machine to the next for two or three hours.
Susan: Tina, that’s absolute nonsense, and I think you know it is. Most people go to the gym because it is social. Everyone has a good chat before they exercise, and then they usually have a coffee afterwards. I’ve made some really good friends there. There are some women that spend more time nattering than they do on the machines.
Tina: Really? I thought gyms were full of really serious health fanatics. You know, women like stick insects that get all anxious if they even see a bar of chocolate and men with bulging muscles.
Susan: No. No. First of all, most women go on days when it’s women only. The more serious ones go on the days when it’s mixed. I think they like showing they’re as fit as the men! Most of the women that go on the days I go just want to stay in shape. They’re not really even trying to lose weight. They just don’t want put to any more on!
Tina: Mm, isn’t it very expensive? I heard it’s about £300 a month or something.
Susan: £300!? Where did you hear that? Tina: Well, how much is it then? Susan: It depends. If you find it difficult to go regularly and you pay for each visit, then it works out a bit more. I’m not really sure because I’ve got a membership card and I pay a monthly rate. I think it’s £8 if you pay on the door – you still have to be a member though and that’s £100 a year. You have to pay another £2 if you want to use the swimming pool and another £3 for the sauna.
Tina: Mm, it adds up then. That’s £13 and if you go every week that’s a lot.
Susan: That’s why people pay a monthly rate. It’s £40 a month and for that you can use whatever you like. I think you have to pay to use the squash courts, but I never do, so I don’t worry about that. I go at least once a week and sometimes twice a week so I make quite a big saving. You just pay the bill online too, so you don’t have to mess around with cash at all.
Tina: Mm, I’m still not sure if it’s me. I think going for a run or even playing tennis would be more up my street.
Susan: You just said that going to the gym wasn’t very social. I can’t see that you’re going to make a huge number of friends running round the park by yourself. And, tennis – who are you going to play with? I bet you haven’t picked up a racket for 15 years.
Tina: Yeah, OK, OK. I suppose I could think about it. What days do you …
008
I’m often asked this question, because people are overwhelmed when it comes to positive life changes. Now, over the years I’ve given advice to many people for many different reasons. I’ve helped people with career changes, I’ve helped people with relationships, I’ve helped people sort out their finances and I’ve helped people to stop smoking. All these people ask me what they should do to change their lives – how they should start seeing things and doing things differently. It’s not an easy question to answer because everyone is different and everyone wants different things, but I’m going to talk about seven areas of behaviour – habits, if you like – that I think everyone needs to think about. These are habits that, if implemented, will change your life. The idea is to choose one or two of these habits and try to practise and develop them over a few months. Remember that the choices must be yours – no one should follow my advice as a set of rules. As Confucius said ‘Men’s natures are alike; it is their habits that separate them.’ So, first of all develop positive thinking. I mention
Unit 1 Exam Practice – Listening
F Listen and answer the questions. Voice: Now, let me start by asking a question. If you could just choose one or two habits to create and develop over the next few months – habits that would have the biggest impact on your life – what would they be?
190 Pathway to IELTS 6.0
this first as it’s the keystone habit that will help you form the other habits. Of course, positive thinking by itself won’t lead to success, but it certainly helps to motivate you to do the other things required. I learnt this when I gave up smoking – when I allowed myself to think negative thoughts, I would end up failing. When I learned how to squash negative thoughts and think positively instead, I succeeded. The second habit is exercise. This may seem obvious and not especially life-changing, but it makes you feel better about yourself and more confident. That leads to success with other positive changes. It reinforces the positive thinking, as you need to think positively to sustain exercise. It relieves stress and gives you time to think. This leads to better mental well-being in your life overall. Now, single-tasking – that’s the opposite of multi-tasking. Why is it life-changing? Here are a couple of very good reasons. You’ll be more effective with your tasks and you’ll get more done. It’s hard to achieve anything if you’re constantly distracted by other things. You’ll be less stressed and happier throughout your day. Similarly, you should focus on one goal. Just as focusing on one task is more effective, so is focusing on one goal. While it might seem difficult, focusing on one goal at a time is the most efficient way of achieving it. When you try to take on many goals at once, you’re spreading thin your focus and energy and that means you’re more likely to fail. Habit five – eliminate the non-essential. First, identify the essential – the things in your life that are most important to you, that you love the most. Then eliminate everything else. This simplifies things and leaves you with the space to focus on what matters. This process works with anything – with your life in
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