Article: Find a person who can hold you accountable to do what you say you are planning on doing, despite how you feel or the doubt you have. Accountability can be as simple as just sending a text daily stating that you accomplished your goal for the day. Sometimes, self-doubt creeps in when you feel incompetent in a certain area. As you work to stop self-doubt, it can help to hone your abilities in key areas of your life. You might do this by joining a professional development organization, taking a certification course, or reading books relating to your industry. Having an ongoing conversation with those around you about your talents and abilities can stop self-doubt in its tracks. Frequently, people avoid discussing areas in their lives in which they feel insecure. When you purposely bring these areas into focus, the self-doubt will gradually disappear. Plus, feedback helps you see both the positive and negative aspects of your abilities. The next time you catch yourself caught in a web of self-doubt, reach out to someone for feedback. For instance, you might say to your partner, "I feel like you are avoiding me. Have I done something wrong?" for chronic self-doubt. Whether your self-doubt is a recent issue or it stems from childhood insecurity, you must reach out for help if it's undermining your goals. A professional therapist will be able to help you see your situation from a different perspective and offer practical tips for overcoming negative thought patterns.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Find someone to hold you accountable. Enhance your skills. Seek feedback from others. See a therapist
Article: The last thing you want is to add to your friend's negativity by being too critical or hostile. If you would like to tell your friend that you think he is seeing a situation more negatively than necessary, think about the best way to say this. Use "I"-statements rather than "you"-statements. For example, "Quit being so negative" is going to have less of a positive effect than "I feel like there's more to the situation than you're seeing." "I"-statements sound less judgmental, which can make the other person more open to hearing what you have to say. What you say isn't the only important factor. Tone and nonverbal cues are just as important. Yelling or throwing your hands up in defeat are going to increase negativity in the room rather than work to fight the fire effectively. Gentle eye contact and nodding along to what your friend is saying, if you agree, are great ways to create a positive interaction. Maintain an even tone of voice. Staying calm when your friend blows up may help her realize that there's more than one way to respond to a problem. Research shows that speaking slowly causes people to perceive you as "more caring and sympathetic." In order to communicate with a negative friend in a way that promotes positivity and keeps you from falling into the same negativity, pay attention to how fast you are speaking. You want to be compassionate and positive in your approach, but that's not the same thing as allowing yourself to be stepped on. Sometimes a negative friend may try to override your opinions. Maintain a firm stance when it comes to your freedom to express yourself and have a differing point of view. Assertiveness is about meeting the needs of everyone involved, not just one person. Clearly express your desires, wants, and needs. Use direct language that can't be contradicted. For example, say "The way that you're acting right now makes me uncomfortable. I'm going to leave, but we can talk later if you want." Include empathy. For example, "I understand that you want to keep talking about this, but I'm not comfortable with this conversation, so I'm going to leave." Set limits. For example, "I am happy to listen to your complaints for five minutes, but then I would like us to change the subject so we don't get too bogged down in negative feelings." If a friend is negatively ruminating on something, change the subject to something you know will cheer him up. Injecting positivity into a situation can be a lot easier and more effective than trying to fight negativity. For example, if your friend is complaining about a bad day at work, ask him if he wants to go bowling or see a movie. Offer to pay for his ticket.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Think about your words. Be careful about delivery. Watch your pace. Assert yourself. Change the direction of the conversation.
Article: If you're going to be switching between infield and outfield positions, pick a size as Goldilocks would: not so long that it would impede quick ball-to-hand transfers, but not so short that it would make catches in the outfield too difficult. Keep your wrist uncovered. Allow yourself greater mobility while playing infield positions. Since the open back design sacrifices support for more mobility, avoid gloves with an open web design. Make up the difference with a closed web, which offers more support.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Choose a size. Go for an open back. Choose a closed web.