Beginner Basics How to Teach Yourself Guitar

Beginner Basics How to Teach Yourself Guitar Suzy S. Getting started on guitar can be mystifying without a great teacher to guide you. Follow these tips from guitar teacher Jerry W. and  youll be on your way to playing the guitar So you want to teach yourself how to play guitar? You dream of playing your favorite song or gigging in a band. Youve bought a guitar and youre ready to start. But now what? Where should you begin? In this post I will walk you through making a plan to teach yourself guitar. I will cover the steps to developing your goals and making a plan. Determine Your Starting Point Your first step is to assess your current musical ability. Are you a complete musical beginner or do you already play another instrument? The most important factor to consider at this point is whether you already know how to read music. If you have previous musical background and read music then your task will be much easier and you will want to look for teaching materials (books, videos, blogs) that delve right into the actual techniques of playing the guitar and the unique characteristic of guitar music. If, however, you are a complete beginner, then you need to find teaching resources that take you step by step through reading music in addition to learning guitar. Determine Your Goals Once you know your starting point you need to determine your ending point. What do you hope to accomplish as a guitar player? Why do you want to teach yourself guitar? Do you want to simply strum along with your favorite song or play standard chords as you sing, or do you want to be able to play lead guitar and solo over the band? Are you interested in strumming rhythm on the acoustic guitar, rocking out on the electric, fingerpicking a folk tune or playing classical music? Although it is possible to become proficient in each of these areas, it is best and more reasonable to start with a simple clear and reachable goal. Determine Your Style The most important part of your goal setting is to determine your preferred guitar style. The first step in this is to choose between the three primary types of guitar: acoustic, electric and classical. Once you select the type of guitar I would recommend focusing on a specific style of music. There are a lot of resources out there for the guitar player and knowing what style you are looking for will help you to quickly narrow down your options. Also, the style of music you wish to play will help determine what music reading skills you need to have. You can strum to music by simply being able to read chord symbols, a lot of pop music is written in guitar tablature (tab) but to play classical guitar you will need to learn standard music notation. Make a Plan Now that you have a clear goal it is time to make a plan. Here are the primary steps to your plan: Find resources. Search the web for the best books, videos and articles on your chosen guitar style. Go to your nearest music store and look at their resources. Talk to the salesperson and ask them what will work best for your goals. If you know anyone who plays guitar, see what they use. There are a wealth of resources available so spend some time checking out the reviews and seeing which ones look best for helping you reach your goals. Set up a practice schedule. There is no substitute for practice. The amount of time you are willing and able to practice will have the greatest impact on your eventual success. It is best to have a specific time set aside. If you really want to reach your goal you will need to spend the time. If you dont schedule it, then it is all too easy to forget and allow other activities to crowd it out. Choose a time and stick with it.  Play with others. As soon as possible begin to play with others. The fun of making music together will encourage you to go back and practice some more. Also, more advanced musicians are often happy to offer pointers you can take back to the practice room. Work the Plan You have a goal. You have a plan. Now for the hard part. You need to work your plan. No amount of dreaming and no amount of planning will make up for the hard work of practicing and playing on a regular basis. If you want to teach yourself guitar then you will have to work hard. But if you stick with it, in a few weeks you will begin to see progress and soon you will have the pleasure of reaching your goal and the enjoyment of playing your favorite music on your guitar. Remember, you can only get so far teaching yourself guitar. Nothing beats private guitar lessons if you want to learn proper technique and see fast results! Jerry W. teaches classical guitar, composition, trombone and  trumpet  in Grosse Pointe, MI.  He received his Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition from  Cornerstone University and went on to receive both his Masters and PhD in Music Composition from  Michigan State University.  Jerry has been making music and teaching students for over thirty years.    Learn more about Jerry W. here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo  by  yoppy

Vocal Health The Important Tip That Will Save Your Voice

Vocal Health The Important Tip That Will Save Your Voice Suzy S. Lots of rehearsals coming up? Feeling under the weather? In this article, singing teacher  Elaina R.  shares an important vocal health tip that can save your voice!   The tenor in my professional vocal quintet is named Mark. It’s a perfectly good name, but for a singer it can be frustrating. Nearly every day someone announces that they are going to “mark,” and poor Mark gets confused. Sometimes even Mark has to mark. What the heck am I talking about? Marking is an important skill that every singer, amateur or professional, must learn in order to stay healthy. Learning about this vocal health tip  (and how to do it properly) can save you from a whole host of problems, including vocal fatigue and injury. And if your name is Mark, I apologize in advance for any confusion this may cause. What Is Marking and When Should I Do It? Marking is a type of modified singing meant to minimize strain on the voice. It limits volume and range while maintaining rhythm and pitch accuracy. Most importantly, marking is a tool you can use to avoid getting vocally tired and hurting yourself during vocal rehearsals of any kind. This includes rehearsals for choir, musicals, operas, show choir, a cappella, even personal rehearsal time. Marking comes in handy when: You have to sing the same taxing thing over and over.  This can happen: For the benefit of collaborators (e.g. piano accompanists, orchestra, other singers) When learning new music, either with others or on your own. There’s no reason to sing a vocally difficult passage forte  10  times just to learn it. You are feeling vocal fatigue (pain or discomfort in the throat, difficulty getting a clear vocal sound, general feeling of strain) You are vocally compromised by allergies or illness (maybe you are getting over a cold and don’t want to overdo it) A quick note on marking in rehearsal: be sure to let your conductor, director, and/or pianist know that you will be marking beforehand. Marking is completely acceptable to any conductor or accompanist (in fact, it shows how mature you are!), but if you don’t let people know, they might be confused as to why you sound different than usual. How to Mark There are two main ways that singers mark. However, before we get to how to mark, let me give a little disclaimer. Marking can be just as tiring, if not MORE tiring, than singing in full voice if you don’t do it properly. You may think you’re taking it easy, but you still have to think about breath, resonance, and tension in the same ways you would if you were singing in full voice. Otherwise, you could hurt yourself while marking, which completely negates the purpose of  this vocal health tip! Got it? OK, good. Moving on to the two main types of marking. Sing quieter. When marking, singers often eliminate dynamics in favor of a comfortable piano. This often involves switching vocal registration (head voice instead of high chest voice, for example). The result is a lighter, easier sound than full voice singing. Not sure what this means? Refresh your knowledge of  vocal registers. Eliminate range extremes. When marking, singers avoid high notes by transposing them down an octave. For example, if I was marking and I had an E6 in my music, I would sing an E5 or E4 instead. Mark Away The next time you are feeling vocally strained while trying to learn new music or while in a rehearsal, remember this vocal health tip. When done properly, marking  helps protect your voice from fatigue and injury, ensuring that you’ll sound great when performance time comes around. Your musical collaborators, your voice teacher, and your vocal cords will all appreciate that! Post Author:  Elaina R. Elaina R. teaches opera voice and singing in Ypsilanti, MI, as well as through online lessons. She received her Master of Music from  the University of Michigan, and she has a B.M. from the University of Southern California. Learn more about Elaina here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

The 7 Universal Laws of Networking - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / The 7 Universal Laws of Networking - Introvert Whisperer The 7 Universal Laws of Networking As an Introvert Leader, your ability to network and forge relationships will be key to your upward trajectory.  A good way to gauge how well you’ve done in this area is to think about how many people you could call for referrals inside other companies.  Arg!  Kind of hits home for you?  Not feeling so good about this area?   At some point, your job opportunities will be directly linked to how well your network ties are.   Waiting to develop these relationships is like using the lottery as your retirement strategy.  It might work but don’t count on it.   A great place to get started is by first understanding the Universal Laws of Networking:   Law 1 â€"  All relationships are 80/20. People are inherently lazy about the development and maintenance of relationships.  That means you may put in much more effort in terms of contacting the other person than they will.  You’d think all great relationships are about even in terms of maintenance but they don’t tend to be.  If you simply approach it with that in mind,,the other person will love you for your efforts.   Law 2 â€" Find common ground. The basis for all relationships is having something in common.  For people you work with, the obvious connection is your place of business.  You may have to dig deeper with other non-work people.  I find that talking food and great eating experiences can create common ground.  If you met the person in a group setting, there may be that as your shared interest.   Law 3 â€"  Be interested. I read something when I was growing up that a sign of a good conversationalist is when you ask the other person questions about them.  Talking about you is always seriously fun!  Show you’re interested by asking them about them.   Law 4 â€" Look good. OK, I put that in here just to see if you’re paying attention.  Of course, we all look marvelous!   Law 5 â€" Connect them with others. The best networkers and relationship rock stars are the ones that connect their network to each other.  This is not random introductions but people that can make a difference to the career or life of another.  I know a gal that is routinely introducing me to someone through email because she thinks we would be mutually beneficial.  Those introductions can be anywhere from a business referral to simply a cool person she thinks I’d like to know.   Law 6  â€" Every contact has value. You may not know it at first or even second blush but every one you come in contact with is good for you to know.  You may have to dig a while before you understand why.   Law 7 â€" Them first, you second. When we approach our relationships with others by first understanding how we can help them or support them, your network will flourish.  Think of how irritated you get when you know someone is talking to you simply to use you or ask you for something.  No one likes to be used.  This is the most important law of them all.  You will be the lovable, fuzz-ball that is irresistible to everyone.  Go for it!   We so often think that if we only learn one more “hard” skill our career will soar.  While those skills are always great to learn, your skill with people will be the single biggest success factor in your career. Do you know what your next career step is?   Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable.   Get your copy now and start your action plan today: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

Learn to Draw for a Career in Graphic Design

Learn to Draw for a Career in Graphic Design Learning to Draw for a Future as a Graphic Designer ChaptersWhat Type of Work Does a Graphic Designer Do?The Path to a Career in Graphic DesignTaking a Step Back in TimeThe Proliferation of Graphic DesignA Word on DimensionsWhat Training and Credentials are Required?Are you intent on a career where you can make full use of your creativity?Could your ability to draw lead to a satisfying and rewarding profession?By developing your drawing skills, you may find many doors open to you in the world of graphic design.Before you start banking those fat paychecks, you will need expanded education in drawing art.With this article, we hope to point you in the right direction.The graphic designer is a professional artist who works with a well-developed aesthetic sense, complemented by solid technical knowledge of drawing and painting.Technical know-how?Generally, when one discusses pen and ink drawing, pencil and paper drawing, charcoal drawing or drawing in any type of medium, drawing technique is invoked, rather than technical knowledge.Unless you are talking about graphic art.Let us find out now what this job entails and how you could train for it.How could a talent for drawing not be enough to work as an artist?We'll answer that question, and discover everything you ever wanted to know about the profession vaguely labeled graphic designer.Graphic designers are busy throughout the year. Photo via Visualhunt sharpening lines and contrast between coloursTypeface: font settings and adjustmentSimple shapes, coalescing them to create a coherent whole.Sounds like we're casting a wide net, doesn't it?In spite of the far-reaching realm of the graphic designer, s/he operates under specific guidelines.As such an artist, you might be tasked with enhancing and fine-tuning a proposed concept to create a brand-specific image, logo, poster, flier; or design fine art for packaging.The graphic designer works on all types of print media, but also creates online art for the world wide web.Designing banners, callouts and adverts; s/he could even be credited with designing and creating the layout of entire sites!With the year's peak shopping season currently at hand, you'd better believe that such artists are working double and triple time to make sure their clients secure the lion's share of this year's holiday spending!If you are planning your future around this type of lucrative engagement, here is what you will have to be capable of:Working under/against a deadlineManaging stress and pressure from client (or supervisor) demandsWorking on a team, with other artistsBe willing to scrap all of the work you've done and start anew, if your customer so wills it.That makes your glorious future career as a graphic designer sound like any other job, doesn't it?The field of graphic design is as yet undefined; limitless in creative and earning potential.What that means is that the profession is constantly evolving.Doesn't that make it sound more exciting?And, graphic design is not the only career field you can ply your figure drawing in.Your path to a career as a graphics designer starts in art school Source: Pixabay Credit: LarisaKThe Path to a Career in Graphic DesignWhy would anyone learning how to draw want to do so on a computer?The benefits of drawing in achieving a meditative state are well known - the feel of charcoal on your hand, the smell of oil pastels and pencil shavings; the warm reassurance of a sketchpad across your knee: aren't these expressive of the artist's milieu?  Not necessarily, although your drawing lessons will most likely require you to work with those drawing materials, at the outset.Every idea the contemporary artist embraces as his next subject begins its journey to realisation with a pencil sketch: an unformed idea thrown on paper through a series of random strokes of the pencil.We'll bet you have filled a sketchbook or two!From there, your work turns into a powerful message, whether for advertising, brand recognition, entertainment or any other objective.That is why it is vital to know how to draw well by hand, and ply your skill through digital drawing, too.To do so effectively, you would need to have:intimate knowledge of colour and what each shade symbolisesfor example: pink for girls, blue for boys, red for passiona sense of balance in art; of proportion and aestheticsideas for the effective use of spaceeven negative spacea way to achieve textures, for example: through cross hatching or shading.The best graphic designers master these fundamentals of art drawing and more, which gives them the artistic  intuition to render exactly what their client is looking for.Often, the most successful artists outdo their clients' expectations.With proper training as an artist, you could be one of them!Because the profession of graphic design is constantly changing, breaking new ground in visual feasts and treats, the field has been cited as one of the most exciting to work in, in this new millennium.And, because the career field is so hot, new drawing tools to render this cutting edge of art are invented and designed every day.Maybe that could be a career field for you!  If you're searching for art classes in the UK be sure to check out Superprof for drawing lessons London to Edinburgh and in between.appeal even to those who were not privileged to have learned how to read.To continue that trend, and in addition to adverts, cartoons and caricatures started appearing in newspapers around the middle of the nineteenth century.The practice expanded â€" and the art styles evolved in the early twentieth century, with the appearance of advertising posters, some of which are now considered works of art.Surely you know of Toulouse-Lautrec posters? At least the Moulin Rouge one?It was after the second World War that advertising, a visual feast, exploded!Economies were desperate to recover from devastation, and people were hungry for beauty and novelty.Ad agencies delivered.Full page spreads hawking the latest kitchen appliance or household convenie nce. For the gentlemen: how about a sleek new car?Rosy-cheeked children spooned pudding into their cartoon faces while doting parents looked on...For decades, not much changed, other than the themes of the renderings: women were buying cars more, and working in offices.For that, entire wardrobes were drawn and marketed.And then, along came the computer; a more advanced way of rendering, and graphic design would never be the same.Neither would advertising.With training as a graphic designer, you too could render pencil sketches digitally Source: Pixabay Credit: PtraThe New Frontier for Graphic DesignFor today's graphic designer, whether in advertising, web page design or in the exciting and stimulating industry of vector graphics for gaming, the sky is the limit.Software applications from Adobe, Quark and Corel permit graphic designers to reach new dimensions; far beyond the limited perspective drawing required of the illustrator of the past.The Wacom Tablet and other computer drawin g equipment have mostly replaced traditional pencil and paper drawing, but the mechanics of basic drawing have not changed.Why not discover how online drawing techniques can help you refine your sense of art?The Proliferation of Graphic DesignAccording to the site Career Addicts, the world of graphic design is one of the most lucrative and diverse.If you aim to work in any of the following fields, you too will enter that world to seek your fortune.Here are some blatantly obvious, and some not-so-obvious career choices your love of step by step drawing could lead you to:Advertising (of course!)Television and cinema â€" special effects, cartoon and other animated featuresWeb designComic book artistManga artistVideo game designerProduct labelingDecoration and furniture designArchitectNo matter where you look these days, computer generated imagery is everywhere.Someone has to design it! Why not you?A Word on DimensionsJust now, anyone who can execute flawless 3 dimensional work is in hi gh demand.In fact, if you are any kind of gamer, that is the type of graphics you may wish to specialise in. It requires a good understanding of maths to draw in 3D.However, we offer this caution: don't forsake every other drawing course to settle on this particular field.It would be far better â€" more valuable in the long run for you to learn the basics: still lifes and how to draw faces.Once you have established yourself as a graphic designer of some renown, you can always transition into this field that, even as we write this, is in flux.Or, you just might find that you prefer being a portrait artist!What Training and Credentials are Required?It would be nice if, like great masters of the past, you could land an exciting and lucrative position simply because you have nurtured artistic talent all of your life.The fact is that graphic designers today must be highly educated to specialise in their field.Fortunately, there are plenty of courses for you to certify your drawing skills .Before you get to that level, you should take all  drawing classes available to you, to learn:sketchingone point perspectivehow to draw peoplehow to draw hands, an eye, the haircontour drawingforeshorteninghow to accurately draw animalsYou will also need to experiment with various media: colored pencils, Conté crayons and pastel oils.Do you know the difference in drawing with a charcoal pencil versus a graphite pencil?  Under which condition would you use a kneaded eraser? What about a plain eraser?It might seem unnecessary, as you envision three dimensional work in your future, still: remember what was said about the mechanics of drawing?If you can render a life drawing realistically, using traditional art materials, you stand a much better chance at furthering your art education than if you merely draw cartoons or caricature.If you know how to create sketches that leap off the page â€" or screen; if you have attended art school and know more than drawing basics, your skill and t alent may be eagerly sought after.Does the idea of becoming a graphic designer give you additional motivation to continue learning to draw?In embracing these different, modern drawing techniques, you will be perfectly prepared for your future artistic assignments.For you, who spend your days doodling and finding subjects that are fun to draw, what could be better?

Vocal Warm-Up Exercises Inspired by Robert Shaw

Vocal Warm-Up Exercises Inspired by Robert Shaw Suzy S. Yesterday, April 30th, would have been the 96th birthday of the late Robert Shaw, famed conductor and founder of his namesake Chorale and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, most notably.   Shaw won 14 Grammy awards and 4 ASCAP awards throughout his career, and is best known for helping turn choral conducting into a true art and setting forth the standards of excellence that are still in place today. While many conductors see vocal warm-up exercises as just that warm-ups Shaw saw it as precious time to sharpen singers techniques and work on acting as an ensemble.   For Shaw, warm-ups should be both effective and relevant. Chorus America has a great article about Shaws technique (along with some great audio clips) that is definitely worth the read.   Below are some of the highlights from the article, explaining some of the exercises Shaw used: 1. Vowel Unification: A single pitch, sung in unison (or octaves) on the nonsense syllable, noo.   Begin on a moderately low pitch, such as E, and move down by semitones. This exercise allows the singers to concentrate on nothing more than basic vowel unification and tuning. 2.   Divisi Textures: Two, three, then four pitches sung on loo or noo, creating a whole tone cluster. Singers may also sing on nee or naw or move from nee to aw.   This exercise is useful for determining balance issues in two-, three-, and four-part divisi textures. In addition, the dissonance created by the cluster pitches is preferable to more consonant intervals because one can more readily determine if one voice part is overbalancing the other voice parts. 3. Intonation: Beginning on a moderately low pitch such as E, move up a semitone in 16 pulsed unison pitches (effectively dividing the semitone into 16 separate notes, with each sung almost imperceptibly higher than the last). For even more intensive ear training, a minor third relationship between lower and upper voices may be used. 4. Changes in Acoustics: Beginning with a unison pitch on noo or nee, change vowels rapidly ad lib while slowly turning 360 degrees. This forces the singer to listen acutely in order to maintain a consistent pitch as the acoustics in the room change. 5. Tone Color: Begin with unison pitch on nee with an overly bright vowel. Crescendo and darken the vowel. Do the exercise again, beginning with a tone that is too dark, gradually brightening the vowel during the crescendo. Readers, what other strategies do you use for your vocal warm-up exercises? Leave a comment below or head on over to our Facebook page! Like these posts?   Sign up to receive updates right to your inbox!   Click here to subscribe. You might also like Using Scales to Improve Vocal Range and More Find Your Voice as a Singer: 4 Tips That Work How to Sing Better With One Simple Trick Photo by hikingartist.com.

Tips for Introverts on Coping With a Stressful Divorce at Work - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Tips for Introverts on Coping With a Stressful Divorce at Work - Introvert Whisperer Tips for Introverts on Coping With a Stressful Divorce at Work Divorce is stressful. Trying to maintain your family and professional life while navigating through the process can be downright exhausting. Some people find solace in putting all of their efforts into their job, while others struggle to keep their personal life from affecting their workplace responsibilities. As an introvert, you may retreat from work friendships or social events in an attempt to steer clear of the emotional turmoil you’re going through at home â€" but there might be a better way. You must find a balance between your personal divorce troubles and work responsibilities to stay healthy, active, and productive in and out of the office. Unfortunately, there is no magic recipe for staying stress-free in the workplace. However, there are some strategies you can use to create healthy coping mechanisms you can use at work. Before we discuss a few tips, let’s review the state of divorce in America and why it can be a stressful time for introverts. Understanding Divorce and Stress The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that there were more than 2.2 million marriages in 2017. There were also 787,251 divorces in 45 states during the same period. Couples choose to get divorced for a variety of reasons, such as infidelity or the loss of a connection. One survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau reported that financial trouble is a major deciding factor in many divorces. People who make at least $97,000 per year had the lowest divorce rate, and those who were unemployed experienced much higher rates of divorce. Once a couple decides to move forward with getting a divorce, many decisions must be made. A few examples include what happens with the couples home and other marital assets and how to divide time with the children. If the end of the marriage was related to financial struggles, figuring out how much a divorce will cost and who will pay for it can add to the tension. All of these decisions may leave you feeling stressed, tired, and disconnected from the world around you, which can affect your ability to work effectively and efficiently on the job. Many people believe that introverts deal with the stress of divorce differently than their extroverted counterparts. The changes at home can alter your day-to-day life and set you into a tailspin. You may be mulling over the details of the break-up, which can lead to feeling distracted. Introverts often go into hibernation and need to be left alone, which others may not understand. Your unique way of handling the stress of divorce isn’t wrong, it’s just part of who you are as a person. Practical Tips for Dealing with Divorce Stress at Work Dealing with the stress of divorce will probably affect all areas of your life. You must find strategies to use to keep you on track at work. Here are a few tips you can use to boost your engagement and productivity on-the-job. Take Some Time Off Introverts need to be alone when going through stressful situations. If you recognize that the quality and quantity of your work is slipping, it may be time to take a few days off. Talk to your manager or the human resources department to see what kind of options you may have for getting some much-needed time away from work. Stay Organized Work can be challenging on a good day. When your mind is preoccupied with the stress of divorce and all the decisions you need to make, it can feel downright impossible. To stay on top of deadlines and other important tasks at work, make sure to stay organized in order to manage your stress levels. Don’t overbook your days with too much work and learn to manage your tasks proactively to lessen the amount of stress you feel. One strategy you can use to manage work is to create a list of 10 items that must be done the next day before you leave work each evening. Highlight the most important 3 or 4 tasks that have to be completed. Place the list in an easy to see spot on your desk so that you can get started in the morning without having to think about what needs to be done. Practice Mindfulness You must practice mindfulness at work and at home. If you’re having a stressful day, take a walk outside or find a quiet place to sit. You can also practice deep breathing exercises or body scan meditation to minimize distractions and refocus your attention to the work at hand. Make sure to eat a healthy diet, get plenty of rest, and participate in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each day to reduce stress levels. Seek Help When You Need It You may struggle to admit that you need professional mental health assistance. Counselors, social workers, or psychologists can offer a safe place to discuss your feelings. You might also need to seek counseling services for your children during and after the divorce. Ask your manager if your company offers an employee assistance program. These programs help to find mental health providers quickly and may even be free to use. Coping Well at Work No matter how stressful things get at home, it’s critical to remember that your divorce and these feelings will pass. Keep in mind that your mental health is essential to your overall well being, job performance, and your feelings of job satisfaction. Use these four tips to strategically get what you need when going through a divorce at work. Image Source: Unsplash By: Frankie Wallace Frankie Wallace is a blogger from Boise, Idaho and a recent graduate from the University of Montana. Wallace contributes to a variety of different blogs online and focuses on writing about career advice. Go to top Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!   Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Volunteer With Heart Cate Rogers - Heart Math Tutoring

Volunteer With Heart Cate Rogers - Heart Math Tutoring Volunteer With Heart: Cate Rogers Volunteer With Heart: Cate Rogers April 1, 2016 Cate Rogers has always considered math critically important. She spent more than 40 years in education starting as a secretary, then as a special education teacher, an elementary and middle school principal, a superintendent and then as a professor and graduate school dean. She worked tirelessly to help teachers overcome their own fears and biases in the teaching of math (and science, too) so they would be able to instill in their students a love of math. Cate tutors a third grader and a fourth grader each week at Piney Grove Elementary School through Heart Math Tutoring. Why did you become a volunteer? After retiring, I wanted to be involved with children and their learning. My husband found this program and wanted to work with young children as well so we are doing this together. This is his first time tutoring and we are learning and growing together. Things change in education and it is important to keep up with the times. This program is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in helping a child improve his or her math skills. What  its  something you have in common with one of your  students? The color purple! We both love it! What would you tell someone who is  thinking about becoming a volunteer? Heart is a wonderful opportunity for someone who would like to make a difference in a childs life. The program is well organized with extensive lesson plans. Seeing the gains made by the students is very rewarding. Its only a few hours a week and its well worth your time and commitment. Give it a try! Cate’s students look forward to working with her each week. We can always count on her fourth grade student arriving early on Thursdays, eager to know if Cate is here for her tutoring session. Heart is fortunate and grateful that Cate and John Rogers have chosen to spend their time each week with the program at Piney Grove Elementary! The Rogers are new to North Carolina as of summer 2015, and we  wish you a very warm welcome to Charlotte! #VolunteerwithHeart #ItAllAddsUp

5 Signs That It Is Time to Quit Your Job

5 Signs That It Is Time to Quit Your Job Image via: www.pexels.com You’re not passionate anymore Going to work sucks. There’s no doubt about that. However, when you find yourself literally dreading the thought of going to work each day, that is not a life worth living. Sure, the benefits might be fantastic. Sure, the salary might be amazing. Sure, there might be a million chances for advancement right at your fingertips. Sure, you might think that only an idiot would give up this job, but you’re wrong. If you’re forcing yourself to go to a place you absolutely hate, you’re wasting precious time that you could be using to go and do something you love. The right job will have your head swimming deep in an ocean of excitement and possibility, knowing that you’re in the right place at the right time. At the wrong job, you’ll be drowning. Your health is at risk This cannot be stressed enough. Your health and wellbeing are more valuable and more crucial than any paycheck. Stress and negative vibes can have a greater toll on your physical and mental health than you may think. Stress can weaken your immune system, leaving you to develop consistent colds and illnesses. It can also upset your stomach and give you horrible headaches. You could eventually develop a mental illness, like depression, as a result of the neglect of your personal health. You will be spending 40 hours per week in an environment that’s killing you only to come home and suffer from these symptoms that are literally killing you. No raise or fancy title is worth that. At the same time, feeling so terrible will result in your taking time off from work and using up all of your sick days. Even though the freedom of a day off feels nice, it will become a burden when it comes time to ask your employer for a reference. Instead, take a permanent sick day: a resignation. Image via: www.pexels.com You’re in a toxic environment The way your coworkers and employers treat you has a greater impact on you than you might think. If the coworkers are constantly negative and sprouting negativity upon you, you are going to eventually absorb it no matter how hard you try to resist. If your employer constantly manipulates you and makes you miserable, then that treatment will begin to resonate within you. You might have taken this up with Human Resources already and you might have already initiated the little pow-wow between these individuals, but if things haven’t changed, it isn’t your responsibility to settle for it. If this goes beyond toxic behavior and begins to look like verbal abuse, illegal actions, and/or sexual harassment, nothing more needs to be said. Get out. Now. You spend more time complaining about your job than anything Take a moment and think about recent conversations that you’ve shared with your friends and family members. More likely than not, your hatred for your job has probably slipped off of your tongue more than once or more than you’d like to admit. It’s understandable to complain about something that happened at work every once in a while. Let’s be honest here. We all have our days but look at it this way. The fact is that one of the first things that strikes your mind whenever you’re interacting with someone is how much you hate your job. That should tell you not only how much you hate your job, but how much you dwell on how much you hate your job. Being that we’re only given this one life to live, don’t spend most of it loathing. Do yourself a favor. Send out that notice and burn your suitcase (figuratively). Image via: www.pexels.com You’re reading this article You didn’t search for this article on accident. You didn’t click on it by mistake. You sought it out on your own to find a way to justify leaving your position. Well, here it is. Here lies your justification right here. If you went as far as to debate about whether or not quitting your job is a good idea to the point that you’re seeking the opinions of other writers, like myself, then it is definitely time to send out that notice and get to searching for something that fulfills you. Good luck!