The healthiest approach to self-improvement is the one that works best for you-but how can you know which one will be?【小题1】You may need to engage in a bit of trial and error to find what is most helpful for your situation. At the same time, effective self-improvement journeys usually have the following basic features that you should keep in mind.

Self-improvement is a gradual process. Approaches to self-improvement typically have you focus on one change at a time. Only if you’ve become comfortable with the earlier change can you move on to the next one【小题2】For instance, at college you would break down your assignments into more manageable tasks.

Self-improvement is directed by your goal. There is little point in pursuing self-improvement if you don’t have a goal in mind.【小题3】This often means starting with a big “dream” goal and working backward from there to identify smaller goals along the path toward that big goal. Having a set of goals will keep you motivated at times when you feel like quitting.

The way to self-improvement requires planning for obstacles. Things will not always go smoothly when you have made plans and goals【小题4】That is to say, you must be able to list out coping strategies to deal with those barriers in a concrete way.

【小题5】As for self-improvement approaches, what works for your neighbor is not necessarily going to work for you. People have personalized situations in terms of personality, culture, etc.. That will influence their choice of self-improvement approaches. You can figure one out through trial and error or self-assessment.

Disposing of (处理) unwanted items in our lives often means simply throwing them into the garbage or recycling bin—or, if they’re still useful, giving them away. It’s different with old credit cards, which should be destroyed so nobody can use them fraudulently (欺诈地). 【小题1】 Here’s how to get rid of an old card.

Contact the issuer.

If closing the account is your goal, you’ll have to call the number on the back of your card and ask to do so. If your card is a rewards card, remember to first redeem (兑换) points or cash back.

Cut up plastic cards.

Sharp scissors will do the job here. “We recommend that consumers cut through the EMV chip, then further cut the card a few times along the short side, and dispose of the sections in more than one trash bag (垃圾袋),” says Sarah Grano, a spokeswoman for the American Bankers Association. 【小题2】

Send back metal cards.

【小题3】 Contact your issuer. “Typically, you can mail it back for disposal. For example, when American Express sends a replacement card, it also sends an addressed return envelope to mail back an old metal card for destruction,” says Heather Norton, spokeswoman for American Express. Check back on your account. 【小题4】 You generally won’t be responsible for fraudulent charges anyway. Be cautions with debit cards and other plastic forms where fraud could result in financial losses.

Closing an account can hurt you.

Closing a credit card account can lower your credit rating. That’s because credit scores consider your “credit utilization ratio”, or how much of your available credit you’re using. And when you close an account, you have less available credit. 【小题5】 Closing an old card decreases the average age of your accounts.

Online Safety

Today I thought I’d blog about a question that has been asked many times—how do you stay safe online and avoid bad experiences on the Internet? I am not an expert. 【小题1】

First of all, there’s the golden rule of the Internet: If you see or read something that makes you feel uncomfortable, leave the site immediately. 【小题2】

Second, protect your privacy. 【小题3】 Someone might use the information to steal your identity. Identity theft is a common and serious problem.

Third, be polite. Being online is no excuse for being rude, and you don’t want to become a target for a troll or cyberbully. A troll is a person who posts comments or questions in order to stir up trouble online. Trolls often use several false names so that they can stay on a site. 【小题4】 Like a troll, a cyberbully will also write something mean but it is usually directed at particular people. He or she may also post embarrassing photos and information about those people. However, the more polite you are, the less likely it is you will be attacked.

Have you had any bad experiences online, or do you have some good advice for staying safe? 【小题5】