10 Reasons You Should Write Something Each Day 让你保持每天写作的10个理由

The written word is a part of every day life. At its most basic, writing is a way of communicating.
文字是每天生活的一部分。从最基本的方面讲，写作是一种沟通方式。

This is the one inalienable characteristic of writing itself, whether you’re communicating with a colleague or friend or you’re actually communicating with yourself – though a shopping list, for instance.
这是写作本身一个不可分割的特点，无论你是和同事沟通、和朋友沟通亦或是和你自己沟通——例如列一张购物清单。

Aside from the fact that writing is an inescapable part of every day life, there are many good reasons you should make a good session of writing part of your daily routine, even if it’s just a few hundred words. You don’t have to be a pro to reap the benefits of creating the written word.
除了写作是每天生活中不可避免的活动这一事实，有很多好的理由让写作成为你每天生活的一部分，即使只是写百十来字。你不必成为一个职业的写手来从写作中获 利。

1. Remove stress from mind, place on paper
1.放下思想的包袱，摆好纸张
Writing can be therapeutic. It can be a way to vent all the pent-up frustrations burdening your mind into a far less volatile form, paper (or screen). You can address your anger, fear, worry and stress without bludgeoning the person who embodies those emotions for you with a paperweight.
写作是有益健康的。它可以是一种用来把你思想上压抑很久的负担宣泄到很容易缓解的程度的方法，写在纸上（或输出到屏幕上）。你可以把你的愤怒、恐惧、焦虑 和压力写出来而不必用镇纸对带给你这些情绪影响的人大打出手。
Writing can serve as a form of cathartic stress relief where you finally get to say what you can’t say out loud, in real life. Just don’t let your vented feelings get into the wrong hands, or you may end up paying some pretty hefty blackmail cash.
写作可以作为一种宣泄压力的形式，你可以说出你不能大声在现实生活中想说的东西。只是不要让你宣泄的感情被错误的人利用，否则你可能需要付出巨大的代价来 结束它。

2. Sweep Your Mind
2.梳理你的头脑
A daily writing habit gives you regular time to sweep your mind for forgotten tasks and ideas that have been fermenting in the back of your head without your knowledge. It allows you to take the unordered thoughts floating around your head like lost puppies in zero gravity, and turn them into ordered plans and actions.
每天的写作习惯让你有规律的时间来对你的大脑进行梳理，对那些忘在脑后的任务和想法进行梳理。它能使你让那些无序的想法在你闹钟无重力的天马行空，让这些 想法成为有序的计划和行动。
This is the fundamental principle that the mindsweep and weekly review are based on: getting everything you can think of out of your head, and into a written format. This simple process can save your life when things are getting overwhelming and complicated.
这是基本的原则，即大脑梳理和每周回顾的依据是：想方设法获得你的大脑能想到的一切东西，让他们付诸与书面的形式。当事情变得十分艰巨和复杂时，这个简单 的过程可以节约你宝贵的时间。

3. Keep Your Writing Skills Sharp
3.保持你的笔锋
Write every day to keep your skill with the written word sharp. Like any skill, the ability to communicate clearly, concisely and aesthetically degrades without practice. As a result, many people who don’t write regularly can freeze up, lost for words, on something so simple as an email to a friend.
每天写作以保持你用词准确的写作技巧。像其他的技能一样，能让沟通清楚、简洁和美观的能力也会下降，如果你练习的话。因此，那些不经常写作的人会出现头脑 空白，难以言语，即使是给朋友写一封E-Mail这么简单的事情上。
Writing every day, even in a stream-of-consciousness, unedited format will maintain and gradually improve your writing skills, and since dealing with the written word is a fundamental part of daily modern life, there’s nothing bad about that.
每天写作，即使是意识流，没有经过修改过的形式也会保持和逐步提高你的写作技巧，而现在处理文字已经是现代生活的基本组成部分的时代，常常写作也没有什么 坏处。

4. Make Some Pocket Money
4.赚些零花钱
If you’re not a professional writer, pocket money is probably all you’ll ever want to earn from your words. But if you’ve got a knack for it and just had a great dinner at a new restaurant and written about it for your daily pages, then isn’t it better to have a shot at getting that review published instead of letting the piece do absolutely nothing?
如果你不是一位专业的作家，零花钱可能是你最想从你的文字中赚取的了。但是，如果你有诀窍，如刚刚在一个新的餐厅吃了个午饭，然后像往常一样把它写下来， 那么是不是让它成为一个出版的作品比让它什么都不是来的更好呢？
These days, it’s easy to submit to many publications without spending considerable time and money doing so. While you’re unlikely to get too many bites without a good track record as a writer, it’s certainly easy enough to be worth the effort, and your wallet will be pleased.
如今，你可以很容易提交到许多出版物上而不必花费大量的时间和金钱。虽然你不太可能像有良好记录的作家那样得到太多的关注，但至少很容易让你的付出得到回 报，相信你的钱包是十分高兴的。

5. Turn the Noise Off
5.远离噪音
Get away from the constant low-quality input and output systems of day-to-day life, such as meaningless small-talk and weather conversations, text messaging, Twitter, checking the mailbox, and most email and many websites. You receive and create barrages of useless distractions that don’t help you or the people you know; sitting down to write lets you get away from it all.
远离这种持续的低质量的输入输出系统般的生活，如无意义闲谈和关于天气的交流，发短信、Twitter，查看邮箱，邮件和很多网站。你接收了大量无用的干 扰，既无益与你也无益于你认识的人；静下心来写作让你远离他们。
It’s important to keep the noise to a minimum so you can focus on creating and receiving strong material, things that are really worth reading and writing.
保证噪音在最小的范围让你能够专注于创造和接收那些真正值得阅读和写作的有益的材料是十分重要的。

6. Enhance Your Communication Skills
6.增强你的沟通技巧
Use daily writing to enhance your communication skills. In this culture, communication is so often hampered because we don’t know how to express ourselves, whether it be verbal or written. Writing regularly can hone the skill of self-expression, something that is useful in written communications such as email, and that can translate into improved verbal communication.
每天写作可以提高你的沟通技巧。如今，沟通经常被阻碍因为我们不知道如何表达我们自己，不论是口头上还是书面形式。经常写作可以磨练自我表达技巧，这在书 面沟通上很有用，例如写E-Mail，并且能转化为更好的口头交际能力。
If you have trouble communicating what you want or asking tough questions, regular writing will give you a mind for structuring words quickly to achieve the desired affect in a diplomatic way.
如果你在沟通中讲述你的需求或询问棘手的问题时遇到了麻烦，定期的写作是能给你提供思路、组织语言让你快速达到预期效果的有效途径。

7. Know What You Want
7.知道什么才是你想要的
Part of the reason so many people do not get what they want in life is because they do not know what they want from it. Certainly not the main reason that people don’t get what they want, but in so many cases it is the obstacle. How can you get what you want or achieve your dreams if you’re not 100% clear on what they are?
很多人没有从生活中得到他们想要的东西，其中的原因是因为他们根本不知道他们到底想要得到什么。当然这不是主要的原因，但在很多情况下这是一种阻碍。你怎 么能得到你想要的或实现你的梦想如果你不是100%清楚他们到底是什么？
每天写作给你时间仔细思考，反省一下你最渴望的是什么，并为实现这一结果制定一个更清晰的切实可行的计划。

8. Develop Your Analytical Skills
8.提升你的分析技能
Writing regularly develops your analytical and rational skills. Working through your problems with a piece of paper encourages you to think things through clearly, in both linear (sequential) and non-linear (creative) ways. The best solutions come from a mix of both logical and creative thinking.
定期写作能提升你合理分析的能力。当在一张纸上解决你的问题时能激励你清晰地想问题，不论用线性（一般思维）还是非线性（创意思维）的方法。最好的解决方 案来自逻辑性和创造性思维二者的组合。
Many people tend to panic and react emotionally to their problems, but if you’re used to solving them by processing each component of the problem in writing, you’ll develop a better approach and skillset. You’ll at least pause to think through the situation before hitting the panic button next time something comes up!
许多人往往会恐慌和很情绪地面对他们的问题，但当你习惯于把问题各部分分解写出来解决他们时，你会发现一个更好的方法和技巧。至少在下次问题来临时你会在 陷入恐慌之前停下来透彻的看待当前情形。

9. Get Away from Technology
9. 远离高科技
In #5 we talked about turning the noise off for a while, which comes from all sorts of sources – not just tech-related sources. But another problem of ours is our dependence on technology, and it seems that everything that can be done on a computer, is done on a computer.
在第5点中我们已经谈及了远离噪音，那是从所有来源——不仅仅是科技相关的来源。但另一个问题时我们对科技的依赖，而且似乎是可以在电脑上完成的一切，都 是在电脑上完成的。
If you opt to use a pen and paper instead of a computer, you give yourself valuable time away from technology to gather your thoughts without constant, meaningless interruptions and distractions. But more importantly, you give yourself time with the tactile and real.
如果您选择使用一支笔和一张纸，而不是一台电脑，你就给了自己许多远离科技的宝贵时间来收集你的想法而不用受那些不固定的，毫无意义的打断和干扰。但是更 重要的是，你给了自己时间来感受触觉和真实。

10. Meet Yourself All Over Again
10.重新彻底认识你自己
In a fast-paced society it’s easy to forget things like what you believe in and what you’re doing this (whatever this may be) for. Letting words flow out of your brain unedited can introduce you to a part of yourself you’d been censoring from yourself to cope with everyday life. Why did you start down the path you’re currently on? This is an important question whether you consider your current path to have begun on the weekend, or a decade ago.
在 这个快节奏的社会很容易让人忘记一些事情，譬如你所相信的和你做这件事（不论这件可能是什么事）为了什么。让文字在脑中天马行空可以把你介绍给你那自我 设定的来对付日常生活的自己。你为什么走上了你当前的道路？这是一个非常重要的问题，无论你认为所在的道路是从几天前开始的还是从十几年前开始的。
Discontentment, disillusionment, and unhappiness often come from forgetting why we’re doing something (or, on a different track, not having a good reason for living a certain way) and it is important to keep those simple reasons at the forefront of your mind or you run the risk of letting your life become a series of boring, menial actions.
不满，失望和失落往往来自于忘记了为什么我们要做这么些个事情（或者，从另一个角度来说，以一种特定的方式生活没有一个很好的理由），并且让这些简单的原 因保持在思想的最前面是很重要的，否则你很可能使你的生活变成一系列的无聊的卑微的行为。
It’s not only important to remind yourself of your motives for your current actions; it’s important to monitor your actions to see if they align with your life goals so that you can change them. Sometimes, the only way to keep such a close monitor on your actions and goals is to write about them every day.
不仅提醒你自己你的当前行为的动机是很重要的；更重要的是监督你的行为，以了解他们是否很你的生活目标一致，以便你可以改变他们。有时，唯一能密切监督你 的行为和目标的方法就是每天把他们写下来。

我很喜欢这篇文章，忘了从哪里看到的。但却储存在电脑很久了。这次的分享，主要提醒自己，不要放弃写作的这个习惯。我不是要证明什么，我只希望继续可以用文字来记录自己的生命。

能力（二）- 培养企业家式的思考模式

《韦氏河畔词典》（Webster’sRiversideDictionary）对企业家的定义是“一个创办或经营企业的，需要承担风险的人。”当然，把这个定义套用到一个企业老板身上是很容易的-但怎样把它应用到雇员呢？

你整个的职业生涯就是你的“企业”，你就是它的“老板”。而在你漫长的职业生涯中，每一个雇佣你的人都是你的“客户”。不管你是一年换一个工作，还是在同一个公司呆上5年甚至更长的时间；也不管你是为大企业还是为小公司打工，你都是一个服务公司的老板，你必须满足甚至超越顾客的期望，适应职场的需要，并通过提供某些独特的服务来保持竞争力。

一旦认识到自己的确拥有一份属于自己的职业，你就很容易就能摆脱受害者的感觉。没有任何人或事情控制你。这就是你的职业生涯，你可以自由地修正它，按你喜欢的方式引导它的方向。在这个“公司”里，你把自己开发成商品，然后推销，在工作中得到满足。你挑选“客户”，一边工作一边提防竞争对手。因为绝不愿意失去退路，你学着成为亲切可靠的人。如果在工作上得不到满足，你有责任和权利去寻找解决方法。如果你不管怎么做，都无法让自己满意，那你没准儿需要考虑换一个“客户”（也就是你的雇主）。然而无论是什么问题，只要你能把它找出来，你就能解决它。。。。

- 摘录于《快乐工作精彩生活》

从来，我没想过，打工仔，也可以是个企业家。不同的是，产品竟然可以是我们自己！
要在强大的竞争中生存，必须要有卖点，要有个人特色，才可以脱颖而出。你可以让自己成为是“价廉物美”或“随手可得”的日常用品，当然也可以让自己独数一格，与众不同，成为大家向往的名牌或上等货。不管怎样，我们都应该找到自己专属的价值。

生命的减法

非洲有一个民族，他们计算岁数的方法很特别，不是1岁、2岁的增加，而是认为一个婴儿出生就获得60岁寿命，每过一年就减少一岁。这种岁数计算法让我想起了一个比喻-生命是一支铅笔，它不是钢笔也不是毛笔，不能加上墨水重复使用，它只能一直磨损、衰减。

生命的加法使我们产生这样的错觉：日子长着呢！于是我们懒惰、懈怠、懦弱，总是原谅自己的浪费；生命的减法让我们惊恐，让我们时刻注意把时间用在最宝贵的地方。

- 摘录于《全球100位名人与中学生谈生命》

Great Philosophy of Life

A long time ago, there was an Emperor who told his horseman that if he could ride on his horse and cover as much land area as he likes, then the Emperor would give him the area of land he has covered. Sure enough, the horseman quickly jumped onto his horse and rode as fast as possible to cover as much land area as he could. He kept on riding and riding, whipping the horse to go as fast as possible. When he was hungry or tired, he did not stop because he wanted to cover as much area as possible. Came to a point when he had covered a substantial area and he was exhausted and was dying. Then he asked himself, "Why did I push myself so hard to cover so much land area? Now I am dying and I only need a very small area to bury myself."

The above story is similar with the journey of our Life. We push very hard everyday to make more money, to gain power and recognition. We neglect our health , time with our family and to appreciate the surrounding beauty and the hobbies we love. One day when we look back, we will realize that we don't really need that much, but then we cannot turn back time for what we have missed.

Life is not about making money, acquiring power or recognition . Life is definitely not about work! Work is only necessary to keep us living so as to enjoy the beauty and pleasures of life. Life is a balance of Work and Play, Family and Personal time. You have to decide how you want to balance your Life. Define your priorities, realize what you are able to compromise but always let some of your decisions be based on your instincts. Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of Life, the whole aim of human existence. So, take it easy, do what you want to do and appreciate nature. Life is fragile, Life is short. Do not take Life for granted. Live a balanced lifestyle and enjoy Life!

Watch your thoughts ; they become words.
Watch your words ; they become actions.
Watch your actions ; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

-

A Matter of Life and Death

Life is fragile, yet most people avoid thinking and talking about death. But a new study shows that people in Singapore are now willing to break that great silence. A new Lien Foundation survey, released yesterday (3 April 2009), shows that more Singaporeans are now comfortable talking about death and dying.

The first large-scale survey on death and attitude to dying here polled 800 people aged between 25 and 59. The street surveys were conducted in October last year and this January.

Key findings
- About 60% polled say they are comfortable talking about their own death. Roughly the same proportions also say they are uncomfortable discussing death with the terminally ill.

- Younger people are more comfortable talking about their own death than older people (40-59 years). The latter are more comfortable talking to terminally ill.

- The more educated a person is, the more comfortable he is talking about death.

- Major ethnic groups (Chinese, Malays, Indians) are less comfortable talking death than minority races like Caucasians.

- Free-thinkers have the same comfort levels talking about death as compared to those with a religion.

- Single are more comfortable with talking about their own death, while the windowed are least comfortable.

- About 6% say there is no such things as dying well, or that it is not important, or have no idea what it means.

Top three wishes about dying
- 72% to be free from pain
- 71% to be surrounded by people I love
- 68% to be conscious and able to communicate

Top three fears about dying
1. being a burden to family and friends
2. medical costs
3. pain

Priorities and regrets
What is your top priority in life?
- 70% - family
Top regret at death
- Not spending enough time with loved ones.

Pre-death arrangements
- 25% told someone about preference for burial, cremation or having ashes scattered in the sea.
- 20% drawn up a will.
- 15% made arrangement for funeral.

On hospice care for the terminally ill
Do you know that hospices provide a place of care?
- 80% yes.

Do you know that hospices provide day care and home care?
- 50% yes

How do you describe the level of care for the terminally ill in Singapore?
- 45% do not know enough
- 30% good or very good
- 20% average or poor

Are you open to the idea of being in a hospice?
- 80% no, unsure or only as a last resort.
Top reason: Do not want to waste the final moments of my life in a hospice
- 20% yes.
Top reason: To receive adequate care

What does dying well mean to you?
Physical – painless death
· Dying quickly
· Dying in my sleep
· Dying at an old age/naturally

Psychological
· No regrets
· Dying happily
· Dying peacefully/without worry

Fulfillment
· Knowing all affairs are settled
· Having led a meaningful/fulfilling life
· To have accomplished my dreams/wishes/desires/goals

What would you do if you had only six months to live?
1. Spend time with loved ones.
2. Travel
3. Live life to the fullest
4. Enjoy
5. Stop working
6. Indulge in material/physical pleasures-food, drink, clubbing or sex
7. Live life as usual
8. Be spiritual, pray, become a monk, read the bible
9. Stay at home
10. Spend all money/Give back to society-donate to charity, do volunteer work

华文报道：
http://www.zaobao.com/sp/sp090404_509.shtml
http://www.zaobao.com/sp/sp090404_510.shtml


以上的报告，是刊登在周六的The Straits Times。我想与更多的朋友分享这份报道，也觉得我们必须依照上面的问卷，至少让自己的心中留下一份答案。因此特地抄写在我的部落格。

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