A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work

Famous Quote: A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work

Paul Huber

Hard work and success go together. The vast majority of people who have achieved success claim that for a considerable time. They had to work hard to break through to get what they wanted. There is no magic formula that will lead you to success, and there is also no short route to reach it because success in life depends on a series of factors to which you must dedicate time. Those who strive, sacrifice, and work hard to achieve their goals are those who enjoy the triumph since it requires effort, energy, time, study, and passion for achieving success.

Hard work causes all your senses to be anchored to the goals you set. This strategy has the advantage, which is an effective means to accumulate energy, achieve conviction, and adopt positive habits. The power of determination will give you that excellent preparation so you can face the most difficult challenges in life. With this, there will be no challenge you can not overcome. You will feel inside that burning fire that will lead you to demand more each day until you achieve all the goals you have set.

Hard work can lead to smart work.

While it is true that you should work hard with a goal in mind, working hard that leads to working smart also matters. The more you focus and exert effort, the more that you establish efficient goals and strategies to obtain excellent results. Successful people usually invest time, energy, personal, and spiritual strength to come up with good results. They love the work they do and have the determination to succeed. They believe in what they do, know their skills, and apply them in their projects with high performance.

Consistency and hard work guarantee success

Taking much hard work and finding the passion in the things you do guarantee success. You will be surrounded by good energies that will keep you motivated. If you are executing the activities you love most, and then the hard work will be a much lighter burden since your positive emotional state will cause additional energy to give you that extra effort that makes a difference.

Colin Powell: A Military Personnel, Diplomat and Politician in the United States

Colin Powell was a military, diplomat and politician in the United States although born with Jamaican parents. He was a four-star general in the United States Army, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Persian Gulf War later became the Secretary of State during the George W. Bush administration. Powell pointed out that the qualities of a good leader were marked by having the ability to give the greatest effort.

Learning Idioms in Context: Making New Friends

Paul Huber

Here is a short story about Dave’s interest to make more friends. You’ll find idiom definitions, example sentences, conversations, and a short quiz after reading the story.

There was a young boy named Dave. He had one friend, and he wanted to make more friends. He thought that he was on the ball to make more friends in the neighborhood. 

Dave was never happy without a lot of friends around him, so he decided to go out alone without his mother. He spent his whole day walking around in the neighborhood but did not meet any new friends. He thought that he might be barking up the wrong tree, so he moved to another block. A few days later, he did not make any new friends.

Dave decided to travel to meet new friends in the next town. He thought that this would not cost an arm and a leg, but he has spent his extra allowance while travelling. After spending a month, he realized that he had thrown caution to the wind when he decided to move in this town to make new friends. He went back home, and his mom accepted him and let him off the hook.

Let someone off the hook

Meaning
  • to release someone from blame or responsibility
Example Sentences

Dale was suspected of cheating in their monthly exam, but he was left off the hook when he got a failing score.

Jenny was scheduled to clean their house, but her mom let her off the hook because Jenny has received an excellent score in her Math exam. 

A: Danny did not attend the orientation. Are you sure that he can follow all the rules?

B: He is a fast learner, so let him off the hook. I am sure that he will do good.

On the ball

Meaning
  • knowledgeable and competent
Example Sentences

The new company director is really on the ball as the sales target went beyond what’s expected. 

Rhea completed her report so quickly as she is on the ball with this kind of task.

A: Why is it that you can get that formula quickly? Is there any secret?

B: My mother said that I need to study well so that I will always be on the ball on any subject.

Barking up the wrong tree

Meaning
  • to make a wrong assumption or choice in something 
Example Sentences

Rexy is barking up the wrong tree because he always focuses on his problem rather than its solution. 

The cops were barking up the wrong tree as they point a man that was nowhere in the crime scene. 

A: Sara told me that I became so addicted to mobile games because I have my smartphone with me always.

B: She is barking up the wrong tree because I don’t see any mobile games app on your phone.

Cost an arm and a leg

Meaning
  • expensive
Example Sentences

I would love to invite all my friends and relatives for my birthday celebration, but this will cost an arm and a leg when I do that. 

To look pleasant and charming, most movie actors and actresses undergo cosmetic surgery that costs an arm and a leg for them. 

A: What’s your birthday wish gift this year from your parents?

B: I know this wish will cost an arm and a leg for my parents, but I hope I can have a new pair of Nike shoes.

Throw caution to the wind

Meaning
  • to decide without thinking of the risk or its adverse effects
Example Sentences

Tourists are warned not to throw caution to the wind when they visited an area for the first time. 

Samantha throws caution to the wind when she goes shopping as she always buys expensive dresses and shoes. 

A: I want to swim in the deep area now! Do you want to go with me?

B: I can’t! I never throw caution to the wind when I go swimming, as I am not sure about the sea current.

Quiz

1. Letty is always _____________ because she was the youngest in the group.

2. My mother is absolutely _____________ when it comes to cooking my favorite recipe.

3. My sister is _____________ because she always insists that our youngest brother eats all her food in the refrigerator.

4. Celia is very thrifty because she never tried to buy an item which ______________.

5. Teenagers usually ________________ and end up regretting it.

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm

Famous Quote: Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm

Paul Huber

Do you remember that feeling when you were still young, and there was something that made you crazy, like when you were playing soccer, riding a bicycle, eating pizza, playing with someone, playing with a particular toy, watching an animated film? These were wonderful times when everything has allowed you to enjoy what you like. Enthusiasm – an emotion felt throughout the body that, without a doubt, is impossible to hide. People demonstrate it naturally; It just let go. 

Children are naturally enthusiastic. They are struck by everything around them. They want to see and know practically everything. The colors, the shape of the objects, their textures, smells, flavors, everything – it is their enthusiasm that empowers them. This is also applied to successful people. They keep their enthusiasm levels high. They tend to have the same enthusiasm on Friday afternoons as on Monday mornings. This naturally brings them greater success, but most importantly, it drives them to have a positive outlook in life.

Enthusiasm can overcome obstacles in life.

When a person is enthusiastic, he has more energy and can overcome obstacles in life. So the energy you put into your actions has a significant impact on the results as well as the way you feel. It is enthusiasm that inspires you, gives you more strength and motivation. This becomes the fuel that ignites your will and determination to act. It is the result of a mixture of interest and joy, which moves and activates you to seek new goals. In this way, any person who does his work with pleasure, dedication, and joy is already a step ahead of success. 

An enthusiastic person believes in his ability to transform things, to make it work. It is not success that brings enthusiasm. It is the enthusiasm that brings success. A genuinely enthusiastic person can use all his power and be more productive and dedicated to whatever he does. With this, nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm, as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, is true.

Enthusiasm can produce extraordinary results.

Adopting this famous quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson is essential not only in the workplace but in life in general, as it allows you to know your potential and always want to do your best. Whether at work or even preparing dinner for your family, do it with enthusiasm and joy, and find out how much you can achieve extraordinary results. Enthusiasm is paramount when it comes to pursuing an objective because it pushes you to create ideas, make decisions, and execute actions that guarantee success. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson: An American Poet, Lecturer and Essayist

In a series of surprisingly original essays written in the mid-19th century, he fundamentally changed how America saw its artistic and cultural possibilities. One of his famous insights is that nature is within us; it is part of us, and not only in the highest forms but in all its extravagance and wild state. His last decades were complicated, but he never lost his enthusiasm, his passion for writing, and defending his ideas.

Learning Idioms in Context A Mother's Love

Learning Idioms in Context: A Mother’s Love

Paul Huber

Here is a short story about the love of a mother to her child. You’ll find idiom definitions, example sentences, conversations, and a short quiz after reading the story.

Sarah was sitting in her bed, thinking of her child Emma. Suddenly, Emma came in and asked, “Hi, mom. I am looking for you because I like to hug you first before I hit the sack tonight.” 

Sarah smiled, hugged her daughter and replied, “Thank you for being such a lovely and obedient child.”

“It’s not rocket science to be an obedient child,” Sarah insisted. “I think I should be the one thankful as you never had the last straw no matter a perfect storm comes in anytime. I admire you for that, mom.”

Sarah smiled and said, “Emma, I am your mother, and I should be there for you no matter what happens. I make sure that you grow with a sense of responsibility and never miss the boat.”

Sarah and Emma went to bed with a smile.

Hit the sack

Meaning
  • go to bed
Example Sentences

George always plans to hit the sack at nine o’clock in the evening.

Samuel thinks that he should better hit the sack as soon as his mother arrived.

A: You look so tired. You need to rest now.

B: Yes, I will. I am going to hit the sack after I finish my homework.

It’s not rocket science

Meaning
  • something that is not difficult to do
Example Sentences

Going to the meeting on time is not rocket science.

Cleaning your house regularly is not rocket science.

A: I can’t think of other words anymore. I guess you win again.

B: It’s only a simple crossword, my friend. It is not rocket science.

The last straw

Meaning
  • someone’s patience has run out
Example Sentences

People always wait for the last straw before they take action for their country.

Jerry is not going to wait for the last straw as he immediately reported his sister’s dishonesty to their mom.

A: I am sorry. I was not able to arrive on time.

B: You are always late, and this will be the last straw.

A perfect storm

Meaning
  • a combination of challenging situations or events
Example Sentences

It’s almost a perfect storm if you studied all night for the whole semester, and yet you still get a failing score in your exam.

The governor is under a perfect storm of allegations about his performance and tax evasion issues.

A: How are you today? I heard about your company’s plan filing for bankruptcy.

B: Yes, that is correct. This will be a perfect storm for us as we are not sure about our job’s stability.

Miss the boat

Meaning
  • to miss something or lose an opportunity due to being too slow
Example Sentences

Be sure that you will not miss the boat when you always pay attention to other things instead of studying for your exams.

Eden and her friends are always searching for better opportunities so that they will not miss the boat.

A: You are still jobless right now? What are your plans?

B: I am planning to enroll in some workshops to upgrade my knowledge and skills. I still believe I have not missed the boat.

Quiz

1. ______________ as early as you can so that you can wake up early tomorrow.

2. Learning how to cook rice is not _______________.

3. The neighborhood is noisy all night, so I need to report them as I am not going to wait for ________________.

4. My sister has always experienced ________________ in her work due to her poor time management skills.

5. Glenda always ________________ as she never prepares well in her job interview.