Cooperation is an essential feature of any workplace, as without it nothing would ever get done. Employees need to collaborate in order to decide how to approach a task and to ensure that everyone knows what their role is. There needs to be compromise and cooperation, because otherwise everything would descend into chaos, with everyone trying to get their point across, shouting increasingly louder to be heard. Cooperation enables a workplace to function much more effectively, as everyone is focused on working together to achieve the same goal.
It doesn't matter how big or small a company is, without any form of cooperation it is unlikely to survive. A successful company requires all of its employees to know what their roles are and to fulfil those roles. There has to be dialogue between different sections of the company, because if they all try to work in isolation problems will most probably arise. Without communication and cooperation on important business matters, confusion can spring up, making it difficult for everyone working for that particular company to continue producing high-quality work.
Sometimes, cooperation can be difficult to achieve in a company, especially amongst those higher up the chain of command, where competition is rife. Egos tend to get in the way of cooperation, as everyone wants to make their mark on the company and be rewarded for showing initiative. At the end of the day, though, if the company is going to expand, increase its profits, launch a new product and make a name for itself, there will have to be a degree of cooperation. Without cooperation, no decisions would ever be taken, which would result in the company going nowhere fast.
Even those lower down the chain have to find a way to cooperate, though, since without cooperation, nobody would take on their share of the workload, which would lead to arguments and nothing much being accomplished. Whether in an office, factory or shop, employees have to be able to cooperate with one another so that whatever the tasks they have are, they are completed to a high standard and on time. Those at the top of a company need to be able to cooperate with those at the bottom and vice-versa, as everyone ought to be working towards the same objectives.
The importance of cooperation in the workplace should not be underestimated, as a cooperative environment is likely to lead to a happier and more productive workforce that can therefore benefit a company's performance.
Friday, 29 May 2015
The Negative Effects of Technology on Kids
Children growing up in today's society probably cannot even remember a time when the internet did not exist, when cassette players were used to listen to music, or when the Sega Mega Drive was the must-have Christmas gift. Technology changes extremely quickly, so that as soon as a person has bought the latest model DVD player or computer there is a new, more advanced version available for double the cost. However, it is because technology is moving so fast that prices are being driven down, making such items more widely available. This is not always good news, though, particularly where children are concerned.
It may be a good thing that children are so technologically savvy that they are able to get online with greater ease than their parents probably can, as the economy is very much dependent on computer technology. Children are therefore potentially better placed to find a job when they are older, as using technology will come naturally to them. However, it also means that when they are suddenly without technology it can be difficult for them to cope. If there is a power cut or something breaks children often don't know what to do with themselves, as they are so used to playing computer games or watching television that they don't know how else to keep busy.
Much of children's spare time is dominated by technology. When they are at school children are often expected to use computers, but even when they come home they usually have to go online to do their homework, and as soon as they have done that they play computer games or watch DVDs. In the past children would have spent their free time reading books, and thus taking an active role in processing information, rather than taking a passive role by taking part in activities such as watching television.
If children weren't reading they would have been playing outside with their friends, and it is no coincidence that as technology has dramatically improved, obesity has started to become more of a problem for youngsters as they are not doing enough exercise.
As owning a particular technological innovation becomes the norm, there is more pressure on children to possess such gizmos, or else feel like an outsider amongst their peers. However, not everyone can afford to have the latest mobile phone or mp3 player, even as prices are tumbling, which can affect children. Children whose parents cannot afford to buy them a phone can feel like outsiders and find that they are picked on for being poor, which is clearly not good for their self-esteem. It also demonstrates that technology has become so entrenched in people's everyday lives that it sets those who do not have access to this technology apart, whether they are children or adults.
Technology has a positive role to play in society, but it can also have a detrimental impact on children if they fail to realise that owning the latest gadgets and gizmos is not the be all and end all of life, which it is clearly up to their parents to relay to them.
It may be a good thing that children are so technologically savvy that they are able to get online with greater ease than their parents probably can, as the economy is very much dependent on computer technology. Children are therefore potentially better placed to find a job when they are older, as using technology will come naturally to them. However, it also means that when they are suddenly without technology it can be difficult for them to cope. If there is a power cut or something breaks children often don't know what to do with themselves, as they are so used to playing computer games or watching television that they don't know how else to keep busy.
Much of children's spare time is dominated by technology. When they are at school children are often expected to use computers, but even when they come home they usually have to go online to do their homework, and as soon as they have done that they play computer games or watch DVDs. In the past children would have spent their free time reading books, and thus taking an active role in processing information, rather than taking a passive role by taking part in activities such as watching television.
If children weren't reading they would have been playing outside with their friends, and it is no coincidence that as technology has dramatically improved, obesity has started to become more of a problem for youngsters as they are not doing enough exercise.
As owning a particular technological innovation becomes the norm, there is more pressure on children to possess such gizmos, or else feel like an outsider amongst their peers. However, not everyone can afford to have the latest mobile phone or mp3 player, even as prices are tumbling, which can affect children. Children whose parents cannot afford to buy them a phone can feel like outsiders and find that they are picked on for being poor, which is clearly not good for their self-esteem. It also demonstrates that technology has become so entrenched in people's everyday lives that it sets those who do not have access to this technology apart, whether they are children or adults.
Technology has a positive role to play in society, but it can also have a detrimental impact on children if they fail to realise that owning the latest gadgets and gizmos is not the be all and end all of life, which it is clearly up to their parents to relay to them.
Negative Effects of the Internet
Technology has undoubtedly improved everybody's lives, making it is easier and quicker to perform certain tasks and generally contributing to a better standard of living. The internet is one invention which has transformed lives, and has had such a revolutionary impact that it has completely re-configured the way in which people view the world. There have been many positives to come out of the expansion of the internet, but like all good things, the internet has also had some negative effects.
It seems that there is a reliance on the internet which formerly had not been an issue. Many forms which are required to be filled in are only available online, whilst some companies only deal with customers online, making it increasingly difficult to find an actual person to talk to. Indeed, the internet has proved to have negative effects when it comes to human relationships in general. People are more interested in engaging with others in chat rooms and forums than meeting people in the 'real' world, and so it can become harder to deal with people in actual social situations.
Some individuals become addicted to the internet, thus jeopardising their own relationships, as their need to access the internet takes control of their life. This is particularly visible in the rise of pornography. There is so much free pornography available, making it much easier to access. Increasing numbers of people have become addicted to pornography, partially as a result of the ease with which they can view such material. The ubiquitous nature of pornography also means that children are able to view films and images of a sexual nature, although parental controls can be implemented.
Children today do not even remember a time when the internet did not exist, and so their whole perception of relationships, social interaction, and accessing information is shaped by their exposure to the internet. Social interactions are increasingly being conducted through technology, whether through text messaging or email, seeming almost to dehumanise social contacts. The internet has made the whole world accessible to everybody, but at the same time it has made it seem less real.
Children and adults can make 'friends' with someone half-way around the world, but are they 'real' friends? After all, most people who meet through social networking sites never meet, relying on instant messaging to communicate, and people are not necessarily who they say they are. Although people can lie in person, there is something less sinister about getting to know people's flaws by talking face-to-face, rather than communicating through a computer. Indeed, there is an 'underground' bad-land within cyber space, where people with perverse interests lurk.
There are adults prepared to portray themselves as something they are not, in order to attract children, who they are then able to 'groom'. The internet has provided a forum for this kind of abuse, and has enabled paedophiles to be able to find each other and share images, which would have been much more difficult in the past.
However, just because the internet has had a negative impact on some areas of people's lives, this should not be allowed to overshadow the overwhelming benefits and opportunities which the growth of the internet has provided. Ultimately, the positives of the internet far outweigh the negatives.
It seems that there is a reliance on the internet which formerly had not been an issue. Many forms which are required to be filled in are only available online, whilst some companies only deal with customers online, making it increasingly difficult to find an actual person to talk to. Indeed, the internet has proved to have negative effects when it comes to human relationships in general. People are more interested in engaging with others in chat rooms and forums than meeting people in the 'real' world, and so it can become harder to deal with people in actual social situations.
Some individuals become addicted to the internet, thus jeopardising their own relationships, as their need to access the internet takes control of their life. This is particularly visible in the rise of pornography. There is so much free pornography available, making it much easier to access. Increasing numbers of people have become addicted to pornography, partially as a result of the ease with which they can view such material. The ubiquitous nature of pornography also means that children are able to view films and images of a sexual nature, although parental controls can be implemented.
Children today do not even remember a time when the internet did not exist, and so their whole perception of relationships, social interaction, and accessing information is shaped by their exposure to the internet. Social interactions are increasingly being conducted through technology, whether through text messaging or email, seeming almost to dehumanise social contacts. The internet has made the whole world accessible to everybody, but at the same time it has made it seem less real.
Children and adults can make 'friends' with someone half-way around the world, but are they 'real' friends? After all, most people who meet through social networking sites never meet, relying on instant messaging to communicate, and people are not necessarily who they say they are. Although people can lie in person, there is something less sinister about getting to know people's flaws by talking face-to-face, rather than communicating through a computer. Indeed, there is an 'underground' bad-land within cyber space, where people with perverse interests lurk.
There are adults prepared to portray themselves as something they are not, in order to attract children, who they are then able to 'groom'. The internet has provided a forum for this kind of abuse, and has enabled paedophiles to be able to find each other and share images, which would have been much more difficult in the past.
However, just because the internet has had a negative impact on some areas of people's lives, this should not be allowed to overshadow the overwhelming benefits and opportunities which the growth of the internet has provided. Ultimately, the positives of the internet far outweigh the negatives.
Monday, 3 February 2014
Why Not Everyone Chooses to Own a Smartphone
Smartphones no doubt have their uses, but not everyone chooses to own one. They're expensive and if you're not particularly interested in technology, what would be the point? It's not unusual to see people walking along the street, gazing at their phone intently so that you have to take steps to avoid them, or to see people at a gig recording their favourite band playing, instead of actually watching them. You can send messages and get a response instantly, so that you can have a live chat, but what's wrong with acually just having a real chat over the phone or in person? Obviously, that's not the 'in thing' these days!
Not everyone wants their lives to revolve around technology. Of course, you can feel left out when people start talking about the various 'apps' available that can help you with this and that, but if you have regular access to the Internet via a computer, you can do the same kind of things. Smartphones might be useful if you travel a lot and are always on the go, but if you spend most of your time at home or at work, why would you want to spend so much time staring at a tiny screen and using a small keypad to type messages to friends and family or for browing the web?
Some people are really interested in technology and want to own the latest gadgets and gizmos. Other people want to fit in with their friends, and when all your friends have a smartphone, it may be hard to resist the temptation to get a smartphone of your own to keep up with the times. For some people, smartphone technology is essential for work. There may even come a point where ordinary mobile phones become obsolete and people are forced to upgrade, as has been the case with other technological innovations. Take the humble video recorder, for instance. It was eventually displaced by the more reliable DVD player and now many people don't even bother with DVDs, as more individuals turn to online streaming. Thus, there may be people who eventually end up owning a smartphone, just because it is either that or nothing.
Not everyone wants their lives to revolve around technology. Of course, you can feel left out when people start talking about the various 'apps' available that can help you with this and that, but if you have regular access to the Internet via a computer, you can do the same kind of things. Smartphones might be useful if you travel a lot and are always on the go, but if you spend most of your time at home or at work, why would you want to spend so much time staring at a tiny screen and using a small keypad to type messages to friends and family or for browing the web?
Some people are really interested in technology and want to own the latest gadgets and gizmos. Other people want to fit in with their friends, and when all your friends have a smartphone, it may be hard to resist the temptation to get a smartphone of your own to keep up with the times. For some people, smartphone technology is essential for work. There may even come a point where ordinary mobile phones become obsolete and people are forced to upgrade, as has been the case with other technological innovations. Take the humble video recorder, for instance. It was eventually displaced by the more reliable DVD player and now many people don't even bother with DVDs, as more individuals turn to online streaming. Thus, there may be people who eventually end up owning a smartphone, just because it is either that or nothing.
Friday, 10 January 2014
Learning to Embrace Change
It might be tough, but sometimes change can actually be good for you. Thus, to be able to embrace change you have to stay positive. This can sometimes be easier said than done, though, as even if you find yourself stuck in a rut, you may simply convince yourself that it could be worse, so that you don't bother to do anything about it. If you hate your job or are stuck in an unhappy relationship you just tell yourself that at least you have a job and a partner, even though there could be better options out there for you. There are so many choices these days that you can feel somewhat overwhelmed, but it is surely better to try something different, even if there is a chance it may not work out how you planned than to simply accept a situation that makes you miserable.
Clearly, you cannot ignore the possibility that changing an aspect of your life could have unintended consequences that may not always be beneficial. Changing jobs may help you to achieve greater job satisfaction and to earn more money, but you may find yourself working longer hours, which may have a detrimental impact on your family life. It may be that you decide to change your living arrangements and move to a different town. This can lead to new work and social opportunities, but it also could also take its toll on the people you leave behind and affect your ability to stay in contact with friends and family. Sometimes, it can be helpful to weigh up the pros and cons of making a change and to decide whether it's really worth it.
In most cases, if you're contemplating making a significant change in your life, it means that there is something you're unhappy with. If you were completely happy with your body, your job, your social life and your relationship status, you wouldn't spend as much time considering all the other potential options out there. If you find yourself daydreaming about what could be on a regular basis, because you are so dissatisfied with real life, then you're the only one who can change it. There's no point waiting for someone to change your life for you. It might be tempting to wait and wait to see if something random happens to alter your life, but you could be waiting for a very long time.
You may want to believe that you're going to bump into the love of your life whilst doing your shopping, but if you are interested in starting a relationship with someone you are better off taking up a hobby or joining an online dating service and putting yourself out there than waiting around, hoping such a random event will occur. It is better to be proactive in trying to change your life rather than waiting around, bored but hopeful. You need to face up to the fact that it is up to you to take control of your own life. It is within you to take action and to change whichever aspects of your life you are unhappy with. Change can be scary, but it can also lead to wonderful experiences, relationships and events which you would otherwise miss out on.
Clearly, you cannot ignore the possibility that changing an aspect of your life could have unintended consequences that may not always be beneficial. Changing jobs may help you to achieve greater job satisfaction and to earn more money, but you may find yourself working longer hours, which may have a detrimental impact on your family life. It may be that you decide to change your living arrangements and move to a different town. This can lead to new work and social opportunities, but it also could also take its toll on the people you leave behind and affect your ability to stay in contact with friends and family. Sometimes, it can be helpful to weigh up the pros and cons of making a change and to decide whether it's really worth it.
In most cases, if you're contemplating making a significant change in your life, it means that there is something you're unhappy with. If you were completely happy with your body, your job, your social life and your relationship status, you wouldn't spend as much time considering all the other potential options out there. If you find yourself daydreaming about what could be on a regular basis, because you are so dissatisfied with real life, then you're the only one who can change it. There's no point waiting for someone to change your life for you. It might be tempting to wait and wait to see if something random happens to alter your life, but you could be waiting for a very long time.
You may want to believe that you're going to bump into the love of your life whilst doing your shopping, but if you are interested in starting a relationship with someone you are better off taking up a hobby or joining an online dating service and putting yourself out there than waiting around, hoping such a random event will occur. It is better to be proactive in trying to change your life rather than waiting around, bored but hopeful. You need to face up to the fact that it is up to you to take control of your own life. It is within you to take action and to change whichever aspects of your life you are unhappy with. Change can be scary, but it can also lead to wonderful experiences, relationships and events which you would otherwise miss out on.
Friday, 3 January 2014
Staying Positive in a Negative World
It's not easy staying positive when the world is such a negative place to be. The news is full of stories about rapes, robberies, beatings and murders. The rich get richer whilst the poor get poorer and those in charge make the laws which ensure wealth remains in the hands of a select few. As a youngster you're told that anyone can succeed; that as long as you work hard you can achieve whatever you want. However, those with the right connections and money can help you get into the right schools and set you up in the right jobs. The chances are you will end up stuck in a dead-end occupation like so many others out there and sometimes you wonder, what is the point?
That's the trouble - you spend so many hours of your life working and often the remuneration is nothing to write home about. It can feel like you're simply wasting the days, months and years of your life, simply working to be able to pay essential bills, such as the mortgage, utilities and food. If you're lucky, you will have some money left over to spend doing activities you enjoy, although even if you have the money, you may not have the time. There has to be more to life than work, though, and so you need to make time to do the things you enjoy, as otherwise you can end up stuck in a rut. It can also help to have people in your life whose company you enjoy and who you are able to confide in.
Keeping active, doing activities you enjoy and being with people you like can help you feel better about yourself and life in general, but let's face it; some people appear to revel in their misery. They enjoy whingeing about politicians and how everything is going wrong with the country. Some people are better able to cope with the bad things that crop up in life than others who simply want to curl up in a ball and avoid dealing with the issues that are making life difficult. It's not as if you have much control over whether you're an optimist or a pessimist, so you simply have to do the best you can with what you've got and remind yourself that nobody wants to be around someone who's negative all the time.
Well, of course, other pessimists are probably more likely to put up with you, but it's a bit depressing surrounding yourself with negative people and talking about negative topics all the time. Sometimes, it's good to just have a laugh and be silly, rather than dwelling on all the serious problems happening, whether on a global scale or something more personal. Even if you have a tendency to be negative, it is always worth trying to look on the bright side of life, rather than constantly focusing on what has gone wrong in the past and what could go wrong in the future. Life is too short and if you let negativity overwhelm you, there is a possibility you will miss out on the many opportunities that life has to offer.
That's the trouble - you spend so many hours of your life working and often the remuneration is nothing to write home about. It can feel like you're simply wasting the days, months and years of your life, simply working to be able to pay essential bills, such as the mortgage, utilities and food. If you're lucky, you will have some money left over to spend doing activities you enjoy, although even if you have the money, you may not have the time. There has to be more to life than work, though, and so you need to make time to do the things you enjoy, as otherwise you can end up stuck in a rut. It can also help to have people in your life whose company you enjoy and who you are able to confide in.
Keeping active, doing activities you enjoy and being with people you like can help you feel better about yourself and life in general, but let's face it; some people appear to revel in their misery. They enjoy whingeing about politicians and how everything is going wrong with the country. Some people are better able to cope with the bad things that crop up in life than others who simply want to curl up in a ball and avoid dealing with the issues that are making life difficult. It's not as if you have much control over whether you're an optimist or a pessimist, so you simply have to do the best you can with what you've got and remind yourself that nobody wants to be around someone who's negative all the time.
Well, of course, other pessimists are probably more likely to put up with you, but it's a bit depressing surrounding yourself with negative people and talking about negative topics all the time. Sometimes, it's good to just have a laugh and be silly, rather than dwelling on all the serious problems happening, whether on a global scale or something more personal. Even if you have a tendency to be negative, it is always worth trying to look on the bright side of life, rather than constantly focusing on what has gone wrong in the past and what could go wrong in the future. Life is too short and if you let negativity overwhelm you, there is a possibility you will miss out on the many opportunities that life has to offer.
Sunday, 29 December 2013
When Should You End a Relationship?
There is never a good time to end a relationship, but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and end it for the sake of your own mental well-being. Of course, there may be a difference between ending a brief fling with someone you met on holiday and deciding to divorce your husband of over 30 years, but at the end of the day you still have to reach a decision. Often, it's easier to simply drift along in a relationship, because it means you don't have to do anything. Change can be a scary prospect, and so it's easier to stay in a particular situation, because you can't predict what will happen if you finally face up to the fact you are not happy being in your present relationship.
Usually, there comes a point in your life when you start to re-evaluate your goals and think about what it is you want from life. There are a variety of options to choose from, whether you want to get married and have kids; focus on your career; move out of the fast-paced city environment or leave behind laid-back country life. It might be that you have started taking evening classes or taken up a hobby that has enabled you to interact with a different set of people. Nobody stays exactly the same and the bond you once had with your partner may change over time if you don't communicate and end up drifting apart. You may find that you simply want different things.
It may be the case that the love is no longer there. Love is unquantifiable and it is hard to explain exactly what it is, but when you're no longer in love it can be difficult to tolerate the imperfections that, at one time, you found endearing. This can lead to silly arguments, because you end up venting your frustrations and taking it out on someone who may not have a clue what is going on in your mind. When you're not feeling content with the person you go home to in the evenings, it might be tempting to look elsewhere for comfort. Everyone wants to feel wanted and there is a degree of excitement associated with starting an affair and getting to know someone without having to commit yourself one way or the other.
Eventually, though, there reaches a point where the arguments are increasingly frequent or your affair becomes more serious and you have to decide whether the relationship you're in is really worth working on, or whether you would be better off on your own or with someone else. Obviously, certain factors can complicate matters, especially if you have children and a house together. In the past, couples would often stay together for the sake of the children, but even though that sounds sensible, in theory; the reality is that both individuals can end up miserable, which can actually have a negative impact on kids. Ultimately, you have to decide what it is you want from life and whether your partner is the person you want to share life experiences with or whether you would be happier removing yourself from the situation and entering a different one.
Usually, there comes a point in your life when you start to re-evaluate your goals and think about what it is you want from life. There are a variety of options to choose from, whether you want to get married and have kids; focus on your career; move out of the fast-paced city environment or leave behind laid-back country life. It might be that you have started taking evening classes or taken up a hobby that has enabled you to interact with a different set of people. Nobody stays exactly the same and the bond you once had with your partner may change over time if you don't communicate and end up drifting apart. You may find that you simply want different things.
It may be the case that the love is no longer there. Love is unquantifiable and it is hard to explain exactly what it is, but when you're no longer in love it can be difficult to tolerate the imperfections that, at one time, you found endearing. This can lead to silly arguments, because you end up venting your frustrations and taking it out on someone who may not have a clue what is going on in your mind. When you're not feeling content with the person you go home to in the evenings, it might be tempting to look elsewhere for comfort. Everyone wants to feel wanted and there is a degree of excitement associated with starting an affair and getting to know someone without having to commit yourself one way or the other.
Eventually, though, there reaches a point where the arguments are increasingly frequent or your affair becomes more serious and you have to decide whether the relationship you're in is really worth working on, or whether you would be better off on your own or with someone else. Obviously, certain factors can complicate matters, especially if you have children and a house together. In the past, couples would often stay together for the sake of the children, but even though that sounds sensible, in theory; the reality is that both individuals can end up miserable, which can actually have a negative impact on kids. Ultimately, you have to decide what it is you want from life and whether your partner is the person you want to share life experiences with or whether you would be happier removing yourself from the situation and entering a different one.
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