1) Divide the following useful expressions into two groups, as noted below. After that, say them out loud in class one by one.

— Keep your chin up.

— It will all work out (for the better).

— Things will get better.

— You’re taking on (way) too much.

— Don’t let it get you down.

— Tomorrow is another day.

— You can’t please everybody.

— It’s always darkest before the dawn.

— You’re way overloaded.

— You can’t be all things to all people.

— Things are never as bad as they seem.

— You’re burning the candle at both ends.

— You need to set your priorities / get your priorities straight.

— You’ve got your fingers in too/so many pies.

— You’re carrying the world on your shoulders.

— Take it easy — lighten up a bit.— You’re driving yourself too hard.

— Every cloud has a silver lining.

— Hang in there.

— Things will turn around before you know it.

2) Use the expressions you have just learned to give advice to someone by completing the following questions and responses.

How can you have fun when…? + A STATEMENT + A STATEMENT

How can you have fun when you’re burning the candle at both ends? If you have your health and your family, you have everything. If you have plenty of money but not these two things, you don’t have much.

a. How can you have fun when…?

How can you have fun when you’ve got your fingers in so many pies? You can’t work, work and work still more like this! You’re way overloaded. You need to take some time out to relax and hang around with friends.

b. How can you have fun when…?

How can you have fun when obviously you’ve taken on way too much? You’re burning the candle at both ends. You need to get your priorities straight.

c. How can you have fun when…?

How can you have fun when you’re carrying the world on your shoulders? Take it easy — lighten up a bit! You can’t please everybody. No one can.

d. How can you have fun when…?

How can you have fun when you’re driving yourself so hard? What are you so worried about? It will all work out for the better.

3) Play the roles of Steven and Sofia in the following dialogue, paying attention to the underlined expressions.

Steven: Come on, Sofia. You can’t work, work and work still more. Lighten up a bit. You need to have some fun!

Sofia: Have fun? How can I have fun running my business?

Steven: I know beginning a business is tough and takes a lot of time and energy. But you’ve got to get your priorities straight. Right now, you’ve got your fingers in too many pies.

Sofia: What’s your point?

Steven: The point I’m trying to make is that if you focus on what’s truly important, and not scatter yourself around, then you can actually lighten up a bit. And when you do, everything will go easier than you think. And you’ll have more fun.

Sofia: Oh yeah? Fun? Maybe. But I’m not so convinced letting go is a recipe for success.

Steven: Well, it is, in many cases. You certainly look unhappy now that you’ve become so overloaded.

Sofia: Do I?

Steven: Yes, you do. And you know, your stressed-out and unhappy look can put people around you under stress.

Sofia: Oh really?

Steven: Sure can. People who work closely together are quick to sense everyone’s ups and downs. If you have fun in running your business, people sense that too, and join in with enthusiasm. That kind of positive spirit is a big element in building a healthy corporate culture. See what I mean about the benefits of having fun at work?

Sofia: Hmm. Sounds like maybe I need to train myself in this particular aspect of the school of life. Otherwise, how can I expect the best of my employees?

Steven: Don’t let it get you down. You can turn the situation around pretty quickly. Plus, things are never as bad as they seem.

Give a short oral presentation on one of the following titles, using the text below as an example.

◎ Make Every Day a Masterpiece

◎ Relish the Challenges

◎ Network and Make Friends

Make Every Day a Masterpiece

I’m persuaded that everybody can make every day a masterpiece. All that’s needed is to have a positive attitude towards life.

With such a positive attitude, you wake up not to spend a day, but to embrace it. You get things done in a meaningful way. You maintain a high level of productivity. You care for others. You have fun in business. You add balance to your existence. You enhance your sense of well-being.

These are all the results of a positive attitude towards life.

If you have such an attidue, at the end of each twenty-four hours, you can call your day a masterpiece.