Success is Hard Work Plus Forward Thinking: A Eye To the Future

The statement “success is hard work plus forward thinking” sounds like an equation. “Success = hard work + forward thinking.”

In many ways, this is true because success seldom just appears, if one does not work hard to achieve it. Working hard with an eye to the future is important in terms of achieving any measure of success.

Are you successful? That may depend upon how you interpret the word success.

What is success?  

Success is “the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors” as well as the “the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like”, according to dictionary.com.

Success is a rather abstract concept, something measurable in accordance with a sense of achievement, an understanding of worth or a distinct set of values. One’s perception plays a large role in evaluating success or failure.

Success and rewards go hand in hand. That is only common sense, as there is no reason to reward failure.

It does not really matter what one attempts to do, but putting forth proactive, positive and constructive effort consistently, usually brings about some degree of success. Most of what one attempts to do in life is success oriented, whether one realizes it or not. A person usually works at achieving success, even though failure is a possibility. How hard one works helps to determine the degree of success achieved. Not working leads to failure.

Forward thinking demonstrates positive leadership, as that kind of a thought process leads others forward into the future. Not everyone is a natural born leader, nor has to be, as there must be followers for there to be leaders. Many people do not have foresight into the future. Some have only limited foresight. They may be locked into the past or the present and they seldom, if ever succeed, because they cannot get past that time frame in their thought processes.

There always seems to be an element of mystery in success, especially when it comes to seeing who succeeds in life or life’s tasks and who fails. Those who are successful are consistently successful and those who fail tend to leave a trail of failures behind them. With failure, there can be discouragement and thus, they have no incentive to try to succeed.

Success is its own best reward, in other words knowing, realizing or recognizing the reality of one’s success. Success also offers further incentive, encouraging one to continue onward and succeed again.      

Where does one start in order to become successful?

Depending upon a person’s interests it is always wise to start at the beginning. In other words, success is invariably rooted and grounded in something, for example, a set or moral codes, ethical values, as well as an understanding of correctness in terms of what is right or legal.

Steps leading towards one’s success, achieved one at a time, are much like building blocks set upon a solid foundation.

Knowledge is often the key to success. Coupled with hard work, for example, the accumulation of more knowledge reveals imminent success on the horizon. Seeing the possibility of success in the future is a trigger that leads one to work even harder.

Is success hard work? Definitely, as without working towards success, there is no goal orientation. Goal orientation entails looking towards the future and then actualizing it.

Dynamics of Short Story Writing: Four Critical Elements in a Short Story

Short story writing is a literary art that many freelance writers struggle to master. Not every writer succeeds in mastering the dynamics of short story writing, but it is possible.

“The Crafty Writer’s Creative Writing Course” offers suggestions that may help you to “release your creativity” in short story writing.

There are a number of secrets to short story writing that include how to get and keep the reader’s attention. 

Consider first, the four basic, critical elements in a short story, which include the title, introduction, body and conclusion. Each one serves its own purpose. 

The title:

An intriguing, dynamic title should attract a reader’s interest, immediately. Does it entice the potential reader? It should awaken, excite or challenge him or her to read beyond the title. It should also be appropriate for the proposed short story content.

The introduction:

The introduction to a short story is important, as it is what captures the attention of its reader with thoughts, words and visual imagery. If it does not accomplish that in the first couple of lines, as it should, the rest of the short story may be lost forever. If the introduction to the short story veers off in an unexpected direction, the potential reader may not be able to follow its story line. Its readership may be lost immediately. Proactive dialogue is often a good way to introduce a short story, as it brings characters to life and instill reality in the picture.

The body:

The content in the body of the short story has a number of different elements that include things like clarity of thought, sequence of events, timeliness, excitement, drama and adventure. If what you write does not have clarity of thought, your reader may not be able to comprehend it. Be aware that few readers will continue to read something that is not clear to them.

The sequence of events is vital in the body of your short story. Without a correct sequence of events, the story line will likely become confusing to the reader. Is it chronologically correct, in such a way that the events are clear?

Timeliness can be everything. The era or timing of a short story is a major factor with respect to its success. Is it pertinent for its era? Will others be able to relate to its time frame? Does it need to taken further? Is it appropriate for the designated reader?

The element of excitement in a story line entices the reader further and causes him or her to become and to stay interested. You should be able to sense the heart of the reader beating faster and faster, as he or she reads on.

Adventure in a story appears difficult to write at times, but it brings life into the short story. This kind of writing genre does not allow many words, or much time to elaborate details. It does challenge the reader and holds his or her interest.

Drama intrigues the reader’s imagination, as it brings the short story to life. At times, the drama in a short story can cause the reader to relate to it on a more personal level, as it is full of emotion.

The conclusion:

Perhaps it is the conclusion or ending of the story that makes a short story worth reading. Ask yourself whether your reader will remember your short story and why.  

Does the conclusion contain an element of mystery or surprise? Does it tie all of the loose ends together, or did you leave that task for your reader? Is he or she refreshed, astounded, amazed, excited and thus, enthused about reading more of your other short stories?

How you write your short story determines a great deal of its success. Writing short stories is an art, one that you can master with practice.

Futuristic Business Thinking: Mental Wellness

Are you a futuristic business thinker who understands the concept of mental wellness? Perhaps you wonder how futuristic business thinking contributes to your state of mental wellness and vice versa. True futuristic business thinkers understand the importance of mental wellness, while those who are not true futuristic business thinkers may not.

Negatively oriented, pseudo-thinkers or non-futuristic thinkers may not be able to comprehend the reality of mental wellness as an important part of business thinking for the future. They may perceive future business thinking only in terms of the past or present, often from a gloom and doom perspective and relegate futuristic thinkers to the realm of the mentally ill, although they are actually in the realm of mental wellness.

What is mental wellness?

Contrast mental illness with a state of mental wellness. Mental illness signifies the instability of one’s mental status, while mental wellness suggests the stability of one’s mental health. Someone who is mentally well is emotionally and psychologically stable.

Mental wellness is “a state of emotional and psychological well-being in which an individual is able to use his or her cognitive and emotional capabilities, function in society, and meet the ordinary demands of everyday life.”

In terms of futuristic business thinking, mental wellness and stability are of the utmost importance with respect to progress into the future.

From a medical perspective, mental wellness is “a branch of medicine that deals with the achievement and maintenance of psychological well-being.”

Contemporary, progressive thought, as well as futuristic thinking in business, always has an element of risk, or the need for risk taking that others might perceive in terms of mental instability. Ongoing progress in business into the future demands risk and risk taking.

While there appears to be a relative degree of safety and security in non-futuristic business thinking, in reality that might be true if there was such a thing as permanency, but nothing is permanent, so that business safety net is gone. This reality appears frightening for those confronted with unexpected non-permanency in business. Everything in business is subject to change and a degree of instability.

Planning in a futuristic business direction is one way to deal with inevitable and constant change in a mentally healthy way, as in a state of mental wellness. Forward, futuristic thinking in business exceeds thought that is restricted to the present or the past.

Business thought, practices and principles continually change, exactly as they should. Either business thinkers are futuristic in terms of their thought processes, or they are doomed to collide with inevitable change that will take place regardless of what or how they think. The crashing of business thought processes often results in instability that depicts mental illness. 

Throughout the centuries, true thinkers have always been ahead of their times. Part of the struggle that futuristic business thinkers have to contend with is the reality that new and progressive, futuristic business thought is often misunderstood.

Futuristic business thinkers are not mentally unstable or mentally ill. In fact, mentally they are more stable than those non-futuristic thinkers who criticize them or their business practices. Futuristic business thinkers often face confrontation, even though they are in a state of mental wellness. How does one explain this? Remember that no one can comprehend what a visionary can see, until it becomes a reality.

Lego Man Travels to Outer Space: Ingenious Teenagers Created This Lego Man

Was there really a Lego man in outer space? Two Toronto teenagers commended for creating a Lego man and sending him to outer space successfully, have set a new milestone in terms of ingenious creativity.

“When Toronto teenagers Mathew Ho and Asad Muhammad sent a Lego man into space on a homemade balloon, they made sure to honor a popular Internet maxim: “pics or it didn’t happen.” 

How did they manage to do it?

It appears that these two teenagers could see beyond the imp in impossibility. As positive, constructive and futuristic thinkers, rather than as teenage mischief-makers, they began their seemingly impossible project. Not having a lot of money to work with, they located four cameras on Craigslist. Next, they sewed an imperfect at best, parachute. 

“They stuffed the cameras into a capsule made of Styrofoam, along with a GPS-equipped cell phone that would help them find their creation when it fell back to Earth.”

The teenagers, using their understanding of current day technology, were determined to give recognition to their country and “attached the Lego man carrying a Canadian flag to their capsule” thereby “injecting a sense of personality” into their project.

The helium-filled balloon launched successfully in spite of bad weather, burst in outer space and returned to earth, landing more than 120 km away from its launching pad. Amazingly, the teenagers were able to locate it because of the GPS system.

“The eye-catching images captured from the flight show the Lego man gripping a Canadian flag against a backdrop of a fast-shrinking skyline that gives way to the darkness of space.”

Their photographs reveal proof of their accomplishment.

What does this mean in terms of these two teenagers being role models for other teenagers?

As forward thinkers with a basic understanding of science, technology and outer space, these ingenious teenagers found a way to accomplish what they planned to do in terms of a project. One might ask what they will attempt next.

Outer space is one of the realms open to be explored further by up-and-coming visionaries who are now teenagers or children who can see beyond the realm of the past and present.

What has their project contributed to knowledge?

Apart from the reality of this amazing accomplishment by teenagers, this new horizon of knowledge may still be far beyond their full understanding. They have established a new platform from which to launch other possible projects in their academic future. Of course, any new project contains some element of risk, as did this one, but kudos to the teenagers for their achievement.   

How is Poetic License to be Understood: Freedom of Expression For the Poet

Are you an artisan who enjoys the freedom of taking artistic license? In other words, are you into freedom of expression when writing poetry?

Freelance writers and other writers often take poetic license to emphasize a point. Taking poetic license with a literary or other kind of project may appear to be unconventional or unwarranted at times, but it is usually effective. In other words, it achieves results. It is important for artisans to understand what poetic license is and how it works.

What is poetic license?

Freedictionary.com defines poetic license as “the liberty taken by an artist or a writer in deviating from conventional form or fact to achieve a desired effect.”

For writers and artisans, poetic license helps to “heighten the effect of their work”. For example, a writer may employ unusual, unexpected, seemingly inappropriate or even obsolete words to express something in a way that entices a reader and holds his or her interest. 

“Poetic license gives a writer the element of literary or artistic freedom, or “freedom to deviate deliberately from normally applicable rules or practices (especially in behavior or speech).”

Is poetic license a literary device that most poets employ?

Yes, many poets take poetic license in their work, as there are times when a multiplicity of words or concepts cannot state what he or she attempts to portray in his or her poetry. A single word used appropriately can make a very powerful statement.

Any writer can employ poetic license to achieve unusual impact. Poetic license taken by artisans in general, makes statements in a more dramatic way. For example, an artist may intentionally distort a face in a painting, to portray exaggerated, strong emotion.

Poetic license entails creative thinking that often extends beyond normal rules and conventions or thinking outside the box. It can involve caricatures, historical elements or narrative to achieve increased effectiveness. 

Used correctly, poetic license can prove to be a powerful tool for artisans.

Rule breaking of any kind is not usually a good idea, as it may open the work of any artisan, including writers and poets to adverse or negative criticism. Other disadvantages to taking poetic license may include an utter distortion of meaning or text. Context changed by a revision of grammatical usage may confuse the reader. It may evoke unexpected emotional responses, as well.

Appropriate use of poetic license can make a project intriguing, exciting and more interesting, regardless of what kind of work it is. Any kind of expression that is unusual and different can present a challenge, as well as expand artistic horizons and thus, poetic license generally has merit.

How Social Media Could Help You Land a Job: Professionalism on Your Profile is Important

Are you looking for a job? Have you ever considered using social media to find employment?

“Seven secrets to getting your next job using social media," by Dan Schwable offers some timely tips.

In an era when jobs are scarce and it seems almost impossible to find a job, using social media as a job search tool could help you to find appropriate employment.

There are a number of reasons for this.

First, on your social media web page, you have a profile akin to a cover letter on a resume. Secondly, once your social media web page has been set up properly, you establish a degree of credibility, particularly if you use your social media web page regularly and wisely. Thirdly, you have ongoing contact with others, as you gradually start to form a network of peers who have similar interests and concerns. This may include your family and friends, who normally have your best interests at heart and are willing to assist you to find employment.

Social media sites have vast, global outreach that is growing in leaps and bounds.

 In other words, as a job seeker your potential employment horizon can continue to expand through the appropriate use of social media. There may be a multiplicity of possible employment options, if you are ingenious enough to recognize them or to follow potential leads towards them.

When you use your social media web page for job searching, caution is always important, as you may be disclosing too much personal information. To a potential employer, it may appear to be a non-professional way to approach a job search depending upon your social media profile.

How other contacts interact with you on your social media web page with their notations is important. How you express yourself and communicate with them is a direct reflection upon you, personally. For example, is your social media web page always in good taste? Are others using it for a platform to air their anger, frustration and grievances or perhaps using inappropriate language, photos or videos that may in turn, reflect badly on you? If this is the case, an occasional reprimand may be in order.        

Free speech is still free speech.

While social media pages may be unregulated for the most part, social mores still apply globally. For example, ongoing, consistent abuse or bullying apparent on your social media web page may suggest that you allow this to happen. In turn, this may reflect adversely upon your job search and suggest that you also might allow this on a job, if you were hired.     

Social media web pages offer a wonderful opportunity for anyone serious about finding employment, particularly online. Freelance writers, other writers and poets, as well as other artisans have a wonderful opportunity for expression when it comes to displaying and advertising their personal portfolios, at a minimum of cost.

The merit of social media platforms should not be under-estimated in terms of being an effective tool for job searching, as they can provide one avenue to make potential employment contacts very quickly.

Professionalism on social media web sites is always of the utmost importance.

How to Write a Strong, Closing Paragraph: The Strength of Your Argument, the Conclusion and Empowerment

The strength of your entire argument lies in a strong, closing paragraph. Note that writing a strong, closing paragraph brings about an effective conclusion to your article, essay or story, as well.

What is the function of a closing paragraph?

The article entitled “The Conclusion of the Essay,” suggests that “The function of the essay's conclusion is to restate the main argument. It reminds the reader of the strengths of the argument: that is, it reiterates the most important evidence supporting the argument.”

Consider the following tips with respect to how to write a strong closing paragraph.

Structure your article, essay or story appropriately with the proper placement of your closing argument.

You should have four, basic and distinct literary aspects to your article, essay or story, namely a title, introduction, body and conclusion. Your title should direct the reader to your central argument immediately. Your key points should be included in your introduction and restated again in your conclusion. They should always be in agreement with each other, throughout the body of your content and summarized in the conclusion, which should then close or end your article effectively.

Know when to end your article with your concluding paragraph

Knowing when to end your article, essay or story is important, as rambling on indefinitely beyond the point of an effective conclusion may cause you to lose the strength of your thesis, argument or story line. In other words, it weakens it. Your reader should know immediately when your article, essay or story concludes. He or she is should not be left wondering what happens next, left in suspense or looking for more.

Keep your closing paragraph timely, concise and to the point.

Summarize your strongest key points in your closing paragraph, so that your reader knows your article, essay or story is relevant or on topic, as it closes. The content it contains should be timely, concise and to the point. It should relate back to your title, introduction and the body of your content.

Write your closing paragraph in a way that it excites your reader.

As you write your closing paragraph, make your reader feel challenged, enthusiastic and excited about your article, essay or story, as then he or she may decide to read more of your literary work. Surprise endings with positive and negative statements work well, especially for articles like flash fiction or short stories. 

As a writer, you can try several, different kinds of closing paragraphs to see what kind of an ending appears to be the strongest and most effective. Sometimes, a closing paragraph contains a powerful, famous quotation.  

In conclusion, one might suggest that practice makes perfect when it comes to writing a strong, closing paragraph for an article, essay or story. You may also surprise your reader and strengthen your closing paragraph using a powerful motivational, closing statement.

Empowering your writing is always possible through the correct use of a strong closing paragraph.

How to Use the Law of Polarity to Stay Positive: Learning How to Stay Positive

Staying positive is an active choice that you make every single day of your life, whether you realize it or not. 

Staying positive addresses one of the core, basic or central needs in our lives, that is to be and stay focused in a positive direction. While it may not always seem easy, understanding how the law of polarity works in your life can help you to stay positive.

What is the law of polarity?

Chuck Danes suggested, “Within the darkest of life’s perceived trials and hardships lies the means as well as the ability to find and experience the light.”

In other words, even the darkest night in one’s life has a pending dawn and the blackest tunnel has a bright light at the end of the tunnel. At times, it takes a traumatic or dramatic transition in life to find the good in among that which appears not good or downright bad.   

“Learning to fully understand, comprehend and master the law of polarity is necessary in achieving the sense of harmony, fulfillment and well being that you consciously desire and have the potential as well as the ability to fully explore and experience in your life.”

You know that you desire to be fulfilled and happy.

The article entitled, “The Law of Polarity” suggests there are a number of vital factors involved in achieving a positive attitude. These include consciousness, accepting personal responsibility, self-awareness, the power of acceptance and gratitude, which in turn leads toward fulfillment, joy, profound inner peace and limitless prosperity, thus abundance and happiness.    

The law of polarity reflects the full spectrum of the rainbow colors, all the way from total darkness to total light. It signifies the sum of all colors found in the spectrum of light versus the complete absence of any color realized in total darkness.   

The law of attraction suggests whatever you choose to focus on in your life is that to which you are attracted or drawn. What you magnify in your life becomes the greatest, so learn to magnify the light rather than the darkness.

Does this appear to be too idealistic?

Human consciousness demonstrates the reality of negative and positive as polar opposites. Darkness is never present without light; light is never present without its various shades of darkness, its shadows. We come to know one through the presence of the other.

In terms of staying positive, this suggests that darkness in your life can trigger a search or quest for the light, which is a good thing. Recognizing and utilizing the law of polarity with respect to all of the different aspects of your life can help you to stay positive, even though at times, it may take a concerted effort on your part.

Recognize that you have the potential and the ability to explore all of the various realms of your life in a positive direction. Become proactive and go for it. You will be glad you did.     

Small Changes That Can Transform Your Life: Make Active Changes and Control Your Future

Changes come and changes go, exactly as they should. Big changes can make a huge difference, but even small changes can help to transform your life for the better. You can bring about some of those powerful, small changes in your life.

Change, according to dictionary.com, is “to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone.”

How can you bring about small changes in your life?

Four things that you can begin to do immediately may appear to be only small, insignificant changes, but minor transitions invariably lead to major transitions. In time, they will change your life for the better, like creating a chain reaction for good. Note that there is no cost factor associated with any of these changes.

Small changes that can transform your life include the following:

Be motivated

Being motivated is a choice that you make. Consider some of the things that you know motivate you to move forward in your life or help you to improve your life, as well as the lives of your family and friends. Now begin to search for more hidden motivators that you may not have been aware of or acknowledged. They will give you added incentive for change. You will soon learn that the list of motivators is endless.

Be proactive

Being or becoming proactive is a choice that you make. Taking a stand rather than doing nothing, involves decision-making. It is like taking baby steps; sometimes these steps are taken with fear and trepidation. It requires courage and wisdom to make good decisions, but even small proactive changes help to determine your transition in the right direction as you head into your future. 

Be positive

Being or becoming positive is another choice in your life. Understanding that there is a choice you can make is important, as you may not always realize that there is another possibility, even in the most negative scenario. You do not have to respond to the negative with negativity. How you react to negativity can be vital in terms of determining your future. You have free will. Use it wisely and respond in a way that brings change in a positive direction. In other words, bring light rather than darkness into the world.   

Be constructive

Being constructive is a choice you make, as well. In all matters, you can choose to be constructive, to be destructive or not to make a decision in either direction. You can also decide to resist being constructive. The choice of being constructive leads to a positive change, building toward your future or that of others. The choice of being destructive leads to damage, demolition or change in a negative direction. Making no decision leaves things as they are, but may allow them to deteriorate further while you do nothing. Taking a stand that does not allow change hinders transition.      

Note that changes, both large and small, will take place over time regardless of your decisions. You can help to transform your future and that of others, by making an active choice to do so. Even small changes effect transition and change your life, hopefully for the better.

How Passing a Tough Test Encourages Future Success: Tough Tests and Ego Development

Did you just pass a tough test? You succeeded! That is great, as success is important to everyone, at any age.

One of the ways passing a tough test encourages future success, is that it serves as an indicator of potential future success, related to whatever challenges you may face in life.

Ego development is another important part of the challenge to pass tough tests.

“Ego development was pioneered by Jane Loevinger as a way to assess how we identify self, our purpose in life, our needs, and the ends we move toward.”

Life is invariably full of tests and many of these are tough tests. Accepting the challenge of a tough test is the first essential step. It requires boldness, courage and sometimes, preparation. Endurance is another factor related to tough tests.

Every human being has the innate desire to accept new and different tough tests. In fact, people of all ages seek increasingly difficult challenges. The more challenges one has in life, the better. To succeed means to gain strength mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.  

For example, an infant will strive to accept a tough test and to succeed with respect to challenges, like walking. Passing each tough test, the infant becomes more intrigued and thus, is encouraged to accept further challenges, particularly if there is some kind of positive reinforcement. Many of these tough tests may be beyond his or her developmental level, but the child’s self-image is important to him or her, as well as to his or her parents and grandparents. As an infant succeeds in passing tough tests, the ego receives its own reward, too. It grows and develops further. 

Life is full of all kinds of tough tests for children, like school. As children grow, the tests get tougher and tougher. The desire for success with respect to passing tough tests grows, as there are increasing demands from parents and teachers, who thrive on children passing tough tests. Children are always eager to please. 

There is also the demand from the ego for its own self-fulfillment. Growing awareness related to competition and success on a peer level, adds to the ego’s satisfaction.

Entering into teen years, tough tests continue to present a challenge. Teenage years are not necessarily easy, as now the challenges become more goal-directed toward responsible adulthood. There are no guarantees of success on any level, but the ego struggles even harder towards self-fulfillment. Failure leading to rejection is not a viable option and often has dire consequences.    

In adulthood, there may be a more realistic attitude towards passing tough tests. Tough tests bombard adults of every age and passing them is important to them, their children and grand children, as well as others. 

Passing tough tests always remains central to the adult ego. Success continues to boost the ego, developing the adult’s self-esteem higher and higher, even in his or her senior years.

How passing a tough test encourages future success is still somewhat of a mystery and perhaps always will be. Just know it does. To succeed in passing tough tests is to succeed in life.

How to Encourage Teenagers to Study For Exams: Key Point Note Taking and Organization

Most teenagers want to succeed in terms of exams and will, particularly when encouraged to study for them.

Parents can be instrumental in encouraging teenagers to study for exams, as may other family members and friends. Teachers, mentors and tutors continually try to encourage teenagers to study for exams and teach them appropriate and effective study methods like key point note taking, organization or help them to learn definitions.

A professor can look around an examination room and immediately recognize teenagers who are on time, organized, prepared and ready to write examinations. Many teenagers appear to be motivated without a great deal of encouragement from others, but most teenagers need some degree of encouragement.

The question then becomes one of how to encourage teenagers to study for exams.

“Top study tips to motivate teens” suggests that organization is the key, but while organizational tips may prove beneficial, teenagers still have to take the initiative and responsibility when studying for exams.  

Consider the following suggestions.  

Offer appropriate incentive to teenagers studying for exams.

For some students, passing exams appears to be sufficient incentive, but additional incentives may motivate a teenager who does not appear to be interested or willing to study for exams. Parents can offer incentives of different kinds including projects a teenager might enjoy like a future bicycle trip for obtaining good marks. Some teenagers respond well to positive incentives like new computer programs or games. Teenage girls may find motivation in a shopping trip in the future. Rewards work better than punishment.

Provide a quiet time and place for the teenager to study for exams.

Teenagers normally have many things going on in their lives and these tend to take precedence to studying for exams, even though not studying may mean not passing. Providing a quiet time and place for the teenager to study shows the teenager that studying for exams is important. Avoiding interruptions allows the teenager to concentrate on his or her examination material.

Set priorities with teenagers in terms of studying for exams.

While parents cannot always set the important priorities in terms of teenagers studying for exams, there are others who can. When teenagers know the priorities and expectations of their teachers, mentors and tutors, studying for exams becomes easier. At times, it is a good idea to have teenagers talk to their teachers, mentors or tutors. A course curriculum is usually set out in such a way that teenagers know what material to study for exams. Allocation of marks in certain parts of course curricula, gives direction to teenagers. It helps them focus on what to study. Making additional resource material available for them may prove helpful.    

Recognize symptoms of fatigue, illness or burnout in teenagers studying for exams.

Parents, other family members and friends may recognize these kinds of symptoms in teenagers who are studying for exams; so will teachers, mentors and tutors. There are times, when a teenager may need more sleep or rest. A visit to a medical professional may be necessary, if a teenager appears ill.    

Avoid criticism, arguments and negative feedback.

Each teenager has to find his or her own way to study for exams and no degree of criticism, arguments or negative feedback will help. Teenagers learn differently and thus, how they study for exams may differ. Auditory learners study differently than visual learners, when it comes to exams.

Discuss problems with teenagers who want to talk about their feelings related to studying for exams.

Kindness, compassion and concern can go a long way in encouraging teenagers to study for exams. Every teenager needs to feel the support of parents, other family members and friends, as well as that of teachers, mentors or tutors. Offering comfort foods or appropriate drinks at various intervals may prove beneficial in that way and help teenagers to relax. At the same time, what they really need is time to study for exams, either alone or with friends.       

Unconditional love as opposed to tough love, may be the best way to encourage teenagers to study for exams.

Writing For Helium: The Importance of Links to Reliable Sources

"Sources should be reputable and cited where applicable", is a statement made on every assignment posted for writers by helium.com. It does not state anything about the use of links to access these sources, but links are extremely important.

This era is one in which hundreds of reliable sources are Internet-based. This is a new phenomenon for writers who draw from a vast conundrum of potential resource material when citing sources. Part of the difficulty with the use of Internet sources lies in the reality that the links can be reliable or non-reliable, depending upon the origin of the webpage or website being referenced or quoted.

UBC Library offers suggestions in an article entitled “Evaluating internet sources” 

One of the questions a writer can ask is the following:

“Is there a link back to the organization's page or a way to contact the organization or the author to verify the credibility of the site (address, phone number, email address)?”

Links (URLS) to sources are vital because the key words or the key phrases in search engine optimization (SEO) take the potential reader, writer or researcher directly to the source of the information.  

Is the data source reputable?

If not, then the information they offer may not be reliable either. Links leading to sources that are not reputable may offer misleading source material that proves to be problematic and detrimental in terms of its credibility.

There may also be a problem with a source when a link proves non-reliable. Links may be broken or changed over time. Then, the source may not be accessible regardless of its potential degree of credibility.

Because Helium is building a base of knowledge, any inaccurate, incorrect or misleading information can lead to confusion on the part of the reader.       

Why do URLs undergo changes? 

Web site designers, as well as content producers for the Internet, deal with the problem of web pages or web sites changing or even disappearing, without notice.

Helium writers face the same kinds of concerns, as the web pages or websites for their sources may undergo transition. Content writers for any web page or web site can change their content, as well.

The question here becomes that of the importance of links to reliable sources, but at the same time, who is to judge what constitutes a reliable source? The Helium writer always faces this dilemma and has to make a judgment call on each source. As a writer, he or she must make a determination about the validity of a source, as well as ensure to the best of his or her ability, that the link to that source will stand. 

Every Helium writer’s credibility is dependent upon that.          

Tactics For Dealing With a Family Bully: Bullying in Families us Always Wrong and Never Acceptable

Every family has at least one family bully, while large families often tend to have more than one. Different generations often reveal a similar pattern of bullying, that may not be recognized or dealt with in any way. Dysfunction families can be the result of continual bullying in a family.

What is a bully?

"Accurate and Reliable Dictionary" suggests that a bully is “a noisy, blustering fellow, more insolent than courageous, one who is threatening and quarrelsome, an insolent, tyrannical fellow.” It also suggests “a brisk, dashing fellow”, one who is “jovial and blustering”.    

Does that sound like someone in your family? Note that bullies are not always male.

There are numerous tactics for dealing with any family bully. Many of these prove effective, but it may not be easy to stop family bullying. Be aware that no one likes a family bully.  

Identify the actual bully.

In a family, it is important to identify the real bully in order to deal with his or her bullying tactics.

Unfortunately, those bullied may bear labels as family bullies, because the actual bully is louder and more vociferous. He or she covers his or her bullying tactics by playing the blame game. Those being bullied may become family outcasts. Other family members, who realize what is happening, may be afraid to refute the actual bully, because they do not want to become the new target of the family bully.

Recognize bullying as a form of intimidation.

At family gatherings, it quickly becomes apparent who is the life of the party, but the bully may use intimidation tactics to control everyone. Bullying should be recognized as such and dealt with immediately. Humiliation, embarrassment, rejection in front of everyone, insults and verbal abuse carried out in fun, etc. are intimidation tactics of a bully.

A bully enticing someone in the family to be his or her buddy or friend, reveals his or her subtle attempt to gain favor and place the one being bullied in that person’s disfavor. The one bullied may attempt to speak in his or her own self-defense, but then the bully may accuse him or her of fighting, arguing or causing family dissension. The person being bullied, may turn away from everyone, cry or simply leave. He or she may refuse to attend any family functions.  

Acknowledge true, positive and constructive family leadership.

Every family has someone who is a born leader; at times, there is more than one person. A bully on an ego trip will not acknowledge true, positive and constructive leadership. In fact, he or she will resist it because it does not work to promote his or her ego. A true family leader will take a stand against bullying, rather than support any bullying tactics.

Refuse to participate in bullying activity.

When no one participates in bullying activity on any level, the bully loses his or her power to intimidate others. In fact, this is one way he or she receives a silent or non-verbal reprimand for intimidation tactics. Openly defending the person bullied may increase the bullying, so silence from others, may be preferable. Walking away from bullies is a quiet way of showing disapproval for bullying. It is a good idea for a family member who is being bullied repeatedly to leave that particular scenario.

Discuss the reality of bullying.

Discussing the reality of bullying in a family may shed light on the reasons for it. At times, a bully achieves results by bullying. The person targeted by a family bully may need protection by other family members, particularly when the form of bullying becomes increasingly violent. Appropriate family communication is vital in any bullying situation.

Reprimand the bully.

Bullies are often compulsive liars who are extremely jealous of other family members. Ideally, when a bully is caught telling an untruth about someone he or she is bullying, it is advisable to confront him or her with an open, verbal reprimand. An apology may be in order for the person who is being bullied. Be aware that because the bully is defending his or her ego, it may just lead to more lies and escalate the problem.

Report repeated attempts at bullying.

Reporting continual bullying among siblings or other family members to others is important. Remember that the family bully may be the last one you suspect, particularly if he or she is threatening or intimidating other family members in a subversive manner. Dealing with a subversive family bully, can resolve family dysfunction, but it may take time.   

   

When necessary, it may be appropriate to seek individual and family counseling in terms of effective resolution.