Time Management is the Key to Success

Failure to meet deadlines, unsuccessful endeavors, failure in class or even being kicked out of a job; these are only some of the possible scenarios that may unfold when we deal with our responsibilities without organization and prioritization. Many people usually encounter these things just like students, or even professionals and for us to be able to avoid disappointing results of our own actions; we need to learn how to manage these responsibilities.

For students and professionals managing time is really important because these individuals have dozens of requirements like paper works and tasks on hand. Sometimes these tasks are given by superiors simultaneously making it hard for them to accomplish everything on time. Aside from these responsibilities given by professors and bosses, these individuals also face many responsibilities at home. As for students, they are asked by their parents to help in household chores and all which lengthens the list of tasks to finish. For professionals balancing work and family is an additional factor that would deter them to finish their obligations. These situations are not an excuse since every problem has a solution, and we just need to work hard for us to figure it out. Failure to achieve our endeavors is plausible but being unable to achieve desired goals is not true to all individuals because not everyone exposed to these stressors possess an attitude that is very passive and disorganized. With poor time management skills, definitely one is most likely to fail. There are many individuals that are knowledgeable enough about time management; these include proper planning, prioritization of activities and utilization of time. Planning ahead makes it easier for people to identify if the time frame of the tasks is enough so that they can decide on necessary adjustments. Prioritization is another component of time management; we get to see which activities to do first and which activities to be placed last on the list. Outings and unnecessary activities should be re-scheduled on the weekends as to give more focus on the things to be accomplished. A list or a schedule is recommended to be guided accordingly. Lastly utilize time wisely. Because of these it is much easier to achieve a goal being set. People do not end up on cramming and being so devastated about unfinished business or fewer desirable outputs and outcomes. After all the effort placed on these tasks it would be delightful to see that in the end of the day success is finally on hand and all the sweats and efforts paid off.

As they say time is gold, and we cannot afford to waste a second of it. Every second needs to be spent wisely and properly. Whenever we get too preoccupied with tasks we need to accomplish in a specific time frame, we would always want time to stop and wait for us but that’s very impossible, since we can never stop time instead we focus on this simple key to success, time management.

Clutter Management 101

Let’s face it, every one of us suffers from clutter at home or in the office one way other the other. We usually don’t notice it but when we have too many things in our closets, desks, shelves etc., clutters starts to build up and without you knowing it, things started to overflow and some of your stuff gets buried down under. Clutter built up is really unavoidable but is manageable. That is the challenge that most of us is facing nowadays. The key to overcoming this challenge is really simple and that is by making a habit of getting your things organized. You can  hire a housekeeper if you can afford one. However, nothing beats getting it done yourself as this more economical, it develops self discipline and promotes proper hygiene. Here are some simple tips that anyone can start with.

1.    Start with something small. Organizing can be overwhelming when there is too much stuff that you need to organize. Start with your closet and eventually expand to bigger areas as you go along like your bedroom, living room until you can cover the whole house. It is not easy but it’s definitely a start.

2.    Separate the things that you will be using and the things that will most likely be a just a clutter. Many of us like to keep things even though they’re old. Though we don’t use it, we just want to keep it because it has some sort of sentimental value. This is actually okay, but we don’t have to necessarily put it together with the things that you will be using more often. You can put in a box have it labeled and hide it in your storage room or attic. That way, you can just easily retrieve it anytime you need it, but it will not also consume space in your closet or room.

3.    After sorting out your things according to which you are going to use or not, then you start identifying the things that you would want to keep and the stuff that you want to get rid of. However, don’t throw it out either. Rather, set up a garage sale. At least you can make some money out of your clutter no matter how small it may be. Another option would be to sell it online. This is more convenient, especially to those who don’t have space at home or time to set up a garage sale.

4.    If you still need more space in your house for your stuff, try adding some closets or shelves or better yet if you have an extra space in your garage or a room in the house that you don’t use, try converting it into a storage area. Just make sure to put those things in a box so it won’t make a clutter.

5.    Now that you have your stuff cleared out and organized, the next challenge would be on how to keep it organized. Best way to do it is to develop a habit of cleaning up your closet or room every week. That way, you can continue to organize your stuff regularly without you knowing it. Clean out those dusts too, they certainly make things look disorganized.  Those boxes that you put in the attic, make sure you tag them before storing it in. You can have it color coded or numbered, or whichever you find more convenient for you.

6.    Set a weekly date and time for your cleaning. You certainly can’t get anything done without having the time to do it. No matter how busy we are, we can always find time to do something if we manage our time effectively and efficiently. As what I always like to say, “Organize yourself and your time first before organizing anything else.”

Now that you have unlocked the key to managing your clutter, all you need to do is getting it started. Go ahead and take control of that chaos in your room. Life will certainly be easier and happier without you noticing it. Happy cleaning!

Business Ideas for Beginners

There are millions of people who are eager to start their own business and more than half of them would actually take the initiative in creating one. In initiating a small business, it is wise to venture on something you are already familiar and gifted to do well. Skills, hobbies and interests are an easy inspiration in determining which enterprise you can get on with while your educational background, professional experience and training are plus points. It is never a practical idea to embark on with something totally new to you since you cannot afford to spend time figuring out how that stuff really works considering the tough competition out there. Besides, you will be having difficulty maintaining that venture as you will become bored and unproductive simply because you entered into something not within your interest. You cannot run a pet shop if you hate animals, and you can’t deal cars if you know less about cars. If you barely have the passion in the enterprise itself because you were only interested in it because a friend was successful or a neighbor said it was a high-earning project, no matter how much you spend most of your waking time going through the details and every aspect of it, sooner or later, you will realize that the gamble is not worth it. Your friend possibly was successful in that field because it was something that she always wanted. However, it doesn’t mean that whatever worked for her will work for you.

When you consider businesses exerting dominance in your neighborhood, it can be intimidating in putting up your own venture though; it doesn’t mean giving up your goal of opening your own. You can start with small ones before entering into big businesses because anyway, big entrepreneurs started with small businesses. Shelling out a great deal of money doesn’t have to be the case in launching every business as there are some, which can be set up without needing a huge sum of capital.

If you would like to control your own time, how much you want to earn, and make yourself the boss, you might as well try self-employment businesses such as turning a certain skill to your advantage. This means that the type of business depends on what you can do. If you are good in cooking, you can bake cookies or brownies. If you are a technically-inclined individual, you can probably manage a computer shop. If you love to craft you can sell something like knitting or crocheting, needlework, or jewelry making. If you are knowledgeable in a subject that you think is in demand, you can offer tutoring services. If your passion is writing, you can write for other people.

When people are on holidays, there are things that are left home that they cannot do while they are away. Looking after their plants, pets and house sitting are some of the easy ways to earn extra cash.
If you want to earn at the comforts of your own home, then you are looking for online jobs. All you need to have is a reliable computer and an internet connection. Online jobs include ghostwriting, link building and website creation services. Blogging, for instance, can be a good online business opportunity for creative writers as well as building membership sites. If you have a good eye for products that will surely hit the market, E-commerce stores are considered to be a break. You can start with eBay auction selling too or be an affiliate marketer wherein you get paid for promoting and selling other people’s products. You can also bump into websites that pay you for answering their surveys. The internet is constantly growing and more and more talented individual is part of it. You can be a part too.

This is just some interesting and exciting money making ideas that might suit you and there are still many opportunities out there. The end point is, if you’re eyeing on starting your own business and for as long as you are ready to learn and put your talent to the test, there’s nothing wrong with testing the waters by gambling for the minor ones first.

Teaching Children to Work Hard

As a parent, it is really hard to rise up a child. You have to think of all the pros and cons with the things you teach to your child. Especially nowadays, those kids are already wise even at their very young age. With the advent of the use of computers, internet, television and other multimedia gadgets, teaching children on how to work hard to reach their goals in life becomes more difficult. Peer pressure and family situations are some factors to focus on. Goal setting and motivation do not come naturally for the kids, parents have to teach it and mold it on the minds of the children. Teaching children to work hard for their goals should start from the parents. They should set as good examples to their kids. Here are some tips on how to teach children to work hard:

1. Teach the child on goal setting. First, you should let your child understand the meaning of goal. Then once he understands what the goal is, tell him to think of the goal he wants to accomplish. Like for example in school, your child wants to get a perfect score in his exams. You should help him define his goal. Like telling him to spend at least 15 to 20 minutes every night studying for every subject before the scheduled exam. Then, a night before the exam, tell him to study at least 30 minutes as exam preparation.  In this way, he will not have a hard time studying for all his subjects.  Tell him also that perseverance is very important in order to achieve his goal.

2. Let the child write down his goal.  Once the child already thinks of his goal, may it be short-term or long-term, tell him to write it down.  In this way, your child will not forget all about it. It will help him realize that goal setting should always be a part of his life, and he has to take it seriously. It should be a part of his personal “to-do list”.

3. Observe what motivates your child. Motivation begins with wanting something. Encourage your child to really think why he wants something, and then you tell him that motivation will help him become successful in his goal. Like for example, your child wants to buy a game boy.  So as a parent, you can tell your child that if he will study hard and get high grades in school, you will buy him a game boy as a reward for all his efforts.  In this way, you can help your child be motivated to do something to make his dream come true.

4. Praise your child in all his attempts to work hard. Positive encouragements, especially from parents that can help boost the ego of the child to work hard. Tell your child that if ever he commits some mistakes, he should not be negative about it.  Instead tell him that committing mistakes will lead him to success. It is from these mistakes that a person will try harder to be successful in his endeavor. As a parent, you should not ever forget to praise your child even how simple his accomplishment is.

5. Let your child make his own choices within the frames of moderate parental guidance. Just like everyone, kids want to make their own choices, may it be good or bad. As a parent, though, you have to let your kid understand on every decision he makes. You have to guide your child gently with encouragement about the goal he wants to accomplish.

6. Emphasize “do your best” to your child. Tell your child that in every work he does, he should put all his best efforts on it. For without hard work, everything that he plans will just be useless. Emphasize to him that he has to take things seriously in order to make his dreams come true. Once he does this, he will experience happiness and contentment with everything he does. This will help him establish a foundation for a good work ethic, something that he will carry throughout his life.

With all these tips, teaching your child on how to work hard will become less difficult and makes you become more fulfilled as a parent especially if your child also cooperates.

Determination and Success

The famous English proverb goes “Where there’s a will there’s a way.” Simply to say, if you really want something, you will never run out of ways to make it happen. However, some people also believed that “Nothing is impossible because miracles can happen everyday.” It is not entrusting our life with how miracles work in our lives nor questioning how they happen, but it is emphasizing that we can make our own miracles with our innate weapon – determination. Little did we know that we are all born with willpower, and it is how we use or improve it that differs us from each other. There are a lot of stories that tell us about how a person was able to succeed through the power of determination while some dreams are still left a fantasy because we fail to achieve a certain level of determination.

What does determination mean to you? Is it never giving up no matter what? Is it faith in your dreams? Is it believing in yourself and holding on regardless of the obstacles? Is it reaching the rainbow’s end or catching a shooting star? Or is it soaring high like an eagle? Whatever that may be, we need to contemplate on how can we inspire ourselves if we realize that determination is important to us? If you have made up your mind to have a slimmer body and the only way to do that is to go on a diet by cutting-down on your carbohydrates and lose at least 25 pounds in 6 months, how can you actually accomplish it? Or maybe you would like to enroll yourself into an exercise program that requires you to walk at least 45-60 minutes a day for 4-5 times a week. If not, decide that you want to get a promotion in 5years. How can you fulfill all of these? Do you have enough ingredients to success, which is determination? Are you very much determined to reach the finish line and attain victory?

One of the secrets great achievers do is that they clearly envision themselves with the kind of future they would be having if ever success happens. They know how it actually feels like living that dream. And even before initiating steps into making it a reality, they know the feeling when it is fulfilled. If the desire to live that anticipated reality is so great, then achievement is never impossible. The cliché “No pain, no gain” proves that enduring some pain equals gaining something in return worth your efforts. Just maintain a certain degree of determination so you can see yourself accomplishing your goals.

It is possible to succeed in spite of our shortcomings as long as we are able to compensate. It is likely being on top despite the lack of knowledge as long as there are people willing to impart their wisdom. It is possible for somebody who lacks experience to excel as long as there are people who are eager to share their expertise. Even if there is scarcity of resources, with ingenuity, anything can be possible. You can win every battle if after every loss; you are able to stand up again. A superstar exists because there are millions who support and stand behind their back. It is possible to succeed and then make history. However, it is always impossible to accomplish something big or small, if you are inadequately driven. It is determination of knowing you can be somebody and anybody you want to be that will clue others to believe in you.

With just the right amount of determination, no high mountain is difficult to climb, no fierce animal is hard to tame and no masterpiece can be so hard to create.

Procrastination: A Hindrance to Success?

Successful people achieve the kind of success they have right now through hard work and patience. It is inevitable, though, that there were instances during their “striving moments” wherein luck played its cards and paved way their roads for success.  But, generally, it is just a matter of discipline and initiative if one really wants to achieve success.

According to most successful individuals, the best ingredient for a successful career is diligence.  Diligence is the human value of exerting efforts to fulfill a task without resorting to negligence or irresponsibleness. Surveys showed that not all successful people are highly intelligent with an above average IQ level. There are those who have not gone to the best universities or have not even finished schooling. There are those who are just high school graduates, yet they have the most booming businesses in the market. Hence, one can really say that success is defined mostly by attitude and passion – attitude to excel and be diligently passionate about it.

Not everybody, however, have the same mindsets when it comes to achieving success. There are those who are just too lazy to get up for work, while some lack the enthusiasm in their workplace. There are individuals who are contented not to do anything productive and, instead, prefer to do things, which are not only “unhealthy” but also adversely affecting their jobs such as sleeping too much, unimaginable hook-up time with the television, or too much partying.

Furthermore, there are individuals who love to procrastinate resulting to undone works and deadlines left in whim. Procrastinators like to do their tasks at the very last minute. They have this attitude of doing their tasks on a later date of the schedule which could result to low quality of work outputs due to cramming.  Accordingly, procrastination has now gained momentum as one of the favorite topics among recent research works, especially studies on human behavior. It is now becoming famous as a subject for study because some considered it as an interesting topic since procrastination is a natural part of human nature. If talked about, all people can relate to the state of procrastinating.

What is procrastination?

Studies showed that procrastination excuses no one. Everybody procrastinates – it is part of human nature. Accordingly, it is only natural among people to put aside their tasks and do it on a later time because for the simple reason of not wanting to do it at a specific time.  There are also those who love to cram and find cramming effective in fulfilling their various tasks. Meanwhile, procrastination does not necessarily mean that one is lazy or inefficient; they are just used to put off until the next day things that are supposed to be done now.

Scientific researches stated that procrastination is the act of postponing a certain thing to do (or task) to the point that one’s work becomes delayed.  There are many factors involve why people procrastinate. Firstly, some individuals lack self-confidence that they can really succeed in doing their work if they are just diligent enough to do it and finish it on time. There is a tendency among humans wherein, even from the very start, they are not confident enough that they can finish their tasks on time or to have it done flawlessly; hence, they resorted to intervening variables or “comforting things” around which can delay in the fulfillment of their jobs.

With all the latest technology and media’s influence, people easily get distracted from concentrating in their works.  This is often the reason why some people put aside their important tasks because they got tempted to do other things present in their surroundings that stirs their interest.  People lack focus in their workplace because of unnecessary interruptions brought by a fast-growing society.  Mood can also be another triggering factor why people procrastinate.  Individuals, especially artists, rely so much on their mood in order for their works to be effective. Painters, songwriters, novelists and dancers do not find it effective to do their crafts if their mood to do such is not present.  This often leads to put aside such work and save it for some other time when the mood is right.

If low self-esteem is one factor why people procrastinate, over confidence could also be deemed as another reason why people procrastinate. Notably, people with overzealous confidence often think of themselves as someone who can really beat the deadline at the same time producing high-quality work outputs. However, such case is not always applicable. Because of too much confidence that one can do his/her job even just for a short time often results to low-quality outputs because it is being done out in a hurry.

Too many workloads can sometimes lead to procrastination. Because of too much work, one cannot choose anymore which task should be accomplished first.  Because of frustration and pressure, one chooses not to do anything anymore. This is a perfect manifestation that one, instead, prefers to escape from the bulk of works that need to be done than face all of those.

Diligence is still the key

Although  some human behavioral experts claimed that procrastination has its own share of benefits because it gives time for men/women to relax and meditate before doing all their tasks, still it cannot be discounted that procrastination is generally not a healthy practice.  Although there are those who find it effective to have their jobs done in just a short time and loving the pressure of finishing such, still, procrastination should not be exercised regularly.

True enough that humans are all procrastinators in nature, but one should think that it is just a matter of managing your emotions and rising above from all the intervening factors around. One should take into mind, that if one really wants to succeed in life and in work, they should try to avoid procrastinating because, as tested by time, diligence is still the best key to success.

A Career After College

College graduation plays an important role in every student’s life.  It is the breaking free from the four corners of the classroom and paving goodbye to “student-hood”. No more school works to finish, no more to school projects and compulsory school club attendance, no more to research papers, and no more to mind-boggling examinations. Graduation is the main exit point from the routine which a college student has to go through for four years or more.  For others, however, college graduation is a start of a new beginning- the start of an endless journey.  It is the turning point wherein a student is not a student anymore, but a new professional who will be embarking on a fresh chapter in his/her life.  It is the first step of embracing the real world away from the comforts of school – the real world of a “working class.”

We should take into consideration that before entering the working class, we were able to decipher already during our college days the career we want to pursue after college graduation.  Of course, it is the general rule that one will likely settle with a career that fits his/her course in college such as Accountancy students will go for accountant jobs, Biology students for a medical-related profession, or a Journalism major student towards a mass media job.

Sometimes, however, it is not by default that a fresh college graduate will pursue a career in-line with his/her college course. There are some who chose a career far-out from what they studied in college – i.e., a Chemistry major running an Italian restaurant, a Business Management graduate as a successful fitness instructor, or a Biology graduate who is now a top-brass intelligence officer.

Hence, we ask – What drives people to choose a career that is off-tangent from the course they studied in college? What are the factors considered in choosing a career to pursue?

PASSION AND PRACTICALITY

Passion and practicality are two main factors that influence individuals what kind of career they will pursue. A combination of both makes a very idealistic well-being of a career oriented person. It is not all the time that one can savor these two very important things in a career. There are those who chose to follow their passion instead of wealth and fame that he/she can get from another job. There are some people, on the other hand, who chose the practical reasons in choosing a career, such as higher income, power and fame, and a less stressful job.

Passion.  During the time when we still students, we had this vision of what we want in the future. There were dreams of becoming a lawyer, a doctor, or to take good care of a one big happy family. Other dreams were drawn towards the limelight such as being a famous movie star or politician. Because of this vision, one chooses a career that will get him/her to that vision. In other words, this is what an individual really wants to do. This is passion.

Not all people passionately love their jobs. There are those who chose the other side of the fence rather than pursue their passion. There are some, however, who grow loving their jobs. Passion is something that is very important because if there is no passion and drive to do one’s job, every day will be a drag in going to the workplace.  Instead of enjoying work, one gets bored easily and shows no excitement in the workplace.  This can actually adversely affect someone’s performance in the job. Because he/she has no drive to do the job because of the lack of interest to it, there is a tendency that work outputs are sheer product of mediocrity.

Practicality. There are some graduates who get into a job which they do not like in the first place. Among the major reasons why people choose practicality over passion in their chosen fields is the fact of higher income from the job, simple job yet earning so high, the comfort offered in the job, and the prestige of the job.   Accordingly, choosing practical reasons over passion is, in itself, a practical thing to do. For others, one can still pursue the thing that he/she really wants to do after retirement.

In times like now wherein global financial crisis is at its hype, one should choose a job or career that is practical.

Looking the abovementioned scenario of what a fresh college graduate is likely to go through after graduation; one can say that it is not that easy to enter the “working class.” One has to make tough decisions on what career to pursue – on whether one will choose his/her passion or to pursue a career that is more practical, regardless if that is really what one wants.

Furthermore, the most important thing about in the working class is that one should be able to contribute in the society.  It is not necessarily something very expensive or material stuff. By simply being a good citizen and honest worker are enough contributions in the society. Furthermore, by paying taxes as well as observing environmental laws, one has contributed a significant part in the society.

Meanwhile, when it comes to choosing a career path, one should balance what is worth pursuing at – weighing the advantages and disadvantages because the corporate world is way bigger (and most of the time more cruel) than the world we have inside the school.  Furthermore, if one is caught in the situation that he/she has both passion and practicality on his/her side in choosing a career, then one should not waste time to grab that opportunity. If there is only the presence of one (whether passion or practical reasons), we should see to it that our decision will be for long-term results. Foresight is the key for success.

Getting to Know Neville Jordan

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned about this business its people. Can we trust these people with our money? There can be amazing science and technology, great products, but if you can’t get on with or there’s no trust with the people then it’s best not to do the deal.”

-Neville Jordan

Name: Neville Jordan CNZM (Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit)
Year Born: 1943
Education: Canterbury University – Electrical Engineer graduate (1967)
Leisure interests: ocean yachting, scuba diving, motorcycling, horse riding, doing charity work and the performing arts.

Secret to his success: Complete confidence in your abilities, recognizing and accepting your shortfalls and having the desire to achieve.

What people say about Neville Jordan:

- John Manning, businessman and former manager of Technology New Zealand, said: “Neville’s a natural innovator but he is not just that. He has the combination of being an innovator [along with] strong business and management skills.

- “I have a lot of respect for him. He may be successful, but he’s also someone who is just another bloke who has time to help anyone. New Zealand needs more Neville Jordan around.”

Working Experience:

1. IBM and civil aviation (air traffic control engineer)
2. Headed to the United States on a six-week Rotary scholarship (age 25).Neville Jordan said that Rotary scholarship effectively changed his life. That was since the day he saw that there are people who enjoys in technology when he went to Houston NASA mission control. That made Neville Jordan motivated on having his own company.”
3. Multinational company in Europe – vice president

Awards, Achievements and Recognitions:

1. Leading investor and contributor to technological and scientific venture
2. President of the Royal Society of New Zealand (early 2006 to June 2009)
3. Chair of the Trustees of the Rutherford Foundation
4. Chair of the National Information and Communications Technology Australia (NICTA) Review Panel by the Australian Government
5. The Second Flying Kiwi recipient (2004)
6. He founded MAS Technology Ltd. in 1975 (telecommunications Microwave Company). He was able to make this company successful in the NASDAQ stock exchange. (1996 – 240 staffs, 15 offices worldwide). In 1997, in a highly successful float, MAS became the first and still the only New Zealand Company to list on the NASDAQ.
7. Founder of telecommunications microwave Equipment Company Marine Air Systems (MAS) Technology.
8. First New Zealand Company to list on the NASDAQ – tied forces with US company Digital Microwave Services proceeding to Jordan selling his interest in 1998.
9. Over 250 staffs are already with MAS, exports to 60 countries; making more than $100 Million in foreign exchange earnings.
10. Neville Jordan went on to establish Endeavor Capital a venture capital business investing in exciting New Zealand-based science, research and technology enterprises.
11. Diabetes research company “Protemix” (based at the University of Auckland and the DNA reagents company, ZyGEM) – founding Chair and Chief Executive.
12. He has been a Well-known Fellow of the Institute of Professional Engineers New Zealand and has been given an award by the United Kingdom IEE Kirby medal for “outstanding eminence and distinction in advanced technology”.
13. Neville Jordan was recognized by the Governor General of New Zealand’s Supreme Award for Exporting in 1996 and was honored by the Queen in 1999 as a Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit.
14. Neville is also one of only three living New Zealander’s to be a Laureate of both the Hi Tech Hall of Fame (2005) and NZ Business Hall of Fame (2006).
15. He continues to back our young talent in their growth of New Zealand’s hi-tech future.
16. Neville Jordan was able to serve six years (1993 – 1998) on the board of the Crown Research Institute, AgResearch, and three years each on the boards of the Foundation of Research Science & Technology as well as the Prime Minister’s Growth and Innovation Advisory Board.
17. An honorary Doctor of Engineering degree in Canterbury University

Hard Work: A Key to Prosperity

Hard work means doing your best effort to accomplish a task for a specific goal. It is how much time you spend on a particular work to achieve your purpose. It also means doing your job unselfishly and sincerely. Working hard means producing more. And when you produce more, you earn much.  A person’s future depends primarily on hard work and perseverance.  Working hard is also a challenging role in one’s life in order to succeed. It is challenging in a sense that, you need a great deal of effort and time to justify the meaning and importance of your work. It is a no retreat, no surrender obligation. Hard work is an obligation because a person who is aiming for something needs to give his best and full effort in order to succeed and prosper in his own field.

This kind of attitude must therefore, be inculcated in the minds of people even at their very early years in life. As they say, the earlier, the better. When taught as a small kid, with a brain still so soft as a cotton, the art of learning is very simple. This is because, one’s still a kid, following directions and instructions is so easy. The child has still no knowledge about being rebellious. What an adult says to a child, he would surely follow it. So when a child is taught to be hard working, he will try to do it.  And he will do it repeatedly every time he has a certain task to do. As he grows older, he will be used to working hard because it will already become his habit to give his best effort in everything that he does. With this kind of attitude, whatever problem, he encounters in his life, he will try to solve it with diligence and patience combined with hard work. And there is no way he cannot solve the problem. So whatever endeavor this person does, he will surely prosper, may it be economically or personally.

Hard work, therefore, is something you will look forward to because you know that it will lead you to prosperity. It makes a big difference in your life. You should always go with the flow but with so much care and tenderness. You should learn to love hard work. Because when you have that, instead of running away from it, you will gain the ability to set your own goals and dreams in life. No matter what it takes, obstacles could not stop you from working hard because it is already instilled in your heart. And it will remain as long as you live. And as long as you have your life and have a big dream for yourself, hard work is not an option. It is a necessity. And there, whatever fear you would feel, you would overcome it for you have a significant purpose in your life. And that purpose drives you to work hard and makes you truly understand the meaning of a successful and prosperous life.

Wonders of Cooking

Cooking is fun. It is both a wonder and a mystery. It is also an art. When cooking, one has to use his imagination and be artistic in order to come up with a delicious recipe.  It is not only applicable to adults but also to the young ones, male or female. What matters is the interest one puts in his life. It is a good feeling when one knows how to cook even at an early age.  Cooking also requires patience, interest and innovativeness. Cooking is an everyday learning. Every time you cook, you always find new discoveries, new tastes and new likes.

In learning how to cook, one may not go to school to study about cooking.  You need not spend a lot of money for the school tuition fee. Instead, it can be done at home, on your own or through your friends or relatives.  You just need to have the guts to learn and be interested in cooking. You may buy a book containing simple recipes, or you may opt to experiment cooking by yourself. It requires a little effort, confidence and patience, though to become a cook. You may not be an expert of it, but at least, you can try to cook a presentable and delicious food. Naturally, it starts from a very simple recipe like frying an egg, fish, meat or chicken. Then you will try to discover new recipes from your own imagination. And from there, you will learn to explore different kinds of recipes. Until such time that you will become an expert in cooking. And who knows, in the end you will become a very successful chef.

It is an advantage when one learns how to cook at a very young age. Age does not really matter that much, as long as the kid is already responsible enough to learn, then he can start learning how to cook.  What is important is to teach the child first on how to handle a knife and let him understand that a knife could be dangerous when not used properly.  This is because, a knife is a primary utensil used in preparing your ingredients for cooking. And it is the most dangerous among all utensils. Not only will a child be taught on how to slice, cut, chop or peel, but also he should be taught to clean the ingredients first before cooking. As such, he should also be taught on how to be clean and healthy in whatever he does. He must be taught in a way that he will give interest in cooking until he becomes a responsible adult and makes learning a fun-filled one for him. Cooking at an early age is a great advantage because a child can acquire independent food skills and can promote his youth development positively. So as the child grows, he will develop a positive approach in his life. He will not only resort to playing when not in school, instead, he will also spend some of his time in cooking. Aside from this, the child will be able to learn how to manage his time. When the child is already a teenager, he can fully help his mother and father in the kitchen.  It is no longer a problem for the family on who is going to cook on a particular meal, most especially, when there is no housemaid to do the task. Every single member of the family can take turns in doing their household chores, especially in cooking. Not only this, the family can save a lot.  Like for example, instead of dining out often especially during weekends, they can just stay at home and cook their favorite recipes. Also, it is healthier to cook your own food in the house rather than buying it from the outside. This is because, we can control the sodium, fats and cholesterol used in the food. Unlike in restaurants, we cannot choose what to put and what not to put in the food we eat.  When your child is already matured enough and is ready to settle on his own, he will no longer have a problem on how to raise his new family.  This is because, by then, he is an expert in cooking in his own little way. And we must put in mind that “behind every man’s success is through his stomach”.

Cooking, therefore, is not really difficult.  It is just a matter of choice and interest. It is also a matter of how much love you put into it in order to produce a delightful and delicious food.  It is also a matter of acceptance, in a way, that you have to accept whatever comment you can hear from the food tasters. What is important is to have that confidence in you and always use your art and imagination every time you prepare and cook food. And most of all, in cooking, you have to consider it a fun and a sort of relaxation and not as an obligation and give your best job on it. In this way, everything will be easy for you.

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