No matter how many times you hear this phrase, it never gets old!

 

It may sound very simple but it’s actually a very powerful affirmation that can improve our mindset for any given situation. Our beliefs become our thoughts, and if we constantly think positive thoughts, it becomes more real and can eventually manifest into positive action.

 

Focus on hope and have the confidence that you can overcome any obstacle in your path. Always do your best and have faith that good things will come your way. Do not dwell in the past but learn from it and look ahead into the future.

 

Here are some words of wisdom that can help you leave the bad vibes behind and develop a more optimistic outlook in life. 

 

Australian College is a leading provider of online courses!

 
Study a nationally accredited and professional online course and get 20% off*. Subscribe to our Newsletter to receive an eVoucher that can be used on top of our monthly promotion.

 

Whether you are looking to upskill or reskill to improve your career prospects or are looking for an exciting new career opportunity, you will find a course to meet your needs in our extensive online course catalogue.

 

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Whatever stage you are in life at the moment, it’s always best to keep in mind that what you do today will eventually shape your future. Create solid plans to ensure your viability and career sustainability. Focus on exponential growth while being realistic at the same time. The future is never certain but be excited about the possibilities!

Start by asking these questions:

• What are my dreams, interests and goals?
• What do I ultimately want to achieve in life?
• What are my priorities?
• How do I start?

Be inspired and learn from the wise words of those who have experience:

 

 

 

 

 

Australian College is a leading provider of online courses!

 
Study a nationally accredited and professional online course and get 20% off*. Subscribe to our Newsletter to receive an eVoucher that can be used on top of our monthly promotion.

 

Whether you are looking to upskill or reskill to improve your career prospects or are looking for an exciting new career opportunity, you will find a course to meet your needs in our extensive online course catalogue.

 

*Terms & Conditions Apply.

Are you working and also considering study?

If you enrol in a course before 30th June, and the course is sufficiently related to your employment, you may be able to claim the course and certain related costs as a self-education expense.

With tax time just around the corner, and with 20% off* all course fees, right now is a great time to tackle your goals and enrol in a Nationally Recognised or Personal Development course.

What may be claimable?

computer consumables and equipment repairs	purchase of equipment or technical instruments costing less than $300	home office running costs	fares	stationery	textbooks
course fees	accommodation and meals (if away from home overnight)	interest	phone calls	student union fees	trade, professional, or academic journals
decline in value for depreciating assets (cost exceeds $300)	parking fees (only for work-related claims)	internet usage (excluding connection fees)	postage	student services and amenities fees	travel to-and-from place of education

How much can you save?

How much you will save depends on your taxation rate and the course cost.

Here’s a guide:

• Our Certificate IV Accounting & Bookkeeping course is pay-in-full $2320.00

• After 20% off promotion, this is reduced to $1856.00

• If you are taxed at an average rate of 32.5% your course is further reduced to $1252.80

That’s a total saving of $1067.20

To get ahead of your competition in the employment stakes, you need to demonstrate that you are prepared to continue your education, as often as possible. An education course is a great way of ensuring you keep up to speed with industry developments relating to your field, and with the added bonus of making you look motivated to any potential employers.

To help encourage employers and employees alike to undertake educational programs, there are a number of self-education tax deductions available, which include courses undertaken at educational institutions (whether leading to a formal qualification or not), attendance at work-related seminars or industry-specific conferences.

The expenses for self-education can be deducted provided there is a direct and provable link between the course undertaken, and how you derive your income.

You will need to satisfy any of the following tests to be entitled to a tax deduction:

The expense has a relevant connection to your current income earning activities (i.e. the course must be relevant or incidental to how you derive your assessable income).

The self-education program being undertaken enables you to maintain or improve the skills or knowledge necessary to carry out your income earning activities.

The self-education leads to or is likely to lead to, an increase in your income from your current income-earning activities in the future.

Are you eligible for this reduction?

• You must be a student at Australian College and paying in full for your course fees to fully claim this financial year
• You must be employed at the time of enrolment, and the course must be sufficiently related to this employment
• The course must be 12 months or less to fully claim this financial year

* You may have to reduce the claim by $250

June 30th is approaching quickly, so enrol now, keep a copy of your receipt and save significantly! For more information on claiming self-education expenses visit the Australian Taxation Office website here.

Please note: The information in this blog is general advice only and is not intended to be financial or legal advice. You should obtain your own independent advice in relation to tax deductions that may be available to you.

Claim your tax invoice, Enrol Now!

Source: https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Income-and-deductions/Deductions-you-can-claim/Self-education-expenses

 

What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word education? Do you think about books, teachers, exams or being inside a classroom with other students? These things are all related to education, however, it actually goes a lot deeper than we realise.

 

 
Aside from basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter, education has also become a necessity in life. From the moment you reach a certain age, it’s important for you to start your journey to getting an education.

You might recall when you were younger, adults around you would say “Education is a treasure that can never be taken away from anyone.” This statement is crystal clear, it means we have to prioritise and give value to education. Consider it as more than just reading books, memorising words, and having good grades - it’s also gathering practical knowledge and wisdom that you can certainly benefit from in your daily life.
 

  
Why do we need education?

• Encourages us to think deeper and makes us more innovative
• Gives us the confidence to handle different types of situations and become effective at problem-solving
• Helps us become leaders and to create leaders that make an impact by means of living a values-driven life
• Enables us to close gaps, to eliminate inequality
• Allows us to practice our passion
• Improves our standard of living and quality of life
• Lets us pursue our preferred career
• Helps us create a sustainable planet
• Promotes economic progress
• Education is the foundation of peace

 

 

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Boost Your Career Today!

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Whether you are looking to up-skill to improve your career prospects or are looking for an exciting new career opportunity, you will find a course to meet your needs in our extensive online course catalogue.

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Are you ready for the long weekend?

There are a lot of awesome activities to do and great places to go, but without careful planning, things might go out of hand and you may encounter common travel problems along the way such as overspending, missing flights, delayed or lost luggage, excess baggage, food poisoning, and many others.

 

Eliminate the stress and hassle by planning ahead of time and to fully enjoy your trip. Planning takes a lot of time and could also be a bit overwhelming but once you’ve done it, you’ll be thanking yourself later.

 

You can start organising months in advance by creating a rough itinerary with the use of tools such as journals and mobile apps where you can list down places you want to go, the activities you want to do and the food you want to eat. Know what’s the weather like and try to get an idea of the currency conversion rates and basic living costs so you can adjust your budget accordingly. This will be beneficial when you’re going to stay in one place for a long time.

 

When things don’t go exactly the way you might have hoped, you can also be flexible and spontaneous. Who knows, you might encounter some exciting adventures along the way!

 

Below is a simple checklist that you can use to prepare for your trip:

• Put all your travel documents together.

• Choose good quality luggage that is versatile and easy to carry.

• A basic first aid kit will certainly come in handy. Include ointments, medicines for headache, stomachache, nausea, and allergies.

• Pack your toiletry bag with the essentials such as toothbrush, toothpaste, facial or wet tissues, and other hygiene products.  

• Always place a whistle and a small torch in your pocket for emergencies.

• The weather can sometimes be unpredictable so bring an umbrella or raincoat just in case.

• If you’re going overseas, bring international power adapters.

• Make sure you carry mobile power banks to charge your phone and other mobile devices.

• You might be too excited with all the preparations you’re doing but don’t forget to prepare your home! Unplug appliances, empty your fridge, ensure all taps and lights are off, store your valuables in a safe place and make sure all windows and doors are locked.

 

Leverage your passion for travel and commitment to helping other travellers make the most out of their holiday by turning it into a career.

 

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You are Destined for Greatness!

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When you feel that you’ve already given your best and still have not seen the results that you’re after, don’t be discouraged! Self-improvement is a never-ending journey.

  

 

Always be committed in delivering the highest level of excellence, even if no one is looking because everything you do everyday is practice, until it becomes your expertise.

Check out our other blogs about self-development!

Click here to read about some effective ways you can use to work smarter (not harder). You can level up your life bypracticing these high-performance habits.

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You are Destined for Greatness!

Study a nationally accredited and professional online course and get 20% off* your course.

Whether you are looking to up-skill to improve your career prospects or are looking for an exciting new career opportunity, you will find a course to meet your needs in our extensive online course catalogue.

*Terms & Conditions Apply.

Do you think age is a factor when it comes to pursuing your dreams? Oftentimes age is used as an excuse and we always hear other people say they are too young or too old to do what they want to do. If you can relate to that, then it’s not too late for you to change your mind!

 

Here are some people who you can draw inspiration from:

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart began composing when he was 5.

• Magnus Carlsen was only 13 when he became chess Grandmaster. He achieved the highest classical rating in history in 2014.

• Missy Franklin was only 17 when she won five gold medals In her Olympic debut at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

• Mark Zuckerberg was 19 when he launched Facebook in 2004.

• Albert Einstein, the most influential physicist of the 20th century published four groundbreaking papers (one of them is the Theory of Relativity) at the age of 26.

• Oprah Winfrey was already 32 when she officially debuted her show in 1986.
  
  
• The Mona Lisa painting, the most well-known piece of artwork in the world was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci when he was 51.

• Colonel Harland Sanders’ recipe was rejected more than a thousand times and after many years of failures and misfortunes, he finally hit it big at 61 when he started the KFC franchise.

• Peter Roget invented the thesaurus at the age of 73.

 

 

On Career Transitions

 

Believe that you can live the life you want no matter how young or old you are! You have to be flexible and adaptable. These are two very important skills that employers value in a candidate. You might not have enough experience in the role that you want to apply for, but your attitude can make a difference. Have an agile mindset. Read more about our blog post Your Guide to a Successful Career Change.

 

 

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Secure Your Future!

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Whether you are looking to up-skill to improve your career prospects or are looking for an exciting new career opportunity, you will find a course to meet your needs in our extensive online course catalogue.

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It feels great whenever we hear compliments or good feedback from others. We know that our work is being noticed and appreciated and also gives us the green light to continue whatever we are doing. Constantly receiving praise and positive comments help build our self-confidence and self-esteem. But what if you know that you are doing quite well but still don’t get any approval or recognition you believe you deserve?

It’s so easy to give up and be disheartened due to lack of appreciation from the people around you especially when you know you make an extraordinary effort and always give your best in everything that you do. If you don’t get any form of validation at all, you worry more and feel unimportant. But don’t let this bring you down! Not everyone is wired to be naturally appreciative so it’s best to not expect too much. Try to avoid relying on others for confidence. Know that you are good enough, whether others approve of you or not.

 

 

Practice positive self-affirmation. Do not base your self-worth on what authority figures tell you or think of you. Develop long-term positive thinking to reach your goals and back it up with positive action. Consider your strengths as a person or certain skills that you value and are meaningful to you. Then make it a daily habit to continue exploring your other talents and capabilities that you don't know about but other people do.

You may progress slowly but surely and once you’ve restructured your mindset, you can move beyond the issues then further into self-development. Do more things that you love and you know you can benefit from.

The word affirmation comes from the Latin affirmare, originally meaning "to make steady, strengthen." You will indeed find the strength to uncover your true potential from affirmation and it’s more effective if it starts with you.

Here are the lasting benefits of self-affirmation:

• It motivates you on a different level
• It increases your energy to perform daily tasks
• You will establish mental clarity and become more self-aware
• You work well even under stressful situations
• Your cardiovascular health will improve
• You will get a happier outlook on life
  
  

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Secure Your Future!

Study a nationally accredited and professional online course and get 20% off* your course.

Whether you are looking to up-skill to improve your career prospects or are looking for an exciting new career opportunity, you will find a course to meet your needs in our extensive online course catalogue.

*Terms & Conditions Apply.

Communication is an essential skill that plays an important role in any organisation and it’s something that has to be taken seriously.

When there is lack of communication, a lot of things can go wrong. Like for instance, in a dynamic multicultural and multigenerational work environment where polarised opinions, office politics and ostracism are particularly common, there would certainly be a high chance of unclear or inadequate communication.

Conflicts continue to arise not only in the workplace but everywhere we go due to misalignment and miscommunication. Failure to acknowledge and fix this problem may cause mistrust, low morale and worst case scenario, broken relationships that seem too difficult to repair. Take a moment to really see what the issues are and examine more closely to gain full understanding of the situation. The sooner we know what the root of the problem is, the sooner we can fix it.

Aside from exchanging or passing of information through speaking and writing, another way to overcome communication barriers is by means of listening. By being an active listener, you are showing your respect to other people’s opinions and you are making an effort to see their point of view. Be attentive and let others talk and finish what they have to say. Show that you genuinely want to help resolve the dispute and do not make hasty judgements. When it’s your turn to share your thoughts, choose your words carefully to prevent further conflict.

Build bridges instead of walls! Break barriers and smash bottlenecks through effective communication. This doesn’t only build confidence but also lets you open yourself to new possibilities and all the extra time and effort you put into this will be well worth it.

 

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Secure Your Future!

Study a nationally accredited and professional online course and get 20% off* your course.

Whether you are looking to up-skill to improve your career prospects or are looking for an exciting new career opportunity, you will find a course to meet your needs in our extensive online course catalogue.

*Terms & Conditions Apply.

How is your workload? If you currently have a lot of things on your plate and your deadline is fast approaching, one of the practical solutions for this difficult situation is delegation.

If you are a part of a team and taking on the responsibility of a leader or perhaps a similar position of authority, delegation plays an important role in boosting your productivity.

Giving a level of autonomy definitely increases morale and promotes collaboration and innovation. When you delegate the right way, it doesn’t only help you become efficient but also give your team members a chance to develop their individual skills and look for other opportunities to grow.

This is a part of our Effective Ways to Work Smarter series:

 

Sharpen Your Time Management Skills

Establish Workflows To Streamline Processes

Delegate Work Effectively

Learn How To Manage Stress - Stress Poll Results

Do Regular Daily Reflections

Be Driven to Succeed!

Study a nationally accredited and professional online course and get 20% off* your course.

Whether you are looking to up-skill to improve your career prospects or are looking for an exciting new career opportunity, you will find a course to meet your needs in our extensive online course catalogue.

*Terms & Conditions Apply.

If you think resolutions are so cliche, then perhaps you need to think again! When a year ends and a new one begins, your mind is drawn to preparation and planning. You feel optimistic that it’s going to be a fresh new year full of promises and hope. It certainly is the best time to make changes in various areas of your life.

The tradition of writing down all the things that we want to achieve for the rest of the year usually happens in the first week of January. Now that January has come and gone, the big question is, are you still upholding your resolutions? We start really strong and determined, however, when February comes, we start to fizzle… but why?

Most people fail to commit to their resolutions due to extreme pressure or lack of motivation and discipline. As the saying goes “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” - The intention to change wavers very quickly due to a form of resistance called inertia.

The law of inertia is Sir Isaac Newton’s first law and it states that "A body at rest will remain at rest, and a body in motion will remain in motion unless it is acted upon by an external force." As humans, we are also influenced by inertia - we continue to tread the same path throughout our lives unless other forces alter our course. Therefore, if we would like to change for the better, then we should find that “greater force” that will positively alter the direction of our life inertia.

Here are some of the things you can do to accelerate your success in 2019:

Tackle one resolution at a time

Don’t beat yourself up! Change requires time. Start slowly and work toward changing one thing at a time. It’s best to make small lifestyle changes every day until it already feels like it’s a natural part of your routine. Read more about Game-changing Habits to Supercharge Your Life.

Trust Yourself

Develop your self-confidence. Believe that you can make excellent decisions and you have the ability to improve no matter what your current circumstances are. Your thoughts will eventually manifest into actions so you have to guard your mind against negative thoughts. Click here to Learn how to solve the confidence gap.

Be Flexible and Adaptive

If your plan is not working, review and tweak it if necessary. Always be open to suggestions and embrace new ideas. You need to adjust yourself to meet the needs of your situation or current environment.

 

Treat each day as another chance to start over.

 

 

Write a Letter to Your Future Self

Grab a pen and paper, reflect and write down your thoughts, seal and open it at a future date. Your letter may contain words of validation, reassurance, and encouragement. Try to picture yourself a year, 2 years or 5 years from now and outline what you want to achieve in that timeframe. This could be a great way to make your dreams happen. Write a note to your future self today and you will be amazed to discover how much you’ve changed (or not) over the years.

Up Next: Do Regular Daily Reflections

Be Driven to Succeed! 

 

Study a nationally accredited and professional online course and get 20% off* your course.

Whether you are looking to up-skill to improve your career prospects or are looking for an exciting new career opportunity, you will find a course to meet your needs in our extensive online course catalogue.

*Terms & Conditions Apply.

What is a workflow?

To put it simply, a workflow consists of the step by step process of how you do your work from start to finish. It’s composed of all the activities that happen in a sequence - all the things that you need to do in order to complete bigger tasks.

Implementing good quality workflows can certainly work wonders in any organisation especially when it comes to project management. It allows employers and managers to create clearly-established structures leaving them more time to focus on work that creates value. Employees can use this to gain a better understanding of their roles and how they relate to different departments and make team members more accountable for their work. It’s certainly is a modern solution for the workplace.

Workflows can also be implemented in real life and they don’t have to be complicated. You can create some basic workflows to help in process improvements and elimination of inefficiencies in your daily routine, therefore, increasing your output and productivity. Aside from that, it also leads to better communication as well as a quick and easy resolution to bottlenecks.

Visualising your workflow is a very important step. You can start by creating a diagram that can be used as a graphic representation of the steps needed in order for you to reach the goals you want to achieve. If you want to take your workflow diagrams to the next level, there are also many workflow management tools out there that you can use for free:

• Create workflow diagrams/flowcharts
• Simple or complex diagrams/flowcharts can be designed using draw.io, canva.com, smartdraw.com or diagrameditor.com

• Use digital workflow management solutions
• Work smarter not harder using cloud software such as zoho.com, trello.com, monday.com or cflowapps.com

This is a part of our Effective Ways to Work Smarter series, we will share more about the topics below in our blog:

 

Sharpen Your Time Management Skills

Establish Workflows To Streamline Processes

Delegate Work Effectively

Learn How To Manage Stress - Stress Poll Results

Do Regular Daily Reflections

 

Make A Difference In 2019!

Study a nationally accredited and professional online course and get 20% off* your course.

We conducted an online survey about stress and here are the results (as of 24 January 2019).

Stress Scale

 

 

Typical Stressors

 

 

Based on most recent data from the Stress Poll

 

Your stress level matters a lot. If you are currently experiencing a lot of stress and you’re not doing anything about it, you probably need an intervention ASAP! When you ignore your current situation, it might lead to detrimental effects on your physical and mental health. It’s okay to start small then work on building momentum.

 

Here are the most common symptoms of stress:

• Psychological signs are lack of motivation, anxiety, depression, restlessness, irritability or anger.

• Physiological signs include headaches, chest pain, stomach upset and fatigue.

• Changes in behaviour such as smoking or drinking too much, social withdrawal, not eating or overeating and angry outbursts.

Find your zen! Click here to find some healthy ways to manage stress effectively.

“If you don't think your anxiety, depression, sadness and stress impact your physical health, think again. All of these emotions trigger chemical reactions in your body, which can lead to inflammation and a weakened immune system. Learn how to cope. There will always be dark days.” ― Kris Carr

Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one.” ― Hans Selye

The truth is that stress doesn't come from your boss, your kids, your spouse, traffic jams, health challenges, or other circumstances. It comes from your thoughts about these circumstances.” ― Andrew J. Bernstein

You can beat stress! Just have the right mindset and start regaining control over your mind and body.

This is a part of our Effective Ways to Work Smarter series, we will share more about the topics below in our blog:

 

Sharpen Your Time Management Skills

Establish Workflows To Streamline Processes

Delegate Work Effectively

Learn How To Manage Stress - Stress Poll Results

Do Regular Daily Reflections

 

Make A Difference In 2019!

Study a nationally accredited and professional online course andget 20% off* your course.

 

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”

– Annie Dillard

Every day you wake up, get up and go on with your usual routine. Is your mind geared toward self-improvement both professionally and personally? If not, then perhaps it’s time for a full self-assessment to determine whether you are evolving with the times, stagnating or going backward.

We have shared a blog post about simple yet high-performance habits that can significantly change your life and let greater opportunities come your way. Click here if you have not read it yet. You will surely find great tips to help you get to the next level and live life to the fullest.

As we approach the end of 2018, now is the perfect time to think about your plans for the year ahead. Make growth your number one priority. When you become growth-conscious across all areas of life, you focus more on your journey - your venture experience rather than just the destination or outcome of your goals.

While personal development and maturity vary with gender, age, race, and genes, what matters most is the chance you are given every waking day. You just have to start by making small, specific changes and you will eventually evolve into the person you want to be. You have 24 hours in a day and it’s up to you to make everything worthwhile and use each hour the best possible way.

Be the best version of yourself!

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The most common factor of highly-successful people is they choose growth over comfort. They are passionate leaders and strong advocates that demonstrate commitment and always do their work with energy and enthusiasm. They are extremely resilient and unshakable amidst of all the chaos, bustle and noise around them.

Self-improvement doesn’t only lead to one’s success but can also help people to succeed. It’s good to be competitive, but it’s also lonely to be the only one at the top so work on reaching your goals and at the same time, try to influence others around you to reach their full potential.

“When you are living the best version of yourself, you inspire others to live the best versions of themselves.” ― Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience

If you want to know how you can truly become the best version of you, here are some useful tips to get you started:

 

Strive to become the best version of yourself!

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No two paths to success are alike. Each person’s journey is unique as a fingerprint or a snowflake, thus success is relative to the person who strives for it.

If you aim to be successful, the first and most important question that you must ask yourself is “What do I need to do to achieve what I want?”

Success is a mindset. It’s not about who you are, but about what you do. It doesn’t matter if you do or don’t have the necessary tools and resources, the quality of your actions will lead you to reach the goals you desire and keep growing from there.

What is your current belief system? If you think you need to make big changes in your life, start by building a strong mental and emotional foundation. Here are some of the most impactful strategies to start with:

The happiness project

You Can Make Great Opportunities Happen!
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The “paradigm” concept started in the early 1960’s by the philosopher Thomas Kuhn and since then, the term has been widely used in the world of Psychology, Politics, Sports, Medicine and Business. It helped Scientists create theoretical frameworks by providing clarity in terms of goal-setting and direction in their scientific research and other activities within a particular discipline. Some paradigm theories that we know are Newton’s theory of gravity, Darwin’s theory of evolution and Einstein’s theory of relativity.

According to macmillandictionary.com, the word paradigm means:

“a set of ideas that are used for understanding or explaining something, especially in a particular subject.”

How can we relate this to our daily lives?

If we take a closer look at history, we would notice that there is certainly a strong connection between paradigm and progress. When personal computers, mobile phones, the internet and all sorts of communication tools were invented, our lives were suddenly transformed completely. Most of the changes we experienced during this digital paradigm shift are positive and working in our favour.

You Can Make Great Opportunities Happen!
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One of the most popular quotes about productivity is “If not now, then when”, however, its essence is often missed. We are all guilty somehow of pushing things aside and doing them at a later time.

It’s so easy to walk away from impending tasks and tell yourself to finish them afterward. The longer these tasks are ignored, the more difficult it will be to finish them in the long run. The results could also be more drastic - if things do not go as planned, everything can end up in chaos, stress, disappointment, and frustration.

Another thing that you always keep in the back burner is your dreams. You could have so many reasons for trying not to pursue what you really want to do in life. What’s holding you back? Is it fear? Are you scared of making mistakes, of losing everything you have? Is uncertainty making you feel very uncomfortable? These negative feelings will only make you lose sight of getting started or not even wanting to try.

What are you waiting for? Is there really such thing as “the right time”? You have probably wasted too much time waiting for the right moment when you can start doing something right now. Sometimes ‘later’ becomes ‘never’. If you decide to take action today, commit to it, be accountable, and put yourself to work every day.

“People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.”

– Paulo Coelho

Make Great Opportunities Happen!
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When you habitually avoid or intentionally delay starting or finishing a task that needs to be accomplished and let it linger on the to-do list for hours, days, or even weeks due to various reasons, you could be a victim of a mysterious and potentially dangerous force called procrastination. Pouring all your strength in completing a certain task is like trying to bring the same poles of a magnet together and no matter how hard you try, they only repel.

The procrastinator’s favourite words are “later” and “tomorrow”. Amidst of all the urgent assignments, tight deadlines and unfinished projects piling up, they are often being put off in favour of checking social media sites, playing video games, online shopping, binge-watching shows on tv or sometimes even prioritising trivial things. There are so many distractions everywhere that make it even more difficult to focus on what should be done.

This extremely bad habit has a lot of harmful effects on one’s life. Students often get poor grades or fail in school. Employees have unsatisfactory work performance. It’s simply inevitable. On a positive note, since procrastination is considered as a bad habit, there are possible be ways that can be done to get rid of this self-defeating behaviour pattern. For this to work, you have to be absolutely committed to moving forward. However, once you decide to nip it in the bud before it becomes a more serious issue, changes would only happen gradually and not overnight.

Here are common reasons why we procrastinate and some suggestions on how to tackle it:

“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.”

–Abraham Lincoln

It’s time for a fresh start!
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According to businessdictionary.com burnout means


It seems like career burnout is becoming more common these days and the typical advice given to people is to go on a holiday to relax, unwind, clear the head and keep a safe distance from all the stressful responsibilities in the workplace. It’s a good suggestion, however, holidays do not cure chronic burnout. This is only a type of band-aid approach and doesn’t completely eliminate the root of the problem.

Burnouts can occur in any industry - financial, tech, retail, infrastructure, health, the list could go on and on… This is one of the top reasons why people take sick days or just quit their job. Sadly, employees are not the only ones who suffer because of this insidious epidemic. The whole company is affected too. Burnout leads to inefficiency and lower productivity, then eventually leads to a reduction in quality.

If you’ve become aware that you’re on the brink of burnout or perhaps already experiencing burnout, it’s time to do something before it takes its toll on you. Get to know some of the major causes and what you can do to stop it.

Some useful tips on how to recover from burnout:

It’s time for a fresh start!
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Say goodbye to work-life balance and try integrating your work and life instead! Many people have struggled to achieve balance but failed miserably so it’s now considered a myth. Aside from being unrealistic, it’s also known to be too subjective because its definition depends on the individual’s personal feelings and circumstance. One’s priorities also extremely affect how balance is construed. Attempting to attain the so-called balance has become a debilitating chore when it was supposed to be a solution to all our problems.

The term work-life integration started to make waves in 2017. Integration is all about not separating work from your personal life but learning how to connect the two instead. It’s quite radical but it quickly became the new norm because it’s a trendier, more fitting and exciting alternative for those who aim to succeed in their careers and daily private life activities.

W-L integration: the 21st-century formula for success

It’s time for a fresh start!
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Why do people switch careers? There could be a hundred reasons why this happens but it’s just usually due to one thing - CHANGE. As the wise Greek philosopher, Heraclitus once said, “The only thing that Is constant is change.” We all face changes in different aspects of our daily life in some way and perhaps sometimes, we might not even see them clearly but these changes are occurring nonetheless. We get older, our needs and interests often change and this could trigger a domino effect of other related changes. It’s simply inevitable.

Focus on Building Career 2.0


Be aware of your real goals and aspirations to create a brand new professional life. Pursue what you truly love and be willing to start over. It’s the season of change - a time for a fresh start!

Building a new career is not easy. It could be very scary at first and you may also commit a lot of mistakes, but it’s not impossible to achieve! If you don’t do it now, you could be stuck in the same spot forever! Is self-doubt holding you back? Try to overcome and conquer your fears, break out of your comfort zone, and eventually, you will gain the confidence you need to succeed.

It’s time for a fresh start! Enrol now & get 20% off* your online course.

“The hardest thing to do is leaving your comfort zone. But you have to let go of the life you’re familiar with and take the risk to live the life you dream about.” -T. Arigo

You might be thinking, “is staying in my comfort zone really such a bad thing?”

The answer is a big YES! It’s too dangerous that it could be something that can potentially destroy one’s future.

“A comfort zone is a place that is very secure and protected, but where nothing is able to flourish.”

Warning signs that you are stuck in your comfort zone:
Complacency is the poison that slowly kills your desire to grow and succeed in life. When you are complacent, you do not have the eagerness or willingness to push the boundaries and take risks - absolutely zero urge to do better…

If you feel like you’re being too complacent, acknowledge the warning signs and find out ways to fight and break out of it. Do not allow yourself to be stagnant forever!

It’s okay to take baby steps, as long as you are aware that you need to do something. Accept changes, have the right mindset, commit to your goals and constantly challenge yourself. Click here to read more on how to conquer your fears.

Be willing to flourish… Plan. Act. Achieve!

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"Before anything else, preparation is the key to success." --Alexander Graham Bell

“Fail to Plan and You Plan to Fail” --Benjamin Franklin

“Give me 6 hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first 4 sharpening the axe.” –Abraham Lincoln

You might be in the middle of a job search and currently have interviews lined up. We all know very well that planning is a very crucial part of the process, however, all the careful planning that you do can fall apart once anxiety sets in. This may sound daunting especially if it’s your first time but don’t let the thought overwhelm you. Instead, use this feeling as a motivator - it can also drive you to perform better!

Here are some tips to help you out before, during and after the interview:

Before the interview

• Do your homework. Look at the company website or blog to learn more about the company, what their key products and/or services are, which industries do they work in and how big they are in terms of employee size and revenue. It’s good to do a competitor research as well.

• Thoroughly read the job ad again, take note of the main responsibilities and required skills and map it to your own skills, educational background, and job experiences. If you have questions, jot them down so you don’t forget.

• At the beginning of an interview, candidates are usually asked “Can you walk me through your resume?” so it’s good to review your resume the day before. Print extra copies for your and the interviewer. Having spare copies shows initiative and preparation. These are strong qualities that the interviewer will take note of and appreciate.

• Choose an appropriate outfit. Your clothing choice doesn’t necessarily have to be high-end, you just need to make an effort to look presentable. This is also a sign of respect for the company as well as the person interviewing you. So pay attention to your grooming to leave a good first impression.

• Write all the details in your job interview journal if you have one. Take note of the company name, address, time of the interview and the name of the interviewer.

During the interview

• Be sure to turn up at the right place and the right time. If you think you’re lost and will be running late, it is common decency and professional courtesy to apologise for your lateness. Call and let them know your ETA.

• Make sure your phone and other electronic devices are on silent.

• Sell yourself (up to a certain degree). Present yourself with confidence but not to the point that you already sound like you are the only qualified candidate and the answer to your all of your employer’s problems.

• Choose your words wisely. You may encounter some common interview questions but try not to respond with empty clichés. Be unique, memorable, specific and keep it brief.

• Take down notes if necessary so you don’t forget important details.

• Show your personality for them to see if you will fit in with the company culture of their working environment.

• Towards the end of the interview, Make sure you're clear about the next steps. Ask what the next process is and when and how you can expect to hear from them.

After the interview

• Drop a line to the interviewer and let him/her know that you appreciate his/her time and the opportunity you were given. This will speak volumes about your commitment to the position. If you didn’t get the job, you can ask for constructive feedback. This can help you do better in your next round of interviews with other companies in the future.

Keep in mind that getting prepared is a job itself. Sharpen the axe, as Lincoln said. A checklist is very useful but ticking all the boxes on your list will not be enough for you to land the job you like, you have to do more than that. But don’t stress, just do your best… You’ve got this!

Plan. Act. Achieve! Enrol a nationally recognised or personal development course online and take 20% off* your course. *T&Cs Apply.

Have you ever woken up one day and asked yourself “Why am I here? What’s my real purpose?”, this means that your mission in life is still unclear and you need to find your why. German philosopher Frederick Nietzsche once said, ‘He who has a why can endure any how.’ Everyone has a why. This is something that inspires you and gives you a sense of fulfillment in whatever you do. Knowing your why is the first step and the most important if you want to find out your true calling.

Every person is different. We develop aspects of individuality from our experiences, philosophies, socio-economic environment and genetic constitution that’s why there’s no single pathway for discovering life’s purpose. There are some blogs out there that say “Find your true purpose in 10 easy steps”, but the truth is, this process is always evolving and certainly not easy at all. Oftentimes, there would be a lot of challenges along the way but you continue to step out of your comfort zone because you know it’s going to be worth it. It will be epic and definitely life-changing.

There are some essential keywords that can help you start your journey. Begin with clarity. Lack of clarity makes you feel that you’re trapped in an invisible prison and this is perhaps one of the most unpleasant human experiences to endure. An example is staying at a job for months or years for which you are completely unsuited. You will never achieve that inner desire to be great at your job. When you find clarity, you know you are going in the right direction and watch yourself reach greater heights. Sometimes you can find clarity from the people around you, especially those who are close to you. It’s amazing how much they know the real you and can clearly see what you should be doing when you cannot see it yourself.

Another keyword is vision. Always have a positive vision of the future. Let it be your guide. When you already know what you want, it’s time to take action. Visualisation is a powerful technique - great leaders and athletes use this to excel in their chosen field. Some of the things you can do is to write down your plans in detail or create a vision board in order to produce a picture of what your ideal life would look like. It’s also important to take note that you won’t get the life you want overnight but with consistent and persistent actions, you will eventually reach your goal.

It was mentioned earlier that each person’s journey is different and because of this, the processes and outcomes will also be different. Our past decisions have consequences that may put us in certain circumstances that we cannot control. When we get to this point, no matter how hard it is, we can always control our attitude, approach and response to make the situation better. This is when the keyword leverage comes in. The concept of leverage allows you to put yourself in a position to your best advantage. Use whatever you have. Your talent, your skills, your confidence, your wit - these are the effective tools that you have in you that you can always use to ignite your passion.

“If you organise your life around your passion, you can turn your passion into your story and then turn your story into something bigger – something that matters.” –Blake Mycoskie

Determine what drives you, or what defines you and do the work you were meant to do! Click here to view motivational quotes that will help push you forward on your journey. You can also take the Career Quiz to discover what occupation you are suited to based on your personality, strengths, values, and interests.

Plan. Act. Achieve! Enrol a nationally recognised or personal development course online and take 20% off* your course. *T&Cs Apply.

This question is commonly used as a writing prompt or as a job interview question by hiring managers to candidates. When you come across this question, who is the first person that comes to mind? Have you ever thought that perhaps you are one to someone else?

According to dictionary.com, the word ‘hero’ means a person noted for courageous acts or nobility of character, someone who has special achievements, abilities, or personal qualities and is regarded as a role model.

A person doesn’t need to have divine superpowers and also doesn’t have to be a police officer, a firefighter, a soldier, an athlete or a popular celebrity to be recognised as a hero. They could be regular, everyday people who influence you, inspire you and have an impact in your life in every small or big way.

Different people have different definitions of heroism, hence, would have various responses in terms of their choice of heroes and the reasons behind their choices. It’s important to give emphasis to “why” a certain person is chosen than the “who” the actual person is, or what he or she might represent.

Knowing who your heroes are say a lot of things about you. It actually determines what traits or qualities you value the most in others. Researchers have found that helping, altruism, advocacy, and other ways of standing up for what’s right are specific actions that are synonymous with valor and are usually admired and emulated.

Our world needs heroes - men and women who are relentless, have strong principles and willpower, are willing to commit to a life of service and to put others’ well-being above their own. Every one of us can be a hero when placed in the right circumstance and with the right tools, regardless of our age and our current situation in life. It’s time to take action!

“Heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary.” --Gerard Way

“Hard times don't create heroes. It is during the hard times when the 'hero' within us is revealed.” --Bob Riley

“Heroes are never perfect, but they're brave, they're authentic, they're courageous, determined, discreet, and they've got grit.” --Wade Davis

What are you afraid of? Here is a list of the types of fears that are commonly experienced in daily life:

• Fear of speaking in public - Glossophobia or speech anxiety
• Fear of crowds - Enochlophobia. This fear is closely related to Ochlophobia and Demophobia.
• Fear of the unknown - Xenophobia
• Fear of making decisions - Decidophobia
• Fear of failure - Atychiphobia
• Fear of falling - Basiphobia
• Fear of change - Metathesiophobia
• Fear of small spaces - Claustrophobia
• Fear of heights - Acrophobia
• Fear of darkness - Nyctophobia

Does any of these fears apply to you? According to research, 99% of the fears are non-physical - It’s just a state of mind! No one is born with fears but they tend to develop in our heads as we get older. Our brains somehow formulated a perception that there is an imminent danger then we shift into ‘fight’ or ‘flight’ mode.

The great news is that fears can be unlearned and there are techniques that we can do to help us overcome and conquer our fears!

Think positive thoughts

Negative energies are draining so we need to integrate more positivity in our lives and thought process. Whenever you have the urge to think about your fears, fight that feeling and focus more on what makes you feel good.

Do breathing exercises

When you feel the fear is starting to creep in, do this for 1 minute - stop what you’re doing, take 10 slow, deep belly breaths. Inhale slowly and exhale even more slowly. Repeat the steps until you feel calmer.

Learn and apply The Law Of Reversibility

Applying the mental principle called The Law Of Reversibility. “If you think or feel a certain way, you will act in a manner consistent with them.” This principle is reversible. Action and thoughts/feelings go together so we need to regulate our actions and develop the will to overcome our fears.

Be Active

There are a lot of things you can do to get your endorphins flowing - you can go for a walk, dance, swim or ride your bike! These activities can help you clear your mind and boost your energy.

Confront your fears

We can never run away from fear. The best way to deal with it is to not avoid it, but acknowledge that it exists. It can be pervasive but we have to take the risk and see what happens.

“Each of us must confront our own fears, must come face to face with them. How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives. To experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it.” -Judy Blume

Get Help

You need someone that can be your rock that can help get you through tough times especially when fears become too overwhelming.

Fear is a terrible emotion that’s constantly paralysing us in our daily lives. Let’s stop being reactive to these vulnerable and destructive thoughts and start living life to the fullest.

“Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.” ~ Japanese Proverb

Goal Setting is an important part of success. Do you have a vision of what you want to accomplish? If you look at the CEO's and creators of this world, they all have an end goal of what they want to accomplish. Amongst that end goal, they most likely had smaller short-term goals that led them to their success towards their final goal. Even then, they will continue to create more and more goals to help themselves achieve what they want in life.

Goals can help keep you on track and establish what you want to do in life in order to achieve the final goal. The final goal could be to "learn how to swim freestyle". The question now, is how? This is when you will establish smaller goals of how you are going to achieve the goal of learning how to swim. Smaller goals could be to "Go to the pool twice a week" or "Get private swimming instructor lessons". Creating a time or date of when you want to achieve that particular goal will also help you stay on track. Be specific.

What is something that you are wanting to achieve? Having short term, medium term and long term goals can help you focus on the thing you want most to improve or to achieve. It could be anything from health, your career, your education or family goals.

Just make sure when you are setting goals, keep them realistic. Ensure that you are able to achieve them your set time frame. Also, do not have too many goals because that can stir you from the main goals you are wanting to achieve.

Major restructuring within a company is required when there are market shifts, new technologies, and intensified competition. This is crucial for business growth and to maintain the company’s global competitiveness.

Although future developments may sound very positive, transformation and restructuring plans could also have negative effects on the workers. Managers who are in charge of business development always think of strategic ways to drive productivity and improve quality levels but at the same time cut costs, however, this often results in destructive layoffs.

Some examples of companies that would have job cuts throughout the year are Australia’s big 4 banks and the retrenchment rate is 12%. There are also global companies in the Automotive, Telecommunications, Information Technology and Internet industries that will undergo massive workforce reduction in 2018.

The future is uncertain. Retrenchments happen and they can be heartbreaking. If you feel that there’s an axe hovering above your head, you need to be prepared to land on your feet. There are a lot of success stories of other people who were able to turn career crisis into opportunity. Here are some practical tips that you can use if you just experienced a layoff or if you are aware that you will be a part of a layoff. This could also be used as a future guideline to be able to thrive in case you experience a layoff at some point in your career.

Prepare Your Next Move

Sometimes companies give obvious signals that layoffs are on the way, but there are also the subtle types that just come out of nowhere. It will surely help if you stay vigilant and always keep an eye on the layoff indicators. The moment you see them, you can start preparing for your next move. Some of the things that you can do are to update your resume, dust off your interview skills, start assessing your cash situation or try to find out how to receive unemployment compensation.

Have the Right Attitude

Losing a job is one of the most traumatic things that can happen to any individual. Having a positive outlook will surely help you get through the feelings of grief, loss, and confusion. There are plenty of self-help methods and techniques that can help you improve your mood and eliminate your worries.

Network With Other Professionals

Studies have shown that the majority of people find jobs through networking. Think of the other people in your social circle that can introduce you to their friends who work in your industry. Linkedin is one of the tools that can help you in your networking efforts. It’s a great way to connect with other professionals in the same background. You can also try to seek help from some recruitment agencies.

Share Your Story

Do not be afraid to tell the people you trust about your layoff experience. Layoffs can be very tough. sharing your story could somehow empower you and help you get ready to face the new challenges that may come your way.

Learn Something New

Tapping into self-awareness to find out what your strengths are and leveraging them in your next career move will surely help. But aside from that, expanding opportunities by developing new skills can also help you bounce back and thrive.

Learn soft skills, look for professional development, training, certification, education courses to boost your resume and self-confidence.

Today’s economy is fluid, unpredictable and extremely challenging. The key is to move forward, be open to innovation and always be proactive in achieving your goals!

Upskill is to teach someone additional skills.

The Up-skilling process enhances a worker’s abilities within the same job profile and therefore significantly amplifies the worker’s value within the company.

Reskill is to improve the collective skill set of workers.

The re-skilling process involves learning new technology or re-training in the skills needed by a particular company and be able to utilise these skills into an entirely different role within that company.

There are so many technological advancements and other changes in the modern world we live in that’s why companies continuously develop various strategies in reskilling and upskilling to find the talent they need and contribute socially responsible practices to the future of work.

As a part of the workforce, it’s also your duty to embrace these changes. You should constantly refresh the knowledge and skills that you already have so you don’t fall short when the need arises to use them. Taking necessary action could help you deal with the increasingly complex life and work environments.

Upskilling and reskilling are two entirely different approaches but both are absolutely beneficial and can help define your career path no matter what career aspirations you might have. Both can be achieved by getting a professional qualification. Nationally recognised and accredited training is definitely highly valued and can be extremely rewarding on so many levels.

"Qualifications reveal much more about a person than just academic prowess. It's not just about getting a job/career. The benefits affect all parts of life: intellectual, social sporting, personal, artistic, ethical and... Read more

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Sleep is a very important factor in our daily lives. Lack of sleep can take a toll on well-being and a lot of things can go wrong when you don’t get good sleep! Chronic sleep deprivation can drastically affect your performance because it impacts your brain's ability to function.

 

Lack of sleep may cause:

 

Parts of your brain can slow down

Brain function could be impaired and this negatively affects cognition, concentration, productivity and performance due to reduced blood flow to areas of the brain that control higher level thought process. A study found that the effect is similar to alcohol intoxication. Everything around you would seem to be in slow motion.

 

Poor athletic performance and recovery

Athletes undergo intense physical activity and multiple mechanisms of action. Tired athletes show weak coordination, low levels of energy and this could lead to a greater risk for injury.

 

Dangerous Accidents while driving

Drowsy driving is very dangerous and is known to be the major cause of road fatalities. Test how tired you are before you get behind the wheel!

 

Serious health problems

Less sleep can make your immune system weak and also prone to serious medical conditions, such as obesity, heart disease, and stroke. It can also cause the release of insulin, which leads to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.

 

Mental health issues

Poor sleeping habits are strongly linked to mental health problems. It may cause or worsen anxiety, depression, paranoia, and hallucinations.

 

How much sleep do we need?

 

Every individual has different sleep requirements and varies with age, however, it’s also highly recommended to follow the sleep duration guide:

 

• Above 65 years: 7–8 hours
• 18–64 years: 7–9 hours
• 4–17 years: 8–10 hours
• 6–13 years: 9–11 hours
• 3–5 years: 10–13 hours
• 1–2 years: 11–14 hours
• 4–11 months: 12–15 hours
• 0–3 months: 14–17 hours

You will feel a million times better when you get enough sleep so if your goal is to have a healthier and more active life, it’s now time to pay serious attention to the improvement of your sleeping habits.

"Sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together." -Thomas Dekker

"Sleep is the best meditation." -Dalai Lama

Success and confidence go hand in hand. However, a lot of people struggle with no confidence or very low levels of confidence. How can we overcome our fear and build up our self-confidence to achieve success? Learn how to solve the confidence gap.

Celebrate all your achievements

You might experience good and bad things in your daily life but don’t let the bad things pull you down. Believe that you can overcome obstacles and then celebrate your achievements no matter big or small. Find your silver lining!

Focus on exercise & fitness

"It is exercise alone that supports the spirits, and keeps the mind in vigor." - Marcus Tullius Cicero

Studies show that there is a strong connection between your brain and your body. Movement can influence your brain in a very positive way - it improves the way you think and feel, gives you higher self-esteem, reduces stress, feelings of confusion, fatigue, anxiety and depression. Exercise more to improve your health and well-being.

Always be positive

One of the most important keys to success is positive thinking. In order for a positive mindset to yield great results, you also have to take positive action to ensure you achieve a good outcome even if your current circumstances are not as you wish them to be. Effort and hard work are necessary.

Seek support

Ask your family and friends for help or join a support group. It’s great to be surrounded by people you trust and get the acknowledgment and affirmation that you need. They can help you gain courage and self-assurance.

Follow through

You gain respect from other people if you say you’re going to do something and you do it. Believe in yourself that you can do it and make it a habit and you won’t be afraid to do things in order to accomplish your goals.

Study & learn something new

"As long as you keep going, you'll keep getting better. And as you get better, you gain more confidence. That alone is success." -Tamara Taylor

 

"Through my education, I didn't just develop skills, I didn't just develop the ability to learn, but I developed confidence." -Michelle Obama

Keep your mind well nourished and active! Studying gives you a great advantage and can improve a lot of things in your life such as your communication skills, critical-thinking and problem-solving. It could boost your confidence in your own abilities and eventually opens doors of opportunities.

 

If you are looking to improve your career prospects or an exciting new career opportunity, Australian College will help meet your educational and career needs. Find a course in our extensive online course catalogue.

 

Strive to reach greater heights! Enrol a nationally recognised or personal development course online take 20% off* your course!

*T&Cs Apply.

"Qualifications reveal much more about a person than just academic prowess. It's not just about getting a job/career. The benefits affect all parts of life: intellectual, social sporting, personal, artistic, ethical and so much more." - ANDREW MAIN

When you apply for a job, you will notice that education background is still needed and considered important. Work experience can help further down the track - it increases opportunities and professional development but also having a professional qualification uplifts your resume. Nationally recognised and accredited training is definitely highly valued and can be extremely rewarding on so many levels.

Education has a positive effect on an individual. It brings a greater depth of understanding, theoretical knowledge, and analytical skill. The desire to learn demonstrates drive and enthusiasm. These are the qualities that employers are attracted to.

If you are looking to improve your career prospects or an exciting new career opportunity, Australian College will help meet your educational and career needs. Find a course in our extensive online course catalogue.

 

Strive to reach greater heights! Enrol now and take 20% off* your course! *T&Cs Apply.

Education is a form of investment. it’s a type of asset that nothing or no one can take away from you. So if you want to have better career prospects and financial security in the future, there’s no better time to focus on learning - do it now!

One of the most popular modes of study nowadays is online learning. It promotes convenience and freedom especially if you have important obligations and you’re trying to juggle commitments with work and family. Integrating everything in life can be a tough job and certainly requires a lot of hard work and effort but you don’t have to worry about that when you study online.

Australian College gives you the opportunity to study a wide range of Nationally Recognised and Accredited courses as well as Personal Development courses. There are over 150 online courses to choose from. Once you enrol, you can start studying whenever you are ready, it’s your choice. Your course materials are available to access anytime, anywhere via our virtual campus, Creatine. The best part of this is that you have the option to learn at a pace that suits you. There is absolutely no pressure at all.

Click here to find out why students love Australian College and the positive impact online learning has made in their lives after completing their training.

Download a course brochure to learn more about your chosen online course. If you are undecided, you can also speak to a course advisor to help you identify a course or courses that suit your skills and preferences.

Enrol now to discover the hidden benefits and flexibility of studying online. Take 20% off* your course! *T&Cs Apply.

Some inspiring quotes to live by:

“The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you.”
— B.B. King

“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.”
— Chinese Proverb

"The key to pursuing excellence is to embrace an organic, long-term learning process, and not to live in a shell of static, safe mediocrity. Usually, growth comes at the expense of previous comfort or safety."
— Josh Waitzkin

 

• Childcare & Education Support
• Hospitality & Tourism
• Finance & Business

• Information & Communications Technology
• Administration & Office Support

• Find your niche
  Focus on one sport that you are passionate about. Finding out your niche will make a huge difference in the competitive world of sports journalism.
• Ask the experts
  There are a lot of sports journalists out there that you can reach out to. They have various career experiences that you can learn from and they can give you advice on what route to take.
• Practice writing
  There are many ways to strengthen your writing skills. Start blogging about sports, contribute to community papers or publications or simply write on your journal. Read articles of your favourite sports writers and observe their writing style to help you develop your own.
• Get qualified
  A Diploma of Journalism (Sports Journalism and Match Reporting) can surely open a lot of doors of opportunity if you still don’t have one. A qualification will give a competitive edge when applying for a job.

• Design Brief
  The brief is basically the written summary of all the requirements and specifications of the project. This must be defined based on the client’s style preference. The information gathered from the face-to-face meeting with the client would also determine the budget and the time it will take to do the project.
• Research
  Get ideas from existing designs, current trends and suitable materials that can be used for the project.
• Collaboration
  When you work in a team environment, collaboration is always an important process. Working as a team enables everyone to pitch in their creative ideas to help each other provide the best result to clients. Weekly staff meetings are needed to get updates regarding ongoing projects.
• Design mock-up
  This is an important step for the client to understand and visualise the outcome of the project. Design mock-ups could be in the form of 2D or 3D graphics or it can also be shown through traditional perspective sketches/drawings or floor plans.
• Client Presentation
  This is the time when the boards, mock-ups or drawings are shown to the client in order to get some feedback. Once everything is approved and signed off, the project will move to the development stage.
• Execution
  This is the phase when construction begins and see ideas come to life! Regular site visits should be done in order to liaise with architects, engineers, contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, and clients. Tasks and deliverables are closely monitored to make sure the site is in compliance and the whole project is on track.
• Completion
  When the final set-up is done, a walk-through is needed to see if there are small issues that may need attention.

You know that you love to explore the world and seek your own adventures but have you ever noticed how different your travel patterns are compared to others?

What type of traveler are you? Do you like planning things months before your trip or do you do everything the last minute? Are you always on a budget, or do you splurge? Do you enjoy the trip with a group of friends or do you prefer to go solo? Do you take road trips, or would you rather be on a plane or a cruise ship? Are you the type who packs only the essentials or do you take heaps of luggage with you?

Where you go and what you do determines your “travel personality”. Knowing what your motivations, expectations, limitations, and preferences are will make a massive difference. This can potentially help you plan future trips a lot easier because you already know the type of travel buddies you are more compatible with and the places best suited to your interests.

Travel is a life-changing event and has always been an important part of people’s lives. It’s the time when people try to unwind, escape from daily routine and stressors in life, get to learn new things, engage in new activities and meet new friends. It gives significant life lessons that will make you look at the world in a different view.

• Deepen your self-awareness and self-directedness. Be aware of the values that drive your decisions. Make a list of the things that you can do and what you are good at. Keep track of your progress and accomplishments. Then reflect and put this all together to understand yourself better and to know what career direction best suits you.
• Do not focus on a single occupation. Consider having an alternate career path, something that would eventually evolve to reflect growth and accept that this is a dynamic and continuous process.
• Always be updated to the developments in the industry you relate to.
• Be proactive and have a contributing role in society - work not only for yourself but also to make a better world!
• Maintain a positive relationship with others who can give you access to new opportunities.
• Surround yourself with people who have the same mindset as you so you will continue to be energised and inspired.
• Have a long-term vision. Anticipate for the future.
• Be curious, read, listen, learn new things and always be engaged. Lifelong learning is a necessity to be able to adapt to change.
  
  

Studying with a friend, when done right can have numerous advantages compared to studying alone. Working with someone else provides a safe place to ask questions and admit confusion. These are the amazing benefits when you study together:

• More support and motivation
• Increases learning & knowledge retention
• Open discussions can enhance thinking skills
• Develop new perspectives that can help in generating new ideas and solving problems
• Gain workplace skills
• Discover new methods of taking notes
• Make learning more fun!
• Develop a stronger bond with your friend.

You and your friend may have different interests so we give both of you an option to enrol in two different courses. Take a look at our extensive course catalogue - there are over 120 nationally accredited and personal development online courses that will help meet your educational and career needs.

• Data Entry Skills
  Know how to keep up with technology and being able to add data in an accurate and timely manner. This is going to benefit you greatly.
• Communication Skills
  Being able to communicate with everyone easily and effectively will make your job and the people you work with a lot easier.
• Know Bookkeeping Principles
  Understand accounting language and have the skills and education to undertake your role.
• Strong Organisation Skills
  Being able to organise and maintain financial records is very important.
• Attention to Detail
  A simple mistake in one area can cause bigger issues down the track so great attention to detail is needed to ensure you perform well in your role.

These are things to keep in mind if you’re thinking about becoming a bookkeeper.

The FNS40215 Certificate IV in Bookkeeping course is designed so that you will be able to practice the knowledge and skills you have learned. As you progress, you will gain valuable insights into the world of finance so that you are ready to provide your clients with quality services.

 

If you have decided that Wedding Photography is your niche and would like to enhance your skills, be more confident and prepared for a wedding shoot, check out the Wedding Photography course. This will guide you and give you the necessary tools to start your own wedding photography business.

Mental Stimulation

When reading, you are keeping it charge, exercised and readily active. It also can help increase your imagination and creativity. It is said that reading enhances mental stimulation, which can prevent or even slow the progress of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Relax

Reading can also be a good way to wind down and slip into a new world of the book you are actively reading. Reading is an escape for some people and it is nice to escape to a different place sometimes. Reading before bed instead of playing on your phone is a good idea as the brain is able to wind down with focused attention. If you are studying, it could be a good idea to read your study noted before bed as you will be able to retain and absorb the information while you are sleeping.

Increases Your Knowledge and Intelligence

When you read a fiction or non-fiction book, your knowledge and intelligence increases. The more you read, the more you know. Your confidence will benefit and with the increased amount of information you know, the confidence you gain will positively affect every aspect of your life. 

Vocabulary Expansion

You will have a rich vocabulary growth when it comes to reading. The more you read, the more words you know and the more you will be able to articulate what you want to communicate to others, whether it be writing or speaking. Being able to communicate thoroughly and easily is an admired skill for anyone in any profession, scenario or situation in life. Once you realise that you are able to communicate this effectively, it can boost your self esteem and self confidence which is very important for self growth and development.

Memory Retention, Focus and Concentration

When you read a book, your focus is on one thing, the story. As you read along with the book, you need to remember what happened in the story, the key details and be able to follow it along. Every new memory that you create forges new synapses (brain pathways) and strengthens existing ones, which assists in short term memory recall as well as stabilising moods. Reading gives your brain a good work just like a good run gives your body great circulation.

Stronger Analytical Skills

When reading, watching a movie or even observing a situation, you are able to think fast on your feet as well as being able to resolve, perhaps, a situation faster than you would if you weren’t actively reading. You will be able to analyse things objectively and improve your critical thinking. This is important when trying to problem solve as well.

Better Writing Skills

Again, communication is a big factor and this plays largely in writing skills. You need writing skills in everyday life. Higher vocabulary also equals a wider increased range of words to express yourself in the right context. When reading, you will be able to analyse, observe and view the writing styles of other projects.

An Increase In Empathy and Emotional Intelligence

Reading fiction can help become more empathetic and also increase your emotional intelligence by being aware of what the characters in the book go through and how they deal with their situations. Reading a book can also open your mind to a lot of different worlds and situations that can help make you become more accepting to things in life. 

Self Development

You become a well rounded person through learning about different people, places and situations where you are able to look at different perspectives, as well as being more interesting to talk to. Depending on what you read, reading will help you learn how others worked towards their success such as reading inspirational stories.

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References

http://capcana.com/news/10-benefits-of-reading-why-you-should-read-every-day/

https://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/benefits-of-reading-real-books

https://www.rd.com/culture/benefits-of-reading

https://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/wellbeing/health-benefits-of-reading/slide/6

https://www.beautyglitch.com/18-great-benefits-of-reading-books/

https://selfhelpfix.com/benefits-of-reading.php