Betterment and wealth

 How often do you use then instead of than?

What’s the difference some might think? For those who don’t know the difference I say to you get to know the difference! Nothing looks less professional, or educated than copy or anything written by so called experts with poor English ability. I am reading something at the moment which has used then instead of than in more than one place. To me it highlights the writer’s language proficiency and reduces credibility.

So what is “then”?

Basically, then is used to describe what is coming next as in a sequence. In grammar language we call it an adverb, which helps give meaning to the action of the sentence. In this case it is sequential.

For example:

• First, we will play tennis then we will play golf.
• It will require persistent attention then quality assurance control to help with the success of the campaign. 

And, what is “than”?

Basically, than is used to describe a comparative, which is an unequal comparison of something. Something is bigger than something else for example. (It is not my point to get deep into the grammar, but simply to highlight the difference).

For example:

• My car is faster than your car.
• The price was more expensive than I had thought.
• His expressionless face was more than I could bear.

The above highlights what the usage is in simple terms as then and than are very different. Confusing the usage of then and than stands out, especially, when misused in published and printed documents and books.

Feel free to make the change and improve your usage of English if you currently make simple mistakes.

 If you haven’t read my previous post titled language learning for life opportunities then you can click here to read it.

So you’ve answered the why and what questions and now you want to move on.

Here are some further points that may help you focus on learning a language which I have tried and found beneficial. I am always looking for new ways to learn and adopting new practices may render previous techniques inadequate in the future. Nevertheless, these have helped me to:

• move forward quickly
• pick up natural usage
• understand the cultural aspects
• trust my instincts and subconscious mind

Before I move on it’s probably important to answer this question for yourself:

• How fluent do I want to become?

Your answers will vary and that is up to you to decide.

Formulating a plan

In the past I have tried to learn a few languages and have failed because I didn’t have a plan nor a purpose for learning. I usually just wanted to do it and thought that it might be helpful at some time in the future. Many people do the same and lose focus and motivation due to the hard work involved, but hey, we are only human, right! It is easy to slacken off and say: “I’ll do it tomorrow.”

Understanding why you are learning a language becomes part of the plan, and in a sense it is the goal. Do you plan to become fluent in one year or five years?

Seeking mentors and motivators

Finding a mentor is a good way to learn anything. They can guide you and give advice pointing you in the right direction away from failure. Talk to anyone who speaks another language and ask them about it. If it is your grandmother then perfect. I have spoken with many good multi-linguists and all have helped here and there. It really is amazing and motivating to see someone teach French and English then converse fluently with correct intonation and accent in a third language such as Japanese.

Adapting it to your life

This is an important step and that which will help immensely. You can also adapt your life around learning the language if you have the option and opportunity, but for a lot of people this may be a little unrealistic especially if it is only a hobby.

Listen to radio or watch television and DVD’s in the chosen language to immerse yourself in. Let your subconscious absorb what you hear and see so you can rely on it later. At times I can’t remember what to say but I seem to be able to just pull out the word and when I check it, it is often right. Something just feels right, so I trust my instinct.

Write a daily diary in the chosen language even if it is very basic and live to learn and use it daily. This will be hard at first but it does get easier even when learning difficult languages such as Japanese or Russian.

Get a private teacher or do language exchange with someone who needs help with English. The best of that it is free and can help with learning natural conversation to complement your studies. If you become friends you can also visit that person back in their home land which provides an opportunity to use the language in a real setting.

Set regular goals

As you learn and progress review your goals and set new ones. By continuously looking ahead and being mindful of your direction you can maintain focus on the desired result - fluency.

If your monthly goal is to learn 100 new words or to learn a certain context and situation such as shopping, then that is your immediate goal. Don’t confuse your immediate goals with your longer term goals as they are quite different. Shopping is a small part of a language and quite often one of the easiest parts to learn:

          Shopper: How much is that?

          Shop clerk: It’s $450.

          Shopper: Ok, I’ll buy it.

Now that’s a small fluent exchange of words but hardly fluent like the example below:

S: How much is that?

SC: It’s $450.

S: Why? It looks like it was washed up on a beach last year.

SC: I’m sorry I don’t understand.

S: Are you kidding? Have a look at it man. See the small scratches on the enameled plate? And look at the dents on the lacquered veneered section. Are you telling me you can’t see them?

SC: Oh, yes I see what you mean now. It’s an antique that has weathered the test of time. It is still in good condition compared to others of its age. The price reflects the condition and will add a touch of uniqueness to your home if you overcome your cognitive dissonance and decide to purchase it.

S: Yes. I see your point. Thanks for being straight with me.

SC: No problems sir. Would you like to pay cash or credit?

S: I’ll pay cash, because I don’t want to get into any more debt. I already have two credit cards I must pay off. 

SC: Ok sir, I’ll prepare it for you now. And I must say that is prudent shopping and you have resisted the urge to use those cards again. That’s a stirling effort!

To get to a stage as in the example above requires a lot of effort and a lot of small short-term goals to be attained. It can be done though!

Realising the opportunities

For entrepreneurs and employees alike we all need opportunities to prosper from. Learning a language can help create opportunities and the continued study and use of a foreign language is beneficial if someone takes interest in the skill you are developing or have.

Seek the opportunities and don’t be afraid to speak out about your language ability whether you are a beginner or fluent. People will always remember you for it and link you to it. You can use this as an attraction device.

What language do you currently learn or want to learn?

 Three days ago I received in the mail my test results for doing the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. After waiting for two months I can feel relieved that the anticipation is now over and I can hold up my result with pride - 80%!  

Why did I attain a low mark on the listening section?

Well my result for the listening section was not good and had the results of the other sections been much lower I may not have passed. I have been using Japanese in a natural way for a few years now and when listening to the audio and the artificial styled conversations I felt a little unclear of the intonation and content. A real conversation is far easier!  I knew about test taking strategies in advance but failed to really utilise them because it was my first time doing the test and I didn’t have any experience under pressure.  

Why should you do the Japanese Language Proficiency Test?

Obviously you should be studying or learning Japanese to even consider this. If you are then you may have a reason that resembles the following:

• for employment prospects
• for self interest

It is the only real test of Japanese that is conducted by the Japanese authorities which tests your ability from beginner to native level grammar and vocabulary. Just to put some perspective on the levels, most Japanese would struggle with answering some of the grammar questions in the level 2 test let alone the level 1 test. Wow! Yes that is right. And the level 3 test has sufficient grammar to allow a person to function quite well in society.

What is the process of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test?

It all starts with a strict application process that requires you to pay in person at a post office and send the application by registered mail after you have taken your photo and attached it.

After you receive notification of your acceptance you have to make sure all of the details are correct and that there are no mistakes. Next, check where the test location is in your area or city and be mindful of the time and date. Until the test day just keep studying.

It’s test day and you just follow the signs to the test location as many volunteers will be out in force guiding foreigners to the location.

The test is broken up into parts and there are rest periods in between the different sections. Take a packed lunch and enjoy the day.

After the test you have to wait about 2 months for the results. If you are really keen to get the results I guess it could be a long and anxious wait.

How often is the Japanese Language Proficiency Test held?

There is a disappointing answer to this question. It is only held once a year in December. So that means if you fail, you have to wait one whole year to do it again.

Where to from here?

For me it is back to the books to prepare for the next test. I’ll try to do the top level if I push through the kanji (chinese characters) and am confident I can read most of them. If not level 2 will be sufficient. I need to set out a workable study schedule that will allow me to be in a position to make a decision on which level I choose by late August. In late August I’ll have to submit my application and be confident that the remaining three months won’t be a cram session.

Have you taken a language test before? What was it and how did you do?

“It’s been a while in the making but I think I may have discovered my purpose in life.”

That’s a bold statement and one that may come back to make me look silly, but those signals I am reading are pretty convincing.

So what are the signals people might get that lead to discovering one’s purpose?

Let’s explore some factors that may influence purpose discovery. They are not complete and are what I see as important and what I have discovered myself.

• Current age: how does it affect your health, status awareness, beliefs and career?
• Current status: how does your status affect your beliefs and health?
• Current beliefs: how do your beliefs affect your status, health and career?
• Current career: how does your career affect your health, beliefs and status?
• Current health: how does your health affect your career and beliefs?

Now, the above points seem to influence each other and may change over time. I found that as each point changed in my life the other points seemed to adjust, as if naturally - I am a big believer in the university of life.

What is my purpose?

In answering that question I should probably state what isn’t my purpose. I definately know what it isn’t as I am sure many others do to. However I am not sure as to the extent of what it isn’t - maybe I never will. Here are some points that may or may not sound familiar:

• It isn’t spending the rest of my life doing what I don’t want to do. One word comes to mind here: change.

• It isn’t doing what other people want me to do. I have met many young Japanese who are unhappy because they are doing what their parents want them to do. I often hear how they are at university studying to be a doctor or dentist because their parents are making them do that. So the son or daughter does it to make the parents proud often at the expense of happiness. (This is not everybody but I hear it a lot from my students)

• It isn’t being restricted by my options. There are always options that may not be easy to recognise but they are there. There may only be one option, but that is more than none and futility!

• It isn’t being non-productive. Producing and creating things that interest me leaves the rest of my life full of things to do.

It is hard to put into concrete terms what my purpose is. From the above it is easier to focus on what it may be though; creation sounds nice!

I don’t know the answers to life though, however intrinsically the nature of your body’s makeup will help you realise your purpose through the school of life (just to borrow a cliche) but only if you feel the signals. Sadly, many don’t.

Have you found your purpose? If so I would be interested to hear.

“Judge people based on their deeds” says Paulo Coelho in an interview I found on youtube.

Who is Paulo Coelho?

He is a writer of mystical fictional books and stories that has given me some direction and understanding about life, whether it be pure fantasy or reality.  The Devil and Miss Prym is my favorite story to date and I must admit I have only read two stories so far. In my bookshelf I have The Alchemist which he is most famous for and my next read.

I enjoyed listening to his interview and his rational, logical perception of things.

If you haven’t read any of his books why not try one or two? You might be surprised.

Blogging sure is a hard thing to do! Those small issues that I always tend to ignore come up to bite EVENTUALLY.

I have had to change the blog template a bit recently due to some problems with template functionality and size. After having tried more than about 10, I think, I have settled on the current theme. It gives me workable size to play with and the format looks good without being too loud.

I would like to know what you think of the theme I am now using so feel free to pop in a comment or two. Thanks..

How many books have you read in one year? 2? 10 maybe?

Have a look at Dayna Tan from Singapore who read 320 books in one year when she was nine years old! And now she has written a book all by the age of 11. To view some sample pages of her book you can view them at the bottom of one of the pages. There is some interesting perspective in her writing and she seems to have educated herself in the process.

That’s pure inspirational!

 How many books did you read in 2007?

How would you like to practise your English vocabulary and feed the poor?

How can that be done you might ask. Well, check out the link below and it will take you to a site called “Free Rice”.

The vocabulary presented can be quite difficult and challenging. It seems like a good way of improving your English vocabulary and at the same time you can feed the poor becuase everytime you get a word correct they send 20 grains of rice to the World Food Programme.

See if you can get the words correct. You might be surprised.

Marketing is an often used word, but do you really know what it means? More so, do you know what the marketing process entails?

Here are some commonly confused interpretations of marketing:

• Marketing is advertising
• Marketing is selling

Advertising and selling are part of the marketing process, but they are not marketing in a pure sense. Before I studied marketing I think I probably had the same opinion and was confused by the marketing term and process. However, things have changed,  but I’m no expert. There are some components that make up the marketing mix, which in itself is marketing:

• Product
• Price
• Place
• Promotion - includes advertising

These are known as the four “P’s” and they constitute the marketing mix and selling a product or service. Now how can it be used in a normal life situation?

In trying to answer that question let’s look at each ‘P’ individually, and I have attempted to apply the 4 p’s to an individual which is something that I haven’t seen before:

Product/Service: who are you, what are you, and what do you have to offer? Defining yourself by answering those questions can help solve who your target market is and who you are marketing yourself to. For example:

• You have skills and qualifications in computing. If you want to be an employee, then it’s pretty clear who your target market is. If you want to be self-employed then your future target market is your future potential clients and business partners. Understanding what you have to offer is much like understanding what your product would be if you were a company.

Price: what are you worth as an employee? What would you charge for your services as a self-employed professional? One important consideration here would be the profitability of your decisions. If being an employee is more profitable than being self-employed for example, then perhaps asking yourself “What is my price?” would be a major decision determiner.   

Place: where are you going to work? Will the location suit you, or, your target market? Is working at home and option? How will your target market react from the location that you work from? Whether you are an employee or a self-employed person your work location is an important aspect. Do you like your daily commute?

Promotion: how do people and businesses know who you are? How do you draw attention to yourself? Are you prepared to pay to promote yourself through advertising?

If you are attending a job interview, what have you done to give yourself the best possible chance to gain the position? “How do I stand out from the crowd?” might be a good question to ask yourself. Alternatively, “how do I look as part of the crowd?”

So, with some consideration of the four p’s a person’s planning can be more directed with some hope of a clearer understanding of what, where, and how much that person wants to be. I am going to continue using the four p’s to help with my life planning and see how it goes.

What do you think about using the marketing mix to help with your life?

• Do you have a budget?

• Do you keep track of your spending?

• How much money do you waste?

• Do you save a proportion of your income?

• What percentage of interest do you receive on your savings?

• How much debt are you in?

• Do you know how you can get out of debt?

• Are you planning for the future?

• Are you an investor?

• What do you invest in?

If your answers are no, or, I don’t know then the following question might be interesting to find an answer to:

• What am I going to do to change it to yes, and I know?

Understanding the answers to the above questions can be a challenging but interesting adventure. I started to financially educate myself which changed my thinking and allowed me to see where I was going in life. Since then further study has shown some direction and helped answer the questions and more.

Getting help from qualified professionals could be beneficial in starting the wealth building process. Motivation from others or motivation of the self to take steps to get out of what you don’t want to be in seems logical, and why not match it with the investigation of what professionals can offer.