Wednesday, November 18, 2009

How to face problems in life?




Here are some tips that will help when the going gets tough:
Move On - As Ford said, "Don't find fault, find a remedy. Focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer. Don't just panic as `worry is like a rocking chair - it gives you something to do but won't get you anywhere." Learn to think `how' rather than waste time with futile "ifs".
Understand the Problem - Problem solving is the ability to make careful choices. The steps to be followed are: understand the problem; gather the facts; set up the problem; estimate what the outcome should be; work it out; and check the answer. Ask questions, clarify facts and evaluate options to find a workable solution. That's the formula.
Think straight - In problem solving, it is important to have the right mindset. It helps to be open-minded and have the ability to think out-of-the-box. When you have broader vision and unique ideas, you have more tools at your disposal which helps fix the problem better.
Say it with a smile - A prerequisite in any situation in life is the ability to laugh in the face of problems. It really downsizes the enormity of the problem. A sense of humour maintains a sense of balance as it prevents people from collapsing with grief and worry. Humour is more than just being funny; it helps keep things in perspective.
Teamwork - Two minds are better than one. It does help to have more people involved in solving a problem, both for moral support and for the greater range of experience that they can bring to the problem-solving table with their outlook and personality. It adds depth to the troubleshooting team. As Voltaire said, `No problem can stand the assault of sustained thinking.'
Brainstorm - When it comes to problem solving, ten ideas are better than one. Each idea is worth considering, as the most unlikely one might just be the answer. Resist the temptation to find quick short-term solutions. It tries to put the solution at the beginning of the process, when what is needed is a solution at the end. People have an inborn trait to solve problems if they only just take the time to grasp the situation without panicking.
Write it all down - Keep a record of what is going on. It helps in future problem solving when you have it all in black and white. During a crisis, your memory banks can be scarcely relied upon.
One for all and all for one - This is a critical step that is usually missing. Interests are needs that you want satisfied by a given solution. The best solution is the one that serves everyone's interests. This is the time for active listening. Forget your differences for a while and listen.
Learn from past mistakes - One must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them. Learning from problems is growth in the right direction.
Problems are to the mind what exercise is to the muscles; they toughen and make you strong. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Maybe you don't feel all that brave and strong, but just the act of confronting a problem head-on is a step in the right direction.

How to become a leader?




People tend to use the two terms “manager” and “Leader” interchangeably, but in reality they are two very different attributes.  “Managers do the right things, leaders do the things right”, I read this statement once and it really summarizes the difference. Managers’ main aim is to maximize output of the organization and to achieve this they must: Plan, Organize, Staff, Direct and Control.  Leadership is the most important quality to be able to direct.
How to become a leader?

It is partly a personal trait and partly acquired.  Some people are inspiring by nature, if you see someone and you find yourself following his steps and eager to become like him, then you found a leader. To be able to train yourself to become a leader you must:


  1. Make people trust you and make them know that you are someone they can depend on.
  2. Set an example, do everything you want others to do.  If you want your employees to come to office early, be the first one to arrive. If you want them to manage their time efficiently, set an example in time management and utilize your time to the best.
  3. Be approachable and accessible.  No one is too important to listen to his team and help them out when needed.  You must be available to be able to set the direction and lead.
  4. Praise on due time and criticize on due time.  And do not take credit for your team’s work.  Acknowledge their work with your customers and your managers.
  5. Know your team well and use the right way of communication with each member.  A leader always knows how to reach to every member of his team and use the right way to communicate with him and get things done.
  6. Focus on achieving your goals.  Do not force a way of working on your staff.  Focus on getting things done in whatever way they choose.  A leader cares for results not for the means used to reach those results.
  7. Make sure that every member of your team feels important.  A leader makes every team member feel that he is very important to get things done.  This way they become more motivated to exert more effort and excel.
  8. Take initiative to get things done. A leader inspires his team. By seeing him take initiative, they will start taking responsibility and getting things done.
  9. A leader has vision.  You have to know your vision and share it with your team to be able to achieve results. 

How to Develop Your Own Signature Style



We have developed our own signature style which expresses our personality and creativity and we are know by that style.



Your style needs to be a mixture of the current fashion and what looks good on you, keeping in mind your skin tone and body shape. It is a good idea to update yourself from time to time so that you develop and nurture your own signature style.

If you don’t know if your style is a signature style or not, or you don’t have one yet, then don’t worry. Here are few tips that might help you in realizing your own signature style.


1. Critically Evaluate Your Current Style

Give your wardrobe a critical evaluation and notice the color, fabric, and themes that dominate your dresses. Talk to your friends and family to get a feel what they think is your style.


2. Determine Your Style

After examining your wardrobe, you’ll be ready to recognize the style that you like the most and feel comfortable. Always consider your comfort and confidence while determining a style.


3. Mix and Match

See what all is there in your wardrobe that matches the style you have chosen. Then mix and match these to create new combinations. It is always fun to mix and match and come up with new combinations that suits your style. Check if you need to add or remove certain elements from your wardrobe. Also, keep in mind your style when going shopping for new clothes, so that you buy those which accentuate your fashion statement.


4. Experiment

You can enhance your style by experimenting on your hair style, makeup, and accessories. But keep in mind not to go overboard; otherwise it will be a disaster. Just go with simple and sophisticated.

Now that you have created your signature style, you are all charged up to show your new self to the world. But before that, be careful of the following pitfalls:


a. Don’t Overdo ItDon’t keep stocking up the same things in different colors in the name of style. You’ll end up creating a uniform for yourself. Try and make your outfits unique by matching appropriate cuts, colors and accessories.



b. Don’t Blindly Follow TrendsDon’t rely on trends to create your style. Trends tend to come and go. Create your own fashion keeping in mind what goes well for you. Choose styles in which you are most comfortable and which complement you.



c. Don’t Imitate. Don’t copy others for the sole reason that you like their style. What looks good on others may not look good on you. You need to keep in mind that everybody differs in terms of body type and personality and every person’s style would be unique depending on these factors.


So start now and create your signature style and express yourself through your creativity. Remember that your attire and style tells a lot about you and contributes to your fashion identity.

How to Get a Job





Steps

  1. Network. The best companies to work for tend to rely heavily (up to 40%) on employee referrals.[1]Make a list of all of your friends, relatives, and acquaintances. Call each one and ask them if they know of any openings that they could recommend you for. Don't be too humble or apologetic; tell them what you've been looking for, but let them know that you're flexible and that if they have any suggestions, you're open to them. This is not the time to be picky about jobs; a connection can often get your foot in the door, and you can negotiate pay or switch positions later, once you've gained experience and established your reputation.


    • Touch base with all of your references. The purpose of this is twofold. You can ask them for leads, and you'll also be refreshing their memory of you in their mind. (Hopefully their memory of you is a good one, or else you shouldn't be putting them down as a reference.) If a potential employer calls them, they won't hesitate as much when remembering who you are.

  2. Volunteer. If you aren't already, start volunteering for an organization that focuses on something that you're passionate about. You may end up doing boring or easy work in the beginning, but as you stick around and demonstrate your commitment, you'll be given more responsibilities. Not only will you be helping others, but you'll also be gaining references. You should emphasize your volunteer experience on your resume, as companies that treat their employees well tend to favor candidates who help the community somehow.[1]
  3. Develop your personal elevator pitch. Many structured interviews, particularly those at large companies, start with a question like "tell me about yourself." The interviewer doesn't really want you to go back to grade school and talk about your childhood. This is a specific question with a specific answer...in two minutes or so, the interviewer wants to get you to relax and loosen out your vocal cords, understand your background, your accomplishments, why you want to work at XYZ company and what your future goals are.
  4. Prepare for a behavioral interview. You might be asked to describe problems you've encountered in the past and how you handled them, or you'll be given a hypothetical situation and asked what you would do. They'll basically want to know how you'll perform when faced with obstacles in the position you're interviewing for. Be able to give honest, detailed examples from your past, even if the question is hypothetical (e.g. "I would contact the customer directly, based on my past experience in a different situation in which the customer was very pleased to receive a phone call from the supervisor"). You might find yourself listing facts--if so, remember that in this kind of interview, you need to tell a story. Some questions you might be asked are:


    • "Describe a time you had to work with someone you didn't like."
    • "Tell me about a time when you had to stick by a decision you had made, even though it made you very unpopular."
    • "Give us an example of something particularly innovative that you have done that made a difference in the workplace."
    • "How would you handle an employee who's consistently late?"

  5. Research the company. Don't just do an Internet search, memorize their mission, and be done with it. If it's a retail company, visit a few of their stores, observe the customers, and even strike up a few conversations. Talk to existing employees--ask them what it's like working there, how long the position has been open, and what you can do to increase your chances of getting it. Become familiar with the history of the company. Who started it? Where? Who runs it now? Be creative, and do whatever you think the other candidates don't have the guts to do.
  6. Settle down. If you've moved around a lot, be prepared to offer a good reason for it. Otherwise, you'll need to make a good case for why you want to stick around in the area where the job is located. A company doesn't want to hire someone with wanderlust who still wants to relocate. Be prepared to outline why you are where you are today, how long you intend to stay there, and why. Give specific reasons like "This county has the best school systems in the entire state, and I have a daughter who might find the cure for cancer" or "I was drawn to this area because it's at the cutting edge of innovation for this business and I want to be a part of that." The more details, names, and specifics, the better.
  7. Make a list of work-related skills you'd like to learn. Your employer will be interested in hearing about how you intend to become a better employee. Think about which skills will make you more competent in the position you're applying for. Public speaking, project management, team leading, and computer programs are usually beneficial. Find some books and upcoming conferences that would significantly improve your abilities. In an interview, tell the employer what you're reading and learning, and that you'd like to continue doing so.
  8. Cold call. Locate a specific person who can help you (usually the human resources or hiring manager at a company or organization you're interested in). Call that person and ask if they are hiring, but do not become discouraged if they are not. Ask what kind of qualifications they look for or if they have apprentice or government sponsored work programs. Ask if you can send your resume indicating what field you want to go into. Indicate whether you would accept a lesser job and work up.


    • Reflect after each phone call on what went well and what did not. You may need to write out some standard answers on your list of skills so you can speak fluently. You may need to get some additional training to break into your chosen field. None of this means you cannot get a good job, only that you need to become further prepared to do so.

  9. Change your attitude. There's a difference between making phone calls and going to interviews thinking "I'm looking for a job" versus "I'm here to do the work you need to have done".[2] When you're looking to get a job, you're expecting someone to give something to you, so you focus on impressing them. Yes, it's important to make a good impression, but it's even more important to demonstrate your desire and ability to help. Everything that you write and say should be preceded silently by the statement "This is how I can help your business succeed."
  10. Fit the job to the skills rather than the other way around. Many people search for jobs, then try to see how they can "tweak" the way they present their own skills and experiences to fit the job description. Instead, try something different. Make a list of all of your skills, determine which kinds of businesses and industries need them most (ask around for advice if you need to) and find businesses that'll benefit from having you and your skills around. It's important the nature of the job fits your personality and salary requirements, otherwise you'll have spent a significant amount of time to find a day job you dread getting up for every morning.[2]

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

101 Ways to say I LOVE YOU



Those three little words, "I Love You", hold a lot of meaning, but there's more ways to say them than you think. Here are 101 different ways for you to verbally express your love to your sweetheart.

* I adore you.
* I am infatuated with you.
* I appreciate you.
* I can't live without you.
* I can't stop thinking about you when we're apart.
* I cherish you.
* I dream of you.
* I live for our love.
* I love being around you.
* I need you by my side.
* I need you.
* I respect you.
* I value you.
* I want a lifetime with you.
* I want you.
* I worship you.
* I yearn for you.
* I'm a better person because of you.
* I'm blessed to have you in my life.
* I'm devoted to you.
* I'm fond of you.
* I'm lost without you.
* I'm nothing without you.
* I'm passionate about you.
* I'm thankful for you.
* I'm yours.
* Me and you. Always.
* My love is unconditional.
* Our love is invaluable.
* Take me, I'm yours.
* The thought of you brings a smile to my face.
* Ti tengu cara (to female) or Ti tengu caru (to male).
* Together, forever.
* We were meant to be together.
* You are a blessing in disguise.
* You are an angel from God.
* You are like a candle burning bright.
* You are my crush.
* You are my dear.
* You are my everything.
* You are my heart's desire.
* You are my life.
* You are my one and only.
* You are my one true love.
* You are my reason for living.
* You are my strength.
* You are my sunshine.
* You are my treasure.
* You are my world.
* You are precious.
* You are the light of my life.
* You are the reason I'm alive.
* You bring happiness to rainy days.
* You bring joy to my life.
* You cast a spell on me that can't be broken.
* You complete me.
* You drive me wild.
* You fill me with desire.
* You fill my heart.
* You give me wings to fly.
* You had me from hello.
* You hold the key to my heart.
* You inspire me.
* You intoxicate me.
* You lift me up to touch the sky.
* You light my flame.
* You light up my life.
* You make me hot.
* You make my heart skip a beat.
* You make my world a better place.
* You mean the world to me.
* You motivate me.
* You rock my world.
* You seduce me.
* You set my heart on fire.
* You simply amaze me.
* You stole my heart.
* You sweeten my sour days.
* You turn my world upside down.
* You turn the darkness into light.
* You're a dream come true.
* You're a gem.
* You're a twinkle in my eye.
* You're absolutely wonderful.
* You're all I want.
* You're as beautiful as a sunset.
* You're beautiful.
* You're charming.
* You're enchanting.
* You're heavenly.
* You're my angel.
* You're my perfect match.
* You're one in a million.
* You're priceless.
* You're sexy.
* You're the apple of my eye.
* You're the best thing that ever happened to me.
* You're the best.
* You're the diamond in the rough.
* You're the one for me.
* You're the one I've always wished for.