Active listening

We often focus on saying what we want to say in an effective way and forget that listening carefully to others is just as important. The good news is that we can learn how to improve our listening skills. 【小题1】 Much of the time, we listen passively, so by making an effort to listen actively, we can improve our listening skills and develop necessary relationships more easily. Here are a few tips to help you start listening more actively.

Never underestimate（低估） the importance of nonverbal communication. 【小题2】 One study found that nonverbal factors were responsible for 93 percent of communication effectiveness. While not all experts agree that the percentage is as high as this, they do agree that nonverbal communication is extremely powerful. So, when you listen to another person, pay close attention to his tone of voice, facial expressions and body language.

Have an open mind. Do your best to put your own feelings and opinions aside while you listen, and encourage the speaker to fully express his ideas. Try to imagine that you are in the same situation as the speaker. 【小题3】

Repeat what the speaker has said. By repeating the speaker's words, such as by saying "So, you feel unhappy." or "【小题4】", you are performing two important functions of an active listener. One is showing the other person you have been following what he was saying and the other is giving the speaker the chance to correct you if you have misunderstood. This technique is especially useful in highly emotional situations.

【小题5】 If you do that, you have stopped listening and started talking. Once you put your mind to listening more actively, you will find the practice has many benefits.

Technology is an amenity (舒适，便利) of modern life nowadays. However, hackers (黑客) are standing beside you! They manage to hack users’ account and steal sensitive data. Here are 4 top golden rules on how to be safe online.

 【小题1】.

The research conducted in 2019 by The Harris Poll showed that 21% of respondents don’t update regularly the apps they use. 【小题2】. It is explained by the fact that new viruses appear every day. And the updates are meant to prevent them.

 Use unique passwords for your accounts.

Unfortunately, 65% of people tend to use one password for several accounts, which increases security and privacy risk. It’s as dangerous as if one would use one key for a flat, car, office and strongbox. 【小题3】. To escape such threats, it’s strongly encouraged that you create passwords that would be difficult to guess.

 【小题4】.

What if a man fails to access account or forgets the password? It won’t be a problem if he/she uses an additional account to renew the blocked one. Specify the backup address or phone number when registering.

 Backup your data.

Sometimes it happens that accounts undergo hacking attacks despite the fact that all necessary precautions (预防措施) were taken. When this occurs, the safest way to get rid of the virus ware is to remove and reset the system. 【小题5】.

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” These words from the pioneering African American tennis champion Arthur Ashe echo so vibrantly with the moment we’re living in and, really, with any time of complexity and challenge. 【小题1】

Start Where You Are

Where else would you start on any journey, project or process than right where you are?     【小题2】. Start by taking some deep breaths. Then notice five things you see, four things you feel, three things you hear, two things you smell and one thing you taste. Noticing the smallest details of the physical space you are occupying at a given moment can help you feel steady and ready to step forward into a task, challenge or other new chapter.

Use What You Have

【小题3】? This is a helpful thought when dinnertime is getting close, my stomach is starting to rumble (咕噜作响), and I’m not sure what will be on my plate. I always calm down when I open the fridge and open my eyes to what I have and can use.

【小题4】       

What else can we ever do than what’s possible? Whatever is on your shoulders right now, the frustrating reality is, you won’t be able to complete it all, solve it all, achieve it all. 【小题5】. Be grounded in the present moment, connected with the resources you need to take the first steps and confident in your goal.