Some Times Who You Are Authentically Dictates Your Best Path - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Some Times Who You Are Authentically Dictates Your Best Path - Introvert Whisperer Some Times Who You Are Authentically Dictates Your Best Path Have you ever noticed that there is never just one way to solve a problem to get to a goal?  Granted, I think there are oftentimes solutions that are considered “standard” but we all know that when you give it more thought, there are alternatives.  It’s easy to fall into the trap of taking a path that most people go simply to save a few brain cells coming up with something different.   The problem with taking the road most other people take is that it may not be the best road for you.   As an introvert, I’ve had to devise alternative strategies to many situations to ensure the kind of outcome I wanted in order to avoid a world of discomfort.  I call them “alternative” because with such things like networking, I had to do it in a way that worked with my personality â€" or said another way â€" “how I function”.  The alternative is due to the fact that the standard approach to things like networking didn’t work for me so a different route was taken.   Your career and each day at work is a series of challenges met by solutions.  When you’re stumped, a good thing to do is to see how other people solve those same issues.  I’d say that’s a pretty good approach. However, you’ll also notice that sometimes a solution for one person is not a solution for you or you try their solution and discover it didn’t work.   When you have poor results or even failure trying something that worked so well for someone else, it hurts your self-esteem.  It can leave you feeling like there is something wrong with you. I get it; I’ve had those reactions. I have found, however, that your career (and your life) is not a “one-size-fits-all” and what works for someone else may not work for you or me.  There is no need to let your self-esteem get damaged.   Find another way.   If you have a challenge in your career you need to know there is a solution.  In fact, there’s more than one solution or path to a satisfying conclusion. Your job is to forge a path that works well for you. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

3 Eco-Friendly Winter Crafts for Kids

3 Eco-Friendly Winter Crafts for Kids Keeping kids engaged in brain-stimulating activities during winter break can help them stay sharp for their return to school and also hold boredom at bay. One great way to keep kids busy is through crafting. Eco-friendly winter crafts for kids can teach them to be mindful of the environment and find unique ways to incorporate natural elementssuch as birdseed, vines, and branchesinto their crafts. Crafting is an excellent way to keep your student actively learning during winter break. Keep reading to learn three eco-friendly winter crafts for kids. Eco-friendly winter craft #1: birdseed ornaments During the winter months, songbirds can sometimes have a hard time finding food. You can make it easier for them, and enjoy their beauty in your backyard, by making festive birdseed ornaments. Heres what you need: 1/2 cup of water 3/4 cup of flour (any type) Three tablespoons of corn syrup (regular or light will both work) Two and a half teaspoons of unflavored gelatin Four cups of birdseed Large mixing bowl Nonstick cooking spray Eight to 12 large cookie cutters, about one inch thick Wax paper or parchment paper Nonstick saucepan Skewer Natural jute twine, cut into five- to eight-inch strips Wire cooling rack Wooden spoon or rubber scraper First, spray the cookie cutters and wax or parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange the cookie cutters on wax or parchment paper, and heat the water and corn syrup in the nonstick saucepan. When the mixture comes to a boil, turn the heat on low and add the gelatin. Stir continuously until the gelatin powder is dissolved. Next, add the syrup and flour to the mixing bowl, stirring until well blended. Add the birdseed and mix thoroughly until its thick and stiff. Spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray, and fill each cookie cutter to the top with the birdseed mixture. Make sure the mixture is compact so that the ornaments hold their shape. Cover the mixing bowl with the plate in between filling the ornaments so the mixture doesnt dry out. If you have extra birdseed mixture left over, roll it into seed balls or small firm cakesthis way, nothing is wasted. You can put these on the ground for ground-feeding birds. Use your skewer to poke a hole in each ornament, wiggling the skewer to make sure each hole is large enough for the twine. Gently move cookie cutters to the drying rack and allow them to dry overnight or for a full day. Remove the ornaments from the cookie cutters and add twine loops. Hang the ornaments on trees out in your yard and watch the birds congregate. [RELATED: 3 Winter Art Crafts for Kids] Eco-friendly winter craft #2: nature wreath For many families, the winter holidays arent complete without a front door wreath. This craft begins with a walk in nature. Along the way, ask your kids to gather vines, branches, leaves, and other treasures. Youll need the following items: A round wire basket Three spring clamps Natural jute twine To start, clamp the first pieces of vine and branches onto the side of the wire basket using a spring clamp. Bend the side branches, shaping them along the inside of the basketthis will hold the wreaths form. Next, bend the pieces of vine around the basket, clamping when necessary. When the wreath reaches two-to-three inches in thickness, tie the natural items with the twine on six to eight spots around the circle. Only make a knot around the vines, not the basket. Take the vine wreath out of the basket, wrapping a few sections of vine around the wreath and tucking the beginning and ends between the vines, branches, and other items. Once this is done, set it aside and wait a few days before cutting off the twine. During this time, the wreath should have no problem holding its shape. Once the allotted time has passed, help your kids hang the wreath on your door. [RELATED: 10 Gift Ideas to Excite the Student in Your Life This Holiday Season] Eco-friendly winter craft #3: natural bubble bath bomb This fun craft teaches your child valuable STEAM skills. Incorporating natural elements, an eco-friendly bath bomb can double as a homemade gift for your child to give family members. Heres what you need to make them: 1/2 cup of baking soda 1/4 cup of citric acid 1/4 cup of cornstarch One to three teaspoons of bubble bath A muffin tin or small cake mold Begin by adding baking soda, citric acid, and cornstarch to a bowl, mixing well to combine all of the ingredients. Add one teaspoon of bubble bath to the dry ingredients while stirring to make sure all ingredients mix well. Test the firmness of the bubble bath bomb by taking some in the palm of your hand and squeezing itif the bomb falls apart, add a bit more liquid bubble bath. When the mixture begins to clump, you know youve added enough liquid. Next, fill the muffin tin or molds with the bubble bath bomb mixture, pressing it along the sides of whichever container you choose. Remove the bombs from the tin or molds and place them on a piece of parchment paper to dry overnight. [RELATED: 3 STEAM Activities to Try in the New Year] Eco-friendly crafts like the ones above can help your student simultaneously avoid boredom and keep learning over winter break. Discuss with them any ideas they may have for crafts, and incorporate those into your holiday break plans as well. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

6 Perfect Graduation Songs to Sing Along With

6 Perfect Graduation Songs to Sing Along With Suzy S. Gearing up for graduation? Congratulations! Whether youre putting on a performance or simply need to load up your party playlist, here are some of the top graduation songs, rounded up by Hayward, CA voice teacher  Molly R... Editors Note: Updated post for 2016 even MORE recommendations for graduation songs to sing! It’s May, and before you know it we’re getting into another very busy time of year! One of the things we have to look forward to is graduations galore (how did it get to be the end of the school year already?) . If you’re a singer, perhaps you’ve been asked by a friend or family member to sing at a ceremony or party. There are lots of wonderful songs you can sing that are sure to please the hard part is narrowing it down! Here are six suggestions for this years top graduation songs. “Reach”  Gloria Estefan This pop tune recorded by Gloria Estefan was composed for the 1996 Summer Olympics. Its simple yet positive message to keep reaching high is perfect for sending young people out into the great big world! “Climb Every Mountain” Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Sound of Music” This musical theatre classic is a marvelous choice for a classically trained voice, especially a big voiced mezzo-soprano or soprano. Its inspiring lyrics and soaring melody are best when sung with lots of conviction (and solid vocal technique!). Not recommended for pop voices. “Unwritten”  Natasha Bedingfield This is another inspiring pop song perfect for the new graduate! Your entire life is now a blank page, so go ahead and write your story! This particular song is great for big voices that aren’t afraid to play with melismas, also known as vocal runs. “The Climb” Miley Cyrus This is yet another pop song with lyrics that encourage us to focus on our goals in order to achieve our dreams, even in tough times. Talk about the perfect message for the big day! This song would also work well for middle school ceremonies and young singers. “I Believe I Can Fly” R. Kelly This 90s RB song from “Space Jam” is great for a variety of singers bonus if you have a choir or vocal ensemble to sing with you! It’s uplifting and big; there’s no better way to end the year and begin the next chapter! This song would work very well for all levels and ages. “Fly” Avril Lavigne This is the newest of the six songs, penned in honor of the 2015 Special Olympics. Like the other songs listed, it has a very inspiring message, but is also fairly easy to sing! Those newer to pop solos will be able to do a fine job with this one. Naturally, your voice teacher is likely to have additional suggestions, so its a good idea to sift through these top graduation songs together. He or she really knows your voice and is a great resource for graduation day repertoire! TakeLessons is the ideal place to find a voice teacher if you do not already have one. Be sure you do a good warm-up before the big performance and break a leg! Need more song ideas?  Check out our list here! Molly R. teaches online and in-person singing lessons in Hayward, CA. Her specialties include teaching beginner vocalists, shy singers, children, teens, lapsed singers, and older beginners. She joined TakeLessons in November 2013.  Learn more about Molly  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Tom Kelly

Online Vertex Formula Tutors

Online Vertex Formula Tutors A parabola depending upon the given equation opens either upward or downward. The vertex of a parabola is the point where the graph takes a turn and changes its direction. If a parabola opens upward, then the vertex of the parabola is the lowest point or the minimum point on the graph. If the parabola opens downward, then the vertex is the highest point or the maximum point on the graph. We can use the vertex formula in order to find the coordinates of the vertex of the parabola. Example 1: What is the vertex of the parabola of the equation y= 2x2 4x+ 5? The x coordinate of the vertex of a parabola is x = -b/2a for an equation of the form y= ax2+ bx+ c In the given question, a= 2, b= -4 and c= 5. Hence the vertex, x= - (-4)/ (2* 2) = 4/4= 1 Now substitute x= 1 in the given equation to get y. This gives: y= (2* 12) (4* 1) + 5= 2- 4+ 5= 3. Therefore the vertex of the parabola is= (1, 3). Example 2: What is the vertex of the parabola of the equation y= x2 + 6x + 8? The x coordinate of the vertex of a parabola is x = -b/2a for an equation of the form y= ax2+ bx+ c In the given question, a= 1, b= 6 and c= 8. Hence the vertex, x= - (6)/ (2* 1) = -6/2= -3. Now substitute x= -3 in the given equation to get y. This gives: y= (-32) + (6* -3) + 8= 9- 18 + 8= -1. Therefore the vertex of the parabola is= (-3, -1).

How to Tune Your Guitar

How to Tune Your Guitar The Guide to Tuning Your Guitar Online ChaptersWhy Choose an Online Tuner?What Type of Guitar Tuner Should You Buy?Which Is the Best Online Tuner?Online Diatonic Tuners“I can’t explain but I’ll find a song that can.”The internet is becoming increasingly popular in terms of music. Digital sales are increasingly dramatically. Downloads and paid streaming have replaced the good old vinyl our parents listened to.When it comes to learning how to play guitar, you need to also learn how to tune a guitar so that it’s neither sharp nor flat and it sounds nice. Even the best guitar player will sound terrible if it's not tuned.In this article, we’ve got some online tuners you can use for free.

ADHD and Organization in the Classroom

ADHD and Organization in the Classroom When Im planning a classroom visit parents will often tell me that Ill have no problem figuring out which desk belongs to their child its the one overflowing with papers, books, pencils, and countless random items. Problems with organization can seem like they arent as impairing as other ADHD-related difficulties, like impulsivity or difficulty staying focused, but in fact, studies show that the kids with ADHD who struggle the most academically are those who have the greatest difficulty with organization. When children are disorganized, its harder for them to find their materials and get started right away, they have a harder time blocking out the visual clutter so they can stay on task, and their self-esteem can suffer if they are frequently criticized for their messy work area by parents and teachers and are teased by peers who label them as the messy student in the classroom. While it may appear that a disorganized child with ADHD is careless or sloppy, often these students care very much about their materials and wish they could have a neat desk like their classmates. The problem is that the executive functioning skills required for organization are underdeveloped, making it almost impossible for them to maintain an organized desk and work area on their own. For kids with ADHD, getting organized and staying organized requires structure and support from their teacher and repeated practice of organizational skills and strategies. Here is a simple 5 step process that will help the student get the support that they need: Do an initial desk clean out with the child. At a time when there are no other students in the classroom, do a complete desk clean out with the student. Everything should come out of the desk, and only the absolute minimum number of items should go back in. Fewer materials in the desk means there will be less to keep track of an organize on a day-to-day basis. Create an itemized checklist and tape it to the top of the desk. Make a checklist that includes every item the student needs to keep in the desk. The rule should be that if an item is not on the checklist, then it does not belong in the desk. If the student wants to put something in the desk that is not on the list, then he or she needs to ask permission and either update the list (if its a permanent addition) or take the item back home with at the end of the day so it doesnt create clutter. Schedule a daily desk check-in. At the end of each day, review the desk checklist with the student. Make sure only checklist items are in the desk and clear out any clutter that may have accumulated throughout the day. Over time you can have the student go through the checklist alone and call you over when he or she is ready for you to review his or her progress. Alternatively, if there is a kind, organized student in the classroom, you can have that student be a peer helper who is responsible for helping the student go through the checklist and clear out the clutter. Provide praise and rewards. Remember that keeping a desk organized is an extremely challenging task for many students with ADHD. Provide a lot of praise when you complete the daily check-ins, and when the desk is looking particularly neat, snap a picture to share with the students parents so the student can receive praise at home as well. Some kids may need to receive rewards as well to stay motivated. You can provide rewards either by adding a daily desk organization goal to his or her daily report card, or by providing small stickers or incentives at the end of each day. Review and update the desk checklist with the student monthly. As the curriculum changes throughout the year the student may need to add or remove items from the desk checklist. Review the checklist with the student and ask if there are items on the list that he or she is no longer using, or if there are things he or she needs regularly that arent in the desk or on the list. Actively engaging the student in this process will help him or her feel a sense of ownership over his or her organization and will help him or her develop valuable skills that he or she will be able to use independently in the future. While its unlikely that a child with ADHD will go from being highly disorganized to the neatest student in the classroom overnight, with a few supportive strategies and daily practice the student can keep his or her materials reasonably organized and will no longer stand out as having a desk thats the messiest one in the room. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

Earworms - Songs that Get Stuck in Your Head

Earworms - Songs that Get Stuck in Your Head Have you ever had a song get stuck in your head, and play over and over? We call those earworms, and they are an actual scientific phenomenon that have been studied. Want to learn more about them and improve your English listening skills? Watch the video below, and try the exercises.Answer the questions in comments, and we will reply.1. What are some characteristics of an earworm?2. How many people have reported experiencing  an earworm?3. What are earworms, from a psychological perspective?4. What tends to make a song become an earworm?5. How do we know earworms are not just a modern phenomenon?6. What is different about music that causes it to get stuck in your head?7. Have you experienced an earworm?

4 Resume Writing Tips for Your Internship Hunt

4 Resume Writing Tips for Your Internship Hunt (Image via Pixabay.com) 1. Choose an appropriate format. When employers are viewing your resume, they want to see something that is well structured and well organized. Many employers, in fact, only spend a few seconds scanning everything on that piece of paper before deciding whether or not the candidate is worth their time. You don’t want poor formatting or organization to be the reason your resume doesn’t move on to the next round. With that being said, you will certainly be doing potential employers a favor by formatting your resume properly. Organize subheadings in an appropriate and logical manner. Of course, not every resume is organized in exactly the same way, so you have a bit of freedom here. You’ll just want to make sure that you arrange your subheadings (e.g. “education,” “work experience,” etc.) in a way that makes sense, according to what you’ve listed. You may also want to draw attention to the subheadings by putting them in bold so that it’s easy for employers to notice. Under each subheading, you can then list out in bullets the different points you wish to make. 2. Make the most of your limited space. As mentioned above, employers usually don’t spend a lot of time scrutinizing resumes, so it’s best to keep yours as succinct as possible. That means including things that are relevant to the internships for which you’re applying. For example, if you’re hunting for a business internship, you probably don’t need to include the fact that you won your middle school spelling bee. Make a list of all your important accomplishments, volunteer and work experience, and whatever else seems relevant. From that list, choose what is most applicable to the industry you’re looking into and arrange those items under the appropriate headings. According to acme.org, which offers some pretty helpful advice on how to craft an effective resume, identifying accomplishments and not just job descriptions is also important. Specifically, if you list past jobs as part of your work experience, you want to focus more on explaining what you did and what you learned, rather than on simply providing a description of your job position. The best way to do this is to first provide a brief job description, then list out your accomplishments and what you did or learned while on the job. Doing so will show potential employers that you got something out of your work experience, and that you have gained valuable transferable skills that will be useful in your future endeavors. 3. Gear the style of your resume writing towards the specific industry. To make the content of your writing more effective, you want to make it as applicable as possible to the industry you’re delving into. Thebalance.com suggests that writing a custom resume is well worth the effort, especially if you happen to be applying for a position that suits your qualifications and experience. By including more information in your resume that is relevant to the particular job you’re applying for, you can show employers that you’re dedicated and willing to put in a great deal of effort to land an interview. Certainly, writing a custom resume for a specific internship position will leave a much greater impression than submitting a generic resume. (Image via pixabay.com) 4. Proofread. While this is one of the last steps you take, you certainly don’t want to overlook it. Make sure to proofread your resume for any simple grammatical or spelling mistakes. Read it aloud to yourself, have others proofread it for you… Do whatever you can to ensure it’s in perfect condition, so that you can be confident about finally sending it out after all the hard work you’ve done.