A recent survey by the National Association of Professional Organizers reveals that 54% of Americans feel overwhelmed by clutter and 78% have no idea what to do with it. According to psychologists, people accumulate things because they are unhappy but having too many posessions brings stress and more unhappiness. Minimalists say you can live better if you focus only on what’s really important and get rid of your excess stuff. You can donate things you don’t need to charity. Minimalism is not new. Some of the ancient Greek philosophers were advocates, as were Mahatma Gandhi and Leo Tolstoy. There may be more joy in owning less than in constantly accumulating more.
Do you have too much clutter?
Would you like to get rid of it?
New: Conversation Class & resources
Listen below
Read by Christine Leedy (U.S. accent).
Study the words
Reveals- shows Overwhelmed- inundated (when there is too much of something) Clutter- a lot of useless objects Accumulate- collect Get rid of- give or throw away Stuff- things Donate- give away for free Advocates- supporters Joy- happinessRecipe for a perfect conversation Class (FREE!)
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Download the Takeaway Test Be happy with less stuff
Have you already set your goals for the New Year? Do you want to lose 10 kilos, run a marathon or speak fluent English? Some experts believe that you need systems, not goals. A system is something you do on a regular basis. This means focusing on what you can control (your actions) rather than what you can’t (the unpredictable). For example, don’t focus on losing 10 kilos, focus on shopping for healthy food and cooking something light every day. Don’t focus on the marathon; focus on the training schedule. Invent a system to improve your English, one step at a time. Good luck!
Do you usually set goals?
What are your goals for the New Year?
Do you think you need a system?
What regular actions are important to improve your English?
New: Conversation Class & resources
Listen below
Read by Annette (Scottish accent).
Study the words
Set your goals- identify your aims, objectives On a regular basis- every day/ every week Rather than- instead of Schedule-plan One step at a time- graduallyRecipe for a perfect conversation Class (FREE!)
Listen on audioboo (and subscribe to i-tunes podcast) here
A Scottish PE teacher has invented a new fitness craze, which is rapidly catching on. The Highland Hustle is a mix of Scottish Highland dancing, ceilidh steps and muscle toning exercises. Of course, it is also accompanied by fast funky music. At present, there is only one class, in Scotland, but there are several workout videos that can be downloaded from the official website. The routines, which last just half an hour, are designed for busy people with any fitness level. The workout promises to improve your level of fitness, but it will not teach you to be a highland dancer.
Would you like to try this workout?
NEW: TINY TEXTS VOCAB CHALLENGE CARDS
Listen below
Read by Elizabeth (Scottish accent)
Study the words
PE- physical education Craze- obsession, trend Catching on- becoming popular Ceilidh steps- dance steps typical of a traditional Scottish social event Muscle toning- makes the body firmer Funky- rhythmic Workout- exercise routine Downloaded- transferred to your computer Last- have a duration of NEW: TINY TEXTS VOCAB CHALLENGE CARDS
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Do the takeaway test: Let’s all do the Highland Hustle
Image: Wikipedia
Do you work in an open plan office? If so, it may be damaging your health. A recent study of employees in Denmark found that people who work in open spaces take significantly more sick leave. The biggest problem with the open office is simply noise. In another study by the Cornell University psychologists Gary Evans and Dana Johnson, clerical workers who were exposed to open-office noise for three hours became less motivated and less creative. The open office was invented in Germany, in the nineteen-fifties, to facilitate communication and idea flow but recent evidence suggests that the opposite is true.
Do you work in an open office?
Listen below
Read by Meredith MacAulay (American accent)
Study the words
Open plan- without dividing walls Damaging- causing harm Sick leave- time off due to illness Noise- sound Facilitate- make easy Flow- constant production Evidence- verification, proof NEW: TINY TEXTS VOCAB CHALLENGE CARDS
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Do the takeaway test: Open Offices Could be Bad for your Health
Dementia is a growing problem for society. A care home in the Netherlands is experimenting with a new way of treating patients by offering them an “alternative reality”. Residents live in small groups within a protected community. They are free to wander the streets and go to the supermarket, beauty salon, restaurant and even the theatre. If they forget to pay, it’s not a problem because the shop assistants and waiters are actually carers. To make the patients feel comfortable, the houses are decorated in a style that reflects their personal background. It may seem a little like the Truman Show but the patients and their families are enthusiastic about the project. Perhaps the rest of the world can learn some useful lessons for the future.
Listen below
Read by Barbara Van den Ouweland (Dutch accent)
Study the words
care home– a place where elderly people are looked after treating– taking care of wander– walk around with no particular aim shop assistants– people who work in shops waiters– people who serve in restaurants carers– people who look after elderly patients comfortable– happy and relaxed background– previous lifestyle enthusiastic– very positive
Listen on audioboo (and subscribe to i-tunes podcast) here
Do the takeaway test:Alternative Reality Village for Dementia Patients
Related articles
- The village where people have dementia – and fun (The guardian)
Do you like fast food?
Pret A Manger HK (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Here’s a challenge: when you next visit London, try to walk 100m without catching sight of a Pret a Manger. The British sandwich chain with a French name has so many branches in the capital city that you can’t avoid trying it out. The menu includes wholemeal sandwiches, filled baguettes, soups, salads and coffees. Nothing special about that, so why is it so successful? The marketing blurb speaks of handmade, natural food without any obscure chemicals. The sandwiches are made fresh at each location. Service is fast. Where Starbucks has just one cashier, Pret has three or four. Employees have a say in the hiring process and bonuses are awarded on the performance of the entire team. On top of that, unsold food is given to the homeless at the end of the day. So, the secret is healthy fast food, served with a smile and a dose of goodness too.
Listen
Read by Heather, EASI English (Southern English accent)
Study the words
challenge– a difficult task
catching sight of– seeing
avoid– not do something
wholemeal– brown bread
blurb– promotional information
obscure– strange
cashier– person who works at the cash point
have a say – help to make a decision about something
hiring- employing new staff
bonuses- cash rewards
On top of that- in addition
homeless- people with no homes
dose- quantity, amount
Do the takeaway test: ready to eat
Listen on audioboo (and subscribe to itunes podcast) http://audioboo.fm/boos/869750-ready-to-eat
Do you know anyone who vapes?
Everyone knows that smoking is bad for you. It smells, makes you cough and causes cancer. Until recently, the only way to improve your health was to give up. That’s tough for most people and impossible for some. However, a new trend is catching on among smokers. Many are switching from smoking to vaping.
Vaping involves an electronically charged ‘cigarette’ which produces steam instead of smoke. It does contain nicotine, but in small amounts. It looks and feels just like you are smoking but without many of the drawbacks. Users feel better, save money and can say goodbye to smelly ashtrays. Of course, this does not change the fact that not smoking at all would be an even healthier option.
Listen
Read by Ale (Italian/Scottish accent)
Study the words
cough- the reflex that clears your throat
give up- stop a habit
tough- difficult
catching on- becoming popular
steam- vapour
drawbacks- disadvantages
ashtrays- containers for ash (produced during smoking)
healthier- better for your body
Do the takeaway test: vaping
Listen on audioboo (and subscribe to itunes podcast) http://audioboo.fm/boos/829869-vaping
