In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Taking responsibility for your actions cuts both ways: don't be modest about your accomplishments (though don't showboat, either), but you also need to take responsibility for your mistakes. Don't try to pass the blame, and don't be overly defensive about your mistakes. Simply accept that a mistake was made, acknowledge what you should have done differently, and use the incident as a learning experience. Trying to blame others for your mistakes may make you feel slightly better about yourself in the moment, but your coworkers or employees will resent you for passing the blame, and your supervisors/managers may lose respect for you if they're privy to what you're doing. While it's important to take responsibility for your errors, it's also important that you don't beat yourself up over them. Try to find the lesson of what you can do different next time, and move on. In the professional world, no one will likely be there to help you budget your time or offer motivation on a project you've been dreading. You need to summon the strength and responsibility to be your own motivator. That means taking calculated and informed risks, coming up with new ideas, and keeping on schedule at all times. Don't wait for work to be assigned to you. If you're finished with a project, let your boss know and ask for more work. It will show initiative and strong work ethic. Manage your time. Plan backwards from the anticipated deadline and know in advance what portions of your project need to be completed by what date(s). That way you'll be able to stay on schedule (or even finish early), and you'll make a strong impression on both your colleagues and your managers. Whether you're asking for help, asking for clarification, or asking for a promotion, you've got to be willing and able to ask. Opportunities rarely come without any effort, and the same is true of professional opportunities. If you're unclear on a manager's instructions for a project, ask for clarification. If you need help with a project, ask someone whose work you trust if they can take a look at the plans with you. If you want a promotion or a raise, you've got to work up the nerve to ask for it. There's seldom any harm in asking. If you work with reasonable people, you'll probably get a reasonable response. Asking for things, including asking for more responsibility or additional projects, will not only boost your reputationit can also make you feel more fulfilled by your work. Goals are important to better yourself, both in your personal life and your professional life. They give you something to work toward and they help fill your work and your life with greater purpose. But it's important that you make goals that are both beneficial and attainable. That's where it may be helpful to create and strive for S.M.A.R.T. goals, an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-focused, and Time-bound. Specific goals: be simple and clear with what it is you hope to accomplish. For example, instead of vaguely wanting to do better at work, have a clear goal in mind, like getting a raise or a promotion. Measurable goals: as you create your goals, be sure that they can be measured. That way you will have a clear idea of whether or not you've accomplished your goal. For example, if your goal is work-related, you may want to measure your goal by whether or not your salary or responsibilities have increased. Achievable goals: make sure your goals are realistic and relevant to your career. A good achievable goal should push you just enough to test your abilities, but ultimately be defined clearly enough that you can accomplish your end goal. For example, instead of hoping to become the CEO of your company, work for a promotion into a position that you are actually qualified for. You can always aim to move upward from there, but start with a position that is realistic and achievable at this point in time. Results-focused goals: create goals that measure the outcomes of your effort, not your activities. For example, create a goal with a clear objective that will produce some type of unambiguous result (like a better position at work or a higher salary, to continue with the previous examples). Time-bound goals: set up a timeframe that is close enough to create a sense of urgency that will spur you to action, but distant enough that you can actually accomplish your goal. For example, don't try to get promoted by the end of the week. A better timeframe might be to work hard over the next six to eight months, prove your worth to your boss and coworkers, and then approach your boss to ask about a raise or a promotion in six months to a year.
Summary: Take responsibility for your actions. Be self-motivated. Learn to ask. Make SMART goals.

Problem: Article: You may set out to people watch just to pass the time. Or, you may be looking to observe certain behaviors and mannerisms for a specific purpose. If you are looking to get information from people watching, set those goals beforehand so you know what to do as you watch. People watching is a great way to get fashion ideas and character designs for books, movies, and plays. People watching with another person is always more enjoyable. Grab a friend to sit and chat with you as you observe people. Don't laugh at or make fun of people as you watch them with your friend. This can make people feel bad or uncomfortable. Avoid bringing a large group to people watch. This will only call attention to you, and your group of friends might get bored. You want to blend in with your surroundings. Avoid flashy shirts and lots of bling. Instead, opt for neutral colors and weather-appropriate clothes to become a person in the crowd rather than standing out as an observer. Avoid wearing large hats or glasses. If you're people watching with a purpose, like character inspiration or costume design, you might be struck with a great idea while you are out. Take a notebook and a pencil with you when you people watch to write down any great observations or insights that you notice as you observe people. Be subtle as you write things down. Don't stare right at someone and take notes on them. Instead, steal quick glances as you observe them from afar. Someone simply sitting and staring can be a little disconcerting to people walking by. If you don't have a notebook, bring your phone or your laptop to look distracted as you sit and people watch. Act like you are typing a report or texting a friend instead of simply sitting and watching. You can also bring a book or magazine to act like you are reading. Plug headphones into your phone or laptop to look even more inconspicuous. The most interesting part of people watching is making guesses about other people's lives. To get the most out of your people watching experience, observe how people walk, talk, and interact with others to take guesses as to who they are and why they are here. People's clothes also say a lot about them. Layers indicate they are prepared for the weather, while showing skin can mean confidence. Everyone has bad days sometimes. As you people watch, you may see some people who express behaviors you don't quite agree with. Try to be an unbiased observer and simply take in what you see without making judgement calls on it. People may act differently when they don't know they are being observed. Body language can say a lot about a person's mood. Crossed arms can mean anger, hunched posture can mean sadness, and relaxed shoulders can indicate happiness. Pay attention to how people stand or sit and make guesses as to how they are feeling. Facial expressions are also a good indicator of mood. Scowling or scrunched faces indicate anger while raised eyebrows often indicate contentedness or relaxation. Note if they have an accent, a high or low speaking voice, if they seem excited or frustrated, or if they are overly quiet. Make guesses as to how they are feeling based on how they sound and if they are enjoying their conversations. It can also be fun to overhear snippets of people's conversations without context.
Summary:
Set goals for your people watching if you want to learn something. Bring a friend with you to have more fun. Wear an outfit that won't make you stand out. Bring a notebook to write down interesting moments or people. Act like you are doing something on a phone or laptop. Think about each person that passes and who they might be. Avoid passing judgement on anyone. Observe people's body language to pick up on their emotions. Listen to people's voices as they talk to learn more about them.