http://featuredarticles.co.uk/ Articles at Featured Articles en-us http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/education-promotes-creative-thinking.html http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/education-promotes-creative-thinking.html Fri, 12 Jun 2009 02:37:53 +0100
1. Build on any opportunities
Set a well designed plan and make the most of any opportunity that your child shows a creative spark. Encourage them to do well and praise them when they show you their work. Be careful not to smother them as it may become too over bearing.
2. Small changes = big difference
Giving your child the chance to be creative is great but giving them options and allowing them to make choices can be an invaluable way to allow them think along different trains of thought.
3. Set targets
give your child a some clear objectives of what you them to achieve. Limiting their choice of materials will also encourage them to become a little move inventive with the ideas.
4. Set them a task with out a clear outcome
This will enable them to discover that all questions can't be answered with a right or wrong answer.
5. Let the children drive you
Their ideas might be a little unconventional but allow them to go with it and see where it takes them. You will be surprised at how capable they are at lateral thinking.
6. Questions
Encourage your child not only to find answers for the questions but to question the answers. This should bring about a thirst for knowledge and get them exposed to more information.

Exploring as many avenues as possible is the key to your childs development. You may even find that this not only opens their creativity but their thirst for knowledge, and might see them embarking on a college education and maybe even a university education.
]]> http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/how-to-become-taller-what-are-your-options-00-845.html http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/how-to-become-taller-what-are-your-options-00-845.html Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:55:35 +0100
1. Many people suffer from curvatures of the spine, and most of these people are completely unaware of it. Straightening your spine can add, depending on the amount of curvature, up to four inches to your present height. There are specific exercises that can be done to straighten the spine, and help you gain the extra height.

2. Hanging upside down may seem like a kid's way of "how to become taller", but it can be effective. Hanging upside down allows the spinal column to relax, and opens the vertebrae. If performed regularly, the body will adapt to the new spaces between vertebrae by "growing into it", filling it up with bone. Having a longer spinal column, you will have gained extra height. There are machines designed especially for the task, but you can even suspend yourself from a bar, strapping yourself into place using Velcro straps.

3. Taking growth hormones: Human growth hormones can, in extreme cases, be prescribed by a doctor, to help your body resume the growth process. However, your body can be "prompted" into increased production of the required hormones by taking specific supplements, and even by doing certain exercises. Once the release of these hormones reach the desired level, the body will enter a "growth phase" again, adding to your height.

The fact that you do not know how to become taller does not mean you cannot become taller. There are ways and means of addressing the problem, and it can be addressed. For most people, it is quite possible to add a few inches of height to the body. ]]> http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/mastering-your-mind-power-does-habit-play-a-part.html http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/mastering-your-mind-power-does-habit-play-a-part.html Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:48:20 +0000
Habits are actions or behaviors that have been repeated so regularly that they have become routines that are engaged in without consciously thinking about them. They are learned actions or behaviors, rather than instinctive. They occur automatically, for the most part, without the explicit conscious intention of a person.

I am not aware of any studies that have determined the number of habits the average adult has formed by, let us say, age 25. I imagine that number is in the hundreds, maybe even in the thousands. In a sense, one could say that we human beings are just a big bundle of habits moving through life. Some habits are good. Others we most assuredly can do without.

They range from actions as simple as how we form letters to construct words when we write, the way we walk, the way we talk, or the way we put on garments. More complicated habits include the way we respond to negative comments made about us by others or the way we respond to thoughts about wealth and wealthy people. Some habits are certainly very useful, for they free us from having to think through every one of the many details that are in nearly every action in which we engage throughout our day.

Most of us have built a multitude of habitual beliefs (or someone else has built them for us) about every facet of life. These beliefs are so conditioned within us that they have become our truths through which we see our world. It is very important to understand the contribution habits make to the construction of the self image. A simple definition of a person's self image is the conception of the sort of person one thinks he or she is. It is a mental blueprint that has been built up from subconsciously embedded beliefs about himself or herself.

A person's self image, consisting of many habits, is very resistant to change. It will yield to you, however, if your desire for a more prosperous or fulfilling life is strong enough. There is no better time than right now to begin developing new habits, habits that move you toward financial freedom to do what you want to do when you want to do it.

This I know for sure. You can claim or re-claim control of your own mind power. You are the most miraculous of all living beings on earth. You are the owner of a mind that is so stupendous, that as you truly begin mastering your mind power and consciously using it, there is no dream that you can dream that you cannot achieve.



]]> http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/your-mind-power-the-engine-the-source.html http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/your-mind-power-the-engine-the-source.html Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:23:05 +0100
First of all, your unconscious mind is enormous! In fact, according to some of the latest suggestions coming from the field of Quantum Physics, the unconscious mind has no boundaries. It is the engine that drives creation. It is the source of every thing that comes into your life. It takes all thoughts, images, fears, hates, etc. that are allowed into it and produces corresponding things, events, and circumstances in your experience.

It reasons deductively. It does not judge, moralize, nor filter. It uses the materials allowed into it. It is mechanical in its operation and it operates with laser like precision. It is the storehouse of all memory. It also has perfect knowledge. It has perfect control of the functions and conditions of your body.

Now this is only a partial list of the many functions and operations of your unconscious mind, but I believe you get the point. It can produce anything. We will cover more of its seemingly magical powers through some of the subsequent articles.

In spite of the many tremendous functions and operations of your unconscious mind, in spite of its unfathomable powers, it can only do what it is instructed to do! Nearly all of the instructions it receives (good or bad), come from you, through your conscious mind and self image filters, by way of your thoughts; and it is extremely amenable to suggestions.

Here then are the three major components your must work with in mastering your mind power; your conscious mind, your unconscious mind, and your self or self image. I strongly suggest that you pause at this juncture, move away from your computer, or if you printed the article, place it on the desk or table in front of you and ponder for a while what you just read.

If you are able to understand this bit of information, you will readily see the great mind power you now possess. It will then only be a matter of your making a decision to take the steps necessary to bring about changes in your life you desire.

I wish to tell you right here and now that I know without doubt that you can succeed in mastering your mind power. I also wish to tell you that you can just as easily delete this article from your computer or toss it into the recycling bin if you have printed it. The freedom to choose is your right and it is the greatest freedom you have, no matter what choices you make.

This I know for sure. You are the most miraculous of all living beings on earth. You are the owner of a mind that is so stupendous, that as you truly begin mastering your mind power and consciously using it, there is no dream that you can dream that you cannot achieve.

]]> http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/your-mind-power-who-is-in-control-of-it.html http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/your-mind-power-who-is-in-control-of-it.html Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:23:04 +0100
How striking that analogy is to the human mind, and it offers a powerful clue as to what is necessary to begin mastering your mind power. The enormous machine will carry many tons of earth wherever the operator desires that it should go, but it takes the little person at the controls to give it direction.

It was over 40 years ago when Mr. Nightingale made that statement and gave that analogy. Amazingly, little has changed in terms of the lack of knowledge and understanding of the mind power each of us possesses and how you can take control of it. Most people give little thought to their minds and the tremendous power within them to do, to be, and to have more of what they would like to have in their lives. It seems that for the first few years of their lives they literally have no control over their minds and what they think.

Look at your own life. During those early years, the control of your mind was exercised by your environment, your parents and care-givers, for the most part. Then the educational and religious systems took their share of control in shaping what you learned to think, and perhaps even more importantly, shaping the limitations that were placed in your thinking.

Unfortunately, by the time you exited high school, your habitual patterns of thinking may as well have been set in concrete, and those habitual thinking patterns were essentially placed there by someone other than you. The consequences for you, however, were by the time you reached adulthood, most of your dreams were buried beneath hundreds or even thousands of negative, dream-sapping beliefs.

How many courses were you offered on the power of positive thinking in school? How many courses were you offered that taught you wealth-building principles in school? How many courses were you offered that taught you how your mind functions and how you can control it and direct it toward more of what you desire to be, to do and to have? Yet the very kinds of courses that were not offered to you were the very kinds of courses you must have to build a more successful, more fulfilling, and happier life.

Here is something I know for sure, however, you can claim or re-claim control of your own mind power. You are the most miraculous of all living beings on earth. You are the owner of a mind that is so stupendous, that as you truly begin mastering your mind power and consciously using it, there is no dream that you can dream that you cannot achieve.
]]> http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/changing-your-life-with-past-life-regression.html http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/changing-your-life-with-past-life-regression.html Sat, 16 Aug 2008 19:11:27 +0100
I arrived at the Regression Therapist’s office. We began by gathering information each about the other to assist her in the process. As I would be the individual doing the speaking, there was nothing to hide from the Therapist. The more she understood at a high level about my questions and the reason I was asking them, the better she could frame the questions.

As I closed my eyes and began to relax, I could hear her voice as it urged me to engage my imagination and I began to descend further and further into a very peaceful place – still hearing her voice – still being aware of the other ambient sounds in her office.

And we began to descend a staircase. I remained totally in control and in knowing. Upon reaching the bottom of this staircase, I found myself in the Hall of Wisdom. I was guided to be drawn to a particular door or opening.

As I stood before the door that had drawn my attention, I following the guidance I was given and described the door I had chosen. I realized I was speaking in a clear, uniform manner. I was speaking about what I was seeing and about what I was sensing and feeling. This regression experience was tapping into all of my sense.

I stepped through this doorway into the first scene in my past life. I became aware of being in a very different Time and Place and Body.

Note: In Past Life Regression Therapy scenes of what appear to be a lifetime typically appear. One can either believe in reincarnation or own these scenes OR, one can simply believe that Spirit teaches us in formats that we understand, such as scenes from a life.

I described where I was, how I looked, and what was occurring. I found myself amazed at how comfortable that description felt – how unconcerned I was about being or a different sex, origin, time and place. I was guided to take myself into the scene as the individual I had described and to determine what was occurring.

While relaying the scene and conversations that were going on in the scene, I was amazed by how real it all felt. The feelings were so intense as to cause me to feel anger and frustration. I was living this experience beyond my mind – into my emotions.

I moved forward to the next important scene. In the second scene, I found myself preparing to leave the village. Members of the tribe were looking at me with a mixture of disgust, disbelief and concern. I was committed to find a new home for the “tribe”.

In the third scene, I was back in the village I had left. I was older (by the lines around my eyes). I had found a more lush and verdant valley for us to live in. In the village I found the “tribe” much diminished due to disease and famine. And those who were still there had no desire to leave despite it all.

My feelings ranged from utter sadness to incredulous disbelief - sadness for the village and disbelief that more were not willing to follow me to an area of abundance and beauty. I wondered how often this was happening in my lifetime….how often did I not consider other options?

Upon leaving this scene, I was directed to transition to the edge of the Spirit World. This transition was smooth and easy. As I drifted in my spirit form, I was guided to invite in a Spirit Guide. This Guide would provide understanding and insights that were pertinent in this past life. My Guide appeared as a wise old man with a long flowing robe. He indicated we were to call him “Owl”. My Therapist posed several of the questions we had prepared. We did not what might be addressed as Spirit is not always predictable in that manner.

“Owl” spoke to me of the areas of my life I had been struggling with. His words of wisdom resonated strongly. I knew he was a Guide who had spoken before, in my dreams.

My first question dealt with a life change situation. I felt like there was no growth in my job and was concerned I would be unsuccessful if I followed my passion. “Owl” answered that the past life I had experienced was all the answer I needed. He spoke further about the elements that often go into a significant life change – potential feelings of being shunned, of having to “go it alone”, and fear of failure. By “Owl” sharing the “landscape of potential possibilities”, my next steps became clear.

Once the session was complete, my Therapist assisted me in returning to the present moment.
As I sat there in the twilight of the trance, my Therapist shared some of the information I had verbalized while in trance. The information was very telling and helped me understand the options available in my life. And the awareness’s that remained further assisted me in understanding the most likely outcome for each option.

As I sat there reflecting, I realized the message of the past life scenes I had experienced. I continued to be amazed as the conciseness of these scenes as they related to my current life. I reflected upon the insights and information provided by “Owl”. This information was nearly overwhelming – almost too powerful for words.

I left the Therapist office amazed at the power of the process and delighted in the understandings I had gained. A truly amazing experience.
]]> http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/the-women-who-defined-themselves-do-it-again.html http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/the-women-who-defined-themselves-do-it-again.html Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:58:11 +0100
“Our generation has been heroes in remaking our nation and our culture,” says Ariel Gobert, author of the booklet “Red Hot Revolution” (www.redhotrevolution.com). “We were told not to question authority and we did. We were told a woman’s place is in the home and we refused to believe it. Why is it now that because we are told we are supposed to behave like little old ladies we believe that?”

Gobert points out women over 60 were once the women in their 20’s or 30’s protesting the Vietnam War. Their parents never questioned the government, but they had the courage to.

These same women grew up watching Leave It to Beaver, but refused to believe a woman’s place was only in the home. These are the women that created the idea of ‘equal pay for equal work.’

“We did it once,” says Gobert, “we changed the way America thought about women. We need to do it again. Why can’t a grandmother be sexy? Who says we have to wear a housecoat and putter in the garden? Why can’t we say ‘my life isn’t over – it’s a new and exciting phase that’s just beginning?’?”

Blame Hollywood where, with a few exceptions, women over age 60 are cast in smaller roles as traditional grandmothers. Blame advertising where older women are featured in advertisements for menopause treatments, not new cars. Blame magazines where few retirement age women are shown in sexy slick ads.

Gobert says, “It’s time to be electric, not eccentric. Sexuality, passion and love can not be outgrown; they only grow stronger the longer we live.”

Some are already taking Gobert’s idea of a ‘Red Hot Revolution’ to heart. 15-percent are choosing not to retire. Many older women are now re-entering the workforce with second careers. While advertisers and Hollywood may ignore the new image of older women the 60-plus crowd holds the largest amount of discretionary income and women tend to make the purchasing decisions in those households.

Gobert says she accepts that some older women choose to embrace the typical grandmother role, but she wants others to know there is an alternative.

“Women our age once changed the face, direction and definition of females in America,” says Gobert. “It’s time for us to do it again.” ]]> http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/what-temperament-type-are-you.html http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/what-temperament-type-are-you.html Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:56:00 +0100
Generally speaking, there are four temperament categories that you may fit into. In most cases, you should be able to find one that you are most closely associated with.

The four types include: rational, idealist, guardian, and artisan. As you can imagine, each one of these temperaments has a unique set of traits that go along with them.

Rational: These people are non-conformist who are also competent and technically inclined.

Idealist: These people are creative, passionate, and romantic. Often times, these people end up with careers in art related fields.

Guardian: Loyal, dependable, and traditional thinking governs this temperament type.

Artisan: Those who are adventurous, risk takers usually fit into this category.

Do you really need to know what temperament type you are? Of course not. Many people feel that this information is of no use to them, but in many cases, this is not true. When you know what temperament category you fit into, you will have a better understanding of why you act as you do as well as how others perceive you.

So with all of this information in mind, what type of temperament do you have? ]]> http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/using-ratings-and-reviews-to-find-the-right-job.html http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/using-ratings-and-reviews-to-find-the-right-job.html Sat, 05 Jul 2008 06:20:03 +0100
It is true that sometimes the interview is your only source for information and it is hard to determine whether or not a job is the right job during the interview. Of course the interviewer is going to make the place seem like a wonderful place to work because they want you to think positive about it. They want you to be excited about the job and, if hired, they want you to go into it with a positive attitude. However, sometimes new employees find that they are the only one with the positive attitude. That is when you start hearing the bad stories from the other employees. That is when you start hearing comments such as, “get out while you still can.”

Hearing such negative comments after being hired can be a confusing time. Of course there is always going to be someone with a negative comment, but you feel like running for your life when the majority is throwing them your way. The best way to avoid this issue is to go on the internet and check out a website that allows current and former employees the opportunity to share their experiences with you. They can also rate the company. That way, if there is a company with a two star rating, you know you want to avoid them. However, if there is a company with a four or five star rating, you know that is something you want to go for.

You want to go for a company that treats you well because how a person performs their job is dependent upon how that person is treated. If they are treated poorly, then it is hard to do their job. If they are treated well, then that person is more likely to want to give the company everything that they’ve got. You, of course, want to be treated well so that you can show the company what you really have to offer them.

All it takes is a simple visit to a website such as a work and job rating website to see what others have to say. If everyone doesn’t like their job, then you know something is wrong. If the majority does like their job, then you know that the company is one that you can truly shine in. Just imagine being able to leave work satisfied and not already dreading the next day as soon as you clock out. It may seem too good to be true, but it can happen. All it takes is a little research and you’re on your way.
]]> http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/telling-your-story-selling-yourself.html http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/telling-your-story-selling-yourself.html Wed, 21 May 2008 08:16:55 +0100 By Pascoe Sawyers

Effective storytelling is a crucial leadership trait and an essential tool that will help you reach your personal goals by bringing other people in to support you.

Just like any company or organisation worth its salt will have a marketing or communication department, you need to have a part of you that generates, controls, and promotes your personal brand in order for the story of what you’re all about to be told and sold. You need to quite deliberately position yourself and what you have to offer in the best light so your stake holders – your manager, people in your network, your family, etc. – are clear about what they can expect from you and its value to them. And although we are focusing on the telling of that personal brand story, it is critically important to remember that a major part of that story is about how you deliver on what the story promises.

So, what’s your story? Being clear about the answer to this question is a key success principle. You need to be able to describe yourself, your values, your experience, your skills, your uniqueness, your aims and how you intend to achieve them. And you need to relate these things through compelling stories that will help you and others to better understand you, and why you’re worth buying into.

Not only that, these stories are also an essential part of your wider marketing strategy, because good stories will be passed on from stakeholder to potential stakeholder, and from customer to potential customer, opening new avenues of opportunity for you.

Until the lions have their own historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunter. – African proverb

Learning how to tell your own story gives you control over how that story is told. By taking charge of your message, you can use it to effectively communicate your ideas and interests, and learn about what others might have to contribute to the ongoing work of developing yourself. The power of the story is a mighty tool – learn to use it wisely!

The One-Minute Story

There you are, getting on the lift to the top floor of the building, and who should step in just before the doors close: the one person who can make an immediate, positive impact on your life – if they only knew it. So what are you going to say? You have a captive audience for the minute or so it will take for the lift to reach the top floor, and a perfect opportunity to make your presentation without any distractions. You need a concise, appealing, and captivating script that tells your story and draws the listener’s interest. Do you have your story ready?

Speakers who talk about what life has taught them never fail to keep the attention of their listeners. – Dale Carnegie, sales pioneer

What kind of stories do we need to tell to create this communication, this connection with the other person? The best storytellers begin by thinking about the needs of the listener. Focus on your audience, and not on your subject matter. You’ll always gain more dividends for your personal life business by being an authority on your audience than you will for being an authority on any given subject.

Prepare for telling your story by first understanding who will be listening to it. Keep in mind the kinds of questions people will have in their head when deciding whether or not they want to do business with you. It might seem obvious, but it’s much harder to come up with the answers if you don’t know what the questions are going to be!

To be a person is to have a story to tell. – Isak Dinesen, author

Five Tips For Expert Storytelling

Keep It Brief. Keep whatever you have to say as short and simple as reasonably possible. While it’s not true to say that a short story is better than a long one, it is true that most people are more likely to be engaged by a compact story than one that is filled with superfluous information. If you have the opportunity to prepare a speech or presentation, it’s always best to write it out, and then go over it cutting out all of the extra words.

Study Your Audience. It’s important to know what makes people tick. Find out about the things that interest young people and old people, men and women, willing people and lazy people – all of the people potentially in your audience. Running your leadership business effectively will inevitably involve communicating with a whole range of people, and in many cases, getting them to work together.

Be Aware Of Body Talk. Actions speak louder than words, and effective non-verbal communication can make all the difference, whether you are telling your story to one person or one thousand people. The body language and gestures you use are vitally important. Make it your business to be aware of how you use these to add spice, consistency, and sincerity to your communication with others, and be sensitive as to how others use these non-verbal methods with you.

Listen And Learn. Being a good listener will enhance your ability to build rapport and trust between yourself and the range of people you have to work with. It will make you more open to creative and productive solutions to problems and challenges, and it will minimise the possibility that you’ll make mistakes due to miscommunication.

Practice, Practice, Practice. Take every opportunity you can to hone your communication skills by talking to people. Remember, making a presentation doesn’t always involve handouts and a PowerPoint display. Every time you explain something to someone, or seek to persuade a work colleague, a friend, or a family member to take a particular course of action, you are in effect making a presentation. Whenever you have the opportunity to do this – and if you pay attention, you’ll realise you’re making presentations all the time – think about the language (verbal and non-verbal), examples, and stories you use to illustrate your point.

There is no agony like bearing an untold story inside of you. – Maya Angelou, author

For more information about the art of storytelling go to: http://www.mylifeismybusiness.co.uk

]]> http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/waiting-for-real-life-to-begin.html http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/waiting-for-real-life-to-begin.html Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:43:36 +0100
“The ocean for me has always represented mystery…if I’m on the beach for more than 6 months I get antsy.” Says Theodore Carl Soderberg, author of the new book “Uncharted Waters.” That is the very life one man gives up for months at a time to follow a need – an addiction to the sea.

“I was off the water for 15 years,” explains Soderberg, using a similar term one would to be ‘off’ drugs or ‘off’ booze. He needs the ocean to feel complete. Soderberg achieves his need for freedom in a big gray Navy boat that sails for months at a time. Instead of spending the days in that expensive penthouse, he spends them eating with tin spoons in the mess hall. Instead of spending his nights rubbing elbows with movie stars he shares quarters with burly, bad-smelling bunk-mates.

Some people only feel alive on a motorcycle, shedding their bland gray business suit every Sunday to show off their tattoos and glide down the highway. Some people need music to breathe, pulling a dusty guitar from the back of their closet to hit the cords on weeknights. Some will give up everything the typical American struggles to earn – because their spirit is fed by riding the waves.

In his new book, “Uncharted Waters” Soderberg recalls being a boy at a Yonkers, New York carnival and speeding past the ferris wheels and roller coasters that would have seized the attention of other kids. He was mesmerized he says – by the boat rides – spinning in circular basins just five feet deep – and the force compelling him to dunk his hands in the cool water.

Sooner or later, all men with a hunger try to put the yearning aside. They try to become ‘normal.’ They try to ignore that one, distinct, screaming passion only they can hear. They try to blend with the rest of the world and have a typical life. Does it ever really work?

The addiction to the sea called him home at the age of 38. “I got in a mess of a motorcycle accident on one of California’s freeways, and hit the pavement at about 50 miles an hour.” Soderberg walked away without an outward scar, but forever changed on the inside. He was compelled to re-examine his life – and head back to where he belongs. Within a year he was with a reserve unit at Mare Island in Bahrain in the Iraq/Iran war.

While the rest of the world follows stock market fluctuations or housing trends or the latest political debates, Soderberg floats a world away to wherever the Merchant Marines, and the waves, take him.

It is possible Theodore Carl Soderberg is inside every American. It is possible every American has a part of them consumed with a passion or a desire few others would understand.

Soderberg asks every American, “If you could walk away from the life you’ve worked so hard to earn – the life everyone wants – what is it that would set you free?” ]]> http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/the-distance-learning-environment.html http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/the-distance-learning-environment.html Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:39:10 +0100
Although, according to some reports, students can find the traditional classroom environment intimidating, my fears about a virtual learning environment would be the frustration of working the technology and lack of human face-to-face interaction.

My first class consisted of a web broadcast followed by emailed lecture notes. It was strange knowing that my fellow students could have been anywhere in the UK, though refreshing to know that this was a personalised class – I could have interaction with the teacher. This raises the importance of writing emails in a clear and engaging manner, which you would do if you were that focused on your particular field of study.

Once you’re over the technology, which is pretty straightforward and a means to an end, (rather than for the sake making your online course look modern and innovative!) you just get on with what you’re learning.

Interestingly, you almost forget you are doing your course in a ‘non-traditional’ format. The classes and tutorials are simply a means to get information in an accessible form. I would compare technological frustrations in an online one to one tutorial to noise from building works interfering a tutorial when going in to a real college. Nothing is ever going to be perfect in education, and the e-learning environment is no different.

Getting resources through a virtual learning environment is also considerably easier than simply using search engines. Our tutor will send us links straight to web pages for valuable research information that we might have spent a lot of time looking for without the right guidance. Virtual learning doesn’t really replace the classroom, because it is the classroom, once you are familiarised with the technology – which if you can already use a computer to go online, is fairly straightforward.

For my marketing courses, the syllabus, student registration, course notice boards, reading materials, assessment and authoring tools are all readily available in a seamless online format. It’s not just the content of the course that I find valuable, but the design of the web pages – they are easy to read and link through to relevant resources and previous modules - and the technology behind everything that (hopefully) allows me to breeze through the course!

The important thing about the virtual learning environment – and from my experience so far on my course – is that it has to work; it has to educate the learner. Given that my knowledge of Internet Marketing has now translated into sound skills and experience for my job, I have to say that it does. ]]> http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/hope-and-change-arent-just-political-buzzwords.html http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/hope-and-change-arent-just-political-buzzwords.html Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:22:30 +0100
Auriela McCarthy, author of “The Power of the Possible,” says, “Change and our readiness for it is one of life’s great mysteries. We’re ready when we’re ready and not a moment before.” Whether it is a life partner or best friend – or whether it is a battle with addiction or a war with another country - change will only come when the people needing it feel “seen, heard, understood and accepted.”

As a result, Auriela stresses that it is impossible to ever change somebody else, be it through force or the “best of intentions.” However, she does reveal, “You can be someone’s REASON to change.” Does that mean a powerful leader who inspires and brings hope to apathetic people can be that reason? “Absolutely!” asserts Auriela. “And so can the person you love and care about. But the choice to change will still be yours.”

She also stresses that every person, not just the President, needs to learn how to apply hope in their everyday lives.

Auriela insists that hope is not just a fallback during tough times or only for children and the elderly. “Fight your cynicism,” Auriela advocates, “Refuse to be hopeless, and start dreaming against all odds. Allow hope to take you over. It’s a tremendously powerful tool of manifestation.” She believes this is why people are drawn to positive leaders like Dr. King, Gandhi, Buddha or Jesus Christ; because they are the disseminators of hope in times of joy and of sorrow. “Feeling hopeful even in the darkest moments; that’s powerful. Learn to hope and make it a part of your life. See things shifting and changing for the better.”

“Discover hope – and you will discover the strength to change your life. You will start seeing the possibilities. Because Hope is intricately linked to both the Power of the Possibility and the Power of the Future. Hope makes it possible to forgive the past and to let it go, it replaces apathy and cynicism and heals the old wounds. We begin to heal our relationships, we begin to heal our lives,” says Auriela. So how does this come into play when picking a friend, much less a President?

McCarthy contends every being is a source of energy and their “resonance” is the result of all of the energies they carry at any particular moment. And while their resonance is never static, “the main tone of it remains unchanged. There are people we call positive and those we call negative. There’s also everyone else in between. What matters is how strong their resonance is, wherever it falls on the continuum. The stronger it is – the more power it has to affect us.” Could this explain why people are drawn to certain candidates or people?

The power of resonance can clarify why it is important to be surrounded by those who are eternally optimistic about life. “Stay away from people who love to blame everyone and everything. Protect your resonance from them. They’ll bring you down,” says Auriela.

Stump speeches will continue to include “hope” and “change,” but the status quo will remain in place until the politician, country or individual goes beyond the words and actually embraces the concepts.

For this to happen, Auriela says, “It has to start with us. We need to discover that we matter, our lives matter and our needs and wants matter, even though they may not be the first priority. Then what happens in the world – starting with our country – will matter as well. As related to politics, this means more people voting, less indifference about who wins an election and the public trusting the candidate for which they voted. It all culminates in, once again, remembering what it means to be an American. “It’s the American spirit. It takes my breath away,” concludes Auriela. ]]> http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/time-management-who-needs-it-in-retirement.html http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/time-management-who-needs-it-in-retirement.html Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:30:54 +0100
Not exactly. Even in retirement, you’ll still want to get the most out of your day. Time management happens to be one of the most valuable skills with which you’ll leave the workforce in order have a successful retirement. If you haven’t mastered it yet, there are many benefits to getting started today.

Here’s why: The fear of no longer being needed, or the sense of not accomplishing anything can be stressful in retirement.
To compensate, there may be a natural tendency to think of a bunch of things you’d like to do. Without good time management skills, the majority of these things will never see the light of day. You’ll tend to procrastinate thinking that there’s tomorrow…until too many tasks start to build up and become overwhelming. This will inevitably lead to frustration and a
sense of emptiness instead of accomplishment. You might even miss important appointments with friends and family.

Your personal life in retirement can be as successful as your business life was provided you implement certain time
management strategies. As such it is highly beneficial to learn how to organize your day, how to schedule your time so you can accomplish more without feeling overwhelmed.

A daily or weekly ‘To-Do’ list is still as valuable in your retirement as it was in the office environment. The reason is you don’t want to trust your memory to keep track of things that should be committed to paper and ink. Further, your to-do list will always constitute the profile of tasks you need to keep track of in order to see where you’re spending the majority of your time.

Above all, you need to learn the importance of time. Although it may seem to be plentiful at first, it remains even more so a precious commodity. It is important to make your list and your schedule around your own concept of time. Your mastery
of this important skill will serve to put your own life in perspective as well as help you avoid the stress associated with the feeling of accomplishing little to nothing in retirement.

Notice you will not need much in terms of tools. Sophisticated software or bulky planners are not necessary. As long as your chosen tools work for you and you are comfortable using them, you’re all set. But at the bare minimum you should have:
• an activity log to track your activities (however frequently you wish to track them – daily or weekly)
• the habit of scheduling important events in your life (especially leisure time – because contrary to popular belief, all your time will not be leisure time) and,
• a sense of your priorities so you can assign a time barrier to all the tasks you want to accomplish that are important to you.

Don’t forget to stay flexible. You’re no longer doing this to climb a corporate ladder or to prove your competence. There’s no need to plan every minute of every day of your life. But at the same time be mindful that you are playing with the most precious of all commodities you’ve got left. Make it count.
]]> http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/renewal-hope-and-optimisming.html http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/renewal-hope-and-optimisming.html Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:42:12 +0100
Optimism is a large part of gardening. You rake the ground, bury the seeds, water and weed and wait. The work you do in a garden doesn’t necessarily give an immediate return, but you’re sustained by the thought of your eventual harvest of succulent fruits, nutritious vegetables, or beautiful and sweet-smelling flowers.

This spring, what will you plant? Like seeds, even small changes in your life can yield large results. But remember that even though a seed planted will often grow by itself, the best crops come from well-tended garden plots. Once your garden is established - once you’ve made the decision to change jobs, or start a creative hobby, or improve your communication skills - don’t just walk away and hope for the best.

No, that’s when it’s time to start optimisming. No such word I hear you say. Well, there certainly should be is my very definite response to that. Optimism is such a powerful force that it needs to be a verb, because optimism without action is dangerously close to merely wishful thinking. For those who are serious about achieving their goals in life, being optimistic has to be about action and habitual behaviours. Your positive mental attitude needs to be balanced by an “I can, I will” philosophy of life. Dynamic optimism helps to make your mind more alert and open to opportunities, your imagination and creative powers more active; it will make you more enthusiastic about the challenges of life and, in all likelihood, will help to increase your willpower to succeed. Effective optimists are rational and objective-focused, just as much as they are positive.

Good harvests come from productive activity focused on a goal, with the expectation of a positive outcome. This expectation is important: optimism strengthens your sense of purpose and clarity. You don’t tend a garden with the constant thought of “I hate vegetables, and it will all rot before I can pick it anyway.” Or if so, perhaps you’ve planted the wrong things!

Optimism is the fertiliser that nourishes your emotional and spiritual garden. Apply it regularly, in thought and deed, and watch your garden grow strong and healthy!
]]> http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/malta-the-natural-home-for-learning-english.html http://featuredarticles.co.uk/self-improvement/malta-the-natural-home-for-learning-english.html Sat, 22 Mar 2008 22:49:33 +0000
How would you like to learn English while enjoying warm days and an absence of cloudy weather? Malta has been known for many things through the years, but now can be known for teaching the English language.

Malta is home to many widely popular private schools teaching the English language. In 2006 alone, over 65,000 foreign students visited Malta to participate in English courses. The projected statistics for future students continue to show more and more are turning to this Mediterranean island for their studies.

The typical age group for those attending English studies range from late teens to late 20s. This young crowd has brought a new life to Malta and has greatly helped the location through both tourism and education. Statistics have proven that students in their early 20s are more apt to stay three weeks to a month at a time. The most popular ethnicity of attendees is German, with such countries as Italy and Russia slightly trailing behind.

How did this country arrive at this level of interest and expertise? Malta is a former British colony, and Prince Phillip and the Queen lived there prior to her coronation. Due to this heavy presence, Malta has retained much of the English influence and helps others become fluently acquainted with the language.

Many reasons are given for this attraction, but most revolve around Malta's beautiful summer weather. This season is when learn English language courses are at their peak attendance. There are no cold winds or fogs or bad weather. Rainfall is minimal year-round.

English is a widely spoken language in Malta. Due to the British presence, many families still speak English as a first language. Most populated areas of the island feature banks and ATMs, perfect for the travelling student who wants to learn English.

Malta may be the greatest place in the world for automobile exploration, as rental cars are very affordable and fuel is equally economical. Malta is also known for holding many 'fiestas'. There is also a wide variety of shops and boutiques featuring goods of all kinds, including Malta glass, pottery and wrought iron ornaments.

Those with religious affiliations will feel welcomed in one of Malta's 300 churches for faiths ranging from Catholic to Greek Orthodox to Jewish and Methodist, among others.

The water of the island is completely clean and safe for consumption, yet it does contain some high levels of mineral content. Their presence in the water causes stomach upset for some; however, bottled water is readily available. Doctors and pharmacists are available, and your motel or host family will quickly refer you to someone should you require medical treatment.

Drugs of all types are strictly forbidden on the island of Malta. Those transporting substances will be punished for possession unless all such materials are declared through customs. Despite the regulations involved, Malta does have a healthy nightlife. Visitors are always welcomed at any of the nightclubs on the island.

Malta is a new trend for learning the English language. Visitors are sure to return after their studies to enjoy what this island has to offer. ]]>