I know you’re …

I know you’re reading this on a computer, smartphone or tablet, but ask yourself, how computer literate am I?

Computer literacy is a set of skills that no woman should be without.  Being computer literate can be the gateway to self-sufficiency and career advancement!  When you understand the basics of computers you can:

• Advance your career by taking on new responsibilities or qualifying for a higher-paying job
• Explain what is happening when something goes wrong
• Fix computer issues yourself, saving time and money
• Know what you do and don’t need when buying electronics, and when something is worth your money
• Feeling confident in your abilities when new technology is introduced to you

Knowledge breeds more knowledge!  When you know a little, you know enough to learn more.  If you are not confident with computers yet, you soon can be!

• Seek out local resources: Fresh Start offers computer classes in Computer/Internet Basics, Word, Excel and PowerPoint…with more to come! Many libraries and community colleges do as well.
• Online Tutorials: The internet  is full of free tutorials to teach you anything and everything you want to know.  Many channels on Youtube are devoted to teaching you specific software or guiding you how to fix problems.  Most software companies wll have free tutorials on thier websites.  Office.com has tutorials on all office products.
• Friends and Family: The best resource might be all around you!  Most people have thier go-to “tech person” who sets up thier computer or stays on the phone to guide you through a problem.  Set up some time with them to teach you some basics, you’ll oth be glad they did.

REMEMBER,everything new is confusing the first time we do it, but with practice, will become a useful skill!

Mideival Helpdesk (This silly video illustrates this beautifully)

If you’re looking to improve your skills, please check out our computer class offerings.  If ou can’t make it, we also hve tech coaches in the library who will give you free tutoring.  Call 602-261-7168 for an appointment.

If you think yo…

If you think you can, you can.

And if you think you can’t, you’re right. Mary Kay Ash

Sometimes you build your own obstacles that stand in the way of your goals. If you are mindful of your inner critic you can challenge this voice…

Question the Inner Critic/Develop your Inner Ally

The Inner Critic’s Voice	Your Inner Ally’s Voice
Is unfairly harsh… “People say that they liked my presentation, but it was nowhere near as good as it should have been. I can’t believe no one notices all the places where I messed up.”	Is reassuring… “Wow, they really liked it! Maybe it wasn’t perfect, but I worked hard on that presentation and did a good job. I’m proud of myself, this was a great success.”
Generalizes unrealistically… “I got an F on the test. I don’t understand anything in this class. What an idiot. Who am I fooling? I’m stupid and I don’t belong in school. “	Is specific… “I did poorly on this test, but I’ve done okay on all the homework. There are some things here that I don’t understand as well as I thought I did, but I can do the material – I’ve done fine in other classes that were just as tough.”
Can be illogical… “She is frowning. She didn’t say anything, but I know it means she doesn’t like me.”	Challenges illogic… “Okay, she’s frowning, but I don’t know why. It could have nothing to do with me. Maybe I should ask.”
Catastrophizes… “I didn’t get hired for that job. I’m so humiliated. No one thinks I can get the job. I’ll always work for low wages and never have anything.”	Is objective… “Ouch! That hurt. Well, that doesn’t mean I wasn’t capable, it means that someone else had better skills than I do at this time. At least I was in the running, I got an interview!”