Dear Ex, I Wish You Knew This...

The phone went dead in my ears as I dropped unto the floor in total regret and tears. All efforts to make this work proved futile. Days turned to weeks which turned into months. How I wish you reasoned the same with me, then things could have been easier for both of us. Cry as much as I did, nothing could change your mind about coming back to us. To you, we were a dead piece of wood that could never be revived by barrels of water. Total disregard for what we once shared was what we decided to embark on. Such a long goodbye we bid for a journey to an uncertain world. My darling. Sorry, I wish I could call you that but it's no longer a valid title. I miss you and yet I am scared to let you know lest you consider me weak and lonely.

For so long I have remained in the silence that you left behind. No more  early morning and late night calls from you. No more dates and long walks in the cold night. No more giggles and tickles from you. It's a shame that two grown ups could only resolve to letting go when we could have stayed through to the end. And as if letting go was not enough, we chose to punish each other with the silence at the end of the line. Reliving the memories we shared only causes the heart to ache. Sharing what we had with others only remains as an experience worth telling. No amount of Justin Bieber's "Sorry" will work the magic of having you back,  or maybe it would. Ours is a broken bridge now; where neither of us can walk to eachother's side without falling into the deep.

If tomorrow ever comes, I want you to know that I have deep remorse for losing a good friend as you. I always have you in a chamber of my heart. Forgetting you will be like forgetting my birthday. I hope that you are happy where you are. If you are not, remember that neither am I. We can only not make the mistake twice by letting eachother go again and again so let's stick to this pattern. Whatever it may be, let us keep hope alive knowing that we shall meet again. Face to face we shall meet again. We shall meet but no more as lovers but as friends. And when we do, I hope we smile and say, "I'm glad I met you".

Before I let you go, I must tell you that moving on has given me room to accept who I am. I have chosen to be strong and confident. Learning to be alone has taught me many things including loving myself first. I have grown into believing in myself so much that I release the energy of being myself wherever I go. I have learnt not to try to fit into someone else's space. Losing is now winning to me because now I know that to lose is to gain something more greater. I hope you get to know that too.

Always remember that I bear you no grudge. I think of you the same way as I always have. I still believe in you and how beautiful you made my world feel like. Get to meet more people and forget about me since you already know how to do that so well. I will also try to do same. I hope that when you think about me it makes you smile; I do that all the time. Do not think of me as a devil because I'm no such person. Let love remain. We will outgrow it all oneday.

From an ex-lover to the one I once loved and wish I still did, I hope you get to know that I have not forgotten about everything yet. I would really be inhuman if I should admit I have. Cherishing every moment and memories of my life is what I do best. I wish this dream never ends. Don't wake me up.

Justica Anima  
adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica.blogspot.com

Simple Steps to Attracting Rewards Into Your Life.

"If you do the work, you get rewarded. There are no shortcuts in life." - Micheal Jordan

If you are an achiever, being the rule rather than the exception is always your goal. Nobody wants to be on the bench without getting noticed. You do not want to be stuck at one place without getting all the benefits and promotions that are being offered at your workplace. In an era where there is competition for the job market, you and I cannot afford to be pushed out. Employers are also on the lookout for exceptional result oriented people to work with.  Whether you are an employee or individual seeking rewards and results, reading this article is a great start for you to reach the level you aim at.

Engage in high Performance

Getting rewards for jobs done are very fulfilling and it takes a great deal of effort to get there. You need to be effective, proactive, and an over-achiever to get to pull a lot of customers. The customers are those who bring income into the organisation and therefore targeting them is the best approach. You do not want to seem pushy; trying to impose your product or services on them. The goal is to engage customers and try to know and understand their needs. A lot of employers have gotten a raise or promotion in their companies because the customers enjoy their services. Personally, I know of a waitress who gets all the customers' attention at her place of work because they claim she renders better services. Do you know what that means for her? She gets to receive more tip offs from customers and better treatment from her boss. On top of it, she may get a better job offer from another employer.

Share your company or brand

Proactively promoting your company is another way to get results at the workplace. Share your company's mission and vision with people whose needs are channeled in your direction. This move will ensure that more people get hooked on to your brand or market. Making your company your business fetches you enough credibility both with your employer and prospective customers. Sharing  also helps people know your capabilities and are able to trust you with their problems for your solutions. In turn, you get additional rewards in terms of monetary gain and endorsements. It is sad to hear most employees complaining about rewards when they have done little to help increase productivity at the workplace. Note that; the more you put in, the more you will get out of whatever venture you are into.

Include your ideas

When it comes to attracting rewards, many factors come into play and any smart employee will device all means to get to the top. Adding your inclusion by bringing on board real solutions to some problems is also a plus to your skills. Wherever there are loop holes, you must be able to fix your ideas. Rewards come to those who are up for the challenge. Active people are always in check for results. They are aware of the need to be on top of their game. They therefore learn and gather information and relevant skills needed for their success. They are not mediocre and so having unique features are their focus.

Learn from a team

Teaming up is another sure way of reaching higher performance. Smart people utilize the power of team work to their own advantage. It allows you to learn on the field, and helps you to brainstorm ideas with other equally talented people. Asking and answering questions while on the team is how you quickly tap into other people's knowledge and expertise. You get an added advantage by deliberately decided to learn from other team members. At the end of it all, you must be sure that you have added value to yourself which will help you to achieve greater and more results. Be observant and reorient yourself by engaging and learning from others.

Deliberately attract rewards

Expect to attract rewards and draw your focus on just that. Nothing is more fulfilling than achieving great results and applause for work done. Never half do anything. Give everything your maximum attention while deciding to reach the top of your game. Take advantage of all the tools and skills and people available. Focus on the end rather than the beginning. Anyone who has accomplished things in life understands that 90 percent of the rewards in life come on the back end, not the front end. Meaning, a great sense of personal satisfaction comes from completing a job and doing it well. And of course the monetary rewards also come from finishing. People who never finish anything never experience these rewards. By doing so, you prepare yourself for bigger opportunities than  anyone else around you. Remember, it's a win-win situation. Always.

I hope this boosts your energy to strive for more rewards. Share your thoughts on the topic. How have you achieved results in your life? What challenges have you faced while pursuing for results? Which level of achiever are you? Let's get interactive.

Justica Anima
Adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica.blogspot.com

Floods in Accra: Talk Talk, No Show.

Growing up in Accra was fun. I recall the days when children were excited about rainfall because we would get the chance to bath in the rains. After the rains, I was part of the squad who went out on a snail  hunting spree in search of some snails for the household. It was during this stage of my life that I discovered that some snails are edible while others are poisonous; same with mushrooms. Games like "ampe", "tumatu" and clay moulding were also much interesting when played after the rains. For instance,  "tumatu" involved,  first of all,  drawing lines on the ground. You then use sand-in-rubber to jump into each stage till you reach the final level of the game. In all of these processes, the wet ground facilitated clearer lines and proper landing of the sand-in-rubber (the material that determines which level you get into in the game). These days I don't really see children playing these games as much as we did in those days; not on sunny days and neither on rainy days. Perhaps, floods are posing a bigger threat with regards to rainfall in Accra unlike before. 

Rainfall seem to have become a scare for the people of Accra,  especially following the June 3 floods that took away many lives. Nobody dares to play in the rains any longer. My Alajo(a suburb of Accra) days cannot be forgotten when it comes to talking about floods. If you live in the part of Accra where it does not easily get flooded thank Heavens. Those were sad times because rains entered our rooms and most of our belongings would be seen swimming in the water. For days, we had to hang our mattress and wet items in the sun which really did not show up during such moments. It was always a pitiful sight to behold. Sometimes we had to just make fun of the situation and laugh at neighbors whose shoes and "Ghana must go" bags were being carried away. Seeing them chasing after these things could really crack a person up with laughter, despite all that was going on around us. 

Tuning in to my radio set this morning really brought back memories. Can you believe that somewhere last year, the floods carried away a listener's kiosk which she found three days after? What could be the solution to this worrying issue which render people sleepless whenever there are rains? The feeling of loosing a property or a loved one to the floods is what terrifies people these days. One can only ask him or herself if the rains are a blessing or a curse. To me, the focus should be shifted from the rains and be brought to real human activities that pose this challenge in society. Some of these activities may include dumping of refuse into gutters(which I have observed on several occasions), littering around, and not regularly distilling our gutters. 

Recently, I got stuck at Nkrumah Circle because of the rains. I was at the bus stop near Vodafone when the rains suddenly came down, and so I went to seek cover at a Filling station close by. After about ten minutes I decided to move from there and find the next available car to my house because the ground was gradually filling up with rains. On crossing to the other side of the road where I could get a car home, I realised the place was already flooded. There and then, I asked myself if the N1 Interchange constructors had considered building drains or not? The answer to this question is quite obvious. The radio station I tuned in to also had a Public Relations personnel from Zoomlion Waste Management Company, promising Ghanaians, and those in Accra precisely, that the Odaw river dredging exercise was underway. This really got me pissed. What  will 'underway' in this context mean to listeners who need clear answers to this problem? I must admit that so much talk with nothing to show for it is killing us as a nation. It is rather funny how the Odaw river too has been blamed for almost every flood in Accra and yet little or nothing at all is being done about it. 

Let's be frank to ourselves, when last did you drop rubbish on the ground? Was it your fault that you dropped it off since you did not get any wastebin to drop them into? After every sanitation day program, do we collect the rubbish we remove from the gutters or we just leave them there? What is the permanent solution to flooding in Accra? As for me and my family, the little we can do is not to litter around and clean our gutters regularly. Can we guarantee same solution for people in our neighborhood and expect that they will willingly comply? As more and more people are migrating into Accra, are there measures to control waste management or should we just totally forget about finding solutions? I must also make mention that there are fewer drainage systems in most neighborhoods in Accra that could allow easily flow of water into the sea. Assembly men and Community leaders should quickly help check that more drainage systems are built. 

My last statement should be read with meaning... Dear Accra Mayor and policy makers in the Accra Metropolis, save us the plenty talk and less work to show for it. Accra is our 'city' and we need to maintain that status without fear or favor. The last time I checked, a city is a central business district. This is where most of our investors and business  partners come to deliberate on important National agenda and international market relations discussions. Do your possible best to save it. We are truly tired of all the promises and talks. The earlier you put your pens to paper, the better Accra it will be for all of us. You cannot expect us to pay taxes and not demand for solutions from you. Then we might as well keep our monies and use them to solve our own issues in the most efficient ways we can.

What is your take on the Floods in Accra? How have you been a victim to this flood situation? Is it the individual or government responsibility to solve this menace? I will love to hear from you. Let's all help to build a better Accra together. Stop littering. Do the right thing. Also, don't forget to spread the word. 

Justica Anima 

Adjeianima@gmail.com 

Switstica.blogspot.com 

A People of Varied "Class"

Note; this is dedicated to all University students across Ghana. Picture yourself in it. Let's try to make the mind find its way through this maze. This is supposed to be a journal which will remain in the archives of our minds as members of a strong society and institution. If your admission into a university(GIJ to be precise) got you very excited, brace yourself for what is coming... You are not alone. The feeling was like winning a lottery or a visa to the USA.

An uncomfortable state of being however set in when I, for one,  discovered that my name was on the last class list labelled "E". In my head, I was thinking why the administration had to by pass all the letters A, B, C... and decide to place me in E. I heaved a sigh though, after all I'm still going to be in GIJ. Nothing is going to change about that.

 We started the journey and I must confess that Class E has not been boring at all. It is really sad to think about the fact that so soon the journey of first year has ended. The indelible mark and memories shared will stay with us for a long time. There are amazing stories of people to share; and oh! I like to talk about people and events, especially when they are overwhelmingly incredible. My class was a mixture of talent, craze, brainies, entrepreneurs, gangsters, beauties, and everything put together. Just imagine any character in the world and you are sure to find one there(especially when we even had an ex shoemaker for a lecturer). Let's quickly get to the Hall of Fame for the 2015/2016 Class E year group.

Remember, this is for the fun and memories of the moment. You can also call this list provisional since it is subject to scrutiny and changes. Also, pardon wrong name spellings. Nicknames will also be replaced with real names in cases where real names are not popularly known. List is also based on class observance only. (Non-GIJ and non-Class E students should feel free to fix their names)

CLASS 'E' HALL OF FAME  

Most Talkers: Front Row Girls

Most Outspoken: Suhini, Raphael, Italiano, Chantelle, Fayiza, Abraham, Debby, Taliban, Nicholyn, Kabu Nartey, Monica, Millicent Edudzi, Ella(in glasses).

Most Quite: Marsha, Evans Mawuli, Richmond, Millicent Tamakloe, Babara Donkor, Timer

Most Fashionable Ladies: Annabella, Grandma, Jennifer(AJ) 

Most Fashionable Gentlemen: Frank, Bismark, Nat(Anas) 

Most Sociable: Alex, Khadija, Fayiza, Alima, Raphael, Lady

Most Behaved: Murphy, Lorenzo, Ams Writer, Timer, Mark Ofosu, Becca, Vanessa, Bismark Oduro, Mina, Aisha Ibrahim, Gina

Most Industrious: Mark, Kabu Nartey, Millicent Edudzi, Tracy, Alex

Most Loud in Class/Group page: Alima, Kwesi, Helena, Mercy, Tracy

Most Creative: Bismark, Taliban, Kabu Nartey, Ams Writer, Kwesi, Tracy, Mina

Class Elders: Mrs. Cynthia, Jesus, Italiano, Suhini, Grandma, Bismark 

Late Comers: Back row

I have observed with keen interest through my lenses how the class members have turned out to be a great family. I must also confess that there are a little hitches among some members. Hey! Let us try and shake off all the grudges. We must be ready to face the rest of the trip without any baggages. To those group members, friends, colleagues, who split for various reasons, I pray that you have a change of mind. We are going on a long vacation and who knows what might happen. That person you are not on good terms with might be no more. Hurry! Go give them a long hug or a handshake(no time for gay-tags), try and settle your differences.

On behalf of all the bullies and no-nonsense people in any class, I apologize to every person who have been offended knowingly or unknowingly by some actions and inactions exhibited in times past. And to all the great people who caused us enormous joy through their great friendships and experiences shared, we say 'Ayekoo'. Your jokes, smiles, company, and funny comments, made the journey an unforgettable one.

Dear good Samaritans, you in one way or the other saved our ass by paying for our transport fares, sharing your food and drinks, lending us extra pens(which we forgot to return), bought us handouts, and did us many more favors which we are grateful for. We say, "God bless you!". But for you, life on campus would have been quite a hell.

Justica Anima
Adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica.blogspot.com

A Typical Wet Day In Ghana's Capital City.

You know you are in Accra when clouds begin forming and winds start blowing with people running helter skelter, depicting signs of rainfall; unannounced rainfall mostly show up when everybody is busily going about their business. When last did you see the rains in Accra? It only happens consistently when the Wet season is due. The zone is a hot region and the heat on sunny days is harsh, I tell you. So when the rains finally come, it's inhabitants are very glad and wish it lasted for long. The cold breeze from the wet ground alone is enough to tame wild minds in the region. I mean the mind is mostly at rest when it rains because every activity slows down. Accra is a no joke place of settlement. Living here comes with its own hustle and struggles. You have to face traffic, beat time and deadlines, work hard to the bone and endure the "kpakpakpa" tactics; if you must survive. In a way, rainfall is our coolant. It reliefs us from many burdens ranging from work load to relationship issues, not forgetting harsh weather conditions.

These are times when market women cover their wares with large polythene materials to prevent water from destroying them. You dare not walk to any trader to buy from them. The look you will receive is enough to send the message across; "It is raining, Shop closed till further notice!". Drivers begin showing off. They refuse to pick anyone into their cars. Most of them carry the excuse that driving in the rains can cause them to visit the mechanic who may take an exorbitant amount of money for servicing their vehicles. Others (especially taxi drivers) complain about getting their seats wet from carrying rain-soaked passengers. However, it is the best time for some traders like the umbrella and rain coat sellers. Also, hot kenkey sellers and "chop bar" operators become a point of reach for some hot meals in such a cold weather. Polythene bag or shower cap sellers also serve a lot of women with protection for their hair, while some business minded drivers also convey people to their various destinations. I forgot to mention "people carriers" who carry people in flooded areas to safe grounds and make as much as GHC1 per head.

It appears that tensions become a bit relaxed in the city anytime it rains. People find shelter. Cars park. Criminals like fraudsters and pick-pockets lay low. Businesses come to a halt. Marriages become sweet if there was a misunderstanding. Never underestimate the power of rainfall. It makes sleep enjoyable too. There is nothing more painful as when you are at work or school before it begins raining. You start to wish that you were in the comfort of your home. These are times that you will find yourself daydreaming about being at home, eating a hot meal accompanied by hot chocolate drink after which you will tune in to some cool music and coil yourself in bed.

Another wonderful trait of Accra people in relation to the rain is water storage. A lot of places in the region are faced with the challenge of acquiring portable water making rainfall a savior in that regard. When it rains, I love the sight of pans, buckets, barrels and bowls in front of most houses. You will also realize  that there are channels on roof tops from which the water passes through into the storage materials. The rain water serves as a source of water for domestic households in most places in the urban centres. After any downpour, households are capable of retrieving about ten to fifteen big-sized buckets of water, and even more depending on the heaviness and time-length of the downpour. This water is used mainly for washing, bathing and cleaning purposes. On certain occasions it may also be used for cooking, after it has been treated.

Woe unto you if you get stuck in town while it is raining. You would have to give yourself an hour or more to be out of town. This is usually due to fewer vehicles on the streets to transport passengers. You are also not assured of any better shelter to hide under since most places are occupied by people. Your only lucky bet may be an umbrella which may serve you half purpose because you will eventually get wet. In some instances, the umbrella may even be destroyed by the heavy winds. What is even more saddening to imagine is that homeless people like, street children, head porters(kayayei), and some street hawkers become stranded because their places of sleep(mostly tables tops and in front of shops), and their sleeping materials are beaten by the rains. 

At night, the city turns quite and dull on a typical rainy day as compared to a sunny day. When it rains, most people prefer staying indoors. On the contrary, sunny days make the ground dryer and the rooms warmer. This gives people the urge to go out to receive fresh air and to hang out with friends due to the conducive weather. On the other hand, after work you will see people rushing to their places of abode whenever it rains. Criminals sometimes use this periods to operate since there are less people in town and so it is advisable to stay out of town. There have often being reports of armed robbery and snatching of cars during such periods. Other people however  choose to stay indoors for fear of catching a cold. Jackets and sweaters are pulled out from hideouts(especially for the sake of younger ones) due to the cold. Frankly, room temperature becomes cold by the night forcing one to cover himself with a sleeping cloth. Happy moments these are because sleep is more comfortable and cozy.

The flood situation in Accra can be likened to terrorism across the world. No one can really predict how it began and how it will end. Some folks even wish for more rains in order to have their drainage systems washed of its filth. Is it not funny how some people can think? They forget that the gutters will still be choked at another end which will in the end generate a bigger problem such as flood. Flooding is mostly as a result of the many filth we see in the region. There are too many people walking the grounds of Accra who make a lot of rubbish in a day yet a few of them keep to good sanitation conditions. Is it their fault? Is it the responsibility of a bigger organization or institution? A lot of information and reports have been circulated on the need to keep a clean environment to reduce flooding. The problem however is how this education will be implemented and inculcated among the masses. With less provision and subsequent collection of waste bins at vantage points for instance, things may remain the same when it comes to waste management with flooding as its related problem.

Personally I love when the rains come down. I only hate to think about the related problems that come with it. For instance, I do not understand why the lights are turned off by the Electricity Company of Ghana when it begins to rain. Spare me the excuse that it is for safety sake. Tomatoes and other farm products also come in short supply because of less rainfall. Market women will use any least chance to raise prices of commodities, and so may more rains come. You've got to love rainfall too. It is the only times that we learn to let our hair down in Accra. Who else agrees with me? And to the little children who cry out, "Rain, rain, go away...", wait until old age catches up with you. Rainwater is life in Accra.

Justica Anima
Adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica.blogspot.com

Advice from Women In Their 30's to Women In Their 20's

For all the fun and excitement that it holds, life in your twenties can also be exhausting, confusing, and pretty terrifying.
Careers, relationships, money, what you really want out of life: it's all yet to be figured out, and that can feel overwhelming at times.
So we asked thirty 30-something women to tell us one thing they wish they’d known at the age of 20.
This is what they said…

“No situation is ever improved by drinking vodka and Red Bull.” Ruth, 38

“A small number of great friends is what you need; not a vast number of mediocre ones.” Caroline, 33

“I wish I’d known to stretch my quads properly after running – I didn’t and now one of my legs is a mess.” Erin, 39

“The people that really matter you never lose touch with, and those that you do lose touch with never mattered in the first place. I spent a lot of time crying about friends moving on – and those ones mostly turned out to be knobs anyway.” Anna, 37

“Be as promiscuous as you want to be. There is nothing wrong with women being liberated enough to do what gives them pleasure when it’s not harming others.” Caroline, 38

“I wish I’d known to ask questions when I didn’t understand something, rather than pretending to and being scared of looking stupid. Asking questions makes you look confident and engaged, and people appreciate that honesty.” Alex, 36

“Don’t be so critical of your body, nor worry about what men think of it; I now know men basically love women no matter what shape they are.” Helen, 38

“There is NOTHING wrong with my vagina, and I don’t take ages to have an orgasm. THEY were doing it wrong.” Julia, 37

“I wish I’d worn more sunscreen on my face.” Rachel, 37

“You don’t have to stay in that nightclub until the lights go up if you’re having a crap time.” Gayle, 39

“You have as much right to exist, join in, and contribute to society or just a conversation, as the next person.” Helen, 39
“No matter how epic the heartbreak, you will love again.” Sarah, 37

“I wish I’d known I did not need to stress so much at work – in fact they needed me, and I should have asked for more money.” Kirsten, 36

“Velvet trousers are not a good look.” Becky, 39

“If I'd known that working in a bar in my early 20s would have been some of the best years of my life, I wouldn't have pulled such a moody pint.” Kathryn, 39

“Speak up for yourself more at work.” Emma, 38

“Take that job abroad before the kids come along and complicate it.” Polly, 38

“At 20, I spent way too much time worrying that I was never going to meet ‘Mr Right’ and I’d get upset thinking I was ‘on the shelf’ - completely ridiculous. (And then I met my now-husband when I was 23.)” Rachael, 37

“No one is worth changing yourself for.” Linda, 38

“Yoga, yoga, yoga. It is a complete life transformer - in terms of clarity and calm, making good decisions and (crucially) being able to co-exist with discomfort.” Sophie, 39

“Spend less on alcohol and more on travel.” Abi, 39

“I think I should have placed as much value on a vocational qualification as I did an academic one. I would probably have been better off financially.” Steph, 39

“Think about how you’re going to balance having children with your career dreams. Don't believe the hype of your ovaries, who may try to convince you that breeding is an absolute priority.” Skye, 38

“If you keep biting your nails they will be soft and crap by the time you’re in your 30s.” Tessa, 39

“I wish I had listened to my mum about saving money. If I’d saved consistently in my 20s like I have since turning 30 that would be pretty nice right now.” Kate, 35

“Appreciate sleep! Having had two kids in my 30s I could slap my former self at being ‘tired’ - I mean, honestly, I had no idea.” Kathryn, 35

“Be prepared for The Wedding Year – everyone has one, when suddenly it feels like ALL your friends are getting married. There will be wonderful hen parties and weddings, all of which will require trains, hotels, gifts, and a multitude of outfits and accessories. Start saving now, or it will bankrupt you.” Jemma, 31

“Experiment with fashion and hair more. Even if it looks terrible, no one will remember it in a year.” Marsha, 39

“Not everyone is going to like you. Not everyone has to. This is okay. It is not an indicator that there is something wrong with you.” Nicola, 38

“If you regret it the next day, it probably isn’t for you.” Lucy, 34

Credit: stylist.co.uk

How to Answer the Big Interview Question: "Where Do You See Yourself in the Next 5 Years?"

Most interviewers ask this question to be able to cut off interviewees whom they deem unqualified. It is the most asked interview question that many have not mastered how to answer and hence, fail to take up roles in the job market. Here are some bad and food responses that will help you make the slot for that dream job position you have been yearning for. Note that responses must be in line with specific roles that a person may be vying for.

SOME BAD RESPONSES

1.  “Well, that’s a very hard question. I don’t know what I’ll be doing in 5 years….hmmmm….that’s tough.”

Don’t overthink it. This is the mistake most people make. It’s great that you take the question seriously, but you are not being evaluated based on accuracy of answer. Use your answer to reassure the interviewer that you’re invested in this career path.

2.  “I plan to be a VP at a major firm with at least 7 direct reports, a company car, and a salary of 150K (plus options of course).”

Don't be too specific. Ambition is good. Goals are good. However, if you are too specific, you run the risk of stating goals that are not realistically achievable in the job available. From the interviewer’s perspective, that means you’re not a good fit.

3. “I’d love to be CEO in five years. Then again, I’d also love to be touring with my band if that takes off.”

Don't be flaky. You can come across as flaky if you seem to have a million different ideas about what you want to do — or if you have zero clear ideas about your future. In reality, many good candidates are exploring different options or are still trying to figure it out. However, a job interview is not a session with your career coach. You want to give the impression that you’re focused and have a plan (even if it’s not the only plan you’re considering).

4. “Well, I’m not sure. I’m thinking about law school or business school or clown college.”

Don't raise red flags. Many job seekers have long-term visions of going back to school or starting their own business. These are admirable goals, but there’s no need to share them with your interviewer, especially if you’re still weighing your possibilities.
Of course, if you’ve already committed to full-time grad school or another path that will conflict with your ability to perform in the job, it’s only fair to be open about that.
Also, there are some career paths that require advanced degrees and/or other additional training. For example, many finance and
management consulting career paths require an MBA. In these cases, it will be expected that your five-year plan will include more schooling.

THE RIGHT RESPONSES

1. “My goal right now is to find a position at a company where I can grow and take on new challenges over time. Ultimately, I’d like to assume more management responsibilities and get involved in product strategy. But most importantly, I want to work for an organization where I can build a career.”

This answer offers some insight into the candidate’s goals and interests (becoming a manager, being involved in product strategy) so it’s not too generic. This response also strongly expresses a desire for a long-term career with the company.

2. “I am driven to be the best at what I do and I want to work somewhere where I’ll have opportunities to develop my skills, take on interesting projects, and work with people I can really learn from. Some of the most innovative thinkers in the industry work here and that’s a big reason why I would love to build a career here.”

With this answer, the candidate is emphasizing her focus on learning, performance, and achievement. She is also complimenting the company and its reputation for hiring quality people (including the interviewer, perhaps?). The reference to “building a career here” indicates an interest in sticking around and contributing.

Credit: thebiginterview.com

Justica Anima
Adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica.blogspot.com

Here's What Your Sleeping Pattern Reveals About You

Sleep is very necessary for the body to regain energy. It also relaxing the nerves reducing the chances of stress and other nervous breakdown symptoms of the body. The more or the less time a person spends to sleep says a lot about their personality.

Here are 12 facts about sleep by @engrossingfacts on Twitter, that every person must know about. These are compiled facts drawn from the twitter handle that offers daily tweets of jaw dropping well researched facts you did not know about. Find out more about some sleeping tips you need to keep in mind, below.

1. Around 2% of the world's population are considered "sleepless elites", which means they are night owls and early birds simultaneously.

2. The happier you are, the less sleep you require to function in everyday life. Sadness increases the urge to sleep more.

3. Sleeping is an effective cure to forget about pain, problems, stress and everything for a while.

4. Sleeping next to someone you love not only reduces depression, but it also helps you to live longer and makes you fall asleep faster.

5. Feeling sleepy? Hold your breath until you can't anymore and then breath out slowly. This will increase your heart rate.

6. People who sleep less tend to eat more the following day.

7. Sleeping for less than 6 hours any night will impact your ability to think deeply the following day.

8. Before going to bed, 93% of people count how many hours of sleep they're about to get.

9. Lack of sleep causes the brain to remember events incorrectly.

10. People who sleep less tend to crave junk food. People who over sleep tend to crave more sleep.

11. "Beauty sleep" is real- Scientists found that faces of well-rested people looked younger and more attractive than sleep-deprived people.

12. People who sleep late have more mental stamina and can outperform early risers.

These tips have well summarized everything you need to know about sleep, it's benefits and disadvantages. Kindly share with us more tips you know about sleep.

Adjeianima@gmail.com

Switstica.blogspot.com

10 Amazing Facts You Didn't Know About Music

Music has many benefits and many music lovers will agree that it sparks a lot of energy and emotions within. Music addicts, musicians, and music producers around the world have certain amazing features in common. Their taste in various genres of music partly or wholely define their personality one way or the other. A person's choice of music can tell a lot about who they are.

Below are some jaw-dropping facts about music that has never crossed your mind. It is a compilation of well researched facts by @engrossingfacts on Twitter. They offer daily tweets on 'Did you Know?' facts you will be awed to know about. Follow them for more tips.

1. 85% of people use music to escape from daily emotional stress.

A lot more people these days, tend to plug in their sound system or earphones just to suck in some music whenever they feel stressed up and depressed.

2. Listening to music at high volumes makes a person calmer, happier and more relaxed.

Dancing and grooving to loud music wherever you find yourself tends to release happiness hormones that helps us feel more relaxed and happier. Tuning in to music at parties, events or even  the home, at higher volumes, indeed does magic to the body.

3. Music with strong beat can stimulate brain waves which improve concentration.

Need I say more? The beat of a music is that powerful.

4. We are subconsciously attracted to people who have the same taste of music as we do.

Truth be told, we tend to like people the more when we realise that they like and listen to the same kinds of music that we love to listen to. Who else can relate?

5. Memorizing song(music) lyrics is found to be one of the best exercises for the brain.

Apart from reading, learning and memorizing song lyrics, and even, singing along, is one of the best exercises that stimulate the brain. This helps to improve the memory and helps one to recollect and memorize things faster.

6. Listening to music while working creates a positive mood and makes you more productive.

Ever tried listening to music while washing or cleaning the house? You will relate easily with this point if you ever tried listening to music while working on strenuous tasks.

7. Music is so influential on the brain that the type you listen to actually has the ability to change the way you think and look at the world.

Just like words are powerful, the lyrics of music teaches us a lot about life, love and culture that we tend to see the world and to perceive things differently.

8. Listening to your favorite song before bed can help you sleep better, wake up easier, and enhance your mood for the upcoming day.

Oh yes! This fact though. Do I have any partners-in-crime when it comes to sleeping to some favorite Playlist?

9. The chills you sometimes feel when listening to music is called "musical frisson"

I mostly get these chills from listening to John Legend, Rihanna, Olly Murs, Asa, and Adele. Walaba you? (what about you?)

10. Music can repair brain damage and return lost memories.

I guess we can try this on the inmates of the Psychiatric hospital. Haha. This last point raises the greatest and key benefit of music. The higher one's consumption, the lower the chances of brain related problems, and vice versa.

I hope these facts taught you a lot about music that you did not know about. Share with me on more facts that you know about music, and which of the above that you do relate to the most. Which are your favorite Playlist and their artiste?

Justica Anima
Adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica.blogspot.com

Five Steps To Remain Relevant And Employed

By George Lorenzo

We are in a world where machines are taking the place of employees because they are complacent. These steps should guide you and help you avoid loosing your job to a robot.
The information below will help spur you up for greater achievements at the work place. It will keep you relevant and indispensable wherever you find yourself working at.

Individuals who take on these strategies must be willing "to burn the midnight oil to improve their own skills, and either make friends with smart machines or find a way to do things they cannot do. Complacency is not an option. But despondency isn’t required either."

1. Stepping up

People who step up make high-level decisions. They are senior executives who decide where cognitive technologies need to be utilized, and how new systems fit into the business organization overall. They are the few at the top of the augmentation pyramid, the authors write. "They are deciding what smart people do, what smart machines do, and how they work together."

2. Stepping aside

Those who step aside understand how to let machines do the work that machines are best at, such as computational tasks, while "simultaneously choosing to base your own livelihood on forms of value that machines just cannot deliver." Stepping aside means focusing on how to enhance our so-called "multiple intelligences." This is the space where "logical computation cannot provide optimized answers," such as practicing emotional intelligence or even utilizing our ability to solve problems through irrational means.

3. Stepping in

Stepping in means knowing how to make machines productive. These are the people who know how to connect technical and business environments. "Their role involves both identifying situations for which the machine isn’t well suited, and helping it to deliver even greater productivity advances over time," the authors note.

4. Stepping narrowly

Those who step narrowly are the ones who "hyperspecialize." They take the time to follow their passions into work that cannot be automated. They have a clear sense of direction and take the necessary steps to become experts in their field. It means "pushing ever deeper into a subject, with all the force of past achievement helping you, and learning the next thing about it through the kind of focused consideration and experimentation that machines can’t manage," Davenport and Kirby explain.

5. Stepping forward

People who step forward are technically proficient and entrepreneurial individuals who actually build the smart machines. People who step forward may have the brightest future in the age of automation. They are programmers, data scientists, researchers, product managers, marketers, consultants, and more. They are "particularly adept at learning new skills and updating their resumes to reflect their new skills," Davenport and Kirby suggest. "Their reward will be a valuable one: Working in an exciting industry, and drawing a good paycheck from it over many years."

Credit:  fastcompany.com

Wrong Moves People Make In their Relationship With Others

I have had the chance to listen to a few people and taken cue from some of their mistakes in their relationship with people. I have also had my own share on experiences in life which I think would  be worth sharing. Not everyone is supposed to be treated anyhow. You come across good people everyday but you may keep or scare them away by your actions. Here are some wrong moves we make in our everyday relationships with people which need to be checked.

Asking for money

A lot of times,  we genuinely need money from people. However,  the extent of your relationship with someone should determine whether to ask for money from them or not. In other cases, you may ask but asking too often makes you a bore. People now wonder whether you are for real or not. You become a bit of a liability instead of an asset when you begin asking for financial assistance from people you just got acquainted with.

Telling lies

Dishonest people are one group of people that nobody wants to draw close to. Trust, when broken becomes so difficult to replenish. There are lies that we tell to save the situation which are pardonable. However, if you are sure that the lie will bring future problems, it is best to tell the truth as it is. Bottom line, you will be respected for being honest than giving yourself away with a lie.

Feeling Superior

I am mostly attracted to wealthy, smart and intelligent people who are really down to earth. You know that feeling when you figure out that someone is affluent so you expect them to be distant and boastful only for them to be easy to approach. That is what genuine people who understand the art of relationship are like. Instead of making people feel less of themselves, it is humbling to always come down to every persons level irrespective of your position in life. You do not need to make others less of themselves in order to feel good about yourself.

Intolerance

We all have in one way or the other offended and being offended by people. This is something that is bound to happen at every point in life. Often times, not being able to tolerate and understand people leads to disagreements. It is only wise that we are able to tolerate people inasmuch as they hurt us. A lot of people including myself will easily walk away from a relationship that we feel offended and disrespected in. The true art of long lasting relationships is those that have the parties involved tolerate and understand each other's differences.

Selfish ambitions

We are in the world where people are self centered, seeking after their own interests. Few people genuinely have the interest of others at heart. If we can be good friends, spouses, family members, it is best that we have others first in mind. A lot of people who are successful in life first thought about bettering themselves in order to improve the lives of others. It is not bad to concentrate on being a better person. The goal should therefore be to be better so that we can add value to other people's lives.

I believe these will trigger answers which can help us become better people while relating to others. Believe me, everybody needs somebody in life. It is how well you relate with people that pushes you on the map to greatness and fulfillment in life.Which other wrong moves that people make to ruin their relationships can you think of? Do share.

Justica Anima 

Adjeianima@gmail.com

Switstica.blogspot.com

Why Today's Youth Are More Confused

With the increase in technology and Internet usage, one may presume that today's young people will be smarter than their predecessors. It is rather saddening that they are doing less with the more opportunities at their disposal. Young people today are missing key elements of learning and growth because they refuse to tap into knowledge. The average young person today is more likely to be surfing the Internet most of their time and yet achieving less in life. This may be a good thing if they were making good use of the Internet by; learning relevant skills on YouTube, and building sellable apps and brands. However, the reverse is  happening which calls for alarm.

Disregard For Leaders

Most young people don't hold great people in high esteem. Now everyone believes that they are 'superstars' of some sort. Instead of regarding people in higher positions and drawing close to them,we rather tend to withdraw. Young people call leaders names instead of tapping into their expertise. They would be admiring them in their hearts but outwardly you find them lambasting celebrities, parliamentarians, entrepreneurs, professionals and great people in general. I cannot tell whether they do this out of jealousy, yet these are the same people we look up to and wish to be like in future. This is how the confusion starts, bringing us to our next point.

Not Confiding In the Right People

You know what? I recommend John C. Maxwell's 'Good Leaders Ask Great Questions'  to you. It teaches practical questions and ways one can deal with Leaders to become a leader. Another challenge for most young people is asking questions. Now, imagine you do not have any role models who fall in the Leadership category mentioned in the first point, how will you ever ask questions. You will hear a lot of young people discussing the answers they sought from friends or the Internet. The scare is whether these information are right or wrong. Most of the information on the Internet are not from experienced people. Also, there is nothing concrete your friend, except they have also acquired it from a good source or are doing well in those areas. You see, the thing about asking the right questions from the right people is that you gain expert advise. The reason most people are confused is that they do not have the right people in their contacts that they can seek the right answers from. Even with those who have the right people, they refuse to ask for fear of rejection or due to pride. The rule is simple, ask good questions when you get the chance to be with the right network of people.

Not Getting the Right Answers

A lot of people are confused in life because there are too many selfish people around us. You may ask the questions but not get the right answers. Some people fear to share their experience for fear of someone stealing their ideas. For instance, a student asks a teacher a question and they get the response, "Go and do your own research." A participant at a seminar may also ask a question from a resource person but they tend to give shallow feedback and expect you to find out the real details by yourself. This causes people to adopt the 'try and error' method which leads to huge mistakes that could have been avoided in the first place. My appeal to parents and leaders is that they should try and be transparent enough in their bid to mentor young people.

Poor Teaching and Learning Methods

We are in the dispensation where young people are unable to think for themselves because they are used to been 'spoon fed'. Most teachers do not adopt the discussion and assignment methods frequently. This makes the children dull and expectant of the teacher's tutorials. The result of this is that young people end up failing in life, beginning with their examinations. I believe we can do better especially at the lower levels of education and parenting. When well taught, young people become smart in their thinking and are not always dependent on someone for help. In the end, there will be less confused people in the world.

Using Social Media Platforms Wrongly

I believe another thing young people are doing wrongly is the abuse of social media. The thing about social media is that it can be misleading and addictive. However, using the various mediums such as Facebook and Instagram wisely can be life changing. There is more to social media than meets the eye. Facebook is a good channel to sell products and ideas to people. Not every person is wired to be an entrepreneur. Finding typical issues and areas to discuss and talk about on Internet can help shape someone's life directly and indirectly. So instead of taking pictures of yourself everyday, which is boring and sometimes annoying, what can you offer that can change someone's life? There are a lot of opportunities that one can attract when social media is used wisely. Build contacts there by following and adding friends who are success minded. Exposure to good ideas and products shared on social media helps make an impact on young people.

I hope I have been able to unravel some secrets that can help you ease up some confusion. Please remember to read, read, and read. Also, never underestimate the power of networking with the right people. These things make life  much easier to live. I would like to know how you have overcome some of life's uncertainties as an individual. Kindly do share with me by commenting and keeping in touch.

Justica Anima 

Adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica@gmail.com

9 Traits of Highly Desirable Women

The dictionaries define “Desirable” as “worth having or wanting; pleasant, excellent or fine.”

Any man or woman who has dreamed of a future has probably created an image of what he or she would desire most in their partner. And most women have probably wished to be more desirable at some point. While the world keeps hankering over what exactly are the characteristics of highly desirable women, the truth is that we can only speculate. The definition will keep evolving.

However, we can safely say that highly desirable women will likely have the following nine characteristics.

1. They don’t chase people

Highly desirable women would rather chase their own awesomeness, because they know running after people is just a waste of time. They also know that it is a much better idea to become better versions of their own selves. The world will take notice when they progress in their own lives.

They don’t have time for such chases because they are just too busy creating a better life for themselves. That’s what makes a woman more desirable — that carefree, confident attitude. They are complete in themselves.

2. They are in control of their emotions

You won’t find desirable women moping about every bad relationship or failure in their lives. Instead, they are always in control of their emotions. They don’t waste their time and energy in harboring useless emotions that won’t bring them progress.

Simply put, desirable women would much rather be a shoulder when needed than be a constant cry baby.

3. They avoid gossip

Desirable women would rather use their time productively than for indulging in petty gossip. Gossip and too much talking creates drama. Desirable women know this. Petty gossip, useless talking, and drama is for school girls — not the desirable women that we look up to.

4. They are not attention seekers

You will not see desirable women posting selfies constantly or changing their relationship statuses on social media with every crush. They don’t like to spam people with such trivialities. They would much rather be known and talked about for their real and meaningful achievements.

They believe in earning attention from like-minded people, not snatching it with constant updates on the happenings in their lives. They earn respect instead of asking for it. They believe in maintaining a mystery about their lives which only selected people can have access to.

5. They don’t lose themselves in their relationships

It’s not that they hold back. Desirable women don’t lose themselves to create happiness for someone else. They have a life of their own that goes beyond the relationship. They don’t cling to their boyfriends or girlfriends constantly.

They don’t lose sight of their goals and dreams for love. They don’t lose their identity. Desirable women make smart decisions about how much time they are willing to devote to their relationships and to their goals. They set their priorities. They let their relationships add to their lives — not become their whole lives.

6. They have hobbies and passions

Desirable women make massive efforts to become better at their hobbies and passions. You won’t find these women constantly procrastinating. They find out what they love doing and do it with finesse.

Desirable women don’t waste their lives with mindless addictions, like staring at their mobile phones all day. They use their time to take up hobbies and work on improving. Some of the most desirable women are the ones who care deeply about their hobbies. It defines them and makes them more interesting people.

7. They are fiercely intelligent

Intelligence does not always refer to IQ. Desirable women are fiercely intelligent in terms of their understanding of the world and its people. They have a certain kind of wisdom that comes from experience, from a plethora of mistakes and a life full of lessons.

They have impeccable understanding of life and themselves — something that really adds to their desirability. They are no strangers to deep conversation.

8. They are always graceful

Women who understand and take pride in their womenhood are the ones that know that grace and elegance are not qualities you compromise with. It’s not about their appearance but their aura. What makes them highly desirable is that they don’t worry about their physical shortcomings. They fix what they can and carry themselves with elegance and charm that only a lady can possess.

They dress well and know how to exude confidence. What makes this all the more easier is that desirable women know that grace does not come with expensive fashion choices. It comes with self confidence.

9. They are brilliant communicators

They have clarity of thought and it shows in the words they choose, no matter which language those words are in. The confidence that they exude can easily win over hearts. They are logical with the right mix of rationality and emotion. Desirable women don’t overdo it.

They will let you talk, make you feel wanted, hear you with compassion, and show genuineness in their interactions. They know how important it is to be a good communicator and they also know what it takes to be one.

These are some of the characteristics of highly desirable women. Of course, there are many other traits that can be deemed “desirable.” Nevertheless, these are a few characteristics that will always draw us in.

Source. Life hack.org

What I Learnt From The Creative Writing Class That Every Writer and Non-writer Needs To Know

The best way to communicate your ideas is through sharing it. That is exactly what most writers seek to achieve. You cannot deal fairly with any viable business unless you can communicate your thoughts and ideas effectively. The Creative Writing Class seeks to educate students of the Ghana Institute of Journalism on the relevance of being creative in sharing out information in the form of writing.

There are numerous workshops being run during the class periods. Most of these workshops build capacity and skills of students to enable them be better writers and communicators. In one of such workshops I deduced these few lessons I am about to share with you.

Social media presence

The need for social media in today's world cannot be overlooked. Brands and companies are widely using these platforms to build themselves. The interactive nature of a business or individual's social media platform is what gains them the winning urge. Apparently, most people are on social media and are unaware of the many great opportunities in it. For some, it is a waste of resources and time. With a look at the brighter side, you will be amazed at how your social media presence can make or mar your career or personal life. The main lesson here is that whether you are active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Google+, and what have you; you must be able to use that to better brand yourself as an individual or a business through writings.

Best Career Path

Most people are unaware of the many career opportunities that writers are open up to. For most people, writers are mainly authors and journalists. That assumption is entirely wrong because in today's world where technology and internet are rampant, writers play a bigger role. We can now find varied career options for writers such as Playwright, Concept developer, Personal Assistants, Communications Expert or Personnel, Brand Ambassadors, Spoken Word Artists, Bloggers, Creative Directors, Editors, Script Writers, Social Media Manager, Website Developer and Manager,  just to mention but a few. In all of this, one amazing quality runs through and that is the ability to write and communicate well. However, if none of these options seem attractive to you, writing and communication may still come in handy at a point in your life so you cannot afford not to learn it.

Learning Wide and free

Learning in the contest of school is good. However, learning from other avenues is great. It is good to always have skills that you can rely on, especially in these times when finding a job is a huge task. A lot of people learning amazing things on the Internet while others observe daily situations and pick up lessons from there. Whichever way, one must always learn and build on areas where you have much interest in. For example singing, writing, acting, driving, learning a language, and cooking. The benefits of learning wide is that it opens you up for greater tasks ahead. If you refuse to learn today, the possibility of you becoming great is low. Learners are Winners. As part of your learning, you need to share what you have learnt with others. This form of sharing can best be done or expressed through writing, in the form of journals, drama, blog, music and the likes.

Starting Small

This may sound cliche but the truth of the matter is, you will have to start anyway. The thing about the Creative is that you will have to build enough followership who consistently see your works and begin to believe in you. By starting small, you will be building contacts and learning along the way. Like the growth process, you finally become mature and experienced in whichever field you decide to pursue. If you want to be the best photographer, you will need to start with the community and people closer to you. As time goes on, you can capture pictures at events and a lot more places. The same with writing, you need to post from less interesting to horrible stories in other to become a celebrated writer. That is how the journey to stardom begins.

Partnerships

One good thing about teamwork that I know is that it never disappoints. This is due to the fact that there are so many ideas on board that will actually attract excellence. One key lesson in the Creative Writing Class that I cannot miss to share is Partnering. With this, a group of people come together to champion a course which one person may not have been able to handle. For instance, a group of students can build on a concept which they can manage to bring into reality. The group may consist of the writer, the photographer, a publicist, a tech addict, and a marketer. This group can successfully manage a Blog or Website and better brand themselves as compared to one person doing all of those tasks by themselves.

I hope these few tips help to renew your mind and grant you better career ideas. What other lessons can you share with regards to Writing and Creativity? How has writing helped you in life and in your career?

Justica Anima
Adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica.blogspot.com

Will You Marry A Sex Worker?

Recently,  I watched a movie which got me wondering.  In the movie, a desperate guy wanted to get a wife. He combed through everywhere in search of the bone-of-his-bones but to no avail. In the end,  he decided to confide in his pastor and friend. He fasted and prayed according to the leading of his pastor friend.

At the end of the fast, he met a young lady he wanted to propose to but found out that she was a sex worker. Well, it happened that it was God's chosen wife for him. He had to convince her to stop her immoral acts. Finally,  she did and they got married happily.

Brothers,  what will make you consider marrying a sex worker? The reality however is that men never want to share their women with the exception of a few who would not mind (did I hear, never? ). Last year, I read an article a website posted on Facebook. It was about a fifty-something years old ex sex worker who shared her story of how she ended up in the act. She also shared her sad story of abuse and disrespect to her womanhood. Fortunately for her, she found love at the point when she thought it was the end of the road for her. They were married for twenty three years at the time of the publication.  She also shared how loving and caring her husband was, and how much he respected her despite her past.

In other settings,  this may seem okay. Let's come to Ghana, or perhaps Africa, where we hold strong moral and cultural values. A woman who cheats in a relationship can even fail to pass as a wife material. Talk less of a sex worker. Worst case, you may accept to marry her but the society will condemn you. The average Ghanaian man will even use that past as a reference point whenever there is a misunderstanding. Most men will chase after them because they are beautiful, available, and good in bed; are these not what you seek in a woman?

The pivot of this discussion is however not the role the woman plays as a sex worker. The issue is whether or not she fits into the category as a wife. Sometimes, such people have very good hearts and only need a little love and encouragement and a support system. Instead of pushing them away, I believe it's about time some men married them and showed them the way to liberation and compassion. You will be surprised at the level of loyalty some of these women carry. Some also have great ambitions that may have been shattered by their homes or society due to broken homes, irresponsible parenting, and poverty.

Society has a great role to play in bringing up female children. Women by their nature are very dependent on society for growth and development. The number of great women who succeed in life mostly have a solid support system either from the family, school, religious institutions, or society in general. It is about time we gave ear to the needs of women and girls. Parents should be more keen on the girl child. Organisations and Stakeholders should also pay attention to the needs of women and girl child development by intervening in areas where they fall short such as education, training and job creation.

As for men who abuse women, the least said about them the better. And to those who seek sexual favors from vulnerable women... Ayekoo!(Well done!) For all you know, you are the ones promoting sex workers in the world today. As I mentioned earlier, most of these women have good hearts and their behaviors may have been triggered by a horrible background, find out and be good towards them. Marry them if it demands you should.

I am not here to advocate that the act is a good one. However, I am here to question the status quo. Do Men marry sex workers? Will you allow your son or brother to marry one? Do you know someone who married a sex worker? What is your opinion on the subject matter? I for one believe that they are also humans deserving of love. Come to think of it, if you can patronize them why not commit anyway?

Justica Anima 

Adjeianima@gmail.com

Switstica.blogspot.com

5 Study Tips For The Everyday Student

Most students have difficulty studying and making good grades. Considering the many activities that go on around and in school, it is easy to lose focus on what is most important. Studies are a great way to make the grades while in school so it cannot be underestimated. Here are a few ways to guide you while pursuing studies in school.

Don't procrastinate

Having things to study and leaving them for another time can guarantee failure. It is important to focus on the little in order to get the big catch. Studying in bits on a regular means that you can accumulate much in a short while. Never wait until the last minute to grasp a whole learning material. That can cause excessive overload and confusion to your memory.

Keep a schedule

Planning what time periods you want to study is a good way to start. You will need specific time periods that you want to study a particular subject. Most refer to scheduling various times for various subjects as time table. In short, keep a time table to help you study at apportioned times.

Join Study Groups

For most people this is a good way to learn topics which were not well explained or understood in the classroom. The aim of study groups is to help students learn from each other. Not everyone  likes or enjoys study groups. However,  it helps in sharing knowledge and ideas on a subject matter. It also serves people with ideas and boosts students' confidence, as they are able to contribute better with friends than in the class.

Teach what you learn

The ability to teach colleagues and friends helps one to recollect learnt information. It is advisable not to keep to oneself what you learn but to share it with friends who may not understand that topic or subject. Teaching opens up new ideas for the one teaching.  It also serves as a good memorization process for every student who adopts it.

Read Wide

Reading helps to exercise the mind. It sharpens the memory and allows for easy comprehension of words and sentences. A person who reads more tends to be more ahead in class than his or her fellow students. Reading helps one to regain facts and information that may be hidden from the majority. I'm order to stay ahead of the pack, read as many books as possible.

 I hope this helps us in our bid to be 'Grade A' students. Learning or studying is a good practice irrespective of where we find ourselves. Can you share some of your helpful study tips?

Justica Anima 

Adjeianima@gmail.com

Switstica.blogspot.com 

Is Foreign Aid Good or Bad For Africa?: A Case Study of Economic Development of The Third World

According to Todaro(1992), Economic development is a multidimensional process involving the reorganization and reorientation of the entire economic and social systems. In addition to improvement in income and output; it typically involves radical changes in institutional, social, and administrative structures as well as in popular attitudes and in many cases even customs and beliefs.

Africa as a third world nation has the attribute of depending on more developed nations for support. The question however is whether or not these aids have benefited us with regards to the definition stated above; as developing areas of the economy, social structures, and even attitudes and customs of the nation.

To start with, we can say that Africa has benefited through the numerous infrastructural set ups we see in our cities today. For instance, the building of roads, schools,  hospitals, banks, and industries among others. It cannot be disputed however that these infrastructures render a level of output that go into developing other aspects of our economy.

The debate however lies in how negatively we use these aids and how the negative effects far outnumber the positive. For example, the rate of corruption has increased in African nations. The leaders end up using the greater part of the monies acquired on luxury to the detriment of our development. Most of these leaders are very clear about the goals for seeking these aids but are not able to bring them into fruition due to selfish gains and ambitions. Corrupt practices, embezzlement of funds, and using monies generated from international organizations like International Monetary fund for misplaced priorities is the cause of our many woes in Africa.

Furthermore, more areas of Africa remain impoverished and the sufferings of the larger population increases. In Ghana for instance, the Northern and rural areas have nothing to write home about when it comes to development and social interventions unlike the the few urban centers. Throwing good money to a bad government and a people with poor attitudes make their nation worse off. That is to say that the attitude of the people must change. Of what use will the aid from World Health Organisation be if the people still observe poor sanitation practises which can render them unhealthy  anyway?

Last of all, these aids seek to cripple and manipulate the people to do the will of their donors. An example is how Ghana and Uganda had their aids withdrawn due to the fact that they did not accept to legalised homosexuality. This is to inform us that so far as there is some level of influence from the donor country to use these aids for specific interests, Africa and therefore underdeveloped nations will continue to struggle for development.

Once there is over dependence on foreign aid,  we can forget about developing our total infrastructure, level of income and output, and to some extent our attitudes and beliefs as a continent.

Adjeianima@gmail.com

The Communication and Relationship Factor: Dealing with People

The learning process is an interesting journey to embark on.
When it comes to dealing with people, most of us find it quite difficult. Everyone seems to have their own egoistic nature that they will not allow to be bruised. However like in most games,  there are always winners and losers. Choosing to be a winner or loser in our relationships with people is a personal choice. I mostly hear people say play the fool and let the issues die. I beg to differ. We all have specific attitudes and behaviours that can make a relationship thrive which must not be overlooked.

Know your role

In dealing with people, it is advisable to know what you stand for in their life. If you are the leader, it is good to be firm. Mind you, you are trying to be liked and to be obeyed at the same time. Does that mean you must be a dictator in order to be obeyed? It is key to note that people will get offended no matter how we treat them. That is not to say that we must treat them anyhow anyway. If you know your role as a friend,  family, sister, aunt, teacher, in another person's life, you learn words and actions that can easily communicate to the person. Choose words that do not easily offend the person's personality. Applaud and rebuke, but in a way that resonates your exact sentiments to the person without them feeling offended.

Respect other's views

In as much as we all share different opinions in life, it is important to listen  and understand before we communicate. I find it very unapologetic when people refuse to listen and later give bad judgment of a situation. I bet this is not taught in most of our classrooms. However,  any good communication book will teach you the importance of listening and understanding before communicating . After listening, it helps you understand the angle from which the other party is coming from. This way, we are able to give a good if not better response. Never rubbish another person's view on a situation just because you disagree.

Speak with empathy

How does it feel when after telling someone your situation the person speaks to you with so much concern and love? That is exactly what empathy seeks to achieve. You are able to connect with someone's opinion, be in their shoes, and communicate well in relation to their very self. Once you begin to attack another without truly understanding them, you open yourself to disagreements.

Be soft and firm

The truth is that not all persons can handle being treated with persuasion, sometimes it is good to be firm for others to get the message. In the bid to be firm and frank, we also do not want to appear difficult, tough or controversial (some terms given to firm people). In this way, we can communicate firmness and softness in a way that resonates true concerns, with words that will not be misunderstood or misconstrued. Literally, what this means is let your yes be yes, and your no be no.

The focus of this is to try as much as possible not to step on so many toes while dealing with people in our everyday lives. Do share how best you communicate with people with us. The aim is to be able to win more friends and influence more people rather than more enemies or ill wishers.

Do Men Fear to Approach High Maintenance Women?

It recently struck me that most women are falling short of men in their lives.  This observation  is based on a little of my experience and experiences of other women in my life.  Now let's shift our focus first to who a high maintenance woman is.

She is one that has empowered herself to do more. She is a well groomed person who knows which colors and pieces to combine when it comes to clothing. She likes to look good and guess what? When you're with her you look good too. She is one who is confident, outspoken, and not easily intimidated. She is knowledgeable and holds a good conversation anytime anywhere. Sometimes, she may own her own company or be doing very well in her field of endeavor. As the name goes, she requires that she well taken care of in order to be maintained. In all, she is fun to be with.

My friends and I mostly talk about relationships among other interesting subject matters. And anytime we hold such conversations they never said anything good about men in general. That aside,  Esi, who is the most high maintenance amongst us revealed that men of our time like women who they can easily manipulate to do their will without questioning. All of us could not agree less. But the question was why is that?

That is not to say there are no men who like this category of women. But the question is how many do? Perhaps our men have a problem with confidence in themselves. Better still, it may be the issue of taking good care of these type of women. Alex my friend confirmed my thoughts when he told me that the way he sees me if I do not hurry and get married,  soon men will not approach me anymore. His reason for saying that was simple, because I know too much and that could scare the men away. Did that mean that men wanted stupid women?

That conversation left me thinking. Here I was, thinking that our men rather loved to be around women who could bring ideas on board. A week after conversing with Alex,  another guy came up with the same talk when my cousin jokingly called him her new boyfriend. You should have seen how he screamed. He mentioned that he cannot handle her as a girlfriend because he may not be able to make her happy. Asked why he said that? He confessed that women like her are hard to please because they put in a lot of energy in looking healthy and beautiful. I only shook my head in disbelief.

The fear of most women now is whether or not to look or feel good, or to pursue higher heights since the men are not forthcoming. I write this because of such women and also to the men out there. Sisters, it is a good thing to build yourself up. It is a good thing to always look your best. This should not be because you want to actually attract a man. Basically, it is to make you happy with or without a man. To the men, such women are really not difficult to please. You just have to be a full blown highly responsible man to match up to their needs as women. Not all of such women are spend rifts, disrespectful, impolite and promiscuous as most of you think. They are simply ladies who have learned to carry themselves with the respect in their society.

That brings us to the story about Priscilla. She used to be so much into fashion. Her fashion sense was 'wow'. Make up on point. Clothing on point. Bags and shoes on point. Accessories on point. Intelligence spectacular. She only had one issue and that was finding love. Someone then advised her to tone down her dressing and also not engage in so much intelligent conversations when talking to men. She obeyed and found love. She got married and her husband started following intelligent well groomed(high maintenance) young women.

Priscilla is currently divorced and living her life happily as a single. She had to learn the hard way that being herself would have been better. It could have won her the right person that matched her personality. So back to the question, do Ghanaian men fear to approach high maintenance women? Share your thoughts to help a woman unravel a mystery.

Justica Anima (all social networks)
Adjeianima@gmail.com