COUNSELLING

Learn 6 ways to improving your reading habit

I am pretty aware of your reading problems, and I know it started by reading only headline and not caring to read the whole article. And before you know it, you will abscond going through all I have to say here, yet you need a reading solution.

One of the things I hear regularly from people I advise is that they do not have the time to read.

This is usually a valid point particularly in the Nigerian environment. What with bills to pay, crazy work schedules, the gnarling traffic to and from work, kids to take care of and the one million things we need to do everyday. Yet with enough time to practically WASTE pressing your blackberry (or other) mobile phones.

However, it is a scientific fact that reading stimulates certain parts of the brain and affects your cognitive function. The act of reading a book whether for knowledge, leisure or entertainment is like exercise for the brain. It flexes the brain muscles and leads to a more enlightened, sharper and all round better person.

Essentially, when you don’t read, you’re admitting that you are not the best person you can be; a faded copy.

To bring you back to your colourful best, here are 6 tips on how to improve reading habits.

#1: Make time: Despite all the valid reasons you have for not reading, you have no reason to accept to ‘grow old before your time’. This is a popular saying and it means life taking it’s toll on you without you fighting back.

#2: Create A Book List: It is inevitable that you will hear about certain books that you would like read. Unfortunately, these books may not be readily available when you want them or you may not have enough funds to purchase them and since the mind is prone to instant gratification, it is likely that you will forget about such books. I suggest that you create a list of books you would like to read on a monthly basis. Keep adding to your list and cross out the ones you’ve bought or read.

#3: Find a quiet place & dream: We all need to find a quiet place to go to each day where we can meditate and renew our minds. Dream about the places you would like to go to, read about those places. Dream, dream, dream! Everything in life is created twice; first in your mind and then in the physical reality. Read books that feed your dreams.

#4: Read a variety of books: Don’t just pick up one genre of books; mix and match. Read fiction & non-fiction and vary them. Expand your view! You never know what you’ll get from a book. For instance, you may be a business person and in a book of science fiction, the author may be writing a fictional but important tip about the future of your line of business that will be of immense benefit to you.

#5: Visit a bookshop regularly: There are many good bookshops around. A bookshop is a place of discovery and a place where you can meet interesting people or those who share your peculiar taste!

#6: Expand your options: I personally read several books in several platforms. I hardly ever restrict myself anymore with only hard cover books. Get ready to lay hand on online books using your mobile phones and pads. Your blackberry is not just meant to PING, but to study. Apply it to use.

How to Make Wise Career Choices

Life is full of choices. Some require little thought or reflection—like the choice of what to eat for dinner— while others demand rigorous deliberation. When it comes to your career, you’ve likely already made several difficult choices in the past and will undoubtedly face many more.
There is a natural give and take in every decision. Usually, whenever something is gained, something else is lost. In order to make wise choices, you must weigh the risks against the potential rewards. You must make predictions and assumptions and, at times, great leaps of faith. Choices are rarely ever black and white, all good or all bad, clearly right or clearly wrong. They are complicated and multi-dimensional; prisms through which no two people will see the same world.
As with most things in life, putting in the effort on the front end is the best way to reduce the potential for disappointing results on the back end. There is no guarantee, of course. Even the most thoughtful decisions have been known to backfire. A choice is, most often, nothing more than a best guess—a hopeful step in a new direction.
So, when facing a career choice, whether big or small, how can you make sure you’re approaching the situation with the appropriate level of consideration? How can you ensure your “guess” is truly the best you can do? Below, I’ve outlined a few points to remember in your decision-making process.
Choices reflect values.
Your life is the result of your choices. Every choice shapes your reality and is a reflection of who you are, what you value and what you want. Making choices that conflict with your underlying values will inevitably lead to restlessness and dissatisfaction. If you aren’t happy with the choices you’ve made in the past, evaluate your values and what motivated your decision. More than likely, there was a disconnect.
Emotions influence choices.
Recognize the role that emotions play in your decision-making process. Though it’s unrealistic—and unhealthy—to suppress emotions completely, it’s helpful to understand how they influence your behaviors. Look for the messages beneath the emotions; let your heart and your head work together to find the best solutions.
Don’t rush yourself.
Anxiety and urgency almost always have a negative impact on decision-making. Don’t let a ticking clock push you into a choice you haven’t properly evaluated. Sure, you likely don’t have an infinite amount of time with which to work, but avoid placing unnecessary deadlines on yourself. Be thorough and balance your desire for a quick resolution with your need for a well thought-out decision-making process.

NOT making a choice is still a choice.
You can’t simply ignore a decision that has to be made and expect it to go away. Choosing not to choose is an abdication of power but it’s still a choice in its own special way. It’s the choice to observe rather than participate, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. There are times when you’re better off simply letting a situation run its course without attempting to steer it in any direction. Sit back, allow events to unfold, and let the path form naturally.
Refuse “either/or” dilemmas.
There are always more options. When you trap yourself in limited thinking, you fail to see the real opportunities. Don’t place artificial restrictions on yourself or the possibilities the world has to offer.  When you face an “either/or” dilemma, look for the grey space in between. This isn’t an empty void; it’s a deep and endless well of potential.
Build trust.
Trust in yourself, trust in others, trust in the Universe. Have a little faith that everything will work out well, whether or not the future looks exactly the way you had imagined it. Remember that change is constant and you have the resources to manage whatever comes along. Your choices have consequences that shape your reality; you always have the opportunity to make different choices in the future and create a new reality for yourself.
Remember that a well thought-out choice is never wrong, no matter what happens. It might be tempting to blame yourself when things don’t turn out the way you had anticipated, but this accomplishes nothing. Don’t dwell in regret. Simply accept the lesson and move on. Take what you’ve learned with you and use it the next time you face a difficult choice in your career or elsewhere in life.