Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Build a large knowledge base. Take time to think about things. Expand your worldview. Search for connections. Pay attention to detail. Ask yourself questions about why things are the way they are.

Answer: One of the most important things in developing your analytical skills is also creating a strong knowledge base for yourself. The more you learn, and the more you know about the world, the more tools and information you’ll have when it comes to understanding and solving problems. To enlarge your knowledge base, consider:  Reading extensively. Don’t just focus on one subject or genre. Subscribing to newspapers or informational magazines like National Geographic to learn more about the world around you. Attending lectures and academic talks and conferences. Going back to college or finding free educational classes in your community. Take all the time you need to think and reflect about an array of things. In fact, make it a point to think about things instead of making quick and rash decisions. Thinking about things and considering a variety of factors will help hone your problem solving and analytical skills.  Use any opportunity you have to think things over and to examine different scenarios. For example, if you are going to take a pawn with your castle in Chess, instead of just quitting after thinking about the first (or most likely) response your opponent will take, think out all of the possible responses. Consider multiple sides of a problem before picking a solution. Avoid picking the easiest and simplest solution right away. However, don't rule out the easiest solution, as it might be worthwhile. One of the best ways to improve your analytical skills is to expand your worldview. This is no quick fix though. Expanding your worldview takes time. Ultimately, it will help you better evaluate information and to analyze different ideas and outcomes. Traveling is a great way to expand your worldview, although it can be expensive and require you to be creative with your finances.  Try to think about different ways of viewing the world. Do this by trying to step outside of your religious, political, and cultural suppositions about truth. Try to understand and even work to defend positions and ideas you would normally dismiss. You can do this by taking important political positions and working to rationalize and defend the opposite viewpoint that you accept. Meet with and surround yourself with people who are very different from yourself. Finding people who have different backgrounds and ideas than you will help you understand and accept ideas different than those you are familiar with. Ultimately, many things in our daily lives are connected. Whether it be the migration of birds and other animals and the seasons, or car emissions and changing whether patterns, things are connected. By discovering connections, you'll help hone your analytical skills. For instance, go on a hike and think about connections between the animals, plants, weather patterns, and water and food sources.  Think about things in terms of cause and effect. Consider the repercussions of a prolonged drought. What is the impact of the drought? Look beyond the obvious. Think about the similarities between things. How are all living things the same? What similar things do both humans and spiders need to exist? Think about connections in history. What cycles, patterns, or other common trends do we see? For instance, in American history, consider how periods of reform are often ended by conflict (the Progressive Era and World War One, the New Deal and World War Two, the Great Society and the Vietnam War). Attention to detail is extremely important in analytical skills. Without knowing the ins and the outs of a problem, or knowing the specifics, you'll be less likely to craft a successful and workable solution. Make sure to look at small things (as well as large things).  For example, when viewing a forest, try to view individual trees and the uniqueness and place each tree has in the forest. When meeting new people make sure to memorize their names, what they’re wearing, and any features that set them apart from everyone else. Contemplating the natural order of things is an extremely helpful way to hone your observation and analytical skills. By thinking about why things are the way they are, you'll develop a better understanding of the world and you'll challenge yourself to think about complex issues.  Never take the easy answer. Always keep questioning. If you see a dog, observe what it's doing. Ask yourself why it is doing that. Even if it is a simple action. If it is running to fetch a ball or stick, is it doing this for fun? What about hunting instincts? Is it showing loyalty to its owner by doing that? Is the dog looking motivated, or lazy? Why might it be motivated or lazy?


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Select oils based on scent group. Mix lavender, jasmine and neroli to create a floral perfume mist. Experiment with your own modifications. Mix oakmoss, vetiver and patchouli to create an earthy perfume mist. Mix floral and citrusy oils together for a layered blend. Mix more than one layered blend for a unique scent.

Answer: When using essential oils for perfumery, the best place to start is with scent groups. The major scent groups are floral, woodsy, earthy, citrusy, oriental and spicy. Oils that are in the same scent group usually blend very well together. The most popular and easy to find essential oils for each scent group are:  Floral scent group: lavender, rose, neroli and jasmine. Woodsy scent group: pine and cedarwood. Earthy scent group: oakmoss, vetiver and patchouli. Citrusy scent group: orange, lemon and grapefruit. Spicy scent group: clove and cinnamon. Oriental scent group: ginger and patchouli. To make 8 ounces (1 cup) of perfume mist, you will need ½ tablespoon of essential oils. This is approximately 110 drops. To make a floral perfume mist using the formula already presented, try this recipe:  40 drops lavender essential oil; 35 drops neroli essential oil; 35 drops jasmine essential oil; 10 tablespoons of alcohol; 4 tablespoons of distilled water; ½ tablespoon of vegetable glycerin. Once you get the hang of it, get creative and try your own experiments with different proportions of the essential oils. For example, you could modify the above formula to be a lavender-heavy scent that only includes 2 oils from the scent group – lavender and neroli.  Adjust the lavender amount to be 70 drops. Adjust the neroli amount to be 40 drops. This amounts to 110 drops total, which is what the recipe calls for. Follow the rest of the formula and you’ll have an altogether new floral scent. The original formula remains the same, but this time the scent group is woodsy. Once you get the hang of it, experiment with the proportions, just like you did with the floral group. To get you started, try this recipe to create a woodsy perfume mist:  50 drops oakmoss essential oil; 40 drops patchouli essential oil; 20 drops vetiver essential oil; 10 tablespoons of alcohol; 4 tablespoons of distilled water; ½ tablespoon of vegetable glycerin. Some scent groups mix well with other scent groups. Floral and citrusy oils are two scent groups that generally mix well together. Using the same formula as before, create an energizing citrusy floral mist by modifying it with a lavender oil and grapefruit oil blend:  85 drops lavender essential oil; 25 drops grapefruit essential oil; 10 tablespoons of alcohol; 4 tablespoons of distilled water; ½ tablespoon of vegetable glycerin. Aside from floral and citrusy, there are many other scent groups that compliment each other and mix well together. Use the same formula as before and reference this general guideline to get you started mixing across scent groups:  Florals blend well with oils from the spicy, citrusy and woodsy scent groups. Oriental oils blend well with oils from the floral and citrusy scent groups. Woodsy oils usually blend well with all scent groups.  Experiment! By trying different the oils, mixing across scent groups and modifying proportions, the possibilities are almost limitless.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Find the exfoliating product that is right for your skin. Massage the product onto your skin with your fingers. Rinse the product off and pat your face dry. Moisturize your face. Repeat twice a week before bed.

Answer:
As with cleansers, there are many different products on the market available for different skin types. You will likely need to find yours through trial and error. In general, if your skin is oily, look for exfoliating products that promise a "deep cleanse." If your skin is dry, find one that is gentle and moisturizing. Work up your face slowly, moving your fingertips in small circular motions.  Gentle scrubbing microfiber towels are an alternative to massaging in by hand. Many beauty shops even sell gloves made of this material to make your routine easier. Electric-powered exfoliating tools are also popular. Inexpensive versions of these gadgets can be found at most supermarkets. Use warm water. Avoid rubbing your skin with a towel, as this can irritate and damage your skin. Your skin may be more sensitive after exfoliating. Moisturizing is especially important after exfoliating, as natural hydrating oils are often stripped away in the process. Exfoliating also removes your skin's first layer of protection. While dead, dry skin may make your skin feel rough, it does serve as a barrier over more sensitive skin underneath. Regular exfoliating helps to keep your skin soft and blemish-free. You can reduce frequency if the humidity goes up or your skin is less prone to flaking. If your skin is very sensitive, exfoliating may be too irritating and worsen dryness. Find the right balance that works for you.