5 Ways to Build Focus and Concentration - College Info Geek

Needless to say that I have not been posting in a while. Albeit, I do have my reasons. I will not go too far into detail. Suffice it to say I had some visitors over for Christmas. Not to mention I had a lot going on doing the paperwork so as to reapply to college. Thus far, everything has been marching well. The only thing I resent though is having had some time taken away from me by my indecisiveness. The topic for today is going to be regarding how to focus on the task at hand. Whether it is in college, work or whatnot. In the following post I will express my opinion on the matter and share some of the information I found on the web.

 

This is something I have never really had trouble with. Be that as it may, once I started working full-time, things changed somehow. My ability to concentrate still remained intact. Notwithstanding, through time it was harder and harder for me to focus on one task at a time. This is where Thomas Frank comes in. He is an extraordinarily talented You-Tuber who gives advice on time management and study techniques during your college years. Though, these recommendations could also be applied to other areas as well. Such as at the work-place, any other studying setting, or life in general.Back to the topic, there is something called "cognitive switching penalty". You see, each time you switch from one subject to another, you incur this sort of cognitive penalty. Your brain spends time thrashing, loading and reloading texts.

 

In order to complement the aforesaid definition, am I going to rephrase the pieces of advice Thomas gives on his video. First of all, you have to make sure that you pre-commit yourself with the task. What I mean by this is that you have to build some sort of device that binds you to finish the assignment before you actually start. For instance, you could make use of some Apps, such as "Bee-minder", or "Foca-filter". A more simplistic method though, would be to write down on a piece of paper "I have to get "X" done by 30 minutes", and know that there is a consequence if you do not finish. Second, having a distraction sheet next to you while you are working proves quite handy. By writing down all the things that distract you, you are more aware of them. Thus, it is easier to avoid them.Besides that, there is an app called "Forest". What this app does is giving you instant gratification so to speak. Basically, it lets you plant a seed, and if you do not touch your phone for 30 minutes, it grows into a tree. Moreover, meditation assists in improving your concentration considerably. To illustrate my point I will say as follows. I tend to go jogging on a daily basis. In between that process, I usually either meditate/pray for about five minutes as a sort of resting technique. I do so whenever I find the time. You are not obligated to doing the exercise routine as well. Even so, it could easily double your concentration ability.

 

Lastly, it is imperative that you eliminate any potential distractions For instance, by blocking distracting websites, and finding a peaceful place where to study. You could also apply the "Burnt ships technique". This technique helps you eliminate your ability to distract yourself. You can do this by using any of the apps listed above; or you could use the aid of a pen and a notepad to keep track of your distractions. Having said that, I encourage you to watch the video I am going to share next. On this video Thomas Frank himself  will elucidate on the matter in a more detailed way. Since he produced the content in the first place.

How To Run: DOs & DON'Ts

Once again has in been a while since I last posted. In fact I was planning to write an entry last Sunday. Nonetheless, a family meal (Which completely flummoxed me regarding whether to attend or not) arose with very little anticipation . Thus, my decision to postpone this post until further notice. Luckily, though this small inconvenience gave me some time to switch the topic to one slightly more manageable. You see, initially I had been planning to talk about the APEC (Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit.  A major event that took place in Peru about a month ago. Still and all, I have arrived at the conclusion that the aforesaid is indeed too late now to talk about. Instead, I decided to write about one of my favorite pastimes: "Jogging"

 

Mark Twain once said "Eat a life frog the first thing in the morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day". In other words, the first thing you do when you get up should be the most taxing task of the day. It is said that human resolve or determination is at its peak right after we wake up. Be that as it may, as the day progresses, it gradually lowers. When you start your day with exercise, you capacity to handle stress triples. Our brain perceives exercise as a period of stress. As a result, heart rate increases and your brain enters in what is called  "The fight or flight response". In order to ward off this apparent threat, our brain produces two chemicals: "BDMF" and "Endorphins". Both of which I am going to elucidate in the following paragraph.

 

BDMF (Brain-Derived-Neurotrophic-Factor) set out to protect and repair your memory neurons, and act as a reset button. Hence, clearing your mind and helping you make positive decisions.

On the other hand, endorphins are released to diminish the discomfort of exercise. Not to mention that they also curb your sensation of pain, and even triggers feelings of pleasure. What is more, you acquire the effects of these chemicals naturally. As opposed to obtaining them through outside sources. Moreover, these favorable mental effects have been proven to last throughout the whole day.Needless to say that beginning the day with a fruitful workout leads to the following: Better dietary choices, a faster metabolism, more energy, and a sense of achievement.  

 

In review, I would say that it indeed is a wise decision to perform a morning work-out as soon as you start your day. Not only has exercise been proven time and time again to bring countless benefits to your health (Such as reducing the number of times you get sick by strengthening your immune system), but it also has been stated that it keeps you energized and in a good mood throughout the day. Lastly, I just wanted to end by saying that I will attach a video on this issue (As I always do). 

It talks about what do and not to do during your daily run. For instance, one of the things I used to do wrong was to "overstride". Meaning to take very long steps when you run.

 

The Six Adult Learning Principles

IV. Adults are relevancy oriented: Adults usually have a vast experience in the classroom. Consequently, this sort of students are more interested in learning what they regard as relevant. Not what the school, regards as relevant. Hence, the need for teachers to understand the needs of these students, and to be able to craft meaningful learning activities. As soon as adult learners discover the activities they are doing provide new skills they can use, they will feel motivated. We must help them to build on their previous knowledge, irrespective of their level. Asking students what they expect to learn from the activity can aid us identify what they need to learn. Not to mention that we can adjust the activity to their needs too.  What is more, we should also give students options and challenges to complete the problems. Especially if they are in line with their leaning objectives that is. Finally, we may also be interested in allowing some room for improvement. Given that adult students often look for additional skills for their work.

V. Adults are practical: This last principle is somehow related to the previous one. Teachers should make students work on a relatable projects as soon as possible.  There must be a need for us educators to present new concepts and theories. Be that as it may, students will feel more motivated already, knowing the objective of their project has more real-world application. In other words, we should focus on less text-books and more hands-on activities. Hence, we should demonstrate the importance of concept/theory. For instance, we could teach students the general structures of dynamics behind a butt-joint. However, the aforesaid would not be as effective. On the other hand, teaching them where a butt-joint could be used seems more effective. Getting students get do something is indeed more practical than teaching only theory. This must of course be reinforced with constant practice so as to improve not only competence, but also confidence.

VI. Adult learners like to be respected: Hence, we should encourage our adult students to express their ideas openly. To say nothing of the fact that we should also elicit their feedback and use it to enhance learning experiences. What is more, treating them as equals is also crucial. Ergo, she should let them know how important their life experiences are to the class and peers.

In review, I would say that we should never dismiss our students' life experiences and treat them in an egalitarian manner. Not to mention that we should also base most of our class activities on their learning styles and abilities. That way, they will feel more confident about their learning and advance further.

This time around, it has not been that long since I last wrote a post. Be that as it may, I wanted to elaborate more on my previews topic . Hence, the reason why I decided to talk about going back to college as an adult. In the following post, I am mainly gonna tackle some of the principles of adult learning. Take into account that these are just a few of the countless approaches that can be considered when teaching adults.

There are actually six main principles that I looked into for teaching adults. Therefore, I will split them in groups of three to make them easier to understand:

I. Adults are intrinsically motivated and self directed: In other words, they do not need constant supervision and assistance from their teachers so as to succeed in the classroom. What educators could do after considering this principle is to do as follows: Try to establish a friendly relationship with your students and treat them as equals. Listen to their queries and suggestions and take into account their leaning style and interests when designing activities for them. This way, students will feel more engaged in the subject matter. Not to mention that they will expand their knowledge through self-study and research. As a result, they will not need your assistance as often during class activities.

 

II. Adults bring life experience and knowledge to the table when learning a new discipline:

Educators should certainly think about the amount of knowledge their students have acquired over a lifetime. Not only should it be used by teachers for class activities, but it also should be used to make students teach each other so to speak. They can exchange information among each other and grow together. Moreover, educators should consider that adults are problem-solving individuals. Meaning the they usually know how to solve most of the problems they have encountered before. Thus, then need for teachers to learn more about their students' life, professional and personal experience. This way, group discussions can be held in which students share their solutions to specific problems. To say nothing of the fact that reflecting teaching techniques and analytical thinking. The aforementioned  can help students gain constant feedback and discover or even question former stereotypes and unconscious biases they might have developed.

III. Adults are goal oriented:

Educators should consider adults' ability to analyze possible scenarios to accomplish goals. Thus, as educators, we should stimulate this skill by involving students in activities that encourage them to use their problem solving tendencies. Especially, those in tune with students' professional goals and future desires. Furthermore, teachers should take into account the fact that "case studies" prove quite effective in goal-oriented settings. Nevertheless, finding the most suitable case study is crucial as well. Lastly, asking students questions that trigger reflection, inquiries, and ongoing research.

Michelle Obama on the Importance of Higher Education: College Students S...

Once I again, has it been nearly a month since I last published my previous post. Was I feeling slightly apprehensive that I would have lost some of my writing skills by now. Luckily though, that has not been the case at all. On a different note, some time ago, I wrote a post about why it would not be imperative for me to finish up my degree in education. I mentioned a bunch of reasons and posted a video to support my ideas, as I usually do. Be that as it may, I come here today to tell you that I was wrong. Even though I was right on some aspects of that post, did I neglect to tackle the main issue. How do I move on from where I am now?

 

You see, I may have been right when I said that for my particular case, I did not need a bachelor's degree to be able to teach English at most language centers in Lima.   Even so, I would not have had any room for improvement whatsoever. Not only would I have been destined to make a little money every month for the rest of my life, but I would have not had the chance to someday become a supervisor or a head teacher. Irrespective of how many international exams I might have, nothing could have amounted to a university degree. Thus, the reason for me to swallow my pride and resume my studies once and for all.

 

On a few occasions, have I made the mistake of burning my bridges with my former employers so to speak. Due to the fact that I was protesting against some injustices without the proper tact.           Notwithstanding, did I not make the same mistake regarding college. At least before I dropped out, I made sure I did not sever my connections with that school. Therefore, if you happen to be one of the few people who have been reading my posts for a while now, you would be able to connect the dots. In other words, you would be able to find the relationship between one decision that I made and another. Not to mention, that a college degree would indeed open up far more opportunities for me than any other qualification.  

 

Lastly, there is something that I wanted to say before I close this post out: May I have stumbled countless times trying to find a way out of my ordeal. Albeit, I never actually lost hope. Having people around you, who has hold you back so much, can certainly take its toll on your health in the long run.  Nonetheless, having the strength to get back up and keep on fighting should be the only motivation you need. Hence, there is no reason for me to continue dawdling over making decisions any longer. I only hope that my recent uplifting experiences plant a glimmer of hope in both my mind and my heart. Consequently, helping me muster the strength I need not only to be able to completely recover, but also to no longer look back.

A Recipe for Great Teaching

It has been over a month since I last published my previous post. Most of my time these past few weeks has been occupied trying to get into Berlitz. A language center I knew nothing about just a couple of months ago. Now though, do I feel proud to have been chosen to become an English instructor there.

In the following post, am I going to talk about my experience during this prospective teacher training so far.

The first time I stopped working for a while, had I thought I was at the end of my rope. Nonetheless, I got back up after realizing that the school I was working at was not the only one left. This time around though, was I prepared. Right after I stopped working at my last school, I left my resume at Berlitz and some other places. They called me the very next week. Unfortunately however, Was I doing a English teaching gig at the time. For that reason I postponed my interview at Berlitz. Be that as it may, as soon as I was done with the aforesaid gig, did I call the lady from human resources.

Right after I passed the first interview, I was assigned to take an on-line course which would take a week. As soon as I was done with it, I was sent an email telling me that I had been selected to take part in the face to face program. The aforesaid was even harder that the on-line course. Not to mention that I had to make up to three or four demo-classes. (If I put everything together that is)Notwithstanding, did I still manage to get through both stages of the selection process. After I successfully completed the training, did I have to do a lot of paperwork and wait for a third call.

Lastly, am I going to have to wait for the aforementioned call and hope for the best. Not only will I have to try to duplicate my previous performances during the training, but I will also have to improve upon them. Breaking away from my usual style will indeed give me an edge. Still and all, am I going to have to be careful how I execute that idea. Will I close this post out now before I start floundering around for words.
 

PS. I have attached a video to this post about how to become a better teacher. Not exactly what I talked about today. Though, it is somehow related.

6 Essential Job Hunting Tips!

It has been more than a month now since I posted on this blog. Be that as it may, by no means am I planning on giving up writing whatsoever. The reason behind me not being able to write a post in the past month has been mainly due to work. You see, I have been in the transition of switching jobs. Before I get into detail about that though, I wanted to say as follows: I wanted to apologize for saying that I had bowed out of Christianity. I wanted to retract that statement. What I meant to say was that I was not 100% sure about my beliefs in the resurrection. Having said that, I can now move on to the topic at hand.

 

To be blunt, job hunting has never been my strong suit. Do not get me wrong though. The aforesaid statement does not mean that I do not know how to conduct myself well at work setting. Neither does it mean that I do not posses the right qualifications. The main reason why it has always been hard for me to find a job has been owing to:  Lack of experience (At first), and not knowing how to sell myself well enough.  Albeit, throughout the years have I been able to at least hold down a couple of good jobs for a time.

 

How should I be able to counteract the effects of my past experiences though? Well, is it easier said than done. Notwithstanding, do I not gain anything by reproaching myself for my past mistakes at this point. Thus, the need for me to jolt myself into action by heeding the advice of my closest friends. Getting flustered over the lack of expeditious results  during your job hunting experience can only take you so far. Hence, the importance to put into practice all you have learned during your working experience. Not to mention, that doing things such as polishing your resume from time to time, and attending job fairs might as well give you a boost.

 

In review, I would say that it is indeed not an easy task to find a suitable job nowadays. Nevertheless, there are a lot of tools online that can be helpful. To say nothing of the importance of casting your net wide. It is indeed axiomatic to say that the more contacts you have, the better chances you will get to find the appropriate job. Last but not least, adding luster to your resume once in a while also proves to be quite handy.

 

PS. Have I been recently praying so as to get the desired results on an application I sent to a language center. I just hope that God almighty does answer my prayer and gives me a chance to prove myself this time around.

  

The Moral Argument

The Teleological Argument

The Cosmological Argument

It has been exactly a month since the last time I posted anything. I apologize for the delay. Not only had I been sick for a while with an annoying flu once again, but I also had to tie up some loose ends. First of all I wanted to say that I have recently bowed out of Christianity. Am I still a theist though. I just put two and two together after reading the bible more carefully, among other things. After finding out about some disturbing bible passages, I just realized the god I worship is not the same as the Abrahamic god.

Anyway, this time around, I am going to talk about three arguments discussed at the last retreat I attended. These three arguments are part the study of apologetics and try to disprove the disbelief in God.

First of all, let us discuss the "Cosmological argument". The best explanation for it was posited by Italian priest and philosopher Thomas Aquinas in the 11th century. In his best work called the "Summa Theologica", Aquinas, gives us five ways so as to explain the belief in God: Motion, Causes, Contingency, Quality and design. Albeit, we are going to discount the last two due to them being inconsequential to the main explanation. A simple description of the three ways in one sentence would be as follows; There are things in this worlds that are "In motion", "Caused", and, "contingent (their existence depends on something else)". In other words, there is a sentient being (God) which made something to start moving, caused it to exist, and thus created it. If there had not been a creator, there would have been an infinite regression of events. Be that as it may, the aforesaid statement does not make sense.

The teleological argument, also proposed by Aquinas suggests as follows: In order for a complex being or object to exist, there must have been something that created it in the first place. In other words "intelligent design" implies "intelligent designer". In order to elucidate this idea, let us take a look at English philosopher William Paley's analogy. A case in point would be as follows: if we were to find a watch on the ground, we would not just imagine it randomly popped into existence. By looking at the complexity of it and seeing how its parts had to be put together for it to function. We can thus conclude that it was crafted by an intelligent being (watchmaker).

Last but not least, let us take into account the Moral argument. It suggests that God is needed to provide a coherent foundation for the existence of objective moral. In other words, our human nature

prevents us from being unable to differentiate between good and evil. For instance, the following syllogism explains this point further: 1. If God does not exist, objective moral values do not exist.

2.Objective moral values do exist. 3. Consequently, God exists.  Lastly, I would say that even though the aforesaid arguments are not 100% tenable per se, logic suggests they should be trusted.

 

Cold vs Flu

The flu... such an annoying illness that at times is unavoidable. Irrespective of much care you take so as not to get infected, it always finds a way to make your life even more difficult that it already is. In the following post I will talk about the flu and what can be done so as to prevent it and treat it.

 

First of all, we must know how to differentiate the common cold with the flu. The common cold is cause by over two hundred viruses, such as the "corona viruses", "rhino-viruses", among others; whereas the flu is usually caused by "influenza viruses" which per se are much stronger. Among the common symptoms of a cold we have: Dry or sore throat, congestion, and maybe a headache. When it comes to the flu though, we have pretty much the same aforesaid symptoms plus mild fever, aches and pains in your muscles, and minor exhaustion. Not to mention that the symptoms in a flu last longer (about two weeks).

 

Flues are often more serious due to the fact that they affect lungs and the joints. Thus, once they set up shop so to speak, they start whittling away at your strength. What is more, what can one do so as to heal the symptoms once you are infected?. Well, a lot of people wrongly believe that by taking antibiotics they can shorten the lifespan of a flu. Albeit, antibiotics can in fact be detrimental for your health. Owing to the fact that they kill bacteria, not viruses. Hence, weakening your immune system. On the other hand, something that does help is the ingestion of zinc that can strengthen your immune cells.

 

Lastly, I would say "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". Consequently, the best way so as to be far away from a flu is to get a flu shot. Once a year and acting in compliance with the doctor's instructions. Besides that there is not much else to say other than as follows: Exercising can in fact boost your immune system and of course exposing yourself to doses of vitamin D can also prevent respiratory diseases. 

Bible study Basics

It has been three weeks since I last posted anything. Not exactly that I have been that busy. I would rather say that these past weeks have been uneventful in some way. Thus, it was indeed hard for me to put anything together on this blog. At first was I going to talk about the Peruvian national soccer  team's recent victory against Brazil two weeks ago. Be that as it may, since they disappointed in the following match against Colombia. I said to myself I will not bother talking about them for now. Ergo, the reason why I decided to talk about "Bible studies" instead.

 

It seems boring, but believe me. Have a learned quite a few things from the bible studies I have attended. I was told once, "the more entrenched you get a work, the more capable you are going to be to air your opinion about different matters". Hence, I could say the same principle can be applied in a bible studies and by the same token in pretty much any other situation. In addition, I remember this particular bible study I started attending ever since May 2015 led by this lady called Susan, in which I learned not only about the scriptures, but also about everyday life lessons. For instance, how a person can pretty much cast their worries and insecurities onto God; and let him somehow direct them into making the right decision.

 

To be quite honest, when I first started out. I was attracted to these studies mainly due to English. Albeit, that changed over time. You see, religious teachings, so long as they hold water, will never beguile you into joining them. That is something a learned little by little and after a attending different churches. In fact, would I never buy into what a religious organization is saying if the did not elucidate their principles in a clear-cut and honest way. For instance, when I learned that the Anglican church was quite tolerant with people from different sexual orientations, and skin color, I felt quite at home. Not exactly owing to me being from a different sexual a orientation or raze, but due to people close to me being part of the aforesaid groups.

 

In review, one joins "bible studies" not only to strengthen their faith, but also to learn more about the scripture and spent time of fellowship with people from their congregation. At times, we wonder whether or not we should do something constructive every time we have free time. Thus, attending religious public talks and bible studies should be a must. May be not all the time though. Still and all,

being able to fit these events into your schedule is as imperative as having a prayer routine so as to invigorate your walk of faith.  Not that I need to bring out any more points by now.

The nuts and bolts of the CAE exam...

It has been a while since I last wrote a post. As you already know last time I was talking about whether to resume my college studies or take another international exam and be done with it. For now, I am leaning more on the possibility to take the CAE exam. Not only would it take less time, but it would also help me to shore up my weaknesses, which are not many (modesty aside), in the English language.

 

First off all, the CAE is a C1 type of test; which equates to an advanced level examination. Consequently, the preparation needed for this test must be done at least four months in advanced, and has to be detailed and specific. Personally, when push comes to shove, I could  always take the course so as to secure a pass. For instance, I have heard of five-month programs which prepare for the exam successfully and tackle all the skills at once.

 

Why should I be this worried though. Why am I not unfazed by the strong possibility of taking this test. Well, given the fact that I consider myself out of practice (Passed the ECPE exam back in 2012), due to not having been in contact with this kind of exams for quite a while now. Not to mention that the thought of failing the exam niggles me constantly. Thus, I feel it incumbent upon myself to make the right decision.

 

Lastly, am I sure that if I stick it out until the end of the preparation course, will I have procured a pass for sure. Be that as it may, will it not be that easy. Hence, the need for me to take it as seriously  as possible so as to ensure successful results.

P.S. I have attached a video which gives a concise explanation of the nuts and bolts of taking the CAE

Is college worth it?

Last time I talked about how imperative it had been for me to stabilize myself at work and the steps I took so as to accomplish it. This time however, I will be talking about the possibility of getting back to college. Not to mention that I will tackle the pros and cons one by one.

 

Right after I dropped out of college, I pulled myself up by my bootstraps by joining an Anglican church and getting a stable job as an English teacher. Be that as it may, I still had that bitter feeling of having somehow failed to make good of the promise I had once made myself to finish up my degree. First of all, I would say that earning a degree in education would mean making more money for sure due to having a higher status. Needless to say that I would belong to a more prestigious organization than the one I already do with way more benefits and opportunities.

 

On the plus side, I do not really need to have a degree to perform the job I do. With a few international exams and a couple of methodology certifications under my belt, I have more than enough skills to work proficiently without any inconvenience. If I wanted to have a higher income, all I need to do is to pass a few more international exams. That way I would not need to spread myself to thin by juggling different activities. Hence, there should not be the need to vacillate on the matter.

 

In review, am I having a hard time deciding whether I should get back to college or not. All I know is that I am not getting any younger and that I have rebuffed more than a few suggestions that I should go back. Not that I want to shirk from my responsibilities, nor am I closing my eyes to the problem. Still and all, it seems hard to make up my mind regarding this matter. Sooner than later, I know I will make the write decision. Before I go though, I just have to make sure that I smooth out this writing.

How to write an effective essay

Am I starting to get back into the swing of things. Albeit, there are still a few loose ends that need tying up. For instance, the fact that I have been given only one class to teach thus far raises a compunction in me about having left for a couple of months. Be that as it may, the aforesaid is not the main topic of my post. In the following, I am going to talk about essay writing and why it is important to have a daily habit of reading and another of getting out there and experiencing new things.

 

Reading (especially in English) is a habit I developed ever since I moved to Canada five years ago. Even though I only spent one year there. Something I took away from my stay was to have honed my reading skills back there. To illustrate my point I would say as follows: Regardless of the fact that you might grow vicarious pleasure in the content of the novels you read, they can still help out a lot.

Not only have the few self-help books I have bought improved my thinking, their advice has also aided me in making better decisions regarding my daily life.

 

On  the other hand, experiencing new things is a must. Aside from attending bible seminars every Saturday, I also try to attend conversation clubs that give their attendees free rein to express their opinion.  What is more, every year there is an event called English camp I started attending ever since last year. In this aforesaid event, not only do attendees take part in countless ESL activities, but they are also introduced to a few trades just for fun. Anything that doesn't make you slip backwards could come in handy.

 

In review, I would say to you must be quite methodical so as to become a good writer. You have to keep a note-pad so as to write down the new words you learn by the day. Moreover, you must also jot down the ideas you come up with on a daily basis in order to narrow down your options and scrap the ones you don't need until you find the one most suitable for your essay. Finally, try to talk to interesting people you meet about a wide variety of topics and avoid dredging up bad memories when talking to friends or family.

P.S. I prefer writing two supporting paragraphs as opposed to the teacher in the video. On account of it being tidier and less wordy.

Get back to work advice

Has it been almost to weeks since I last posted. Time goes by so quickly and I was feeling guilty not to write a post for so long.  Anyhow, have I already told you that little bit more than two weeks ago I got my job back after a while. To be honest I was starting to think things were going to grind to a halt if I did not get it back. Ever since then not much has transpired besides my usual routine.

 

Getting back my job not only helped me realize that there is always hope no matter what, but it also made me realize how important it is to take your responsibilities more seriously. What  I mean by that is that I was actually behaving in an unreasonable way due to not wanting take on any class whatsoever. During that time my neglect towards work on account of not being able to get over a negative flashback was reprehensible. Needless to say I was holding out for a better job offer to no avail.

 

Nevertheless do I have a more positive mind-set at this point. No longer am I estranging myself from my priorities. This time, am I focusing more on what is most important. Still and all, I do not feel on top of things quite yet. In order for that to happen will I have to rev up my energy levels and organize myself a little more.

 

To round this post out, I would say as follows: Irrespective of what might have happened in the past, am I now on the right track. Teaching has become my bread and butter. Thus, people might tell me that I should further my education by finishing up my degree. Be that as it may, I do not feel quite ready to do so just yet. I may even start all over again. That is the reason why I feel quite ambivalent about the aforesaid statement. Not to mention that it is also quite irksome to think about that. 

PS. Next time will I try to come up with something new.

Courage to fail

Recently did I get back on track by getting my job back after a long while. Even though I was rusty and worried (filled with trepidation), I knew that where the rubber met the road, I had to be ready. Thus, I shut down my fears and confronted the situation as best as I could. What should I have done to overcome this in the first place though?

 

By making light of the problem, I was not solving it either. Hence, the need to find a reasonable way to deal with the matter at hand as  effective as possible. Might, chalk up my absence from work to fear and neglect. Be that as it may, identifying the problem does not always help solving it. What does though?

 

There is such a term called "faulty corvallis", which are intense fears that develop as we grow up.

For instance social anxiety might be one of them, fear of failure could be another. However, there is something we had not tackled before. For most people, failure equals bad, but giving up is much worse. I experienced that first hand myself. There is no telling how much you can miss out on if you give up doing something so soon.

 

To close things out, I would say that I've almost all my life refuted people saying that you can learn something from failure. To me failure was something that could bring you to your knees. Was I dead wrong though. Had it not been for my failures, I would have not learn the things I know now. Even though I would have ended up better off without making some of those mistakes, were they so impactful that they helped anyway.

Atheism Documentary

Not this last Sunday, but the one before I did not attend church due to not being able to sleep the night before. Not to mention that the feeling of coziness I felt the next day plus the urge to make up for the lost time slept deterred me from being a good Christian that day. Little did I know that the ramifications of that bad decision were going to weigh on me afterwards.

 

After I woke up I felt pretty guilty and decided to post a question an Yahoo Answers as I usually do when something goes wrong in my life. It ended up being counterproductive. Owing to the fact that I got the opposite answers to the ones I was expecting. For instance, one of the people who wrote said: "Well I am an atheist, which means I have the advantage of sleeping in every Sunday". The aforesaid answer took me back to when I myself was an atheist.

 

Not exactly was I thinking that I was contravening the law by being an atheist back then. Albeit, I do think there was something wrong about it. Not only was I out of my depth when it came to religious matters, but I realized something crucial. The only reason why I was an atheist was because I was following my brother's footsteps. Hence, had I been shackled by his beliefs  from becoming a Christian. When I finally became one I realized how important is to have your own identity.

 

Last but not least, will I say as follows: Even though, I had become an Atheist years ago on my kin's account, I learned how one has to say "no" sometimes. They could have dissuaded me at first not to follow Christ. Be that as it may, it was ultimately me who made the decision to become a member of a Christian church. Despite the fact of my faith being impoverished on account of some of my prayers not being answered, will I never regret being a  Christian. Anyhow,I was going to shoehorn I couple of big words here and there. Though I think that keeping this post succinct and to the point is wiser.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is more than flashbacks

Have I not been writing for over two weeks now. Hence, did I decide to get back in action after a well deserved hiatus. Not exactly am I going to keep my nose to the grindstone, and start writing until I wear myself out. Instead, little by little am I going to get into gear. Anyhow, this time around have I decided to talk about my own troubles with PTSD a little.

 

For those of you who have been reading my blog for a couple of years now, do you know about my troubled past. In a nutshell did you let other people tell me what to do more than once during my teenage years. Albeit, not even time has been able to heal those wounds I keep from the past. In fact owing a flashback did I lose my previous job a couple of months ago. Let's just say that after that I did not quite feel the same person for a while.

 

Despite the fact that I have not been tiptoeing around my problem. Do I know I could have done more to solve it. At times do  I even talk about how well I get along with my therapists, in the same breath though I keep bellyaching about not seeing much improvement. It is as though traumatic experiences from the past were embedded into my brain.

 

In review, would I say that even though I have not totally overcome my past experiences; do my current endeavours keep me busy enough so as to deal with them. Consequently, in place of transposing those fears I keep from the past into the work place, do I try to keep as level-headed as possible. What's more, next time I start locking horns with the past, do I intend to win.

5 Phrases for Becoming Assertive

Was I supposed to start writing yesterday morning. Be that as it may, was inspiration not on my side at that moment. Hence, could I say that my intentions to write a new post on my blog missed the mark. Albeit, now do I feel up to par so as to write something inspirational. Thus, did I want to intellectualize a little bit about how not to come across weak in a conversation.

 

Am I going to put the cards on the table, and say that by no means am I am an assertive oral communicator. That is the truth to be blunt. However, in a manner of speaking, can I be effective at it by asserting myself on a few occasions. Truth be told though, is my confidence parallel to a Japanese skyscraper, swaying back and forth most of the time.

 

How can I remedy that though? In order to measure up to my own expectations am I going to need practice. Next time a beautiful girl jogs by for instance, instead of getting cold feet am I going to try to make a move. So as for that to happen am I also going to have to be able to stand up to bullies in due time, consequently will I need to lay groundwork.

 

In review, being assertive is a matter of practice. Besides, do I know I should start carrying out tasks so as to accomplish it. Having said that, I also think that a few hours of rest after a busy week will serve me well. Do I know that I incurred the  loss of my job by quitting due to a flashback. Be that as it may, I know I still can come through and fix the situation.

How to Give the Heimlich Maneuver | First Aid Training

First Aid... a topic that has been distant to me ever since I had the chance to attend a class in 2011.

Due to the fact that I had signed up for a CPR class on my birthday back when I was living in Canada; it was impossible for me to do it in parallel with my birthday activities. Silly mistake, but at least I got the chance to learn the expression " a pledge of allegiance" if it is of any consolation.

 

Only one time when I was in college here in Peru did I slightly experienced what it was to administer CPR on a patient. Even back then the procedure was very simple. I remember they would teach us how to do the chest compressions. Not to mention, they also taught us how to do the rescue breaths.

What's more, they even taught us how to use fire extinguishers, but that's a topic for another day.

 

On the other hand, is still hard for me to reconcile myself to the fact that I still have to keep on with my treatment so as to get better in due course. Back to CPR, do I think I have already broken the back of this post. Nonetheless, do I still have to add a few details. Would it not be easy for instance, to draw a parallel between CPR in the USA and its counterpart in Peru. Albeit, most of the of the Peruvian rules pattern themselves on the American model.

 

To sum things up, will I end up saying that I am going to share a video on the topic as usual. Not that I want to go down in even more details. Be that as it may, I neglected to mention the Heimlich manoeuvre, which is basically a method in which you apply pressure to someone's belly so as to remove something they had stuck in their throat.  Last but not least, will I heighten your interest by encouraging you to watch this video which will supply the correct answers. Hopefully, carrying on writing will keep me on the straight and arrow.

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Mental Health Videos with Kat...

Have I not exactly looked for advice from someone who has their head screwed on the right way lately. Albeit, have I tried to reason a way out of my problem. Not only by trying to clear out those negative thoughts, but also by trying to look for different activities so as to deal with my problem.

 

Have I already gone through convoluted explanations so as to recount my bad experiences. Hence, instead of catastrophizing even more; have I decided to go into the root of what occasioned my dilemma. Lately, have I been secluding myself more than usual and letting it lie instead of going to the doctor for assistance right away. Not only has it prevented myself from getting straightened out, but it also has delayed my recovery process.

 

Not to mention that my usual enthusiasm for doing the things I enjoy the most has completely deserted me. Thus, causing a major struggle. By my own admission, this all may have been caused due to me pussyfooting around instead of looking for a solution. Though, have I not had that much help from outside sources either. Thereby, what I have left to do now though, is fixing my thoughts in something positive, and starting a new routine.

 

Have all these recent hardships been scrambling my mind. Albeit, have I had the chance to get the help needed. Thus, do I have to stop ducking out of my responsibilities, and get things into motion.

Am I put out with myself for not having taken action sooner. Be that as it may, does it not mean that I still cannot start working at full throttle so as to not only redirect my thoughts, but also mould myself into a better person.

Depression Warning Signs - Strategies To Combat Depression

It was a rough day indeed. For some weeks now, have I experienced relapses of depression. In fact were they so strong that I could not even prevent myself from just lying in bed most of the day at times. Not to mention that I have received stern criticism from friends that do not understand my situation,

 

Was my treatment for depression cut short; due to me realizing that the professionals who were tending to me not committed to their work. Hence, have I resumed it not long ago. Irrespective of the treatment though, have I fallen into several relapses that were unbearable. Hence not only did this relapses retarded my recovery process, but they also hindered my usual composed behaviour.  Not to mention that they also put my future plans out of joint. That alone jangled my nerves.

 

Be that as it may, have I found a way to get my plans of the ground. Having said that, I acknowledged there was no other way to be blessed than laying down my requests to God. Did I realized also that no matter how much work I have put in so as to accomplish my goals. If I do not follow God's path I am lost. Thus, the reason why I failed in the past. Crisis can bring the best of you only if you fight alongside The lord.

 

Lastly, I would say that today made a commitment with God that I would not resort to evil spirits so as to seek help. I wish though, that at times I was hustled out of danger by my guardian angel. I also have to admit that for years was I mad at The lord for not having helped me whatsoever during my darkest times. Even so am I glad now I haven't pulled out of being a Christian. Needless to say that I hope to get a no frills one-way ticket to heaven in the foreseeable future.

How To Stop Worrying About Choosing A Career

It's been exactly two weeks since I last published a post. Hence, have I had a hankering for writing at least once more.  Be that as it may, do I still have to up my game so as to keep things interesting. Thus, today am I going to talk about my career path. Something I struggled with ever since I momentarily relinquished my right to make my own decisions during my late teenage years.

 

Recently, have I been pouring my heart out to some friends and reminiscing about my happiest memories learning English. You see, ever since I was little I have always had a knack for languages. Unfortunately though did I take it for granted. Consequently, did it take me more than a while to master it. However, in the past few years have I set great store by English grammar rules and vocabulary. Back to what I was talking about though. Am I going to give some instances if what I could choose for a career path.

 

For instance, one of the jobs I have been aiming for years has been teaching English. Albeit, have I also been slightly involved in interpretation as well. To me though, any job that involves English would suffice. However, have I had my work cut out trying to work at something other than teaching.

Hence, I have been fleeting from one activity to another looking for a job that could match my preferences.

 

Lastly, would I say that the most important thing to do when choosing a career path is to make your own decisions. One of the worst mistakes I made regarding the aforesaid statement was to trust my kin too much.  Not to mention that I lost a lot of time doing that as well. Ergo, instead of beating a dead horse trying to pursue unrealistic dreams; or doing what other people tell you, you should do as follows: Take the necessary time so as too look for as many options as you can so as to find the best one. You shouldn't have an axe to grind when it comes to career path. You should love your job, and not necessarily money per se. Last but not least, you should pull out all stops trying to accomplish your goal.

8 Ways to Start Over After You Hit Rock Bottom

Do they say sometimes you have to hit rock-bottom so as to appreciate life more. Well, that has happened to me recently. I feel as if my life is spinning out of control at this point and I cannot save myself. In the following post am I going to talk about how to little by little stand back up again after crumbling down.

 

Not that I want to detract from what I have achieved in my life. Still and all, those little achievements are nothing compared to how many hardships I have had to endure. Not to mention that as unrelenting as my spirits might have seemed at the start, setbacks kept chipping away at my confidence to the point of making me lose heart. Thus, the reason why I oftentimes work up a lather over my situation. Be that as it may, by no means do I want to come across as a failure. Just as a guy who's had it rough.

 

Will I spare you the details regarding how I got to be on this state of depression. I am just going to say that is that all it took was to lose my  job. Not only did that made my spirits flop, but it also made me lose hope. Even though I did applied for another job, the odds are not in my favour. Albeit, have I heard before that one has to have at least a plan b when to comes to job hunting.

 

You may be asking yourselves, where exactly is the advice. All this guy is doing is bleating about his life. I will object to that by saying as follows: Not only will I share a video as always so as to reinforce what I have said, but I also will hold fast in my belief that you sometimes have to get it out of your system so as to give good advice. To close things out, for the most part all I can say is to draw on your skills as much as possible in times of need and to lighten the tone of darkness one sometimes experiences.

Phil Beadle How to Teach - Teaching tips for new teachers

Irrespective of the fact that this week has not been so good for me, things are picking up. I know I have already tackled the topic of shyness in the classroom. Still and all, it would be a good idea to bring it up again considering that I am going to be taking up a new job as an English teacher. Things do not seem to be so auspicious regarding me getting along with the students. Albeit, I know that with a bit of practice am I going to be able to handle teenagers as well as adults.

 

It goes without saying that children make me blow a gasket each time they misbehave. Be that as it may, I more or less have learned to deal with them by now. Seeing as how am I going to be teaching teens this time around though, I am bound to over-prepare. Teaching either children or teens is a big challenge. Hence, the more material you bring to the table, the more prepared you are so as to deal with them.

 

Albeit, not only am I going to have to consider materials for my classes. I am also going to have to gear up to deal with misbehaving teens on a daily basis. Developing a thick skin will help. Teaching is a war. Gathering up the courage to addressing boisterous teenagers is not that hard sometimes. What is hard is learning how to coexist with them. Besides, being a teacher does not mean behaving in a supercilious way either. Every person has their place.

 

To wind things up, I would say that it is also crucial not to mince words when it comes to students. Being able to be as forthright as possible is essential. Thus, the need to wipe off those insecurities about teaching problematic teens. The key to success in the classroom is growing horns like the devil and imposing your will from day one.

5 Tricks for Overcoming Fear

Things are starting to pick up. It turns out I am going to have a job interview this morning. Therefore, it was wise enough from me to work up the courage so as to leave my resume in a new place. To be honest though, the job I am currently up sucks. Hence, the need for me to put my confidence in a new chance. In the following post, am I going to talk about how to conquer your fears.

 

For years, has it been hard for me to pluck up the courage to take on new challenges. Bad things come at you quite often and you have to be prepared to confront them as well. For instance, after being psychologically ground down by my brother for years, was it hard for me to get back on my feet. Taking on order after order from him only made my self-esteem grow weaker. Hence, it all led me to believe that I was becoming my sibling's puppet.

 

After realizing that my lack of confidence was intertwined by my love for my brother, I decided to take a step. Not only did I stop talking to him for a couple of years, but I also realized he was shoving his decisions down my mom's throat as well. It was like a vicious circle in which my brother was manipulating me through my mother and my mother through me. It all seems abstruse. However, it is clear he was instigating family abuse.

 

To close things out, I am going to say that indeed some of the things that have happened to me have drove me into a stupor. Be that as it may, most of the time I have had the strength to bounce back.

Have I also learned that indulging in the past is not a good thing. Not to mention that I lost my previous job due to flashbacks from the past. I felt as if waves of bad emotions had come over me.

How to Get Rid of Negative Thoughts using Eastern Law of Attraction

Do I look like a cat on a hot tin roof right now. For starters, was I not able to go to work this morning. At six am, did I take a run as usual. All of a sudden, a very convincing flashback took over my mind and forced me to have to call in sick afterwards. It seems as though my vehement feelings of despair prevented me from doing the right thing. In the following post will I be talking about how to combat negative thoughts from a personal point of view.

 

Is it still feasible for me to get better. Albeit, a little unlikely. Not that I want to be bearer of bad news. Though, as time passes by it seems more complicated for me to wash my hair off my problems.

Do I know that I have to nip my issues in the bud before I get flung out of work. Notwithstanding, do I also have to walk on eggshells after having been absent for a while at work. Not to mention, that my indiscreet remarks against my workplace  to one of the parents of my students almost damaged my reputation.

 

Do I have to put things on a balance and get my priorities straight. Have I been regarding this iffy job I am in as more important than my health. Thus, it all backfired. Taking meds is part and parcel of following a treatment. Albeit, both the medicine and the psychotherapy go hand in hand. Moreover, to answer my initial question and not to fudge the reason why I wrote this post in the first place let me say as follows: The sooner I keep up with the treatment and keep my mind busy, the faster will things fall into place.

 

Hence, in order not to be in a dip all the time, will I have to make a huge effort. Perhaps I cannot change my past. Not to mention that I ascribe my failures to my kin's manipulation. Though, what I can do is work towards a better future. Exactly how I will heal myself still remains a grey area. Be that as it may, what I know is that I cannot believe in Sod's law for now.

How to Let Go of The Past (The Secret Guide to Moving Forward) *MUST SEE*

Things could have not been worse this week. I went from having one of the classes I was going to teach cancelled, to falling out and having a huge fight with a close friend. In the following post, am I going to talk about how to overcome guilt and past mistakes.

 

To be honest though, having been forced to make the wrong decisions is not the same as making mistakes yourself. The aforesaid happened to me. Instead of having got a slap in the wrist for mistakenly having trusted my kin, did I get severe punishment. Not only by having been forced to forgo the simple pleasures of life, but also by being prevented from making my own choices regarding career path and many other things.

 

Having listened to my brother and mother's advice has certainly scuppered my chances to get an acceptable job and a decent education. Albeit, am I also partly to blame due to not having been strong enough so as to oppose them. Hence, allowing their manipulation to recur time after time. Owing to the traumas I developed thanks to overprotection and psychological abuse, I wasn't able to find a job for a long time for instance, even when I came back to Peru.

 

Does my mood oscillate between hope and despair. Even though I have a amounted to something a little bit meaningful, has it taken me so long that it does not really matter anymore. Have I put foot in it by trusting my family. I indeed have. Though,  that does not mean I have to keep beating myself up over it. Sitting in regret is only going to make me feel worse. To sum it all up, do I need to quell my fears about the past and move on once and for all.  

Why New Year's Resolutions Fail

Have I been apart from this blog long enough. To be honest, did I think I was no going to post anything again due to me getting rusty. The need to sharpen up my skills made me want to write again. Yet another year has gone by and I have some resolutions for this year. Hope it is not too late to want to pursue them.

 

Will I go out on a limb and say it is going to take me only a year to get back in shape starting today for instance. Not only is it going to take me the usual jogging routine, but a few more exercises I am not used to. Still and all, there are more interesting things I would like to a accomplish this year as well. An instance of that would be the fact that I would also love to hone my singing skills by taking a music class.

 

Even so, so as to achieve all that am I going to have to change my habits. Something I have to work on this year and that certain has not fallen out of favour is waking up early. Needless to say that by doing that will I stop life from passing me by. Do I still remember the constructive criticism I got from one of my closest friends not long ago. Even though he in fact cut me to the quick, his remarks were honest enough.

 

In review, do I have a tight schedule and many things in mind to accomplish. Will the clock be on my side, or against me? Well that's something I will find out soon enough. In light of what I have been saying so far regarding time, will I have to be cautious enough so as to keep up.  Last, but not least will I say that despite the fact that I do not always enjoy my friends pieces of advice, sometimes those comments that are closest to the bone are the ones that can ultimately save you.