Education

Improve Your Memory Quickly With These Nine Tips

Source: Internet

Though you may not notice it until you reach your mind-60s, your memory starts a gradual decline around the ripe old age of 25, according to University of Michigan psychologist Denise Park.

Younger adults in their 20s and 30s notice no losses at all, even though they are declining at the same rate as people in their 60s and 70s, because they have more capital than they need," says Park in Scientific American. You don't have to worry. Most of this mental decline is quite harmless, though it may lead you to have trouble recalling certain facts or make multitasking more difficult. The good news is that, like your muscles, your brain can be built up and strengthened at any age, and here are the top tips to do so.

1. Exercise Regular exercise is not only good for your body, it's good for your mind. Specifically, exercise increases blood flow to your brain and has been found to delay or prevent age-related mental decline, and may even provide memory improvement, according to the Mayo Clinic.

2. Meditate Studies show that meditation can sharpen your brain. For instance, a study by University of Kentucky researchers found that people who took a test after meditating had significantly better scores than people who had napped instead. Researchers at Harvard, Yale and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have also found that meditation increases brain size and may help slow some aspects of cognitive aging.

3. Get a Good Night's Sleep Getting enough high-quality sleep can improve your memory, according to research. Further, when you learn a new skill, the memories are vulnerable until they are "solidified" in your brain. It appears that sleeping plays a key role in this process, which may explain why infants, who are constantly learning new skills, require so much more sleep than adults.

4. Concentrate The more you try to multi-task, the less you will end up actually remembering. This is because your brain is constantly switching back and forth between tasks, rather than really honing in on one. So if you're in the middle of a task that's full of important details you need to remember, turn off the TV, the radio and any other interruptions so you can really focus.

5. Make Sure You are Getting Enough Iron Iron is used by your brain to help your memory function properly, and studies have found that women with low iron levels score lower on memory tests than women with normal amounts. You should have your blood levels of iron tested before taking a supplement, however, as it's also possible to have too much iron.

6. Eat Apples "Apples have just the right dose of antioxidants to raise levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that's essential to memory and tends to decline with age," says Tom Shea, PhD, director of the University of Massachusetts Lowell Center for Cellular Neurobiology and Neuro-degeneration Research, in Prevention. Of course, fruits and veggies of all kinds contain antioxidants that are good for your body and your brain, so indulge in them freely.

7. Use Your Brain A study in The New England Journal of Medicine found that seniors who participated in mentally challenging activities about once a week for a 20-year period reduced the risk of dementia by 7 percent. Those who engaged in these activities more often reduced their risk even more - by 63 percent! To keep your mind on its toes, try out a new hobby that will get you thinking, such as: Learning how to play a musical instrument, Playing Sudoku, crossword puzzles, cards or board games, Learning a foreign language, Reading, Creative writing, Woodworking.

8. Don't Worry About It A study published in Psychology and Aging found that when seniors were told that aging causes forgetfulness, they did poorly on memory tests. On the other hand, seniors who were told that their memory wasn't influenced by their age scored 15 percent higher. The bottom line? If you believe that your memory is in good shape, it will be.

9. Have a Cocktail (in Moderation) A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that one-half to one drink a day may be beneficial for your brain. In fact, in the study of over 12,000 elderly women, those who drank light to moderate amounts of alcohol daily had a 20 percent lower risk of having problems with their mental abilities later in life than women who did not drink at all. Too much drinking, of course, will be counterproductive so be sure not to overindulge.

10 Ways to Make Your Job More Enjoyable

About 50 percent of Americans are not satisfied with their jobs, according to a 2005 report by The Conference Board, with about one-quarter of the U.S. workforce being so dissatisfied that they're "simply showing up to collect a paycheck. Traditionally, we've accepted the notion that no matter how much we love that new job, eventually we'll lose our motivation and start feeling frustrated, discontented and angry," says Judi Neal, associate professor of management at the University of New Haven. But for your health and sanity's sake, it shouldn't be that way.

"It's important to the human soul and our overall health and well-being that we love our work and find renewal and growth in what we do for a living," says Neal. Fortunately, no matter what your job, or your satisfaction level with said job, there are a number of ways to turn your daily grind from dull and predictable to invigorating and enjoyable.

1. Get a thorough job description."If you don't have a job description, ask for one, and make sure you and your employer understand and agree. Do everything you can to learn about your company's history, mission, and unique culture. Understand company policies, principles of conduct, dress code, and general business etiquette," says Melinda Howard Erickson, author of "How to Work Smart! And Enjoy Your Job." Why is this so important? Because if you're not sure what your job entails, you'll have a hard time doing it well.

Knowing what you're supposed to be doing means you can do your job to the best of your ability, something that will give you self-satisfaction and a better shot at promotions.

2. Identify your company's values.Once you get a hold of the "big picture" goal your company stands for, you may feel more motivated to take part in it and help to achieve the common mission (assuming it's not something that contradicts with your own values).

3. Appreciate what the company has to offer.You may not be getting a big pension or health care allowance, but it helps to look at what your company does give you. Does their name help you to get clients? Do their resources help you to work on projects that would otherwise be out of reach? These are all things to take into consideration.

4. Stay open-minded and flexible.It's easy to get caught up in a rut at work, where you do the same things day-in and day-out, and feel uncomfortable at the thought of making changes.

Making an effort to be flexible means that you'll have an easier time adapting to your company's (inevitably) changing structures and your open-mindedness will make others want to work with you. "Be open to the improvements in your work environment," says Erickson. "They'll likely make your job more pleasant and you don't want to be left behind!"

5. Work hard and find your niche.Getting recognition at work is essential to enjoying your job, and this is gained by making yourself stand out from the crowd. Putting in some effort, and developing a special set of skills that sets you apart, will ensure that you feel appreciated and valued.

6. Work with your co-workers. Feeling that you have a team to work with can help your self-esteem and morale, give you a sense of camaraderie, and it can also help to reach your company's goal.

7. Keep yourself "marketable."Feeling insecure in a particular job can lead to high levels of tension and stress, but if you remain marketable much of this will be relieved (and you'll feel more at ease, and probably be more productive, with your current position). Keep your contacts strong, never burn bridges, and consider going on a few job interviews each year, just to stay in practice and know what else is out there.

8. Talk to your manager about concerns or ideas.If you have a great idea for the company, share it with a manager.

This will boost your sense of autonomy and show that you're enthusiastic about the company. Meanwhile, if something is upsetting you at work, let your manager know. If you don't say anything, you'll likely feel worse and worse about it, while discussing it may resolve the problem entirely.

9. Identify the difference you're making.Every job makes a difference in the world, and identifying the significance in your job can be highly motivating. Do you help kids to learn? Develop new products? Promote a worthy organization? Figure out what you're doing to make a difference and keep that in perspective as you work.

10. Realize that you can influence your job.Your job will only control you to the point that you let it. If you are motivated and willing to put in the effort, you can very much define the job you're in, how it makes you (and those around you) feel, and where your career path takes you.

But you must be bold, positive and eager to take on the challenge of doing your job with compassion and a good attitude.

Here's What it Takes to be a Successful Entrepreneur

Amidst the current economic climate, job security, or more aptly lack thereof, is at the top of many people's minds. Workers are hunkering down, just trying to avoid the next round of layoffs, while others have already had their jobs slashed of perks and other benefits. But there is another way, and for many it turns out to be more steady, more secure and wildly more rewarding than working for some else, and that is starting a business of their own.

Ironically, while many people are hesitant to start their own business now because of the shaky economy, Americans see entrepreneurs as the answer to the financial crisis, according to a survey by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

Americans in big numbers are looking to entrepreneurs to rally the economy. More than 70 percent of voters say the health of the economy depends on the success of entrepreneurs, and a full 80 percent want to see the government use its resources to actively encourage entrepreneurship in America. In Japan Small and medium enterprises contribute 93.3% to the country's GDP it was reported recently.

Unfortunately, while 49 percent of those surveyed said they saw opportunities for entrepreneurial ideas in the current economy, only 26 percent said they would actually consider starting a business within the next five years.

If you're thinking of becoming one of them, what do you need to know to succeed? The 10 Top Tips Every Entrepreneur Needs to Succeed

1. Have a plan. You may think creating a business plan is a waste of time, but this is a big mistake. A business plan maps out, on paper, your goals and how you expect to reach them. It also forces you to think about everything the business will entail and devise solutions ahead of time.. Plus, down the road if things feel overwhelming, you can revert back to your business plan to help guide you.

2. Don't quit your day job.One of the most common reasons why new businesses fail is because they run out of money. Keeping your day job means you can start up the business in your free time, and still have a salary to fall back on. On the other hand, if you've already lost your job, you can consider getting a bank loan or private investors to help finance your new business.

3. Get the right attitude.Running your own business means you'll be the one doing the marketing, the producing, the accounting and everything in between, at least for a little while. This means you need to be able to keep your enthusiasm up even when the initial excitement wears off. Personality wise, successful entrepreneurs typically have the following traits: Lots of energy, High self-esteem, Problem solver, Able to set long-term goals, Accepts personal responsibility, Has initiative, Not afraid of failure

4. Know when to seek help.You may be great at marketing and sales, but lack a creative streak. Or you may be an expert net-worker, but clueless when it comes to accounting. Successful entrepreneurs know their skills and their limits, and will hire someone (even a high-school student to work a few hours a week) to help fill in the gaps.

5. Have a way to manage stress.Starting a new business is exciting - but it's also stressful. As you focus on your business, make sure to take time out to eat well, sleep, exercise AND tend to your emotional health. Keep stress and anxiety from becoming overwhelming. The program will actually help you to embark on a practice for transforming your stress into life-enhancing experiences - which is an essential skill for every entrepreneur.

6. Be willing to take risks.Well-calculated risks are essential for every new business owner, and you must be willing to take them in order to succeed.

7. Expect to work. It's common for business owners to work long hours - much longer than when they were employed. The upside is that all of your hard work is for your own business, not someone else's. However, be prepared to burn the midnight oil if you want your business to get off the ground (especially if you're still working full-time in the meantime).

8. Get a support group.A trusted group of mentors who have succeeded at their own start-ups will be invaluable for you as a new business owner. Go to them whenever you have a question, or when you're second-guessing yourself. At the same time, be sure to avoid spending time with people who project negativity on to your ideas.

9. Don't give up.You can expect to make mistakes and hit a few setbacks along the way, but keep your chin up. The difference between a successful entrepreneur and a failed one is often a matter of simple perseverance.

10. Go for it.The only way to become a successful entrepreneur is to get out there and do it. So stop trying to talk yourself out of it (or letting some else talk you out of it) and start following your instincts and letting your confidence shine through.

If you're looking for a little inspiration, be sure to read the remarkable story of Cliff Young, a former farmer who is still being talked about for something he did more than two decades ago.

How to Use Technology to Save Time

Use technological advances to communicate faster, reduce paperwork and improve efficiency.

Step 1 Assess your computing needs and get a personal computer that meets your needs. You might need software for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, desktop publishing, personal information management, accounting and virus protection.

Step 2 Organize a filing system on your computer, with descriptive document and folder titles. Review stored documents periodically and remove the ones you no longer need.

Step 3 Keep your e-mail messages short and direct. Send documents as attachments.

Step 4 Limit your e-mail volume by screening messages by subject header, giving out your address only when necessary and stopping spam (unsolicited junk mail). To do this, type "remove" as the subject header and send an e-mail to the "auto responder" address at the bottom of the spam you receive.

Step 5 Make the most of your telephone. Consider Caller ID (which displays the sources of incoming calls) to screen your calls, and a headset if you need to use your computer while you talk. Ask your phone company about services that route calls to your voice mailbox or another phone, such as your secretary's.

Step 6 Consider a cable modem, ISDN line or DSL connection for your phone, fax and computer. These connections are faster than modems.

Step 7 Designate one or two times in the day for returning e-mail and calls. Cut down on phone tag by leaving messages that include the best times to reach you.

ICBT campus opens in Nugegoda

ICBT campus the leader in private sector education in Sri Lanka opens its latest and modern branch Campus in Nugegoda.

Nugegoda is considered to be one of the leading education hub cities in Sri Lanka with over 30000 students attending classes on weekends. Establishment of ICBT Campus in Nugegoda will be a unique opportunity for students to study for internationally recognized programs

ICBT campus Nugegoda will be offering a range of Diploma to Degree level programs in IT, Business management, Construction, Quantity Surveying Engineering and English Language programs in Nugegoda in association with some leading Universities and Education service providers in UK and India.

As the leader in private sector education ICBT will be offering modern facilities at the Nugegoda branch which will include modern class room with A/C, labs with latest computers, Audio visual equipment and library facilities.

Students who enroll for programs offered at Nugegoda on or before the 15th of March will receive free P4 Computers, pen-drives, t- shorts, caps and other special gifts.

ICBT campus Nugegoda is located at 132B High Level Road Nugegoda (opposite St. Josephs girls school between Mc Donald's and KFC) Telephone 4 334636