Tag Archive 'study'

Jan 06 2009

How to Avoid Mental Biases and Make the Right Decisions By Dr. Larina Kase

Published by admin under Self Improvement, Success

How to Avoid Mental Biases and Make the Right Decisions By Dr. Larina Kase

You know that feeling when you’re faced with an important decision, and you can feel your blood pressure rising? You’re nervous about making the wrong choice. The issue is an important one and you don’t want to mess up by selecting the wrong path.

I like to say that fear is often more than “False Evidence Appearing Real.” It is sometimes there for a reason, to tell us to proceed with caution. This is true with decision-making because our minds fall prey to many biases.

For example, noble-prize winning economist Daniel Kahneman and his colleague Amos Tversky discovered a mental short-cut that we tend to take when making decisions, which they called the “availability” heuristic.

We don’t weigh all of our options equally. Instead, we assign greater weight to options that we readily think of, assuming that if we think of them readily, they must be more frequent. For example, if I can easily think of red BMWs I assume that red is one of the common BMW colors.

This is only partly true. We think of options readily if they are dramatic or easy to remember. A red car is easier to remember than a grey car. I may have a neighbor and a client with a red BMW so it’s fresh in my mind.

As another example, if your friend had just told you how horrible a new restaurant is, you would probably decide not to go there, despite reading a dozen positive reviews. Or if someone asked you what the leading cause of death is: accidents or diseases, you may say they are equal or you may say accidents (recalling all those vivid 11pm news programs), when in reality diseases are 16 times more likely to lead to death than accidents.

So what do we do about these mental biases?

First, we need to be aware of them. When making a decision, ask yourself if it’s possible that you are being swayed by a mental short-cut. Ask yourself, “What would be the path of least resistance for my brain to go down?” If a mental bias is present, resist its influence.

Second, realize that everyone has different biases. If a decision is an important one, collect opinions from different people to balance out one another’s bias. A study by financial analyst Paul Johnson showed that group predictions (for who would win an Academy Award) consistently outperform individual predictions.

Third, use thought and memory bias to your advantage. If, for instance, you’re a business owner make your testimonials vivid by filming people genuinely and enthusiastically sharing their stories. This will help prospective clients or customers remember the benefits of your business. If you get my marketing newsletter you know that I’m always advocating for standing out. This is another reason why you want to stand out and be memorable.

Larina Kase, PsyD, MBA is a business psychologist and New York Times bestselling author. She helps service professionals and information experts to build their businesses using the psychology of marketing. Get additional tips on how to stand out at http://www.pascoaching.com

Sponsored by: http://www.Indiainfotech.co.in

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Jan 06 2009

I’m Not One For New Year’s Resolutions But This New Way of Seeing Things Will Make For a Great 2009 By Gaynor Parke

Published by admin under Self Improvement, Success

I’m Not One For New Year’s Resolutions But This New Way of Seeing Things Will Make For a Great 2009 By Gaynor Parke

For the first time in my life as I look at the year that is coming to an end I happily look back over my life and the first thing that occurs to me is my appreciation of all the people who have pissed me off in the past. Hmm, “she’s gone crazy” do I hear you say? Well in the past I would agree with that statement. But now, I know that this is the best way to feel. I’m not trying to feel appreciative, I just am appreciative. In the past when I looked at all the people who had caused me pain, I was angry and resentful toward them and most of you, dear reader, if you knew my story would agree that I had a good reason to be angry at them. But now, I feel deep and true appreciation to those people. Are you asking why? Are you thinking I have gone all religious and wacky? Well I feel all that has happened is that I am seeing the world how it really is.

I know in the world there are things that please me and there are things that do not please me and I am free to choose how I feel about all of it. I have known that for some time now and it feels so good. I have been practicing feeling good in all circumstances and I believe I have been very successful therefore loving life more than ever. The side affect of feeling good is that circumstances in my world are reflecting wonderful things back to me, so I am enjoying life more and choosing to feel good about that and more lovely things come and I appreciate them and on and on.

There is another part of life though and that is the experience of contrasting or unwanted experiences. In the past I have pushed against those experiences with great force trying to eradicate them. Now, I realize that is because of those experiences, I created an even stronger wanting for the opposite of those experiences and when I got in alignment with joy and appreciation, those things that I did want, manifested in my life. So you see, the annoyance, the resentment, the anger, the pain I felt due to having certain people in my life only fueled a greater desire for wonderful experiences and that is a wonderful thing.

When I have the choice to create a desire and I do, and I have the choice to come into alignment with that desire by feeling good about things and I do, then those things that cause me to create greater desires are actually assisting me live a better life. Sound crazy? Well when you understand that we all have the choice to feel good or not feel good at any moment in time and the universe through the Law Of Attraction creates our desires then it is easy to appreciate those that helped you create really powerful desires.

So on this last day of the best year of my life I want to send out great big bouquets to all the people in my life that caused my great pain and say to them that if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be having such a wonderful time, so thank you.

I know I am the creator of my world as are you dear reader and I wish you all wonderful things and really irritating things too in 2009 so you can clarify all the things you want and send your order off to the Universe, for once it is sent, it will be delivered to you if you appreciate where you are and joyously look forward to what is ahead. Because of The Law Of Attraction, The Universe must reflect back to you what you put your attention on so enjoy it all and have a magnificent 2009, warts and all.

With much love and appreciation

Gaynor is passionate about helping people achieve their passions. With over 25 years of Personal Development study and vast business knowledge Gaynor is well equipped to assist business owners, executives and employees alike.

Businesses can achieve greater profitability, increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, build stronger and more enthusiastic teams, retain skilled staff, attract highly sort after staff and more, when they introduce the techniques Gaynor offers.

Individuals can achieve increased confidence, increased relationship and communication skills, reduced stress, greater clarity when faced with life’s challenges, a sense of direction and purpose, more vitality and zest for life plus a sense of peace and contentment.

You are the key to your success, so let Gaynor help you unlock your potential. With a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE and FREE introductory session you have every reason to contact Gaynor today at http://www.advancedsuccesslifecoaching.com.au

Sponsored by: http://www.Indiainfotech.co.in

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Jan 05 2009

How to Get an Online Bachelors Degree By Kevin Jonny Smith

Published by admin under Online Education

A bachelor’s degree is a distinctive achievement. It is a degree conferred to a successful graduate in subject like business and science. In fact most universities offering the bachelors degree classify them into, arts and sciences, Information technology, criminal studies and other major faculties. This allows students to choose from which the list and pursue a degree in that particular subject. However, accredited online institutions including universities have also begun offering online bachelors degrees.

This is a God send boon to most of us who are busy and constrained in both time and resources. It is easy how one can get an online bachelors degree today in spite of the previous hurdles like time and resources. To understand a bachelor’s degree one first needs to have an overview of what it IS. The correct definition of a bachelor’s degree is a degree awarded after undertaking a major that takes an average of four years to complete. This is a highly coveted achievement by scholars. Two, your overall performance during your study time is gauged and your degree is classified into the category of your merit. It can be an honor or something else, sometimes some people don’t get it at all and referred back to do it again.

A bachelors degree online is not different from this university classroom scenario, in fact this is just the same as doing the degree course from the institutions since all the study material, course program, duration and also the panels of assessing are all the same. However, an online degree is more attractive in terms of times and resources. It is quite easy to undertake even when you are still working. The hours of learning can be got from your free time and when you are not busy at work. The program fees are affordable since they are minus both boarding and tuition fees and other major expenses which render pursue ring these degrees perilous.

As such, it is now easy and affordable to earn your bachelors degree. Either it is a BA, AB, BSc, BBA and any other, all you need is to enroll for a program from an accredited university and start your studies at your own free time.

Are you looking forward to online bachelor’s degree, check out our detailed review and recommendation of online degree providers that would make the application process easier for you at http://www.education-degreeonline.com

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Jan 05 2009

Universities Online Degrees - Get Online Degrees Information For Universities, Accounting & Others By Vikas Negi

Published by admin under Online Education

Online degrees are available across a number of levels and from a horde of subjects. University online degrees have helped to better the career prospects of millions of individuals worldwide and their flexible features have definitely made pursuing higher degrees feasible even for the working professionals. Universities online degrees are blessed with a number of characteristics that have made this genre all the more popular. Some of the significant ones have been mentioned below:

- Universities online degrees come with a package that is simple and cost effective. Most of the online universities offer courses that cost much less as compared to the on campus university degrees. 
- Universities online degrees are available across a number of subjects and fields to choose from. Some of the most popular ones are MBA degrees, Education degrees, Nursing degrees, Computer Science degrees and even Web development degrees. 
- Universities online degrees are also available across a number of levels. From Bachelors degrees to masters and from associate degrees and a variety of certificate courses and diplomas to the doctoral and PHD level degrees, the variety available is indeed large and impressive. 
- These degrees are offered by some of the most well known colleges and universities that are of international repute and therefore the recognition of these degrees and their value can be very well gauged. 
- As online degrees are accompanied by flexibility of study hours and schedule, working individuals as well as home makers can also comfortably opt to enroll into any of the degree courses, according to their convenience of time. Theoretical as well as practical education is given to the students here and technical knowledge that helps is solving market issues are also imparted as well. 
- The study material and teaching aids are regularly updated and always available in the internet and one could access these any time to read or even attend audio lectures while preparing for the universities audio degrees.

Universities online degrees are offered by several institutes. A few of the most popular ones have been mentioned below for your perusal:

- University of Phoenix 
- Kaplan University 
- Capella University 
- AIU Online 
- Baker College Online 
- Kennedy Western University

Vikas writes about the best Universities online degrees available for great career options. Also find outAccounting Online Degrees and Online Degrees Information all at one place.

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Jan 05 2009

Learning Online Makes School Easy and Helps Kids Build Self-Esteem, Giving Them the Edge By Cathie Sherwood

Published by admin under Online Education

Of course you want your child to have every advantage when it comes to getting the education they need. If you are like many parents, you may have found that your child has hit certain obstacles in their educational career. School programs can seem like they just don’t fully provide your child with the learning they will need to face the competitive career world someday. Also, as a parent, you may feel like you don’t have any control over your child’s education and you’re at the mercy of the school systems.

What can you as a parent do about this situation? You can always send your child to private schools, if you’re willing to pay a small fortune for the tuition. However, parents often find these same types of problems occurring in private schools. On the other hand, there are plenty of private educational companies that can tutor your child after regular school hours. But the prices they charge are often sky-high, and as a parent you still don’t feel like you have much control since you can’t really see what they are teaching your child. So what can you do?

Well, thankfully, a new alternative has become available in recent years in response to this growing need among parents who want to help their children achieve success. Parents want to have more control over their child’s education without incurring costs that are excessive. That new alternative is … the Online e-Course, Power of Success for Kids.

This is a multi-media course which your child can complete via the Internet from your own home computer at your convenience and with your supervision. Multi-media courses like this have proven to be successful for kids learning online because they not only involve text, but also audio and video for an interesting and fun multi-media experience. Online e-Courses are better than just buying educational software in a box because they are updated online by the providers as information changes and needs to be modified. This Online e-course was created to supplement regular education. Designed to help kids actually achieve success and prepare for college and career, this program teaches your child study and learning habits that they can use for the rest of their lives. Because Online education can be completed at your child’s own pace, and sections can be repeated as often as needed, such e-courses tend to boost your child’s self-esteem and confidence. Your child can spend as little as 10 minutes per day working on it.

Using e-Courses to supplement your child’s education can also help you as a parent. They are extremely cost-effective when compared to private tutoring`. Furthermore, learning online actually puts you in control of your child’s education. You don’t have to wonder why your child is struggling, and what they are being taught. You can see it for yourself because your child is doing the work right in front of you on your own home computer.

Even when you are busy with other household tasks, your child is continuing with their studies. You can be involved as much or as little as you feel is appropriate. This is a refreshing change from wondering what they are teaching your child at school, and feeling like you have no control. Online education can make school easy. You will be able to learn where your kids are at any time in the development curve, and how you can help them overcome their learning obstacles. Even more importantly, when you are actively participating in your child’s education, you will begin to experience a closer bonding with your child and you will have the enjoyment of experiencing their educational growth first-hand, rather than as a distant spectator.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with particular school(s).

Copyright 2008 - All rights reserved by Basiclearnonline.com.

Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website, provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.

Cathie Sherwood is a mother of two who has met the challenges of getting children through the education system successfully. She researched many different methods of educating children in an endeavour to find a better way to get them through school and keep their self esteem. What I would have given for this to have been available all those years ago. Needless to say, having a resource centre that is so simple and practical within your home is priceless - just a minute away any time of day or night.

She has worked as a counsellor, massage therapist, in private practice and several government departments dealing with early school leavers and their parents. This has given me an insight into those that do slip through the cracks and what could prevent that so easily. It really is a family affair to succeed through those formative years. Just go to http://www.basiclearnonline.com.

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