Outgoing is the Way to Get Going - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Outgoing is the Way to Get Going - Introvert Whisperer Outgoing is the Way to Get Going Career Attraction August 18, 2014 Communication, Dealing with Fear No responses Go to top Networking can take place in different shapes and forms, but in this post, I’ll be discussing how to tackle the most dynamic, challenging and ancient of all: face-to-face networking. (Adolescent love may get covered as well, just as an FYI.) Let’s Begin With an Exercise to Limber Up Use your imagination to travel back to a networking event you’ve attended in the past. (Note that by “networking event,” I include any situation in which you had the chance to talk to somebody you thought could help you in your career, project, etc.) Picture this situation: soda drinks, people nervously walking up and down in their best suits, making an effort to remember every name…a typical networking event. And you stare at herâ€"the person who you trust could get your resume into that cool firm. Next  to her, a cheerful guy shares a smile with her and draws all the attention in the room. You begin to sweat, thinking you will never make an impression, and so on. Now, let’s come back to present. Was it really the first time you were in a situation like this one? Nope, although last time it happened you didn’t care as much. The last time it happened, you were staring at that cutie you wanted to kiss in high school while she was spellbound talking to the hot guy in class. You didn’t care that much only because it wasn’t that big a deal. (“She is going out with him instead of me. So what? When I‘ve outsmarted everyone and nailed a nice job, I’ll be able to go out with even prettier girls…”) But what if the guy who got the girl got the job as well? Even more important, what if getting the girl means that he is more likely to get the job? Before moving on, let’s note two things here: first, I assume the same happens to girls in high school, so adapt as needed; and second, if you don’t recall that feeling at all, you either don’t need this advice or need it the most. This said, what is my advice for networking? Care less. What that guy had and you lacked was charm, a natural way of being. Not everyone is a great performer with a full list of impressive skills and experiences, but I assure you that being charming works just fine to get the favor of the people who will open doors that only top achievers find easy to open. You may not have been graced with the attribute of charm, but growing it is possible by developing a worry-free way of being. It’s the old “success leads to success” story. More Zack Morris, Less Sheldon Cooper Confidence comes because you’re good at something, and confidence shows when you’re relaxed. I want you to look relaxed, so that everyone assumes you’re good at whatever it is. Before you complain about using shortcuts in life (some people do), in my defense I’d say that I’ve achieved astonishing marks, two degrees, speak different languages…the whole kit. But what I’ve leveraged the most in my networking endeavors has been my travel stories and easiness in talking to people. It just works better. What do you need to become the attention magnet? As I said earlier, care less. This requires a specific mindset and practiceâ€"no more. Here’s how to achieve it: 1. Develop a Defeat-Proof Mindset In this highly dynamic society, there are plenty of opportunities to network that don’t put any stress on you. If things go wrong, try again tomorrow. But look nervous, and you will lose appeal. Why don’t we start a conversation with a stranger? Most of the time, it’s because we’re afraid of what the person would think about us. The same explains many things we end up not doing. If I had had half the number of conversations that only took place in my head, I’d be the new Carnegie. I have no idea how to get rid of that concern, so I don’t bother anymore. Instead, I just take leaps of faith. The truth is that most of the messages we communicate lie in the way we communicate them. You will feel more natural and confident if you don’t follow a script, and that matters more than the words you use. (Check out Roger Love for more proof on this.) In short, approach conversations like you would a cold showerâ€"just walk up to the person and think of something once you’re standing in front of them. By doing this, you take a lot of pressure off. There is no thinking beforehand, no plan, just an objective. If you fail to achieve it (which will happen many times), you won’t care as the resources spent were minimal. You won’t feel frustrated because you won just by standing there. 2. Practice Till You Forget There Was a Mindset Like anything in life, you won’t learn this mindset by heart unless you put intense hours into it. However, unlike many things in life, practicing to become natural and charming comes cheap and with surprising perks associated. Talk to random people. I can explain to you how the process works, how after talking to many people you gain confidence and how as your self-esteem grows, you care less about the whole process. But you have to see it with your own eyes. You need to feel uncomfortable, hold stupid conversations with a smile and enjoy awkward silences. It’s the only way to learn. Travel places and try living away from home. You want to broaden the sorts of people you meetâ€"the more varied, the better. I worked in the U.K., Ireland, the U.S. and Spain before I turned 22. The jobs? No big deal: McDonald’s, amusement parks, hotelsThere are many agencies that find you summer jobs (for a fee) in different locations. For instance, I travelled to the U.S. with Travelingua and met people from everywhere in the world; there are plenty of other sites you can check out. If you have a lower budget, sign up for Couchsurfing (almost free) and join events organized by its members, who are active in every major city, and youll get to meet many people for the cost of a beer. 3. Conversational Tips I have never followed a list of tips to use in a conversation, but with time I have noticed a few things. I encourage you to use your own experience and use these only as a reference. Smile. Saying “Hey! How you doing, loser?” sounds a lot better with a smile on your face. (Although even with a smile, that opening may be a bit too risky for a first contact.) I know you’ve worked many hours on your resume and studied many more to fill it up, but don’t just spell it all out to the first person you get to talk to. People would rather have you listen to their stories than listen to yours. Practice active listening. Ask questions regarding their story and link to your own to create a bond. Take every chance to laugh at funny comments or jokes. A nice laugh cheers the group up and is a compliment to the person who made the comment. Be alert. There are a few things you need to look for in your counterpart’s body language: Is she open to talking? Is she willing to talk to you alone, or should you help others join the conversation? Does she want to end the conversation? All body language is important. If you need more help on this, try The Definitive Book of Body Language by Barbara and Allan Pease. Enjoy yourself! Meeting somebody and being accepted is a challenge. You will often achieve this when you master the mindset, but remember: care less and enjoy the moment. Ready to Network? Now that you’re the life of the party, you’re ready to go out and meet the people who could help your career. In my experience, befriending a person works way better than boring her with your capabilities. Be a person anyone would enjoy having around, and you’re halfway there. A couple comments for this final stage: Find your “vital experiences” and use them. No need to get mystical here; any experience can become “vital” if you learned something from it. It’s all about selling your skills in a user-friendly way that’s easy to remember. For instance: “I played tennis for nine years and then I gave up. With time I regretted that decision, learned the importance of perseverance and to avoid feeling defeated.” This is something a potential employer might want to hear about, and we all have stories like this one. Just explain them in a way that evokes something positive about you. People remember stories; use them while actively listening as I explained above. Live up to your new way of being. It’s difficult and risky to demonstrate an interest in something you don’t care about; people could notice that your intentions are not honest and this could play against you. Change the object of your interest; make befriending the person the desired outcome, regardless of the subject of the conversation. Follow these guidelines and you’ll appear like someone who is confident in her capabilities, able to think on her feet and enjoyable. You will see that the longer you practice, it soon becomes all about the other person and not as much about what they could offer you. Soon, youll be networking everyday and in every contextâ€"you never know where the opportunity of your life could be. Are you ready to be more outgoing? This post originally appeared on Career Attraction. Image: Peter Go to top Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.  Grab yours by visiting here right now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Developing Writing Skills, an Added Advantage for Introverts - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Developing Writing Skills, an Added Advantage for Introverts - Introvert Whisperer Developing Writing Skills, an Added Advantage for Introverts Being introvert or shy need not be a roadblock in your career. There are so many ambitious introverts who are extremely successful in their life and career. Few important examples are Bill Gates, Abraham Lincoln, JK Rowling, Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Einstein, etc. Introverts have their own set of strength which when used correctly helps you climb the ladder of success. For any job, communication skill is an important asset. Writing is an important part of a communication skill. You must know here that many introverts are powerful writers. In a job starting from simple tweets to elaborate emails or reports needs writing skill. With flawless writing skill, there is definitely one extra door open to succeed in your career. Although you are a good writer, at times you may not be aware of the common writing errors that you commit. Simple examples are a confusion in homophones, the words that sound similar but can alter the meaning of a sentence. Few examples are quiet and quite, effect and affect, accept and except, your and you’re, etc. Also, there is a difference in UK English and USA English. The infographic explains the common writing errors that people make and how to correct them. This list will help you in honing your writing skills.

Why Learn French Here are 10 Great Reasons

Why Learn French Here are 10 Great Reasons Why Study French and Immerse Yourself in The Language and Culture? Chapters1.           Learn Useful New Language Skills2.       A Level French is a Valuable Qualification3.           Language Proficiency Helps You Have an International Career4.           Make New French-Speaking Friends All Over the World5.           Travel Happy and Learn French in France6.           Immerse Yourself in Francophone Culture7.           Make the Most of Your Young Brain8.           Improve Your Cognitive Function9.           Improve Your Understanding of English and Language Skills10. Develop Your Communication and Comprehension SkillsThey say your school years are the best years of your life â€" but why?Though it may seem boring even at the best of times, school is full of opportunity â€" but it’s up to you to make the most of it!Whether it’s meeting new people, joining a sports team or learning a new skill, when it comes to finding out who you really are, school is a great place to discover your strengths and weaknesses.Being able to learn a foreign language is, without a doubt, one of the most important parts of the national curriculum but surprisingly few students are passionate about learning to speak a new language.In the UK, schools typically offer lessons in French, German or Spanish with French being the most widely-taught language GCSE in the classroom.But as native speakers of English, aren’t UK schoolchildren wasting their time when everyone speaks English? So why learn French anyway?Unfortunately, the stereotypical British attitude when it comes to learning languages does have a degree of truth to it â€" and as numbers of students taking a language at university plummet, the problem is getting worse.Languages are a valuable asset for anyone. Whether you’re a beginner student or businessperson â€" but why is it so important to learn them while you’re at school? And why should French be your language of choice?If you’re a school pupil trying to decide whether learning French is for you, Superprof has ten fantastic reas ons to convince you to take up a language course. AnnieFrench Teacher 4.89 (9) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarolineFrench Teacher 5.00 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriFrench Teacher 5.00 (9) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarianneFrench Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ThibautFrench Teacher 5.00 (3) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickFrench Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DéborahFrench Teacher 5.00 (10) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamyFrench Teacher 5.00 (2) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors1.           Learn Useful New Language SkillsNo one can deny the usefulness of knowing how to speak a foreign language which is as widely-spoken as French.Did you know that there are over 220 million French speakers worldwide?With France just next door, maintaining good neighbourly relations can only be a good thing!The skil l of being able to speak French can be most useful when you least expect it.Your French conversational skills can turn into negotiating skills ¦ source: VisualhuntFor instance, if you work in a café and some French customers arrive, being able to take their order in French can make their visit all the more pleasant and even reflect well on you as a member of staff.French is an international language which has made its mark on the world in many ways.From the technical terms of ballet to borrowed words such as rapport and ensemble, being able to understand the true meaning of words at their origin will only enrich your experience of life.2.       A Level French is a Valuable QualificationAs your teachers will tell you, languages look great on a CV.The unique opportunity to gain a GCSE and A level qualification in French for free which is only available at school is not to be passed up.Even if you’re not 100% fluent, having a French qualification on your job applications will dem onstrate a level of self-discipline to employers that is highly prized in the world of work.A level French is particularly useful when it comes to applying for university, as it gives you the option to take a joint-honours course in your area of interest alongside studying French. This means that once you graduate, you will be fluent - and that makes you a highly attractive employee.3.           Language Proficiency Helps You Have an International CareerWith Brexit on the horizon and the UK soon to be going it alone in the global economy, languages are now more important than ever before.As a non-native speaker of French, not only will you be able to work for French companies, but you’ll also be incredibly useful to those looking to expand and strengthen their trade links.So, if you like the sound of a job that lets you travel, learn French could open the door for you!Our capital city being so global, it's no wonder so many Londoners search for French courses London!4.           M ake New French-Speaking Friends All Over the WorldWe all know that school is a great place to make new friends â€" but have you thought about making friends that don’t live in the UK?Most schools offer language exchange programmes where students a paired with French pupils of the same age and host each other for a week.Not only do French exchanges give you a good excuse to travel, they also put you in touch with someone in the same situation as you: a school pupil learning a second language.If you ever need a hand with your grammar exercises or oral tests, you’ll have someone to call ¦ source: Pixabay - Melanie SchwolertBy the end of your French exchange, not only will you have improved your language skills, you will also have befriended a native French speaker!Making new friends isn’t limited to school exchange programmes, either. With knowledge of such a widely-spoken language, you can meet new French-speaking people wherever you go! AnnieFrench Teacher 4.89 (9) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarolineFrench Teacher 5.00 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriFrench Teacher 5.00 (9) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarianneFrench Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ThibautFrench Teacher 5.00 (3) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickFrench Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DéborahFrench Teacher 5.00 (10) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamyFrench Teacher 5.00 (2) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors5.           Travel Happy and Learn French in FranceIt goes without saying that knowing how to speak French makes traveling a lot easier â€" especially if you’re traveling in Europe.Whether you’re confused about the metro system in Paris or you need directions to the piscine, speaking any level of French will make you a far more confident traveler.6.           Immerse Yourself in Francophone CultureFrance and French-speaking countries have an incredibly rich culture.The history, architecture, art, and cuisine of the cultures associated with the French language are known all over the world for their prowess.But can’t you enjoy all of these things without knowing the language?The answer to this question is yes, of course â€" except you won’t know what you’re missing out on until you experience French culture in its own language.Being able to communicate with people who make up a culture in their own language removes the risk of anything being lost in translation.So, whether you’re talking to locals in French, taking city tours with a French-speaking guide or reading the French descriptions in art galleries, learning about a culture in its own language is always the best way to fully immerse yourself within it.7.           Make the Most of Your Young BrainWhen you’re at school, you’re constantly reminded of the importance of core subjects such as maths and English â€" so, why w orry about learning a second language? Haven’t you got enough on your plate?Countless studies have shown that the best time to take on a second language is in early adolescence.People who learn a language before the age of 15 are more likely to be better at pronunciation in their second language than those who learn in adulthood.There are two main reasons as to why youngsters are more successful at picking up languages:Their brains are wired to do so â€" children and teens are more inclined to soak up information around them than adultsClassrooms provide the optimum environment for learning, with few distractions and plenty of other students to practice withIf you want to reap the rewards of learning a language, the trick is to start early and take advantage of the opportunities at school!8.           Improve Your Cognitive FunctionIf you’re interested in studying art or creative writing, studying a language could give you a boost! This is because learning a second language has been shown to increase levels of creativity and even slow the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.Unlock your full potential by learning French ¦ source: Pixabay - SeanbattySo, learning a language is a bit like a workout for your brain: it makes it stronger, keeps it healthy and it has also been shown to make the brain physically grow in size!9.           Improve Your Understanding of English and Language SkillsOne little-known benefit of learning how to speak French is that it can help you get to know English.But surely if English is your first language, there is nothing left to understand?This is another point which you won’t be able to appreciate until you experience it for yourself.Here are just a couple of ways that learning French can help your English language skills:Vocabulary: As English and French are so closely related thanks to the Norman conquest of 1066, many of our words are rooted in French. This nearly always when you come across an unfamiliar English word â€" all you have to do is look at it closely for any French roots which might help you to decipher the meaning. For example, let’s take the word ‘pulmonary’. If you’ve never come across this adjective before, but you know that the French word for ‘lung’ is ‘poumon’, you’ll likely be able to figure it out with some context.Grammar: English grammar can be difficult at the best of times but getting to grips with grammatical terms and learning about verb agreements and tenses can be useful whenever you find yourself stuck on the correct way to write a sentence. Your new knowledge of the meaning of noun, adverb and subordinate clause will make understanding grammar rules far easier.10. Develop Your Communication and Comprehension SkillsLearning to speak French demands a lot of practice, not only in the classroom but in the real world, too.As daunting as it may be in the beginning to order your first meal in French, throwing yourself in the deep end will work wonders for your self- confidence in any language.Being able to communicate effectively and confidently is a highly-sought quality by employers which will enable you to find opportunities and make the most of them.

What is the Right Option for Increasing Your Childs Academic Ability Try a Highly Skilled Online Tutor

What is the Right Option for Increasing Your Child’s Academic Ability Try a Highly Skilled Online Tutor 0SHARESShare Academic ability is a skill that comes more by practice than by sheer expansion of knowledge. It is every mom, dad’s dream to see their child in the height of academic ability and fetch maximum scores possible to soar high in the sky of education. The child may be mentally gifted, yet, he/she needs a highly potential back up to throw himself open to the competitive scenario of the educational world and to beat every other one in the arena. Who can be that potential back up and how could he help? A highly skilled online tutor: It can be a proper quality tutor online, who could gauge the efficiencies and deficiencies of your child and fathom a deep remedial course for him to make him fill the skill gaps he has in subjects.  He can sit with your child and find out what academic skill the child requires to come up with his studies. Some may have memory loss, some may miss the concept by just a slip of understanding, and some may not like the approach towards a particular subject as handled by the school teacher, leading to a negative impact upon the subject. This especially happens in cases of Science and Math that the child loses the attitude for the subject. A math tutor online really undertakes a building block approach in enhancing the academic ability of your child in Math. He makes the child love the subject first, and then slowly turn his attention     towards the learning skills. He shares the whiteboard and pen to do the homework with kid and corrects the child wherever necessary The diagnostic tests and pre interviews conducted by the online tutor enable him to recognize the basic cavities in the learning aspects of the child and he tries to uproot them. The result is the fresh attitude and a positive impact upon the child’s mind and the following paraphernalia of increased academic ability of the child.  Enthusiasm to learn is the real secret of academic ability and that is brought to the limelight by the e-tutor, whose initial patience pays rewards afterwards. The support of online tutoring websites Many of the live tutoring websites procure tutors who are proficient in catering revisions, reviews and tests to assure the strength of a child’s subject knowledge that he is able to do all those tests and the other essential parts of academics with ease and efficiency. Academic ability is sure to improve in your child, if you concentrate on the right tutor. [starbox id=admin]

Other Words for Hungry in English - English Lesson via Skype

Other Words for Hungry in English - English Lesson via Skype In this post youre going to learn other words for hungry in English.  In the video lesson below I give you 5 alternative words instead of hungry. For those of you who prefer reading, please scroll down and read the full transcript below.And if you want to enrich your English vocabulary with new words, dont forget to check my other words for difficult lesson. Other Words for Hungry in English Hi there. Im Harry and welcome back. What I got to talk to you today about is the word hungry and were looking at alternative words that mean the same or can be used instead of hungry in English. When were  talking in British English, we like to  use different words.  Just to show that we  have a knowledge and a good wide  vocabulary.And its important when  youre doing exams when youre writing letters or communicating with people that you dont use the same word all the time.Particularly if youre doing an exam. The examiners like to see and test  you to see the breadth of your  English vocabulary so its really important to  have alternative words.Okay.  So were  talking as I said about  the word HUNGRY.And HUNGRY means you want something to  eat.So Im sure youve all been in that  situation where youve come home from  work, come home from studying in the  university or youve been playing a  football match and youre really really  hungry and you want something to eat.  So  how do you te ll somebody?  Well,  you can  just simply say:Oh God,  Im really hungry. Whats to eat?  Whats in the fridge? Whats in the cupboards?Okay.Its a very  simple word.  Or you could say:Im feeling hungry. We need something to eat and  something to drink.So the alternative word that we can use instead of HUNGRY is FAMISHED  F A M I S H E DSo you come home  and you say:Oh look I havent eaten for  days or it feels like I havent eaten  for days. Im famished. Whats to eat? Whats for dinner?  Whats in the  cupboards?Okay. Famished F A M I S H E DWe can also say  an expression I COULD EAT A HORSE  You  often hear this in British English.  I  could eat a horse. Are you hungry? Yeah,  I could eat a horse.Meaning Im really hungry.  Yeah I could  eat a horse.You go to the restaurant and its one of  these all-you-can-eat for ten dollars. Amazing if you go to America, you see  lots of these restaurants with a sign or  you can eat.  Ten dollars breakfast. All-you-can-eat  ten dollars.  And so you  go in so great and really hungry I could  a horse.  Okay. Other Words for Hungry - Infographic Don't keep this to yourself. Tell the world! Another word we can use instead of HUNGRY is  STARVING Are you hungry? Yeah,  Im  starving.Meaning I dont think Ive eaten for days. In fact, you probably have, but you just have that feeling that Im starving.Usually the young kids and the young school goers or the University  students in your house  use STARVINGOh God,  Im  starving.They may have had a really wonderful breakfast and by the time it  gets to the lunchtime they are starving. Meaning they are very very hungry.Okay.YOUR STOMACH IS RUMBLINGThis is another expression to show that you are  hungry and you would  like something to  eat.Yeah my stomachs rumbling.Meaning  its making noises,  its talking to me, its telling me that its time that I  ate.So MY STOMACH IS RUMBLINGOr you can  simply say I’M FEELING A LITTLE PECKISHand A LITTLE PECKISH  is not meaning  youre absolutely starving but you could  eat something.  So its a little bit more  polite.You go to your friend and you you greet her and she greets you and she  says : Come on in and sit down, Ill put the kettle on and we’ll have a cup of tea.Would you like something to eat? I  dont  mind,  Im a little peckish.It is quite likely that you really are hungry but you just don’t want to seem rude and say:  â€˜Yeah,  what youve got? Whats in the fridge? Whats in the  cupboard?’  Instead you say ‘Im a little peckish’If youre going to have something:  â€˜I can  have something with you’.  Okay.  So PECKISH meaning youre willing to pick pick pick  like a bird.Im a little peckish, Ill eat something small but only if you want  to have something as well.Okay.And then one last expression that  we sometimes hear isMY STOMACH THINKS THAT MY THROAT HAS BEEN CUTOkay. So this is quite a long expression but really what its saying is I havent eaten for so long that my stomach thinks that my  throat has been cut.I havent eaten for such a long time. My stomach thinks that my throat has been cut.Okay.  So heres some alternative  words instead  of HUNGRY:st arvingfamishedI could eat a horsemy stomach is  rumblingIm a little peckishmy stomach thinks  that my throat has been cutOkay.  So you  can use all of those in certain  circumstances as a synonym for HUNGRY.Okay.  So enjoy using your English,  enjoy  eating your food and remember to  subscribe to our Channel and join me on  www.englishlessonviaskype.com  and if  you look down on the link below youll  come across all our wonderful English  courses on English grammar that will be  really useful for you and you can buy  them at very reasonable prices.And were  going to have some very good news in the  very near future so watch out for that  and join me again soon.

How to Study for the New SAT at Home In a Week to a Month - Private Tutoring

How to Study for the New SAT at Home â€" In a Week to a Month Anna L Aug 1, 2018 Find a Top Rated SAT Tutor Near You! It's Simple and Secure - Get Real Results Fast. Find Expert Private Tutors at Reasonable Rates Today! InPerson or Online Online InPerson Trying to how to study for the new SAT at home and F.A.S.T.  like in a week or a month?   For students planning to attend college, there may be nothing more important than successful SAT results â€" at least right this moment in time! The big question that still remains is exactly how to study for the SAT. There is nothing wrong with wanting perfection, and perfect SAT results are possible for some. With a little time and effort, there is no reason to achieve anything less than your absolute best. Creating effective study habits is no simple task, and time must be spent in order to gain the academic success you deserve, but the good news is that it can be done. There is a plethora of information out there that offers statistics, advice and preparation tactics. Read on to find out options that you can use starting now. How to Prepare for the SAT Exam at Home Like most major exams, timing is crucial. Last minute cramming is certainly not the ideal way to go, but sometimes that’s the only option that you have! In order to achieve your best results, you must start as early as possible. In saying that, if you have left it a little late, there are several steps you can take to reach your SAT goals in a much shorter time frame. If you are time-poor, this article will outline ways you can study for the SAT in a month, or even a week! How is the SAT Scored Learning the scoring system for the SAT will not automatically mean you score highly â€" there is no way to ‘play the system’, so to speak. However, having an idea of how the process works can help prepare you. In each section of the SAT, you will receive a raw score. This is simply the number of questions you answered correctly, much like many other tests you take. Although, unlike many other tests, you will not lose marks for any missed or incorrect answers. The process gets a little more complicated as the SAT compares students who take different tests. The College Board equates the scores based on the difficulty of the test to ensure fair comparisons can be made. For example, a March Math test may be deemed more difficult than the May Math test, therefore a lower raw score in March will be equal to a higher one in May.  Confused yet? The new SAT, delivers a maximum equated Math score of 800, and a combined Reading and Writing score of 600. While this may still sound a little complicated, the bottom line is very straightforward â€" achieve the highest raw score possible. In other words, answer as many questions correctly as you can! Let’s look at ways you can do that. SAT Reading Tips Even if you are a math genius and can expect your exceptional math abilities to carry you to a high SAT total, many colleges will still require a strong reading score. Also, increasing your SAT reading score will obviously help boost your total, opening more doors and increasing your chances of acceptance into more colleges. For those who are more math-brained, it’s going to be a relief to know that success in the Reading section can easily be achieved even if you don’t consider yourself a strong reader. Here are some useful, and achievable strategies to boost your reading score. Pay attention to time â€" one of the most common problems with most tests is running out of time. The questions in the reading section are not ordered according to skill level. In other words, the simplest question may be at the end and it would be silly to spend the bulk of your time on a difficult question earlier on in the test. Skim read the passage and then move on to the questions. Refer back to the passage after each question, focus on the part of the passage that is relevant to the question. You do not need to understand the entire passage in extensive detail, so don’t waste your time doing so. Finally, set yourself a time limit to answer each question. If you haven’t answered in this time, move on, allowing yourself the opportunity to answer more questions. You can always come back to the question at the end if you have time. Look for wrong answers â€" this may seem counterintuitive, but eliminating the answers that you know are wrong is often far easier than trying to identify the only correct one (remember, there is only one correct answer). Look for answer options that are too specific or too broad, or answers that sound plausible but are irrelevant or have a reversed relationship. Even if you can only eliminate two answers, you are then guessing between two options instead of four, which greatly increases your chances of choosing correctly. Use official SAT practice papers â€" reading any old passages and answering the questions may sound like a good idea, after all, you have been told to practice, practice, practice! But if you do not practice using SAT-style passages, you will never understand the type of questions and therefore be unable to develop appropriate and effective strategies. SAT Math Tips By boosting your SAT math score, you will boost your overall, combined score. This may seem rather obvious, but think of it in terms of increasing the number colleges you could potentially be accepted into. Whether math is your strong point or an area of weakness, try these tips to improve your score. Understand your weaknesses â€" you probably have a fair idea of the areas that need improving, so focus on these. You may be fine with the knowledge of the content, but struggle with the time pressure. Either way, completing practice paper after practice paper will help you. Either focus on your weaker topics to improve your knowledge, or simply practice completing the questions at a faster rate (whilst maintaining accuracy) to ensure you will have enough time to answer all Learn from your mistakes â€" work hard to figure out where you go wrong. Be specific and thorough. It’s no good just reading through the explanations, you must learn exactly where you went wrong â€" it’s the only way to ensure that you are as prepared as possible come test day. SAT Writing Tips The writing section of the SAT can be strenuous and stressful. Time limitations often mean students don’t answer all questions, or make silly mistakes in the ones they do. Alleviating the stress and achieving positive results can be done simultaneously if you follow these simple SAT writing strategies: Learn the grammar rules â€" there’s no way around this one. Learn them. Write them down, read them aloud, have somebody test you. Use the most effective learning strategy for you to ensure these rules stay embedded in your brain because you will need them. Understand rhetoric question types â€" find effective ways to construct sentences and passages. The best way to do this is, like every other section, is to practice. SAT questions are unique and take some getting used to, so find as many official practice papers as you can and complete them. Be wary of ‘no change’ answers â€" in the SAT writing section, one of your answer options is likely to be ‘no change’. Of course, there are times when the sentence structure and grammar are spot on. However, if you find yourself choosing this answer option the majority of the time, chances are you just don’t know enough grammar rules. Take this as a hint to go back and learn the grammar rules and become more familiar with appropriate sentence structure. Develop Effective Study Habits You’ve heard the story before â€" someone spends hours and hours studying and achieves poor results. While this disappointing, it’s not surprising. Studying isn’t always about the hours you put in, it’s about how you spend those hours. Let’s face it, students are busy people and time isn’t something they have a lot of, so it’s important to use it wisely. Learn your areas of weakness, in all sections of the SAT, and work to improve those. Spend a small amount of time each study session using the skills you are competent at so you don’t lose them completely, but focus on those you have most difficulty with. Completing as many practice papers as possible will help you identify these areas. The key to the success lies in three simple areas: Learn the types of questions asked in the SAT, Use your existing skills to develop strategies to answer the questions, and Practice! How to Study for the SAT in a Week to a Month â€" What to do when you are running out of time! If you are concerned that you have left your SAT preparation too late, don’t worry. Actually, you don’t really need to do anything different than the strategies already mentioned. You simply need to make adjustments. For example, you may not have time to amend all your weaknesses, so focus on the biggest weaknesses that know you can fix in your limited time. There are a few things you can still do to optimize your results. Put everything that you can aside for this brief time period and FOCUS on your prep work!   Enlist some support and some help from family, teachers and tutors that know how to study as well as the areas that you are weak. Study hard for shorter time periods while taking study breaks to enable you to stay focused and alert enough to cram all that you need to.   Healthy eating and sleep are also going to be critical during this time period.   And no matter what â€" just remember, it’s one test.   One piece of the overall package that schools look at. The SATs have caused issues and angst for students for decades now.   As a part of your application process there is nothing you can do to avoid the test, barring simply not applying to any schools that require the exam.   And while it’s certainly possible, the schools you are interested in might not be one of those schools.   So â€" look at the time you have available between now and the exam, no matter how little it might be, and create a plan, execute and work towards getting the best results you can on the test!   And don’t forget, let us know how it all turns out for you.We can help you find the best private tutor near you! It’s simple and secure â€" Get real results fast. Your first hour with any tutor is protected by our Good Fit Guarantee: You don't pay for tutoring unless you find a good fit. Choose Your Subject â€" Add Your Zip Code â€" Find Top Rated Tutors Starting Today! InPerson or Online Online InPerson

Its fine

It’s fine The limits of my language are the limits of my world” “Die grenzen meiner sprache sind die grenzen meiner welt” .- Ludwig Wittgenstein; Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (section 5.6) How often do you go through your day encountering something that creates a response of “that’s fine”? By this I mean “oh, it doesn’t matter, it’s fine, there is nothing to be done about it”. Lets enter the theater of the mind for a second: A: “Hey, sorry I forgot to mention yesterday, but I can’t come to your birthday party after all” B: “Oh, okay, don’t worry about it. It’s fine” or: A: “Is that vase supposed to be cracked like that?” B: “Oh yeah, that’s fine” Think about this for a moment: we routinely encounter situations which we decide to ignore. “It’s fine”, “it doesn’t matter”. All of these statements communicate a  mental event the resolution of potential tension in one’s mind. Having taken a few classes in Blackfoot as a team, we have stumbled on a particularly poignant example of how the language you speak subtly shapes your attitudes and understanding of the world: “it’s fine”. This came about from learning the phrase in Blackfoot: “maatohkaiki”. The structure of word formation in Blackfoot is such that elements are added together to produce single words that produce complex ideas. This feature of the language is called “agglutination”, a feature present in Turkish, Japanese, Malay, Tagalog, Finnish, Estonian, and many others. Even English displays some features of this, for example in the word “un-wholesome-ness”. Maatohkaiki, broken down by element, is roughly equivalent to the phrase “I’m not doing anything about it”. This, of course, struck us as very indicative of what, as language nerds often do, one can derive from a closer look at the particulars of a language one uses casually. So, what can we learn from this? The phrase accomplishes the same task in each language, but, buried deep in the deceptively simple expression, there is a window to a fascinatingly diverse worldview. What can we tell from “it’s fine” or “it doesn’t matter” in English? First of all it is a declarative statement about the outside world. The thing out there possesses a state: mattering or not mattering, being fine or not fine. The phrase declares a state, judged and evaluated by the subject: “it’s fine”. That evaluation is loaded with meaning is the state of the world “correct” or “acceptable”, or is it not? The Blackfoot interpretation is subtly, but significantly different: “I am not doing anything about it” the distinction is not based so much in evaluation, as it is in decision of action. Action, in this case, is the vehicle through which meaning is imparted on the situation or object. Meaning is created and given to the outside world through the action of the subject. Let’s add just one more element of complexity for illustrative purposes: Mandarin Chinese The equivalent phrase here is “???” (méi guan xi) - or “no relationship”, meaning that a certain thing does not matter; has “no relationship” to another thing. The first character means “lack of” and the following two “relationship”. The emphasis of the world view becomes very apparent here: the world is made of relationships, and the speaker is filtering the world through this model. “Chinese culture looks primarily at relationships” is a statement that bears repeating in this case. So, what? It makes sense, then, that a native speaker of any of these languages would internalize their understanding of the simple phrase differently from speakers of other languages. The language of one’s thoughts shape her world in a distinctive way. Of course, a language is filled with these subtle colors, shaping our perception during the language acquisition phase of our childhoods. The beginning example, seen through this lens, can be now re-interpreted: A: “Hey, sorry I forgot to mention yesterday, but I can’t come to your birthday party after all” B: “Oh, okay, don’t worry, I’m not doing anything about it” Or B: “Oh, okay, don’t worry, it has no relationship to me” A: “Is that vase supposed to be cracked like that?” B: “Yeah, I’m not doing anything about it” Or B: “Sure, it has no relationship to me” These re-interpretations do seem to convey a contrast in attitude and perception of the world. Such subtle differences are almost imperceptible to a monolingual speaker. It is only in the learning of foreign languages do we start seeing these changes in perceptions, the way our own minds shift subtly with every new language. We learn from contrast. Seeing the world through another’s eyes is a difficult but necessary task. In order to build productive relationships with those around us, the ability to see the the world as they do is a powerful tool. It is a tool of cooperation and understanding. It seems that a great way to do this is to keep learning no languages and vocabularies. With each new word, our world expands and becomes just a shade more flexible, a bit more capable of empathy and understanding.   It’s fine The limits of my language are the limits of my world” “Die grenzen meiner sprache sind die grenzen meiner welt” .- Ludwig Wittgenstein; Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (section 5.6) How often do you go through your day encountering something that creates a response of “that’s fine”? By this I mean “oh, it doesn’t matter, it’s fine, there is nothing to be done about it”. Lets enter the theater of the mind for a second: A: “Hey, sorry I forgot to mention yesterday, but I can’t come to your birthday party after all” B: “Oh, okay, don’t worry about it. It’s fine” or: A: “Is that vase supposed to be cracked like that?” B: “Oh yeah, that’s fine” Think about this for a moment: we routinely encounter situations which we decide to ignore. “It’s fine”, “it doesn’t matter”. All of these statements communicate a  mental event the resolution of potential tension in one’s mind. Having taken a few classes in Blackfoot as a team, we have stumbled on a particularly poignant example of how the language you speak subtly shapes your attitudes and understanding of the world: “it’s fine”. This came about from learning the phrase in Blackfoot: “maatohkaiki”. The structure of word formation in Blackfoot is such that elements are added together to produce single words that produce complex ideas. This feature of the language is called “agglutination”, a feature present in Turkish, Japanese, Malay, Tagalog, Finnish, Estonian, and many others. Even English displays some features of this, for example in the word “un-wholesome-ness”. Maatohkaiki, broken down by element, is roughly equivalent to the phrase “I’m not doing anything about it”. This, of course, struck us as very indicative of what, as language nerds often do, one can derive from a closer look at the particulars of a language one uses casually. So, what can we learn from this? The phrase accomplishes the same task in each language, but, buried deep in the deceptively simple expression, there is a window to a fascinatingly diverse worldview. What can we tell from “it’s fine” or “it doesn’t matter” in English? First of all it is a declarative statement about the outside world. The thing out there possesses a state: mattering or not mattering, being fine or not fine. The phrase declares a state, judged and evaluated by the subject: “it’s fine”. That evaluation is loaded with meaning is the state of the world “correct” or “acceptable”, or is it not? The Blackfoot interpretation is subtly, but significantly different: “I am not doing anything about it” the distinction is not based so much in evaluation, as it is in decision of action. Action, in this case, is the vehicle through which meaning is imparted on the situation or object. Meaning is created and given to the outside world through the action of the subject. Let’s add just one more element of complexity for illustrative purposes: Mandarin Chinese The equivalent phrase here is “???” (méi guan xi) - or “no relationship”, meaning that a certain thing does not matter; has “no relationship” to another thing. The first character means “lack of” and the following two “relationship”. The emphasis of the world view becomes very apparent here: the world is made of relationships, and the speaker is filtering the world through this model. “Chinese culture looks primarily at relationships” is a statement that bears repeating in this case. So, what? It makes sense, then, that a native speaker of any of these languages would internalize their understanding of the simple phrase differently from speakers of other languages. The language of one’s thoughts shape her world in a distinctive way. Of course, a language is filled with these subtle colors, shaping our perception during the language acquisition phase of our childhoods. The beginning example, seen through this lens, can be now re-interpreted: A: “Hey, sorry I forgot to mention yesterday, but I can’t come to your birthday party after all” B: “Oh, okay, don’t worry, I’m not doing anything about it” Or B: “Oh, okay, don’t worry, it has no relationship to me” A: “Is that vase supposed to be cracked like that?” B: “Yeah, I’m not doing anything about it” Or B: “Sure, it has no relationship to me” These re-interpretations do seem to convey a contrast in attitude and perception of the world. Such subtle differences are almost imperceptible to a monolingual speaker. It is only in the learning of foreign languages do we start seeing these changes in perceptions, the way our own minds shift subtly with every new language. We learn from contrast. Seeing the world through another’s eyes is a difficult but necessary task. In order to build productive relationships with those around us, the ability to see the the world as they do is a powerful tool. It is a tool of cooperation and understanding. It seems that a great way to do this is to keep learning no languages and vocabularies. With each new word, our world expands and becomes just a shade more flexible, a bit more capable of empathy and understanding.  

How to Deal with Difficult Customers

How to Deal with Difficult Customers via Pixabay Types of Difficult Customers Difficult customers can come in many shapes and sizes. They don’t always have to be the angry person screaming at an employee. Sometimes it is the customer who loves to talk employees’ ears off and keep them from doing their work. It can also be a customer who is indecisive, which can take up an employee’s time when they have other customers to help. Then, of course, you have the impatient, demanding, and angry difficult customers. It’s important to identify which type of difficult customer you have to deal with to decide how to react to them and handle their situation. Know Your Customer If you have been working in your industry for a little while, you probably have an idea of what kind of customer you are dealing with. First, identify which type of difficult customer you have. If they are impatient, apologize for the wait. Maybe they are demanding or angry and you have to approach the situation differently. Second, you must identify what they want. This will help you to figure out a solution to their problem. If you know what they want to get out of their experience, it will put you one step closer to ending with a satisfied customer. via Pixabay Stay Calm The worst thing you can do when dealing with difficult customers is losing your cool. It’s important to stay calm and keep control of the situation. Imagine what would happen if an employee started yelling at difficult customers or broke down in tears. Nobody would be happy and a solution would never be reached. To stay calm, take deep breaths and speak slowly in a controlled voice. Don’t raise your voice, but talk in a low tone. Speaking in a lower tone than your customer will help to keep them from yelling and making a scene. Listen Attentively To know how to help difficult customers, you must know what they are upset about. Listen carefully and attentively to what they are saying. Show them that you are actively listening by maintaining eye contact and nodding in understanding. Take notes of what they are saying if necessary. Never interrupt the customer. Wait until they are finished to respond. Show Empathy Make difficult customers feel like you understand what they are upset about by showing empathy. This can be shown through your words and body language. You don’t want to show your customer that you are defensive by standing with your arms folded. Instead, keep your body open and face difficult customers face on. Apologize Sometimes all difficult customers want to hear is “I’m sorry.” It may sound silly to throw a tantrum just to receive an apology from an employee, but people have done crazier things for much less. If an impatient customer has been waiting in line for too long, a simple “I’m sorry about the wait. Let’s get you out of here quickly,” can change their whole attitude. An apology doesn’t always make everything better depending on the customer and the situation, but it is always good to say. via Pixabay Offer a Solution If difficult customers are complaining about something, it’s your job to offer them a solution or point them in the right direction of one. If you have the authority to put their coupon through or make a return, then do it. If they request something that it out of your control, it’s best to call someone over who does have authority over you such as a manager or supervisor. Always try to offer a solution to difficult customers. Don’t Take it Personally It’s easy to get emotional when difficult customers are yelling at you, especially when you didn’t do anything to make them angry. Remember not to take it personally. They are not yelling at you. You just so happen to be there. It isn’t about you, it’s about the customer. Handle Difficult Customers With Ease When you implement these strategies when dealing with difficult customers you will be surprised at how easy it can be. When you identify the type of customer you are dealing with, you will know how to handle them and offer a solution quicker. Always apologize and show empathy through your words and body language. Lastly, remember to never take it personally.