Find somewhere calm, quiet, and comfortable for you to read, such as a comfy chair in a sunlit room or in a hammock outside. Put away all technology, such as phones, tablets, computers, and televisions, so that you won't be distracted. Allowing your mind to wander or daydream while reading won't allow you to truly take in what you're reading and you'll give up more easily. Put aside all thoughts of undone chores or things you'd rather be doing and focus on the book. If you need to finish up homework, respond to emails, or do laundry, complete these tasks before sitting down to focus on a book. If you find yourself forgetting which character is which while reading, start writing down information about the people, places, and events that take place.  You can also write down your thoughts, reactions, and predictions about the book as you read. Keep the notebook and a pen next to you as you're reading. Once you start a new book, ask friends, family members, or coworkers if they've read it. If they have, you can talk about the characters, plot lines, or themes to help you get excited and interested in the book.  If they haven't read the book, you can talk about themes in the book that you find interesting, or characters that remind you of people in your own life. Ask friends and coworkers if they have any book suggestions for you. Book clubs will encourage you to read more often so that you can keep up with the book club's picks. You'll get to discuss the book with others and join a community of people who can encourage you to read as well.  Check the newspaper, classifieds, or social media to see if there is a book club near you. Create an informal book club with your friends or coworkers. If you're having trouble concentrating on the book, try reading it aloud for a few pages. This helps your brain focus entirely on the words and their meaning. If you're in a public place and don't want to disturb others, try softly mouthing the words instead of speaking them aloud. This will help you to focus on 1 line at a time and prevent your eyes from wandering down the page. Move the notecard or bookmark down as you complete each line, but not until you have read the last word in the line.
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One-sentence summary -- Create a distraction-free reading environment. Complete nagging tasks beforehand so your mind can focus on reading. Take notes to help you remember key characters and other information. Talk with others about what you read to get new perspectives. Join a book club to help motivate you. Read the book aloud or mouth the words to help you focus. Hold a notecard or bookmark under the line you are currently on.


Make sure that the employee has a written record of rules, regulations, and standards. You should also write a detailed job description so that they know what is required of them. Make a point to go over this written record in a conversation, too. That way, you can answer any questions that come up. Don’t just say, “Employees must respond to client emails as soon as possible.” Instead, set clear expectations by saying, “Client emails must be answered within 10 hours.” Tell your employee the rationale behind these expectations. If they understand why they are necessary, they’re more likely to take them seriously. You can go over this each time you need to give the employee a reminder about how to do their job. You could say, “The reason I need you to be here by 7:45 is because I trust you to open the office before other employees arrive at 8.” It’s your job to help your employees succeed, so make sure to give them the proper tools. When you explain your expectations, make sure that you have considered whether they have:  Enough knowledge Enough team members The right equipment Enough time Make sure that your employee understands what will happen if they don’t meet your expectations. Again, give them this information in writing and also follow-up with a conversation. Don’t try to threaten or scare your employee. Instead, calmly tell them what will happen if they don’t succeed. You might say, “If you fail to get me those reports on time, I’ll have to have someone else manage the project.”
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One-sentence summary -- Describe company policies in detail. Explain why each duty is important. Give the employee the resources they need to succeed. Outline the consequences of not meeting standards.


Public transportation is reliable in London and most other large cities, while parking and petrol prices are challenging. If you do decide to drive, click here to find out whether you can use your current licence.  Rail travel is common for longer journeys, with price and speed ranging from convenient to absurd depending on the route. If you plan on traveling and are aged over 60 or under-25, buy a discount railcard. In London, buy an Oyster Card from a Underground (tube) station. These give discounted prices on tube, bus, and city rail fares. A bank account and associated debit/credit card are usually free. A few of the largest English banks are: Lloyds, HSBC, Barclay's, and NatWest.  Ask your current bank whether it has a "sister bank" program you can use while in the UK. You can try opening a bank account from overseas, but you may need to provide a UK address. There are a couple useful documents a visitor to the UK should have:  National Insurance Number. This is used for tax purposes, and required for employment and to claim any benefits. Call Jobcentre at 0345 600 0643 to apply.  Passport photo (with UK specifications). These can be taken at photo booths for £6 or less. Emergency medical care is free at-point-of-use for all visitors. Hospital visits are free to most visitors, including anyone who paid a one-time healthcare surcharge when applying. For other health-related issues, it's up to the doctor whether to charge you or not. You may want to ask several doctors in your area about prices before you choose one. Although this may seem like something you can just get used to, it's good to figure out the English version of some words, or you might end up saying the wrong word and getting in trouble! For example: in England, "fanny" is much more vulgar and socially unacceptable word in England than it is in the USA; as it means something else.
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One-sentence summary --
Figure out transportation. Open a new bank account. Apply for documents. Learn about the UK healthcare system. You may want to also learn some of the differences between English culture and the culture you came from so you don't get confused!