Sunday, April 12, 2009


How to Stay Focused and Inspired in Tough Times

Lessons for Managing - and Thriving - on Your Setbacks
By Robin Sharma

"No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars or sailed to an uncharted land or opened up a new heaven to the human spirit," observed Helen Keller. In this change-crazed world we live in, a healthy dose of optimism will help us deal with life's daily challenges and stay inspired in the face of difficulties. But the habit of positive thinking is not enough. To truly thrive on the inevitable obstacles that will appear on your path, you must learn specific strategies for managing setbacks and transforming your struggles into strengths. The following 5 points will keep you motivated, inspired and focused as you deal with adversity:

1. Search for the Opportunity. The great motivational thinker Napoleon Hill once said that every difficulty contains the seed of an equivalent opportunity. The person of true character has the courage to find it and then seize it in order to move on to a whole new level of success. Problems are a part of life. The only people on the planet who are problem-free are resting six feet under the ground. When faced with an apparent failure or rejection, ask yourself the simple question: "what can I learn from this?" Then use the experience to grow more effective at what you do. Remember, failure is the highway to success. As J.P. Guildford noted: "To live is to have problems and to solve problems is to grow intellectually."

2. Envision a Better Day. One of the most powerful ways to stay focused and strong in the face of a setback is to simply close your eyes and picture a time when things will be much better. Visualize things going the way you want them to go. Vividly see things unfolding ideally and emotionally connect to how good you will feel once they do. Jonas Salk said: "I've had dreams and I've had nightmares. I've overcome my nightmares because of my dreams." By staying anchored to a positive vision of your future, you will remain motivated no matter how tough your current circumstances may be.

3. Connect to the Truth. There are certain "Success Truths" or natural laws of achievement that have endured throughout the ages. Unfortunately, with the frenzied pace at which most of us work and live at, we often lose sight of these truths that have stood the test of time, truths such as "just before a great victory one often faces great adversity" or "we learn and grow most from our biggest failures" or "nothing can stop a person who simply refuses to be stopped." The simply daily discipline of reading an inspirational book or a great text of wisdom from a life philosopher such as Seneca or Thoreau first thing in the morning will reconnect you to the success truths that govern the way we live. Their knowledge will then infuse and inspire every remaining minute of your day and your problems will not seem so big.


4. Select, Reflect and Correct. Reflection is one of the most powerful yet underused business skills. The French scientist Blaise Pascal mused that "All man's miseries derive from not being able to sit quietly in a room alone." The habit of going to a quiet place on a regular basis and reflecting on the causes, solutions and ultimate benefits of a problem you might be experiencing is one that will profoundly improve the level of your personal and professional effectiveness. Thinking deeply about the way you are doing the things you do increases self-awareness which, in turn, prevents future mistakes. Let your past failures serve you. Transform your stumbling blocks into stepping stones. Unless you reflect - then correct - the mistakes of your past, you are doomed to repeat them.

5. Maintain Your Perspective. Stephen Hawking, one of the world's greatest scientific thinkers, has noted that we live on a minor planet of a very average star located within the outer limits of one of a hundred thousand million galaxies. In light of this finding, can your problems really be that significant? While, in the heat of the moment our challenges seem to be major calamities, over time we are able to see them in a new light. All top performers have developed this ability of keeping their setbacks in a proper perspective, learning from them and then advancing confidently in the direction of their dreams. Never lose sight of the fact that the work you and your team is doing impacts on people's lives and you can make a difference. That's what's most important. As the poet Rumi once said: "When you are dead, seek for your resting place, not in the earth, but in the hearts of men." Wise words from a wise man.

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eyes sparkled at 2:11 PM



9 Things You Can Do to Be Happy in the Next 30 Minutes

Being happier doesn’t have to be a long-term ambition. You can start right now. In the next 30 minutes, tackle as many of the following suggestions as possible. Not only will these tasks themselves increase your happiness, but the mere fact that you’ve achieved some concrete goals will boost your mood.

1. Raise your activity level to pump up your energy. If you’re on the phone, stand up and pace. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Put more energy into your voice. Take a brisk 10-minute walk. Even better…

2. Take a walk outside. Research suggests that light stimulates brain chemicals that improve mood. For an extra boost, get your sunlight first thing in the morning.

3. Reach out. Send an e-mail to a friend you haven’t seen in a while, or reach out to someone new. Having close bonds with other people is one of the most important keys to happiness. When you act in a friendly way, not only will others feel more friendly toward you, but you’ll also strengthen your feelings of friendliness for other people.

4. Rid yourself of a nagging task. Deal with that insurance problem, purchase something you need, or make that long-postponed appointment with the dentist. Crossing an irksome chore off your to-do list will give you a big rush of elation.

5. Create a more serene environment. Outer order contributes to inner peace, so spend some time cleaning off your desk and tackling the piles in the kitchen. A large stack of little tasks can feel overwhelming, but often just a few minutes of work can make a sizable dent. Set the timer for 10 minutes and see what you can do.

6. Do a good deed. Introduce two people by e-mail, take a minute to pass along useful information, or deliver some gratifying praise. In fact, you can also…

7. Save someone’s life. Sign up to be an organ donor, and remember to tell your family about your decision. “Do good, feel good” — it really works!

8. Act happy. Fake it 'til you feel it. Research shows that even an artificially induced smile boosts your mood. And if you’re smiling, other people will perceive you as being friendlier and more approachable.

9. Learn something new. Think of a subject that you wish you knew more about and spend 15 minutes on the Internet reading about it, or go to a bookstore and buy a book about it. But be honest! Pick a topic that really interests you, not something you think you "should" or "need" to learn about.

Some people worry that wanting to be happier is a selfish goal, but in fact, research shows that happier people are more sociable, likable, healthy, and productive — and they’re more inclined to help other people. By working to boost your own happiness, you’re making other people happier, too.

Gretchen Rubin blogs about happiness, among other topics, for Real Simple’s Simply Stated. Her book The Happiness Project (Harper Collins) is due out in 2009.

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eyes sparkled at 2:01 PM

Monday, September 15, 2008


That's not my job ! - a poem found in a German chocolate factory


This is a story about four people named: Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.

Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.

Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody’s job.

Everybody and Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it.

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

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eyes sparkled at 11:28 AM

Sunday, January 27, 2008


Caffeine: Good For Your Skin


We all know what caffeine can do for our moods in the morning, but caffeine is also increasingly celebrated in the dermatological community for its impact on the skin.

For years, caffeine's ability to quickly and effectively constrict blood vessels has made it a valued topical ingredient, particularly in products designed to minimize facial flushing. For that reason, caffeine can be a tremendous boon to those who suffer from rosacea, which is essentially caused by frequently dilated blood vessels that lose their ability to contract.

La Roche Posay Rosaliac products, for example, are a great anti-inflammatory option for anyone who suffers from rosacea or facial redness. Topix Replenix CF Anti-Photoaging Complex SPF 45 is another excellent, well-rounded product that offers a blend of powerful antioxidants, caffeine, and sunscreen.

Caffeine's blood vessel-constricting benefits also make it a go-to ingredient in many eye creams (like MD Formulations Moisture Defense Antioxidant Eye Crème, for example), as it can quickly minimize redness and puffiness.

In addition to its anti-inflammatory benefits, though, caffeine is starting to get lots of attention for its antioxidant properties when used both topically and orally. (That morning cup o' joe might not be so bad after all!)

In fact, research suggests that both oral and topical caffeine may offer powerful anticarcinogenic benefits. A series of studies performed on mice found that caffeinated green and black teas prevented sun damage and even repaired damage once it occurred, whereas decaffeinated teas did not.

One particularly promising study suggested that topical caffeine may also repair UV damage - and that it may prove to be a stronger antioxidant than certain green tea polyphenols, currently among the strongest and best-researched antioxidants around. (On a related note, coffeeberry, which comes from the fruit of the coffee plant, is also getting a lot of attention lately as the next big antioxidant.)

Just a couple words of caution, though: Caffeine is dehydrating, so be sure to follow your coffee or tea with plenty of water. And if you're prone to facial flushing, hot beverages can cause redness; consider enjoying your caffeinated beverages over ice.

Wishing you great skin!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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eyes sparkled at 11:22 PM

Monday, January 07, 2008


1. Share positive feelings

Let your children know how great it feels to spend time with them. Tell your spouse about the compliment your boss paid you. E-mail your best friend to tell her how fondly you remember the camping trip you took last year, and include a silly picture. Sharing happy memories and experiences with others—or even simply anticipating doing so—is one of the most powerful and effective ways to prolong and magnify joy, Bryant's research shows. "It helps sustain emotions that would otherwise fade," he says. Affirming connections with others, he adds, is "the glue that holds people together."

2. Build memories

Take mental photographs of memorable moments that you can draw on later. Recall vivid, specific events, and pinpoint what brought you joy. Do you love your red wool scarf because it's stylish and warm, or because its smell reminds you of your childhood romps in the snow? Just be careful not to overanalyze and lose the wonder of the moment. What you want, says University of Virginia social psychologist Timothy D. Wilson, PhD, is to dissect your experiences just enough to appreciate how they've helped form you and then get back to simply living them. Interjecting mystery into happy moments—reflecting on what's surprising or hard to understand about them, for example—can strengthen their power. "If you analyze special times in a way that makes them seem ordinary or predictable, then you don't necessarily get as much benefit," Wilson says.

3. Congratulate yourself

Take pride in a hard won accomplishment. If you spent a year sweating at the gym to reach a fitness goal, bask in your success—and share it with others. Self-congratulation doesn't come easily to everyone. "A lot of people have trouble basking in an accomplishment because they feel that they shouldn't toot their own horns or rest on their laurels," Bryant says. It's a fine line between joyous self-congratulation and shameless self-promotion, but don't worry: You'll know if you're crossing it.

4. Fine tune your senses

Close your eyes while you roll a square of dark chocolate over your tongue or fill your lungs with salty sea air or eavesdrop on your grandchildren's play and laughter. Shutting out some sensory stimuli while concentrating on others can heighten your enjoyment of positive experiences—particularly those that are short-lived.


5. Compare downward

Comparing upward makes us feel deprived, but comparing downward can heighten enjoyment. Think about how things could be worse—or how things used to be worse. Just keep it light—you don't have to relive your cancer diagnosis or revel in a neighbor's misfortune. Simply take note: Is today sunnier than promised? Are you fitter than you were a year ago?

6. Get absorbed

Some joyful moments seem to call for conscious reflection and dissection. At other times, we savor best when we simply immerse ourselves in the present moment, without deliberate analysis or judgment. Listen to your favorite music with headphones in a dark room. Lose yourself in a novel. Set aside enough time on the weekend for your favorite hobby so you can attain a level of absorption known as the "flow" state.

7. Fake it till you make it

Putting on a happy face—even if you don't feel like it—actually induces greater happiness, says Bryant. So be exuberant. Don't just eat the best peach of the season—luxuriate in every lip smacking mouthful. Laugh aloud at the movies. Smile at yourself in the mirror. After all, he says, "a surefire way to kill joy is to suppress it."

8. Seize the moment

Some positive events come and go quickly—a surprise toast to your accomplishments at work, your daughter's sweet 16 party. It seems obvious that the more quickly a positive experience evaporates, the more difficult it is to savor. Yet paradoxically, Bryant has found, reminding ourselves that time is fleeting and joy transitory prompts us to seize positive moments while they last.

9. Avoid killjoy thinking

The world has enough pessimists. Short circuit negative thoughts that can only dampen enjoyment, such as self recriminations or worries about others' perceptions. When you find yourself awash in happiness, give it space to grow—don't ruminate about why you don't deserve this good thing, what could go wrong, how things could be better. Consciously make the decision to embrace joy.

10. Say thank you

Cultivate an "attitude of gratitude," Bryant says. Pinpoint what you're happy about—a party invitation, a patch of shade—and acknowledge its source. It's not always necessary to outwardly express gratitude, Bryant notes, but saying "thank you" to a friend, a stranger, or the universe deepens our happiness by making us more aware of it.


I M A HAPPPPY PERSON YO!~~

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eyes sparkled at 3:44 PM

Friday, July 13, 2007


10 food that are hard to DIGEST

Fried chicken nuggets

Anytime you take a food, dip it in batter and then deep fry it, you turn it into something that can be a bit hard on the gut. Fried foods inevitably are greasy and high in at, both of which spell trouble for the stomach. If you already suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, greasy foods are especially problematic and can cause symptoms like nausea and diarrhea, says Tara Gidus, a dietitian in Orlando, Fla. To make a healthier version, take frozen chicken nuggets (or use your own breadcrumb batter on chicken breasts) and bake them rather than frying.

The advice to forgo fried for flavorful alternatives is also helpful for other traditionally greasy
snacks, like potato chips. To get the crunchy, salty sensation of chips without the unfortunate side effects, look for baked versions of potato chips or switch to low- or no-fat snacks like
pretzels, air-popped popcorn or soy crisps.


Spicy food

Hot peppers—such as cayenne or jalapeno—give food a wonderful spicy kick, but they can
also irritate the lining of the esophagus on the way down. The result: an unpleasant heartburn-like feeling after you eat. “Even if you try to cool down the heat by adding sour cream, you’re still getting all the spice and the same amount of irritation,” warns Gidus. So rather than
trying to mask spice with high-fat cream, opt for milder versions if you routinely suffer side
effects.

Chocolate

Most of the unfortunate consequences surrounding this rich delicacy come not from simply
eating chocolate, but from overeating it. One small brownie as an occasional treat probably is fine; a triple brownie a la mode probably is not. But
anyone
who
suffers from gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) can
experience problems
from even a small portion of chocolate. That’s because
chocolate causes the
lower esophageal sphincter to relax, allowing stomach
acid to come back
up.


Citrus juices

These acidic drinks can irritate the esophagus, stimulating the sensory nerves to feel more inflamed. This might feel like acid reflux, but in reality is just irritation. In the stomach,
however, the extra acid of the drink can cause other problems.
If you haven’t eaten (say, you down a big glass of OJ first thing in the morning), your gut is already full of acid, so adding the extra can give you a stomach ache. And if you’re drinking lemonade that’s sweetened with high fructose corn syrup, watch out: That huge influx of sugar is often a cause of diarrhea.


Mashed potatoes

Nothing seems more benign than a bowl of creamy mashed potatoes. After all, that’s why they rank near the top of the list when it comes to so-called “comfort foods.” But if you happen to be one of approximately 30 to 50 million Americans who are lactose intolerant, you’ll find
no comfort in those spuds, since most are loaded with milk or even heavy cream. Make them at home using lactose-free whole milk for the same creaminess minus the after-effects.


Raw onion
Onions and their cousins like garlic, leeks and shallots are filled with a variety of phytonutrient compounds—some of which seem to offer healthy, heart-protective benefits, and some of
which cause stomach distress (or it could be the same compounds that do both). Cooking them seems to deactivate some of the problem-causing compounds. But on the chance that you’re also deactivating some of the good stuff, dietician Mary Ryan, suggests using mix of cooked and raw so that you can reap the benefits without suffering the consequences.

Ice cream

There’s no quicker way to determine if you’re lactose intolerant than to sit down with a
big bowl of ice cream. The bloating, cramping and gas are clear messages: Your system is trying to tell you to stay away from such rich dairy products. If that’s the case, the only solution is switching to lactose-free frozen treats (such as those made from soy or rice milk). But even if you’re not lactose intolerant, scarfing down a pint of Ben & Jerry’s in one sitting still will
give you some stomach trouble. That’s because it’s essentially all fat, and fat lingers in the
stomach longer than other foods before getting digested.


Broccoli and raw cabbage

These fiber- and nutrient-rich vegetables are incredibly healthy, but they are also well-known for causing gas buildup in the gut. Fortunately, the solution is simple. “Cooking them—or even just blanching them slightly—will deactivate the sulfur compounds that cause gas,” explains
Ryan.


Beans

Beans have such a notorious reputation for causing gastric distress that they even spawned their own rhyme (come on, you all know it! “Beans, beans …”). And there is some truth to it. The enzyme needed to break down beans is found only in our stomach bacteria. And if you don’t routinely eat beans, you might not have enough of this enzyme to comfortably digest them. The result, of course, is gas and bloating. Cooking beans in soup can help—the extra fluid will help digest the large amounts of fiber beans contain, and the extra cooking time will start breaking the beans down even before you eat them. By adding beans to your diet gradually, you will help build up the enzyme necessary to digest them without issue.


Sugar-free gum

Sorbitol, the ingredient found in many sugar-free gums, candies and diet bars and shakes, can cause an uncomfortable buildup of gas in your gut. Check the labels before you buy to see if you can find sugar-free products that use less troublesome sugar substitutes. Amount also is an issue, warns Gidus. Most people can handle two or three grams without any problems, but a product that packs 10 or more grams will undoubtedly be tough on the digestion.

Sally Wadyka
is a Boulder, Colo.-based
freelance
writer who writes regularly for Shape,
Runner’s World, Real
Simple and The New
York Times

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eyes sparkled at 9:32 AM

Friday, July 06, 2007


Work's Biggest Sabateurs
By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com



Think about how often you check your personal e-mail, get up to "stretch your legs," catch up on the latest news or chat with colleagues. At the time, these activities barely seem to put a dent in your workday - but the minutes add up. In fact, they add up to more than two hours per day - and that's not even counting lunch!

Employees admit to logging an average of 2.09 hours each day trolling the Internet, fraternizing with co-workers, running personal errands and making personal phone calls, according to a Salary.com survey. Think about that: While it's nice to believe you're putting in a hard (and full) day's work, when you add up all the time you spend on non-work related activities (plus lunch and other scheduled break times), employees are working less than 5 hours per day on an average 8-hour workday.

So what are employees doing to waste time on the company dime? Check out the survey's top 10 time-wasting activities:


1. Surfing the Internet -- 44.7 percent
2. Socializing with co-workers -- 23.4 percent
3. Conducting personal business -- 6.8 percent
4. Spacing out -- 3.9 percent
5. Running errands off-premise -- 3.1 percent
6. Making personal phone calls -- 2.3 percent
7. Applying for other jobs -- 1.3 percent
8. Planning personal events -- 1.0 percent
9. Arriving late/leaving early -- 1.0 percent
10. Other -- 12.5 percent

Great expectations
Believe it or not, your company actually expects you to waste some time - just not quite as much as you are. Employers expect the average employee to waste about an hour per day, plus the worker's lunch hour, according to a survey of HR managers. "A certain amount of slacking off is already built into the salary structure," says Bill Coleman, senior vice president at Salary.com. "Our survey results show that workers on average are wasting a little more than twice what their employers expect. That's a startling figure."

Employers spend $759 billion per year on salaries for which real work was expected but was not actually performed, according to the survey. Yikes. Money for nothing? Lucky for you, not all employers see wasting time as money down the drain but as "creative waste," Coleman says. In other words, the time you spend surfing the Internet or chatting by the water cooler might turn into new business ideas, ways to improve efficiency or simply improve the work environment. Of course, a good manager can always tell the difference between someone who is truly a slacker and those who take the occasional break to re-energize.

Passing the buck
Of course, employees aren't to blame for squandering time on the clock - at least that's what they say. Respondents seemed to cite every reason under the season for their lack of work - except their own poor work ethic. Check out the top five time-wasting excuses from the survey:
1. Didn't have enough work to do -- 33.2 percent
2. Underpaid for amount of work -- 23.4 percent
3. Co-workers distract me -- 14.7 percent
4. Not enough after-work time -- 12.0 percent
5. Other -- 16.7 percent

Five W's of wasting time
Now we know why we're wasting time and what we're doing to waste time; what about who is wasting time and where? Here are the top time-wasting states, according to the survey: 1. Missouri -- 3.2 hours per day 2. Indiana -- 2.8 hours per day 3. Kentucky -- 2.8 hours per day 4. Wisconsin -- 2.8 hours per day 5. Nevada -- 2.7 hours per day As these stats show, those wasting the most time are the youngsters in the office:


58-77 years old -- 0.50 hours per day

48-57 years old -- 0.68 hours per day

38-47 years old -- 1.19 hours per day

28-37 years old -- 1.61 hours per day

22-27 years old -- 1.95 hours per day
Bottom line: Stop reading this article and get back to work.

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

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eyes sparkled at 4:55 PM

currently in
perth.
profile


her.
 -feLii--;
-27th July 1988.
-Leo.
-Dragon.
-uwa.
-nyp.
-siglap.
-mbs.
-maybank.
-moe-etd.
-aia.
 loves.
 -him.
-esprit.
-chocolates.
-SUPRISES!
-being with him.
-being happy.
-playing a fool.
-nonsense.
-timtam.
-pod(mars).
-facebook.
-the uwa website.ROAR!
 hates.
 -bullies.
-bitter stuff.
-foul smelly stuff.
-complicated stuff.
-bullshit.
-being lonely.
-the dark.
-SPP & biantai.
-crazy bus rides to school.
wants
♥ him in my pocket
- ipod touch/classic/iphone
- new leather wallet
- holiday with friends (ANYWHERE)
- license
- car
- endless money supply (dream on)
- shopping spree!
- contacts
- krumpler bag?
- more bags!
- more clothes!
- authentic singapore food!
- more boots/shoes/sandals!
- the list to go on forever! haha

tagboard




links
him.
*superman<3
Siglap.
*nurul
*ema
*liyA
*suzielya
*elfi
*erlina
*cindy
*shahidah
*victoR
*albong
*adibah
*siti
*siti's LJ
*adrena
*adrena's LJ
*beatrice
*katherine
*cheryl new
*fabian
*syahril
*jocelyn
*roman
*liyan
*pinky
*zihui
Nanyang poly.
*kenken
*bern wordpress
*bernadine toh
*bern old
*gladys
*yeekai wordpress
*yee kai
*sam lame
*jacjac
*yang fong
*josline
*NYP-BITC07
*ivan
Other friends
* AnNa & Shuan
* dora
*huiling (moe)
*Chang Tat
*Random!
*Mark (moe)
*Jason
random reads.
*trent
*ohnotheydidnt
*bitter stickgirl
*xia xuE
*tokyo times
*gullible info
*wokking mum
sprees.
*_spreee
*sprees_sg
*a&f stuff
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