Vlog IELTS

  📖The Alchemist is a novel written by Paulo Coelho and published in 1988. It is about finding your purpose and fulfilling your dreams.  To find the meaning of life, you need to take the journey, learn, and grow to see and appreciate the treasures you already have. Q U O T E S: “Don’t waste your time with explanations: people only hear what they want to hear.” “Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.” “There’s only one way to learn… it’s through action.” “When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too.” “If you’re brave enough to say ‘goodbye’ life will reward you with a new hello.” “The Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so we can, in addition to realizing our dreams, master the lessons we’ve learned as we’ve moved toward that dream.” T H E   A L C H E M I S T *THE ALCHEMIST AND DREAMS You have dreams for a reason: to grow by reaching for th

 "The Power of Self-Discipline" by Peter Hollins provides practical strategies and insights to help readers develop and strengthen their self-discipline in various areas of life.  Here are some key lessons from the book: 1. Self-Discipline is a Skill: Hollins emphasizes that self-discipline is not an innate trait but a skill that can be developed through practice and conscious effort. Like any skill, it requires dedication, consistency, and a willingness to push through discomfort. 2. Set Clear Goals: Setting clear, specific goals is crucial for cultivating self-discipline. Having a clear vision of what you want to achieve provides motivation and direction, making it easier to stay disciplined and focused on your objectives. 3. Create Habits and Routines: Building habits and routines can help automate behaviors and reduce the need for constant willpower. By establishing consistent daily practices, you can make it easier to stick to your goals and maintain discipline over the

 "When to Walk Away" by Gary Thomas is a book that provides insights into recognizing toxic relationships and knowing when it's appropriate to walk away. Here are 10 lessons from the book: 1. Recognize toxic patterns: Thomas emphasizes the importance of recognizing toxic patterns in relationships, such as manipulation, abuse, and unhealthy dynamics, that can erode one's well-being and sense of self-worth. 2. Trust your instincts: The book encourages readers to trust their instincts and intuition when it comes to assessing the health and viability of relationships. Intuitive feelings of discomfort or unease may indicate underlying issues that warrant further exploration. 3. Set boundaries: Thomas advocates for setting healthy boundaries in relationships to protect one's emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Boundaries help establish clear expectations and standards for acceptable behavior. 4. Consider the impact on your mental health: The book highlights the

 "How to Think Bigger" by Martin Meadows offers strategies for expanding your thinking and achieving greater success in life.  Here are 10 lessons from the book: 1. Set Ambitious Goals: Think beyond your current limitations and set ambitious goals that challenge you to grow and expand your capabilities. 2. Believe in Yourself: Cultivate self-belief and confidence in your ability to achieve your biggest dreams and aspirations. Believe that you have what it takes to succeed, even in the face of uncertainty or setbacks. 3. Take Calculated Risks: Be willing to step out of your comfort zone and take calculated risks in pursuit of your goals. Recognize that failure is a natural part of the learning process and be prepared to learn from your mistakes. 4. Think Creatively: Foster a mindset of creativity and innovation by exploring new ideas, perspectives, and approaches to problem-solving. Embrace curiosity and experimentation as tools for thinking bigger. 5. Surround Yourself with S

  1. Know Yourself: This means figuring out what you're good at, what you enjoy doing, and what stresses you out. Just like choosing the right clothes, you need to know what works for you! 2. Strengths, Not Weaknesses: Instead of dwelling on your weaknesses, focus on your strengths and how to use them to your advantage. Think about what makes you awesome and use those skills to shine! 3. Goals, Not Dreams: Big dreams are great, but you need smaller, achievable goals to get there. Break down your dreams into bite-sized pieces, like stepping stones across a river. 4. Results, Not Activity: It's not about how busy you are; it's about what you actually accomplish. Focus on getting things done, not just going through the motions. Like cleaning your room, focus on the end result, not just moving things around. 5. Decisions, Not Drifting: Don't let life just happen to you. Make choices and take control of your direction. Be the captain of your own ship, not a passenger! 6. Tim

  1. Embrace simplicity: Simplifying your life and work can lead to greater clarity, focus, and effectiveness. By removing unnecessary complexity, you can streamline your efforts and achieve better results. 2. Tap into your inner creativity: Rediscover the childlike curiosity and creativity within you. Embrace a mindset of exploration, questioning, and learning to find innovative solutions to problems. 3. Balance work and self-care: Recognize the importance of self-care and well-being in achieving success. Prioritize activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul to maintain a healthy work-life balance. 4. Trust your instincts: Learn to trust your intuition and listen to your inner voice. By tapping into your instincts, you can make better decisions and navigate challenges with confidence. 5. Resilience is key: Cultivate resilience to bounce back from setbacks and adapt to change. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, and develop the ability to persevere in th

1.  Introversion isn't about being shy or antisocial. It's about gaining energy from solitude and introspection. The book encourages you to value your quiet nature and the unique strengths it brings. 2. Introverts need downtime to process experiences and replenish their energy. The book emphasizes the importance of respecting your personal boundaries and scheduling time for solitude. 3. Introverts often find deeper connections in smaller groups or one-on-one interactions. The book suggests prioritizing meaningful relationships over large social gatherings. 4. Society often glorifies extroversion. The Introvert's Way encourages you to embrace your introverted nature and not feel pressured to conform to an extroverted ideal. 5. Introverts can be powerful communicators, even if they prefer writing or deeper conversations to small talk. The book highlights the value of introverted forms of expression. 6. Introverts may excel in certain settings. The book suggests creating an en

 "What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School" by Mark McCormack offers practical insights into navigating the business world that may not be covered in traditional academic settings. Here are ten key lessons from the book: 1. The Importance of People Skills: Building relationships and understanding human behavior are crucial for success in business. Develop strong interpersonal skills to effectively communicate, negotiate, and collaborate with others. 2. Street Smarts vs. Book Smarts: While academic knowledge is valuable, practical experience and intuition often play a significant role in decision-making. Embrace real-world experiences and learn from them to complement your formal education. 3. Effective Communication: Mastering the art of communication is essential for conveying ideas, persuading others, and building rapport. Hone your verbal and non-verbal communication skills to become a more effective communicator. 4. Networking and Relationship Building: Cu

 Ikigai, a Japanese concept, is all about finding your reason for being and living a long, fulfilling life. Here are 8 profound lessons from the book: 1. Do what you love: Find activities that make you happy, not because you have to, but because you truly enjoy them. 2. Keep on learning: Never stop picking up new skills or hobbies. It keeps your mind sharp and your life interesting. 3. Live in the moment: Don't sweat the small stuff or worry about the future. Savor the good times and appreciate the present. 4. Live around loved ones: Strong relationships are key to happiness. Spend time with family and friends who make you feel good. 5. Move your body: Exercise is like magic for your mind and body. Find activities you enjoy, like dancing, walking, or gardening. 6. Eat healthy, but don't deprive yourself: Nourish your body with good food, but don't stress about every bite. Enjoy treats sometimes too! 7. Contribute to something bigger: Find ways to help others, whether it'

 "You Were Not Born to Suffer " by Blake Bauer explores themes of self-healing, personal growth, and emotional wellness. The book emphasizes the importance of self-love and self-care as foundations for a fulfilling life.  Here are some key lessons from the book: 1. Embrace Self-Love: Bauer stresses that at the core of many personal struggles is a lack of self-love. He advocates for making conscious choices that reflect self-respect and self-worth, arguing that genuine self-love leads to healthier decisions in relationships, careers, and personal wellbeing. 2. Listen to Your Body and Emotions: Bauer encourages readers to listen closely to their bodies and emotions as guides that signal one’s true needs and desires. He suggests that physical discomfort and emotional pain often indicate neglect of one’s true self and needs, urging readers to address and not ignore these signs. 3. Release Repressed Emotions: The book details the harm caused by repressing emotions, such as anxiety

  READING PASSAGE 1 You should spend about 20 minutes on  Questions   1-13  which are based on Reading Passage 1 below. What are you laughing at? A We like to think that laughing is the height of human sophistication. Our big brains let us see the humour in a strategically positioned pun, an unexpected plot twist or a clever piece of wordplay. But while joking and wit are uniquely human inventions, laughter certainly is not. Other creatures, including chimpanzees, gorillas and even rats, chuckle. Obviously, they don’t crack up at Homer Simpson or titter at the boss’s dreadful jokes, but the fact that they laugh in the first place suggests that sniggers and chortles have been around for a lot longer than we have. It points the way to the origins of laughter, suggesting a much more practical purpose than you might think. B There is no doubt that laughing typical involves groups of people. ‘Laughter evolved as a signal to others – it almost disappears when we are alone,’ says Robert Provi

  In 2016, the British professional tennis player Andy Murray was ranked as the world's number one. It was an incredible achievement by any standard - made even more remarkable by the fact that he did this during a period considered to be one of the strongest in the sport's history, competing against the likes of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, to name just a few. Yet five years previously, he had been regarded as a talented outsider who entered but never won the major tournaments. Of the changes that account for this transformation, one was visible and widely publicised: in 2011, Murray invited former number one player Ivan Lendl onto his coaching team - a valuable addition that had a visible impact on the player's playing style. Another change was so subtle as to pass more or less unnoticed. Like many players, Murray has long preferred a racket that consists of two types of string: one for the mains (verticals) and another for the crosses (horizontals). Wh