| How to Transform Yourself for the New Year Posted: 01 Jan 2021 12:00 AM PST Most transformations take time, but many people see New Year's Day as a fitting moment to get started with resolutions to change their life for the better. Whatever the transformation you're aiming for, be it educational, financial, physical, mental, or something else, determination, dedication, and hard work will help you set and achieve it. By defining your goals and creating an action plan for yourself, you may be able to transform your life in the coming year. [Edit]Setting Goals - Think about what you want to transform in a broad sense. Starting with a broad goal will help you define what you want and why you want it. Ask yourself what you'd really like to change in your life and why that's something you care about. Are you looking to be healthier, or do you want to learn something new? Would you like a new career? Is there something else you want to change?[1]
- For example, you could set a goal like, "I want a new career because I want to feel more fulfilled with my job."
- It could be tempting to try to change every aspect of your life at once, but that can quickly get overwhelming, making it more likely that you'll fall off the wagon. Instead, focus on just one area of your life, such as getting healthier or going back to school.
- Break up your big goal into smaller steps. Once you have your overall transformation in mind, break it down into a set of more manageable goals. What steps can you take to make this goal a reality? Think about what you want to be different when the transformation is complete, identifying what you specifically want to change and using that as the basis for your goals.
- If, for example, you want to improve your mind in the coming year, you may choose goals such as reading more books, learning a new language, and getting an educational or professional certificate.
- Make an action plan. Look at each goal individually and decide what actions you want to take to accomplish it. Research resources, set dates, and schedule yourself in advance to make sure you have regular time dedicated to your goals.[2]
- For example, if your goals include learning a new language, your action plan may researching different language learning websites such as Duolingo or Busuu, or making a specific study schedule.
- If your goals will require some investment to make happen, now is also the time to set a budget.
- Set a timeline. Any transformation will be an incremental process. Before you begin, research a realistic timeline for your goals. Remember that transformations can be ongoing, and may take longer than a year.
- Avoid setting arbitrary timelines. Safe, healthy weight loss happens at a rate of 1-2 lbs a week, for example, while proficiency in a new language takes months or even years. Use professional resources to help you set realistic timelines.[3]
- Things might come up that throw off your schedule over the year, and that's OK. Set your timeline with the understanding that you might not be able to follow it completely, but that is no reason to give up.
[Edit]Working Towards Your Transformation - Gather any supplies you need to get started. Ask yourself what you need to start working towards your goal, doing online research to get ideas. Draw up a list and get the items as soon as you can so you can get started.
- If you are looking to exercise more, for example, make sure you chart a good running path. If you want to learn a programming language, equip your desk with an instructional book and a quality computer.
- You can even make this the very first step in your goal, which will help you feel like you're already working towards it.
- Start with a simple, consistent goal. Don't overwhelm yourself by trying to change everything at once. Start with your first, most manageable goal and get into a steady routine before adding more into the mix.[4]
- Starting small lets you work your way up to the greatest challenges. Think about learning a language: you start with basic vocabulary before you try to read a novel.
- Find a partner in crime to keep you motivated. You'll likely hit a few challenging moments in pursuit of your goals. Going through them with someone you trust, like a friend or family member, can give you strength, motivation, and even make it fun.[5]
- You can also find a shared interest group, either local or online, especially if you're learning a specific skill or working toward a more common goal. You can speak and practice with others who understand your ambitions and may be able to help find creative solutions.
- For some goals, you might want a partner who can challenge you and push you to be your best. If you want a running buddy, find someone who can make it just a block or two farther than you. If you want a study buddy for a new subject, ask a peer who has taken a related course before.
- Work through your action plan, one thing at a time. Any major goal will feel daunting at first. Instead of getting overwhelmed by everything you have to do, take it one step at a time. Focus on completing the first item on your schedule without worrying about the next one, then move on once you've completed it.
- If you start feeling overwhelmed, break your goals down even further. If you found a course you want to try, sign up for the class. If you found a professional with whom you want to work, make an appointment to see them.
- Reward yourself for hitting goals along the way. Find small rewards for those moments when you act on your goals. Try to find things that you truly enjoy, and use them to congratulate yourself on your hard work. Creating a reward system will help you stay motivated and excited to work towards your goal.[6]
- Try something like playing your favorite song, taking a long bath, watching an episode of your favorite show, or something else that you enjoy to motivate yourself in the early stages of your goal.
[Edit]Keeping Yourself Motivated - Track your progress to stay on schedule. You're more likely to keep going when you can see how far you have come. Track your progress to see how far you made it with your goal over the course of the year. Try writing down your progress in a journal, or using a visual tool such as a chart or drawing to show your progress.
- If you are looking to get in shape, for example, you can track how far you biked or ran with charts and maps.
- If you're learning a new skill, try tracking your progress by writing a sentence or two every day about what new things you've learned, and what comes easily to you now.
- Consider using a goal-tracking app such as Achiever[7] or Stick[8] to track your progress easily and on-the-go.
- Talk about your goal with friends and family. Generating some publicity for yourself is one way to stay on track. Talk to your those close to you about what have already accomplished, and what you still want to do.[9]
- Rework your goals as needed. As you progress, your goals are likely to change. You may go from wanting to run a 5k to wanting to run a half marathon. You may have set out to learn Spanish, but find that you like Italian more. Re-evaluate your goals every few weeks and adjust them to fit your needs.
- Designate specific times to check in on your goals. Set reminders on your calendar or in your planner.
- Ask yourself, "How am I doing with this goal? Am I happy with my actions and their outcomes?"
- Set aside the money needed to assist your transformation in a special account. Do not touch it except for the purposes of your goal.
- Read works by people who have undergone major transformations in life. What lessons can you glean from their experiences?
- Keep a journal and use it to boost your morale and reflect on your transformation journey.
[Edit]Warnings - Do not make any major changes to diet, exercise routines, or anything that may impact your physical or mental health without first consulting a professional.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Set Goals for Life Posted: 31 Dec 2020 04:00 PM PST Most people have a dream in life, a vision of who or what they'd like to be in the future. At a minimum, everyone has interests and values that determine what they want out of their lives. Even so, trying to set to achievable goals that you'll work for over the course of many years can be daunting. It can be hard to know where to even begin, and the things you hope to achieve may seem impossible. But, If you're well-prepared you may be able to set goals for your life that are just as fulfilling to work toward as to achieve. [Edit]Developing Life Goals - Think about what you want. Many people have only a vague sense of what they want from life. In this first step, your task is to starting converting ideas like "happiness" or "security" into things you would like to do.
- Get a pen and some paper and start writing down things that are important to you in life. It's okay to be general at this stage, but try not to be vague.
- For example, if the first thing that pops into your head is "happiness," that's fine. But try to define that term. What does "happiness" mean to you? What would you consider a happy life?[1]
- Think about how you wish to live and what it would take to make you feel like you'd made a difference in the world, if that's something you're interested in.[2]
- Write about yourself. One good way to start moving from general to specific is to do some free-writing about yourself. Think about your personality and your interests. This can help you define what is most important to you.[3]
- Try writing about how you enjoy spending your time. Begin your brainstorm by writing down what you enjoy doing and what excites you.[4]
- Don't limit yourself to activities or experiences that you think are productive or "worth doing." The point of a brainstorm is to get down as many ideas as possible, and this list will be useful later on in the process.
- Write about things you are interested in and/or would like to learn more about. Are you interested in science? In literature? In music? Any of these could become lifelong pursuits.
- Write about things about yourself you'd like to improve. Are you hoping to develop your skills as a public speaker? As a writer? As a photographer? Again, these can all become life-long pursuits.
- Imagine your future. Think about your ideal future. What does it look like? Ask yourself questions that will help you get to a detailed picture.[5] For example, imagine you are trying to decide on a long-term career. Here are some questions you might ask:
- What time do you want to wake up every morning?
- Where do you want to live? The city? A rural area? A foreign country?
- Who will be there when you wake up? Is it important to you to have a family? If so, a job that requires a lot of long trips out of town might not be the best choice.
- How much money do you want to make?
- The answers to these questions may not be enough to point you toward a single dream job, by they can certainly help you rule some out.
- Make your goals specific. After all this brainstorming, you should have some ideas about what you'd like to do with your life. In fact, you probably have several! Now is the time to make them as specific as possible.[6]
- For example, you may at this point have the idea that you might want to become a scientist. That's a good start. But now, think about what type of scientist you'd like to be. Do you want to be a chemist? A physicist? An astronomer?
- Be as specific as you can. Imagine you've decided becoming a chemist might be the right path for you. Now, ask yourself what type of work you'd like to do within that field. Do you want to work for a private company, developing new products? Do you want to teach chemistry at a university?
- Think about why. By now, you probably have a few strong contenders for life goals. Examine each one and ask yourself: "why do I want that?" Your answers may lead you to revise your goals.[7] In general, setting goals that are meaningful to you because they relate to your personal values will make you more likely to succeed at reaching them.[8]
- For example, let's say you've decided to put "become a surgeon" on the list. You ask yourself why, and determine that it's because surgeons make a lot of money and are well respected. Those are valid reasons. But, if you discover that those are the only reasons, you might want to consider other careers that could provide the same benefits. Becoming a surgeon requires a lot of education. It can require keeping very unusual hours. If these things are less appealing, consider other goals that might achieve the same benefits of wealth and respect.
[Edit]Making a Plan for Achievement - Rank your goals. At the point that you have a few (or many) possible life goals, it's time to get serious about making a plan for achievement. A first step in this is prioritizing your goals. Be careful not to just set goals that you think will make you happy once you achieve them, but goals that also honor your values and reflect who you truly are and what you truly care about. These are easier to follow through on![9]
- Deciding which goal or goals are most important can help you decide which ones to start working on first.
- You also may need to start cutting goals from the list at this point. Some goals may not be achievable together. For example, you probably can't become a doctor who is also an astronaut and a famous rap music artist. Any one of these goals can take a lifetime to achieve. All of them together may be impossible.
- Other goals might work well in tandem. For example, if you want to be a beer brewer and open a restaurant, you might combine these to create a new goal: open a brew pub.
- Part of this ranking process will be a matter of assessing your personal commitment to each goal. You are not likely to achieve long-term goals that you are only moderately committed to, especially if there are other goals on your list that are much more important.[10]
- Do some research. Once you've narrowed the field to a single goal or a few that work well together, take some time to find out how to achieve these goals.[11] You'll want to ask questions like:
- What skills will you need to learn?
- What educational qualifications are necessary?
- What types of resources will you need to acquire?
- How long should you expect the process to take?
- Create subgoals. Achieving life goals is almost always a long and complicated process. Based on your knowledge of what it will take to achieve your goal, the next step is to break it down into smaller components.
 - Creating subgoals will make the process manageable and will help you create a step-by-step plan for reaching your ultimate goal.[12]
- Make these subgoals as measurable and tangible as possible. In other words, there should be a clear definition of each subgoal that makes it easy to tell when you have achieved it.[13]
- For example, if your goal is to open a restaurant, your subgoals might include saving up a certain amount of money, finding a location, designing the interior, getting it furnished, obtaining insurance, getting various permits and licenses, hiring employees, and finally, having a grand opening.
- When working on long term goals, it's easy to feel like you aren't getting anywhere. With list of manageable and clear subgoals, however, it is much easier for you to see your own progress. This reduce the temptation to give up.
- Try divide and accomplish strategy with long term goals (years), short term goals (months), projects (weeks), and tasks (days). A good goal planning software can also help you to be accountable, list and organize your projects and extract your most important tasks and plans every day.
- Create a timeline. Once you've got the steps to achieving your goal mapped out, set some deadlines. Think about how long each sub goal should reasonably take, and make a timeline for achieving them.
- Having deadlines will keep you motivated by adding a sense of urgency. It will also make you accountable for meeting goals at certain times, rather than letting them slip down your priority list.[14]
- Using the restaurant example, if you want to have $10,000 saved within three years, you can break that down to about $278 a month.This will help you remember to actually set aside the money each month, rather than spending it on other things.
- Plan for obstacles. Finally, try to imagine things that could interfere with your plan. Thinking in advance about obstacles you might encounter will help you develop ideas for how to deal with them, if they come up.[15]
- For example, imagine you have decided to become a research chemist. You decide to apply for a graduate program in the top school for chemistry. What happens if you aren't accepted? Will you apply elsewhere? If so, you'll probably need to do so before you even find out if your first-choice school accepted you. Or maybe you think it's a better idea to wait until the following year and apply again. If so, what will you do during that year to make your application more appealing?
[Edit]Working Toward Your Goals - Create the right environment. Whatever your goal, there are probably some environments that are better for achieving it than others. Do whatever you can to make sure that the people and physical spaces you spend time with don't create obstacles.[16]
- For example, if you are entering a medical program, you're going to need to study long hours and concentrate on your work. If you live with friends who party all the time and will encourage you to do the same, you might want to consider moving.
- Surrounding yourself with other goal-oriented people can also help keep you accountable and motivated.
- Get to work. Pick a date to begin work on the first subgoal on your list. Then, dive in!
- If you aren't sure how to accomplish your first subgoal, it is too complicated to be your first subgoal. If you can't identify the first step toward that goal, you may need to to more research and/or break it down into smaller subgoals.
- Set a start date at least a few days in the future. If it's a goal you're excited about, the anticipation will help get you motivated and enthusiastic for the first step.[17]
- You can also use the downtime before the start date to adjust your plan, get advice, or acquire any tools you need to achieve your goal.
- Work on your goals consistently. Once you get started, the key to achieving life goals is work on them steadily and consistently. This is a step-by-step process that is going to take a long time. It is crucial, therefore, to keep making progress.
 - Many people set goals and then jump in with great enthusiasm, devoting a lot of time and energy to the goal in the early stages. Enthusiasm is great, but try not to burn yourself out in the first few weeks or months. You also don't want to set standards that you won't be able to live up to in the long run. Remember that you are in this for the long haul. This isn't a race, it's a journey.[18]
- A good way to ensure consistent progress is to build time into your daily routine for working on your goals.[19] For example, if you are studying to become a chemist, set aside a specific portion of each day for homework from your classes, for example, 3pm to 7pm. Set aside a specific part of the day for developing your own research, say 7:30pm to 9pm. Try to always use these hours for these purposes, unless you absolutely must deviate from that schedule. But at 9pm, call it quits for the night and do something to relax.
- Keep in mind that to achieve any goal, there is no away around investing a lot of time and effort. Putting in the hours and the sweat is how you will achieve your goal.[20]
- Stay motivated. Because consistency is so important, it is crucial that you stay motivated.
- Having achievable subgoals is crucial to your motivation. It will be much easier to stay enthusiastic and committed if you feel that you are making progress.[21]
- Use reinforcement to create incentives. Positive reinforcement is adding something good to your life. Negative reinforcement is taking away something unwanted. Both can help you stay motivated. If you are trying to keep yourself focused on filling out a permit application for your restaurant, and notice you are getting distracted, offer yourself a reward. Maybe after you've finished the application, you can treat yourself to a professional massage. Or, maybe you'll be more motivated by allowing yourself to skip out on a weekly chore for once. Either way, reinforcement can keep you on task.[22]
- Punishing yourself for failing to achieve subgoals is not as effective as reinforcement good behavior. If you opt to create unpleasant consequences for yourself, make sure to use rewards, too.[23]
- Track your progress. One of the best ways to stay motivated is keep track of your progress and check it regularly. Depending on your goal and personal preferences, you can use an app, a journal, or a calendar.
- Any of these will help remind you of subgoals you've already achieved. They can also keep you accountable to yourself for staying on schedule.[24]
- Writing in a journal regularly can also help ease stress and anxiety that might come with the process of striving for a long term goal.[25]
- Goals often change along with life experiences. Make a conscious effort to think about your goals regularly, instead of blindly following a path you decided on years before. It's ok to make revisions.
[Edit]Warnings - Avoid creating "negative" goals, which focus on what you dislike instead of what excites you.[26] For example, "stop getting into bad relationships" is less effective than "find a fulfilling relationship."
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary - ↑ Morisano, D., Hirsh, J. B., Peterson, J. B., Pihl, R. O., & Shore, B. M. (2010). Setting, elaborating, and reflecting on personal goals improves academic performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 95(2), 255.)
- ↑ [v161308_b01]. 13 March 2020.
- ↑ Morisano, D., Hirsh, J. B., Peterson, J. B., Pihl, R. O., & Shore, B. M. (2010). Setting, elaborating, and reflecting on personal goals improves academic performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 95(2), 255.)
- ↑ http://www.fastcompany.com/3029765/work-smart/how-to-set-goals-for-the-life-you-actually-want
- ↑ http://www.mindtools.com/page6.html
- ↑ Austin, J. T., & Vancouver, J. B. (1996). Goal constructs in psychology: Structure, process, and content. Psychological Bulletin, 120, 338 –375.
- ↑ Brunstein, J. C. (1993). Personal goals and subjective well-being: A longitudinal study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65, 1061–1070.
- ↑ [v161308_b01]. 13 March 2020.
- ↑ [v161308_b01]. 13 March 2020.
- ↑ Koestner, R., Lekes, N., Powers, T. A., & Chicoine, E. (2002). Attaining personal goals: Self-concordance plus implementation intentions equals success. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 83, 231–244.
- ↑ http://www.lifecoach-directory.org.uk/blog/2014/06/30/rediscover-your-motivation-and-set-achievable-goals-with-life-coach-directory/
- ↑ http://us.reachout.com/facts/factsheet/putting-your-goals-into-action
- ↑ http://www.goalsettingbasics.com/support-files/smart-instructions.pdf
- ↑ http://www.connectionsacademy.com/blog/posts/2014-01-10/How-Students-Can-Achieve-Goals-by-Setting-Deadlines.aspx
- ↑ http://theinvestingmindset.com/goal-setting-how-to-to-achieve-your-goals-in-7-steps
- ↑ http://leavingworkbehind.com/how-to-set-goals/
- ↑ http://zenhabits.net/the-ultimate-guide-to-motivation-how-to-achieve-any-goal/
- ↑ http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/resolution.aspx
- ↑ http://examinedexistence.com/why-having-a-daily-routine-is-important/
- ↑ http://theinvestingmindset.com/goal-setting-how-to-to-achieve-your-goals-in-7-steps
- ↑ Duckworth, A. L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M. D., & Kelly, D. R. (2007). Grit: perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Journal of personality and social psychology, 92(6), 1087.
- ↑ http://www.appliedbehavioralstrategies.com/reinforcement-101.html
- ↑ https://www.mdaap.org/pdf/Bi_Ped_Brief_Interv_Behav_Modification.pdf
- ↑ http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/dec09/vol67/num04/When-Students-Track-Their-Progress.aspx
- ↑ http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-health-benefits-of-journaling/
- ↑ http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/notes-self/201308/how-set-goals
|
| How to Open a Champagne Bottle Posted: 31 Dec 2020 08:00 AM PST Opening a champagne bottle is a powerful celebration ritual. The effect is grand, but the act of opening the bottle can be tricky if you haven't done it before. You'll need to twist the bottle, hold the cork, and gently push the cork out of the bottle. Make sure to keep a firm grip on the cork unless you want a champagne shower! Aim for a "sigh," not a "pop."[1] [Edit]Opening the Bottle - Remove the foil and the metal cage. First, tear off the foil wrap that covers the cork. Then, untwist the wire loop to loosen the wire cage that protects the cork. Be gentle and take your time. Keep a thumb on the cork to head off an accidental pop.[2]
- Do not remove the wire cage until you are about to open the bottle! Otherwise, you may risk the bottle uncorking before you are ready. The cage is there to protect the cork.
- Hold the bottle properly. Grip the body of the bottle in your dominant hand. Wedge the bulbous end of the cork deep into the palm of your non-dominant hand.[3]
- Support the base of the bottle against your hip. If you're holding the bottle in your right hand, use your right hip or the right side of your torso.[4]
- Consider holding the cork with a kitchen towel. This can help you apply friction, making it easier to catch and contain the cork as it pops out of the bottle. The towel may also protect against a spill.[5]
- Twist the bottle and hold the cork. Slowly rotate the bottle back and forth with your dominant hand. Keep holding the cork steady with your non-dominant hand. As the cork turns, gradually increase the distance between your hands until your dominant hand is midway down the bottle.
- Pop the bottle. Decide what effect you're trying to achieve. If you're indoors or around a lot of people, make sure to take out the cork gently to avoid damage. If you want the dramatic effect of a champagne shower, then you can open the bottle with a mighty pop and send the cork flying high through the air. If you are opening champagne for a classy occasion: aim for a "sigh," not a "pop."
- Opening gently: Slow down your twisting toward the end, once the cork is almost out. Grasp the cork firmly. Press your thumb up from beneath the lip of the cork until it slides smoothly out of the bottle. Keep your grip on the cork, and "catch it" so that it doesn't fly away. Try to do it so gently that the cork doesn't make a popping sound.[6]
- Popping dramatically: Use your thumb to push the cork out from beneath the lip. Shake the bottle to stir up the carbonation, if you want a bit of a mess and a lot of added effect. Aim the bottle away from yourself, your friends, and any breakable items in the near vicinity. Avoid trying this method until you're comfortable opening a champagne bottle gently!
[Edit]Following Champagne Etiquette - Chill the bottle before opening. Store in the refrigerator, a cooler, or an ice bucket. Give it at least a few hours to ensure that the contents are completely chilled. Not only will this improve the taste, but it will make the bottle less likely to spray champagne everywhere.[7]
- Open carefully in formal settings. Keep a firm grip on the cork so that it doesn't fly away unexpectedly. Slowly twist the bottle—not the cork—until the cork is almost out of the bottle. Listen for the almost inaudible "sigh" of the cork coming loose.[8] Then, pull it out delicately using entire palm of your hand. Hold the cork over the opened bottle for a few seconds to make sure that the foam doesn't bubble over.[9]
- If you are serving champagne as a waiter or a caterer, it is usually considered proper etiquette to open the bottle as unobtrusively as possible. Do not spray, and do not let the cork fly. Practice until you can do it without so much as a "pop."
- Avoid shaking the bottle. Champagne is a carbonated beverage stored under pressure. When you shake the bottle, you build up that pressure to dangerous levels. Opening a highly-pressurized champagne bottle will unleash a mighty spout of champagne and send the cork flying forward at high velocity.[10]
- If you do accidentally shake the bottle, let it sit still for an hour or two so that the contents have time to settle. The CO2 will absorb back into the drink more quickly if the champagne is cold.[11]
- Pour slowly. Champagne is carbonated, and the bubbly liquid rises quickly when poured into a glass. Don't spill and waste champagne – especially if you are serving someone else![12]
- Hold the glass upright. Do not slant it to pour.
- Fill a third of each glass with champagne. Then, top up the servings once you've poured a bit for everybody.[13]
- Do not touch the spout onto the rim of anyone's glass. Champagne is often stored in cellars, and in some circles it is considered poor etiquette to risk dirtying someone's glass.
- The less sound the better. Ideally, a small hiss is all you'll hear. This means your wine was adequately chilled, and that you are not risking your precious beverage overflowing all over the ground!
[Edit]Warnings - Do not pry the cork or use a corkscrew to open the bottle.
- Do not let go of the cork as you pull it out. It can shoot out at high velocity. If the cork is aimed in the wrong direction, it might break a valuable object or seriously hurt somebody. Do not point the bottle at yourself or others while opening.
- Do not let go of the body of the bottle as the cork is coming out. The bottle can shoot off towards the ground and break.
- Do NOT attempt to open a bottle which is not completely chilled. A warm or room-temperature bottle is more likely to pop and spray all over the place. Make sure you chill your champagne bottle before opening it.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Chilled champagne
- Kitchen towel
- Champagne glasses
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário