Problem: Article: Dead flowers are pretty easy to spot in the bush because the natural color of the plant is so vibrant. Once the orange blooms and blue base of the flower begin to fade to brown, it's time to deadhead (remove dead flower heads). It's okay to begin pruning before all of the blooms on the plant have died. If you have even 2 or 3 dead blooms, removing them can help the remaining flowers live longer. Follow the stem of the dead flower to the base of the plant, then use your pruning shears to snip as close as possible to the base of the plant. This will prevent the long stem from browning and rotting after you remove the flower. Bird of Paradise flowers won't naturally shed dead stems after the flower is removed, so it's important to remove as much of the stem as possible. This helps your plant to look clean and colorful year round! Always wear thick gardening gloves when pruning. The Bird of Paradise also has large green leaves that can die and begin to brown once blooming is over. Normally, you can pull these using just your hands. You can also use the pruning shears to remove any stubborn leaves that won't come out. Always try to remove any dead foliage as close to the stump of the plant as possible to maintain the trimmed appearance of the plant. Failure to remove dead leaves can result in rotting and fungal infections that can kill the plant completely, so make sure you dispose of the dead foliage completely! If you live in an area that can get the occasional freezing night, you should cover your plant with a tarp to protect its blooms. One freeze can cause numerous dead flowers and leaves. If your plant is in a pot, bring it indoors during very cold temperatures to prevent freezing of the leaves and flowers.
Summary: Look for brown, dead flowers. Cut the stem of the dead flower as close as possible to the base of the plant. Cut or pull any excess brown foliage. Cover the plant with a tarp during deep freezes.

Problem: Article: Comebacks are all about timing and confidence. Most people think comebacks have to be spontaneous, but you can improve yours by practicing. Find a friend or a sympathetic adult and have her deliver the insults so you can practice your responses. If you don't feel comfortable with this, you can try it on your own in the mirror. Notice which style of comeback feels most natural to you. If you struggle to come up with a funny one-liner in the moment, then using this tactic will not be very successful for you. Use a different response like a poker face and saying "Are you finished?" if that comes more naturally. Use what works best for you until you can practice and use the other methods effectively. Bullies are usually very socially intelligent and great people-readers. They can easily see which comments get under people's skin. You can benefit from building up this same skill, but using it for defense instead of for aggression (like the bully). Watch the bully's reaction when you deliver your comeback and the reaction of others around him. Did he respond with surprise? Become angry, quiet, walk away? Then the comeback style used was successful. Watch for patterns and make not of what worked and what didn't. Notice, for instance, if humor seems to egg him on. If this is the case, switch to indifference or seriousness. Use the group dynamic to take control over the situation. Did the reactions of others watching tell you that you made an impact? Then what you said is working. Did they laugh at you and continue to support the bully? Then try a new tactic. When you are thinking about comebacks, try to come up with ideas that insult the bully's behavior, not characteristics she can't change. Your goal isn't to be as mean as the bully; your goal is to make the put-downs stop. Don't use stereotypes or attack a person based on her gender, ethnicity, sexuality, religion, or other characteristics such as these. This is just as bad as what the bully is doing to you, and possibly worse. You can also get in a lot of trouble for using these kinds of insults. Sometimes comebacks can lead to more insults. More concerning, however, is that some bullies might respond with violence, especially to insulting comebacks. Keep an eye out for signs that the person is becoming aggressive. Think carefully about the comebacks you use, and if a violent reaction seems like a possibility, remove yourself from the situation. Do you know if this person has ever gotten in trouble for violence before? Have you heard about him hitting or fighting with others? Or is he a social bully who just uses words? If you know this person has gotten violent in the past, you will want to be very cautious. Watch for physical cues of violence. The person may touch his head or face (rubbing his face or scalp or almost touching his face) and clench his fists, wring his hands, or pop his knuckles. The bully may remove an article of clothing, like a hat or a jacket, and may crouch down slightly. In addition, the person may turn his non-dominant side toward you; so, a left-handed person may turn his right side toward you. If you notice any of these behaviors, do not try to make a comeback and back away from the person. Do not make comebacks to threats of violence. The bully may threaten to hit or beat you, so remain confident. Don't look like you're scared. Instead, get away from the bully and report the threat to a trusted adult. If someone is bullying you regularly get help from a teacher, manager, or coworker. Bullies are less likely to pick on you if you aren't isolated. If you can't solve the problem informally, get someone in a position of authority involved. You shouldn't have to deal with constant insults from a bully in any situation.
Summary: Practice your comebacks. Learn a little about your bully. Don't become the bully. Be careful not to provoke violence. Get help.

Problem: Article: You want to make sure you write a few drafts of your proposal. After writing the initial draft, set it aside for a few days. Then, look it over after you've had time to think. Rewrite the letter, adding in any new information or insights you thought of. If you have time, try to write at least a few drafts of your justification. You should not turn in a job justification with typos. Proofread the letter a few times, making sure it's free of spelling and grammatical errors. It can be difficult to catch your own typos, but there are some tips and tricks that can help. Give yourself some time. You're more likely to catch typos if you set your work aside for a few days. If you don't have a few days, try setting it aside for an hour and then rereading. Print out your letter. Changing the format from which you're reading can help you better check typos. If you don't have a printer, consider changing the font type or color. You can also try reading your letter from the last paragraph to the first. Force yourself to reach each word by placing the tip of a pencil against the screen or page. Reading your letter out loud can also help you focus on each word. A second set of eyes can catch typos you may miss. People often go "typo blind" when reading their work, meaning they miss their own errors as they read what was written in their head. Having a friend read your letter over can help you catch typos. Once your letter is professional and polished, send it out. Make sure you send it out the proper way. If your company uses wooden cubicles for physical mail, print it out and put it in the cubicle. If your company prefers e-mail attachments, e-mail the letter to your boss.
Summary:
Write a few drafts. Proofread for typos. Have a friend look over your letter. Send your letter out.