Category: Personality and Self Help

All that has been lost in the pandemic

We are almost over with the second wave, but we humans as a community have lost so much to the pandemic. It almost feels like the silence after the storm, when all the buildings, trees have collapsed but you are standing there helpless, staring at the damage and destruction that has been caused by this storm named pandemic. We still haven’t recovered from the scars of the 2 waves of covid and there is another wave lurking around the corner, and who knows the devastation it may bring about, although I hope it does not cause any more loss.

The second wave saw deaths at a larger rate than the previous wave, there was not a single night where there was no sound of an ambulance wheezing to save a single life.

The sad part is that many of the people who their lives might have been healthy if not for covid, they might not have had any health complications but still lost their life. Young people, too, have lost their lives in this pandemic.

We will eventually come out of this pandemic but at what cost? For many of us, it won’t even matter if the pandemic ends, after losing loved ones. But this where we should try to understand that now, after losing a life which was so dear to you might feel like “does it matter now that the cases are coming down, that deaths are occurring less and less day by day?” But still, we must realize that there are many more lives that need to be kept safe. The pain of losing a dear one will not pass away easily and when your kids will be reading about the pandemic, in the future, in their books, that memory will come alive again.

Many other things have also been lost, many people have lost their jobs, they have not been able to feed their family and themselves. Many students who were looking for employment lost their chances due to this pandemic. We have lost our normal routines, it feels like a lifetime when we went out for dinners and movies, we now miss even a regular day at schools and colleges.

But the bottom line is, life will go on no matter what, people will eventually forget that you had lost someone during the pandemic, they will move on. You will have to deal with this yourself, and we cannot blame them because everybody has to get on with their lives, so take time your time, sit back and reflect. Let the grief enter your mind and heart, feel it completely, cry, and when you let it sink in completely, then maybe you will be able to detach yourself from that feeling, although you can never forget it, it may help you. This detachment theory was something I read in the book “Tuesdays with Morrie”. We all must hope that the third wave does not bring with it any more destruction or better it does not come at all.

Skincare: An Essential or A Scam?

I was one of those few God’s favorites who had clear skin and perfect hair during my early and mid-teens. To my horror, my late-teens turned out to be a can of worms when I started getting oily skin, breakouts, acne, frizz, dandruff, hair fall, and what-not.

One of the main misconceptions about having oily skin is that people advise you to wash your face often to keep the oiliness at bay. Not knowing better, I followed the routine religiously. My mom and my grandma recommended some DIYs that could potentially benefit my skin. So, I tried putting lemon, baking soda, cinnamon powder, and other nasties to restore the natural oil balance. I never applied moisturizer or sunscreen for fear that it may make my skin oilier. I basically went all the way out, trying to get back my perfect skin. Unknowingly, I did more harm than good.

Fast forward to my days in college. I was tremendously insecure about my never-ending acne while all the other girls flaunted their flawless skin. I started wearing makeup in hopes that it would conceal my blemishes and imperfections. Again, I did not follow the correct methods in applying or removing the makeup.

I finally gave up thinking that perfect skin was not for me. I reverted back to my old ways when I let my skin do what it does naturally. It did not improve my skin, but it did not worsen it too. This was the time that I came across an Instagram page of a skincare blogger. Despite my skepticism, I was curious about what she had to say. I browsed through her feed. Based on her experience and reviews, I figured that she knew what she was talking about.

I messaged her and told her about my woes. She recommended that I start off simple with a mild cleanser, a moisturizer, and sunscreen. I decided to give it a try. What did I have to lose anyway? To this day, that was the best decision that I had ever taken.

After noticing a few positive changes in my skin, I researched various products. I desperately wanted to get it right this time. I thought a skincare routine might seem like high maintenance, but it really wasn’t. I learned that investing early in skincare could have lasting effects. Besides, less is more. It is vital to not layer too many products. Skincare makes you age gracefully. As we know, prevention is always better than cure. So, why take chances with your skin?

The basic skincare regimen consists of only three steps: cleanse, moisturize and protect against the sun. It is necessary to invest in a mild cleanser, a hydrating moisturizer, and a sunscreen having an SPF of at least 30. The first step is to identify your skin type and your skin concerns. The next step is to know the layering of your products. The final and crucial step is consistency. After following this routine initially, you can build on it using toners, exfoliators, serums, face masks, facial oils, etc.

Skincare is not an overnight miracle. It does not provide a temporary fix but gets the ball rolling to healthier skin. Patience is the key to seeing good results. You have to test different products to find which works best for you. To commit fully to having healthy skin, you should be ready to invest your time, energy, and money.

Every skin is unique. The same product can give different results for another person. A bad experience with a product does not signify that it is not a quality product. Based on your age, allergies, expectations, skin needs, preference of a fragrance or a texture, the results and experiences vary.

The billion-dollar skincare industry is growing steadily every day and doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. For the most part, it consists of fraudulent and deceptive claims. A new brand launches a new product every hour. The industry thrives by feeding on your insecurities and flaws. Even though we don’t need most skincare products, the companies persuade us to buy more and more products. But, that does not mean that the entire industry is a scam. Ultimately, it is in our hands to not fall prey to the scamming leeches and invest in the right products.

Skincare changed my life for the better. It boosted my confidence and made me feel comfortable in my own skin. “Perfect skin” does not exist. Instead, healthy skin is what we should strive for.

Countries where Indians can travel without visa

There are several countries where Indians are not required to have a visa to travel. A total of 58 countries allow you a visa-free travel with your Indian passport.

>Indonesia

Indians travelling to Indonesia can go visa-free for 30 days. If the duration of travel is more than 30 days Indians can apply for visa after their arrival in Indonesia.

>Ecuador

Citizens of India don’t need a visa in advance to travel to Ecuador. The facility of visa-free stay here for Indians is of duration of 90 days. The travelers, though, need to carry their financial documents and passport with a validity of 6 months along with their return ticket and travel insurance.

>Serbia

Indian citizens can stay upto 30 days visa-free in Serbia from the date of entry within a year. A stay exceeding the mentioned duration would require a temporary residence permit.

>Montserrat

Indian citizens can travel visa-free for 30 days in Montserrat without a tourist visa.

>Macau

Indians can stay visa-free in Macau given the stay should not exceed 30 days. Visitors are required to ensure their passport validity upto 6 months from the date of visit.

>Svalbard

You don’t need a visa to travel, work and reside permanently in Svalbard.

>Nepal

Indians don’t need to have a visa to stay in Nepal. However, it is important to register to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu after a stay of 6 months.

>Haiti

Haiti doesn’t ask for a tourist visa to Indian travelers who can live upto 90 days there. All non-Haitian traveler are, though, required to pay a tourist fee of 10USD on arrival and validate their passports of 6 months validity from the date of arrival.

>Turks and Caicos 

A tourist visa is not needed to travel to Turks and Caicos. All you need is a valid visa for entry and exit. 

>Jamaica

Indian visitors can travel to Jamaica visa-free for upto 30 days. A stamp on the passport by the immigration officer on arrival acts as a tourist visa for Indians.

WHY READING FICTION IS GOOD FOR YOU?

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.”
 – Charles William Elliot

I’m certain that many of you will acknowledge what Charles William Elliot said. No one can deny the degree of power that books hold within itself and what lasting prints it leaves on us.
People usually pick up non-fiction books relating to- self-help, business, health, the lifestyle which are undoubtedly great to widen one’s horizons of knowledge. But fictions, on the other hand, are in a way an untapped reservoir of knowledge, wisdom, understanding, emotions, and countless other things.

If one wishes to develop an exceptional personality then he/she must inculcate the act of reading fiction. These are the most robust way of exercising your brain muscles and being more creative apart from developing a sense of understanding.

Reading fiction is like living many hundreds of life and experiencing all the heat and rain of it.

Ernest Hemingway said, “All good books have one thing in common — they are truer than if they had really happened, and after you’ve read one of them you will feel that all that happened, happened to you and then it belongs to you forever: the happiness and unhappiness, good and evil, ecstasy and sorrow, the food, wine, beds, people, and the weather.”
And only a fiction reader can relate to what Hemingway has said. While reading fiction the protagonist’s life gets affixed with the readers and whatever happens to him is experienced by the reader within himself and this is how the not-the-real story becomes an experience for the reader and it carries this experience throughout his life.

READING FICTION MAKES YOU MORE CREATIVE-


According to research conducted at the University of Toronto, it was found out that the students who read fiction experienced less need for “cognitive closure” (the human desire to eliminate ambiguity and arrive at definite conclusions ) than non-fiction readers.
Reading fiction novels makes the brain active and enables the reader to broaden his creativity and think of a situation or a thing from many different ways and angles.

FICTION HELPS UNDERSTAND OTHERS PERSPECTIVE-


You must have sensed while reading a fiction book a connection between you and the character. You see the situation through the character’s view and not from yours. That is where you blend yourself with the character and understand his perspectives, the way he opines, his actions, his arguments, and his justifications.

A good fiction runs deep in the dominion of psychology and philosophy. You start to accept and justify the other person’s viewpoint.

READING FICTION GIVES YOU WISDOM AND EXPERIENCE-


Many different books have many different stories. Each time you pick a book you are transported back to a completely different time and space. That is the power of reading fiction books.

You experience tragedies, happy endings, downfall, success, and whatnot. And while these experiences, you widen the realm of your wisdom. You clearly see the distinction between true and untrue, good and evil.
“You can never be wise unless you love reading”, says Samuel Johnson, an 18th CE English writer.

For instance, while reading a history academic textbook you just gulp down the fact and dates. But when you read historical fiction you walk down that path, experience the time and surrounding. And after you have put down your book you feel as if you are back in your time with a bagful of experiences and long-lasting impact.
“A good book is an event in my life.” is what Stendhal, a 19th-century French writer feels about reading.

FICTION HELPS YOU UNDERSTAND THE BIGGER PICTURE-


Fiction in its narration exhibits the bigger picture in a minuscule and detailed manner. It familiarises the readers with the ground situation and gives them a wholesome experience.

In the book “The Thousand Splendid Suns”, Khaled Hosseini portrays the life journey of a young girl to becoming an old woman in Afghanistan from the time of Soviet invasion to the reign of Taliban to post-Taliban rebuilding.
Through this deep-moving chronicle, the author teaches its reader about the life of common Afghanistani during the time, the hardships she goes through, and a beautiful, gripping description of her feelings and emotions.

Hosseini, through his book, tries to make his readers experience while sitting on their couch the turns and turmoils in the protagonist’s life and learn from the story the life morals, values, and virtues to hold on to.

All in all reading fiction gives you ‘EXPERIENCE’ of many lives and thus helps you in your overall personality.

How to plan career after 12th

Once class 12th results are out and the school is over, it is time to make the strategies for higher education and think over what to do next. With numerous options available today, students often get confused in choosing a relevant career path for them. Many of the students might have already had plans for their future in place but for some the confusion still persists.

Here are some tips to keep in mind while choosing the most relevant career path.

>Know your interests

Before jumping on to look for the available options in the science, commerce or humanities stream, it is extremely important to consider your interests. If you don’t want to spend your time at job/work counting your days then look for the career which best suits and aligns with your interests and abilities. Deciding out of peer pressure or family pressure might not turn out to be beneficial in long run.

>Choose the right course

These days there are a number of ways to pursue the same course such as degree course, diploma course, correspondence mode, online mode and distance mode of education. By getting to know about the course structure, syllabus and methodology of teaching you can pick up the course which suits your needs.

>Look out for future scope and opportunities

It might happen that your interests direct you to your preferred career path but not a viable career. In order to overcome this major hurdle, you need to search for and know about the future scope and opportunities available for that particular field in your country and abroad.

>Maintain a balance between college preference and course of study

A college preference might be as important as the preferred course but a balance between the two is more important. A good college offering your preferred course is a steal deal. However, if things don’t go as per your will, consider the course above the college brand. Because it is only the course that is going to decide your future prospects and not the college’s brand value.

>Have a plan B

Just in case you doubt losing the opportunity to grab your preference of course or college always have a plan B. It would not only save your time from being wasted but also let you to explore other options. Who knows the unexplored opportunities come with hidden but favourable outcomes for you.

Engaging activities for the lockdown period

The lockdown period bothers everyone especially when all the social gatherings and meet ups are halted. We get plenty of time in our hands. This is the time when we can learn new skills and brush up the old ones. So why not look out for some interesting and productive activities which can be carried out even during lockdown.

>Catch up with old friends

It’s a great time to catch up with all the friends and family members you haven’t talked in a while. Chat with them on video call, play online games or just plan an online get together.

>Read books

Treat yourself with a good book. Reading is not just a great past time but also a productive activity. Read to get inspired or simply to learn something new and advance your vocabulary. Look for some good and easily accessible e-books.

>Get an online internship

During the time of lockdown on-site jobs and opportunities might not be possible but a virtual internship might prove beneficial. Many companies, associations and organizations are providing online internships to individuals which can be done from home. Look for the best suited internship for yourself. This might later help in grabbing good job opportunities post lockdown.

>Learn to cook

Try cooking and let your friends and family taste it. Start with basic and easy-to-cook recipes. Reach out to family and friends for cooking hacks and tips or just surf online for your favourite recipe. Participate in online workshops for cooking to master the skill.

>Maintain your personal diary

Ever read ‘The Diary of a Young Girl’ which is a collection of diary entries of a young girl during the Nazi rule in Germany? If you wish to do something similar, this is the right time. We are experiencing a pandemic and what better than this can be the theme for your diary entries. Create time line of events, collect newspaper articles and picture. This can also act as a pandemic time capsule. One day, you’ll be able to narrate these stories to your children and grandchildren.

>Get hands on a new skill

This can prove to be the perfect time to grab a new skill. Explore your creative side. Try out drawing, sketching or painting. If interested in music, go on to learn singing or instruments. Dancing, photography and art are also fun to do and really engaging.

>Start your kitchen garden

If you are an expert gardener and love to grow plants, this is the ultimate opportunity for you. Kitchen gardening is one of the most popular activities done during lockdown. What can be better than eating what you grow?

>Create a YouTube channel

Since most of the entertainment these days is digital, YouTube is a platform for fresh content. Just like most of the celebrities, you too can begin a YouTube channel and start uploading your fun and engaging videos.

Advantages of multilingualism

Knowing one language is essential human need but learning more than one dialect can bring about new opportunities for any person. Multilingualism not just opens up career opportunities for an individual but also the cognitive benefits of being multilingual are further more than people know. Studies reveal that about 60 to 75 percent of the world population is multilingual. Even certain countries have more than one official language and have made the option to learn a second language mandatory in their school curricula.

Let’s know further the lesser known benefits of multilingualism.

>Sharpens mind

A study at Spain’s Pompeu Fabra University reveals that the effect of a second language acquired later in life can be seen in the growth of brain. While learning a new language sharpens the brain, it also causes the brain to grow and develop proficiency in the first language. Multilinguals have better concentration and observation and analytical skills than monolinguals.

>Improves learning abilities

Memory is a fundamental in learning languages where one gets familiar with not only new vocabulary and rules but also requires the ability to recall the information. The more the use of brain, the better it performs. This enhances one’s learning and memorizing abilities.

>Enhances decision making

Multilingualism leads to flexible and critical thinking and logical reasoning enhancing the decision making ability. Innovative and creative decisions for the betterment of everyone and the society are a part of the improved ability.

>Lessens mental decline in old age

It has been suggested by studies that requirements associated with bilingual or multilingual people act as mental exercise for the brain which may lead to delay in the symptoms of Alzheimer′s disease and other forms of dementia.

>Increases career opportunities

Business companies these days look for individuals of bilingual or multilingual ability considering the diversity of the world. Companies operating in more than one country prefer multilinguistic candidates. Also, tourism and marketing sector provide wide range of opportunities to multi-lingual individuals.

Unusual jobs we never knew existed

If the usual nine to five jobs sound boring to you, there are a plenty of unusual, interesting and never heard before jobs- jobs which don’t involve in office time at all.

Let’s have a look at the most unusual yet interesting professions.

>Iceberg mover

The idea came up after the tragedy of Titanic in 1912. Professionals and specialists are hired to tow icebergs out of the path of ships and oil rigs. Iceberg movers earn an estimated amount of $19,000 to $52,000 per year.

>Panda nanny

As a part of China Giant Panda Protection, the research centre in China is on hunt for specialised nannies for panda cubs. Those who wish to partake will be provided free meals, transit and accommodations along with an estimated pay of 200,000 Yuan ($32,000) a year.

>Ash artist

We must have heard of sand artists. Ash artist is somewhat similar to it. The only difference being the art piece is made of passed ones’ ashes. Though it might sound creepy but the art made out of the ashes looks beautiful and has a connection since it was made of a person you knew. The estimated pay is $225-$500 per commission.

>Professional mermaid

Though having seen a mermaid for real is not possible but a professional mermaid is definitely a real, though self made, job. There are no schools or institutions providing training in mermaid work. One has to be self motivated and comfortable in practicing and wearing a fish tail like mermaid and swimming like one. Professional mermaid job gets an estimate of $300/hour.

>Professional foreigner

Never thought being a foreign could be a profession? Here is a chance to work as a professional foreigner especially in China. It’s a big business in China where they hire foreigners to attend real estate events and meetings. Professional foreigners earn an approximate of $1,000/week.

>Fortune cookie writer

As the name suggests, those little notes we get in our cookies are usually written by professionals. Companies hire freelancers to make those little slips with sweet messages. Such freelancers get paid $40,000 to $80,000 annually.

Being introvert

An introvert is often thought of as a shy, quiet, calm and reserved individual having minimal social interactions. Social engagements and special attention are not what an introvert looks for. Instead, introverts find more comfort in solitude and focusing on inner thoughts and ideas. Investing more of their time in reading, writing, creativity, music and art is what energises them. Social gatherings might not be their interest but alone time is what they prefer most.

Following these traits introverts are often misunderstood.

Misconception no.1: Introverts are shy

Being shy is not the same as being introvert. Introverts enjoy solitude and tend to be reserved and prefer being alone or in small groups. This is often mistaken as being shy.

Misconception no.2: Introverts are rude

Introverts value their privacy and don’t believe much in expressing their emotions publicly. This tends people to dislike them and mistake them for being rude or weird at times.

Misconception no.3: Introverts are boring

Socializing in gatherings and parties and hanging out with peers might not be their kind of thing but that doesn’t make introverts boring. Time spent with inner circle of friends and family in a low key environment is more valuable for them.

Misconception no.4: Introverts can’t make friends

Introverts need their time to open up to new relationship. When it comes to befriending someone, introverts choose to have close friends, though less in number. They prefer smaller circle and high quality relationships.

Misconception no.5: Introverts are underconfident

Our society equates confidence with boldness, strong statements and actions directed externally which come naturally to extroverts. On the other hand, introverts don’t believe in the public display of confidence. Even though they feel confident inside, they don’t show much of it on the outside. Keeping emotions to themselves is natural in introverts.

Misconception no.6: Introverts are emotionless

Keeping emotions to themselves is natural in introverts. They have great control on their emotions and avoid expressing the same publicly. Though introverts might not seem to be emotionally engaged but usually that’s not the case.

Misconception no.7: Introverts wish to be extroverts

Sometimes, introverts might envy the abilities of extroverts to fit quickly and naturally to any social environment. But they do take great joy in being themselves and the delight of being in their own inner world. Being introvert is a gift where one enjoys equally self company and the company of others and wishing to be someone else is not the desire.

Misconception no.8: Introverts can turn into extroverts some day

Introversion is a personality trait which can either degrade or upgrade but never change. It is similar to wine which will only get better with aging but never change into something else i.e. one can grow up to be a mature introvert but not an extrovert.

We live in a fast growing world where chatty behaving individuals are preferred over the quite listeners. Many introverts find it difficult making their way through this scenario. However, introversion must be observed as a gift- a gift of thoughtfulness, compassion and creativity. Introverts are considerate, compassionate, deep thinkers, natural writers, problem solvers, keen observers, good listeners and readers- everything the world needs today.

Reasons to learn content writing

Content writing is a step wise process of planning, writing and editing. It usually includes content for blogs, articles, speeches, video and podcast script etc. Content writing helps construct a great relationship with the audience and intrigue them in coming back for more. The power of good content should never be underestimated keeping in intellect the sum of difference it can make with just the help of words.

Let’s take a look at some reasons to learn content writing:

>Improves vocabulary

Content writing is one of the good ways to improve vocabulary. It’s not usually about using high level language tending readers to look into the dictionary every minute but using the most appropriate language and words to convey one’s thoughts to the readers in the simplest of the ways.

>Tickles creativity

Content writing covers a range of writing styles from imagination to originality. The purpose is to express thoughts and ideas through literary devices. While learning to create good content, one also learns how to be creative and original at the same time. Content writing gives opportunities to explore various topics and themes with no restrictions giving rise to new ideas paving way to creativity.

>Helps acquire research skills

Learning content writing also includes researching over a wide variety of topics which helps in creating meaningful content. To provide a genuine and verified content one goes through multiple web searches in order to acquire the most accurate information regarding the respective content.

>Exposure to global knowledge

Content writing is also a good way of learning. It tends one to know about the world and its whereabouts. Exposure to vast knowledge of different fields is one of the many benefits of content writing.

>Boosts confidence

Enrolling oneself in content writing boosts confidence. One gets to learn so many new things which automatically lift up self confidence.

>Path to freelance content writing

Freelance writers are always much in demand and enjoy flexibility and independence. Moreover, freelancing can be done part time as well making it easier to juggle with everyday work. Even in this time of pandemic where almost everyone is losing jobs, content writing still finds a place in the market. Otherwise as well, content writing as career is growing at a fast rate.

Benefits of internship

Having fair a great degree is not sufficient to guarantee one to have a great work as well in today’s world. Extra capabilities and work experience have presently become a fundamental for a successful career. These are considered as essential as qualifications and degrees. Here comes the need of an internship. Internship is a short-term work experience offered by a company, association or organisation to students or recent graduates for a limited period of time, either paid or unpaid. These are in the form of work experience cum training, volunteership or interning at any company etc. It is more of a learning experience than work which benefits interns by providing entry level exposure to particular fields of industry. Interns spend time working on projects, learning field work, developing soft and hard skills and making industry related connections. Moreover, certain internships do tend to full time job opportunities.

Benefits of internship

>Work experience

The very benefit of any internship is the work experience the interns gain out of it. The sort of experience one gains from internship is something that cannot be obtained through classroom instruction. Interns have the opportunity to make practical use of the skills they acquire and deal with real world challenges.

>Character enhancement and development of skills

While working for an organisation, one learns not only technical skills but also develops soft skills and work ethics. One gets to know about strengths and weaknesses. Internships also provide exposure to real life challenges in work which prove beneficial in future while in full time jobs.

>Gaining confidence

Internships allow interns to put to test the skills and knowledge they acquire in a safe environment that help gain confidence.

> Monetary benefit

Many internships are paid in case of which interns get a chance to earn while learning at the same time.

>Full-time job

Many companies use internships as path of recruitment of skilled freshers. It is more of an easy method wherein the recruiters can train, test and analyse the skills of the interns and later hire them on permanent basis if favourable for the company.

Common grammatical errors in written English

Language has had a solid establishment in our society and been advancing with time. Grammar shapes the basic language structure and helps in maintaining structural composition and readability. Having a language means to have a medium to associate with others in a way to exchange feelings and thoughts in an understandable manner.

Over time, English has ended up becoming one of the most popular languages for communication in the world. Despite that, English is frequently seen as a complex and precarious dialect to a great extent due to its erratic spellings and a parcel of exemptions to its rules of language structure. This tricky to learn grammar makes one prone to grammatical errors more often in written English.

Common Errors in English

>Spelling errors

The most obvious and common mistake in written English is of spellings. It mostly occurs due to: (a) too many rules and exceptions for writing certain words- for e.g. Use of ‘I’ before ‘E’ in case of ‘V’ and vice-versa for ‘C’ is instructed. However, the word ‘SCIENCE’ contradicts the rule (b) homophones- for e.g. rain, reign and rein the pronunciation is the same but written differently.

>Missing or misplaced apostrophe

Apostrophes are used to indicate possession and also used in contracted form of words. If misplaced or missing, it changes the sense of a sentence. For e.g. their (possession) and they’re (contracted form of they are)

>Absence or incorrect use of commas

Commas are the simplest tool to separate the fragment of a sentence. If made in use inappropriately or not used at all, commas can influence clarity of a sentence causing disarray in it.

>Subject verb agreement

It is one of the few errors which occur in written as well as spoken English. To maintain grammatical accuracy it is important to satisfy the verb with respect to subject i.e. if the subject is singular, the verb needs to be plural in form and vice versa. For e.g. birds chirp (plural subject, singular verb) and sun shines (singular subject, plural verb)

>Inappropriate use of tense

We often tend to ignore tense while writing. A sentence has to be accurate with the use of tense to maintain the same sense throughout the sentence.

>Overuse of adverbs

Unnecessary adverbs need to be avoided. Instead of searching for more adverb, one should lookout for a more effective verb or adjective to add more colour to the content.

>Inappropriate use of degree of comparison

Herein, mostly errors are observed in comparative and superlative degree. Use of ‘more’ before the comparative degree of adjective and omitting the use of ‘the’ in superlative degree of adjective while comparison are common mistakes. For e.g.- I am more taller than him.

Effective speech 101

The first step is to overcome the fear of public speaking. Effective speaking is not an inbuilt talent. You can develop it through correct practices just as we learn other things in life.

You can do this through:

  1. Deep breathing: Before and after your speech
  2. Shifting your focus from how you look and feel to the message you want to share with your audience. Do not imitate others, just be yourself.
  3. Visualizing: Take 10-15 minutes a day to relax, close your eyes and visualize the room you are speaking in, the audience and yourself confidently delivering your speech, smiling and moving across the stage.
  4. Focus on facts, not fears: Instead of focusing on your irrational fears- mind going blank or audience getting bored- focus on the thoughts like ‘I have the sketch, I know the bullet points or I am knowledgeable on this topic.’ Rehearse it with your friends or family.
  5. Focus on speech clarity: Organize the speech around two or more important points rather than including all the information from everywhere.
  6. Never memorize it word to word. Just remember the facts and major points and you will come around. Make brief notes of interesting things or which you don’t want to miss.
  7. Be excited about your subject, include experiences and provide examples. They do wonders!

After overcoming the fear of speaking, begin with all the important points for effective speaking.

  1. Story telling

Audience can forget data and statistics, but they will never forget a delightful story. Use stories from real-life events, something funny to share from your past incidences or challenges, struggle and success stories, etc.

Your stories should be:

  • Relevant to the subject
  • Short and simple
  • At proper intervals
  • Relatable

        You should:

  • Express emotions through body language.
  • Use adjectives and verbs to make the stories more interesting.

You should not:

  • Use more than two stories on the same topic.
  • Fill it with too many minute details or characters which distract the audience from the primary concern.
  • Not use uncommon jargons.

2. Body language: It is our way of communicating through our body movements and gestures to express our emotions, expressions, and actions. We should also read the body language of our audience.

For a positive body language:

  • Posture: Feel comfortable and stay upright. No slouching shoulders or bent posture. Do not lean or grip the lectern. If you are sitting, do not lean, bent or move your legs very much.
  • Body placement: Move as you speak. Use the space, be with the audience and not behind the lectern or just positioned in one place. This cannot apply if you are sitting in a studio where you need to be seated.
  • Arms: Do not use hand gestures which reveal anxiety. Example: Clutching your hands, fiddling with your clothing, cracking fingers, etc.
  • Facial expressions: Smile at your listeners as you talk. It is very effective when you gain their admiration.

3. Tone of voice: The study related to the vocal part of the non- verbal communication is called paralinguistic. And paralanguage refers to the non- verbal elements of communication. These are:

Speech Pace: It is the speed at which we speak. Practice for 150 words per minute. It is the ideal limit. Steady your breathing, focus on enunciation, reflect about punctuation in your speech.

Speech Pitch: It is the placement of your voice on a musical scale from high to low. Usually men have lower pitch than woman. Varying your voice pitch differentiates different emotions and points. It is the easiest way to avoid monotony, add excitement, make certain words and ideas stand out, appear relaxed and confident to the listeners. Identify the exact words and phrases that you want to emphasize. Example: Use higher pitch for excitement and lower pitch for seriousness or to add weight to the message.

Speech Volume: It is the loudness of your voice. It depends on the space of speaking and the size of the audience. It should not look as if you are shouting when you are not. There should not be a difficulty in listening to you. Reach everyone in the distance too. You can change your loudness for creating dramatic effects or expressing powerful emotions.

4. Pauses: Pauses are much needed. There is no need to fill silence with umm, ahm, like, you know or and. There are 3 types of to use in different ways:

  • Brief pause: Last for half a second to 2 seconds. Use it for separating a thought, emphasizing last words, or building anticipation for what is coming.
  • Long pause: Can last anywhere from 3 seconds to a couple of minutes. Used for creating tension.
  • Spontaneity pause: Speakers are to use it when they are searching for the right word or pretending to reflect on something.You can also plan and plot these pauses. They ultimately make your the speech look more real, polished and less rehearsed.

5. Visual aids: These include flip charts, projectors, slide shows, handouts, and certain props.

  • Adding a visual dimension can make a speech look more vivid, graphic, and professional looking.
  • Multiplies understanding
  • Helps to maintain attention
  • Adds humour or creates excitement
  • Organizes complex information

Encourages gesture and movement to connect more with your audience. With good practice and knowledge of your subject, you can easily become an effective speaker.

6 easiest weight loss tips you can practice now!

Are you the one who wants to lose weight while eating junk food? Well, today is your lucky day, because this is possible! As I was thinking about losing weight, I worried about food constraints, workout strength, and scheduling. I kept on researching for easier and adaptable methods and I learned some amazing and unique weight loss tips.

Weight loss does not always associate with body image. It is also a means of being healthy for some and a professional requirement for others. All we need is motivation to act. Remember why you want to do this and DO NOT BE AFRAID to start now. Baby steps are fine and the results will amaze you!

If you are working from home like me, you must have plenty of time and resources. If not, all the more reason for you to read my tips. Imagine yourself after achieving your desired weight! I am losing at least 3KGs per month since then!

  1. First dose: Start your day with a glass of lukewarm water mixed with 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 medium-sized lemon. This tonic not only helps in weight loss but also helps in the proper digestion of your subsequent meal or breakfast.
  2. The 5-minute breaks: If you don’t have time or interest for 40-60 minutes of continuous exercise daily, 5-minute breaks are very important for you. This way, you don’t have to plan or do every exercise in one go. Whenever you are sitting or standing for long hours, take a 5-MINUTE GAP EVERY HOUR to practice some easy weight loss ‘Yogasanas’ and do some stretching. You can also play a song and enjoy aerobic dance for 5 minutes. Maintain the intensity. Remember, unless you sweat, you have done little. If you take at least 8 breaks a day, you are giving 40 minutes to it daily, which is ideal. If you have time, you can escalate the duration of the break. If you are in an office and you can’t do it there, do it in the lounge, bathroom, parking basement, or terrace. You know you can find a place. *winks*.
  3. Walk: If you are not in quarantine, wear a mask, and instead of driving, walk to the nearby stores for buying grocery or stuff which is available nearby, instead of driving. (You are also helping in environmental protection.) If you do phone calls, walk every time you are on a call. Stop just sitting or standing while you talk on call.
  4. 3-hour meal plan: You need to do your homework and maybe need some help with it. Search and note the healthiest recipes which are also tasty. Choose one for each meal and stick the plan on your kitchen wall. The food needs to be tasty, otherwise unwanted cravings! Your meal plan goes like this: Eat small portions of food every 3rd hour. Yes, that’s just it!
  5. Tiffin: Keep a tiffin filled with fruits, and have them in between the meals whenever you feel hungry. Eat them, make juice or shake. But do not add sugar. You can also freeze it and eat it like ice cream. Vegetable juices are also a very healthy option. I suggest, eat the fruits and drink the vegies. The sweet taste of fruits compensates for the sour taste of vegetable juice.
  6. Eat junk food: Yes, you can, but in calculated proportions. If you are okay with not eating junk at all, it’s best. Otherwise, plan your junk diet as well. Out of your favorites, make a list and ideally have one meal of junk in every two weeks. If it’s difficult, make it once a week. Remember, only one meal of junk. Don’t overeat. Don’t force yourself into not eating junk for months. Because if you do, there is a 70% chance of you snapping and eating junk every day due to long-standing cravings.
  7. Celebration: Sunday is not an exception. Celebrate your Sunday by relaxing, dancing, and a bit of exercising. Work your body out for a minimum of 40 minutes. Sunday is not an excuse for unplanned junk. Keep track of your parties, so that you can plan your junk meal accordingly.

As the World Health Organization states, “Health is a state of complete mental, social and physical well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” And Gautam Buddha knew “To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise we shall not be able to keep the mind strong and clear.”

HOPE IS THE THING WITH FEATHERS by EMILY DICKINSON

Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard; And sore must be the Storm That could abash the little bird That kept so many warm.

I have heard it in the chillest land, And on the strangest sea; Yet, never, in extremity, It asked a crumb of me.