The Numbers Game

Surprising numbers of us suffer panic and memory loss when faced with even simple mental arithmetic, according to the Journal of Experimental Psychology. It's all due to the reliance on calculators and the abstract way maths is taught in schools. When asked, "What is 45 plus 29?" the "maths phobic" will try to add 5 and 9, forget to carry the 1 and so on. The secret of those who take it in the stride is understanding how numbers relate in the real world. They'll think, "OK, what's 45 and 30, then take away 1." » Continue reading

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How to be more commanding

All set to confront, negotiate, or impress? Take care! These top ten distracting behaviours can cost you the upper hand:

• Touching your hair
  
• Licking your lips
  
• Playing with rubber bands or paper clips
  
• Twirling your moustache
  
• Drumming your fingers
  
• Clicking pens
  
• Biting your fingernails
  
• Tapping your feet
  
• Picking your teeth
  
• Repeatedly adjusting your glasses.

» Continue reading

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Think smart, work smart and rest smart

Once there was a group of men, chopping down timber in a jungle. The group comprised a young hot-blooded man and a number of older folks. This young chap was very hard working. He always worked through his break time and complained that the older folks were wasting time, taking breaks four times a day to drink and chat.

As times went by, this young guy noticed that even though he worked through his break time and harldy took rest, the older folks were chopping the same amount of trees as he was. In fact, there were times when they cut more trees than he did. It was almost as if these people were working through the break time as he did. So he decided to work harder the next day. Unfortunately, the results were even worse.


One day, one of the older folks invited him for a drink during their break time. The young man refused and said he had no extra time to waste! Then the old man smiled to him and said, "It is just a waste of effort to keep chopping trees without re-sharpening your knife. Sooner or later you will give up or be very exhausted as you have spent too much energy."

Suddenly the young man realized that actually during their tea breaks, while those old folks were having a chat, they were also resharpening their knives at the same time! And that's how they could chop faster than him spending lesser time in the bargain!

The old man then said, "What we need is efficiency by making use of our skill and ability intelligently. Only then can we have a lot more time to do other things."

The morale of the story:

Taking a short break during work makes you feel fresher, helps you think well and work better after the break. Unless you are simply finding an excuse to take a break!

Taking a break does not mean stopping work. It means that you just take some time to rest and re-think your strategy or go about it from another angle. » Continue reading

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How to be a Champion Conversationalist

Whether it's a barbecue, a business lunch or a formal dinner, mixing with other guests is a done deal. Etiquette expert Patsy Rowe offers these handy hints:

Have a great ice-breaker. "Where are you from?" is the all-round best. To discover that someone grew up in a small town, or has just returned from a Greek holiday, will pave the way for a whole host of secondary questions.

No-nos. In-house talk, photos of your kids, your worm-breeding hobby and your latest diet are conversational killers. Avoid gossip, details of your medical problems and personal money matters.

Curly questions. If someone asks you an embarrassing question about your age, your income or your marriage(s), smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

Don't be a bore. If your fellow guest's interest is waning while you waffle, stop talking about yourself and ask them a question immediately. » Continue reading

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