Posts tagged success

1. Be generous with your smiles

2. Listen attentively when people talk to you.

3.  Be warm and friendly. If you don’t know the people in the group, be the first one to introduce yourself.

4.  Pay others compliments (make sure they are genuine – and not fake).

5.  Be considerate and polite to both friends and strangers.

6.  If you’re going to a party or social event, offer to be the designated driver.

7.  Turn up on time (or arrive a few minutes early).

8.  Overlook minor mistakes.

9. Never shame or embarrass others.

10.  Give people the benefit of the doubt. If uncertain, think the best, not the worst of others.

1. Pay attention to your posture. Stand straight, and don’t slouch.

2.  Smile.

3. Look people in the eyes. Averting your gaze or looking down at your feet sends the message that you’re feeling insecure.

4. Take your time - so you look more relaxed and ease with yourself, and with your ideas and decisions.

5.  Speak slowly, carefully and with self-belief. Don’t mumble or continually apologize for yourself.

6.  Accept compliments from others (don’t deflect them, or quickly brush them off).

7.  Dressing with confidence often helps us feel more confident about ourselves. Don’t be afraid to try new things, and to look as if you have a (positive) statement to make.

8. Be aware of your positive qualities and strengths. Keep reminding yourself that it is great to be you!

Below are some tips to help you develop the attitudes and habits which lead to success:

1. Take responsibility for yourself, and your failure or success.

2. Understand that you’ll need to priorities the way you use your time and your energy. Make your own decisions, and don’t let your friends dictate what’s important, and how much you should work.

3. Figure out when your most productive work times are, and the types of environments where you work best.

4. Try to understand the material well – don’t just memorize what the textbook says. If possible, try to explain it to a friend.

5. Try something else if revision doesn’t help. Don’t just keep reading the same things again.

6. Then, if you still don’t understand then ask for some help. It’s not going to magically fall into place.

7. Study with a friend, and share ideas, and test each other on what you’re meant to know.

8. Keep working and revising throughout the term so the material stays fresh and is easy to retrieve.

Procrastination is a problem for most people – and for some individuals it becomes a way of life. We tend to put things off until we’re backed into a corner, and we’re staring at a deadline, and feeling super stressed. So what are the reasons for procrastinating?

1. Poor work habits. There are some who procrastinate on everything. They are always way behind and never schedule anything. They say they work well under pressure – but they are bad organizers who wait to the last minute before starting on a task. For them it’s only important when it’s due RIGHT NOW.
2. Feeling overwhelmed. When we don’t know where to start, and we don’t know what to do, it’s tempting to do nothing – as that’s so much easier! Also, sometimes work piles up, and we feel it’s all too much. So procrastinating here is a quick form of relief.
3. Aiming for perfection. There are some individuals who are sticklers for details. They can’t miss a thing and all their work has to be perfect. They’re under so much pressure to achieve an ideal standard that it takes them forever to complete a simple task.
4. Wanting to do something else instead. We all have projects that we just don’t want to do. It may be writing a report, or filing in a “stupid” form. We’re avoiding what’s unpleasant as it’s really not much fun. But delaying getting started won’t make it disappear.

Some advice for those who tend to be procrastinators …

• Acknowledge what you are doing; don’t pretend it’s not a problem
• Tell yourself that you don’t have to do it all at once. Make a start on something – that will help to change your feelings.
• Make your focus “getting started”, instead of finishing.
• Break those large assignments down and make a start on something small.
• Don’t beat yourself up. It’s a very common problem. You’re not the only one, and you can change your behaviour!

1. Independence

2. Self-confidence

3. Persistence

4. Creative thinking

5. Being thick skinned

6. Knowing who you are and what you want from life

7. Setting clear goals – and going after them

8. Staying focused

9. Optimism

10. Passion and a zest for life.

1.  I accept that I’m not perfect, and there’s no perfect time – Too many people are hanging around and waiting for the perfect opportunity – or the time when they are perfect and have all the skills they need. But life rewards effort; so get out there and work hard … and eventually you’ll find that you succeed and reach your goals.

2.  I can’t please everyone no matter how hard I try – No matter what you do or how hard you try there will always be someone who’s disgruntled or upset.  So, don’t look for affirmation; just do what you think’s right.

3. I will participate in something I believe in – It doesn’t really matter what activity you choose, as long as it is something that ignites your passion … as this will bring fulfilment and true meaning to your life.

4.  I will learn to prioritise and do what matters first – We all get distracted by what seems to be most urgent … or something that is fun and makes life less of a burden. But if you’re going to succeed you need to set priorities. Don’t allow what’s less important to distract you from your course.  

5.  I will be select when it comes to choosing friends – We’re influenced and shaped by the people we spend time with. Their impact is profound – even though this is subconscious. So be wise in who you choose to be your confidantes and friends. Surround yourself with people who inspire and motivate you.

6. I will be there for others, and will help them if I can – In life, we reap what we sow – and that’s a crucial principle. That means the more that you help others, the more they will help you.

7.  I will choose to focus on the positives – Our thoughts affect our feelings and the ways that we behave. If you don’t expect success then it’s likely you will fail – in your work, relationships and life in general. So listen to your self talk … and straighten out your thinking … and start to focus on the positives!  

8.  I will true to myself – You can’t be happy living someone else’s life. You need to discover and develop your own authentic self.That’s when you’re truly beautiful, and life feels meaningful.

9.  I will live in the present and enjoy the “now” – The past is gone and the future isn’t promised.  Life is happening in this moment, so cease the day and enjoy “now”.

10.  I will look for the good and be thankful for each day – Life is full of gifts, if we will only stop and notice. If we choose to be thankful, and treasure all life’s gifts, then we’ll find our lives are filled with joy and happiness – and the hurts and disappointments won’t weigh us down as much.

1. Remember that people can’t see how you feel. Act as if you’re feeling calm and no-one will know how nervous you are inside.

2. Before speaking, visualise yourself giving a great talk and capturing the audience’s full attention. Often we create what we imagine in life.

3. Use positive self-talk. You need to be there for yourself at this time, and to affirm that “you can do it”, and that you’re going to do well. Don’t undermine your confidence or be self-critical.

4. Recognize that a degree of anxiety in normal, and is experienced by all the best speakers, actors and performers. In fact, that extra dose of adrenalin can actually enable you to do your very best.

5. “To fail to prepare is to prepare to fail.” Make sure “you know your stuff” and have prepared well in advance. Rehearse and practice well as that will give you confidence.

A: Approach/attitude/arrange

Approach your studies with a positive attitude

Arrange your schedule to eliminate distractions

S: Select/survey/scan

Select a reasonable chunk of material to study

Survey the headings, graphics, pre- and post questions to get an overview

Scan the text for keywords and vocabulary: mark what you don’t understand

P: Piece together the parts:

Put aside your books and notes

Piece together what you’ve studied,either alone, with a study pal or group:
summarize what you understand.

I: Investigate/inquire/inspect:

Investigate alternative sources of information you can refer to:
other text books, websites, experts, tutors, etc.

Inquire from support professionals (academic support, librarians, tutors, teachers, experts,) and other resources for assistance

Inspect what you did not understand.

R: Reexamine/reflect/relay
Reexamine the content | Reflect on the material | Relay understanding

Reexamine: What questions are there yet to ask? Is there something I am missing?

Reflect: How can I apply this to my project? Is there a new application for it?

Relay: Can I explain this to my fellow students? Will they understand it better if I do?

E: Evaluate/examine/explore:

Evaluate your grades on tests and tasks: look for a pattern

Examine your progress: toward achieving your goals

Explore options: with a teacher, support professional, tutor, parent if you are not satisfied.

Source: http://www.studygs.net/aspire.htm