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How to Balance Caring for the Kids and Working Remotely During COVID-19

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Working remotely has become the new normal for a number of parents around the world. Online learning needs to be enforced at home and you will be the one that has to field questions. The adjustment of learning online and working remotely will put everyone at home in a new position. Balancing your new responsibilities of having to take on some teaching duties with your career is going to be tough. You are going to have to manage your time in a more efficient manner than ever before. The following are tips to help achieve this balance so you can be the best employee and parent as possible.

Working Early Might be Required

There is a chance that your job only has production-based goals and are flexible about hours as long as work gets completed on time. Working for a few hours immediately when you wake up before your kids get up can be important. There are going to be hours during the day where they are completing assignments where you can work as well. Working late is another option but parents are likely going to want to take on the work early so it isn’t hanging over their head for the rest of the day.

Older Siblings Can be a Huge Help

Older siblings are going to be a lifesaver when it comes to helping with assignments. There is a chance that your older child had the same teacher or understands what their sibling will be tested on. Teens that are doing well in school are likely not going to need any assistance at all. The opportunity to get ahead in classes truly allows top students to work at their full capacity. These teens can also help with things like making lunch if you have a busy day full of meetings. Everyone is going to have more responsibilities which will take some time to get used to.

Dedicated Office Space

There might be a need for your kids to have access to an office so they can take tests. Monster Series Sheds can allow you to have an office that doesn’t impact the living space in the home. This can also be used for storage but you likely will use it for work purposes only. Having a space where you can truly concentrate for long periods will allow you to stay productive. There is a chance you are more productive than ever before.

Get into a Routine

Getting the entire family into a routine is imperative as everyone should start school/work at the same time. The last thing you want is you or your children to fall behind on responsibilities leading to bad grades or reprimands from management. This will allow everyone to know what they are supposed to be doing at a certain time. Keeping a form of structure is important as structure can be lacking now that school is being done online.

Balance is important and will take time to figure out. Adjusting and adapting will be the most important things that you can do to make this work!

What to Include in Shave Gift Sets

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Almost everybody shaves. Whether it’s legs, beards or any other part of the body, shaving is something most people do on a daily basis.

Because shaving is an everyday task for many, we often find ourselves in need of shaving products. Razors wear down, shaving cream uses up and brush bristles shed. Therefore, shave gift sets are something that always makes a great gift.

3 Must-Have Items for Shave Gift Sets

If you are thinking of putting together a shave gift set for someone you know, here are some ideas of what to include.

Prep Scrub

A prep scrub can be used before shaving to allow you to get a closer shave. It works to exfoliate skin to lift hair so it can be more easily trimmed by the razor. Many of these scrubs also contain ingredients that provide the added bonus of hydrating skin.

Executive Handle

If you are buying a shave set for someone who prefers to use a manual razor as opposed to an electric one, a good handle is a must. Look for handles that are heavy weight and durable with an ergonomic grip to provide the ultimate in shaving comfort. Check out SGPomades for some of the best men’s safety razors in Singapore.

Razor Cartridge

To make the shaving experience complete, you will need to include cartridges to fit that handle. These are usually purchased in multipacks and the more the better.

Cartridges hold the razor blades, and therefore, they may be the most important component of the shaving experience so it’s important to look out for certain features. Stainless steel is a good razor blade material, and it’s pretty standard for most blades but there are also stainless platinum varieties.

Another thing to look out for is the number of blades on each cartridge. Blades are typically available in a range from one to six and some might think the more the better. However, this is not necessarily true. In fact, most dermatologists recommend getting cartridges with blades in the one to three range from a close shave with minimal nicks.

Do a little research to find cartridges that are durable, sharp and aggressive before picking one to include in your shave gift sets.

Shaving Cream

When choosing a shave cream, you want to find one with a nice, thick lather that contains ingredients that soothe the skin and protect it from irritation. NOW Foods Nutri-Shave Natural Shave Cream is recommended.

The NOW Foods brand has established a name as a leader in the natural food and supplement industry and has branched out to release a line of personal care products. Their shaving cream is designed to protect skin from irritation and ingrown hairs. It has anti-aging, hydrating properties and it won’t clog pores.

If you are thinking of buying a gift for a friend, shave gift sets can be just the thing. Adding essentials like a handle, cartridges, prep scrub and shaving cream will make a complete set that serves as a thoughtful, useful present. 

What will you be including in the shave gift sets you give your friends and relatives?

AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate SAA-C03 Cert Prep: 5 Identity and Access Management Online Class LinkedIn Learning, formerly Lynda com

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Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the SAA-C02 AWS Software Solutions Architect Associate Lessons privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

It is extremely helpful to make you recognize the difference between similar services. Therefore, candidates won’t have to struggle in navigating the format and style of the new SAA-C03 exam. The response formats are also critical factors that candidates evaluate for any potential changes, especially when comparing SAA-C02 vs SAA-C03 exams. You can find two response formats in the SAA-C03 exam, just like the SAA-C02 exam. Candidates will still get a certification that is valid for three years by qualifying for the SAA-C02 exam. So, now the AWS SAA-C02 and SAA-C03 would be available concurrently for a short period of time upto August 29th 2022.

Exam Prep course (with practice materials)

Therefore, practice tests and sample questions can help candidates in gaining a thorough impression of their skills. Practice tests offer detailed visual reports of the outcomes of the candidate’s attempts. The following step for any candidate should be to go for  AWS SAA-C02 or SAA-C03 online training courses. According to the exam of your choice, you can select the ideal training courses from trustworthy portals such as Whizlabs. Online training courses help you drive your preparations in the right direction with a clear impression of exam objectives.

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Learn About AWS

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SAA-C02 AWS Software Solutions Architect Associate Lessons

Now, you can clearly see the main reason for diving into the debate of SAA-C02 vs SAA-C03. Many candidates aspiring for the job role of AWS Solutions Architect are now facing the confusion of choosing between AWS SAA-C02 or SAA-C03. Both versions are suitable for the AWS Solutions Architect certification. However, AWS has recently extended the expiration date of its existing SAA-C02 exam by six months.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C Cert Guide Premium Edition and Practice Test

The exam format would not show any changes, and the number of questions will also, most likely, be the same. Take O’Reilly with you and learn anywhere, anytime on your phone and tablet. O’Reilly members get unlimited access to books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.

  • So, now the AWS SAA-C02 and SAA-C03 would be available concurrently for a short period of time upto August 29th 2022.
  • Get started with free resources or explore additional resources, including Official Practice Exams, with a subscription to AWS Skill Builder.
  • It is extremely helpful to make you recognize the difference between similar services.
  • One of the selling points of this practice exam is that each question contains detailed explanations that will help you gain a deeper understanding of AWS services.
  • If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way.

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question. Pearson IT Training Courses are complete and affordable packages of expert-led, self-paced courses designed to help you stand out with in-demand skills that take your career to the next level.

So, the best course for candidates, in this case, would be to prepare for the SAA-C03 exam. The primary reason to choose from AWS SAA-C02 or SAA-C03 exams is the choice of a certification that proves expertise in new AWS technologies. The newly updated certification i.e., SAA-C03, reflects on new and emerging changes in the AWS landscape. Therefore, AWS SAA-C03 will be the ideal choice for candidates looking for long-term career opportunities on AWS. One of the selling points of this practice exam is that each question contains detailed explanations that will help you gain a deeper understanding of AWS services. It not just explains what the correct answer is, but also explains why other answers are wrong.

  • The reports can help you identify the exact areas where you need improvement.
  • Whizlabs offers a range of resources to aid in your exam preparation, including practice tests, video courses,  Hands-on Labs, and access to the sandbox for real-time experiences.
  • Pearson IT Training Courses are complete and affordable packages of expert-led, self-paced courses designed to help you stand out with in-demand skills that take your career to the next level.
  • Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.
  • Many candidates aspiring for the job role of AWS Solutions Architect are now facing the confusion of choosing between AWS SAA-C02 or SAA-C03.

You can support a team in getting AWS Certified by funding AWS Certification(s) with exam vouchers. Signal the value of skills advancement, manage your learning and development budget strategically, and get insights on voucher usage. Get started with free resources or explore additional resources, including Official Practice Exams, with a subscription to AWS Skill Builder. After clearing your doubts regarding differences in the SAA-C02 vs SAA-C03 exams, let us focus on some brief pointers to prepare for the exam you choose. A closer look at the difference between SAA-C02 and SAA-C03 can help in arriving at a promising decision.

Alcohol Use Disorder: What It Is, Risks & Treatment

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Get expert guidance on what to ask providers and how to listen for quality in the answers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three medications for treating alcohol dependence, and others are being tested to determine whether they are effective. Drugs used for other conditions — like smoking, pain, or epilepsy — also may help with alcohol use disorder.

alcoholism treatment

Some focus on other evidence-based approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and relapse prevention. In addition, some programs focus solely on treating substance use disorder, while others offer dual diagnosis rehab, which addresses both addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. Various factors such as your https://g-markets.net/sober-living/5-steps-to-breaking-your-after-work-drink-habit/ medical history, support system and personal motivation can all play a role in the success of your recovery. Treatment should be supervised by a team of medical specialists at a rehab facility. Throughout the country, alcohol treatment centers are staffed with professionals who will guide you through each step of the recovery process – from detox to life after rehab.

Online Therapy

It can be especially effective for members who also have a mental health condition, or who started using to deal with distressing emotions, trauma, or excessive stress. We’re here 24/7 to help guide you or your loved on through rehab and recovery. Submit your number to receive a call today from a treatment provider. Call now to connect with a treatment provider and start your recovery journey.

For example, any alcohol consumption by a pregnant person can be considered alcohol misuse, as well as drinking under the legal age of 21. Drinking alcohol too much or too often, or being unable to control alcohol consumption, can be a sign of alcohol misuse and, in some cases, alcohol use disorder (AUD). Online groups and apps can provide much-needed support, but some issues need the help of a professional. In these cases, see above to find telehealth options for professional care. And use the Navigator to choose quality care that is backed by science.

Tips for success in alcohol recovery

It draws from a national database kept by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). LCSWs are trained in psychotherapy to help people deal with a variety of mental health and daily living problems, including substance misuse and addiction. They practice strength-based therapy, MASH Certified Sober Homes helping patients use their natural skills and talents to overcome issues and improve overall functioning. Treatment providers are available 24/7 to answer your questions about rehab, whether it’s for you or a loved one. Submit your number and receive a free call today from a treatment provider.

alcoholism treatment

Men, due to their physiological differences from women, are considered to be at risk if they partake in more than four drinks a day or more than 14 per week. Use the following questions to further narrow down your search for the right alcohol treatment program. To get the answers to these questions, you’ll likely need to reach out and contact the facility or provider. Intensive inpatient service involves short-term medical attention to manage intense withdrawal symptoms and stabilize your condition.

Core Resource on Alcohol

Due to the anonymous nature of mutual-support groups, it is difficult for researchers to determine their success rates compared with those led by health professionals. If you have any of these symptoms, your drinking may already be a cause for concern. The more symptoms you have, the more urgent the need for change. A health professional can conduct a formal assessment of your symptoms to see if AUD is present. For an online assessment of your drinking pattern, go to RethinkingDrinking.niaaa.nih.gov.

Depression and anxiety often go hand in hand with heavy drinking. Studies show that people who are alcohol dependent are two to three times as likely to suffer from major depression or anxiety over their lifetime. When addressing drinking problems, it’s important to also seek treatment for any accompanying medical and mental health issues.

Best Supplements to Take for Menopause

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Most women agree that menopause is no fun. Finally, the monthly torture of periods is gone, only to be replaced with a whole new range of symptoms from hot flashes to insomnia. Thankfully, supplements can offer some relief from a range of menopause symptoms. Here’s what you need to know about the best menopause supplements and how they can help.

Feminine Moisturizer for Comfort Down There

One of the first problems that many women encounter when going through menopause is the tendency for dryness in intimate places that they never struggled with before. A feminine moisturizer is a highly effective option in menopause supplements, which can help you to feel more comfortable and more confident as you go through menopause.

Black Cohosh and Soy to Treat Hot Flash Symptoms

Black Cohosh is a North American root that has been well studied for its effects on women going through menopause. Some of these studies have found it helpful for treating hot flashes. If you have liver issues, it isn’t right for you, but for some women, Black Cohosh can be very helpful in reducing hot flash symptoms.

Menopausal Asian women are less likely to experience hot flashes than menopausal American women. Some experts suggest that the difference is because of the soy in their diet. Soy contains an estrogen-like compound that your body may interpret as estrogen, reducing many of the effects of menopause, including hot flashes. Try adding a higher concentration of soy to your diet and see if your hot flashes reduce. 

Flaxseed for Reducing Night Sweats

Flaxseed and flaxseed oil have a range of health benefits due to their healthy oils, but they may also be beneficial for helping women deal with night sweats during menopause. Flaxseed has lignans, which may help to balance female hormones and reduce the tendency for hormonal fluctuations and reduce night sweats in the evening. 

Calcium and Vitamin D for Osteoporosis

Once you go through menopause and hormone levels reduce, bone loss often accelerates. It is essential that you get plenty of calcium, especially when you’re going through menopause. 

Make sure that you eat plenty of foods that are rich in calcium and take a supplement if you’re not getting enough. Smaller supplements throughout the day are often more beneficial than one big dose every day. 

While many women think about calcium when they go through menopause, too often vitamin D is overlooked. Your body needs vitamin D to absorb and process calcium and build strong bones. As important as frequent and regular doses of calcium are frequent and regular doses of sunshine. 

Just make sure that you don’t spend too much time in the sun because of the risks of skin cancer. There are also great dietary sources of vitamin D if you really want to limit your sun exposure. Increase vitamin D in your diet or take supplements if you’re not getting enough sunshine. 

Ginseng for Mood Swings

Ginseng may be able to improve your quality of life in a number of ways as you go through menopause. It has the tendency to improve sleep and many people find that it boosts mood. It may not be effective for physical symptoms like hot flashes, but it can do a lot to make you feel better about the symptoms you still have to go through. Since mood swings can be such a frustrating part of menopause, ginseng can be a wonderful solution. 

St John’s Wort for Depression

 St John’s Wort has been found effective for the treatment of mild depression. When you’re going through a sad time in your menopause, a glass of St John’s Wort tea might make all of the difference. This herb may also have general benefits in stabilizing your mood as well as improving it. 

Considerations in Taking Supplements

Always talk to your doctor before you begin a supplement routine. Most of the supplements that are typically used to treat menopause symptoms are safe for most people, but sometimes there can be medication interactions, and supplements can also have potential side effects or allergic reactions. 

Be especially careful if you are taking anything that has estrogen or a compound that may be perceived as estrogen by your body. While estrogen can help to relieve the effects of menopause, it has also been tied to the potential for increased risk for some problems like breast cancer. Therefore, it is important to talk to your doctor about starting any kind of supplement routine. 

Get Started With a Great Supplement Routine to Ease Your Menopause Symptoms

The right balance of supplements can help you to alleviate many of the negative symptoms of menopause. While you are unlikely to be able to make hot flashes or mood swings disappear entirely, you can have a lot of impact on how severely you experience symptoms. 

Why Women Love Laser Hair Removal

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Modern women are busier than ever before. Between working full-time jobs, caring for children and sometimes elderly parents, and maintaining lots of caretaking around the house, you probably have your hands full. 

Sometimes looking nice can fall into the background, and this includes keeping parts of you hair-free. If you find getting a daily shave into your day to be a challenge, you may be seeking out a more permanent solution. Laser hair removal offers a long-term option to many women that is affordable and can even be done conveniently at home. Here’s what you need to know about your options in laser hair removal.

What is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal is traditionally conducted by a dermatologist as a medical procedure. There are also very effective at-home options available. Professional and at-home versions work similarly, although professional versions are more powerful, tend to be more painful, and get results more quickly.

A laser, which is a concentrated beam of light, is absorbed by a pigment known as melanin in your hair. The light turns into heat and causes damage to the hair follicles that produce your hair. 

These tubular follicles may not recover. The damage keeps hair from growing back, sometimes temporarily and sometimes permanently. Most of the time, are removal last for a long period but is not permanent. Because the laser is most effective on follicles when they are just starting to produce hair, multiple treatments are generally needed to affect all of the hair as it’s goes through stages of growth. 

Generally after between 4 and 8 professional treatments hair can be removed for a long period. When hair grows back, it is generally lighter and finer than it was before. Some women may even find that they don’t feel the need to have the hair removed like they did before.

Advantages of Laser Hair Removal

There are a number of reasons that women choose laser hair removal over other options. Here are few great reasons to try out laser hair removal:

Long-Term Hair Removal

The primary advantage of laser hair removal is how long hair can stay gone. You can get months or even years of smooth, hair-free skin after only a few treatments. 

There are really no other options in hair removal that provide this kind of permanent effect. How long laser hair removal lasts for you may be very different than how long it lasts for someone else. 

Your type of hair, how fast your hair grows, and how it is affected by the laser will determine how long the effects can last. At it’s best, laser hair removal can last years.

Low Pain

Laser hair removal is not pain-free, but it is much less painful than some other hair removal options with long-term results, such as waxing. You will experience something like a rubber band being struck against your skin or a hot sensation, but you will generally not feel significant discomfort.  

At home versions cause significantly less discomfort, on average, than professional versions, because they’re less powerful.

Convenience

If you’re going to the dermatologist to have your laser hair removal done, it is a bit more frustrating, but at least you only have between 4 and 8 treatments to go through. If you’re choosing to remove hair with laser  intense pulsed light at home, you will find the treatment even more convenient. 

Just treat on your own schedule, monthly to remove hair initially and then as needed to maintain. It’s hard to beat this kind of convenience in at-home hair removal. You will certainly prefer it over the risks associated with at-home waxing.

Limitations of Laser Hair Removal

When laser hair removal first came out, it did not work well on darker-skinned people. It still is not as effective and may have increased risk of damage to skin when the hair and the skin are the same color and of a darker shade. However, laser hair removal has come a long way in providing options for darker-skinned people.

One place that laser hair removal has not been able to progress despite many years of studies is in effectiveness for people with very light-colored hair. People with white, blond, red, or other very light-colored hair will not find laser hair removal to be effective. Often after initial treatment, hair comes back much lighter and finer. It may not be as susceptible to laser hair removal at this time.

Give Laser Hair Removal aTry

Women love laser hair removal for some very good reasons. Laser hair removal can be a highly effective and very safe way to get semi-permanent results.  

If getting rid of your hair is an everyday frustration for you, you may find that laser hair removal is the solution you’ve been looking for. A version that you can use at home will make it so much easier to fit hair removal into your life.

Closet office ideas: 10 clever ways to create home working space

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The ideas we shared around utilizing wall and ceiling space (especially the side walls) will help you get the most from your closet office. Finding a new home for everything in your future home office may be a project of its own. Optimizing the storage systems in your other closets may help. But if you still have a few things left in your future office, optimize the storage for those, too. You can customize drawers, shelves, and chrome baskets to store those extra items with the greatest order in the least possible amount of space.

convert closet to office

She started by painting the closet a bright yellow and then added the closet rods and custom shelving in the back corners of the space. But her favorite part is the IKEA photo ledges she used to create a library for her children. “We have some special Italian books from family overseas, so it is nice to have a spot to display them,” she says. “From there, we lucked out and found the IKEA Kallax bookshelf was the perfect fit as a bench,” she adds. Wood elements like a floating shelf and a bench topper completed the project. But if you have nothing that you need to put in them, they can certainly feel like a waste of space.

Fit in a compact office

A desk is hands down the most important part of any office. It’s got plenty of room for double monitors, and everything is covered in wood paneling. You’ll probably need some lighting and an electrical outlet installed. Be sure to follow us on Pinterest for even more home decor and DIY ideas. We are thrilled with the way this cloffice turned out. So above the floating shelf, we attached more of this beautiful fabric.

convert closet to office

At the end of a workday, the closet door can be shut to separate the office from the living space. Depending on the kind of cloffice you opt for, it can also become a part of your room’s decor. This is the easiest type of closet to transition to an office. It has the most floor space of the three closet types and most likely has a door you can shut. If you’re lucky enough to have a closet with a window (like the one from The Spruce’s article above), get the most out of it by placing your desk in front of it. Not only does this give you a good view while you work, but it introduces light to your face.

Transforming a working closet into a home office

Measure from the back wall to the interior lip of the threshold to ensure that all of your office equipment like printers and scanners will fit with the closet door closed. closet to office conversion After all, the best part of a closet-office, or “cloffice”, is that you can close the door and hide it all away. Most of us don’t have an extra room to devote to work.

You have to be quite handy to complete the project successfully. Your cloffice, while being a workspace, is also your personal space where you spend at least eight hours a day. If you have an alcove, another kind of a nook, or are just keen on saving space, consider using a wall-mounted folding or drop-leaf table desk — for example, Bjursta from IKEA. If you cannot afford a plasterer to skim the walls, but still want them to look pretty, wallpaper could be the way to add some colour and texture to your cloffice. If you’re still keen to lay a different floor over your cloffice, do not use busy patterns as they will overwhelm a small space.

Healthy Living is a Feminist Ideal

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Since the Coronavirus health pandemic has taken center stage in all of our lives, many have begun reassessing how important they’ve stressed the significance of healthy living. Indeed, for quite some time now, health commentators and experts like Helen Lee Schifter have been strident in promoting this idea and the importance of people clearly understanding the need to better appreciate their physical and emotional health.

Indeed, there have been those who have advocated campaigns among influencers and people of prominence with followings to help educate the public about the need to turn to health and wellness in times of distress. But the media needs to be used as a vehicle to communicate these important messages.

Media professionals like Ken Kurson have maintained that the practice of stoicism can be a very cathartic and helpful exercise for one to achieve mental clarity and mental wellness. Indeed, he is not alone. There are many that feel passionately about this idea – which is part of the reason that stoicism as an activity to partake in, has taken on special meaning as something worthy of considering to practice.

But regardless, the media can indeed be used as a constructive force in enlightening the public about the values of health and wellness and the importance of people – especially younger people (a demographic that’s been plagued by the obesity epidemic) to take these issues revolving around health far more seriously than they presently are.

Helen Lee Schifter and other notable health experts continue maintaining that to the extent efforts and resources are not expended in order to help promote the importance of health and wellness, it is the equivalent of neglecting the health of our children and grandchildren. Indeed, this type of language is not too severe at all. On the contrary, it is sensible and absolutely strikes the proper tone.

For too long there has been the wrong attitude directed toward the significance that health and wellness ought to be playing in people’s lives. That attitude needs to be rid of, in the interest of promoting a healthy regimen among the broader and mass public. We need to do something to help our kids and grandkids. And it’s incumbent upon us to act in as expeditious a fashion as possible.

7 Strategies for Voicing Your Opinion More Often (and Why It’s Important)

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If you’re like the majority of working professionals, you’re shy about voicing your opinion. You might deliberately avoid situations where participation is mandatory, remain silent in group discussions, or simply say what you think people want you to say rather than telling them what you really think. This seems like a safer strategy, but in reality, voicing your opinion is an important and powerful way to command more respect and earn a higher position for yourself.

There are some key strategies you can use to overcome your apprehensions and make a better impression when speaking your mind, but first, let’s take a look at the benefits of speaking your mind.

Why You Need to Speak Up More Often

As a general rule, it’s better to speak your mind—honestly—than to remain silent or tell people only what they want to hear. These are just some of the reasons why:

·        You’ll seem more sincere. If you want to build trust in the workplace, you have to seem sincere, and the best way to “seem” sincere is to actually be sincere. If you consistently speak your mind, even if you disagree, people will start trusting you more on a personal and professional level.

·        You’ll have a better chance at getting what you want. If there’s something you want to change, voicing your opinion is the only way to make progress toward actually changing it. Whether you’re negotiating yourself or on behalf of a client

·        You’ll seem confident and bolder. This will help you earn more respect in the office, which in turn will lend even more power to your future contributions.

·        More opinions lead to better decisions (and results). Generally speaking, the addition of more perspectives and opinions will help good ideas grow better (and weed out bad ideas faster). Be a part of this contributory process.

·        You’ll feel more content. Expressing your mind feels good, even if you don’t always get the results you want. You’ll regret not saying anything far more than you’ll regret saying something.

Yes, there’s the possibility that people will disagree with you, or that you’ll ruffle some feathers along the way, but most of these benefits are agnostic on whether or not your opinion is accepted or acted upon.

Strategies for Success

These strategies are designed to help you feel more comfortable expressing your opinions, express them more articulately, and make a better impression while doing so:

1.      Be sincere. First, be honest with your opinions. If you make up opinions, disagree for the sake of disagreeing, or agree because it’s easier, people will be able to tell. It’s much easier to express what’s really on your mind, and you’ll get more respect for doing so.

2.      Never disrespect someone. Respect is essential to demonstrate if you want any respect yourself; if you disrespect anyone in your expression, for any reason, you’ll instantly lose credibility. For the most part, you can follow common sense here; criticize actions, never a person, and never shoot down an opinion, even if you disagree with it. Remain polite and professional at all times.

3.      Frame criticism in a positive light. If you’re about to disagree with someone, or criticize something, soften the blow by framing your criticism in a positive light. For starters, don’t just complain about something; make suggestions on how to fix it. You can also include compliments and positive notes alongside your negative ones to give a fuller illustration of your perspective.

4.      Be consistent. If you’re going to start expressing your opinion, do so consistently. It will show that you’re serious and sincere, and not just personally invested in one or two central issues. It will also earn you more respect, and if you’re articulate, will start prompting people to seek your opinion proactively.

5.      Remain firm, yet flexible. Don’t flip-flop your position immediately or back down when someone disagrees with you; this is a sign of both weakness and insincerity. Remain firm in your opinion if it’s what you believe. However, you also want to demonstrate flexibility by being open to other opinions, and changing your mind if new information or a persuasive argument enters the fray.

6.      Don’t speak too much. Being concise is always a good thing. It’s good to express your opinion, but the longer you talk about it, the more open you’ll leave yourself to errors and fumbles. Say as little as possible to make your point, and do so with the most articulate, accurate language you can.

7.      Engage in dialogue. Don’t just express your opinion. Invite dissent. Encourage discussion. The more participation you have surrounding your opinions, the more respectful, sincere, and open you’re going to seem.

These strategies will help you express your mind more thoroughly and respectfully, but if you’re used to being shy or intimidated, it’s going to take some time to get used to the idea. This is one case where you really can “fake it ‘til you make it”—you have to exhibit confidence before you start to feel it naturally, and express your mind when you’re uncomfortable doing so, until you start feeling comfortable innately. 

Liberia: Peace Made by a Great Woman By Mohammad Alshereda

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The Republic of Liberia is a country located in the west coast of Africa. Its population is about 5 million and its official language is English. There are about 20 ethnic groups in Liberia. The 4 main ones are Kpelle, Bassa, Grebo and Gio.

The main religions in Liberia are Christianity (85.6%) and Islam (12.2%). It is one of the poorest countries in the world and its economy has been dependant on foreign aid and investment for a long time.

There have been 2 main civil wars in Liberia:

– First Civil war took place from 1989 till 1997 and resulted in the death of about 250,000 people.

– Second Civil war took place from 1999 till 2003 resulted in the death of about 300,000 people.

Children have been participants in the second Liberian civil war. A lot of them were addicted to cocaine as the warlords thought it makes them more effective in fighting the war. That is absolutely inhumane by any standard.

PORTO ALEGRE,RS,09.09.2013- Palestra Fronteiras do Pensamento- ,.Leymah Gbowee ganhadora do prêmio Nobel da Paz 2011, é a conferencista da palestra Fronteiras do pensamento no Salão de Atos da UFRGS – Porto Alegre,RS. Foto:Luiz Munhoz/FatoPress

Liberian women formed a group called: “Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace” that consisted of both Christian and Muslim women led by peace activist Leymah Gbowee. They pushed for a meeting with President Charles Taylor and he promised to attend Ghana peace talks. They succeeded in applying peace in Liberia after 14 years of civil war.

Gbowee won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011.

The shadow of poverty still covers Liberia as people there are in desperate need for help.

My message to the people of Liberia:

“You achieved peace and that shows how a great nation you are. Keep living in peace so you can move forward and rise up together as one nation”.