mouse so you can move around as you speak.

6. If sound effects are used, wait until the sound has finished to speak.

7. If the content is complex, print out the slides so the audience can take notes.

8. Do not turn your back on the audience. Try to position the monitor so you can speak from it.

Adapted from:

1. Bankerd, Kathy. “How to Optimize Projection Technology: Using Fonts, Graphics, and Color to Maximize the Effectiveness of Your Presentation”. Syllabus. November/December 1997.

2. Bird, Linda. “Avoid the Mistakes of PowerPoint Rookies.” Smart Computing. January 2001.

3. Brown, David G. “PowerPoint-Induced Sleep.” Syllabus. January 2001.

Tips for Postgraduate presentation

2010-03-20T14:57:00.012+08:00

Tips for postgraduate first stage/viva preparation

1) Limit your slides and vary the presentation to make it interesting.

2) If examiners tried to ask irrelevant questions, it is best to try and relate the question to your work first, if possible, before you said 'I don't know'. Or, if it really is irrelevant, then emphasise on your scope of work.

3) Always have a 'flow of presentation' slide after your 'title' slide in order for people to know how your presentation will go.

4) Normally, you are given 20 minutes for presentation for PhD work and there will be Q&A sessions afterwards.

5) If you did make a mistake in calculations or theory, try to reason why you have made that mistakes. And if it really is an unacceptable mistake, apologies and say that you will take note and improve it in your real thesis.

6) KNOW your examiner. Check his specialty and what kind of questions he/she likes to ask. Does he like to ask basic or technical questions? Is his field related to you or other area?

7) If possible, try to make network with experts around the world to check whether your research is up to date and can be recognized worldwide.

8) Make publications or have a plan on what kind of publications you wish to submit/publish before the end of your study.

9) Put page number on your slides and print out the slides for the examiners. This will make it easy reference for them and you.

10) Predict questions by examiners. And hide slides that you think are important/possible to be asked but not necessary in the 20 mins presentation. This will help you if you panicked in the Q&A.

11) Prepare your mind mentally and practice with people around you. You may be surprised that they may ask you basic questions that you don't even expect.

12) If you get provoked, try to remain calm and reason logically. Do not dwell on a question, else the examiners will only see that one mistake and forget all the other good things that you have done.

13) Write in points instead of full sentences.

14) Color the important key points in your slides to attract examiners attention to it.

15) Know your topic well. Remember, you are the expert in this field since you are the one researching on it, not the examiners. But how? This is most important especially in order to gain confidence and 'research authority' thru out the viva. It is suggested the student start with writing a review on their area of research, say from 10-50 yrs back up to today. Do organize the journals/refs chronologically (general to specific; primer to least related in specific) then tabulate things, who did what and where. This is to ensure the student will have a strong perspective from many angles; and could comments on any loophole/unresearched topic/successfully developed/contradicting among researchers etc. This will make the research more challenging and interesting.

16) Perform exhaustive keyword search through science direct or comparable technical search engine. The search should cover every possible combination of keyword to show novelty or research gap, possibly beyond reasonable doubt. One of the typical FAQ by any examiner is to question candidates on the exhaustiveness of their literature review/search. Just by showing a number of related work picked from literature, candidates often failed to demonstrate that they have indeed done an exhaustive search.

Source : http://www.fkkksa.utm.my/postgraduate/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=56&Itemid=80

To All FPPSM Post Grad Students (Masters by Coursework and also Mixed Mode Programmes):

All the best for your presentation next week!
(29th March - 2nd April 2010)

From :

Fifty Ways to Show Your Love

2010-03-19T10:57:00.007+08:00

How can you say, "I Love You" through your words and deeds without using those three words all of the time? Here are fifty great ideas:

1. Leave a note under her windshield wiper at work.

2. Give her a flower for each month you have been together.

3. Give her a facial massage.

4. Take her to the ballet or theatre.

5. Plan an overnight at a bed & breakfast.

6. Get a babysitter every friday.

7. Give your mate a romantic basket - with bubble bath, massage oil, chocolates, etc.

8. Give her a key with a note that says, "You have the key to my heart" or, "You're the key to my happiness."

9. Send flowers to your sweetie's workplace.

10. If you go on a business trip for an extended period of time, send your mate cards timed to arrive the beginning, middle, and end of your trip.

11. Pack "I love you" notes in her suitcase or lunchbox.

12. Leave a rose on the windshield.

13. Give her 10 red roses and 2 white ones in the middle with a note that reads "You will never stand alone."

14. Complain less, compliment more.

15. Praise her in front of people.

16. Wake up every morning fifteen minutes early to cuddle with each other.

17. Make your wife breakfast in bed.

18. Do her chores for a week.

19. Wash her car.

20. Always look into her eyes when she's talking to you.

21. Give a map - "I can never be lost with you around."

22. Give her a pocket dictionary - Write "You" as the meaning next to the word "Life", mark the page and give it to them "Without you, life would have no meaning."

23. Turn her birthday into a birthday month.

24. Sit down and write your goals together.

25. Massage her shoulders whenever you get a chance.

26. Bake cookies together.

27. Take a bath together.

28. Turn the A/C on and enjoy a fire - in the summer.

29. Send a greeting card for no reason.

30. Create your own homemade card.

31. Give a fish & fish bowl with a note attached that reads, "Out of all the fish in the world I pick you!"

32. Start a journal of your thoughts and present it to your wife.

33. Celebrate her 1/2 birthday.

34. Ask the question, "What can I do for you today, honey?"

35. Hold her hand whenever you walk together.

36. Tell her that she is the best thing that has ever happened to you in your entire life.

37. Renew your wedding vows.

38. Learn to have the last word in arguments, "I'm sorry."

39. Make a list of 100 reasons why you love your wife.

40. Create a jar filled with "Love Coupons." Make the coupons redeemable for hugs, kisses, back rubs or any number of special favors. Give the jar to your lover and let him/her redeem the coupons over time.

41. If your partner is stressed out, let her take a nap and keep all distractions and emergencies away during that time.

42. Talk about your dreams together and where you two are going in life.

43. Say, "You mean the world to me."

44. Call your wife right now to say "I Love You."

45. Catch her eyes in a crowd and wink.

46. Place a card on hersteering wheel that says "You drive me crazy!"

47. Unplug the TV and leave a card on top that says "Turn me on instead."

48. Write a personalized love story and have it bound.

49. Pray over dinner every night.

50. Say, "I Love you" three times a day for the rest of your life.

Source : http://www.trap17.com/index.php/Fifty-Ways-Show-Love_t39441.html

Letting Go

2010-03-09T11:26:00.004+08:00

Letting Go

By Dee Edgett

There was once a lonely girl who longed desperately for love. One day while she was walking in the woods she found two starving song birds. She took them home and put them in a small glided cage. She nurtured them with love and the birds grew strong. Every morning they greeted her with a marvellous song. The girl felt great love for the birds. She wanted their singing to last forever.

One day the girl left the door to the cage open. The larger and stronger of the two birds flew from the cage. The girl watched anxiously as he circled high above her. She was so frightened that he would fly away and she would never see him again that as he flew close, she grasped at him wildly. She caught him in her fist. She clutched him tightly within her hand. Her heart gladened at her sucess in capturing him. Suddenly she felt the bird go limp. She opened her hand stared in horror at the dead bird. Her desperate clutching love had killed him.

She noticed the other bird teetering on the edge of the cage. She could feel his great need for freedom. His need to soar into the clear, blue sky. She lifted him from the cage and tossed him softly into the air. The bird circled once, twice, three times.

The girl watched delighted at the bird's enjoyment. Her heart was no longer concerned with her loss. She wanted the bird to be happy. Suddenly the bird flew closer and landed softly on her shoulder. It sang the sweetest melody, she had ever heard.

The fastest way to lose love is to hold on too tight, the best way to keep love is to give it -- WINGS!

Source : http://www.lifeofhope.com/letting_go.htm

History of Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T11:26:00.006+08:00

Every year, the fourteenth day of the month of February has millions across the world presenting their loved ones with candy, flowers, chocolates and other lovely gifts. In many countries, restaurants and eateries are seen to be filled with couples who are eager to celebrate their relationship and the joy of their togetherness through delicious cuisines. There hardly seems to be a young man or woman who is not keen to make the most of the day.
Gifts for Valentine's Day

The reason behind all of this is a kindly cleric named Valentine who died more than a thousand years ago.

It is not exactly known why the 14th of February is known as Valentine's Day or if the noble Valentine really had any relation to this day. Saint ValentineThe history of Valentine's Day is impossible to be obtained from any archive and the veil of centuries gone by has made the origin behind this day more difficult to trace. It is only some legends that are our source for the history of Valentine's Day.

The modern St. Valentine's Day celebrations are said to have been derived from both ancient Christian and Roman tradition. As per one legend, the holiday has originated from the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalis/Lupercalia, a fertility celebration that used to observed annually on February 15. But the rise of Christianity in Europe saw many pagan holidays being renamed for and dedicated to the early Christian martyrs. Lupercalia was no exception. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius turned Lupercalia into a Christian feast day and set its observance a day earlier, on February 14. He proclaimed February 14 to be the feast day in honor of Saint Valentine, a Roman martyr who lived in the 3rd century. It is this St. Valentine whom the modern Valentine's Day honors.

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, there were at least three early Christian saints by the name of Valentine. While one was a priest in Rome, another was a bishop in Terni. Nothing is known about the third St. Valentine except that he met his end in Africa. Surprisingly, all three of them were said to have been martyred on 14th February.

It is clear that Pope Gelasius intended to honor the first of these three aforementioned men. Most scholars believe that this St. Valentine was a priest who lived around 270 AD in Rome and attracted the disfavor of Roman emperor Claudius II who ruled during this time.

The story of St. Valentine has two different versions - the Protestant and the Catholic one. Both versions agree upon Saint Valentine being a bishop who held secret marriage ceremonies of soldiers in opposition to Claudius II who had prohibited marriage for young men and was executed by the latter. During the lifetime of Valentine, the golden era of Roman empire had almost come to an end. Lack of quality administrators led to frequent civil strife. Education declined, taxation increased and trade witnessed a very bad time. The Roman empire faced crisis from all sides, from the Gauls, Slavs, Huns, Turks and Mongolians from Northern Europe and Asia. The empire had grown too large to be shielded from external aggression and internal chaos with existing forces. Naturally, more and more capable men were required to to be recruited as soldiers and officers to protect the nation from takeover. When Claudius became the emperor, he felt that married men were more emotionally attached to their families, and thus, will not make good soldiers. He believed that marriage made the men weak. So he issued an edict forbidding marriage to assure quality soldiers.

The ban on marriage was a great shock for the Romans. But they dared not voice their protest against the mighty emperor. The kindly bishop Valentine also realized the injustice of the decree. He saw the trauma of young lovers who gave up all hopes of being united in marriage. He planned to counter the monarch's orders in secrecy. Whenever lovers thought of marrying, they went to Valentine who met them afterwards in a secret place, and joined them in the sacrament of matrimony. And thus he secretly performed many marriages for young lovers. But such things cannot remain hidden for long. It was only a matter of time before Claudius came to know of this "friend of lovers," and had him arrested.

While awaiting his sentence in prison, Valentine was approached by his jailor, Asterius. It was said that Valentine had some saintly abilities and one of them granted him the power to heal people. Asterius had a blind daughter and knowing of the miraculous powers of Valentine he requested the latter to restore the sight of his blind daughter. The Catholic legend has it that Valentine did this through the vehicle of his strong faith, a phenomenon refuted by the Protestant version which agrees otherwise with the Catholic one. Whatever the fact, it appears that Valentine in some way did succeed to help Asterius' blind daughter.

Claudius IIWhen Claudius II met Valentine, he was said to have been impressed by the dignity and conviction of the latter. However, Valentine refused to agree with the emperor regarding the ban on marriage. It is also said that the emperor tried to convert Valentine to the Roman gods but was unsuccesful in his efforts. Valentine refused to recognize Roman Gods and even attempted to convert the emperor, knowing the consequences fully. This angered Claudius II who gave the order of execution of Valentine.

Meanwhile, a deep friendship had been formed between Valentine and Asterius' daughter. It caused great grief to the young girl to hear of his friend's imminent death. It is said that just before his execution, Valentine asked for a pen and paper from his jailor, and signed a farewell message to her "From Your Valentine," a phrase that lived ever after. As per another legend, Valentine fell in love with the daughter of his jailer during his imprisonment. However, this legend is not given much importance by historians. The most plausible story surrounding St. Valentine is one not centered on Eros (passionate love) but on agape (Christian love): he was martyred for refusing to renounce his religion. Valentine is believed to have been executed on February 14, 270 AD.

Thus 14th February became a day for all lovers and Valentine became its Patron Saint. It began to be annually observed by young Romans who offered handwritten greetings of affection, known as Valentines, on this day to the women they admired. With the coming of Christianity, the day came to be known as St. Valentine's Day.

But it was only during the 14th century that St. Valentine's Day became definitively associated with love. UCLA medieval scholar Henry Ansgar Kelly, author of "Chaucer and the Cult of Saint Valentine", credits Chaucer as the one who first linked St. Valentine's Day with romance. In medieval France and England it was believed that birds mated on February 14. Hence, Chaucer used the image of birds as the symbol of lovers in poems dedicated to the day. In Chaucer's "The Parliament of Fowls," the royal engagement, the mating season of birds, and St. Valentine's Day are related:

"For this was on St. Valentine's Day, When every fowl cometh there to choose his mate."

By the Middle Ages, Valentine became as popular as to become one of the most popular saints in England and France. Despite attempts by the Christian church to sanctify the holiday, the association of Valentine’s Day with romance and courtship continued through the Middle Ages. The holiday evolved over the centuries. By the 18th century, gift-giving and exchanging hand-made cards on Valentine's Day had become common in England. Hand-made valentine cards made of lace, ribbons, and featuring cupids and hearts began to be created on this day and handed over to the man or woman one loved. Valentine's day greeting cardThis tradition eventually spread to the American colonies. It was not until the 1840s that Valentine's Day greeting cards began to be commercially produced in the U.S. The first American Valentine's Day greeting cards were created by Esther A. Howlanda Mount Holyoke, a graduate and native of Worcester. Mass. Howland, known as the Mother of the Valentine, made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as "scrap". It was when Howland began Valentine's cards in a large scale that the tradition really caught on in the United States.

Today, Valentine's Day is one of the major holidays in the U.S. and has become a booming commercial success. According to the Greeting Card Association, 25% of all cards sent each year are "valentine"s. The "valentines", as Valentine's Day cards are better known as, are often designed with hearts to symbolize love. The Valentine's Day card spread with Christianity, and is now celebrated all over the world. One of the earliest valentines was sent in 1415 AD by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife during his imprisonment in the Tower of London. The card is now preserved in the British Museum.

There may be doubts regarding the actual identity of Valentine, but we know that he really existed because archaeologists have recently unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to a Saint Valentine.

Article Source : http://www.theholidayspot.com/valentine/history_of_valentine.htm

Positive Affirmations to Boost Confidence

2010-01-10T00:09:00.010+08:00

Positive affirmations can be a very powerful tool in the process of boosting confidence levels. These statements can do wonders to transform negative thoughts and feelings into supportive and motivational encouragement. Positive affirmations can increase your feelings of personal worth, empower you to take on difficult tasks, help you cope with change, and allow you to deal with stress. Here are ten positive affirmations to help get you on your way to becoming a stronger person.

• "Stressful Situations Are Just Challenges": Learn to handle stress in a constructive way that you can grow from. Stress can be quite debilitating, but it does not have to be. You can work at teaching yourself to take stressful situations as a challenge. Challenges bring many opportunities that can easily be missed if you are not careful.

• "I Can Handle Whatever Comes My Way": Rather than automatically thinking that you cannot handle stressful situations, take them as they come and work with them. Instead of trying to fight off something that does not immediately make you happy, meet it head on, and work with what you have. If you spend your time and energy working with, rather than against, a situation you will have much less conflict in your life.

• "I Can Accomplish Anything I Set My Mind To": Instead of automatically assuming you cannot do something, convince yourself that you absolutely can! This may be one of the most beneficial positive affirmations that you can give yourself. By repeating this statement anytime you feel overwhelmed you will give yourself the courage needed to step up and take on any challenge. If you truly believe you can do anything, you can.

• "I Am A Strong Person": Lack of self-esteem can often make a person feel very beaten down. Reminding yourself that you are a strong person on a regular basis is one of the best positive affirmations that can help boost your confidence level and keep you from feeling taken advantage of.

• "I Am Doing My Very Best": It is not uncommon to start to believe that you are worthless or that you have nothing to offer when you lack self-confidence. Remembering to believe in yourself, and that you are doing the very best you can will help you to feel a sensation of inner peace. The best you can do is the best you can do, and you have to learn to be happy with that.

• "I Am In Charge Of My Life": The next of the positive affirmations reminds you that you, and only you, are in charge of your life. Only you can change the way you think and act. If you truly want to be happier and boost your confidence level, it must come from within.

• "Happiness Begins With Me": Happiness comes from within, and you must choose to be happy. Positive affirmations such as this remind you that you need to make a conscious choice to be positive, and look to find the good in every situation. Once you begin to find your own personal happiness, others will gravitate toward you.

• "I Can Remain Calm Under Pressure": Learning how to remain calm in the face of pressure is key to boosting your personal confidence. If you react too quickly to a particular situation and lash out, others will not feel comfortable around you. If you can remain calm in a stressful situation, deal with the issue, and work to resolve it in a positive manner you will feel much better about yourself and others will be more apt to work with you.

• "I Will Find The Good": Teaching yourself to find the good in any situation is one of the positive affirmations that just about every person can benefit from. It is extremely easy to revert to negative feelings, and have a very depressed general attitude. It takes work to be positive, and finding the good in any circumstance will help you to have a more positive outlook on life.

• "This Too Shall Pass": The last of the positive affirmations reminds you that no matter how dire the situation seems, it will pass with time. In many cases, the problem that is causing you unhappiness is very short lived and really has no lasting impact on your life. Reminding yourself of this will help you to get through the issue faster while increasing your self-confidence.

Positive affirmations should be practiced everyday. The more you repeat these statements to yourself, the better you will feel. In time this will lead you to have more self-esteem and take on more challenges you would have once hesitated to even consider.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Neil_Redfern

History of New Years Day

2009-12-31T20:09:00.011+08:00

History of New Years Day

January 1 st is considered New Years Day in today's society. But this is a fairly new concept because up until the time of Julius Caesar, the Romans celebrated the New Year in March because it was the first month in the Roman calendar. However, January 1 marked the time when the Romans changed their governmental figures and new consuls were inducted into office. And, they had games and feasting to help celebrate the new officials. But, they still used March 1 as their official mark of the new year and had a festival to their god, Mars (God of War).

It was Caesar who changed the Roman New Year's Day to January 1 in honor of Janus, (God of all beginnings and gate keeper of heaven and earth). Janus was always depicted with two faces: One looking back to the old year (past) and one looking ahead to the new year (future). One of the customs in the festival honoring Janus was to exchange gifts and then make resolutions to be friendly and good to one another.

When Constantine ruled the Romans and accepted Christianity as their new faith, they kept the Festival of Janus as the New Years Day ( Not March as before) and turned it into a day of prayer and fasting and not parties etc. It was a day for all good Christians to turn over a new leaf. However, the Romans may have accepted January 1 and Janus as the New Year, but many did not accept the turning over a new leaf, prayer and fasting part of it.

However, even in 1582, Great Britian and the English colonies in America still kept March for the beginning of the year. (Spring as a beginning?) It wasn't until 1752 that Britian (and it's colonies) adopted the new Gregorian calendar and January 1 as the beginning of the year. But many Puritans in New England felt Janus was an offensive pagan god and chose to simply ignore January 1 as a New Years Day. Instead they just made the entire month of January as "The First Month" of the months.

And, today no one really considers January 1 a fasting day. Ironically, for many it is a major day of feasting on junk food and watching football games on television.

How did New Year's Resolutions all begin?

Once again, we go back to the wild and crazy parties of the ancient Romans. :) They indulged themselves in alcoholic and sexual excess as a way of acting out all the chaos that they hoped a new year would get rid of. So, the New Year's festival was a way to start over. By purging yourself of all this so-called excess energy and confessing your sins, there was a hope that you would be much better in the next year ahead.

Now, the Puritans never did approve of all this New Year's hoopla. So of course they went for this religious renewal of cleanse, purge, fast, confess idea. So they encouraged young people not to waste the new year on foolish things but to use it as an opportunity to make a good change in their lives for the good. So, like some Christians, they made New Year's vows or pledges focused on overcoming their own weaknesses, to enhance their god-given talents and to make them better citizens to others.

The custom of making New Year's Resolutions came into vogue in the 20th century. But most of it was done with jest and an understanding that they would not be kept (for long anyway) since humans were naturally backsliders by nature to their naughty habits and ways.

The resolutions today are simply a secular version of the religious vows made in the past toward spiritual perfection. They are often made with good intentions and broken with a sense of humor and renewed annually.

Article source : http://www.cojoweb.com/new-years-eve-hist.html

From :

Our Post Graduates' Meeting

2009-12-30T21:50:00.018+08:00

Date : 30th Dec 2009
Venue : Bestari 3
Time : 2.15 - 4.30pm
Sem. 2, Session 2009/2010
Faculty of Management and Human Resource Development, UTM, Skudai, Johor

Our new committee for Post Grad Student Society of FPPSM

The Five Love Languages

2009-12-30T01:37:00.004+08:00

When it comes to showing affection, you and your partner may have different ways of showing your love. Not understanding how one communicates his/her adoration for the other can cause of stress in any relationship. Therapists explain that there are five love languages that they review with their patients to help them discover their own love traits, and the traits of their mate:

Touch: Some people need to be in contact with their partner to feel loved. We respond both physically and mentally to this type of stimulation. This can be through hand-holding, massages, hugging or just sitting close enough that you can feel one another.

Acts of Service: This love language means that you show your affection by doing things for your partner, and in turn, you feel more loved when people return the favor. This could be as easy as running errands or completing chores. It is also important to understand what acts of service your partner feels show love, and which he feels are simply just things that need to get done throughout the day. For example, a husband may wash his wife's car and take out the trash, but she may feel these are just necessities. The acts of service must be done out of love, not obligation.

Quality Time: This love language is more about just being near your partner; it is about being invested. Unless both parties are paying complete attention to one another, then it does not qualify as quality time. So even if you go on a dinner date, you may not be really spending quality time with one another if you are both not fully paying attention to the other. And, quality time definitely does not include letting a wife talk about one subject while her husband watches a sports game in the same room. In a thriving relationship, quality conversation is important. Your partner may feel that love comes from being a sympathetic listener. It doesn't necessarily mean that you have to solve all his problems, just that you become an active and compassionate listener.

Receiving Gifts: For some people, tangible gifts are more of an expression of love than hearing the words spoken to them. If this is the language of love for you, you may feel that not receiving gifts correlates to being loved less. But, if this is the language of your mate, then it is probably one of the easiest to comply with because it takes little effort. The gifts can be big or small, cheap or expensive. Either way, they serve as small reminders to the person that you still care.

Words: Vocally expressing your appreciation can be powerful. There are three common ways of affirming your love through the power of words. The first includes simply stating your love for the other person. The second is through compliments. For example, telling him how great he looks or praising him on a meal he made for you. The last type of affirmation is encouragement. This could be pointing out the progress your partner is making in a particular area, or telling him how proud you are of him for making a difficult decision.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=L_James

Twelve Good Thoughts

2009-12-26T12:05:00.007+08:00

Twelve Good Thoughts

By Unknown

1. Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift.

2. Love is when you take away the feeling, the passion, and the romance in a relationship and find out that you still care for that person.

3. When the door of happiness closes, another opens but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us.

4. The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.

5. It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.

6. There are things you'd love to hear that you would never hear from the person who you would like to hear from, but don't be so deaf as not to hear it from the one who says it from their heart.

7. Don't go for looks, they can deceive. Don't go for wealth, in the end it fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.

8. Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go, be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.

9. A careless word may kindle strife, a cruel word may wreck a life, a timely word may level stress, a loving word may heal and bless.

10. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

11. Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.

12. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past, you can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches..

Article Source : http://www.lifeofhope.com/12goodthoughts.htm

The Undeniable Truths Of The Workplace

2009-12-25T17:53:00.006+08:00

The Undeniable Truths Of The Workplace

* The lowest managerial priority is customer service, but the highest priority is persecuting the workers.

* The only person who can get three days off in a week is the general manager.

* Being promoted to a supervisor is actually a demotion considering the fact that you just sold your soul.

* The arrogance level of any given member of management is inversely proportional to their intelligence quotient.

* Don't worry about management's stepping in to do workers' jobs during a strike. They can't run the place with us, so how can they run it without us?

* Don't ever get caught reading anything on the job; the management want to keep us as clueless as they are.

* All managers suffer from selective amnesia; they can only remember Union contract agreements when it benefits their cause.

* The amount of favoritism you receive from management is directly proportional to the amount of a** you kiss and inversely proportional to the quality of work you perform.

* Whenever management posts a letter of thanks to the workers, the employees will again be treated like crap within two minutes of the posting.

* The chances that an employee's idea will ever be implemented are inversely proportional to its ultimate good.

* A new supervisor who has worked for only two days is always construed to know more than workers who have worked in the company for years.

* As soon as a supervisor is promoted to a manager, an inexplicable, sudden drop of 50 IQ points will occur.

* The accountability of the workers is inversely proportional to the accountability of the supervisors and managers.

* If management accidentally discovers that an employee is smart, more work will be expected from that employee.

* Succeeding at the workplace is simply a matter of rising above everyone else's incompetence.

* The more a worker gets yelled at by a manager, the more that worker can take comfort in the fact that they are right.

* In the workplace, incompetence perpetuates itself.

* If a rule does not exist that supports the position of management, they will make one up on the spot.

* You will never get paid for any overtime or extra hours you work unless you catch the forthcoming error and report it to the same management who tried to get away with it in the first place.

* Whenever a new rule or procedure is implemented, the employees must be given either no notice or as little notice as possible.

* The greatest possible threat to any given manager is an employee who is smarter than they are.

* Whenever management comes out with a so-called "policy," it is merely an attempt on their part to circumvent a provision in the Union contract that they don't like.

* In the workplace, managerial incompetence flows from the top on down.

Article Source : http://www.amusingfacts.com/humour/humour.php?PostID=20597

Focus on what you can do

2009-12-24T21:39:00.009+08:00

How To Change Your Attitudes
By Catherine Pulsifer

Your outlook on life, basically your attitude can determine your happiness and success in life. Attitude is a mindset, how you view your world. Do you see the positive or do you focus on the negative? Our perception of the events in our life, and how we regard these events can be attributed to our attitude.

How can you change your attitude?

- when dealing with a situation try and find the good in it. Focus on the good; do not dwell on the negative. Depending on the situation, you sometimes have to look hard to find the good but it is there. By doing this you start changing attitudes to a positive attitude rather than a negative attitude.

- Remember the saying, "you can't change other people, you can only change yourself." So if someone tells you that you have a poor attitude, don't try and convenience them otherwise as you won't change their mind. When someone tells us this we have a tendency to take a defensive attitude, instead focus on how you can change.

Can you change attitudes of other people?

- Again, I would refer to the saying, "you can't change other people, you can only change yourself". You will end up becoming very frustrated if you try and change other people. Remember, you can only change yourself and how you deal with that individual.

The story below is a story of attitude. The individual in this story could have easily developed a "poor me" attitude, but instead he chose to focus on what he can do, his attitude reflects what a positive outlook on life can be like.

"Now I look beyond what I can't do and focus on what I CAN."
Robert M. Hensel

Too often in life, we focus on the things we cannot do.

Sometimes we cannot do things because of financial limitations, health limitations, family limitations, educational limitations, and so on.

Sometimes, we end up limiting ourselves from achieving success in reaching our goals. We end up having a negative attitude which limits our ability to achieve success and happiness in our life.

Through the Internet, I have recently met an individual whom I found to be very inspiring. He has a positive attitude, he focuses on what he can do. To name a few of his accomplishments:

- he has set a world record, and is in the Guinness Book of World Records
- he is an international poet with over 900 publications
- he is an advocate for the disabled
- he is the founder of Beyond Limitations Week
- he is an Ambassador for the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation.
- he has created his own website, http://wheelierecord.tripod.com/index.html
and the list could go on!

The individual is Robert M. Hensel. You see, Robert was born spina bifida; a disability that affects your sense of balance and also has an impact on your kidneys.

Robert could have easily used his disability to limit his achievements, yet he has accomplished more than many. His attitude and outlook on life is one that, for me, is inspiring!

To quote Robert, "I have learned that limitations open doors that have been closed, showing other ways to meet our needs."

Let Robert be a reminder for changing attitudes. Use his motto of not focusing on what you can't do, but, focusing on what you can do!

Source : http://www.wow4u.com/what-you-can-do/index.html

Time Of Love

2009-12-22T21:21:00.006+08:00

Time Of Love

By Author Unknown

The man came home from work late again, tired and irritated, to find his 5 year old son waiting for him at the door.

Daddy, may I ask you a question?"

"Yeah, sure, what is it?" replied the man.

"Daddy, how much money do you make an hour?"

"That's none of your business! What makes you ask such a thing?" the man said angrily.

"I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?" pleaded the little boy.

"If you must know, I make $20.00 an hour."

"Oh," the little boy replied, head bowed.

Looking up, he said, "Daddy, may I borrow $10.00 please?"

The father was furious. "If the only reason you wanted to know how much money I make is just so you can borrow some to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you're being so selfish. I work long, hard hours everyday and don't have time for such childish games." The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.

The man sat down and started to get even madder about the little boy's questioning. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money.

After an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think he may have been a little hard on his son. Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $10.00, and he really didn't ask for money very often.

The man went to the Door of the little boy's room and opened the door. "Are you asleep son?" he asked.

"No daddy, I'm awake," replied the boy.

"I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier," said the man. "It's been a long day and I took my aggravation out on you. Here's that $10.00 you asked for."

The little boy sat straight up, beaming. "Oh, thank you daddy!" he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow, he pulled out some more crumpled up bills. The man, since the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, then looked up at the man.

"Why did you want more money if you already had some?" the father grumbled.

"Because I didn't have enough, but now I do," the little boy replied.

"Daddy, I have $20.00 now. Can I buy an hour of your time?"

Article Source : http://www.lifeofhope.com/inspirationalstory11.htm

Making Better Choices

2009-12-21T00:41:00.005+08:00

I believe many of us do not actively choose what we want in our lives. Let me give you a personal example. For years I simply went with the flow, so to speak. It was if I was in a rowboat, with no oar, out on the river of life. I went wherever the river took me and unfortunately it took me to some pretty depressing places. One area that was particularly challenging was choosing a career. I always took the path of least resistance, usually abdicating any choice I had, especially if it involved a difficult decision.

It just seemed easier to live for each day, and never worry about planning for the future. I took whatever jobs I could find, and thus usually ended up working somewhere that I didn't enjoy at all. Then one day I realized that there actually was an "oar" in my boat that I could use to "row" to wherever I wanted to go. At that point things began to improve. In essence, I started to make better choices in all areas of my life. It didn't happen overnight, but gradually I became more proficient at the planning and decision-making processes that lead to a better, more enjoyable life. Here are a few ideas I encourage you to experiment with in your own life:

1. Start noticing the choices you are making on a daily basis. Many times each day you are faced with choices. It may be something as simple as, "What will I have for breakfast?" Or it may be a bit more complicated, like, "What actions should I take today to make my business a success?" You are literally making thousands of choices a day. Are they taking you closer to the life of your dreams, or are they keeping you in a place that you're not entirely happy with? Carefully watching your thoughts around the daily choices you are making is a good place to start.

2. Realize that you always have a choice about how you respond to something or someone. Each and every event in our lives is neutral, in and of itself. It is how we respond to the event that creates our experience of it. If you feel that you do not have a choice in a situation, then take a closer look. You may be faced with alternatives that are difficult to accept, or maybe you have just overlooked some possibilities. Reconsider your options and/or brainstorm some new solutions. During the next situation that presents itself; don't just "react." Stop and think about how you would like things to turn out, and then "respond" in a way that will help you achieve the desired outcome.

3. Understand that over time your choices influence who you are. Each morning you wake you have a choice to make. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. Each time something bad happens, you can choose to be a victim or you can choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to you complaining, you can choose to accept their complaining or you can help them see other possibilities. Over time these little choices become part of your personality and the essence of who you are. Ask yourself, "Am I becoming the person I've always wanted to be?" If not, decide what needs to change and get the help and support needed to make it happen.

4. Recognize that what you focus on is a choice. Do you see the glass as half empty or half full? Do you worry about failing instead of focusing on the rewards of success? You do have a choice about what you focus on in life. Begin to notice how you focus you thoughts on a regular basis. Do you see a constructive of destructive pattern?

5. Realize that to a great extent you choose your own limits in life. If you're 7 feet tall, or weigh 200 lbs, then chances are you won't be able to be a professional jockey. But in many areas of life people choose to practice self-imposed limited thinking. You can be and do so much more than you currently believe is possible. It's your choices and decisions that hold you back for the most part. Think about an area of your life where you may have chosen a self-imposed limitation that you are unhappy with. Then go out and get the help and assistance necessary to break through that limiting belief.

6. Practice, practice, practice. Learning to make choices is a skill that improves with practice. The more choices you make in life the easier it gets. Why not take the opportunity to make as many conscious choices as possible in the upcoming week?

7. Having a choice is a choice. Realize that you have the power to change many things in your life. You must first decide that you want to change. You can choose right now that you will be a person that takes responsibility for the choices they make. Don't let your life run on automatic pilot. Begin to take control of your future by making choices that lead you towards your goals, dreams and desires. The famous Psychologist Carl Jung once said, "I am not what happened to me; I am what I chose to become."

About the Author: Kim Smith is a Life Coach who passionately helps people learn and master the skills and strategies they need to experience the peaceful, happy, satisfying lives they want and deserve. Find out more at http://coachkim.com/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kim_R_Smith

Friends that you should avoid

2009-12-20T16:28:00.006+08:00

Do you have a couple of friends that always use you and make you feel awful? It is best to avoid these types of people as they don't make you feel positive about yourself. Friends should be there with you when you are at your worst and at your best. A friend that keeps using you can cause significant stress and financial problems to you.

Here a couple of friends you should avoid in your life:

1. The complainer.

This friend always likes to complain about something. It could be the air that he or she is breathing or the little things like having dirt on the bottom of the shoe.

2. The drama queen.

This person is always exaggerating things and complains how it is going to scar him/her for the rest of their life. If you go out with this type of person, doing normal things can be downright painful and difficult.

3. The user.

He/she always wants something from you but never returns the favor. This is annoying because friends meant to share and both people should mutually benefit. With these types of people, you tend to leave your wallet or the most precious possessions at home so they don't ask you for anything.

4. The stinker.

This person smells a lot and everywhere you go, people will complain about your friend's body odor. You always ask the person to have a shower and put some deodorant on but never do.

5. The negative guy.

He is always negative and has nothing good to say about anyone.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tito_King

Keep Focused on Success

2009-12-19T22:12:00.004+08:00

Success requires focus because in our effort to improve our live legitimate problems and justifiable excuses will happen at various stages and times. If you are not focused when your moment arrives you may miss it. The problem is that too many times we have the mentality that the moment will come if we wait for it. However the reality is we must work toward what we want.

In the real world of success focus creates the moments and allows us to see opportunity when they present themselves. many times when people have the mentality they will wait for success they are not focused on success. waiting creates stress, pressure and strain because if we are not taking action our mind is not in the right place and time can cause us to waver in our efforts.

As you focus success and work toward it by improving your performance you develop the confidence necessary use your skills to make things happen.. Focus ensures you have a clear idea of where you are going and where you want to be and what you need to get to that place of success.

The following five tips will help you stay focused on success:

1. Check you.

Is what you are doing true to who you are? Is your effort to achieve success developing you into a better person? Are you connecting to your future and making a positive impact on your life?

2. Check your Purpose.

Is your focus motivated by something deep inside you. Are you trying to impress others, be popular or be liked? If this is your motivation your focus will be temporary.

3. Check your mental clarity.

Educate and learn to gain knowledge that gives you an advantage. Stay sharp and push yourself to change and improve through the application of information.

4. Check your goals.

Your goals must be genuine and sincere not selfish and shallow. Is your goal satisfying or is it based on greed?

5. Check your motivation.

Find the will to overcome mistakes and enjoy the process of learning from them. Reward yourself and celebrate victories on a regular basis.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harold_Thompkins

Inspiring Albert Einstein Quotes

2009-12-18T20:53:00.007+08:00

Albert Einstein has always been viewed as an eccentric. However, his personal oddities did not, in any way, undermine his brilliance. Despite the way he looked, he is considered one of the most groundbreaking scientists of all time.

For anyone struggling to find success in his or her own field, these Albert Einstein quotes can inspire you to fulfill your dreams.

Einstein has been responsible for some of the most amazing breakthroughs ever discovered. His words would always ring true, even after his death. For inspiring Albert Einstein quotes, read on!

Albert Einstein Quote # 1: "The only real valuable thing is intuition."

Intuition cannot be bought. It is inherent in each one of us and can only be honed through experience. Unfortunately, not a lot of people listen to their intuition. And perhaps even a larger number don't even believe they have one.

But Einstein, a man of science, believes in a person's gut feel. When torn between two decisions, it is important to listen to that nagging feeling inside of you.

Intuition has saved a lot of people from danger. And if yours is nudging you to go a certain direction, there's no harm in trying that out, right?

Albert Einstein Quote # 2: "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."

As unusual as this success quote sounds, it does tell the truth. Stubborn people, for example, get themselves stuck in a situation by not listening to the advice of others.

Instead of remaining stubborn all throughout the ordeal, why not take someone's word for a change and try a different approach?

Stubbornness will not get you anywhere. Einstein recognizes the importance of flexibility. If you want to achieve success, you'll need to adopt that same flexibility as well.

Albert Einstein Quote # 3: "Imagination is more important than knowledge."

This is one of my favorite inspirational quotes. After all, you cannot always live life by the book. You'll have to be as creative as you can to make every day of your life more meaningful.

Life's problems cannot always be solved by equations either. Sometimes, it takes a touch of creativity to help you get to the bottom of things.

Einstein was truly a man who had a lot to share. With this set of Albert Einstein quotes, I hope you feel a renewed drive to succeed in whatever field you choose.

Article Source : Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Lee

IF and WHEN

2009-12-12T20:32:00.005+08:00

IF and WHEN
by Catherine Pulsifer

IF and WHEN were friends. Every week they met and had lunch. Their conversation usually centered on all the things they were going to achieve. They both had many dreams and they loved to talk about them.

This particular Saturday when they met, WHEN sensed that IF was not in a great mood. As usual they sat at the table reserved for them and ordered their lunch. Once they placed their order, WHEN questioned IF. "IF what is wrong with you? You don't seem your usual cheery self?"

IF looked at WHEN and replied, "I'm not sure, I just don't feel like I am making any progress. This last week I saw a course I wanted to take if only I had the time to take it."

WHEN knew exactly how IF felt. "Yeah," replied WHEN, "I too saw a course and I am going to register when I get enough money together." WHEN then said, "well what about that new job you were going to apply for. You were so excited about it last week, did you apply?"

IF responded, "If my computer didn't break down last week, I would have applied. But, my computer is not working, so I could not type my resume."

"Don't worry about it IF, when you are ready another job will come through. I have been thinking about looking for another job also, but I will wait and when the weather gets nicer I will look then." WHEN then went on to tell IF about his week, hoping that it would cheer him up a bit.

The man at the next table couldn't help overhear WHEN and IF. They both were talking about when this and if that, finally he couldn't take it anymore. "Excuse me gentlemen," the man said. IF and WHEN both looked at the man and wondered what he wanted. The man continued, "I'm sorry, but I couldn't help hearing your conversation. I think I know how you could solve your problems."

IF smiled and thought, how could a complete stranger know how to solve all of their problems. If only he knew. When he realized the challenges they faced there was no way he could solve their problems! Curious, IF asked the gentleman, "How do you think you can solve our problems?"

The gentleman smiled and said, "You only need listen to yourselves. It reminds me of an old proverb:
'If and When were planted, and Nothing grew'."

IF and WHEN looked puzzled. The gentleman smiled and said, "Start counting how many times you use the words 'if' and 'when'. Rather than thinking 'if and when', start doing, take action, stop talking about 'if and when'."

IF and WHEN both looked surprised, and suddenly realized that what the gentleman had said was so true. Both of them were guilty of thinking, acting and living their life for the "ifs and whens". The gentleman left and IF and WHEN's conversation changed. They made a pact that when they met for lunch next week, there would be no "ifs and whens"; they would only talk about what they accomplished!

Source : http://www.wow4u.com/ifandwhen/index.html

Setting Goals For Success

2009-12-11T23:50:00.017+08:00

In simple terms what are goals? Goals are something that will give you DIRECTION in business and in your personal life...

They are very exciting and great fun, especially when you reach a goal, it makes you feel FANTASTIC...

Why Is Goal Setting so important to achieve success! Well here are some more reasons why:

1. Goals establish DIRECTION in your life.
2. Helps maintain MOTIVATION.
3. Challenges you to GROW.
4. Can improve your SELF IMAGE.
5. Gives you CONFIDENCE.
6. Drives your LIFE and your BUSINESS forward.
7. Makes you understand your reason WHY.

GOALS ARE THE FIRST POSITIVE STEP TO SUCCESS...

You Can Have Goals In All Areas Of Your Life:

- Personal
- Family
- Health
- Business
- Financial
- Leisure
- Friends
- Household
- Spiritual
- Community

How Do You set Goals? Goals should be set in categories of time, this way they keep you excited and focused.

- Short Term Goals - (weekly and monthly)
- Medium Goals (6months-1 year)
- Long Term Goals (3-5years)

Achieve by setting goals (TOP TIPS)

1. Once you have set your short term ,medium term and long term goals, write them down. DO NOT just keep them in your head, you wont achieve them.
2. Have a time scale for every goal....if you don't, nothing will happen.
3. Make goal boards with pictures of what you want. Have them visual there is nothing more powerful and exciting. I have my goals on sticky notes in my car, by my bed. I also have them stuck inside my purse, all this keeps excitement flowing everyday.
5. Be ambitious with your goals but also be realistic.
6. Adjust your goals. As you grow so will your goals.
7. Don't be put off by set backs THAT'S LIFE, adjust and move on.
8. When you reach a goal celebrate, have a great time, then focus on the next one...
9. Make sure you have a little meeting with yourself at the end of every week, to look at how everything is going.

If you want to know how to achieve then simply set goals. I hope I have given you a taster of how goal setting is done and what a difference it can make to having a successful life. I feel setting goals helps stop the boredom, and gives you something to aim for, they have certainly made my life more colourful and I hope that they make all your dreams come true.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jayne_Clarkson

The "You Can Do It" Strategy

2009-11-29T13:48:00.004+08:00

The "You Can Do It" Strategy
By Frankie Cooper

Expressing a few thoughts about people that choose to stand up, stand strong, and stand firm on what they want to do. It's very easy for someone to talk you out of your objectives. If you can be persuaded to change your course of action then maybe you didn't want to do it in the first place. But for those of you who want to continue then here are a few pointers to help you along the way.

Strategy 1: Say it. In your mind you've thought about something that you really want to do. No one can change your mind and that is final. Ready to move to next step with no regrets and take on the challenges ahead.

Strategy 2: Believe it. Questioning yourself is when you are thinking in could be done. This type of thinking want cut it. You will need to have a firm conviction that it can be done and you can do it.

Strategy 3: Can it. No, I'm not talking about trashing it and throwing it away but I'm referring to just the opposite. You can do whatever you set your mind to if you apply focus and persistence to your efforts.

Strategy 4: Do it. Take the first step. It may be hard and you may have to make yourself do it. Look at the end result and keep your eyes on the prize.

The above strategies will help you move along if you really want to make progress. Some people may disagree with me but you'll get over it because they have helped me. If you are a big talker but cannot prove anything then how are people going to believe in you. Proof is in the pudding. You can do it!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frankie_Cooper

How to Be Smart

2009-11-18T12:39:00.008+08:00

Much of our media looks down on smart people. They like to produce stories on beautiful and famous people with problems. Sometimes it almost seems to be unpopular to be smart. Such an attitude will not fare you well in the real world. Cultivating your intelligence, not just faking it, is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your happiness and financial success in life.

Steps

1. Set goals once a week. Do the important things first. This helps because you might need to do a important project and you decide to go and play football instead. And the night before the project is due you are rushing around and may not even finish. Your teacher will be able to tell 2 things, you've rushed it and you haven't put any effort into it.

2. Work on your vocabulary. Read good books, try to use a few definitions from the dictionary each day, or subscribe to a "word-of-the-day" service on-line. You can also take the vocabulary tests in Readers Digest or buy a book on increasing your working vocabulary. Read the dictionary one letter at a time. This will take you a year at least but you will grow intellectually.

3. Further your education. Keep in mind an education isn't the junk you are forced to do in school for diplomas and degrees; it's an understanding of the world around you. People who are naturally curious for some reason begin to stop asking questions the moment they hit school. The truly brilliant mind however, always questions their world and tries to make sense of it. That is the secret to "genius". Do not let the relentless orders and busywork of school called an "education" fool you. Schools are one potential resource if you enjoy the environment but by no means are they necessary for brilliance and by no means are they the best way. For more information learn about Unschooling. Note the significant contributions Unschoolers have made.

4. Watch the news and talk about recent things that have happened around the world. Try to watch (or, more preferably, read) the news everyday for the rest of your life. Also analyze it for the media does occasionally sell propaganda.

5. Cultivate an interest in subjects like current events, interesting facts, funny and inspiring quotations, good books and movies, scientific studies and interesting inventions. Educational television is a great way to learn. Check out PBS or History channel. People who have something to talk about other than their own internal problems and worries appear far more interesting and intelligent.

6. Read good books. They will make you both appear and be smarter. Reading really is fun and your mind will grow. Keep your reading diverse by reading books of all genres including non-fiction. Make sure the books are interesting to you. As you read more you will soon learn that, just like movies, some books are better than others. Keep searching out the ones you think are good. If not sure what to read... ask a teacher or go to the library. Get a library card.

7. Be organized. Begin each day by planning. Get a notebook or small digital planner to write down your daily homework assignments and write down the due dates for tests and papers. Get a weekly planner with your class schedule and plan your activities. Get a monthly calender to write down birthdays and big events. Write down what classes you have, when to do homework and what your homework is, dates, when you are hanging out with friends etc. all in your planner.

8. Learn to listen carefully to others' opinions about controversial things, or things they know about and you do not. You do not have to agree with them but remember everybody has something to teach you. Keep an open mind. The more intelligent you are the more questions you will ask of your friends, teachers and parents. It is great for social conversations too but don't do it in class.

9. Be nice to people. Care about the well being of others. Sometimes people don't realize if another person is hurting or sad. Look at their faces and in their eyes when you talk to them. There will always be bullies. They may call you names: a nerd, a freak, a geek, or use a racial or homophobic slur, but in this case they really will only be jealous and petty. Being nice to all people is also a sign of maturity, class and intelligence. Keep it up and people will notice. You will start to feel very good inside. Sometimes a good tactic is to go along with their mockery and laugh at yourself. Stand up for people who are getting bullied even if you might start getting bullied. Never insult anyone, gossip or hurt someone physically. Don't make offensive jokes.If someone is abusive to you, you can ignore them or go to adults for advice on how to deal with them. Be respectful to yourself, friends, parents and teachers.

10. Be friends with smart people who do all of the above. It will boost your self-esteem, confidence, make you less likely to be teased, prevent depression, help you study harder, make your life happier and otherwise enrich your life. You can also make studying fun with your friends.

11. Exercise your mind. Learn how to solve the Rubik's cube. It is easier than it appears if you learn tricks in visualizing the cube's geometry. Also do word and math puzzles-such as Sudoku. This will make you at least twice as smart!

12. Learn how to do mental sums or speed math. There are all sorts of tricks for doing complicated math in your head that will amaze others. Plus it can potentially increase working memory.

13. Visit new places as much as you can. If possible, try to visit other countries too. Visiting cities in your country or in a different one, gives you a open mind and teaches you about the world we live in. You will be able to understand other cultures(how people live in a different place, how they behave with each other, how they live and so on). You will also be able to understand that the planet earth is huge and there are so much to see and do. You will be fascinated on how there are so many different people and culture in the world. That will make you smart and interesting.

14. Visualize. Smart people use the visual sense. They observe a lot. That's a much better way of taking in and representing information than verbally (for example, in words,) or in sound, smell, touch, etc.

15. Deconstruct complex situations. That will enable you to understand each part of the system better. And it will give you a better understanding of the whole.

16. Act smart. If you act like you're smart then you can convince people that you are actually smart. This will in turn make you believe that you really are smart. Just believe in yourself and pretend to be smart. After some time you will begin to gain confidence that you really are smart.

Tips

* Remember, smart people don't necessarily talk a lot. If you do say something, make it witty. Never brag about what you know, like how the universe was created. Always be willing to help if someone asks.

* If you need help in getting organized, ask an adult or a teacher.

* If someone asks you a question that you don't know the answer to, be honest and tell them you do not know. Find out what the answer is from someone.

* If your parents are not educated it does not mean they are stupid, maybe they just did not have the chance. Try to improve yourself but not make fun if they are ignorant.

* Don't let other people's rude comments get to you. They're just ignorant if they feel they need to insult you in order to feel better about themselves. Never obsess about what other people think of you. It is a waste of time and may increase your stress.

* Try to find a role model- someone who is very intelligent - and observe them. But still know who you are.

* Take the time to study.

* Beware that drugs and alcohol can lower your intelligence. Exercise and eating soy help the brain to grow big. Eat lots of soy. Except, for females, soy has isoflavones which can naturally escalate your estrogen levels-limit to a small bowl a day of soybeans and/or a glass of soy milk. Too much soy is not good-it will alter your hormone levels!

* Take your time and learn to communicate well.

* Don't be jealous about other people's life and know that we are all the same and we are all different...we are all humans, but we are all unique. Be happy with what you got in your life. It is the smartest, and best, thing you can possibly do.

* There is more than one "type" of smart. There are booksmarts, streetsmarts, and so many others out there. No one is technically "stupid" or "dumb" it is just that everyone is smarter at something than someone else!

* Learn to work with people. Sure it's great to be right most of the time using your intelligence, but you also need to learn to work with other people. Don't expect them to understand everything you can understand. Make things simple or obvious for them, but not too obvious so that you sound like you're mocking them. Don't command them. Ask questions that will help spur their thinking. And find reasons that they can related to for accepting an idea or solution, etc.

* Know the difference between being smart and knowledgable. If you are smart, mentally, your mind works very well and is sharp. For an example, you have a great memory or you learn quickly. If you are knowledgeable, you are well-educated, and you know a lot. Are you both or just one?

Warnings

* Don't become a know-it-all or do-it-all. It is obnoxious! It is better to be subtle, not obvious.

* Try very hard to enjoy working with others on projects. It says a lot about you if you are successful. Other people have valuable ideas too. Listen to what others have to say.

* Treat others as they like to be treated.

* Be a Good, Clean, and well presented person.

* Don't reveal your weakness to your office friends

* Try not to lie, it makes your life easy and good.

Source : http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Smart

Words To Live By

2009-11-15T17:10:00.006+08:00

WORDS TO LIVE BY

- If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.

- Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

- For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.

- He who hesitates is probably right.

- No one is listening until you make a mistake.

- Success always occurs in private, and failure always occurs in full view.

- To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.

- Two wrongs are only the beginning.

- Monday is an awful way to spend 14.3% of your life.

- The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.

- The light at the end of the tunnel is the headlight of an oncoming train.

- If you can't be a good example, you'll just have to be a horrible warning.

- Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

- Last night I lay in bed looking up at the stars in the sky and I thought to myself, "Where the heck is the ceiling?!"

- On the keyboard of life, always keep one finger on the escape key.

- Someday we'll look back on all this and plow into a parked car.

- Good news is just life's way of keeping you off balance.

- I still miss my ex-husband, but my aim is improving.

- Stupidity got us into this mess - why can't it get us out?

- Politicians and diapers have one thing in common. They should both be changed regularly and for the same reason.

- I considered atheism but there weren't enough holidays.

- I always wanted to be a procrastinator, never got around to it.

- Dijon vu - the same mustard as before.

- I plan on living forever. So far, so good.

- Not afraid of heights-afraid of widths.

- A day without sunshine is like night.

- I have kleptomania, but when it gets bad, I take something for it.

Source : http://www.amusingfacts.com/cgi-bin/surf/surf_pass.cgi?template=joke.html&cfile=wordstolive.html

True Friends

2009-11-04T11:43:00.005+08:00

Horror gripped the heart of the World War 1 soldier as he saw his lifelong friend fall in battle. Caught in a trench with continuous gunfire whizzing over his head, the soldier asked his lieutenant if he might go out into the "no man's land" between the trenches to bring his fallen comrade back.

"You can go," said the lieutenant, "but i don't think it will be worth it. Your friend is probably dead and you may throw your life away." The lieutenant's advice didn't matter, and the soldier went anyway. Miraculously he managed to reach his friend, hoist him onto his shoulder and bring him back to their company's trench. As the two of them tumbled in together to the bottom of the trench, the officer checked the wounded soldier, and then looked kindly at his friend.

"I told you it wouldn't be worth it," he said. "Your friend is dead and you are mortally wounded." "It was worth it, though, sir," said the soldier. "What do you mean; worth it?" responded the Lieutenant. "Your friend is dead" "YES, Sir" the private answered. "But it was worth it because when i got to him, he was still alive and I had the satisfaction of hearing him say, "JIM........, I KNEW YOU'D COME."

Many times in life, whether a thing is worth doing or not, really depends on how you look at it. Take up all your courage and do something your heart tells you to do so that you may not regret not doing it later in your life.."May each and every one of you be blessed with the company of TRUE FRIENDS." "A true friend is one who walks in, when the rest of the world walks out." War doesn't determine who's right. War only determines who's left.

Source : http://www.inspirationallane.com/InspirationalShortStories.htm

Resistance to Change

2009-10-30T21:40:00.011+08:00

Resistance to Change - Why it Matters and What to Do About It
Nearly two-thirds of all major changes in organizations fail. That's pretty sobering information.

Did you know that:

* only about 30 percent of reengineering projects succeed
* 23 percent of mergers make back their costs
* 43 percent of quality improvement efforts are worth the effort
* 9 percent of major software applications are worth what you pay for them

Fortune 500 executives said that resistance was the primary reason changes failed. And 80 percent of the chief information officers said that resistance - not a lack of technical skills or resources - was the main reason why technology projects failed. It's that soft, touchy-feely, human reaction of resistance that matters.

But these statistics are only partly right. Resistance is not the primary reason why changes fail. The real problem is that leaders plan and roll out major changes in ways that create inertia, apathy, and opposition.

For example, an executive announces that the company will restructure starting next week. Employees and middle managers begin to resist. As the project unfolds, executives see resistance appear in many forms - malicious compliance, in-your-face arguments, even sabotage. The executives respond by pushing the change even harder. Then they make demands. Employees redouble their opposition and the change ends up either failing or going far over budget and way past deadlines.

Does this scenario sound at all familiar to you? If so, you're not alone. Here are some things to consider.
You've Got to Know What Creates Resistance to Change

Resistance is in the eye of the beholder. The people resisting don't see what they are doing as resistance - they often see it as survival.

Resistance to change is a reaction to the way a change is being led. There are no born "resistors" out there waiting to ruin otherwise perfect plans. People resist in response to something.

Resistance protects people from harm. If I'm a novice downhill skier, it's resistance that keeps me from taking the chair lift to the top of Bodycast Mountain. In an organization, resistance keeps me from saying "yes" to an assignment that I think will kill my career. After all, people aren't dopes.

The better we are at seeing what causes resistance, the easier it will be to build support for our ideas. In other words, if we understand resistance, we also understand the other side of that coin - support for change.

There are three levels of resistance.

Level 1 - I Don't Get It

Level 1 involves information: facts, figures, ideas. It is the world of thinking and rational action. It is the world of presentations, diagrams, and logical arguments.

Level 1 may come from . . .

* Lack of information
* Disagreement with data
* Lack of exposure to critical information
* Confusion over what it means

Many make the mistake of treating all resistance as if it were Level 1. Well-meaning leaders give people more information - hold more meetings, and make more PowerPoint presentations - when, in fact, something completely different is called for. And that's where Levels 2 and 3 come in.

Level 2 - I Don't Like It

Level 2 is an emotional reaction to the change. Blood pressure rises, adrenaline flows, pulse increases. It is based on fear: People are afraid that this change will cause them to lose face, status, control - maybe even their jobs.

Level 2 is not soft stuff. You can't say, "Just get over it," and expect people to say, "Wow, thanks, I needed that." Level 2 runs deep. When it kicks in, we can feel like our very survival is at stake.

When Level 2 is active, it makes communicating change very difficult. When adrenaline shoots through our system, we move into fight-or-flight mode (or we freeze, like a deer in the headlights). And we stop listening. So no matter how terrific your presentation is, once people hear "downsizing" their minds (and bodies) go elsewhere. And this is uncontrollable. They are not choosing to ignore you, it's just that they've got more important things on their minds - like their own survival.

Organizations usually don't encourage people to respond emotionally, so employees limit their questions and comments to Level 1 issues. They ask polite questions about budgets and timelines. So it may appear that they are with you, but they're not. They are asking Level 1 questions while hoping that you'll read between the lines and speak to their fears. And here is a really tricky part - they may not even be aware that they are operating on such a basic emotional level.

Level 3 - I Don't Like You

So maybe they like you, but they don't trust you - or don't have confidence in your leadership. That's a hard pill to swallow, I know. But lack of attention to Level 3 is a major reason why resistance flourishes and changes fail. And it is seldom talked about. Books on change talk about strategies and plans (all good stuff, to be sure) but most of this advice fails to recognize a major reason why change fails.

In Level 3 resistance, people are not resisting the idea - in fact, they may love the change you are presenting - they are resisting you. Maybe their history with you makes them wary. Perhaps they are afraid that this will be "a flavor of the month" like so many other changes, or that you won't have the courage to make the hard decisions to see this through.

But maybe its not you. People may resist those you represent. The statement, "Hi, I'm from headquarters, I'm here to help," often leaves people skeptical. If you happen to be that person from headquarters, you're going to have a hard time getting people to listen to you.

Whatever the reasons for this deeply entrenched resistance, you can't afford to ignore it.

People may understand the idea you are suggesting (Level 1), and they may even have a good feeling about the possibilities of this change (Level 2) - but they won't go along if they don't trust you.
How You Can Turn Resistance Into Support

Here are a few ideas to get you started addressing the various levels of resistance. And remember, all three levels could be in play simultaneously.

Level 1 - Make Your Case

* Make sure people know why a change is needed. Before you talk about how you want to do things, explain why something must be done.
* Present the change using language they understand. If your audience isn't made up of financial specialists, then detailed charts showing a lot of sophistical analysis of the numbers will be lost on them.
* Find multiple ways to make your case. People take in information in different ways. Some like to hear things. Others like to see things. Some like pictures. Others text. Some learn best in conversation. The more variety in the communication channels, the greater the chance that people will get what you have to say.

Level 2 - Remove as Much of the Fear as You Can - and Increase the Excitement about What's Positive About the Change

* Emphasize what's in it for them. People need to believe that the change will serve them in some way. For example, work will be easier, relationships will improve, career opportunities will open up, or job security will increase.
* Get them engaged in the process. People tend to support things they have a hand in building.
* Be honest. If a change will hurt them - downsizing, for instance - then tell the truth. It's the right thing to do, and it stops the rumor mill from inventing stories about what might happen. Also, honesty bolsters their trust in you (a Level 3 issue).

Level 3 - Rebuild Damaged Relationships - and Tend to Neglected Relationships

* Mea Culpa. Take responsibility for things that may have led to the current tense relations.
* Keep commitments. Demonstrate that you are trustworthy
* Find ways to spend time together so they get to know you (and your team). This is especially helpful if the resistance comes from "who you represent" and not just from your personal history together.
* Allow yourself to be influenced by the people who resist you. This doesn't mean that you give in to every demand, but that you can admit that you may have been wrong, and that they may ideas worth considering.

Article Source : http://www.beyondresistance.com/resistance_to_change.htm

Overcoming Anxiety Attacks

2009-10-30T20:30:00.007+08:00

With all the stress and uncertainty facing us in our everyday lives it is easy to understand why anxiety attacks are so common. The recent economic downturns worldwide have only contributed to the amount of anxiety and stress we all experience.

With the seemingly endless assaults on our mental health it has become increasingly more important to learn how to overcome anxiety and panic attacks. Fear of losing your home, your job, even your life savings has put everyone under a tremendous amount of pressure. Our control over these issues is somewhat limited and this we must accept. There is however active measures we can take for managing stress which leads to the anxiety and panic attacks that threaten both our physical and mental well being.

Let's look at 7 ways in which you can minimize and control the negative affects of these attacks and regain your emotional stability and peace of mind.

Gain Separation

The first and best thing to do when experiencing attacks of anxiety is to get away from the source if at all possible. By gaining this separation you are better able to keep the tension or stress from compounding any further then it already has.

Compose Yourself

Collect your thoughts and regroup them. Consider what has occurred and how best to handle it. Determine if perhaps you've overreacted or even if the reason for your anxiety is really all that important. Focus more on thinking as opposed to emotionally reacting.

Peace and Quiet

What you need most is to locate a quiet place where you can more easily calm yourself down. Avoid chaos or highly trafficked areas since this could increase the tension you may feel. Your ability to focus is something you'll need to get your feelings back under control so find a place conducive to deep uninterrupted thought

Seek Fresh Air

If possible go outside where the fresh air and the environment will serve to have a calming effect on you. The natural surroundings will help to clear your thoughts and diffuse your tense emotional state.

The Tranquility of Water

Water has a very calming effect on just about everybody and is actually recognized for its beauty and tranquility. If you can locate some running water all the better due to its ability to naturally mesmerize you which will detract attention away from your source of angst.

Breathe Deeply

When emotions run high there is a natural tendency to hyperventilate which will only help increase the tension you feel. Take active measures to breathe slowly, deliberately, and deeply. This will help to decelerate the escalation of any inner tensions you are experiencing.

Tune In

Listening to music which is soothing will again help to redirect your immediate thoughts away from any anxiety you feel. The calmer the music the more effective it will be towards soothing your emotions. Even if you are a hard rock or rap fan you will still appreciate and benefit from this type of music.

There's no doubt anxiety attacks can cause major damage to your physical and mental health. The stress we're feeling from both our personal and professional lives can be overwhelming at times. The causes for our anxiety and stress are often times unavoidable. We can however learn how to overcome these negative effects by managing stress instead of trying to avoid it. By taking active measures such as the 7 aforementioned approaches discussed above you can minimize the paralyzing effects of anxiety. What you stand to gain is the peace of mind and the tranquility you need to be productive in business and happy in life. You are entitled to this right so enjoy it!

TJ Philpott is an author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina. For additional Online Success Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both profitable markets and products visit: http://affiliatequickstart.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=TJ_Philpott

Dealing with Stress during Final Exams

2009-10-27T11:12:00.008+08:00

Dealing with Stress during Final Exams

By J. J. Tecce
Boston College
tecce@bc.edu
April 15, 1998

Stress is experienced when an event occurs that can be harmful. It is caused by unpredictability and a feeling of loss of control. Final exams produce unpredictability by the unexpected nature of exam questions, and of course, students typically have absolutely no control over what questions will appear on exams.

One way to incorporate predictability into your life during final exams is to outline your activities for the day. In this way, you have already taken some control over what will happen that day. This is the magic of preparation. You make plans and you already have a road map that buffers the angst of uncertainty. If your aims are realistic, at the end of the day you will likely have met some or all of these goals and will have a sense of achievement. And what will happen to your stress level? It will be lowered. Accomplishment and success will reduce stress every time.

As for the unpredictability of exam questions, the best way to gain control over them is to learn the course material so well that it doesn't matter what questions are asked. But mastery of course information isn't enough. In order to learn the material and retrieve it successfully during an exam, it is important to have a clear mind and a satisfactory
energy level.

One way to have a clear mind and good energy level is to establish a rhythm -- a routinethat helps the body prepare for physical or mental demands. Rhythms provide predictability and, therefore, reduce stress. In the ideal situation, the body knows when it will be given a rest and the mind knows when it will be given time off to recuperate from heavy-duty information input or difficult problem solving. All of this helps the mind remain clear for taking a final exam. For example, by going to sleep at the same time each night, the body basks in its own rhythm and sleep will be deep and have a restorative effect. And the result will be resurgence of the vital energies so essential for intense study the next day. By contrast, going to sleep at different hours prevents the body from going into the type of deep sleep needed for restoration of energy. The result is a hangover of fatigue the next day. In short, it can backfire to expose the body to irregularities in sleep habits, since the inevitable fatigue from sleep deprivation will interfere with studying.

Another useful rhythm is eating. A body that "knows" when it will be fed is a happy body that can nourish the brain and support crisp mental activity. In addition to this food routine, it is important to choose the right foods -- those that aid mental functioning. Here we have a food-mood connection. If you are overly tense and nervous, eat carbohydrates (such as bread, crackers, muffins, pasta, potatoes, rice, and dry cereals). They will relax
you. If you do not feel alert, eat proteins (such as chicken without the skin, fish, lean beef, veal, tofu, beans, lentils, grains, whole grain breads, yogurt, and milk). They will have an alerting effect. You can see that both eating in a timely way and eating the right foods will have a positive impact on studying.

A third rhythm involves periodic time-outs. Once in a while, taking a break from studying and doing something different -- either a physical or psychological activity --can lead to a refreshed attitude toward work. Physical activity, such as going for a walk,is particularly good for releasing built-up tensions and has the added bonus of deepening sleep for the restorative effect that was discussed earlier.

Part of the rhythm process should be psychological time-outs. Psychological displacement activities, such as meditating, chatting with friends, or watching a movie,are useful breaks when studying becomes a drag. There are two caveats here. The break should not be too long or the momentum of studying will be lost. Second, avoid highly emotional activities, such as a horror film, since they will disrupt your learning set and will interfere with retention of what you already have studied. The same goes for having
an intense argument or fight with a roommate or best friend.

Here's the choice for students. Spend energy on keeping track of irregularities in life style, or get into a rhythm and let nature do the signal calling. When nature takes over the role of maintaining rhythms, you are free to apply your energies to higher-level functions, such as studying.

Meditation is especially effective in clearing the mind and in providing an energy boost. For example, over the past twenty years or so, students in my classes at BC have practiced a relaxation technique called "distraction-meditation". By doing this relaxation each week in class, students develop a highly overlearned habit that provides powerful rest and stress reduction when needed. The positive effects during the final exam period can be extraordinary.

In distraction-meditation, thoughts and feelings that have been actively suppressed areallowed to enter awareness freely and randomly. By being experienced during the deeply relaxing state of meditation, these thoughts and feelings lose their emotional punch and,therefore, are unlikely to be disruptive during studying. In this way, distraction-meditation provides relief from potentially bothersome thoughts and feelings and allows attention to be focused entirely on studying.

Finally, the incremental approach to studying is useful in reducing stress. There is nothing worse than the overwhelming feeling that a gigantic amount of study material is waiting for you. Nutritionists herald the method of eating smaller rather than larger portions. Similarly, breaking up assigned material into small blocks facilitates learning and provides a satisfying closure at the end of each module. If you try to eat an entire sandwich in one gulp, you might choke to death. And so if you try to study too much all at once, you won't "digest" the material very well. You might even reward yourself after finishing a substantive block of material, such as with a little break, so that there is something positive to look forward to after hard work -- a tiny pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Perhaps the most powerful stress reducer in studying for final exams is to adopt a positive attitude. If exams are perceived as a drag and a source of anxiety and failure,then apprehension will accompany every effort to study for them and to take them. Exams are best viewed as a challenge that can be met successfully and as a stepping-stone for achievement. The anticipation of feeling on top of your game and boosting self-esteem (not to mention receiving accolades from mom, dad, and friends), will make success outweigh the fear of failure. With this totally positive outlook, the game then begins -- to learn, to achieve, and to succeed. And remember -- intelligence may be in your head, but exam success is in your hands.

My Class Reunion

2009-10-25T22:08:00.012+08:00

Here is a special poem for my friends who have attended our class reunion at Sime Darby Convention Centre, Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur on the 24th Oct. 2009;

Specially dedicated to my dear friends;

Kah Leng, Norlaily, Norliza, Swee Cheng, Suan Li, Ming Fei, Sook Cheng, Azian, Azila, Amtul, Sook Cheng, Yin Fong, Aminahtun, Martha and Rita Yong...

Class Reunion
By Ency Bearis

Together we came along, at least
for recollection of those yesteryears
from the time of our high school year
they say that year was the best

Years pass by
Different pathways we got through
Cycle of life we let it flow
Thou others had bade goodbye

Photographs we had, other vanished
In hand of God some classmates were taken
We hope they rest in peace in heaven
As one by one from earth they faded

We miss our friends
They were our classmates
They were our playmates
Some of them were your best friends

Sad to say this is the trend
But thats part of life we live in
Reality we face this is within
But we still continue our reunion we intend

Memories of high school years we recollect
Laugh to our young minds deed
Relive our naughtiness and crack head
Happiness are here we seek

Can we do this again?
As age taking our mundane
How many more years to attain?
And shall we meet again?

Looking forward to meet again in Port Dickson on 17th April, 2010...See you then, girls!

Master Project's Presentations

2009-10-23T11:46:00.006+08:00

Preparing an Effective Presentation

2009-10-14T21:06:00.013+08:00

Since next week will be a presentation week for Master Projects, here are some tips for an effective presentation. Whether this is your first presentation or you've given dozens of them, communicating with your audience is easy if you follow a few straightforward guidelines.

Organization

You will not have time during your presentation to cover all of the materials from your paper, nor should you try. Think about what information is essential for the audience to understand how you reached your conclusions. Focus on that information only. Remember that the purpose of your “slides” is to emphasize these key points. Done correctly, they will help your audience retain the information or images you intend.

All presentations have a beginning, middle, and end or conclusion. The beginning, or introduction, is intended to grab your audience’s attention. Remember everyone in the room was doing something else before you got up to speak, so you will want them to refocus their attention on what you have to say. This can be done simply with a declaration of what you are going to talk about. Don’t feel pressured to begin with a joke (which may not translate well across cultures) – a quick overview of what you will be talking about can be just as effective at refocusing the audience’s interest.

The middle part of your presentation is where your main points are presented. Don’t try to provide too much information. With rare exception, you should not have more slides than the number of minutes you were asked to speak. Most people tend to spend about one minute per slide. But if you have complex slides that require explanation, have fewer slides to remain within your time limit. Don’t just read your slides. They can read what’s on the screen – tell them more, or help them interpret what they are seeing (graph or picture). But if you tend to get carried away with explanation, stay focused on the main points and resist the temptation to embellish.

The conclusion is your last opportunity to impart information. You can quickly summarize your key points, or just restate the most important point. Remember, the most likely thing your audience will remember is the last thing you say.

Formatting Your Presentation

* Limit the information on the slide to a single point or idea --- no more than 5 lines. Keep slides simple with plenty of open space.
* Use action words to reinforce ideas and phrases rather than complete sentences.
* Use “powerful” titles that communicate the point of the slide, not just its contents
* Use contrasting colors for text and backgrounds. Most slides that will be projected using an LCD projector look best using a dark blue background and white text. Yellow text can be used for emphasis. Many of the templates that come with PowerPoint have mid-range or busy backgrounds that don't provide sufficient contrast for good readability in a large room.
* Avoid ALL CAPS, or use them for the Title only
* Use initial caps or lower-case letters for body text
o DO NOT USE ALL CAPS FOR BODY TEXT
o Do not use underlines.
o Both are very distracting and difficult to read
* For data presentation, use
o Bar charts to compare data;
o Line graphs to show trends;
o Box charts to illustrate makeup or organizations or processes;
o Pie charts to emphasize the relationship of parts to the whole; and
o Photographs to illustrate realism.
* Be sure the lines on your graphics are wide enough to be seen (the default width in PowerPoint for a line graph is often too thin to be seen clearly)
* Use landscape orientation
* Use a san-serif font such as Arial, Arial Rounded, Helvetica or Tahoma
* Use the Font Sizes and Colors appropriate to the size of the room you will be speaking in:
o For a large room:
+ Titles: 38 – 44 pt., Yellow or White;
+ Subtitles: 22 – 36pt., White or another light color; and
+ Body Text: 26 – 34pt., White or another light color.
+ Figure labels, captions: 20 – 24 pt., White
o For a smaller to medium-sized room:
+ Titles: 28 - 36 pt., Yellow or White
+ Subtitles: 20 – 24 pt., Yellow or White
+ Body Text: 18 – 20 pt., White or another light color
+ Figure labels, captions: 16 -18 pt., White
* Color can be an effective way to highlight an important point
* If you need to refer back to a slide, include a duplicate - don't plan to move backward in your presentation
* Do not put your company name or logo on your slides; SPE logos are also not desired. Keep the slides clean and simple.
* Credit the sources of any statistics or other data you use
* Presentations containing animation, video, or audio should not reference, display, or mention company names, logos, and trademarked products or services.

Preparing/Practicing

Think about what you need to say with each slide so that the audience is drawn along to your conclusion. Remember not to read your slides. Your audience can read the text while you provide additional information. Don't focus your attention on the video screen. Make eye contact with your audience while you are speaking - this will help them to engage with your presentation and relate to what you are saying.

Go through your presentation speaking out loud, and time yourself. If you ran long just talking to yourself, you definitely need to remove one or more slides or points. Unless you are an experienced presenter, nerves are likely to extend the length of your presentation. Once you believe that you are prepared, find someone to listen to you practice your presentation. Someone who is representative of your audience is ideal, but your spouse or a family member will do. Even if they don't understand the subject matter, they can provide feedback on any areas where you don't seem to communicate clearly (speaking too quickly, stumbling over words or ideas, etc.), so that you can make any needed adjustments.

Source : http://www.spe.org/spe-app/spe/papers/authors/good_presentation.htm
©2003 – 2009 Society of Petroleum Engineers, All Rights

To All My Post Grad Students :

All the best for your presentation next week!
(19th - 23rd Oct. 2009)
From :

A presentation session for MHF 1043

2009-10-14T00:22:00.024+08:00

Course : MHF 1043 (Quality Improvement in Human Resource Development)
Lecturers : Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nik Hasnaa Nik Mahmood and Dr. Roziana Shaari
Venue : Lecture Room 7, Block D06, FPPSM
Time : 2.30 - 5.30pm
Date : 13th October, 2009 (Tuesday)

As Head of Department for Post Graduate Studies, I officiated the session =>>

The assessors : Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nik Hasnaa and Dr. Roziana =>>

The Presentation : Group 1 =>>

The Presentation : Group 2 =>>

The Presentation : Group 3 =>>

Refreshments =>>

Best Presentation Award : Group 3 =>>

Strengthen Your Strengths

2009-10-12T20:28:00.006+08:00

Strengthen Your Strengths
By Jenny Flintoft

A recent survey asked managers and leaders in work, "How often do you feel really energized in work and by what you do?" 73% of people answered "Once a week."

None of us can win on "once a week". This can lead to people feeling that they're in the wrong job or they've outgrown the role.

But actually, there is not a single job in the world that any of us would love to be doing every minute of our working hours. None of us, no matter how contented we are at work, loves our entire job, because our job doesn't consist of one single activity. It comprises many different activities - some of which stimulate us, some which we can take or leave, and others which completely drain us of our energy and motivation. Given this, holding out for that perfect "dream job" could be viewed as a fool's game.

So our challenge now is to dramatically increase how often we play to our strengths. We need to take our existing job and each week, reshape it around our strengths - even in the face of obstacles from the world around us. Put this discipline into practice each week and we'll gradually, degree by degree, tilt the playing field so that the best of our job becomes most of our job.

The following exercise is adapted from Marcus Buckingham's highly-acclaimed book: "Now, Put your Strengths to Work".

Your Task This Week

- Think about the activities which make up your working week. Make a list of all the activities which you consider a strength; which motivate you; excite you; energize you; that make the time simply fly by!

- Now you're going to start to look for ways to "FREE" your strengths. Free stands for:
- Focus - Identify how this specific strength helps you in your current role
- Release - Find the missed opportunities in your current role
- Educate - Learn new skills and techniques to build this strength
- Expand - Build your job around this strength

- Focus. Perhaps now, more than ever, is the time for you to clearly demonstrate - and shout up to those in authority - what your unique strengths are and how they positively contribute to the success of your role. Big yourself up!

- Release. Organizations are looking for people to do more with less; be more; contribute more. Whilst this can often feel overwhelming, what if you were to do more of the stuff that energizes and motivates you? How would that be? Take some time to identify where - however small - you could use more of your unique strengths, and if you did - what would the role/team/your boss/the business benefit as a result of you doing so? Sell the benefits!

- Educate. Where else can you learn to build this strength even further? Are there any books/websites you could research? Attend a training course? Get some high-impact coaching? What could you do to make this strength even more robust - and enjoy doing so? Make your strength watertight!

- Expand. Once you've developed your strength even further, look at how you could shape your job to better accommodate your strength. That way, you'll feel more motivated because you're doing more of what energizes you and the business benefits, because you're operating at your best and delivering your best, more of the time.

- Every week, look for 1 or 2 actions that you could take, that will help strengthen your strength - and go do them!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jenny_Flintoft

A Practicum at Tanjung Surat

2009-10-07T15:53:00.034+08:00

A practicum is defined as a college course, often in a specialized field of study, that is designed to give students supervised practical application of a previously studied theory. Practicums are common for education and social work majors.

Recently, I accompanied my Post Grad for MSc Human Resource Development (HRD) students from Human Resource Training Design's class, lead by their lecturer, Associate Prof. Dr. Nik Hasnaa to the Custom Marine Training Center at Tanjung Surat, an island at Sungai Johor estuary. Their mission is to conduct a training on "Effective Communication" to the new supporting staffs of the Royal Malaysian Customs. This centre which can accommodate 100 trainees at any one time, is one of the components of the Southern Integrated Gateway in Johor. It replaces the former Custom Marine base in Tanjung Puteri.

The history of modern customs in the country was actually started from Tanjung Surat with the creation of "Datuk Pengawa Timur" post in the 1920s. At the time, Johor products like gambir, tin and black pepper were exported through Tanjung Surat.It became less important when the products were brought directly to Singapore using the Johor Causeway. Now, over 30 personnel are assigned to the base to carry out anti-smuggling operations using 11 patrol boats in waters southeast of the Malaysian peninsular.

Congratulations to my Post Grad students for conducting an excellent practicum at Tanjung Surat :-

Azrul, Ismail, Maslina, Shiba, Mashitah, Disey, Hastuti and Noramira

From :-

An Academic Visit to USU, Medan, Indonesia

2009-10-04T15:20:00.032+08:00

Medan is the capital of the province of North Sumatra, Indonesia. Located in the northern part of the province along the coast, Medan is the third largest city in Indonesia. The city is bordered by Deli Serdang Regency to the east, south, and west, and the Strait of Malacca to the north.

The city is Indonesia's third most populous after Jakarta and Surabaya, with approximately 2.5 million people. The city has a mix of communities, reflecting its history. It is famous throughout Indonesia as the home of the Batak people, although, traditionally it is a Melayu Kampung. More recently more and more of the Batak ethnic minority have come to the city to make what was once a minority become a fairly sized community. However, Batak homelands are found throughout North Sumatra. In addition, there is a large ethnic Javanese community, largely made up of the descendants of people transported from Java in the last century as part of the government's transmigration policy, an attempt to relieve the chronic overcrowding of Java.

A highly visible component of Medan's population is the large number of Chinese, who are very active in the business sector, and unlike the ethnic Chinese in many other parts of Indonesia continue to speak Hokkien. Finally, the city has a sizable community of Tamil descent who are commonly known as keling. A well-known Tamil neighbourhood is Kampung Keling. In addition to Indonesian, Batak Simalungun, Batak Karo, Batak Mandailing, Batak Pak-Pak, Batak Angkola, Batak Toba, Deli Malay, Javanese, Hokkien (Min Nan), Tamil, Acehnese, Minangkabau and English are spoken.

There are several historic places such as Maimun Palace (Istana Maimun), where the Sultan of Deli still lives, and the Great Mosque (Masjid Raya) of Medan built in 1906.

One of the unique features of Medan are the motorized becaks that are found almost everywhere. Unlike traditional becaks, a motorized becak can take its passenger anywhere in the city. The fare of riding a 'becak' is relatively cheap and is usually negotiated beforehand.There are also more common transport like taxis and minibuses, known as sudako.

Just arrived =>>

Our breakfast in Medan =>>

Motorized becaks =>>

The Great Mosque (Masjid Raya) =>>

Maimun Palace =>>

Our Madani Hotel =>>

University Sumatera Utara (USU) at a Glance

At the beginning of its establishment, USU was prepared to be a center of higher education in Western parts of Indonesia. When established in 1952, USU was a Foundation, changes its status into a public university in 1957, and then become a legal entity in 2003.

USU has vision to become University for Industry (UfI) and missions viz. (1) preparing students to become morally society's members with academic and/or professional and/or vocational capability to apply, develop, and enrich science, technology and art; (2) developing and disseminating science, technology, and art, particularly on industrial based cooperation, as well as developing its applications to improve society's prosperity and enrich the national culture; (3) supporting democratic civil society development through the role of USU as an autonomy moral force to achieve strong capability in global competitive environment through managing professionally human resources, widening participation in learning, inspiring national demand for learning, and modernizing the supply of learning.

USU campus is located in Padang Bulan, 120 ha green and shady area situated in the center city of Medan. An academic zone, 90 ha widely accommodates almost the whole activities of learning and practical of students. The learning systems are supported by library facilities and more then 200 laboratories. The library provides various of learning resources both in print and electronic form. The university library is currently one of the best libraries in Indonesia. Padang Bulan campus is also supported by IT infrastructure to facilitate access to various information resources and knowledge to support learning processes and researches of students and lecturers.

USU has 13 faculties/school viz. Medicine, Law, Agriculture, Engineering, Dentistry, Economics, Letters, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Political Science, Public Health, Pharmacy, Psychology, and Postgraduate. It offers 101 programmes consist of 8 doctoral, 28 masters, 15 medical specialists, 5 professional programmes, 50 undergraduates, and 15 diploma degrees. There are currently 32.000 registered students, where 688 of them are overseas students.

The Venue : Faculty of Economy =>>

Briefing by the Deputy Dean =>>

Visit to the library =>>

The Presentation Day =>>

Our packed lunch =>>

A Discussion with the Dean =>>

UTM Ranked Highest Among Malaysian Universities

2009-09-29T18:52:00.007+08:00

UTM Ranked Highest Among Malaysian Universities

Skudai, July 31st: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has once again lived up to its mark of excellence after being ranked the highest among all Malaysian universities in the Web Ranking of World Universities (Webometrics).

UTM is currently ranked at 642, leading all other Malaysian universities with USM trailing behind at 675, UMP at 745, UM at 878, UKM at 963 and UPM at 979.

With this outstanding achievement, UTM is now the top ten in South East Asia and top 100 at 89th place in Asia in the Webometrics University ranking.

The Vice Chancellor expressed his gratitude and appreciation to all staff who have diligently worked hard with dedication to make this achievement possible.

“This remarkable success is the result of your strong commitment and relentless effort to aspire and achieve the best for the university.

“With your dedication, teamwork, hardwork and strong spirit of togetherness, you have proven that we can be the best if we put our hearts and mind to achieve our goals and aspiration. We have made it once again,” he said in a statement.

UTM was ranked 920th position in January 2009, the second highest standing among Malaysian Universities just behind USM.

Since 2004, the Rankings are published twice a year (January and July), covering more than 17,000 Higher Education Institutions worldwide. Web presence measures the activity and visibility of the institutions and it is a good indicator of impact and prestige of universities.

Article source : http://web.utm.my/today/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=777&Itemid=1

Bravo UTM!

From :-

Eid Mubarak - The Malaysian Style

2009-09-26T20:36:00.018+08:00

Eid Mubarak or Eid ul-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر ‘Īdu l-Fiṭr‎), often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fiṭr means "to break fast"; and so the holiday symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period. It is celebrated after the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan, on the first day of Shawwal.

In Malaysia, Eid is also commonly known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hari Raya Idul Fitri or Hari Raya Puasa. Hari Raya literally means 'Celebration Day'. Muslims in Malaysia celebrate Eid like other Muslims throughout the world. It is and one of the biggest in Malaysia and is the most awaited one. Shopping malls and bazaars are filled with people days ahead of Hari Raya, causing a distinctive festive atmosphere throughout the country. Many banks, government and private offices are closed for this holiday.

The night before Eid is with the takbir which is held in the mosques or musallas. In many parts of Malaysia, especially in rural areas, pelita or panjut or lampu colok (as known by Malay-Singaporeans) (oil lamps, similiar to tiki torches) are lit up and placed outside and around the house. Eid also witnesses a huge temporary migratory pattern of Muslims, from big metropolitan cities to rural areas to celebrate the Eid with family members because the majority of Muslims are from rural areas. This is known as balik kampung in Malaysia — it means going back to the hometown. Special dishes like ketupat, dodol, lemang (a type of glutinous rice cake cooked in bamboo) and other delicacies are served during this day.

It is common to greet people with "Selamat Hari Raya Idul Fitri" or "Salam Aidilfitri" (in Malaysia) which means "Happy Eid". Muslims also greet one another with "maaf zahir dan batin" in Malaysia, which means "Forgive my physical and emotional (wrongdoings)", because Eid ul-Fitr is not only for celebrations but also the time for Muslims to ask for forgiveness for any sin which they may have committed but was cleansed as a result of the fasting in the Muslim month of Ramadan.

It is customary for Muslim-Malaysians to wear traditional cultural outfits on the Eid. The outfit for men is called baju melayu which is worn together with kain samping (made out of songket) and songkok (a dark coloured headgear); The women in Malaysia wear what is known as baju kurung and baju kebaya. For the non-Malay Muslims, they would sometimes don costumes that are peculiar to their respective culture and tradition.

Once the prayer is completed, it is also common for Muslims in Malaysia to visit the graves of loved ones. During this visit, they clean the grave, recite Ya-Seen, a chapter (surah) from the Quran and also perform the tahlil ceremony. All these are done to ask God to forgive the dead and also those who are living for all their sins.

The rest of the day is spent visiting relatives or serving visitors. They will visit the elders, in the family, the neighborhood, or their work, and show respect to them. They will also seek reconciliation (if needed), and preserve or restore harmonious relations Eid ul-Fitr is a very joyous day for children for on this day adults are especially generous. In Malaysia, children will be given token sums of money, also known as "duit raya" (stuffed in a small, green cloured packet), assimilated from the "ang pow'(red packet) given by the Chinese during their Chinese New Year's festival.

Phrases that can change your life.

2009-09-18T05:31:00.004+08:00

Here are ten phrases that can change your life.

1. Acknowledge your true self. Fulfill your own expectations, not someone else's.

2. Concentrate on your inner life. Look more to your spirit than to the clothes you wear. Be more concerned with your connection to The Source than to your clothier.

3. Heed your own dreams and goals. Dream about what you really want to do or be. Dreams tend to come true went dreamt "hard" enough.

4. Take responsibility for where your occupation is taking you. Is it where you really want to go? Let not yourself be easily led by others who have they own agendas.

5. Choose activities that help you define yourself. Do things that make you feel good when everything in your life is considered. Certainly take into consideration the desires of others. But let them not dictate.

6. Keep command over your health. Determine to be as healthy as you want to be. Then make it happen. Couch potatoes only grow flabby and gray (sometimes, with a little mold sprouting here and there).

7. Be conscious of your mind. (Pun intended.) Know your opinions, for example, and express them kindly when appropriate. Cultivate your creativity - - it keeps you alive.

8. Emote. Seldom keep emotions bottled up until they erupt geyser-like. The pressure developed when always "sucking-it-up" will one day cause a thermal spring to melt all in its path.

9. Be your own person. Let not others dictate who you are or will be. Stay away from people who are always "downing" things and other people. They'll pull you down too.

10. Be adventurous. Stay not in your rut. A rut, after all, is only an open-ended grave. Make a few major ripples (ripples at least) in the pond of your existence.

Follow these phrases beginning now and change your life for always.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Robert_Henry_Schwenk
Dr. Robert Henry Schwenk - EzineArticles Expert Author

A Sense of Destiny

2009-09-15T05:04:00.006+08:00

"Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice: It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved." - William Jennings Bryan

All the Greats of this world had a sense of destiny. They believed that they were placed on Planet Earth for the express purpose of accomplishing a special mission. That is probably why they were motivated to accomplish everything that they did.

We are often tempted to think that they were lucky to have been awarded the gift of a manifest destiny at birth. We may even wonder why were they given that privilege and not us? If the truth were told, having a sense of destiny is a personal belief and not a given characteristic.

No one is born with a predestined life's path or specific life's mission - also called destiny. That is something that is either freely chosen or left to chance. For many, it is left to chance because of a poor self-image or through ignorance of the fact that the option is available.

A sense of destiny is available for anyone ready to stand up and claim his birthright. Each and everyone have a place and a role to play in the grand scheme of the Universe. Finding that mission is our own responsibility. Waiting for the celestial voice of thunder to tell us what it is is futile. It never was and never will be done that way.

It takes courage, determination and a keen sense of responsibility to stand up and say, "This is what I stand for. This is what I was destined to do and this is what I will accomplish." Not an easy feat but it's an essential step for a life of commitment and accomplishment.

Once invested with a true sense of destiny, the feeling of being larger than life is automatically created. The person becomes elevated above most of life's petty considerations. Instead of carrying the burden of accomplishment, that person is being propelled by the dynamics of the cause the he represents.

Opting for a life's mission and a sense of destiny is not a sign of megalomania. It's a testimonial to the grandeur of man. It is recognizing the fact that we were given almost limitless possibilities and that all that is needed to turn that potential into realizations is work, courage and commitment.

For the greater part, we create our own reality and define most of the part that we'll play in it. Some will choose a dominant role; others might settle for survival. As we take responsibility for the decision, we must assume the consequences.

When choosing a life's mission and want to use it as a self-motivating force it must be kept in mind that it has to be about contribution. Self-centered goals and objectives will only offer a limited impetus that will only go so far. A sense of destiny requires the imprint of nobility. Something that cannot be found by pursuing a selfish motive.

The level of our life's performance is determined largely by small distinctions that we make along the way. One of those important distinctions is the way we see ourselves and the role that we intend to play in the affairs of man.

By choosing the high road, or the road of self-anointed destiny, we set ourselves on the path of high achievement, nobility and greatest possible satisfaction. We have but one life to live. May as well make it the great and glorious epic that it was meant to be.

Dr. Raymond Comeau aka Shamou is the Author of ShamouBlog and Owner Administrator of Personal Development for Personal Success Forums

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Raymond_Comeau

My Class at Kota Kinabalu

2009-09-14T05:24:00.022+08:00

The Venue => Kolej Yayasan Sabah, City Campus

Our Class Photo =>

Exclusively with Students from Master in Management of Education =>

Exclusively with Students from Master in Technology of Education =>

Breaking fast with my students at Shangri La Hotel =>

Sightseeing at Jesselton Point =>

Leaving Kota Kinabalu =>

Difference Between Master’s and PhD Dissertation

2009-09-08T21:04:00.014+08:00

The one of the highest form of dissertation is PhD dissertation. So it is necessary that it should be properly written without any error. Many students don’t even know how to write or start dissertation, on which their degree depends. Master’s degree is a professional degree, while PhD degree is usually attains to teach at university level.

Dissertation is submitted at the end of your academic career, at master’s and at PhD, and your whole study and observation is dependent on dissertation. Dissertation is also known as thesis, in some universities thesis and dissertation is treated separately. Thesis is one that is submitted at the end of master’s degree, while dissertation is submitted at the end of PhD.

"A PhD thesis will demonstrate, in the context of a substantial and original contribution, mastery of the subject of concern and well as a furthering of understanding in that field of knowledge, through the discovery of knowledge, the formulation of theories, or the innovative re-interpretation of known data and established ideas."

"A masters thesis must be a substantial work generally based on independent research which shows a sound knowledge of the subject of the research, evidence of the exercise of some independence of thought, and the ability of expression in clear and concise language."

There are number of differences between master’s and PhD dissertation which are as follows:

1. Master’s dissertation needs enough information and argument of the literature in the particular field of study; while in PhD dissertation the contribution of knowledge is important.

2. Master’s dissertation needs good style and presentation; while PhD dissertation needs good presentation and style.

3. The amount of material that needs to be produced is also one of the main differences between master’s and PhD dissertation.

4. PhD dissertation takes much longer time to complete while master’s dissertation will complete within a year or less.

5. The standard of writing for master’s dissertation is relatively lower than the standards for PhD, and also PhD dissertation is more strictly monitored by the advisory committee.

6. In master’s program you can easily take help in writing a dissertation from your professors, but in PhD program you will have to work much more independently.

7. Master’s dissertation is much shorter in length then PhD dissertation. Master’s dissertation varies between 10,000 to 20,000 words or 80 to 100 pages, while PhD dissertation is more than 90,000 to 100,000 words or 300 to 400 pages.

Above are the main differences between master’s dissertation and PhD dissertation. Writing a dissertation, whether it is of masters or PhD is not easy. It requires number of years for research and writing a good dissertation.

Obviously there is room for overlap here, and examiners have the option of passing a Masters thesis as a PhD and vice versa. Below is one examiner's opinion of what the difference is between a Masters and a PhD:

"The regulations give the examiners an opportunity to argue the case for the upgrading of an (Masters) dissertation to a (PhD). I have thought about this, but although I believe the thesis to be of a very high standard ..., it lacks a number of elements which I would expect to find in a doctorate, e.g.,

1. The thesis lacks an elaborated theoretical framework. While not insensitive to theoretical issues, ... the thesis does not offer us a theoretical framework through which to "read" the data.

2. The thesis also lacks a "literature review", that is a systematic review of the theoretical and comparative literature relating to the empirical material covered in the thesis. A good knowledge of the wider literature ... is revealed throughout the thesis, but nowhere is this pulled together in a theortical narrative.

3. While none of these omissions detracts from the (masters) thesis, it means that a good deal more work would be needed to convert the thesis into a doctorate."

http://www.articlemonkeys.com/rss.php?rss=185
By : Broad williams

My Class at Sabak Bernam

2009-09-07T00:01:00.026+08:00

As the University's Post Grad programmes' centres are scattered all over Malaysia, teaching the compulsory elective subject has certainly given me the chance to explore various part of the country at the same time. The latest task was at the Polytechnic Sultan Idris Shah at Sabak Bernam, with a group of students from the Faculty of Built Environment, who are actually the young lecturers of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism. This Department is fully equipped with facilities needed for the programme, which includes their very own "in house" hotel for the students to practice their skills in hotel management, and also for visitors and part time lecturers who have to spent their nights here.

Sabak Bernam is a district of Selangor, Malaysia. It is situated to the northwest of Selangor. It is bordered by the state of Perak to the north, Hulu Selangor to the east, Kuala Selangor to the south, and the Straits of Malacca to the west. Bernam River forms its border with Perak. Towns in Sabak Bernam include Sabak and Sekinchan.

The district is mainly a rice growing area. As such, Sabak Bernam's main economic activity is agriculture.

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Mistakes in conversations

2009-09-04T05:14:00.008+08:00

Do you make these 10 mistakes in a conversation?

by Henrik Edberg.

Can you improve your conversation skills? Certainly.

It might take a while to change the conversation habits that’s been ingrained throughout your life, but it is very possible.

To not make this article longer than necessary let’s just skip right to some common mistakes many of us have made in conversations. And a couple of solutions.

Not listening
Ernest Hemingway once said:

“I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.”

Don’t be like most people. Don’t just wait eagerly for your turn to talk. Put your own ego on hold. Learn to really listen to what people actually are saying.

When you start to really listen, you’ll pick up on loads of potential paths in the conversation. But avoid yes or no type of questions as they will not give you much information. If someone mentions that they went fishing with a couple of friends last weekend you can for instance ask:

* Where did you go fishing?
* What do you like most about fishing?
* What did you do there besides fishing?

The person will delve deeper into the subject giving you more information to work with and more paths for you choose from.

If they say something like: “Oh, I don’t know” at first, don’t give up. Prod a little further. Ask again. They do know, they just have to think about a bit more. And as they start to open up the conversation becomes more interesting because it’s not on auto-pilot anymore.

Asking too many questions
If you ask too many questions the conversation can feel like a bit of an interrogation. Or like you don’t have that much too contribute. One alternative is to mix questions with statements. Continuing the conversation above you could skip the question and say:

* Yeah, it’s great to just get out with your friends and relax over the weekend. We like to take a six-pack out to the park and play some Frisbee golf.
* Nice. We went out in my friend’s boat last month and I tried these new lures from Sakamura. The blue ones were really great.

And then the conversation can flow on from there. And you can discuss Frisbee golf, the advantages/disadvantages of different lures or your favourite beer.

Tightening up
When in conversation with someone you just meet or when the usual few topics are exhausted an awkward silence or mood might appear. Or you might just become nervous not knowing exactly why.

* Leil Lowndes once said: “Never leave home without reading the newspaper.” If you’re running out of things to say, you can always start talking about the current news. It’s also good to stay updated on current water cooler-topics. Like what happened on the latest episode of Lost.
* Comment on the aquarium at the party, or that one girl’s cool Halloween-costume or the host’s mp3-playlist. You can always start new conversations about something in your surroundings.
* Assume rapport. If you feel nervous or weird when meeting someone for the first time assume rapport. What that means is that you imagine how you feel when you meet one of your best friends. And pretend that this new acquaintance is one of your best friends. Don’t overdo it though, you might not want to hug and kiss right away. But if you imagine this you’ll go into a positive emotional state. And you’ll greet and start talking to this new person with a smile and a friendly and relaxed attitude. Because that’s how you talk to your friends. It might sound a bit loopy or too simple. But it really works.

Poor delivery
One of the most important things in a conversation is not what you say, but how you say it. A change in these habits can make a big difference since your voice and body language is a vital part of communication. Some things to think about:

* Slowing down. When you get excited about something it’s easy to start talking faster and faster. Try and slow down. It will make it much easier for people to listen and for you actually get what you are saying across to them.
* Speaking up. Don’t be afraid to talk as loud as you need to for people to hear you.
* Speaking clearly. Don’t mumble.
* Speak with emotion. No one listens for that long if you speak with a monotone voice. Let your feelings be reflected in your voice.
* Using pauses. Slowing down your talking plus adding a small pause between thoughts or sentences creates a bit of tension and anticipation. People will start to listen more attentively to what you’re saying. Listen to one of Brian Tracys cds or Steve Pavlina’s podcasts. Listen to how using small pauses makes what they are saying seem even more interesting.
* Learn a bit about improving your body language as it can make your delivery a lot more effective. Read about laughter, posture and how to hold your drink in 18 ways to improve your body language.

Hogging the spot-light
I’ve been guilty of this one on more occasions than I wish to remember. :) Everyone involved in a conversation should get their time in the spotlight. Don’t interrupt someone when they are telling some anecdote or their view on what you are discussing to divert the attention back to yourself. Don’t hijack their story about skiing before it’s finished to share your best skiing-anecdote. Find a balance between listening and talking.

Having to be right
Avoid arguing and having to being right about every topic. Often a conversation is not really a discussion. It’s a more of a way to keep a good mood going. No one will be that impressed if you “win” every conversation. Instead just sit back, relax and help keep the good feelings going.

Talking about a weird or negative topic
If you’re at a party or somewhere were you are just getting to know some people you might want to avoid some topics. Talking about your bad health or relationships, your crappy job or boss, serial killers, technical lingo that only you and some other guy understands or anything that sucks the positive energy out of the conversation are topics to steer clear from. You might also want to save religion and politics for conversations with your friends.

Being boring
Don’t prattle on about your new car for 10 minutes oblivious to your surroundings. Always be prepared to drop a subject when you start to bore people. Or when everyone is getting bored and the topic is starting to run out of steam.

One good way to have something interesting to say is simply to lead an interesting life. And to focus on the positive stuff. Don’t start to whine about your boss or your job, people don’t want to hear that. Instead, talk about your last trip somewhere, some funny anecdote that happened while you where buying clothes, your plans for New Years Eve or something funny or exciting.

Another way is just to be genuinely interested. As Dale Carnegie said:

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming really interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you. Which is just another way of saying that the way to make a friend is to be one.”

Knowing a little about many things or at least being open to talk about them instead of trying to steer the conversation back to your favourite subject is a nice quality.

Meaning: talking for what seems like hours about one topic. Topics may include work, favourite rock-band, TV-show and more work.

Opening up a bit and not clinging desperately to one topic will make the conversation feel more relaxed and open. You will come across like a person who can talk about many things with ease. As you’ve probably experienced with other people; this quality is something you appreciate in a conversation and makes you feel like you can connect to that person easily.

Not reciprocating
Open up and say what you think, share how you feel. If someone shares an experience, open up too and share one of your experiences. Don’t just stand there nodding and answer with short sentences. If someone is investing in the conversation they’d like you to invest too.

Like in so many areas in life, you can’t always wait for the other party to make the first move. When needed, be proactive and be the first one to open up and invest in the conversation. One way is by replacing some questions with statements. It makes you less passive and makes take a sort of stand.

Not contributing much
You might feel that you don’t have much to contribute to a conversation. But try anyway. Really listen and be interested in what the others are saying. Ask questions. Make relating statements.

Open your eyes too. Develop your observational skills to pick up interesting stuff in your surroundings to talk about. Develop your personal knowledge-bank by expanding your view of interesting things in the world. Read the newspapers and keep an eye on new water cooler-topics.

Work on your body language, how you talk and try assuming rapport to improve your communication skills.

But take it easy. Don’t do it all at once. You’ll just feel confused and overwhelmed. Instead, pick out the three most important things that you feel needs improving. Work on them every day for 3-4 weeks. Notice the difference and keep at it. Soon your new habits will start to pop up spontaneously when you are in a conversation.

Source : http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2006/11/05/do-you-make-these-10-mistakes-in-a-conversation/

The True Meaning of Independence

2009-08-31T09:56:00.004+08:00

The True Meaning of Independence

By J.R. Turner

Independence means the freedom to separate ourselves from personal ideologies and intellectually challenge ourselves to see the full scope of an issue in order to find real solutions for the good of the whole.

Independence means we must not depend on the opinions of others, but on the factual issues and actions of individuals and our governments.

Independence means choosing to empower ourselves with the information to independently make up our own minds.

Independence means creating a world society in which we can perceive nations through a satellite view, rather than a microscopic view, and make value judgments based on what's good for the future, rather than the present.

Independence means we have the freedom to pursue personal needs while choosing global motivations, and face the consequences of those actions, both wonderful and tragic, with the intent to learn, grow, and gain wisdom.

True independence means recognizing that every type of thought and belief system has something to teach, to offer, and that if we learn from those in our world, our chances of creating real change for the betterment of all increases exponentially.

Wisdom demands we further our own independence by freeing ourselves from the prison of personal experience by embracing realities other than our own and thereby freeing ourselves from the shackles of ignorance.

J.R. Turner is the author of the award-winning novel, “My Biker Bodyguard" and the Knight Inc. adventure series. Visit http://www.jennifer-turner.com to find out more.

Get yourself motivated

2009-08-29T13:38:00.005+08:00

Wish we could all stay motivated forever - but we all know that that is not possible. There are however steps you can take to get yourself back into groove sooner rather than staying low for long periods of time. Here are my top ten ways to get yourself motivated:

1. Motivation Books: This is my number one tip. Books written by experts are full of tips and strategies to motivate you. True motivational stories are inspirational.

2. Motivational Music: Music can always do wonders to your mood - Buy good motivating CDs, MP3s or download from iTunes. You can just let It play in the background and continue doing your work. I like to listen to positive music - irrespective of whether or not I need a dose of motivation.

3. Audio Books: These again can be played in the background - does not require too much of your involvement (like books). Listening to interview podcasts with successful people is another effective method.

4. Take a Walk: Sometimes just getting away from your work and taking a walk can be very effective. It refreshes your mind and helps you get clarity on issues at hand.

5. Motivational Quotes: Just a few well written quotes can do wonders to your mood. This is why desktop calendars with good quotes are so popular. Reading a quote at the start of the day can help you start your day on a positive note.

6. Past Successes: Remember your past successes. Remind yourself how you worked through the obstacles and achieved your goal at the end. This can be quite uplifting.

7. Become Picky: Be very picky about the type of news you consume (in the media). Too much television or too much depressing news can have negative effect.

8. Break Up Your Goal: Break your goal into simple actionable steps. Do a few easy ones first. Once you can actually see what it will take to get your goal, things will seem far more attainable.

9. Deadline: Set yourself a deadline - share with others that you plan to finish something before a certain day.

10. End Result: Spend some time thinking and listing down all that you will gain by moving ahead on a project - at the same time also list down what you will lose by working on a project. Sometimes just seeing it all paper can work miracles on your mind.

The author, James W Terry, is passionate about helping people reach their goals. James believes that reading Motivation Books is one of the primary ways in which you can stay motivated for all round success. Check out his website for resources on Motivation. On his website, he presents to you some of the most powerful and inspirational Motivational Books ever written.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_W_Terry

Differences Between You and Your Boss

2009-08-27T19:50:00.005+08:00

Differences Between You and Your Boss

* When you take a long time, you're slow.
When your boss takes a long time, he's thorough.

* When you don't do it, you're lazy.
When your boss doesn't do it, he's too busy.

* When you make a mistake, you're an idiot.
When your boss makes a mistake, he's only human.

* When doing something without being told, you're overstepping your authority.
When your boss does the same thing, that's initiative.

* When you take a stand, you're being bull-headed.
When your boss does it, he's being firm.

* When you overlooked a rule of etiquette, you're being rude.
When your boss skips a few rules, he's being original.

* When you please your boss, you're apple polishing.
When your boss pleases his boss, he's being co-operative.

* When you're out of the office, you're wandering around.
When your boss is out of the office, he's on business.

* When you're on a day off sick, you're always sick.
When your boss is a day off sick, he must be very ill.

* When you apply for leave, you must be going for an interview.
When your boss applies for leave, it's because he's overworked.

http://www.joke-archives.com/

Ways to Live a Fulfilling Life

2009-08-25T20:53:00.007+08:00

There are many ways that can make our lives happy and fulfilling. We just sometimes tend to forget about it because we are drawn to our demanding jobs and busy life. Doing something good for others is an essential thing to live a fulfilling life. Happiness may also come from simple things and small packages that, if we only give time to savor these little pleasures, will make our lives better each day.

1. Be optimistic. Have positive thoughts. Get rid of thoughts about failure and hindrances that is not there. Believe in miracles. Believe that anything can be made possible.

2. Learn to be satisfied and contented. Instead of thinking about that extra money you could have earned, learn to appreciate what you have. Stop telling yourself the 'If only...' . Be thankful of what you have.

3. Organize your life. Learn to make time for everything. Give time to important people around you. Have time to work and play.

4. Extend help. Find ways to help in your own ways. Donate to a charity. If you don't have the financial resources, offer your services for free.

5. Be friendly. Be happy. Good friends make you live a fulfilling life too. Be friendly and make lots of friends. The more you have, the happier is your life.

6. Be healthy and fit. Stay healthy. Being happy is also about being healthy. Exercise. Enjoy your favorite sport. Enjoy a morning jog with your spouse or a loved one.

7. Enjoy simple things in life. You don't have to prepare a lavish celebration to enjoy life. Take happiness from the simple things in life. Enjoy walking in the park with your spouse, or your dog. Enjoy gardening, have a movie with the whole family, bring the kids to an amusement park or enjoy dining out together. Treat your spouse or partner to a simple dinner. Have a good laugh.

8. Don't hold grudges. Learn to forgive. The more we think about the mistakes done to us, the more we think of getting even and the more our life will be stuck on the unhappy times of our past. Move on. Do not cling to a bad past.

9. Think about what you want in life. Dream. Instead of constantly thinking about what you don't want in your life, think of the things you like. Think about what you want to achieve. Think of a good life ahead.

10. Smile and you will definitely attract a wonderful world. This simple gesture can always draw positive things around you. Smile to a new neighbor. Give your smile to a person you don't like. You don't need to love him or her. A simple smile can help you forget about your differences.

11. Give a love one a good hug.
Showing and telling the people that you care is indeed one good way to live a fulfilling life.

Carolyn Anderson is a freelance author who also enjoys a lot of hobbies and interests in life. For great ways to attract good things and live a fulfilling life, she recommends The Absolute Secret. She also recommends I Create Reality if you want to discover ways to achieve the things you want in your life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_Anderson

Empowering Techniques to Overcome Defeat

2009-08-24T22:08:00.004+08:00

Are you facing obstacles in your path? Do you get to feeling defeated when things seem too hard? Many successful people do not know what the word defeat means. Do you listen to all those little nagging voices in your head that tell you can't do something or that you really will never achieve something? Do you tend to think in pessimistic terms when you are faced with a seemingly huge challenge? Or do you think of a challenge as an adventure and look at things in an optimistic way? Do you believe that you can do whatever it takes to achieve something? Well, if you are somewhere in between read on for some ideas on empowering yourself to deal with challenges and work against defeat.

1. Get rid of all the negative thoughts in your head. Be consistent about throwing out the negative thoughts and replace them with a can do attitude and thought. Have you encountered someone who is constantly thinking negative thoughts and sure enough those negative thought patterns become real. Just as true when someone practices positive thought patterns, good things happen. We have the power within us to think positive, develop it.

2. Develop the mindset that you do not believe in defeat. Pretend that there is no such thing. Look at obstacles in life as challenges that you look forward to. Tell yourself that whatever the task or obstacle is you will face it and conquer it. After all you are a successful, worthy person and you believe this.

3. Watch a person you know who is empowered and manages their life on their terms. What traits or values does this person have that you can mimic? It really does work.

4. Instead of looking at a problem as a potential defeat, try looking at it as a question and learning experience. What can you learn by looking at the problem? Can you attempt to make something even better by examining the problem at hand and changing something?

5. Be like a stern parent in your life. Tell yourself that you will not allow self-defeating practices within yourself. Remind yourself that this is not an option.

Practice allowing success to enter into your life. Use a mantra each morning and evening, something like the following;

I will only allow success and positive acts in my life. I do not believe in defeat and see my problems as chances to benefit to move on to an even more perfect life.

Choose to live this mantra and pretty soon you will be empowered to overcome defeat in your life.

Would you like to learn more about becoming empowered? Do you have dreams and desires that you want to achieve? This is my passion, helping women grow. For more tips, click on http://www.thegoddesswoman.com get your free gift, my e-book "The Goddess Woman". Live the magnificent life you deserve!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kat_Smith-Starlove

Turn Procrastination Into Action

2009-08-23T20:01:00.006+08:00

How to Turn Procrastination Into Action, or, how to stop putting something off and get it done!

Do you have an item on your "to do" list that has been there for ages and somehow you just never seem to get round to doing it? Is it annoying you that it has been on your action list for so long? Have you been avoiding doing something that you really want to get done?

Follow these easy to use steps to turn your inaction into action.

1. Do you really want to do it?
Before you go any further, take a look at the item you have been avoiding and ask yourself if you really want to do it? If you don't and there will be no negative consequences from not doing it, why not cross it off your list?

If it is something that you think you need to do or should do, do you really need to? Is there another way you can achieve the same objective? For example, you may have "go for a run" on your daily to do list. If you want to get fit and you are repeatedly not going for a run, consider alternatives: take up swimming, go salsa dancing with a friend, buy a space hopper and have fun with your kids. Find what works for you and will help you achieve the same objective.

If it something that you "have" to do, ask yourself if you really have to or if actually you want to. I had been putting off doing the paperwork to renew my driving licence (because I've never been too keen on form filling) and kept telling myself that it was something that I "had" to do. When I realised that I didn't "have" to, but rather I "wanted" to, because I wanted to be able to carry on driving, that subtle shift made it easy for me to get on and do it.

2.What are the benefits of getting this done?
Consider all the reasons for doing this and all the benefits of achieving it. Such is life that sometimes we have to do things that we would prefer not to, in which case the main benefit of doing something maybe so that we can cross it off our "to do" list and not have to think about it every time we look at the list.
Also want to consider what happens if you don't get this done.

3.What is getting in the way of you not doing this?
Is anything stopping you from getting this done? Do you need something, some information, help from someone else or something else in order to get this done? Work out what you need in order to move forward and get it sorted.

4. How will you feel?
How will you feel once you have achieved this? You may be relieved to finally have got it sorted, satisfied with yourself or pleased with a job well done. Imagine how you will feel and hold onto that feeling.

5. Break the task down into the individual steps
Break the task down into the individual steps and take the first smallest step NOW. For example if you have been putting off updating your CV, then dig out the latest copy or set up a new document on your computer. If you need to make a phone call, then look up the number. Take the first step and you will be on your way.

And finally, STOP THINKING and JUST DO IT! and then cross it off your "to do" list with a big flourish).

Copyright 2009 Jo Orgill

Jo Orgill is a life and careers coach who works with women in their 30's and 40's who want to change something in their lives or who have something specific they want to achieve. She assists them to reach their goals. She lives in Mallorca and in recent years has changed most aspects of her life. To read more about Jo and her life coaching, visit http://JoOrgill.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jo_Orgill

My Birthday Celebration

2009-08-20T22:56:00.008+08:00