Are you tactful? Being tactful is not that hard. You just have to consider other people's feelings before you utter those nasty words. If you have some kind of grudge or animosity of that person, you might as well, keep it to yourself or lest, you will hurt him.
Tact is the ability to appreciate the delicacy of a situation and to do or say the kindest or most fitting thing. The word originally referred to touch.
To avoid being tactless, we should strive to be kind to people, for we do not know how they really feel. We should always be alert to signs that reveal a person's feelings and respond with a kind word or act.
Learning the Art of Being Tactful
• Understand the feelings of others
Jesus was outstanding in perceiving people's feelings and at discerning how best to treat them kindly. Once He was dining in the house of Simon, a Pharisee, when a woman known in the city to be a sinner approached Him. Again, no words were spoken, but there was plenty to observe. She brought an alabaster case of perfumed oil, and, taking a position behind at (Jesus') feet, she wept and started to wet His feet with her tears and she would wipe them off with the hair of her head. Also, she tenderly kissed His feet and greased them with the perfumed oil. Jesus recognized what all of this meant. And even though Simon did not say anything, Jesus was Man, if he were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman it is that is touching Him, that she is "a sinner." —Luke 7:37-39.
Can you imagine the harm that would have been caused if Jesus had pushed the woman away or if He had said to Simon: "You ignorant man? Can't you see that she is repentant?" Instead, Jesus tactfully presented Simon with an illustration about a man who forgave one person a large debt and another person a much smaller debt. "Which of them will love him the more?" Jesus asked. Thus, rather than appearing to condemn Simon, Jesus was able to commend him for the correct reply that Simon gave. Then He kindly helped Simon to recognize the many signs of the woman's true feelings and her expressions of repentance. Jesus turned to the woman and kindly indicated to her that He understood her feelings. He told her that her sins were forgiven and thereafter said: "Your faith has saved you; go your way in peace." How those tactful words must have strengthened her resolve to do what was right! (Luke 7:40-50) Jesus succeeded in being tactful because He observed how people felt and responded compassionately.
Just as Jesus helped Simon, so we can learn and then help others to understand the unspoken language of emotion. Does he or she feel insulted, ignored, or misunderstood? How could kindness make him or her feel better?
Parents do well to help your children learn to cultivate compassion, since this is what will move them to act tactfully.
Read more...
How Can You Achieve Good Grades?
Grades can mean the difference between graduating and being left behind, between obtaining a well-paying job and getting only a minimum wage, between receiving the praise of parents and incurring their wrath. Admittedly, grades and tests have their place.
Your grades also serve to give your parents some idea of how you are doing in school — for better or for worse. Little wonder that school grades are a major source of anxiety among youths.
Too much concern about grades, however, can create paralyzing stress and ignite fierce competition. Furthermore, education means more than ranking up points on tests. It means developing thinking ability, the skill of taking raw information and drawing sound, practical conclusions from it. A youth who manages to get passing grades through guessing, cramming, or even cheating never really learns how to think. And what good is a high grade in math if later on you find yourself unable to balance a checkbook?
It is thus important that you view grades, not as an end in themselves but as a helpful means of gauging your progress at school. How, though, can you achieve grades that reflect your abilities?
• Take responsibility for learning
Poor students tend to blame their poor (school) performances on sources beyond their control: unfair test questions, a prejudiced teacher; bad luck, fate, the weather. But laziness is often the real reason for low grades.
Good students, however, take responsibility for their learning. Yes, how good your grades are depends for the most part, not on factors beyond your control, but on YOU —how hard you are willing to study and apply yourself in school.
• Institute some changes or a get-tough policy with yourself
"But I do study." This is what some youths might claim. They sincerely feel they are already working themselves to the bone but getting no results. Years ago, however, researchers at Stanford University (U.S.A.) polled some 770 students and asked how much effort they felt they were putting into their schoolwork. Oddly enough, students with low grades thought they worked as hard as anybody. Yet when their study habits were examined, it was discovered that they actually did for less homework than their high-achieving schoolmates.
The lesson? Perhaps you too are not studying as hard as you think you are, and some changes would be in order.
• Study regularly
What if you are simply not in the mood for studying? Life seldom allows us the luxury of indulging in our moods. At a secular job, you will have to work every day —whether you are in the mood for it or not. So view homework as an exercise in self-discipline, a rehearsal for later work experience. Be businesslike about it.
On Test
"There will be a test next week!" These words need not cause you to panic. First of all, try to discern from your teacher's comments what kind of test it will be, such as an essay test or multiple choices. Also, in the days preceding the test, listen for clues as to what will appear in the test. Next, review your notes, textbooks, and homework assignments.
However, failing a test — especially after trying hard to pass it — can devastate your self-respect. A humiliation of failing a test may well be worth it if it spurs you on to learn from your mistakes and improve.
And as important as grades are, they are not the final judgment on your worth as a person. Nevertheless, take advantage of the time you are in school, and learn as much as you can. Usually that effort will be reflected in grades that will make you — and your parents —feel happy and satisfied.
Read more...
Your grades also serve to give your parents some idea of how you are doing in school — for better or for worse. Little wonder that school grades are a major source of anxiety among youths.
Too much concern about grades, however, can create paralyzing stress and ignite fierce competition. Furthermore, education means more than ranking up points on tests. It means developing thinking ability, the skill of taking raw information and drawing sound, practical conclusions from it. A youth who manages to get passing grades through guessing, cramming, or even cheating never really learns how to think. And what good is a high grade in math if later on you find yourself unable to balance a checkbook?
It is thus important that you view grades, not as an end in themselves but as a helpful means of gauging your progress at school. How, though, can you achieve grades that reflect your abilities?
• Take responsibility for learning
Poor students tend to blame their poor (school) performances on sources beyond their control: unfair test questions, a prejudiced teacher; bad luck, fate, the weather. But laziness is often the real reason for low grades.
Good students, however, take responsibility for their learning. Yes, how good your grades are depends for the most part, not on factors beyond your control, but on YOU —how hard you are willing to study and apply yourself in school.
• Institute some changes or a get-tough policy with yourself
"But I do study." This is what some youths might claim. They sincerely feel they are already working themselves to the bone but getting no results. Years ago, however, researchers at Stanford University (U.S.A.) polled some 770 students and asked how much effort they felt they were putting into their schoolwork. Oddly enough, students with low grades thought they worked as hard as anybody. Yet when their study habits were examined, it was discovered that they actually did for less homework than their high-achieving schoolmates.
The lesson? Perhaps you too are not studying as hard as you think you are, and some changes would be in order.
• Study regularly
What if you are simply not in the mood for studying? Life seldom allows us the luxury of indulging in our moods. At a secular job, you will have to work every day —whether you are in the mood for it or not. So view homework as an exercise in self-discipline, a rehearsal for later work experience. Be businesslike about it.
On Test
"There will be a test next week!" These words need not cause you to panic. First of all, try to discern from your teacher's comments what kind of test it will be, such as an essay test or multiple choices. Also, in the days preceding the test, listen for clues as to what will appear in the test. Next, review your notes, textbooks, and homework assignments.
However, failing a test — especially after trying hard to pass it — can devastate your self-respect. A humiliation of failing a test may well be worth it if it spurs you on to learn from your mistakes and improve.
And as important as grades are, they are not the final judgment on your worth as a person. Nevertheless, take advantage of the time you are in school, and learn as much as you can. Usually that effort will be reflected in grades that will make you — and your parents —feel happy and satisfied.
Read more...
How to Beat School Blues Away
Hey girl! Do you feel blue? Stressed out? If you're dealing with school stress, just remember to keep it real!
Find out what stress is, what it isn't, and what it can do if you let it rule your life. So read up on the following tips that may help you beat those school blues! Stress can be a result of schoolwork and your schedule. Does your schedule allow you enough time to finish your schoolwork? Or maybe you should learn to budget your time more efficiently? If time to get your schoolwork done is the problem, find a quiet place (like a library or study area) where you can accomplish your homework.
Remember, your schedule and schoolwork are not worth losing sleep over or getting so upset that you can't eat. If stress is affecting your sleeping or eating patterns, or impairing your ability to concentrate at home, a change is in order. Talk with your parents, counselors, and teachers to come up with a schedule that you can actually follow and homework that you can realistically accomplish.
If you can't control your stress, your stress will control you. Learn to budget your schedule and your assignments or else your stress level will rise as school assignments pile up.
The world will not end if you do not finish all your homework assignments perfectly or if you are a little late with handling in an assignment on a rare occasion. No homework assignment is so important that you should lose sleep or make yourself sick over it. If you find yourself overly stressed about simple assignments, repeat: "It's only homework." Focus on doing your homework to the best of your ability instead of doing it perfectly.
You can reduce your school stress by becoming more organized. Make sure that all your books are labeled and that you have plenty of supplies such as paper, pens, notebooks, and calculators. Also organize your coursework so that you have a different folder for each class; this will help to keep your assignments clear and help you to find your information more quickly when you are doing your homework. A lack of organization can cause you needless stress and can make you take longer to complete your assignments.
Prioritize your schoolwork. Notice what date each of your assignments are due, and estimate how much time each assignment will take you to complete. Then prioritize your work.
Read more...
Find out what stress is, what it isn't, and what it can do if you let it rule your life. So read up on the following tips that may help you beat those school blues! Stress can be a result of schoolwork and your schedule. Does your schedule allow you enough time to finish your schoolwork? Or maybe you should learn to budget your time more efficiently? If time to get your schoolwork done is the problem, find a quiet place (like a library or study area) where you can accomplish your homework.
Remember, your schedule and schoolwork are not worth losing sleep over or getting so upset that you can't eat. If stress is affecting your sleeping or eating patterns, or impairing your ability to concentrate at home, a change is in order. Talk with your parents, counselors, and teachers to come up with a schedule that you can actually follow and homework that you can realistically accomplish.
If you can't control your stress, your stress will control you. Learn to budget your schedule and your assignments or else your stress level will rise as school assignments pile up.
The world will not end if you do not finish all your homework assignments perfectly or if you are a little late with handling in an assignment on a rare occasion. No homework assignment is so important that you should lose sleep or make yourself sick over it. If you find yourself overly stressed about simple assignments, repeat: "It's only homework." Focus on doing your homework to the best of your ability instead of doing it perfectly.
You can reduce your school stress by becoming more organized. Make sure that all your books are labeled and that you have plenty of supplies such as paper, pens, notebooks, and calculators. Also organize your coursework so that you have a different folder for each class; this will help to keep your assignments clear and help you to find your information more quickly when you are doing your homework. A lack of organization can cause you needless stress and can make you take longer to complete your assignments.
Prioritize your schoolwork. Notice what date each of your assignments are due, and estimate how much time each assignment will take you to complete. Then prioritize your work.
Read more...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
