Problem: Article: Your gifts and talents will help you succeed, but they can only do so if you know what they are. You need to be self-aware enough to use and hone the gifts you already have.  Start by thinking about the areas in which you excel. What comes easiest to you? In which subjects did you always do well in school? What do you breeze through at work? Ask your friends, family, and co-workers for feedback. Often, they can see talents that you're blind to. For instance, maybe you have a natural ability to talk anyone into anything. You may not even notice that ability, yet it's a skill that comes in handy in many fields. You could ask your friends, "I'm trying to become more self-aware. Can you tell me what you think my strengths and weaknesses are?" It's also equally important to know your challenges, so you can work on those areas. Listen when you do receive feedback from others, either solicited or unsolicited, as that will help you learn where you can grow. For example, if a friend says, "You're starting another new project? What happened to the last one?" you may realize that you aren't following through on your projects. Studies have shown that kids who are praised for their effort rather than for the result are more likely to develop a growth mindset. That's because they become focused on the process rather than the the end result. You can use that to your own benefit by rewarding yourself for your hard work, rather than just the end result.  For every designated length of time that you work on something, reward yourself with a fun break or treat. This can help keep your focus on the effort. Or if you tried a new recipe at home, something you find difficult, you probably would normally tell yourself, "That's so delicious!" While that's not bad necessarily, you should also think about the process, telling yourself, "I'm proud of myself for trying out a new recipe and working so hard on it." A qualified counselor or therapist can help you identify negative thinking patterns and other roadblocks toward developing a growth mindset. A therapist can make an assessment of your personal relationships, your professional development, and personal experiences. They can also give you "tools" to combat negative thoughts, improve your self esteem, and offer support when you experience setbacks.
Summary: Figure out what your gifts and talents are. Know your challenges. Give yourself credit for effort. Speak with a therapist.

Problem: Article: If you're trying to identify a song simply using a melody, it is first important to consider how much of that melody you actually remember. Every little bit of information helps, and will increase the likelihood that a friend will be able to pinpoint the song for you.  Being a more attentive listener throughout your music-listening habits will make future scenarios like this much easier to grapple with.  Take care to make sure that all of the information you think you remember is actually right. The memory can be a strange thing, and a few botched notes in your melody can lead your helper completely astray. Choosing the right person to help you has a lot to do with what you currently remember of the song itself. If you distinctly remember the song's melody chances are you'll know the genre as well. Many people prefer certain genres over others, and the ones that tend to listen to the genre of the song in question will subsequently have the highest chance of successfully helping you out. Enlisting the help of friends with formal musical training is helpful too, as they are used to identifying music purely on the basis of melody. Find somewhere non-distracting and relatively quiet; that way, there won't be uncontrolled factors hindering the process. Sit down with your friend and recreate the melody for them, whether with your voice or the piano. Take care to accurately reproduce the cadence and rhythm of the melody as well-- melody entails far more than a simple sequence of notes! While you can technically recreate the melody on just about any musical instrument, it's actually recommended you try doing it with your voice. Especially if you're not a trained musician yourself, the human voice offers a lot of potential for expression. In singing the melody, you might be able to get some of the timbre and tone across as well, making your approximation that much more specific. Giving your helper some context as to the tone, rhythm and general style of the song can help them pinpoint a song just as well as any melody. Part of what you're doing is trying to give them an accurate impression inside their head as to the song. That way, they'll have an easier time to pinpointing it. Many melodies can be used by multiple songs, so providing a little bit of context can go a long way towards helping identifying the song in question. Now that you've given them the melody, you and your friend can brainstorm as to what it's about. Encourage them to ask you questions about the song. It is possible you still remember more than the information you've offered them. Give another hum to the melody once the two of you have discussed it a little bit, and see if either of you approach it any differently. While you're talking and humming the melody, you should remain open to the possibility that you'll remember the song yourself, provided it's something you've forgotten as opposed to trying to identify it from scratch. If the first person you ask isn't successful, you should try getting help from other people. In the case of identifying a melody, in most cases it's a simple matter of having it click instantly. What ends up leading to the brainstorming stage for some people may be an instant bid for others. Don't lose hope if you can't get it right the first time; find someone new, and begin the process again.
Summary: Consider what you know of the song. Find a friend who might know the song. Play or sing the melody. Describe the other parts of the music you remember. Brainstorm. Ask others.

Problem: Article: Find a hostel at your destination by going to a listing website, such as Hostelworld. Read through the descriptions carefully and make a list of those locations in your price range. Then, take a look at the recent reviews. Hostels are often good options for travelers who enjoy a lively, young, group-friendly atmosphere.  Be aware that many hostels place multiple people in the same room, even from different parties. Make sure that you are comfortable with this before booking. Some hostels have communal kitchen or laundry spaces which can save you some serious money when traveling. Many websites, like Airbnb, now offer travelers the option of staying in someone's home. You can do everything from renting a large house to staying on a couch for a few days. Carefully consider what you prefer before booking, such as how much privacy you'd like. Read all available reviews and contact the owner with additional questions.  Many of these sites handle the payment process, so that no cash is exchanged on site. Trust your instincts when going this route and never stay in a place that you feel is unsafe. Head to a place where you know you have a free spot to stay. Make sure to give them your dates well in advance to make sure it's okay to come. If you are lucky, your friends or family might even offer to serve as free tour guides of the area. To help out and still save money, you might offer to buy groceries or cook during your stay. Stop by a local market and grab the makings of a picnic. Book a room that has a fridge or kitchenette that you can stock with groceries for your vacation. Eating out can be an experience, but so can chatting with locals as you decide what food to buy. This is a great way to try out an area's specialty foods. If you don't have the option to make full meals, grab a few snacks at a local store to carry with you.
Summary:
Choose a hotel. Rent a room. Stay with friends or family. Make your own meals.