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The late great Charles Kuralt once wrote about the argument that television news can never be quite true to life because the camera’s presence alters events. Luckily for him, this argument saved his life and those of others once in the then newly-liberated-from-Belgian-domination Congo; out-to-kill Congolese soldiers acted differently when camera and lights where present.

But can knowledge of the presence of video surveillance cameras operated by the government on a 24/7 basis deter crime in the streets?

Public Spending

Usually, the video surveillance systems you see are paid for by public funds and maintained by public personnel. When you see clearly visible surveillance cameras in the streets, some of which rise as high as 27 feet off the ground, you can bet your bottom dollar that you help installed and maintained them through your taxes.

These surveillance cameras are predicated on public safety and welfare, with the assertion that you and the rest of the law-abiding majority will be safer from street criminals. Cameras should deter people from committing crimes simply because a picture tells a thousand words and moving pictures with DVD definition tell a damning story. But will the ideal “should” equal the real “could”?

Public View

Since you shoulder part of the cost for video surveillance systems, you have to be able to express your opinion on them. Even among your circle of friends and family, opinions differ. Let us take a look into these and you can decide for yourself.

* The presence of video surveillance cameras can prevent crime simply because criminals will think twice about having damning evidence on their heads. It is like what Charles Kuralt wrote.

On the flip side, cameras do not deter crime simply because criminals can and do move into non-surveyed areas. Even for Big Brother, cameras can only see so far. These are short-term deterrents at most.

* You need not fear crime when 24/7 cameras are around. After all, nobody particularly likes to be recorded committing crimes and having these footages slapped before you in the court of law.

For most people however, surveillance cameras do not necessarily decrease fear of crime. Indeed, you should not feel any less vigilant for your personal safety in and outside your home, public video surveillance notwithstanding. Much as you would love otherwise, crime never rests.

* Public surveillance systems can monitor anti-social behavior, aid in solving traffic problems, and assist in identifying violators. In Britain, some surveillance cameras are equipped with loudspeakers that call the attention of people who litter the streets, ride their bicycles in pedestrian areas and other anti-social actions; just imagine having somebody you cannot see reprimanding you in front of so many people and you get the feeling. In major US cities, surveillance cameras help traffic controllers ensure the safety of motorists.

But and there are always buts in this case, surveillance cameras can imperil your privacy. You can be the target of discriminatory targeting, voyeurism, stalking and blackmail. Did you know that colored people, women and subjectively kooky individuals are often the targets of disproportionate attention from camera operators? It is human nature, if you will.

Given all these pros and cons, you should be able to decide whether you want video surveillance systems installed and maintained by your taxes in your neighborhood. Take into consideration that these cameras have 360 degree capacity, have high-definition quality and can detect movements as far away as a mile away.

Like every human invention, a surveillance camera and a wireless security camera have their benefits and flaws. Learn more about how video surveillance affects you at Video-Surveillance-Guide.com today!

Steve was never a gamer. He used to scoff at the guys and girls who used to waste their time playing video games. After all he was on the track team and was destined for Nationals. One day his friend Tom invited him over to check out a new game he had downloaded. At first Steve refused, but when Tom insisted, Steve reluctantly accepted the invite. It wasn’t long until Steve was over Tom’s house everyday. They would sit hours playing the same game. They would make online friends. Steve’s grades began to slip and he began to grow insular and solitary. His parents did not know what to do. What happened to the Steve they knew? They would soon find out how bad a video game addiction really is…

A lot of people are seriously considering to acquire self-confidence but only a few succeed. There is a very big reason behind this as self-confidence is a trait that cannot be acquired by just reading or memorizing stuff.

Self-confidence is an important aspect of emotional intelligence and is also a strong foundation to a successful life. Many people have the wrong notion that just feeling better about themselves will make them confident. This is very wrong—self-confidence is not equivalent to getting liposuction and feeling sexy neither is it equal to buying clothes and shoes just to feel better. These could help a bit but these are not the main areas of happiness and contentment. Being truly happy and contented can come from thinking good thoughts, making the right choices and establishing habits of self-confidence.

Why it’s a Habit

Self-esteem, indeed, is a habit not merely a feeling or a state of mind. At any point in time, anyone can direct his thoughts, energies and behaviors toward the ultimate goal which is having confidence in oneself. It could sound simple but it is far from being simple. For a behavior to become a lifelong habit, a person must be focused and have the willpower to achieve his goal no matter what happens. Anyone can begin this quest to become self-confident but not everyone can do it.

Developing the Habit of Self-Confidence

The very first step to improving one’s confidence is to have self-awareness. This means noticing all the systems of the human body and preparing them to accept this new habit. This includes taking note of all negative emotions such as melancholy, panic, anger, anxiety, and depression. Once these emotions are identified, the individual must do all he can to desert them. When it comes to thoughts, an individual must remember to think positively at all times.

Negative thoughts spur negative feelings or actions and these are often unhealthy. The mind is a powerful tool and one who is determined to become self-confident must use this as an effective instrument. One who is learning to become self-confident must inculcate in his mind that he has self-esteem and truly believe in it.

Once this faith is instilled in a person’s mind, he should constantly practice being self-confident until such time that it becomes effortless or a part of his second nature. Building a habit means doing the same thing over and over until the person becomes used to it.

Confidence Killers

A person who is practicing to become self-confident must beware of these stumbling blocks:

• The” I-can’t-do-it attitude”—this is common among people who are naturally timid or shy. Anyone who falls into this trap is bound to fail.

• Inferiority Complex—a person with this problem tends to put himself down and equates himself as less than other people. Such thoughts as “Who am I to talk to him about this when I am only…” or “They will never listen to me, I am just…” must be pushed out of one’s mind.

The only person who can achieve the quest to being self-confident is the person who believes in himself. Also, self-confidence is a habit because it must be played out over time until it would finally stick to an individual—there is just no other way.

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Assertiveness is the focal part of effective communication among organizations, communities and other groups of individuals. Being a great leader means having the confidence to voice out personal and organizational needs in an effective way. The proper timing to asserting one’s belief is important and, at the same time, difficult.

The Different Styles

Not all leaders are effective with their people-handling and communication skills. These are the common styles that leaders practice:

• Non-assertiveness—this means that the leader fails to stand up for what he believes in and just goes with what the groups dictates to him. When this happens, the rights of the leader are clearly violated and his subordinates abuse him for his lack of assertiveness.

• Aggressiveness, on the other hand, is the style that leaders undertake when they want everything done their way. This means that the boss will listen to no one but himself and he will express everything even if people end up getting hurt. This type of leadership focuses on humiliation and putting down other people just so the leader could get away with what he wants.

• Assertiveness is the fulcrum to these two leadership styles. Being assertive means the leader stands up for himself in a way that would not violate any rights or hurt any feelings. This is a direct and honest expression of wants, needs, feelings, or opinions while maintaining one’s calm demeanor.

Basic Assertiveness

A good leader will always think of his and his subordinates’ overall welfare. This should drive any leader to become assertive and effective; but assertiveness can never be obtained overnight. There are ways to gain assertiveness in due time:

• A good leader must say what he feels in a nice manner.

• A good leader maintains eye contact when he talks to other people.

• A good leader also has good posture. Slouching gives the wrong impression to majority of people—it could mean that the person must not be taken seriously.

• A good leader has a moderate and respectful tone of voice.

• A good leader must never sound apologetic. If he has committed an error, he would strive to correct it and must apologize in a dignified manner.

• A good leader uses effective body language.

Assertiveness at a Higher Level

Assertiveness is often interchanged with aggressiveness and no leader must have the same connotation. Assertion would never involve hurting emotionally or physically which are indicative of aggressiveness. Winning every word war should never be a leader’s goal. No one ever wins an argument—in fact, the one who has the last word or who says more in every argument still loses.

A good leader must express all his feelings and ideas in all honesty. This will inculcate in his subordinates’ minds that he is trustworthy, therefore, good working relationship often follows. An assertive leader must also allow others to be assertive around him. This means that he would allow his subordinates to speak their minds in a clear and concise manner.

An effective leader must also have a set of reactions to several circumstances and he must constantly practice this. He must also know how to set limits without causing offense and this can be done by being firm.

Traits to Avoid

A leader who has a resolve to become assertive must avoid these traits:

• Indecisiveness

• Arrogance

• Lack of frankness

• Arbitrariness

• Bias

Leadership is a balance of all positive characteristics and the absence of negative ones. A good leader must remember this or he will be in jeopardy.

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Bullying is a serious issue whether it is practiced at home, in school, or the community in general. These are the common settings for bullies but the word bullying itself is quite hard to define. Bullying can be classified under these circumstances:

•Deliberate aggression or hostility towards the victim and the aggressor feels good about doing it.

•The victim allows the aggressor to push him around, thus, further aggression might be done.

Forms of Bullying

There are many forms of bullying. This is not all about gangsters hurting the geeks at school or a muscle man asking money from people in a community. Bullying is more than physical; sometimes, it can be verbal such as in cases of name-calling, non-stop teasing, sarcasm and even spreading rumors (whether they are true or not).

Racism is also a form of bullying and many people have become victims all because of the color of their skin or their nationality. Racist acts include graffiti, taunting and gestures that are meant to offend people that are different.

A more serious form of bullying is sexual in nature. These sexual acts include abusive comments, homophobic abuse, or unwarranted physical contact.

Results of Bullying

These are the most common feelings and reactions that are done by people who are victimized by bullies:

• Low self-esteem

• Depression

• Poor performance on academics

• Isolation

• Being shy

• Attempted suicide

These emotions might vary when it comes to their degree of seriousness yet all are serious and should merit immediate attention.

Assertiveness: An Effective Ingredient

Very little can be done about a person who harasses other people but much can be made out of a person who is willing to stand up for himself and put a stop to bullying.

Assertiveness is still about respect for oneself and others (even the bully). Assertiveness is an effective behavior that will change the bully’s reaction towards the former victim. Here are some steps on how assertiveness can make the big difference:

• The first part is knowing how to say NO. Saying no means being firm about it. A former victim should know what he really wants and listen to what his mind tells him. No amount of aggression should deter him to stand for himself and be resolute. If the bully continues with his aggressive behavior, it is helpful if the victim would not show any signs of fear or nervousness.

This will signal the bully that his reign is almost done and the victim is ready to end it. An assertive person would never give in to pressure so no matter how much the bully taunts, it is better to be hurt one last time than to endure lifelong assault.

•Planning for another moment of bullying and practicing how to react would make a victim prepared and less afraid. Having a mindset on how to handle a certain situation does wonders.

•Assertiveness also means blocking (not dodging) all the insults, taunting, and all other forms of negative remarks. The assertive individual knows how to remain levelheaded despite the cutting remarks.

How Victims can Heal

Every victim should learn to forgive and deal with his inner demons. Once these negative emotions are flushed out of one’s system, the mind can truly heal and the person can move on with his life. Once he shows firmness and absolute faith in himself, no person will ever be able to touch this assertive individual.

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To be assertive doesn’t mean being rude or mean. It also does not mean being annoying or pushy, instead, it means being truthful while getting things done.

Steps toward Being Assertive

1. A person who is learning to be assertive must be conscious about his appearance. How he looks tells the world a lot about what he really is. People who wear clothes that look sloppy would never be taken seriously by anyone. Even a woman who puts on too much make-up and who slouches when she walks would be laughingstock for everyone. Power dressing or Dressing up for Success would make anyone appear respectable and dignified.

2. Much can be told of a person even before he opens his mouth to prove himself. When nervous, it is best to still act graceful and dignified. Showing signs of nervousness or uncertainty would send people the message that an individual lacks confidence. All people have a certain area of expertise and they also have areas to improve on. With the latter, it is advisable to ask questions and not be ashamed of it. Looking at people in the eye while talking to them is also a sign of confidence. This could be quite hard for some people who are timid or naturally shy but it must be conquered so that brushing off would be avoided.

3. The tone of a person’s voice also tells much about his total being. Using a clear and calm voice is imperative especially during tense circumstances. The status of the person spoken to must not change the way they have to be dealt with. Speaking to a corporate boss should be no different from talking to the maid. Conciseness, respect, and confidence should all be depicted in a person’s voice. And as age old as this lesson on manners have been taught to everyone, still, it remains a good behavior to say “Excuse me…” when people do not hear what one has to say.

4. Attacking people in customer service is a definite no-no. These people are just following policies that are set by their respective companies and it is too wrong to vent out on them. An assertive individual will be able to direct his frustration into solving the problem and not at venting out on innocent people.

5. An assertive person is also not afraid to speak out even if someone tries to push him around. Assertiveness is all about choosing the right kind of words, timing and proper delivery of the message. Getting the message across does not mean putting oneself on the same level as the aggressor. An assertive person knows his worth yet he does not flaunt it to make other people feel inferior, nor is he a doormat.

Real Assertiveness

People often misconstrue assertiveness as being aggressive. There is one big difference between the two, though. Aggressiveness evokes confrontations while assertiveness is all about coming up with solutions in a calm manner. There should be no confusion—one is a negative behavior and the other is all about goodwill and answering concerns. Assertiveness is all about appropriateness and being congenial even amidst adversity.

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There are many known techniques when it comes to learning to be assertive. Development of this behavior is often based on the so-called 3-line assertion message which are:

• Understanding and outlining the facts of any given situation (stating facts).

• Indicating or pointing out the feelings or reactions to a situation (stating feelings).

• Statement of the requirements, reasons and advantages to other people (stating requirements).

A more concrete example is this: Person A wants to express that he does not want noise when he is in the middle of studying, to Person B. Person A would begin by saying “When you turn up the volume of the TV while I’m studying…” and he would follow this up by saying “…I feel so uncomfortable.” The last part of the message is to deliver the solution to the current problem without being overbearing. The suggested solution could be started with the phrase “I would like…”

In this scenario, Person A is able to relate the act that causes the offense followed by his feelings toward this act. The last part of the message is often the make or break point. The last part should be delivered in a calm manner so that positive reaction can be reaped.

Negative reactions can only sprout when swearing or accusations ensue. The emphasis of assertiveness is how to indicate feelings and other emotions without gaining aggressive reactions from the recipient of the message.

Assertive Delivery of the Concern

There are many ways that assertiveness can be mastered:

1. Being aggressive means being honest to oneself and one’s emotions (acceptance of strengths and weaknesses).

2. The simple and direct technique must be used in delivering the message. This means that the simplest sentence would be far greater than beating around the bush and groping for words to say.

3. The reactions must be thought of long before the situations present themselves. This means coming up with dialogues that are appropriate for a given scenario.

4. Objections can be overcome with the use of clarification and reiteration (but never in a forceful manner).

5. Assertion is never effective without body language and an individual with the right body moves at the right time would gain favor and not hatred.

6. Respect is always a mutual matter and being assertive is being respectful of other people’s opinions and feelings. It is never right to push one’s ideas almost to the point of bullying.

7. Keeping calm and sticking to the message is also necessary.

Praises versus Criticism

Giving praise is the act of commending someone for something that he has done well. Criticism is the exact opposite of this definition. Giving praises should not be used as a tool to manipulate people. Praises that are given in this manner are mere flattery. The best type of praise is the one that has specified the action that merits a commendation. For example, instead of saying “I like the way you handle customers…” a better statement would be “I like the way you handled that concern on Customer A.”

A person who is aiming to become assertive must constantly practice giving praises and all the other basic techniques before he should move on to higher levels of assertiveness techniques. Other good situations to practice assertiveness are:

• Refusing to accept additional work due to lack of time.

• Asking for help from someone who is known to be difficult.

• Praising someone who is not a friend.

Practice makes perfect and this is still true with assertiveness. These techniques are nothing without constant practice and determination from the part of the learner.

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The perception of assertiveness or its absence may be the turning point to any leader’s life. The lack of assertiveness or too little of it is often seen as a form of weakness—and to a leader this is highly catastrophic. Nothing could be more embarrassing for a leader than to be tagged weak or useless.

When it comes to the necessary traits of a good leader, the following characteristics are always sought for by companies and employees alike: intelligence, charisma, self-discipline, and self-confidence. Not too many people would point out that a leader must be assertive. This is because there are some negative connotations when it comes to the term assertiveness.

Assertiveness Defined

Assertiveness will never be a negative word yet people often associate it to negativism. Only a few people correctly understand the meaning of this behavior. There is also no such term as too much assertiveness as this can be defined in its more proper term—aggressiveness.

Being assertive means having the confidence to express one’s emotions, opinions, ideas, wants, needs or feelings - in a calm way. It also means not being reactive even in the face of adversity or abuse. Assertiveness does not go about ravaging people’s feelings on its way just so one’s emotions could be vented out.

Leaders and Assertiveness: The Great Link

Aspiring leaders who do not have assertiveness will never be able to stand up for what they believe in or even their interests. This will inevitably lead to being ineffective and the inability to deliver results. Those who are overbearing with their aggressiveness, on the other hand, will only garner hatred from their subordinates. They might be able to produce the numbers that they have set but their followers will never respect them.

Assertiveness is all about moderation and being graceful even when under pressure. No aggressive or frail head has ever succeeded in leading people. Being assertive will bring about respect and success on a great equilibrium.

Studies have observed that most leaders are not even aware of how they behave and how this behavior affects other people. Gauging assertiveness begins by knowing the different levels to this behavior. This gauge is much like a spectrum where the starting point is at being moderate, the middle part being persuasive and the other end of the spectrum is standing firm. Not one of these is better than the other. The key is to know when to be mildly assertive and when to be firm about a decision or belief.

A leader needs to be taken seriously especially when a task is at hand. Letting loose may only happen after office hours where everyone is equal. Would-be leaders who are seriously considering the idea of supervising other people would do well to learn the virtue of assertiveness over time. If this is not possible on a self-learning mode, there are classes that are specially set up to teach assertiveness, so there are no reasons for anyone to say that it cannot be done.

Assertiveness is always healthy and positive in its meaning. Good leaders are not born with it, they develop it over months or even years constant practice.

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Having a great deal of self-confidence has been proven to boost anyone’s life and career to the top. Many people believe that confidence is a state of mind and this is actually true. To achieve this state of mind, a person must undergo serious changes in his attitudes, his outlook at life, and his goals. But to better understand the true meaning of self-confidence, there must be a clear distinction whether this belief in one’s self is self-esteem or just pure determination.

Having self-confidence is an issue to most people. This is a negative state of mind where other people are thought to be better than oneself. Some even have the wrong connotation that people are born with self-confidence.

Self-Confidence and the Society

Self-confidence does not come to those who do not seek it. It all boils down on how a person feels about himself. Self-confidence can be developed or it can remain stagnant. Many people have the tendency to categorize themselves by the standards that the society dictates upon them. Unfortunately, the world has an unrealistic standard when it comes to what’s perfect or good enough.

For self-confidence to bud, a person must value and truly accept himself. He must also be contented with who he is. It’s always a wrong notion to try to please other people just to be accepted. When this happens, self-confidence starts to creep to the sidelines until it is completely compromised.

Gaining Self-Confidence

Too many people spend their precious time on letting the world know that they conform to the world’s standards. Doing this dulls an individual’s senses and it can only be remedied if he learns to love himself despite his imperfections.

The first step to gaining self-confidence is to believe in oneself. This faith will catapult anyone to succeed on anything that his mind has been set to do. Success may not be in sight on the very first try but the secret is to keep trying. Quick success simply isn’t possible in gaining self-confidence. Attaining the ultimate goal can only happen when the person strives hard to obtain it. Pushing oneself to the limit and constant practice are important factors to consider.

Tips on Increasing Self-Confidence

•A person who is aiming to gain self-confidence must start by having a journal and recording his ultimate goal. Studies have proven that writing down goals makes it a lot easier to remember and achieve them. The journal can also be used to record strengths and the reasons for loving oneself.

•A person must always commend himself for all the positive things that happen to his life. He can do this by buying himself a treat each time he does something magnificent. This will boost the feeling of being special.

•Self-acceptance is a must and an individual must learn to not only accept but also to love the qualities that he has. It is never good to compare one person’s characteristics with one’s characteristics. This act of comparison will only bring about one of two things—a superiority or inferiority complex.

•After the acceptance of strengths and weaknesses, it is also necessary to understand the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of life.

Generally, self-confidence is developed when it is thought of constantly and practiced on a regular basis. Without persistence on the learner’s part, self-confidence might as well be an impossible dream.

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Time is an asset that everyone has, regrettably, not everyone manages this important asset effectively. Time, when used properly, will be able to yield money and other resources. Time spent is time gone—that’s a fact of life and assertiveness is the necessary key to make time work for anyone.

Assertiveness + Time = Wealth

Assertiveness is a person’s ability to express his feelings, opinions, ideas, needs and wants without hurting other people’s emotions. Assertiveness has levels of skills and is absolutely important to all people yet this necessity is also one of the most overlooked aspects of life. Even the most intelligent people who can map out what they want in life would fail to reach their goals if they do not have assertiveness. Protecting one’s rights begins at childhood and there are many factors that could contribute to the lack of assertiveness or having the right amount of this valuable behavior.

Being assertive does not mean bullying other people neither does it mean giving away valuable time to other people because of their incessant begging. Assertiveness takes time to develop and be fully-learned but with constant practice and much willpower, it can be achieved.

Being bullied by aggressive individuals could be prevented by setting up boundaries. These are some of the most effective traits that an assertive person must have to make bullies respect time and other people’s rights:

• An assertive person makes the correct choices. Even if aggressive people surround them, assertive people do not give in and would simply explain that their time is valuable and should be spent well.

• An assertive person must know when and where to set the boundaries. He must also be receptive and sensitive. If others tend to be abusive, an assertive person will know how to calmly and pleasantly explain his standards. If the aggressor remains adamant, an assertive person should still know how to handle the situation and not let it get out of hand.

• Assertive people think of how they should react well ahead of situations that would require reactions in that manner. Visualization is a necessary element to this. Being assertive does not happen overnight; it takes constant practice and visualization of the end goal.

• Assertive people should also explain what they want to achieve in its simplest form. There should be no manipulation while an assertive person is in the process of explaining his goals.

• Assertive time choices along with the acceptance of other people’s rights and feelings are the most important aspects of being in charge of one’s time.

• Once people know what boundaries have been set, they are less likely to test the determination of the one keeping his goals. Safeguarding these boundaries is essential to being respected. Saying no is quite easy for assertive individuals.

A person who is firm about his time and beliefs would signal to the world that he is assertive and that he is confident about what he wants. He does this without degrading or hurting other people; and above all, he achieves the state of assertiveness only when he couples his endeavors with faith.

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