Having a clean and organized workspace takes time and effort—especially if we want to keep it that way. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} According to recent statistics, the average office employee spends one and a half hours a day looking for things. That's an hour and a half that is wasted every day because of disorganization. Keeping things organized can give you more time each day. Having a clean workspace can have a number of additional surprising benefits. Let's look at some of those now.

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    Untidiness can be a distraction that interferes with your thought process and prevents you from being as effective as you can be. When your workspace is clean and organized, you can spend more time focused on your tasks, without the unorganized chaos to attend to.

Attain More Success

    It's hard to be productive when you're disorganized. Organization can make it easier to concentrate, and allows you to get things done faster. Whether you're an employee or self­employed, organization is a crucial component for success. If clients see that you're well­ organized, they'll be more willing to trust you.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

Make a Better Impression

    In addition to making it easier to focus and work, having a clean workspace also helps to convey a professional image. Your workspace says more about you than you may think. When someone walks past your space, they instantly form an opinion about you based on what your space looks like.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} However, to the outsider, you may look overwhelmed and incapable of taking on extra projects.

Have a Happier Work Experience

    If you're surrounded by a clean environment you'll have space to think, will be able to get more done and will feel better working in that space.

Fortunately, keeping your space clean and organized is easier than you might think.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} You'll be amazed at the difference a clean workspace can make to your mindset and how much more you'll be able to accomplish during the day.

A. Improve Focus

B. Regain Tidiness

C. But the results are more than worth it

D. Maybe you feel productive with papers scattered around

E. It shows that you know what you're doing and that you are capable

F. Clearly being disorganized can have a negative effect on your performance

G. Try to get rid of or throw away everything that you don't need to maximize your productivity

A. Be a good listener.  B. Care about the details.

C. Strike up a conversation. D. Make time for friendships.

E. Reach out to the newcomers.    F. Avoid causing inconveniences

    Develop Better Relationships with Neighbors

    Good neighbors are a lot like electricity or running water：we don't know how much we depend on them until we don't have them. They make our lives more pleasant and give us a sense of who we wrte, both as an individual and as a member of the community. Here is how to develop your relationships with these very important people in your life.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Often neighbors don't even know each other's names. But it's okay to be the one to break the ice , even if you've lived next door for years.Most neighbors enjoy making small talk with the folks on the other side of the fence. So as you see them at work in their yards, smile, wave, and say hello. Ask how their kids are (whether they're babies or in college), whether they could use an extra cucumber from your garden, or what they think of the price at the local supermarket.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} These days, the old Welcome Wagon is a thing of the past. But your new neighbors may be feeling lonely and unsure, especially if they're far from home, and might appreciate a friendly face bearing fresh-baked chocolate cakes. If they have kids, tell them where the children in the neighborhood live. Recommend the best places to eat and sleep. Invite them over for coffee or tea when they get settled, give them your number, and point to your house as you say good-bye.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Return anything that you borrow from a neighbor, such as tools, in good repair and as soon as you've finished with them. Replace anything that belongs to your neighbor that you, your children, or your pets break or soil. Make sure that your car is not blocking their doorway. Such random acts of consideration will have your neighbors talking—and the talk will be good.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you value a friendship with your neighbors, spend time with them. What better way to meet your neighbors than to invite them to an informal barbecue, pool party, or holiday open house? Better yet, you might even consider throwing a get-together in their honor. Deliver the invitations in person to everyone who lives on your street and chat with each for five minutes before moving on to the next house. This way, you will get an idea of what your neighbors are like so that you can plan for appropriate food and music.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} In a good relationship, it's really the little things that count. Help to bring in the mail for the elderly neighbor when there is a heavy rain. When your neighbor gorgets to take in his rubbish cans, roll them back into his yard. If you're truly concerned, you'll know when your neighbor needs some cheering up—a bunch of flowers or a helping hand when it's needed. All it takes to develop your relationship with neighbors is the respect for their feelings.

How to Prepare for Guests

    Guests are people whom we welcome sincerely and we should make sure they feel comfortable like they are in their home. Sometimes we get enough time to make preparations for guests, but sometimes we don't. This article will be beneficial for both these kinds of people. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Get a bedroom for your guests. It doesn't have to be complicated. Change bed covers, clean the bathroom and you can even add a nice scented(芬芳的) candle to spice things up. These are simple things you can do even if you are a very busy person. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Know what your guests' favorite foods are so that you can make for them and serve. Don't forget to note down if they are allergic to any certain kind of food to save the embarrassment(难堪). If you are among one of those people who can hardly manage the time to cook for your guests then take them to the restaurants so that they can taste new foods or enjoy their favorite ones.

    Plan activities to have a good time with your guests. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If they come over the weekends then plan for some indoor activities to have fun. It's also a good way to remove your tiredness from your boring life.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It can happen that you may not be able to be with your guests for a certain amount of time while they are staying in your home. In that case you must declare it to them and may have someone else to accompany them while you are absent.

    When your guests say goodbye, give them something as a token(信物) of love to remember the days they stayed with you. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Declare your absence.

B. Allow them to come and go as they please.

C. Just bear in mind everything fresh and clean will do fine.

D. If they come during the vacation then you can plan for outdoor activities.

E. Here are some ways to help you to put away things well in a short amount of time.

F. Make your guests feel even more welcome by including them in activities such as outings, or movies.

G. It can be just a photo in a beautiful frame that will remind them of beautiful moments that they spent with you.

    Life is filled with regrets. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}When we look back, we always wish that we had made better choices. Then what can we do to avoid future regrets？

    Make better plans.

    If you start to do something, you need to make a plan before doing it. The earlier, the better. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}You'll also know what you should do and what you shouldn't do.

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    You can go around more often. More outdoor activities can keep you relaxed and active. You also need to be kind. "Thank you" can bring a smile to someone's face. Learn to say "sorry" and don't be angry with others.

    Find the right friend.

    A friend may make your life and can break your life as well. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Good friends will always better your ideas.

    Never fear failure.

    Everybody fails. Even the greatest person failed. We should not fear failure, because failure is not the end of the road. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Life is good. We don't have to live in our past, but we do hope that we can plan better, live better and work better when we have the chance to do so.

A. Live a more active life.

B. Almost all of us have no difficulty telling our regrets.

C. We should take failure as a chance and improve ourselves.

D. We had many dreams when we were young children.

E. So you have to think twice when you choose a friend.

F. Build up your confidence.

G. You will know what comes first and what comes last.

    The art of growing dwarf(矮小的)trees, or "bonsai"(盆栽)as their Japanese planters call them, is increasing in popularity in the United States. Growing bonsai can make a fascinating hobby for anyone who enjoys plants and creating beautiful effects with them.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    In growing bonsai, in fact, one must be careful in choosing the type of tree, as the growing conditions are unusual.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Varieties of pines with small needles and hardwood trunks are especially suitable.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}This is necessary because the major growth of bonsai is kept confined(被限制) to the tree's trunk and leaves, not its root system-a process quite unlike what is done with other plants.

    Another thing the bonsai-grower must do is to trim(修整)the roots and branches of the tree periodically (定期地). Unless this is done, the plants will not have the proper proportions(比例) and will look unnatural.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    The last thing one must do is to be careful to keep the tree well-watered. Because bonsai are grown in smaller-than-usual containers, they often need more water than ordinary houseplants do.

    As can be seen from the above, the art of bonsai-growing is one which requires a certain amount of time and effort.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Imagine having such a tree in your living room and passing it down through several generations of your family. That is exactly what bonsai-growing is all about: establishing a tradition of beauty which lasts for years and years and is a symbol of the beauties of the natural world.

A. Then one must be careful in choosing the size of the container.

B. How can we meet the goal of making such a kind of art?

C. Why do so many people take a fancy to the art of bonsai-growing.

D. But one must get well prepared before starting bonsai-growing.

E. The satisfactions that growing bonsai brings can be great, however.

F. The ideal for bonsai plants are trees just like normal trees in everything but size.

G. Not all species of trees can be made into bonsai.

    We don't meet people by accident. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Some will help you grow, some will hurt you, some will inspire you to do better. At the same time, you are playing some role in their lives as well. Know that paths cross for a reason and treat people with significance.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}There is no better joy than helping people see a vision for themselves, seeing them go to levels higher than they ever would have imagined on their own. But that doesn't mean you have to fix them or enable them; {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Offer them support and motivation as they find their own way and show you what they're capable of. All you have to do is believe in them.

    Never look down on someone unless you are helping them up. We like to think of life as a meritocracy(精英统治),so it's easy to look down on someone who isn't as successful or accomplished or well educated as you are. But you have no idea how far that person has already climbed or where they will end up. Time could easily reverse(颠倒) your positions,{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Appreciate those who have supported you, forgive those who have hurt you, help those who need you. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Treat all people -including yourself-with love and compassion, and you can't go wrong.

    Treat people the way you want to be treated and life will instantly get better.

A. so be sure you treat everyone with dignity.

B. therefore, cherish every person you meet.

C. Never fix them when they make mistakes.

D. Don't tell them how to get there but show the way.

E. instead, guide them to the source of their own.

F. Business is complicated, life is complex and leadership is difficult.

G. Every person you meet will have a role in your life, be it big or small.