INPUT ARTICLE: Article: This does not mean being unrealistic, or saying you're going to go professional within a year. Instead, you should take a look at what you are, and figure out where you think you would like to be. Give yourself a suitable amount of time to achieve that goal, and break it down into smaller parts if the goal is especially big.  For example, if you do want to go professional, take a look at what the requirements are, and work your way up to each one. You may have to go semi-pro first. Rather than focusing on the big picture, focus on the smaller one instead. For example, you could focus on your technique. Being good at sports means more than physical strength and speed. In order to be truly great, you need to apply that positive attitude to the way you treat other players, even if they're on the other team. If you lose a match, accept the loss and show respect to the other player for their victory.  If you set an example of good sportsmanship, you'll receive the same respect in turn when you win. Treat loss as a learning experience. Figure out what you did wrong, then try to improve it for the next game. No matter what you do, skills are often slow to build. If you're not patient, you will try to leap into more advanced techniques long before you're ready. Your motivation will sap away when you don't see improvement immediately. Keep the long-term goal in mind, and hang tight in the meantime while you make it a reality. Remember: there is always going to be someone who can do it better than you, at least at first. Impatient athletes tend to make poor ones. When you play sports, you will inevitably receive criticism. Whether from a coach, other players, or spectators, you need to take most of it with a grain of salt. Are they angry because you missed a pass, or do they sincerely want to help you improve? Learn to distinguish the constructive criticism from the hurtful remarks. In a lot of cases, you can use criticism as motivation to get better in whatever area they bring up.  Don't let yourself get defensive. Your thinking becomes more limited if you allow yourself to become emotional against criticism. Keep your ego under control. Even if you think you are the best, be open to constructive criticism. One of the biggest reasons people join sports teams in the first place is to make friends with new people. If you join a team, you're bound to run into a lot of people. Chances are you'll develop friendships with at least some of them. Making these friendships a priority is a good move if you want to become great at sports. You can practice together on your own time. The morale boost of playing with friends helps as well. Team sports like soccer can have some skills practiced in solitude, but for others (like goalkeeping and passing) another person is needed. It's helpful to have this other person as a friend. It'll make the practice process more enjoyable in the long term. It's possible to get so obsessed with being good at something that you lose track of why you want to be good in the first place. Not taking the time to enjoy the sport you play results in a fast burnout. Whether you're practicing or playing a competition, try to remember the other reasons why you play sports. For example, this may include the natural satisfaction you get from exercise, or simply the quality time spent with friends.

SUMMARY: Set ambitious but realistic goals for yourself. Be a good sport. Be patient. Accept criticism. Nurture friendships with other players. Let yourself have fun.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Smoking becomes such a natural part of a smoker’s daily routine that it becomes second nature. One of the most difficult parts of quitting is building new habits. You can help them with this (or recruit others to help).  Ask them what they enjoyed about smoking. Find a replacement with another activity where they can do something similar. If they smoke on their work breaks, offer to go on a walk with them instead. If they smoke after a meal, ask them to help clean up or walk the dog. If they smoke first thing in the morning, offer to share a cup of coffee with them. If they smoke when they drink, avoid parties or bars where alcohol is served. If they get the urge to smoke, try to be available to talk them out of it. Your loved one will experience some withdrawal symptoms. It’s best to address them head-on and be supportive through those difficult times. Remind them that these symptoms are temporary.  Weight gain is common. If this happens, offer to exercise with them and help restructure their diet. Sleep might be hard to come by for a while. Suggest some things they can do, like read a book, watch a television show, or write in a journal. Don’t take their bad moods personally. Continue to be positive and let them know that it’s okay to have bad days. Remind them how proud you are. Physical withdrawals usually only last 5-7 days, but the psychological withdrawal may last longer. Most people who quit smoking will slip up at some point in their process. It’s normal, and it’s okay. Unfortunately, a lot of quitters will see it as a sign of failure and stop trying. The first 2 weeks are usually the hardest.  Remind them of all the reasons they wanted to quit in the first place (or should quit). Let them know they can still quit and haven’t failed. Identify the trigger so they know what to avoid moving forward. Quitting smoking is not easy. Reward their efforts along the way. They promote encouragement and remind your loved one they’re still moving in the right direction.  One of the best outcomes of quitting is the money they’ll save. Suggest that they set that money aside and treat themselves when they’ve quit smoking. Hawaii, anyone? Incremental rewards and praise is important. Consistent positive feedback or tangible rewards are helpful reminders of progress. Don’t leave it up to them to let you know how they’re doing. Ask. Keep an eye on how they’re progressing so you know when to offer more support, or when to reward successes.

SUMMARY: Help distract them. Address withdrawal symptoms. Push them to keep trying if they “slip up”. Reward milestones and successes. Check in with them.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: BMX bike models are all slightly different, and will require different tools depending on the style and manufacturer. Some of the tools you many need to assemble your bike include:  A three-eighths inch (9.525mm) socket with wrench extension Sockets in 19mm (three-quarter inch), 17mm (0.686-0.669/eleven-sixteenths inch) 15mm (0.591-0.625/five-eighths inch) Allen wrenches in 4mm (0.15748 inch), 5mm (0.19685 inch), 6mm (0.23622 inch), 8mm (0.31496 inch)  Open-end wrench in 15mm (0.591 inch) or an adjustable wrench Wire cutters or scissors Grease Phillips and flat-blade screwdriver Box cutter or knife Air pump Hammer and rubber mallet PVC pipe or old headset cup Using the box cutter or knife, carefully cut the tape or cut the box. Remove all the parts from the box. Cut any zip ties that may be fastening parts together, and remove foam or cardboard that’s wrapped around parts. Lay the parts out on a flat surface so that you can see each one. Use the instructions as a reference if you are assembling a new bike. Inspect the parts for damage. While most bikes have the same basic components, different manufacturers will ship their bikes in different stages of assembly. Depending on how much pre-assembly has been done, your parts may include the:  Bike frame Saddle (the seat) and seat post Handlebars and grips Front fork (the Y-shaped part that attaches to the front wheels and handlebars) Front brakes, rear brakes, and cables Reflectors Front and rear wheel assemblies and tires Chain Peddles Additional box or bag of small parts and hardware Most BMX bikes come pre-assembled with the back wheel and front forks already attached to the frame. If you just bought your bike and are assembling it for the first time, skip forward to the appropriate section depending on how much pre-assembly has already been done on your bike.

SUMMARY:
Assemble your tools. Remove the bike from the box. Ensure all your parts are there. Determine what assembly is required.