Q: Let the conversation continue as if you were already part of it. Just because you joined the conversation doesn't mean you need to dominate it. After joining, go back into listening mode for a little while. This will help you get a sense of the people in the conversation as well as set you up as a respectful person. When ready, it is often best to start with a small comment and judge the reaction before continuing. "That's amazing!" "What, really?!" "I can't believe it, that's crazy!" After successfully joining in on a conversation, you'll need to decide on whether or not to stay in the conversation. Reading the body language of the group can be particularly helpful in determining whether your presence there is welcomed by the group. Glances. Making eye contact is great conversational practice anyway, so watch their faces and notice how they are looking at one another. If they are glancing at each other with odd or confused facial expressions, it may be time to make a graceful exit. Feet position. Take a quick glance at where everyone's toes are pointed. If someone has their feet pointed in your direction, they are open, engaged, and interested if what you have to say. Change in body language. Look to see how their body language changes after you enter into the conversation. Are they remaining open, or opening more (e.g.- uncrossing their arms, moving in closer, etc.) or are they closing up (e.g.- crossing arms, leaning away, etc.)? Until you hit upon a topic that you can comment on or are interested in discussing further, ask questions. If nothing naturally pops up ask standard "getting-to-know-you" questions. Be careful not to stay in small talk too long as it can become tedious for everyone involved. Instead use those questions to search for a more interesting subject to transition to. What do you do for work?/What are you studying in school? Are you from this area? Have you been able to travel this summer? Have you seen any interesting movies lately? Always remember throughout the conversation to stay courteous and polite. If the group is talking about a subject that you are familiar with, then gently put in your input. Be careful not to interrupt or cut someone off to say what you need to say. If the group is talking about something you are unfamiliar with, its a perfect time to ask questions. Make sure you are being respectful and making eye contact with the speaker.
A: Continue in the conversation. Watch the body language. Ask questions. Be courteous and polite.

Article: To begin rowing, you'll need to sit at the machine with your feet in front of you on the machine and your knees bent. Your arms will then be straight, extended in front of you, with your knees inside the arms. You will grab hold of the handle with both hands, and your stomach and chest should be resting against the tops of your thighs. This is called the "catch" position. Rowing on a machine consists of several different positions and phases. It's important to know these positions so that you can achieve the right movement on your machine. These movements can then be applied to competitive rowing in the water. You start at the catch position, and then you move to the release position through the drive phase. The drive phase is when you are pulling the handle towards your body and extending your legs. The release position is the position at the end of the drive phase -- your legs are straight in front of you, your body is sitting upright, and your arms are pulled in towards you. Then, you will move on to the rock over phase, to the recovery phase, and finally back to your catch position. The rock over phase is when you begin to release your arms from the release position, allowing them to go straight, but keeping your legs straight. Then, in the recovery phase, as your upper body bends forward and your arms are fully straightened, you will begin to bend your knees until you've reached the catch position. When you row, you aren't engaging your entire body at once -- there is a sequence involved. Rowing involves using your legs first (by first straightening them), then your core (by pulling your upper body back), then your arms (by pulling the handle to your chest). When you allow the handle to move back to its starting position you will do the reverse, first engaging your arms (by straightening them), then your core (by allowing it to be pulled forward), then your legs (by bending them). If you engage your muscles out of order or all at once, it can be difficult to get your timing and rhythm right, and it can also decrease the amount of power you are able to use. Make sure when you pull the handle back, that you allow your legs to fully straighten before you initiate the power with your core. Then, when moving to your starting position, make sure your arms are fully straightened before you bend your knees. You are not engaging all parts of your body equally. When rowing, 60 percent of the power will come from your legs, 20 percent in your core, and then 20 percent in your arms. If you use more arm strength than leg strength, you will be able to pull, but you won't be able to do so for long. Your upper body will get tired quickly and you'll begin relying on your momentum to pull rather than your strength. Rowing also depends greatly on your timing. Instead of doing one count out and one count in, you will take one count out and two counts in. This means that as you pull the handle towards you and extend your legs in front of you, you will use one count. Then, as you allow the handle to move back to its starting position, allowing your arms to straighten and then your knees to bend, you will use two counts. To get the right timing, you can practice saying "one" on the drive, and then "two, three" on the release and recovery phase. Or, you can say "power" on the drive and then "patience, patience" on the release and recovery phase. Timing your strokes is important because you want to make sure you have enough recovery. Because pulling takes more power, you'll need double the amount of time to release so that you can recover and prepare for your next pull.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Position yourself. Know the different phases. Learn the linear progression. Perfect the power distribution. Practice the timing.

Q: Clear your mind of the stress leftover from your job. If you do get fired, you'll have plenty of time to focus on what makes you happy. You'll get to learn new things about yourself and reassess your career goals. You may find that you want to do something entirely different than the position you were let go from. Focus on your health. Make an exercise routine. Adopt a healthy diet. Get plenty of sleep. Have new experiences. You can enjoy inexpensive adventures like going hiking. Learn new skills you never had time for while you were working. Enjoy some quality time with your family. Being overly focused on work can make you forget the things in life that are really important. If you get fired, you'll have a lot of extra time to connect with your kids, your spouse, your parents and whoever else is an important part of your life. Many of the most successful people in our country have been fired. Sometimes, being fired from a position that doesn't fit you can lead to you finding your true calling. J.K. Rowling was fired from her day job as a secretary and was even homeless for a short period of time before writing the "Harry Potter" books. Michael Bloomberg was fired from an investment bank and used his severance package to start his financial data company. Bloomberg L.P. is now one of the most successful companies on the planet. Having constant fear that you'll be fired can be very detrimental to your self-esteem. When you're out of that job, you'll get a chance to remember how great of a person you really are. The only thing that changes when you get fired is your employment status. You'll find that you're still the same intelligent, capable person you were before you worked there and eventually another company will agree.
A:
Spend time getting to know yourself. Spend some time with your loved ones. Look up stories of people who succeeded after being fired. Get your confidence back.