When something goes wrong，it can be very satisfying to say, “Well, it's so-and-so's fault.” or “I know I'm late, but it's not my fault; the car broke down.” It is probably not your fault，but once you form the habit of blaming somebody or something else for a bad situation，you are a loser. You have no power and could do nothing that helps change the situation. However, you can have great power over what happens to you if you stop focusing on whom to blame and start focusing on how to remedy the situation. This is the winner's key to success.

    Winners are great at overcoming problems. For example, if you were late because your car broke down, maybe you need to have your car examined more regularly. Or, you might start to carry along with you the useful phone numbers, so you could call for help when in need. For another example, if your colleague causes you problems on the job for lack of responsibility or ability, find ways of dealing with his irresponsibility or inability rather than simply blame the person. Ask to work with a different person, or don't rely on the person. You should accept that the person is not reliable and find creative ways to work successfully regardless of how your colleague fails to do his job well.

    This is what being a winner is all about—creatively using your skills and talents so that you are successful no matter what happens. Winners don't have fewer problems in their lives; they have just as many difficult situations to face as anybody else. They are just better at seeing those problems as challenges and opportunities to develop their own talents. So, stop focusing on “whose fault it is”. Once you are confident about your power over bad situations, problems are just stepping stop on for success.

    It's time to teach kids how to play. Play can teach them important life skills. Their imagination will also be inspired.

    Play a game. Dig out your board games. Checkers, chess and Monopoly are all great games.

    Hands-on fun. Bring out playdough (橡皮泥). Your children may roll their eyes at this one, but you would be surprised at how they will sit down and keep themselves entertained with it.

    Build something. Lego, Lincoln Logs and K'NEX. How many of our kids still have these in the back of their closets? Try building something using toothpicks and connecting them together with glue. As the things you build dry, they become stronger and you can keep them around for a while.

    Go outdoors. Outdoor games like marbles and hopscotch not only interest your kids, they will also improve coordination (协调) skills. Too hot or cold out? The garage, basement or kitchen floors will be OK, too.

    Become an outdoor artist. Buy a box of colored chalk from the local store and let your kids create their own works on your front or back sidewalks. Take pictures of them for your family album.

    Are these new ideas? Of course not. But when our kids are given a choice of any of these “offline” activities or the chance to watch TV or play computer games, what are they going to choose? When you unplug your kids, they will learn how to play again simply because they have nothing else to do. They will find other activities to keep themselves entertained.