25 Ways to a happier life

1. Love yourself. Almost no one is satisfied with the way he or she looks. Most of us are not the size or shape of the models we see on TV or in magazines. Remember that you are you and you are unique.

2. Be yourself. You cannot be “cool” all the time. And who determines what is cool? The advertising companies? MTV? The happiness found from following the crowd is not lasting. Don’t sacrifice yourself to be with someone who doesn’t respect you, or care about you.

3. Believe in yourself - if you don’t, how can you expect others to?

4. If you set yourself goals, always set goals that you can reach. Then you can always set another goal later. If you have done enough, then award yourself for it. Smile at your face in the mirror and say: I did great today”. Say it three times and mean it.

5. Learn the power of color. Blue is calming, red gives you energy, orange makes you more optimistic, turquoise makes you less shy and more confident in yourself.

6. Believe dreams can come true; it’s the first step on the road to making them happen.

7. Learn to say “no”. If you really don’t want to do something, say so. If this is difficult for you, say: “This isn’t easy, but I have to say no.”

8. Eat breakfast. People who make time for it are slimmer and healthier.

9. Exercise! It’s really worth the time and effort it takes. Exercise is fun. It strengthens your muscles. It is a good way of meeting people and making friends. It helps to get rid of pent-up emptions and anger and it can lift your mood.

10. If you are not use to exercise, here are some tips for you – when you have to walk somewhere, walk faster; walk up stairs instead of taking a lift; walk short distances rather than catching a bus or train.

11. Beware of watching too much television and look out for the ‘couch potato’ syndrome. Once on, the TV can be difficult to turn off.

12. Get eight hours sleep a night – you’ll feel and look better.

13. Feeling low? Try talking to someone you trust and respect – perhaps a friend or a parent. Play happy music or read a poem out loud. Try doing a crossword. Or simply take a nap. Just 10 minutes of sleep can improve your mood. Read something really gripping.

14. Write down five things that you really enjoy doing. When did you last do them? Make plans to do them soon.

15. Expect to fail sometimes. It happens to everyone, no matter how successful. The important thing is to learn some useful lesson from your disappointments.

16. Learn the power of positive thinking – sounding optimistic makes you feel that way. Don’t say: “It’s not as bad as it looks”. Do say: “It’s better than it seems.”

17. Worried about something? What advice would you give your very best friend? Take that advice yourself.

18. Don’t buy anything that doesn’t look better than your favorite thing in your wardrobe.

19. Be social. People with friends live longer than loners.

20. The secret of small talk? When someone speaks to you, look them in the eye, give them a full answer, then ask them a question in turn. Easy!

21. Join something – a sports club or a drama society. People who feel involved are more optimistic and more successful.

22. Our furry friends make us much happier. They love us and accept us for what we are.

23. Crying is an important way of getting rid of stress-generated chemicals that would otherwise build up in your body.

24. Feeling shy? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being shy. But it wouldn’t hurt to make an effort to be more social. Practice telling a couple of good jokes. Then you are never at a loss for something funny to say.

25. Remember some words of wisdom:

- Life is what you make of it

-If you want to be happy for life, love what you do

- There is no time like the present

- Humor adds years to your life and life to your years

(taken from Readers’ Digest magazine)

Points for discussion:

1. Give your personal definition of happiness. What is happiness for you?

2. What piece of advice can you give to be happier in life?

3. Do you know a person who is happy?

4. What are the things, which make you happy?

Class 8

Text 1: Vegetarianism

History

The promotion of a vegetarian diet or a diet devoid of meat and flesh can be traced back to the 1^st millennium BC in India. Also the eastern Mediterranean, the concept of vegetarianism was being preached as a part of the teachings of the philosopher Pythagoars of Samos. Thereafter, the concept of vegetarianism has been an integral part of many belief systems, religions and cultures. Some of the prominent religions and cultures that believe in vegetarianism include Brahmanism, Buddhism, Jainism and Zoroastrianism. The first vegetarian society was founded in England in the year 1847, which was later embraced by the countries and by 1853 the Society already had 889 members. Soon, the concept of vegetarianism was spread on the global scenario, which in turn led to the formation of the International Vegetarian Union in 1908. However, it is only in the 20^th century that the popularity of vegetarianism increased in the western world, due to nutritional, ethical and also environmental and economic concerns.

Variations of vegetarianism

Many a times people get confused about the accurate definitions and implications of a vegetarian diet, mainly because there exist several variations of vegetarianism, which have minute differences about inclusion of dairy and poultry products. Often we hear customized terms like vegans or even eggitarians, these are the variant diet patterns that stem from the basics of vegetarianism, Here are all the variations of vegetarianism:

Lacto-ovo vegetarianism : Vegetarians who do not include any meat, fish or poultry but allow the inclusion of other animal-obtained products like eggs, dairy and honey in their diet are termed as ‘lacto-ovo vegetarians’. They believe in consumption of animal products that are given by animals.

Lacto vegetarianism: Vegetarians who do not include any meat, fish or poultry, but allow the inclusion of dairy and honey in their diet are termed as ‘lacto-vegetarians’. Lacto-vegetarians do not include eggs in their diets due to their belief that consumption of eggs is synonymous with the murder of an unborn young one.

Ovo Vegetarians: vegetarians who do not include any meat, fish, poultry but allow the inclusion of eggs and honey in their diet are termed as Ovo-vegetarians. They do not consume the dairy and dairy products derived from animal milk.

Veganism: Known as strict vegetarianism or pure vegetarianism –Veganism is perhaps a concept that is far more stringent than all the other variations about the use of animals and animals related products for consumption. It does not allow any type of meat or poultry, nor does it allow the consumption of eggs, dairy and other animal-derived products like honey. Not just food, vegans also abhor the use of animals for clothing or any other purpose of mankind.

Frutarianism: Frutarianism is a concept that includes not just compassion for animals but concern for plants as well. Frutarians are people who consume a diet that is limited to consumption of fruits, nuts, seeds and any other plant material that can be obtained without causing any harm to the plants as well.

Being a vegetarian: benefits of vegetarianism

There are several benefits of adopting a vegetarian diet, First and foremost, a vegetarian diet contains food that is rich in dietary fibers, Inclusion of dietary fibers in the regular diet can lower the risk of coronary heart diseases, cancer of intestinal tract, piles, obesity, diabetes, constipation, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, dental caries and even gallstones. Following a vegetarian diet also increases the chances of meeting dietary recommendations for percentage of fat, carbohydrate and protein and can aid in keeping body weight under control as well.

Food-borne infections like E. Coli or even salmonella that are prevalent in animals can be avoided in a vegetarian diet. Also a vegetarian diet translates into less exposure to pesticides and other residual toxins such as dioxins, which accumulate as you travel up the food chain. In addition to all this, many vegetarians also claim to obtain a sense of spiritual satisfaction and general well being from avoiding slaughtering of intelligent life on earth. Although several supporters of the non-vegetarian diet claim that a vegetarian diet lacks nutrition, The American diet association and the Dietitians of Canada have found that the vegetarian diet completely satisfies nutritional needs for all stages of life, and large-scale studies have proven vegetarianism to increase longevity, improve health and significantly lower risks of cancer and other fatal diseases.

Myths about vegetarianism

Myth: a vegetarian diet will result in weakness and nutritional deficiency.

Truth: It is established and certified by the American Diet Association that all nutrients, proteins and amino acids necessary to the human body can be found in a vegetarian diet that includes green leafy vegetables, grains, nuts and fortified juices or soymilk.

Myth: a vegetarian diet will create a deficiency in Omega-3 fatty acid that is found only in fish

Truth: plant-based sources of Omega-3 acid do exist. These include soy, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, canola oil and also hempseed and flaxseed.

Myth: A vegetarian diet can lead to weak bones

Truth: a vegetarian diet has a calcium diet that is similar to non-vegetarians. Impaired bone mineralization is found in vegans due to exclusion of milk and eggs, but can be easily combated with the use of calcium supplements.

Myth: a vegetarian diet cannot provide sufficient amounts of vitamin D.

Truth: a vegetarian diet has sufficient vitamin D sources – milk, soymilk and cereal grains which are rich in vitamin D.

Myth: a vegetarian diet does not have enough proteins.

Truth: the protein intake in a vegetarian diet might be lesser than in a omnivorous diet but the amount of proteins in a vegetarian diet are sufficient to satisfy all the daily requirements.

Famous vegetarians: Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, Alicia Silverstone Aristotle, Bryan Adams, Charles Darwin, George Bernard Shaw, Leo Tolstoy, Leonardo Da Vinci, Mark Twain, Socrates Richard Gere

(www.bevegetarian.com)

Text 2. Be a part-time vegetarian

If the thought of never again eating fried chicken or cheeseburgers or bacon (or fill in your favorite meaty dish here) brings a tear to your eye and an empty feeling to your stomach, you’ve come to the right place: what about forgoing beef, chicken, fish and pork f some days – that’s a more reasonable idea, right?

It’s certainly a popular one. Consider the Meatless Monday campaign launched in 2003 as a way to get Americans to trim saturated fat from their diet. Today there are more than 150 cafeterias now have meatless Mondays. Nearly 40% of those polled said that they wanted to go without met at least a few days a week and another 11% already have two weekly veggie-only days.

“Going veggie just 2 days a week can deliver evident health, environmental and financial benefits , but it’s not so big a change that you ‘ll feel overwhelmed,” says Kate Geagan, R.D. , author of Go Green Get Lean. The key is getting the nutrients you need on your two no-meat days while also satisfying your hunger and pleasing your taste-buds.

Reasons why go veggie

1. To stay slim. Eat less meat, gain less weight – that’ s the upshot of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study. In it, folks who ate the most red and processed meat and poultry gained the most weight (almost 5 pounds) over 5 years. The cause isn’t yet clear but if cutting back on meat does not hurt and it keeps us svelte, does the reason really matter?

2. To help the planet. Trading red neat and dairy for a plant-based diet only one day a week cuts more greenhouse gas emissions than buying all locally grown food. Make it two days and you’ll erase your carbon footprint that much more!

3. To fend off cancer. Carcinogens in cooked meat are likely to be the culprit of a 24 % higher risk of developing breast cancer in women

4. To protect your heart.

5. To save cash. Plant proteins are cheap: One of dried beans costs $ 1.24 on average, much less that a pound of lean ground beef ($ 3.50) or bacon ($ 4.70). What’s more, meat consumption costs the United States more than $190 billion a year in health-related expenses for issues like cancer and diabetes.

First-time slip-ups. Hey, we all make mistakes. But sidestepping these common nutritional pitfalls will make you a healthier happier part-timer.

Slip-up. Holding the meat, but putting nothing new in its place. You should try to replace that lost protein, a nutrient key for satiety and maintaining lean muscle mass. To learn how many grams you need a day, divide your weight by 2; if you’re short of protein on veggie days, add plant sources such as edamame (17 gr per cup) or quinoa (8 gr per cup)

Slip-up: Ordering the veggie entree because it’s the only nonmeat meal. Many restaurants offer now healthy vegetarian options, but some still rely on fatty standbys, like fettuchine Alfredo. Think outside the entree box: often, the best veggie dishes aren’t the main courses. Look what they have on the menu in this section – black bean salad or mushroom pilav – and you’ll get a yummy meatless meal.

Slip-up: translating vegetarian as low-fat. Just because a meal or snack is meatless that does not mean you have the green light to eat as much as you want. Cookies, chips, cheese lasagna and French fries may be vegetarian, but they can be also loaded with calories and saturated fat. Whether a veggie day or not, limit saturated fats to less than 10% of your daily calories.

Slip-up: Reaching for fake meat too often. Tofu turkey, veggie sausage, sham ham – tasty vegetarian forms of many meats are now available. But some of these foods are highly processed and filled with preservatives and sodium. If you find a brand of hot dogs you truly enjoy, great, but try to save the packaged products for when you’re in a time crunch or don’t have the energy to cook.

(magazine Self, March 2011)

Questions (text1)

1. Give a brief history of vegetarianism

2. What are the variations of vegetarianism?

3. What are the benefits of being a vegetarian?

4. Describe the popular myths about vegetarianism

Points for discussion:

1. Give your personal opinion on vegetarianism

2. Does it make life easier to be a vegetarian?

3. Can you be a part-time vegetarian?

Class 9. Public Speaking

Text 1: Speaking from your heart is a fundamental of dynamic public speaking

When you address the audience, are you more concerned with speaking from your head or from your heart? While knowledge of your material is fundamentally important, if it does not come from your heart, then you are missing a fundamental of dynamic.

Those who speak from their head often sound memorized and are unable to react to their audience because they are performing. Those who are able to speak to their audience however are communicating. It is important to recognize that public speaking is the art of oral communication with the audience- it is not a performance in that sense. Your heart needs to be involved because only when that happens will your emotions be perceived.

If you listen to the greats in public speaking, like Zig Ziglar or Anthony Robbins, you cannot help but notice that they sound like they are having a conversation. And, they are aware of how their audience reacts to them. Were they just spitting out a pile of memorized words, they would not be able to tailor their presentations specifically around the responses of their listeners.

When you are communicating with your audience, you will find that they are reacting to your words in some fashion. They may nod their heads in agreement, laugh, smile or possibly shake their heads negatively. Even the furrowing of their brow is a reaction because they may be in disbelief or questioning your words. Whatever their response, they are in communication with you. Your ability to recognize their reaction to you and respond to it is a basic fundamental of good public speaking, which is not possible if your delivery is rote or memorized.

Public speaking is not a performance, it is a conversation. And part of good conversation is the ability to react to your listeners and remark on their responses to you. This is only possible if your heart is involved in the process. Use your head, but speak from your heart.

(www.selfgrowth.com.)

Text 2: Speaking in front of an audience – simple tips to help you stay calm

Cold sweat. Butterflies. Nausea. Maybe even shivers. No, this is not some new disease but rather common symptoms of someone who has to go out in front of an audience to deliver a speech. It can be a frightening situation, but if you want to get anywhere in the business world, then it is a very important skill to you have to learn.

One of the most important things you have to learn is not so much how to deliver your speech but rather in how you deliver yourself. If you show up calm and confident, then you are far more likely to connect with your audience than you show up all nervous and sweaty. To say calm is something that does come with experience although it ‘s not something that will disappear completely. Nerves can be a good thing if it prompts you to be your best. If it dis-empowers you, then it’s a real problem and you have to deal with it. Here are three great tips to help you stay calm and in control.

1.Vizualization. This is quite an old technique and one that still works very well. Scientists now know that mental rehearsal plays an important role in physical results. During the 1980s research into sports and performance led to some amazing results. In one study it was proven that when an athlete “runs the race” in their minds, their muscles actually respond just like when they were to run the race in real life. By preparing your speech in your mind and “seeing” yourself being confident and fluent, you can get a sense of calm and produce an amazing speech.

2. Deep breathing. We all kind of know that taking deep breaths can calm us down, but it’s much more than a habit. It’s a fact. Deep diaphragmatic breathing will help to slow down your heart rate. When you get nervous your breathing gets shallow and your heart starts racing. This shallow breathing will lead to shortness of breath and sweating – which in turn are not just signs of nerves but also the cause of nerves. Before you speak, take 5 minutes to calm your mind, close your eyes and breathe. It will calm you right down and leave you ready to deliver a killer speech.

3. Focus points. Most people have no problem talking in front of two or three people. Usually when the group gets bigger than that it becomes a problem – especially if the people are strangers or are people whose opinions matter to you. So if the actual amount of people can cause you to get nervous, simply “reduce” the amount of people you talk to. Pick 3 to 5 people in the audience – preferably spread across the room. Then when you speak focus your eye contact on these people. Not only will it make you feel more at ease, but you will probably connect much better to your audience than when you have your head down.

(www.selfgrowth.com)

Questions

1) What does the author mean by “speaking from your heart”?

2) Why is the audience reaction so important?

3) Why is it important to adjust your speech to the audience reaction?

4) Describe the three tips, which can ensure better public speaking?

Over to you to discuss:

1 Have you ever made a speech in public? What were your feelings then?

2. Do you have your own techniques of making your speech better?

3. Should they teach public speaking at schools or at the university?

Render the following text into English:

Говорят, как пишут

Факультативы (additional courses) по ораторскому мастерству и навыкам презентации есть во многих ведущих школах МБА. Почему же до сих пор наши топ-менеджеры в большинстве своем косноязычны? (tongue-tied)?

Некоторые российские компании не придают особого значения тому, как говорят их сотрудники. Главное – результаты работы, а форма не имеет значения, - говорит Ксения Шматкова, корпоративный директор по управлению персоналом сети кофеен «Шоколадница». – Искусству презентации больше внимания уделяют в инновационных, прозападных компаниях, а остальные работают по старинке, (the same old way) решая проблемы в ходе обычных переговоров.

Стереотип.

Роман Иванов, старший партнер консалтинговой компании Formatta, вспоминает случай из недавней практики: молодой руководитель крупной энергетической компании заказал тренинг по искусству презентации после того, как потерял целый день, выслушивая презентации собственных тор-менеджеров – они настолько нечетко (vague) и путано (in a confused way) излагали, что руководитель ничего не понял из их выступлений.

А Владислав Гандапас, совладелец и ведущий тренер компании «Ораторика», недавно проводил тренинг по навыкам презентации для топ-менеджеров представительства одного крупного иностранного банка в Москве. В первые же минуты он отпустил на рабочие места треть всех присутствовавших иностранцев и только двух российских менеджеров: «С презентациями остальных наших менеджеров пришлось изрядно поработать.»

На Западе, рассказывает Гандапас , риторике (rhetoric) и искусству презентации обучают со школьной скамьи. Кроме того, в западной культуре существует традиция яркой проповеди (sermon). «У нас же доклад – это всегда нечто заумное (highbrow) , скучное и нудное. И стереотип трудно изжить», объясняет он.

В России, до революции, рассказывает Иванов, обучали риторике, например, офицеров царской армии – на экзамене они должны были за 22 минуты пересказать внятным языком 45 страниц учебника: после революции риторику в наших школах преподавать перестали. Результат налицо.

Письмо

Иванов некоторое время назад вел переписку с американскими компаниями Google и General Electric. Из первой получал письма в неформальном стиле, со смайликам и в конце фраз, из второй – формальные послания . Тем не менее все письма строились по одной строгой структуре : описание проблемы и задачи, которые надо решить, предложения и аргументация, конкретный список решений и альтернатив. «На Западе стиль зависит от корпоративной культуры, но структура бизнеса-послания всегда одна и та же», говорит Иванов. В нашем бизнесе, добавляет он, мало кто структурирует бизнес-послания – пишут как Бог на душу положит (at random): иногда, чтобы понять, что написано, я перестраиваю письмо по американской структуре. Тогда становится понятна мысль автора.».

Александра Карепина, автор книги «Искусство делового письма» и бизнес-тренер по деловым коммуникациям , не раз замечала на тренингах, что многие стараются написать деловое письмо как можно более официальным языком. В итоге получается казенно (formally) и нечитабельно (unreadable), говорит она и приводит пример из письма, которое получила от подчиненного (subordinate) ее подруга: «Не имея в виду, что моя презентация клиенту Х была неудачной, я считаю необходимым, несмотря на это, решить указанную проблему.»

Чтобы избежать ляпов (bloopers) в деловой переписке, следует разработать четкие стандарты внутренней и внешней корреспонденции, считает Шматкова из «Шоколадницы»: эти правила должны быть доступны на внутреннем сайте компании и поддержаны руководством, которое тоже их соблюдает.

Обязательный предмет

«Мне знакомо это ужасное чувство, когда ты говоришь, а аудитория тебя не понимает,» - вспоминает свои первые презентации Александр Богза, заместитель гендиректора компании «Евробетон» и выпускник ВШБ. Тогда коллега посоветовал ему пройти специальный тренинг и он пошел на курсы эффективной презентации. «Меня научили структурировать выступление и держать внимание аудитории. Это очень помогает в работе,» говорит он теперь.

Примерно 10 ведущих российских школ МБА ввели по выбору две дисциплины: искусство презентации и искусство деловых коммуникаций, говорит Юрий Тазов, директор по маркетингу и президент Российской лиги МБА. «На Западе искусство презентации входит в классический набор (set) дисциплин МБА, но там это тоже необязательный курс», уточняет он.

Навыкам презентации надо обучать в обязательном, а не в факультативном порядке (optionally) , полагает Иван Белохвостиков, директор региональной сети французского банка Satelem, который закончил курс по искусству презентации в ВШМБ. Навыки презентации помогают менеджеру добиться финансирования, продать продукт или устроиться на хорошую работу, говорит Карепина. «Если наши менеджеры научатся грамотно (correctly) говорить и писать, они сэкономят время, затрачиваемое компаниями на коммуникации и принесут больше пользы работодателю», уверен Иванов.

«Мой сын учится в школе. Недавно у них ввели курс риторики, и раз в месяц они делают презентации.», говорит Александр Богза. Возможно, новое поколение российских менеджеров будет красноречивее (eloquent), потому что этот навык формируется у них в детстве, заключает он.

(по материалам газеты Ведомости)

Class 10. Positive thinking

Text 1

In the physical world, it is well understood that there are natural laws that are simple and undeviating. If one plants the seed for a peach tree, a peach tree will grow. On the other hand, if the seed for the thistle bush is planted, there will be no peaches, only thistles. You may say that this is simple and obvious. But few understand that in the mental world, the law still holds true is just as unyielding.

Your thoughts are like seeds in that thoughts become things, the same way seeds become plants. Good thoughts produce good things and negative thoughts produce negative things. Good thoughts will never produce negative results, and negative thoughts will never produce good results.

Although far too many medical scientists are quick to discount the role the mind plays in healing, favoring drugs instead, there is a wealth of scientific evidence that proves the astounding power of the mind to heal. In the area of psychiatry and psychology, there has been an explosion in mind-body research over the last decade. Dr. Martin Seligman, a professor at the university of Pennsylvania and author of Learned Optimism, has done research showing that pessimistic people have weaker immune systems, are more prone to colds and flue and have more major health problems after age fifty. Their bodies are less likely to fight off killer diseases such as cancer.

A colleague of Dr. Seligman’s, Dr. Gregory Buchanon, also a researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, conducted tests on a group of subjects to determine if they were essentially pessimists or optimists . According to Dr. Buchanon, more of those who were identified as pessimists died within ten years. Those who ranked within the top 25 % as the most negative had the highest death rate: 26 of 31 subjects died. By contrast, only 10 out of the 31 who ranked as the most optimistic died.

The placebo effect.

Some of the most impressive and convincing evidence of the power of the mind to heal the body comes from what is refereed to as the “placebo effect”. In studies to determine the effectiveness of a drug, people affected by a certain disease were divided into two groups. One group receives the drugs to be tested, the other group receives a dummy pill or placebo, usually a coated sugar pill. Neither group knows which it is receiving, the real drug or the placebo. If the group receiving the real drug shows a marked improvement over the placebo group, the drug is deemed effective. But what has happened over and over again is that , for some people, the placebo turned out to be as effective as a drug. Not everyone responds that way, but generally 30 to 60% report relief of pain, even stabbing pain, from the placebo. The reason placebo works is that the people taking them are convinced that they will help. They think the treatment will make them well, so it does!

This awesome power resides in you right now. Nothing prevents you from using it on your own behalf other than your own thoughts. Whatever you want to call it, be it a positive mental attitude or the power of prayer, that power will respond to your thoughts, words and beliefs.

After what you have just read, you could easily be thinking that the mind might be the most powerful tool of all in your quest to achieve vibrant health. And who’s to say you would not be right? The task for many of us, however, is to figure out how to retrain ourselves to think in such a way as to take full advantage of the potential that resides in our minds . There is no question you can accomplish this. You are in charge of how you think and at any moment you have the choice to change your thoughts in any direction you wish. The mind is enormously receptive to your directives. It does not matter how long you’ve been thinking negatively. You can instantly turn it around by positive thoughts that will overdrive negative ones right away.

(H. Diamond, Fit for Life, the Ultimate Diet and Health plan)

Text 2: How to plan for a successful future

Having a positive mental attitude is a part of programming yourself to feel and believe you are optimistic in your approach to different situations that life might throw at you and that you are going to be successful in achieving your goals. Thinking positively builds self-confidence. The thing is it only works if you want it to work.

What you need to do first is you need to set out your life long goals. Think where you want to be from now say in one year time or five years time etc. Once you have decided, you than need to have an action plan with your target goals and the date that you will achieve these goals written on paper.

Every morning you need to go over your action plan. Every day you need to have at least one thing to accomplish that takes you nearer to your long-term goal. Remember if you don’t think of your goals every day with enthusiasm and do something that brings you closer to them, you won’t get to achieve them.

A great way of helping you to keep on track with your goals and also to improve your self-confidence is to practice positive visualization. In your mind, imagine yourself in the conference room or receiving that longed for promotion or sailing in your own yacht in breathtaking clear warm blue water. Think of yourself living in that magnificent mansion with wonderful views and a hot tub. Or maybe you see yourself as a celebrated actor, musician or artist. As long as it is not too outrageous you can achieve it. If you think about it even going to the Moon is possible, if you have enough money.

Just work at it and don’t let your emotional fear hold you up. If you do you will start to procrastinate and then you will put off starting the things you need to do. The thing is if you don’t start you will hesitate and find distractions – anything to avoid actually doing what you need to. This is the hardest part, but you need to get over it to be a success.

Recognize the fear. Any tasks that you need to do for the day towards your goals, set aside time some time to work on them. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted. Remember – procrastination kills.

I remember, when I was a student I used to suffer from extra procrastination. It’s easy to say: hey, I’ll do my work tomorrow so now I’ll get drunk. I work much better under pressure anyway, but the thing is it’s hardly ever true. Putting things off just makes life a little bit harder.

Get into the habit of working to a plan. See the plan as your path to success and don’t look at it as an enemy – in fact, it’s your best companion.

It will constantly make you think about where you want to go and why. Thinking about your future is a good way to keep your goals in sight and adapt them if it’s necessary.

Ensure your goals are not too hard to achieve or too easy to achieve. The long-term goals may be a real stretch, and you know you will have to work on development in a practical manner.

Once you have set your temporary goals you should re-examine them on a regular basis. Your next goals should always be a little bit more difficult than you think you can cope with. Make sure you have to aim a little bit higher than you think you can realistically get at any phase. Go over your progress and goals at suitable times.

(taken from www.selfgrowth.com)

Questions (text 1)

-Why does the author compare human thoughts with seeds?

- What have the recent studies of body-mind connection shown?

-What is placebo effect? What does it prove?

-What can be achieved with the help of positive thinking?

Questions (text 2)

-What is the author’s general recommendation concerning achieving success in life?

-Why is the plan such a helpful thing?

-Why should one review and revise his/her plan?

-In what way may procrastination be dangerous for fulfilling your dreams?

- How can visualization help a person to become successful?

Task 3: Comment on the following statements:

All that we are is the result of what we have thought (Buddha)

Your thoughts create your experience of your health, wealth and every detail of your world (Wayne Dyer)

If we are to be well and happy, not only the body, but the mind also must be peaceful and harmonious (Ernest Holmes)

Class 11.Prodigy children

Text 1: Indigo children: What are they?

There have been child prodigies throughout the ages. There’s the example of Mozart, composing music at the age of 6 or whenever it was. In high school one of my buddies fit that model, though not to the extreme that Mozart did. My friend was a science whiz, winning four years in a row the state-wide high school science competitions. He of course went to Princeton and to earn a PhD in Astrophysics.

Here’s another, an 8-year old boy who was allowed early admittance to college. He was home-schooled by his parents and completed all 12 years of main education within one year. He’s said to be planning to build flying cars through applying some superstring principles that he has yet to develop. Yup.

The article makes me think of Indigo children concept. The current period of human history is seeing rapid changes and challenges. In this period, the Indigo child proponents claim that many talented souls are being born on this planet at this time to help the people through these challenges.

We can clearly see that change, what with the new technologies , and the various social challenges what with the war, global warming, disease threats, environmental challenges, and more. Clearly, as Einstein said, the level of thinking required to solve a problem is greater than the level of thinking required to create the problem. That is, humanity has created a bunch of crisis points, these crisis points required a specific mode of thinking and behavior, e.g. with nuclear weapons it was to take human aggression and dominance to extreme ends of technological might. But to solve the problem, e.g. what to do with nuclear technology that was bent to creating the weapons means one must transcend the thinking that creates the problem.

Clearly, child prodigies have existed for a long time. This is not a new phenomenon. Yet the Indigo Children proponents say this is something new that ‘s happening brought about as I ‘ve said because of the period of growth and change.

In some cases the Indigo children are said to have great spiritual talents and are talking to one another though a wide-spread telepathic communication channel between these Indigo children.

It is to be emphasized that this period has more of these children than any other period had. Are these just children being special? It’s easily understood that children’s consciousness is more open to new ideas than adult consciousness, because as we go to adulthood our ego solidifies into a shell than interferes with our natural curiosity. Definitely, these children require special attitude and special guidance.

(www.experiencefestival.com/a/Indigochildren)

Text 2 How Ruth made history at Oxford

Child prodigy Ruth Lawrence made history yesterday when she came a clear first out of the 530 candidates who sat the entrance exam for St. Hugh’s College, Oxford. The all-women’s college is likely to offer her a scholarship. Ruth sat three three-hour papers – algebra and geometry, calculus, probability and statistics , and maths, pure and applied. ‘I was happy with the first two’, she said yesterday, ‘but I wasn’t sure about the third.’

Ruth, who lives in Huddersfield, has never been to school. Her father, Harry Lawrence, a computer consultant, gave up his job, when Ruth was five to educate her at home. Her mother, Sylvia, who also works in computers, is the family breadwinner.

Harry Lawrence explained, that besides mathematics, Ruth has also enjoyed English, history, geography, nature study and other subjects. She began to read at four and started academic subjects at five. “We did not start off with the thought that she would not go to school’, he said. ‘but we enjoyed teaching her so much, and we seemed to be making quite a good job of it, so we just carried on.’

Because she does not go to school, Ruth has not mixed up much with other children. ‘She enjoys serious conversation with adults, ‘her father said. ‘And I don’t think she will feel out of place in Oxford’. He does not think she works harder than the other children her age, but concentrates on what she enjoys, principally mathematics. ‘She watches television a little bit but not as a habit’, he explained. ‘But she plays the piano and has quite a wide range of interests.’

If she does well at St. Hugh’s, Ruth expects to take a further degree and eventually hopes to become a research professor in mathematics – an ambition she may achieve while still in her teens. The Lawrence family plans to move to Oxford when Ruth takes up her place there. Before then, she plans to take four A levels to satisfy the college matriculation requirements.

Miss Rachel Trickett, the principal of St. Hugh’’s said last night: ‘We are all very excited about Ruth’. She is obviously quite brilliant and has shown genuine originality’. Ruth’s future tutor, Dr. Glenys Luke, admits that taking so young a student is a daunting responsibility but says it is one she expects to enjoy. ‘I will tailor the teaching to her requirements‘, she said. ‘Ruth shouldn’t have to suffer the same tensions and disappointments the older students face. I hope, I shall make it fun for her.’

Last night the Lawrence family were thrilled at Ruth’s achievement. ‘We all jumped up and down a bit when we heard’, said Harry Lawrence. When Ruth becomes a student, Harry looks forward to concentrate his efforts on her younger sister Rebecca, seven. ‘She’s doing very well, ‘he said. ‘But it’s too early to tell whether she is a mathematician.’

(by Isabel Hilton)

Questions and points for discussion:

-What is a prodigy child? An indigo child?

-Why does the author of Text 1 believe that nowadays there are more prodigy children than ever?

-Why didn’t Ruth Lawrence go to school?

-When did it become clear that Ruth was an extraordinary child?

-What are her interests?

- Describe her plans for near future?

-Do you think her abilities were developed by her parents or were innate?

Class 12. Career Success. Things to do to be successful in your career

Text 1: What to do in college to be successful in your career

For those of you about to start another year at school, here ‘s a list of things to keep in mind: things to do in college to set yourself up for a great job when you graduate.