8 tips to help you learn more efficiently

8 tips to help you learn more efficiently

In a rapidly changing business world where trends and technology are in constant evolution, staying abreast of evolving professional knowledge is essential if you are to build a successful, ongoing career. But finding time to study can be hard, and your methods may not be as effective as they once were. To help you learn more efficiently – and make climbing the career ladder easier – follow these eight expert tips:

1. Study less, but do it more often

It’s the night before your professional training exam. You fire up the coffee pot and prepare to study from dusk to dawn. But the next morning your mind is blank – despite a pounding heart high on caffeine. Experienced this? Lesson one is simple: don’t try and learn everything in extended last-minute sessions. Your brain prefers regular repetition. Studying for one hour a day for ten days is better than ten hours the night before the test.

2. Learn actively

Studying is much more effective when you force yourself to learn actively. Join a group where each member must share a topic. Also, be active in discussions and ask questions of your lecturers. The questioning process will help you retain information better.

3. Relate learning to your life

When reading, try to turn theory into your daily practice. If your study topic is leadership, consider how different management approaches would work in your particular work environment.

4. Read it, write it

Make sure that you take notes. This is essential for memory retention. Write down chapter headings and briefly summarise the key points as they appear. Jot down any questions that arise, or disagreements you have with the author. This is another way to make your learning active.

5. Be realistic

Before embarking on new learning, set a realistic target, then create a manageable study plan. For example, set aside two hours twice a week to learn a 20-hour unit. Give yourself six weeks to complete this. Factor in some extra time to help you cope with busy work periods or potential delays.

6. Use technology

Devices like an IPAD, Galaxy Tab, in fact any of today's smart phone devices can help you learn on the road. This is especially handy if you have to commute from home to work, or travel between jobs. You can upload digital learning files onto handheld MP3 players and listen to them when convenient. Remember to take notes.

7. Check with an expert

You studied long and hard for weeks before an important exam. You’ve never studied so comprehensively and you are sure you will have performed well. But then your results arrive and you are disappointed. It appears that your understanding of the course was off track… It happens. To make sure that you are grasping concepts correctly, check with an expert before your test.

8. Study yourself

Learning sometimes feels like a burden. But without it you may find yourself under equipped to shine in your office. All of the above tips can help you learn more effectively. However, it’s also important to consider what works best for you.

take some time out

Salam

I got this in my inbox this morning and thought may be in our Monday, we need some reminder on what we are actually going to do for the work week.

Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80s arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry, as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him.

I saw him looking at his watch, and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On examination, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.

I inquired as to her health; he told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are'?

He smiled as he patted my hand and said, ''She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.'
I had to hold back tears as he left. I had goose bumps on my arms and thought, 'That is the kind of love I want in my life'.

True love is neither physical nor romantic.
True love is acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

With all the jokes and fun that are in e-mails, sometimes there is one that comes along that has an important message.

This one I thought I could share with you.

The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have. I hope you share this with someone you care about. I just did.

'Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!

See all the ways you can stay connected to friends and family.

AN OPPORTUNITY NOT TO BE MISSED

You have been given an opportunity of a lifetime. A business operates twenty four hours a day. The owner wishes to take a holiday and has requested you to run the business for one month. The arrangement is that for every second that you will personally man the business, you will get paid Ringgit Malaysia Two Hundred. If you have to leave the business for any necessity, the person who relieves you will get the money for the duration of time that you are out! You have obviously grabbed the opportunity with open arms.

OVER TIME

First, let the above scenario settle in the mind. Now imagine that the month of running the business has just commenced. A close friend phones to invite you to a lavish function. “You must come,” he urges. Your almost spontaneous reply would perhaps be: “I am sorry but I am very busy and will not be able to attend.”
The first weekend comes. Your children want to “go out for a drive.” “Not today. I am very busy,” says their father. The children’s mother also wholeheartedly agrees. After all she is also dreaming every night about what she will do with the Ringgit Malaysia Two Hundred per second that her husband is earning. Hence she does not ask to be taken anywhere. How can she even think of it? Ringgit Malaysia Two Hundred per second — and just for one month only! And you … well obviously you are working beyond the limits of overtime. No time to eat in peace. Only the minimal amount of sleep. No shopping. No “drives.” No time to sit around with friends over coffee. And entertainment? Whatever is that? The very word sounds unfamiliar. All this due to the once in a lifetime opportunity of earning Ringgit Malaysia Two Hundred per second for one month.

ANSWER ON DAY OF JUDGMENT

Yet, if the person who slogged for the entire month to earn Ringgit Malaysia Two Hundred per second … passes away on the thirtieth day, the wealth he earned will be of no use to him. He cannot take it along to his grave. If he does live to use it, the tax-man will be there to first take his share. He will have to worry about how to protect his wealth. Besides this, he will have to answer on the Day of Judgment about how he earned it and where he spent it. Generally, despite the abovementioned problems we will grab the opportunity of running the business for one month.

PETTY CASH

Allah Ta’ala is also granting us a lifetime’s opportunity. The month of Ramadhan with its unlimited blessings is here. One month in earnings at the rate of Ringgit Malaysia Two Hundred per second cannot even be called petty cash in comparison to the rewards that Allah Ta’ala grants and the blessings and mercy that He showers in the month of Ramadhan. Every Ramadhan must be treated as a once in a lifetime opportunity since we have no idea whether we will live till the next Ramadhan.
What are the rewards of good deeds in the month of Ramadhan? The reward of every Fardu (compulsory) act is multiplied seventy times while every Sunat (optional) act earns the reward of one Fardu out of Ramadhan. It is important to understand the latter aspect in its proper perspective. Tahajjud Salat (in the last third of the night) is an extremely great ibadah. Great virtues have been narrated for this Salat. However, a lifetime of Tahajjud cannot equal one Fardu of Salat Fajr! Yet in the month of Ramadhan Allah Ta’ala grants us the reward of a Fardu action for every Sunat performed.

ENTERTAINMENT?

Thus, can we afford to waste this time? Can we still have time for “drives?” Is it possible for a person who values Ramadhan in a similar manner that he values Ringgit Malaysia Two Hundred a second, to spend hours “eating out” at after taraweh feasts, or have time for other idle pursuits? Can we afford to spend valuable time glued to the airwaves listening to the “opinions” and “views” of all and sundry in Din matters whereas that time could have been used to at least recite Al Fatihah? And entertainment? Have we heard that word before??? Thus the last thing that any Muslim who values Ramadhan will bother about is who somewhere in the world is whacking a little red ball all over a field or who is kicking a ball between two posts!!!

SHORTEST TARAWEH

Thus it also does not behoove of people who value Ramadhan to try to “save time” from the performance of ibadah. Many people “work out” the shortest taraweh — where they will be able to leave in the shortest possible time and head for the food outlets where ample time will be whiled away. Think of the Ringgit Malaysia Two Hundred per second. We would break the records for over-time work. Thus in Ramadhan we should break the record for the amount of time spent in Salat, tilaawah (recitation of the Qur’an), zikr, dua, etc. Ramadhan is not a month to “save” time from the performance of these acts. Rather it is a month to engage every moment possible in these acts. Apart from Salat, tilawat, etc., Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has himself stressed upon us to excessively engage in some practices. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is reported to have said: “And in this month you should endeavor to perform four things in great number, two of which shall be to please your Rabb, while the other two shall be those without which you cannot make do. Those which shall be to please your Rabb are that you should in great abundance recite the “Kalima Tayyiba” (Laa ilaaha il’lallah) and make much istighfaar (beg Allah’s forgiveness with Astaghfirullah). And as for those two without which you cannot make do, you should beg Allah for entry into paradise and seek refuge with him from the fire of Jahannam.”

ONE MONTH

While one should engage to the maximum in the above good deeds, the purpose of Ramadhan must be kept foremost in mind, which is to acquire Taqwa (Allah-awareness and piety). Thus together with the maximum amount of righteous actions one must totally refrain from all sins. One month of strictly conducting oneself in this manner will Insha-Allah have the effect of enabling one to live the next eleven months in a similar manner — in the complete obedience of Allah Ta’ala.
May Allah Ta’ala enable us to appreciate and value the month of Ramadhan — more than what we value Ringgit Malaysia Two Hundred per second.

Diabetes News

Many people with Type 2 diabetes use plants, or plant parts, for the self-management of their medical problems. This is what most people refer to as herbal medicine, botanical medicine, or phytomedicine. In the United States more than one-third of people with diabetes use herbal or traditional and alternative medicine alone, or in combination with their prescribed anti-diabetic medication, according to the Johns Hopkins Point-of-Care Information Technology Center (Johns Hopkins POC-IT Center).

There are many types of herbal preparations used for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. In fact, in almost every culture there is one herbal medicine intended for the management of increased blood sugar levels. However, there are only a few tested and evaluated systematically and scientifically for this purpose.

Here is a list of the most commonly used herbal and medicinal plants for the management of Type 2 diabetes:

- Ginseng: Ginseng is one of the most popular medicinal herbs globally. There are two major types of this herb:

- Asian ginseng, the Panax ginseng
- American ginseng, the Panax quinquefolius.

The active compounds in the ginseng herbs that makes them useful are the ginsenosides. According to one particular study, information from the Johns Hopkins POC-IT Center states ginsenosides can potentially improve insulin resistance. Ginseng can be safely used at a dosage of 1 to 3 grams per day. However, the adverse effects of using this herbal medicine include:

- hypertension,
- headache,
- insomnia,
- nervousness and palpitations, and
- nausea.

Ginseng is also known to interact with the action of warfarin, an anticoagulant (more commonly referred to as a blood thinner). Ginseng unfortunately causes warfarin to be less effective.

Cinnamon: There is new evidence cinnamon can be helpful in regulating blood sugar. Cinnamon is not just another spice that can be used for cooking and baking. According to Johns Hopkins POC-IT Center, cinnamon can increase the effectiveness of insulin therefore improve your blood sugar level. Human trials indicate that taking between 1/4 and one teaspoon of cinnamon every day helps control blood sugar levels. However, various results from other studies contradict these findings. The safety profile of cinnamon is clean and there are no drug interactions noted with the use of cinnamon.

Bitter melon: Different cultures and traditions used bitter melon (Momordica charantia) for the management of diabetes. Many people believe it can decrease insulin resistance… bitter melon is composed of several compounds with confirmed blood sugar lowering properties. It must be pointed out though, clinical trials regarding this herb show contradicting results. Although taking as little as 2 ounces of the juice has shown good results in clinical trials, adverse effects with the use of bitter melon include:

- gastrointestinal symptoms, and
- favism, or bursting of red blood cells,

with the ingestion of seeds in certain G6PD deficient diabetics.

Fenugreek: The herb fenugreek is one of the most impressive natural substances helpful for people with diabetes. Fenugreek is a traditional spice often used in curry in Asia and the Mediterranean countries. Fenugreek is believed to contain 4-hydroxyisoleucine, a chemical that can enhance insulin production and secretion by the pancreas. Some clinical studies claim its effectiveness in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood sugar much the same way that drugs in the class of sulfonylureas (such as glyburide) do. Adverse reactions related to fenugreek use include:

- dizziness,
- flatulence, and
- diarrhea.

However, no herb to drug interaction has been observed.

Fenugreek helps you lose weight because the seeds of fenugreek are rich in dietary fiber, so it delays stomach emptying and after-eating sugar spikes. As the seeds are bitter, taking supplements may be the better choice. As lowered blood sugar is an expected effect of using fenugreek, if you combine it with medications and do not monitor yourself properly, you could find yourself with very low blood sugar. Make sure you see your doctor regularly to supervise your regimen.

Beverleigh Piepers RN… the Diabetes Detective.

Ramadhan Al Mubarak

Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh,

Salam 1 Malaysia, Salam Perak Amanjaya

Saudara dan saudari sekalian,

1. Salam Ramadhan saya hulurkan kepada semua umat Islam dan semoga Allah mempermudahkan serta menyempurnakan Ramadhan tahun ini tanpa sebarang halangan. Sesungguhnya, Ramadhan adalah bulan yang amat istimewa kerana ia adalah satu-satunya bulan yang disebutkan namanya secara khusus di dalam al-Quran.

Menambahkan lagi kemuliaannya, Allah SWT telah mengikat bulan ini dengan Rukun Islam yang ketiga, yakni ibadah puasa. Ramadhan benar-benar salah satu daripada syiar-syiar agung agama Islam. Sambutan dan penghormatan kita kepada Ramadhan adalah tanda ketakwaan sebagaimana firman Allah SWT dalam surah al-Hajj ayat 32 yang bermaksud :-

“Demikianlah (ajaran Allah) dan sesiapa yang menghormati syiar-syiar agama Allah, maka (dialah orang yang bertakwa) kerana sesungguhnya perbuatan itu satu kesan dari sifat-sifat takwa hati orang mukmin.”

2. Justeru, kehadiran Ramadhan al-Mubarak ini, merupakan satu rahmat besar yang telah disediakan oleh Allah SWT sebagai satu medan untuk kita semua membina kualiti keimanan dan ketakwaan. Sememangnya, Ramadhan akan kita hiasi siang dan malamnya dengan segala rupa bentuk ibadah dan amalan soleh seperti berpuasa, bertarawih, bertadarus dan mentilawahkan al-Quran, berzikir dan bermunajat. Sudah tentu, antara hikmah segala ibadah ini ialah untuk membangunkan segala sifat dan kualiti terpuji di dalam diri kita.

3. Hakikatnya, bulan ini menggalakkan kita untuk saling bersedekah dan berkongsi juadah. Bulan di mana kita menzahirkan keprihatinan kita kepada jiran dan handai taulan kita tanpa mengira batas kaum dan agama. Inilah masanya juga kita sama-sama berdiri di dalam satu saf untuk solat berjemaah dan bertarawih. Bulan ini juga menganjurkan kita mengukuhkan tali persaudaraan dan perpaduan sesama kita. Pendek kata, suntikan perasaan kerahmatan ini amat sesuai untuk membugarkan Gagasan 1Malaysia. Malah ianya membentuk konsep ‘Penerimaan’ sepenuhnya di kalangan masyarakat berbilang kaum di negara ini.

4. Saya ingin mengingatkan agar kita tidak melakukan pembaziran dan berbelanjalah secara berhemah pada bulan ini, sesuai dengan semangat yang dianjurkan oleh Ramadhan, bersamalah kita melaksanakan transformasi minda dan jiwa agar Ramadhan kali ini bukanlah Ramadhan yang sekadar rutinan semata-mata. Bahkan inilah Ramadhan yang akan meningkatkan dan mengubah kehidupan kita selepas ini dengan menjadi hambaNya yang lebih hebat takwanya berbanding sebelumnya.

6. Dengan ini, saya dan seisi keluarga mengucapkan Selamat Menyambut Ramadhan al-Mubarak dan Selamat Berpuasa kepada semua umat Islam di negara ini disamping mensyukuri nikmat kemerdekaan yang kita kecapi. Marilah kita bersama-sama mengimarahkan Ramadhan ini dengan segala amal kebajikan dan ibadah. Semoga Allah SWT melimpahkan kepada kita dengan seribu rahmatNya. Amin Ya Rabbal-‘Alamin.

Wabillahi Taufik Walhidayah Wassalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Stirred but not shaken

This month has been a tumultuous month for us in KL. We had the Bersih which was not so bersih after all, I mean really from campaigning for a free and fair elections to roiting? How deviant can you get!

Anyway, all the true colours have been exposed and all the lies unearthed, I mean having an audience with the Agong and NOT having the memorandum ready, as they say in my part of the world - aisaymen, sapa lu mau tipu.

As this is part of my ramblings I just would like to ask - how many private members Bills were introduced in Dewan Rakyat and since Kelantan's senators are from the Opposition - how many private members Bills were tabled in Dewan Negara. Hah say you, where can table bill in Dewan Negara, my rejoinder - woi baca ler perlembagaan. Only money Bills have to originate from the Dewan Rakyat.

Tu ler, demer nak nipu dan bedeah lagi - Berapa banyak Senator datang dari Negeri Kelantan selama 15 tahun ni -

Lagi satu udah dekat 5 tahun demer ader 82 wakil di Dewan Rakyat - ader ker demer table Rang Undang Undang berkaitan dengan tuntutan demer tu. Ader demer lobi Parliamentarian untuk tujuan tu? Ynag demer buat, caci mencaci ader ler........ hampeh.

Anyway another thing that has my gander up is the utter waste of money to be spent by the Perak Government. This time not by the POLITICIANS BUT BY THE CIVIL SERVANTS.

Gini story nyer - awok ader masok tender nak baik pulih pasar awam di Perak. Sebelum tu awok dijemput oleh PBT berkaitan untuk memberi proposal cara mana yang baik sekali nak baik pulih pasar awam tu, awok pun hire ler pakar pakar dan present ler ke demer tu. Dah present demer syiok ler dengan cadangan awok, PFI lagi, bila siap demer bayour teman ler. Sebelum tu demer kener ler advance 10% of my cost - nak cover bayour consultant consultant teman.

Demer pun syiok lalu demer mintak ler duit dari KPKT - luluih pulak - awok ader sekali maser presentation dan briefing tu. Moler ler masalah untuk awok, lat sebab guner Federal Fund kener gi tender lak. Awok setuju ler - tu sebab awok tender gak.

Tender punyer tender, short listed ke NO 4 dalam senarai penender yang pilih. Masok ler mesyorat dengan pihak berkaitan (duit Federal kan)... lat lat miker tau aper jadi......

Demer tu mintak kat consultant list semua penender dan teruih pilih NOMBOR SEBELAS DARI NOMBOR 13. Beza regher pulak tu RM400,000.00 dengan ada ruang untuk VO. (VO tu variation order) Lepah tu lak demer mintak 20% upfront sebagai mobilisation fee.

Awok punya RM6.5Million sebagaimana dalam proposal awei weh. Dah ler tu awok meintok pembayaran berskala 10% upon site possession 50% bila pasar baru siap Full bila ruang food court dan ancillaries siap.

Weh miker bayangkan ler - betapa stirred but not shaken kepercayaan teman terhadap demer tu. Mungkin bukan rezeki teman tapi bior ler bukan rezeki teman cara betoi bukan care gini. Lagi haru pelan dan konsep drawing teman di cilok nya dalam tender submission demer tu.

haru haru haru

gitu ler story nyer. Pecah tanah pulak 23 rehbulan ni.

Diabetes News

People diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are often misinformed as to what foods they are supposed to stay away from. Simply listing a category of food isn’t enough as it is not always such a clear-cut case. Sometimes it is better to be much more specific so that a diabetic isn’t limiting themselves unnecessarily.

Sugar, for example, is a definite enemy. But there are many other places white refined sugar can hide instead of in the obvious doughnut or brownie. Your favorite condiments, from mustard to ketchup and relish are loaded with it. White bread is notoriously high in sugar. (Also, any food such as bread made with white refined flour is bad for you… it starts out naturally brown and is whitened by a chemical process which forms another substance called alloxan, which is known to destroy pancreatic function!) In fact, white bread breaks down into pure sugar before it can even be swallowed. Crackers, waffle and pancake mixes are also full of the “white stuff”.

You were probably told to avoid foods with a high concentration of fat, but what does that really mean? Avoiding all saturated and trans fats would be good, but this would take a lot of policing to accomplish. It’s almost impossible to completely eliminate all saturated and trans fats from your food. The best way to handle fat in your food, is to limit it as much as possible. Look at food labels and take into account how much fat is in each serving… not the entire container. This is the key.
Vegetables are good for you, so they can’t be on the list of foods to avoid… right? Wrong. Having a free-reign on all vegetables is never a good idea. First, you have to see the way the vegetables are packaged. Canned vegetables can still be high in sugar. Frozen vegetables can be stripped of vital nutrients with harmful preservatives added back in.

Even in their raw form, there are some vegetables to stay away from. Corn, certain types of squash, sweet potatoes and the dreaded white potatoes all should be avoided whenever possible.

Are you eating sugar-free products? You may unknowingly still be consuming sucralose, an artificial sweetener not recommended for diabetics. Read labels if you want to find the hidden ingredient of sucralose or other artificial sweeteners. Also remember, many sugar-free foods are not healthy for people with Type 2 diabetes.
Foods can also have another hidden danger: salt. Otherwise known as sodium, salt can inflict an incredible amount of harm on a body in a relatively short amount of time.

A major problem with salt is that it can be hidden in virtually any type of food imaginable. Frozen foods are laced with it as part of their processing. Canned foods, especially the seemingly harmless vegetables and canned meats, are filled with salt. This is what gives them their long shelf life.
Processed foods, no matter what kind you are talking about, are loaded with salt. The best way to identify the salt content is to look closely at the label. Remember to take into account the number of servings, and not just the salt content per serving.

If you want to limit salt, always go with fresh foods.