A FEW SIMPLE WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR THINKING

When you are looking for new ideas or you need to solve a problem, do you think on paper?  This post will show you a few easy to use tools, which can help you become more creative and a successful problem solver.
1. The fist tool, we can use for thinking on paper, is a simple spider diagram. We can use this as a way to generate ideas. Start off with a key word or short phase in the middle of the page. This key word or short phase is something that's linked to a project we are working on. Once the key word is written down, we can spider off it, with new ideas. This also shows us instantly, how our though process is working. Because these ideas are all on paper in front of us, we don't need to remember them and can use our mind 100% to create.  The spider tool is like the mind mapping technique. Together with making list, they help breakdown our thought patterns and make it easier for us to accoplish one big task at a time. This is great when you are brainstorming and organizing your thoughts. 
2. Ask the question – get the answer is the approach. We can start off by writing the problem down at the top of the page, as if it were a question.Once we turn the problem statement into a question statement, next step is that we can simply write down as many possible answers as we can.

How, what, when, where, who.. whatever the appropriate beginning to the sentence as it will drive you to an answer simply by giving the direction.  
3. Another favourite technique to generate inspiration is to let our subconscious do the work. State the problem to yourself either on paper or in conversation, to focus your mind, discuss it briefly, then deliberately stop. After that work on something else. Usually by the time you need to get back to it, you have several options bubbling away in your mind.

4. We can also use post-it notes with large pieces of paper: one idea or question per post-it; then if another idea flows from one of them, we can write a subsequent post-it which we put near the first one. In this way we can get our thoughts fleshed out.

Pen and paper is great if your topics don’t overflow a page. A portable white board allows you to view the diagram from a distance – this can be a powerful perspective. Software is great if you have a large diagram or want to use a non-handwritten diagram in a document.
These are just a few simple techniques that anyone can use easily to improve thinking and solve problem.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is, among many things, the ability to understand and apply the abstract, the ability to infer and to meaningfully investigate. It’s the skills needed to see parallels, comprehend intersections, identify problems, and develop sustainable solutions. 


According to theFoundation for Critical Thinking, sound critical thinking is imperative to social progress. It is with our thoughts that we shape the world: Thinking creatively shapes social and cultural structures. It affects the way blame is placed, the way ideas of right and wrong are developed, the way leaders are elected, and the way we understand our place in the world as individuals and as a collective. It helps define, or complicate, who “we” are in the first place. 

A PRESENTATION

I'd like to talk about teens plastic surgery. Let's have a look at a little.

Do you ever wish you looked like a model or o movie star?

Arizona twins Mike and Matt Schepp did.

The 20 year olds wanted to look like actor Brad Pitt so much that they got nose jobs, cheek and chin implants and porcelain dental veneers, totaling more than $22.000 each not a little number.

According to a new survey by Bliss, a popular British Magazine, many other teens with an average age of 15, have considered getting plastic surgery.

Let's look at the numbers of the two years.

According to The American Society of Plastic Surgeons Reports, in 2000 the number of teens who had plastic surgey was 306.000.
In 2003 the number of teens ages 18 and younger who had plastic surgery was 335.000.
In 3 years the number rose about 30.000. This means it's rising approximately 10.000 in every year. The number is on the rise.
So, here, the important point we ougth to know is that cosmetic surgery for teens only "suck". This sector is being called as "suck sector". Because so many sergeons try to get money through teens desire by operating them unnecessary reason.
Pennsylvania plastic Surgeon Dennis Hurwitz turned away two-thirds of the teen patients who visited his office to search new look. Instead, he tried to persuade them to be happy the qay they were. He could have done that, but he couldn't.
And also, the big problem with adolescent (young people who are no longer children but who have not yet become adults) is they are being operated on the most complicated time of their bodies. Because they are always being in change. They may not approve of the permanence of their look in the future. Their point of view may change in the future. Also, plastic surgery carries a risk of cmoplications, either scarring or the risk of disappointment with the results.
But sixteen year old Melanie Weiss thought the benefit was worth the risks, and had rhinoplasty "a nose job".
Melanie's mother, who also underwent rhinoplasty, didn't want her daughter's self-esteem to suffer.
She said, "I had been ridiculed about my nose from the time I was in fifth grade and I didn't want my daughter to go through the same thing."
Furthermore, one of the twins said, "The longer you go on living like that, the more it's going to affect you and bring you down." And he said, there is another plus, "It has definitely help me get more girls."

What do you think?
The disadvantages outweigh the advantages or the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

The answer of this question may be depend on how people want to look like, but we are sure that plastic surgery will be on the rise in the future.
In my opinion, the more media brings this subjet to teenagers' attention, the more they will want to change their look as models and actors.

Tag question

There are three main times of question tag:
1 The sarcastic response or one showing surprise or disbelief where both are postive as in:
A I've worked really hard today
B You have, have you?

2 The response where you hope that the answer will be no from the speaker:
A I have lost all my money at the casino
B You haven't, have you?

3 The response where you hope the answer will be yes from the speaker:
A I think I locked the door 
B You did, didn't you?

Phrasal Verbs - 8

blow...out
Don't open the window - the candle will blow out.
The force of the explosion blew all the windows out.
When lightening hit our house, all the telephones were blown out.
Noun: Maria had a blowout and lost control of her car.
give...out
They gave out free hats to the first 5.000 fans to enter the stadium.
give out
The explorers lost their way in the desert and died when their water gave out.
gross...out
Alex hater changing his little brother's diapers-it really grosses him out.
Adjective: I was eating an apple, and I found half a worm in it. I was so grossed out that I almost threw up.
head toward
The escaped convinct must have headed toward Mexico.
run up (to)
If I'd heard the baby crying, I would have run up to this bedroom.
After the explosion, a man ran up to me and asked for help.
run...up
When I was in Australia, I called my family every week and really ran a big phone bill up.
Noun: Bill was lucky to buy 500 shares of stock just before the big run-up.
shut up
Marvin talks non-stop. He never shuts up.
shut...up
I can't hear the TV. Can you please shut those kids up?
stop off
Stopping off in Cairo on our way to India would be fun.
try...on
She must have tried 20 pairs of shoes on before she made her choice.
burn out
We need more wood. The fire's burned out.
These new light bulbs are guaranteed not to burn out for ten years.
Adjective: I replaced the burned-out bulb in my lamp.
After the fire, nothing was left but burned-out buillding.
The burned-out rocket landed in the ocean.
Teaching those awful students for years has left him burned-out.
fall over
I almost fell over when I heard the terrible news.
Mike was felling all over himself trying to impress jane.
fight back
The soldiers fought back bravely, but the situtation was hopeless.
I had to fight back tears when I heard about john's death.
hear of
She asked if I knew Smith but I've never heard of him.
Our daughter wanted to go to Mexico with her boyfriend but we won't hear of it.
pick...out
Have you picked out a dress to wear to the party?
The policeman asked me if I could pick the mugger's picture out of a group of photos.
ring...up
I guess I'll buy this one. Can you ring it up please?
He rang up Nancy and asked her for a date.
tear...down
They've torn so many buildings down that I hardly recognize the neighborhood any more.
work...in
My schedule's pretty tight but I'll try to work the meeting in.
follow up
The doctor told me I'd have to follow up the operation with physical therapy.
Noun: The doctor told me to see him in two months for follow-up.
take...out (of)(to)
I want to take some books out of the library today.
The teacher said my essay would be better if I took the third paragraph out.
Nicole is at the bank taking $1000out.
Jim took his girlfriend out to the movies last week.
The hit man took John out with a shotgun blast to the head.
Noun: I don't feel like cooking tonight. Lets get takeout.
try...out
You can try it out for thirty days without any obligation.
The manager agred to try him out for three months.
Noun: I gave the new diet a tryout, but I actually gained weight.
try out (for)
A lot of guys will try out for the team, but only a few will make it.
Noun: Tryouts for the team will be Friday and Saturday.
wake...up
I woke up at two a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep.
Hey, wake up! Nicole is lying to you. Can't you see that?
Noun: I asked the clerk to give me a wake-up call at 6 a.m.
work out
She said that living with her in-laws wasn't working out very well.
The marriage didn't work out and they were divorced after six months.
The monthly payment on a 6 percent loan works out to $642.
The opposing lawyers worked out a comprise.
Bob works out at the gym every day.
Noun: I 'm really sore from my workout last night.
Driving to Alaska sure gave this old truck a workout.
work...out
I've forgotten how to work math problem out without a calculator.
take...over
Jane's at home sick so I'm going to take some chicken soup over.
The hijackers took the plane over and made the pilot fly to Cuba.
take over
Carlos Ortega will be taking over as sales manager next year.
We work from 4 p.m. until midnight, and then the graveyard shift takes over.
Noun: If the situtaion doesn't stabilize soon, there's a good chance of a military takeover.
After the takeover, the new presidenet made a lot of changes.
wipe...out
I wiped the inside of the glasses out so they wouldn't get spots on them.
An entire regiment was wiped out it the battle.
Noun: The battle was a complete wipeout. Not a single soldier survived.

I shrink to think

You have to imagine that you are talking to someone you know very well and also that you are speaking in a joking way. In that sense you are right because this expression is used informally and really suggests: I haven't the slightest idea and I want you to tell me. Take this exchange:

A Do you know what I did last night?

B I shrink to think what you did! Do tell me. I'd love to hear.

Phrasal Verbs - 7

cut...off
He cut off a piece of cheese so I could taste it.
I expect the power company will cut off my electricity because I haven't paid the bill in three months.
I had to slam on my brakes when some jerk cut me off on my way to work this morning.
I was in the middle of an important call when I was cut off.
A flash flood cut us off from the rest of the expedition.
Noun: I got a notice saying that if I don't pay the bill, the cut off date for my electricity is March 10.
Adjective: The bridge was destroyed by the earthquake and now we are completely cut off.
drop...off
Luis dropped his laundry off at the cleaners.
Noun: Luis left his laundry at the drop-off window.
drop off
Attendance at baseball games has been dropping off straight for several years.
The island has no beach at all. The land drops off straight into the sea.
Noun: The drop-off in car sales is due to the recession.
It was hard to see the drop-off because of the dense jungle.
back...up
I put the car in reverse and backed it up.
The IRS asked for some receipts to back up my tax deductions.
Linda said she would back e up if I complained about our boss.
I back my computer up frequently.
The hospital bought a generator to back up the unreliable electricity supply.
An accident backed up traffic for three miles.
back up
You're going too fast. Can you back up and explain you plan again.
Noun: The firefighter entered the burning building without a backup.
I keep a backup of my computer files on floppy disks.
The hospital had to close when the main power and the backup generator both failed.
The amount of mail at Christmas always causes a backup at the post office.
Adjective: The adjective is always backed up.
I accidentally erased your computer file. I hope you had it backed up.
Let's take the train. Traffice is always backed up at this time of day.
back off
I'm not going to help you with that project. Stop bugging me! Just back off.
come across
As soon as Nicole saw me, she came across the room and gave me a hug.
On our hike, we came across some people from Australia. (could also say ran across or ran into)
His American humor didn't come across well in England.
come up
My cousin from Florida came up to visit me last week.
I saw Dan driving a Mercedes. He's really coming up in the world.
We were discussing people who might do that job and your name came up.
I'm sorry I can't come to the party. Something important has come up.
Mother's Day is coming up, so I need to buy my mother a gift.
fall through
The roofer has fallen through a hole in the roof.
The family reunion fell through after my father got sick.
put...up
Put these knives up where the baby can't reach them.
The teacher has put some posters up on the classroom wall.
We need to put up a fence to keep the rabbis out of the garden.
When we went camping, we put up a tent in case it rained. (set it up)
When friends from overseas come to New York, we put them up in our apartment. (let them stay)
My aunt put the string beans up in cans so they will keep for the winder. (cooked and put in a jar, prepare them)
put up
Mr. Taylor put up $3 million towards the new cancer building.
The union put up a fight when the company tried to lay off some workers.
screw...on
If you don't screw the top on tight, the soda will get flat.
Make sure that you screw the nuts on tightly.
Adjective: Once you have turned the bottle top so it is tight, the top is screwed on.
sign...in
All visitors to the consulate are asked to sign in.
sign...out
Jim isn't in the office anymore. He signed out at 5:06.
I signed nice books out of the library. (I put my name down next to these book's name and I took them out.)