-NiE ,
ADVANCED
5 JULY 2017
11
Life’s a juggling act
Managing time effectively
EVER wondered how inspiring people do it all? These could be world leaders, sports personalities, working parents and the list goes on. If you observe them closely, you will see some similarities in their characteristics. These are people who are determined and who do not give up easily. They also know how to manage their time well so that they can juggle their many individual roles.
NiE Activity 1 Critical thinking
Creative thinking
Problem solving
● Identify ● Reason ● Measure
● Imagine ● Brainstorm ● Connect ● Invent
● Question ● Research ● Recreate ● Present
Communicating
Azizul won the Track Cycling World Championships in Hong Kong early this year.
Collaborating
● Oral ● Non-verbal ● Written ● Aural
● Listen ● Contribute respectfully ● Attain goal
Read the following passage.
There’s no time to rest Newly-crowned world champ Azizul returns to training and his books
KUALA LUMPUR: Azizulhasni Awang is not one to rest on his laurels. Despite having reached the pinnacle as an athlete, the newly-crowned world champion cyclist is not taking a well-deserved break. The 29-year-old returned to his training base in Melbourne last night where he plans to juggle his schedule between studies and training. Azizul, who bagged the keirin gold medal at the Track Cycling World Championships in Hong Kong last week, still has a year before he graduates from his Sports Science studies at the University of Victoria in Melbourne. “I have achieved my dream to become a world champion but reaching the top does not mean I will take it easy. In fact, I have to work harder now as everyone will be out to beat me. “Coach (John Beasley) is okay with me taking a few weeks break as I have not spent a lot of time with my family prior to the world meet but I want to continue training. “I have already spent a few days here to fulfil my commitments and it’s enough. I want to be prepared when I defend my title at the World Championships (in Holland) next year. “It will be a proud moment for me. But I also want to try and finish my studies before putting all my focus on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” said Azizul. Next year, Azizul will have his hands full with five World Cup meets, World Championships, the Asian Cycling Championships (National Velodrome in Nilai), the Commonwealth Games (Gold Coast, Australia) and the Asian Games (Jakarta). “I will go for three World Cup meets, which I think should be enough to earn points to qualify for the World Championships. It will depend on the coach and the events he wants me to focus on.”
A
Imagine that you have been given a chance to represent your school in a special interview session with Azizul. What are 10 questions you will ask him? In groups of four, create the list of questions. Then, imagine how Azizul would answer the questions (based on what you read about him from the passage given). You may also do some research on the athlete. Next, appoint two members to act out the interview session (the actors are not allowed to refer to any papers during the role-play). Finally as a class, vote for the most spontaneous interviewer and interviewee.
B
“To rest on one’s laurels” means to be satisfied with your achievements and not make an effort to do anything else. Look in The Star for an article on a personality who does not rest on his laurels, even though he has gained success in his respective field. Write a letter in 350 words to express your admiration for him and ask for his advice on how to manage time effectively. Then, exchange your letter with a friend who will then take on the role of the personality and answer the letter (in 150 words).
– The Star, Apr 23, 2017
NiE Activity 2 Critical thinking
Creative thinking
Problem solving
● Identify ● Reason ● Measure
● Imagine ● Brainstorm ● Connect
● Question ● Present
Communicating ● Oral ● Non-verbal ● Aural
Collaborating ● Listen ● Contribute respectfully ● Attain goal
The excerpts below are taken from an article in The Star titled Striking the right balance by Patsy Kam. The author talks about a different approach to handling our hectic lifestyle: instead of trying to balance aspects of our life with the limited time that we have, we should just be happy with the choices that we make in life.
Some years back, Mark Zuckerberg’s entrepreneur sibling Randi said that entrepreneurs have five things to juggle – friendships, work, family, fitness and sleep. To do well, you need to pick three. The same formula probably applies to anyone who has a career and wants to make more of it, and not just entrepreneurs.
A
Former General Electric CEO Jack Welch said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal: “There’s no such thing as work-life balance. There are work-life choices, and you make them, and they have consequences.”
B
Do you agree with the approach? Would you be able to just devote your day to just three of all the items you listed in Activity 2 on page 10? What do you think are some of the consequences that can happen if you focus on your choices and disregard other aspects in your life?
– Star2, May 1, 2017
Discuss these questions in groups of four, before presenting your views in class.