Starting the morning can be a slow process. It can be filled with internal conflict, arguing whether or not you have enough time to fall back asleep or just lacking the motivation that you need to get going. Many people that I have met have not been so called "morning people" and prefer the night. When I tell them that I routinely wake up around 4:15 - 4:30, I get humored laughs as they talk about staying awake til that time.
In my opinion, the morning can be one of the most productive times during the day. Many of the things which we do throughout the day reach some close as the sun begins to set, opportunities are fading and many people are settling down with families or friends for the evening. Though the morning is filled with people still sleeping from the night's endeavors, preparing for the day, in my opinion, outweighs the benefits of staying up late. During the evening, I find that my mind is beginning to get tired. I wonder when I'm going to go to sleep and it normally is one or two tasks that are keeping me awake. The problem with this is that motivation seems to wane with every passing second and so does effectiveness. One of the ways I stay motivated throughout the day is being able to take the time to plan out how I will get things done and spend extra time that I have on projects which I have started which need more effort.
With that, people ask me whether or not the time that I spend is any different than staying up late and my reply is that it is. I believe that you're body is naturally accustomed to raising with the sun and sleeping after it has set. When working against that rhythm it seems as if you are shutting down, whereas in the morning you're getting going. The renewed energy that comes with the sun is something that I enjoy most about waking up early, especially in the summer when days are longer.
Starting fresh can be the deciding moment for the day. In the morning, time is abundant. When I was nineteen, I decided that I wanted to learn Spanish. This was something that I couldn't fit into my schedule anywhere else. From 7:30 in the morning to 10:30 at night I had plans that I had to keep, but in the morning I had moments to myself. As I sat down at 4:30 in the morning, I opened my books and started to learn. Within two months, I was speaking Spanish. This wasn't time that I had devoted to other things. I wasn't repairing the problems which had been caused by the day. I was taking advantage of the time which was already there which I had spent arguing with myself.
I've been waking up early since I was fourteen; strolling through the hills of Japan as the farmers went to work; walking through the fish markets before the streets become crowded. It has been my moments of self-reflection and development; a time that I spend only for myself. In the mornings I find my resolve. I am able to do the things that I want to do. Whether those things are little projects, working out, or learning a language, I am able to find time in my schedule for me and I wouldn't give up those moments for anything.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Making a Choice, Any Choice
Indecisiveness is the crippling factor in society. Indifference causes people to resist voicing an opinion or offering up suggestions when the moment arises, even though there may only be two choices which you are given. Though in our everyday lives we find that most of our choices are about what we are going to eat, we often open and close the refrigerator hoping that something will catch our eye. But there are times when being indecisive can take its toll.
Many opportunities may pass us by because we are either unwilling or unable to make a rational choice given the options which are presented to us. It may be true that both choices are equally good and may be equally beneficial to whatever we're doing; so why don't we make a choice?
I find that many people are afraid that the choice that they make is going to be the wrong choice and they are going to find out that it is the wrong one after the fact. So what happens? People pass off the choice to others hoping that they will know the choice that you want to make in the end. Unfortunately, those people are more than likely not going to be able to guess your taste, your schedule, or your livelihood. I also believe that many people use this as a means to pass off the blame to others when something goes wrong.
In situations where many people are striving for the same opportunity, supposing that this is a chance that you would like to take, it would be beneficial to know that this is something that you would like to do so that you can get in on it too. Think of how many opportunities you've been put out of because you weren't really sure what you wanted to do. "It would be nice, but I'm not sure" have been the words which I have heard too many times. "Go" and "do" are the key words, power words, which will give your character heightened definition and a brighter love for life. If would feel nice, I believe, to know that you are in control of your own life.
Don't live life following the decisions of others. Think rationally and wake up. Take the opportunity to grow and speak. Make a choice and live with it. The benefits of being able to make a decision aren't necessarily going to be reflected in the food that you buy or how well things turn up, but I believe that this will have an over-arching benefit to your confidence. When you know what you want and you take it, that is an impressive moment. To be in control of your desires, that is a more impressive attribute.
Many opportunities may pass us by because we are either unwilling or unable to make a rational choice given the options which are presented to us. It may be true that both choices are equally good and may be equally beneficial to whatever we're doing; so why don't we make a choice?
I find that many people are afraid that the choice that they make is going to be the wrong choice and they are going to find out that it is the wrong one after the fact. So what happens? People pass off the choice to others hoping that they will know the choice that you want to make in the end. Unfortunately, those people are more than likely not going to be able to guess your taste, your schedule, or your livelihood. I also believe that many people use this as a means to pass off the blame to others when something goes wrong.
In situations where many people are striving for the same opportunity, supposing that this is a chance that you would like to take, it would be beneficial to know that this is something that you would like to do so that you can get in on it too. Think of how many opportunities you've been put out of because you weren't really sure what you wanted to do. "It would be nice, but I'm not sure" have been the words which I have heard too many times. "Go" and "do" are the key words, power words, which will give your character heightened definition and a brighter love for life. If would feel nice, I believe, to know that you are in control of your own life.
Don't live life following the decisions of others. Think rationally and wake up. Take the opportunity to grow and speak. Make a choice and live with it. The benefits of being able to make a decision aren't necessarily going to be reflected in the food that you buy or how well things turn up, but I believe that this will have an over-arching benefit to your confidence. When you know what you want and you take it, that is an impressive moment. To be in control of your desires, that is a more impressive attribute.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Managing Your House
Home economics is a class that is all but taken seriously in school as students see it as cooking, health education and an easy "A", but what teachers aren't doing is preparing students to take into account the needs and upkeep necessary to keep your house running, and running well.
What I remember from my home economics classroom is learning how to cook. I've posted before about the importance of cooking, but that's not my point here. In the grand scheme of things, cooking takes a back seat to managing your finances so that you afford to have food to cook. Some people believe that this belongs in a math class, and that's probably true, but while children are struggle to get through functions and where "x" is, students should also be learning basic accounting.
Now, as far as accounting goes, I'm not one for terminology. What people are calling the same thing doesn't interest me and is only going to confuse everyone. The real meat is your budget: what is going in and what is coming out.
Something that I have learned is that it is easy once you get into a rhythm, but it is hard to get started. Recently, my wife and I have tried to get everything organized in our home; buying food, getting the car fixed, and getting everything for school. As tempting as it was to fill the pantry, the fridge and the cabinets with goods, it wasn't in our budget. Since we've moved in, we take opportunities to buy condiments and ingredients each week. Piece by piece we put things together.
Accounting requires upkeep. If you let it go too long, you'll lose track of information and that makes your budget slip through the cracks. You need to be aware of all of the information which describes your life and how things change once you act in a certain way.
One of the biggest problems that people have and what leads them to the most debt is not being able to cover their expenses. People are not aware that their outflow is more than their income. As credit limits rise, so does their spending. This continues until mountains of debt pile up and pleas for help take them all the way to the bank. As the pressure builds, so does stress and that is no way to live. All of this could be managed by keeping a budget.
Every one has a different method which they prefer varying from keeping different receipts in folders or envelopes while some prefer to keep maximum spending limits in certain areas using accounting programs. If you're using USAA, they have a budget program that you can use with your account to track your budget. Whatever your method, be sure that it works for you. Be sure to have your savings, but also keep an emergency fund. This will help keep you from falling into disaster all at once during the first storm of the season.
Whatever the method, be aware of how you're spending, don't give up and think that it isn't worth it. It all comes in managing your house. It's hard work, but it's worth it.
What I remember from my home economics classroom is learning how to cook. I've posted before about the importance of cooking, but that's not my point here. In the grand scheme of things, cooking takes a back seat to managing your finances so that you afford to have food to cook. Some people believe that this belongs in a math class, and that's probably true, but while children are struggle to get through functions and where "x" is, students should also be learning basic accounting.
Now, as far as accounting goes, I'm not one for terminology. What people are calling the same thing doesn't interest me and is only going to confuse everyone. The real meat is your budget: what is going in and what is coming out.
Something that I have learned is that it is easy once you get into a rhythm, but it is hard to get started. Recently, my wife and I have tried to get everything organized in our home; buying food, getting the car fixed, and getting everything for school. As tempting as it was to fill the pantry, the fridge and the cabinets with goods, it wasn't in our budget. Since we've moved in, we take opportunities to buy condiments and ingredients each week. Piece by piece we put things together.
Accounting requires upkeep. If you let it go too long, you'll lose track of information and that makes your budget slip through the cracks. You need to be aware of all of the information which describes your life and how things change once you act in a certain way.
One of the biggest problems that people have and what leads them to the most debt is not being able to cover their expenses. People are not aware that their outflow is more than their income. As credit limits rise, so does their spending. This continues until mountains of debt pile up and pleas for help take them all the way to the bank. As the pressure builds, so does stress and that is no way to live. All of this could be managed by keeping a budget.
Every one has a different method which they prefer varying from keeping different receipts in folders or envelopes while some prefer to keep maximum spending limits in certain areas using accounting programs. If you're using USAA, they have a budget program that you can use with your account to track your budget. Whatever your method, be sure that it works for you. Be sure to have your savings, but also keep an emergency fund. This will help keep you from falling into disaster all at once during the first storm of the season.
Whatever the method, be aware of how you're spending, don't give up and think that it isn't worth it. It all comes in managing your house. It's hard work, but it's worth it.
Understanding Risk
Simply, risk is that piece of everything which we can't predict. It's in every action that we do and the ones that we don't. You can't really see risk, but it's part of everything.
Understanding risk helps us to make our decisions. Some people view risk as tangible outcomes which may occur given some choice that we make. When we walk out in the afternoon, we're taking the risk of getting sun-burnt; however, the definition of risk which I would like to address is economic risk, or the risk that conditions may change which will yield influence over an investment which you currently have.
Many people aren't in the stock market, but those that are look with eager eyes towards those that seem to turn money into money; but, those who are not in the stock market make risks every day. Risks which we make can span from a certain job we take to big purchases like a house or a car. To some degree, each has some chance of returns and loss of which we need to be aware.
In financial engineering, you can leverage your risk by differentiating your investment portfolio. In other words, don't keep all your eggs in one basket. Since many of us aren't worried about how diversified our portfolio is, how can we look out for risk at our homes?
Since I've been studying risk management and financial engineering, I been more aware of the things that I am buying. Recently, one of the things that my family has been in need of is a new car. Generally speaking, I do not think that a car is a good investment for anybody. There are some cars that have a high price tag, but the likelihood that you will have a high return on your vehicle by the time that you finish paying it off is not likely. Cars have a tendency to deteriorate with age and have high costs to fix up and those fixes don't have large returns. I know that a car will not yield high returns, but it will give some extra benefit in added mobility. Since my car now, an old station-wagon, is all but falling to pieces, the security of having an extra car will help when the time comes that the car decides to give up.
For me, the name of the game is being aware. What costs can you reasonably expect to arise in the near future? What are some concerns that you should start paying attention to? What can you afford to put-off and for how long? All of these questions have to do directly with how we are spending our money. If you are not spending your money, how are you using your money? By not knowing the ways in which you are able to make money with money, you are risking losing out on interest.
What I recommend with just an elementary degree of understanding of risk management but a good understanding of life skills is to look at the life of you, your family, and your career. What is happening and how can changes influence you? Since you can't totally detach yourself from risk, have a back-up in case something happens which you can't control. You need somewhere to return if things take a turn for the worst.
Understanding risk helps us to make our decisions. Some people view risk as tangible outcomes which may occur given some choice that we make. When we walk out in the afternoon, we're taking the risk of getting sun-burnt; however, the definition of risk which I would like to address is economic risk, or the risk that conditions may change which will yield influence over an investment which you currently have.
Many people aren't in the stock market, but those that are look with eager eyes towards those that seem to turn money into money; but, those who are not in the stock market make risks every day. Risks which we make can span from a certain job we take to big purchases like a house or a car. To some degree, each has some chance of returns and loss of which we need to be aware.
In financial engineering, you can leverage your risk by differentiating your investment portfolio. In other words, don't keep all your eggs in one basket. Since many of us aren't worried about how diversified our portfolio is, how can we look out for risk at our homes?
Since I've been studying risk management and financial engineering, I been more aware of the things that I am buying. Recently, one of the things that my family has been in need of is a new car. Generally speaking, I do not think that a car is a good investment for anybody. There are some cars that have a high price tag, but the likelihood that you will have a high return on your vehicle by the time that you finish paying it off is not likely. Cars have a tendency to deteriorate with age and have high costs to fix up and those fixes don't have large returns. I know that a car will not yield high returns, but it will give some extra benefit in added mobility. Since my car now, an old station-wagon, is all but falling to pieces, the security of having an extra car will help when the time comes that the car decides to give up.
For me, the name of the game is being aware. What costs can you reasonably expect to arise in the near future? What are some concerns that you should start paying attention to? What can you afford to put-off and for how long? All of these questions have to do directly with how we are spending our money. If you are not spending your money, how are you using your money? By not knowing the ways in which you are able to make money with money, you are risking losing out on interest.
What I recommend with just an elementary degree of understanding of risk management but a good understanding of life skills is to look at the life of you, your family, and your career. What is happening and how can changes influence you? Since you can't totally detach yourself from risk, have a back-up in case something happens which you can't control. You need somewhere to return if things take a turn for the worst.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Power Struggle, Arm Wrestling With Your Colleagues
When we're at work, we don't like to be criticized, especially by our colleagues. I know this from experience because while I'm working, it seems like every mistake that I might make would be exaggerated by colleagues just to make me look bad in front of my boss. This was always hard to deal with since the classical methods are "be better than them" or "give them their just desserts", but neither are really satisfying. The main goals that I would like to meet are to be comfortable at work; feel like I'm accomplishing something; and receive my honest wage. Though it is nice to be recognized for the good things that we do, I don't think it helps much to try to show your work off. If a boss likes it enough, they will show it off themselves.
However, when it comes to working with colleagues, there always seems to be this underlying power struggle. For the most part, I believe that it arises when there is a role within some group that is not being filled. Most people, quick thinking and ambitious, will see this as an opportunity to demonstrate leadership capabilities, or else it could be a natural tendency to want to fill that role because it gives them self-gratification. Whatever the reason, how we handle it is a choice within ourselves. When we seek to fill the role ourselves, whether this is when the role is being decided or by disagreeing and filling the role distinctly in our minds, we will find ourselves conflicting with others. But how much should we fight for the role?
I don't believe we should fight for the role. Most of us are good at some things and perhaps leadership is one of those things that we are not good at. Though it is bothersome when colleagues or bosses begin to exercise their power over you and make your life harder, that's something that we deal with one way or another. You can't take control of another's actions, but we can control our own. We should make sure that we are doing everything we can to do our work and that will be proof enough. When the time comes and you'll know it when it does, your voice will be heard and you won't have struggle for power.
Though it is especially hard when others take credit for your work, you may always look for other options than just sitting by. Don't be scared to meet with higher-ups or look for a better situation than the one you are in..Understanding the opportunities that are available to you is one of the hallmarks of success. You need to feel comfortable, as a part of life. I believe that a good leader will help you meet your goals, but when one is absent you learn to look out for yourself.
One of the solutions that I have found is to try to understand your boss's goals and help him to reach them, but not for power; for peace. You don't need to like your boss or your colleagues, you don't have to be friends or enemies, you just have to know what you're doing and who you need to accomplish the tasks at hand. Once you begin closing your mind, you've already lost. If you establish peace in the end everything will work itself out. One day, you'll get lucky enough to have a good boss and colleagues who work together and understand team dynamics, but you should never be the one that is keeping that from coming together. Be open to change, open to possibilities and change. It may all be in your mind in the end.
Staying Motivated: Getting Past the First Round
Like New Year resolutions, each year we seem to go through the motion of setting goals and lacking the ability to follow through. Most of the time, these goals are the "life-changers" we've put off until the perfect opportunity to make outrageous, hard-to-accomplish resolutions. Sometimes, by some stroke of luck or built-up motivation, we accomplish some of these goals, but many of them fall by the way-side of our lives.
But why does this happen? Why can't we stay motivated past the initial splendor of setting and starting goals? I believe that one of the answers is in the results. When we don't feel like our actions are having much effect, it is hard to apply the effort, especially at the beginning which requires the most effort.
As I see it, many of our goals aren't linear; they don't grow at a single rate, but start slow and pick up near the end. Projects which we start have various phases, such as goal setting, planning, development, testing and implementation. The biggest issue is the inertia which needs to be applied to change the direction which we were going in. Our personal goals are about improving or changing our character and can apply to anything from physical conditioning to learning a new skill. It takes repeated action to even begin to change how we react to certain events. Going to the gym and eating healthy is a lofty goal for someone who is accustomed to a certain diet, especially when cravings come into play. Investing your money is hard when you don't understand the words that are being used.
What I have found is that under stressful conditions, our bodies and minds will attempt to return to the most familiar condition of comfort. This will most likely be moments of relaxation when you weren't worried about what you were eating or what you were doing and your body will try to replicate it. Getting over this is the hardest part and relates to that non-linearity which I referred to earlier. Even for our mind, we rationalize that we could better spend our time doing something else, which may be more true than we think, but at what cost? We often find ourselves saying, "It worked before, I'll just do that."
So, the question then comes to how we are able to get away from stress conditions and find bliss in what we are doing. Use your strongest abilities. Each of us are different, but each of us are competing against ourselves. This means that you have to face your own complexes and habits. In other words, if you have a talent for arguing, use that to convince yourself that what you are doing is worth it. If not, then use something else, but the trick is to put yourself in the shoes you want to be in.
It seems that people are trying to hold on to so much of themselves that they are unable to progress in one aspect. We live dynamic lives that change each day as different parts of us change. To succeed, I believe that we have to throw ourselves in the motion, set your flag at the top of the mountain and see yourself already there, see yourself as the person that you are trying to become and then find joy in the adventure. We have all most likely seen a movie about a character who struggles to achieve a goal, but there is something that we can take from them. Determination. You need to want it, and you need to know you can get it.
The last aspect which I feel each goal needs is something at stake. This is the motivating factor. When you are wondering what the stakes are, ask yourself, "What will happen if I accomplish/fail at this?" Without a well defined goal, we don't see its importance. Look past the problem and at the solution. Know what you are fighting for, what the purpose is. Find it in yourself, not in others. Once you know it, and really know it, the simplicity of continuing will be self-evident.
I will say this, be smart about it. Don't compromise your health in some venture. Since each of us are different we are all at different places which different abilities. Sometimes it doesn't have anything to do with our motivation, but in the goals we set. If they are so far beyond your reach that you are going to lose before you get started, you're going to get discouraged. Think of the basics and start there. Progress in complexity until you've reached the end. Be good to yourself and learn along the way who you really are becoming.
But why does this happen? Why can't we stay motivated past the initial splendor of setting and starting goals? I believe that one of the answers is in the results. When we don't feel like our actions are having much effect, it is hard to apply the effort, especially at the beginning which requires the most effort.
As I see it, many of our goals aren't linear; they don't grow at a single rate, but start slow and pick up near the end. Projects which we start have various phases, such as goal setting, planning, development, testing and implementation. The biggest issue is the inertia which needs to be applied to change the direction which we were going in. Our personal goals are about improving or changing our character and can apply to anything from physical conditioning to learning a new skill. It takes repeated action to even begin to change how we react to certain events. Going to the gym and eating healthy is a lofty goal for someone who is accustomed to a certain diet, especially when cravings come into play. Investing your money is hard when you don't understand the words that are being used.
What I have found is that under stressful conditions, our bodies and minds will attempt to return to the most familiar condition of comfort. This will most likely be moments of relaxation when you weren't worried about what you were eating or what you were doing and your body will try to replicate it. Getting over this is the hardest part and relates to that non-linearity which I referred to earlier. Even for our mind, we rationalize that we could better spend our time doing something else, which may be more true than we think, but at what cost? We often find ourselves saying, "It worked before, I'll just do that."
So, the question then comes to how we are able to get away from stress conditions and find bliss in what we are doing. Use your strongest abilities. Each of us are different, but each of us are competing against ourselves. This means that you have to face your own complexes and habits. In other words, if you have a talent for arguing, use that to convince yourself that what you are doing is worth it. If not, then use something else, but the trick is to put yourself in the shoes you want to be in.
It seems that people are trying to hold on to so much of themselves that they are unable to progress in one aspect. We live dynamic lives that change each day as different parts of us change. To succeed, I believe that we have to throw ourselves in the motion, set your flag at the top of the mountain and see yourself already there, see yourself as the person that you are trying to become and then find joy in the adventure. We have all most likely seen a movie about a character who struggles to achieve a goal, but there is something that we can take from them. Determination. You need to want it, and you need to know you can get it.
The last aspect which I feel each goal needs is something at stake. This is the motivating factor. When you are wondering what the stakes are, ask yourself, "What will happen if I accomplish/fail at this?" Without a well defined goal, we don't see its importance. Look past the problem and at the solution. Know what you are fighting for, what the purpose is. Find it in yourself, not in others. Once you know it, and really know it, the simplicity of continuing will be self-evident.
I will say this, be smart about it. Don't compromise your health in some venture. Since each of us are different we are all at different places which different abilities. Sometimes it doesn't have anything to do with our motivation, but in the goals we set. If they are so far beyond your reach that you are going to lose before you get started, you're going to get discouraged. Think of the basics and start there. Progress in complexity until you've reached the end. Be good to yourself and learn along the way who you really are becoming.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Making Molehills Out of Mountains
We're all familiar with the idea of making a big problem out of little ones and the effect that has on our behavior. I feel that we tend to get frustrated and confused because we have placed added pressure on ourselves for some irrational, or possibly unidentifiable, reason. This may lead to the failure to achieve success in tasks and may discourage individuals from further pursuit. Does the reverse work?
I have found that when people are working on a project that doesn't meet that "urgent" need which exists within them, concentration begins to weaken. Where bigger problems create stress, small problems hardly get noticed. Over-simplification of the problem leads to lack-luster solutions which may, at best, be only short-term, or "band-aid", solutions. As groups coordinate, someone who is unable to connect with the importance of an issue will not be able to be truly effective.
So what's the point that I'm trying to make?
Both of these mindsets about problems are wrong. They focus on the individual perspective and their perceptions. To better explain myself, I'm going to use the analogy of a mountain.
First, someone who is standing at the base of a cliff will feel daunted by the task at hand, much like the first person I described by making the problem harder than it really needs to be. Also, someone who is standing too far away from the mountain will hardly think that it would take much effort to climb as the mountain seems much smaller than it actually is. These all have to do with our perspective, not the project. What I'm talking about is problem solving.
The issue then is adjusting your perspective. Many of us are like the first person who is right next to the mountain, committed to a project that needs to be done but no real plans to accomplish that goal. Though we shouldn't run away, we should take a step back and really look at the project. The real height of the project won't change, but we are able to see its structure.
When we are solving our problems, we shouldn't seek to take the steepest route. No matter how high the climb, taking the steepest route will require the most amount of stress and increases the chances that you might slip-up. Normally, there are unexplored routes which are much easier and you still reach the same position.
Time is a necessary component to consider. The sooner you need to get to where you need to be, the harder it will be to look for that shallow route and you'll look at the mountain wonder where to even begin. If you're here, there doesn't seem to be many options besides trying to make a quick plan of what you are going to do and hope that the best one works. What I am talking about is having sufficient time in the planning stage to be able to explore additional methods and truly look at how things are coming together. It might take longer than a quick sprint up the mountain, but you have much less risk of falling along the way.
I have found that when people are working on a project that doesn't meet that "urgent" need which exists within them, concentration begins to weaken. Where bigger problems create stress, small problems hardly get noticed. Over-simplification of the problem leads to lack-luster solutions which may, at best, be only short-term, or "band-aid", solutions. As groups coordinate, someone who is unable to connect with the importance of an issue will not be able to be truly effective.
So what's the point that I'm trying to make?
Both of these mindsets about problems are wrong. They focus on the individual perspective and their perceptions. To better explain myself, I'm going to use the analogy of a mountain.
First, someone who is standing at the base of a cliff will feel daunted by the task at hand, much like the first person I described by making the problem harder than it really needs to be. Also, someone who is standing too far away from the mountain will hardly think that it would take much effort to climb as the mountain seems much smaller than it actually is. These all have to do with our perspective, not the project. What I'm talking about is problem solving.
The issue then is adjusting your perspective. Many of us are like the first person who is right next to the mountain, committed to a project that needs to be done but no real plans to accomplish that goal. Though we shouldn't run away, we should take a step back and really look at the project. The real height of the project won't change, but we are able to see its structure.
When we are solving our problems, we shouldn't seek to take the steepest route. No matter how high the climb, taking the steepest route will require the most amount of stress and increases the chances that you might slip-up. Normally, there are unexplored routes which are much easier and you still reach the same position.
Time is a necessary component to consider. The sooner you need to get to where you need to be, the harder it will be to look for that shallow route and you'll look at the mountain wonder where to even begin. If you're here, there doesn't seem to be many options besides trying to make a quick plan of what you are going to do and hope that the best one works. What I am talking about is having sufficient time in the planning stage to be able to explore additional methods and truly look at how things are coming together. It might take longer than a quick sprint up the mountain, but you have much less risk of falling along the way.
Friends in High Places and the Low Ones as Well
There's something to be said about the ability to both make and keep friends. In my opinion, it is hard to find people that will actually be able to help you when you need it because many people are too busy trying to make sure that they don't fall behind themselves. I always try to find people who are good at what they do, influential in their careers, and provide a valuable atmosphere. This is so that I can always feel like I'm progressing both in my career and social stature. At moments, you may find yourself looking around and not really knowing anyone in a particular room, but you are able to identify people's role as you look around.
While I was spending time in Washington D.C, my dad put together a business party for people he knew and thought that I would be interested in meeting. This was at the same time as a seminar which I was attending in Info-Metrics and both were valuable opportunities to make contacts. Though both situations had a different atmosphere, it is easy to find people who are able to help you to accomplish your goals if you ask the right questions. Though I'm not going into the conversations which I had during those two meetings, I made some valuable contacts which I still have today.
But this is all in scope. When we talk about the people we know, often times they aren't people who are earning six figure incomes. They are the layman who fill positions in vary levels throughout the city. People who may or may not have finished college. There are people everyday who are able to help us with situations which we are struggling with, but not necessarily with our professional sphere, but with the "everyday's".
Imagine a situation in which your car is broken down. Knowing high level executives may not be able to help you with this, but your neighbor might. Perhaps your neighbor knows someone that could help. It all comes to how well you are connected, but somewhere along the way, it comes back to someone that everyone needs. Most people are reluctant to use products that haven't been endorsed by someone they know, but if you were connected to someone who was trusted, you would most likely feel more comfortable.
Generally, I call these communities; a network where people will different skills and abilities are located. Within these figurative locations, we are able to visit with people and make requests to fill some need. Most likely, individuals will be able to find someone that they know within some arm of a network. The problem arises when you aren't aware of people who have the abilities you need. This requires a community to cluster, or condense, to allow for the ease of transmittable conversation. The importance of this stretches past our need for connection, but simplifies the daily process of life. Both ends of the relationship will benefit, much like when a consumer and a producer meet up. These personal relationships based on trust are the first places we resort to when seeking to satisfy a need.
While I was spending time in Washington D.C, my dad put together a business party for people he knew and thought that I would be interested in meeting. This was at the same time as a seminar which I was attending in Info-Metrics and both were valuable opportunities to make contacts. Though both situations had a different atmosphere, it is easy to find people who are able to help you to accomplish your goals if you ask the right questions. Though I'm not going into the conversations which I had during those two meetings, I made some valuable contacts which I still have today.
But this is all in scope. When we talk about the people we know, often times they aren't people who are earning six figure incomes. They are the layman who fill positions in vary levels throughout the city. People who may or may not have finished college. There are people everyday who are able to help us with situations which we are struggling with, but not necessarily with our professional sphere, but with the "everyday's".
Imagine a situation in which your car is broken down. Knowing high level executives may not be able to help you with this, but your neighbor might. Perhaps your neighbor knows someone that could help. It all comes to how well you are connected, but somewhere along the way, it comes back to someone that everyone needs. Most people are reluctant to use products that haven't been endorsed by someone they know, but if you were connected to someone who was trusted, you would most likely feel more comfortable.
Generally, I call these communities; a network where people will different skills and abilities are located. Within these figurative locations, we are able to visit with people and make requests to fill some need. Most likely, individuals will be able to find someone that they know within some arm of a network. The problem arises when you aren't aware of people who have the abilities you need. This requires a community to cluster, or condense, to allow for the ease of transmittable conversation. The importance of this stretches past our need for connection, but simplifies the daily process of life. Both ends of the relationship will benefit, much like when a consumer and a producer meet up. These personal relationships based on trust are the first places we resort to when seeking to satisfy a need.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Our Commercial Culture
Our personality defines our character, something which changes periodically as we grow and have new experiences. Within that character, we have our tastes; foods we eat, sports we play, and places we want to go. Historically, advertisements have used what I call "shotgun marketing", where advertisers attempt to project a product into everyone's lives to see how it will fit at random. The reason why I call it "shotgun marketing" is that when you consider consumer preferences the distribution for a product will be centered around some group, but others may or may not get hit which are interested depending on how the commercial is distributed.
One of the problems in marketing is identifying the group you are searching for. This has historically been hard as there hasn't been a way to easily find what individuals are thinking; however, certain television channels have a very distinct viewer-base where products can easily be advertised according to what the viewers would want to see. Though this isn't perfect, because marketers are still trying to identify groups and individuals are different.
So, what's the issue? How could people improve what you are asking people to buy? If you haven't noticed, the problem has been the availability of information and the ability to set you apart from the crowd. Previously, some websites were trying to have you identify your interests yourself, but many people don't want advertisers to know what they like because they don't want to be a target. Marketers have been historically put into the character of the stereotypes of door-to-door and car salesmen. The stereotypes are people looking to sell someone something that doesn't work just to earn money. Has that dynamic changed?
For the most part, I don't think it has, but I think it should. Marketers, in my inexperienced view, try to think why a consumer "needs" the product and how it will benefit their lives. But, the problem is, our lives are becoming too cluttered. We can easily argue that we have everything that we need and we can easily recognize what we would like to change. This is where we should be meeting with people to help me our goals and not fill our lives with random junk that we don't really want.
Recently, or within the past century, marketers have been able to get closer to consumers than ever. Using computer applications, they are able to track the pages that we look up, searches which we perform, and things we "like" all over the internet. When we do this, we are, in a way, branding ourselves with information available for others to see. In a social networking perspective, this doesn't seem as intrusive as an extensive questionnaire and it doesn't require much time. Also, people hardly know what they are doing.
But are commercials and advertisements really effective? For the most part, I don't think that they have been for me, until recently and I'll tell you why. Every so often I clean my browser history, cookies, and other information which it might have picked up along the way. The reason I do that is because I don't want information to fester everywhere for so long, but there's a plus side that I found. When you delete your history, the things that you do now have the most influence in what advertisements are trying to show you.
One of the hardest parts of business is putting your product in the minds of people around the world. People can't choose your product if they don't know that it exists. They also can't make a good decision without the other information, but if they are being overwhelmed by pop-ups and fliers, you will most likely go unnoticed.
Generally, I feel that people ignore advertisements because most of them take you to sites that do pretty much nothing or are scams. Well, a quick hint if you are browsing the internet, look for "https://" rather than the plain "http://" because this means that you are secure in who you are talking to. But why do we care about advertisements anymore?
Most likely, if you've been like me in the past, you pretty much phase them out when you are going through the pages or you would never click on them to get to their page because of things that might be attached. I used to do this too, until I started see advertisements for things like "free Six Sigma training" which actually did give me the opportunity for six sigma.
The point I'm trying to get at is that if you are aware of what you are looking for, then advertisements are there to help. They don't have much influence in themselves to convince you to buy something new, but they do put the product out there and you may remember it when the time comes. My advice: Don't block them out of your mind. If you see something interesting, there must be a reason why it's showing up. Maybe because of something that you already searched for, or something that is related to the page that you are on, but one way or another, people wouldn't be paying to have these things there for no reason, but the game has changed. You are more able now than ever to find the things which you are searching for. Though many of them may be distractions, such as pop-ups which are just trying to get in your way, but other ones can be helpful.
One of the problems in marketing is identifying the group you are searching for. This has historically been hard as there hasn't been a way to easily find what individuals are thinking; however, certain television channels have a very distinct viewer-base where products can easily be advertised according to what the viewers would want to see. Though this isn't perfect, because marketers are still trying to identify groups and individuals are different.
So, what's the issue? How could people improve what you are asking people to buy? If you haven't noticed, the problem has been the availability of information and the ability to set you apart from the crowd. Previously, some websites were trying to have you identify your interests yourself, but many people don't want advertisers to know what they like because they don't want to be a target. Marketers have been historically put into the character of the stereotypes of door-to-door and car salesmen. The stereotypes are people looking to sell someone something that doesn't work just to earn money. Has that dynamic changed?
For the most part, I don't think it has, but I think it should. Marketers, in my inexperienced view, try to think why a consumer "needs" the product and how it will benefit their lives. But, the problem is, our lives are becoming too cluttered. We can easily argue that we have everything that we need and we can easily recognize what we would like to change. This is where we should be meeting with people to help me our goals and not fill our lives with random junk that we don't really want.
Recently, or within the past century, marketers have been able to get closer to consumers than ever. Using computer applications, they are able to track the pages that we look up, searches which we perform, and things we "like" all over the internet. When we do this, we are, in a way, branding ourselves with information available for others to see. In a social networking perspective, this doesn't seem as intrusive as an extensive questionnaire and it doesn't require much time. Also, people hardly know what they are doing.
But are commercials and advertisements really effective? For the most part, I don't think that they have been for me, until recently and I'll tell you why. Every so often I clean my browser history, cookies, and other information which it might have picked up along the way. The reason I do that is because I don't want information to fester everywhere for so long, but there's a plus side that I found. When you delete your history, the things that you do now have the most influence in what advertisements are trying to show you.
One of the hardest parts of business is putting your product in the minds of people around the world. People can't choose your product if they don't know that it exists. They also can't make a good decision without the other information, but if they are being overwhelmed by pop-ups and fliers, you will most likely go unnoticed.
Generally, I feel that people ignore advertisements because most of them take you to sites that do pretty much nothing or are scams. Well, a quick hint if you are browsing the internet, look for "https://" rather than the plain "http://" because this means that you are secure in who you are talking to. But why do we care about advertisements anymore?
Most likely, if you've been like me in the past, you pretty much phase them out when you are going through the pages or you would never click on them to get to their page because of things that might be attached. I used to do this too, until I started see advertisements for things like "free Six Sigma training" which actually did give me the opportunity for six sigma.
The point I'm trying to get at is that if you are aware of what you are looking for, then advertisements are there to help. They don't have much influence in themselves to convince you to buy something new, but they do put the product out there and you may remember it when the time comes. My advice: Don't block them out of your mind. If you see something interesting, there must be a reason why it's showing up. Maybe because of something that you already searched for, or something that is related to the page that you are on, but one way or another, people wouldn't be paying to have these things there for no reason, but the game has changed. You are more able now than ever to find the things which you are searching for. Though many of them may be distractions, such as pop-ups which are just trying to get in your way, but other ones can be helpful.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Finding a Mentor and Getting to Work
When I was in Elementary school, I used to look up to my oldest brother quite a bit. He taught me the French alphabet when I was still in the first grade, got me ahead in mathematics, and taught me how to understand how to play games like chess. This has been something that has stuck with me since I've learned those things. There were many other things that he didn't teach me directly that I still learned by watching what he did. Though we don't talk much anymore, I still run through moments where he was teaching me sometimes and reminisce.
For a while, my dad also gave me instruction when I would ask questions and when he felt like there was something that I needed to know. It took me a while, especially while I was younger, to find the scope of these lessons, but as I've grown older they've come up more.
When I got to college, it was much harder finding a mentor. At my school, they assign you an adviser, but you want to find something that fits your niche. It took me a while to find someone else that I looked up to and someone that I could talk to about what really interests me. Once he began teaching, I haven't stopped learning. Each day there are more things that I can do to help me prepare for my future. Each of those things, in my mind, have purpose and meaning, and when I have questions, I know where I can go. Those are probably the hardest things about finding a good mentor, in my mind at least.
As I see it, the importance of having a mentor stretches beyond learning, it's a methodology of building character. There are books and methods of learning that are available to each of use, but the personality behind the material isn't something that we are just able to invent, it needs to be filled. Some people have the ability to have long conversations with themselves that can be quite involved; but many of us need some to bounce ideas off of, someone that can foster our thoughts and teach us how to refine them.
In my opinion, traits of a good mentor include:
For a while, my dad also gave me instruction when I would ask questions and when he felt like there was something that I needed to know. It took me a while, especially while I was younger, to find the scope of these lessons, but as I've grown older they've come up more.
When I got to college, it was much harder finding a mentor. At my school, they assign you an adviser, but you want to find something that fits your niche. It took me a while to find someone else that I looked up to and someone that I could talk to about what really interests me. Once he began teaching, I haven't stopped learning. Each day there are more things that I can do to help me prepare for my future. Each of those things, in my mind, have purpose and meaning, and when I have questions, I know where I can go. Those are probably the hardest things about finding a good mentor, in my mind at least.
As I see it, the importance of having a mentor stretches beyond learning, it's a methodology of building character. There are books and methods of learning that are available to each of use, but the personality behind the material isn't something that we are just able to invent, it needs to be filled. Some people have the ability to have long conversations with themselves that can be quite involved; but many of us need some to bounce ideas off of, someone that can foster our thoughts and teach us how to refine them.
In my opinion, traits of a good mentor include:
- Thought-provoking
- Understanding
- Tactful
- Relate-able
- Willing to teach
- Honest
You can't have a mentor that is going to treat you like a child, you need someone who is going to refine you until they can do no more for you. Sometimes they can be around for most of your life; always teaching and training when you have questions. They can also be someone that will only be an example for a moment, helping you to open your eyes and have you look to their actions to help you find your own. The overall purpose, though, is to find yourself. Find someone that can help you unlock your potential. One day, someone might come to you to do the same.
The High Cost of Saying No
One of the most common reactions we can expect by asking someone if they would like to do something constructive is less than excited. We can generally expect excuses and disinterest in the activity. Unfortunately, this seems to be a growing trait of our youth and perhaps even higher into the ranks of adulthood. But saying "no" has a cost.
One of the first costs of saying "no" has to do with relationships. To build on this I will use one of the principles that I believe in, the emotional bank account. As childish as it may sound, we can either make deposits into our accounts or withdrawals and when you involve others, the dynamic is different than with just yourself. Each positive response can be seen as a deposit, each negative response as a withdrawal because you are taxing the relationship.
Imagine a situation in which you've been asked to come to activities repeatedly by friends or colleagues and the reply is continuously negative. More than likely, that starting principle begins to decrease until there is nothing left. People will note that there is not point asking you things because there are no withdrawals left to make.
A second cost, in my opinion, is that of health. The mental conditioning of exploring new things, inventing new ideas, and expanding your scope seems essential to your development as a creative being. Not doing so can leave you with an internal turmoil to have the desire to change, but not actually possessing the ability to do so. Some people call this willpower, mind over matter, or motivation, but I think that it just comes down to being open. A very strong-minded person can say "no" all day, but a very close-minded could hardly ever say "yes". When we close off the world, I believe that, like the metaphorical goldfish, we will never grow again. We have to have scope within which to find our ideas. When we've fished the lake of our minds long enough, no fish will remain.
The last cost which I will mention is the cost of ability. To all those who are still asking, if you don't use it, you WILL lose it. This happens with language, sports, and the arts. There is no escaping it. Your tongue will become limp after you don't speak for awhile. Anyone who has ever tried to learn or has learned a new language can tell you that. When you can no longer hear the words in your head, you'll have to find them again. Muscle will fade quicker than the mind, you're body will become weak and worn, and your mind will become dull. If not engaged in meaningful activities, you cannot maintain your edge.
Though each of these costs are independent of each other, they are significant in themselves. Sometimes it's not possible to maintain them all and one of them must take the hit. Generally for professionals they won't have the time to do recreational activities with friends or stay out each night, but they are otherwise engaged in things that keep them sharp. The question is, what are you doing to make sure that you are on top of your game and no going into debt saying "no" each day?
One of the first costs of saying "no" has to do with relationships. To build on this I will use one of the principles that I believe in, the emotional bank account. As childish as it may sound, we can either make deposits into our accounts or withdrawals and when you involve others, the dynamic is different than with just yourself. Each positive response can be seen as a deposit, each negative response as a withdrawal because you are taxing the relationship.
Imagine a situation in which you've been asked to come to activities repeatedly by friends or colleagues and the reply is continuously negative. More than likely, that starting principle begins to decrease until there is nothing left. People will note that there is not point asking you things because there are no withdrawals left to make.
A second cost, in my opinion, is that of health. The mental conditioning of exploring new things, inventing new ideas, and expanding your scope seems essential to your development as a creative being. Not doing so can leave you with an internal turmoil to have the desire to change, but not actually possessing the ability to do so. Some people call this willpower, mind over matter, or motivation, but I think that it just comes down to being open. A very strong-minded person can say "no" all day, but a very close-minded could hardly ever say "yes". When we close off the world, I believe that, like the metaphorical goldfish, we will never grow again. We have to have scope within which to find our ideas. When we've fished the lake of our minds long enough, no fish will remain.
The last cost which I will mention is the cost of ability. To all those who are still asking, if you don't use it, you WILL lose it. This happens with language, sports, and the arts. There is no escaping it. Your tongue will become limp after you don't speak for awhile. Anyone who has ever tried to learn or has learned a new language can tell you that. When you can no longer hear the words in your head, you'll have to find them again. Muscle will fade quicker than the mind, you're body will become weak and worn, and your mind will become dull. If not engaged in meaningful activities, you cannot maintain your edge.
Though each of these costs are independent of each other, they are significant in themselves. Sometimes it's not possible to maintain them all and one of them must take the hit. Generally for professionals they won't have the time to do recreational activities with friends or stay out each night, but they are otherwise engaged in things that keep them sharp. The question is, what are you doing to make sure that you are on top of your game and no going into debt saying "no" each day?
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Paying for College
Paying for college has grown to a national concern as people are beginning to fear whether their ability to afford college is no longer a possibility. I've spoken with people who have upwards of $50,000 worth of debt and have to take breaks from college in order to try to save up enough money for the next semester. Granted, the cost of colleges around the country vary greatly and my college is most likely one of the cheapest besides a military school, but based on my conversations with others and observations about what they have done to prepare for college, I feel as though some things are worth noting though they may seem like obvious solutions.
Look Ahead and Start Saving
It seems like the principle of College funds for families has dwindled over the years and this is why students feel unprepared when they start college when massive costs are placed on their shoulders. Sometimes families are able to help along the way, but they're generally not going to be able to, or want to, pay for all of your costs. One of the smartest things you can do is to look for opportunities to start saving up for college. While you're in high school, this is a great opportunity to learn how to juggle work and school. This will be a good life lesson, but also keeps you from having heavy debt throughout your career. It will also help you to cover the costs of applying for different colleges. This isn't free and can take people by surprise. I spent roughly $500 and applied to four different schools and other people spend much more.
Colleges of Prestige and Colleges of Degrees
One of my concerns when I was first going to college was finding one where the school was well-known in order to get special recommendations when I graduated. For some places, this can be a valuable asset when applying for a job, but at what cost? When you decide to go to a renown school with a king's ransom for tuition costs, you may be subjecting yourself to an unnecessary cost that you can't afford. This is a risk and you need to account for it. If you are counting on getting a cushy job after graduating, you may have high debt which you'll be paying off for the next ten or fifteen years as you struggle to get through the entry-level jobs and internships, affording rent and other expenses for living day to day.
The alternative: Go to a school you can afford and do a good job. Being able to do good in college is significant when you are applying for jobs and you really need to consider how much prestige actually has in terms of getting a job in general. As long as you can at least match your competition with diligence and ability, in the end and in my opinion, a good manager will recognize that you fulfill the job requirements. Many people have to work their way up from the bottom, but if you are willing to work hard, it won't matter after a couple of years where you went to college.
Growing Debt and Finding Grants
One of the reasons I've been able to avoid debt is being able to find loans which have been able to pretty much pay for my entire tuition, leaving me responsible for rent and food throughout my schooling which is easy to do. Most government grants cover a little bit of your tuition costs if you're eligible, but if you aren't, there are many scholarships out there that are available. These may be hard to find and will take a long time to fill out, but something which takes you about an hour to fill out may have handsome rewards. Sometimes we need to think about the benefits of taking the time to sit down and fill these forms out. I've been able to claim just about $3000 dollars in the past two years of college by finding grants that help me.
An alternative: Low-to-No Interest Loans. Obviously, no interest loans are ideal, but they have a clause. Normally they are only free up until graduation. I've known people who take out every loan that they can each semester. This poor individual had about $100,000 dollars worth of debt without graduating college and was unable to come back because of the weight of the interest. In my opinion, he hadn't thought about the consequences of what he was doing and took out what was available. When we try to exceed our ability, we are setting ourselves up for disaster.
Find a Job and Don't Waste Your Money
I find that many people squander their money in college that they could use to fight down loans and put into emergency savings. This includes extravagant parties, smoking or drinking, or even playing too many video games. Generally, when it comes to living, rent, tuition, and food are the necessities and is pretty easy to calculate. It is when you start adding to this with other costs, such as eating out everyday which can easily start exceeding $30 dollars a week on food for only a few meals.
For some people, this is not something that they are willing to give up. In my opinion, when these people complain about not being able to afford college I can only roll my eyes. There are many opportunities which you can do to pay off the necessities and if you don't have your priorities straight, you get lost in your expenses.
My solution: Find a Job. It's hard to do in small towns where everyone is looking for the same things as you, but there are opportunities out there. If you can't take classes and work at the same time, then you may need to think of alternative solutions, but hopefully you can work at least part-time while in college. This means that you could at least pay your rent and food each semester and fill your savings. Get rid of things that you don't need such as high cost subscriptions. Invest in your future, don't take a loan on it.
I've worked every semester when I've been at college, whether as an Art Model, Custodian, or working in IT. The benefits far outweigh the costs. I've made sacrifices, but in the end I've only had to worry about tuition when there were many unexpected costs that came up at the same time, but in the end, I was able to take care of it. Most of the time, it seems like our expectations for the college experience is what we're spending money on. If that is the case, I believe you should re-evaluate your goals and plan accordingly. There may be some situations where we just can't keep up, but if you've done everything you can, in my opinion you are one of the people that should get a scholarship.
Look Ahead and Start Saving
It seems like the principle of College funds for families has dwindled over the years and this is why students feel unprepared when they start college when massive costs are placed on their shoulders. Sometimes families are able to help along the way, but they're generally not going to be able to, or want to, pay for all of your costs. One of the smartest things you can do is to look for opportunities to start saving up for college. While you're in high school, this is a great opportunity to learn how to juggle work and school. This will be a good life lesson, but also keeps you from having heavy debt throughout your career. It will also help you to cover the costs of applying for different colleges. This isn't free and can take people by surprise. I spent roughly $500 and applied to four different schools and other people spend much more.
Colleges of Prestige and Colleges of Degrees
One of my concerns when I was first going to college was finding one where the school was well-known in order to get special recommendations when I graduated. For some places, this can be a valuable asset when applying for a job, but at what cost? When you decide to go to a renown school with a king's ransom for tuition costs, you may be subjecting yourself to an unnecessary cost that you can't afford. This is a risk and you need to account for it. If you are counting on getting a cushy job after graduating, you may have high debt which you'll be paying off for the next ten or fifteen years as you struggle to get through the entry-level jobs and internships, affording rent and other expenses for living day to day.
The alternative: Go to a school you can afford and do a good job. Being able to do good in college is significant when you are applying for jobs and you really need to consider how much prestige actually has in terms of getting a job in general. As long as you can at least match your competition with diligence and ability, in the end and in my opinion, a good manager will recognize that you fulfill the job requirements. Many people have to work their way up from the bottom, but if you are willing to work hard, it won't matter after a couple of years where you went to college.
Growing Debt and Finding Grants
One of the reasons I've been able to avoid debt is being able to find loans which have been able to pretty much pay for my entire tuition, leaving me responsible for rent and food throughout my schooling which is easy to do. Most government grants cover a little bit of your tuition costs if you're eligible, but if you aren't, there are many scholarships out there that are available. These may be hard to find and will take a long time to fill out, but something which takes you about an hour to fill out may have handsome rewards. Sometimes we need to think about the benefits of taking the time to sit down and fill these forms out. I've been able to claim just about $3000 dollars in the past two years of college by finding grants that help me.
An alternative: Low-to-No Interest Loans. Obviously, no interest loans are ideal, but they have a clause. Normally they are only free up until graduation. I've known people who take out every loan that they can each semester. This poor individual had about $100,000 dollars worth of debt without graduating college and was unable to come back because of the weight of the interest. In my opinion, he hadn't thought about the consequences of what he was doing and took out what was available. When we try to exceed our ability, we are setting ourselves up for disaster.
Find a Job and Don't Waste Your Money
I find that many people squander their money in college that they could use to fight down loans and put into emergency savings. This includes extravagant parties, smoking or drinking, or even playing too many video games. Generally, when it comes to living, rent, tuition, and food are the necessities and is pretty easy to calculate. It is when you start adding to this with other costs, such as eating out everyday which can easily start exceeding $30 dollars a week on food for only a few meals.
For some people, this is not something that they are willing to give up. In my opinion, when these people complain about not being able to afford college I can only roll my eyes. There are many opportunities which you can do to pay off the necessities and if you don't have your priorities straight, you get lost in your expenses.
My solution: Find a Job. It's hard to do in small towns where everyone is looking for the same things as you, but there are opportunities out there. If you can't take classes and work at the same time, then you may need to think of alternative solutions, but hopefully you can work at least part-time while in college. This means that you could at least pay your rent and food each semester and fill your savings. Get rid of things that you don't need such as high cost subscriptions. Invest in your future, don't take a loan on it.
I've worked every semester when I've been at college, whether as an Art Model, Custodian, or working in IT. The benefits far outweigh the costs. I've made sacrifices, but in the end I've only had to worry about tuition when there were many unexpected costs that came up at the same time, but in the end, I was able to take care of it. Most of the time, it seems like our expectations for the college experience is what we're spending money on. If that is the case, I believe you should re-evaluate your goals and plan accordingly. There may be some situations where we just can't keep up, but if you've done everything you can, in my opinion you are one of the people that should get a scholarship.
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