Be Different or be dead

September 30, 2019

5 enormous problems schools have that really annoy me

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5 enormous problems schools have that really annoy me.

The value of your education should be evaluated in terms of how well it prepared you to go out into the world and achieve a rewarding career in whatever field you choose.

My career meandered through various types of organizations and jobs, from an entry level analyst position in a monopoly telecommunications firm to president in a highly competitive data and internet business to career development author and mentor to young professionals.

My school experience didn’t prepare me well enough for my 40 - year journey; these are the top 5 annoyance I have with school.

1. Compliance

School at all levels teaches you’re taught to comply with what is being taught; learn the content and don’t deviate from it. Follow the rules is the theme at school.

The curriculum represents “the truth” in the world to students who view the subject matter — and the teacher’s bias in teaching — as gospel.

This is a problem for organizations that are thus faced with selecting the best conformance person in terms of their education and therefore find difficulty finding the right balance of stability and creativity in potential candidates.

2. Rewards for fitting in

A corollary to the previous point, is that “A’s” are handed out to those in class who have mastered the course content perfectly.
Achieving 95% in your science exam means you are a science master, whereas a 30% mark means you’re not doing as well as you should in terms of learning the rote content. A high mark = almost perfect compliance; a low mark = low compliance.

In business, rewards in most organizations go to those who fit in; who comply with the way things are done around here. Who is best at applying the traditional doctrines of an organization seem to get recognition, those that step out and challenge the norms often attract negative attention.

This is a real problem because it doesn’t encourage creativity and innovation which is what is needed for organizations to survive and thrive in an uncertain and unpredictable environment.

3. Irrelevance

School teaches you copious amounts of subject matter but much of it isn’t transferable into business.
▪️Business needs innovation and creativity; schools teach compliance;
▪️Business needs adaptability from employees; school teaches predictability using standard formulae;
▪️Business needs recovery skills when mistakes are made; school teaches do it right the first time and is silent on what to do if actions don’t work right the first time;
▪️Business needs personalization in the solutions provided; school teaches mass marketing.

Curriculums need to be constantly revised, not with different ways of teaching traditional pedagogy but with new topics that help organizations succeed.

Furthermore, schools need to back-off paying so much attention to teaching about social structure dynamics as well as societal injustices, and step up to at least starting a conversation about the skills necessary to drive economic success.

4. Teachers’ role

Teachers don’t think about students as customers; they view them as objects to mould into conformists that follow learn 2500 year old doctrine with their particular biases.

A bit of generalization perhaps, but there are far fewer teachers in schools that try to exceed the expectations of their students than the number who view their job to force their students to learn.

This is a problem because leadership needs an attitude of “How can I help?” rather than one of assuming they know what’s right for someone else and ordering them to comply.

5. Business leaders missing

It’s one thing to criticize schools for not teaching business survival competencies but if engagement by business leaders in the school system is lacking it can’t be held totally culpable.

School teachers don’t know how to run a business; they’ve never done it. They may know the principles of “good” customer service from text books but they’ve never how to apply them in a real world situation — knowing is not the same as learning.

This is a real problem because if business leaders are not actively engaged in schools, teachers will never start to understand the nuances they must start to teach, and students will continue to have credentials that fall short of business expectations.

Active school engagement should be written into every leader’s annual performance plan with specific objectives to achieve. In fact this is such an important issue, it should command executive responsibility — the VP Schools position should be established to prioritize the need.

The relationship between schools and business is too loose; tighten it up and the quality of students to help organizations will soar.

Cheers,
Roy
Check out my BE DiFFERENT or be dead Book Series

• Posted 9.30.19 at 04:59 am by Roy Osing
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September 28, 2019

How lookism can be used as an amazing competitive weapon

How lookism can be used as an amazing competitive weapon.

Being different is essential if you want to stand out and be noticed in a world where most people tend to blend together. That’s why you should be bold and let your inner light shine through.

Looking good and standing out from a crowd doesn’t have to be difficult or scary, but the catch is in the details. No matter how well we know that beauty is just skin deep, we also know that looking our best makes us feel better and confident.

Let how you feel reflect how you look.

Here are 11 simple improvements you can make in order to stand out from the crowd every day.

1. Personality and confidence

There is no better way to stand out from the crowd than by being yourself. There are many discussions about what’s more important: appearance vs personality. My take on this is that they are both equally important. You just need to find a balance between both.
Yes, it’s a personality that makes us unique and distinct but why not let our personality show through our appearance. There is no better way of showing how different we are then by letting our personalities guide us.

Spend time with yourself, learn what you like and dislike in terms of style and makeup. Find out which physical attributes are your best according to you – be self-criticizing but in a good way. Then learn to enhance those physical features you consider good or change those you dislike. Work on yourself and build up confidence. There is nothing more attractive than a confident person.

The body language of a confident person is different and unique and it attracts attention. That’s why if you want to stand out don the clothes you feel most comfortable in (but that complement your physique) and be confident!

2. Skin care routine

Even though beauty is skin deep, taking care of our skin is pretty important. The skin is our body’s largest organ and taking proper care of it can make a world of difference in years to come.
Apart from the fact that healthy skin is one point more on the attractiveness scale, healthy skin also helps us reduce the aging signs and thus makes us age gracefully.

Taking care of your skin will also help you be confident. If your skin is clear and clean, you won’t have to be self-conscious about your looks. You will be confident and it will show. Having clear and healthy skin is just one of the ways that can separate you from the crowd, and it doesn’t take much to have clean skin. All you need to do is develop a routine and stick to it. Take care of your skin and it will take care of you!

3. Healthy smile

There is this thing known as dental appearance and it’s pretty important if you want to look good and stand out. Oral and dental health are some of the really important things when building your self-esteem and confidence.

Apart from making you look good, having healthy teeth is utterly important for your overall health. Many dental health problems have been linked to health problems such as heart and diabetes. So, to prevent bigger problems and complications we should take care of our dental health.

Additionally, dental appearance such as the color of your teeth or alignment has become a great factor in self-perception and overall appearance. Today, aesthetic or cosmetic dentistry is commonly used to improve the appearance of teeth. You can have your teeth whitened or straightened in no time.

Or if you don’t like going to the dentists, you can have your teeth whitened at home. There are many different methods of whitening your teeth at home. Having a white and healthy smile has never been easier.
So, smile more and show those pearly whites and you will automatically be 100% more attractive and different.

4. Corrections

We all have at least one part of our body that we strongly dislike and that we would like to change. So, why not change it?
In this day and age, it has never been easier to change something on your body. If that will make you feel better and happier about yourself, then go for it.

Procedures such as nose jobs, boob jobs, and even lip fillers have become a normal occurrence. All you have to do is know what you want to change and know the difference between cosmetic and plastic surgery.

Both of these types of surgeries have become the new normal, and being unhappy with your appearance is no longer an excuse. These surgeries can not only make you feel happy but can do wonderful things for your health too. From removing fat and excess amounts of skin to removing ugly scars.
Get Botox, yet another treatment that can help you look confident and wrinkle-free. There is nothing wrong with getting a little help in that department. Keep in mind that for this non-surgical treatment age doesn’t matter. 

There are options that can make you feel self-satisfied and happy. And if you are happy and confident, it will show and you will be more attractive to people. Being self-satisfied and happy will make you stand out for sure! 

5. Change your hairstyle

Having the same hairstyle can get really boring pretty fast. Following new hairstyle trends is ok, but all of a sudden you see everyone having the same hairstyle and the trend is no longer all that new or interesting. On the other hand, standing out with a completely different hairstyle can be a bit intimidating at first. But once you do it, you will not only feel better but confident even.

So, why not vamp up your look, stand out from the crowd and be confident with a new hairstyle all at once? 
Start by having your hair color changed. Changing your hair color isn’t permanent and yet it’s some kind of change. You can start with mild color changes such as highlights and then with time dye your whole hair. Changing your hair color is a great way to make you stand out from the crowd.

Another way to spice up your looks is to have your hair cut. Want to stand out, get a bold cut. You will see how just by changing your hairstyle, length, and color you can completely change your look.

6. Take care of your eyebrows and eyelashes

Nothing says more put together than having your eyebrows on fleek. Having nice and groomed eyebrows is proof that you’re taking care of yourself very well. This is because the first thing that people notice is your eyebrows. So why not have them perfectly-groomed. You can always have a pair of tweezers in your bag and just use them whenever need be. That easy.

The same goes for eyelashes, curling them will make your eyes look better and more open. Once you curl your eyelashes, you will never want to go back to not curling them, ever again.
It’s the small things like brows and eyelashes that will make you look different and stand out more.

7. Up your makeup game

No one is perfect and no one has perfect facial symmetry. However, makeup can rectify this and make us look more attractive. Makeup can make our eyes look bigger or smaller, lips bigger, it can enhance our features and soften our prominent chin…in short, makeup can do miracles and make us look flawless.

And with so many makeup tutorials out there, there is no way that you can’t learn how to do your own makeup. From bold eyeshadow colors to perfectly contoured cheekbones – you will look perfect and eye-catching. 

8. Unique fragrance

The sense of smell is our most powerful sense because of its close link to the memory. That’s why having a unique signature scent is just another way of separating yourself from the crowd.
The perfume you wear can make you draw attention to yourself and stand out of the crowd. This doesn’t mean that you should have only one go-to scent. Just like accessories, perfumes can be changed depending on the occasion. 

If you really want to attract attention and turn heads, wear perfumes with unique and exotic notes. The choice is always individual but try to choose something that will make you feel good.
These fragrances don’t have to be expensive or branded, they just have to have those unique notes that will trigger peoples memory and remind them of you. There is no better way to stand out then by finding your signature scent.

9. Wear bolder colours

It takes guts to wear bold colored clothes, I’ll give you that. But this is another element that can make you stand out in the crowd.
It’s interesting that the color of your clothes can tell a lot about your personality and your mood.
For example, if you love wearing red, you are someone who loves to take risks and who is very passionate. You are energetic and extroverted, and very open. Red is a very eye-catching color and apart from saying much about you, it also makes you stand out in many different ways. 

If red is not you then find colors and shades that complement your skin tone. You don’t have to overdo it, just use statement pieces with bold colors. One statement piece is enough, for example, wear a red leather jacket, a colorful scarf or a bold colored skirt.

Let the primary color be something neutral that you can combine with those bold accent pieces. This year’s popular bold color is yellow. If this color complements your skin tone, you can incorporate it quite nicely into your wardrobe. 

10. Accessorize

Accessories can make a world of difference if you want to stand out. Accessories can make you feel confident and chic. However, just like with anything, choosing the right accessories is crucial.
Big bold necklaces are ok if you’re wearing something neutral. Don’t let your clothes clash with your accessories. Too much will only achieve the opposite of what you’re going for.

A cool watch is a timeless statement piece – and today there are so many options to choose from. Watches can be an ideal accessory for just about any occasion.

Handbags and purses are another important and useful accessory. You can either have various of them or just the one that can go with every outfit.
Sunglasses, especially funky sunglasses are in nowadays. Find the ones that correspond to your personality and that fit your head shape, and your confidence game will be strong.

11. Shoes

And finally, we come to the final piece in our puzzle of looks that can make you stand out. To complete the whole look, you will need a comfortable yet eye-catching pair of shoes. Set yourself apart by wearing shoes that match your personality.

You can make a pair of shoes your own with just the right DIY projects – from painted to glittered shoes, everything counts. Finding or making the perfect pair of shoes will not only bring your whole look together but it will get you some compliments.
Once again, don’t go overboard – if you decide to wear a pair of glittered shoes make sure that the rest of your outfit is neutral. You want to set yourself apart and not give the wrong impression. 

From major changes like surgeries to small ones like changing your hairstyle – choose whatever works for you. As you can see standing out from the crowd isn’t all that difficult, you just need to find what suits you best. And, of course, what makes you feel best.

Looking good and being comfortable in your own skin is the best thing you can do for yourself. Start with working on yourself then gradually move onto small things like physical aspect. And keep in mind: confidence is the major element in standing out from the crowd.

— Helen Bradford Is a journalism student and a freelance writer with a 4-year-long experience in writing. She always strives to create high-quality content; her contributions are very informative, interesting and well-written. In her spare time, She enjoys reading crime novels, doing fitness and spending time with her dogs, Maya and Buster.

• Posted 9.28.19 at 05:31 am by Roy Osing
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August 2, 2019

7 simple techniques to get more things done at work

It can be hard to focus on your job when you can’t seem to find your mojo.

However, it doesn’t have to be that complicated. In fact, there are many simple techniques that you can do try to get more things done at work.

Below are several of these techniques that you can try:

Prioritize your goals

The reason you might not be getting work done as much done as you should is that you find yourself overwhelmed with all the things that you have to do.

All these tasks can make you panic. So you should prioritize and qualify each task based on which ones are more urgent.

You should rank them based on urgency and importance. You might have seen this way of structuring goals where you do the urgent and important tasks first, then the important but not urgent tasks, and so on.

This technique is called the Eisenhower Matrix, and it has been useful for a lot of people when it comes to categorizing their goals.

Source

Get organized

Another simple change that you can improve your productivity at work is to organize your desk.

The clutter around your workspace may be hindering you from doing the best job that you can.

You might be spending more time trying to look for all the things you need to start working instead of actually working.

Although personal decorations on your desk are okay, try to reduce it as much as possible. Items that don’t relate to your work should be minimized on the workspace so that it doesn’t distract you from doing your job.

Apply the Pareto Principle

Another principle that you can try incorporating in your life is the Pareto Principle.

It is a way of prioritizing tasks by means of identifying the ones that will give you the highest result or impact.

Focusing on tasks that give the strongest impact can make you move faster and more efficiently because you aren’t caught doing needless tasks that have no bearing to your job. Plus, you get to do tasks that are actually important to your work, so you aren’t procrastinating and rushing deadlines.

Utilize tools to help you work more efficiently

Perhaps the reason you aren’t as efficient as you could be is that you are trying to accomplish your tasks manually.

Nowadays, there are plenty of tools that you can use to finish your work faster. Sometimes, you might need to ask yourself this question: “Is there an app for that?”

Maybe you’re spending too much time doing administrative tasks instead of more important work. Check online if there is a software for that to help provide faster means for you to do your job.

Don’t be afraid to continuously optimize your daily work process to be as efficient as you can be.

Batch your tasks

There are other ways that you can prioritize or categorize your work tasks. One of these is by creating specific categories and batches for your tasks.

Maybe you want to organize your tasks based on the amount of energy that you need to be able to accomplish them. Or you might want to categorize them based on other factors that you like.

No matter what you choose, the context should be relevant to your experience. It isn’t too complicated, and yet it can give you a better picture of how your workday or work week will be going.

Use the Pomodoro technique

Pomodoro technique is a popular technique that allows you to focus and be more productive.

Instead of categorizing your tasks, it compartmentalizes your time between work and breaks. With the Pomodoro technique, it manages work time in bursts of 25 minutes that is split by short breaks of five minutes. This chunk of time is called a Pomodoro. After four pomodoros, you can then take a 15 to 20-minute break.

If you’re a person who struggles with managing their time because they are easily distracted by small breaks, then you may want to give the Pomodoro technique a try.

Learn to delegate

Last but not least, one other factor that may be the reason you aren’t getting more things done at work is that you aren’t delegating your tasks enough.

If you’re a leader in the workplace, then you must know that task delegation is an important part of your day. Remember that you have a team working behind you so you shouldn’t always take it upon yourself to do every bit of work.

Trust your team and let them work with you.

Wrap up

Many simple principles and techniques can aid your work productivity. Those mentioned above are just a few of those techniques. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find out which one works best for your work style. Good luck!

— Raymond Chiu is the Director of Operations for MaidSailors.com, the # 1 commercial cleaning services in NYC. Maid Sailors provide a wide range of cost-effective, yet high-quality office cleaning services that are sure to delight their customers.

• Posted 8.2.19 at 05:05 am by Roy Osing
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July 19, 2019

How to stop failure from breaking you

Let’s say you are teaching your baby to walk.

He trips and falls and can’t even seem to stand up.

How many attempts will you give your baby before you say “Nah that’s enough, you are not walking”?

You will let the baby try as many times as it takes.

Because you interpret his falling over (failure) as a learning experience. And why not do this with everything else in your life?

Failure can be harsh.

If it’s perceived in a certain way. It can make you give up on yourself.

I failed a lot.

I struggled with weight loss — kept failing on my diets.

In relationships — couldn’t make anything work long-term.

In my business — I made videos for one year and nobody watched.

In my studies — I dropped out of school.

This was me “failing” right? How did I stop failing?

My life changed when I changed my interpretation.

#1 Change your interpretation

I changed my interpretation to this is me trying and experimenting.

I stopped saying; “I am a failure, I just don’t follow through.”

I started saying; “Look at all these things I learned by failing”

In weight loss; I learned that it’s about burning more calories than you consume.

In my business; I learned I have to find ways to generate traffic.

In my relationships; As long as you are vulnerable and honest things will work out.

In my studies: Well, they weren’t for me anyways.

The interpretation has to change to experimenting, experience and growing.

You can’t keep fueling the swaying negative self-talk and expect a different result.

If you label everything as a failure —“Oh I am never good enough” well then you are a failure and will stay one.

Because you are interpreting everything as a failure.. failure ..failure.

#2 Learn the lessons

If you didn’t fail and you won’t have a reference point to learn from.

When a baby falls, it learns; Maybe not lean so far to the left…. don’t take long steps…

It has to fall over and over to get the whole picture.

So will you, if you want to achieve something.

#3 Be patient

Instead of being caught up in; “Oh I don’t have what I want yet, will I ever get it?”

Why not grant yourself some patience?

“We are gonna get it. We just have to stick through. Everybody goes through this. It’s one step at a step.”

Why not talk to yourself like that?

If things in your business aren’t popping out for you, maybe it’s okay to be patient and stick through.

You don’t need that instant result to make you happy. And it’s okay to keep going.

We get so obsessed about getting our goal that we forget it’s one step at a time.

And If you don’t step out of it, you will stay stuck and never get what you want.

The moment I said; okay I am going to stick with this. It’s one step at a time. Things started to change.

#4 The wrong thing

If you are working on something you don’t care about then good luck being positive.

No wonder you would be easily discouraged or would want to quit.

Good luck; if you are trying to get a degree to make your parents happy. It’s not going to make you happy.

If you are going to fail at something, fail at something you love. Because on the other path there is no salvation.

Listen to your heart and work on something that matters to you.

If you are doing what you love then make sure to swap your interpretations and success won’t be hard.

#5 Be different

When you get impatient and you seem to keep failing, remember it’s a learning experience.

This is how you get better.

And if you are not okay with going through this then you don’t deserve success.

The world isn’t a crazy place where you get rewarded for doing nothing.

The things that you want will take effort and sacrifice.

You have to be different than other people. You have to be willing to wait and fail and fail until you get better.

Because if you don’t then you are just like the rest of the masses.

They want things but aren’t willing to go through with this and there dreams wither away and die.

Live a life of unrealized potential or go through this transformative journey of giving your best effort daily to achieve your wildest dreams, the choice is yours.

It seems hard to put effort with no instant results but it’s not if you use the right interpretation.

Live in an upward spiral and the journey will get way easier.

When you put in the effort with the right interpretation and have patience — you will get what you want.

— Rafael Eliassen is Life and Business Coach. He works 1-on-1 with business owners and helps them get astonishing ROI’s by making the most of everything. Want to take your life and business to the next level? Book a 30-min consultation call: Rafael Eliassen

• Posted 7.19.19 at 04:41 am by Roy Osing
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