Discover The Secret To Fast Learning

Discover The Secret To Fast Learning


Can you still recall the cartoon series featuring Wily Coyote and the Roadrunner?

“Fast” brings back the image of the Roadrunner zooming past the obstacles laid out by Wily Coyote.

Speed may allow you to arrive at your intended destination; but along the way, were you able to take note of the things that you may have missed while speeding along the fast lane? As in driving, zooming in fast does not give enough opportunity to see and enjoy the view. The same can be said about learning.

Much of what you learn can be acquired through reading. The simple activity of getting in a comfortable position and start reading a book of your choice opens a new world for you. Reading enables you to tap into the minds of great people.

The more you read, the more you know. In the hope of reading more books, some attempt fast track reading. It is believed that the faster you read, the more you cover.

Fast track reading may involve reading by phrases and concepts compared with the word-for-word method. Fast track reading enables you to cover more pages with the same rate. However, one limitation of this method of learning is that you tend to remember only a small portion of the main idea. There is danger that you might miss the important details in the book.

There is a solution for this. Few people are aware of this seldom-talked about technique in fast learning. This is based on the principle that the mind thinks in pictures.

Learning is accelerated when you “see” the whole idea of the write-up or book. Seeing “live pictures” of ideas and thoughts of the writer makes reading experiential and unforgettable. When you see nothing while reading, you learn nothing. Fast reading becomes useless.

This technique is called visualization. Visualization is vital to quick learning. Visualization in reading is like constructing a jigsaw puzzle where pieces are put together to form the whole picture. The whole thing not only “appears,” but actually “comes alive” before you. All of these happen in the realm of the mind.

Just going through the motions of fast reading can give you a hazy picture of the subject matter. But like a mist, this picture often quickly evaporates into thin air. Fast reading without visual pictures often informs but very seldom impresses.

Impressions last while information changes with time. Past information is easily forgotten in favor of new ones. Impressions change you, and these are stored permanently in the mind.

For learning to become effective, it requires brief pauses to be able to visualize and reflect. Effective learning is not about how fast you can finish reading a book. It is more on how you effectively comprehend the ideas brought forth by the writer.

Visual pictures provide lasting impressions. Go after ideas and how it will enrich people’s existence. Go for lasting impressions and insights that will mold you into better individuals. Discover The Secret To Fast Learning

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Creativity To Improve Your Life

Creativity To Improve Your Life


“Are there still original ideas in the world?”
“They beat me to that bright idea; what else can I do?”
“I’ve failed many times before that I can’t think of anything else to solve this problem anymore.”

These statements reflect the thought of an individual who has given up on creativity. Sadly, a lot of people share this way of thinking. They never viewed creativity as a very useful tool to improve or improvise in life in all its diversity.

A situation that requires a solution can be approached in a variety of ways. There isn’t a single way fix to a problem. Being creative opens new horizons and can deliver many benefits. Creativity can sometimes be mistakenly interpreted as an obstinate attitude. Some people think that insisting on doing things in a different way is a sign of stubbornness.

Never hold back a good idea. Everyone is free to interpret his own unique way. Any interpretation by itself is creativity at work. A person who enjoys creative thinking can easily come up with innovative solutions for situations that require a quick fix.

For instance, your car got stalled on a deserted highway due to a leaky rubber hose on the cooling system. Tough luck! Of all places, it had to happen in the remotest places.

If you have some chewing gum in your pocket, it just might be a handy fix. Start chewing the gum and patch it on the leak. To keep the gum in place, tie it with a piece of rag. This quick fix might do the trick so you can drive several miles without an overheated engine, until you get to a service station to have the leaky hose replaced.

There used to be a television series entitled “MacGyver.” The main character is an extremely creative and crafty guy. Whenever he finds himself in a tight fix, he tries to find a way out of it with his quick fixes utilizing available materials around him.

In a way, creativity is a never-ending learning process. From learning, you gain untold benefits, which you can use in real life situations.

Being creative might require you to think out-of-the-box, venturing your mind into the uncommon. You can never be sure of your ideas until you try them. As long as there is no perceived danger involved, it is always worth a try.

Inventions are products of creative minds. The field of science, in whatever branch you may touch on, is invention itself. Without creative minds, science would have been a forlorn field of knowledge.

It must be noted that most adaptations to improve or improvise are aimed at improving current conditions. Upon analyzing honest applications of creativity, the ultimate intention is to achieve good for all and the will to build lasting peace. After all, this intention is what counts most.

Creativity To Improve Your Life

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What Is Your Fear Shutting You Off To?

Years ago I went on a silent retreat for women. Although I loved being in silence for 5 days, the evenings were filled with the woman leading the retreat giving us these two and three hour sermon-like talks, during which we sat silently in one position on the floor. She mostly talked about the brilliance of her guru - and the whole thing just left me really unmoved. Just not my style. But one story that she told about her guru stuck with me all these years, and it's one of the stories that I use the most when working with my most-awesome private clients.

So the story goes like this: retreat-lady walked in on her guru meditating one morning, and for the first time in her experience he was sitting there with this upset and disturbed look on his face as he meditated. She had never seen him look upset while meditating, so it worried her.

Later, at lunch, she asked him about it. "Guru," she said, "when I walked by you this morning you were looking very upset and disturbed while you meditated. Is something wrong?"

And the little old man laughed with his head thrown back. "Oh, I was not upset and disturbed! Only my thoughts were upset and disturbed. I am wonderful!"

What I took from this story is that WE are NOT our feelings. I imagine it as us being the sky, and the clouds being our feelings - they float across our sky, maybe making the day seem dark (even though the sun's still there, behind them), maybe covering up the sky, but the sky is always there, unchanged, blue, bright, sunny. So if we call the clouds what they are - or the feelings what they are, we connect with the fact that they have no bearing on the decisions we make, the actions we take.

Here is an exercise you can do on your own to identify how fear is showing up in your life and what is at risk if you don't explore and release it.

Create a space for yourself with tools that support you in getting focused. Light a candle, make a cup of tea, get your journal and favorite pen, and set the intention to really open up to seeing how fear holds you back in your life - just to get to observe its presence.

Write these questions down in your journal and then starting with the first one you've written, just read it out loud to yourself, put pen to paper, and start writing.

Let go of the reflexive impulse to edit, censor, check for spelling, etc. Just put the pen to paper and get out of your own way.

1. Taking a deep breath in, ask yourself, "Where is fear showing up in my life right now?"

2. "How is it showing up? Where can I feel it in my body? How is it manifesting in my daily life?"

3. "What is my fear protecting me from?" Sometimes this can be a hard one to see, but pose the question to yourself and see what comes. Chances are, if the fear has stuck around for any length of time it's serving some protective service for you, even if it's a really old and outdated belief.

4. Here's the scary one - are you ready? "What's at risk if I don't let go of this fear, if I don't stop recognizing it as the cloud moving across my sky, instead of the sky itself?"

If you would like more inspiration and support to let go of your fear, please visit my website or send me an email at Britt@inarmscoaching.com

Britt Bolnick is the joyful owner and master coach of In Arms Coaching for Women. She is thrilled to work with women who are ready to live each day from a place of inner balance, personal power, and joy -- while creating meaningful and lucrative work, healthy and fulfilling relationships, and a deep and guiding connection to self. Visit her at http://www.inarmscoaching.com/

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7 Worthwhile Things I Learned From My Mentor

I'm a big fan of mentorship and I've spoken about it on numerous occasions. I've also had the privilege of interviewing real topic experts like Steve Farber and Don Yaeger

I was most recently reminded about the importance of mentorship to my personal development when I had a long overdue telephone conversation with someone who had mentored to me.

Terry and I hadn't spoken in close to ten years from my days when I was employed with Service Canada, a department in the Canadian federal government. When we re-connected, it didn't take me very long to remember how much of an impact she had on my growth.

We chatted for over an hour and ended the conversation with a commitment of doing a better job of staying in touch with one another in the future. I immediately began reflecting on our relationship from the moment the phone beeped to signal the call was over.

It was through this thought process I discovered seven key things that made our relationship so worthwhile:

1) Not one sided

A typical mentoring arrangement involves a more experienced or knowledgeable person imparting insights and guidance to someone with less experience.

When Terry and I first met, I was fairly new to government and didn't know very much about bureaucracies or how to navigate through policies and procedures to get the work done.

She had several years of work experience under her belt and had pretty much seen it all before. I, on the other hand was quite comfortable when it came to technology and was always trying to develop systems to help us be more efficient.

This was an area that Terry wasn't as strong in and a way was immediately opened a way for us to learn from one another. I felt as if I was also making a positive contribution to the relationship and not just taking. It was mutually beneficial.

2) Anyone can be your mentor

A mentor doesn't have to be someone in a position of leadership or authority. They definitely have the potential of offering a good learning opportunity but that doesn't necessarily mean that it'll be the best.

While a boss, supervisor or manager can offer a meaningful experience we can gain knowledge or insights from virtually anyone we come in contact with as long as we're open to learning the lesson. This is why I absolutely love the expression,

"Always learn, learn all ways!"

3) Genuine Caring Leads to Authentic Kindness

I don't think its possible to have an effective mentoring relationship if there isn't some level of caring that exists. In my case, I knew right from the onset that Terry was genuinely interested in my well being and wanted the best for me. This was important to know because it allowed me to have complete trust and faith in whatever direction or guidance that came from her.

4) Recognize Greatness

At one point during our conversation, Terry said, "I saw so much potential in you and all I've ever wanted was for you to be a role model to others."

Because mentors have an objective view of things, it's far easier for them to see our individual greatness then for us to recognize it ourselves. Terry not only recognized what I was good at but she also put me in situations where I could maximize skills and build my confidence at the same time.

5) It's a relationship

Being in a mentor/mentee relationship is no different then any other relationship we have in our lives. In the beginning, you've got to commit the time to learn about the other person and understand their likes, dislikes, interests and desires before you can think about trying to help them.

When both sides have a better understanding of each another, the opportunities for growth and development increase. She took the time to understand me and knew how to best help me to succeed.

6) No Structure Needed

There are lots of companies that have structured mentorship programs that come complete with a detailed matching process, a prescribed meeting template and a roles and responsibilities agreement that both sides must adhere to.

While these programs can provide some amazing opportunities for learning and growth, they don't all have to be structured in that fashion. The most lasting mentoring relationships are the ones that have organically developed in the absence of a formalized structured program.

7) Pass it on

Terry eventually moved on to a new position and we stopped working together thus ending our "formal" relationship however we still remained in touch for a bit. I eventually went on to manage a program that gave me an opportunity to mentor more than two dozen young students that were brand new to government over a course of a three year period.

They were all really eager, keen and anxious and I saw a lot of myself in many of them. This compelled me to work hard on creating a positive work experience that supported their learning and development, empowered them to make decisions and offered different viewpoints to help increase their perspective and understanding.

I essentially gave to them what was given to me.

I'm still in contact with many of my past employees today and proud of their professional accomplishments and the type of individuals they've grown to become. I was truly honored this past summer when one of my past "mentees" asked me to MC her wedding.

Knowledge and insight are great things to have but even better when you give it to others. To grow as a leader, you must be prepared to take all of your learnings, lessons and experiences and pass them along to someone else.

In Closing...

Our actions or how we choose to live our lives can serve as mentors to others. In fact, I truly believe that the greatest lessons we learn in life comes from the people around us, thus making the role of the mentor that much more important.

If an opportunity presents itself and you have a chance to be that difference maker to someone else, I would encourage you to step up and embrace the role. Helping someone become better than what they were is a true leadership skill that can have lasting effects.

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The Past Belongs to the Past

Only when people feel that the evils of the past will not return and believe that 'things are moving in the right direction' will they be in a position to loosen the bonds of the past, relinquish the impulse for revenge and orient towards the future.

Dr Andrew Rigby, Professor of Peace Studies and Director of the Centre for Forgiveness and Reconciliation at Coventry University

Throughout history, man has known pain, lived with fear,suffered gross injustice, inequality, bondage, discrimination, social and racial prejudice. Yet, amid all these struggles, man has moved forward to build a stronger world and today, many of us can appreciate the word freedom.

On a personal level, there is a constant battle with some issues of the past, demons to conquer, failures and many wrong choices and regrets along the way. The past will come back to haunt you. These are scary words. Perhaps in the decades gone by, people had some darkness in their past that they fearfully guard. Imagine the fear that gripped at their hearts- fear of disgrace, betrayal, fall from the pedestal and other issues from a dark place.

Today's societal norms are more relaxed. Technology dominates society, can't live without it. Information is only a click of a mouse away. The fears of yesteryears, like teen pregnancy, divorce or separation, homosexuality, infidelity, job loss or financial ruin are out in the open. This does not mean that today, there are no issues from the past that haunts many of us.

There are hurtful and unhealthy events and some individuals in the past that leave a deep imprint in our core being. Betrayal of a sacred covenant between lovers can be devastating for the offended party. This is a cross that weighs heavily and one need to gather all the strength and courage to move on. Relationship issues cover a broad scope. It is said, the one you love can hurt you the most. Domestic abuse and violence still happens. It is no longer kept behind closed doors.There are crusaders who manage to survive and try to help those who are caught in this trap. Friendship has its dark side as well- despite a strong tie that bonds friends. It is understandable that friends share confidential matters. After all, what is a friend for? But, beware, what deepest secrets should you confide to a friend.

Childhood trauma still pervades in our world. The internet opened the door to predators who pry on the innocence of youth. This is tragic, but, today, there is more awareness of these issues and agencies are set up to provide prevention, guidance and counselling. Trauma like this does take its toll. On the bright side, there are many survivors who openly share their stories and prove it is possible to move on.

The past may not be all doom and gloom. There are glory days as well- like a high school beauty queen who did not make it past that moment. Instead, she gets stuck in the duldrom pace of a small town. Think of the promising scholar who made a wrong choice and ends up stuck in a dark alley of Life. What about the sport champion, or a hero of the silver screen who ended up in the wrong company and is lost in the world of drugs or crime? Some can not move past the adventures of fast cars, girls, pranks and carefree days of youth. They are stuck in that period.

Who has not made a wrong choice in life? This is why it is said that hindsight is 20/20. Making mistakes is a learning curve, stepping stones to opportunity. Some of us are highly charged emotionally and reason gets cast to the winds. Many still walk around with the heavy weight of the past.

Sustained anger serves no purpose, it takes you to a dark place, with it comes physical, emotional and spiritual sickness. You open yourself to fear, you ask why, you over analyze. This can not be the foundation of your future decisions. Stop feeling like a victim. There are encouraging stories of those who are able to climb out of the dark place and learn to reach out.

Try to let go, learn what you can. Seek counsel to help you take a step forward. This is a challenge, but dwelling on past pain and hurt, mistakes and the like serves no purpose. Let go of the fears and the demons from the past that only serve to make you angry and afraid. Some need to grow up and face the present. The past belongs to the past. You can not do anything about what has passed. But you certainly can do something about the future and move on stronger, healthier, happier and wiser.

Bonnie Moss writes to inspire and to motivate her readers to explore the depths of their heart and soul and make a difference in this world. She draws from personal experience and her interest in spirituality. Visit her website:

http://goldencupcafe.org/

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Good-Bye Job, Hello Entrepreneurship

The unemployment rate in the United States was last reported at 9.1 percent in September of 2011, begs us to ask the question should we hold our breath for economy to get rolling again? The current fragile and painful economic crisis has us holding our breath for relief on the near horizon for possible real change to reduce the worsening growth gap between the richest Americans and the middle-class and poor families.

We should not hold our breath with no clear signs of recovery, reform, new jobs or any other rabbit being pulled out of the hat.

In the context of the U.S. and global financial weakening causing uncertainty and tremendous change in the economy and labor market, many people are deciding that self-employment is the right choice for them. People work for themselves when there are too few jobs, or not the right kinds of jobs. They work for themselves because they want to have more control over their working hours or their working conditions. People become self-employed when employer discrimination stifles their potential. In short, people work for them selves when they want and need what self-employment can offer that other employment cannot.

Being self-employed is a way of life radically different from anything you've ever done before. To be successful at it you will have to make a real turn-about in how you both think and act.

Entrepreneurship has become a viable alternative in our history when economic self-sufficiency and independence has gained popularity. Throughout the ages the maverick approach of being one's own boss and shaping one's destiny has appealed too many at various stages of their lives. Quite often, it is precisely that segment of the population which has limited economic mobility that selects entrepreneurship as a means of family survival and financial growth.

The Black American tradition of self-employment is back. In past times and today the economic emergency solution to "no employment" is "self employment/ entrepreneurship".
If you should choose self-employment, the more you learn about it, the more convinced you are that it offers many of the things you appreciate: independence, personal satisfaction, unlimited earning power.

Start with a sideline business that will allow you to gradually make the transition, but if you go full blast into a business of your own you will be quickly pressed to making sweeping changes in how you do things.

You will find out soon enough that in running your own business there's no waiting for the go-ahead. In a job you wait for the next assignment, the next instruction, the next permission, the next applause. In your own business you make all happen from start to finish.

In deliberating over whether to seek self-employment or another job, you will likely suffer great doubt and apprehension. Your first impulse may be to seek outside counsel. However, if you are trying to decide whether to start a business of your own, you are probably not ready for the plunge. It's like asking outsiders whether you should marry. They may be able to offer some help regarding some of the details of what you are proposing, but they don't know enough about your personal feelings and intentions. If you can't depend on your own convictions, you will fall short in being able to do all the things that go into making either a successful marriage or a successful business.

People are told that it is important to have "purpose" in their lives-a direction, a set of goals. The direction and goals of most people's lives are extensions, direct reflections of the context in which they live. A real purpose for doing something must come from within you. You can be forced, cajoled, even humored into doing things, but you are the only one who can determine the purpose of your actions.

A razor sharp mind, a visionary outlook, and a knack to weather stormy situations go a long way in making any business venture a resounding success. It's time to rediscover latent skills and reactive old interests!

Self-employment is a career alternative for people who are mentally and physically strong, who can effectively implement the same skills and talents on their last job to become budding pink slip millionaires.

Farrah Gray is named as one of the most influential Black men in America by the National Urban League's Urban Influence Magazine. Ebony Magazine recognized him as an entrepreneurial icon, business mogul and international best-selling author. Raised in poverty on the South side of Chicago, Gray defied the odds and became a self-made millionaire by the age of 14, after working for himself at age 6. Motivated to work toward wealth at a young age after seeing his mother struggling in dire financial circumstances, Gray went on to create a number of successful companies while in his teens. Not content with material wealth alone, Gray has put that same caring compassion he felt for his mom to use in service for others. At the age of 21, he received an Honorary Doctorate degree of Humane Letters from Allen University. This was in recognition of his ingenious economic mind and distinguished commitment to the development of values such as leadership, integrity and scholarship. Gray also enjoys sharing his practical advice as a sought-after public speaker and through popular business books such as 'Reallionaire' and 'Get Real, Get Rich'. He is currently a syndicated columnist, professional numismatist; chairman of the Farrah Gray Foundation. He is also the spokesman for the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Marrow Donor Program.

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How You Can Tell If a Girl Likes You by Knowing Her Secret Code

It is a question that every guy asks himself at some stage in his life. How can I tell if a girl likes me. The truth is that many of us ask ourselves this question over and over again. Women are no doubt more perceptive when the shoe is on the other foot. They pick up on things very quickly and seem to know what you are thinking before you do.

Not being able to tell if a girl likes you is a problem that I would love for you to be able to avoid immediately. Many guys who learn how to attract women fail to see the signs of attraction in the beginning and miss out on many opportunities because of this. They do everything right in the approach but haven't learned to read a woman's signals and are afraid to push forward. They can't tell if the girl likes them or not.

The other issue is that you may, right now have a woman you like, showing you signs of interest that you are not aware of. She may not even be aware of the fact that she is showing you these signs. Maybe it's a friend who's feelings for you have begun to change, or maybe she always had feelings for you. Either way, you can't do anything about it if you don't know.

Let's make sure we avoid this mistake and learn some of these signals right away:

If you approach a group and begin a conversation with some girls, there are two questions you should be listening for. The first is "what's your name?". A follow-up question to this that would definitely indicate interest is "are you single?". Pay attention to who asks you these questions in a group situation. This is always either a sign that a girl likes you personally or likes you so much that she would recommend you to a friend.

Many times women you already know or have just met but have been getting along well with, will give you strong indicators of interest. Be on the look out for unnecessary touching in this instance. She may brush up against you on the way to the bathroom or maybe she'll put her hand on you shoulder as if she needs some help getting up off her seat. The key thing to notice in these here, is whether or not there was a need for the contact at all.

Another strong indicator of interest in you is when a woman participates in some banter and flirting with you. If there is a slight bit of tension there it's even better. When you can mock her in a fun way and she either laughs or grabs your arm or puts her head in your shoulder in embarrassment she likes you. She is letting you get away with teasing her and she's also looking for your reassurance that your only joking by putting her head on your shoulder or grabbing your arm.

How you can tell if a girl likes you in different venues is to pay attention to whats going on around you. Notice whether or not the same girls are popping up in front of you. If your in a club and a girl has made her way towards you on the dance floor she probably wants you to dance with her. If you are in a bar and a group of girls has moved closer to you for no apparent reason, they're probably ready to be opened. If a girl at the gym constantly appears to be working out close to you and goes to the gym at the same times you do, you probably have a stalker.

Group conversations provide you with a great opportunity to find out whether she is interested in you or not. If she seems to direct the conversation back to you more than anyone else then she is displaying signs of attraction. Pay special attention to what she says when she speaks and what she does when you speak. If she seems to pay more attention to you than anyone else then you're looking good. If she asks you plenty of follow-up questions to what you're saying and brings up your points when she's speaking she definitely likes and respects you more than the others.

It is always important to raise your awareness when you learn something new, so put your new tools in to practice and have fun. You'll be amazed at how good you get.

Richard is a Webmaster for Ryan Richardson's makegirllikeyou.com. To learn more about how you can tell if a girl likes you visit makegirllikeyou.com

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