Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
Education
(Image Source: India Today)
Boost your vocabulary during lockdown
Excerpts from article published by the India Today Web Desk
Mastery over the English language has become imperative for everyone to build their capabilities. This extension in the period of lockdown has a bit of a silver lining as being at home gives one plenty of time to brush up your vocabulary, improve listening, comprehension and pronunciation.
Here are some ways in which you can utilise your time at home in a fruitful manner:
1. Use digital platforms and gadgets
There are several digital and interactive platforms that can help students & learners of all age groups to build their language skills at home. Some platforms offer a collection of engaging stories, fun facts, trivia and quizzes that help improve English vocabulary, listening, speaking, comprehension and storytelling.
2. Start reading books
Reading books or novels is one of the best ways to improve one’s vocabulary. While reading you come across new words and gain the curiosity to find its meaning which expands and improves your knowledge. Keep a dictionary around while reading so that as and when you come across new words you can refer to the dictionary and find its correct meaning.
3. Listen to podcasts or audiobooks
Listening is a skill which requires attention and picking out new words, noting them down and uncovering their meaning gives great exposure. Many good websites and apps now host podcasts where they hold interviews or talk about various things happening around the world. Listening to these will not only help you know what all is going on around the world but also improve your English skills, while at home.
4. Watch English classics or dramas
At a time when online streaming platforms have become the new reality for people to kill time at home, you can opt to watch classic English movies, dramas or shows which will lead you to encounter new words. For a better understanding and knowledge, it is also suggested to maintain a journal and note down the new words and their meanings every time you learn them which will help you memorise and use them in your daily vocabulary.
5. Play word games
Word games like scrabble, word jumble, puzzles, crosswords etc. help reveal new words and guide you to develop good vocabulary. Daily practice of using these new words in conversations can improve your memory, focus, vocabulary and cognitive skills. You can play these games with your family or play them online with friends.
Do something productive while you’re confined to your homes. With some simple efforts you can build stronger linguistic abilities.
Career
(Image Credit: Freepik)
How to find meaning when your job feels meaningless
Excerpts from article by Rebecca Knight, published in Harvard Business Review
Amidst a rapidly spreading and deadly virus it’s hard to feel inspired about anything these days — let alone your job. But while it’s understandable to feel that your work has lost its purpose, rekindling it ought to be a top priority. Having a professional purpose and an identity gives your life meaning & motivation. Nothing gives you more energy than a clear purpose. There are many different ways you can find purpose
Here are some ideas:
1. Offset negativity
In a typical day, you endure hundreds of micro-stresses that affect your productivity and feelings about your job. Look for ways to feel good and uplifted: Read about real-life heroes; take a walk; attend a religious service via Zoom; page through a book; or scroll through photographs of faraway places. Also take a break from the news as the constant negativity affects your brain and wellbeing by exhausting your strength and stealing your joy.
2. Cultivate humility
Give yourself a break. While this past year has been hard, you need to remember that you’re not the only one suffering. People are going through hard things all over the world, have compassion. A little self-pity every now and then is natural, but don’t allow yourself to devolve into a woe-is-me mindset. How you view your life shapes your life. Practicing gratitude provides positive emotions that can neutralise the challenges you inevitably experience.
3. Reflect on your values
Reflect on what you care about and what motivates you. Remind yourself why and how the work you do affects others. Think about what excited you about working at your organisation in the first place. Think about projects and plans that invigorate you and consider what you’re excited to learn from your job.
4. Offer your assistance
In a perfect world, you want to align your purpose with the mission of your organisation, and you want to feel like the work you’re doing is for the greater good. But if that’s gone, look for small ways that your purpose can be personal. Being helpful is gratifying. Putting yourself forward, even in small ways can be replenishing.
5. Contribute to the best of your ability
Job shaping is another strategy that can help spark your dormant enthusiasm for work. Look for ways to make new contributions so that your presence at your organisation feels more meaningful. Think about how your strengths, skills, and passions could help your organisation deal with the current moment’s crisis-related challenges. Your goal is to make changes to your role that match your experience and motivations.
6. Seek out and be grateful for your colleagues
Make a concerted effort to connect with colleagues that you enjoy. Reflect on why you’re grateful for certain colleagues and then demonstrating your appreciation. Research shows that expressing gratitude grounds you and provides a counterbalance to the negativity that crisis and uncertainty generate.
7. Consider a career change, but don’t be reckless
Don’t make a rash decision based on your state of mind today. We are all under a lot of stress, and no one makes good decisions under those conditions. It’s important to be positive in the choices you make. Once these crises pass, you may still desire a career change; and you can take steps to deal with it. Until then, ride it out and see if you can improve your current circumstances.
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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