Japan free essay sample

In Kawabatas Snow Country, a central theme has been focused on wasted effort. Throughout the novel, the phrase wasted effort from Shimamura has been recurring. The notion of performing a task without it having a definite purpose or end seems futile to Shimamura. Shimamura focuses on Komakos wasted efforts throughout the novel, yet does not really look to his own.The first time which wasted effort was mentioned, was when Komako was describing to Shimamura of her diary. Komako describes that in her diary she lists the character relations and minor details of each book she read, when asked about the purpose for doing such a thing Komako simply replies, None at all. To which Shimamura retorted, A waste of effort. (41). In this example, it seems that Shimamura perceives wasted effort as doing something without purpose. It appears pointless to him that Komako listed what she had previously read, yet this small activity gives Komako joy and brings her to the days in which she lived in Tokyo. We will write a custom essay sample on Japan or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The second time that wasted effort was mentioned was when he found out that Komako might be Yukios fiancà ©, where Shimamura thinks, If Komako was the mans fiancà ©e, and Yoko was his new lover, and the man was going to die—the expression wasted effort again came to Shimamuras mind. For Komako thus to guard her promise to the end, for her even to sell herself to pay doctors bill—what was it if not wasted effort? (61). In his mind Shimamura perceives the effort of both Komako and Yoko as wasted effort, Shimamura cannot fathom the excess effort both these girls are putting themselves through in order to benefit Yukio despite his falling condition. This time Shimamura takes the meaning of wasted effort as not only doing without purpose, but also exerting excess effort on things which are fleeting. Yukios condition which is wavering, is reason enough for Shimamura to question why Komako would put herself in such a satiation despite Yukios inevitable demise.The third time wasted effort was mentioned was when Shimamura learned that Komako practiced her samisen exclusively through score, To Shimamura it was a wasted effort, this way of living. He sensed in it too a longing that called out to him for sympathy. (72-73). This excerpt seemed familiar to Shimamuras view of wasted effort when Komako described her diary, he sees the longing which she felt and remembered the times in which she practiced in Toky o, yet despite this Shimamura views this as sad. The next time the phrase was mentioned was when Shimamura was climbing the mountain, Though he was an idler who might as well spend his time in the mountains as anywhere. He looked upon mountain climbing as almost a model of wasted effort. For that very reason it pulled at him with the attraction of the unreal. (112). In both Komakos practicing of the Samisen and Shimamuras experience of climbing a mountain, the phrase explains endless cycle of events. The last statement on that passage is also important. It seemed that it shows that after he viewed something which he considers as wasted effort, he diverted his attention to the unreal, perhaps to retain his vision of beauty in doing that matter. The final time which wasted effort is reiterated was during his encounter with Yoko, He was conscious of an emptiness that made him see Komakos life as beautiful but wasted, even though he himself was the object of her love; and yet the womans existence, her straining to live, came touching him like naked skin. He pitied her, and he pitied himself. (127-128). In this final reference, Shimamura finally sees that he is also experiencing wasted effort. Shimamura knows that his affair with Komako would end, and despite this has placed so much effort over her. He pitted both himself and Komako for this reason. Shimamura throughout the novel was quick to point out the wasted efforts of others, yet did not fully realize that he himself was exhibiting the same habits. Shimamura and Komako are similar in that they both exhibit wasted effort with an almost childlike quality, which is juxtaposed by an adult like nature. Komako still being a very young woman, shows traits of adulthood and responsibility, yet continuously does things which will ultimately end fruitless. Komakos decision in becoming a Geisha, was based on an adult decision to help a longtime friend, despite knowing he would ultimately parish. Her hobbies of writing down what she had previously read into her diary and practicing the Samisen without ever having an audience satisfied Komako, yet Shimamura pitied her actions and classified them as pointless. Shimamura an older gentleman was quick to point out others fruitless actions, yet did not start to question his own until the end. Shimamura suspended himself in a fantasy with Komako and even referenced the lack at attention he had given his family during those times. This to me seems like a childish act on Shimamuras part, which is ju xtaposed by Komakos adult like actions in trying to aid her dying friend. Shimamura pitied Komakos diary, yet he himself would write manuscripts about the art of Ballet, without ever actually seeing a live show. Shimamuras manuscripts were in sense Komakos diary entries, he would write about and fanaticize about something he had not seen in person, and indulged in the fact that he would leave the dance up to his imagination. Shimamura viewed life as if he was detached to the tangible essence of it because he dwelled too much on the unreal. He kept on telling of wasted effort on the things being done without any assurance of the result, to think that is one of the realities in life. A reality which Komako experienced, and understood yet Shimamura with age and knowledge could not fully understand.A bc d e f g h I j kl m n o p q r s t u Japan free essay sample A history of early twentieth century Japan with emphasis on the rise and fall of its economy. This paper discusses Japans rise to the international forefront at the beginning of the twentieth century and examines how the economic downturn in the 1920s paved the way for the rise of the militarists and ultimately to Japanese aggression in the 1930s. In 1920 Japans wartime economic boom distorted, and the country suffered a series of recessions. The great Kanto earthquake of 1923, which devastated the Tokyo-Yokohama region, aggravated bad economic conditions. Agricultural prices plunged, and the rural economy became indolent. A major bank panic in 1927 set off alarm bells, but conditions grew much poorer with the onset of the Great Depression, the global economic slump that began at the end of 1929. Japans manufacturing production fell, workers were laid off, a new wave of strikes began, and the rural economy went into a tailspin. We will write a custom essay sample on Japan or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page

African-American History and Women Timeline (1930-1939)

African-American History and Women Timeline (1930-1939) 1930 Black women called for white Southern women to oppose lynching; in response, Jessie Daniel Ames and others founded the Association for the Prevention of Lynching (1930-1942), with Ames as director. Annie Turnbo Melone (business executive and philanthropist) moved her business operations to Chicago. Lorraine Hansberry was born (playwright, wrote Raisin in the Sun). 1931 Nine African-American Scottsboro Boys (Alabama) were accused of raping two white women and convicted quickly. The trial focused national attention on the legal plight of African-Americans in the South. (February 18) Toni Morrison was born (writer; first African-American to win the Nobel Prize for Literature). (March 25) Ida B. Wells (Wells-Barnett) died (muckraking journalist, lecturer, activist, anti-lynching writer and activist). (August 16) ALelia Walker died (executive, arts patron, Harlem Renaissance figure). 1932 Augusta Savage began the largest art center in the US at the time, the Savage Studio of Arts and Crafts in New York. 1933 Caterina Jarboro performed the title role in Verdis Aida at the Chicago Civic Opera. (February 21) Nina Simone born (pianist, singer; Priestess of Soul). (-1942) Civilian Conservation Corp employed more than 250,000 African-American women and men. 1934 (February 18) Audre Lorde was born (poet, essayist, educator). (December 15) Maggie Lena Walker died (banker, executive). 1935 The National Council of Negro Women was founded. (July 17) Diahann Carroll was born (actress, first African-American woman to star in a television series). 1936 Mary McLeod Bethune was appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the National Youth Administration as Director of Negro Affairs, the first major appointment of an African-American woman to a federal position. Barbara Jordan was born (politician, first African-American woman from the South elected to Congress). 1937 Zora Neale Hurston published Their Eyes Were Watching God. (June 13) Eleanor Holmes Norton was born (though some sources give her date of birth as April 8, 1938). 1938 (November 8) Crystal Bird Fauset was elected to the Pennsylvania House, becoming the first African-American woman state legislator. 1939 (July 22) Jane Matilda Bolin was appointed justice of the Domestic Relations Court of New York, becoming the first African-American woman judge. Hattie McDaniel became the first African-American to win the Best Supporting Actress Oscar- about playing the role of a servant, she said, Its better to get $7,000 a week for playing a servant than $7 a week for being one. Marian Anderson, denied permission to sing at a Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) hall, performed outdoors for 75,000 at the Lincoln Memorial. Eleanor Roosevelt resigned from the DAR in protest of their refusal. Marian Wright Edelman was born (lawyer, educator, reformer).

Case Study Analysis Cost Of Capital At Ameritrade Finance Essay

Case Study Analysis Cost Of Capital At Ameritrade Finance Essay Capital Asset Pricing Model is a model that describes the relationship between risk and expected return  and  that is used in the pricing of risky securities. Description: Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) The general idea behind CAPM is that investors need to be compensated in two ways: time value of money  and risk. The time value of money is represented by the risk-free(rf) rate  in the formula and compensates the investors for placing money in any investment over a period of time. The other half of the formula represents risk and calculates the amount of compensation the investor needs for taking on  additional risk. This is calculated by taking a risk measure (beta)  that compares the returns of the asset to the market over a period of time and to the market premium (Rm-rf). The CAPM says that the expected return of a security or a portfolio equals the rate on a risk-free security plus a risk premium. If this expected return does not meet or beat the required retur n, then the investment should not be undertaken. The security market line plots the results of the CAPM for all different risks (betas). Using the CAPM model  and the following assumptions, we can compute the expected return of a stock in this CAPM example: â€Å"if the risk-free rate is  3%, the beta (risk measure) of the stock is 2 and the expected market return over the period is 10%, the stock is expected to return 17% (3%+2(10%-3%))†. CAPM has a lot of important consequences. For one thing it turns finding the efficient frontier into a doable task, because you only have to calculate the co-variances of every pair of classes, instead of every pair of everything. Another consequence is that CAPM implies that investing in individual stocks is pointless, because you can duplicate the reward and risk characteristics of any security just by using the right mix of cash with the appropriate asset class. This is why followers of MPT avoid stocks, and instead build portfolios out of low cost index funds. â€Å"Cap-M† looks at risk and rates of return and compares them to the overall stock market. If you use CAPM you have to assume that most investors want to avoid risk, (risk averse), and those who do take risks, expect to be rewarded. It also assumes that investors are â€Å"price takers† who can’t influence the price of assets or markets. With CAPM you assume that there are no transactional costs or taxation and assets and securities are divisible into small little packets. CAPM assumes that investors are not limited in their borrowing and lending under the risk free rate of interest. How to Calculate the Cost of Equity CAPM The cost of equity is the amount of compensation an investor requires to invest in an equity investment. The cost of equity is estimable is several ways, including the capital asset pricing model (CAPM). The formula for calculating the cost of equity using CAPM is the risk-free rate plus beta times the market r isk premium. Beta compares the risk of the asset to the market, so it is a risk that, even with diversification, will not go away. As an example, a company has a beta of 0.9, the risk-free rate is 1 percent and the expected return on the equity investment is 4 percent.

Selflies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Selflies - Essay Example This practice lets some people to meet their need in community attention and acceptance especially if they are posted online. They gather approving likes and comments which nurture their self-confidence and confirmation of their physical beauty. If they are taken for personal use only, they can boost self-confidence as well; moreover, they can state the narcissist personality of the agent (Burns, 2014). For those who want to look even better, there are different apps which can improve one’s appearance by making the body slimmer, changing facial features or putting makeup on (Waterland, 2012). They only increase the value of physical beauty and create unrealistic beauty standards which are most painful for young people and women. Overall, this practice to post selfies everywhere is very annoying. People who regularly post their selfies online seldom think that this practice can be disliked by some people. In this way, they often react inadequately if someone asks them to stop doing that. Moreover, they tend to say that they do not care about what other people think; at the same time, it remains their primary purpose. I think that in some cases people just do not feel the limit of patience other people have concerning others self-representation. Some create Instagram profiles with a sole purpose to post photos of themselves there. The amount of photos they post is directly related to dependence on public opinion or narcissism. It can be easily defined either by hash tags people use or comments which follow their post. Some of them ask directly to comment on their makeup, clothing style, hairstyle etc. Others do not bother with such things and add hash tags me, beautiful or selfie to their posts. This practice will remain relevant even if people ban it in social media because it is the easiest way to boost self-confidence for some

Quantitative Data Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Quantitative Data Analysis - Essay Example Below the introduction, the report provides a brief overview of the data used, including a statement on the adequacy, and the implications of this factor. Using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), the study further explored specific features of the data used, including highlights on frequencies and descriptive statistics. Two extra variables (â€Å"the total number of health conditions that a doctor ever told an ELSA respondent they have or have had† and â€Å"prevalence of disabilities that limit activities†) were developed in SPSS and used for further analysis of the variations in heart conditions and correlation between income health statuses. Multivariate regression of depression scores and severity of disability was then performed as the last bit of analysis. A summary of the health statuses of the older people in England was provided just before the list of references that preceded the appendix (comprising syntax files obtained through the SPSS ). The data used to compile this report was obtained from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). ELSA is an interdisciplinary resource for data pertaining to health, economic wellbeing and quality of life as people in England age (The Institute for Fiscal Studies, 2011). The data collected usually represents persons aged 50 years and above. The Institute for Fiscal Studies explains that the sample from which the data is obtained is representative of the English population falling within the recommended age bracket. This implies that the organisation takes time to calculate a sample size that would be both financially viable to reach as well as one that is not too small to represent the qualities under investigation (Lavrakas, 2008). Additionally, the results obtained from the representative sample have the added advantage of increased ease of generalization to the entire population that it was obtained from.

Sweden and Canada Immigration Comparison Essay Example for Free

Sweden and Canada Immigration Comparison Essay This paper describes the context of Canadian immigration and immigrants` labour market outcomes, and explores trends in both over time. Fortunately, there is a wealth of research regarding the question of why earnings have declined among immigrants to Canada. Employment outcomes of immigrants to Canada have been much less studied. In this latter case we are restricted to providing basic facts, and hypotheses regarding the causes of the SwedishCanadian differences mentioned above. This paper outlines potential causes of the observed gap in outcomes, to the extent that they are known, and asks what the implications might be for the Swedish experience. Of course, Canadian outcomes are in part a function of the institutional setting. As will be seen, it is likely that much of the difference in economic outcomes between the two countries is related to differences in immigration programs and policies. The paper ends with a discussion and summary of the range of possible drivers of Sweden`s current immigration outcomes. Institutional Background Canada’s immigration system is quite complex, and is becoming increasingly so. With a federal governance structure – a federal government and provinces there is substantial heterogeneity in the opinions and goals of the various actors involved in national discussions. This implies that the nation’s aggregate set of policies and programs are not always internally consistent. Indeed, there are many stresses between the sometimes complementary, but frequently competing, humanitarian, social, cultural, and economic goals of immigration policy. And there is frequently a lack of coordination, and sometimes disagreement, across levels of government and various actors within civil society regarding such issues as settlement services. With respect to highly skilled immigrants, for example, the federal government is responsible for the admission of health professionals, but provincial governments operate the healthcare systems and are responsible for the certification of those same professionals. Potentially useful for Sweden is a comparison of the alternative routes taken by Canada and the United States. Of particular interest are the differences in immigration levels, and the associated need to manage the immigration system, along with the active measures that may be beneficial for a smaller nation seeking economic benefit from immigration. Modern immigration policies 1 and practices in North America date from the 1960s. Both Canada and the U. S. moved away from selection based mainly on source region, with most immigrants coming from Europe, to a more modern approach that resulted in large scale immigration from the developing world. But Canada took a very different path than the United States. As seen in figure 1, it consciously chose a significantly higher immigration rate, and it also developed a much more highly managed system. The U. S. receives a greater number of immigrants because it is a much larger nation, but on a per-capita basis, immigration is much higher in Canada. We believe these two features almost always go together in developed economies: the higher the rate of immigration, the greater is the need for structured government management.

Monkeys :: essays research papers

There are at least 145 living species of the suborder Anthropoidea . Over 90% of them are monkeys. The remaining species are apes and humans. The anthropoids (members of the suborder Anthropoidea) have been the most successful primates in populating the earth. They are generally larger, more intelligent, and have more highly developed eyes than the prosimians. There are two distinct infraorders of Anthropoidea that have been evolving independent of each other for at least 30,000,000 years. They are the Platyrrhini (New World monkeys) and the Catarrhini (Old World monkeys, apes, and humans). These two diverse groups of species can be distinguished from each other most easily based on the form of their noses and by the number of specific types of teeth. The platyrrhine nose (on the left below) is relatively flat with somewhat sideways projecting nostrils separated by a wide septum. In contrast, the catarrhine nose (on the right below) has more downward projecting nostrils separated by a small septum. Nose comparison of an emperor tamarin (left) and a Celebes black macaque (right) All primates have essentially the same kinds of specialized mammalian teeth adapted to eating a wide variety of foods. Beginning at the front, each quadrant of the mouth has 2 incisors, 1 canine, and varying numbers of premolars and molars. The incisors are used like scissors for nipping off pieces of food. The pointed canines are for piercing and tearing. The premolars and molars, with their cusps, are used to grind and smash food. In platyrrhine species, there are 3 premolars and 2 or 3 molars. This results in a dental formula of 2.1.3.2 or 2.1.3.3. In contrast, all of the catarrhines have 2 premolars and 3 molars, making a dental formula of 2.1.2.3. The chimpanzee shown below is an Old World anthropoid species and, therefore, has a catarrhine dental formula. Catarrhine 2.1.2.3 dental formula (common chimpanzee) All Old World monkeys, apes, and humans share this 2.1.2.3 dental formula. This not only sets us apart from New World monkeys and prosimians, but it also reflects the evolutionary closeness of the Old World anthropoid species. By comparison, the general placental mammal dental formula is 3.1.4.3. Patas monkeys in an African grassland environment In addition to these differences, New World monkeys are almost exclusively arboreal and most of them are smaller than Old World monkey species. Some Old World monkeys and apes are semi-terrestrial. If you see a group of monkeys casually walking around in a grassland environment (like those shown on the right), you can be sure that they are from the Old World.

Arguments of Peter Singer

Singer’s goal in the article â€Å"Famine, Affluence and Morality† is to get people to think differently about famine relief, charity, and morality. These are key issues that people need to be more aware of and act on them. People who are financially stable and well off should take more of an active role by giving more. They should feel obligated in helping those in need. There are many people suffering severely, those who can help are doing nothing. People should be more willing to give help rather than being obtuse & self-centered. Singer argues it is wrong for a person to suffer from homelessness, hunger, or lack of medical attention. These needs are essential in life and without them can alimentally lead to one’s death. Another argument Singer gives is if a person is wealthy, they are more than capable to help others financially. They need to feel obligated to do so. Instead of a person spending money on extras and materialistic items for themselves, they should donate that money to the poor. The money should help with necessities for the poor and uplift them. On the same point he points out, one should not sacrifice if it would put them in harm’s way. Singer’s concept of marginal utility is that one should give as much as possible to the unfortunate; it should never create a hardship to the giver. This would be doing more harm than good. When a person contributes to the poor, it should not financially affect their lifestyle by putting them in debt, homeless, or without food. People that are wealthy and well off should donate to the people that are unfortunate and suffering. It would be morally correct to help the less fortunate. An argument Singer makes is the distinction between a duty and charity. He states, â€Å"That a duty is an action that is an obligation and charity is an action of something that is good to do but not obligated† (Singer, 1972, p. 232). An example he gives is if a child were drowning, it would be a person’s duty and obligation to help to save the child from drowning. Singer questions why this is any different from charity. Charity is â€Å"generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering; also : aid given to those in need† (Dunignan, 2013). Singer feels that people that have the means and are able to help by giving money to the poor should feel obligated and it be there duty. They should be obligated to do this because it is a person’s duty to help others from suffering. He does not understand why a person should feel they have a choice to prevent help suffering, it should be a duty that we have an obligation to do. An argument I would have with Singer is about being fair and right. I do not agree that all people need to be obligated to give away their hard-earned money to the poor. I would agree that people who are born into wealth or have received a large inheritance should be obligated to donate and not the people that have worked many years to get to that state. People born into wealth or have received a large inheritance have been given a gift. Therefore, they should be inclined to share the gift by giving some of the money to the poor. (If money is a gift to a family or they were born into it, they should donate and give to the poor. They did not work for the money it was a gift, therefore a person should feel obligated as their duty to give to the poor. ) People that are well off because of many hours or having multiple jobs should not have to give their money away to the poor. They have worked hard to receive it so they would not have to live paycheck to paycheck. I think these types of people have earned the right to live comfortably and do what they want with their money. They have put the time and work into making the money and it should be theirs to do what they want. â€Å"Famine, Affluence, and Morality† was written in response to an immediate humanitarian crisis. In November 1971, the confluence of war, poverty, and natural disaster had created nine million refugees in East Bengal, and Singer was appealing for immediate life-saving aid† (Jamiesom, 2005, p. 153). An Irish rock musician, Bob Geldof, immediately rushed into the studio with an all star line-up to record â€Å"Do they Know It’s Christmas? † The record sold nearly 4 million copies in the United Kingdom alone, and was quickly followed by â€Å"We Are the World,† produced by Quincy Jones, in the United States. Geldof went on the organized the LiveAid concert the following July, which was broadcast simultaneously from London and Philadelphia, and viewed by 1. 5 billion people around the world. The records and concert ultimately raised between $100 and $500 million for famine relief in Africa† (Jamiesom, 2005, p. 53-154). â€Å"These celebrity-driven, media-centered projects were valuable for a number of reasons. They created awareness of suffering in Africa, motivated people to act, and raised large sums of money†(Jamiesom, 2005, p. 154). Since 1972, the a lot more wealth people have stepped up into given aid to the poverty stricken. The article did raise awareness off the issue that needed to be addressed. In my opinion the wealthy have become more proactive in helping the poverty stricken. Leaving the middle class to do what they can when they can. References Duignan, B. (2013). Encyclopedia Britannica. http://dx.doi.org/http://www.britannica.com/EB checked/topic/1053194/Peter-Singer Jamiesom, D. (2005). Duties to the distance:Aid, assitance, and intervention in the developing world. The Journal of ethics, 9, 151-170. http://dx.doi.org/ProQuest doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10892-004-3324-9 Singer, P. (1972, Spring). Famine,affluence,and morality. Philosophy and public affairs, 1, 229-243. http://dx.doi.org/http://www.Jstor.org/stable/2265052

Trip to a Bowling Tournament

The bowling tournament is a place where one would expect such excitement and nervousness. This could be carried as one would enter the venue and would start to hear the bowling pins throwing their bodies against one another and the hard floor as they got pinned down starting with the heavy thud of the ball. The first thing that could be observed with the bowling tournament is the straight bowling lanes where everyone’s attention is. The wooden floor is made shiny and slippery so that the balls could easily skid to the end of the lane.The balls are weighed and designed so that they could be easily thrown and there is a ball suited for every age group. For the young ones, they have the small one which weighs less and has lively colors and for the older ones, there are different ball sizes and different colors that weigh heavier. In every lane, there is a corresponding bench where the players and visitors could rest while waiting for their games. Talks and chats about different t opics could be heard.There is politics, current events, sports, family life, and of course, bowling. This is where the expert players share their bowling techniques and strategies to those who seek to become experts, too. This is also where the players pass the time after losing a game. The players who are currently playing have their special seats near the bowling lanes. Some may be in pairs and some may play individually. Whichever it is, the tension could be smelled from all sides of the bowling lanes.Everyone wants to make consecutive strikes and hopefully, achieve a perfect game to win. Though a perfect game may be hard to win, the players still aim for it so that in case they would not make it, they would land with their highest possible score. Moreover, they would be able to tell themselves that they played a good game and gave it their best shot. With each throw that the players make, they make sure that they are physically and mentally conditioned.Some players even employ t echniques to calm the mind and prepare the both the mind and the body for the competition. This works because it reduces the tension and the nervousness that is felt. The face of the spectators matches that of the players. Each one has their own bet and they have their own predictions. They try to follow the game as if they are the ones playing. Those who wish to become good players also do some observations on how the expert players go about in their game.This is where the best strategies and tips are earned because the games serve as actual demonstrations. In cases where the player they idolize wins, they also share the same feeling of triumph that the player has. If, unfortunately, they lose, the game serves as a lesson for everyone. The bowling tournament is really a mix of feeling, emotions, and difficulties. A lot could be observed and learned with just a few minutes of sitting inside the bowling place. It is really a trip worth taking for all ages.

Motivation Without Discipline †Recipe for Failure

Motivation Without Discipline – Recipe for Failure We talk a lot about motivation. In fact, we equate with the big current buzzword passion. We have come to believe that without motivation, we cannot be productive. Actually, this really is not true. Ask anyone who has a deadline at work and who must meet that deadline. They hate the task and therefore have no motivation to complete it. But, they do complete it, because there will be bad consequences if they do not. So, what got the job done? Self-discipline, thats what. Defining the Terms Motivation is usually defined as the reason(s) for doing something. It is the why. Thus, a high school student is motivated to get really good grades, because s/he has a certain college in mind that requires them. A plumber gets up and goes to work every day, not because he loves cleaning out peoples clogged drains but because he wants the paycheck that comes with the work he does. Discipline really refers to controlling the what. It means that someone who has discipline knows what has to be done and then does it. A freelance writer, for example, may not have the motivation to complete a certain project. A self-disciplined freelance writer attacks the project and gets it done anyway. The Problem with Motivation While motivation is certainly a good thing and does push us toward our goals, it is also fleeting it comes and goes. Motivation is also quite situational if we do not feel motivated, then we tend not to act, even though we should. Someone may attend a workshop or a seminar. There is a great keynote speaker, and everyone in the room is suddenly motivated to take the advice and/or try the new things they are learning. And everyone leaves that event with continued motivation. After a week or two, 98% of those motivated individuals have done nothing. The other 2% had some self-discipline along with their motivation. The Benefits of Discipline People who have discipline have acquired that character trait over time. It is not fleeting or situational. On the contrary, discipline is habitual. The person has self-discipline in all situations. It is also consistent, because when we develop a habit, it is within us and we do it all the time. People who have the same morning routine every day have that routine because it is a habit. People who have discipline approach every task with the attitude that it will get done, because that is their habit. Discipline is not always fun, to be sure, but it gets results. When the Motivation Takes a Walk, You Need to Have Discipline There are several things you can do to improve your self-discipline. Dump the Excuses right now. We always find the time to do the things we really want to do. But when we are not motivated to do something, we find all sorts of excuses for why we cant do it right not. You have to identify when you are using excuses, and throw them out. Develop Routines You have to have a plan and a schedule to put that plan into action. If you have to write it out and post it in front of you, then that is what you do. You dont have to ask yourself why or if you feel like doing it. It is there and it must get done. Get Invested Find a reason that works for you that is not related to fleeting motivation. If its money, then keep reminding yourself that the pay is coming when you finish the task or at the end of the week when you get your paycheck. Another reason may be not to let other people down. If you dont complete these tasks before you, who else are you impacting? Your team members? Your boss? Your spouse? Or think about the negative consequences if you dont get something done. So, here is the bottom line. Motivation is a wonderful thing. Its the stuff from which ideas come; its the stuff that gets us excited. But when the ideas have to be put into action, and that initial excitement wanes, it is the discipline that kicks in to get things done.

Implementing ISO 9000 and Investor in People initiatives in working Essay

Implementing ISO 9000 and Investor in People initiatives in working place. Business Initiatiaves - Essay Example In today’s competitive world, every organisation wants to stay ahead of others, for which they strive to run more efficient businesses aimed at achieving maximum benefits using minimum resources. This has led to a formal, structured business process in which an organisation first sets a vision derived from its core values and ethics, develops a business plan based on its goals and priorities and then formulates business strategies to achieve the goals and hence put the business plan in action. A major business plan can often redefine the direction in which the organisation will proceed in the near or distant future (Bianca, 2013). There are several motivators that can cause an organisation to formulate a business plan and develop strategies to implement the plan such as, market-related motivators like, improving customer satisfaction, evolving with changing market dynamics and targeting a new market segment, competition-related motivators like, increasing market share, expandi ng product line, diversifying business, improving product quality, mergers and acquisitions, outperforming competitors and toppling market leaders, economic motivators like, job cuts and pay cuts, increasing market share and sales volume, reducing operational and manufacturing costs and improving productivity, operations-related motivators like, increasing productivity of employees, improving working environment and work culture and adopting new technology, environment-related motivators like, discontinuing using toxic chemicals, reducing pollution and carbon footprint, lowering energy consumption and adopting biomaterials as well as brand-equity motivators like, increasing brand visibility and recognition, creating brand loyalty and improving brand perception and brand image. Sometimes, multiple motivators may closely interact together. For instance, an organisation may decide to reduce its carbon footprint, improve the environment and be eligible for receiving special tax incentiv es from the government. Another organisation may want to introduce several new lines of products to target new market segments, create brand equity and generate more revenues. This means that at the core, every new move that an organisation makes is primarily tied to its commercial benefits. Almost all business plans and strategies are designed privately by organisations in consultation with internal employees. Such parties often tend to focus only on the desired outcomes and ignore the associated negative implications. This leads to achieving the desired goals at the cost of several other exploitations which not only backfire at the organisations, but also harm the entire society. The growing list of poor business plans and strategies of organisations around the world has prompted governments to undertake several measures that help organisations to take a holistic approach during chalking out initiatives, so that all the parties involved (such as, employees, customers and investors ) reap the benefits together. This has led to the creation of several business standards that draw from benchmark business practices in their respective industries and these standards are promoted to organisations for adoption. The adoption of a business standard helps an organisation to

Marks and Spencer Group PLC Performance Review Case Study

Marks and Spencer Group PLC Performance Review - Case Study Example The stock of the company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is one of the FTSE 100 Index. Over the last thirty years, Marks & Spencer Group PLC has been the leading clothing company in the United Kingdom. The company operates more than 300 stores. The range and quality of its fashionable and functional clothes combined with better customer service has been attributed to the company’s success. In the past, the position of the company was strong in the United Kingdom market that it refused to make payments using credit cards from their clients (Markets.investorschronicle.co.uk, 2014). The company also felt no reason of conducting advertisements. Weight of Debt Financing The funding Strategy of Mark and Spencer Group is to make sure that the mix of financing sources offers a cost effectiveness and flexibility to match the company’s requirements. Operating subsidiaries of the company are financed through bank borrowing, finance leases, medium term notes, and facilities of committed bank. The objective is to make sure that the company has appropriate income in managing the financial obligations and to achieve the objective of the business. Additionally, its objective is to ensure that the company has a reasonable amount of source based on the maturity and the investors. The company has a committed syndicated revolving debt of 1.325 billion pounds that is meant to mature in 2017. The company has a single financial covenant which is the ration of the depreciation, earnings before interest and tax, rent payable, and the amortization plus the payable rent.