The Link Between Leaky Sensory Filters and Your Inner Genius Read more: The Link Between Leaky Sensory Filters and Your Inner Genius | Acumen | OZY

Some people can work in cafes and blissfully ignore the coffee grinders, chitchat and commotion. I cannot. Nor could Marcel Proust, who wore earplugs and lined his bedroom with cork to keep out any errant sound. And it’s not just me and my old buddy Marcel.

According to new research out of Northwestern University,

creative types tend to have “leaky” sensory filters.

In less alarming terms, they tend to be more sensitive to the bombardment of the sounds and sights of daily life. The study, which measured brain activity while participants listened to clicking sounds, included both those who scored high on tests for divergent thinking — a fancy name for creativity — and those with real-world accomplishments, such as published papers or artwork. The common brains responded to the first noise and then ignored subsequent stimuli. But gifted achievers involuntarily paid as much attention to the follow-up clicks as the first. Annoying when you’re trying to focus? Yes. But the tortured may get a Cracker Jack prize with their curse. “It might be the precise mechanism that helps people to come up with novel, interesting ideas,” says Darya Zabelina, lead author of the study. “It’s a double-edged sword.”

For decades, divergent thinking was thought to be correlated to creative prowess. Zabelina and her colleagues, however, suggest that divergent thinking may be more a reflection of intelligence than of creativity. “The two don’t process the world in the same way,” says Zabelina, adding that follow-up research is needed before she can make conclusive statements. But a number of studies done over the past several years point toward the same conclusion, which may redefine how we think of creativity.

James Kaufman, professor of educational psychology at the University of Connecticut, warns that correlation does not equal causation. Creative minds are also known to be more likely to exhibit latent disinhibition and have ADHD — that doesn’t mean one leads to the other. Being a creative thinker no more means you’re destined to be Toni Morrison than it dooms you to being the future king of the slackers. And another thing: Proust is a genius. This study involved college students who self-reported their so-called successes. There is a difference, Kaufman says, between creative achievement and creative genius: “The best way to get more creative is still to practice.”

And if you’re not a true genius, bullet dodged? After all, Franz Kafka once said, “I need solitude for my writing; not ‘like a hermit’ — that wouldn’t be enough — but like a dead man.”

Read more:OZY

The Link Between Leaky Sensory Filters and Your Inner Genius Read more: The Link Between Leaky Sensory Filters and Your Inner Genius | Acumen | OZY

Some people can work in cafes and blissfully ignore the coffee grinders, chitchat and commotion. I cannot. Nor could Marcel Proust, who wore earplugs and lined his bedroom with cork to keep out any errant sound. And it’s not just me and my old buddy Marcel.

According to new research out of Northwestern University,

creative types tend to have “leaky” sensory filters.

In less alarming terms, they tend to be more sensitive to the bombardment of the sounds and sights of daily life. The study, which measured brain activity while participants listened to clicking sounds, included both those who scored high on tests for divergent thinking — a fancy name for creativity — and those with real-world accomplishments, such as published papers or artwork. The common brains responded to the first noise and then ignored subsequent stimuli. But gifted achievers involuntarily paid as much attention to the follow-up clicks as the first. Annoying when you’re trying to focus? Yes. But the tortured may get a Cracker Jack prize with their curse. “It might be the precise mechanism that helps people to come up with novel, interesting ideas,” says Darya Zabelina, lead author of the study. “It’s a double-edged sword.”

For decades, divergent thinking was thought to be correlated to creative prowess. Zabelina and her colleagues, however, suggest that divergent thinking may be more a reflection of intelligence than of creativity. “The two don’t process the world in the same way,” says Zabelina, adding that follow-up research is needed before she can make conclusive statements. But a number of studies done over the past several years point toward the same conclusion, which may redefine how we think of creativity.

James Kaufman, professor of educational psychology at the University of Connecticut, warns that correlation does not equal causation. Creative minds are also known to be more likely to exhibit latent disinhibition and have ADHD — that doesn’t mean one leads to the other. Being a creative thinker no more means you’re destined to be Toni Morrison than it dooms you to being the future king of the slackers. And another thing: Proust is a genius. This study involved college students who self-reported their so-called successes. There is a difference, Kaufman says, between creative achievement and creative genius: “The best way to get more creative is still to practice.”

And if you’re not a true genius, bullet dodged? After all, Franz Kafka once said, “I need solitude for my writing; not ‘like a hermit’ — that wouldn’t be enough — but like a dead man.”

Read more:OZY

WHERE GRACE FLOWS IN HAITI

In Haiti, the hottest season is festival season, and one of the most renowned of the fêtes takes place in a tiny town north of the capital, Port-au-Prince: The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Haitians call it the “Fête de Saut d’Eau,” which translates literally to “Feast of Jumping Water.” The godly attractions are varied — Vodou ceremonies, Catholic Masses, the feeding of mendicants who hold out calabash bowls for alms — but the highlight of the pilgrimage is bathing in the steep waterfall nearby. Men and women of all ages strip down to their underwear and walk carefully on rocks, some of which are sharp on the soles and others of which are scarily slippery, and when they reach the cascades, they lather up with medicinal herbs and leaves.

I did not bathe when I visited the Fête de Saut d’Eau in 2008; I just watched. I came with a couple of photographer friends who were keen to shoot the textures of spray and splash on skin, the light filtered through trees and refracted through droplets, the forms of bodies yearning for heaven. Much has changed in Haiti since then, of course, but these photographs taken by Lexey Swall at the Fête, captured five months after the country’s devastating 2010 earthquake, remind me that our longing for transcendence will always remain.

courtesy: ozy

WHERE GRACE FLOWS IN HAITI

In Haiti, the hottest season is festival season, and one of the most renowned of the fêtes takes place in a tiny town north of the capital, Port-au-Prince: The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Haitians call it the “Fête de Saut d’Eau,” which translates literally to “Feast of Jumping Water.” The godly attractions are varied — Vodou ceremonies, Catholic Masses, the feeding of mendicants who hold out calabash bowls for alms — but the highlight of the pilgrimage is bathing in the steep waterfall nearby. Men and women of all ages strip down to their underwear and walk carefully on rocks, some of which are sharp on the soles and others of which are scarily slippery, and when they reach the cascades, they lather up with medicinal herbs and leaves.

I did not bathe when I visited the Fête de Saut d’Eau in 2008; I just watched. I came with a couple of photographer friends who were keen to shoot the textures of spray and splash on skin, the light filtered through trees and refracted through droplets, the forms of bodies yearning for heaven. Much has changed in Haiti since then, of course, but these photographs taken by Lexey Swall at the Fête, captured five months after the country’s devastating 2010 earthquake, remind me that our longing for transcendence will always remain.

courtesy: ozy

Birth Certificate Translation

A birth certificate is an 

important record that 

documents the birth 

of a child. Legally, 

it is a certified 

copy of an entry 

from the official 

register of births. 

In almost every country, a person’s birth certificate is a crucial proof of his or her identity that is required in applications for citizenship, driver’s license, social welfare benefits, bank accounts, etc. Therefore, it is recommended that only certified translators are appointed to translate birth certificates.

A birth certificate typically contains the child’s full name, date of birth, sex, place of birth, the full name(s) of his or her parent(s), and their address and occupations at the time of registration. Other relevant official details may include the name of the hospital where the child was born, the name and signature of the attending doctor, and the name and address of the official register of births. In many countries, birth certificates are issued in “full” and “abstract” styles. The former is an exact copy of the original birth record, while the latter contains limited information about the child’s birth. For most legal purposes, “full” certificates are required. However, both styles of birth certificate should be translated clearly, precisely and free of error.

Birth Certificate Translation

A birth certificate is an 

important record that 

documents the birth 

of a child. Legally, 

it is a certified 

copy of an entry 

from the official 

register of births. 

In almost every country, a person’s birth certificate is a crucial proof of his or her identity that is required in applications for citizenship, driver’s license, social welfare benefits, bank accounts, etc. Therefore, it is recommended that only certified translators are appointed to translate birth certificates.

A birth certificate typically contains the child’s full name, date of birth, sex, place of birth, the full name(s) of his or her parent(s), and their address and occupations at the time of registration. Other relevant official details may include the name of the hospital where the child was born, the name and signature of the attending doctor, and the name and address of the official register of births. In many countries, birth certificates are issued in “full” and “abstract” styles. The former is an exact copy of the original birth record, while the latter contains limited information about the child’s birth. For most legal purposes, “full” certificates are required. However, both styles of birth certificate should be translated clearly, precisely and free of error.

Legal translation service – what you need to know

Legal translation service – what you need to know

Legal translation service – what you need to know

Legal translation service – what you need to know

blogorrhea: Friday Water Cooler

blogorrhea: Friday Water Cooler: What's behind the Wall Street suicide problem? (neweconomicperspectives.org). And: Why Are Rates of Suicide Soaring Across the Planet...

blogorrhea: Friday Water Cooler

blogorrhea: Friday Water Cooler: What's behind the Wall Street suicide problem? (neweconomicperspectives.org). And: Why Are Rates of Suicide Soaring Across the Planet...

TTMEM.com: Glossary of aged care terms

TTMEM.com: Glossary of aged care terms: New English to Italian and English to Polish translation memory ready for downloading ( Glossary of aged care terms ). To download i...

TTMEM.com: Glossary of aged care terms

TTMEM.com: Glossary of aged care terms: New English to Italian and English to Polish translation memory ready for downloading ( Glossary of aged care terms ). To download i...

A Free Couch to Crash On in Iran

At a party with loud music booming, young girls — in heavy makeup, carefully styled hair and too-short miniskirts — mingle with young men. I witness homemade alcohol (a strong aniseed liqueur) and some risqué images on the wall that would fall foul of the morality police. A reasonable scene most anywhere in the West, but far less so in Tehran, the heart of the Islamic Republic of Iran, where all of the above is forbidden, demonized and criminalized.

It’s no secret that there’s a subculture in Iran and in much of the Middle East. Modern, young people are living life increasingly on their own terms — if only in private. What’s new here? The place is packed with tourists.

Getting into Iran for a casual vacation jaunt is difficult, to say the least. But there’s one way in for bold backpackers — Couchsurfing, a popular social network that allows people around the globe free places to sleep in strangers’ homes, like a poor man’s Airbnb. It can be a casual arrangement, but often, hosts and guests bond, hang out and go out together. Despite Iran’s difficult tourist laws, Iranians are allowed to have guests visit from other countries. The government is none too pleased, but the practice continues relatively unabated. It’s difficult to say how many Iranians participate in Couchsurfing, but the company estimates 50,000 Iranians are signed up.

All of this might be a sign of the times under the more moderate — compared with his predecessor — President Hassan Rouhani. Though Facebook is banned in the country, apps are aplenty, and Rouhani is on Twitter. Sure, there’s a risk for companies like Couchsurfing, which sends travelers into traditionally closed countries like Iran or China, but there’s also a chance for “high reward,” says Arvind Malhotra, professor of strategy and entrepreneurship at the University of North Carolina.




A common Iranian meal: kebab with flatbread.

Source: Matyas Rehak/Shutterstock

Of course, the fun could stop soon. If it pisses off the moral police too much, “it’ll be shut down faster than you can say couch surfing,” Malhotra says. Or, Couchsurfing itself might back out because of liability issues — what of a potential kidnapping?! — says Matthew Mitchell, senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. (The company wouldn’t comment on liability issues.) Others still tell travelers to just stay away: “I would capital N-O-T push the laws there,” says Malia Everette, CEO of Altruvistas, a travel agency that leads trips to Iran. Not to mention the worries that come with being female or gay, says Dave Ways, a travel writer atThe Longest Way Home, who’s couch surfed in Iran. Some hosts may have “other expectations” for female guests, he advises — which, sure, can happen anywhere. It’s no secret that Couchsurfing’s site has previously been used for dating and, ahem, more.

Soon after meeting my host’s two female friends, Yara and Leyan, we were at the party, which was taking place at their home (names of partying Iranians have been changed to protect them). Both women wear the mandatory headscarf, which on them is more like a fashion accessory than a police-approved uniform; it’s draped loosely over their heads, hair flowing out. Omid, my actual host, makes it to the party later. The slim student says he’s happy to meet other German visitors like myself. He’s never been to Germany himself, but he is a big fan of the soccer team Bayern Munich since he can catch Bundesliga games in Iran.






One of the many markets in Tehran.

Source: Thomas Koch/Shutterstock

For the Iranians themselves, traveling is far from straightforward. The men have to complete military service before getting a passport. Women are only allowed to leave the country with the consent of husbands or fathers. Which means Couchsurfing, for many, is as close to travel as they get. Omid dreams of traveling to Europe, but he can’t afford it. Spending time with Europeans gives him “a slight feel for Europe.” You can see the sensibilities imbued by the travelers everywhere: At the party, the décor is European rather than traditional. There are no “Oriental” trinkets, not even a Persian carpet.

Couchsurfing has even penetrated past the capital, to Shiraz, in the south. This city with 1.5 million inhabitants, which is famous for its green spaces, is also known as the Garden of Iran. It’s where Marjaan likes to have female couch surfers to stay. She spends much of her days hunched over her desk … drawing nudes. The 23-year-old aspiring artist enjoys reading banned literature, listens to prohibited music, and enjoys slightly revealing clothes. She also still lives with her parents, who adhere to Islamic traditions. That makes male couch surfers taboo, but from time to time she’s allowed to have female travelers to stay. Her room lacks both a bed and a couch because she needs room for her art. Marjaan hides money in her room, along with her secret passport and her dreams of going to Europe.

A Free Couch to Crash On in Iran

At a party with loud music booming, young girls — in heavy makeup, carefully styled hair and too-short miniskirts — mingle with young men. I witness homemade alcohol (a strong aniseed liqueur) and some risqué images on the wall that would fall foul of the morality police. A reasonable scene most anywhere in the West, but far less so in Tehran, the heart of the Islamic Republic of Iran, where all of the above is forbidden, demonized and criminalized.

It’s no secret that there’s a subculture in Iran and in much of the Middle East. Modern, young people are living life increasingly on their own terms — if only in private. What’s new here? The place is packed with tourists.

Getting into Iran for a casual vacation jaunt is difficult, to say the least. But there’s one way in for bold backpackers — Couchsurfing, a popular social network that allows people around the globe free places to sleep in strangers’ homes, like a poor man’s Airbnb. It can be a casual arrangement, but often, hosts and guests bond, hang out and go out together. Despite Iran’s difficult tourist laws, Iranians are allowed to have guests visit from other countries. The government is none too pleased, but the practice continues relatively unabated. It’s difficult to say how many Iranians participate in Couchsurfing, but the company estimates 50,000 Iranians are signed up.

All of this might be a sign of the times under the more moderate — compared with his predecessor — President Hassan Rouhani. Though Facebook is banned in the country, apps are aplenty, and Rouhani is on Twitter. Sure, there’s a risk for companies like Couchsurfing, which sends travelers into traditionally closed countries like Iran or China, but there’s also a chance for “high reward,” says Arvind Malhotra, professor of strategy and entrepreneurship at the University of North Carolina.




A common Iranian meal: kebab with flatbread.

Source: Matyas Rehak/Shutterstock

Of course, the fun could stop soon. If it pisses off the moral police too much, “it’ll be shut down faster than you can say couch surfing,” Malhotra says. Or, Couchsurfing itself might back out because of liability issues — what of a potential kidnapping?! — says Matthew Mitchell, senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. (The company wouldn’t comment on liability issues.) Others still tell travelers to just stay away: “I would capital N-O-T push the laws there,” says Malia Everette, CEO of Altruvistas, a travel agency that leads trips to Iran. Not to mention the worries that come with being female or gay, says Dave Ways, a travel writer atThe Longest Way Home, who’s couch surfed in Iran. Some hosts may have “other expectations” for female guests, he advises — which, sure, can happen anywhere. It’s no secret that Couchsurfing’s site has previously been used for dating and, ahem, more.

Soon after meeting my host’s two female friends, Yara and Leyan, we were at the party, which was taking place at their home (names of partying Iranians have been changed to protect them). Both women wear the mandatory headscarf, which on them is more like a fashion accessory than a police-approved uniform; it’s draped loosely over their heads, hair flowing out. Omid, my actual host, makes it to the party later. The slim student says he’s happy to meet other German visitors like myself. He’s never been to Germany himself, but he is a big fan of the soccer team Bayern Munich since he can catch Bundesliga games in Iran.






One of the many markets in Tehran.

Source: Thomas Koch/Shutterstock

For the Iranians themselves, traveling is far from straightforward. The men have to complete military service before getting a passport. Women are only allowed to leave the country with the consent of husbands or fathers. Which means Couchsurfing, for many, is as close to travel as they get. Omid dreams of traveling to Europe, but he can’t afford it. Spending time with Europeans gives him “a slight feel for Europe.” You can see the sensibilities imbued by the travelers everywhere: At the party, the décor is European rather than traditional. There are no “Oriental” trinkets, not even a Persian carpet.

Couchsurfing has even penetrated past the capital, to Shiraz, in the south. This city with 1.5 million inhabitants, which is famous for its green spaces, is also known as the Garden of Iran. It’s where Marjaan likes to have female couch surfers to stay. She spends much of her days hunched over her desk … drawing nudes. The 23-year-old aspiring artist enjoys reading banned literature, listens to prohibited music, and enjoys slightly revealing clothes. She also still lives with her parents, who adhere to Islamic traditions. That makes male couch surfers taboo, but from time to time she’s allowed to have female travelers to stay. Her room lacks both a bed and a couch because she needs room for her art. Marjaan hides money in her room, along with her secret passport and her dreams of going to Europe.

Yangtze ferry disaster: Death toll exceeds 430 as recovery workers remember the dead

Only 14 survivors, one of them the captain, have been found after the ship carrying 456 overturned in a freak tornado on Monday night in Jianli, Hubei province.

Most of the passengers were elderly tourists.

Government spokesman Hu Kaihong told reporters that DNA tests were being carried out to identify the bodies. The four-storey ship was righted and raised on Friday, allowing rescuers onto it to clear away debris, break down cabin doors and look for the remaining missing. Officials have also extended their search area for victims that may have been swept far beyond the accident site.

The search scope was extended to 1,300 kilometres of the Yangtze, Asia's longest river, in the hope of finding those still unaccounted for, Xinhua reported.A government spokesman said on Thursday that no further survivors were expected to be found.Sunday marks seven days since the Eastern Star went down, and according to Chinese tradition it is a key date on which to mourn the dead.

State television showed rescue workers and government officials standing on the deck of a barge facing the Eastern Star, removing their hats and bowing their heads, as surrounding boats sounded their horns. Families members are also expected to gather on the river banks for ceremonies.

The heavy toll makes the sinking China's worst shipping disaster since 1948, when up to 4,000 on board the SS Kiangya were killed when it sank near Shanghai.
PHOTO: Rescue workers discovered the bodies after using massive cranes to lift the vessel from the riverbed. (Reuters/China Daily)
Company apologises as investigation continues

The company which operated the ship has already apologised for the disaster.

Jiang Zhao, general manager of the company which operated the Eastern Star, bowed in apology for the disaster during an interview with state television broadcast on Saturday, saying they would "fully" cooperate with the investigation.

Police have detained the captain and chief engineer for questioning after an initial probe found the ship was not overloaded and had enough life vests on board.

More than 1,400 family members have come to Jianli, with many expressing frustration at the lack of information from the government.

Beijing has pledged there would be "no cover-up" in its probe.

The government says that it is doing everything possible to help the relatives, including providing free accommodation and medical services.

Reuters/AFP



Rescuers work on righting the capsized cruise ship in Jianli, Hubei province, on June 5, 2015. (Reuters: China Out)Image1 of 11


Rescuers stand beside the Eastern Star cruise ship after authorities righted the vessel. (Reuters: Aly Song)Image2 of 11


Heavy machinery is deployed to right sunked ferry in Jianli. (AFP: China Out)Image3 of 11


Rescue personnel move the remains of victims who were travelling on the capsized passenger ship Dongfangzhixing or Eastern Star on June 3, 2015. (China Out: AFP)Image4 of 11


Rescue workers are seen around a sunken ship in the Jianli section of Yangtze River. (Reuters: Kim Kyung Hoon)Image5 of 11


A survivor is pulled out of the Yangtze River by rescuers. (Reuters: China Daily)Image6 of 11


An aerial view shows rescue workers searching the sunken ship. (Reuters)Image7 of 11


Chinese rescue boats are seen alongside a capsized passenger ship carrying more than 450 people which sunk in the Yangtze river. (AFP/ STR)Image8 of 11


More than 1,000 armed police have been sent to assist rescue workers in the search effort. (Reuters: Chen Zhuo/Yangzi River Daily)Image9 of 11


Rescue workers have been told to spare no effort in the search for survivors of the sunken ferry.(Reuters: Chen Zhuo/ Yangzi River Daily)Image10 of 11


A relative of missing passengers reacts after hearing news of the sinking, sitting outside the Shanghai Xiehe travel agency.Image11 of 11

Yangtze ferry disaster: Death toll exceeds 430 as recovery workers remember the dead

Only 14 survivors, one of them the captain, have been found after the ship carrying 456 overturned in a freak tornado on Monday night in Jianli, Hubei province.

Most of the passengers were elderly tourists.

Government spokesman Hu Kaihong told reporters that DNA tests were being carried out to identify the bodies. The four-storey ship was righted and raised on Friday, allowing rescuers onto it to clear away debris, break down cabin doors and look for the remaining missing. Officials have also extended their search area for victims that may have been swept far beyond the accident site.

The search scope was extended to 1,300 kilometres of the Yangtze, Asia's longest river, in the hope of finding those still unaccounted for, Xinhua reported.A government spokesman said on Thursday that no further survivors were expected to be found.Sunday marks seven days since the Eastern Star went down, and according to Chinese tradition it is a key date on which to mourn the dead.

State television showed rescue workers and government officials standing on the deck of a barge facing the Eastern Star, removing their hats and bowing their heads, as surrounding boats sounded their horns. Families members are also expected to gather on the river banks for ceremonies.

The heavy toll makes the sinking China's worst shipping disaster since 1948, when up to 4,000 on board the SS Kiangya were killed when it sank near Shanghai.
PHOTO: Rescue workers discovered the bodies after using massive cranes to lift the vessel from the riverbed. (Reuters/China Daily)
Company apologises as investigation continues

The company which operated the ship has already apologised for the disaster.

Jiang Zhao, general manager of the company which operated the Eastern Star, bowed in apology for the disaster during an interview with state television broadcast on Saturday, saying they would "fully" cooperate with the investigation.

Police have detained the captain and chief engineer for questioning after an initial probe found the ship was not overloaded and had enough life vests on board.

More than 1,400 family members have come to Jianli, with many expressing frustration at the lack of information from the government.

Beijing has pledged there would be "no cover-up" in its probe.

The government says that it is doing everything possible to help the relatives, including providing free accommodation and medical services.

Reuters/AFP



Rescuers work on righting the capsized cruise ship in Jianli, Hubei province, on June 5, 2015. (Reuters: China Out)Image1 of 11


Rescuers stand beside the Eastern Star cruise ship after authorities righted the vessel. (Reuters: Aly Song)Image2 of 11


Heavy machinery is deployed to right sunked ferry in Jianli. (AFP: China Out)Image3 of 11


Rescue personnel move the remains of victims who were travelling on the capsized passenger ship Dongfangzhixing or Eastern Star on June 3, 2015. (China Out: AFP)Image4 of 11


Rescue workers are seen around a sunken ship in the Jianli section of Yangtze River. (Reuters: Kim Kyung Hoon)Image5 of 11


A survivor is pulled out of the Yangtze River by rescuers. (Reuters: China Daily)Image6 of 11


An aerial view shows rescue workers searching the sunken ship. (Reuters)Image7 of 11


Chinese rescue boats are seen alongside a capsized passenger ship carrying more than 450 people which sunk in the Yangtze river. (AFP/ STR)Image8 of 11


More than 1,000 armed police have been sent to assist rescue workers in the search effort. (Reuters: Chen Zhuo/Yangzi River Daily)Image9 of 11


Rescue workers have been told to spare no effort in the search for survivors of the sunken ferry.(Reuters: Chen Zhuo/ Yangzi River Daily)Image10 of 11


A relative of missing passengers reacts after hearing news of the sinking, sitting outside the Shanghai Xiehe travel agency.Image11 of 11

6 Common Entrepreneur’s Mistakes

Lots of enterprising people, young and old alike, despite the best of intentions, make critical mistakes when starting their own business. Regardless of all the blood, sweat & tears, 80% of businesses fail within the first year. While this is far from an all-inclusive guide, here are a few tips to avoid common mistakes that entrepreneurs make:

1. Don’t plan, do!

Many aspiring business owners spend way too much time planning and over-thinking, instead of hitting the ground, making the connections and getting the valuable experience they need. Whatever you learn in a business class or textbook is hardly as valuable as what you’ll learn in the real world.

2. Greatest thing since sliced bread

Lots of people hold off starting their own business because they spend way too long waiting to come up with the “perfect” idea. This is a sure-fire way to never even get started. Many successful businesses are new branches of existing franchises, and don’t even require much innovation or original thinking. So don’t obsess over coming up with the world’s most novel business idea. Instead, do thorough research about what your area needs and come up with a logical – rather than shockingly innovative – idea for a business.

3. Work smart

Lots of entrepreneurs sacrifice sleep and personal lives when they start a new business, devoting all hours of the day and their last drop of energy to its success. However, aside from hard work, a new business requires SMART work. The entrepreneur who focuses his or her energies and delegates certain tasks will thrive more than someone who is trying to single-handedly juggle sales, administration, web design, marketing and communications all at once.

4. Overspend

For a new business good budgeting is critical. So, why do business owners cut corners on many expenses but waste tons of money on marketing? These days, with tools like the Internet and social media, business owners should realize that great marketing and PR can be free, if not very cheap, and stop operating under the misconception that they need to their budget on marketing. Most entrepreneurs would be wise to curtail marketing expenses as well as try free methods for a period and test the results.

5. Don’t “do you”

Our culture celebrates the “self” and teaches people that they should simply “follow their passion,” no matter what the consequence, claiming that it is the only path to happiness. The sad truth is that people who follow their passion, to the exclusion of all strategy or business savvy, often don’t make any money, and must eventually change direction. On the other hand, business owners who provide a needed, valuable service or product to a market, usually find success. If you’re lucky, a successful market might just be something you’re interested in. Passions are great, but not always what will bring you a solid income.

Christine Collins

Christine is a career adviser and personal business coach who has helped thousands of people maximize their full potential. Christine assists individual clients in defining their skills, values, interests, etc. so they can identify a career interest that will provide personal fulfillment and job satisfaction. While her focus is on senior management positions and CEO coaching, Christine's vast experience in many employment fields have made her something of an "HR Guru". Her contributed articles will help you become one of those people who look forward to Mondays.

6 Common Entrepreneur’s Mistakes

Lots of enterprising people, young and old alike, despite the best of intentions, make critical mistakes when starting their own business. Regardless of all the blood, sweat & tears, 80% of businesses fail within the first year. While this is far from an all-inclusive guide, here are a few tips to avoid common mistakes that entrepreneurs make:

1. Don’t plan, do!

Many aspiring business owners spend way too much time planning and over-thinking, instead of hitting the ground, making the connections and getting the valuable experience they need. Whatever you learn in a business class or textbook is hardly as valuable as what you’ll learn in the real world.

2. Greatest thing since sliced bread

Lots of people hold off starting their own business because they spend way too long waiting to come up with the “perfect” idea. This is a sure-fire way to never even get started. Many successful businesses are new branches of existing franchises, and don’t even require much innovation or original thinking. So don’t obsess over coming up with the world’s most novel business idea. Instead, do thorough research about what your area needs and come up with a logical – rather than shockingly innovative – idea for a business.

3. Work smart

Lots of entrepreneurs sacrifice sleep and personal lives when they start a new business, devoting all hours of the day and their last drop of energy to its success. However, aside from hard work, a new business requires SMART work. The entrepreneur who focuses his or her energies and delegates certain tasks will thrive more than someone who is trying to single-handedly juggle sales, administration, web design, marketing and communications all at once.

4. Overspend

For a new business good budgeting is critical. So, why do business owners cut corners on many expenses but waste tons of money on marketing? These days, with tools like the Internet and social media, business owners should realize that great marketing and PR can be free, if not very cheap, and stop operating under the misconception that they need to their budget on marketing. Most entrepreneurs would be wise to curtail marketing expenses as well as try free methods for a period and test the results.

5. Don’t “do you”

Our culture celebrates the “self” and teaches people that they should simply “follow their passion,” no matter what the consequence, claiming that it is the only path to happiness. The sad truth is that people who follow their passion, to the exclusion of all strategy or business savvy, often don’t make any money, and must eventually change direction. On the other hand, business owners who provide a needed, valuable service or product to a market, usually find success. If you’re lucky, a successful market might just be something you’re interested in. Passions are great, but not always what will bring you a solid income.

Christine Collins

Christine is a career adviser and personal business coach who has helped thousands of people maximize their full potential. Christine assists individual clients in defining their skills, values, interests, etc. so they can identify a career interest that will provide personal fulfillment and job satisfaction. While her focus is on senior management positions and CEO coaching, Christine's vast experience in many employment fields have made her something of an "HR Guru". Her contributed articles will help you become one of those people who look forward to Mondays.

Mr.Brian See: What’s your inspiration? What’s your dream?

Mr.Brian See: What’s your inspiration? What’s your dream?: It’s always cool to have a dream, to have a passion, and to pursue in something that we want to achieve in life. But how many of us actua...

Mr.Brian See: What’s your inspiration? What’s your dream?

Mr.Brian See: What’s your inspiration? What’s your dream?: It’s always cool to have a dream, to have a passion, and to pursue in something that we want to achieve in life. But how many of us actua...