Latest Career & Work Articles


Toastmasters Champion Ben Loh Dishes Public Speaking Advice! (PLUS Win FREE 1-1 Coaching Worth $200!)

Interview with Benjamin Loh, Public Speaking Coach Extraordinaire

After terrific reception for the first episode of Celes.TV (interview with learning & education expert Daniel Wong on How To Score a GPA of 3.98/4.00), I’m extremely excited to unveil the second episode today!   Secrets of a Top Public Speaker (feat. Benjamin Loh, Public Speaking Coach and Five-Time Toastmasters Champion!) What does it take to be a TOP public speaker? We often see amazing speakers like…

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Have a Presentation Coming Up? 5 Things To Note for Your Next Presentation

Working on Laptop

Most of us procrastinate. Be it for that big project deadline, impending examination, exercising or even… the dreaded taxes. We try to keep it off our mental enclaves for as long as we can until it dawns upon us that time suddenly becomes a precious commodity. At the eleventh hour, our productivity seems to peak dramatically as it is now negatively correlated with the time…

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Work-Life Balance: Your Guide to Achieving that Elusive Balance Between Work and Life

Work-Life Balance

Is it really feasible to achieve work-life balance nowadays? Or is it just a myth? There were times I used to regularly work 14-hour days. I remember a discussion with a colleague on this topic. At one point I said “Yeah, but what can you do?” and she answered simply “There is always something you can do”. It was such a simple statement, but it…

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Ask Celes – Do You Think Everyone Can Be Successful in Starting Their Business?

Ask Celes

“Hi Celes, do you think everyone can be successful in starting their own business? I graduated from an Ivy League college in the U.S. in a science field. But since I couldn’t find any work I liked, I started my own online business. After a year I had to close down. I failed. Do you think I can change my character to become successful as my…

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Why I’m Retiring at 28 and Inviting You To Do the Same

With a Giraffe in Johannesburg, South Africa

Me with a giraffe in Johannesburg, South Africa As of today, I’m retired from work and life. What do I mean? I mean that I’ll no longer work or live life as conventional society deems me to. I’ll no longer concern myself with monetary needs, societal statuses, creating a lifetime of achievements, matching people’s expectations, and so on. I’ll just do my thing, act the…

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A Handy Spelling Guide: 20 Words You Need To Stop Misspelling Today

Spelling Bee Contest

Can you spell? How does your written word compare to your spoken English? Reading comments online, I have noticed that there are people who write flawlessly, while there are people who have spelling and grammar mistakes littered all over their writings. While there is no prize in life for the best speller, making empirical spelling mistakes in your writing can distract people from your core…

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Your Ultimate Presentation Guide: 21 Ways to Deliver Interesting and Engaging Presentations

Crowd Cheering

“What if… what I’m saying is not interesting to my audience?” Of the many concerns I get from the clients I have coached, the fear of being uninteresting (or boring) is probably one of the most common ones. After all, you’re presenting a crowd of people whom you don’t know well. Yet, you have to take it upon yourself to present your content and vulnerability…

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How To Manage Office Politics, Part 3: How To Master the Game and Excel in Your Career

Master Office Politics

This is the last part of a 3-part series on how to tackle office politics and become a master of it. How To Manage Office Politics, Part 1: 5 Essential Tips To Getting Started How To Manage Office Politics, Part 2: How To Defend Yourself From Office Backstabbers How To Manage Office Politics, Part 3: How To Master the Game and Excel in Your Career…

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9 Essential Tips to Overcome the Fear of Public Speaking

Overcome Fear of Public Speaking

Note from Celes: Hi everyone! Today I would like to introduce to you the second guest writer to join the PE family. He is Benjamin Loh, an Executive Speech Trainer and Coach based in Singapore. Ben and I met over four years ago in a personal development workshop. At that time, we had a very short exchange and didn’t get the chance to know each other. It…

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How To Manage Office Politics, Part 2: How To Defend Yourself From Office Backstabbers

Office Backstabbing

This is part 2 of a 3-part series on how to tackle office politics and become a master of it. How To Manage Office Politics, Part 1: 5 Essential Tips To Getting Started How To Manage Office Politics, Part 2: How To Defend Yourself From Office Backstabbers How To Manage Office Politics, Part 3: How To Master the Game and Excel in Your Career If you…

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How To Say “No” To a High-Pressure Sales Person (Or Anyone For That Matter)

Sales Persons Not Allowed

I’ve been getting my scalp treated and hair washed at Yun Nam Hair Care for the past few months. While they deliver pretty good service, I absolutely abhor it when my consultant unleashes her high-pressurizing sales technique on me to either make me continue my treatment package or to upsell me some new treatment. High-pressure sales techniques — Beware of them!!! It feels as though the…

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