ComputerHunter.org |
|
|
|||
|
 |
Can You Make a ?Torpedo? Out of Personal Junk? How to Optimize What You Have
"Junkyard Wars," a TV series showed two teams of experts contending for a title. The aim of the competition was for teams to construct a torpedo that can hit a target. But the challenge was more than just the process of construction. The challenge was creating a torpedo out of a junk. Each team had crafted a unique design and members wasted no time looking for junks - hoses, batteries, propellers, tubes, and engines. After several hours of hard work and meticulous technical maneuverings, both teams finished the project. The team that used a propeller to thrust the torpedo won. I'm amazed that people can actually make something innovative out of nothing. And in a short time! For me, it doesn't matter which team won. As far as effort and creativity are concerned, both teams won big time. Can we make a "torpedo" out of our personal junk? How can we optimize what we have? I feel sad when people blame everyone and everything except themselves when something bad happens in their lives. I know a 30-year-old man who can't seem to pursue a career. He quits jobs as quickly as he changes clothes. Because of his perceived "misfortunes," he accuses employers and co-workers of politicking, blames parents for not supporting him enough, faults his neighborhood for "bad Luck," and even chides his looks and genes for his desperate circumstances. In reality, this man is considered lucky by current standards. Despite his complaints, he actually finished a degree in an expensive private school and was raised in a middle class neighborhood by supportive and educated parents. In my opinion, this man is making a junk out of his privileged status. Compare this man to Mama Teeya. At age 60, she migrated to North America with her husband. When she came, she didn't know how to drive a car so she had to walk to look for work - even in winter. Trying to save money, she moved from one apartment to the next more affordable shelter. While everyone was asleep, she was working. Rain or shine, she walked to work with umbrella in tow. After five years working two minimum wage jobs - as gas station attendant and hotel janitress - and some babysitting on the side, Mama Teeya and her husband (who worked at 7 Eleven) had saved enough money to afford a small two-bedroom townhouse unit. Eventually, they managed to buy a brand new Hyundai and a rusty seven-year old Oldsmobile. Despite her meager income, she supported her nieces and nephews attain college degrees by sending hard earned dollar to her home country. Like Mama Teeya, how can you optimize what you have and lead a life of success? Acknowledge your limitations. Because of Mama Teeya's age and unaccredited education, she realized that she had to accept a minimum wage job. Determine your strength. Mama Teeya knew that if she worked hard and be frugal - her two positive traits - she could attain her goals. She decided to focus on her strengths rather than on her weaknesses and limitations. Count your blessings and be thankful. Mama Teeya never failed to enjoy what she had. She was always thankful for her job, family, house, and friends. She socialized with close friends and danced cha-cha and tango with her husband on free week nights. Instead of blame, find solutions to problems. Mama Teeya never blamed her age, her education, and her immigrant status for her low-income jobs. For her, it was already a blessing to have a job. The salary was just a bonus. Don't complain about your circumstance. Mama Teeya never complained that she had to walk to her work. Also, she never whined for not getting enough sleep to maintain two jobs. She just loved what she did. Work hard with joy in your heart. Mama Teeya enjoyed every minute of her work. According to her co-workers, she greeted customers and went to work enthusiastically. Help others generously. Because of her generosity and kindness, she had helped her nephews and nieces financially and emotionally. Have a strong faith. Mama Teeya communed with God despite her busy schedule and regularly attended church and religious gatherings. Mama Teeya optimized what she had. Everyday, she was thankful that God gave her two decent jobs, her own car, a comfortable townhouse unit, and a devoted husband. Through frugality, hard work, and strong faith, she had lived a full life and fulfilled her American Dream before she passed away last year. Mama Teeya is now gone but her example will live forever. About The Author Copyright 2003 Dr. Michael G. Rayel, author of First Aid to Mental Illness (Finalist, Reader's Preference Choice Award 2002), has pioneered the CARE approach as a first aid for mental health. As an expert and an award-winning author, Dr. Rayel has appeared on radio and prominent newspapers. As a first aid advocate, he has conducted Mental Health First Aid workshops around the country. His books are available at www.drrayel.com and major online bookstores.
Google News - Top Stories
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Organization and the Opposite Sex In many of the companies I have worked in, there is a very high proportion of male managers to females. This causes a major challenge in the work environment, (although many of them are unaware it is an important issue). 50 Ideas to Organize Your Home "Organize" is a familiar word heard on many of today's popular decorating shows. Every family has its struggles with some type of clutter whether it is stacks of papers or a cluttered and cramped bathroom. In fact, the National Association of Professional Organizers reports that 80% of what we keep we never use, we wear 20% of the clothes we own while the other 80% hangs there just in case, and 25% of adults say they pay bills late because they lost them. Four Easy Steps to An Organized Closet The National Association of Professional Organizers has dedicated January to clean out those closets, but don't wait for January -- now is the time. Exciting this task is not, but by devoting a couple of afternoons this month you can reduce unnecessary search time and you may even find some extra storage in the process. Files vs Piles I recently read an article that had some interesting but not surprising statistics. Harte-Hanks published a survey in December, 2001 which reported that 96% of businesspeople interviewed were frustrated by their companies' information management. It's no wonder. An IDC white paper published in August, 2001 told us employees can spend up to two and half hours a day looking for information. 5 Tips to Banish Clutter From Your Life For Good Studies show that 80 percent of what we use comes from 20 percent of what we own. That means that 80 percent of the things in our homes are rarely or never used. Follow these tips to de-clutter your life. Kids Clutter: Organizing at Every Age Our children are probably the biggest clutter creators we have in our homes -- even more so than the dreaded paper flow. It starts out innocently, when we find out we are expecting; then the purchasing frenzy swings into high gear and does not let up until, well, let's just say many years down the road. Dont Get Lost In The Shuffle I have a good friend whom (also being in the same business) I often compare notes with. After the Clutter: 5 Steps to a New Daily Routine I've noticed that in the two years since the major de-cluttering of my apartment, clutter has been creeping back in. Get Organized: 10 Universal Laws The Law of the 1st Step Balance - And Other Things The Mexican Villager Do You Have A To-Do list? I have a huge white board in my home office, about 4ft x 3ft..my friends laugh when they come over due to the size of it. Here is where I plan my days. I'll be honest, my memory is not as great as it used to be as I tend to forget things that would never slip me before. Along with my huge white board I also have about 4 dry erase markers..blue - red - green and black. here's how I used my board .. New Business? Changing Careers? Youve Got a Whole New Ball Game When you embark on a life transition, the skills that brought you success in a former life will no longer work. It's like trying to play football on a basketball team. The 4-Keys to Clutter Free Living - Design a Space that Nurtures Your Soul Decluttering is a simple-to-learn process, once you break it down into manageable steps. Tackling too much at once, or underestimating the time and effort it will take to "get organized", can lead to frustration and a "throw in the towel" stance that will further add to your clutter and your anxiety. Creative Storage Solutions When the things in your home start crowding in around you and you're short on cash, it's time to come up with some creative storage solutions. Don't be afraid to think "out of the box". You're the only one who has to know where everything is stored. Simple Ideas to Conquer Paper Clutter Are stacks of papers, mail, newspapers, and growing "to do" lists cluttering your home? Has it been months since you've seen your countertops or have you completely forgotten what your countertops look like? Paper clutter includes bills, warranties, cards, mail, memos, sticky notes, lists, letters, advertising flyers, school papers, etc. If any or all of these items are cluttering your home and countertops, follow the simple ideas below to organize your papers and gain control over the clutter. The Natural Law of Attrition I'm cheap and proud of it. Clutter Control Remember when you charged into the office that first day, all primed to make the new year the best ever. You made a New Year's Resolution that you would definitely get organised to start the coming year with a bang! So what did you do? You cleaned out all the clutter that had accumulated throughout the past year and in some instances, the past decade! Clutters Side Effects: How the State of Your Home Affects Your Life Each area of your home has a symbolic meaning with which you resonate on a subconscious level. Clutter and untidiness within each of these areas causes constriction and inertia in the corresponding aspects of your life. 10 Easy Maintenance Tips vs Piling on the Chaos Whether you are in your own business or an employee (or neither) -- if you have a family and a home you are in the business of having a life. I'm betting that none of you went into business to become hot at shuffling papers and reams of e-mail. Organization Tips - How To Get Things Done What stops you from 'getting things done?'
|
|
|
|
|
