Your ability to learn determines your success. If you can easily learn new subjects and master new skills, your opportunities expand significantly.

L. Ron Hubbard discovered several reasons people have a hard time learning. Instead of placing the blame on teachers, society or the lack of education funds, his solutions revolve around study habits.

The most important habit is to use a dictionary.

The Misunderstood Word

This study technique involves the most important study habit you can form. This one habit will allow you to successfully learn any subject, no matter how advanced.

To use this tool, you will need a dictionary. If you do not own one, you must buy one.

Meir Ezra The best dictionary uses simple, easy-to-understand words in the definitions. It's also helpful if the dictionary shows you the roots (derivations) of words.

Get out your dictionary and look at a few definitions. Are they easy for you to understand? Do they use simple words in the definitions?

If not, consider buying a simpler dictionary, such as a student or intermediate-level dictionary. If your dictionary is too simple, and does not give you derivations, get a more advanced dictionary.

Here is an explanation of this powerful study technique

"The only reason a person gives up a study or becomes confused or unable to learn is because he or she has gone past a word that was not understood.

"The confusion or inability to grasp or learn comes AFTER a word that the person did not have defined and understood.

"Have you ever had the experience of coming to the end of a page and realizing you didn't know what you had read? Well, somewhere earlier on that page you went past a word you had no definition for or an incorrect definition for.

"Here's an example. 'It was found that when the crepuscule arrived the children were quieter and when it was not present, they were much livelier.'

You see what happens. You think you don't understand the whole idea, but the inability to understand came entirely from the one word you could not define, crepuscule, which means twilight or darkness. (Note: Read the crepuscule sentence again now that you understand the word.)

"It may not only be the new and unusual words that you will have to look up. Some commonly used words can often be misdefined and so cause confusion.

"This datum about not going past an undefined word is the most important fact in the whole subject of study. Every subject you have taken up and abandoned had its words which you failed to get defined.

"Therefore, in studying be very, very certain you never go past a word you do not fully understand. If the material becomes confusing or you can't seem to grasp it, there will be a word just earlier that you have not understood. Don't go any further, but go back to BEFORE you got into trouble, find the misunderstood word and get it defined."

-- L. Ron Hubbard

You can feel happier in just one minute by first understanding a few important facts.

"Happiness could be defined as the emotion of progress toward desirable goals. There is an instant of contemplation* of the last goal in which one is content. But contentment becomes boredom immediately that new goals do not come to view. There is no more unhappy thing than a man who has accomplished all his ends in life." -- L. Ron Hubbard(*contemplation = thoughtful observation; meditation)

Let's examine three parts of this definition.

1."There is an instant of contemplation of the last goal in which one is content."

What was the last goal you reached? Do you remember that feeling of contentment?

For example, how did you feel right after your wedding? When you got your first job? When you graduated from school?

2."But contentment becomes boredom immediately that new goals do not come to view."

For example, planning a vacation is exciting. But toward the end of a vacation many people are bored as they no longer have a goal.

Arguments during honeymoons are common, if the newlyweds do not set goals for their marriage.

Meir Ezra Planning your retirement and the  first day of retirement is a thrill. But the joy of freedom quickly turns to boredom and early death if you do not work on new goals.

3."Happiness could be defined as the emotion of progress toward desirable goals."

Making yourself happy is easy! Simply chose desirable goals and make progress toward them.

Three Steps to Feeling Happier, Right Now

1.Select a desirable goal. If you don't have a desirable goal, make one up. What do you want?

2.Write down ONE SINGLE THING you can do right now toward this goal. It has to be an action step. Not thinking about it or talking about it. Actual physical motion.

3.Do it! Take that one step right now. Make some small, but real progress. You might be surprised at how easy it is.

As soon as you take this one step, you'll feel instant happiness.

Try it!

Meir Ezra --You can get everything you want in life as long as you give others enough of what they want. If you give nothing of value, you get nothing of value. Your method of exchange determines your wealth.

The type of exchange you use determines your financial success. Nothing else you do has a greater impact on your income. L. Ron Hubbard outlines the four types of exchange.

"1. First consider a group which takes in money but does not deliver anything in exchange. This is called rip-off." — L. Ron Hubbard

Examples of this first condition of exchange:

— You pay a $1,000 deposit for a new car. The dealer goes bankrupt. You get no car and no refund.

— A plumber loosens a pipe, shows you the "leak," tightens the fitting, makes noise, charges you $159.

— Someone in your office avoids doing work. Lots of excuses, lots of smoke screen, no work, full pay.

This first exchange condition is basically theft. The second exchange condition is cheating.

"2. Second is the condition of partial exchange. The group takes in orders or money for goods and then delivers part of it or a corrupted version of what was ordered." — L. Ron Hubbard

Examples:

— County fair booth promises to show you a two-headed cow, but actually shows an odd-looking skeleton.

— The "$99 Dream Vacation Package" turns out to be a smelly motel room by the freeway.

— Instead of working, an employee reads a magazine, surfs the net or makes personal calls while being paid.

"3. The third condition is the exchange known, legally and in business practice, as `fair exchange.' One takes in orders and money and delivers exactly what has been ordered." — L. Ron Hubbard

Most successful companies and individuals use this principle. Examples:

— You pay for a dozen fresh eggs, you get a dozen fresh eggs.

— A $10-per-hour employee works 40 hours of normal work and is paid $400.

— You pay your power bill and get electricity.

"4. The fourth condition of exchange is not common but could be called exchange in abundance. Here one does not give two for one or free service but gives something more valuable than money was received for." "This fourth principle above is almost unknown in business or the arts. Yet it is the key to howling success and expansion." — L. Ron Hubbard

Individuals and businesses who use this fourth method of exchange flourish when others are in trouble.

— You pay an artist for a painting who then frames it for you at no extra charge.

— You invest with a real-estate group expecting a 12% return each year and get 15% instead.

— An employee not only does all of her own work, she trains a new employee, works on her day off when another employee calls in sick and assumes new management responsibilities without demanding more pay.

Employees who give more than expected receive promotions, raises, bonuses and extra benefits. Job security is excellent as they are valuable to the company.

Businesses that exchange in abundance get more referrals than anyone. Investors are anxious to buy its stock. Customer loyalty is guaranteed.

At first, giving more than expected seems unfair. You give extra effort without recognition. You add value to your work or products without anyone noticing.

Yet eventually, you rise to the top. People like working with you above others. Your company is selected above the competition. You earn a reputation of being more than fair.

Instead of trying to get more, work on giving more as your method of operation and see what happens!