The Science of Risk-Seeking

      Sometimes we decide that a little unnecessary danger is worth it because when we weigh the risk and the reward, the risk seems worth taking. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Some of us enjoy activities that would surprise and scare the rest of us. Why? Experts say it may have to do with how our brains work.

      The reason why any of us take any risks at all might have to do with early humans. Risk-takers were better at hunting, fighting, orexploring. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}As the quality of Risk-taking was passed from on ration to the next, humans ended up with a sense of adventure and a tolerance for risk.

So why aren't we all jumping out of airplanes then? Well, even 200,000 years ago, too much risk-taking could get one Killed. A few daring survived, though,along with a few stay-in-the-cave types. As a result, humans developed a range of character types that still exists today. So maybe youlove car racing, or maybe you hate it. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

      No matter where you are on the risk-seeking range,scientists say that your willingness to take risks increases during your teenage years. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Tohelp you do that, your brain increases your hunger for new experiences.

      New experiences often mean taking some risks, so your brain raises your tolerance for risk as well.

      Mean taking some risks, so your brain raisers your tolerance for risk as well.

      {#blank#}5{#/blank#}   For the risk-seekers a partof the brain related to pleasure becomes active, while for the rest of us, a part of the brain related to fear becomes active.

As experts continueto study the science of risk-seeking, we'll continue to hit the mountains, the waves or the shallow end of the pool.

A. It all depends on your character.

B. Those are the risks you shouldjump to take.

C. Being better at those thingsmeant a greater chance of survival.

D. Thus, these well-equipped people survived becausethey were the fittest.

E. This is when you start to move away from your family and into thebigger world.

F. However, we are not all using the same reference standard to weighrisks and rewards.

G. New brain research suggests our brains work differently when weface a nervous situation.

    As you're busy with your studies, the weeks during the Spring Festival can be a time when training and healthy eating plans go out of the window. But you can continue running and avoid weight gain during the holiday season. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Pick a race

    Having a race on your calendar is a motivation to keep running during the holiday. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Check our active.com or Running in the city for events near you.

Don't skip breakfast

    If you're going to a holiday party in the evening, don't make the mistake of skipping breakfast. You may think you're saving calories for later. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

Bring your own healthy dishes

    Chances are that most of the dishes at holiday gatherings are going be high in taste and calories. Bring your own healthy appetizers to the party. The host will appreciate it, and you know where will be at least one wise choice on the buffet table.

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    If you are heading to an evening event, eat regular meals and snacks every few hours until party time. You won't arrive at the party ready to attack appetizers. Make sure you include fiber at each meal because it keeps you full longer.

Plan your runs

    It's easy to say that you'll keep running regularly during the holiday season, but sticking to it requires a strategy. Schedule your runs like appointments, so you make them the first thing during a busy week. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    You probably think that you are already efficient and skilled in what you are doing, and perhaps you are right.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Improvement is indeed very important because it keeps you longing for success, and it is what prevents you from tiring. So, make the best of who you are, and use these practical tips.

    Spare a few minutes a day to learn new things.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}You may consider reading blogs, magazines, or trade journals that can enrich your know ledge about your field. No matter what you do, though, make sure it is something beneficial to your professional growth.

    Learn to pay close attention to detail. It is a fact that once people have become accustomed to their regular tasks, they rarely check the details about certain aspects in their job.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Get inspired and start working on your disadvantages. You should be able to pay more attention to your performance in the job, and find ways to improve yourself. If you find yourself quite emotional or stressed out, then may be what you need is an inspiration.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}By doing so, you can continue improvement and eventually become much better at this task.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}This step may seem very simple, yet it can get quite challenging to find people who are excellent and have a good reputation in your company. Once you have found these inspiring people, you should try to cooperate with them more often and complete a project that could do wonders to your organization and your personal growth.

A. Give yourself a break,

B. However, you may not be the best you can possibly be.

C. Be with the right people and always try to improve yourself.

D. If so, you're not living the abundant life that God intends for you to live.

E. You may consider looking at great work and performance for some inspiration.

F. It is important that you devote plenty of your time to learning and researching.

G. Unfortunately, this may lead to misunderstanding and negative consequences.

Ways to Improve Your Luck

    Some people have all the luck! Or does it just seem that way? Why did your co-worker get that big promotion while you were overlooked? Why do some of us seem to experience these lucky things more than others and how can you improve your luck? {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    What You Tell Yourself Matters!

Do you know that people who are lucky tell themselves they're lucky? Has your own self-talk been filled with less-than-lucky talk? Do you say things like: “I'm just not a lucky person.” or “Good things never happen to me?” {#blank#}2{#/blank#} They say things like — “This setback is only temporary. I know things will turn around.” or “Things have a way of working out for me.”

Expect and Appreciate Your Good Luck.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Research suggests keeping a “good luck journal” helps people become even luckier. Did someone bring you coffee at work today? Did you find a random (随机的) quarter on the street? Did your husband or wife do something nice for you today? Did your child get a good grade at school? Write them down! {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Begin to notice all the good that comes to you.

Do Something New and Different.

    Make contact with people. Take risks. People who try new things are much more open to luck and good fortune than those who don't. This doesn't mean you have to quit your job or take up skydiving! It could be as simple as starting a conversation with a stranger, taking a class in an unfamiliar subject, learning some words and phrases in a foreign language, or trying a new ethnic restaurant. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} And this greater openness can help promote chance opportunities in their lives.

A. All of these things matter a lot.

B. You will never forget your lucky friends.

C. Lucky people generally expect good fortune.

D. Here are ideas that researchers tell us about luck.

E. A lucky person generally receive good fortune in the future.

F. Lucky people score much higher on openness than unlucky people.

C. Lucky people generally expect good fortune.

The benefits of keeping a journal (日志)

    If you want to grow, one important thing you should do is keeping a journal. I t may seem simple, but it can make a big difference in your life. I have been keeping journals for years. Writing all the lessons I learn and all the ideas I get has become a habit for me.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Here are some benefits you will get by keeping a journal.

    It prevents you from losing an idea. Have you ever gotten an idea only to lose it later because you didn't write it down? {#blank#}2{#/blank#} But then I developed the habit of writing down every idea that came into my mind as soon as possible. If I'm away from my computer, I usually write it down on a piece of paper that I bring wherever I go. I will then transfer the idea to the journal in my computer.

    It helps you review all the lessons you've learned. By reviewing your journal, you can quickly see the lessons you've learned and the ideas you've gotten. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}You can use the ideas to propel (鞭策) yourself forward.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} After keeping a journal for years, you can look back at it and see how far you've gone. Things that were big problems in the past might seem small today. The raw ideas you had in the past might have been realized today.

    It helps you expand your ideas. When you try to come up with a sentence to express an idea, you are thinking actively about it.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} In the end, you will expand your ideas.

A. I often experienced that myself.

B. It trains you to express your thoughts.

C. It allows you to see your progress over time.

D. Just use whatever tool you feel comfortable with.

E. Thinking actively helps you connect your idea to another idea.

F. And to be honest, I can't imagine what my life would be like without it.

G. Then you can do whatever necessary to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

Be a good Listener

    When communicating with others, we often focus (集中) on what we should say. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Try the following tips to become a good listener.

    Pay full attention to the speaker. You can't listen effectively (有效地) if you're constantly checking your phone or thinking about something else. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} If you find it hard to do so, try repeating their words over in your head—it'll help you stay focused.

    Show your interest in what's being said. Nod and smile at the speaker from time to time. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} These show that you are listening with interest.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Listen without judging the other person or the things she tells you. If what she says frightens you, go ahead and feel frightened, but don't say to yourself, "Well, that was a stupid move." As soon as you allow yourself to be judgmental, you've decreased your effectiveness as a listener.

    Don't be a sentence-grabber. When you are trying to speed up the conversation by finishing the other's sentences, this usually lands you way off base. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} So what you need is patience, not speed.

A. Keep an open mind.

B. Look at each other in the eye.

C. The only way to find out is by listening.

D. But successful communication is more about listening.

E. Encourage the speaker to continue with small expressions like "yes" or "uh huh".

F. Stay focused on the moment-to-moment experience to pick up the important information.

G. You're following your own train of thought and ignore where the speaker's is headed.